The Manchus, or the reigning dynasty of China: their rise and progress. Maps and illustrations

Preface

. The design of this work is explained in the Preface to my " History of Corea," which is introductory to the present history as well as illustrative of the past and descriptive of the present of the Corean people. Interesting though the story be of the rise and progress of the Manchus, it would never have been written by me were it not the best nail on which to hang as good a picture of the actual condition of the Chinese people as time, ability, and accessible sources enable me to draw. The history of the past of China is useful, because among so conservative a people, with a civilization so ancient, principles of action have not changed ; and centuries there have introduced fewer innovations than years in Britain. The active motives of three centuries ago are the potent motives of to-day ; and the phases of character appearing in this history are exactly similar to those seen in the existing state of Chinese society.

The main value of this work is therefore that it represents what does now actually exist; and gives us in the west, an opportunity of judging contemporaneous Chinese, their actual character, and their possible conduct. To one who knows the past history of China, her present resources, the intelligence of her people and their intense nationalism, the natural bravery of her soldiers when well led, and the mental ability of her rulers, the future of that country cannot but be matter of deep interest and solicitude. The ignorant may laugh at and treat her with contempt ; but there is a day not very remote when China, if continuing free from serious internal convulsions, will astonish many. We have long inferred that China must, from her nature, assume an attitude of suspicion and defiance towards Russia ; and she has long smarted under the humiliation of taxes levied on opium at the dictation, and under the compulsion, of the British Government. The Chinese will not always tamely submit to that degradation. If we persist in our opium policy, we shall have to pay for it.

PREFACE.

. VI For the ancient history of the Niijun people, from an insignificant section of which sprang the Manchus, we must refer to the chapters Liao and Kin in " Corea," where also is detailed the Manchu conquest of Corea. The size to which the purely historical portion of this work has grown has compelled the exclusion of most of my intended Topographical notices, and the whole of Manchu Customs except Slavery. For the same reason a chapter on " Literature " is represented only by a few sentences at the end of the " Preliminary Dissertation " and of " Officials." The Manchu language is referred to in " Corea." Besides the Chinese sources of information mentioned in " Corea," the author is, in this work, indebted to a late edition of the " Manchu Laws," which are largely embodied in this volume ; and which, like all laws, give the most authoritative description of the manners of the people.

Since his arrival in this country, the author has examined the excellent translation of the Manchu laws by Sir George Staunton ; who, however, greatly underrates the value of "Da Ching WM Dien," or Manchu Official Dictionary, which details minutely and clearly the various duties of all the public offices and functionaries of the vast empire, and which has been found of great service in compiling the latter portion of this work. The author is well aware of the need for a work of this kind. It remains to be seen whether he has been successful in his attempt to supply it. With weekly missionary engagements in various parts of the country, necessitating a good deal of travel and fatigue, it will not surprise anyone if the literary character of the two volumes, mostly written and printed within a year, is not equal to that of writers whose undivided attention, or whose more lengthened leisure, admits of that polished style which their severe taste demands.

But whatever the literary character of this work and its predecessor, the author knows that both are of considerable political importance ; and also that they present one of the strongest arguments to Christian men to exert themselves in quickly extending Christian teaching among the important people of China. CONTENTS. Page POLITICAL PRINCIPLES OF CHINA. xi

Introduction

. Use of History — The Magpie — Manjoo 1

Chapter I

— THE NUJUN. Revenge — Battle of Goolo — Woola — Wise Generosity — Extent of Manchu — Preparation for War 9

Chapter II

-CONQUEST OF LIAOTUNG. First Battle with Chinese — Great Excitement — Battle of Sarhoo — Beer Horn Camp — Manchu Joy — Mental Power — Environment of Manchu — Emigrating Mongols — Chinese Demoralisation — Manchu Impressment — Petty Troubles — Important Deserters 23

Chapter III

— CONQUEST OF LIAOSI. Boastful Coward — An Able General — Noorhachu Dies — Condoling Letter — Chinese Letter — Manchu Letter — Two Whanged — A Bold Move — Siege of Peking — Knighthood — Battle of Changshan — Reassuring Measures . 49

Chapter IV

— CONQUEST OF MONGOLIA. Kortsin — Firm Friendship — Chinese Subsidy — Mongol Revolts — Great Raiding Expedition — Increasing Weakness — Slow Beleaguering — Urgency Declared — Terrible Collapse — Manchu Haughtiness — Manchus Ambitious — Second Ruler Dies — Various Laws — Tobacco and Opium— Internal Danger 75

Chapter V

-THE EUNUCHS. Chinese Government — Minister Expelled — Ministerial Action — Plot Discovered Silver Mines — Imperial Difficulties — Corrupt Court — Intrigue and Murder — Serious Charges — Deified Eunuch — Righteous Rebellion . . . CONTENTS. Page

Chapter VI

— LI DSUCHUNG. Land Boat — Geomancy — Famine Horrors — Fortune's Vicissitudes — City Taking— Rivals — Væ Victis— Difficulties — Fortune-telling— Eye Shot Out — The Jesuits— Angry Resignation— A Rebel Title— Rebel Army Regulations — Rebel Sappers — Double Happiness — Heavy Rains — Change of Conduct — A City of Heroes— Confession of Sin — Eastwards — Peking Exposed — Voluntary Contributions — The Garrison — Close Siege — One Faithful Eunuch — Peking Captured — Imperial Suicide — Blunder and Crime— Palaces Entered— Suicides 131

Chapter VII

— INTO PEKING. Sangwei's Letter — The Manchu Epistle — Anxious Commanders — Battle of Shanhaigwan — A Loving Warrior — Pursuit of Rebels— End of Dsuchung — A Crazed Aspirant — Mankia Caves — Etiquette — Imperial Reasoning — Threatening Language — Kofa's Reply — Imperial Succession — Proposed Alliance— A Faithful Minister— Might against Right . . . .195*

Chapter VIII

— FOO WANG. Election of Emperor — Military Insubordination — Ministerial Dissension — Internal Trouble — Court Bickerings — Unpalatable Advice — Court Entertainments — A Traitor — A Drunken Feast — A Daring Soldier — Chinese Marat— Wholesale Desertion — A Melting Arm}' — The Soldier and the Man — Hiama Emperor — Nanking Taken — Hangchow Entered 231

Chapter IX

— TANG WANG. New Emperor — Chihkiang again Lost — Order of Precedence — Another Emperor — A Brave Wife — Evil Omens — Obstinate Commandant — Gallant Garrison — Manchus Reconquer — Cruelty of Soldiers — Szchuen Conquered — Dsuchung's Remnant Army — Taxes and Contributions — Kanchow Endangered — Fukien Threatened — Tang's Reign Closes — Kanchow Falls — Cantonese Emperor — Opposition Emperop — Spoiler Spoiled — Chowshan — A Precious Litany 267

Chapter X

— GWEI WANG. Gallant Commandant — Stiff Fight— Imperial Fugitive — Hookwang Troubles — Important Desertion — Forced Labour — Frightful Famine — Universal Excitement — Blaze of Insurrection — Imperial Apologist — Weak Generalship — Shansi Recovered — Ho Tungjiao Dies — Gwei Wang's Court — Chungdoong Drowned — End of Shushu — A Dissolving Kingdom — Miracles — Imperial Generosity — A New Capital— Sharp Fighting — Internal Discord — Kowang an Emperor — Suicidal Fighting — Manehus Concentrating — Crushing Defeat — Clever Stratagem — Unfortunate Emperor — Imperialism under Difficulties — Emperor Strangles Himself — Last of Yuenyuen — A Pleading Epistle — Selfishness and Patriotism ' ONTENTS. IX Page 3S1

CHAPTER XL

— CONQUEST OF FORMOSA. Independent Pirate— The Pirate*Subniits— Formosa Colonised — Island Emperor — Pirate Desertions — Reward of Treachery" — Defiant Pirates — Sheep Mountain— Pirates Surprised — Wholesale Transportation — The Dutch Attacked — Curious Death — The Pirates Continue Free — Pirates again Active — Manchus Converge on Pirates — Low Birth — Naval Battle .

Chapter XII

— REBELLION OFJTHE THREE PRINCES. Sangwei's Schemes — Disbanding — Revolt — Progress of Revolt — General Marching — Plan of Manchus— Gigantic Struggle — Desultory Fighting — Plain Speech — Uneasiness in Foochow — Washing Cannon — Three-cornered Fight — One Prince Submits — Kwangtung Revolts — Second Prince Submits — Result of Indecision — Kwangsi Recovered — Sangwei Dies — Rebellion Waning — Impeachment — Hemmed in — Imperial Post .... 117

Chapter XIII

-CHINA'S ABORIGINES. Missionaries — Brave Volunteers — Conspiracy — Clouds of Dust — Chinese Barbarians — Border Troubles — Internal Divisions — Rebels Defeated — Miao — Yao — Marital Difficulties — Stern Measures — Incompetency — Injustice Impolitic — Chinese Success — Gold River Subdued — Independent Savages — Chinese Growth 463

Chapter XIV

— MANCHU IMPERIAL FAMILY. Sacrificial Canonization — Uneasy Ambition — Dreams Rudely Broken — Treason — Imperial Marriages — Good Intentions — Chinese Hegelianism — Omens — Credulity — Curious Story — Words and Deeds— Imperial Traveller — Filial Emperor — Kanghi's Knowledge — Family Difficulties — The Succession — Propriety — Troublesome Brothers — Fourth Emperor -Imperial Protection — Palace Regulations 513

Chapter XV

— OFFICIALS. Tight Reins — Increasing Officials — Division into Boards — Wise Generosity — Censors — Cheese-paring — Mode of Appointment — Official Rotation — Retiring from Office — Fining — Impeachment — Curious Charges — Bribery — Smuggling — Degradation — Connivance —Influential Robbers — Suicide — Extortion — Guardians — Chinese Canonisation — Salaries — Government — Provincial Offices— Competitive Examinations X CONTENTS. Page 609 721

Chapter XVI

-THE ARMY. Three Eight Banners — Garrison Soldiers — Oppression by Army — Usurpation of Lands —Various Northern Tribes— Imperial Guard— A Million of Soldiers — Soldier's Pay — Exhausting Civil List — Imperial Horses — Military Talent — Declaration of War — Military Laws — Fire-arms — Pensions

Chapter XVII

— TAXATION. Taxation Standard — Poll-tax — Population — Land-tax — Transport — Penalties — Tax Remission — Reserve Funds— Measures of Capacity — Salt — Tea — Total Income— Native Products — Expenditure— Currency— Paper Money— Cash — Usury 643