On January 27, 1688, the twenty-sixth year of the Kangxi Dynasty, Empress Xiaozhuangwen, who had experienced three dynasties, died of illness at the age of 75.
After Xiaozhuang's death, Kangxi beat his chest in tears and passed out several times sadly. According to the Qing Shilu, in the days after Xiaozhuang's death, Kangxi guarded the spirit day and night, crying continuously. For several days and nights, the grain of rice did not enter, the figure was very emaciated, and the people in the palace were very sad to see.
In the feudal era, people always died as if they were alive. Some of the core members of the dynasty have died, and the royal family regards the long-term suspension as unknown, believing that this will affect the national fortunes of the dynasty, and most of them will choose a feng shui treasure to let the deceased be buried as soon as possible.
However, according to historical records, with Kangxi's deep affection for his grandmother Xiaozhuang, Xiaozhuang was still buried for 37 years, which is inconceivable in the entire history of the feudal dynasty.
Is there any unknown estrangement between the relationship between Xiaozhuang and Kangxi? Or is there something difficult to say about Xiaozhuang himself?
In this article, the author will take the death of Xiaozhuang as a guide to lead everyone to appreciate the legendary life of this strange woman of the Qing Dynasty. It should be noted that the word "Xiaozhuang" is a posthumous nickname, which is used in history to refer to her, and her emblem is "Empress Zhaosheng", and her name is Bumubutai.
1. When Concubine Zhuang enters the palace, she will be blessed with life
In 1613 (the forty-first year of the Ming Dynasty), the Mongolian Horqin steppe gave birth to a great woman, Borjigit Bumubutai, who is often referred to as Xiaozhuang in later generations.
The Borzigit clan is traced back to the descendants of Genghis Khan and has a very prominent position in the steppe. It is said that they can run rampant in the grasslands with only a pair of natural blue eyes, and wherever they go, they can be worshiped by the steppe people and led to be guests.
As a result, the Borzigit clan has always been the object of marriage and support for the hegemons of the steppe.
From 1616 to 1636, Nurhaci unified the Jurchens and established a powerful nomadic regime known in history as the "Houjin". Later Jin traced upwards, it was the Shubian ethnic minority who accepted the Ming Dynasty's recruitment, and with the decline of the Ming Dynasty, Nurhaci took advantage of the rise. When it was the turn of the Emperor Taiji, he simply tore his face, established himself in the Qing court, and ascended the throne as emperor.
Emperor Taiji was the eighth son of Nurhaci, who was able to inherit the Khan's throne, not to plot, but also to have luck. Therefore, the foundation of the Emperor Taiji at the beginning of the succession was not very strong, and it was urgent to attract foreign relatives to rely on it, and the strongest strength and prestige of the steppe at that time was like the Borjigit clan.
In February 1626, at the beginning of the succession of Emperor Taiji, he married the Borjigit clan of the Horqin steppe and married the beautiful and dignified Xiaozhuang (Bumubutai).
Historically, the relationship between the Borzigit clan and the Emperor Taiji was extremely complicated.
As early as April 1614, Xiaozhuang's aunt married Emperor Taiji as the Great Fu Jin. That is to say, before marrying, Huang Taiji was Xiaozhuang's uncle, and after marriage, Huang Taiji was her husband.
In 1635, Xiaozhuang's sister Hai Lanzhu married Huang Taiji again. In this way, there are three aunts and nephews, serving a husband and wife.
Perhaps, in Han culture, this kind of ethical relationship was difficult to accept, but in the Guanwai people at that time, this kind of marriage was not unusual.
In 1636, Emperor Taiji proclaimed himself emperor in Shengjing (Shenyang), and Xiaozhuang was given the title of Concubine of Yongfu Palace, and in 1638 he gave birth to the ninth son of the Emperor, Ai XinJueluo Fulin.
The feudal dynasty had a tradition of mothers and sons, and originally Concubine Zhuang should be crowned and promoted to the throne to be honored and favored, but the real situation is that Princess Zhuang's position in the Shengjing Palace is not only slightly embarrassing, but also seems to be less liked by Emperor Taiji.
Emperor Taiji married a fourth concubine from Mongolia, Concubine Zhuang was the second to enter the palace, her sister Hai Lanzhu and even the two concubines behind her entered the palace a few years later, but according to the situation of the Emperor Taiji to them at that time, Aunt Zhezhe ranked first in the Middle Palace; then the sister Hai Lanzhu gathered thousands of favors in one, ranking second in the Eastern Palace; followed by the noble concubine Na Mu Zhong of the Lin toe Palace, ranking third in the West Palace; then the Lady Concubine of the Yanqing Palace, Batma Xu, ranked fourth in the Second Eastern Palace. The second concubine zhuang who entered the palace at the beginning was at the bottom and was placed in the second western palace, ranking fifth.
Judging from this position, Princess Zhuang did not have the so-called "pet crown harem" in later generations, and her position in the eyes of the Emperor Taiji may be somewhat marginalized.
Although Princess Zhuang may not be favored, she is good at dancing with long sleeves and has considerable political wisdom. During the Imperial Taiji period, he persuaded Hong Chengzuo, who was "like a rock in his heart", to impress everyone.
According to the historian Cai Dongfan, in the fifteenth year of Chongzhen, the Ming general Hong Chengyu was defeated and captured and refused to surrender. Huang Taiji was soft and hard at the same time, the method was exhausted, and Hong Chengyu preferred to die unyieldingly. When Emperor Taiji was frustrated, Concubine Zhuang volunteered to say that she had a way to make Hong Chengyu loose.
Princess Zhuang analyzed that since Hong Chengzuo was a loyal subject, in addition to patriotism, he must also love his family, and ordinary means must be helpless. So she did not take the usual path, carrying two cups of wine and a bowl of ginseng soup into Hong Chengyu's cell.
The general of the defeated army, in a foreign country, and suffering from the disaster of imprisonment, Hong Chengzuo's psychological defense line seems to be strong, but in fact it is barely supported. Princess Zhuang and he did not talk about politics at first, only talked to Hong Chengzuo about his wife and children at home, and in just three words and two words, Hong Chengzuo felt that the pain in his heart was only known to the woman in front of him. Therefore, Hong Chengzuo did not guard against it, so he made a conversation, and as soon as Concubine Zhuang saw the atmosphere arrived, she came and said: "You are so stubborn, how sad your family should be!" ”
When Hong Chengyu heard this, his emotions collapsed instantly, dragging his weak body and crying in front of Concubine Zhuang. So Concubine Zhuang fed him ginseng soup one by one, and when she came out, Hong Chengyu expressed his willingness to surrender, and the Emperor Taiji and the Qunchen were stunned.
This incident is enough to prove that Concubine Zhuang has a keen political insight and the ability to see the needle in the seam, and also laid the groundwork for her to help Fu Lin ascend the throne later.
That is to say, in the Imperial Taiji harem, although the status of Concubine Zhuang is awkward, it should definitely not be underestimated.
Second, the mother is expensive with her son, and the long sleeve is good at dancing
In the palace of feudal society, it is important that the mother is expensive by her son, but not all concubines can be "expensive" when they give birth to sons. For example, the author has written about Yin Yu before, Yin Yu's mother Liang Concubine gave birth to a son for more than 20 years, still not "expensive", until his death was posthumously titled as a concubine, which is the best example.
Therefore, Princess Zhuang's mother is conditional on her son, that is, it is based on the fact that neither her aunt Zhezhe nor her sister Hai Lanzhu have sons.
In the harem of the Emperor Taiji, there are two women who cannot be provoked, one is Empress Zhezhe, and the other is Hai Lanzhu who spoils the harem.
The "Records of the History of the Qing Dynasty" records that Zhe Zhe gave birth to three daughters, but had no sons, and although Hai Lanzhu had a crown prince in his early years, he unfortunately died prematurely and had no heirs.
In this way, among the princes, only the ninth son of the emperor, Fu Lin, had the bloodline of the Borzigit clan, and the situation was suddenly incomparable. It is the same family, at this time, I am afraid that someone will bully Concubine Zhuang's mother and son, and Zhe Zhe and Hai Lanzhu will be the first to jump out and not agree. Taking ten thousand steps back, this is also the basis for their survival after a hundred years of Emperor Taiji.
Although the imperial palace has a rule that "foreign ministers are not allowed to contact the palace concubines", this does not mean that the concubines who are motherly and noble cannot rely on their own modesty and wisdom to attract good feelings among the courtiers. In particular, this good feeling is based on the help of borzigit. If nothing else, on the surface was The Prince of Rui, Dorgon. Dorgon's relationship with Concubine Zhuang was well known at the time, and it was also the focus of Noshi's interest.
Emperor Taiji had eleven heirs in his lifetime, but only seven were able to break their wrists in the competition for crown princes.
When Emperor Taiji was fifty years old, due to the death of Aifei Hailanzhu, he was emaciated and his health deteriorated, and two years later, Emperor Taiji died suddenly in Shengjing, because his death was too sudden, he did not make a will to pass on the throne, which caused a dispute over the throne. At that time, Emperor Taiji's eldest son Hauge and fourteenth brother Dorgon were both determined to win the throne.
The Draft History of the Qing Dynasty, Benji IV, ancestors of benji I, contains:
In the autumn of the eighth year, at noon in August, Emperor Taizong collapsed, and the heir was undecided. Prince Heshuo Li made a decision on behalf of the kings, Belle, Beizi, and Wenwu Qunqun to offer the throne of the heir, and swore an oath to heaven and earth, with the auxiliary government of Zilharang, the prince of Heshuo Zheng, and Dolgun, the prince of Heshuo rui.
The Description of the Imperial Struggle for the Qing Court after the death of Emperor Taiji in the Draft History of the Qing Dynasty seems to be light and breezy. However, the truth was that on August 14, 1643, five days after the death of Emperor Taiji, in the East Hall of the Chongzheng Hall, the camps of Hauge and Dorgon were fiercely fighting, almost triggering an irreparable national unrest.
Dorgon was the younger brother of Emperor Taiji and had distinguished himself in battle, while Hauge was the eldest son of Emperor Taiji and was not a weaker. In other words, it is a struggle for the throne between uncle and nephew.
Originally, the Tradition of the Han People was that "the father dies and the son succeeds, and the brother dies and the brother dies", and the emperor can only stand on the side when the emperor has children. However, this obviously did not have a binding effect on the Qing court outside guanwai. Emperor Taiji died suddenly, neither as a crown prince nor a will to pass on the throne. In this case, as long as the strength is in place, Dorgon, as an uncle, can obviously say it.
In addition, Dorgon also has the identity and confidence that he dares to compete for. He had two aces in hand.
First, Nurhaci had a will, and in the case of an undecided heir, the succession to the throne had to be discussed and decided by the Manchu nobles.
Second, Nurhaci left a last word: (Dorgon) was young and would be taken by Daishan.
That is to say, the throne should have been Dorgon's, but because he was young, he was taken away by his brother Emperor Taiji.
In this way, Dorgon will have to touch it even more. What's more, Hauge is still his political enemy, and his own strength is not vain.
The key moment was still the slippery Prince Of Zheng Zilharang came out and thin mud, he proposed a compromise plan, the ninth prince Ai Xinjue luo Fu Lin to ascend the throne.
This decision was made on an ad hoc basis, and was suddenly raised in front of all the Manchu nobles in the Chongzheng Hall, but it was unanimously approved by everyone present.
Why not choose other princes besides Hauge and Fulin, but blurted out "Fulin"? The first is because Fu Lin has the blood of the Borzigit clan, and the second is because Princess Zhuang's usual popularity and political management have reached the level of pure fire.
Therefore, in the end, the 6-year-old Emperor's ninth son Fu Lin was able to defeat his brothers to inherit the unification, in addition to being caused by foreign relatives, it had a great relationship with Princess Zhuang's own wisdom and long-sleeved good dance.
In the tense atmosphere of the competition for the reserve, Fu Lin was put forward on an ad hoc basis, which was considered a batch of "dark horses", and strangely, this proposal was unanimously approved by Hauge and Dorgon. Hauge and Fulin are brothers, the two have a good relationship, and he supports Fulin, which is not difficult to understand. But Dorgon was also pleased with this, and raised his hands in approval, which was a bit strange.
After all, Dorgon was determined to take the throne, so why would he give in?
Because of this incident, the "ambiguity" between Dorgon and Concubine Zhuang was also very popular in this dispute for the throne.
Third, motherhood is great, and political sacrifice is made
After the Chongzheng Temple, he was eventually succeeded by the 6-year-old Ai Xin Jue Luo Fu Lin, and the Prince of Zheng, Zilharang, and the Rui Prince Dolgun, were regent.
In May 1644, Dorgon single-handedly recruited Wu Sangui, laying the foundation for the Qing court to enter the Central Plains. Being able to enter the Central Plains was a matter of merit for the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Dorgon's prestige and power in the dprk also rose as a result, and gradually reached the point where people did not dare to contend with the enemy.
In February of the fourth year of the Qing court's entry into the Central Plains, Zilharang, the Prince of Zheng, who was good at judging the hour and sizing up the situation, pretended to be over-controlled in a self-defiled manner, and was removed from his auxiliary political post, saving his life by retreating to advance.
Hauge, who couldn't recognize the situation on the other hand, was much more miserable.
The "History of the Qing Dynasty Manuscript Hauge Biography" contains:
In February of the fifth year, the master returned, and the imperial court was feasted on. Prince Dorgon of Rui had a long-term relationship with Hauge, and sat on Hauge and the Hidden Ministry would risk his exploits and promote the sinner Yang Shan's brother Gisai, who would be imprisoned by Hauge. March, Sis.
In February of the fifth year of Shunzhi, Hauge returned triumphantly after recruiting Zhang Xianzhong, and the Shunzhi Emperor personally set up a banquet at the Taihe Hall to reward him. Dorgon and Hauge have always been indifferent, and they have always wanted to get rid of them quickly, so they take this opportunity to convict Hauge of two crimes:
1. Deceiving the king and concealing the fact that his subordinates have not repaid their achievements.
2. Use the younger brother of the sinner, Gissai, to rebel against the king.
As regent, Dorgon took the place of Emperor Shunzhi and forcibly put Hauge under house arrest. In March of the fifth year of Shunzhi, Hauge died inexplicably.
Why Hauge ended like this, everyone can see.
Prince Zheng's Zilharang retreated bravely and did not involve himself in the affairs of the dynasty, and his brother Hauge, who had been well maintained by himself, was removed, leaving the days of Xiaozhuang and Fulin, the orphans and widows, which became more and more difficult every day.
Historically, Dorgon was a man of power and had no character to speak of.
Draft History of the Qing Dynasty. The Biography of Hauge has this passage:
March, Sis. Prince Nahaug Fujin summoned his son FuShou to shoot at the residence.
This means that after Hauge's death, Dorgon took his niece,000,000 wife, Hauge's wife, as Fujin, and called Hauge's son to his mansion as a bodyguard.
Shi Ke can not be humiliated, and what Dorgon has to do is to humiliate Hauge. Therefore, the author believes that although Dorgon has made great contributions to the Qing Dynasty, his style is actually not high.
Not long after Hauge's death, everyone in the court thought that Dorgon was going to usurp the throne as emperor, and some people were even ready to "do new lords". However, after a while, there was another demonic wind in the DPRK - "Dorgon himself went to the inner courtyard of the palace"
When Dorgon went to the inner courtyard, he was obviously negotiating with Xiaozhuang, and the content of the negotiations was unknown to posterity.
Sure enough, after a while, Dorgon not only did not move, but was also named "Emperor Father".
Being the father of the emperor is very different from being the regent, at least, he taught Shunzhi two sentences, which is also righteous.
However, Empress Xiaozhuang was the mother of the emperor, and Dolgun was the "emperor's father", which made Dolgun and Xiaozhuang have an extra layer of "gossip", so that people at the time secretly scolded him. So much so that many wild histories believe that:
Empress Xiaozhuang sacrificed a lot in order to save the emperor. The royal affairs are complicated!
Throughout dorgon's lifetime, he always showed himself as an "imperial father", often acting on behalf of the emperor, and when people dared to be angry but did not dare to speak, the Shunzhi Emperor was even more depressed.
The Shang Shu Tai Jia says, "Heaven does evil, but it is still possible to violate it; if you do evil by yourself, you must not live." ”
Therefore, after Dorgon's death, his fate will be more tragic.
Convicted, raided homes, stripped of titles; graves dug, whipped corpses, exposed to the wilderness.
There is no doubt that after the death of Emperor Taiji and before the shunzhi pro-government, Dorgon's contribution to the Qing Dynasty was immeasurable. He recruited Wu Sangui, led troops into The Pass, drove out Li Zicheng, beat up Nanming, and established the foundation of the Qing Dynasty. If he were not the regent, but the emperor, the history of the Qing Dynasty would surely blow the merits of Dorgon to the heavens.
However, Shunzhi dug up Dorgon's grave and whipped the corpse! What kind of hatred and resentment could make the Shunzhi Emperor achieve this level. On the other hand, the more Dorgon struggled, the more difficult it was for Xiaozhuang to protect Shunzhi's interests.
From an ethical point of view, Xiaozhuang's efforts will inevitably be pointed out by later generations, but from a political point of view, she has preserved the throne of Shunzhi under the eyes of tigers and wolves such as Dolgun, and Xiaozhuang can be called a great woman.
Fourth, the holy ancestors are enshrined and respected by three generations
After Shunzhi took over the government, perhaps because he had been suppressed for too long, he was very rebellious, and he deposed his wife despite Xiaozhuang's opposition; he also ignored Xiaozhuang's opposition and favored Concubine Dong. All indications show that after Shunzhi became pro-government, his relationship with his mother was not good, and until his death, the mother-child relationship was not eased.
Or rather, the performance of the Shunzhi Emperor disappointed her mother very much.
At the time when Shunzhi's life was getting thinner, Xiaozhuang chose Kangxi from among the three princes and supported him to ascend the throne, which was extremely difficult.
We analyze history and believe that among a few dolls with teeth and teeth, it is absolutely impossible to pick out a wise man who has been through the ages, if it were not for his extraordinary insight and eyesight.
For example, this is like a certain e-sports master, who has been working hard for many years to cultivate a game "big trumpet", and the result is that the big one is sealed, and Xiaozhuang has to practice a "trumpet" again. Kangxi is this "trumpet".
After Kangxi ascended to the throne, he faced a situation in which the four ministers assisted the government. Especially after the pro-government, Ao Bai's performance was particularly hateful, and everything was more than enough, and he raised his face to Kangxi.'
History proves that Ao Bai was not a wise man, not only did not correct his position, but also underestimated the existence of Filial Piety.
How about Aobaibi Dolgun? As violent as Dorgon was at the beginning, Xiaozhuang was still able to deal with it with ease.
In 1669, Kangxi was only 15 years old, and although historiography portrayed him as having eliminated Aobai by his own strength, it would obviously be impossible to believe that he did not have the help of Xiaozhuang. This is also the reason why the "Draft History of the Qing Dynasty" says that Concubine Zhuang "rises and falls in a comprehensive generation depends on the palace".
After Kangxi held the power, Xiaozhuang was like the Dinghai God Needle who loved Xinjue Luo, although he did not appear much, but his weight was full. Generally speaking, on major matters, he would occasionally come out to dial Kangxi and help him tide over the difficulties. For example, in historical events such as Prince Kangxi and Pingsan Fan, Xiaozhuang's guidance was indispensable.
Kangxi once recalled:
Remembering his weak age, he lost his shame early, and tended to inherit his grandmother's knees for more than thirty years, and he cultivated and taught, so that he could succeed. If there is no grandmother, the empress dowager, it must not be established today.
Kangxi believed that without the teaching and support of his grandmother Xiaozhuang, he would definitely not have achieved what he has today.
The most precious thing is that in addition to asking Kangxi to be a good emperor, Xiaozhuang in the entire era of Kangxi's growth, instead of monopolizing the government and listening to the government like Lü Yan in history, gave Kangxi great autonomy, and Kangxi was able to do the things that were the master, and she always had Kangxi as the master, and this was her great pattern.
Through filial piety, we found that only those who have truly suffered hardships and have a heart for society in history can not forget their original intentions and be consistent.
This is also where Kangxi was luckier than Emperor Hui of Han and Emperor Guangxu.
According to historical records, Xiaozhuang was very frugal and simple in his life. She believed in Buddhism, so she fasted a lot throughout her life and fed on vegetarian food. The clothes worn do not like luxury, and strive to be pure. The things in the palace, such as furniture, etc., were so old that the red paint was bald and they were not willing to change, and Kangxi was very distressed about it.
Its good smell of fruit, its good appetite, its luxurious clothing, its covetousness and vanity.
The above sentence is a historical description of the life of Empress Dowager Cixi at the end of the Qing Dynasty.
The author has no intention of elevating Xiaozhuang, but compared with the empress dowager at the end of the Qing Dynasty, Xiaozhuang is high and low.
She did not do this if she could have great power and conditions to become Lü Yan and Wu Zetian; she could enjoy the food and clothing, and was entitled to luxury, but she still did not do so.
Many people, limited by power and money all their lives, have no choice but to restrain their own desires; but Xiaozhuang is different, those who are out of reach of the desires of others, it is easy for her, but she chose to refrain.
This is also what sets her apart from the women in high positions in ancient times, and it is also her greatness.
5. Temporarily enshrine the temple, no face to sleep together
Before his death, Xiaozhuang said to Kangxi:
Emperor Taizongwen's Palace had been enshrined for a long time, and he was humble and dignified, and he was not buried together at this time. If you don't raise up the domain, it will not avoid the people from moving the masses, and it will not be the righteousness of joint burial. I am in love with my father and son, I can't bear to go away, I must obey the Hua Ancuo, I have no regrets.
Xiaozhuang means: My husband Emperor Taizongwen (Emperor Taiji) has been sealing the tomb for a long time, and my status is humble, so it is really not appropriate to violate his dignity and prestige and then move the soil to bury it. But if I build another large-scale construction for me, I will inevitably lose the people's money, and I can't bear it. I miss your father and son (referring to Shunzhi and Kangxi) in my heart, and I am not willing to be buried in Shengjing (Shenyang), you must bury me in the Zunhua Mausoleum, and fulfill my little wish!
Therefore, after Xiaozhuang's death, Kangxi simply demolished the East King Hall of the Cining Palace before Xiaozhuang's death and moved it to the outside of the feng shui wall under Changrui Mountain, and "temporarily enshrined the hall".
Until Kangxi's death, Kangxi did not put Xiaozhuang into the soil for safety, until Yongzheng ascended to the throne, he built a cemetery on the spot and buried his grandmother. Because Xiaozhuang's mausoleum is located in the west of the Zhao Tomb of the Emperor Taiji, it is called "Zhaoxi Mausoleum" in history.
As for why Kangxi did not let Xiaozhuang settle down, the author believes that on the one hand, he obeyed his grandmother's will, and on the other hand, he had to involve the bad things that Happened when Dorgon was in turmoil.
Under the Nine Springs, Xiaozhuang is worthy of the Qing Dynasty Sheji, but in the face of the Emperor Taiji, she is still a little faceless.
In his subtle way, Kangxi took on his grandmother's face.
Gu Deyun: The right to govern the country and the world, most of the women's family exercises, and the cover is based on the mother's religion.
This means that men say that they want to rule the country and the world, in fact, most of the men's ability and mind come from the teachings of their mothers at home, so the education of the world, the mother's education as the source.
In ancient times, the development of a small family was inseparable from the cultivation and education of the housewife, the prosperity of a large family, and the handling and response of the family master mother. Then, in modern times, the rise of an era and the prosperity of a country are inseparable from the power of women!
In feudal culture, people emphasize "female morality", and the author has never advocated this feudal culture. Putting aside the part of feudal culture, a woman like Xiaozhuang, who is respected by the third generation of relatives and supports two generations of emperors, does not she still rely on her own strength to support a dynasty?