NFBE Chapter 297 Consort Fucha
Chapter 297 Consort Fucha
After seeing Prince Dun off, Hongchang finished reviewing the remaining memorials.
Zhang Hude then took the opportunity to remind the Emperor, "Your Majesty, it's time for your meal."
Hongchang closed the last memorial and said, "Go to Kunning Palace to dine with the Empress Dowager."
Zhang Hude replied, "Yes, Your Majesty, prepare to travel to Kunning Palace."
When Hongchang arrived at Kunning Palace with his entourage, Fucha Peiyun was preparing to have her meal.
Upon hearing that Hongchang was coming, Ye'er quickly instructed the kitchen to prepare some of Hongchang's favorite dishes.
As soon as Hongchang and his men stepped into Kunning Palace, they smelled a familiar aroma of food.
He smiled slightly and quickened his pace.
The sound of palace servants bowing echoed from Kunning Palace.
Upon arriving at Fucha Peiyun's place, Hongchang greeted her with a bow.
Seeing this, Fucha Peiyun said, "Alright, there's no need for so much formality between us, mother and son."
Wash your hands and eat quickly.
After washing his hands, Hongchang sat down beside Fucha Peiyun. Fucha Peiyun asked with concern:
"You seem troubled today. Are you bothered by matters of state?"
Hongchang then informed Fucha Peiyun of the matter mentioned in Prince Dun's memorial.
After hearing this, Fucha Peiyun frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"The harm caused by this incestuous marriage is so great that it really needs to be changed."
However, this involves the traditional customs of the Manchus, and its implementation will likely face considerable resistance.
Hongchang nodded and said, "What the Empress Dowager said is absolutely right. My tenth uncle also said that this matter is thorny, but if we don't change things, the consequences will be unimaginable."
Fucha Peiyun paused for a moment, then continued:
"Hongchang, as the ruler of a country, you should prioritize the well-being of the people."
Although this practice of incestuous marriage was an old Manchu custom, it is now considered outdated.
If no changes are made, the very foundation of the Qing Dynasty may be shaken.
Now that you understand the pros and cons, you cannot stick to old ways and sit idly by.
This matter is tricky, but once they understand the drawbacks of this incestuous relationship...
It's impossible for them to truly seek their own demise, not only for the Manchu imperial family but also for the entire population of the Qing Dynasty.
Hongchang nodded, a determined glint in his eyes:
“Your Majesty, I understand.”
However, this involves the vital interests of the Manchu imperial family, and there will inevitably be opposition from some people in the court.
If this is forcibly implemented, it may incite discontent and even destabilize the court.
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly and said:
"Your concerns are not without merit, but in all things, someone often needs to take the first step."
If you can set an example as a member of the royal family and take the lead in making changes, others will gradually follow suit.
Furthermore, you can also explain the dangers of consanguineous marriage to them from a long-term perspective.
Make them understand that this is for the long-term development of the Manchu imperial family, not a temporary change.
Hongchang remained silent for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes:
“Your Majesty, I understand.”
Your subject has decided to start with the imperial family and relatives, prohibiting marriage between close relatives, and to declare the importance of this matter in the court.
As for the common people, I will arrange for dedicated personnel to conduct public awareness campaigns, informing them of the dangers of incestuous relationships.
Fucha Peiyun served Hongchang food while saying
"Actually, we could create a gazette that all the people in the world could see."
It is used to spread information and guide public opinion.
This way, the policy and reasons for prohibiting marriage between close relatives can be made public.
This also avoids direct conflict and misunderstanding.
Moreover, this gazette could also be used to promote the use of textile machines.
Shuhe and the others should have finished their preparations by now.
The first factory should be a grand affair.
Hongchang's eyes lit up upon hearing this; he knew his mother always had some novel ideas.
He was very interested in this official gazette that could be known throughout the land.
"Your Majesty, your idea is brilliant!"
Publishing a gazette can both promote the policy of prohibiting marriage between close relatives and promote textile machines, killing two birds with one stone!
Your Majesty, please tell me in detail what should be done about this official gazette.
How can we make the whole world know about this?
Although the Qing Dynasty is currently powerful, I am aware that the majority of the people are illiterate.
Fucha Peiyun put down her chopsticks and said, "The difference between this official gazette we're producing and the previous ones is that it's intended for the people of the whole country."
The content should be easy to understand and also have a certain degree of interest.
This is the only way to attract the public's attention.
The language style should be simple and easy to understand: write in the simplest vernacular Chinese.
Avoid using classical Chinese or overly obscure vocabulary.
Interpreting policies in a way that ordinary people can understand is like telling a story.
It should also be lively and interesting, incorporating stories, jokes, or proverbs to keep the reading experience engaging for the general public.
Let me tell you a short story about the dangers of consanguineous marriage.
Or a family story where a spinning machine changes lives.
Content settings can include interpretations of official government orders.
News about people's livelihood, strange and interesting stories, royal news
Explain to the people in a way that everyone can understand the reason behind our ban on consanguineous marriage.
There are also the drawbacks of this consanguineous marriage.
It could also be written as a story about the tragic fate of a family caused by incestuous marriages.
And the happy life that comes with the change.
For example, a pair of cousins were married for many years but had no children.
She finally gave birth to a son, but he was covered in white hair and was also very weak.
She died not long after, and the neighbors all believed it was because the family's daughter-in-law was unlucky.
They wanted to burn the woman of this family alive or drown her in the pond...
Fucha Peiyun paused for a moment
Hongchang listened intently and quickly asked, "And then?"
Fucha Peiyun did not continue speaking, but glanced at Hongchang.
Hongchang paused for a moment, then quickly realized what was happening and picked up the teapot on the table to pour Fucha Peiyun a cup of tea.
He handed it to her and said, "Your Majesty, have some tea to soothe your throat first."
Fucha Peiyun smiled with satisfaction, took the tea, and took a sip.
Then he continued speaking at a leisurely pace.
At this time, a scholar from the village returned home. Upon hearing of this, he hurriedly came out to stop it.
The reason this couple had such a child was due to incest.
He also shared some examples of incestuous marriages collected by the court with the villagers.
Advise the couple to divorce and remarry.
Although the villagers were skeptical of the scholar's words, they decided to stop pressuring the couple.
The couple was deeply grateful and decided to follow the scholar's advice, divorce, and each find a new partner.
A few years later, they each had healthy children, and their lives gradually improved.
The story quickly spread throughout the village.
More and more people began to believe the scholar's words and started to change their views.
No similar tragedies have occurred in the village since, and everyone's lives have become more harmonious.
After listening, Hongchang nodded slightly and said, "This story is indeed very convincing."
People will be more likely to accept this kind of publicity.
"Then we'll proceed with the content of our official gazette following this approach."
Fucha Peiyun “In these stories,
The story could focus on depicting the separation of couples and encouraging widows to remarry.
Furthermore, the outdated practice of foot binding and the erection of chastity memorial arches for Han Chinese should also be criticized and exposed.
If couples cannot freely choose to divorce, widows cannot remarry.
And the more families that take pride in their chastity arches...
If this continues, many men will be unable to find wives.
This, in turn, affects population growth and social development.
Hongchang heard Fucha Peiyun say that it would affect population growth.
He frowned immediately; he had heard of foot binding, but didn't understand it.
He also didn't know much about chastity arches.
Hongchang hurriedly asked, "Empress Mother, what is foot binding, and how is it done?"
What, then, is a chastity archway?
Fucha Peiyun frowned at the mention of foot binding.
"Foot binding was a custom of the Han people, which mainly involved tightly binding women's feet with strips of cloth."
This deforms the feet, creating what is known as 'three-inch golden lotuses'.
Although this custom was considered a form of beauty, it actually caused great harm to women's bodies.
Fucha Peiyun sighed and said:
"The process of foot binding was extremely cruel."
It usually starts when girls are three or four years old.
The feet were tightly wrapped with long strips of cloth, and the toes were bent towards the soles of the feet.
They might even use porcelain shards or wooden boards to fix it in place, causing the foot to gradually deform.
The purpose of this was to make the feet smaller, in line with the aesthetic standard of the time known as "three-inch golden lotus".
However, this practice is extremely harmful to women's bodies.
It can lead to foot bone deformities, poor blood circulation, and even various diseases.
Some girls have their feet broken so they can walk with those feet.
Just imagine how painful it must be; it's no different from going through fire and water.
If it happens to be a year of famine, then all that's left is to wait for death.
Many girls simply couldn't endure it; they either died from the excruciating pain or from contracting diseases.
Hongchang thought about what would happen if his sisters Shuhe and the others also had their feet bound.
How painful that must be! Once he has an empress, he'll surely have a daughter too.
The thought that his daughter might have to suffer like that...
Hongchang didn't even dare to imagine who would dare to make his daughter bind her feet.
He'll make that person suffer a terrible death.
He didn't think the feet of women with bound feet were particularly beautiful; who exactly were they?
Only someone could come up with something so heinous and outrageous.
Aren't our bodies and hair given to us by our parents, and therefore not to be damaged?
Hongchang's face was grim.
"This bad habit must be banned. What kind of person could come up with such a disgusting thing?"
Fucha Peiyun saw the unpleasant expression on the woman's face, but was secretly pleased.
This once again proves that her education was successful.
She certainly didn't want her son to be the kind of person who wouldn't care about a woman's life or death.
Men, women, Manchus, Han Chinese, scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants were all citizens of the Qing Dynasty.
As a monarch, one cannot be a cold, impersonal political machine.
Instead, they should keep the people of the world in their hearts.
Putting people's livelihood and all matters at heart
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly and said softly:
“Hongchang, I’m very pleased that you have this thought in mind.”
A ruler's heart should be like a clear mirror, reflecting the suffering of the people.
The custom of foot binding has a long history, and although I know it's difficult to change it in a short time...
But as the ruler of a country, you have a responsibility to guide the people to abandon this bad habit.
As for chastity arches, they were originally erected to honor those who voluntarily remained chaste for their husbands.
But over time, it gradually turned into a form of constraint and oppression against women.
Many families, for the sake of so-called 'honor,' forced widows to remain chaste, and even went so far as to force them to commit suicide for their husbands.
This outdated practice not only deprived women of their freedom but also led to numerous tragedies for them.
Upon hearing this, Hongchang clenched his fists tightly, his eyes filled with anger:
"Your Majesty, this is utterly absurd!"
The barbaric practices of foot binding and chastity arches were simply a trampling of humanity!
Your son must find a way to change this!
It is this bad habit that has slowed down population growth.
If he wants to expand his territory, but there are too few people, where will he find people to guard these territories?
Fucha Peiyun nodded and said:
"It's good that you have this determination."
However, these bad habits are deeply ingrained, so you must pay attention to your methods.
Do not rush into it, otherwise it will cause a backlash.
After the drawbacks of consanguineous marriages were made public, the Manchu imperial family would inevitably have to consider Han Chinese women when choosing their wives.
At that time, an order can be issued that none of the Manchu imperial family's wives or concubines should have bound feet.
Anyone found to be outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant will be severely punished.
Dismissal and fines were imposed, as the woman's bound feet were detrimental to fertility.
For the sake of the Manchu people's lineage, Your Majesty, you have no choice but to do this.
Upon hearing this, Hongchang suddenly understood and immediately thought of many things.
"Your Majesty, I understand. What the ruler likes, the subjects will surely imitate."
What the superiors do, the subordinates follow; some people have no choice but to do it.
Why not start with your son? My empress will be chosen from among the daughters of Han soldiers or Han officials.
With your son, the emperor, setting an example,
Your subject refuses to believe they will stick to the old ways.
At this point in Hongchang's speech, Fucha Peiyun nodded slightly, her eyes showing approval:
"That's right, if you start, you'll naturally set a good example."
If you can set an example by choosing the daughter of a Han soldier or a Han official as your empress...
This will not only show the Manchu imperial family your determination.
It can also send a signal of inclusiveness and progress to people all over the world.
However, this would certainly displease the prominent Manchu clans, and Manchu officials in the court would undoubtedly oppose it vehemently.
They've had their eyes on your position as empress for a long time; if you hadn't just ascended the throne...
I'm afraid you would have been put in the talent show long ago.
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly and continued:
"Therefore, you must be prepared to deal with opposition in the court."
These Manchu ministers, especially those from prominent Manchu clans, had their interests closely intertwined with traditional customs.
They will see your reforms as undermining their foundations, and may even question the wisdom of your decisions.
Hongchang nodded, a determined glint in his eyes:
“Your Majesty, I understand.”
I was prepared for these dissenting voices.
But I also know that these reforms are necessary for the long-term development of the Qing Dynasty.
Your subject is willing to bear this pressure, and no matter how much resistance we face, we will push these reforms through.
Fucha Peiyun nodded slightly and said:
"Very good. Now that you've made up your mind, you should be fully prepared."
First, you must clearly state your position in court.
Let everyone know that these reforms are an inevitable trend and cannot be stopped.
Secondly, you need to win the support of more people, especially enlightened Han officials and insightful individuals.
Their support is crucial for you to implement reforms.
Hongchang nodded. "Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand."
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly and continued:
"It's a great idea for you to have Shuhe and the others set up the textile factory this time."
Shuhe and her group were enjoying high prestige among the people at that time, so having them step forward...
Not only can it attract more public attention, but it can also make it easier for people to accept these new things.
At that time, we can recruit female workers through the official gazette, thus giving women value in the home.
Foot binding is no longer necessary.