A Throne Without Power: The Making of a Puppet Emperor

Emperor Tongzhi’s reign (1861-1875) represents one of the most tragic paradoxes in Qing dynasty history – a sovereign who wore the dragon robe yet never truly held the scepter of power. Born Zaichun in 1856, this only son of Emperor Xianfeng and Empress Dowager Cixi ascended the throne at the tender age of six following his father’s death. What should have been a glorious imperial destiny quickly became a gilded cage constructed by his formidable mother.

The Xinyou Coup of 1861, orchestrated by Cixi and her allies, established the system of “regency behind the curtains” that would dominate Tongzhi’s entire life. While officially reigning for thirteen years, the young emperor remained perpetually overshadowed by the dual regency of Empress Dowagers Cixi and Ci’an. Even his brief period of nominal personal rule from 1873 to 1874 proved largely ceremonial, with real power remaining firmly in Cixi’s grasp.

Historical records paint a contradictory portrait of the young monarch. The “Veritable Records of the Qing Muzong” describe him as “intelligent by nature, filial in character, dignified in bearing” while noting his striking resemblance to his father. Yet these official accounts, carefully curated by court historians, conceal the troubled reality of an emperor never allowed to govern.

The Making of a Rebellious Monarch

Tongzhi’s notorious rebellious streak – which would ultimately contribute to his downfall – stemmed from multiple formative influences that shaped his character against the backdrop of imperial expectations.

His tutor Weng Tonghe’s private diaries reveal telling glimpses: “playful and full of mischief during lessons, making instruction nearly impossible” and “unable to concentrate, recitations faltering.” These candid observations expose an intelligent but undisciplined mind chafing against rigid Confucian pedagogy.

The emperor’s biological father, Xianfeng, bequeathed more than just physical resemblance. The late emperor’s notorious indulgences – heavy drinking, theatrical obsessions (even performing minor roles himself), and harem excesses – provided poor models for his son. Most traumatically, six-year-old Zaichun witnessed his father’s gruesome death from tuberculosis in 1861, an experience that undoubtedly scarred the future ruler.

From his mothers, Tongzhi received contradictory upbringing. Empress Dowager Ci’an, his adoptive mother, proved overly permissive, while Cixi alternated between neglect and oppressive control. The young emperor became a pawn in their power struggles, most dramatically during the 1861 coup when he was thrust into confrontations with senior ministers, leaving him “trembling and weeping uncontrollably” according to court records.

The Battle for the Imperial Bedchamber

The emperor’s marital affairs became the most visible battleground for his simmering rebellion against maternal control. The 1872 selection of an empress pitted Tongzhi directly against Cixi’s wishes in a dramatic display of defiance.

Two candidates stood for consideration: the virtuous Alute (daughter of scholar Chongqi) and the beautiful Fuca (daughter of official Fengxiu). When Cixi openly favored Fuca while Ci’an supported Alute, Tongzhi deliberately chose against his biological mother’s preference. Contemporary accounts describe his methodical testing of both women – having them walk across a spilled tea floor to observe their reactions. Alute’s dignified composure won his admiration, while Fuca’s concern for her dress confirmed her as unsuitable for the imperial dignity.

This marital rebellion carried profound consequences. Cixi retaliated by interfering in the imperial household, forbidding Tongzhi from visiting Alute’s chambers while pressuring him to favor Fuca. The dowager’s motivations mixed personal pique with political calculation – Alute’s connection to the executed official Duanhua made her suspect, while Fuca represented a more pliable figure who might produce an heir Cixi could control.

The Emperor’s Secret Life

Frustrated in both governance and marriage, Tongzhi sought escape in increasingly reckless behavior that would ultimately prove fatal. Denied normal marital relations by his mother’s interference, the young emperor embarked on notorious “incognito excursions” (weixing) through Beijing’s pleasure quarters.

Court records and unofficial histories document his escapades:
– Disguised visits to brothels and theaters in the city’s entertainment districts
– Awkward encounters with officials like Mao Changxi who pretended not to recognize their sovereign
– Increasingly open flouting of imperial decorum

These adventures provided Tongzhi his only taste of freedom, yet came at terrible cost. Contemporary rumors suggested he contracted syphilis during these outings, though official records maintained he died of smallpox. Whatever the truth, his health deteriorated rapidly in late 1874.

The Tragic Epilogue

Tongzhi’s death in January 1875 at just nineteen years old marked a watershed in Qing history. His childless demise broke the direct patrilineal succession for the first time since 1644, forcing Cixi to install her nephew Guangxu as heir – another child emperor she could control.

The aftermath proved equally tragic for his neglected household:
– Empress Alute, pregnant according to some accounts (though this remains disputed), committed suicide seventy-five days after her husband’s death, allegedly by swallowing gold
– The other consorts lived out their days in lonely obscurity
– The imperial harem, once vibrant with royal offspring, fell silent for generations

Archaeological evidence from the 1945 looting of the Eastern Qing Tombs gruesomely confirmed Alute’s suicide – her remarkably preserved body showed signs of starvation before death, with intestines reportedly torn apart by grave robbers searching for swallowed treasure.

The Lasting Shadow of Tongzhi’s Reign

The Tongzhi era’s failures reverberated through the late Qing dynasty:
1. Succession Crisis: The broken patrilineal line weakened dynastic legitimacy
2. Power Consolidation: Cixi’s regency became institutionalized, stunting subsequent emperors
3. Cultural Impact: The emperor’s rebellion became coded in popular culture as resistance to oppressive tradition
4. Historical Legacy: Later reformers would point to Tongzhi’s stunted reign as emblematic of the Qing system’s failures

Modern historians debate whether Tongzhi might have developed into an effective ruler given different circumstances. His brief flashes of independent judgment – particularly in selecting his empress – suggest potential stifled by the very system he was born to lead. In the end, his reign stands as a cautionary tale about the perils of imperial parenting and the high personal costs of absolute power.