A Coming-of-Age in the Forbidden City

In 1872, the 17-year-old Tongzhi Emperor celebrated his imperial wedding—a pivotal moment in Qing Dynasty history. By Manchu tradition, this marked his transition to manhood; by imperial protocol, it signaled his readiness to rule without regents. Yet behind the crimson palace walls, a mother-son power struggle was unfolding that would shape China’s destiny.

The boy emperor’s accession in 1861 had placed real power in the hands of his mother, Empress Dowager Cixi, through the controversial “regency behind the curtain” system. For twelve years, Cixi and co-regent Ci’an had governed through their silk screen, their authority legitimized by the emperor’s youth. Now, with the wedding complete, tradition demanded the curtains fall.

The Reluctant Regent

Cixi’s grip on power faced its greatest test when Ci’an declared: “The curtains must be drawn. The emperor has married—it’s time.” Historical records depict Cixi’s visible discomfort at this demand. The daughter of a mid-ranking Manchu official had clawed her way to supremacy through the 1861 Xinyou Coup, eliminating rivals like Sushun and outmaneuvering Prince Gong. Power wasn’t just her privilege—it was her survival mechanism.

Meanwhile, the gentle Ci’an experienced profound relief. Having been manipulated into supporting Cixi’s bloody purges, she now championed constitutional restoration—from executing corrupt eunuch An Dehai to insisting on Tongzhi’s marriage to the virtuous Alute clan. Her push for regency withdrawal marked a final attempt to rectify Qing governance.

The Illusion of Power

On February 23, 1873, the Forbidden City witnessed a historic transition as Tongzhi formally assumed power. Yet Cixi’s “retirement edict” revealed her cunning stratagem: mandating the emperor continue daily study sessions at Hongde Hall under her selected tutors. This clever loophole maintained her influence, reducing the sovereign to a student by day, ruler by twilight.

Tongzhi’s response showcased his inherited political acumen. He began asserting authority through symbolic acts:

– The Dragon Standard: Instituting China’s first national flag—a triangular yellow banner with ascending dragon—for diplomatic vessels
– Diplomatic Revolution: Reluctantly receiving foreign envoys in the Purple Light Pavilion, compromising on the kowtow protocol after fierce court debates
– Military Command: Authorizing defenses against French incursions in Yunnan (1874) and Japan’s Taiwan invasion (1874), though victories proved pyrrhic
– Domestic Crackdowns: Crushing Muslim uprisings in Yunnan and Gansu while implementing tax relief to pacify Han populations

The Shadow Governance

Behind these state affairs lurked Cixi’s invisible hand. Court documents reveal her continued vetting of memorials, while the emperor’s journal entries betray frustration: “Must I remain a schoolboy forever?” His attempts at independence—like secretly visiting Beijing’s pleasure quarters—only deepened the rift.

The power dynamic reflected broader Qing decline. While Tongzhi embraced modernization (supporting the Self-Strengthening Movement), Cixi’s faction obstructed reforms. Their clash paralyzed decision-making as Western powers circled—a preview of China’s “Century of Humiliation.”

A Legacy Cut Short

Tongzhi’s reign ended abruptly in 1875 with his death at 19, likely from smallpox (though palace rumors suggested syphilis). His passing allowed Cixi to install her nephew as Guangxu Emperor, resuming regency for another quarter-century.

Historians debate Tongzhi’s potential had he ruled freely. His brief independent actions—diplomatic pragmatism, military resolve—hinted at reformist leanings. Yet the systemic rot Cixi perpetuated would ultimately doom the dynasty.

Today, the Tongzhi Restoration period offers cautionary lessons about power transitions in authoritarian systems—where constitutional formalities often mask enduring shadow governance. The young emperor’s thwarted ambitions remain etched in the Forbidden City’s cinnabar walls: a reminder that in imperial China, even dragons could be leashed.