, and the fifth Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1796 to 1820. He was the 15th son of the
. During his reign, he prosecuted
, the corrupt favorite of his father, and attempted to restore order within the Qing Empire while curbing the smuggling of opium into China.
Early years
Yongyan was born in the Old Summer Palace, 8 km (5 mi) northwest of the walls of Beijing. His personal name, "Yongyan" (永琰), was later changed to "Yongyan" (顒琰) when he became the emperor. The Chinese character for yong in his name was changed from the more common 永 to the less common 顒. This novelty was introduced by the Qianlong Emperor, who believed that it was not proper to have a commonly used Chinese character in an emperor's personal name due to the longstanding practice of naming taboo in the imperial family.
Yongyan was the 15th son of the Qianlong Emperor. His mother was Noble Consort Ling, the daughter of Wei Qingtai (魏清泰), a Han Chinese official whose family had been long integrated into the Manchu Eight Banners as part of a Han Banner.
The Qianlong Emperor originally had two other sons in mind for succeeding him, but both of them died early from diseases, hence in December 1773 he secretly chose Yongyan as his successor. In 1789, the Qianlong Emperor instated Yongyan as "Prince Jia of the First Rank" (嘉亲王; or simply "Prince Jia").
Accession to the throne
In October 1795, the 60th year of his reign, the Qianlong Emperor announced his intention to abdicate in favour of Prince Jia. He made this decision because he felt that it was disrespectful for him to rule longer than his grandfather, the Kangxi Emperor, who was on the throne for 61 years. Prince Jia ascended the throne and adopted the era name "Jiaqing" in February 1796, hence he is historically known as the Jiaqing Emperor. For the next three years however, the Jiaqing Emperor was emperor in name only because decisions were still made by his father, who became a Taishang Huang (emperor emeritus) after his abdication.
After the death of the Qianlong Emperor in the beginning of February 1799, the Jiaqing Emperor took control of the government and prosecuted Heshen, a favourite official of his father. Heshen was charged with corruption and abuse of power, stripped of his titles, had his property confiscated, and ordered to commit suicide. Heshen's daughter-in-law, Princess Hexiao, a half-sister of the Jiaqing Emperor, was spared from punishment and given a few properties from Heshen's estates.
At the time, the Qing Empire faced internal disorder, most importantly the large-scale White Lotus (1796–1804) and Miao (1795–1806) rebellions, as well as an empty imperial treasury. The Jiaqing Emperor engaged in the pacification of the empire and the quelling of rebellions. He endeavored to bring China back to its 18th-century prosperity and power. However, due in part to large outflows of silver from the country as payment for the opium smuggled into China from British India, the economy declined.
Renaming Vietnam
The Jiaqing Emperor refused the Vietnamese ruler Gia Long's request to change his country's name to Nam Việt. He changed the name instead to Việt Nam. Gia Long's Đại Nam thực lục contains the diplomatic correspondence over the naming.
Opposition to Christianity
The Great Qing Legal Code includes one statute titled "Prohibitions Concerning Sorcerers and Sorceresses" (禁止师巫邪术). In 1811, a clause was added to it with reference to Christianity. It was modified in 1815 and 1817, settled in its final form in 1839 under the Daoguang Emperor, and abrogated in 1870 under the Tongzhi Emperor. It sentenced Europeans to death for spreading Catholicism among Han Chinese and Manchus. Christians who would not repent their conversion were sent to Muslim cities in Xinjiang, to be given as slaves to Muslim leaders and beys.
Chinese nobility
The Jiaqing Emperor granted the title Wujing Boshi (五经博士 Wǔjīng Bóshì) to the descendants of Han Yu.
Death and burial
On 2 September 1820, the Jiaqing Emperor died at the Rehe (Jehol) Traveling Palace (热河行宫), 230 km (140 mi) northeast of Beijing, where the imperial court was in summer quarters. The Draft History of Qing did not record a cause of death. Some have alleged that he died after being struck by lightning, but others prefer the theory that he died of a stroke, as the emperor was quite obese. He was succeeded by his second son, Mianning, who became known as the Daoguang Emperor.
Renzong was interred amidst the Western Qing Tombs, 120 km (75 mi) southwest of Beijing, in the Chang (昌; lit. "splendid") mausoleum complex.
Family
Parent
Father — Hongli, the Qianlong Emperor (乾隆帝) of the Aisin Gioro Clan (爱新觉罗)
Mother —Empress Xiaoyichun (孝仪纯皇后) of the Weigiya Clan (魏佳)
He was raised by Imperial Noble Consort Qinggong of Lu
Consorts and Issue
Empress
• Empress Xiaoshurui (孝淑睿皇后) of the Hitara Clan (喜塔腊)Tenure as empress: 12 February 1796 – 5 March 1797.
• Second daughter (2 June 1780 – 6 September 1783)
• Minning (宣宗 旻宁; 16 September 1782 – 26 February 1850), the Daoguang Emperor (道光帝), second son
• Princess Zhuangjing of the First Rank (庄静固伦公主; 20 October 1784 – 27 June 1811), fourth daughter. Married Manibadala (玛尼巴达喇; d. 1832) of the Tumed Borjigit clan in November/December 1802.
• Miscarriage at three months (18 August 1785)
• Empress Xiaoherui (孝和睿皇后) of the Niohuru Clan (钮祜禄)Tenure as empress: 27 May 1801 – 2 September 1820.
• Seventh daughter (2 August 1793 – July/August 1795)
• Miankai, Prince Dunke of the First Rank (敦恪亲王 绵恺; 6 August 1795 – 18 January 1838), third son
• Mianxin, Prince Ruihuai of the First Rank (瑞怀亲王 绵忻; 9 March 1805 – 27 September 1828), fourth son
Imperial Noble Consort
• Imperial Noble Consort Heyu (和裕皇贵妃) of the Liugiya Clan (刘佳氏)
• Prince Mu of the Second Rank (穆郡王; 4 February 1779 – 10 June 1780), first son
• Princess Zhuangjing of the Second Rank (庄敬和硕公主; 30 January 1782 – 4 April 1811), third daughter. Married Sodnamdorji (索特纳木多布济; d. 1825) of the Khorchin Borjigit clan on 24 December 1801.
• Imperial Noble Consort Gongshun (恭顺皇贵妃) of the Niohuru Clan (钮祜禄)
• Eighth daughter (8 March 1805 – December 1805 or January 1806)
• Princess Huimin of the First Rank (慧愍固伦公主; 18 February 1811 – June/July 1815), ninth daughter
• Mianyu, Prince Huiduan of the First Rank (惠端亲王 绵愉; 8 March 1814 – 9 January 1865), fifth son
Consort
• Consort Hua (华妃) of the Hougiya Clan (侯佳氏)
• Sixth daughter (2 August 1789 – 1790)
• Consort Zhuang (庄妃) of the Wanggiya Clan (王佳氏)
• Consort Xin (信妃) of the Liugiya Clan (刘佳氏)
• Consort Shu (恕妃) of the Wanyan Clan (完颜氏)
Concubine
• Concubine Chun (淳嫔) of the Donggiya Clan (董佳氏)
• Concubine Rong (荣嫔) of the Lian Clan (梁氏)
• Concubine En (恩嫔) of the Uya Clan (乌雅氏)
• Concubine An (安嫔) of the Gūwalgiya Clan (瓜尔佳氏)
• Concubine Jian (简嫔) of the Guan Clan (关)
• First daughter (14 May 1780 – 24 November 1783)
• Concubine Xun (逊嫔) of the Shen Clan (沈)
• Princess Hui'an of the Second Rank (慧安和硕公主; 31 December 1786 – June/July 1795), fifth daughter
Ancestry
In fiction and popular culture
• Portrayed by Yu Yang in War and Beauty (2004)
• Portrayed by Xin Baiqing Legend of Jiaqing (2005)
• Portrayed by Shaun Tam in Succession War (2018)
• Portrayed by Tang Jiatong in Story of Yanxi Palace (2018)
• Portrayed in Throne of Jade (2006), a historical fantasy novel by Naomi Novik.