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25 May 2018, Volume 0 Issue 2 Previous Issue    Next Issue
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Secondary Capital Shengjing: Manchu Political and Cultural Choices Regarding the "Essential Region" after Occupying the Central Plain LIU Fengyun 2018, 0(2): 1-26.  Abstract ( )   PDF (14719KB) ( )   After the Manchus came to rule the Central Plain, the Qing court took measures to establish the secondary capital, Shengjing. The establishment of the secondary capital reflected the ruler’s political objective of “adopting Han legal institutions”, and the economic policy of “recruiting people to reclaim wasteland”. It also included the practices of “eastern inspection tours” to worship ancestors, the remodeling of the secondary capital, and the “prohibition of immigration” to this area. Although the Qing rulers regarded Shengjing as a “fundamental region” of Manchuria and they tried their utmost to strengthen and stress Manchuria identity, but after the migration of large numbers of Han Chinese and the intensification of the dependency between Han people and bannermen, the Shengjing region became a pioneering area for agricultural civilization. The area inevitably became the foundation for a fusion of the traditional Han farming culture of China Proper and the Manchurian “fishing and hunting” civilization or “inner Asian factors”. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Eurasian Intelligence Networks between Ladakh, Tibet, and the Qing Court, 1724－1768: A Study of Qing China’s First Recognition of Mughal India   KONG Lingwei 2018, 0(2): 27-48.  Abstract ( )   PDF (14423KB) ( )   During the 1720s and 1760s, the Qing court acquired a great deal of critical information about InnerAsia, South Asia, and Russia from the kingdom of Ladakh through Tibet in order to monitor the expansion of the Dzunghar Khanate. Through the intelligence from Ladakh, the Qing dynasty not only realized that the Dzunghar Khanate had sent emissaries from Yarkhand to the Mughal Empire through Ladakh but also perceived the development of other imperial powers, such as Mughal India, Afsharid Iran, Durrani Afghanistan, and Tsarist Russia. By utilizing multilingual sources in Chinese, Manchu, and Tibetan, this article investigates the Eurasian intelligence networks built by the Qing dynasty through Ladakh and their historical significance. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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A Study on the Positive Role the Kazakh Leader Abulai Played during the Return of the Turgut Tribe to the East GUO Wenzhong 2018, 0(2): 49-58.  Abstract ( )   PDF (6655KB) ( )   The return of Turgut tribe to the east, happened in the last half of the eighteenth century. This essay uses Manchu archives from the First Historical Archives of China as the core material，combined with related historical resources, to study the positive role the Kazakh leader Abulai played during the event, to analyze the historical truth of Abulai’s leadership of the Left Sector of the Kazahhs who did their duty as the Qing dynasty’s vassal state and participated in Qing dynasty’s borderland management. On the foundation of previous study which greatly underestimated or even denied the positive role that Abulai had played during the event, this essay advances new arguments to explain the true reason that Turgut choose to pass across Kazakh steppe. In fact, Abulai dispatched envoys to deliver news and his “Secret Reports” to Emperor Qianlong. Because of this, the Qing Court made better arrangements for the Turgut tribe. Finally, the author concludes that Abulai played role of loyal vassal to the Qing dynasty. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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An Exploration of the Responsibility and Appointment of Janggin in the Government Office of Huijiang in Qing Dynasty ZHANG Baiguo 2018, 0(2): 59-68.  Abstract ( )   PDF (6003KB) ( )   Janggin was the general designation for an official working in the government office of Huijiang to assist ambans deal with administrative affairs. Janggin might also be called Yinfang Janggin, Liangxiang Janggin, Huiwu Janggin or Jingmu Janggin according to their duties. Based on related Chinese archives, this essay not only undertakes a comprehensive exploration of Janggin from their establishment, duty, tenure, qualification and selection, but also summarizes the features of their responsibilities and the selection of Janggin, to get a better understanding of the Qing dynasty’s frontier governance practices which aimed to unify the whole country. This essay provides a new perspective on the study of the operation of administrative affairs in Huijiang. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The System of Allowing Transfers Every Three Years and Promotion every Five Years in Office: A Study of Local Official Long Term Tenure System in the Qing Dynasty ZHANG Zhenguo 2018, 0(2): 69-81.  Abstract ( )   PDF (7485KB) ( )   The system of allowing transfers every three years and promotion every five years in office that was formulated during Qianlong reign was a long term tenure policy designed to restrict the frequent transfer of local officials. The policy played a significant role in regularizing the assignment of governors and ameliorating the unpredictable changes in policy. Unfortunately, it was soon modified because of provincial governors’ frequent requests for transfers. This modification opened a convenient door in the whole system for the governors because it allowed for local officials to petition to avoid the tenure regulation, and this resulted in a failure to constrain the appointments of governors. In addition to the personnel matters and the governors’ objective factors, the root cause of the failure was the authoritarian system． References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Qing Policies Banning Artificially Cultivated Ginseng LIAO Xiaoqing 2018, 0(2): 82-98.  Abstract ( )   PDF (10208KB) ( )   There were primarily two kinds of ginseng in the Qing Dynasty: naturally-grown wild old ginseng and artificially cultivated “ginseng seedlings”. The former was much better than the latter in terms of product quality. In the Qing Dynasty, wild ginseng from Northeastern China were requested as tribute to the imperial family. However, wild ginseng was hard to find because of its long growth cycle, and the two types were hard to distinguish, so ginseng farmers often mixed ginseng seedlings with wild old ginseng, pretending that the shoddy goods were of high quality. For this reason, the Qing Dynasty implemented a rigorous examination and control policy. Due to the high profits of ginseng, local officials in Northeastern China frequently extorted ginseng farmers as well as cheated the central government, in order to make a large amount of money for themselves. Finally when the matter was brought to light，the main officials in the Northeast were investigated and punished one after another. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Negotiation of the Translation of the Dutch Letter of Credence to Qianlong Emperor in 1794   CAI Xiangyu 2018, 0(2): 99-113.  Abstract ( )   PDF (8937KB) ( )   With the aim to celebrate the sixtieth enthronement of the Qianlong emperor, in 1794, the Dutch East India Company sent Isaac Titsingh as ambassador to China. Many problems were found by the Cantonese authorities in the Chinese version of the Dutch letter of credence in terms of authorship, wording, format, regulation and other aspects. Under the supervision and assistance of the Chinese officials and based on the Dutch version, the Dutch undertook a laborious process of redrafting. This paper points out that the process was, for the Chinese authorities, either an important step to assist and discipline the Dutch ambassadors, or a necessary procedure to integrate the Dutch embassy into the tribute system of the Qing dynasty. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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An Analysis of the Choson Dynasty’s Measure to Rescue Qing Dynasty’s Boats Adrift at Sea QU Guangyan 2018, 0(2): 114-123.  Abstract ( )   PDF (5537KB) ( )   The Qing and the Choson dynasties did not carry out sea trade before 1882, but after Kangxi lifted the ban on maritime trade, many merchant ships drifted to the Korean Peninsula because of shipwreck. Choson officials actively rescued drifting boat and bought the remaining goods. These measures contributed to promoting relations with the Qing Dynasty. In this sense, Choson’s rescue operations actually became a political measure to maintain tributary relationship．   References | Related Articles | Metrics

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A Study of the Funds of The Naval Yamen CHEN Xiansong 2018, 0(2): 124-137.  Abstract ( )   PDF (8450KB) ( )   Besides administering the coastal defense，the Naval Yamen was also in charge of northeast troop Training, railway construction, and the building of the Three Sea Summer Palace, and other projects.Due to an increase in interrelated functions, more funds were needed in addition to those which were earmarked for the coastal defense of Nanyang and Beiyang. This internal financial demand contributed to the repeated requests for funds and were the excuse for the Naval Yamen’s request to the Ministry of Revenue. The income of the Naval Yamen was not uniquely from the special funds for coastal defense, and the payment of which was not confined to the coastal defense. There is no basis to say the funds of the Naval Yamen were equivalent to the total expenditures on coastal defense. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The British Army’s Survey Mapping in Taihu Plain during the Taiping Period WANG Tao 2018, 0(2): 138-150.  Abstract ( )   PDF (7391KB) ( )   During the Sino-foreign joint suppression of the Taiping kingdom, the British surveyed and mapped the Taihu plain where the Chinese and foreign forces fought a battle with the Taiping army in March 1862. The British army surveyed Nanxiang, Jiading, Qingpu, Nanqiao, Zhelin, and drew large scale maps of these cities and towns. From December to March, Charles Gordon with Corps of Royal Engineers carried out a wide range of mapping in and around Shanghai to understand the waterway transportation. Later, British forces stationed in Shanghai, and Gordon headed the Ever Victorious Army to Suzhou and Changzhou. Gordon based his movements on field surveys and Chinese maps acquisition of geographic information, as well as the British survey maps of the Taihu plain. The application of the maps promoted the British geographical knowledge, played an important roles in the progress of military operations, commercial expansion and the dissemination of European geographical knowledge. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Further Discussion on the Relocation and Closure of London Missionary Press WANG Liqun 2018, 0(2): 151-156.  Abstract ( )   PDF (3514KB) ( )   Related Articles | Metrics