A reader recently consulted me about his ancestor who served as the Wenchu Daoist of Zhejiang during the Guangxu period, but the family declined during the ** period, leaving only a medal with a unique shape, and he wanted to know the origin and meaning of this medal.
After Yu Shi saw the ** he sent, he couldn't help but be surprised, it turned out that the ** was displayed in a "third-class treasure star", and the level was quite high.
The imperial history speculates that this treasure star was most likely not given to the reader's ancestor by the imperial court, but may have been passed on to future generations as a collection after the fall of the Qing Dynasty.
The concept of "Baoxing" is first seen in the article of the Imperial History, because it is a relatively unpopular knowledge, many readers may not be familiar with it, so the Imperial History will share his knowledge and work with you on this topic.
So, what exactly is Baoxing? To put it simply, a treasure star is a medal. Since the Second Opium War, China's door has been opened, and Sino-foreign exchanges have become more and more frequent, and a large number of foreigners, ministers, consuls, and missionaries have entered China.
At the same time, with the development of the Westernization Movement, the number of foreigners serving the Qing Dynasty in the navy and army, industrial and mining enterprises, post and telecommunications, transportation, and education departments has gradually increased.
When foreigners made achievements in projects in the service of China, the imperial court usually rewarded them.
Originally, the rewards for foreigners were in the form of traditional Chinese flowers, including wearing a flower feather, a batu ruyong, a silver tael and a gong medallion, and even wearing a yellow jacket.
However, except for the silver taels, all other forms of rewards are empty for foreigners and cannot meet their needs. In the first year of Tongzhi, Li Hongzhang suggested to the imperial court to create gold and silver medals for foreigners as rewards and wear them.
However, because Li Hongzhang did not propose a specific implementation plan, the imperial court did not approve it.
Soon after, the Minister of International Trade and Commerce of the three mouths, Chonghou, put forward a new proposal, suggesting that the original meritorious cards should be improved on the basis of the original merit plate, and that the name should be changed to "Jinbaoxing", which was divided into two models weighing one or two two coins and one two or four coins.
This new type of reward method is more in line with the needs of foreigners and has been approved by the imperial court.
The "Baoxing Regulations" was formulated and officially promulgated by the Prime Minister Yamen in August of the seventh year of Guangxu, which specified in detail the name, rank, decoration, license and other aspects of Baoxing.
Baoxing is divided into five classes and eleven levels, of which the first.
First, second, and third classes are divided into **, first.
There is no grade for the fourth and fifth grades. The stars are engraved with Qing inscriptions, indicating the ranks, and distinguishing the ranks by decoration and color.
In the beginning, the shape of the first class star was square (later changed to a circle), and the other stars were round.
According to relevant records, the first class of the first treasure star will be awarded to the monarch of each country, the first second treasure star will be awarded to the princes, princes, relatives of each country, and the first class third treasure star will be awarded to the ministers of the world, the prime ministers, and the first ministers.
The First Star of the Second Class is awarded to the Ministers of the Second Class, the Second Star of the Second Class is awarded to the Ministers of the Third Class and the General Department of Taxation, and the Second Class and the Third Star is awarded to the First Counsellor, Minister of Military Affairs, and Consul General of the Second Class.
The First Star of the Third Class will be awarded to the Counsellors of the Second and Third Ranks, the Attachés of the Consulates, the Second Star of the Third Class will be awarded to the Consuls and Officers of the Marines, and the Third Class and the Third Star will be awarded to the Interpreters of the Countries.
The fourth-class star is awarded to soldiers of various countries, and the fifth-class star is awarded to businessmen and entrepreneurs of various countries.
In the twenty-third year of Guangxu, Prime Minister Yamen carried out a major reform of the Baoxing style, drawing on the standards of Western countries, making it radiant and luxurious.
It can be said that the birth of the Baoxing system was naturally derived in the process of communication with other countries, and at first, the Baoxing was mainly used as an exchange gift of friendship and etiquette to foreign countries, and was given to foreign monarchs and envoys.
Later, Baoxing gradually became a common way to reward meritorious foreigners. In general, the circumstances in which foreigners receive the Treasure Star include: the term of office of the minister has expired, and it is given as a gift to express friendship between China and foreign countries; Those who have worked for the Qing ** and achieved remarkable results; Helping to clear ** purchase ** and receive Chinese and foreign diplomats meritorious people; In the event of a conflict between China and foreign countries, a person who mediates and promotes diplomatic relations.
There is a strict process for the awarding of Baoxing, which will first be assessed by the grassroots ** who use foreign personnel, and then reviewed by the superintendent or ministers, and finally decided whether to issue it by the imperial court as the examination authority.
For the winners of Baoxing, receiving Baoxing is an affirmation of their work achievements, and it is also a reward.
For example, the German official Hannagan was awarded the third-class first treasure star and the third-grade top because of his meritorious service in the construction of the Lushunkou Fort, and Li Hongzhang specifically mentioned that he "the foreigner is grateful for the picture" when he played the imperial court, and built the Ridao Fort in imitation of the Western washing method, and also taught it carefully.
Although Baoxing was originally a form of honor and reward given to foreigners, it gradually benefited the Chinese people.
The earliest recipient of the National Treasure Star was Li Hongzhang, the Governor of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, and later it was stipulated that all diplomats who went to various countries would be awarded Treasure Stars according to their matching ranks.
In December of the 34th year of Guangxu, fifteen ministers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were awarded different ranks, such as the second treasure star of the Prime Minister's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prince Qing Yixuan, the first class of the University Shi Natong, and the first third treasure star of the Minister of the General Assembly Liang Dunyan.
After the Xuantong Dynasty, due to the decline of the Qing Dynasty, the influence of traditional rewards such as yellow coats and flower feathers gradually weakened, and they were no longer regarded as the goal to be pursued.
At the same time, the wearing of stars and medals became a popular symbol of honor. In May of the first year of Xuantong, a number of senior ** were awarded the treasure star, such as Shangshu Tieliang of the War Department, Sa Zhenbing, Admiral of the Navy, and Shouxun of the War Department.
Soon, Zhao Erxun, the governor of the three eastern provinces, Chen Kuilong, the governor of Zhili, and other local officials also won this honor.
With regard to the local intermediate** treasure stars, the imperial history has not found any cases of the imperial court issuing them, so the situation described at the beginning may have been passed down through other collections, rather than directly granted to the person.