Emperor Xianfeng ascended to the throne in 1850, when the Qing Dynasty had begun to crumble, and internal and external troubles continued. Although Xianfeng himself adhered to a strict Confucian education, he lacked the decisiveness and foresight to handle state affairs, and repeatedly adopted an attitude of passive resistance to the aggression of Western powers. In such turbulent times, harem battles and draft events remain an integral part of the palace. In 1852, in order to seek the tranquility of the harem and the solution of the succession problem, Xianfeng ordered a large-scale draft to be held. And in this draft, a female figure who later changed the course of Qing Dynasty history, Cixi, began her court career.
In that turbulent era, a woman named Xingzhen, later known as the Empress Dowager Cixi, stepped into the gate of the palace. Her background is not prominent, and her father Hui Zheng is a fourth-grade official, although he is not poor, but he is not prominent among the many powerful people in the capital. Xingzhen entered the draft with her sister, but the fork in the road of fate unfolded at this moment.
After Xingzhen was selected, she was given the title of Lan Guiren and placed in a corner of the Old Summer Palace, called "The Depths of Tongyin". It was a secluded abode, away from the emperor's daily tracks. Her days began with loneliness and thought. Months passed, and she had not been favored by Xianfeng, which made her feel anxious. She knew that her future and the glory of her family depended on whether she could win the favor of the emperor.
One day, Cixi was reading leisurely in the garden, and her intelligence and knowledge were famous in the palace. At this moment, a little eunuch hurried to her residence, this was An Dehai, and his appearance would be a turning point in Cixi's fate.
"Lan Guiren, the emperor is in a good mood today, why don't you write a poem, maybe you can attract the emperor's attention. An Dehai whispered.
Cixi's heart moved, she knew that this was an opportunity. She immediately picked up the pen and wrote a poem, which not only expressed her loyalty to the emperor, but also revealed a little bit of wisdom and wit. An Dehai took the poem to see Xianfeng, and Xianfeng was greatly appreciated after reading it, and ordered to summon Lan Guiren to come immediately.
When Cixi was alone with Xianfeng for the first time, she did not show too much flattery, but left a deep impression on Xianfeng with her wisdom and insight into state affairs. She talked about the country's policies and put forward some of her own opinions, all of which were unexpected by Xianfeng.
"Lan Guiren, your views are different, it is rare for you to have such a deep understanding of the government. Emperor Xianfeng said in surprise.
From then on, Cixi's court life began to change dramatically. She has gradually changed from a beauty in a remote corner to a celebrity who is the emperor's henchman. Her influence is increasing day by day, not only in the palace, but even in the court and politics. With her ingenuity and unique concept of governance, Cixi gradually established an unshakable position in Xianfeng's heart.
As time passed, Emperor Xianfeng's health began to deteriorate, and state affairs became more and more onerous, and he began to rely more on Cixi's advice to handle court affairs. Cixi's political ambitions grew, and she became actively involved in important decisions, gradually building up her power in order to gain an advantage in future power struggles.
During this period, Cixi was not only the emperor's favorite concubine, but also the prototype of a politician. She knows that in this patriarchal society, if a woman wants to gain a place in the political field, she must show extraordinary ability and tenacity. With her extraordinary political talent and unique concept of governing the country, she gradually won the respect and even fear of the ministers of the DPRK and China.
After the death of Emperor Xianfeng, Cixi did not lose power, but used her deep political foundation and connections to successfully support her son to ascend to the throne, and actually controlled the government of the Qing Dynasty as the empress dowager. Her political career, from being a marginalized court maid to eventually becoming the one in power behind the scenes, perfectly illustrates her political wisdom and extraordinary survival strategy.
Although Cixi's political decisions in her later years were controversial, such as her support for the Boxer Rebellion, these decisions hastened the decline of the Qing Dynasty to a certain extent. But it is undeniable that her extraordinary talent and tenacity as a woman in the male-dominated political arena still amazes people to this day.
Cixi's life is a legend, and it is also a textbook of how women overcame adversity and finally reached the pinnacle of power. Her story teaches us that no matter how harsh the environment, a person's wisdom and perseverance can create a world of their own. In her, we see not only the struggle for power, but also the key role played by personal ability in the torrent of history. The story of the Empress Dowager Cixi is not only an echo of history, but also a profound inspiration to modern people—in any era, true strength comes from the unremitting pursuit of the individual and the courageous exploration of the unknown.