Emperor Tongzhi's Prostitution
by Lu Chun
About This Novel
Zaichun, the only son of the Empress Dowager Cixi who ascended the throne as Emperor Tongzhi at the age of six due to the violent death of his father Xianfeng in Rehe, was not a mediocre and uninhibited person as some historical sources say. Regarding the evaluation of Qing history, Emperor Tongzhi was "talented and intelligent" and "good at learning and asking questions." It could have established him as an enlightened monarch, but due to the Queen Mother's desire for power, lack of family warmth, and indulgence in discipline, she often left the palace incognito to find happiness and relieve her worries. Realistic articles about his young and extravagant life often appeared in newspapers, and there were rumors that he contracted syphilis while visiting a brothel. The Queen Mother of the West took her own initiative, insisted on treating smallpox, and died prematurely due to misdiagnosis. These nonsense stories have also confused many historians and have become unsolved historical issues.
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