The "Ice Politics" of the Qing Dynasty may be a little-known but meaningful fragment in history. In "Yongzheng Dynasty", there was a striking scene: the descendants of the Eighth Master Mansion prepared chilled watermelons, and the use of ancient "refrigerators" between the Ninth and Tenth Masters aroused the curiosity of the imperial history. So, in the Qing Dynasty, how much ice did the royal family use every summer, and what was the specific implementation of the ice policy?
The ice government of the Qing Dynasty was essentially to provide cool and cool services for the royal family and princes and nobles. However, its significance doesn't stop there. In the heat of summer, the presence of ice means not only the comfort of royal life, but also the smooth functioning of government agencies. As a result, Bingzheng played a pivotal role in Qing Dynasty society.
In the process of implementing the ice policy, the Ministry of Industry is also responsible for specific matters such as ice mining, ice storage and ice issuance. However, the position of cellar supervisor is not a formal officer, but is selected from among the officials and officials of the Ministry of Works, who are responsible for overseeing the mining of the ice cellar and the quality of the ice. Heavy work such as transportation is carried out by craftsmen employed by the Ministry of Industry or the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Ice collection usually takes place after the winter solstice each year. In order to ensure the quality of ice, ice mining is usually carried out in a shaded place with good water quality to avoid the inconvenience caused by sunlight. Ice harvesting usually takes no more than a month, and in midsummer, the ice cellars provide a fixed amount of ice for summer use.
In the Qing Dynasty, the use of ice was regulated and allocated. Ice in the palace and in the various mausoleums is rationed and stored as needed. There are also corresponding regulations on the amount of ice used by the yamen of each ministry and the princes and nobles, and the amount of ice allocated to each yamen varies according to the day. As for the princes and nobles, they paid for it themselves or commissioned the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to mine ice, and the amount of ice supplied was determined according to individual needs.
Bingzheng had great significance and influence in Qing Dynasty society. First of all, it provided comfortable living conditions for the royal family and the princes and nobles, and maintained the majesty and dignity of the royal family. Secondly, the implementation of the ice policy has also promoted the development of the ice industry and promoted the progress of technology such as ice collection, storage and distribution. Finally, Bingzheng also reflected the hierarchy and court etiquette of Qing Dynasty society, reflecting the sacredness and majesty of imperial power.
Through the understanding of the ice politics of the Qing Dynasty, we can not only get a glimpse of a part of the Qing Dynasty society, but also feel the depth and profundity of history. Ice politics is not only a policy, but also a legendary historical story that is worth exploring and savoring.