The Shadow of a Ruthless Reign

The Yongzheng Emperor (r. 1722–1735) remains one of the most polarizing figures in Qing Dynasty history. His 13-year reign was marked by an iron-fisted approach to governance, systematically crushing opposition—even within his own family. Half-brothers who once challenged his legitimacy were stripped of titles, imprisoned under humiliating aliases (“Aqina” and “Seshe”), and left to die in confinement. The bureaucracy trembled; officials who dared question imperial edicts faced swift retribution, like General Ortai who infamously threw a decree to the ground in defiance.

This climate of terror set the stage for Yongzheng’s most revolutionary act: the Secret Memorial System. In 1723, he announced that his heir’s name would be hidden behind the “Upright and Bright” plaque in the Forbidden City’s Qianqing Palace—a radical departure from public succession traditions. The move served dual purposes: stabilizing a court fractured by his violent rise to power, and preventing a repeat of the Kangxi-era “Nine Princes’ War,” where brothers had slaughtered each other for the throne.

The Theater of Uncertainty

For the young Hongli (future Qianlong Emperor), this secrecy was a double-edged sword. Though widely presumed to be the favored heir, the absence of official confirmation bred psychological warfare. Key incidents deepened the ambiguity:

– The Purge of 1726: The executions of uncles Yunsi and Yuntang, followed by the mysterious death of his elder brother Hongshi in 1727, demonstrated Yongzheng’s willingness to eliminate blood relatives.
– The Equal Treatment Paradox: Hongli and his brother Hongzhou received identical educations, shared tutors, and were granted princely titles simultaneously in 1733—a deliberate show of impartiality that kept both guessing.

Court observers noted Yongzheng’s mastery of psychological manipulation. As Hongli later confessed in the Qianlong Emperor’s Veritable Records, “The Emperor’s mind was as inscrutable as the heavens.” The plaque might have been empty; the entire system could have been an elaborate ruse to keep factions in check.

A Scripted Succession

Yongzheng’s sudden death on October 8, 1735, should have triggered chaos. Eyewitness accounts describe a frantic scene: officials summoned to the Yuanmingyuan Summer Palace at midnight, the emperor’s body already stiffening. Yet what followed was a meticulously orchestrated transfer of power:

1. The Box Revealed: Senior statesman Zhang Tingyu recalled the search for the secret will—one copy in the Forbidden City, another hidden in Yuanmingyuan. The discovery of matching documents naming Hongli as heir validated the system.
2. First Performance: Qianlong’s immediate actions—appointing four regents, organizing funeral logistics, and dispatching guards to secure the Forbidden City—displayed preternatural composure for a 24-year-old.
3. The Three Tears:
– The Ritual Wail: Clutching Yongzheng’s feet at the moment of death, Qianlong initiated the mandatory mourning cries, signaling his leadership.
– The Political Sob: His second outburst coincided with verifying the palace plaque’s will, theatrically affirming legitimacy.
– The Finale: During Yongzheng’s encoffining, Qianlong’s “chest-beating” display cemented his filial image before the court.

Legacy of the Silent Coup

Qianlong’s seamless ascension reshaped Qing politics:

– The Secret Succession Standardized: Later emperors adopted the practice until 1861, avoiding public disputes.
– Power Without Bloodshed: Contrasting his father’s brutality, Qianlong rehabilitated purged relatives, presenting himself as a reconciler while maintaining absolute control.
– The Performance of Power: His calculated tears became a template for imperial transitions—balancing emotion with ruthless efficiency.

Modern analysts recognize this as one of history’s most effective PR campaigns. By weaponizing tradition and psychology, Qianlong didn’t just inherit a throne; he staged a dynastic rebirth that would define China’s last golden age.