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文 | XMM
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There are many kinds of imperial rewards for the emperor, and we are familiar with gold and silver treasures, silk and satin.
Although for many people, these rewards will keep them safe for the rest of their lives, such rewards are relatively commonplace.
In modern society, if someone has done good deeds or performed well in work and Xi, they will be awarded a "pennant".
In the same way, in ancient times, there was such a symbol of honor.
It's just that, however, at that time, there was no "pennant", but a "yellow coat" that represented the status of the "yellow jacket".
The yellow jacket was a unique official costume during the Qing Dynasty.
In ancient society, if anyone can get the yellow coat given by the emperor, it will definitely be regarded as a great joy for the glory of the ancestors.
People who get a horse coat will feel that they are walking with the wind as long as they wear it.
However, although the yellow jacket is only a piece of clothing, not everyone is qualified to wear it.
In addition, the yellow jacket itself is also divided into several categories, and different categories of yellow jackets also have different functions.
The first category is the yellow coat worn by the emperor's personal guards.
This kind of yellow jacket is more like our current "workwear", and there is no special meaning.
The only function is to show the majesty of the royal family, so that people can see at a glance that they are the emperor.
Moreover, it is a kind of "temporary reward", and the guards need to turn in the coat again after the change of guard.
The second type of yellow coat is similar to the first, and is a kind of "work uniform" worn by the emperor's entourage when he went out to play or hunt.
However, one thing is that these followers have the opportunity to convert the yellow jacket into their own.
After hunting, the emperor would reward his subordinates with the most harvested yellow coats.
In this way, the yellow jacket is not only a tooling, but also a special honor.
The third type is a gift to overseas envoys.
Since ancient times, the mainland has had diplomatic exchanges with countries around the world.
And the yellow jacket acts as a kind of "diplomatic gift" on this occasion.
The fourth, and one that people consider to be the most powerful, is the yellow coat that the emperor gives to meritorious heroes.
This kind of honor can be obtained by those who have made outstanding contributions to the country or outstanding political achievements, or who have won the approval of the emperor himself.
And people's first reaction to this kind of yellow coat is to "avoid death and punishment".
In the public's mind, they all think that with the yellow coat given by the emperor, the person who receives the reward can be said to have nothing to be afraid of except the emperor.
Even if he commits a crime or makes a mistake, as long as he has a yellow coat on his body, no one dares to punish this person.
That's enough to see the treasure of this dress.
Of course, the reward of this treasure also depends on the emperor's personal wishes and preferences.
For the favored courtiers, this reward is only a little more.
He Shen, a famous official during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, was a "red man" around Qianlong during his reign.
He Shensheng has a good eloquence, can speak well, and is quick to think, and is deeply loved by Qianlong.
Therefore, in terms of rewarding Heshen, Qianlong was not merciless.
It is said that Qianlong rewarded He Shen with more than 20 yellow coats before and after!
For others, being able to have a yellow coat gifted by the emperor is already the ancestor of accumulating virtue and burning high incense.
However, He Shen alone has more than 20 pieces, which is enough to see his high position in the court.
Although many ministers in the court were dissatisfied with He Shen, and wrote to the emperor many times to suggest that He Shen be impeached.
But Qianlong turned a blind eye.
However, we are more familiar with He Shen because he is known as "the most corrupt official in Chinese history".
Relying on the favor of the Yellow Emperor, coupled with the convenience of his own position, and the "escort" of the yellow coat, He Shen's "corruption crime" can be said to be very "natural" and smooth.
Later, Qianlong died and Jiaqing ascended the throne.
Unlike Qianlong's grace, after Jiaqing ascended the throne, the first thing he did was to get rid of He Shen.
As a result, He Shen was dismissed, awaiting execution, and his home was raided.
However, when officials raided Heshen's mansion, they found that a huge amount of property was hidden in his home.
The amount is as high as 800 million to 1.1 billion taels of silver!
This is only the money part, and the rest also has a variety of treasured calligraphy, paintings and utensils, which are innumerable and priceless!
All in all, the value of all the antique treasures owned by He Shen is more than the total revenue of the Qing Dynasty in 15 years!
Well, not only one will ask:
Isn't there so many yellow coats with Heshen, why didn't they come in handy at a critical time?
Perhaps, it is all of us who have misunderstood.
It's not that the yellow jacket doesn't come in handy, it's that the yellow jacket itself is useless.
If officials abuse the yellow coat or the Chinese language to swagger through the market, then the saint can completely take the yellow coat back.
This kind of "recycling" will also give people the misunderstanding that it is a yellow coat that "waits for punishment for crime".
The TV series we watch basically exaggerate the efficacy of the yellow jacket.
If the yellow jacket is really that effective, then why did those who had it in ancient times die in the end?
Therefore, in the final analysis, the yellow coat is just a reward, and it has no effect on atonement at all!
Was there anything that could really prevent death in ancient times?
The answer is yes.
In addition to the yellow jacket, we have also heard of such a thing as a "gold medal for avoiding death".
However, the "gold medal for avoiding death" is just a name for posterity.
In ancient times, his scientific name was "Danshu Iron Coupon".
Compared with the yellow jacket, the Danshu iron coupon has a real death-free effect.
However, this does not mean that those who can get it can do whatever they want.
The chances of avoiding death are limited, and the crime of "rebellion" cannot be avoided in any case.
In fact, whether it is a yellow coat or a Danshu iron coupon, the final verdict depends on the emperor's own intentions.