Qianlong is prosperous and prosperous. Every year at the ceremony of sacrificing heaven and earth, Emperor Qianlong would personally take the lead in tasting the pork used for the sacrifice, and distribute the remaining meat to the ministers and officials. This seems to be a benefit given by the emperor to his ministers, but it makes the civil and military officials miserable. thanked the emperor in person, packed it and took it away, but after leaving the palace, these ministers sent pork to one person's house - Ji Xiaolan, a famous genius in the Qing Dynasty.
What is the story behind this strange phenomenon? Why did the courtiers not want to enjoy the pork that the emperor had bountied? Why did Ji Xiaolan become the final destination of these pork? This seemingly simple act of giving meat reflects what kind of social reality did Qianlong in the middle and late periods? Let's uncover the secrets behind this little-known anecdote.
During the Qianlong period, at the end of each year, a grand ceremony would be held in the Forbidden City. This royal sacrifice, which has lasted for thousands of years, is not only an important ritual to pay homage to the heavens, but also an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the authority of the Son of Heaven. During this grand ceremony, all kinds of sacrifices filled the altar, the most notable of which were the fat and strong sacrificial pigs.
These pigs are carefully selected and raised by special personnel to ensure that the meat is delicious. After the sacrifice was over, the pork became a problem. According to tradition, sacrifices could not be wasted, but the number was so large that the royal family could not digest them all. So, Emperor Qianlong came up with a clever plan - to reward these pork to civil and military officials.
Qianlong's move, on the surface, seems to be a gift, but in fact it has ulterior motives. First of all, it is in line with the Confucian concept of "diligence and thrift". Qianlong knew this well, and in this way he hoped to show his subjects the image of being a thrifty housekeeper. Secondly, it is also a means of winning people's hearts. In the officialdom, the emperor's every move has attracted much attention, and although the meat is small, it reflects the emperor's care for his courtiers.
However, things are not as simple as they seem. The process of Qianlong's meat giving can be called a well-designed "bitter meat plan". The sacrificial pork is usually cooked in water without any seasoning. When Qianlong tasted it in front of the ministers, he seemed to share weal and woe with the courtiers, but in fact, there was a hidden mystery. The Imperial Dining Room will prepare selected lean meat for Qianlong, and then add various seasonings, such as garlic paste, fermented bean curd, etc., which greatly improves the taste.
In contrast, the courtiers did not have such treatment. They are often assigned fatty and difficult to swallow, and they are not able to show discomfort on the spot. After all, this is the emperor's gift, who dares to dislike it? As a result, the ministers could only force a smile, outwardly grateful to Dade, but in private they frowned.
Interestingly, Qianlong seems to be well aware of this situation, but he does not break it. He cleverly packaged this act as a manifestation of "rejoicing with the people". At this time of year, Qianlong would eat pork in front of his ministers, and he did not forget to praise how delicious it was. The ministers could only smile bitterly in their eyes.
Over time, this act of giving meat became a regular ritual. In order to cope with this "sweet burden", the ministers came up with all kinds of strange tricks. Some people prepare seasonings in advance and hide them in their sleeves; Others make excuses to take only a small bite and quickly pack it away. But no matter what method was used, they did not dare to show their dissatisfaction with the emperor's reward.
In this way, year after year, Qianlong's meat-giving ceremony became a tacit performance. The emperor pretended to be generous, and the courtiers pretended to be grateful. Behind this seemingly harmonious interaction between monarchs and ministers, there is a deep-seated power game and a test of human nature.
And the final fate of these given pork has become another interesting historical episode. When the ministers walked out of the palace, they would invariably deliver the pork to one person's mansion - that was Ji Xiaolan, a famous genius of the Qing Dynasty. What is the story behind this strange phenomenon? Why did Ji Xiaolan become the final recipient of these pork? That's what we're going to talk about next.
Emperor Qianlong's act of giving meat seems to be grace but is actually bitter. In the face of this "special gift", the ministers had to force a smile, but their hearts were full of helplessness and distress. This frustration stems from a number of factors, the most direct of which is the taste of boiled meat.
Sacrificial pork is usually boiled in the simplest way of cooking in water. This practice preserves the original flavor of the meat, but it also brings a number of problems. First of all, the meat is often undercooked, only seven or eight medium-rare. This half-cooked state not only tastes poor, but may also pose a potential food safety hazard. Secondly, there is no seasoning added, which makes the pork appear extraordinarily greasy, and even has a hint of blood. For the important officials of the imperial court, who were accustomed to fine cooking, this rough cooking method was simply torture.
To make matters worse, ministers tend to get more fatty parts. Not only are these fatty cuts of meat difficult to swallow, but they also give a greasy taste. Some ministers even felt uncomfortable because of this, but in front of the emperor, they had to swallow the meat with nausea.
However, the courtiers' distress is not just due to taste problems. As important ministers of the imperial court, their daily food can be described as delicacies from the mountains and seas, exquisite and exquisite. Suddenly asking them to eat this kind of coarse boiled meat is tantamount to making people who are used to eating brocade clothes and jade suddenly eat coarse tea and light rice. This huge gap has made it difficult for many ministers to adapt.
Interestingly, some smart officials came up with a response. They will prepare some seasonings in advance, such as garlic, vinegar or chili, and hide them in their sleeves or carry them with them. When tasting pork, they will quietly dip these seasonings into the meat to improve the taste. This cleverness, while relieving their suffering to some extent, also increases the risk of being discovered.
In addition to the problems of taste and eating habits, the courtiers also faced an even greater dilemma - they could not refuse the emperor's favor. In feudal society, the emperor's reward was the highest glory. If you refuse or show displeasure on the spot, it is a great sin of disrespect. Therefore, no matter how disgusted they may be, the ministers must show a sign of gratitude to Dade.
This awkward situation led to some comical scenes. Some ministers will pretend that they have not tasted pork in the house for many years, and praise a small piece of meat; Some will pretend that they have a good appetite and take away all the meat they have been given, claiming that they want to share the emperor's favor with their families. Behind these behaviors, the helplessness and wisdom of the ministers are all reflected.
What's more, some officials will prepare some glutinous rice paper in advance in order to avoid eating these unpalatable meats on the spot. When people are not looking, they will wrap the pork in sticky rice paper and swallow it in one bite. In this way, the ritual of "eating" is completed, and the pain of direct tasting is avoided. This method was risky, but it was quite popular at the time.
However, even with these solutions, the ministers still cannot completely get rid of this "sweet burden". The annual meat-giving ritual has become a problem in their hearts, causing them to start worrying months in advance. Some officials will even excuse themselves from work for fear of attending the ceremony, but the consequences could be even more serious if such behavior is discovered.
Faced with this dilemma, the ministers finally came up with a way to save face and avoid eating it directly - giving pork to Ji Xiaolan. This talented man, known for his carnivorous food, became the savior of his courtiers, which led to an interesting historical episode.
Why does Ji Xiaolan become the final destination of these pork? What is his relationship with his courtiers? This seemingly simple process of giving meat reflects what kind of officialdom ecology in the Qianlong period? The answers to these questions will be revealed in the following content.
In the officialdom of the Qianlong Dynasty, Ji Xiaolan is undoubtedly a maverick figure. As a famous writer, politician and historian of the Qing Dynasty, Ji Xiaolan won wide acclaim among the government and the opposition for her unique personality and talent. However, what made him stand out in this "meat-giving turmoil" were his three little-known hobbies: eating meat, drinking and making friends.
Ji Xiaolan's eating habits were unique in the officialdom at that time. Unlike most health-conscious officials who prefer a light diet, Ji Xiaolan loves meat. It is said that he eats as much as three or four ordinary people a day, and he must have large pieces of meat to be satisfied. This kind of eating habit was quite rare in the literati circle at that time, and therefore became the talk of everyone after dinner.
Once, Ji Xiaolan participated in a literati gathering. During the banquet, everyone was tasting tea and appreciating chrysanthemums, talking about poetry and songs. And Ji Xiaolan sat alone on the side, eating a large plate of pork. When someone asked curiously, Ji Xiaolan replied with a smile: "You can not do poetry, you can not drink wine, but you must not eat meat." These words not only show his love for meat, but also show his eclectic personality.
In addition to her love of meat, Ji Xiaolan is also known for her drinking. He often said, "No wine is not a feast, no meat is not a taste." In his opinion, good food and wine are one of life's great pleasures. Interestingly, Ji Xiaolan's alcohol consumption seems to be as unfathomable as his talent. It is rumored that he once drank several buckets of spirits at a banquet, but he was still able to recite poems and talk and laugh freely, which made the literati present sigh to themselves.
It is this bold personality and unique hobbies that have made Ji Xiaolan make a lot of friends in the officialdom. His mansion was often crowded with guests and became a popular meeting place for literati and scholars. Ji Xiaolan is also willing to make friends with people from all walks of life, whether it is the minister of the DPRK and the central government or the small people in the market, as long as it is interesting, he is willing to associate with them. This extensive network of people laid the foundation for him to become a "meat recipient" in the future.
In the officialdom of the Qianlong Dynasty, the relationship between Ji Xiaolan and the ministers can be described as complicated. On the one hand, his talent and humor made many officials feel good about him; On the other hand, his outspokenness often offends some people. However, whether it is friend or foe, everyone has to admit that Ji Xiaolan is maverick and talented.
Once, a minister impeached Ji Xiaolan in the court, saying that he did not do his job properly and indulged in drinking and having fun all day long. Ji Xiaolan responded unhurriedly: "The minister does like to drink, but he has never made a mistake after drinking. However, there are some people who don't drink at all, but they often mislead the country and the people. This ingenious answer not only resolved the crisis, but also won Qianlong's appreciation.
It is precisely because of these qualities of Ji Xiaolan that he has become the best candidate to solve the "meat giving problem" in the eyes of the ministers. When the ministers were faced with the royal gift of meat that they could not refuse but was difficult to swallow, giving the meat to Ji Xiaolan became the best of both worlds.
First of all, Ji Xiaolan's reputation for meat-loving is widely known, and it seems reasonable to give him meat. Secondly, Ji Xiaolan is friendly with many officials, and accepting their "gifts" does not arouse suspicion. Moreover, Ji Xiaolan's mansion often has banquets, and a large amount of meat will not be abrupt. In the end, with Ji Xiaolan's character, he is likely to redistribute this meat to those who need it, which is not only in line with the Confucian "righteousness", but also allows the meat to give full play to its value.
In this way, Ji Xiaolan became a key figure in this "meat-giving turmoil". Every year after the sacrifice, his mansion receives a large amount of pork. Interestingly, Ji Xiaolan seems to be enjoying it. Not only did he gladly accept these "gifts", but he also often held banquets and invited the officials who gave the meat to taste them. This not only resolved the embarrassment of the ministers, but also enhanced the friendship between them.
However, what kind of deep meaning is hidden behind Ji Xiaolan's act of accepting the gift of meat? This seemingly harmonious officialdom interaction reflects what kind of social reality does Qianlong have in the middle and late periods? The answers to these questions will be revealed in the following sections.
The meat-giving turmoil of the Qianlong Dynasty was a farce about food on the surface, but in fact it reflected the intricate power structure and officialdom ecology at that time. This seemingly simple meat-giving ceremony actually hides the game and wrestling of many forces.
First of all, the meat-giving ceremony itself was a manifestation of imperial power. In this way, Emperor Qianlong not only demonstrated his benevolence and favor, but also skillfully strengthened the supremacy of imperial power. The ministers had to accept this "gift", which invisibly deepened their attachment and submission to the emperor. This display of power had far-reaching significance in the political environment of the time.
Once, a new editor of the Hanlin Academy behaved too restrainedly during the meat-giving ceremony, and even had his hands shaking violently when he received the meat. Qianlong noticed this and asked quietly, "Aiqing doesn't like to eat meat?" The editor quickly knelt down, claiming that he was grateful to Dade, but he was only too excited. Qianlong smiled and said nothing, but since then, the editor's status in the court has improved. This vignette vividly illustrates the power play behind the meat-giving ritual.
Secondly, the ministers' act of transferring the meat to Ji Xiaolan also implies complex power relations. On the surface, it is a way to solve practical problems, but in reality, it reflects the exchange of favors and interests in officialdom. Those officials who can smoothly transfer the meat to Ji Xiaolan often have a certain status and connections in the court. And Ji Xiaolan, as the receiver, also played an important role in this process.
Interestingly, Ji Xiaolan seems to be well aware of her place in this game of thrones. Not only did he gladly accept these gifts, but he also often held banquets and invited the officials who gave the meat to taste it together. At a banquet, a young official asked Ji Xiaolan curiously, "Why is the gentleman willing to accept so much meat?" Ji Xiaolan replied with a smile: "Meat-eaters are despised, and those who don't eat meat are even more despicable." I'm just trying to help you. These words not only explain the reason why he accepted the gift of meat, but also subtly reveal the sophistication of the people in the officialdom.
However, behind this seemingly harmonious officialdom interaction, there is actually a fierce struggle for power. Those officials who were unable to transfer the meat gifts were often in a relatively weak position in the DPRK. They may lack adequate connections or be at a disadvantage in certain political battles. On the contrary, those officials who were able to smoothly transfer the meat to Ji Xiaolan usually had a certain amount of influence and status in the court.
One year, a newly promoted squire found himself unable to give the meat away after a meat-giving ceremony. He tried to contact several of his colleagues, but they were politely declined. Eventually, he had to take the meat home with him. This incident quickly spread in the DPRK and became a standard for measuring the political status of this squire. Since then, the situation of this squire in the court has become more difficult.
What's more, some officials have begun to use the process of meat transfer to make political deals. They will deliberately transfer the meat to influential officials in the DPRK in exchange for political support or other benefits. Such behavior has further intensified the factional struggle and power struggle between the DPRK and China.
Ji Xiaolan plays a subtle role in this game of thrones. On the one hand, as the ultimate recipient of the meat, he became the object of attraction by various forces. On the other hand, he also used the opportunity to expand his network and influence. It is rumored that Ji Xiaolan will decide what to do with these meat giveaways based on the status and influence of the meat delivery officials. For some important officials, he would personally set up banquets to entertain them; For some lower-ranking officials, he may simply accept the meat.
However, this complex power relationship is not set in stone. With the passage of time, the power structure of the DPRK and China has been changing, and the power struggle behind the meat has also evolved. Some officials who were already in a prominent position may have lost their channels for transferring meat because of the defeat in the political struggle, while some newly promoted officials may have risen rapidly because they were appreciated by the emperor.
This seemingly simple meat-giving turmoil actually became a window to observe the political ecology of the late Qianlong Dynasty. It not only reflects the complex power structure of the time, but also reveals the exchange of favors and interests in officialdom. So, what impact did this complex power relationship have on the society of the time? How did the meat-giving turmoil affect the political ecology of the Qianlong Dynasty? The answers to these questions will be revealed in the following content.
Although the meat-giving turmoil of the Qianlong Dynasty seemed to be just a farce between the court and the officialdom, its influence went far beyond this Fan Qi and deeply penetrated into all levels of society at that time. This turmoil not only reflected the political ecology of the time, but also reflected many aspects of social culture, economic structure and civil life.
First of all, the meat-giving turmoil has had a profound impact on the atmosphere of officialdom. With the formation of this "meat-give-transfer" model, the exchange of favors and interests in officialdom has become more complex and hidden. Some officials began to use the process to build and maintain their own networks. For example, there was a middle-level official named Wang Deming, who carefully prepared a "list of recipients of meat" every year, and decided who to give meat to according to the status and influence of the senior officials in the court. Although this approach may seem thoughtful, it actually exacerbates the clinging atmosphere in officialdom.
At the same time, the meat-giving turmoil also affected the appointment and promotion of officials to a certain extent. Those officials who can smoothly transfer the meat to the court often have more contacts and resources in the court, which gives them a certain advantage in their careers. Conversely, officials who are unable to deal with the meat giving smoothly may lose some important opportunities as a result. Rumor has it that one year, during the imperial examination, a candidate who was supposed to be in high school was demoted because his father could not properly handle the meat. Although this rumor cannot be confirmed, it reflects the profound impact of the meat-giving turmoil on the ecology of officialdom.
Secondly, the meat-giving turmoil has also had an impact on civil society. As this practice spread, some wealthy merchants and landlords began to imitate this model of "giving meat and transferring" to maintain their social relations. In the Gangnam area, a wealthy merchant buys large quantities of pork every year and distributes it to local officials and other influential people. Although this practice ostensibly imitated the emperor's meat, it was actually using this method to establish and maintain one's own social status.
What's even more interesting is that the meat-giving turmoil also affected the food culture of the time. Due to the large amount of meat that needs to be processed, some new cooking methods and dishes have emerged. For example, in the Suzhou area, there is a dish called "Imperial Braised Pork", which is said to have been created by an official to deal with the meat. This dish quickly became popular in the local area, and even spread to the people, becoming a famous local delicacy.
On the economic front, the meat-giving turmoil has also had some unexpected effects. Due to the large amount of meat that needs to be processed, a number of workshops specializing in meat processing and preservation have emerged. Outside of Beijing, there is even a small village dedicated to handling the donated meat, which the villagers make a living by processing and reselling the meat. This phenomenon has not only contributed to the local economic development, but also to the advancement of meat processing technology.
However, the meat-giving turmoil has also brought some negative effects. As the practice became widespread, some officials began to abuse their power by taking bribes under the pretext of dealing with meat gifts. An official named Li Degao was investigated for accepting bribes in the process of handling the meat. This phenomenon has exacerbated the corruption of officialdom and has also aroused criticism from some people of insight.
In addition, the meat-giving turmoil has also exacerbated social inequality to a certain extent. Officials and wealthy businessmen who were able to receive meat could often consolidate their social status and influence in this way. Ordinary people are not able to participate in this process, and this disparity further deepens the disparity between rich and poor in society.
Interestingly, the meat-giving turmoil even affected the literary creation of the time. Some literati began to satirize this phenomenon in their poems, such as one widely circulated poem: "The imperial gifts and delicacies fill the court, and the officialdom is in turmoil." I don't know how many people smell the smell of meat, only Xiaolan smiles. Although the poem seems to describe the scene of giving meat, it actually implies a criticism of officialdom.
In general, although the flesh-giving turmoil of the Qianlong Dynasty seems to be just a small court ceremony, its impact is multifaceted. From officialdom ecology to civil society, from food culture to economic development, this turmoil has left a deep imprint. It not only reflects the complex political ecology of the time, but also reveals many aspects of society and culture. This seemingly simple meat-giving turmoil actually became a unique window to observe and understand the social conditions in the late Qianlong Dynasty.