Zaiyi

Zaiyi (载漪; born 26 August 1856 – 10 January 1923), also known by his title Prince Duan (端郡王), was a Manchu noble and political figure during the late Qing dynasty. He was affiliated with the Aisin Gioro clan and was the second son of Yicong (Prince Dun), who was the fifth son of the Daoguang Emperor. His family belonged to the Bordered White Banner of the Eight Banners system.

In 1861, Zaiyi was bestowed the title of beile. He later succeeded his adoptive father, Yizhi, as a junwang (second-rank prince) under the title Prince Duan of the Second Rank in 1894. His early political stance aligned with Empress Dowager Cixi, and he opposed the Hundred Days' Reform movement initiated by the Guangxu Emperor and his reformist allies. Following the suppression of the reform movement, in 1899, the Empress Dowager designated Zaiyi's son Pujun as First Prince in a plan to replace the Guangxu Emperor with Puzhuan, although this plan was ultimately abandoned due to lack of international recognition.

Zaiyi was a prominent conservative supporter of the Righteous Harmony Society, commonly known as the Boxer movement. During the Boxer Rebellion of 1899–1901, he played a significant role, including arranging a meeting between Empress Dowager Cixi and Boxer leader Cao Futian. In 1899, he established a private military force called the Tiger and Divine Corps, which was part of the modernized Manchu banner forces. During the crisis period in June 1900, he held leadership positions including heading the Zongli Yamen, the Qing foreign affairs office, and commanding Boxer forces involved in the siege of the Beitang cathedral. He also led the Beijing Field Force in conflicts against the Eight-Nation Alliance forces.

His brother, Zailan, was also involved as a Boxer leader. Following the defeat of the Boxers, Zaiyi’s political fortunes declined. The Qing government condemned him for his role in the rebellion in 1902, and he and his family were exiled to Xinjiang. Reports from Empress Dowager Cixi’s court sources indicated that she blamed Zaiyi for the Boxer crisis, particularly regarding his unilateral decisions to target foreigners.

During his exile, Zaiyi did not remain in Xinjiang but resided in Alashan near Ningxia at a Mongol prince's residence. He moved to Ningxia in 1911 amid the upheavals of the Xinhai Revolution and later relocated to Xinjiang with Sheng Yun. He lived in exile until 1917, when the government of the Republic of China briefly restored Puyi, the last emperor, to the throne.

Zaiyi was later invited back to Beijing by the Beiyang government after 1917. However, he maintained strong anti-foreign sentiments, refusing Western-style social events and expressing disdain for technological imports like trains. His return to Beijing provoked protests from foreign nations. Consequently, he relocated back to Ningxia, where he spent his remaining years. The Beiyang government increased his stipend during this period. He died in 1923.

In addition to his political activities, Zaiyi is recognized within Chinese martial arts history for patronizing notable martial artists such as Yang Luchan, founder of Yang-style taijiquan. He facilitated the copying of classical texts related to taijiquan principles.

Zaiyi was related to the Guangxu Emperor through familial ties; he was a cousin because the emperor's biological father, Prince Chun, was Prince Duan's younger brother. His wife was Jingfang of the Yehenara clan, allegedly the daughter of Guixiang, Empress Dowager Cixi's brother, although this affiliation is not confirmed in the official genealogy. Their children included Puzhuan, his eldest son, and Pujun, his second son.