During the Tongzhi period, The Tongzhi Emperor's mother, Empress Dowager Cixi, became the real boss of the Qing Dynasty, and this period was also a relatively peaceful stage in the late Qing Dynasty.
However, the Tongzhi Emperor died at the age of nineteen, he was the only prince of his father Xianfeng, and there was no prince other than him who could succeed to the throne. After careful consideration, Cixi decided to make Zai Xiang, who was both a cousin and a cousin of Tongzhi, emperor, that is, the guangxu emperor in history.
The Guangxu Emperor
Guangxu was only four years old when he succeeded to the throne, earlier than the age when Tongzhi ascended the throne. Think of what a four-year-old can understand? In this way, Cixi naturally controlled the government of the dynasty again. In fact, for Cixi, no matter who she made the next emperor, she was just a puppet, because of course the real royal power was still in her own hands.
The little emperor Guangxu slowly grew up and began to understand things. Fortunately, Guangxu has had a very outstanding teacher Weng Tonggong since he was a child, and Teacher Weng not only has to take care of the little emperor's life and life, but also to teach him to know books and etiquette, and gradually become a very important emotional sustenance for the little emperor, which can be described as a good teacher and friend. Under the influence of this good teacher, Guangxu aspired to be a good emperor from an early age.
Unfortunately, Weng Tonggong only knew how to read, lacked social practice experience, and did not have any city government, in the understanding of the way of the emperor, Guangxu never got much exercise, and the knowledge learned was relatively limited. In addition, this teacher was also a pure literati, although he "taught" Guangxu his righteousness, but at the same time let his sentimentality, sensitivity and fragility "infect" Guangxu.
Weng Tonggong
Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the Guangxu Emperor had grown from a small child who could only cry to a young talent. According to the tradition of the Qing Dynasty, he has reached the age when he can personally govern, and he has waited for this day for a long time, and is preparing to show his skills and become a good emperor who flaunts the annals of history.
Of course, Cixi knew very well in her heart that she was facing a return to politics. However, having controlled the government for so many years, how can we be willing to give everything that has not been easy to come by to others? A battle between the open and the dark is forced by the situation and is inevitable.
Empress Dowager Cixi
Objectively speaking, Cixi had been presiding over political affairs for many years and had certain experience and ability, while the Guangxu Emperor was young and ignorant, lacking in experience, and in the face of the severe national situation at that time, Cixi was not at ease to hand over the power to the new emperor.
When the Guangxu Emperor was seventeen years old, Empress Dowager Cixi returned to power with great reasonableness on the surface. On the surface, everything seems to be calm, but Guangxu's biological father thinks that Cixi will not give up and give up, but it is better to know each other a little.
So Guangxu's father persistently pleaded with Empress Dowager Cixi, saying that the new emperor was too young and inexperienced, and strongly demanded that the empress dowager conduct political training.
Well, this was exactly in line with Cixi's wishes, and she pretended to say that she was tired and could now rest, but finally agreed to Guangxu's father's request.
The Guangxu Emperor who had a hard time getting out of his head must have been angry, but that was his father's idea, who could blame him? On the surface, it has to be warmly welcomed. Moreover, Ginger is still old and spicy, even if it is not Guangxu's father who comes to invite Cixi, there will be another person to invite.
Guangxu's biological father: Yizhen the Prince of Alcohol
To tell the truth, Cixi's power at that time was very large, and whether she returned to power or not, she was the real ruler. The young Guangxu Emperor had no ambitions, but no real power in his hands.
The Guangxu Emperor was very conflicted in his heart, on the one hand, he was anxious to regain the emperor's power, and on the other hand, he had to obey Cixi's orders, which was really helpless.
For example, on the occasion of Cixi's sixtieth birthday, it coincided with the Battle of the Yellow Sea, the war was tight, and the national treasury was in deficit, but Guangxu still decided to do a big job in order to please Cixi, and Cixi was naturally happy.
Cixi wanted to protect his political power and enjoy the glory and wealth, naturally did not want to go to war, and advocated peace, but Guangxu was the main warrior, wanted to make political achievements, and proved his strength to the world, and the entire imperial court wavered in its position of war and peace.
In the end, Empress Dowager Cixi's birthday celebration was a complete success, but the Sino-Japanese naval battle was a complete defeat.
Between Guangxu and Cixi, there were countless open and secret struggles, and the result ended in Guangxu's failure. It can be said that he lived under cixi's control all his life.
As the supreme rulers of the last years of the Qing Dynasty, in the face of internal and external troubles, these two countries did not think of working together to save the country, but fell into the power struggle between you and me, and the destruction of the Qing Dynasty has become a foregone conclusion.
Author: Bamboo and wood in pairs