To ensure everyone can work in peace and maintain local stability. I'm concerned that people might not be well-informed and could be misled by rumors, leading to unnecessary trouble. Officials and common people are, in status, officials and citizens, but emotionally, they are like family. Why hesitate to communicate well with the common people? Claiming that the people practice martial arts and aren't afraid of guns and cannons is pure nonsense!
Perhaps due to long-standing grievances between sects, some people want revenge and unity, so they came up with this kind of statement to incite public anger. It is hard to say what really happened. The common people do not know the truth, take the false as true, and as a result, chaos ensues. The dead cannot be brought back to life, and the injured are still confused, spreading rumors everywhere; even people from faraway places are coming. Hundreds of miles away from Beijing, there are corpses everywhere. You can't say that those who died didn't practice martial arts while those who survived did. This is simply not credible, this is the first point.
The name of the Yihe Quan has been around for a long time. During the Jiaqing period, there was a strict imperial decree to crack down on it, arresting and killing anyone involved. Those who were successful have gone to the battlefield; if we do not talk about the success of the matter, just analyze it logically, it's hard to believe anyone who escaped execution could also dodge bullets. This is simply not credible, this is the second point.
During the Xianfeng period, there was banditry in Guangdong, and the troops were led by talented individuals such as Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang. All kinds of talents were recruited. Regarding the power of guns and cannons, the only way to fight is by inspiring loyalty and righteousness, using one's own blood and flesh; there's no mention of any tricks that could aid the court. This is simply not credible, this is the third point.
In the past, there were uprisings by the White Lotus Sect in Henan, Hubei, and other places. Those people used deceitful methods to deceive others, but when the imperial army showed up, good triumphed over evil, and they couldn't even save themselves, so their tricks didn't work. Looking at the situation now, this incident is likely also false and not credible, for four reasons. (Four reasons omitted here, as the original text did not provide them)
Our Ministry of Defense has long known that the people of Qin are very loyal, patriotic, valuing collective honor over personal grudges. Even if they learn martial arts, it's to defend their homes and country, standing united against the enemy. However, the real enemies are the foreign soldiers invading from the coast, not the missionaries living in the inland areas. If the government calls for conscription, we must actively enlist, show our loyalty and righteousness, adhere to military discipline, and fight bravely. As an official of the Ministry of Defense, I feel honored to serve here.
If you take advantage of these few isolated foreigners for their wealth, that's a despicable and shameless act that has nothing to do with patriotism, love for the people, or heroic resistance! Not only is it against the law, but it will also cause the common people to look down on you. In the past, many bandits claimed they were "helping the Qing Dynasty get rid of foreigners," but China has the strength to handle this on its own; do we really need your help?
Common people, as long as you abide by the law, you don't need to worry about being implicated in any disasters of annihilation. On the contrary, those who help the Qing Dynasty will only create more trouble; those who wish to eliminate foreigners will only provide foreigners with more excuses to invade. The troops have already been deployed across various provinces; wherever the army goes, the enemy will scatter, and you folks don't need to worry at all. Just live your lives honestly and don't buy into those rumors. Even if things are unpredictable, the government has already sent troops to look out for everyone. Would the government really ignore your lives? Moreover, last year the Emperor ordered localities to organize militia training, hoping that the people would be more vigilant and protect their homes. But those baseless rumors are mostly just absurd and really useless when you think about it.
Recently, around the capital, many people are displaced and homeless, experiencing the pain of war, which is still fresh in their memories. How can you, the common people, repeat the same mistakes? Moreover, the actual members of the Boxer Rebellion mainly come from Zhili, Shandong, and other places, which are currently under siege by foreign troops. Even if they wish to serve their country or protect their homeland, they can’t come back. Those you are counting on are likely to attract rogues and criminals from other places. You may want to express patriotism, but end up becoming complicit with bandits. We in the military are deeply saddened by this, so we issue a warning, letting both the military and civilians know: You must remember, don’t trust in illusions! Do not disobey government orders! Do not provoke military disasters! Those who understand should stop discussing this now; those who are honest should restrain themselves and protect themselves. Fathers should warn their sons, older brothers should warn their younger brothers, and everyone should stick to their own business. If anyone spreads rumors, believes in rumors, gathers crowds, and stirs up trouble, the law will take its course, and there will be no mercy! Disaster will fall upon you, and it will be your own doing. Don't blame us for punishing you without warning! Remember! Be cautious!
The villagers do not understand written words, so we urge those who are educated to explain this clearly to them, so they understand.
This notice is officially issued.
The Emperor has issued a decree, and we must execute it diligently to protect the foreigners. On June 21, the Emperor's edict was issued: "The recent conflict with foreigners originated from a fight between the common people and the Christians. Later, the Dagu Fort was occupied, which subsequently escalated into hostilities. The court places great importance on international relations and is reluctant to sever ties. An order has been issued to safeguard the embassies, and each province is to protect the missionaries. Now that the war has not yet ended, many foreign merchants and common people are in China, and they must be thoroughly protected. All generals and provincial governors are instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into the status of all foreign merchants and missionaries at the trading ports and in various prefectures and counties, and to protect them in strict accordance with the treaties, without any oversight."
On June 23, the Emperor issued another edict: "The 'Spring and Autumn Annals' states that it is forbidden to harm those merely passing by. Since February, apart from the German ambassador who was killed by rioters and is currently under strict investigation, the court has made significant efforts to ensure the safety of envoys from other countries, all of whom are safe. So it is."
Shaanxi is located in a remote area, and there aren't many commercial centers, just a lot of churches. These foreign missionaries have traveled across the ocean to be here and have gotten along with you folks for quite some time without causing any trouble. Now that there is a famine and rumors are rampant everywhere, I'm worried that some troublemakers might target the churches on purpose. Our higher authorities have repeatedly ordered each state and county to carefully protect the churches, and now we have received a royal decree, reiterating the importance of ensuring the safety of the missionaries. The court's kindness is deep, and the government's concern is genuine; you folks are good-hearted and should act like responsible landlords. You must not defy the royal decree and provoke these foreigners, as that could not only get you in trouble with the law but also lead to execution, and it is also morally wrong. Furthermore, when people have good intentions, heaven will look out for them; harmonious coexistence will bring good fortune, while disasters arise from unkind hearts—this is a natural law. Currently, the drought is severe, with no rain falling, and the drought has been endless. This might be because you folks are spreading rumors and stirring things up, harboring ill intentions, which has angered heaven. If you can stick to your duties, act right, and genuinely do good, heaven will surely send down nourishing rains. Look at Zhili and Shanxi; they were originally times of peace and prosperity, but it was because the common people were restless and caused disturbances that the entire region suffered. Our higher authorities are very clear about this, which is why they think of you at every turn and strive to maintain the overall situation, hoping to ensure your safety. If you keep being stubborn and won't listen, then you'll really be disobedient folks! At that time, we'll have to take action according to the law, so don't say we didn't warn you!
The reason our superiors have repeatedly emphasized this is not to make you feel inferior and lose your sense of loyalty. Everyone is a citizen of the Qing Dynasty, receiving the blessings of the court, and should have a sense of loyalty and righteousness to do great things for the country: now that military expenses are tight, you should contribute both money and effort; if the enemy attacks, you should swear to defend the country to the death; be willing to sacrifice your life and your family's wealth for the nation. Only in this way can you be considered a good person, a righteous citizen. Don't let a moment of impulse lead you to harm unarmed foreigners; this won't benefit anyone; it will only create more problems. If you promote benevolence and righteousness while avoiding violence, you will only end up in ruin in the future; the government will view you as rebels, and your friends and family will also be caught up in it. We Shaanxi folks have always valued propriety, righteousness, integrity, and honor, and absolutely cannot do such things! Those who dare to do so are only trying to make a fortune in the name of hating foreign religions. In fact, there are not many churches in Shaanxi; how much money from foreigners can there be? The result of robbing churches will affect the wealthy, burning foreign houses will spread to ordinary homes, and killing churchgoers will harm the innocent. The crafty have already fled with the loot, while the foolish are left crying at home. Look at the situation of religious cases in other provinces; it's the common folks who end up suffering losses, and just thinking about it is heartbreaking! The reason our superiors are so committed to maintaining order at all costs is that they are afraid that once there is trouble, the local area will be in chaos and the people will suffer.
Therefore, I command all military personnel and civilians to understand: protecting the church is an imperial decree that must be followed diligently. All parents must educate their children, and older siblings must teach their younger brothers and sisters to obey the laws so that the people and churchgoers can coexist peacefully, to earn the favor of the heavens and ensure stability in the region. If anyone believes in rumors and stirs up trouble for no reason, they will be dealt with according to the law. As ordinary citizens, as long as you each do your own job, avoid taking risks and do not let down our efforts. Some ordinary citizens may not fully grasp what I've said. I hope scholars will explain this carefully so that everyone can understand; I look forward to that.
