中国古语中的“冰山难靠”寓意深远，形象地比喻了权势的易逝与不可靠。这个成语源自《资治通鉴》，其中记载了一个关于权力短暂性和虚幻性的故事，那便是唐朝时期杨国忠的下台。
在那段历史里，杨国忠因其家族背景和玄宗皇帝的宠爱而得以掌握大权。他堂兄杨贵妃不仅被玄宗宠爱至极，而且她的家人也因此获得了巨大的政治影响力。在那个时代，只要想在官场上有所作为，就必须通过杨国忠这座看似坚固如泰山的大门。然而，有一位叫张彖的进士却对此持有不同看法。他预见到尽管当时所有人都把杨国忠视为不可动摇之才，但他其实不过是一座易化的冰山。随着时间推移，当局势发生变化，一切都会崩溃，就像阳光照射下的冰山一样迅速消融。
果然不出张彖所料，不久安禄山发起叛乱，最终攻占长安，唐玄宗逃往四川。在这一过程中，士兵杀死了杨国忠，而唐玄宗不得不将心爱之女贵妃赐死。这次连环事件正如同张彖预言的一样，“冰山”即使曾经显赫无比，也最终坍塌无存。从此，“冰山难靠”成为了警示人们不要过分依赖任何一方力量，以防止遭受损失的一个重要道理。
“Ice Mountain Difficult to Lean On”， a Chinese idiom that vividly conveys the impermanence and unreliability of power. This phrase originates from "Zizhi Tongjian," which records an event about the fall of Yang Guozhong, a powerful figure in Tang Dynasty.
During that era, Yang Guozhong's family had gained immense influence due to his sister's favored status with Emperor Xuanzong. His brother-in-law was appointed as Prime Minister, holding over 40 official positions simultaneously. As a result, he controlled almost all aspects of government affairs behind closed doors.
A scholar named Zhang Yan remained unconvinced by this apparent omnipotence and declined to seek favors from Yang Guozhong despite his friends' insistence on doing so. He believed that although everyone viewed Yang Guozhong as an unshakeable pillar like Mount Tai, he was actually no more than an ice mountain waiting for the sun to melt him away. If one day the situation changed, they would lose their source of support.
Sure enough, An Lushan launched a rebellion against Tang Dynasty shortly after and captured Chang'an (present-day Xi'an). Emperor Xuanzong fled westward before eventually settling at Mawei (in present-day Shaanxi Province), whereupon soldiers killed Yang Guozhong; meanwhile, Emperor Xuanzong ordered the execution of his beloved daughter Princess Taiping – demonstrating how even those who seemed invincible could crumble like melting ice under changing circumstances.
This story serves as a reminder not to overly rely on any single individual or force lest one risks facing potential losses.
“Ice Mountain Difficult To Lean On,” is another way to express this idea through poetic language: it highlights how easily even seemingly unyielding structures can crumble when faced with change or adversity.
In conclusion,
The historical tale told by Zizhi Tongjian offers us valuable lessons about both human nature and societal dynamics. It shows us how quickly fortunes can shift in life - just as water melts ice under warm sunlight - causing once-powerful figures like Zhang Yans' friend-turned-enemy who clung onto what appeared indestructible yet ultimately fell victim themselves upon realising too late their mistakes.
It also reminds us always stay vigilant for signs indicating instability within our surroundings; never get complacent because nothing lasts forever!
