A Palace in Turmoil

The summer of 1900 found the Qing imperial court in unprecedented disarray. As the Boxer Rebellion reached its violent peak, foreign legations in Beijing found themselves under siege while the imperial government appeared divided between those supporting the anti-foreign uprising and those advocating restraint. This was the tense atmosphere within the Forbidden City when a crucial meeting took place between Empress Dowager Cixi and one of her most trusted officials, Ronglu.

The political landscape had become increasingly fractured. Conservative princes, particularly Prince Duan and his allies, had gained significant influence over court affairs, pushing for stronger support of the Boxer movement. Meanwhile, more pragmatic officials recognized the dangerous path the empire was heading down, understanding that confrontation with multiple foreign powers could prove disastrous for China’s sovereignty and stability.

The Urgent Summons

The scene unfolded with dramatic urgency. A young eunuch came rushing to inform Ronglu that the Empress Dowager demanded his immediate presence. The message conveyed both the urgency of the situation and Cixi’s particular state of mind—she appeared pleased that Ronglu had come, suggesting she had much to discuss and saw this as an opportunity for meaningful counsel.

Ronglu’s approach to this audience demonstrated his political acumen. Before entering, he paused briefly outside the Leshan Hall to carefully consider the Empress Dowager’s current mindset and emotional state. This moment of reflection was crucial—he needed to understand not just what to say, but how to say it to someone under tremendous pressure and possibly constrained by the powerful conservative faction at court.

When Ronglu finally entered, Cixi immediately revealed her frustration with the breakdown of imperial protocols and regulations. Her opening statement—”What ceremony, what rules, none of it matters anymore!”—spoke volumes about how far normal court procedures had collapsed under the pressure of the Boxer crisis and conservative influence.

The Critical Decree

The centerpiece of their discussion became a handwritten imperial decree that would prove historically significant. Ronglu, demonstrating both respect for protocol and political wisdom, requested that Cixi put her orders in writing despite already having verbal permission to take action. This wasn’t mere procedure—it provided legal protection and clear authority for whatever actions he might need to take.

The decree itself was remarkable in its scope and implications. It authorized Ronglu to station troops for the protection of the inner court, the Western Park, and the Summer Palace. More significantly, it granted these soldiers authority to use discretion in preventing unauthorized entry—”deal with the situation as appropriate”—even against high-ranking individuals, requiring only subsequent reporting of such actions.

The placement of Cixi’s personal seal—a square jade stamp bearing seven characters identifying it as “The Imperial Brush of Empress Dowager Cixi”—gave the document its ultimate authority. The ceremonial transfer, with chief eunuch Li Lianying acting as official messenger and Ronglu performing the proper kneeling and kowtowing rituals, maintained imperial dignity even as extraordinary measures were being implemented.

Protecting the Emperor and Empire

Beyond physical security, the conversation turned to broader political protection. Cixi explicitly added that the Emperor must also be protected—a significant statement given the complex relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor she had placed under house detention. This instruction revealed her understanding that despite their differences, the imperial institution itself needed preservation.

Their discussion then turned to the grim reality of the political situation. When Cixi asked about the likely outcome of the current crisis, Ronglu’s response was tellingly evasive—he dared not speak his thoughts, finally suggesting that peace might become impossible to achieve. This exchange revealed both men’s understanding of the grave situation while maintaining the careful language required when discussing such sensitive matters with the empire’s ruler.

The Recall of Li Hongzhang

The most strategically significant part of their discussion concerned Li Hongzhang, the experienced statesman then serving as Governor-General of Liangguang. Cixi recognized that his diplomatic skills and international respect made him essential for resolving the crisis. Her proposal to remove him from his position specifically to force his return to Beijing demonstrated sophisticated political maneuvering.

Ronglu agreed with the strategy but suggested a more face-saving approach: instead of dismissal, Li should be recalled to resume his former position as Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner of the Northern Seas. This would not only bring him north but also signal stability to both domestic and international observers. The appointment would show that experienced leadership was returning to manage the crisis.

Their discussion included practical concerns about Li’s travel safety amid the hostilities and the need for urgent action. The instruction to send telegrams immediately, without waiting for normal review procedures, indicated the critical nature of the situation. The specific mention of using foreign warships for transport showed remarkable pragmatism about the realities of the conflict.

Humanitarian Concerns and International Perception

Perhaps most revealing was Cixi’s concern about the treatment of foreigners in the besieged legations. She expressed discomfort with reports that “Chinese traitors” supplying food to the legations were being executed and that foreigners might be starved into submission. Her moral objection—that even condemned criminals should not be starved—showed a humanitarian concern that contrasted with the anti-foreign rhetoric of the Boxer supporters.

Ronglu seized this opportunity to propose providing food and fruit to the legations, framing it not as aiding enemies but as demonstrating imperial benevolence. His argument appealed to traditional Chinese concepts of compassionate rule while addressing practical concerns about international reputation. The approval of this measure represented a significant moderate victory against the more extreme anti-foreign elements at court.

Implementing the Strategy

The immediate aftermath of the audience saw Ronglu moving quickly to implement their decisions. He convened other senior officials, including Prince礼 and Wang Wenshao, to draft the necessary edicts and telegrams. The two key messages to Li Hongzhang were carefully crafted—one appointing him to his new position while ensuring current officials remained responsible until his arrival, the second urging his immediate return to the capital.

This efficient action demonstrated how crisis could streamline normally cumbersome bureaucratic processes. The authority to act without further consultation showed the trust Cixi placed in Ronglu and the urgency she attached to resolving the situation. The collaboration with other senior officials also helped ensure broader acceptance of these decisions within the government structure.

The Historical Significance

This private audience between Empress Dowager Cixi and Ronglu represents a critical turning point in the Boxer Rebellion. It marked the beginning of a pragmatic shift in the Qing court’s approach to the crisis, moving away from outright support of the Boxers toward damage limitation and diplomatic resolution.

The decisions made during this meeting had far-reaching consequences. Li Hongzhang’s recall eventually led to his negotiating the Boxer Protocol, which while imposing harsh terms on China, ended the military conflict. The protection of the imperial compounds likely prevented even greater destruction during the eventual foreign occupation of Beijing. The humanitarian gestures toward the legations helped moderate international anger toward the Qing leadership.

Leadership Under Pressure

What emerges from this historical episode is a more nuanced picture of Empress Dowager Cixi’s leadership during the crisis. Often portrayed as consistently supporting the Boxers, this account shows her capable of pragmatic decision-making when receiving counsel from trusted advisors. Her concerns about proper procedure, humanitarian treatment, and international perception reveal a ruler more complex than the simplistic anti-foreign caricature.

Similarly, Ronglu’s role demonstrates the importance of skilled administration during crises. His careful approach—respecting protocol while taking decisive action, understanding political constraints while pushing for necessary measures—shows how experienced officials could navigate extremely difficult circumstances to steer policy toward less disastrous outcomes.

Legacy and Historical Reflection

The events surrounding this audience offer important insights into late Qing governance and crisis management. They reveal a court struggling with internal divisions, external threats, and the challenge of maintaining imperial authority while responding to unprecedented challenges. The delicate balance between conservative and pragmatic factions, the tension between anti-foreign sentiment and international reality, and the complex personal relationships at the highest levels of power all shaped the response to the Boxer crisis.

Historians have debated whether earlier or different actions might have produced better outcomes for China. What remains clear is that decisions made in moments of crisis, often through private discussions like this one between Cixi and Ronglu, can significantly alter historical trajectories. The measured approach begun in this audience helped lay the groundwork for eventually ending the conflict and beginning the process of recovery, however difficult that process would prove to be.

This episode serves as a reminder that even during periods of extreme conflict and political polarization, channels of reasoned discussion and pragmatic decision-making can emerge. The careful diplomacy, concern for proper procedure, and ultimate pragmatism displayed in this audience offer valuable historical lessons about leadership during national crises.