Xianfeng Emperor (咸豐帝)

Overview

Xianfeng Emperor was a Qing emperor who reigned from 1850 to 1861.

Other names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Posthumous name	Xian Emperor Wenzong	文宗顯皇帝
Temple name	Wenzong	文宗	Wenzong

Life and dates

Death

AD 1860 咸豐十年
At Rehe traveling palace 熱河行在
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 43-44
AD 1861 十一年
At Rehe traveling palace 行在
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 205
AD 1861 十一年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 387, passages 32, 62
AD 1861 咸豐十一年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 390, passage 87

Age

6
Reckoning Sui · Context began study
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 9

Attested activity

AD 1860 咸豐十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 43-44
AD 1860 咸豐十年八月
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89
AD 1835 十五年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 5
AD 1853 三年正月
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 49-54
AD 1850 三十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 14; Draft History of Qing 397, passage 22
AD 1854 咸豐四年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 141, passages 62-63

Show 33 more source-backed claims

AD 1854 四年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 86, 97, 132
AD 1857 七年春
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 151
AD 1858 咸豐八年
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 494, passage 72
AD 1850 三十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 370, passages 181, 193, 197
AD 1861 十一年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 205
AD 1861 十一年七月
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 387, passage 32
AD 1860 十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 202, 247, 249
AD 1851 to AD 1861 咸豐
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 375, passage 219
AD 1857 咸豐七年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 440, passages 114-115
AD 1853 咸豐三年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 398, passage 75
AD 1852 咸豐二年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 393, passage 101
AD 1855 咸豐五年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 423, passage 46
AD 1851 咸豐元年
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 369, passage 203
AD 1851 咸豐元年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 378, passage 153; Draft History of Qing 392, passage 22; Draft History of Qing 393, passage 57; Draft History of Qing 396, passage 29
AD 1851 咸豐元年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 423, passage 4
AD 1858 咸豐八年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 389, passage 29
AD 1858 咸豐八年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 394, passage 159
AD 1851 to AD 1861 咸豐初
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 141, passage 102
AD 1861 咸豐十一年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 390, passage 87
AD 1860 咸豐十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 389, passage 100; Draft History of Qing 423, passage 221
AD 1860 咸豐十年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 465, passage 161
AD 1854 咸豐四年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 394, passage 147
AD 1854 咸豐四年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 396, passages 51, 58
AD 1858 to AD 1860 心存疏請聖駕還宮
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 188
AD 1851 文宗初政
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 259
AD 1850 文宗即位
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 378, passage 136; Draft History of Qing 384, passage 172; Draft History of Qing 387, passage 3
AD 1851 文宗即位
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passage 6
AD 1850 to AD 1852 文宗即位至咸豐二年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 365, passage 158
AD 1850 文宗嗣位
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 369, passage 109
AD 1861 文宗顯皇帝
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 445, passage 24
AD 1852 是年秋
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 36
AD 1853 次年春
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 117, 120
AD 1850 道光三十年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 390, passage 62

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Parent of Guangxu Emperor (光緒帝)
adopted son 為子 · Adoptive parentage
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 445, passage 24
Child of Daoguang Emperor (宣宗)
imperial son 皇子
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 10-11
Sibling of Yixin (奕訢)
princes 諸皇子 · Paternal half siblings
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 10-11
Parent of Tongzhi Emperor (穆宗)
successor
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 44

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Emperor 帝
AD 1850 文宗即位 · Acceded
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 384, passage 172
Qing emperor 文宗
Held
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 396, passage 29
Ascended
AD 1850 三十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 370, passage 181
AD 1850 三十年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 14
AD 1850 文宗即位
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 365, passage 158
AD 1851 文宗即位
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passage 6

Show 3 more source-backed claims

AD 1850 文宗嗣位
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 369, passage 109
AD 1850 道光三十年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 390, passage 62
Xianfeng Emperor 文宗
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89

Places and affiliations

Qing 清
Relation Lived under
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 375, passage 219
Qing 清
Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 369, passage 109
Polity Qing 清 · Relation Ruled
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 365, passage 158; Draft History of Qing 370, passage 181; Draft History of Qing 387, passage 3; Draft History of Qing 390, passage 62; Draft History of Qing 392, passage 22; Draft History of Qing 394, passage 147; Draft History of Qing 397, passages 22, 36, 49, 86, 117, 151; Draft History of Qing 465, passage 161
Polity Qing 清 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 141, passage 63; Draft History of Qing 378, passage 2; Draft History of Qing 385, passages 11, 202; Draft History of Qing 389, passage 29; Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89
AD 1860 咸豐十年八月
At Rehe 熱河 · Relation Resided at
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89

Works and attributed material

Veritable Records of Emperor Wenzong 文宗實錄
Relation Subject of
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 465, passage 161
After one battle Lu Jianying's troops routed... Jianying was dismissed, handed to Xianghou for arrest, and sent to the Ministry of Justice for trial. 陸建瀛一戰兵潰，不知收合餘燼，與向榮大軍協力攻擊；並不力守小孤山，扼賊入皖之路；又不親督兵據守東西梁山，以障金陵。倉皇遁歸，一籌莫展，以致會垣驚擾，士民播遷。楊文定藉詞出省，張皇自全，罪均難逭。建瀛已革職，交祥厚拿問，解刑部治罪。
AD 1853 三年正月 · Edict · Author · Direct quotation · With Lu Jianying (陸建瀛) · Mode quotation Speaker Xianfeng Emperor (咸豐帝)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 49-54
AD 1850 三十年
Edict · Author · Paraphrased · With Lu Jianying (陸建瀛) · Summary Approved Jianying and ordered him to coordinate the reform 韙之，詔綜斡全局
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 22
AD 1854 四年
Edict · Author · Direct quotation · With Qing Lin (青麟) · Mode quotation Speaker Xianfeng Emperor (咸豐帝) · Summary Condemned Qing Lin for abandoning Wuchang and ordered Guanwen to execute him 倉皇遠避，徑赴長沙，交官文傳旨正法
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 86-97
AD 1850 三十年
Edict · Author · With Qiying (耆英) · Direct quotation
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 370, passages 193-194
AD 1859 咸豐九年
Edict · Speaker
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 389, passages 31-37

Show 7 more source-backed claims

AD 1850 是年十月
Hand edict · Author · Direct quotation
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 370, passages 197-199
AD 1852 是年秋
Instruction · Author · Paraphrased · With Lu Jianying (陸建瀛) · Summary Praised Jianying and told him to judge the military situation himself 文宗嘉之，諭以審度軍情
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 36
Edict · Author · With Du Shoutian (杜受田) · Mode named-source-report Speaker Xianfeng Emperor (咸豐帝)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 28-32
Edict · Author · With Peng Yunzhang (彭蘊章)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 252-253
Edict · Author
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 141, passage 63
Judgment · Authority
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 398, passage 75
時方春，鳥獸孳育，不忍傷生以乾天和。
Speech · Speaker
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 11

Events and relationships

Cooled in favor because Yunzhang lacked judgment of men
Political · Ruler · With Peng Yunzhang (彭蘊章)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 249
Declined excessive horse donations
AD 1851 to AD 1861 咸豐初 · Diplomatic · Ruler
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 141, passages 102-103
Dismissed Mujangga cleared Yao and Da
Legal · Ruler
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 384, passage 172
Divided commands
AD 1853 次年春 · Political · Ruler
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 117
Imperial tour questioned
Court · Ruler · With Chongli (崇禮)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 440, passage 115
Listed crimes of Muzhanga and Qiying
AD 1850 是年十月 · Legal · Authority · With Qiying (耆英)
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 370, passage 197

Show 11 more source-backed claims

Ordered Yunzhang no longer to serve as Grand Council minister, as consideration for foot ailment
Political · Ruler · With Peng Yunzhang (彭蘊章)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 250
Ordered negotiations
AD 1860 咸豐十年八月 · Diplomatic · Sovereign · At Rehe 熱河 · With Yixin (奕訢)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89
Ordered rectification
AD 1854 咸豐四年 · Political · Ruler · With Qing Yun (慶昀)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 141, passage 63
Praised Wu Wenrong and later arrested Chonglun
AD 1851 咸豐元年 · Political · Ruler · With Wu Wenrong (吳文鎔)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 396, passages 29, 58
Recognized frame up limited punishment
Legal · Authority · With Weng Xincun (翁心存)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 202
Restored Xi'en
AD 1850 to AD 1852 文宗即位 · Political · Ruler · With Xi En (禧恩)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 365, passage 158
ordered Prince Gong to reopen negotiations 命恭親王奕訢再議款局
Relation Ordered · Person Yixin (奕訢)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89
Relation Approved · Person Lu Jianying (陸建瀛)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 22
Relation Issued edict against · Person Lu Jianying (陸建瀛)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 49, 54
Relation Issued edict against · Person Yang Wending (楊文定)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 53
Relation Ordered execution of · Person Qing Lin (青麟)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 97

Assessments and attributes

Assessment most trusted Du Shoutian as tutor early in the reign · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 259
Assessment praised Wo Ren's memorial as blunt and honest · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passage 26
Assessment upright in conduct and pure in learning · Mode edict Speaker Xianfeng Emperor (咸豐帝)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 28, 32

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 370, passage 181; Draft History of Qing 385, passage 202; Draft History of Qing 397, passages 22, 36, 86, 117, 151; Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89

References in the histories

Search passages

History

96 passages

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 365Volume 365 Biographies 152: Jue Luo Bao Xing, Zong Shijingzheng, Zong Shixien, Chen Guanjun, Zhuo Bingtian · 1 passage

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文宗即位，乃復起，不兩年登協揆焉。 Under the Xianfeng Emperor he was restored and reached the Grand Secretariat within two years.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 369Volume 369 Biographies 156: Lin Zexu, Deng Tingzhen, Da Hong A · 2 passages

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逾年，文宗嗣位，疊詔宣召，未至，以廣西逆首洪秀全稔亂，授欽差大臣，督師進剿，並署廣西巡撫。 The next year, after Emperor Wenzong succeeded to the throne, repeated summons reached him, but before he could arrive Hong Xiuquan had long been in rebellion in Guangxi. Lin was appointed imperial commissioner to lead a punitive expedition and also served as acting governor of Guangxi.

道光之季，東南困於漕運，宣宗密詢利弊，疏陳補救本原諸策，上畿輔水利議，文宗欲命籌辦而未果。 In the late Daoguang era the southeast was crippled by the grain-transport system. When the emperor privately asked about remedies, Lin memorialized on fundamental reforms and submitted a plan for waterworks in the capital region. Emperor Wenzong intended to put him in charge, but the plan never came to fruition.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 370Volume 370 Biographies 157: Qi Shan, Yi Libu, Zong Shiqiying · 1 passage

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三十年，文宗即位，應詔陳言，略曰：「求治莫先於用人、理財、行政諸大端。 In 1850, when the Xianfeng Emperor ascended the throne, he responded to the call for advice, writing in part: "Good government begins with the great tasks of choosing men, managing finances, and administering affairs.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 375Volume 375 Biographies 162: Bai Rong, Sun Huan, Shi Zhiyan, Na Qingan, Sheng Yin, Li Zongfang, Yao Yuanzhi, He Rulin, Ji Zhichang, Lie Chuan · 1 passage

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甫數月，宣宗崩，文宗猶欲用之，畀以外任。 After only a few months the Xuanzong Emperor died. The Wenzong Emperor still wished to use him and gave him an outside appointment.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 378Volume 378 Biographies 165: Huang Juezi, Jin Yinglin, Chen Qingyong, Su Tingkui, Zhu Qi · 2 passages

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文宗即位，以大學士朱鳳標薦，复授御史，蹶而再起，氣不少撓，疊上疏多關大計。 When the Xianfeng Emperor ascended, Grand Secretary Zhu Fengbiao recommended him for censor again; though he had fallen, he rose once more undaunted and submitted repeated memorials on matters of state.

咸豐元年，上謹始疏，請求宏濟之道，執勞謙之義，防驕泰之萌，推誠任賢，慎始圖治，選擇翰詹為講官，嚴取孝廉方正備採用，文宗嘉納之。 In Xianfeng 1 he submitted a memorial on careful beginnings, urging policies of great relief, humility in labor, guarding against pride, sincerity in employing talent, careful governance at the start, Hanlin lecturers, and strict selection of filial and upright candidates—the Xianfeng Emperor accepted it with praise.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 384Volume 384 Biographies 171: Lin Peihou, Li Xiangkun, Li Zongchuan, Wang Fengsheng, Huang Mian, Yu De Yuan, Yao Ying · 1 passage

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文宗即位，黜大學士穆彰阿，詔宣示中外，並及瑩與達洪阿被陷狀，於是復起用，授湖北武昌鹽法道，未行，擢廣西按察使，命參大學士賽尚阿軍事。 When the Wenzong Emperor came to the throne, Grand Secretary Mujangga was dismissed and an edict to the empire also cleared Yao and Da Hong'a of the false charges against them; Yao was then restored, appointed salt law intendant at Wuchang in Hubei, and before he could take up that post was promoted provincial judge of Guangxi and ordered to join Grand Secretary Saišangga's staff.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 385Volume 385 Biographies 172: Du Shoutian Son: Han, Qi Junzao Son: Shi Zhang, Weng Xincun, Peng Yunzhang · 17 passages

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十五年，特召還京，直上書房，授文宗讀。 In 1835 he was specially recalled to Beijing, assigned to the Upper Study, and charged with tutoring the future Emperor Xianfeng.

文宗自六歲入學，受田朝夕納誨，必以正道，歷十餘年。 Xianfeng had begun his lessons at six; for more than a decade Shoutian guided him day and night along the right path.

至宣宗晚年，以文宗長且賢，欲付大業，猶未決。 In Daoguang's last years, though the heir was eldest and clearly capable, the emperor still had not settled on him for the succession.

會校獵南苑，諸皇子皆從，恭親王奕訢獲禽最多，文宗未發一矢，問之，對曰：「時方春，鳥獸孳育，不忍傷生以乾天和。」 During a hunt in the Southern Park all the princes were present. Prince Gong Yixin bagged the most game, but the prince who would become Xianfeng did not shoot once. Asked why, he answered: 'It is spring; the birds and beasts are breeding. I cannot bear to kill them and offend Heaven's harmony.'

三十年，文宗即位，加太子太傅，兼署吏部尚書，調刑部尚書、協辦大學士。 When Xianfeng took the throne in 1850, Shoutian was made grand tutor of the heir apparent, briefly headed the Ministry of Personnel, then the Ministry of Justice, and was appointed associate grand secretary.

受田自侍文宗學，未嘗離左右，當陛辭，不覺感戀流涕。 Having never left the prince's side since tutoring began, he wept openly when bidding farewell at court.

文宗震悼，贈太師、大學士，入祀賢良祠，賜金五千兩治喪，遣近臣慰視其父堮，擢其子檢討翰為庶子，孫三人並賜舉人。 Xianfeng was stricken: he posthumously made Shoutian grand tutor and grand secretary, enshrined him in the Shrine of Worthies, gave five thousand taels for the funeral, sent a close minister to console his father E, promoted his son Han from reviewer to chamberlain of the heir apparent, and granted all three grandsons the juren degree.

文宗念受田舊勞，數月間迭擢工部侍郎，命在軍機大臣上行走，辦理京城巡防事宜。 Mindful of Shoutian's service, Xianfeng within months raised him repeatedly to vice minister of works and ordered him to serve above the Grand Councilors in charge of capital defense.

文宗即位，拜體仁閣大學士，仍管戶部。 When Xianfeng succeeded, Junzao became grand secretary of the Tiren Hall and still headed revenue.

俊藻自道光中論洋務與穆彰阿不合，至是文宗銳意圖治，罷穆彰阿，俊藻遂領樞務，開言路，起用舊臣，俊藻左右之。 Since Daoguang he had clashed with Mujangga over foreign policy; now Xianfeng meant to govern vigorously, removed Mujangga, and Junzao led the council, reopened memorial channels, and brought back veteran ministers—Junzao at his side throughout.

心存疏請聖駕還宮，以定眾志，力言京師重地，不可駐外國領事； He urged the emperor back to Beijing to steady morale and insisted foreign consuls must not stay in the capital;

載垣等遂請褫頂帶歸案訊質，文宗鑑其誣，僅以失察議處，免傳訊，議降五級，改俟補官，革職留任。 They demanded his arrest; Xianfeng saw the frame-up and only punished lax oversight—no interrogation, a five-rank demotion, then retention in post pending reassignment.

是年秋，車駕將幸熱河，心存上疏切諫。 That autumn, as the court prepared to flee to Rehe, Xincun sent an urgent remonstrance.

十一年，文宗崩於行在，梓宮還京，心存偕諸臣迎謁，特詔起用，以大學士銜管理工部。 In 1861 Xianfeng died at Rehe; Xincun met the returning coffin and was recalled as grand secretary heading works.

逾年，文宗實錄告成，以心存曾充監修總裁，賜祭一壇。 When Xianfeng's Veritable Record was finished the next year, he received a sacrificial altar for having directed it.

文宗以蘊章無知人鑑，眷注浸衰。 Xianfeng lost confidence in Yunzhang's judgment of men.

論曰：文宗初政，杜受田以師傅最被信任，贊畫獨多。 The historians note: early in Xianfeng's reign Du Shoutian, as tutor, was most trusted and shaped policy most.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 387Volume 387 Biographies 174: Zong Shisushun, Mu Yin, Kuang Yuan, Jiao Youying, Chen Fuen · 14 passages

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文宗即位，擢內閣學士，兼副都統、護軍統領、鑾儀使。 When Emperor Xianfeng took the throne, Sushun was promoted to grand secretary and concurrently appointed vice commander-in-chief, commandant of the guards, and master of ceremonies.

時寇亂方熾，外患日深，文宗憂勤，要政多下廷議。 Rebellion was then at its height and foreign pressure was mounting day by day; the emperor was deeply troubled, and important policies were often debated in court.

文宗之信任久而益專。 The emperor's trust in him deepened with time until it was virtually exclusive.

肅順方護文宗梓宮在途，命睿親王仁壽、醇郡王奕枻往逮，遇諸密雲，夜就行館捕之，咆哮不服，械系。 Sushun was then escorting the late emperor's coffin on the road. Prince Rui Renshou and Prince Chun Yiyi were sent to seize him; they met at Miyun and captured him at night in the relay station. He roared defiance and was put in irons.

耆英子慶錫呈訴其父為肅順所陷，請昭雪，詔以耆英罪當死，肅順奏過當，文宗已斥之，特錮肅順子不得入仕以示戒。 Qiying's son Qingxi petitioned that his father had been framed by Sushun and asked exoneration. The edict held that Qiying's crime merited death, that Sushun's memorial had indeed gone too far and Wenzong had already censured it, and that Sushun's son was barred from office as a special warning.

十一年，文宗崩，偕肅順等同受顧命，贊襄政務。 In 1861, when Emperor Xianfeng died, he received the deathbed charge together with Sushun and the others and served as regent.

文宗召對，孚恩與怡親王載垣等爭論於上前，載垣等以失儀自劾，詔原其小節，予薄譴，而斥孚恩乖謬，降三級留任。 Emperor Xianfeng called them for audience; Fuen disputed with Prince Yi Zaiyuan and others before the throne. Zaiyuan and the rest impeached themselves for impropriety; an edict pardoned their minor faults with light censure but condemned Fuen as wrongheaded and demoted him three ranks while keeping him in post.

詔謂：「孚恩當大行皇帝行幸熱河，命諸臣議可否，孚恩有'竊負而逃，遵海濱而處'之語，意在迎合載垣等。 The edict declared: "When the late emperor fled to Rehe, ministers were asked whether the move was wise; Fuen quoted 'carrying one's burden and fleeing to dwell by the sea,' plainly to please Zaiyuan and his party.

大行皇帝上賓，留京諸大臣中獨召孚恩一人赴行在，足證為載垣等心腹。 When the late emperor died, Fuen alone among ministers left in Beijing was summoned to Rehe—proof enough that he was Zaiyuan's trusted man.

時廷臣議郊壇配位，孚恩言：「前議宣宗配位時，大行皇帝有定為三祖六宗之諭，出於大學士杜受田所擬，非大行皇帝意。」 At the same time the court debated imperial worship at the suburban altar. Fuen said: "When the former debate on matching Xuanzong was settled, the late emperor had an edict fixing three ancestors and six founders; this came from Grand Secretary Du Shoutian's draft, not the late emperor's own intent."

王大臣等用其言，仍請文宗配祀。 The princes and grand ministers took his view and still asked that Emperor Xianfeng be paired in worship.

許彭壽復引據文宗御製詩有「以後無須變更」之句，請下廷臣再議，議不配祀。 Xu Pengshou cited Emperor Xianfeng's own verse, "no need to change hereafter," and asked the court to debate again; the outcome was to deny him paired worship.

論曰：文宗厭廷臣習於因循，乏匡濟之略，而肅順以宗潢疏屬，特見倚用，治事嚴刻。 The historian remarks: Emperor Xianfeng wearied of ministers mired in routine and short on remedies for the realm; Sushun, a junior branch kinsman of the throne, was singularly trusted and ran affairs with harsh rigor.

文宗既崩，冀怙權位於一時，以此罹罪。 When Xianfeng died they hoped to cling to power for a season, and on that account met ruin.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 389Volume 389 Biographies 176: Bai Jun, Lin Kui, Rui Chang, Quan Qing · 3 passages

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會御史孟傳金疏劾本科士論未孚，命覆勘試卷，應議者五十卷，文宗震怒，褫柏葰等職，命載垣等會鞫，得柏葰聽信家人靳祥言，取中羅鴻繹情事，靳祥斃於獄。 When Censor Meng Chuanjin charged that the examination essays had failed to satisfy scholarly opinion, the papers were re-examined and fifty were found suspect. Emperor Wenzong was furious, stripped Baizhan and others of rank, and ordered Zaiyuan's group to investigate. They established that Baizhan had heeded his retainer Jin Xiang and passed Luo Hongyi; Jin Xiang died in custody.

文宗幸熱河，留京辦事，督防巡防。 When Emperor Wenzong fled to Rehe, Rui Chang stayed in Beijing to manage affairs and oversee patrol defense.

然自此司文衡者懍懍畏法，科場清肅，曆三十年，至光緒中始漸弛，弊竇复滋，終未至如前此之甚者，實文宗用重典之效，足以挽回風氣也。 Yet afterward those who controlled the examinations feared the law, and the field stayed clean for thirty years; abuses returned only gradually under Guangxu and never reached earlier extremes—truly the effect of Emperor Wenzong's severe example, enough to restore public morals.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 390Volume 390 Biographies 177: Jia Zhen, Zhou Zupei, Zhu Fengbiao, Dan Maoqian · 7 passages

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皇上沖齡踐阼，欽奉先帝遺命，派怡親王載垣等八人讚襄政務。 The Emperor ascended the throne while still very young and, in obedience to the late emperor's testament, appointed eight men including Prince Yi Zaiyuan to assist in government.

三年，文宗實錄、聖訓告成，以監修勞，賜花翎。 In the third year, when the Wenzong Emperor's Veritable Record and Sacred Instructions were completed, he was granted the peacock feather for supervising the compilation.

三十年，文宗即位，疏言：「我朝立政之要，用人之法，備載列聖實錄，請隨時披閱。 In the thirtieth year, when the Wenzong Emperor ascended the throne, he memorialized: "The essentials of our dynasty's governance and the methods of employing men are fully recorded in the Veritable Records of successive emperors; Your Majesty should read them regularly.

十一年，文宗崩，命總理喪儀，兼辦定陵平安峪工程。 In the eleventh year, when the Wenzong Emperor died, he was ordered to direct the mourning rites and also to oversee construction of the Ding Mausoleum at Ping'anyu.

五年，文宗實錄、聖訓成，賜其子文龠員外郎，文令舉人。 In the fifth year, when the Wenzong Emperor's Veritable Record and Sacred Instructions were completed, his sons Wen Yue and Wen Ling were granted an outer-court secretaryship and provincial graduate status respectively.

文宗原其無私，從寬坐失察革職。 The Wenzong Emperor excused him of any private motive and, treating the offense leniently as failure of oversight, dismissed him from office.

十一年，護送文宗梓宮回京，追錄扈從勞，加二級。 In the eleventh year he escorted the Wenzong Emperor's coffin back to the capital; his service in accompanying the court was recognized afterward and he was granted two additional ranks.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 391Volume 391 Biographies 178: Wo Ren, Li Tangjie, Wu Tingdong · 11 passages

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文宗即位，應詔陳言，略曰：「行政莫先於用人，用人莫先於君子小人之辨。 When the Xianfeng Emperor acceded, Wo Ren answered an imperial call for counsel with a memorial that began: 'In governing, nothing precedes the choice of men; in choosing men, nothing precedes telling the gentleman from the petty man.

皇上天亶聰明，孰賢孰否，必能洞知。 Your Majesty's Heaven-given discernment can surely see through who is worthy and who is not.

知人則哲，豈有他術，在皇上好學勤求，使聖志益明，聖德日固而已。 To know men is wisdom: there is no other secret. Your Majesty must study earnestly and seek counsel without cease, so your sage purpose grows ever clearer and your sage virtue firmer day by day.

疏入，上稱其切直，因諭大小臣工進言以倭仁為法。 When the memorial reached the throne, the Emperor praised its blunt honesty and told officials at every rank to speak their minds, taking Wo Ren as their example.

未幾，禮部侍郎曾國籓奏用人三策，上复憶倭仁言，手詔同褒勉焉。 Soon afterward Vice Minister of Rites Zeng Guofan submitted three proposals on appointing men; the Emperor again recalled Wo Ren's memorial and with his own hand issued an edict commending them both.

大理寺少卿田雨公疏言倭仁用違其才，上曰：「邊疆要任，非投閒置散也。 Assistant President Tian Yugong of the Court of Judicial Review argued that Wo Ren's talents were wasted on the assignment; the Emperor replied, 'A frontier post is a weighty charge, not a place to shelve a man in disgrace.

咸豐二年，倭仁复上敬陳治本一疏，上謂其意在責難陳善，尚無不合，惟僅泛語治道，因戒以留心邊務，勿託空言。 In 1852 Wo Ren again submitted a memorial on getting governance right at the root. The Emperor said his aim—to admonish and offer honest counsel—was not out of line, but that he spoke only in broad platitudes about the Way of rule, and warned him to mind frontier business and not hide behind empty rhetoric.

四年，侍郎王茂廕等請命會同籌辦京師團練，上以軍務非所長，寢其議。 In 1854 Vice Minister Wang Maoyin and others asked that Wo Ren be ordered to help organize militia training in the capital; the Emperor, saying military affairs were not his forte, set the proposal aside.

文宗即位，复日講，曾國籓薦棠階醇正堪備講官，召來京。 When the Xianfeng Emperor acceded, daily lectures resumed. Zeng Guofan recommended Tangjie as upright and fit to lecture the emperor, and he was called to Beijing.

文宗疑書元孤立，降旨切責，會廷棟召對，上詢是獄。 The Xianfeng Emperor suspected Shuyuan was being singled out and rebuked the ministries sharply; when Wu Tingdong was called to audience, the emperor asked about the case.

皇上讀書窮理，以裕知人之識； If Your Majesty reads to grasp principle, you will widen your eye for men;

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 392Volume 392 Biographies 179: Sai Shang A, Ne Er Jing E · 3 passages

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文宗深憂之，以賽尚阿親信近臣，命為欽差大臣，赴湖南防堵，將以代星沅也，特賜遏必隆刀，給庫帑二百萬兩備軍餉。 Emperor Wenzong was deeply alarmed; because Sai Shang'a was a trusted intimate, he was made imperial commissioner to go to Hunan and block the rebels, intending him to replace Xingyuan; he was specially given the ceremonial Yebilong saber and two million taels from the treasury for military expenses.

湖南巡撫羅繞典以聞，文宗震怒，詔斥賽尚阿調度無方，號令不明，賞罰失當，以致勞師糜餉，日久無功，褫職逮京治罪。 When Hunan Governor Luo Raodian reported the situation, Emperor Wenzong was furious; an edict denounced Sai Shang'a for confused command, muddled orders, and skewed rewards and punishments that had worn out the army, wasted funds, and produced nothing over months; he was stripped of office and sent to the capital for trial.

文宗大悅，賜訥爾經額雙眼花翎、黃馬褂，賚擢諸將有差。 Emperor Wenzong was delighted, gave Ne'erjing'e double-eyed peacock feathers and a yellow riding jacket, and rewarded and promoted the generals to varying degrees.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 393Volume 393 Biographies 180: Li Xingyuan, Zhou Tianjue, Lao Chongguang · 5 passages

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文宗覽而哀之，依總督例賜卹，賜金治喪，存問其母，子二人命俟服闋引見，諡文恭。 The Xianfeng Emperor read it with compassion, granted posthumous benefits according to the regulations for a governor, bestowed funds for the funeral, sent inquiries after his mother, ordered his two sons to be presented at court after their mourning period, and gave him the posthumous name Wengong.

文宗御極，求知兵大臣，尚書杜受田以天爵對，遂起廣西巡撫，偕欽差大臣李星沅辦賊。 When the Xianfeng Emperor ascended the throne, he sought officials versed in military affairs; Minister Du Shoutian recommended Tianjue, who was recalled as governor of Guangxi to join Imperial Commissioner Li Xingyuan in suppressing the rebels.

既至，連召對十一次，極言軍事，文宗為之動容，然方倚賽尚阿，亦未盡用其言。 Once in the capital, he was summoned for eleven consecutive audiences and spoke exhaustively on military affairs; the Xianfeng Emperor was moved, but as he was then relying on Sai Shang'a, he did not fully adopt Tianjue's counsel.

上震悼，詔嘉其秉性忠直，勇敢有為，心地品行迥超流俗，追贈尚書銜，依贈官賜卹，特諡文忠，不由內閣擬上； The Emperor was deeply grieved; an edict praised his loyal and upright character, his courage and capacity for action, and his moral conduct far above the common run; he was posthumously granted ministerial rank with funeral benefits accordingly, and was specially given the posthumous name Wenzhong without going through the Grand Secretariat's usual proposal;

李星沅、週天爵皆素以忠勤著，文宗採時譽而付以重任，於軍事皆不得要領。 Li Xingyuan and Zhou Tianjue were both known for loyalty and diligence; the Xianfeng Emperor, swayed by their contemporary reputations, entrusted them with heavy responsibilities, yet in military affairs neither grasped the essentials.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 394Volume 394 Biographies 181: Xu Guangjin, Ye Mingchen, Huang Zonghan · 2 passages

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榮據以上聞，文宗韙之。 Xiang forwarded the plan to the throne, and the Xianfeng Emperor approved it.

民團四起，文宗因徐廣縉等前拒英人入城，賴紳民之力，欲復用之，命在籍侍郎羅惇衍、京卿龍元僖、給事中蘇廷魁治團練。 Militia sprang up everywhere; recalling how Xu Guangjin had blocked British entry with gentry and commoners behind him, the Xianfeng Emperor wanted to revive that strategy and ordered retired Vice Minister Luo Dunyi, capital official Long Yuanxi, and Supervising Secretary Su Tingkui to organize the militia.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 396Volume 396 Biographies 183: Wu Wenrong, Pan Duo, Deng Erheng · 2 passages

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咸豐元年，入覲，文宗甚重之，嘉其忠誠勇於任事，勗以察情偽，惜身體，文鎔益感奮。 In the first year of the Xianfeng reign (1851) he went to court; Emperor Wenzong greatly valued him, praised his loyalty and courage in undertaking affairs, and urged him to discern truth from falsehood and take care of his health; Wenrong was all the more stirred to exertion.

文宗震怒，逮崇綸治罪，文鎔志節乃大白。 Emperor Wenzong was greatly angered, arrested Chonglun for punishment, and Wenrong's integrity was fully vindicated.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 397Volume 397 Biographies 184: Lu Jianying, Yang Wending, Qing Lin, Chong Lun, He Guiqing · 7 passages

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覆疏辨駁詳至，文宗韙之，詔綜斡全局，除弊興利，以裨國計。 Jianying's detailed reply won Emperor Wenzong's approval; he was ordered to take charge of the whole reform, cut abuses, and strengthen state revenue.

建瀛猶在豐工，疏上戰守事宜，文宗嘉之，諭以審度軍情，如須親往，可速籌方略，不遙制。 Jianying was still at Fengbei when he submitted a memorial on strategy; Wenzong praised it and told him to judge the military situation himself—if he needed to take the field, to plan quickly without waiting for orders from Beijing.

初，文宗聞其出家貲犒軍，甚嘉之，至是憤武昌屢失，棄城越境，罪尤重，詔曰：「青麟簡任封圻，正當賊匪充斥，武昌兵單餉匱。 Earlier Wenzong had praised him for spending family wealth to reward the troops; now, furious that Wuchang had fallen repeatedly and that he had abandoned his post and fled across provincial borders, the emperor declared his crime especially grave: "Qing Lin was specially appointed to a frontier post just as rebels swarmed everywhere; Wuchang had few troops and scant supplies.

文宗慮兩人不能和衷，且僨事，命文鎔出剿，而責崇綸防守。 Emperor Wenzong feared they could not work together and would ruin the campaign; he sent Wenrong out to fight and charged Chong Lun with defense.

崇綸自請出剿，謀脫身走避，文宗燭其隱，不許。 Chong Lun volunteered to take the field but meant to escape; the emperor saw through him and refused.

粵匪擾江南，桂清疏陳兵事，劾疆吏巽耎僨事，侃侃無所避，文宗奇之。 When the Taiping rebels ravaged Jiangnan, Guiqing wrote on military affairs, impeaching frontier officials for timidity and failure—speaking bluntly without fear—and Emperor Wenzong took notice.

會兩江總督怡良解職，文宗以籌餉事重，難其人，大學士彭蘊章薦桂清餉徽軍無缺，可勝任。 When Liangjiang governor-general Yi Liang was dismissed, Emperor Wenzong found provisioning hard to replace; Grand Secretary Peng Yunzhang recommended Guiqing, who had kept Huizhou's army supplied without shortfall and could fill the post.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 398Volume 398 Biographies 185: Zong Shixianghou, Huo Longwu, Fu Zhu Hong A, En Zhang, Chen Shengyuan, Qi Suzao, Chen Kerang, Liu Tongying, Rui Chang, Jie Chun, Xi Ling A · 1 passage

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文宗悼惜，加等優血卩，贈右都御史，廕一子以知州用。 The Xianfeng Emperor mourned his loss and granted enhanced posthumous honors. Suzao was posthumously made Right Censor-in-Chief, and one son was given the privilege of appointment as prefect.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 423Volume 423 Biographies 210: Zong Jichen, Yin Gengyun, Wang Zheng, Mu Jixianga, You Baichuan, Shen Huai · 12 passages

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五年，聞上將謁陵，未有旨戒行，稷辰疏言：「畿南州縣被水，連歲用兵，民氣甫行休息，籥請展緩一年。」 In the fifth year (1855), when word spread that the emperor would soon visit the tombs though no formal notice had been issued, Jichen memorialized: "The counties south of the capital had been flooded, years of war had only just eased, and the people needed rest—I beg a one-year postponement."

上諭曰：「每歲謁陵，事同典禮，如果畿輔民力未逮，亦必權衡時勢，暫緩舉行。 The emperor replied: "The annual tomb visit was a ritual obligation, but if the capital region could not bear the burden, the court would weigh the times and defer the ceremony.

伏乞皇上命內外臣工各舉所知，無論已仕未仕，果能文武兼資，皆許徵起，必可網羅而盡得之。」 I beg Your Majesty to order every official, inside and outside the capital, to nominate men he knows—serving or not—who truly combine civil and military gifts, and to summon them to office. In that way the court could gather every capable man in the land."

咸豐五年，粵匪犯畿輔，惠親王綿愉為大將軍，僧格林沁參贊軍務，闢耕雲佐幕府，上書論防務，為文宗所知。 In the fifth year of Xianfeng (1855), when Taiping forces threatened the capital region, Prince Hui Mianyu was named commander-in-chief with Sengge Rinchen as his deputy. Gengyun joined the staff, wrote on defense, and won the attention of the Xianfeng Emperor.

伏原紹述心傳，收回成命。」 I beg Your Majesty to follow that precedent and revoke the appointment."

惟懇俯念籓籬重地，立予罷斥，簡大員往代。 I beg Your Majesty to remember how vital this frontier province is, dismiss Chong'en at once, and send a senior replacement.

英、法合軍犯天津，耕雲專疏者七，會疏者二，力主決戰，上命王大臣集議。 When British and French forces attacked Tianjin together, Gengyun filed seven solo memorials and joined two joint ones, all urging war to the finish. The emperor convened the princes and senior ministers to deliberate.

十年，京師戒嚴，上將幸熱河，耕雲代團防大臣草疏諫阻，復自以書抵肅順，卒不聽。 In the tenth year (1860), with the capital under martial law and the emperor preparing to flee to Rehe, Gengyun drafted a remonstrance for the defense commissioner and wrote personally to Sushun, but neither appeal was heard.

侍郎文祥提督九門，遇耕雲東城，相持哭，因為規畫留守諸事。 Vice President Wenxiang, commanding the Nine Gates, met Gengyun in the eastern city. They embraced and wept, and Gengyun outlined plans for holding Beijing during the emperor's absence.

就令人材難得，或於總理衙門位置為宜，上應量為裁抑，或處以散職，或畀以虛銜，庶外邦服我旌別之嚴。 Even if talent were scarce and the Zongli Yamen needed staff, the emperor should curb such men—assign sinecures or empty titles—so foreign powers would respect China's standards of rank.

七年，捻匪自山東竄直隸，百川奏請飭統兵大臣迅速剿辦，又請嚴禁各省栽種罌粟，上皆採納。 In the seventh year (1868), when Nian rebels fled from Shandong into Zhili, Baichuan urged swift suppression and a ban on opium cultivation in every province. The emperor adopted both proposals.

咸豐十年，文宗狩熱河，淮不及從，慟哭欲投井，家人守之不得死。 In the tenth year of Xianfeng (1860), when the Xianfeng Emperor fled to Rehe, Huai could not accompany him and wept so bitterly he tried to throw himself into a well; his family stopped him.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 440Volume 440 Biographies 227: Ying Gui, Zong Shizailing, En Cheng, Zong Shifukun, Chong Li, Yu De · 1 passage

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文宗巡幸，嘗詢以事，奏對稱旨，嘉獎之。 When the Wenzong Emperor made an imperial tour, he once questioned Chongli on affairs. Chongli's replies pleased the emperor, who praised him.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 445Volume 445 Biographies 232: Wu Kedu, Zhu Yixin, Tu Keshou, An Weijun, Wen Ti, Jiang Chunlin · 1 passage

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欽奉兩宮皇太后懿旨，以醇親王之子承繼文宗顯皇帝為子，入承大統為嗣皇帝，俟嗣皇帝生有皇子，即承繼大行皇帝為嗣。 By decree of the two empress dowagers, the son of Prince Chun was adopted as heir to Emperor Wenzong, ascended the throne as successor emperor, and when he should have a son of his own, that son would succeed the late emperor in turn.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 465Volume 465 Biographies 252: Xu Tong With: Yu Shi, Yu Shi Son: Cheng Yu, Gang Yi, Zhao Shuqiao, Qi Xiu, Ying Nian, Yu Lu With: Ting Yong, Yu Xian With: Li Tingxiao · 1 passage

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咸豐十年，特賞檢討，協修文宗實錄。 In 1860 he was specially made a reviser and helped compile the Veritable Records of Emperor Wenzong.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 494Volume 494 Biographies 281: Loyal and Righteous 8 · 1 passage

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時文宗駐蹕熱河，命恭親王奕訢再議款局，而難始定。 The Xianfeng Emperor was then at Rehe; he ordered Prince Gong Yixin to reopen negotiations, and only then was the crisis brought to an end.