Empress Orchid

I have finished reading Empress Orchid aka, Empress Dowager Cixi. The book is authored by Anchee Min. The story tells us how Orchid, a girl who was nearly married to his mentally-retarded cousin brother, who later become the most powerful woman in China.

The story is good but it ended after her husband, the late Emperor Hsien Feng died at the age of 30. I thought the book will tell me how she ruled China...and how she was feared by her son and ministers. But it just end after the burial ceremony. So now I have to hunt for a more complete book.

Anyway, here is a short synopsis of the story: Orchid was born under the Yehonala clan. Her father was the White Bannerman that guarded the Forbidden City.Orchid's father was stripped of his title for failing his duty. Later he died and the family intend to bury him in Peking. They were all staying at Anhwei.

They travelled to Peking and ran out of money.But they did make it there. They then lodged with the father's relative - called Uncle Eleven. After a while, Uncle Eleven asked Orchid to marry his son as Orchid's family couldn't pay up their lodging. Her cousin, a son of her uncle with a prostitute was mentally retarded. He was also an opium addict. At the same time, there were flyers indicating any girls who are under 17 and from the Bannerman's clan and etc, etc rules, they must register themself to the Palace. The Emperor will choose whether he will make them one of his 7 wife or one of the 3000 concubines.

Orchid was chosen as a fifth-rank wife and was later promoted. Eventhough the Emperor's had many concubines, only Orchid gave him a son. There's also a Princess by another wife but 'son' is always the important ones in the eyes of Chinese....so, whether there's a Princess or not is not that important.

After the death of the Emperor, Orchid's five year old son, Tung Chih became the new Emperor. Orchid's name became Tzu Hsi (Cixi), meaning 'kindly and virtuos' while Emperor Hsien Feng's primary five (1st rank) took the name Tzu An. The late emperor gave them the power to rule as regents (Tung Chih is too young to rule), in which both of them were given a seal each. They are called the 'partneship' seals. Any edicts drafted by the ministers, must be validated by both regents. Empress Tzu An will use her seal at the top of the document and Empress Tzu Hsi will leave her print at the bottom.

A group of royal councillors, consisting of 8 people were told to help Emperor Tung Chih with his ruling. They were called the 'Gang of 8' by Empress Tzu An. But even before Emperor Hsien Feng was about to die, they were already planning to take over his dynasty. But with Empress Tzu Hsi's brain and the help of Prince Kung (brother of the late emperor) and Commander Jung Lu, they managed to seized control of the government. The head of the group, Su Shun was supposed to suffer the traditional 'Death of a thousand cuts' (I think it means that, he will be sliced a thousand times)...he was simply beheaded. The book said Tzu Hsi asked for the beheading instead of the former but in other sources, it was written that Tzu Hsi was the one who wanted Su Shun to be cut thousand times. Both Tzu Hsi and Su Shun hated each other. Because at one time, Su Shun actually persuaded the Emperor to take Tzu Hsi with him when he enter another world. It is common at that time for an emperor to be buried with his wives, jewelleries, servants, etc, etc. To him, Tzu Hsi is a threat - Not like Empress Tzu An ... where she is more taken with prayers and keeps herself busy with embroidery.

A good read ... but the gold embossed ink of the book title is coming out. I am now reading Two Years in the Forbidden City by Princess Der Ling.