Even The Royals Empress Dowager Cixi of China Part 1: Coup There It Is | 4
Jan 15, 2024
Empress Dowager Cixi, a former concubine who rose to become one of China’s most powerful empresses, reveals her extraordinary journey to power. She shares the tumultuous events of 19th-century Beijing, where chaos and resolve defined her early life. Cixi's strategic rise within a male-dominated court showcases her ambition and cunning. As she navigates love and sacrifice amidst political intrigue, her story becomes one of resilience and determination, challenging societal norms to reshape the empire's future.
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From Shoemaker's Daughter To Palace Concubine
- At 16 Sashi is summoned to the Forbidden City and endures humiliating physical inspections to join the emperor's harem.
- She becomes a low-ranked concubine but seizes nightly access to the emperor to position herself for influence.
Personal Hardship Rooted In National Crisis
- China’s defeat in the First Opium War left many families indebted and socially destabilized.
- That national collapse framed Sashi's childhood responsibilities and her political motivation.
Birth Of A Political Lifeline
- After giving birth to a son in 1856, Sashi raises him alongside Empress Xian and secures a path to power.
- She uses an ancient record to claim the title Dowager Empress and remain at court after the emperor's death.