Entry into the Forbidden City required a waist plaque as identification, and there were strict rules governing entry and exit. This was especially true during Qianlong's reign, when security was tight and princes, nobles, and ministers all had designated gates they were required to use. Anyone entering the palace at midnight had to present matching tally halves and could enter only after they had been verified.
Yet there were occasional exceptions. The palace grounds required constant repairs and maintenance, while daily life itself demanded supplies. Such an enormous complex needed vast manpower and material resources to function normally. In addition, to compile the national history, the National History Office hired many copyists and paper craftsmen to work there. These civilian artisans also had to carry waist plaques for inspection whenever they entered or left.
Such temporary waist plaques were generally made of paper, while officials' plaques were carved from precious wood. The plaques of princes and high ministers were made of even more valuable materials, and they were allowed to bring a limited number of attendants with them.
In truth, if someone seriously wanted to sneak in, it was not that difficult. There was once a monk who spent a night at Compassionate Loyalty Temple, then stayed at various temples throughout the capital, sometimes for three to five days, sometimes for ten or so. He often entered the inner city to beg for alms. After eight months, he had become extremely familiar with every street and alley inside and outside Beijing. On the Winter Solstice, he entered the city again and went to Eastern Splendor Gate, where he gazed into the Forbidden City and was driven away by the gate guards.
As darkness fell, he went to Xihua Gate and stood on the street. A passerby asked what he wanted,