In the turbulent late Qing Dynasty, the Empress Dowager Cixi was faced with a major decision – to choose the right heir to the throne. Despite the large number of candidates, she chose the young Pu Yi, a decision with a complex family and political agenda.
We have to start with Pu Yi's family background. Pu Yi was the great-grandson of Emperor Daoguang and had a prominent lineage. In the Qing Dynasty, bloodline was one of the important factors in the succession to the throne. Emperor Daoguang had many children, the most famous of which was the later Emperor Xianfeng. However, Emperor Xianfeng's son Zaichun (Emperor Tongzhi) had no children, which led to twists and turns in the succession of the throne, and finally Emperor Guangxu ascended the throne, and he was the son of Prince Yixun of alcohol.
At this critical juncture in the family's lineage, the rise of a power player had a profound impact on Cixi's choice – and that person was Ronglu. Rong Lu's experience is quite legendary, from the early household treasury clerk Wailang to escape the liquidation of Su Shun, and then to later become the right-hand man of the Empress Dowager Cixi. He suggested that Emperor Guangxu's future son inherit the throne of Emperor Tongzhi, which solved the complex problem of succession and increased his political weight.
In addition, Rong Lu's relationship with the Empress Dowager Cixi was not limited to politics, but also had a deeper personal level. Rong Lu's daughter, later known as Guerjia, became the adopted daughter of the Empress Dowager Cixi. The Empress Dowager Cixi often summoned her to the palace, and the two had a close relationship. This personal relationship deepened Rong Lu's influence on the Empress Dowager Cixi.
Zaifeng, Pu Yi's father, married Rong Lu's daughter. This political marriage not only deepened the ties between the two families, but also ensured Ronglu's solid position in politics. When Emperor Guangxu died, Pu Yi became the best candidate for succession, in large part because of his mother's special relationship with the Empress Dowager Cixi and the strong influence behind Ronglu.
At this historical moment, we can see that the Empress Dowager Cixi not only considered blood and family factors, but she was also a shrewd politician. Her choice was not only based on her love for Pu Yi, but was the result of careful consideration, taking into account the preservation of her own power, the use of Ronglu's political support, and the preservation of the purity of her bloodline through Pu Yi.