A New Emperor’s Contradictory Beginnings

The year 1735 marked a pivotal transition in Qing Dynasty history. The death of the stern and pragmatic Emperor Yongzheng ushered in the reign of his son, Hongli, who would rule for six decades as the Qianlong Emperor. Known for his cultural patronage and apparent benevolence, Qianlong’s early actions surprised contemporaries—particularly his harsh treatment of two groups his father had favored: Daoist alchemists and the anti-Qing scholar Zeng Jing. This paradox reveals much about imperial politics, ideological control, and the delicate balance of power in 18th-century China.

The Purge of the Palace Daoists

### Yongzheng’s Obsession with Immortality

Emperor Yongzheng’s fascination with Daoist longevity practices was no secret. Before ascending the throne, he composed poems about alchemy, praising its mystical processes. As emperor, he actively recruited renowned Daoists like Zhang Boduan’s disciples to his court, elevating them to prestigious positions. Among them:

– Jia Shifang: A “miracle worker” initially praised for healing Yongzheng, later executed for allegedly manipulating the emperor’s health through spells.
– Lou Jinyuan: Granted the title “Marvelous Upright Sage” (妙正真人) after successfully treating Yongzheng with talismanic water.
– Zhang Taixu and Wang Dingqian: Alchemists who produced the infamous “Jiji Dan” (既济丹), a mercury-laden elixir regularly consumed by Yongzheng and gifted to officials like Ortai and Tian Wenjing.

### Qianlong’s Sudden Expulsion Edict

Days after his accession, Qianlong issued a startling decree: all Daoists were to leave the Forbidden City immediately. His justification—that they “deceived the people and violated laws”—directly contradicted Yongzheng’s patronage. The edict’s venomous tone (“any boasting of imperial connections will warrant execution”) hinted at deeper motives. Modern scholars speculate:

1. Political Hygiene: Qianlong sought to distance himself from his father’s controversial pursuits.
2. Medical Awareness: Recognizing Yongzheng’s likely death from mercury poisoning (evidenced by 1735’s sudden demise).
3. Confucian Image-Building: Daoist mysticism clashed with Qianlong’s desired persona as a sage-king governing through classical principles.

The Execution of the “Pardoned” Dissenters

### Zeng Jing’s Rebellion and Yongzheng’s Unusual Mercy

In 1728, the Hunanese scholar Zeng Jing and his disciple Zhang Xi attempted to incite a rebellion by convincing Yue Zhongqi—a celebrated general and descendant of Song loyalist Yue Fei—to overthrow the Qing. Their anti-Manchu ideology drew from the writings of Lü Liuliang, a Ming loyalist whose works criticized Qing legitimacy.

Instead of executing them, Yongzheng took an unprecedented approach:

– Propaganda Victory: He compiled the Dayi Juemi Lu (Record of Great Righteousness Dispelling Confusion), rebutting Zeng’s accusations (e.g., patricide, fratricide) and forcing Zeng to recant publicly.
– Strategic Pardon: Yongzheng decreed that neither Zeng nor Zhang could be executed by future rulers, using them as living proof of Qing magnanimity.

### Qianlong’s Reversal: Why the Sudden Severity?

In 1736, Qianlong defied his father’s decree, arresting and executing Zeng and Zhang via lingchi (death by slicing). He also banned the Dayi Juemi Lu, a text that had inadvertently spread the very rumors it sought to quash. Key reasons for this reversal include:

1. Ideological Control: The case kept anti-Qing discourse alive. Eliminating Zeng erased a problematic narrative.
2. Filial Paradox: While Qianlong often honored Yongzheng’s policies, rejecting this one showcased his own authority.
3. Legal Precedent: Letting rebels live risked encouraging dissent. Qianlong’s crackdown aligned with traditional penal codes.

Cultural and Political Implications

### The Daoist Purge’s Symbolism

Qianlong’s expulsion of alchemists signaled a return to Confucian statecraft, rejecting perceived superstitions. Yet, he later privately consulted Tibetan Buddhist lamas—highlighting the selective use of religion in governance.

### Zeng Jing’s Legacy: Censorship and Memory

The Dayi Juemi Lu’s suppression became a hallmark of Qianlong’s literary inquisition, which saw over 2,600 texts banned. By erasing Zeng’s case, Qianlong rewrote history—a tactic later mirrored in his Siku Quanshu (Complete Library of the Four Treasuries) project, which altered or excluded “subversive” works.

Modern Reflections on Imperial Paradoxes

Qianlong’s actions reveal the tensions within autocratic transitions:

– Continuity vs. Change: He balanced respect for Yongzheng’s reign with assertive departures.
– Image vs. Reality: The “benevolent” emperor could be ruthlessly pragmatic when consolidating power.
– Historical Manipulation: Controlling narratives—whether about rebels or alchemists—was central to Qing legitimacy.

Today, these events underscore how power reshapes memory, and how even the most “enlightened” rulers rely on both mercy and violence to govern. The Qianlong Emperor’s paradoxes remain a compelling lens through which to examine China’s imperial past.