Cixi: The Coup Behind the Curtain and the Emperors Kept in Place for Her Rule
In July 1861, the Xianfeng Emperor died at Rehe after the Qing court had lost Beijing in the Second Opium War. His successor was Zaichun, a six-year-old boy. Before his death, Xianfeng assigned state affairs to eight regents led by Sushun and divided two seals between the Empress Dowager Ci’an and the boy’s mother, Noble Consort Yehenara. Without both seals, a new decree had no force. A child sat on the throne, eight men held the government, and two women controlled the only instrument that made an order legal.
In July 1861, the Xianfeng Emperor died at Rehe after the Qing court had lost Beijing in the Second Opium War. His successor was Zaichun, a six-year-old boy. Before his death, Xianfeng assigned state affairs to eight regents led by Sushun and divided two seals between the Empress Dowager Ci’an and the boy’s mother, Noble Consort Yehenara. Without both seals, a new decree had no force. A child sat on the throne, eight men held the government, and two women controlled the only instrument that made an order legal.
In July 1861, the Xianfeng Emperor died at Rehe after the Qing court had lost Beijing in the Second Opium War. His successor was Zaichun, a six-year-old boy. Before his death, Xianfeng assigned state affairs to eight regents led by Sushun and divided two seals between the Empress Dowager Ci’an and the boy’s mother, Noble Consort Yehenara. Without both seals, a new decree had no force. A child sat on the throne, eight men held the government, and two women controlled the only instrument that made an order legal.
In July 1861, the Xianfeng Emperor died at Rehe after the Qing court had lost Beijing in the Second Opium War. His successor was Zaichun, a six-year-old boy. Before his death, Xianfeng assigned state affairs to eight regents led by Sushun and divided two seals between the Empress Dowager Ci’an and the boy’s mother, Noble Consort Yehenara. Without both seals, a new decree had no force. A child sat on the throne, eight men held the government, and two women controlled the only instrument that made an order legal.
In July 1861, the Xianfeng Emperor died at Rehe after the Qing court had lost Beijing in the Second Opium War. His successor was Zaichun, a six-year-old boy. Before his death, Xianfeng assigned state affairs to eight regents led by Sushun and divided two seals between the Empress Dowager Ci’an and the boy’s mother, Noble Consort Yehenara. Without both seals, a new decree had no force. A child sat on the throne, eight men held the government, and two women controlled the only instrument that made an order legal.
In July 1861, the Xianfeng Emperor died at Rehe after the Qing court had lost Beijing in the Second Opium War. His successor was Zaichun, a six-year-old boy. Before his death, Xianfeng assigned state affairs to eight regents led by Sushun and divided two seals between the Empress Dowager Ci’an and the boy’s mother, Noble Consort Yehenara. Without both seals, a new decree had no force. A child sat on the throne, eight men held the government, and two women controlled the only instrument that made an order legal.