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The handling and evaluation of Manchu-Chinese issues have always been a major emphasis for the Qing government. And the Case of Zeng Jing played an essential role in Manchu-Chinese issues, the relations between the Han Chinese and alien peoples, and the Emperor Yongzheng’s ascendency to the throne, which were the major challenges before the emperor. Therefore, Emperor Yongzheng was very cautious in handling this case. His unprecedented act of publishing the book, Reinterpret Record of Awoke Scholars was his intention to elaborate on "the new relationship between Han Chinese and alien peoples," to claim the legitimacy of the Qing Dynasty, and to refute rumors about his unjustifiable ascendancy. The concept of "distinction between Han Chinese and alien peoples" was based on the differences of their cultures. However, its meaning began to change in Southern Song. The Han Chinese people worried about the invasion of barbarians, and then by interpreting Spring and Autumn Annals they defined Han Chinese and alien peoples by geographical boundary. The scholars from the late Ming dynasty, Lü Liuliang and Zeng Jing, were later influenced by this move. However, Yongzheng seriously rebuked this geographical viewpoint by the book "Reinterpret Record of Awoke Scholars." He held that past territories did not fit in the current situation and emphasized the importance of resuming "culture" as the criterion to distinguish the differences between Han Chinese and alien peoples. Since the Manchus have adopted the Han culture, Yongzheng claimed the Qing was the legitimate ruler of China. In order to solve the Manchu-Chinese conflicts after the case of Zeng Jing, Emperor Yongzheng appealed to the people with his slogans “Han Chinese and Alien Peoples belong to one family" and "Manchus-Han Chinese are one" in the Reinterpret Record of Awoke Scholars. However, the Qing dynasty was established on "the foundation of Manchuria is Eight Banners.” This was originally to ensure the supremacy of Manchu culture and position. The two contradictory policies of Manchu government loomed large after the Case of Zeng Jing. In order to have a better understanding on Yongzheng’s policies and practices in this matter, the last part of this thesis will examine several cases, such as the implementation of the Commissioners in observing culture and rectifying customs in Hunan province, the legal differences between Manchus and Han Chinese, and the differences in civil service examination between the two peoples.
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