A Tumultuous Transition in the Qing Dynasty

The alleged marriage between Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang and Prince Regent Dorgon remains one of the most tantalizing mysteries from the early Qing dynasty. This controversial episode allegedly occurred during a critical power transition following the death of Hong Taiji in 1643, when his young son Fulin ascended the throne as the Shunzhi Emperor under Dorgon’s regency.

Historical records show Dorgon played a pivotal role in leading Manchu forces through Shanhai Pass in 1644, capturing Beijing and establishing Qing rule over China proper. As he welcomed the boy emperor to the new capital, court officials reportedly felt tremendous gratitude toward the powerful regent who had effectively placed his nephew on the throne instead of claiming it for himself.

The Political Calculus Behind the Alleged Marriage

According to unofficial historical accounts, Dorgon and his advisor Fan Wencheng orchestrated a clever political maneuver. They allegedly had associates propose that since Dorgon had treated the emperor like a son by yielding the throne, the emperor should in turn treat Dorgon as a father figure. This logic extended to suggesting the widowed regent and the widowed empress dowager should live together in the same palace.

The historical context makes this plausible – Xiaozhuang, born as the Borjigit clan’s Bumbutai, was Hong Taiji’s primary consort and mother of the Shunzhi Emperor. As a politically astute woman from the powerful Mongolian nobility, she understood the value of alliances. Dorgon, as Hong Taiji’s younger half-brother and the dynasty’s most formidable military leader, held immense sway over the unstable new regime.

Dorgon’s Complex Personal Life

The prince regent’s marital history provides intriguing context. Records indicate Dorgon maintained an extensive household with six principal wives and four concubines from various Mongol clans and Korea. Notably, only his sixth wife, a Korean noblewoman captured during military campaigns, bore him a child – a daughter named Donggo.

This unusual fertility pattern has fueled historical speculation about Dorgon’s health conditions. Contemporary accounts describe him suffering from “palpitation disorder” (possibly cardiovascular disease), “wind disease” (potentially stroke-related conditions), and hemoptysis (likely tuberculosis or similar pulmonary ailments). His only child was born around 1639 when he was 27, with no subsequent offspring despite multiple marriages.

The Cultural Implications of Royal Remarriage

The alleged union would have carried significant cultural weight. While Han Chinese tradition emphasized widow chastity, Manchu customs permitted remarriage, especially among nobility where political alliances often trumped Confucian propriety. The reported public celebration of the marriage, with officials submitting congratulatory memorials, suggests either genuine acceptance or political expediency overriding cultural norms.

An alleged imperial edict justifying the marriage reportedly stated: “The empress dowager, in the prime of her life as a widow, finds no joy in spring flowers or autumn moons… The imperial uncle regent, currently widowed, represents the foremost in lineage and merit… The empress dowager wishes to condescend to marry him.”

The Political Fallout and Historical Legacy

This controversial relationship would have reshaped court dynamics. As both stepfather and regent to the young emperor, Dorgon’s position became even more unassailable, while Xiaozhuang gained protection and influence. However, it also created tensions – how would the emperor view his mother’s remarriage to his powerful uncle? How would other imperial princes react to Dorgon’s enhanced status?

The historical record remains ambiguous. Mainstream Qing histories omit the marriage, while unofficial accounts describe it in detail. Modern historians debate whether this was genuine historical censorship or if the story originated as political slander against Dorgon, who posthumously fell from favor.

Modern Historical Perspectives

Contemporary scholarship approaches this episode cautiously. The lack of official documentation and reliance on unofficial histories makes verification difficult. However, several factors lend credence to the possibility:

1. Manchu marital customs differed significantly from Han norms
2. Political marriages between ruling elites were common
3. Both figures had compelling reasons for such an alliance
4. The fertility issues in Dorgon’s other marriages reduced scandal risk

The story endures because it encapsulates the complex interplay of power, tradition, and personal relationships during the Qing’s precarious early years. Whether fact or fiction, it remains a captivating window into the dynasty’s formative period.