Jiaqing Emperor

The Jiaqing Emperor, also known by his temple name Emperor Renzong of Qing, was born on 13 November 1760 and died on 2 September 1820. He was the sixth emperor of the Qing dynasty and the fifth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. His personal name was Yongyan, which was later changed to Yongyan (顒琰) upon accession to the throne to adhere to naming taboos, a practice rooted in ancient Chinese tradition.

Yongyan was born in the Old Summer Palace, located approximately 8 kilometers northwest of Beijing. He was the 15th son of the Qianlong Emperor and his mother was Noble Consort Ling, daughter of Wei Qingtai, an official of Han ethnicity who was integrated into the Manchu Eight Banners through imperial service. Initially, the Qianlong Emperor contemplated succession among two other sons, both of whom died early from illness, leading to Yongyan's secret selection as heir in December 1773. In 1789, he was formally titled "Prince Jia of the First Rank."

In October 1795, the Qianlong Emperor announced his intent to abdicate, citing respect for his grandfather Kangxi's 61-year reign. Yongyan ascended the throne in February 1796, adopting the era name "Jiaqing," thus becoming the Jiaqing Emperor. Although he became emperor in name and ritual after the abdication, the decision-making during his early reign was still largely controlled by his father, who held the title of Taishang Huang (Emperor Emeritus). Upon the Qianlong Emperor's death in early February 1799, the Jiaqing Emperor assumed control of the government.

During his reign, the Jiaqing Emperor prosecuted Heshen, a notorious favorite of his father, charging him with corruption and abuse of power. Heshen was stripped of titles, his property confiscated, and he was ordered to commit suicide. In addition, Heshen's daughter-in-law, Princess Hexiao, who was a half-sister of the emperor, was spared from punishment. The emperor also pardoned the scholar Hong Liangji, who had criticized the policies of the previous reign, exiling him to northern China instead of execution.

The Jiaqing Emperor engaged in traditional Manchu rituals, including imperial hunts and inspection tours, and promoted officials based on their adherence to Confucian principles. His efforts at reform, however, faced limitations, and some scholars have characterized his policies as rhetoric rather than substantive change. Internally, his reign was marked by significant unrest, including the White Lotus (1796–1804) and Miao (1795–1806) rebellions, as well as economic difficulties and an empty imperial treasury.

In 1813, he encountered the uprising led by Lin Qing, associated with the Eight Trigrams movement, which failed to threaten his rule. Lin Qing was executed following analysis and interrogation.

Foreign diplomatic interactions included the 1816 embassy of William Amherst, who sought better commercial relations between Britain and China. The embassy was considered a failure due to diplomatic protocol issues, notably Amherst's refusal to perform the traditional kowtow. The emperor also refused the Vietnamese ruler Gia Long's request to change his country's name to Nam Việt but did permit the change to Việt Nam.

The Jiaqing Emperor's policies included measures against Christianity, which was viewed with suspicion and hostility. The Qing legal code contained statutes prohibiting the dissemination of Christian doctrines, with Europeans and their religious practices subject to severe penalties, including death. This policy was codified through amendments made between 1811 and 1839, and persisted until reforms in the late 19th century.

He issued titles and honors to Chinese nobility, including granting the title Wujing Boshi to descendants of the Tang essayist Han Yu. A noted scholar of the Confucian classics, the emperor devoted significant time to literary pursuits, attributing approximately 15,267 poems to his authorship.

The Jiaqing Emperor died at Rehe (Jehol) Palace in 1820, with some accounts suggesting death by lightning or stroke. He was succeeded by his second son, Mianning, who became the Daoguang Emperor. His remains are interred at the Western Qing Tombs, within the Chang mausoleum complex.

His family included Empress Xiaoshurui of the Hitara clan, Empress Xiaoherui of the Niohuru clan, and various consorts and concubines, with several children, including the Daoguang Emperor and other princes and princesses.