In the long history of the Qing Dynasty, the princes of Emperor Qianlong had their own merits, but when it comes to Yongying, many people may only know that he is skilled in calligraphy, but he does not know the background of his complex throne disputes. Yongying, the eleventh son of Emperor Qianlong, is talented, and his mother is Jin Jia, the concubine of Emperor Shujia, a noble person who was extremely favored by Qianlong. Despite his talent and virtue, why did Emperor Qianlong finally pass the throne to the seemingly mediocre fifteenth prince Yongyan?
In the treacherous political arena of the Qing Dynasty, the fate of every prince was like a drama of ups and downs. In the fourth year of Jiaqing in 1799, when Emperor Qianlong smiled at Jiuquan, the transfer of power was quietly staged in the undercurrent. And in this inheritance of power, Yongying is undoubtedly a controversial figure.
Yongying was born in the 20th year of Qianlong and has been favored since he was a child. His mother, Jin Jiashi, was originally the daughter of an inconspicuous official of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but because of her outstanding talent and appearance, she won Qianlong's favor. During the reign of Qianlong, Jin Jia's status rose all the way until he was canonized as the concubine of Shujia Emperor. It can be seen that although Yongying's background is prominent, it also hides the seeds of court struggle.
Yongying's talent is not limited to writing and ink. He is proficient in government affairs, has extensive knowledge, and has his own unique views on military affairs and economics. In Qianlong's later years, Yongying had already begun to emerge and participate in the management of the government. His political career has not been without its challenges. Although Emperor Qianlong had expectations for him, he always maintained a complex vigilance.
Entering the Jiaqing period, Yongying's fate is even more magnificent. He was appointed Minister of War and Aircraft, a position that placed him at the heart of the imperial government. Just when his power was in full swing, a political turmoil about He Shen put his position in jeopardy. The fall of He Shen, the powerful minister who was once known as the "Second Emperor", seemed to herald a turning point in Yong's political career.
Under Emperor Jiaqing's strategy, He Shen eventually lost power and was placed under house arrest, and although Yong Ying participated in this process, he also established many enemies as a result. The power games in the court are often life-and-death contests, and Yong Ying sways in them and looks quite tired.
Why did Emperor Qianlong, among his so many talented sons, finally choose the talented Yongyan, but the relatively mediocre Yongyan as his heir? The reasons behind this are complex and varied. The succession of the throne is never just about personal ability, but more about the balance of power. Although Yongyan is inferior to Yongyan in terms of personal talent, his personality is more gentle, and he can be supported and recognized from many aspects.
Although Yongying is talented, he has also made countless enemies because of this. In the power struggle with Ho Shen, although he shows extraordinary determination and courage, he also exposes his fierce character and ambition. Such a character is often not a safe choice in an environment full of calculations and precautions in the court. Emperor Qianlong had reigned for many years and was well aware of the importance of imperial power and the complexity of maintaining it, and he probably had deeper worries about Yongzhen's ambition and ability.
Moreover, Emperor Qianlong's support for Jiaqing before his death also showed his rejection of Yongzhen. Although Yongying was entrusted with important tasks many times in Qianlong's later years, when it came to the succession to the throne, Qianlong obviously preferred an option that could stabilize the country and society and not cause civil strife. Yongyan's stability and low-key have become his biggest advantage.
Yongying's life can be said to be a tragedy of talent and fate. He not only showed extraordinary political talent in the last years of the Qianlong Dynasty, but also assumed important political responsibilities during the Jiaqing period. However, as with many historical princes, excellence does not necessarily lead to final victory. In the complex palace politics, although Yongying was once close to the peak of power, he failed to reach the sky in one step after all.
Yongying is a microcosm of the history of the Qing Dynasty, showing how talent, power, and personal destiny ebbed and flowed in the tide of imperial power. His life is full of legends, but also full of sadness and helplessness. The long river of history is endless, and everyone who struggles in the torrent of history is a revelation for the future. Although Yongying failed to become the emperor, he was forever engraved in that magnificent historical time.