The Reign of Emperor Kangxi and the Glory of the Qing Dynasty

Emperor Kangxi, one of China’s most celebrated rulers, ascended the throne in 1661 at the age of seven and reigned for an unprecedented 61 years. His rule marked the beginning of the prosperous Kang-Qian Golden Age, a period of stability, cultural flourishing, and territorial expansion. Known as the “Millennium Emperor” for his exceptional governance, Kangxi implemented reforms, patronized the arts, and consolidated Qing control over vast regions, including Tibet and Taiwan.

Yet, despite his political brilliance, Kangxi made a fateful decision that would haunt his legacy centuries later—the burial of a priceless treasure, the Nine Dragons Jade Cup, within his tomb. This choice inadvertently set the stage for one of the most infamous acts of desecration in Chinese imperial history.

The Legend of the Nine Dragons Jade Cup

The Nine Dragons Jade Cup was no ordinary artifact. Crafted from a rare type of jade known as Wen Liang Yu (“Warm-Cool Jade”), it possessed extraordinary properties. In winter, the cup felt warm to the touch, while in summer, it remained cool. When filled with wine, it would naturally warm the liquid, and legend claimed it could detect poison by turning black. The cup’s intricate design featured a handle shaped like a dragon, with four pairs of dragons playing with pearls at each corner. Most remarkably, when filled with wine, nine hidden dragons carved into the lid would appear to dance beneath the surface, creating an illusion of mythical creatures frolicking in water.

Kangxi, who famously abstained from alcohol, cherished the cup as a symbol of imperial prestige. Its fame even inspired folk tales, such as the story of the bandit Yang Xiangwu, who attempted to steal it three times. However, the cup’s notoriety also made it a target for grave robbers in later centuries.

The Plunder of Jingling Tomb

The downfall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912 left imperial tombs vulnerable. In 1928, the warlord Sun Dianying shocked the nation by looting the Eastern Qing Tombs, including the mausoleum of Empress Dowager Cixi. This brazen act emboldened other criminals, and by 1945, a gang led by the bandit chiefs Wang Shaoyi and Zhang Jinzhong set their sights on Kangxi’s Jingling Tomb.

Archival records from the Zunhua Public Security Bureau detail the 1951 trial of Wang Shaoyi, who confessed to orchestrating the raid with over a thousand accomplices, including local militias and former soldiers. The looters faced unexpected horrors upon breaking into the tomb. As they attempted to saw open Kangxi’s coffin, a mysterious fireball erupted, burning the faces and clothes of the intruders. Despite this supernatural defense, the thieves eventually ransacked the burial chamber, seizing the Nine Dragons Jade Cup and countless other treasures.

The Aftermath: A Legacy of Loss

The desecration was brutal. Kangxi’s coffin and those of his five consorts were shattered, their remains tossed into the tomb’s flooded chambers. Precious artifacts were sold for shockingly low prices—a jade ruyi (scepter) fetched just five buckets of corn, while an imperial snuff bottle was bartered for two. The Nine Dragons Jade Cup vanished into the black market, its fate unknown.

Zhang Jinzhong, captured in Beijing in 1946, was found with a stolen golden dragon statue that “moved as if alive.” He died in prison before facing trial, while Wang Shaoyi was executed in 1951. Their crimes exposed the vulnerability of China’s cultural heritage during times of upheaval.

Modern Reflections: Preservation and Memory

Today, the plunder of Jingling serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of greed and political instability. While Kangxi’s reforms and achievements are still celebrated, the violation of his tomb underscores the importance of protecting historical sites. Recent efforts to restore the Eastern Qing Tombs and recover lost artifacts highlight a growing awareness of cultural preservation—a lesson learned too late for the “Millennium Emperor” and his ill-fated treasure.

The mystery of the coffin’s fiery defense remains unsolved, a final enigma in the story of a ruler whose life was defined by wisdom, but whose rest was disturbed by folly. The tale of the Nine Dragons Jade Cup endures as a cautionary legend, blending history, myth, and the enduring allure of imperial splendor.