In the history of the power struggle of the Qing Empire, although Long Keduo's name is not as prominent as Kangxi and Yongzheng, he has played a role that cannot be ignored at the turning point of history.
Why did Kangxi reuse this descendant of the Tong family from an ordinary background in his later years?
Why did Long Keduo choose to betray after Yongzheng succeeded to the throne and supported Lao Ba to plot to force the palace?
These mysteries have always haunted future generations and become doubts in Qing history. Before Kangxi died, he handed over the edict of succession to Long Keduo, what kind of thoughtfulness was this arrangement?
Why did Long Keduo desperately take refuge in the eighth child in the late Yongzheng Dynasty, and even participated in the plan to force the palace?
Long Keduo's background and Kangxi's reuse of him
Long Keduo came from an unprominent family, he was a cousin of the Kangxi Emperor and came from the Tong family.
Although the Tong family was one of the prominent families in Manchuria, Long Keduo's father, Tong Guogang, did not achieve much in politics. Roncodo's early years in obscurity did not reveal any exceptional talent or courage. It can be said that his rise in the Kangxi Dynasty has a great deal of chance and family background.
Kangxi's reuse of Long Keduo is by no means because of his outstanding talents, but more like a well-planned political arrangement.
Kangxi handed over such a powerful position as the Admiral of Jiumen to Long Keduo in his later years, what kind of imperial tricks are hidden behind this?
In the forty-eighth year of Kangxi, the important position of the defense of the capital - the commander of Jiumen was taken over by Long Keduo.
This position is not only in charge of the defense of the Imperial City, but also the first responder in the event of any disturbance in the capital. Behind Long Keduo's ascension to the throne was Kangxi's suppression and trading of Tong Guowei. Tong Guowei was ousted because of an affair with Aobai's henchmen, and Kangxi chose Long Keduo to fill the vacancy, which was a strategy to balance power and a means of deterrence.
When Kangxi appointed Long Keduo as the governor of the Nine Gates, he must have realized his limitations—Long Keduo lacked real political vision and independent power. Therefore, he will not become an uncontrollable threat like other ambitious people. Kangxi used such a "treasure knife" to suppress unstable elements, but also not to be eaten by them.
In the sixty-first year of Kangxi, when Emperor Kangxi was dying, Long Keduo once again became the focus.
In his last days, Kangxi had a deep conversation with Long Keduo and gave him two completely different holy decrees: one was a death order, accusing him of colluding with the eighth and fourteenth children; The other is the order to crown Long Keduo as the minister of the Shang Study. This contradictory arrangement is the ultimate embodiment of Emperor Kangxi's mental skills. Through the death order, Kangxi demonstrated the supremacy and unchallengeability of imperial power; The canonized decree expresses the expectation and reuse of Roncodo. Kangxi put Long Keduo under the double oppression of fear and honor, so that he could not act rashly and could only act on the established track.
Kangxi's strategic arrangement: Long Keduo's "treasure knife" positioning
The reuse of Long Keduo is part of Kangxi's careful design.
Kangxi knows very well that a person who is greedy for money and profit is often easier to control than those ambitious elites. Roncodo is one such character – he craves power and wealth, but lacks the political wisdom and guts to challenge the imperial power. Therefore, Kangxi chose him as his "treasure knife", which can not only show strength at critical moments, but also not become a threat.
Under Kangxi's arrangement, Long Keduo was given the task of supporting Yongzheng's smooth succession. Kangxi knew that after his death, the inheritance of the throne would be a process full of uncertainties. Choosing a person like Long Keduo, who has both power and lacks independent influence, to assist Yongzheng can ensure Yongzheng's safe transition to a certain extent.
Kangxi's strategic arrangement is a deliberate balancing act. He had to ensure Roncodo's loyalty in the short term and prevent him from posing a threat to the new emperor in the long run. For Long Keduo, Kangxi gave him enough benefits, but the essence of these interests is easy to control and does not have long-term substantive power.
Yongzheng Dynasty's Long Keduo: From glory to loss
In the early days of Yongzheng's succession, Long Keduo was appointed as one of the ministers of Shang Shufang, which was a very high honor at that time.
Minister Shang Shufang was not only an advisor to the emperor, but also a central figure involved in state secrets and major decision-making. Long Keduo was in the limelight for a while and became an important assistant to Emperor Yongzheng. The "brilliance" of Roncodo did not last long. His many mistakes in the middle of the Yongzheng Dynasty made him quickly lose Yongzheng's trust and support.
The Shanxi Treasury fraud case was a major scandal in the Yongzheng Dynasty, involving large-scale embezzlement and financial fraud. As the Governor of the Nine Gates, Long Kedo is on the wrong side in this incident and tries to cover up the truth. This not only caused Yongzheng's strong dissatisfaction, but also caused a serious blow to Long Keduo's reputation.
Long Keduo's son was jealous because of the Qinglou competition, which led to Liu Molin's grievances. As the commander of Jiumen, Long Keduo used his position to suppress and retaliate against Liu Molin. This act of communiqué and personal vendetta once again angered Yongzheng and further reduced his status in the court. In the Kejiapeng Party case, Long Keduo chose to side with Qingliu and support the forces opposing Tian Wenjing. This kind of behavior that deviates from Yongzheng's will completely makes Yongzheng lose patience with him. Roncodo has been gradually marginalized, and although it has retained a superficial high position, its actual power has been greatly diminished.
Long Kedo's motives for participating in the Eight Kings forcing the palace
Over time, Long Kedo's attitude towards Yongzheng changed from disappointment to resentment. He believes that after helping Yongzheng succeed to the throne, he should be more reused and honored, instead of being gradually neglected and marginalized. Therefore, when Lao Ba planned a plan to force the palace, Long Keduo saw an opportunity to take revenge and turn over.
Hachio
Roncodo misjudged the political situation at the time.
He believes that Yongzheng's new policy has offended too many interest groups, and that Lao Ba's supporters are powerful and have the possibility of overthrowing Yongzheng. Roncodo chose to side with Lao Ba, believing that this was a successful speculative opportunity to gain greater power and benefits.
Supporting Lao Ba Gong Gong, Long Keduo can not only vent his dissatisfaction with Yongzheng, but also protect his vested interests. Yongzheng's iron-fisted policy threatens the interests of many people, and Long Keduo hopes that through the ascension of Lao Ba, he can change this situation, so as to protect and expand his own interests.
The tragic fate of the Eight Kings and Long Kedo
When Emperor Yongzheng faced the palace of the Eight Kings, he showed extremely high political wisdom and skill.
He quickly mobilized the support of his younger brother, Lao Thirteen, and through a series of decisive actions, put down the rebellion. Lao Ba's plan went bankrupt, and Roncodo's political gamble failed completely. Long Keduo was put on death row by Emperor Yongzheng for participating in the forced palace and spent the last days of his life. Yongzheng was extremely angry at Long Keduo's betrayal, although he used to be Kangxi and his own cronies, but in the end he could not escape such a tragic end.
The root of Roncodo's ultimate defeat was his misjudgment of the situation and his own position. He relied too much on his own power and interests, lacking deep insight into the situation and awareness of self-improvement. His greedy personality led him to lose his way in the power struggle, and eventually embarked on a path of no return.
From the fate of Roncodo, we can see the cruelty and complexity of the power struggle.
The change of imperial power is not only the victory or defeat of individuals, but also the result of the interweaving of various factors. In the game of power, only those who really understand the way of power can stand tall in the changing situation. And those who are short-sighted and only care about immediate interests will eventually be drowned by the torrent of history.
epilogue
The wheels of history rolled forward, leaving behind countless tragic heroes and complex characters. The fate of Roncodo tells us that in the struggle of court politics, greed and power may achieve a short-term victory, but the final outcome is often tragic. His story, perhaps, is a mirror that reflects the allure of power and the ruthlessness of politics. The story of Roncodo gives us food for thought. History is not only a stage for heroes, but also a picture scroll of ordinary people and intricate destinies.
What do you think of the story of Roncodo?
In court intrigues, what would you choose if it were you?
Feel free to share your views in the comments section.