One day in the reign of Emperor Qianlong

Author: Wu Shizhou
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-01-01
Features: On the eighth day of the first lunar month of the 30th year of the Qianlong reign (January 28, 1765), this was an extremely ordinary day, a randomly sampled one, with no significant or special events occurring. Yet, from the small to the large, it was a specimen of the middle period of the Qianlong era, also the mid-period of the Qing Dynasty, and the last golden age of ancient China—known as the "Kang-Qian Prosperity." This book fully utilizes the imperial archives and imperial poems of the eighth day of the first lunar month of the 30th year of the Qianlong reign, as well as court documents of the day, such as imperial edicts and memorial reports, arranged chronologically by the hours of the day. It details the Qianlong Emperor's court life from morning to evening, including daily routines, meals, religious ceremonies, cultural activities, governance, and family life. Through the author's fresh perspective, vivid writing style, and incisive analysis, it reconstructs a three-dimensional historical figure—a 55-year-old emperor at the peak of his life, playing multiple roles—as Aisin Gioro Hongli.
"Qianlong's Day" refers to the eighth day of the first lunar month of the 30th year of the Qianlong reign (January 28, 1765). This day was neither one of the three major national festivals (the Winter Solstice, the New Year, or the Emperor's Birthday) nor a grand ceremony for offering sacrifices at the Altar of Heaven, nor was there any major event such as the return of troops with captives, the appointment or passing of high officials, offerings for the deceased, reports of significant disasters, government exemptions, popular movements, or the arrival of vassal states. Nothing important or special happened, making it an extremely ordinary day. Therefore, the compilers of the Draft History of the Qing Dynasty·Biography of the Shangzong ignored it, leaving it blank, while Wu Shizhou chose to focus on it. This was akin to a sociological random sampling survey, with no deeper meaning, simply aiming to uncover some valuable insights from the ordinary, perhaps gaining a better understanding of the Qianlong Emperor and his era from a particular angle.