Cixi wrote only one poem in her life, and it was also compiled into primary school textbooks, which everyone is familiar with
Empress Dowager Cixi, a controversial figure in Chinese history. She was known as the de facto ruler of the late Qing Dynasty, and her every move in her life had a profound impact on the fate of the Qing Dynasty.
She was considered a luxury, hedonistic, power-hungry female politician. During her reign, the Qing Dynasty faced many internal and external troubles and gradually declined.
However, what is surprising is that this powerful ruler wrote only one poem in her lifetime. What is even more surprising is that the poem was not written to express her political stance or promote her achievements, but to celebrate her mother's birthday.
Empress Dowager Cixi's real name is Yehenara clan, born in Manchuria with the blue flag, and is a branch of the Nala clan. The Nala clan was the surname of the Qing Dynasty royal family and one of the families of many famous concubines.
She had a prosperous childhood, but she also shouldered the responsibilities of her family and participated in the draft.
In 1852, at the age of 17, she entered the Forbidden City and was named Lan Guiren. Her appearance and demeanor attracted the favor of Emperor Xianfeng.
In 1856, she gave birth to Emperor Xianfeng's only son, the later Emperor Tongzhi, and was named Concubine Yi.
In 1861, Emperor Xianfeng died, and she, together with the Empress Dowager Ci'an and Prince Gong, launched the Xinyou coup d'état, removed the power of the eight ministers, seized power, and became the empress dowager.
She began a 48-year career in power until her death in 1908.
Empress Dowager Cixi's reign was fraught with controversy. On the one hand, she supported the Westernization Movement and the New Deal at the end of the Qing Dynasty, cultivated a group of talents, and made some wise decisions.
On the other hand, she also made many mistakes and squandered the treasury. During her reign, the Qing Dynasty's national strength was weakening, the people's livelihood was poor, and the national crisis was deep. She is seen as the main reason for the fall of the Qing Dynasty and a negative example of China's modern history.
However, this ambitious female politician wrote only one poem in her life. What is even more surprising is that the poem was not written to promote her political ideas or exploits, but to celebrate her mother's birthday.
In 1867, Cixi's mother, Fucha, celebrated her 60th birthday, a solemn holiday according to Manchu tradition.
Cixi's mother lived in a mansion near the palace, and Cixi wanted to go to congratulate her in person, but due to etiquette restrictions, she could not leave the palace easily, so she had to send gifts and greeting cards.
Although Cixi was powerful, she had a deep affection for her mother, believing that simple gifts and greeting cards could not express her true feelings, so she wrote this poem, which was beautifully framed and sent to her mother's mansion with treasures.
This "Poem on Mother's Birthday" is the only poem in Cixi's life, expressing her sincere feelings for her mother. The poem succinctly and profoundly describes the dedication and expectations of parents to their children, as well as the praise and sympathy for their parents' selfless love. These four lines of poetry are straightforward and unadorned, but they express Cixi's deep gratitude and filial piety to her mother.
This poem not only touched the guests present, but was also praised by later generations, becoming one of the famous sentences of the ages, and was compiled into primary school textbooks, so that countless children are familiar with it. In this poem, Cixi shows her tenderness and gratitude as a daughter, showing the soft side of her heart, which contrasts sharply with her cold image.
Cixi's relationship with her mother reveals the importance of communication, even for relatives, who need to communicate to maintain relationships. The contradictions and conflicts between them stem in part from poor communication, which leads to increased misunderstandings and frictions.
Although Cixi was dissatisfied with her mother, out of filial piety and etiquette, she tried to meet her mother's demands, but she was resolute in not giving in on some issues of principle. This has led to a deepening conflict between mother and daughter, and even evolved into an open confrontation.
On the occasion of her mother's birthday, Cixi was dissatisfied with her mother's excessive demands, so she chose to send someone to give gifts instead of going there in person. The mother was angry and disappointed, believing that Cixi had failed to fulfill her filial piety, which further deteriorated the relationship between mother and daughter.
In front of all the guests, she threw the gifts and greeting cards sent by Cixi to the ground, and denounced Cixi as an ungrateful and ignorant woman, and a sinner who brought disaster to the country and the people. She declared that she would write to the emperor to expose Cixi's crimes, so that she would be punished as she deserved, and the relationship between mother and daughter was completely broken, and there was no possibility of reconciliation.
Cixi's mother died in 1875 at the age of 68. Cixi did not go to the end or pay tribute, only sent someone to send a shabby funeral, and did not feel sad or mournful for her mother's death, but only felt relieved.
What's even more shocking is that she said that her mother is the biggest enemy in her life, the person she hates the most, and only when her mother dies can she do her own thing with peace of mind. These words could not help but make the listeners doubt and question Cixi's humanity.