PDLP Chapter 329: Queen Mother's Death 3 (Off Topic)
Chapter 329: Queen Mother's Death 3 (Off Topic)
This chapter discusses history only, not fiction.
In history, Yongzheng's mother, Uya, died of illness six months after Yongzheng ascended the throne. Let's take a look at her actions during these six months:
First, Uya was extremely distressed by Kangxi's death, crying constantly, refusing to eat or drink, and declaring her intention to be buried with the late emperor. This action, in a sense, was a warning to the newly ascended Emperor Yongzheng. Imagine if Uya were just another concubine in the harem, unrelated to Yongzheng, her actions might not have caused much of a stir. But as Yongzheng's biological mother, the situation was completely different.
If Yongzheng had allowed his mother to commit suicide and be buried alive with him without interfering, he would have been embroiled in a whirlpool of public opinion that he was unfilial, which would have given his political opponents an opportunity to attack him. Consequently, Yongzheng had no choice but to persuade Uya to do so, even threatening his own life, stating that if she truly chose to commit suicide, he would have no intention of living. Ultimately, Uya gave up the idea of being buried alive with him.
Second, during Yongzheng's enthronement ceremony, according to ancestral custom, the new emperor was required to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager. The Ministry of Rites had visited the palace the day before to discuss the protocol for the following day's ceremony. However, Uya explicitly refused to attend this crucial ceremony symbolizing the succession of imperial power. This move, undoubtedly tantamount to openly questioning the legitimacy of Yongzheng's succession to the throne, placed Yongzheng in a profoundly awkward and embarrassing position.
Yongzheng had no choice but to appoint several relatives and important officials in the court to go to the Empress Dowager's residence to persuade her patiently. Finally, he showed up in person, and only at the last moment did Uya reluctantly agree to attend the coronation ceremony.
Third, Uya refused the title of Empress Dowager proposed by the Hanlin Academy (a title she never accepted until her death) and refused to move from her own residence, Yonghe Palace, to the Ningshou Palace, the empress dowager's residence. This time, Uya acted with unwavering resolve, ignoring both the persuasion of princes and ministers and Yongzheng's own requests, always citing the recent death of the late emperor as an excuse for not having time to attend to other matters.
In December of the 61st year of the Kangxi reign, when Yongzheng ascended the throne, Uya publicly stated: "The imperial decree that my son should inherit the throne is not what I dream of."
Faced with his mother's irrational behavior, Yongzheng was filled with resentment, but unable to vent his anger on her. Instead, he directed his anger at the Fourteenth Prince. He was soon stripped of his military power and assigned to guard Kangxi's mausoleum. This was undoubtedly another blow to Uya. With her husband recently deceased and her young son now facing such a difficult situation, Uya finally couldn't bear the reality and fell ill.
The "Veritable Records of Emperor Shizong of the Qing Dynasty" records that Empress Dowager Uya fell ill at 64: PM (: to : PM) on May , the first year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, and died at : AM (: to : AM) on May , at the age of . Uya was "always known to be in good health," yet she died within half a day of illness. What caused her death? The "Veritable Records" and the "Draft History of Qing" don't mention it either. Instead, He Yuzhu, the eunuch of Yinzhen, reportedly said, "The Empress Dowager requested to see Yunli, and the Emperor (Yongzheng) was furious, causing the Empress Dowager to crash herself against an iron pillar and die."
In the imperial court of the feudal dynasty, the concepts of "a mother's honor depends on her son" and "a son's honor depends on his mother" formed a dialectical unity, profoundly reflecting the delicate interdependence and mutual influence between mother and son within the unique context of imperial power. In the final years of the Kangxi Emperor's reign, the princes fiercely competed for the crown prince position. Brotherly bonds crumbled under the allure of power, and feuds, oppression, and accusations were common.
If, as officially claimed, Yongzheng was the legitimate heir chosen by Kangxi himself, then common sense would dictate that the person most pleased and delighted should be his biological mother, the Uya clan. After all, her son's ascension to the throne meant her status would be elevated to unparalleled heights, allowing her to enjoy wealth, splendor, and supreme honor.
However, the reality was quite different. Far from expressing any joy, Uya was instead driven to a tragic end by various unspeakable circumstances. This outcome completely defied expectations based on both palace logic and common sense, and the reasons behind this are truly intriguing.
Let’s take a look at what Yongzheng said.
In the sixth year of the Yongzheng reign (1728), Zeng Jing, an early Qing scholar, and his disciple Zhang Xi, embracing the concept of "distinguishing between Chinese and barbarians," were dissatisfied with the Manchu emperor's rule. They spread rumors that Yongzheng's accession to the throne was illegitimate and that he had committed ten crimes. They attempted to persuade Yue Zhongqi, then the Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi (Nian Gengyao had already died by then), to rise up against the Qing and restore the Ming dynasty to Han rule. However, Yue Zhongqi, shrewd and calculating, feigned agreement and, after cleverly extracting confessions from the two men, promptly arrested them and escorted them back to the capital.
When Emperor Yongzheng learned about this, he attached great importance to it. He personally tried the case and ordered that relevant imperial edicts, Zeng Jing's confession, and Zeng Jing's later confession book "Guirenlu" and other materials be compiled into a book named "Dayi Juemilu".
The book includes the ten major crimes that Zeng Jing and others accused Yongzheng of (for example: plotting against his father, forcing his mother, killing his brother, slaughtering his younger brother, greed for money, love of killing, alcoholism, lust, suspicion, killing loyal people, and flattery). Yongzheng himself defended each of them one by one and refuted these absurd remarks.
The following is Yongzheng’s response to the “forcing his mother” incident:
Furthermore, the rebellious letter accuses me of forcing my mother. I humbly acknowledge that the Queen Mother has a kind and benevolent nature, which is well known to all in the palace, young and old. I have received her profound grace and care for me over the past forty years, and have been filial and devoted to her. She deeply loves me and believes that I am truly devoted and filial. The other consorts in the palace all admire her and celebrate her filial son's kindness. This is now common knowledge within the palace.
On the day of the Emperor's passing, the Empress Dowager was overcome with grief and resolved to follow him in death, refusing food or drink. I bowed my head and wept bitterly, saying, "The Emperor has entrusted such a great cause to a helpless man. If the Holy Mother insists on this, where can I turn? How can I face the people of the world? I will only follow her with my own body." After repeated pleadings, the Empress Dowager finally managed to take a drink. From then on, every night at the fifth drum, I would personally visit Zhaoren Hall and inquire carefully with the eunuchs. Only when I was sure that the Empress Dowager was well and asleep would I return to bed.
After I ascended the throne, I made a daily report on all matters of state. My mother, the Queen Mother, told me that she did not wish to be involved in government affairs. I replied, "I am not experienced in government affairs. The purpose of my report is to seek your guidance if my handling of matters is not appropriate, and to comfort you if they are appropriate. It is not my business to be involved in government affairs."
Afterward, whenever I reported matters to the Empress Dowager, she was always pleased, believing that the Emperor's trust had been fulfilled and that you had been given life in vain. Her compassionate message was that you should not neglect your duties. The Empress Dowager had a chronic phlegm-ridden condition, and because of the Emperor's grave event, she was overcome with grief. In the fifth month of the Guimao year, her old illness flared up. I administered herbal remedies, hoping for recovery. Unexpectedly, her condition worsened. I have always been susceptible to heatstroke, and I have often fainted from grief. Within a few months, two major events had struck me, leaving me utterly devastated and nearly unable to move. This was known to all in the palace. During the important events of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, I wore plain clothes and lived in seclusion for thirty-three months, observing the same daily routine. Except for sacrificial ceremonies and attending to state affairs, I resided in a room of five rooms, abstaining from music and sightseeing. I faithfully observed the three years of respectful obedience to the yin, a fact known to all officials, both within and without.
As for me, I have treated all the mothers and concubines in the palace with the utmost respect and care. They are all deeply grateful for my treatment. How could my heart of admiration for my mother, who gave birth to me, have slackened for even a moment? Moreover, I have been raised by the whole world of filial piety. How could I lack delicious food and be stingy with my loving mother? The rebels have accused me of forcing my mother, and this is a slander I never expected.
(If you feel tired after reading this long paragraph, please tell me and I will translate it.)
Isn’t it very contradictory?
However, neither official history nor unofficial history can piece together a story of a mother who loved Yongzheng. The death of Uya is also in doubt, which has led to various speculations among later generations.