Title: Why didn't the Qing emperor go to Mount Tai to seal Zen?
Taishan Feng Zen, the highest honor of ancient Chinese emperors, was awarded by only a few emperors. Of the more than 500 ancient Chinese emperors, only Qin Shi Huang, Emperor Wudi of Han, Emperor Guangwu of Han, Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and Emperor Zhenzong of Song had the honor of ascending the hall of Mount Tai's consecration.
Why didn't the Qing emperor participate in the Taishan Consecration? According to documents, the two Qing emperors, Kangxi and Qianlong, both went to Mount Tai to perform sacrifices, but did not perform consecration. In addition, according to Sima Qian's research, there were twelve ancient emperors who performed the Taishan consecration, all of whom were Chinese ancestors or figures who had made great contributions to the development of the Chinese nation.
Taishan had harsh conditions in feudal society: the emperor had to truly create great unification, maintain national peace and security, and show signs of auspiciousness. Without deliberateness, it is difficult to meet all three conditions at the same time.
Among them, Song Zhenzong Zhao Heng's Taishan consecration caused controversy. Because the Song emperor was often confused with Zhao Kuangyin, Emperor Hui Qin, and Zhao Shu, Emperor Zhenzong of Song was not widely recognized as qualified for canonization. Although the economy of the Northern Song Dynasty developed under his rule, these achievements were actually the merits of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi.
Returning to the original question, after the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, only Kangxi and Qianlong longed in their hearts to carry out the Taishan Sealing Zen. Especially during the reign of Qianlong, it was at the peak of the national strength of the Qing Dynasty, and Qianlong also called himself the "Ten Perfect Old Man". But they did not go to Mount Tai to seal meditation, not because they were unwilling, but because they were not brave enough and feared in their hearts.
The honor of Mount Tai's consecration has special significance in Chinese history. It is not only a high praise for the emperor personally, but also a supreme honor alongside the twelve ancient emperors. Therefore, the emperors who were able to obtain the title of Mount Tai were only a very small minority. The Qing emperor was unable to perform the Taishan consecration precisely because of historical and conditional constraints.
References: "Shiji Feng Zen Book", "Guanzi Feng Zen"
