A Monarch’s Dilemma: The Uncertain Succession of Emperor Daoguang
The year was 1846, and the aging Emperor Daoguang of the Qing dynasty faced a decision that would shape China’s future. After years of hesitation, the 65-year-old ruler needed to name an heir from among his surviving sons. This was no simple matter of primogeniture—the emperor’s prolonged indecision reflected deep personal conflicts and strategic calculations about the empire’s future leadership.
Of Daoguang’s nine sons, three had died young, while three others (aged 7, 3, and 2) were eliminated from consideration due to their youth and their mother’s low status. This left three serious contenders: the 16-year-old fourth son Yizhu (later Emperor Xianfeng), the fifth son Yicong (just six days younger than Yizhu), and the sixth son Yixin (one year younger). In a surprising move during the Lunar New Year celebrations of 1846, Daoguang removed Yicong from contention by having him adopted by Prince Dun.
The real competition now centered between Yizhu and Yixin—two princes with contrasting strengths. Yizhu, born to the late Empress Xiaoquancheng, held the advantage of being the eldest surviving son from the principal consort. His reputation for maturity and virtue appealed to conservative court factions. Yixin, however, was the favorite—a brilliant polymath excelling in both scholarly and martial pursuits, whose mother (Consort Jing) effectively managed the imperial harem after the empress’s death.
The Secret Decision: A Divided Monarch’s Compromise
Historical documents reveal Daoguang’s extraordinary solution to this dilemma. On August 7, 1846, he penned two unprecedented decrees in vermilion ink: one declaring Yizhu as crown prince, the other granting Yixin the title of Prince Gong. The dual edict—stored in a specially sealed sandalwood box at the Forbidden City archives—betrayed the emperor’s conflicted emotions. The one-day delay in finalizing the seals suggests last-minute doubts.
This unprecedented dual appointment served multiple purposes: it maintained stability by clearly establishing succession while appeasing Yixin’s supporters. Daoguang’s subsequent actions—arranging Yizhu’s marriage in 1848 while gifting Yixin calligraphy and personal artifacts—revealed his hope for fraternal harmony. Yet the very need for such measures hinted at underlying tensions that would later erupt during the Xianfeng reign.
The Mentors’ Chess Game: Confucian Strategy vs. Meritocratic Brilliance
With both princes still in their formative years, the succession struggle largely played out through their tutors. Yizhu’s mentor Du Shoutian—a seasoned politician from Shandong’s scholarly elite—devised a masterful strategy. Recognizing his pupil couldn’t match Yixin’s talents, Du coached Yizhu to appeal to Daoguang’s Confucian values.
The decisive moment came during a royal hunt at Nanyuan. While Yixin bagged the most game, Yizhu (following Du’s advice) returned empty-handed, explaining: “It’s spring—the season when creatures nurture their young. I couldn’t bear to disrupt nature’s harmony.” This display of “benevolent governance” ideals deeply moved Daoguang, cementing Yizhu’s position.
Meanwhile, Yixin’s tutor Zhuo Bingtian—himself a prodigy who became a grand secretary—encouraged displays of excellence. This backfired by making Yixin appear overly ambitious, demonstrating how Qing succession politics rewarded perceived virtue over demonstrable ability.
The Final Days: A Carefully Managed Transition
When Daoguang died on February 25, 1850, the succession unfolded with meticulous protocol. The vermilion decree was unveiled before senior officials at the Round Bright Garden, followed by a series of calculated appointments: Yixin received the prestigious Prince Gong title, while posthumous honors were granted to deceased princes—a gesture reinforcing dynastic continuity.
On March 9, Yizhu ascended the throne as Emperor Xianfeng. His first acts balanced political factions: elevating his brothers while honoring his stepmother as Imperial Noble Consort Kangci. These measures aimed to prevent the instability that had plagued previous successions.
Legacy of the 1850 Succession: Seeds of Qing Decline
The Xianfeng succession established patterns with far-reaching consequences. The talented but sidelined Yixin would later emerge as a key figure during the Second Opium War and Self-Strengthening Movement, his potential arguably constrained by the 1850 settlement. Meanwhile, Xianfeng’s reign (1850-1861) coincided with the catastrophic Taiping Rebellion—some historians suggest a more capable ruler like Yixin might have better managed these crises.
The succession struggle also revealed structural flaws in Qing governance. The emphasis on perceived moral character over administrative ability, combined with behind-the-scenes manipulation by mentors, created systems that often elevated mediocrity. These patterns would haunt China through the late 19th century as it faced unprecedented challenges.
Today, the original succession documents preserved in Beijing’s First Historical Archives offer tangible connections to this pivotal moment—a reminder of how personal dilemmas in palace corridors could alter the destiny of millions. The dual edict in its triple-sealed box stands as a poignant symbol of a monarch’s impossible choice between love and duty, between individual preference and dynastic survival.