On September 17th， CCTV reported that the Bozhou Museum houses a collection of nearly 600 inscribed bricks， originating from the Cao Cao clan tombs dating back 1800 years. These ancient artifacts reveal instances of what we might today call “slacking off” or “goldbricking” by ancient laborers， leaving behind evidence on these bricks， painting a vivid and alive picture of Bozhou’s past.
These inscriptions， including names， expressions of feelings， and sentiments， capture moments of leisure or respite during work. For example， phrases like “作苦心丸” (feeling bitter in one’s heart)， “当奈何” (what can I do?)， and “沽酒各半各” (splitting the cost of wine equally， akin to “going Dutch”) offer a glimpse into the daily lives and attitudes of the people. The discovery has resonated with netizens， with many commenting that “slacking off is universal across the ages” and “no one really likes working.” This sentiment suggests a continuity in human nature and work attitudes， regardless of historical period.
Bozhou itself is recognized as a national historical and cultural city， a place that is both ancient and vibrant. The majestic waters of the Wo River have nurtured numerous luminaries such as Lao Tzu， Zhuang Tzu， Cao Cao， and Hua Tuo， figures renowned for their contributions to governance， military strategy， and philosophical thought， leaving an indelible mark on history.
The Bozhou Municipal Museum， located in Qiaocheng District， Bozhou City， Anhui Province， was established in 1959， making it one of the earlier local museums in Anhui Province. Its primary exhibition， “Journey Through Five Thousand Years—Tracing Bozhou’s Cultural Origins，” is structured along the timeline of historical development， effectively interpreting the charm and grandeur of this ancient capital city.
