The Ordnance Division is a special power organization born in the Qing Dynasty. He was on a par with the Fengge chaotic platform in the Wuzhou Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty cabinet. When Yongzheng invaded Qinghai in the seventh year, he set up a military aircraft department. In July of the third year of Xuantong, the Central Committee was changed to a cabinet and disappeared. It was the highest advisor and administrative body of the Qing Empire for 182 years.
As the center of the empire, in addition to the military aircraft hall in the Longzong Gate of the Forbidden City, the Military Aircraft Department also has a military aircraft hall in the Ruyi Gate of the Old Summer Palace. This is the office set up by the military aircraft department when the emperor moves the garden every year. City. Therefore, this particularity, which is inseparable from the emperor and inseparable for a moment, also allows the military aircraft division to enjoy honor and treatment that other institutions cannot match.
Above_Old photo of the military pilot
Political treatment of the Ministry of Military Aircraft
The most important person in the military aircraft division was the military aircraft minister, but the number of military aircraft ministers was never fixed, and it was usually increased or decreased according to the needs of the emperor. In accordance with the principle of Manchu-Han equality, Zhang Jing, the minister of military aircraft, each had 16 people. The processions took turns to prepare for the emperor's call. Later, during the Guangxu period, the number of Han aircraft increased to 20. As for Sulla, who is responsible for other tasks such as writing texts, the Military Aircraft Department also has a department called the Strategic Management Department, which is responsible for collecting, preserving and editing decrees and documents.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, there was a saying about local officials enviing Beijing officials: "I love Beijing officials because of their teeth." It refers to the envy of the officials of the capital who have a tooth plaque to enter and exit the palace, that is, a certificate carved in ivory. It is written with the appearance and name of the official as proof of identity. They are "access cards" for entering and exiting the palace.
However, the Air Force certification is more impressive than plaque. The certificate of the Military Aviation Department of Huan Shu Jiluo is a gold medal. "The gold medal was made of gold, about five cents wide, about a cent thick, and about two inches thick, with three Air Force numbers engraved on it." This gold medal is not only a certificate issued by the Ministry of Air Force, but also a "key" for the Ministry of Air Force to declare its power and open the sealed box.
Above_Floor plan of the Forbidden City. The marked area is the seat of the Military Aircraft Department.
The seal is an indispensable symbol of power for the functioning of an organization. Since it is an important institution such as the Military Aircraft Department, the "official seal" here is also different from other Yamen. The seal of the Military Aircraft Department is made of silver and is specially stored in the Maoqin Hall, where precious imperial books, pens, ink and paper are stored. It is specifically managed by the eunuchs of the Internal Affairs Office, but the eunuchs of the Internal Affairs Office only have control.
If the sealing box needs to be sealed and opened, Zhang Jing, who rides on a military plane every day, must go to the Minister of Military Affairs of the aircraft to obtain the key to the sealing box and wear the gold medal of the "Military Aircraft Department". Only when both appear at the same time can they be stamped under the control of the eunuchs, so that the documents issued by the Military Aircraft Department to the provinces can be valid.
Above_The Manchu Kexing Division Military Archives Fuzhou Sanjiangkou Division Qianlong served as the judge of Fujian Tingzhou for 35 yearsIn addition to the strength of the institution itself, the standard for measuring the quality of the unit is the source of financial resources. For example, the strength of units directly under the central government is stronger than that of units supported by local finances, and full-funded institutions are not as dignified as deficit institutions. The sources of the daily transportation assets of the Military Aviation Division are, of course, more extensive than the resources of the six provinces.
According to the archives kept by the Military Aircraft Department, the financial allocation of the Military Aircraft Department in the 34th year of Guangxu was mainly 6,000 taels of grain and silver, which was allocated by Duke (that is, the household department), 4,000 taels. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Chongwenmen award silver included 420 taels of grain and customs silver, 7780 taels of subsidy silver reported by local provinces, and 2080 taels of rice silver received by the subordinate strategic department.
In this year alone, the Military Aircraft Department received more than 20,000 taels, which had already been spent in 1908, when the Qing Dynasty was already in decline. During the Xianfeng period, the Military Aircraft Department was even short of funds, so he took the initiative to provide funds to the Military Aircraft Department. Cases in which the Ministry of the Interior asked for money.
Above_Parcel of the Military Aircraft Department during the Guangxu period
"South China Shortcut" officially promoted
Important institutions will surely become the best shortcut to official promotion. It is recorded in the "Ikegami Caotang Notes" and "Wandering Talks". In the early years of Jiaqing, the Qianlong Emperor and the emperor retired to the "administrative" line, and one night, they had to summon the minister of military aircraft for consultation. But at this time, the Minister of Military Aircraft had "retired", and only military commanders Wu Xiongguang and Dai Quheng were present. In desperation, the Qianlong Emperor had to summon the two to discuss. Therefore, Qianlong and the emperor were very satisfied with their ability to govern and respond to affairs, so they planned to promote them to the rank of shangshu of the army.
When the military minister and the leader of Helong arrived, the Qianlong Emperor told Helong about this idea. He Juan replied helplessly that Wu Xiongguang and Dai Quheng were only fifth-grade petty officials, far from reaching the "starting price" of the lowest third-grade military minister. Therefore, Qianlong immediately promoted Wu and Dai to the rank of third-rank knight. After Qianlong knew that Wu Xiongguang's family was poor and could not afford to sit in a third-class car, he gave Wu Hubu 1,000 taels of grain and silver as a living allowance.
Above_Hejun (1750-1799), surnamed Niu Hulu, originally named Shanbao, character Zhizhai
Coincidentally, during the Qianlong period, there was a man named Bayansan, whose career was mediocre and incompetent. It was only because of his family status that he became a clerk in the Military Aviation Division. And because the emperor suddenly called him, Shangshu of the military department was not there. Bayanshan, who was on duty, had no choice but to continue to move forward. As a result, he was so nervous that he didn't remember anything the emperor had ordered. In the end, the eunuch Erluli, who was waiting on the sidelines, took over. The emperor's words were repeated to Bayansan, and he completed the task. It was precisely because Bayansan was able to "walk the talk" this time that the Qianlong Emperor and the emperor were particularly fond of him, and even accused Fu Heng, then Minister of Defense and Aviation, of concealing such a thing. Extraordinary talent. Taking advantage of this opportunity, the ordinary Bayan turned over and rose from an obscure clan to the governor of Liangguang. However, due to his lack of real talent and insatiable greed, he was eventually removed from office.
At the same time, military courtiers were "noble" over ordinary courtiers in that they could have their own feelings in front of the emperor. These carpets are colloquially known as "military carpets". This was established by the emperor to show special respect for the Minister of Military Aircraft. Whenever the Minister of Military Aviation reported to the Emperor, the Emperor arranged the felt felt from left to right according to the number and position of the Minister of Military Aviation. When you kneel on him to answer, you don't have to kneel on the ground like a normal official. This historical fact was shown in the film and television art presentation of the old movie "Lin Zexu" shot in 1959.
Above_The decree formulated by the Military Aircraft Administration during the Qianlong period
Excellent living conditions for the Air Force
If you want to be a good leader, you have to learn not only how to use your subordinates, but also how to win over your subordinates. Therefore, those who can be emperors will naturally not stupidly squeeze the officials of the Military Aircraft Department.
Military pilots and officials enjoyed the special care of the emperor in their lives, relying on living near the water, first come, first served. The Ministry of the Interior provides daily work rations, candles and other items directly to the Ministers of the Army and Air Force. Bait for fruits every five days, ice melons in summer, firewood in winter... Lichun eats spring cakes and fresh vegetables, New Year rice cakes, Lantern Festival eats Lantern Festival, and Chu Ba eats mung beans. April...... The rest of the flowers, fruits, pastries, bait, vegetables are included. All gifts are given at any time. Festivals such as the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Winter Solstice also have seasonal food rewards. Even if you are late for work, you will get a "gram" (a reward for several meals).
Especially at the important time of the beginning of spring every year, the minister of military aircraft can place a greeting card for the emperor in the Maoqin Hall, which will be specially given to the emperor by the eunuchs. Next, the emperor would select the beard pens, red ink, and multicolored paper stored in the Maoqin Hall. The Minister of Army and Aviation received twenty awards. On the first day of the first lunar month, military ministers, regardless of rank, can enter the palace to greet the emperor and congratulate the New Year. The emperor also gave him a "Fu" character and a purse containing eight treasures as a sign of honor.
The above _ list of military pilot organizations
Extraordinary garment processing
In addition to these rations and facilities, officers of the Pilot Division enjoy clothing privileges unmatched by other officers of their rank. In ancient China, clothing was an important outward expression of distinction, hierarchy, and intimacy. Especially in the Qing Dynasty, the details of clothing such as palace beads, leather, flower ling, green ling, and bun were strictly regulated according to official evaluations. A distinctive feature of the Military Aviation Department was that officers of all sizes could wear court balls. Influenced by film and television dramas, Qing Dynasty officials all had a pair of palace beads around their necks. In fact, apart from Han, Zhan, Ke, and Dao, the officials in the capital are only civil officials. Only military attachés of grade 4 and above are eligible to carry. Military and aviation officials, especially junior personnel such as Trump and Bitish, have been allowed to wear palace balls since the establishment of the military aviation department in the seventh year of the Yongzheng Dynasty. To show the difference. In the twenty-fourth year of Qianlong, the emperor said: "In the future, officials should not hang the imperial pillar when choosing military aircraft, and follow this example." ”
Above_Qing Dynasty officials wearing three-eyed lings
Nowadays, as long as there is money, you can wear mink. However, in the Qing Dynasty, officials below the fourth rank were forbidden to wear Kunfu. From the thirty-seventh year of Qianlong, the emperor was authorized by the Ministry of Air Force to wear a mink coat, regardless of rank. At the same time, military and aviation divisions can also use red rain caps only for officers above the third grade. As for the Minister of Military Aircraft, in addition to enjoying the original clothing and moral level, if the decoration on it is slightly reduced, he can also wear the same style of "blue seam boots" as the emperor to show his closeness.
Due to the peculiarities of the military aviation department, there was a clothing in the Qing Dynasty, specifically called "military aviation han", which was similar in shape to a horse coat, but had cuffs and elbows for comfort. Writing. After the end of the Qing Dynasty, it gradually became popular among the people. It evolved into a half-sleeved horse coat worn by the traditional aristocracy of the Republic of China. The emperor's improvement in the political treatment of the Military Aircraft Department and the living rewards of officials not only distinguished the Military Aircraft Department from other officials in the outer court, but also recognized the importance of the Military Aircraft Department.
Text: Wei Siwei
Reference:
[1] "Narrative of the Qing Palace", Zhang Naiwei, Palace Museum Press
[2] "Listening to the Rain Cong Talks", Fogg (Qing) Zhonghua Bookstore
[3] Xiaoting Miscellaneous Records, Zhao Zhao (Qing) Zhonghua Bookstore
[4] "Dictionary of Different Words", Liu Tizhi (Qing), Zhonghua Bookstore
[5] "Yangjizhai Conglu", Wu Zhenfeng (Qing), Zhonghua Bookstore
[6] "Five Diaries of Military Aircraft Ministers of the Late Qing Dynasty", compiled by Zhang Jian and Zheng Yuan of the Chinese Bookstore
The text was created by the History University team, and the illustrations come from the Internet. The copyright belongs to the original author.