The Kangxi Emperor of the Qing Dynasty was a monarch who liked to play with power. In the late years of his reign, the prince was deposed because he was disappointed. At the same time, he gave hope to his sons who coveted the throne. Therefore, the Qing Dynasty appeared "Nine Sons and Concubines". For these sons, Kangxi did not completely trust one, but adopted the strategy of "pulling one and fighting one". When one of the forces rises, he supports the forces of the other. At the same time, he will not let the other side completely kill the rising side. In short, he plays balance. The Imperial Heart Technique, he used it perfectly.
Kangxi stills
Because Kangxi did not disclose which son he wanted to appoint as crown prince before his death, when the news of Yongzheng's succession came out, the first reaction of many princes and ministers was not to believe it. At the same time, on the night of Kangxi's death, a strange thing happened. Zhao Xian, a confidant eunuch who had served Kangxi for 60 years, was executed by Yongzheng. Yongzheng executed Zhao Xian at this juncture, could it be that the matter of succession is really catty? Let's move on.
Yongzheng stills
Kangxi died in 1722 at the age of 69. The eunuch Zhao Chang has been waiting by his side for more than 60 years, and can be said to be a playmate who grew up from childhood. Zhao Chang' old qualifications had a very large right to speak in the Court of the Qing Dynasty. It can be said that his casual words will set off earth-shattering waves in the government and the public. At this critical moment when Yongzheng succeeded to the throne, he suddenly died, which had to make people doubt Yongzheng's purpose.
Zhao Chang
Regarding Zhao Chang's information, the Historical Records of the Qing Dynasty are very vague, and it should be artificially interfered with by the Yongzheng Emperor. However, the Kangxi imperial painter Ma Guoxian, an Italian, kept some records about Zhao Chang in his diary. According to Ma Guoxian, Zhao Chang's highest position in the palace should be the general manager of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, or the chief manager of the Yangxin Hall. On weekdays, he often had access to some core secrets, and Kangxi did not shy away from him when dealing with political affairs.
Minister of the Qing Dynasty
After Yongzheng executed Zhao Chang, he announced Zhao Chang's criminal deeds: First, he placed eyeliner next to Yongzheng, monitored Yongzheng's every move, and revealed the news to Yongzheng's competitors. Second, he made a fire scythe for the son of the deposed prince Yin Rong, colluding with the deposed prince, with the intention of plotting against him. 3. Stealing 5,000 taels of treasury tax and silver without permission. The main crime that Yongzheng punished zhao Chang for beheading was the last one.
Edict of succession
Let's look at these three crimes again. First of all, put eyeliner next to Yongzheng, which must be Kangxi's meaning. If Kangxi hadn't nodded and given Zhao Chang ten guts, he wouldn't have dared to send someone to spy on Wang Ye. Secondly, to make a fire sickle for the son of the deposed prince YinRong may have the meaning of making good friends with the deposed prince, but if you want to say that you intend to rebel and plot against you, you can't say it. Finally, let's talk about the embezzlement of the national treasury tax and silver. Basically, when he reached his position, he no longer needed to reach out and greed for money. The people below have no chance to honor him, so how could he risk his life to embezzle the money of the national treasury?
Fourteen brothers
So these are "sins of desire." So what exactly did Zhao Chang master? It should be something unfavorable to Yongzheng's ascension to the throne. In folk history, Kangxi actually wanted to pass the throne to the fourteen brothers, but was preempted by the four brothers Yongzheng. Although the edict is true, who can guarantee that this edict was not written by Yongzheng after Kangxi's death. If Kangxi's dictation was "Fourteen Brothers of the Succession", what kind of turmoil would occur in the Qing Dynasty? Therefore, Zhao Chang, who holds these core secrets, is doomed to no longer survive. Yongzheng also couldn't wait to kill him.