Yongcong

Yongcong, of the Aisin Gioro clan, was the seventh son of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. His birth mother was Empress Xiaoxianchun. He was born on the eighth day of the fourth month in the eleventh year of Qianlong’s reign (corresponding to 1746), during the hour of Zi (11 p.m. to 1 a.m.), in the Forbidden City. Because the Empress was pregnant, Emperor Qianlong, unusually, stayed in the Forbidden City in January to accompany her and the child. After his birth, he was given the name “Yongcong” and was designated as the heir apparent.

On December 29th of the twelfth year of Qianlong’s reign (1747), Yongcong died prematurely due to smallpox, at about two years old. Upon hearing the news, Emperor Qianlong issued an edict stating that there was no precedent for an emperor’s eldest son to succeed the throne while still a toddle, attributing the early death to heaven’s will and expressing sorrow. Yongcong was posthumously named “Daomin” and his funeral arrangements were carried out with special honor. During the grand funeral, Emperor Qianlong personally participated in the rites.

By the Gregorian calendar, Yongcong died around January 29, 1748. The emperor and empress treated his early death with particular care, emphasizing that only the legitimate heir at the toddling stage in the succession system was standard. This incident is recorded in historical texts such as the “Draft History of Qing” (Qing Shi Gao) and the “Veritable Records of Emperor Gaozong of Qing” (Qing Gaozong Shilu).

In the fourth year of Jiaqing (1799), Emperor Jiaqing posthumously conferred upon Yongcong the title of Prince Zhe of the First Rank (Zheqinwang). From then on, in Qing imperial genealogies and historical records, Yongcong was included among the princes under the title of Prince Zhe, recorded as an early deceased legitimate heir. These details are found in the “Draft History of Qing” and related compilations, representing key points regarding Yongcong’s life, death, and posthumous honors.