A Court in Crisis: The Decline of the Xianfeng Emperor

The Forbidden City in the late 1850s presented a scene of imperial decay under the rule of the Xianfeng Emperor (1831-1861). Once a promising ruler who ascended the throne at age 19, Xianfeng had become increasingly debilitated by poor health and destructive habits. Historical records describe him as “sickly and sallow-faced,” his physical weaknesses exacerbated by three ruinous addictions:

1. Erotic indulgences – The emperor surrounded himself with unconventional female companions, including a famed Shanxi widow renowned for her bound “three-inch golden lotus” feet (for whom he commissioned jewel-encrusted shoes) and the courtesan Zhu Lianfen, whose artistic talents sparked a public feud with a censor.
2. Recreational opium use – Contrary to his father Daoguang Emperor’s anti-opium stance, Xianfeng retreated into narcotic haze, neglecting state affairs.
3. Dangerous tonics – Court physicians prepared elaborate virility potions containing deer blood and other stimulants, further damaging his constitution.

This personal decline mirrored China’s national crisis during the Second Opium War (1856-1860), when Anglo-French forces occupied Beijing and burned the Summer Palace.

The Puppet Masters: Sushun’s Faction and Imperial Manipulation

At the center of this moral collapse stood Sushun (肃顺), a cunning statesman who had gained extraordinary influence over the weakened emperor. As leader of the Deliberative Council, Sushun:

– Controlled access to the emperor
– Handpicked female companions to distract Xianfeng
– Supplied opium and aphrodisiacs
– Dominated key appointments through allies like Princes Yi and Zheng

The emperor’s visible deterioration became impossible to ignore when palace staff discovered his calligraphic inscription “且乐道人” (“The Joyous Taoist”), signaling spiritual abdication. This scandalous display, combined with reports of orgiastic parties and opium fumes permeating the imperial chambers, pushed Empress Dowager Ci’an (钮祜禄氏) and Noble Consort Yi (later Empress Dowager Cixi) toward action.

The Consorts’ Dilemma: Protecting the Dynasty’s Future

The two royal women faced a constitutional crisis with no Qing precedent. As primary wife, Empress Ci’an embodied Confucian feminine virtues—modest, deferential, and reluctant to challenge imperial authority. By contrast, Noble Consort Yi (懿贵妃) demonstrated political acumen honed through years of observing court machinations.

Their concerns crystallized around three issues:

1. The heir’s welfare – Both women feared for 5-year-old Zaichun (the future Tongzhi Emperor), whose education and safety might be compromised by court decadence.
2. Sushun’s ambitions – Rumors swirled that Sushun planned to represent the emperor at the upcoming Winter Solstice rites—a privilege traditionally reserved for the Son of Heaven alone.
3. Precedent of regency – With Xianfeng increasingly incapacitated, questions arose about potential regency arrangements should the emperor die prematurely.

The Turning Point: Strategic Alliance Against Sushun

During a clandestine meeting in the empress’s chambers, Noble Consort Yi proposed a dual-pronged strategy combining Qing legal traditions with historical precedent:

1. Applying Imperial House Laws
The Qing Code contained provisions for disciplining wayward clan members. Sushun, as a imperial clansman, could be prosecuted for:
– Corrupting the emperor’s morals
– Endangering the imperial lineage
– Usurping imperial prerogatives

2. Historical Precedents of “Cleansing the Court”
Noble Consort Yi cited three famous examples of removing corrupt advisors:

| Event | Dynasty | Outcome |
|——————–|———|———————————-|
| Rebellion of Seven States | Han | Emperor executed advisor Chao Cuo |
| An Lushan Rebellion | Tang | Emperor forced to kill Yang Guozhong |
| Jingnan Campaign | Ming | Prince Zhu Di overthrew emperor |

Empress Ci’an initially balked at the radical proposal, fearing civil unrest. However, the crisis escalated when Xianfeng—too ill to perform the Winter Solstice rites—initially designated Sushun as his proxy. Only last-minute intervention secured Prince Gong’s appointment instead, narrowly averting a constitutional crisis.

Seeds of Future Power: Cixi’s Emerging Leadership

This episode marked Noble Consort Yi’s transformation from concubine to political actor. Key developments foreshadowed her future dominance:

– Coalition-building – She recognized Empress Ci’an’s moral authority as crucial for legitimacy
– Institutional knowledge – Her mastery of Qing legal codes outmatched Sushun’s faction
– Crisis management – The solstice incident demonstrated her tactical flexibility

When Xianfeng died in 1861 at Rehe, these skills would prove decisive in the Xinyou Coup (辛酉政变), where Cixi and Ci’an overthrew Sushun’s regency council, establishing a new era of joint empress dowager rule.

Legacy: How Palace Politics Shaped Modern China

The events of 1859-1861 established patterns that influenced China’s turbulent modernization:

1. Women in Power – The successful regency broke Confucian gender norms, paving way for Cixi’s 47-year dominance
2. Institutional Decay – Xianfeng’s neglect exemplified how personal failings could paralyze imperial governance
3. Reform Dilemmas – Conservative factions like Sushun’s delayed modernization, contributing to later crises

Modern historians debate whether earlier intervention could have stabilized the Qing. What remains undeniable is how one concubine’s political awakening during these critical months reshaped China’s destiny—a testament to how palace intrigues could alter the course of empires.