Behind nationalism

 

Behind nationalism

 

The Yuan Dynasty achieved the third national unification in Chinese history, with unprecedented territory, numerous ethnic groups, and cultural diversity. The rulers of the Yuan Dynasty were dominated by the Mongolian people and united with the Han, Khitan, Jurchen, Dangxiang and other ethnic groups. The blending and gathering of multiple cultures made the society of the Yuan Dynasty colorful and an era full of imagination.

Agudengba chatted with Azhuo and Chu Sanxing about the Yuan Dynasty. Chuxingxing asked Agudengba: Why is the Yuan Dynasty so low in existence despite its vast territory and diverse ethnic groups?

Azhuo also asked: What was the relationship between the Mongols and the Han people in the Yuan Dynasty? What impact did the "Grassland Silk Road" have on the economy and society of the Yuan Dynasty? In the Yuan Dynasty, where multiple ethnic groups and cultures coexisted, what kind of lifestyles did the royal family, scholars, and common people have?

The wise Agudumba said:

There is an expert named Zhai Yu. He is mainly engaged in research in the fields of Mongolian history, Yuan history, and Inner Mongolia local history. He has very unique insights into this. ​

Chu Sanxing asked: During the Yuan Dynasty, was the social status of the Han people very low?

Agudengba said: Zhai Yu believed that the social classes of the Yuan Dynasty were the same as those of other eras, except that the Yuan Dynasty had many more ethnic groups than other eras, but it was still under the traditional Chinese social dynastic governance model, that is to say, the Mongolian Some nobles in the clan, especially the royal family, are the rulers, but ordinary Mongolian people still live at the bottom of society and lead ordinary lives. The nobles, scholars, and local gentry among the Han people occupied a dominant position together with the Mongolian aristocratic rulers, while the ordinary Han people lived the lives of ordinary people like in other eras.

Chu Sanxing asked again: What was the attitude of the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty towards the culture and literati of the Central Plains?

Agudenba said:

As a ruler, the perspective and mentality of the rulers of previous dynasties are the same. The purpose of the rulers of the Yuan Dynasty is also to stabilize their rule. Therefore, the rulers generally adopt an inclusive and kind policy towards Han culture and scholars. During the Genghis Khan period, scholars such as Yelu Chucai were reused. Kublai Khan began to reuse Han scholars on a large scale. Finally, with the support of many scholars, he realized his long-cherished wish to unify the country.

From Genghis Khan to Kublai Khan, they all adhered to the principle of enlightened employment. Many Confucian scholars with a high degree of Chineseness played a great role in the process of taking over the Central Plains and transforming from the Great Mongolia to the Yuan Dynasty, which was also conducive to their own rule. .

However, as the rule became more stable, the throne changed frequently, especially after the Yingzong was killed. The process of Hanization of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty was completely blocked, Confucian scholars were excluded from the political power, and the court relied more and more on the Mongolian nobles and Semu people.

Azhuo asked: Is this the reason for the final collapse of the Mongolian Yuan regime?

Agudenba said:

The conclusion that "Yingzong was killed and Sinicization was completely blocked" is inaccurate. The process of Sinicization was not completely stopped because of this. What was prevented was the upper-level reform and policy strategy led by the emperor, but this was only temporary. A large number of Han people were always in various positions in the Yuan Dynasty's ruling class. Judging from the dynastic governance of all dynasties in ancient China, there was no unified era in which Confucian scholars from the Central Plains did not occupy the main component and play an important role, especially in various departments, yamen at all levels, and government offices in various places.

The so-called "Sinicization" cannot simply be understood as a literal meaning. To be precise, it should be the overall historical development process of the Chinese nation. All ethnic groups are influencing and learning from each other. The "Chinese" behavior of the Mongolian rulers was more manifested in imitating and learning the governance model of the Central Plains dynasties, and learning about political systems, cultural thoughts, economic policies, religious thoughts and other aspects.

During the Yuan Dynasty, there were not only so-called "Hanization" behaviors among the upper-class rulers, but also among the people, various classes, and all aspects of society. There were different forms and varying degrees of exchanges, exchanges, and integration. This multi-directional cultural exchange and interaction, In fact, it is precisely the normal state of Chinese history that cannot be affected by a coup limited to the palace, the replacement of emperors, or changes in policy strategies.

Chu Sanxing said:

There are indeed many problems in the politics of the late Yuan Dynasty, and the reuse of Mongols and Semu people you mentioned is also a feature of it and cannot be ignored. But, as with any dynasty or regime. The characteristics of the Yuan Dynasty's policy strategies were essentially political battles and games between political interest groups. The so-called Mongolian group and Semu people group are also formed based on certain interests, but it does not mean that all Mongolian nobles are an interest group and all Semu people are an interest group. The contradictions and divisions among them are also It is also very prominent and even full of extreme behaviors such as killing and war.

Agudenba said:

You are right. Therefore, the issue of trade-offs between nobles of different ethnic groups in the late Yuan Dynasty was essentially a matter of political interests. The demise of the Yuan Dynasty was certainly due to these political issues, and there was also undeniably certain ethnic conflicts. In addition, there were many other factors that were equally important, such as frequent disasters, peasant uprisings, economic malpractice, and even problems within the political system of the Yuan Dynasty itself. The existing problems that were difficult to solve became the reasons for the final demise of the Yuan Dynasty. For a large empire with such a vast territory, many different ethnic groups, and different cultures, its collapse must have been caused not by one or two factors, but by a combination of factors. The most important of these is the conflict of interests.

Agudengba sang a "Song of Interest":

 

Do you know what the benefits are?

Money, lust, honor,

Fame, power, status,

group, territory, sovereignty,

Any pleasure it can bring,

things that satisfy desires,

Including material and spiritual,

It can all be called interests.

 

Genes determine the existence of desire,

Interests arise from desires,

vested interests in society,

Let the conflict rule the day.

Common interests form groups,

Interest groups develop rapidly,

Evolving from tribe to nation,

National interests are paramount.

 

Individuals must obey the collective,

The collective is higher than personal interests,

If there is a conflict between the two,

Personal interests should be sacrificed.

Without sacrificing personal interests,

Collective interests cannot be realized,

The three of them huddled together to keep warm.

Forming cliques and using the party for personal gain.

 

Individuals cannot enjoy freedom;

Self-realization is difficult to achieve,

The people cannot make unreasonable comments about the imperial court.

Powerful ministers must be loyal to the emperor.

Confusing individual freedom rights,

Individualism is regarded as self-interest,

Patriotism has become a national slogan,

It has become a law that the strong is king.

 

Group orientation determines right and wrong,

The group reached a consensus and reached a resolution,

Public interest collective spirit,

The hegemon takes on the guise of democracy.

Individual wealth and public poverty,

The rich and powerful become rich and corruption becomes common.

The people died without a burial place,

For whom are the benefits determined?