In the history of the Qing Dynasty, the inheritance of the two emperors Kangxi and Yongzheng is a topic that will always be full of controversy. How did Emperor Kangxi's attitude toward his sons evolve? Why did he make such a decision in his later years? How did Emperor Yongzheng deal with this legacy and consolidate his rule? These questions are all deeply explored around power struggles, human considerations, and political wisdom.
Emperor Kangxi reigned for sixty-one years and was one of the longest rulers of feudal China. His attitude towards his sons, from his initial careful cultivation to the suspicion and dissatisfaction in his later years, continued to evolve with various court struggles. Especially for Yongzheng (that is, Yinzhen), the attitude is even more complicated and difficult to understand. In his later years, Emperor Kangxi may have been troubled physically and psychologically, and his decision-making may have been radical. It is said that he once warned the people around him on the sickbed that he would get rid of several sons after his death to keep the Qing family stable.
However, when Yongzheng actually succeeded to the throne, he took a series of political measures to ensure his authority. He strengthened the centralization of power, improved the financial situation, and cracked down on corruption, all in an effort to consolidate his dominance. Yongzheng's effective policies further strengthened the centralized power of the Qing Dynasty.
Yongzheng's disobedience to his father's succession was actually an inevitable choice under the complex political situation at that time. His ability to rule, and a rational assessment of the decisions made by his father, Emperor Kangxi, in his later years, led him to choose his own path. Emperor Kangxi's concern about his other son, Yinzhen, may have stemmed from certain weaknesses in Yinzhen's personality and his ambition on the issue of succession to the throne.
The political wisdom and leadership shown by Emperor Yongzheng during his reign may also be an unexpected display in the eyes of his father, Emperor Kangxi. Kangxi may not have fully anticipated that Emperor Yongzheng would be able to consolidate his power so effectively and implement a series of reforms. The reign of Emperor Yongzheng also affected Emperor Kangxi's evaluation of him to a certain extent. Emperor Kangxi's doubts and decisions, as well as Emperor Yongzheng's handling of them, reflect the complexity of Qing court politics and the brutality of power struggles. These historical events are not only personal grievances, but also inevitable products of historical trends.