In the early 17th century, in the northeast land, a woman named "Zhezhe" was like a lightning bolt, crossing the life trajectory of the Later Jin and the founding monarch of the Qing Dynasty. She is both Nurhachi's wife and Huang Taiji's biological mother, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of these two male lords. However, in the long course of history, the appearance of another woman with the same name has made the name even more mysterious. One of them is from the Jurchen Yehe tribe, and the other is from the Horqin tribe of Mongolia, although they have the same name "Zhezhe", they are two completely different characters. Their story is like a historical picture spanning half a century, witnessing the difficult process of the rise of the Later Jin Dynasty and the establishment of the Qing Dynasty.
During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the land of Northeast China changed. The Jurchen tribes were constantly at odds with each other, and the Ming and Mongolia forces were also eyeing each other.
Against this background, an outstanding politician and military strategist stands out, and he is Aisin Gioro · Nurhachi. Nurhachi was born in 1559 to a family that lives in present-day Xinbin Manchu Autonomous County, Fushun City, Liaoning Province.
From an early age, Nurhachi showed extraordinary talent and ambition. He inherited his father's mantle and began to unify the Jurchen tribes. Through a series of military campaigns and political alliances, Nurhachi gradually grew his power.
By 1583, Nurhachi had become the leader of the Jurchens in Jianzhou. He adopted the "Eight Banners System" and transformed the tribal organization into a militarized flag system, which greatly improved the combat effectiveness and cohesion of the army.
During this period, Nurhachi also married Yang Jitong of Yehebe and married his daughters Yehnara · Mengu Zhezhe. This marriage not only strengthened Nurhachi's political position, but also brought him a virtuous helper.
In 1593, Nurhachi unified the Jianzhou Jurchens. In the following years, he conquered other Jurchen tribes in eastern Liaodong. By 1616, Nurhachi's power was strong enough to challenge the Ming dynasty.
In April of that year, Nurhachi held a ceremony in Hetuara (present-day Xinbin, Liaoning), officially proclaiming Khan's establishment of Houjin. He called himself "the wise khan of the nations", the country name was "Dajin", and the year name was "Mandate of Heaven".
This move marked the formal establishment of the Later Jin State and laid the foundation for the future Manchu Empire. Nurhachi's ambition finally had a powerful carrier, and his great cause of reunification entered a new stage.
After establishing the Houjin, Nurhachi continued to expand his power. He successively defeated the Yeh, Ulla and other tribes and brought them under his command. In 1618, Nurhachi launched a full-scale war against the Ming Dynasty.
Over the next few years, the Later Jin army won successive battles and captured most of Liaodong. However, in the Battle of Ningyuan in 1626, Nurhachi suffered the worst defeat of his life.
In this battle, the Ming general Yuan Chonghuan used Hongyi cannons, causing huge casualties to the Later Jin army. Nurhachi himself was wounded in the battle. In September of the same year, the great military strategist who created the post-gold foundation died in Hetuara at the age of 68.
After Nurhachi's death, his eighth son, Emperor Taiji, succeeded to the throne. Huang Taiji was born to Yehnara · Menggu Zhezhe and showed outstanding talents from an early age.
After succeeding to the throne, Huang Taiji continued to advance his father's unfinished business. On the one hand, he strengthened internal construction and improved the Eight Banners system; On the other hand, it continued to expand externally and further consolidated the rule of the Later Jin.
Under the leadership of Huang Taiji, the strength of Houjin continued to increase. By 1636, the time was ripe. In this year, Huang Taiji held a ceremony in Shengjing (now Shenyang) to officially proclaim the emperor and establish the Qing Dynasty.
This marked the transition from the Later Jin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty and heralded the beginning of a new era. From then on, the Qing Dynasty began a rule that lasted for nearly 300 years.
In this magnificent history, two women named "Zhezhe" played an important role. Although they share the same name, they have very different identities and experiences.
In the sixteenth year of Wanli, the Northeast ushered in a pivotal marriage. Nurhachi married Yehnara · Menggu Zhezhe, the daughter of Yang Jiping, the leader of the Yeh tribe. This marriage is not just a union of two people, but an alliance of two tribes.
Menggu Zhezhe was of noble birth and received a good education since he was a child. Her intellect and political acumen soon rose to prominence in the court of the Later Jin. Soon after their marriage, Mengu Zhezhe became one of Nurhachi's most trusted assistants.
In the process of the rise of the Later Jin, Mengu Zhezhe played an important role. She used her wisdom and connections to resolve conflicts with other tribes for Nurhachi many times. Once, when Yehebu and Houjin clashed, Menggu Zhezhe personally intervened to mediate, and finally facilitated a reconciliation between the two parties.
Not only that, but Mengu Zhehachi also bore several children to Nurhachi. The most outstanding of them is Huang Taiji, who will inherit the unification in the future. Huang Taiji has shown extraordinary talents since he was a child, which is inseparable from his mother's careful teaching.
However, the day does not leave the year. In the thirty-first year of Wanli (1603), Meng Gu Zhezhe, who was only in his early thirties, died of illness. Her death was a huge blow to Nurhachi and the entire Houjin. Nurhachi even postponed the scheduled military operation as a sign of mourning for his beloved wife.
Although Menggu Zhezhe died young, her influence endured for a long time. The children she left behind, especially Huang Taiji, became important pillars of the Later Jin and Qing dynasties. Huang Taiji inherited his mother's political wisdom and became a generation of Ming monarchs in later years.
After the death of Menggu Zhezhe, Nurhachi did not forget this virtuous helper. He mentioned Mengu Zhezhe's contributions on many important occasions and hung her portrait in a prominent position in the palace. This practice not only expresses the longing for his deceased wife, but also highlights the important position of the name "Zhezhe" in his heart.
With the continuous development of the Later Jin, the name of Menggu Zhezhe gradually became a symbol. She represents the power of the Jurchen tribal alliance and also symbolizes the prosperity of the Later Jin. Many later aristocratic women were proud to be able to assist the monarch in the same way as Mengu Zhezhe.
In the process of the post-Jin statehood, the influence of Menggu Zhezhe still existed. The network of people she established during her lifetime facilitated the unification of Houjin. Many tribes that originally had conflicts with the Houjin, for the sake of Menggu Zhezhe's face, chose to reconcile with Nurhachi.
Not only that, but the Yehenara clan, the family of Menggu Zhezhe, also occupied an important position in the Later Jin and early Qing dynasties because of her. Her siblings were all reused by Nurhachi and contributed to the growth of Houjin.
It is worth mentioning that the political wisdom of Meng Guzhezhe also influenced the institutional construction of the Later Jin. During her lifetime, she repeatedly suggested that Nurhachi should pay attention to culture and education, and this suggestion was reflected in the later Eight Banners system. The Eight Banners are not only a military organization, but also a carrier of cultural inheritance.
Years after her death, her name was still frequently mentioned in the Later Jin court. Whenever faced with difficult political issues, Nurhachi and her ministers would remember her wisdom, as if her soul was still guiding the direction of Houjin's development.
Over time, the story of Mengu Zhezhe was gradually deified. Various legends began to circulate about her, some said that she could predict the future, and some said that she had miraculous medical skills. These legends, while not entirely true, reflect people's admiration for her.
After Huang Taiji succeeded to the throne, the nostalgia for his mother became a major driving force for his governance. He has repeatedly stated that he wants to carry on his mother's legacy and develop Houjin into a powerful empire. Thanks to his efforts, the Later Jin Dynasty eventually developed into the Qing Dynasty, fulfilling the long-cherished wishes of Nurhachi and Menggu Zhezhe.
The name "Zhezhe", because of Menggu Zhezhe, has a special meaning in Manchu culture. It symbolizes wisdom, loyalty, and devotion. Many Manchu families would name their daughters "Zhezhe", hoping that they would become the pride of the family like Menggu Zhezhe.
In the first year of the Apocalypse (1621), a pearl from the Mongolia steppe came to the court of Houjin. She is the sister of the leader of the Korqin tribe, Ming Antaiji, Borzigit · Zhezhe. This girl, who is also called "Zhezhe", the gears of fate began to turn, pushing her to the center of the stage of history.
The arrival of Zhezhe brought a new political alliance to Houjin. The Korqin tribe was one of the most powerful tribes in Mongolia, and this marriage undoubtedly greatly strengthened Houjin's strength. Huang Taiji attached great importance to this newlywed wife and often consulted with her on political affairs.
Soon after his marriage, Zhezhe showed extraordinary political talent. She is good at coordinating the relations between all parties and has repeatedly resolved the contradictions between the Later Jin and the Mongolia ministries. Once, when there was a dispute between the Horqin Ministry and Houjin over the border issue, Zhezhe personally intervened to mediate, and finally facilitated a reconciliation between the two sides.
Zhezhe has made achievements not only in foreign affairs, but also in domestic affairs. She suggested that Huang Taiji attach importance to cultural education and cultivate more literati talents. Under her influence, the Later Jin began a large-scale recruitment of Han literati, laying the foundation for future cultural policies.
In the first year of Tiancong (1627), Nurhachi died and was succeeded by Huang Taiji. As a result, Cheol-cheol's status rose and she became the de facto first lady of Houjin. She assisted Huang Taiji in handling government affairs, participated in making major decisions, and her influence in the harem increased day by day.
Zhezhe is well aware of the importance of alliances. She used her Mongolian background to actively promote the alliance between the Later Jin and the Mongolia ministries. Under her mediation, more and more Mongolia tribes chose to join Houjin, laying a broad territorial foundation for the later Qing Empire.
In the ninth year of Tiancong (1635), a major historical moment arrived. With the support of Zhezhe, Huang Taiji decided to change the name of the country to "Qing". This decision marked the transition from the Later Jin Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty and heralded the dawn of a new era.
The following year, that is, the first year of Chongde (1636), Huang Taiji held a ceremony in Shengjing (now Shenyang) and officially proclaimed himself emperor. Zhezhe was also canonized as empress and became the first empress of the Qing Empire. At this moment, the pearl of the steppe finally reached the pinnacle of the empire.
As the queen, Zhezhe was not satisfied with enjoying the glory and wealth. She continued to actively participate in national affairs and contributed to the development of the Qing Dynasty. She paid special attention to Mongolia policy, and repeatedly suggested that Huang Taiji adopt a soft policy in order to win the support of more Mongolian tribes.
Zhezhe also attaches great importance to cultural construction. She supported Huang Taiji's vigorous development of the Manchu language and the compilation of various classics. Under her promotion, the Qing Dynasty began to systematically translate Chinese classics, making important contributions to the development of Manchu culture.
In the third year of Chongde (1638), an important historical event occurred. At the suggestion of Zhezhe, Huang Taiji decided to move the capital to Beijing. Although this decision caused a lot of controversy at the time, it was ultimately proved correct and laid the foundation for the Qing Dynasty to take control of the Central Plains.
Zhezhe's political wisdom is not only reflected in foreign policy, but also in domestic affairs. She suggested that Huang Taiji reform the Eight Banners system to make it more suitable for the needs of ruling the whole country. This reform laid a solid foundation for the long-term peace and stability of the Qing Dynasty.
In addition to his political talents, he also has a unique cultural talent. She is fluent in Manchu, Mongolian and Chinese, and is often involved in translation work herself. Under her leadership, the Qing court formed a situation of multicultural coexistence, which laid the foundation for future cultural policies.
Zhezhe is also very concerned about people's livelihood issues. She has repeatedly suggested that Huang Taiji reduce the burden on the people and develop agricultural production. Under her influence, the Qing Dynasty implemented a series of policies to benefit the people in the early days, which won the support of the general public.
In the eighth year of Chongde (1643), Huang Taiji died suddenly. At this critical juncture, Zhezhe played a key role. She decisively supported Huang Taiji's ninth son, Fulin, to succeed to the throne, which later became Emperor Shunzhi. This decision stabilized the situation and created the conditions for the Qing Dynasty to enter the Central Plains.
After Shunzhi ascended the throne, Zhezhe was honored as the empress dowager. Although no longer directly involved in court politics, she remained one of the most influential figures in the court. She came forward to mediate conflicts at critical moments many times and maintained the rule of the Qing Dynasty.
Looking back on Zhezhe's life, we can see how a steppe woman played an important role in the establishment of the Qing Empire through her wisdom and ability. She was not only a virtuous helper of Huang Taiji, but also one of the actual decision-makers in the early Qing Dynasty.
After Emperor Shunzhi ascended the throne, the Qing Empire entered a new era. Although the young emperor was still young, with the assistance of the Empress Dowager Borzigit · Zhezhe, the government of the dynasty became more and more stable. With his rich political experience, Zhezhe resolved crises in the court many times, clearing the obstacles on the road to rule for Emperor Shunzhi.
In the third year of Shunzhi (1646), a major decision was made in front of the imperial court. Do you want to move the capital to Beijing? This issue sparked a heated debate among the ministers of the DPRK and China. Zhezhe stood up in support of the relocation of the capital, believing that only by occupying the hinterland of the Central Plains could the rule of the Qing Dynasty be truly consolidated.
Under the strong impetus of Zhezhe, the Qing Dynasty finally decided to move the capital to Beijing. This decision had a profound impact on the development of the Qing Dynasty. Beijing became the political center of the Qing Dynasty and a melting pot of Manchu and Han cultures.
After moving the capital, Zhezhe did not stop. She suggested that Emperor Shunzhi vigorously promote the policy of sinicization in order to win the support of more Han scholars. Under her influence, the Qing Dynasty began to attach importance to the imperial examination system and absorbed a large number of Han literati into the official career.
In the tenth year of Shunzhi (1653), an unexpected figure entered the sight of Zhezhe. This is the young Kangxi. Although Kangxi is not her own grandson, Zhezhe is particularly fond of this smart and clever child.
Zhezhe began to personally participate in Kangxi's education. Not only did she teach Kangxi Manchu and Mongolia, but she also taught him Chinese classics. Under her careful training, Kangxi gradually showed extraordinary talent.
In the eighteenth year of Shunzhi (1661), Emperor Shunzhi died, and Kangxi, who was only eight years old, succeeded to the throne. At this time, Zhezhe stood up again. She supported the four auxiliary ministers, led by Aobai, and also closely followed the young emperor's every move.
In the eighth year of Kangxi (1669), a palace coup broke out. The young Kangxi decided to eradicate the authoritarian Aobai. At this critical moment, Zhezhe chose to support his great-grandson. Her support provided important political capital for Kangxi to eradicate Aobai.
After the fall of Aobai, Kangxi began to govern pro-government. Despite his advanced age, Zhezhe still plays an important role behind the scenes. She often advised Kangxi, especially in relations with the Mongolia ministries.
In the tenth year of Kangxi (1671), Zhezhe died at the age of 76. Her death marked the end of the era of the founding fathers of the Qing Dynasty. Kangxi ordered the whole country to mourn and personally wrote a eulogy for his great-grandmother.
After Zhezhe's death, her influence did not disappear. Her political wisdom and cultural ideas continued to influence the development of the Qing Dynasty through the Kangxi Emperor. Kangxi has thought of his great-grandmother's teachings many times when making major decisions.
Looking back on Zhezhe's life, we can see how a grassland woman played an important role in the establishment and development of the Qing Dynasty through her wisdom and ability. She was not only a virtuous helper of Huang Taiji, but also one of the actual decision-makers in the early Qing Dynasty.
At the same time, we must not forget another "philosopher", Yehnara · Menggu Zhezhe. Although she died young, she made an important contribution to the rise of Houjin. Her son, Huang Taiji, grew up under the influence of his mother to become a generation of Mingjun.
Although these two "philosophers" lived in different eras, their fates were strikingly similar. They were all women from other tribes, all married to the monarchs who founded the new dynasty, and all made important contributions to the establishment of the new dynasty.
More importantly, both of these "philosophers" profoundly influenced the cultural policies of the Qing Dynasty. Meng Gu Zhezhe's philosophy of attaching importance to culture and education was inherited by her son, Huang Taiji. Borzigit · Zhezhe was directly involved in the development of cultural policy in the early Qing Dynasty.
Under their influence, the Qing Dynasty formed a unique multicultural pattern. The Manchu, Mongolian, and Han cultures coexisted harmoniously in the Qing court, which laid the cultural foundation for the long-term peace and stability of the Qing Dynasty.
It can be said that without these two "philosophers", there would be no later Qing Empire. Their political skills, diplomatic wisdom, and cultural literacy made an indelible contribution to the prosperity of the Qing Dynasty.
The name "Zhezhe", because of them, left a strong mark in the history of the Qing Dynasty. It not only represents the wisdom of individuals, but also symbolizes the unique cultural traditions and political wisdom of the Qing Dynasty.
Today, when we look back on the history of the Qing Dynasty, we cannot fail to mention these two "philosophers". Their stories are not only an important part of the history of the Qing Dynasty, but also a shining example of outstanding women in Chinese history.
Their wisdom and courage, their loyalty to their country and their love for culture are all worthy of learning and thinking about by us today. In their stories, we see not only personal legends, but also epics of the rise and fall of a nation and a country.