Emperor Xianfeng (1831-1861), known as Yixu, was the fourth son of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty. There was an uprising of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom inside, and an invasion of foreign powers outside, which can be described as difficult to prosper the country. However, Emperor Xianfeng failed to lead the country through the difficulties, but died in a foreign land, becoming the only emperor of the Qing Dynasty to die in a different place.
In the tenth year of Xianfeng (1860), the British and French forces launched the Second Opium War and invaded Beijing. Faced with the approach of the enemy, Emperor Xianfeng, at the suggestion of his minister, decided to flee to Chengde Summer Resort with more than 120 people including concubines and princes. Although this decision saved the emperor's life, it also exposed the weakness and incompetence of the Qing Dynasty. Prince Gong stayed in the capital to negotiate with the foreigners, but the British and French forces still captured Beijing, ransacked and burned the Yuanmingyuan, a unique royal garden, and forced the Qing government to sign the "Beijing Treaty" that humiliated the country. This series of painful lessons reflected the internal and external troubles and ruling crises of the Qing Dynasty at that time.
During the summer resort of Emperor Xianfeng, he indulged in the sound of dogs and horses. He spent his days watching operas and listening to music, drinking alcohol and smoking opium, abandoning government and ignoring state affairs. According to historical records, Xianfeng was injured by a fall from a horse in his early years, his physique was weak, and he was also in poor health due to excessive wine during his reign. In such a difficult situation, as the king of a country, Xianfeng not only did not diligently work on state affairs and turn the tide, but indulged in pleasure, which accelerated the decline of his body and the decline of the Qing Dynasty.
In July of the 11th year of Xianfeng, Emperor Xianfeng, who was already terminally ill, finally died of illness in Chengde Summer Resort at the age of 31. Regarding the cause of his death, there have been some rumors in the market, such as "died due to lack of deer blood nourishment", but most of these claims lack reliable historical evidence. Before Emperor Xianfeng died, he made Zaichun the crown prince and ordered eight ministers to assist the government. His untimely death also heralded the decline and decline of the Qing Dynasty.
The life of Emperor Xianfeng can be described as the tragic song of a generation of emperors. Although he was born into the imperial family, he failed to assume the responsibilities of the emperor. When the country was in danger, instead of being diligent in state affairs and turning the tide, he indulged in lust and abandoned the government. His life was full of the honor of the emperor and his personal sorrow, the tragedy of the times, and his personal helplessness. His experience also reflects the problems of the late Qing Dynasty: the rulers were unscrupulous, corrupt and degenerate, the country was poor and weak, internal and external troubles, and finally went into decline and the tragic fate of decline.
As future generations, we should certainly sympathize with Emperor Xianfeng's personal misfortune, but we should also learn historical lessons from his tragedy. The rise and fall of a country is closely related to the actions of its rulers. As the ruler of a country, he should be diligent in his state affairs, make great efforts to lead the country to prosperity, strength and prosperity, instead of indulging in pleasures, abandoning the government and hastening the decline of the country.
At the same time, the experience of Emperor Xianfeng also reminds us that the fate of the individual is often closely linked to the fate of the country. In troubled times, individuals will inevitably suffer, but if they can work hard and have the courage to take responsibility, they may be able to change the fate of themselves and their country. On the other hand, if we only know pleasure and do not want to make progress, then both the individual and the country will inevitably suffer from decay.
History is the best textbook, it gives us so much inspiration and reflection. The life of Emperor Xianfeng is a thought-provoking historical textbook. His tragedy has both personal factors and the imprint of the times. As future generations, we should remember history, reflect on history, draw wisdom and strength from history, and make unremitting efforts to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Let us cherish the memory of Emperor Xianfeng, the era full of suffering and sorrow, but we must draw the strength from history to move forward and create a future that belongs to our generation. The long river of history is running endlessly, and I hope that each of us can become a trendsetter in history, so that the fate of the individual and the destiny of the country are closely linked, and jointly write a new chapter in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.