The Woman Who Led China

 

Cixi 

For fifty years, China was in fact led by a truly remarkable woman, namely Cixi (1835-1908). She was born a noblewoman, who became one of the Xianfeng emperor’s low-ranking concubines. However, after giving birth to the emperor's only son, the Tongzhi emperor (reigned 1861-1875), in 1856 and adopted mother of the Guangxu emperor (reigned 1875-1908) she attained an impressive power together with the Xianfeng’s former senior consort, Ci'an. The two of them orchestrated a coup with Kung Quinwang (Prince Gong), the former emperor’s brother, and the regency was transferred to Cixi and Ci’an. Gong became the prince counsellor until he fell out with Cixi who, of course, resented his urge for power.

Prince Kung

For the first 20 years of her reign, she worked together with Ci'an, but when she died suddenly in 1881 she kept her power for another 27 years.

In 1889 when the young Guangxu emperor formally assumed power Cixi nominally relinquished her control over China to retire. However, after the so-called "100 Days of Reform" by the new emperor she regained power. Upon her death in 1908, death rites were observed for a year, after which she was laid to rest in the Eastern Qing tombs northwest of Beijing.

 

The day before Cixi died, the death of the emperor Guangxu was announced. It was generally believed that he had been poisoned, but that suspicion wasn't substantiated until 2008 when a report was issued by Chinese researchers and police officials which confirmed that the emperor had been deliberately poisoned with arsenic. Although the report did not address who may have ordered his death, and there never has been any hard evidence of culpability, suspicion long has pointed toward Cixi. One thing is for sure, those were confusing times in China, but even so, the former concubine kept her power ....

Empress Dowager Cixi and women of the American legation. Holding her hand is Sarah Pike Conger, the wife of U.S. Ambassador Edwin H. Conger

 

Wikipedia

 

Britannica