Turbulence of an Imperial Tomb- How the Yuling Mausoleum Plunged Emperor Qianlong into Deep Anxiety-

Hello everyone, welcome to History and Culture. Here, let's talk about one of the most legendary emperors of the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong, and the stories behind his tomb, the Yuling Mausoleum. According to historical records, Emperor Qianlong was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty after it entered China proper. His full name was Izen Juro Hongli, and he was the fourth son of Emperor Yongzheng. His mother was Empress Dowager Chongqing of the Neo-Huru clan, a figure many might recognize from the TV series Empresses in the Palace as consort Xi. Qianlong ascended the throne at the age of 25 and reigned for 60 years. After abdicating, he continued to rule behind the scenes for another three years. In total, he held supreme power for 63 years and four months, the longest of any ruler in Chinese history. He was also the longest-lived emperor. The Qianlong era is regarded as the pinnacle of the Qing Dynasty, politically stable, economically prosperous, and culturally vibrant, an integral part of the so-called Kangtian Golden Age. However, despite all his glory, Emperor Qianlong was extremely meticulous, even troubled, when it came to choosing his burial site. This emperor, famous for his filial piety, did not choose to be buried near his father in the western Qing tombs. Instead, he selected the eastern Qing tombs and built the Yuling Mausoleum. Why did he make such a decision? What was so special about Yuling? Were there folk legends that disturbed Qianlong both during his life and after his death? Let us now delve into this piece of history, explore the stories behind it, and uncover the secrets of the imperial tombs of the Qing Dynasty. Qianlong's reign marked the peak of China's long feudal history. During his rule, he implemented many policies that strengthened the Qing government, consolidating centralized power, reforming officialdom, and promoting agriculture and commerce. He also frequently toured the southern regions of the empire to better understand the lives of his people. In terms of military accomplishments, Emperor Qianlong had impressive achievements. He quelled rebellions by the Dzungars and the Islamic forces in Xinjiang, further expanding the Qing Empire's territory. Culturally, Qianlong oversaw the compilation of the Sikou Quanxue, complete library of the Four Treasuries, the largest literary project in Chinese history, which preserved an enormous amount of valuable documents. These achievements made Qianlong an emperor who embodied both civil and military excellence. And his era came to be known as the glorious time of the perfect old man. However, despite his deftness in governing the country, the issue of choosing his tomb became a heavy burden on his mind. In ancient times, selecting a burial site for an emperor was a major affair, not only concerning personal matters after death but also touching on state rituals and geomantic feng shui principles. Traditionally, emperors followed the rule of sons buried near fathers, meaning that the tomb of a son should be built near his father's, to show filial piety and family continuity. The Qing imperial tombs are mainly divided into two areas, the Eastern Qing tombs and the Western Qing tombs. The Eastern tombs are located in Zunhua, Hebei province, and were the first imperial burial site established after the Qing entered China, the tomb of Emperor Kangxi, Jingling, is located there. The Western tombs, in Yixian county, Hebei, were established by Emperor Yongzheng, whose tailing mausoleum is situated there. Emperor Yongzheng's decision broke with tradition, he did not choose to be buried in the ancestral Eastern tombs but opened a new burial site in the West. This left Qianlong in a dilemma, should he follow his father and be buried in the Western tombs, or choose a different location. This was not merely a geographic choice, it involved filial piety, ancestral traditions, and how future generations would judge him. Qianlong found himself torn. When Qianlong took the throne at just 25 years old, he was young and full of ambition. He believed he had plenty of time left and wasn't in a hurry to deal with posthumous affairs. So in the first and second years of his reign, he avoided the issue of selecting a burial site. After all, he had just become emperor and was busy handling state affairs and consolidating his power, the matter of his tomb could wait. However, according to Qing imperial tradition, selecting a tomb site was a task that had to be completed soon after an emperor's accession. The so-called, eternal auspicious land, the site for the emperor's future tomb, had to be chosen without delay. Thus, in the second year of Qianlong's reign, two high-ranking officials, Minister of War Natchan and Minister of Revenue Hai Wang, could no longer hold back. They submitted a joint memorial, urging Qianlong to promptly decide on the site for his tomb. In their memorial, they wrote, to establish an eternal auspicious site is to secure the throne for endless generations and bring fortune to the realm for a thousand years. This is a matter of utmost importance and must be decided early. In other words, choosing a tomb site was a matter of national significance. And the emperor must not delay. Qianlong, upon reading the memorial, was likely annoyed, I haven't even made up my mind yet, and you're already pressuring me? But he did not respond directly. Instead, he ordered the memorial to be retained in the palace, meaning it was shelved and left unanswered. This was a common tactic in the Qing court, when emperors didn't want to deal with something immediately. They would suppress it temporarily. However, Natchan and Hai Wang were no ordinary officials. Their high status and influence meant that repeated memorials from them could not be ignored. In the end, Emperor Qianlong could no longer delay the decision. By the seventh year of Qianlong's reign, at the age of 32, Emperor Qianlong finally made up his mind and chose Sheng Shui Yu in the eastern Qing tombs as the site for his mausoleum. This decision seemed to settle the matter. But in reality, it left Emperor Qianlong feeling even more conflicted, even somewhat regretful. Why? Firstly, the feng shui of Sheng Shui Yu had some issues. The terrain was too flat, making it prone to water accumulation underground. This meant that, in the future, the tomb might suffer from water seepage. Indeed, by the seventeenth year of Qianlong's reign, even before the Yuling Mausoleum was fully completed, reports came in that the underground palace had begun to leak. This greatly troubled Qianlong, making him doubt whether he had chosen the right location. To make matters worse, he had not followed the traditional custom of a son buried near his father. Emperor Yongzheng's tailing mausoleum was located in the western Qing tombs, while Qianlong had chosen to be buried in the eastern Qing tombs. In a society that placed great emphasis on filial piety, this could easily lead people to question whether he had been unfilial. Some historical records show that Qianlong had a deeply affectionate relationship with his father, Emperor Yongzheng. Not long after ascending the throne, Yongzheng secretly designated Hongli, Qianlong, as the heir when the boy was only thirteen years old, indicating just how much importance and hope he placed on his son. Qianlong's mother, Empress Dowager Chongqing of the Neo-Huru clan, also pinned all her hopes on him. As a result, Qianlong felt that not being buried in the western tombs was somewhat a betrayal of his parents, which left him with a lingering sense of guilt. In addition to concerns about feng shui and filial piety, the physical environment of The area lacked natural mountain barriers, which made it less than ideal in terms of feng shui. To compensate, Qianlong ordered the construction of artificial hills to encircle the tomb. However, man-made hills could never truly rival natural ones, and their effect was limited. Thirdly, there were design flaws in the construction of the Yuling Mausoleum itself. The alignment of the above-ground structures and the underground palace was not perfectly coordinated, they were built at a slight angle to each other, making the layout seem misaligned and unharmonious from an architectural perspective. All of these issues made Emperor Qianlong feel that his choice might not have been perfect, perhaps even unworthy of himself. What made him even more uneasy was the concern about how his decision might influence future generations. If he didn't adhere to the tradition of a son following the father in burial, would his descendants start thinking that the tradition wasn't important? Would they also choose their burial sites at will, disregarding ancestral customs? These worries weighed heavily on Emperor Qianlong's mind and left him restless. However, Qianlong was, after all, a clever ruler. After thinking long and hard, he eventually came up with a solution, one that resolved his internal conflict and also provided a legitimate reason for his decision. Emperor Qianlong issued an edict stating that the Qing Dynasty's imperial tombs should be arranged with Beijing as the central axis, divided into eastern and western Qing tombs. Fathers and sons must not be buried in the same area. Instead, one should be buried in the east and the other in the west, forming what he called the system of Zhao and Mu. Zhao, and Mu, referred to the traditional sequence of ancestral worship in ancient Chinese temple rituals. Qianlong borrowed this concept and decreed that if a father was buried in the eastern tombs, the son must be buried in the western tombs, and vice versa. This way, with Emperor Yongzheng buried in the western tombs and Emperor Qianlong in the eastern tombs, the arrangement became a legitimate and rule-based decision. Not only did this explanation give Qianlong a graceful way out of his dilemma, but it also helped justify his father's decision to be buried in the western tombs. Qianlong further emphasized that this rule would become part of the ancestral law and must be strictly followed by future generations. No one was allowed to arbitrarily choose a burial site. To do so would be considered a violation of family law. In his edict, he wrote, My descendants must strictly honor the ancestral system, observing orderly alternation in east and west. This balance between the tombs of the eastern and western Qing shall ensure the everlasting fortune of our great Qing dynasty. In other words, the imperial family must abide by this system of father and son being buried separately in the east and west, maintaining balance and harmony between the tomb areas. Anyone who broke this rule would be defying the laws of the ancestors. Through this system, Emperor Qianlong not only resolved his inner conflict, but also established a set of rules for the selection of imperial tomb sites during the Qing dynasty, providing clear guidance for future generations. In addition to this institutional innovation, Qianlong also found some psychological comfort. He deeply admired his grandfather, Emperor Kangxi, whose Jingling Mausoleum was located in the eastern Qing tombs, not far from Qianlong's own Yuling. By constructing his tomb near Jingling, Qianlong created a symmetrical layout, which gave him the sense that he was spiritually connected with his idol, Emperor Kangxi. This arrangement symbolically echoed the grandeur of the Kangtian Golden Age. Moreover, being close to his grandfather could also be seen as a gesture of filial piety, which helped Qianlong find a sense of emotional balance. He felt that he had finally lived up to the expectations of his ancestors. Of course, Qianlong was a pragmatic ruler. Emotional comfort alone was not enough, he wanted to ensure that Yuling was truly grand and impressive. According to historical records, Emperor Qianlong spared no effort or expense in the construction of Yuling. He invested enormous energy and wealth into the project. To begin with, he had shixiangxing, stone statues of animals and humans, erected in front of the tomb. These ceremonial statues had been eliminated from the tombs of Kangxi and Yongzheng as part of a cost-saving, frugal policy. But Qianlong was fond of such grandeur. So, he had five pairs of stone statues retroactively added to Kangxi's jingling and Yongzheng's tailing. Then, for his own tomb, he commissioned eight pairs, three more than those of his grandfather and father, including mythical creatures such as the qilin, shixi, and camels. By doing so, he showcased both his filial piety and the majestic scale of Yuling. Secondly, Qianlong spared no expense when it came to the materials used for Yuling's construction. The main hall was built with precious gold-thread nanmu wood, jinsananmu, a rare timber that grows slowly and takes a hundred years to mature. It is extremely valuable. Just the main hall alone used 560 logs of gold-thread nanmu, so large that a single person could not wrap their arms around one. The timber was sourced from various provinces including Fujian, Sichuan, Guangdong, and Hunan. From the 8th to the 16th year of Qianlong's reign. The logging process lasted eight full years and was still incomplete, a testament to the immense scale of the project. During this time, local officials scrambled to meet the demand. And high-quality nanmu trees in the forests were virtually depleted. Transporting the timber was also an enormous challenge. Some logs had to be moved from the south to the north, passing through rugged mountains and rivers, consuming massive amounts of manpower and resources. Emperor Qianlong imposed extremely strict standards on the quality of these materials. Only the best gold-thread nanmu would do, with clear grain, golden luster, and absolutely no blemishes. This perfectionism resulted in a mausoleum whose architecture was exceptionally luxurious. Thirdly, the underground palace, or crypt, of Yuling was decorated with exquisite detail. On the four stone doors were carvings of the eight great Bodhisattvas. And the inner walls were adorned with images of the four heavenly kings and 35 Buddhas. Collectively referred to as the 35 Buddhas. In addition, more than 30,000 Sanskrit and Tibetan characters were engraved throughout. These carvings were so intricate that craftsmen spent over three years completing them, with painstaking attention to every tiny detail. These carvings were not only beautiful, but also embodied Emperor Qianlong's hopes for the afterlife, showcasing imperial majesty and sincere devotion. Construction of Yuling began in the eighth year of Qianlong's reign and was completed in the seventeenth year, a span of nearly ten years, consuming enormous human and material resources. The scale of labor, materials, transportation, and management involved made it one of the most elaborate imperial tomb projects in Qing dynasty history. Through such lavish investment, Qianlong built Yuling into a magnificent and splendid mausoleum, compensating for its less-than-ideal feng shui and also providing a great sense of pride and prestige. To ensure construction quality, Emperor Qianlong personally oversaw the progress of the project. He repeatedly sent officials to inspect the site, making sure every detail met his exacting standards. Beyond these physical efforts, Qianlong also thoughtfully selected the consorts who would be buried with him, adding a human and emotional dimension to his tomb. Five consorts were buried alongside him in Yuling – Empress Xiaoxian, Empress Xiaoyi. Imperial Noble Consort Ximin, Imperial Noble Consort Huixian, and Imperial Noble Consort Xujia. These women were all significant figures in Qianlong's life, each with a touching story behind her. Empress Xiaoxian was Qianlong's most respected wife. She married Qianlong at the age of sixteen. And the couple shared deep affection and mutual respect. She bore him four children, including two sons, Yonglian and Yongcong. Sadly, Yonglian died at the age of nine, and Yongcong passed away from smallpox at just two years old. These tragedies left Empress Xiaoxian deeply heartbroken. In an effort to comfort her, Qianlong took her on a trip to Mount Tai in Shandong. Tragically, on the way back, she caught a cold and died at just 37 years old. Qianlong was devastated. He held an elaborate funeral for her and converted her residence, the Chongchun Palace, into a memorial hall. He paid tribute to her every year until his abdication. He also wrote numerous poems in her memory, expressing his profound grief and longing. Empress Xiaoxian's death was a major blow to Qianlong, and he always regarded her as one of the most important people in his life. Empress Xiaoyi was Qianlong's most beloved consort. She was 16 years younger than him, gentle, considerate, and deeply cherished by the Emperor. Between the 21st and 31st years of Qianlong's reign, she gave birth to six children, including the future Jucheng Emperor, making her the most prolific mother in the harem. Her titles rose steadily over time, from Guiren, Noble Lady, to Imperial Noble Consort. And she was posthumously honored as Empress Xiaoyi. Because of her gentle nature and numerous children, Qianlong was especially fond of her. She held a uniquely high status in the imperial harem. Qianlong even broke protocol by repeatedly promoting her, something rarely seen in the Qing Palace. Among her six children, one, Yongyan, eventually succeeded the throne as the Jucheng Emperor, which made Empress Xiaoyi's position even more special and respected. Imperial Noble Consort Chiming was the woman who touched Qianlong's heart the most. She had been Qianlong's close attendant during his years as a prince. In the sixth year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign, she bore Qianlong his first son, Yonghuang. At the time, Qianlong was only 17, becoming a father for the first time, an experience that naturally held great emotional significance. Unfortunately, she passed away just two months before Qianlong ascended the throne. He later posthumously granted her the title of Imperial Noble Consort Chiming and had her buried in Yuling. Her early death was a lasting regret for Qianlong, who never forgot the woman who had accompanied him through his youthful years. Though her son Yonghuang did not become crown prince, Qianlong's feelings for her remained unchanged throughout his life. Imperial Noble Consort Huixian was considered by Qianlong to be the most beautiful of all his consorts. Although she bore no children, her extraordinary beauty captivated Qianlong at first sight. And he conferred upon her the title of Guifei, Noble Consort, making her second in rank only to Empress Xiaoxian. Her beauty was famous throughout the palace, and Qianlong's affection for her was largely rooted in admiration of her appearance. Though she left no offspring, her looks and status ensured that she held a special place in Qianlong's heart. The last consort was Imperial Noble Consort Xujia, of the Jin clan, who was also deeply favored by Qianlong. She held a stable position in the harem, with a gentle personality that won the emperor's favor. With these five beloved women buried alongside him, Qianlong felt that Yuling was not just his final resting place, but also a symbol of deep personal sentiment. He should have found peace and contentment. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. After Qianlong's death, Yuling suffered a series of unexpected calamities, casting a lasting shadow of restlessness over the emperor's tomb. First, the problem of water seepage in the underground palace turned out to be far worse than anticipated. As early as the 17th year of Qianlong's reign, water leakage had already been discovered. By 1928, when the warlord Suandianying looted Yuling, the underground chamber was found to be alarmingly waterlogged. The first stone gate alone had four feet of standing water, and the deeper they went, the worse it got, the deepest part reaching more than two meters. The golden-thread nanmu coffin that Qianlong had meticulously crafted was soaked and fell apart. Coffin planks and human remains were floating all over the chamber. The water not only destroyed the coffins, but also left the entire burial chamber in a state of chaos. This made the subsequent cleanup work extremely difficult and robbed Yuling of the dignity Qianlong had intended for it. Worse still, Yuling was blown open with explosives by Suandianying's army. In July 1928, in order to plunder the treasures within, Sun used TNT to blast open the fourth stone gate. The deafening explosion alarmed the tomb guards. The tomb raiders, in their frenzied search for treasures, sifted through the murky water with sieves, scooping up valuables while discarding human remains. As a result, Qianlong's and his consort's bones were scattered outside the tomb passage and near the Ming Tower, creating a tragic and harrowing scene that shocked all who witnessed it. Forty days later, the last Emperor Puyi sent people to rebury the remains. What they found was complete devastation. The water was so deep that they had to use pumps for four days and nights to drain it. When they began the cleanup, the bones and coffin planks were all jumbled together – it was impossible to tell whose remains were whose. The staff feared making mistakes, such as placing an empress's bones in the coffin of a noble consort, which would be considered highly disrespectful. In the end, they decided to place all the remains into Qianlong's coffin and conduct a joint reburial in his name. Thus, Qianlong and the four consorts were all buried in a single coffin, an unprecedented and extraordinary episode in history. Though this solution resolved the problem, it was nonetheless heartbreaking to see a once-glorious emperor end up in such a tragic situation. But even more astonishing was the discovery of Empress Xiaoyi's body. When her remains were found in 1928, 153 years after her death, they were incredibly well preserved. Her earrings were still in place, and her face bore a serene smile, appearing lifelike and peaceful. The staff were astounded that her body had not decayed, as if time had stood still for her. This phenomenon was regarded as a miracle at the time and added to the mystique and emotional resonance of Empress Xiaoyi's story. According to historians, Although Emperor Qianlong prided himself on ruling with filial piety, due to the controversy surrounding his tomb's location and the subsequent desecration, he was never free from the shadow of inner turmoil. His carefully designed burial system, the lavish architecture, and the presence of his beloved consorts, none of it could withstand the test of time. Nevertheless, this story reveals the complex choices a monarch had to make when balancing tradition and reality, ideals and practical constraints. This is the History and Culture channel. Liking and subscribing are the greatest help and support to us. Thank you everyone and see you in the next time.