Although the Empress Dowager Cixi did not call the emperor, but her power was equivalent to the emperor, although there was no name of the emperor during her lifetime, but after her death she was respected by the emperor, her nickname was 22 characters, the same as the emperor, and left an edict to imitate the emperors of previous dynasties.
Although Cixi's edict seems prosaic, it contains a summary of her life. Its content can be summarized in three points: first, he reviewed his political achievements, second, he shared his experience of illness, and third, he placed expectations and instructions on the future.
However, Cixi's edict was made public to the nation at the Tiananmen Tower the day after her death, and has rarely been mentioned since. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Cixi was forgotten by history along with her edicts.
Although Cixi's edict did not have much impact, she left some influential quotes during her lifetime. In February 1901, Cixi issued an "edict of self-reproach" in the name of Guangxu in Xi'an, which mentioned the infamous slogan: "Measure the material resources of China and make the country happy." ”
In 1894, Cixi celebrated her sixtieth birthday, however, the year coincided with the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, and it was suggested that the Summer Palace project should be halted and funds should be used for the navy.
In the face of such a proposal, Cixi said another famous sentence: "Whoever makes me unhappy today, I will also make him unhappy for life." This sentence fully shows her domineering and **.
Cixi was a key figure in China's modern history, and she controlled the Qing Dynasty for 47 years, which had a profound impact on the direction and historical development of modern Chinese society.
However, Cixi's rating was not high, she was blamed as the empress dowager of the country, and most people were scolding her. Only her clan and descendants exonerated her, and the praise of a few foreign writers was also due to their exotic attitude and romantic lyricism.
Still, her influence cannot be ignored.
As a feudal monarch, Cixi's ruling wisdom is unique among many male emperors, but it cannot be ignored that the late Qing society was in decline and constantly being invaded by Western powers, and the political theme at this time was to respond to the current situation, learn from the West, and seek change.
However, in the many reform movements of the Qing Dynasty, Cixi did not play a positive role in promoting, but led to the failure of the Westernization Movement, the Wuxu Restoration, and the preparation of the constitution, and even directly triggered the invasion of China by the Eight-Nation Alliance, which made Cixi bear an unshirkable responsibility.
Cixi's conservatism and arrogance are vividly reflected in her words: "I hate it when people mention Gengzi the most. I'm the smartest person. I've often heard people talk about Queen Victoria, who isn't even half as influential as I am.
My career is not yet complete, and no one can foresee what will happen in the future, or what will shock outsiders, or what will surpass those who have come before, it is unknown.
Britain is a world power, but this is not the credit of Victoria alone, there are many talented people in Britain, and all decisions are decided by Congress, she just signs.
In China, all major matters are decided by me alone, although there is a minister of military aircraft, but he only helps me to give advice in peacetime, what does the emperor know? ”
Although Cixi, as a feudal ruler, adheres to the concept of enjoyment and greed for money, she can receive tribute and respect at all levels every birthday. However, she spent a lot of money from the treasury to build the Summer Palace for her personal entertainment, and at the same time built a luxurious mausoleum for herself.
These traits were not uncommon among ancient emperors, but in modern times, due to her greed for money and pleasures, these actions were infinitely magnified and became unpardonable sins.