Yuntang

Yuntang (17 October 1683 – 22 September 1726), born Yintang, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty. He was the ninth son of the Kangxi Emperor. His mother was Consort Yi (宜妃) from the Gorolo clan. Yuntang was not among the most favored sons of Kangxi but attained notable wealth and influence among his brothers.

During Kangxi's reign, Yinreng was designated as Crown Prince, but was later deprived of the position twice due to his behavior. During the interludes when the Crown Prince position was vacant, Yintang supported his eighth brother, Yinsi, in efforts to become Crown Prince, though Yinsi was unsuccessful. Kangxi eventually decided to choose an heir privately, revealing his choice only after his death.

In 1722, after Kangxi's death, Yinzhen, the fourth son, ascended the throne as the Yongzheng Emperor. That same year, Yintang was required to change the character "Yin" (胤) in his name to "Yun" (允) to avoid taboos related to the new emperor's name. Emperor Yongzheng appointed Yuntang to a military position at Xining and placed him under General Nian Gengyao's supervision.

In 1725, Yinzhen, now the Yongzheng Emperor, stripped Yuntang of his beizi title, banished him from the Aisin Gioro clan, and forced him to change his name to "Seshe" (Manchu: ᠰᡝᠰᡥᡝ; Chinese: 塞思黑). His eight sons also had to change their names accordingly. Yuntang reportedly pleaded to be sent to a Buddhist monastery to spend his remaining life as a monk, but the emperor refused. Subsequently, Yuntang was imprisoned in Baoding. He died from an unspecified abdominal illness; there are speculation and rumors suggesting possible poisoning.

In 1778, the Qianlong Emperor, who succeeded Yongzheng, posthumously restored Yuntang to the imperial clan and returned his name from "Seshe" to "Yuntang." However, he was not rehabilitated officially nor granted his former titles.

Yuntang has been recognized for his potential role in early efforts to romanize the Manchu language. Historical documents indicate he had connections with Portuguese missionary Joannes Mourão, who allegedly introduced him to Latin alphabet literature. Around 1723, Yuntang developed a basic Manchu romanization system, which is considered to predate Paul Georg von Möllendorff's system by over 150 years.

His family included his primary consort from the Donggo clan, and multiple mistresses and children, among whom his fourth daughter (born 1705) and his fifth son Hongding (born 1711) are notable. His descendants were involved in various marriages within the Manchu nobility and other clans.

Yuntang has been depicted in various works of fiction, including television series and other adaptations from the late 20th century onward.