Emperor Tongzhi, as the only successor of Emperor Xianfeng, ascended to the supreme throne at a young age. However, does this throne sit firmly for a six-year-old?
Ascending the throne at a young age may seem to outsiders to be "young and promising", but in fact, his life is destined to be desolate from the moment he ascends the throne.
In 1856, a baby cry came from the harem of Emperor Xianfeng, marking the birth of Emperor Tongzhi.
In the royal family, having many heirs has always been regarded as an auspicious event. However, since Emperor Kangxi, the number of heirs in the Qing Dynasty has been decreasing, and by the time of Emperor Xianfeng, there was only one child. Because of the birth of the prince, the Yehenala clan returned to her mother by virtue of her son, and became Concubine Yi in one fell swoop.
However, Emperor Tongzhi's growth was not in a warm environment, but was manipulated to become a pawn in the hands of the Yehenara clan.
In 1861, Emperor Xianfeng died of illness, and Emperor Tongzhi, who was only six years old, ascended the throne.
What can a six-year-old do?When Emperor Xianfeng was dying, he selected eight important ministers for Emperor Tongzhi to assist him in handling court affairs.
This shows that Emperor Xianfeng's concern for Emperor Tongzhi may also be to prevent Concubine Yi from usurping the throne. Concubine Yi had already begun to overstep her responsibilities when Emperor Xianfeng was ill, and gradually emerged in the court and politics.
After Emperor Tongzhi ascended the throne, Concubine Yi and the empress became the empress dowager of the two palaces, namely the Empress Dowager Cixi and the Empress Dowager Ci'an.
The empress dowager of the two palaces listened to the government, while the young Emperor Tongzhi handled the government under the manipulation of the two forces. Cixi did not give Emperor Tongzhi a good education and care, but took him into his hands, using his naivety and ignorance to firmly grasp the power of the court.
In order to consolidate her power, Cixi and Empress Dowager Ci'an launched a coup d'état in Xinyou, depriving the eight ministers of their power.
Emperor Tongzhi was trapped in the struggle between the empress dowager of the two palaces, and his character gradually became pampered and arrogant, stubborn, and cowardly, and became a tool at the mercy. He did not receive the right guidance and true love, and as an emperor, he failed to show the grace of rule.
In 1872, when Emperor Tongzhi was 16 years old, he held a draft event. However, this was just a farce created by Cixi in order to suppress the Tongzhi Emperor.
Emperor Tongzhi chose the Arut clan, but was opposed by Cixi. Cixi preferred the Fucha clan, so Emperor Tongzhi was forced to accept Cixi's arrangement. In such a predicament, Emperor Tongzhi developed a pampered and arrogant, stubborn, cowardly, and willful character.
In 1874, Emperor Tongzhi suffered from a fatal illness, and the imperial physicians chose to conceal the illness in the name of smallpox**.
In fact, Emperor Tongzhi contracted syphilis, which allowed him to spend his last days in pain. Both love and career were frustrated, and Emperor Tongzhi eventually went to extinction.