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Yonglin
Chinese永璘
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYǒnglín

Yonglin (17 June 1766 – 25 April 1820), formally known as Prince Qing, was a Manchu prince of the Qing dynasty in China.

Life

[edit]

Yonglin was born in the Aisin-Gioro clan as the 17th and youngest son of the Qianlong Emperor. His mother, Empress Xiaoyichun, also bore the Qianlong Emperor's 15th son, Yongyan (the Jiaqing Emperor); Yonglin and the Jiaqing Emperor were thus full brothers.

In 1775, his birth mother died of illness. He was raised by Noble Consort Ying in Jingren Palace.

In 1789, Yonglin was granted the title of a beile. He was promoted to junwang (second-rank prince) in 1799 under the title "Prince Hui of the Second Rank" (惠郡王), but was later renamed to "Prince Qing of the Second Rank" (慶郡王). The Jiaqing Emperor gave him Heshen's former residence as his personal mansion. In 1820, Yonglin was promoted to qinwang (first-rank prince), hence he was known as "Prince Qing of the First Rank" (慶親王). He died in the same year and was buried somewhere in the present-day Baiyanggou Natural Scenic Area, which is located southwest of Beijing's Changping District.

Around 1851, during the reign of the Xianfeng Emperor, the Imperial Household Department took back the Prince Qing's Mansion from Yonglin's descendants. A year later, the Xianfeng Emperor gave the mansion to his sixth brother, Prince Gong. The mansion, now called the Prince Gong's Mansion, is a museum open to the public.

Family

[edit]

Primary Consort

  • Imperial Princess Consort Qingxi, of the Niohuru clan (慶僖亲王福晋 鈕祜祿氏; d. 1801)[1]
    • Mianheng (綿恆; 25 January 1790 – 10 February 1790), first son
    • Second son (8 August 1793 – 24 August 1795)
    • Second daughter (26 July 1796 – 9 August 1801)

Secondary Consort

  • Secondary consort, of the Taogiya clan (側福晉 陶佳氏)
    • Fourth son (27 February 1809)
    • Mianti, Prince of the Fourth Rank (貝子 綿悌; 23 July 1811 – 25 December 1849), fifth son
    • Mianxing, Duke of the Fourth Rank (不入八分輔國公 綿性; 30 January 1814 – 15 March 1879), sixth son
    • Sixth daughter (25 July 1815 – 23 February 1818)

Concubine

  • Mistress, of the Janggiya clan (張佳氏)
    • Lady of the Second Rank (縣君; b. 8 January 1788), first daughter
      • Married Zhalawaduo'erji (扎拉瓦多爾濟) of the Tumed in December 1805 or January 1806
  • Mistress, of the Li clan (李氏; d. 1820)
    • Third daughter (28 November 1804 – 1 June 1807)
    • Princess of the Third Rank (郡主; 23 September 1813 – 12 August 1820), fifth daughter[3]
  • Mistress, of the Sun clan (孫氏)
    • Fourth daughter (12 October 1811 – 7 May 1813)
  • Mistress, of the Zhao clan (趙氏)
    • Seventh daughter (b. 8 September 1817)
      • Married Sanzhaxili (三扎喜裡) of the Kharchin Wulianghaijileimote (烏亮海吉勒莫特) clan in December 1835 or January 1836
[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Yonglin

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from Grokipedia
Yonglin (1766–1820) was a Manchu prince of the , formally titled Prince Qing of the Second Rank, and the seventeenth and youngest son of the . Born to the Aisin Gioro clan and his mother, of the Weigiya clan, Yonglin received his initial promotion to the second-rank princely title of Prince Qing in 1799 from his elder brother, the , and was elevated to the first-rank Prince Qing just before his death in 1820. He resided in a mansion that later housed prominent figures and became known as the Prince Kung's Palace, reflecting the continuity of Qing imperial estates among princely lines. Though not a central political actor, Yonglin was noted for his kindness toward subordinates and emphasis on personal friendships, traits that contrasted with the 's disapproval of his son's indulgent pursuits in music, leisure, and travel. His lineage continued the Prince Qing title through descendants, including his grandson , who held significant influence in the late Qing court.

Early Life

Birth and Parentage

Yonglin was born on 17 June 1766 as the seventeenth and youngest son of the (r. 1735–1796), belonging to the Manchu Gioro clan. His birth occurred during the 31st year of Qianlong's reign, a period marked by the emperor's extensive consolidation of imperial power and cultural patronage. His mother was the woman posthumously honored as (1712–1775), originally of the Wei (Weigiya) clan, who entered the imperial harem as a low-ranking consort and rose through successive promotions due to her childbearing and favor with Qianlong. At the time of Yonglin's birth, she held the title of Ling (Ling Guifei), having already borne several imperial sons, including the future (Yongyan, the fifteenth son), which elevated her status within the . Empress Xiaoyichun's Wei clan origins reflected the Qianlong era's integration of elements into Manchu imperial lineage, though primary parentage remained patrilineal through the Gioro. No records indicate significant anomalies or disputes surrounding Yonglin's parentage, which aligned with standard verification practices for imperial , including wet-nurse assignments and confinement protocols to ensure legitimacy.

Upbringing in the Imperial Household

Yonglin was born on 17 June 1766 in the as the seventeenth and youngest son of the and his consort from the Weigiya clan, who later became posthumously honored as . His mother died on 28 February 1775 at age 47, when Yonglin was eight years old, leaving him to continue his formative years under the oversight of the imperial household. Physically robust and dark-skinned, Yonglin exhibited early inclinations toward music, leisure pursuits, and excursions, traits that reportedly incurred the displeasure of his austere father. Like other imperial princes (A-ge), Yonglin commenced formal education at age six around 1772, adhering to a demanding schedule designed to instill Confucian scholarship, linguistic proficiency, and martial discipline essential for Manchu rulership. Mornings began at 3:00 a.m. with bow practice, followed by lessons in Manchu and Mongolian languages until 5:00 a.m., then from 5:00 to 7:00 a.m.; afternoons involved horseback , recitation drills, and review under tutors, extending until dusk with only five annual holidays for major festivals and birthdays. This curriculum, delivered in venues such as the Shang Shu Fang or Yuqing Palace, persisted until approximately age fifteen, emphasizing historical texts, poetry composition, and equestrian skills to prepare princes for governance, though younger sons like Yonglin faced less succession pressure than elders. His palace residence afforded proximity to court rituals and familial oversight, fostering a life of privilege tempered by strict hierarchies until his as a beile in 1789 at age 23.

Imperial Career and Honors

Service Under Qianlong Emperor

Yonglin, born on June 17, 1766, as the seventeenth and youngest son of the , held the status of an imperial prince during his father's reign but did not receive prominent administrative or military assignments. As a member of the Aisin Gioro clan, he participated in routine ceremonial obligations typical for Qing princes, such as attendance at imperial rituals, though records note instances of non-compliance, including missing a required viewing of sacrificial animals (shisheng) on one occasion, prompting inquiry by the Grand Council. The Qianlong Emperor's lack of favor toward Yonglin, attributed to the prince's preferences for music, pursuits, and over diligent service, limited his involvement in . No evidence exists of Yonglin serving on key boards, such as the Six Boards or the Imperial Clan Court in a substantive capacity, nor leading military campaigns or provincial administrations before Qianlong's effective retirement in 1796. His early career thus remained confined to the periphery of imperial affairs, contrasting with brothers like the future (Yongyan), who received greater trust and preparatory roles.

Elevation Under Jiaqing Emperor

Following the death of the on February 7, 1799, which allowed the to assume full authority after years of nominal rule, Yonglin received his first major elevation under his half-brother's reign. Previously holding the lower rank of beile since 1789, Yonglin was promoted to junwang (prince of the second rank) and granted the title Prince Qing of the Second Rank (慶郡王). This advancement reflected Jiaqing's efforts to reorganize imperial favor among siblings amid the purge of corrupt officials like , though Yonglin's improved personal conduct—restraining his earlier indulgences in music, amusement, and travel to within his mansion—likely contributed to the honor. Yonglin's elevation aligned with Jiaqing's broader policy of rewarding reliable family members while curbing excesses associated with the late Qianlong era. Historical records note Yonglin's kinder disposition and emphasis on friendships during this period, contrasting his earlier disfavor under Qianlong due to perceived idleness. The title established a hereditary line, one of the Qing dynasty's "iron-cap" princedoms passed intact to descendants. In 1820, amid Jiaqing's final years, Yonglin achieved further distinction when promoted to qinwang (prince of the first rank), becoming Prince Qing of the First Rank (慶親王). This rare upgrade, occurring shortly before Yonglin's death on April 25, 1820, underscored his sustained loyalty and restraint, solidifying the peerage's prestige before Jiaqing's own passing later that year on September 2. The promotion ensured the title's elevated status for future holders, including Yonglin's grandson , without dilution in rank.

Wealth and Estates

Acquisition of Heshen's Confiscated Properties

In early , shortly after Emperor Qianlong's death and the ascension of Jiaqing, was charged with 20 counts of , , and , leading to the confiscation of his vast assets and his ordered on (18th day of the first ). Among the redistributed properties, Jiaqing granted Heshen's principal residence—located near Shichahai in the Xicheng District and originally built in the during Qianlong's reign—to his half-brother Yonglin, the 17th son of Qianlong and then holding the title of Prince Yi of the Second Rank. This mansion, later known as , encompassed over 60,000 square meters, including lavish gardens, pavilions, and rockeries, positioning it as the largest and most elaborate surviving princely estate from the Qing era. The allocation fulfilled Yonglin's longstanding interest in the property and served as a reward for his loyalty, while underscoring Jiaqing's strategy to repurpose symbols of Heshen's ill-gotten opulence among imperial kin. Heshen's overall confiscated fortune, documented in official Qing inventories as including thousands of rooms across estates, extensive landholdings, gold reserves exceeding 58,000 taels, and other valuables valued at roughly 800–1,100 million taels of silver (comparable to 10–15 years of Qing fiscal revenue), was predominantly directed to the state treasury to alleviate imperial finances strained by . However, targeted grants like the mansion to Yonglin exemplified selective distribution to reinforce familial alliances, with the estate providing Yonglin immediate prestige and a base for his subsequent management of holdings; archival records from the Qing Internal Affairs Office confirm its transfer without additional major Heshen-derived lands explicitly allocated to him. This acquisition marked a pivotal enhancement to Yonglin's wealth, though it remained subordinate to the broader imperial reclamation of 's empire-spanning graft.

Management and Expansion of Holdings

Yonglin received Heshen's former mansion in Beijing in 1799, along with the adjacent Qingyudang pawnshop and 75 commercial storefronts, forming the core of his expanded urban holdings as Prince Qing of the Second Rank. These assets provided both residential prestige and revenue streams from commerce, aligning with Yonglin's documented preferences for luxury, music, and amusement rather than administrative rigor. Princely estates under the Qing system, including those of Yonglin, were subject to bureaucratic oversight by imperial agencies, limiting personal autonomy in day-to-day management and emphasizing state-aligned fiscal accountability over independent enterprise. No primary records detail proactive renovations or infrastructural improvements by Yonglin during his 21-year tenure (–), though the mansion served as his primary residence, fulfilling both ceremonial needs and personal inclinations toward opulent living. The absence of noted expansions—such as land acquisitions, garden enlargements, or additional commercial ventures—suggests a period of consolidation rather than growth, consistent with Yonglin's characterization as kind-hearted but leisure-oriented, with improved but not exceptional conduct under Jiaqing's scrutiny. Upon his promotion to of the First Rank in and subsequent death that year, the holdings transferred intact to his third son, Mianmin, without documented augmentation in scale or value. Subsequent disrepair by the mid-19th century implies potential lapses in sustained upkeep, though attributable more to heirs than Yonglin's direct oversight.

Family and Personal Relations

Marriages and Offspring

Yonglin's primary consort (嫡福晋) was a member of the Niohuru clan, whose prominent family background reflected the Qianlong Emperor's favor toward his youngest son. Following her death, Yonglin elevated his side consort (侧福晋), Wu Jia Shi—the daughter of Vice General Shu Lin—to the position of successor consort (继福晋) in 1803. Wu Jia Shi had previously borne Yonglin's third son, Mianmin (綿愍), on February 8, 1797, while still a side consort. Yonglin had six sons and seven daughters in total, though high infant mortality was common among Qing imperial offspring, with most of his children dying young. Only three sons reached adulthood: the third, Mianmin; the fifth, Mianti (綿悌, 1811–1849), who was granted the title of Prince of the Fourth Rank (貝子); and the sixth, Miantai (綿泰). These surviving sons continued Yonglin's lineage, with Mianti's descendants later inheriting aspects of the Prince Qing peerage.

Descendants and Lineage Continuation

Yonglin fathered five sons and three daughters, with the male line ensuring the perpetuation of the Prince Qing title through iron-cap succession rules established in the . His eldest son, Mianhe (綿赫), predeceased him without issue, while subsequent heirs included Mianyu, Mian'en, Mianqing, and Mianxin, though details on their direct contributions remain limited in historical records. The sixth son, Mianxing (綿性), proved pivotal, as his eldest son (奕劻, 1838–1917) inherited the princedom and elevated its prominence in late Qing politics. Yikuang, formally of the First Rank, served as a Grand Councilor, led foreign affairs during crises like the Boxer Rebellion, and co-signed the Boxer Protocol with Western powers, amassing significant influence despite criticisms of corruption and favoritism toward foreign interests. Under his tenure, the family maintained estates in , but earlier descendants faced degradation; by the Xianfeng era (1851), the original Prince Qing mansion was reclaimed by the imperial household due to repeated scandals and mismanagement among Yonglin's direct heirs, and reassigned to Yixin. The lineage persisted post-1912 Republic establishment, with Yikuang's descendants retaining Aisin Gioro clan status but stripped of formal titles and privileges. Yikuang's son and further progeny integrated into civilian life, with some branches documented in Manchu genealogies up to the mid-20th century, though diluted by intermarriage and the dynasty's fall. No major imperial restorations or notable revivals occurred, marking the effective end of political influence for Yonglin's line.

Death and Immediate Aftermath

Final Years and Passing

In the later years of his life under the , Yonglin adopted a subdued , restricting his activities to within his own residence, demonstrating benevolence toward his staff, and cultivating close associations with friends. Early in , Yonglin received his highest imperial honor when Jiaqing promoted him from junwang to qinwang status, granting him the title of of the First Rank. Yonglin passed away on 25 April 1820 at the age of 53. His remains were interred in a tomb situated in the mountainous region of Changping County near ; the site now preserves only a stone monument and a single-arch bridge as remnants.

Succession of Titles

Mianmin, Yonglin's third son (born 1792, died 1842), succeeded as the second holder of the Prince Qing title immediately following Yonglin's death on April 25, 1820, receiving it at the downgraded rank of second-rank prince (junwang), consistent with Qing hereditary practices for non-iron-cap titles that reduced in status each generation. The title remained capped at this second rank until 1908, passing through Yonglin's male descendants amid family branches and occasional imperial adjustments for misconduct or merit. Subsequent holders included relatives in the direct lineage, with the title eventually reaching Yonglin's grandson (1838–1917), eldest son of Yonglin's sixth son Mianxing (1814–1879), who became the fifth bearer around 1876 after inheriting a lower auxiliary title (Fuguo Jiangjun) and later elevated the to first-rank qinwang status in 1908 by imperial decree during the Guangxu era, reflecting his role in late Qing diplomacy. This progression preserved the clan's noble standing and properties, including the former mansion, through to the dynasty's end, though the line's influence waned post-1912 with the republic's establishment.
SuccessorRelation to YonglinTitle Rank HeldPeriod
MianminThird sonSecond-rank (junwang)1820–1842
(Intervening holders)Direct descendantsSecond-rank1842–ca. 1876
Grandson (via sixth son Mianxing)Second-rank, promoted to first-rank (qinwang) in 1908ca. 1876–1917

Historical Assessment

Achievements and Contributions

Yonglin was elevated to the title of of the Second Rank in 1799 following the ascension of his brother, the , reflecting familial trust despite his limited involvement in governance. In March 1820, amid illness, the emperor personally visited him and promoted him to of the First Rank (qinwang), a rare honor granted days before his death on April 25. Historical records, including official annals, document no significant military campaigns, administrative reforms, or scholarly works attributed to Yonglin; princely duties in the Qing system typically included advisory roles or participation, but his indolence precluded active contributions. His establishment of the peerage ensured the persistence of an imperial branch, with his grandson Yi Kuang later assuming the title and influencing late Qing as grand councilor.

Criticisms and Character Evaluations

Yonglin's character has been depicted in Qing historical records and later analyses as one of indolence and limited intellectual or aptitude, traits attributed partly to lax upbringing as the emperor's youngest son. Unlike elder siblings groomed for , he showed little proficiency in Confucian or , instead favoring pursuits like appreciation, music, and mercantile ventures, which were deemed unbecoming for imperial lineage. expressed frustration with Yonglin's playful demeanor, noting his tendency to roam idly and engage in minor infractions without self-correction, viewing such conduct as a blemish on familial discipline. Critics in retrospective evaluations highlight Yonglin's overt admiration for Heshen's opulence over political acumen, exemplified by his reported of the fallen minister's fortune—famously quipping that even imperial rule paled against such riches—prompting Jiaqing to allocate him Heshen's lavish mansion and approximately half of the confiscated assets in March 1799, valued equivalently to seven to eight years of national treasury revenue. This inheritance, while not implicating Yonglin in Heshen's graft, fueled perceptions of him as materialistic and unambitious, prioritizing personal luxury amid the dynasty's fiscal strains post-Qianlong. Under Jiaqing's reign, Yonglin faced stricter oversight, curtailing public excesses and confining entertainments to his residence, suggesting an adaptive restraint rather than inherent reform. Historical commentaries note his 22-year occupancy of the former estate overlooked sundry regulatory breaches in its ornamentation—such as oversized halls and illicit motifs—reflecting a permissive disposition shielded by fraternal , though Jiaqing intervened to mitigate formal repercussions. Absent major scandals or administrative failures, Yonglin evades the severest indictments leveled at contemporaries, yet his profile endures as emblematic of princely mediocrity, unburdened by duty yet enriched by proximity to corruption's spoils.

Cultural Depictions

In Historical Narratives

In official Qing dynastic histories, such as the Qing Shi Gao, Yonglin is documented factually as the seventeenth and youngest son of the , born on June 17, 1766, to of the Weigiya clan, and the full younger brother of the future . His early enfeoffment as a beile occurred in 1789 during reign, reflecting standard imperial favor toward royal offspring without notation of exceptional merit. Following Jiaqing's ascension in 1796, Yonglin received successive promotions, including to junwang (second-rank prince) under the title Prince Qing in 1799, and elevation to qinwang (first-rank prince) in 1820 shortly before his death on April 25 of that year at age 53. The Qing Shi Gao records his passing with imperial rites, including Jiaqing's personal attendance and the succession of his son Mianmin to the reduced title of junwang, underscoring the procedural continuity of Manchu noble inheritance rather than personal acclaim. These narratives portray Yonglin as a peripheral figure in state affairs, assigned no major or administrative roles, with emphasis on his integration into the imperial family's and titular . Later biographical summaries, informed by , depict him as physically robust yet inclined toward pursuits like and , initially drawing Qianlong's disapproval for such indulgences before demonstrating restraint under Jiaqing's stricter oversight, which confined his entertainments to private estates. This characterization highlights the tensions between princely privilege and imperial expectations of decorum in late Qianlong-era accounts, without attributing substantive policy influence or scandal.

In Fiction, Drama, and Media

Yonglin has received limited attention in fiction, drama, and media, primarily as a peripheral figure in narratives centered on the Qianlong Emperor's family dynamics rather than as a protagonist. Chinese historical dramas depicting the late Qianlong era, such as Story of Yanxi Palace (2018), emphasize court intrigues and prominent concubines like his mother, Empress Xiaoyichun, but do not feature Yonglin substantially, given his youth during the primary timeline (1741–circa 1775) and the focus on elder siblings involved in succession matters. Similarly, series like Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018) portray imperial offspring but prioritize figures such as Prince Yongqi over Yonglin, reflecting historical priorities in dramatized accounts of Qing palace life. No major novels or films center on Yonglin's life, with his portrayal confined to brief mentions in web fiction exploring extended imperial lineages or fan extensions of popular works like My Fair Princess (Huan Zhu Ge Ge), where Qianlong's descendants are alluded to without deep characterization. This scarcity aligns with Yonglin's historical profile as a non-succession contender, overshadowed by more politically active brothers.

References

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