The Making of a Prince: Zaifeng’s Early Years

Born on February 12, 1883, as the fifth son of Prince Chun Yixuan, Zaifeng entered the world during one of the most turbulent periods in Qing dynasty history. His mother, Lady Liu Jia, though only a secondary consort of relatively low status, would become one of the most influential women in the late Qing court through her children’s achievements. The young prince grew up in the lavish surroundings of the Prince Chun Mansion near Beijing’s Shichahai, unaware that history would thrust extraordinary responsibilities upon his shoulders.

Zaifeng’s childhood coincided with China’s painful awakening to modern global realities. The First Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895) and the humiliating Treaty of Shimonoseki occurred when he was just twelve years old. These events shaped the political landscape he would later navigate as an adult. At sixteen, he inherited the title of Prince Chun following his father’s death in 1890, becoming the second Prince Chun in the dynasty’s history.

Diplomatic Debut: The German Mission of 1901

Zaifeng’s first major test came in 1901 when the eighteen-year-old prince was appointed as China’s special envoy to Germany following the Boxer Rebellion. This mission came at a delicate moment – the Qing court had just been forced to sign the Boxer Protocol, paying massive indemnities to foreign powers. The young prince faced immediate controversy when German officials demanded he perform the traditional kowtow before Kaiser Wilhelm II.

Displaying remarkable diplomatic acumen for his age, Zaifeng refused to compromise Chinese dignity while avoiding outright confrontation. His firm yet tactful handling of the situation earned respect from both sides, with German officials praising his conduct as “careful in diplomacy, not disgracing his monarch’s mandate.” This successful mission established Zaifeng’s reputation as a capable representative of the Qing court during its most vulnerable period.

An Arranged Marriage with Political Consequences

In 1902, Zaifeng found himself at the center of palace intrigue when Empress Dowager Cixi abruptly intervened in his marital plans. His mother had already arranged a marriage for him following traditional customs, complete with the exchange of betrothal gifts. However, Cixi – ever the political strategist – ordered Zaifeng to marry Youlan, the daughter of her trusted advisor Ronglu instead.

This forced marriage, though personally distressing for both Zaifeng and his mother, would have profound historical consequences. Youlan would bear Zaifeng two sons – Puyi and Pujie – who would play pivotal roles in 20th century Chinese history. The union also strengthened Cixi’s control over the imperial succession, demonstrating her continued dominance over Qing politics even in her final years.

The Sudden Rise to Power

The year 1908 marked Zaifeng’s dramatic transformation from relatively minor prince to the most powerful man in China. When the Guangxu Emperor died on November 14, the ailing Empress Dowager Cixi shocked the court by naming Zaifeng’s three-year-old son Puyi as the new emperor. With Cixi’s death the following day, 25-year-old Zaifeng became Prince Regent, effectively ruling the Qing Empire during its final tumultuous years.

Zaifeng faced immediate challenges that would have tested even the most experienced statesman. The dynasty was crumbling under internal rebellions, foreign pressures, and financial crises. His decision to dismiss Yuan Shikai, the powerful general who controlled the modernized Beiyang Army, proved particularly fateful. Using the pretext of Yuan’s “foot ailment,” Zaifeng removed him from all positions in January 1909 – a move that alienated military elites and would later force Zaifeng to recall Yuan during the 1911 Revolution.

Governing a Falling Empire

As regent, Zaifeng struggled to implement reforms while maintaining Qing authority. He established a constitutional monarchy framework and promised elections, but these measures failed to satisfy revolutionary forces or stem the tide of anti-Qing sentiment. His leadership style, often described as well-intentioned but indecisive, reflected the impossible position of trying to modernize an ancient system while preserving imperial power.

The iconic moment of Zaifeng’s regency came during his son’s coronation on December 2, 1908. The terrified three-year-old emperor’s cries of “I don’t want to stay here! I want to go home!” became an unintentionally prophetic commentary on the Qing dynasty’s predicament. Zaifeng’s desperate attempt to comfort the child with “Don’t cry, don’t cry, it’ll be over soon!” was later interpreted as an ominous prediction of the dynasty’s imminent collapse.

Retirement and Later Years

Following the 1911 Revolution, Zaifeng was forced to resign as regent on December 6, formally ending his political career at just 28 years old. He retreated to private life in the Prince Chun Mansion, where he developed a reputation as a quiet, scholarly man with surprising interests in Western technology – he was among the first in Beijing to install telephones and automobiles in his residence.

Despite his retirement, Zaifeng remained concerned about his son’s fate. He notably refused to participate in Zhang Xun’s 1917 monarchist restoration attempt and strongly opposed Puyi’s collaboration with the Japanese in Manchuria. His brief month-long visit to the puppet state of Manchukuo in 1934 confirmed his suspicions about Japanese intentions, and he promptly returned to Beijing, avoiding further involvement in his son’s controversial regime.

Personal Life and Family Legacy

Zaifeng’s family life reflected both traditional Qing aristocracy and modern transitions. With his primary consort Youlan (who tragically committed suicide in 1921) and secondary consort Deng Jia, he fathered eleven children – four sons and seven daughters. Beyond the famous Puyi, his other children led varied lives that mirrored China’s turbulent 20th century: from Pujie who married a Japanese noblewoman to Puren (also known as Jin Youzhi) who became a respected educator in the People’s Republic.

Unlike many Qing royalty who squandered their fortunes, Zaifeng managed the family’s assets prudently, selling properties to support his large household. His descendants remember him as a devoted father who, despite the extraordinary circumstances surrounding Puyi, tried to provide as normal a childhood as possible for his other children.

Final Years and Historical Assessment

Zaifeng spent his final years in the transformed Beijing of the early People’s Republic. Unlike his son Puyi who endured imprisonment and re-education, the former prince regent lived quietly until his death from pneumonia on February 3, 1951, at age 68. His passing marked the end of a direct link to the Qing court’s final decades.

Historians have reevaluated Zaifeng’s legacy in recent years. Once dismissed as an ineffective leader who accelerated the Qing collapse, many now recognize the near-impossible challenges he faced. His diplomatic skills, personal integrity, and moderate approach – though insufficient to save the dynasty – suggest a more complex figure than traditional narratives allow. The contrast between his restrained retirement and his son’s turbulent life highlights Zaifeng’s personal wisdom in navigating China’s revolutionary transition.

The Prince Behind the Last Emperor

Zaifeng’s life encapsulates the tragedy of late imperial China – a decent man thrust by birth and circumstance into leadership during impossible times. His story provides crucial context for understanding Puyi’s tumultuous reign and the Qing dynasty’s final years. From the privileged halls of the Prince Chun Mansion to the diplomatic courts of Europe, from the heights of regency power to quiet retirement, Zaifeng witnessed and participated in some of modern China’s most pivotal moments.

Today, as historians continue reassessing China’s imperial twilight, Zaifeng emerges not as a failure but as a transitional figure who bridged two worlds with dignity. His decisions, both wise and flawed, reflect the agonizing choices facing China’s old elite as their world crumbled. The father of China’s last emperor ultimately proved more adept at navigating personal survival than saving a doomed dynasty – a testament to both his limitations and his often-underestimated political acumen.