As a dynasty in which ethnic minorities occupied the Central Plains, the Qing Dynasty had many different habits from the Han nationality. Among them, the habit of honest officials going to court on an empty stomach is completely different from our habit of eating breakfast every day now. Then, in ancient times when health preservation was very important, why did court officials starve? Cann't you go to court when you're full?
First, let's look at the time of the lawsuit. In the Qing dynasty, you didn't have to go to court every day. Generally speaking, all officials attend grand court meetings in Beijing, such as New Year's Day, birthdays, winter solstice and other festivals, while regular court meetings are held every five or ten days. General litigation refers to regular courts. Three first-class university students, six second-class ministers, six third-class assistant ministers, six inspectors' suggestions and six third-class ministers add up to the capital.
The remaining ministers will convene some important ministers every day to listen to the opinions of the government. During the Kangxi period, college students were the mainstay. After Yongzheng, the minister in charge was the Minister of Military Affairs. The specific court session is at five o'clock every day, that is, between five and seven o'clock.
Sometimes the family lives far away, or the emperor goes to live in the Summer Palace outside the capital. Many officials have to get up in the middle of the night in order to arrive before the court session. After the emperor arrived, the court opened.
At that time, there were only high-ranking princes and ministers in the main hall, and the rest were outside the main hall. And in court, there are strict rules from dress to posture. If there is any irregular behavior, it is whispering, coughing, spitting and so on. Will be written down by the speaker and impeached.
According to our current scientific research, the digestive system of the human body, during the imperial period, happened to be the time when people were in a hurry. It was disrespectful to smell the ladies-in-waiting in the Qing dynasty, not to mention that the court had to go to the toilet. Therefore, no matter how urgent you are, you must hold back. You can imagine the unpleasant smell.
I can't help but pee my pants or have diarrhea. The emperor's failure to cure your blasphemy is an insult to the literati and will inevitably be despised. Not only will the speaker be impeached and promoted, but he will also become the laughing stock of many people. Besides, there is no public toilet in the palace. Therefore, ministers of the Qing Dynasty preferred to go to court on an empty stomach.
According to records, in the draft year of the Qing dynasty, before the ministers of the Qing dynasty went to court, they could not only eat and drink water, but also pour shit. In order to have the physical strength to go to court for a long time and not faint suddenly because of hunger, most people will have ginseng in their mouths. Others, such as thirst and hunger, can be solved in court.