Here’s the English translation with explanations for those unfamiliar with Chinese history:
The Prince Gong’s Mansion in Beijing belonged to Prince Gong, an important member of the Qing Dynasty’s imperial family during the late imperial period.
The most famous Prince Gong was Aisin Gioro Yixin (1833-1898). The Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) was China’s last imperial dynasty, ruled by the Manchu people.
Young Prince Gong Yixin
Born as the sixth son of Emperor Daoguang, Yixin showed exceptional talent in both literary and military arts from a young age. However, precisely because of his intelligence, Emperor Daoguang chose not to select him as heir, instead choosing his fourth son Yizhu (who became Emperor Xianfeng).
The Arrow War and the Shameful Nickname “Ghost’s Sixth Son”
In 1860, Yixin was tasked with handling the aftermath of the Arrow War (also known as the Second Opium War, 1856-1860, fought between China and Britain/France). He was forced to sign the unequal Treaty of Beijing. This earned him the humiliating nickname “Ghost’s Sixth Son” (meaning “the sixth son who collaborates with foreign devils”).
He became a key promoter of the Self-Strengthening Movement – a modernization policy that introduced Western technology and institutions to China. In 1861, he established the Zongli Yamen, China’s first foreign affairs office, and became its first director.
The Life-Changing Coup of 1861
When Emperor Xianfeng died, his will appointed eight ministers to assist the young Emperor Tongzhi, while attempting to keep Empress Dowager Cixi (the boy emperor’s mother) away from politics. In response, Yixin allied with Empress Dowager Cixi, Empress Dowager Ci’an, and his brother Yihuan (husband of Cixi’s sister) to stage a coup. This was their reaction against the eight ministers’ attempt to prevent Cixi’s regency and Yixin’s assistance.
The Tongzhi Restoration and Conflict with Empress Dowager Cixi
Yixin promoted capable Han Chinese officials like Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, achieving what became known as the “Tongzhi Restoration” – a temporary revival of Qing fortunes. He cooperated with Empress Dowager Cixi to advance political reforms in the Qing Dynasty.
However, his relationship with Cixi gradually deteriorated, with conflicts arising over issues like the restoration of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan). In 1884, despite his opposition to the Sino-French War, he was blamed for the defeat and dismissed by Cixi from his positions as Grand Councilor and Minister of the Zongli Yamen.
When the First Sino-Japanese War broke out in 1894, he was recalled to oversee diplomacy and military affairs, restored as Grand Councilor to face the national crisis. However, unable to prevent defeat, he died of illness in 1898 at age 65.
Caught Between Reform and Conservatism
In his later years, Yixin served as mediator between Empress Dowager Cixi’s conservative faction and the reformist faction, while advising Emperor Guangxu (son of Prince Chun Yihuan), who was inclined toward reform movements.
However, his death in 1898 destroyed this delicate balance. The conflict between both factions immediately surfaced, leading to the Hundred Days’ Reform and the 1898 Coup. Subsequently, the Qing Dynasty was plunged into further chaos, including the Boxer Rebellion. Emperor Guangxu ultimately met a tragic end, allegedly poisoned due to his conflict with Empress Dowager Cixi.
Prince Gong Puwei’s Struggles and Resistance
Yixin’s grandson Puwei was as capable as his grandfather but was viewed with suspicion as a potential successor to Emperor Guangxu and was marginalized under the Prince Chun regime. During the 1912 collapse of the Qing Dynasty, he and Prince Su Shanqi were the only two who opposed Emperor Puyi’s abdication to the very end at the imperial council meeting.
Even when Puyi’s father couldn’t oppose due to pressure from Guangxu’s consorts, Puwei maintained his firm stance for the Qing Dynasty’s survival.
Hope and Frustration for Qing Restoration
When abdication became inevitable, Puwei went to Qingdao seeking German assistance and launched a Qing restoration movement. After the 1931 Manchurian Incident, he was briefly expected to be a central figure in the restoration movement, but it was halted when the Japanese Kwantung Army decided to support Puyi instead.
He held no official position in Manchukuo (the Japanese puppet state in Manchuria, 1932-1945). Following Puyi’s orders, he conducted ancestral tomb ceremonies for the Qing Dynasty. In January 1936, he died in Xinjing (present-day Changchun) while visiting to meet Puyi.
Legacy of the Prince Gong Family
The history of the Prince Gong family truly symbolizes the power struggles, reform agonies, and ultimate decline of the late Qing Dynasty. From the 1861 coup through the Hundred Days’ Reform, the Boxer Rebellion, and finally the 1911 Revolution, this is the story of a family that continued to hope for the Qing Dynasty’s survival throughout these turbulent times. Amid great historical changes, they maintained their convictions to the end.
The former Prince Gong family mansion remains in Beijing today as the Prince Gong’s Mansion.