In the long history of the Qing Dynasty, the death of Emperor Kangxi is undoubtedly a critical moment for the past and the future. This day not only represents the curtain call of a great emperor, but also heralds the beginning of another scene of the struggle for imperial power in the Qing Dynasty.
On that turbulent night, Emperor Yongzheng's actions were particularly eye-catching. He didn't consolidate his power first, but he was anxious to deal with Zhao Chang and the old ministers around Kangxi. The reasons behind this behavior are far more complex than they seem.
Zhao Chang's death is speculated by historians to be a move carefully planned by Emperor Yongzheng. How did this eunuch, who had served Kangxi for 60 years, suddenly become the object of liquidation?
The three charges against Zhao Chang sounded undoubtedly significant at the time, but they did not seem to be sufficient to justify his death sentence under the scrutiny of later generations. This has led historians to question the true motives of the Yongzheng Emperor.
In the view of Emperor Yongzheng, who had just succeeded to the throne, the power struggle in Kangxi's later years had not subsided. At this point, securing one's position becomes the top priority. And Zhao Chang's handling is precisely Yongzheng's first hand in this struggle.
By taking draconian action against Zhao Chang, Emperor Yongzheng was undoubtedly sending a signal to other contenders who might covet the throne. This kind of deterrence was a common tactic in the struggle for imperial power in ancient times.
At the same time that Emperor Yongzheng used this method, we can't help but think deeply about the loyalty and justice in the struggle for imperial power in that era. On the scales of power, the two always seem to be opposite.
The death of the Kangxi Emperor left behind a mystery about the succession. It's not just a question of who is the rightful heir, it's a symbol of a power struggle.
Emperor Yongzheng's treatment of Zhao Chang made the outside world have many questions about his decision-making. In that era, every move of the emperor was full of deep meaning, and Zhao Chang's matter was also one of them.
The brutality of the struggle for imperial power in the Qing Dynasty was reflected in this event. The rise of a new emperor is usually accompanied by the liquidation of old forces, and Zhao Chang's fate is a microcosm of this brutal struggle.
The long river of history is flowing endlessly, and those power struggles and strategic struggles have become the subject of exploration for future generations. On the night of Kangxi's death, Yongzheng's choice is undoubtedly an important part of this research.