Introduction:
The Qing Dynasty guards were on their backs, holding sharp blades, and their faces were fierce. These tall and skilled guards carried the life of the emperor, and their selection criteria were strict and their responsibilities were heavy, however, with the decline of the Qing dynasty, their glory gradually dimmed. This article will delve into the preciousness of the Qing Dynasty's inner guards, revealing the historical picture of its rise and fall.
1. Selection criteria for Ouchi guards
At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the selection criteria for the Ouchi guards were extremely harsh. Only the bannermen of the upper three banners were eligible to become the Ouchi guards, because the emperor did not trust the bannermen of the lower five banners. The upper three flags include the three flags of Huifa, Xinghe and Jingjin, while the lower five flags include the five flags of Yangzhou, Taiwan, Fujian, Guangdong and Guangxi. The bannermen of the three banners are burdened with a higher social status, and their selection criteria are bound to be stricter.
In the middle of the Qing Dynasty, in order to expand the scope of recruitment, the bannermen of the lower five banners also had the opportunity to be selected as the Ouchi guards, but the premise was that they had a clean background and no bad records. In addition, the children of the eunuchs and the clan ** were also specially selected to serve as the Ouchi guards. These selection criteria not only ensured the loyalty of Ouchi's guards, but also maintained the stability of the social class.
In the selection process, an extremely important criterion is tall stature. Ouchi guards needed to be burly in order to show the majesty of the emperor. Not only do they have to give a sense of trust in stature, but they also have to excel in martial arts, as their main duty is to protect the lives of the emperor or members of the royal family.
2. Duties and training of Ouchi guards
The duties of the Ouchi guards can be said to be a thousand moments, and they are related to the life and death of the emperor. They need to guard the emperor or members of the royal family at all times to ensure their safety. This duty requires them to possess high martial arts and excellent combat ability.
At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the Ouchi guards mainly practiced mounted archery. This was a very important skill, as the emperor was often out hunting, and Ouchi's guards needed to keep him safe on the hunting grounds. They needed to be proficient in equestrian and shooting skills to ensure that the emperor's hunting activities went smoothly.
Over time, gun skills have gradually become part of the training content of Ouchi's guards. When guns are introduced into battle, Ouchi guards need to learn to use these new types of ** to respond to the changing demands of the battlefield. They had to train their marksmanship to ensure that they could shoot accurately at critical moments to keep the emperor safe.
At the same time, the performance of Ouchi's guards was also rigorously examined on the hunting grounds. The Emperor will personally supervise their performance, and if the guards perform well in the hunting grounds, they may be promoted** and receive higher salaries and honors. However, if they do not perform well or even make mistakes, they may lose their position or even be punished. This strict evaluation system ensured that the fighting qualities of Ouchi's guards were always maintained at the highest level.
3. The decline of the Ouchi guards
However, with the gradual decline of the Qing Dynasty's power, the elite of the Ouchi guards gradually declined. Some events reveal their failure and corruption throughout history.
During the Jiaqing period, one of the Ouchi guards was unable to protect the emperor when he encountered an assassin, resulting in the emperor's almost death. This incident shocked the entire imperial court, and people began to question the competence and loyalty of Ouchi's guards. The emperor's trust in them began to waver, a sign of the decline of the Ouchi guards.
Another shocking event occurred during the Xianfeng period. A small vendor was able to take the opportunity to enter the palace and set up a stall to sell steamed buns, which exposed the loopholes of the palace guards. This rashness and negligence not only exposed the inadequacy of Ouchi's guards, but also raised serious doubts about their abilities. These events show that even though the Qing emperors paid their guards well, they gradually lost their effectiveness and were unable to perform their duties.
Eventually, when the Xinhai Revolution broke out, the Qing rulers abdicated, and the Ouchi guards did not save them from defeat. The last emperor, Pu Yi, was also driven out of the Forbidden City by the Nationalist army, and the Ouchi guards departed in disgrace, marking their end. This once powerful and majestic personal guard team has gradually disappeared in the long river of history, leaving behind a precious ** as their memory.
Conclusion:
The Qing Dynasty's inner guards were once a powerful and majestic team of guards, and their selection criteria were strict and their responsibilities were heavy. However, with the decline of the Qing dynasty, their brilliance gradually dimmed, and finally came to an end. Their stories tell us that even the most powerful guards can lose their glory as history changes. These precious ** record their style and glory, let us always remember this history. In the long river of time, although they are gone, their legend will be passed on forever and become a part of history, which is admirable.