Unveiling History: Did Yongzheng Usurp the Imperial Will?
2024-04-24 16:55:42 中文版

The issue of whether Emperor Yongzheng tampered with the testament has always been a major controversy in the study of Qing history. The origin of this issue is that while Emperor Kangxi's testament announced Yongzheng's succession, the names of other princes were also mentioned. This has led people to question whether Yongzheng succeeded by tampering with the testament.

Firstly, we need to clarify that the imperial inheritance system of the Qing dynasty was not an absolute primogeniture, but adopted the "system of crown prince appointment", which meant that the emperor personally selected the heir and announced it to the public before his death. Therefore, Emperor Kangxi had the right to decide which son would succeed him.

Secondly, regarding the content of the testament, there were indeed multiple versions in history, but most of them clearly indicated that Yongzheng was the successor. Moreover, these versions of the testament existed before Yongzheng succeeded to the throne, rather than appearing afterwards.

Thirdly, from historical records, Yongzheng's behavior was not abnormal before and after his succession. After ascending the throne, he immediately dealt with national affairs, demonstrating the sense of responsibility and commitment expected of a monarch. If he had obtained the throne through tampering with the testament, his behavior would have been questioned and opposed by other princes and ministers, but there is no such situation in historical records.

Overall, although there is controversy about whether Yongzheng tampered with the testament, based on the available historical evidence, this claim lacks sufficient support. We should respect history and view this issue rationally, rather than easily定性historical figures.

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