Imperial Concubine Chun

The Jiaqing Emperor, also known by his temple name Emperor Renzong of Qing, was born on November 13, 1760, and died on September 2, 1820. His personal name was Yongyan, which was later modified to Yongyan (顒琰) upon his ascension to the throne. He was the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty and the fifth Qing ruler over China proper. Yongyan was the 15th son of the Qianlong Emperor and his mother was Noble Consort Ling, daughter of Wei Qingtai, an official of Han ethnicity integrated into the Manchu Eight Banners.

Born at the Old Summer Palace, located approximately 8 kilometers northwest of Beijing, Yongyan’s early years were marked by the loss of two of his elder brothers, which led the Qianlong Emperor to secretly designate him as successor in December 1773. In 1789, he was granted the title "Prince Jia of the First Rank" (嘉親王).

In October 1795, the Qianlong Emperor announced his intention to abdicate, citing his desire to not surpass his grandfather, the Kangxi Emperor, who had reigned for 61 years. Yongyan officially ascended the throne in February 1796, adopting the era name "Jiaqing." Initially, the emperor ruled in name only for three years, as his father maintained authority as an emperor emeritus. Following the Qianlong Emperor's death in February 1799, Yongyan assumed full control of the imperial government.

During his reign, the Jiaqing Emperor initiated the prosecution of Heshen, a favored official of his father, who was accused of widespread corruption and abuse of power. Heshen was stripped of his titles, his property confiscated, and compelled to commit suicide. Additionally, the emperor took measures to reform the court, civil service, and treasury, although their effectiveness remains subject to historical debate. His traditionalist policies emphasized Confucian principles and court protocol, and he appointed officials based on their adherence to these values.

The Jiaqing Emperor faced numerous internal challenges, including large-scale rebellions such as the White Lotus rebellion (1796–1804) and the Miao rebellion (1795–1806). He also encountered external diplomatic engagements, notably the unsuccessful 1816 embassy led by William Amherst intended to improve trade relations with Great Britain. Furthermore, he refused the Vietnamese ruler Gia Long's request to rename his country to Nam Việt, later accepting the alternative name Việt Nam.

The legal framework of the Qing dynasty under his rule included statutes prohibiting the spread of Christianity, which resulted in severe penalties for Europeans involved in missionary activities. These prohibitions were reinforced through legal provisions in 1811, 1815, and 1839, and were again repealed in 1870.

The Jiaqing Emperor was a dedicated scholar of Confucian classics, contributing over 15,000 poems and overseeing the compilation of courtly collections, which provide important insights into Qing court art. He was married twice, first to Empress Xiaoshurui, with whom he had several children, including his successor, the Daoguang Emperor (Mianning). His second marriage was to Empress Xiaoherui.

He died at the Rehe Traveling Palace in 1820, with the cause of death presumed to be either a stroke or possibly caused by natural factors related to obesity. He was interred at the Western Qing Tombs in the Chang mausoleum complex.

His family included multiple consorts and concubines, producing numerous children who held various titles and positions within the Qing nobility. His legacy includes efforts at court reform, military campaigns, and suppression of rebellions, although assessments of his reign vary among historians.