In the long history of feudal society in China, imperial power was absolute, while the kinship among royal family members often appeared fragile in the face of power. Emperor Qianlong, as a flourishing emperor of the Qing Dynasty, showed both respect for kinship and maintenance of power when dealing with his uncles. This article will focus on Emperor Qianlong's treatment of his uncles and explore the reasons and impacts behind this historical phenomenon.

I. Kinship Relationship between Emperor Qianlong and His Uncles

Emperor Qianlong, named Aisin Gioro Hongli, was the grandson of Emperor Kangxi and the son of Emperor Yongzheng. His uncles played important roles in his growth process. Among them, the most prominent were his fourth uncle Yinzhen (i.e., Emperor Yongzheng) and his sixth uncle Yinyi. During Emperor Yongzheng's reign, Emperor Qianlong was appointed as a prince and the two had a close relationship. His sixth uncle Yinyi was Emperor Qianlong's mentor and had a significant impact on his growth.

II. Power Games between Emperor Qianlong and His Uncles

However, on the issue of throne inheritance, Emperor Qianlong had severe conflicts with his uncles. After ascending the throne, his fourth uncle Yinzhen became the actual holder of power. To consolidate his position, Emperor Qianlong took a series of measures to weaken his uncle's power. First, he appointed his fourth uncle as the "Prince of Yong," keeping him away from the political center. Secondly, he appointed his son Yongyan as the crown prince to ensure the continuation of his dynasty. Finally, he eliminated other trusted aides of his fourth uncle through a series of political struggles.

III. Impacts of Emperor Qianlong's Treatment of His Uncles

The way Emperor Qianlong dealt with his uncles reflected both his respect for kinship and his desire for power. Under his efforts, the political situation of the Qing Dynasty became stable, and the national economy flourished. However, this power game also made Emperor Qianlong's family relationships tense and even led to some tragedies. For example, Emperor Qianlong's son Yongyan was eventually deposed as an ordinary person for failing to secure the throne.

Conclusion: Emperor Qianlong's treatment of his uncles was a balance between respecting kinship and safeguarding power. This power versus kinship game left Emperor Qianlong with a unique imprint in history.

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