What did the emperor of the Qing Dynasty mean when he said "kneeling in peace"?

The emperor of the Qing Dynasty said that kneeling in peace had two meanings: kowtow in greeting and the emperor asking people to retreat.

Kneeling is a royal etiquette in the Qing Dynasty. One meaning is to kowtow in greeting, and the other meaning is a euphemistic way for the emperor to ask someone to step down. Among them, kneeling in ancient times usually refers to the second statement.

Although "kneeling down" is a relatively euphemistic way for the emperor to ask people to retreat, the real meaning varies from person to person and from place to place. Summoning ministers and ministers in this way means to express preferential treatment, and In the heavy-curtained banquet hall, ordering a concubine like this means that he hates having her around.

Extended information:

Kneeling was originally one of the military rituals of the Ming Dynasty. At that time, all commanders and military posts across the country had this etiquette, which was called kneeling. The same was true for the Jianzhou Guards. In the Qing Dynasty, the old customs were still followed in the Green Camp left over from the Eight Banners and the Ming Dynasty.

Originally, soldiers should kneel down when they see superior officers, but because they are wearing armor, they only kneel down or half a knee. Over time, when not wearing armor, they also kneel down as a salute, and kowtow, Just like "Kong", it means greetings and greetings.

In the Eight Banner families and some Han official families, this ceremony is performed when the younger generation meets the elders, the younger generation is older than the younger generation, and slaves see their masters, relatives and friends, so bowing down is also called greeting.

The same part between the kneeling posture and the posture of asking for peace is to straighten the posture first and step forward with the left leg. But when kneeling down, the right leg must be fully knelt, and then the left leg should also kneel down. The right leg should then get up, and the left leg should also get up, returning to the upright posture.

This series of actions must have a balanced rhythm and should not be rushed or delayed. Other requirements are the same as those for greetings. In the Qing Dynasty, the concubines and below, princesses, princesses, Fu Yanming, and women of high rank, wore court clothes and auspicious clothes, and performed great rituals.

Baidu Encyclopedia—Kneeling