HISTORY This Week: A Concubine Rises to Rule China

Episode Release Date: April 21, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of HISTORY This Week, host Sally Helm delves into the extraordinary rise of Empress Dowager Cixi, a low-ranking concubine who ultimately wielded unparalleled power over China's last dynasty. Through insightful discussions with historian Yun Chong, author of Empress Dowager: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China, and Professor Ying Chen Peng, author of Artful Subversion: Empress Dowager's Strategy and Image Making in Art, the episode unravels the intricate web of palace politics, personal ambition, and groundbreaking reforms that defined Cixi's nearly half-century reign.

Cixi's Entry into the Forbidden City

The story begins on April 27, 1856, when Cixi, then a 16-year-old concubine, gives birth to a son, Tongje, ensuring her rise in the imperial court. Sally Helm narrates, “Cixi gives birth to a baby boy. The Emperor finally has an heir. The birth also changes Cixi's fortunes dramatically” (05:44). This pivotal event catapults Cixi from a lowly concubine to the second most important woman in China.

Professor Ying Chen Peng provides context on Cixi's background, highlighting her Manchu heritage and the relatively progressive status of women in the Qing Dynasty. “The Manchus were more respectful about women's rights. They could actually inherit the property of their deceased husband or their fathers” (06:36).

Navigating the Imperial Court

Despite her elevated status, Cixi remained a low-ranking concubine for years, partly due to her involvement in palace politics—a rare and frowned-upon move for women at the time. Yun Chong explains, “Cixi thought she loved the emperor, her husband, and was trying to give him advice. But this only annoyed the Emperor because women were not supposed to be involved in politics in court” (11:00). This tension sets the stage for Cixi's eventual ascent to power.

When Emperor Xianfeng’s health deteriorates, Cixi steps in to assist with his official duties. “But the preteen Tongje shows little interest in ruling. Professor Peng says he has no knack for it” (35:47). As the emperor becomes bedridden, Cixi's influence grows, alarming his male advisors who view her political involvement as a threat.

The Coup Against the Eight Regents

Upon Emperor Xianfeng’s death in October 1861, power ostensibly transfers to the eight regents appointed to govern on behalf of the young Emperor Tongje. However, Cixi and Empress Se'an orchestrate a daring coup to eliminate these regents.

Cixi collaborates with Se'an, turning potential rivals into allies. Yun Chong recounts, “With the edict destroyed, so she and Se'an are officially a two-woman rebellion” (26:52). Together, they leverage their positions to accuse the regents of misconduct, rallying court support and ultimately removing key figures through strategically issued edicts.

Consolidating Power and Implementing Reforms

After the coup, Cixi and Se'an divide their responsibilities to maintain control. “After the coup, Se'an takes on the daily administrative tasks of the court and Cixi controls foreign policy” (35:11). Cixi initiates modest modernization efforts, such as opening foreign language schools and expanding Shanghai's trading port, laying the groundwork for more extensive reforms.

Despite initial resistance, Cixi's vision for a stronger, more open China begins to take shape. Officer Yun Chong notes, “Cixi knew that if they continued to give the same advice to her son, China would keep on suffering defeat” (23:57). Her pragmatic approach contrasts sharply with the regents' isolationist policies, positioning her as a forward-thinking leader.

Ascending to Regentship and Further Reforms

In 1875, the death of Emperor Tongje from smallpox thrusts Cixi into a more prominent role as regent for her adopted nephew. This transition marks the beginning of an era of significant transformation under her leadership. Cixi champions industrial development, introducing railways, telegraphs, and modernizing the military. “She introduced railways, telegraphs, telegrams, modern army and navy, and opened mines, building factories, sending ambassadors abroad” (37:40).

Her policies reflect a delicate balance between maintaining traditional power structures and embracing necessary reforms to navigate the challenges posed by Western imperialism and internal strife.

Legacy and Historical Perspectives

Cixi's long reign until her death in 1908 left a complex legacy. While some view her as a ruthless power player responsible for the Qing Dynasty's eventual decline, others argue she was a pragmatic leader who sought to modernize China amidst immense external and internal pressures.

Yun Chong observes, “Her, she had been maligned for more than 100 years and is still maligned today” (39:12), highlighting the enduring debate over her role in Chinese history. Professor Peng adds, “Looking at Cixi as a complicated historical figure is like looking through a kaleidoscope” (39:48), emphasizing the multifaceted nature of her influence.

Cixi's tomb serves as a symbolic representation of her dual legacy—externally adorned with phoenixes, symbolizing female power, while internally featuring golden dragons, denoting imperial authority. This dichotomy encapsulates the essence of her reign: a blend of traditional power and innovative leadership.

Conclusion

Empress Dowager Cixi's rise from a concubine to the de facto ruler of China is a testament to her political acumen, resilience, and ability to navigate and manipulate the intricate dynamics of the Qing court. This episode of HISTORY This Week not only chronicles her journey but also invites listeners to reconsider the traditional narratives surrounding one of China's most influential and controversial figures.

Notable Quotes

• Professor Ying Chen Peng: “The Manchus were more respectful about women's rights. They could actually inherit the property of their deceased husband or their fathers.” (06:36)

• Yun Chong: “Cixi thought she loved the emperor, her husband, and was trying to give him advice. But this only annoyed the Emperor because women were not supposed to be involved in politics in court.” (11:00)

• Professor Ying Chen Peng: “She was decorated by hundreds of golden dragons, the symbol of monarchy. She had the ability, but I feel that she kept that ambition of becoming a true monarch in her heart.” (41:04)

Further Information

For more insights and episodes, visit historythisweekpodcast.com or contact the team at historythisweek@history.com.

Special thanks to guests Yun Chong and Professor Ying Chen Peng, as well as the production team including Corinne Wallace, Morgan Givens, Brian Flood, Jim O'Grady, Ben Dickstein, Julia Press, Emma Fredericks, Makame Lynn, and Jesse Katz.