| dc.description.abstract | A study on the Early Qiang Dynasty Reward Culture during the Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong Reigns
Abstract
Reward System has existed for a long time and it has been even more diversified and complicated in Qing Dynasty. Amounts of sources about reward system appear frequently, from the official codes, district annals, documents, personal manuscripts, notes, chronicles to novels, prove how rewards system was valued greatly at that time. Owing to the complication of the data, it’s difficult to be systematically expounded. Therefore, the research on it is rarely found and accounted. So far the research regarding rewards system in Qing Dynasty mostly focuses on single object and lacks multi-faced and integrated sources. Hence, there are not many studies. If reward system has an important role in Qing Dynasty, short of the research of this area will be a drawback in historiography of Qing Dynasty.
This article is written to make a various and meticulous elaboration on reward system based on the background of the early three emperors of Qing Dynasty emperors- Kangxi Emperor, Yongzheng Emperor, Qinglong Emperor. Combining with the historiography and archives, meanwhile in concert with induction and statistics, an analysis and review on the Reward System of early Qing Dynasty is narrated. With respect to different personalities and styles of the three emperors, interpretation is made to explain each of their preferences which show the features in different reward system of the three emperors. The three emperors bestowed reward to people covering a large area and involving various social ranks. Ritual reward is bestowed according to decrees and regulations. Regular reward, which is perhaps not documented, is bestowed periodically for long. Exception reward is bestowed according to emperor’s will or instant intent. Exception reward is unique, exclusive, and rare. Stereotype an emperor’s reward as only a favor to the subordinates or a purposeful attempt to win them over is not necessarily right. Emperor’s reward, not always with political significance, may indicate emperor’s thoughtful kindness and great care. Gratitude and eulogy from the subordinates can be seemed as positive response. The emperor and the subordinates are one unit, one family. The significance of reward system would be clearer if it is deeply explored from different aspects of system, politics, economics and culture.
According to the different types and properties, The reward items can be classified into reputation reward, substance reward, culture reward, and alternative reward. Distinguished from different types and characteristics, Reputation reward includes fame and official titles. Substantial reward includes objects and food. Rewards can be bestowed from the imperial aristocrats to the civilians, clergymen, and people of foreign far-off lands. Ritual reward includes various official feasts and seasonal official reward. The three emperors differ in personal styles. Kangxi emperor’s preference on venison, Yongzheng Emperor’s preference on melon, Qinglong Emperor’s preference on poems granting to subordinates are examples given respectively to explain the characteristics of the three emperors. Exception reward is especially expounded and red terrier rice is featured. The relationship between the monarch and his subjects will be described from different aspects such as greetings, medical cares, advocacy of emperors’ kindness and objects bestowed by the late emperors.
Key Words: Emperor’s reward, theEmperor Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong in the Early Qiang Dynasty, Reward System , Bestowal of the late emperor’s possessions, Forced suicide by emperor’s order | en_US |