The princes of the Qing Dynasty were diametrically opposed to the princes of the Ming Dynasty.
after the establishment of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang made his twenty-four sons and a grandnephew vassal kings, who were stationed in the border areas and strategic locations throughout the country, in order to ensure the eternal stability of the Ming dynasty and strengthen the royal power. At the same time, in order to prevent the captives from uniting to launch a coup, they are not allowed to come to Beijing when they are free at ordinary times. Even if the emperor and queen die, they cannot leave the fief without will.
After Nuerhachi established the Jurchen regime, especially after the Qing Dynasty entered the customs, while ensuring the rights of the royal princes, he absorbed the shortcomings of the feudal lords in the Ming Dynasty, and formed twelve grades of titles in the Qing Dynasty, namely, Prince Heshuo, King of Duoluo County, Duoluobeile, Beizi of Gushan, Duke of Fengen Town, General of Zhenguo, General of Fuguo and Duke of Fengguo. Except for the hereditary replacement of the iron hat king, every time the title is inherited, it will be reduced by one level until the prince is reduced to the general of the town country and the king of the county is reduced to the general of the auxiliary country, so that the title will be passed down to future generations.
after being knighted, the princes of the Ming dynasty had to leave the capital and go to the fief to become vassals; The princes of the Manchu dynasty were not allowed to leave the capital after being knighted. The princes of the Qing Dynasty, except those who were sent by the imperial court (for example, Yin Gui, the same mother brother of Yin Zhen, Yong Zhengdi, had raised troops in the northwest), were sick and old, and all of them stayed in Beijing. It can be said that the vast majority of Manchu princes have never been to the Water Cube in the north, Taoranting in the south, Guomao City in the east and Babaoshan in the west. Of course, Babaoshan was the grave circle of eunuchs and maids at that time, and princes would rather die than visit here.
So, how did the Manchu princes who were trapped in the Four Ninetowns of Beijing spend their long time? School
Because the royal princes were born with corresponding titles, they didn't have to take the imperial examinations to seek official positions. In addition, the Qing court required the children of the royal family and the children of the Eight Banners to be riding and shooting-oriented, so they didn't encourage the children of the royal family and the children of the Eight Banners to take the imperial examinations. However, since the Qing Dynasty made Beijing its capital in May, 1644, in order to cultivate all kinds of talents needed and enrich the political institutions, the Manchu emperor put the education of the children of the royal family and the children of the Eight Banners on the agenda. In Jingshi, eight official schools in Jingshi, supervised by imperial academy, Jingshan official school and Xian 'an Palace official school in charge of internal affairs, the official school in charge of the Eight Banners Rice Bureau and the Eight Banners Volunteer School were successively established.
In addition, most of the royal families hire full-time civil and military teachers to teach Manchu, Chinese and riding and shooting to the royal children. Therefore, the children of the royal princes are not all drunkards, eating and drinking and waiting for death. Quite a few of them not only speak Manchu, but also have high attainments in Chinese literature and calligraphy, which is inseparable from the good education they have received since childhood.
according to different titles, the royal children receive different benefits from the imperial court every year. For example, Prince Heshuo receives 12, taels of Dai silver and 1, taels of Lumi each year, while General Feng En receives 11 taels of Feng Yin and 11 taels of Lumi each year. Obviously, the lower the title, the less money and rice there is, and the royal house is vast, with many wives and children. How can this salary support huge expenses? To this end, they have to find their own way out.
although the Qing court stipulated that princes and banners were not allowed to engage in production, do business or make a living by themselves, it was not difficult for them, because they could hide behind their backs and leave them to servants or slaves in the government. These royal princes generally involve pawnbrokers, shopping, antiques and other commercial activities with huge profit space; There are also some royal princes who buy farmland in the outer circle of Beijing to develop agricultural production; There are also some royal princes who act as umbrellas for Goulan tile houses, casinos and gangsters, and secretly accept a lot of benefits; What's more, they use their political advantages to help local officials seek official positions and sell their titles. Wenwan
The royal princes can have a good educational environment since childhood. As long as they work hard, they will have the opportunity to excel, especially those who can't make much progress in politics, but can make achievements in the cultural field. For example, Yin Zhi, the third son of Emperor Kangxi, had no political ambition, but his performance was outstanding in both literature and calligraphy, and he compiled two great books, The Origin of Laws and Calendars and The Integration of Ancient and Modern Books.
The royal princes have been rich for generations, and there are many treasures and literary plays at home. Therefore, some royal princes know their way well and have a certain appreciation ability for treasures, calligraphy and painting, and literary plays. I wonder how ordinary people can appreciate them if they have never seen them at home.
Therefore, this part of the royal family is particularly pure, and many famous painters, calligraphers and collectors have emerged, such as Pu Xuezhai, Xinyu Pu, Pu Yizhai, Pu Songchuang, Pu Yongzhai, Qi Yuan Bai, Guan Songfang, Qi Jingxi and Ye Yangxi. Mr. Qi Yuan Bai is known as Qi Gong. He is also the ninth generation grandson of yongzheng emperor and the direct descendant of Daoguang Emperor. Of course, when he was born, the Qing Dynasty was already dead. Play
If we draw a sketch for the royal princes or the children of the Eight Banners, I think his image is like this: walking at the pace of disowning six parents, holding an eagle in his left hand and a dog in his right hand, followed by a group of thugs, looking around the street, either flirting with the eldest girl of the Zhang family or seducing the little daughter-in-law of the Li family.
It can be said that this is the truest portrayal of the vast majority of Manchu royal princes or eight disciples' younger brothers. Year after year, day after day, they have no other pursuits but to play with birds, walk their dogs, listen to music, enter casinos and visit brothels.
a word "play" can sum up their life.
Of course, they can also "play" to the extreme. For example, those who play with autumn insects and birds can even play with a culture.
For example, Manchu Zhengheiqi, Ye Hena La, a descendant of Lao La's family who lives in Pitiao Hutong, is proficient in smoking, drinking, perming hair, wenwan, autumn insects and horses, and has also published a book called Play. Don't you think it's irritating?