Introduction: A Sudden Demise in the Imperial Gardens

On the night of August 22, 1735, the Yongzheng Emperor—Aisin Gioro Yinzhen—died suddenly at the age of 58 in the Hall of Mental Cultivation within the Yuanmingyuan, the Old Summer Palace outside Beijing. His unexpected passing marked the end of a transformative reign that had stabilized the Qing Empire after his father Kangxi’s lengthy rule, yet it also inaugurated one of Chinese history’s most enduring mysteries. The official records present a straightforward narrative of natural death following brief illness, but contemporary accounts and later historical analysis suggest far more complex circumstances surrounding the emperor’s final hours and the subsequent succession.

The Official Account: Orderly Transition Amidst Crisis

According to Qing court documentation, the emperor’s final days followed a pattern of normal governance until his sudden decline. On August 18, he conducted routine meetings with ministers at Yuanmingyuan. Two days later, he received local officials from Ningguta, demonstrating continued engagement with state affairs. The first indication of health problems appeared on August 21, when records note the emperor was “unwell” yet continued working and receiving officials.

The situation deteriorated dramatically on August 22, when the emperor summoned his fourth son Hongli , his fifth son Hongzhou, and Grand Secretary Ortai in emergency session to announce the succession. Between late evening and early morning hours, the emperor passed away. This official version presents a picture of controlled transition, with the emperor consciously directing imperial succession even as his health failed.

Ortai’s Strange Journey: The Alternative Narrative

The account written by renowned scholar Yuan Mei regarding Grand Secretary Ortai—one of Yongzheng’s most trusted ministers—paints a strikingly different picture of the emperor’s final moments. According to this version, when Yongzheng died during the night of August 23, Ortai stood alone as the only high-ranking official present at Yuanmingyuan. No other princes, relatives, or senior ministers were in attendance at the critical moment.

Following the emperor’s death, Ortai allegedly embarked on a desperate nighttime journey from the summer palace to the Forbidden City carrying the imperial edict of succession. In his haste and the darkness, he could not find a proper horse and instead rode a coal-carrying mule back to the capital to ensure Hongli’s ascension. He then remained in the palace assisting the new emperor for seven consecutive days before emerging. Observers noted with astonishment that Ortai’s trousers were stained with blood, which he attributed to injuries sustained during his rough mule ride—injuries he claimed not to have noticed in his urgent state.

The Suspicious Circumstances: Reading Between the Lines

Several elements of Ortai’s account raise troubling questions about what truly transpired during those critical hours. The absence of other high-ranking officials seems peculiar given established protocols for imperial succession. Ortai’s frantic journey on an inadequate mount contradicts the expected dignified transfer of power. Most suspiciously, the bloodstains on his clothing—and his week-long sequestration in the palace—suggest he might have witnessed or participated in events far more dramatic than official records acknowledge.

Historical speculation has centered on several possibilities: that Ortai might have encountered the emperor’s body in a gruesome state, possibly decapitated; that he remained in the palace to manage some crisis related to the emperor’s death; and that the blood on his clothing might not have come from riding injuries but from contact with the deceased emperor himself. These theories, while unproven, persist because the official account contains enough inconsistencies to fuel doubt.

The Succession Mechanism: Secret Inheritance System

Despite the mysterious circumstances surrounding Yongzheng’s death, the imperial succession proceeded without the turmoil that had characterized previous transitions. This smooth transfer of power resulted from Yongzheng’s implementation of a secret inheritance system designed specifically to avoid the destructive succession struggles that had plagued his father’s reign.

Learning from the “Nine Princes’ Contention” that had embroiled Kangxi’s later years, Yongzheng had secretly designated Hongli as his successor years earlier. He documented this choice in two identical edicts—one hidden behind the “Rectitude and Brilliance” plaque in the Forbidden City’s main hall, and another secured at Yuanmingyuan as backup. Upon his death, both documents were produced to confirm Hongli’s legitimate claim, preventing any challenge to the succession.

This innovative system represented a significant institutional advancement in Qing governance, creating a more stable mechanism for imperial transition that would be used for subsequent successions. The very existence of this prepared contingency makes the chaotic circumstances described in Ortai’s account all the more puzzling—if proper procedures were in place, why would a senior official need to make a desperate nighttime ride with the edict?

The Assassination Theory: Lü Siniang and the Patriotic Avenger

The most persistent alternative theory regarding Yongzheng’s death involves assassination by a mysterious woman warrior named Lü Siniang. This legend connects the emperor’s demise to a notorious literary inquisition case from earlier in his reign that targeted the family of scholar Lü Liuliang.

In 1728, a scholar named Zeng Jing sent his student Zhang Xi to deliver a letter to general Yue Zhongqi, urging him to lead a rebellion against Qing rule based on anti-Manchu sentiment. When Yue reported this sedition, Yongzheng ordered the arrest of Zeng and Zhang. Under interrogation, Zeng revealed that his anti-Qing ideas derived from studying the works of Lü Liuliang, a prominent Ming loyalist scholar who had died over forty years earlier.

Though Zeng and Zhang were eventually pardoned , the emperor unleashed brutal punishment on Lü’s legacy. Lü’s corpse was exhumed and decapitated, his sons and students were executed, and his extended family was enslaved. His writings were banned and destroyed in one of the most severe literary persecutions of the Qing era.

According to popular legend, Lü Siniang—allegedly a granddaughter or relative of Lü Liuliang—survived the persecution, trained in martial arts, and eventually infiltrated the imperial palace to assassinate Yongzheng in revenge for her family’s destruction. Some versions claim she decapitated the emperor, explaining why Ortai might have encountered a headless body and needed to manage the situation discreetly.

Historical Analysis: Separating Fact from Legend

Most professional historians dismiss the Lü Siniang assassination story as folk mythology rather than factual history. The tale contains numerous elements common to Chinese historical fiction: the righteous avenger, the woman warrior defying gender norms, and poetic justice against a tyrannical ruler. No contemporary evidence supports the existence of Lü Siniang, and the story only emerged in circulation long after the events described.

Nevertheless, the persistence of this legend speaks to broader historical truths about Yongzheng’s reign. His rule was indeed marked by harsh measures against real or perceived opponents, including literary persecution, aggressive surveillance, and brutal punishment of dissenters. The Lü family tragedy was genuine, and the emperor’s handling of the case generated significant criticism even during his lifetime.

The assassination myth likely represents symbolic revenge against a monarch whose authoritarian methods created many enemies. It also reflects lingering Han Chinese resentment against Manchu rule, casting the emperor as a foreign oppressor and his killer as a Han cultural avenger.

Medical Perspectives: Natural Causes Theories

While conspiracy theories attract popular attention, some historians propose that Yongzheng likely died from natural causes, possibly related to his well-documented intensive work habits. The emperor was known for his extraordinary devotion to administrative duties, often reviewing memorials late into the night and handling an enormous volume of state business personally.

Historical medical analysis suggests possible causes including stroke, heart attack, or exhaustion from overwork. Some accounts mention the emperor’s use of alchemical elixirs containing toxic substances like lead and mercury, which were popular among Qing emperors seeking longevity. Chronic poisoning from such treatments might explain his sudden decline.

The official record of a brief illness preceding death is consistent with several acute medical conditions. Even Ortai’s account of sudden deterioration doesn’t necessarily indicate foul play—many natural causes can produce rapid death following short illness.

Political Context: Enemies and Succession Anxiety

Understanding the mysterious circumstances requires examining Yongzheng’s political situation. Despite his administrative successes, the emperor faced significant opposition throughout his reign. His ascent to power itself remained controversial, with persistent rumors that he had usurped the throne from his legitimate heirs.

The emperor had eliminated several political rivals and family members during his rule, creating a atmosphere of suspicion and fear within the court. His establishment of a secret intelligence network and harsh punishment of critics meant many powerful figures had reason to resent him.

In this context, even a natural death might have been handled cautiously to avoid sparking instability. Ortai’s peculiar behavior might reflect not concealment of assassination but rather careful management of transition in a politically volatile environment where any appearance of weakness or disorder could have provoked challenges to the succession.

Cultural Impact: The Legacy of a Mystery

The unanswered questions surrounding Yongzheng’s death have fascinated historians, writers, and the public for nearly three centuries. The mystery has inspired numerous literary works, operas, films, and television series exploring various theories about the emperor’s final hours.

This enduring fascination reflects broader cultural interests in several themes: the hidden realities behind official history, the potential for individual agency to alter historical outcomes, and the moral implications of political power. The story of a possible assassination—whether factual or mythical—challenges the image of imperial infallibility and reminds us that even the most powerful figures remain vulnerable.

The mystery also exemplifies how historical truth often becomes layered with legend and interpretation. The official record, contemporary accounts, folk traditions, and scholarly analysis all offer different perspectives on what actually happened on that August night in 1735.

Conclusion: An Enduring Historical Enigma

The death of the Yongzheng Emperor remains one of Chinese history’s most compelling unsolved mysteries. The discrepancy between the official account and alternative narratives, the curious behavior of key figures like Ortai, and the persistence of assassination theories all contribute to a historical puzzle that continues to engage scholars and enthusiasts.

What seems certain is that the emperor’s passing—whether from natural causes or something more sinister—was managed in a way that preserved stability during a critical transition. The successful accession of the Qianlong Emperor inaugurated one of the Qing dynasty’s most prosperous eras, suggesting that those managing the crisis, however unusually, ultimately served the state’s interests.

The mystery endures precisely because it touches on fundamental questions about power, history, and truth. The official record presents order and continuity; alternative accounts suggest chaos and concealment; and the cultural memory preserves the possibility of righteous vengeance against tyranny. In the end, the truth about Yongzheng’s death may be less important than what its enduring mystery reveals about how we understand history itself—not as fixed facts but as layered narratives that reflect our continuing attempts to make meaning of the past.