哀鸿遍野 Mourning Cranes All Over the Fields
Explanation
哀鸿遍野形容因天灾人祸而导致的凄惨景象，到处都是流离失所、痛苦呻吟的灾民。
Ai Hong Bian Ye describes the miserable scene caused by natural disasters and human misfortunes, with displaced and painfully groaning victims everywhere.
Origin Story
西周时期，周厉王暴政，苛捐杂税，百姓民不聊生，到处都是衣衫褴褛、饥寒交迫的灾民，他们的哭喊声如同鸿雁般凄凉悲鸣，哀鸿遍野。周厉王昏庸无道，不听忠言，最终引发了国人暴动，被迫逃离都城，史称“厉王逃亡”。厉王逃亡后，百姓才得以喘息，但国家元气大伤，社会秩序也遭到严重破坏。 这次事件给后人留下了深刻的教训，也使“哀鸿遍野”成为一个警示世人的成语，警示统治者要以民为本，否则将面临百姓的反抗。
During the Western Zhou dynasty, the tyrannical King Li imposed heavy taxes and oppressed the people. The people suffered from poverty and hunger, and everywhere were hungry and freezing people, whose cries echoed like the mournful chirping of geese. King Li’s cruel rule led to a popular uprising, and he was forced to flee his capital, an event known as "King Li’s flight". After his flight, the people could finally breathe, but the country was weakened, and social order was severely damaged. This event served as a warning example for posterity, and “Ai Hong Bian Ye” became an idiom that warns rulers against neglecting the people, as this can lead to uprisings.
Usage
用来形容灾难过后，到处都是流离失所、痛苦呻吟的灾民的悲惨景象。
Used to describe the miserable scene after a disaster, with displaced and painfully groaning victims everywhere.
Examples
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战乱年代，哀鸿遍野，民不聊生。
zhànluàn niándài, āi hóng biàn yě, mín bù liáo shēng.
In times of war, there were mourning cranes everywhere, and the people lived in poverty.
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灾荒过后，哀鸿遍野，景象凄惨。
zāihuāng guòhòu, āi hóng biàn yě, jǐngxiàng qīcǎn
After the famine, there were mourning cranes everywhere, and the scene was terrible.