Ancient history

A day's life of the Chinese emperor is not as easy as it sounds

I often see the life of an ancient Chinese emperor in the media, but I also admired it because I enjoyed delicious meals every day and the luxurious life surrounded by many beautiful women is often picked up.

Especially recently, the new corona, conflicts with other countries, and rising prices due to high crude oil prices have become stressful, and it may be natural to long for the emperor's glittering life. However, the actual life of the emperor seems to be far from self-reliant, and it is said that the common people were the best life.

Therefore, let's take a look at the emperor's day with reference to the life of the 6th emperor Qianlong in the Qing dynasty.

Policy of the 6th emperor of the Qing dynasty, Qianlong Emperor

First, Qing dynasty and Qianlong Emperor Let's touch on a little about.

Nurhaci from the Jurchen tribe was founded in Manchuria 1644-1912 Qing dynasty that ruled mainland China and Mongolia .. The heyday was the era of the 6th emperor, Qianlong Emperor [ 1735-1796 ], The long-term government of 60 years, which is the longest in the history of the Qing dynasty, was established.

Qianlong Emperor The most important thing under the administration of China was the further expansion of the territory, which expanded to the present Taiwan, Myanmar, Nepal, and Vietnam, including Jungal in West Mongolia, and surpassed the Han and Tang dynasties of successive dynasties in Chinese history. Acquired the largest territory.

During his 60-year reign, he made about 15 domestic patrols, showing his energetic appearance to the people and showing off his peace. Beside that, I also gained public sentiment by frequently reducing taxes.

Such a stable government is the grandfather's Kangxi And his father Yongzheng Emperor Seriousness and frugality were the foundation. In the Qing dynasty, one day's worth of court expenses used in the Ming dynasty was reduced to one year's worth. The fall of the Ming dynasty was attributed to luxury and was also called its commandment.

This frugality was successful, and by the time of the Qianlong Emperor, the Qing dynasty's national power had been considerably enhanced.

Qianlong Emperor's daily life

It seems that Qianlong Emperor, who had such good politics, had the most stable life of all the emperors, but his life pattern seemed to be special and stressful.

Qing dynasty Qianlong Emperor's daily life
  • Wake up at 4am

    According to the Qing dynasty literature, Qianlong woke up at 4 am every day.

    The custom continued for 60 years during his coronation.

    It seems that it was a fixed life pattern of successive Qing emperors because it was thought that things would not go smoothly unless the top of the country lived a disciplined life.

  • 4:00 am-Breakfast and dressing After getting dressed easily, I will have breakfast.

  • 5am Religious event to celebrate ancestors

    By the end of breakfast, it's about 5 o'clock, after which religious events are held to celebrate our ancestors. The empresses have already come first and have done most of the ritual, and by the time the emperor arrives, the ritual is heading towards the climax.

  • 7:00 am Study time Learn the thoughts of our ancestors in the palace's reference room.

    If you look at ancient Chinese dramas, you may have read a lot of literature in the scene where the emperor appeared. The lines are also quotations from classics and passages in the literature, so this routine may be the basis.

  • Immerse yourself in the memories of the Empress around 9am

    After his self-study time, Qianlong was always heading to a place called Chonghua Palace. This place mourns his beloved Empress Xiaoxian, who was kept in good condition every day after her death.

  • 10:00 am Public affairs

    After completing their routine, the emperor embarks on formal official duties.

    First of all, the ministers of each department will have an audience and bring various reports and problems.

    The policy of the Qing dynasty will be decided in response to it one by one.

  • 13:00 pm Secret meeting

    After normal public affairs, we invite trusted vassals to hold a meeting to discuss the matter to be dealt with in secret.

    Again, we supported each of our vassals and made policy decisions and discussions.

  • 17:00 pm Free time

    By the time all public affairs are completed, it will be around 17:00 pm and Qianlong will have free time here for the first time.

    Even in this free time, Qianlong Emperor says he was studying by reading the literature.

    Besides, it seems that he enjoyed looking at the items left by the emperors from generation to generation.

  • 19:00 pm Choosing a partner at night

    At 19:00 pm, a vassal with a tag with the name of the concubinage appears and chooses a woman to share the night with.

  • Go to bed at 20:00

    It is said that he entered his room and went to bed at this time.

    It seems that the sleep time was about 6 hours.

    This is the end of Qianlong's day.

In this way, the emperor's day was mainly studying and ceremonies, meeting various people and discussing important national decisions. This decision was important in determining the lives of the Chinese people and the fate of the country.

I have less free time than I thought I would do, so it's not a day when I can easily go out. Moreover, there is a high risk of being assassinated in the event of a political change, and in a world where the number of tactics is constantly swirling in the court, this will continue for the rest of your life.