Everyone in the world knows the Eight Banners system of the Qing Dynasty, but they don't know that there is also the saying of "Three Banners". As the banners under the personal command of the emperor, the positive yellow flag and the inlaid yellow flag are naturally among the top three flags. However, why can the positive white flag be on an equal footing with the two yellow flags and be among the top three flags? What is the reason for this? To trace this history, we have to start with Nurhachi's establishment of the Eight Banners system. At that time, when the Eight Banners were first erected, there was no distinction between high and low flags. But with the passage of time, the positive white flag gradually rose, and finally went hand in hand with the two yellow flags. Is there any untold story behind this? And which historical figures played a key role in this? Let's unveil this dusty history and explore the secret of the rise of the white flag.
The origin and development of the Eight Banners system
At the end of the 16th century, there were constant disputes between the Jurchen tribes living in the northeast. Among them, the Jianzhou Jurchen forces led by Nurhachi are growing day by day. Faced with a fragmented situation, Nurhachi realized that a strong unified system was necessary in order to achieve the integration of the Jurchen ministries.
In 1601, Nurhachi set out to form a powerful army. He divided his people into four oxen, each represented by a banner of a different color. This was the prototype of the Eight Banners system. With the expansion of his power, Nurhachi expanded the four Niu Lu to eight, namely the positive yellow flag, the positive white flag, the positive red flag, the positive blue flag, the inlaid yellow flag, the inlaid white flag, the inlaid red flag and the inlaid blue flag.
The establishment of the Eight Banners system is not only a form of military organization, but also a brand-new social management system. Each of them contains military, administrative, economic and other functions. This unique institutional design enabled the Jurchens to quickly organize a strong military force in wartime and effectively manage social and economic affairs in peacetime.
Nurhachi is well versed in the way of "fighting to feed war". He stipulated that the soldiers of the Eight Banners fought on the battlefield in wartime and engaged in agricultural production in peacetime. This combination of farming and warfare not only ensures the combat effectiveness of the army, but also greatly reduces the economic burden of the state. At the same time, the Eight Banners system also implements a strict hereditary system, and the descendants of the flag people belong to the flag for generations, which greatly enhances the cohesion and sense of belonging of the flag people.
With the unification of the Jurchen tribes by Nurhachi, the Eight Banners system was constantly improving and developing. In 1616, Nurhachi established the Houjin regime, and the Eight Banners system became the fundamental system of the state. In order to reward the meritorious heroes, Nurhachi imitated the system of the Illumination Dynasty and awarded official positions and rewards to the children of the Eight Banners who had made military exploits. Not only do these bannermen rule over the people under their command, but their descendants can also inherit their positions. As a result, a group of Manchu nobles gradually formed, which became the solid foundation of Qing rule.
The success of the Eight Banners system led to the rapid rise of Houjin. In just a few decades, Nurhachi unified the Jurchen tribes and began to challenge the Ming dynasty. In 1618, Nurhachi issued the famous "Seven Hatreds", officially declaring war on the Ming Dynasty. In the subsequent campaigns, the Eight Banners Army repeatedly performed miraculous feats and became a sharp weapon for the Later Jin to conquer the world.
However, with the expansion of the ruling area and the increase in population, it was difficult to cope with the increasingly complex situation by relying on the Manchurian Eight Banners alone. To this end, Nurhachi's successor, Huang Taiji, added the Mongolian Eight Banners and the Han Army Eight Banners on the basis of the original Eight Banners. This move not only expanded the scale of the Eight Banners, but also laid the foundation for the Qing Dynasty to enter the Central Plains in the future.
The establishment and development of the Eight Banners system embodies Nurhachi's political wisdom and military talent. This system not only adapted to the development needs of Jurchen society at that time, but also provided a strong organizational guarantee for the rise of the Later Jin and Qing dynasties. It can be said that without the Eight Banners system, there would have been no later Qing Empire.
However, in the early days of the Eight Banners system, there was no distinction between the high and low flags, and the emperor only commanded the positive yellow flag and the inlaid yellow flag. So, how did the Zhengbai flag rise step by step and finally become one of the "three flags"? The answer to this question requires us to further explore the early history of the Qing Dynasty.
The road to the rise of the white flag
The rise of the white flag did not happen overnight, but went through a long and tortuous process. In the early days of the Eight Banners system, the Zhengbai Flag, like the other Six Banners, had no special status to speak of. However, with the passage of time, a series of historical events and the emergence of key figures made the Zhengbai Flag gradually stand out, and finally became one of the "Three Flags".
The early status of the positive white flag can be traced back to the Nurhachi period. At that time, Nurhachi assigned the Eight Banners to his cronies and heirs to manage. The White Banner was originally held by Nurhachi's eighth son, Litun. Although Leighton also participated in many wars, he did not make a great contribution like his other brothers. Therefore, during the Nurhachi period, the status of the positive white flag was not prominent.
The turning point in the fate of the white flag came after Huang Taiji succeeded to the throne. In 1627, Emperor Taiji handed over the reins of the White Banner to his younger brother Dorgon. Dolgon, a figure who later left a strong mark on the history of the Qing Dynasty, was the key driver of the rise of the Zhengbai Banner.
At a young age, Dorgon showed great military prowess. At the age of seventeen, he followed his brother Huang Taiji to fight on the battlefield and made many achievements. In a campaign against the Ming Dynasty, Dolgon led his troops to break through the enemy's encirclement, not only rescuing his own soldiers who were trapped, but also inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. This battle not only demonstrated Dorgon's military prowess, but also won him the trust and appreciation of Emperor Taiji.
In the years that followed, Dorgon fought in a number of important battles, including the conquest of Korea and the war against the Ming Dynasty. In these battles, the Zhengbai Banner army led by Dolgon performed many miraculous feats and gradually became a strong force in the Later Jin army. Dolgon's excellence not only raised his stature, but also greatly increased the prestige of the White Banner among the Eight Banners.
In 1636, Huang Taiji changed the name of the country to "Qing" and canonized Dolgon as Prince Heshuorui. This move further strengthened the position of Dorgon and the White Flag. As Prince Peshuo, Dorgon not only had a high political position, but also held more military and political power. In the years that followed, Dolgon continued to lead the White Banner in various military campaigns, making an important contribution to the growth of the Qing Dynasty.
However, the chance for the real rise of the positive white flag came in 1643. This year, Huang Taiji died suddenly, leaving no clear heir. This event sparked a fierce struggle for power in the Qing Dynasty. At that time, the most popular heirs were Huang Taiji's eldest sons, Hauge and Dolgon.
In this power game, Dorgon showed great political wisdom. He did not directly compete for the throne, but supported the enthronement of the six-year-old Fulin (later Emperor Shunzhi). This decision both avoided a direct conflict with Hauge and earned himself the status of regent. As regent, Dorgon effectively controlled the power of the Qing Dynasty.
This move not only cemented Dorgon's power, but also greatly enhanced the status of the White Flag. As the regent's pro-army, the Shobai Banner naturally received more resources and preferential treatment. Dorgon also skillfully used his power to gradually elevate the status of the White Banner in the military and political system.
Over the next few years, Dolgon led the Qing army into the pass, captured Beijing, and eventually established Qing rule. In this process, the White Flag Army played a key role. Not only did they fight valiantly on the battlefield, but they also made important contributions to quelling local rebellions and stabilizing the new ruling order. These achievements further consolidated the status of the Zhengbai Banner and laid the foundation for its eventual inclusion in the "Shangsan Banner".
The rise of the White Flag was, to some extent, a process of Dolgon's personal rise in power. It was thanks to Dorgon's military prowess, political wisdom, and decisive decisions at critical moments that the originally inconspicuous white flag was finally able to go hand in hand with the two yellow flags. However, the final establishment of the status of the positive white flag still needs to go through more political turmoil and power games. These subsequent developments will gradually unfold in the context of the power struggle in the early Qing Dynasty.
The positive white flag in the power struggle in the early Qing Dynasty
In 1643, the death of Huang Taiji became an important turning point in the history of the Qing Dynasty. This incident not only sparked a fierce power struggle, but also created an opportunity for the status of the positive white flag to be raised. In this intricate political game, the White Banner played a pivotal role as Dorgon's pro-army.
After the death of Huang Taiji, the Qing Dynasty immediately fell into a succession dispute. There are two main contenders: one is Huang Taiji's eldest son Haoge, who is the owner of the Zhenghong Banner and has strong military strength and certain supporters; The second is Dolgon, as the younger brother of Huang Taiji, he has considerable influence in the court. This succession struggle is not only related to the fate of individuals, but also to the future direction of the entire Qing Dynasty.
In this struggle for power, Dorgon showed great political wisdom. He did not directly compete for the throne, but supported the enthronement of the six-year-old Fulin (later Emperor Shunzhi). This move seems to be a concession, but it is actually a clever move. By supporting a young emperor, Dorgon not only avoided direct conflict with Hauge, but also earned himself the status of regent and de facto control of the Qing dynasty.
The white flag played a key role in this power struggle. As Dolgon's pro-army, the white flag became an important backing for him. At critical moments, the loyalty and strength of the White Banner Army won Dolgon the initiative in decision-making. For example, at an important meeting to discuss the succession to the throne, the generals of the White Flag firmly supported Dorgon's proposal, which had a significant impact on the final decision.
At the same time, Hauge did not sit still. As the owner of the Red Banner, he also has a strong military force. Hauge tried to use his military superiority to influence the situation, but Dolgon's political skills were superior. Dorgon cleverly exploited the other bannermen's fears that Haug might be dominant, and succeeded in drawing them over to his side.
In this power struggle, the white flag is not only a military force, but also a political symbol. Dorgon further strengthened his power base by promoting the White Banner generals and giving them important positions. For example, he appointed Azig, a general under the White Banner, as the Minister of Parliament and participated in major national decisions. These measures not only strengthened the status of the white flag, but also expanded Dorgon's influence in the court.
As Dorgon gradually took control of the situation, the status of the white flag also rose. Dolgon used his power to gradually elevate the status of the White Banner in the military and political system. He often gave priority to the generals of the white flag when assigning important positions and military tasks. This not only strengthened the strength of the white flag, but also increased its prestige among the eight banners.
However, the power struggle never stopped. Although Dorgon temporarily gained the upper hand, Hauge and his supporters did not fully give in. They secretly form alliances, looking for opportunities to fight back. This undercurrent situation makes the positive white flag always on high alert. The generals had to be on constant alert against a possible coup d'état or military conflict.
In 1644, a great opportunity arose. Li Zicheng led a peasant army to capture Beijing, and the Ming Dynasty collapsed. Dolgon made a quick decision and decided to lead his army into the pass. In this operation, the positive white flag once again played a key role. Not only did they fight valiantly on the battlefield, but they also made important contributions to quelling local rebellions and stabilizing the new ruling order.
The outstanding performance of the Zhengbai Banner Army in the Battle of the Pass further strengthened its position in the Eight Banners. Dorgon skillfully used this military victory to elevate the political status of the white flag. He promoted more Zhengbaiqi generals to important posts, making Zhengbaiqi occupy an increasingly important position in the newly established Qing regime.
However, the elevation of the status of the Zhengbai flag has also aroused the dissatisfaction and vigilance of other flag owners. In particular, the Zhenghongqi led by Haoge has always maintained a high degree of vigilance against the rise of the Zhengbai Flag. This tension persisted in the years that followed, and became an important factor in the political situation of the Qing Dynasty.
The role of the Zhengbai Banner in the power struggle in the early Qing Dynasty not only reflects Dorgon's political wisdom, but also reflects the importance of the Eight Banners system in the political life of the Qing Dynasty. The rise of the Zhengbai Banner is actually a microcosm of the reorganization of the power structure of the Qing Dynasty. However, the final establishment of the status of the positive white flag still needs to go through more political turmoil and power games. With the gradual consolidation of the Qing Dynasty's rule, how will Zhengbai Banner consolidate its position and what new challenges will it face? The answers to these questions will be revealed gradually in the course of history in the future.
The heyday of the white flag
With the Qing Dynasty's entry into the Central Plains, Zhengbai Banner ushered in its heyday. This period began under the reign of Dolgon and continued until the reign of Kangxi, during which the Zhengbai Banner reached unprecedented political, military, and economic heights. However, this glorious period was not all smooth sailing, and it was full of challenges and changes.
During the reign of Dolgon, the status of the White Flag was further consolidated. As a member of the regent's pro-army, the Positive White Flag enjoyed special treatment both militarily and politically. Dolgon reused the generals with the white flag and placed them in important positions in the imperial court and at the local level. For example, Zu Zerun, a general of the Zhengbai Banner, was appointed as the Minister of the Interior and participated in the government affairs; Abatai was sent to Shandong as governor to put down the local rebellion. These appointments not only expand the influence of Zhengbai Flag, but also accumulate a wealth of governance experience for it.
However, the rise of the positive white flag has also sparked dissatisfaction among other flag owners. In particular, the Zhenghongqi led by Hauge felt threatened by the rapid ascension of the Zhengbai flag. This tension reached its peak in 1648. That year, Hauge joined several other princes in an attempt to overthrow Dorgon in a coup d'état. The white flag has played a key role in this crisis. After learning of the coup plan, the generals of the White Flag acted quickly and arrested Hauge and others one step in advance, successfully thwarting the coup attempt. This event not only strengthened Dorgon's rule, but also further enhanced the status of the Shobaku Banner in the court.
In 1650, Dolgon died suddenly, and the white flag was put to the test. Having lost its biggest backer, Zhengbai Flag was in trouble for a while. Some opposition to Dorgon took advantage of the opportunity to try to weaken the influence of the White Flag. However, with the strength and connections accumulated over the years, Zhengbai Banner successfully survived this crisis. The generals of the White Banner united and skillfully formed alliances with other flag owners to protect their own interests. For example, Sukh Saha, the general of the White Flag, and Sony, who is the Yellow Flag, form an alliance to resist the pressure of the other flags.
With the pro-government of Emperor Shunzhi, Zhengbai Banner ushered in new development opportunities. In order to balance the forces of all parties, Emperor Shunzhi continued to reuse the generals of the white flag. Hong Chengchou, the general of the Zhengbai Banner, was appointed as the secretary of the military department and was in charge of military reform; Abatai was sent to the northwest to lead an army against the rebellion. These important appointments not only strengthened the position of the white flag, but also accumulated more political capital for it.
During the Kangxi period, the status of the white flag reached its peak. Emperor Kangxi was well aware of the importance of the Zhengbai Flag in stabilizing the government, so he gave special trust and reuse. Suo Etu, the general of the White Banner, was appointed Minister of Military Aircraft and participated in the country's highest decision-making; Rabula was sent to Xinjiang to expand the territory. These appointments gave the White Banner great influence both at the court and at the local level.
The economic strength of the White Flag was also significantly enhanced during this period. Emperor Kangxi bestowed a large amount of land and wealth on Zhengbaiqi, making it one of the richest of the Eight Banners. Using these resources, Zhengbai Banner established a network of estates and businesses across the country, further expanding its economic influence. For example, in the Rehe area, Zhengbaiqi established a large-scale horse farm, which not only provided the army with high-quality war horses, but also became an important source of economy.
However, the heyday of the White Flag was accompanied by some concerns. As its influence grew, so did the wariness and dissatisfaction of other flag owners with the white flag. Especially in the late Kangxi period, some Zhengbaiqi generals were punished for corruption, which damaged the reputation of Zhengbaiqi to a certain extent. For example, in 1690, Mingzhu, the general of the Zhengbai Banner, was dismissed and investigated for corruption, which attracted widespread attention in the government and the opposition.
In addition, as the Qing dynasty ruled firmly, the Eight Banners system itself faced new challenges. With the rise of the Eight Banners of the Han Army and the expansion of the Green Battalion, the rule model of relying solely on the Eight Banners of Manchuria was gradually challenged. Although the white flag still retains its important position, its uniqueness and superiority are beginning to be questioned.
Despite this, the Zhengbai Flag still maintained its status as the "Three Banners" during the Kangxi period. The generals of the Zhengbai Banner continued to play an important role in the imperial court by virtue of their political wisdom and military talents. For example, in the battle for succession to the throne in Kangxi's later years, the position of the generals of the Zhengbai Banner had an important impact on the final outcome.
The heyday of the Zhengbai Banner not only witnessed its brilliant performance on the political stage of the Qing Dynasty, but also reflected the changes in the ruling structure of the Qing Dynasty. However, with the changing times, the positive white flag is also facing new challenges. In the years to come, how will the White Flag respond to these challenges and how will it maintain its position in the new historical conditions? The answers to these questions will be gradually revealed in the subsequent development of the Qing Dynasty.
The decline and transformation of the positive white flag
With the deepening of the rule of the Qing Dynasty and the changes of the times, the status of the Zhengbai Flag began to show a gradual decline trend. This process began in the Yongzheng period and went through the Qianlong, Jiaqing, Daoguang and other dynasties until the end of the Qing Dynasty. In this long historical process, Zhengbai Flag has undergone a series of challenges and transformations, and its role and influence have also undergone profound changes.
During the Yongzheng period, the decline of the white flag began to emerge. In order to strengthen the centralization of power, the Yongzheng Emperor implemented a series of reforms, including weakening the privileges of the Eight Banners. In 1727, Yongzheng promulgated the "Banner People's Livelihood" policy to encourage banner people to participate in production and labor. Although this policy alleviated the economic difficulties of the bannermen in the short term, it also marked the beginning of the shaking of the privileged position of the bannermen. As one of the "three flags", although it still maintains a high status, its unique superiority has begun to be challenged.
During this period, there was also a divergence within the positive white flag. Some of the generals of the Zhengbai Banner actively responded to Yongzheng's reforms, such as Ortai, the general of the Zhengbai Banner, actively participated in Yongzheng's financial reform, which increased a lot of revenue for the country. However, there are also some members of the White Flag who are resistant to the reforms, arguing that the measures threaten their traditional prerogatives. This internal disagreement hastened the decline of the positive white flag.
During the Qianlong period, the decline trend of the Zhengbai flag was further revealed. While the White Flag still retains some military and political influence, its unique status is no longer as unique as it once was. Emperor Qianlong continued to pursue the Han-Manchu integration policy, further weakening the privileges of the Eight Banners. For example, in 1736, Qianlong ordered the abolition of the imperial examination privileges for the children of the Eight Banners, requiring them to take the imperial examination alongside the Han Chinese. Although this measure improves the fairness of the election of officials, it also means that the children of the Zhengbai Flag have lost the convenient channel to enter the official career.
At the same time, with the rise of the Green Battalion and the Xinjiang Hui Army, the military importance of the Eight Banners also declined. Although the Zhengbai Banner still participated in some important military operations, such as the Battle of Junggar in 1757, its dominance in the army no longer existed. This decline in military status has further weakened the influence of the white flag.
During the Jiaqing period, the challenges faced by Zhengbai Banner became more severe. The outbreak of the White Lotus Rebellion in 1796 exposed the decline of the Eight Banners' military capabilities. In the process of quelling the uprising, the White Banner army performed mediocre, far inferior to the Green Battalion army. This incident not only shook the military status of Zhengbaiqi, but also affected its prestige in the imperial court.
At the same time, the economic situation of the positive white flag is deteriorating day by day. Due to their long-term dependence on the imperial court, many members of the Zhengbai Banner lacked livelihood skills and found it difficult to adapt to socio-economic changes. In 1811, Emperor Jiaqing ordered the reduction of the Eight Banners to raise incorruptible silver, which further exacerbated the economic difficulties of Zhengbai Banner. Some members of the White Flag have had to sell their ancestral properties and land to make ends meet, which not only harms their economic interests, but also shakes their social status.
During the Daoguang period, the decline of the Zhengbai Flag entered an accelerated period. The outbreak of the Opium War in 1839 exposed the backwardness of the Qing Dynasty's military and political system. In this war, the White Flag army performed poorly, further weakening its military position. After the war, the Qing government was forced to sign unequal treaties, which not only shook the foundation of Qing rule, but also further weakened the Eight Banners system, which was the basis of rule.
Faced with this situation, some far-sighted members of the White Flag began to try to transform. For example, the Zhengbai Banner general Seng Greenqin actively promoted military reform in an attempt to restore the combat effectiveness of the Eight Banners Army. Although he played an important role in quelling the Taiping Rebellion, he also marked the end of the traditional Eight Banners military system, although he played an important role in quelling the Taiping Rebellion.
During the Tongzhi period, the transformation of Zhengbai Flag entered a critical period. Some of the children of the White Flag began to receive a new type of education, learning Western technology and political ideas. For example, Zailan, who was born in the White Banner, was an important supporter of the Westernization Movement, and he actively promoted modernization reforms. However, this transformation has also led to contradictions within the White Flag, with growing conflicts between traditionalists and reformers.
By the end of the Qing Dynasty, the status of the white flag was no longer what it used to be. Although it still maintains the status of "three flags" in form, its actual influence has been greatly weakened. After the outbreak of the Xinhai Revolution in 1911, the Zhengbai Banner came to an end with the fall of the Qing Dynasty. Some members of the White Flag choose to integrate into the new social order, while others stick to tradition and get bogged down.
The decline and transformation process of Zhengbai Banner reflects the historical trajectory of the Qing Dynasty from its heyday to its decline. From the beginning of the reform in the Yongzheng period, experienced the relative stability of the Qianlong period, to the sharp decline in the Jiaqing and Daoguang periods, and finally tried to transform in the Tongzhi and Guangxu periods but failed to recover the decline, the fate of the Zhengbai Banner was closely linked to the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty. This process not only reflects the historical limitations of the Eight Banners system, but also reflects the many contradictions and challenges in the process of China's modernization.