In China in the mid-19th century, the Taiping Rebellion unleashed an unprecedented civil war. This peasant uprising, led by Hong Xiuquan, challenged the centuries-old rule of the Qing Dynasty. Hong Xiuquan established himself as the emperor and established an independent kingdom with its own administrative system, monetary system, and army. In 1851, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was officially proclaimed, and in the years that followed, Tianjing (present-day Nanjing) became its capital. The internal contradictions and external pressures of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom gradually intensified. Hong Xiuquan died in 1864, and the 15-year-old Hong Tianguifu succeeded him as the Young Heavenly King, facing great pressure on the country's survival.
In the spring of 1864, the atmosphere in Tianjing City was extremely tense. The Young Heavenly King Hong Tian Guifu, the young monarch, carries the last hope of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. His face was still childish, but his eyes revealed premature heaviness.
"Your Majesty, the pressure of the Qing army is approaching day by day, and we must make a decision." The military advisor nervously reported in the court.
Hong Tianguifu clenched the jade seal in his hand, his brows furrowed, "How long can we last?" ”
"With the current food, grass and troops, three months at most." The generals on the side responded in a deep voice.
In Tianjing City, the lives of the people have become increasingly difficult due to the long-term war. The materials on the market are scarce, and the people are struggling to make a living. Hong Tianguifu felt a huge burden of responsibility in his heart, and he knew that he was the last guardian of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
"I can't let my father's country perish!" There was firmness in the Young King's voice.
Destiny does not change by human will. The siege of the Qing army became more and more fierce, the city walls were broken in many places, and the morale of the soldiers was low. Hong Tianguifu couldn't sleep at night, and he began to walk around the palace, stopping occasionally to look out through the palace window, and the firelight outside the city reflected his melancholy face.
Overnight, Tianjing City was broken. Qing troops swarmed in, and most of the soldiers of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom were killed or captured. The Young Heavenly King was forced to hide in the dark room, but was eventually discovered by the Qing army.
"Take me to your general." Hong Tianguifu did his best to maintain his dignity.
In front of the Qing generals, he showed no signs of yielding. "I am the king of Tianjing, and I ask to die as a king."
The general sneered, "You are just the son of a traitor, where did you get the respect of a king?" ”
The Qing army's treatment of him was extremely cruel and decided to execute him with Ling Chi's punishment. On the execution ground, Hong Tianguifu was tied to a wooden stake, surrounded by a crowd of watchers.
"Even if you die, the concept of peace will live forever!" In the last moments, the Young Heavenly King's voice was firm.
On the execution ground, as the sword fell, a scream resounded through the sky, and the life of the young heavenly king gradually disappeared in extreme pain. Some people in the audience hid their faces and wept, and some watched coldly. This scene became the final chapter of the tragic epic of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
Hong Tianguifu's death marked the complete defeat of this heroic but tragic uprising of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. The Qing army then entered Tianjing, where it carried out a thorough purge and suppression, and sentenced almost all Taiping leaders and their families to death. The palace of Tianjing City was burned, the city wall was demolished, and for a time, only ruins remained of Jiacheng.
Although Hong Tianguifu ascended the throne at a young age, his fate was engulfed by the giant wheel of history from the very beginning and he could not extricate himself. During his short reign, he witnessed the entire process of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom from glory to decline, and finally ended his life and the fate of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in an extremely tragic way.
Hong Tianguifu's life is a tragedy in Chinese history. His fate reflected the contradictions and conflicts of his time, a direct confrontation between the suffering of the people and the tyranny of the empire. His death is not only the end of a personal tragedy, but also the shattering of the dreams of an era. Although the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom failed, its ideas left a deep mark on Chinese history, heralding broader social change and the awakening of the people later.
Every historical event is like a mirror, reflecting the brilliance and darkness of human nature. The story of Hong Tianguifu reminds us that history is not just an echo of the past, it continues to influence the present and the future. Looking back today, we not only feel the cruelty of history, but also draw strength from it and make unremitting efforts for a more just and better world.