Among the emperors of the Qing Dynasty, Yongzheng was considered the most devoted emperor. During his reign, Yongzheng always applied a policy of thrift and determination in fighting corruption, reforming administrative management to create the most effective court. Indeed, China under his reign reached a period of prosperity.
Many people say that Kangxi's greatest contribution was to expand the Qing Dynasty's territory, while Yongzheng's was to compensate for the expenses of the previous foreign wars. Thanks to Yongzheng's efforts, Qianlong could easily bring the Qing Dynasty to its peak.
However, few people know that the reason Qianlong was able to firmly sit on the throne for more than 60 years was largely thanks to two wills secretly passed down by Yongzheng before his death.
What are the two edicts that Yongzheng left for Qianlong? Why are they so important?
Thanks to his dedication and determination, Yongzheng created the most efficient imperial court. (Photo: Sohu)
Two secret wills of Ung Chinh
According to the historical records, Emperor Yongzheng fell ill on the 21st day of the 8th lunar month in the 13th year (1735) but continued to work. On the 23rd day of the 8th lunar month, the emperor's condition took a turn for the worse. To avoid the situation of the Nine Princes seizing the throne like in the Kangxi Emperor's time, Yongzheng decided to leave behind two secret wills.
Later, thanks to these two wills as well as the undeniable wisdom of his predecessor, Emperor Qianlong was able to easily lead the country to a period of prosperity. So what is the content of these two decrees?
The first secret will was the decision to announce Yongzheng's successor. Emperor Yongzheng summoned Prince Guo, Prince Zhuang, Grand Scholar E'ertai, and Grand Scholar Zhang Tingyu to his room to write the name of the successor on two pieces of paper.
One sheet was hidden in a box, which was later placed behind the Zheng Da Guang Ming plaque in Qian Qing Palace. The remaining sheet was kept by Yongzheng himself.
He ordered that after his death, the ministers would compare the two pieces of paper. If the successor's name on the two pieces of paper matched, that person would be the next emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
At midnight, the hour of Ty, on the 23rd day of the 8th lunar month, the emperor passed away at the age of 58. The person chosen was the 4th prince Hoang Lich to ascend the throne, later known as Emperor Qianlong. Thanks to the testimony of 2 princes and 2 high-ranking officials, Emperor Qianlong was able to ascend the throne without having to suffer the same fate as his father.
In the second will, Yongzheng specifically instructed that it be delivered directly to Qianlong after the new emperor ascended the throne. (Photo: Sohu)
The second secret edict was specially passed on by Yongzheng to Qianlong. After the death of Emperor Yongzheng, the second secret edict was handed over to Qianlong. In the edict, Yongzheng wrote: "Zhang Tingyu is loyal and serves, and Xuanli is obedient and stable every year." In addition, the emperor added: "Ten thousand years from now, these two great officials will be worthy of entering the ancestral temple."
Based on the meaning of this will, it can be understood that Yongzheng wanted to guide his son on how to choose important ministers to assist him. Zhang Tingyu and Xuanli were both talented officials who knew how to pacify the border and were popular with the people. If they served the country, Qianlong would have nothing to worry about. Qianlong truly followed his father's will, and thus, he was able to firmly sit on the throne for more than 60 years.
Through these two secret wills, posterity once again admired the wisdom of Emperor Ung Chinh. What was it?
Wisdom of the Elders
In fact, in the history of previous dynasties, many emperors failed to maintain the throne because they could not ensure balance and stability. Yongzheng was a wise emperor, and all the advice he left for Qianlong was the experience accumulated during his reign.
In particular, the two officials that Yongzheng mentioned in his will are the clearest evidence. Because during the Qing Dynasty, the status of the Manchu people was always considered much more important than the Han people. Yongzheng's move was to anticipate the situation for Qianlong.
These two officials, one can stabilize the interior, the other can stabilize the border. With their help, the country will be controlled in a balanced way, and at the same time, the transfer of power from Yongzheng to Qianlong will be much smoother.
(Source: Culture and Sports)
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