The Empress Dowager Cixi in power

Empress Dowager Cixi played an important part in China's political history. Contrary to Qing imperial tradition, which forbade women and Princes from engaging in politics, she became the only Empress of the Qing dynasty to rule “behind the curtains” (chui lian ting zheng).

A few days after Cixi wrested power from the Eight Regent Ministers appointed by the former Xianfeng Emperor, she rewarded Yixin, the Prince Gong, for his assistance in the coup. He was appointed head of the General Affairs Office and the Internal Affairs Office. Even his family shared in the favor that the Cixi held for him. His daughter was named a Gurun Princess, a title that was usually reserved for the first-born daughter of the Empress.

One of Cixi's first acts from behind the curtains was to issue two edicts on behalf of the Emperor. The first made her and Empress Dowager Ci'an, who was only nominally involved in the affairs of state, the sole decision makers “without interference.” The second changed the young Emperor's era name from Qixiang, which meant “Auspicious,” to Tongzhi or “Collective Stable.”

Internal strife and foreign challenges

At the time of Cixi's rise as the absolute power figure in Chinese politics, China was facing the dual problems of internal strife and foreign challenges. China was still reeling from the effects of the Second Opium War while the Qing empire was slowly being rent by the seemingly unstoppable Taiping Rebellion.

To add to the turmoil, rampant corruption had infected the bureaucracy. In 1861, the year of the imperial examinations, Cixi took the unprecedented move of talking with each and every official above the level of provincial governor to personally take their reports from the past three years. By doing this, Cixi was in effect doing what the Bureaucratic Affairs Department has been charged with.

Cixi ordered the execution two high-ranking officials at this time – Qingying, a military officer who tried to bribe his way out of demotion and He Guiqing, the Viceroy of Liangjang, for fleeing an incoming Taiping army rather than defending the city of Changzhou.

In the next three years, she also chose Han Chinese officials to head all southern Chinese provinces.

Dealing with Prince Gong

Cixi's confidence in Zeng proved well-placed. In July 1864, his forces won a decisive victory against the Taiping army. Cixi recognized this achievement by awarding him and other Han Chinese generals in the war with decorations and titles.

With the Taiping threat seemingly over, Cixi could turn her attention to emerging internal threats to her power.

At the top of the list was the growing influence of Yixin, the Prince Gong who was also the Chief Policy Adviser in court. Yixin not only controlled daily court affairs because he was fire-in-charge at the Grand Council and the Zongli Yamen, the de facto foreign ministry, he had also gathered the support of all outstanding Han Chinese armies. Yixin could mount a serious challenge to Cixi.

Despite the earlier favor she bestowed on Yixin, Cixi reacted quickly to a memo filed by Cai Shaoqi, a little-known official who asked for Yixin's resignation. Yixin was not at all concerned with the petition, as he had built a powerful base and had strong allies in court. For Cixi, however, it was just the opening she needed.

In April 1865, Cixi dismissed Yixin from all his positions. The reason? He was said to have “improper court conduct before the two Empresses” and other charges. Yixin was allowed to keep his title, though.

The dismissal shocked the court and numerous petitions for the return of the Prince Gong were submitted to Cixi. Giving in to popular demand, Cixi allowed Yixin to remain as the head of the foreign ministry but stripped him of his post as Chief Policy Adviser. Prince Gong would never regain the political prominence he once held. Gone also were the liberal and pro-reform policies he had wanted to put forward. The message was clear: Cixi would tolerate no one, not even her closest ally, who could threaten her hold on power.