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Tsy SeeChinese empress, ruled for fifty years and turned out to be the last mistress of multimillion-dollar China
Date of Birth: 11.1835Год
Country:  China |
Content:
Empress Dowager Cixi: The Last Ruler of China
Empress Dowager Cixi, also known as Orchid, ruled China for fifty years and became the last ruler of the vast Chinese empire. She possessed a certain magic that enchanted both people and birds. American artist Miss Carl, who had the opportunity to meet Empress Dowager Cixi, was captivated by her presence, describing her as a supernatural being from ancient Chinese fairy tales. However, despite her alluring appearance, it was hard to believe that this gentle lady with a youthful countenance could be the same person referred to as a cruel and ruthless tyrant.
Biography of Empress Dowager Cixi
Empress Dowager Cixi's rise to power occurred during the second half of the 19th century, a time when the world was rapidly changing. While Americans could not imagine a day without the New York Times, and people from both Russian capitals could visit each other thanks to the new railway, China continued to follow its own course. In January 1853, the imperial court of Emperor Xianfeng announced a competition to select concubines.
According to the rules, the emperor should have had 70 concubines, although in reality, the two thousand women in the Beijing palace were at his disposal. However, the imperial court needed fresh faces from time to time. The selection process was not easy, as only daughters of officials above the third rank were eligible to participate. But even among the noble girls, only those with eight auspicious birth dates were chosen.
Cixi, known as Orchid, was selected as one of the concubines. Despite her youthful age, she had made a lasting impression on the eunuchs responsible for the selection process. Orchid's father, a high-ranking official who had fallen from grace, had left her family in dire straits. Orchid was deeply affected by her impoverished surroundings, and her mother fueled her imagination by claiming to have dreamed of a beautiful moon entering her womb before Orchid's birth, a sign of her beauty and destiny.
Although some doubted the legendary beauty of Orchid, she knew how to make a lasting impression. She was given the lowest rank among the six levels of concubines, but she aimed to become one of the "precious imperial concubines."
Her new life in the palace left Orchid feeling melancholic. She was assigned to the farthest pavilion in the Park of Joy and Light, a place where the emperor rarely visited. Yet, Orchid understood the importance of maintaining a good mood. She excelled in calligraphy and decorated her rooms with her artistic skills. She also developed her singing voice.
While other concubines reveled in their newfound luxury, Orchid appeared austere. She would collect her monthly allowance and save it in a silk pouch without spending a penny. Time was not wasted, as Orchid honed her skills and talents.
When her silk pouch became full, Orchid befriended a eunuch who was close to the emperor and devised a plan. The eunuch was to find a way to divert the emperor's usual route and bring him to the walls where Orchid sang. The plan was executed perfectly, and the emperor was captivated by Orchid's crystal-clear voice. That evening, Orchid received a visit from the Chief Steward of Important Affairs, who formally announced her promotion to the emperor's bedchamber.
Orchid's arrival into the emperor's inner circle was met with resistance from the other concubines, and she faced regular punishment that often led to death. Any attempt to complain to the emperor resulted in immediate execution.
However, news of Orchid's misdeeds eventually reached Emperor Xianfeng. Unaware of Orchid's true nature, he believed the accusations and ordered her execution. Orchid, determined to save herself, went to the emperor and revealed her pregnancy. She convinced him that the accusations were part of a plot by jealous courtiers to force her execution. The emperor, besotted with Orchid, believed her and ordered the conspirators to be executed instead.
The birth of her son, Prince Tongzhi, solidified Orchid's position of power. Despite traditions that kept women away from political matters, Orchid increasingly involved herself in diplomatic events and audiences. Her hunger for political power knew no bounds. She absorbed statecraft knowledge and possessed a phenomenal memory that allowed her to recall names, dates, and events with precision. Only her son's cradle failed to captivate Orchid's interest.
However, traditional upbringing ensured that her influence over the future emperor would be limited. Orchid became a nominal regent but held true power in China from 1861 until 1908.
Her 47-year reign on the throne was surpassed only by Queen Victoria of England, who held power for 64 years. Some historians noted similarities between the two monarchs, such as an insatiable passion for wealth and a resistance to anything deemed "new." However, such comparisons would likely offend Queen Victoria, as the era of Empress Dowager Cixi was marked by unparalleled cruelty, cunning, and moral degradation.
Empress Dowager Cixi's reign was characterized by a heightened passion for pleasure and an insatiable desire for wealth. She amassed a tremendous personal fortune, surpassing all previous Chinese emperors. Her love for precious gems and expensive gifts was indulged by flatterers who spared no expense to please her. She was known to receive four bags of exquisite pearls as a gift, despite rarely wearing anything other than four tiny pearls the emperor had given her. These pearls were pierced through each earlobe with two holes. Orchid enjoyed the process of examining and valuing lavish gifts, but her wardrobes and trunks filled with gold-embroidered, gem-studded silk garments remained untouched and collected dust.
As for her meals, historical records suggest that the imperial table consisted of a hundred dishes, feeding an army of courtiers and sycophants. However, Orchid herself was known for her moderation in eating. Every morning, she would drink a cup of women's milk for the sake of her health. Her exceptional care for her appearance yielded results, as she maintained her youthful looks.
All of these details, though fascinating, pale in comparison to Orchid's ultimate passion: acquiring absolute power and retaining it. Every year that Prince Tongzhi grew older, Orchid's anxiety increased. He could easily challenge her position. To ensure her grip on power, Orchid orchestrated secret births, often by other women, while feigning pregnancies herself. She never wanted to see the newborns, immediately giving them away to others.
Her insatiable desire for pleasure was only surpassed by her hunger for wealth. Orchid's unquenchable thirst for power led China into turmoil and exhausted the already struggling country. Ultimately, her reign ended with the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912, marking the end of imperial China. Despite the legends and myths surrounding her, Empress Dowager Cixi left a legacy of cruelty, deceit, and moral degradation.
