該書是一部以故宮文物為載體的通俗歷史讀物，通過精選48件代表性文物，串聯起中華五千年文明史。書中突破“故宮僅關聯明清史”的刻板印象，將視角延伸至新石器時代，揭示了文物背後的朝代興衰、文化傳承與人性故事。

Wandering in the long river of time, I came across Zhang Cheng's "History of China Hidden in the Forbidden City", as if stepping into a Palace Museum built by time, every page is like a Zhumen through the past, gently pushing it open, there is a long wind of history blowing in the face, with thousands of years of stories and memories.

The Forbidden City, the towering cultural palace, carries the rise and fall of the Chinese nation. And "History of China Hidden in the Forbidden City" is like a wise guide, holding a candle flame of history, illuminating the legend behind those cultural relics in the depths of the Forbidden City. These cultural relics, like a bright star, inlaid in the canopy of history, although after the vicissitudes of life, but still shining, they are not only the treasures of art, but also the living fossils of history, silently telling the changes of the past. The book is chronological, thematic and storytelling, outlining the history of each era and the changes of each theme, unfolding a vivid historical picture for readers.

Opening this book, it is like shuttling through the corridor of history, and the first thing that catches your eye is the ancient Hongshan Jade Dragon. It is like a dragon that has been sleeping for thousands of years, awakened by time, and its smooth lines are just like its agile posture winding and circling in the sky of history. It is the pioneer of civilization and witnessed the first dawn of mankind's journey from ignorance to wisdom. At that time, people carved out this jade dragon containing mysterious power and good wishes with simple hands and reverence for nature on the vast land. It may have been worn by the leaders of the tribe, on the altar of sacrifice, and received the worship of the tribesmen, which is a kind of reverence for unknown forces, a vision of a better life. Just as "jade is not cut, it is not a weapon", the carving process of this jade dragon is just like the epitome of the continuous sharpening and growth of the Chinese nation in the long river of history. From the primitive hunter-gatherer to the gradually formed tribal civilization, every step is engraved with traces of human wisdom, and this jade dragon is the original inscription.

As the wheel of history rolls forward, the appearance of Qin Shi Huang's edict is like a lightning bolt that pierces the night, announcing the advent of an era of great unification. This seemingly ordinary power weapon has extraordinary significance. It is like a silent historian, using the inscription on his body to record the great feat of Qin's unification of weights and measures, which shocked the past and the present. In that era of wars and divisions of princes, Qin Shi Huang swept Liuhe with his eloquence, and then used the move of unifying weights and measures to closely link the scattered land of China. This small edict is an extension of his power and will, and it is a symbol of the majesty of the Great Qin Empire. It was distributed to every corner of the empire, like the seeds of unification sown, taking root and sprouting, so that the concept of "the same track for cars, the same text for books" was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. This can't help but remind me of today's era, under the tide of globalization, countries are also seeking the unity and coordination of various standards, whether it is trade rules or scientific and technological exchanges, just like the Qin unified weights and measures, in order to promote the more efficient and orderly development of human society. Nowadays, China actively participates in the formulation of international standards and plays an increasingly important role on the world stage.

Look at the "Walking Diagram" again, like a long scroll of history, vividly showing the magnificent atmosphere of the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty. In the painting, Li Shimin, Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, sits on the chariot, his demeanor is majestic and calm, his gaze seems to have passed through a thousand years of time, and we can still feel the demeanor of the emperor in the prosperous era. Lu Dongzan's humility and wisdom are also vividly displayed on the paper under the painter's brush. This painting is not only a work of art, but also a historical witness to the friendly exchanges between Tang and Tibet. It has witnessed the cultural exchanges and political interactions between the two ethnic groups, and reflects the open and inclusive mind of the Tang Dynasty. At that time, the Silk Road was like a bridge connecting the East and the West, and various cultures, ideas and skills blended and collided with each other on this ancient road, blooming into a gorgeous and colorful flower of civilization. Today, the Belt and Road Initiative is a modern continuation of the ancient Silk Road. Countries along the Belt and Road have carried out extensive cooperation in the fields of economy, culture, science and technology, which is not only an innovative application of historical experience in contemporary times, but also China's wisdom and strength to contribute to world peace and development.

The cultural relics in the Forbidden City are like a mirror, reflecting the vicissitudes of history and the glory of the times. They have witnessed the change of dynasties, from ups and downs to prosperity; It has witnessed the inheritance and innovation of culture, from ancient Confucianism to the blending of multiple cultures; It has witnessed the integration and development of ethnic groups, from the various tribes in the land of China to the 56 ethnic groups that are now close to each other.

In the wave of the new era, "History of China Hidden in the Forbidden City" has a unique and far-reaching significance. It provides us with a new reading perspective, allowing us to no longer be limited to boring historical records, but to touch the temperature of history and feel the heartbeat of history through vivid cultural relics. These cultural relics are a solid foundation for the cultural self-confidence of the Chinese nation, and our history is so long and colorful, we have enough reason to be proud and proud of our culture.

At the same time, this book also inspires us to think about the relationship between history and reality in reading. History is not a thing of the past, but a source that is closely related to our current lives. Just like the cultural relics shown in the book, they have experienced countless ups and downs in the long river of history, but they can still radiate new vitality and vitality in modern society. This tells us that both individuals and nations should draw wisdom and strength from history to better meet the challenges of our time.

In addition, the book also has a strong cultural inheritance and communication function. Through the excavation and telling of the historical stories behind the cultural relics of the Forbidden City, it allows more people to understand the breadth and profundity of Chinese history and culture. Today, with the increasing frequency of international cultural exchanges, this is undoubtedly a cultural "hard currency" to show China's image to the world, spread China's voice, and tell China's story well. With the help of the stories behind these cultural relics, we can let the world better understand the core values of Chinese culture, such as harmony, tolerance and wisdom, and enhance cultural mutual learning and exchanges between different countries and nations.

(The author is a journalism student at Liupanshui Normal University)