A Sudden Death in the Summer Retreat

On the 25th day of the seventh lunar month in the 25th year of the Jiaqing era (1820), Emperor Jiaqing died suddenly while staying at the Chengde Mountain Resort. His unexpected passing sent shockwaves through the Qing court. The newly designated Emperor Daoguang, Jiaqing’s son and successor, faced the dual challenge of preparing for his own ascension while overseeing the elaborate funeral rites for his father.

The late emperor’s coffin began its solemn journey from Chengde on the 12th day of the eighth lunar month, taking eleven arduous days to reach Beijing. Upon arrival, it was placed in the Hall of Heavenly Purity (Qianqing Palace) before being moved again on the 10th day of the ninth month to the Guande Hall in Jing Mountain. The final resting place would be the Changling Mausoleum, where the coffin was interred on the 23rd day of the third lunar month in Daoguang’s first year as emperor (1821).

A Son’s Grief at the Royal Tomb

The burial ceremony became an intensely emotional moment for Emperor Daoguang. On the 22nd day, one day before the formal interment, he stood before his father’s coffin and wept openly, overwhelmed by the realization that this would be their final earthly parting. When the time came to seal the tomb the following day, Daoguang personally guided the coffin to its resting place. As workers prepared to close the burial chamber permanently, the new emperor broke down again, his cries echoing through the imperial mausoleum.

Determined to demonstrate filial piety, Daoguang vowed to return for the first anniversary rites—the most significant memorial ceremony in Confucian tradition. However, nature had other plans that would thwart the emperor’s simple wish in dramatic fashion.

The Year of Unrelenting Rains

The seventh lunar month of 1821 brought extraordinary rainfall to northern China. Beginning on the 18th day, torrential downpours transformed the capital region into a waterlogged landscape. By the 20th day, with no break in the weather, Daoguang made a bold decision to proceed despite the conditions. His procession soon found roads impassable, forcing the emperor to abandon the journey and return to the Forbidden City.

When the rains briefly paused around noon, Daoguang hastily organized another attempt, planning to depart on the 22nd day and travel day and night to reach Changling. The initial weather seemed promising as the imperial retinue—including the empress dowager—set out from the palace. But disaster struck again when they crossed the Lugou Bridge: the skies opened once more with renewed fury.

Reports soon confirmed the roads south of Liangxiang had become completely submerged. Facing this watery barrier, Daoguang uttered a cry of frustration—”Heaven shows no mercy!”—before reluctantly ordering the procession back to Beijing. The first anniversary rites would have to be conducted by his brother Prince Mianxin instead.

Compromised Commemorations

The following years saw similar disappointments. For the second anniversary in 1822, Daoguang dispatched Prince Miankai rather than attending personally. The third anniversary in 1823 saw the emperor’s eldest son Yizhu sent as his representative. The pattern became clear: all three major memorial occasions passed without Daoguang’s physical presence at his father’s tomb.

Recognizing the recurring problem—Jiaqing’s death anniversary coincided with northern China’s rainy season—Daoguang eventually implemented a pragmatic solution. After the third anniversary had passed, he issued an edict:

“Regarding the third anniversary of my late father Emperor Renzong’s passing, according to established precedent, the emperor should personally conduct the rites. However, with the autumn harvest still ongoing, we must make necessary adjustments. The ceremony shall be rescheduled for the 17th day of the ninth month.”

This strategic postponement to drier autumn months reflected both practical considerations and Daoguang’s deep filial devotion—a compromise between ritual obligation and environmental reality.

Cultural Significance of Imperial Mourning

Daoguang’s struggles highlight the immense cultural importance placed on ancestor veneration in Qing dynasty China. For emperors, demonstrating proper mourning was not merely personal but a political necessity—proof of their moral legitimacy as Confucian rulers. The elaborate funeral processions, tomb constructions, and anniversary rituals served multiple purposes:

1. Reinforcing the cosmic connection between living rulers and ancestral spirits
2. Demonstrating the dynasty’s continuity and stability
3. Providing visible displays of Confucian virtue for subjects to emulate

The fact that weather—not war or rebellion—prevented Daoguang from fulfilling these duties added poignant irony to the situation. Even imperial power had limits when confronting natural forces.

Modern Reflections on Historical Memory

This episode offers modern readers several thought-provoking perspectives:

1. Climate and History: The 1820s rainfall patterns align with broader climate data suggesting this period experienced increased precipitation in northern China—a reminder of how environmental factors shape human events.

2. Ritual Adaptability: Daoguang’s eventual decision to reschedule memorials shows how even the most rigid traditions could adapt to practical realities when necessary.

3. Emotional Dimensions of Power: The raw displays of grief from an emperor humanizes historical figures often viewed only through the lens of statecraft and policy.

The Changling Mausoleum still stands today in the Western Qing Tombs complex, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can reflect on how this grand architectural statement of imperial power also represents a son’s thwarted desire to properly honor his father—a universal human story transcending time and culture.

Daoguang’s reign would ultimately face far greater challenges than rainy memorial journeys, including the devastating Opium Wars. Yet this early episode reveals the personal struggles behind the imperial facade, reminding us that history is shaped not just by grand events, but by human emotions, environmental factors, and the constant negotiation between tradition and circumstance.