Daoguang Emperor (道光帝)

Overview

The translated histories identify Daoguang Emperor as a ruler. This record brings together 100 passages from 23 chapters across 1 history, with names, dates, relationships, offices, and events preserved as source-backed claims.

Names

Type	English	Chinese	Pinyin
Personal	Daoguang Emperor	道光帝	Daoguang Di
Regnal	Daoguang	道光	Daoguang
Regnal name	Daoguang	道光	Daoguang
Regnal name	Daoguang	道光
Regnal	Daoguang	道光
Regnal	Daoguang	道光	Dàoguāng
Title	Daoguang Emperor	宣宗
Title	Daoguang Emperor	道光帝
Regnal	Daoguang Emperor	道光	Daoguang
Temple name	Daoguang Emperor	宣宗	Xuānzōng
Regnal name	Daoguang Emperor	道光帝
Temple	Daoguang Emperor	宣宗	Xuānzōng
Regnal	Daoguang Emperor	道光帝	Dàoguāng
Title	Daoguang Emperor
Regnal	Daoguang Emperor	道光帝	Daoguang
Title	Emperor	帝	Di
Title	Emperor	帝
Title	Emperor
Title	Emperor	皇上
Personal	Emperor
Title	Emperor Daoguang	道光帝
Regnal name	Emperor Daoguang	道光	Daoguang
Title	Emperor Daoguang
Temple name	Emperor Xuanzong	宣宗	Xuanzong
Title	Emperor Xuanzong	宣宗	Xuanzong
Title	Emperor Xuanzong
Temple	Emperor Xuanzong	宣宗	Xuanzong
Temple name	Xuanzong	宣宗
Temple	Xuanzong	宣宗	Xuanzong
Temple	Xuanzong	宣宗
Temple name	Xuanzong	宣宗	Xuānzōng
Temple	Xuanzong	宣宗	Xuānzōng
Temple name	Xuanzong	宣宗	Xuanzong
Temple	Xuanzong Emperor	宣宗
Title	Xuanzong Emperor	宣宗

Identity

Historicity: Historical
Identification: Named
Sex: Male

Sex: male
Strongly inferred · qingshigao:111:s0093, qingshigao:141:s0059, qingshigao:272:s0119, qingshigao:364:s0111, qingshigao:373:s0176, qingshigao:382:s0013, qingshigao:384:s0001, qingshigao:393:s0034, qingshigao:393:s0039, qingshigao:394:s0035, qingshigao:423:s0015
Sex: male
Explicit · qingshigao:353:s0075, qingshigao:354:s0005, qingshigao:355:s0133, qingshigao:366:s0035, qingshigao:373:s0023, qingshigao:375:s0031, qingshigao:376:s0023, qingshigao:378:s0079, qingshigao:379:s0035, qingshigao:387:s0091, qingshigao:390:s0082, qingshigao:392:s0003
Value: male
Explicit · qingshigao:369:s0042

Roles

Ruler

Life and dates

Death

Date Context: Source Date: Text: 三十年 · Western Year: AD 1850
Explicit · qingshigao:378:s0067, qingshigao:387:s0091
Explicit · qingshigao:375:s0219

Attested activity

Source Date: Text: 道光二年 · Regnal Year: 2 · Western Year: AD 1822
Explicit · qingshigao:141:s0096
Source Date: Text: 道光七年 · Regnal Year: 7 · Western Year: AD 1827
Explicit · qingshigao:141:s0059
Source Date: Text: 道光九年 · Regnal Year: 9 · Western Year: AD 1829
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:382:s0012, qingshigao:382:s0013
Source Date: Text: 三十年 · Western Year: AD 1850
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:378:s0067, qingshigao:378:s0004
Source Date: Text: 三十年 · Western Year: AD 1850
Explicit · qingshigao:387:s0091
Source Date: Text: 二十一年 · Western Year: AD 1841
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:373:s0023
Source Date: Text: 二年 · Western Year: AD 1822
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:376:s0023, qingshigao:376:s0022
Source Date: Text: 十八年 · Western Year: AD 1838
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:378:s0029, qingshigao:378:s0011
Source Date: Text: 咸豐六年 · Western Year: AD 1856
Explicit · qingshigao:390:s0082
Source Date: Text: 嘉慶十六年 · Western Year: AD 1811
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:364:s0111
Source Date: Text: 嘉慶間侍讀至道光十二年 · Western Year: AD 1821
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:354:s0005, qingshigao:354:s0023, qingshigao:354:s0024, qingshigao:354:s0134
Source Date: Text: 宣宗夙知其能 · Western Year: AD 1821
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:384:s0016
Source Date: Text: 道光 · Western Interval: Start: AD 1821 · End: AD 1839
Explicit · qingshigao:379:s0035, qingshigao:379:s0184, qingshigao:379:s0202
Source Date: Text: 道光 · Western Interval: Start: AD 1821 · End: AD 1850
Explicit · qingshigao:366:s0035, qingshigao:366:s0048
Source Date: Text: 道光 · Western Interval: Start: AD 1821 · End: AD 1850
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:369:s0009, qingshigao:369:s0042
Source Date: Text: 道光七年 · Western Year: AD 1827
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:111:s0088, qingshigao:111:s0093
Source Date: Text: 道光三十年 · Western Year: AD 1850
Explicit · qingshigao:393:s0041
Source Date: Text: 道光三年 · Western Year: AD 1823
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:355:s0134
Source Date: Text: 道光二十九年 · Western Year: AD 1849
Explicit · qingshigao:394:s0035
Source Date: Text: 道光二十二年 · Western Year: AD 1842
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:373:s0176
Source Date: Text: 道光二十二年 · Western Year: AD 1842
Explicit · qingshigao:393:s0034, qingshigao:393:s0039
Source Date: Text: 道光二年 · Western Year: AD 1822
Explicit · qingshigao:379:s0035
Source Date: Text: 道光元年 · Western Year: AD 1821
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:351:s0128, qingshigao:353:s0075, qingshigao:353:s0105, qingshigao:355:s0133
Source Date: Text: 道光元年 · Western Year: AD 1821
Explicit · qingshigao:376:s0082
Source Date: Text: 道光十一年 · Western Year: AD 1831
Explicit · qingshigao:377:s0121
Source Date: Text: 道光十一年 · Western Year: AD 1831
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:392:s0003, qingshigao:392:s0005
Source Date: Text: 道光十九年 · Western Year: AD 1839
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:375:s0031, qingshigao:375:s0029
Source Date: Text: 道光十年 · Western Year: AD 1830
Explicit · qingshigao:384:s0109
Source Date: Text: 道光即位 · Western Year: AD 1820
Explicit · qingshigao:377:s0023
Source Date: Text: 道光四年 · Western Year: AD 1824
Explicit · qingshigao:377:s0025
Source Date: Text: 道光間 · Western Interval: Start: AD 1821 · End: AD 1850
Explicit · qingshigao:272:s0119
Source Date: Text: 道光間 · Western Year: AD 1840
Explicit event contextual date · qingshigao:423:s0053

Career and standing

Label: Emperor / 帝 · Action: held
Explicit · qingshigao:384:s0016
Action: acceded as emperor · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 宣宗即位 · Western Year: AD 1820
Explicit · qingshigao:364:s0150
Date Context: Source Date: Text: 宣宗即位 · Western Year: AD 1820
Explicit · qingshigao:354:s0023
Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光元年 · Western Year: AD 1821
Explicit · qingshigao:351:s0128
Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光元年 · Western Year: AD 1821
Strongly inferred · qingshigao:376:s0081, qingshigao:376:s0082

Places and affiliations

Label: Qing / 清 · Relation: lived-under
Strongly inferred · qingshigao:375:s0031
Label: Qing / 清 · Relation: ruled
Explicit · qingshigao:369:s0042, qingshigao:373:s0176, qingshigao:379:s0035
Label: Qing / 清 · Relation: served
Explicit · qingshigao:373:s0023
Polity: Qing / 清 · Relation: ruled
Explicit · qingshigao:111:s0093, qingshigao:272:s0119, qingshigao:364:s0111, qingshigao:387:s0091, qingshigao:390:s0082, qingshigao:392:s0003, qingshigao:394:s0035
Polity: Qing / 清 · Relation: served
Explicit · qingshigao:141:s0059, qingshigao:351:s0128, qingshigao:378:s0002

Works and attributed material

Kind: speech · Role: speaker · About: praise of Ji Zhichang writing
Explicit · qingshigao:375:s0217
Kind: edict · Role: author · Action: stopped Westerners entering the Bureau
Explicit · qingshigao:272:s0119
Kind: edict · Role: author · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光七年 · Regnal Year: 7 · Western Year: AD 1827
Explicit · qingshigao:141:s0060, qingshigao:141:s0061
Kind: edict · Role: author · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 二十一年 · Western Year: AD 1841
Explicit · qingshigao:373:s0081
Kind: edict · Role: author · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 二十二年 · Western Year: AD 1842
Explicit · qingshigao:373:s0169, qingshigao:373:s0170
Kind: edict · Role: author · Summary: praised Wang Tingzhen’s teaching and service, honored him, and appointed his son · Provenance: Mode: direct-quotation · Speaker Person Id: Daoguang Emperor (道光帝) · Other Person Id: Wang Tingzhen (汪廷珍) · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光三年 · Western Year: AD 1823
Explicit · qingshigao:364:s0119, qingshigao:364:s0120, qingshigao:364:s0121, qingshigao:364:s0122
Kind: edict · Role: author · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光二十九年 · Western Year: AD 1849
Explicit · qingshigao:394:s0036, qingshigao:394:s0037, qingshigao:394:s0038, qingshigao:394:s0039, qingshigao:394:s0040, qingshigao:394:s0041
Kind: edict · Role: author · Summary: praised Tang Jinzhao as a remonstrating minister · Provenance: Mode: direct-quotation · Speaker Person Id: Daoguang Emperor (道光帝) · Other Person Id: Tang Jinshao (湯金釗) · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光初年 · Western Interval: Start: AD 1820 · End: AD 1821
Explicit · qingshigao:364:s0159
Kind: imperial-instruction · Role: speaker · Other Person Id: Xin Congyi (辛從益) · Extent: s0023, s0024
Explicit · qingshigao:376:s0023, qingshigao:376:s0024
Kind: edict · Role: author · Quoted: true · Other Person Id: Lin Zexu (林則徐)
Explicit · qingshigao:369:s0055, qingshigao:369:s0056
Kind: edict · Role: author · Quoted: true
Explicit · qingshigao:369:s0084, qingshigao:369:s0085, qingshigao:378:s0130, qingshigao:378:s0131
Kind: edict · Role: author
Explicit · qingshigao:373:s0023
Kind: speech · Role: speaker · Other Person Id: Bao Guixing (鮑桂星)
Explicit · qingshigao:377:s0023

Events and relationships

Kind: appointment · Role: ruler · Action: appointed-Tao-Shu-and-commissioners · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光十年 · Western Year: AD 1830
Explicit · qingshigao:384:s0109
Kind: political · Role: issuer · Action: approved-wu-jie-proposal
Explicit · qingshigao:111:s0093
Kind: legal · Role: ruler · Action: censured-Jiang-demoted-Fengsheng
Explicit · qingshigao:384:s0080
Kind: ritual · Role: emperor · Action: eastern-tour
Explicit · qingshigao:382:s0013
Kind: legal · Role: ruler · Action: enforced-military-law · Label: only Buyun had military law enforced against him / 伸軍律者僅步雲一人 · Other Person Id: Yu Buyun (余步雲)
Explicit · qingshigao:373:s0176
Kind: political · Role: ruler · Action: forbade-cutting-pastures · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光七年 · Regnal Year: 7 · Western Year: AD 1827
Explicit · qingshigao:141:s0060, qingshigao:141:s0061
Kind: legal · Role: ruler · Action: granted-leniency · Label: treated those involved in the defeat with lenient measures / 於僨事諸人皆從寬典 · Other Person Id: Yu Buyun (余步雲)
Explicit · qingshigao:373:s0176
Kind: inspection · Role: ruler · Action: inspected-horse-pasture · Place: east of Xingshan / 杏山東 · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 道光七年 · Regnal Year: 7 · Western Year: AD 1827
Explicit · qingshigao:141:s0059
Kind: legal · Role: ruler · Action: knew-Taiwan-merit-released-Yao · Date Context: Source Date: Text: 入獄六日 · Western Year: AD 1842
Explicit · qingshigao:384:s0163
Kind: ritual · Role: name-taboo-cause · Action: name-avoidance · Other Person Id: Hewang (和瑛)
Explicit · qingshigao:353:s0075
Kind: appointment · Role: ruler · Action: reassigned-Peihou-to-Hubei
Explicit · qingshigao:384:s0016
Kind: accession · Role: sovereign · Action: took-throne
Explicit · qingshigao:376:s0081

Assessments and attributes

Assessment: An official who does not shrink from incurring resentment is most rare; minor faults may be forgiven · Provenance: Mode: edict
Explicit · qingshigao:393:s0065
Assessment: approved-his-words · Provenance: Mode: narrative
Explicit · qingshigao:111:s0093
Assessment: knew Deng deeply and ultimately continued to employ him · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment · Other Person Id: Deng Tingzhen (鄧廷楨)
Explicit · qingshigao:369:s0176
Assessment: long valued Lin Peihou · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment
Explicit · qingshigao:384:s0016
Assessment: most valued literary, incorrupt, and careful ministers · Provenance: Mode: historian-judgment
Explicit · qingshigao:376:s0196
Assessment: ultimately recognized Tang Jinzhao’s loyalty · Provenance: Mode: historian-report-of-ruler-judgment · Source Person Id: Daoguang Emperor (道光帝)
Explicit · qingshigao:364:s0205

Source notes

Historicity: historical
Explicit · qingshigao:373:s0023

References in the histories

Open any source group to read the Chinese and English passage in context.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 111Volume 111 Treatises 86: Selection and Examinations 6, Kao Ji · 1 passage

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帝韙其言，降諭飭行。 The emperor agreed and issued an edict ordering compliance.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 272Volume 272 Biographies 59: Tang Ruowang, Yang Guangxian, Nan Huai Ren · 1 passage

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時監官已深習西法，不必復用西洋人，奏奉宣宗諭，停西洋人入監。 By then Bureau officials had mastered Western methods and Westerners were no longer needed; on memorial the Daoguang Emperor ordered that Westerners cease entering the Bureau.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 351Volume 351 Biographies 138: Shen Chu, Jin Shisong, Zou Bingtai, Dai Liankui, Wang Yixiu Son: Zong Cheng, Huang Yue · 1 passage

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宣宗即位，始畀樞務，甚優禮之。 When the Daoguang Emperor acceded, Yue was first given a seat on the Grand Council and treated with great deference.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 353Volume 353 Biographies 140: Da Chun | Son: Sa Bin Tu, Tie Bao Younger Brother: Yu Bao, He Ying, Jue Luo Gui Fang · 1 passage

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和瑛，原名和寧，避宣宗諱改，字太葊，額勒德特氏，蒙古鑲黃旗人。 He Ying, originally He Ning, changed his name to avoid the taboo of Emperor Xuanzong. His courtesy name was Taian; he came from the Erlet clan and was a Mongol of the Bordered Yellow Banner.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 354Volume 354 Biographies 141: Wan Chengfeng, Zhou Xiying, Qian Yue, Qin Ying, Li Zonghan, Han Dingjin, Zhu Fangzeng · 3 passages

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直上書房，侍宣宗讀。 He was posted to the Upper Study, where he tutored the future Emperor Xuanzong.

宣宗即位，追念舊學，贈禮部尚書銜，諡文恪。 When Emperor Xuanzong took the throne he remembered their years as tutor and pupil and posthumously granted him minister of rites with the posthumous title Wenge.

宗瀚具陳終養始末，宣宗為之嗟嘆，遂補原官。 Zonghan recounted the whole story of his care for his grandmother; Emperor Xuanzong sighed and restored him to his former post.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 355Volume 355 Biographies 142: Kui Lun, Guang Xing, Chu Peng Ling · 1 passage

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道光元年，授禮部侍郎，尋擢兵部尚書。 In the first year of Daoguang he was appointed vice minister of rites and soon promoted to minister of war.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 364Volume 364 Biographies 151: Ruan Yuan, Wang Tingzhen, Tang Jinzhao · 11 passages

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复直上書房，侍宣宗學。 He again entered the Upper Study to instruct the future Xuanzong Emperor.

三年，宣宗釋奠文廟禮成，臨幸辟雍，詔曰：「禮部尚書汪廷珍蒙皇考簡用上書房師傅，與朕朝夕講論，非法不道，使朕通經義，辨邪正，受益良多。 In year 3, after the Confucian sacrifice and the emperor's visit to the Imperial College, an edict said: "Minister of Rites Wang Tingzhen was chosen by my late father as Upper Study tutor; he discussed the classics with me daily, spoke only what was lawful, helped me master the classics and distinguish right from wrong, and benefited me greatly.

金釗端謹自持，宣宗在潛邸，甚敬禮之。 Jinzhao was upright and self-restrained; when the future Xuanzong Emperor was still heir apparent he treated him with great respect.

宣宗即位，調吏部，益鄉用。 When Xuanzong succeeded he was moved to the Ministry of Personnel and increasingly entrusted with important duties.

會中外大臣亦多言其不便，金釗疏入，上手批答曰：「朝有諍臣，使朕胸中黑白分明，無傷於政體，不勝欣悅！」 Ministers at court and provinces also said it was impracticable; when Jinzhao's memorial arrived the emperor endorsed it: "The court has remonstrating ministers, so black and white are clear in my mind without harm to government — I am exceedingly pleased!"

七年，連擢左都御史、禮部尚書、上方倚畀，迭命赴山西、直隸、四川、湖北、福建鞫獄按事，四年之中，凡奉使五次。 In year 7 he was promoted in succession to left censor-in-chief and minister of Rites; the emperor relied on him and sent him five times in four years to Shanxi, Zhili, Sichuan, Hubei, and Fujian to try cases.

所至持法明慎，悉當上意。 Wherever he went he applied the law clearly and cautiously and fully met the emperor's intent.

十一年，皇長子遘疾不起，忌者因以激上怒，罷總師傅，降兵部侍郎。 In year 11 the eldest imperial son fell ill and died; enemies stirred the emperor's anger; Jinzhao was removed as chief tutor and demoted to vice-minister of War.

一日召對，上從容問廣東事可付諸何人，金釗以林則徐對，上不悅。 One day at audience the emperor casually asked whom Guangdong affairs could be entrusted to; Jinzhao named Lin Zexu; the emperor was displeased.

久之，上仍眷念，二十九年，皇太后之喪，具疏上慰，賜頭品頂戴。 Long afterward the emperor still cherished him; in year 29, at the empress dowager's mourning, he submitted a memorial of condolence and was granted the first-rank button.

金釗雖以直言被擯，宣宗終鑑其忠誠，易名曰「端」，胥無愧焉。 though Jinzhao was cast out for blunt counsel, the Xuanzong Emperor ultimately recognized his loyalty and gave him the posthumous character "Duan" — none of them fell short of honor.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 366Volume 366 Biographies 153: Sun Yuting, Jiang Youxian, Li Hongbin · 3 passages

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宣宗即位，特加太子少保銜。 When the Daoguang Emperor came to the throne, Sun Yuting was specially granted the title Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.

二十五年，仁宗崩，入謁梓宮，宣宗諭褒為守兼優，加太子少保。 In the twenty-fifth year the Jiaqing Emperor died. Jiang Youxian went to pay respects at the coffin, and the Daoguang Emperor praised him as excellent in both defense and administration, granting him the title Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent.

論曰：宣宗初政，勵精求治。 The commentators say: At the beginning of the Daoguang reign the emperor strove diligently to seek good government.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 369Volume 369 Biographies 156: Lin Zexu, Deng Tingzhen, Da Hong A · 9 passages

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宣宗深韙之，命入覲，召對十九次。 The Daoguang Emperor strongly agreed, summoned him to court, and conferred with him privately nineteen times.

疏聞，帝喜悅，報曰：「既有此舉，不可再示柔弱。 When Lin's report reached the throne, the emperor was pleased and replied: 'Now that this stand has been taken, you must not show weakness again.

琦善據以上聞，上意始動。 Qishan reported this to the throne, and the emperor's resolve began to falter.

琦善至，義律要求賠償煙價，廈門、福州開埠通商，上怒，復命備戰。 When Qishan arrived, Elliot demanded compensation for the destroyed opium and the opening of Xiamen and Fuzhou to trade. The emperor was enraged and ordered war preparations resumed.

遺疏上，優詔賜卹，贈太子太傅，諡文忠。 When his final memorial reached the throne, the emperor granted generous posthumous honors, made him Grand Tutor of the Heir Apparent, and gave him the posthumous name Wenzhong.

道光之季，東南困於漕運，宣宗密詢利弊，疏陳補救本原諸策，上畿輔水利議，文宗欲命籌辦而未果。 In the late Daoguang era the southeast was crippled by the grain-transport system. When the emperor privately asked about remedies, Lin memorialized on fundamental reforms and submitted a plan for waterworks in the capital region. Emperor Wenzong intended to put him in charge, but the plan never came to fruition.

議戍軍台，宣宗知其無私，特免遣戍，予七品銜，發直隸委用。 Although exile to a garrison post was proposed, Emperor Xuanzong knew he had acted without private motive and specially exempted him from banishment, gave him seventh-rank status, and assigned him to service in Zhili.

廷楨治行早為時稱，屢躓屢起，宣宗知之深，故卒用之。 Deng's record in office had long been admired. Though he fell and rose again more than once, Emperor Xuanzong knew him well and in the end continued to use him.

論曰：林則徐才略冠時，禁煙一役，承宣宗嚴切之旨，操之過急； The commentators say: Lin Zexu's talent and strategic vision were unmatched in his day. In the opium suppression campaign he carried out Emperor Xuanzong's stern orders, but pressed the policy too hard;

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 373Volume 373 Biographies 160: Zong Shiyishan, Long Wen, Zong Shiyijing, Wen Wei, Te Yi Shun, Yu Buyun · 3 passages

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宣宗覽奏，以夷情恭順，詔允所請。 The Daoguang Emperor read the report, took the foreigners to be submissive, and approved what was asked.

陛辭日，宣宗禦勤政殿，訓示方略，特詔：「申明軍紀，凡失守各城逃將逃兵，軍法從事。」 On the day he took leave of the throne, the Daoguang Emperor received him in the Hall of Diligent Government, laid out the strategy, and issued a special order: "Enforce discipline strictly: any commander or soldier who abandons a fallen city shall face the full penalty of military law."

宣宗於僨事諸人，皆從寬典，伸軍律者，僅步雲一人耳。 The Daoguang Emperor treated nearly everyone involved in the disaster leniently; only Buyun was punished under military law.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 375Volume 375 Biographies 162: Bai Rong, Sun Huan, Shi Zhiyan, Na Qingan, Sheng Yin, Li Zongfang, Yao Yuanzhi, He Rulin, Ji Zhichang, Lie Chuan · 5 passages

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宣宗嘗嘉其家法之善，以勉朝臣雲。 The Xuanzong Emperor once praised his household discipline as a model for encouraging other court officials.

因與穆彰阿同榜成進士，晚乃受宣宗知，迭秉文衡。 Having passed the jinshi examination in the same year as Mujiang'a, he won the Xuanzong Emperor's favor only late in life and repeatedly held examination offices.

芝昌以文字受宣宗特達之知，嘗曰：「汝為文，行所無事，譬之於射，五矢無一失。」 Zhichang won the Xuanzong Emperor's exceptional favor through his writing. The emperor once said: "When you write, you proceed without obstruction, like shooting—five arrows, not one miss."

甫數月，宣宗崩，文宗猶欲用之，畀以外任。 After only a few months the Xuanzong Emperor died. The Wenzong Emperor still wished to use him and gave him an outside appointment.

季芝昌晚遭殊遇，已值宣宗倦勤之年，暫任兼圻，奉身而退，其見幾知止者耶？ Ji Zhichang encountered exceptional favor late in life, already when the Xuanzong Emperor was weary of governing. He briefly held concurrent provincial command, then withdrew from office—was this one who saw the moment and knew when to stop?

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 376Volume 376 Biographies 163: Xin Congyi, Zhang Lin, Gu Gao, Shen Weiqiao, Zhu Wei, Cheng Enze, Wu Jie · 5 passages

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宣宗溫諭曰：「爾甚朴忠，無所希冀，亦無所揣摩。 Emperor Xuanzong addressed him warmly: "You are thoroughly plain and loyal, without hope or calculation.

次日，宣宗即位，執皋手大慟。 The next day, when Emperor Xuanzong took the throne, he took Gao's hand and wept bitterly.

維鐈居官廉，屢視學，所至弊絕風清，振拔多知名士，宣宗知之，期滿連任。 Weiqiao served with integrity. On repeated tours as educational commissioner he cleared abuses wherever he went, elevated many renowned scholars, and won notice from Emperor Xuanzong, who reappointed him when his term ended.

道光元年，入直南書房，宣宗曰：「汝父蘭翹先生昔年在上書房，朕敬其品學。 In 1821 he entered duty at the Southern Study Hall. Emperor Xuanzong said: "Your father Mr. Lanqiao once served in the Upper Study Hall, and I respected his character and learning.

論曰：宣宗最重文學廉謹之臣，辛從益直言獻納，張鱗廉介絕俗，沈維鐈服膺理學，程恩澤博物冠時，皆負清望。 The commentary states: Emperor Xuanzong most valued literary, incorrupt, and careful ministers. Xin Congyi spoke frankly in counsel, Zhang Lin was upright beyond the common run, Shen Weiqiao embraced Neo-Confucian learning, and Cheng Enze was unrivaled in breadth of learning—all enjoyed clear reputations.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 377Volume 377 Biographies 164: Bao Guixing, Gu Chun, Wu Xiaoming, Chen Hong, E Mushune, Xu Faji · 4 passages

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宣宗即位，召對，諭曰：「汝昔所劾，今已罷斥。」 When Emperor Daoguang ascended the throne, Guixing was summoned for an audience. The emperor told him, "The men you impeached back then have now been removed from office."

值宣宗初政，疏請停捐例。 At the outset of Daoguang's reign he memorialized asking that the sale of offices through monetary contributions be halted.

宣宗一日閱實錄至此事，嘉蓴直筆，因言前保留松筠，必非阿私，特擢蓴右中允。 One day Emperor Daoguang, reading the Veritable Records, came upon the episode and praised Chun's honest historiography. Saying that Chun's earlier defense of Songyun could not have been sycophancy, he specially promoted Chun to right vice-director of the Secretariat.

宣宗以為賢，期滿留任，遷大理寺卿。 Emperor Xuanzong judged him worthy. When his term ended he was kept in post and promoted to Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 378Volume 378 Biographies 165: Huang Juezi, Jin Yinglin, Chen Qingyong, Su Tingkui, Zhu Qi · 22 passages

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宜先重治吸食，臣請皇上准給一年期限戒菸，雖至深之癮，未有不能斷絕者。 We should strike first at consumption. I beg Your Majesty to allow a one-year grace period for smokers to quit—even the deepest addiction can be broken.

況我皇上雷霆之威，赫然震怒，雖愚頑沉溺之久，自足以發聾振瞶。 Coupled with Your Majesty's thunderous wrath, even the most stubborn and long-addicted would be shaken awake.

皇上之旨嚴，則奉法之吏肅，犯法之人畏。 When the imperial will is stern, officials enforce the law rigorously and offenders take heed.

伏請飭諭各督撫嚴行清查保甲，初先曉諭，定於一年後取具五家互結，準令舉發，給予優獎。 I beg Your Majesty to order every governor to enforce the baojia household registers: first instruct the people, then after one year require mutual guarantees from groups of five households, allow informers to come forward with generous rewards,

疏上，上深韙之，下疆臣各抒所見，速議章程。 When the memorial reached the throne, the Emperor strongly endorsed it and ordered provincial officials to submit opinions and draft regulations without delay.

洎英兵來犯，廷楨屢挫敵於廈門，上疑之。 When British forces attacked, Deng Tingzhen reported repeated victories at Xiamen, which the Emperor found hard to believe.

爵滋以員外郎候補，病足家居，上猶時問其何在。 Juezi awaited appointment as a vice director but stayed home with a foot ailment; the Emperor still occasionally inquired after him.

三十年，至京，會上崩，遂不出。 He came to Beijing in Daoguang 30 (1850), but the Emperor died soon after, and he never took office again.

宣宗嘉其敢言，擢太常寺少卿。 The Daoguang Emperor praised his outspokenness and promoted him to vice minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

竊以無人當求，無兵當練，無餉械亦當計度固有，多則持重，少則用謀，作三軍之氣，定邊疆之危，在皇上假以事權，與任事者運用一心而已。」 I hold that men must be found, troops must be trained, and funds and arms must be deployed as available—use strength when plentiful, stratagem when scarce, rouse the army's spirit, and secure the frontier. All this requires only that Your Majesty delegate authority and that those in charge act in concert."

皇上赫然震怒，失律之罪，法有莫逭。 The Emperor was furious, and the law allowed no escape for those who had broken discipline.

'皇上之於琦善，殆其類是，而今且以三品頂戴用為熱河都統矣，且用奕經為葉爾羌幫辦大臣，文蔚為古城領隊大臣矣。 Perhaps the Emperor's treatment of Qishan was of that kind—yet now he was appointed Rehe lieutenant-general with third-rank insignia, Yijing was made Yarkand assistant commissioner, and Wenwei leading commissioner at Gucheng.

然皇上命將出師，若何慎重。 Yet how grave a matter it is when the Emperor sends generals to war.

臣亦知奕經為高宗純皇帝之裔，皇上親親睦族，不忍遽加顯戮。 I know that Yijing is a descendant of the Qianlong Emperor, and that Your Majesty, cherishing imperial kin, is reluctant to execute him outright.

且此數人者，皇上特未知其見惡於民之深耳。 Moreover, Your Majesty may not yet realize how deeply the people hate these men.

倘俯採輿論，孰不切齒琦善為罪魁，誰不疾首於奕山、奕經、牛鑑、文蔚，而以為投畀之不容緩？ If Your Majesty heeded public opinion, who would not denounce Qishan as the chief culprit, or demand that Yishan, Yijing, Niu Jian, and Wenwei be cast out without delay?

熱河密邇神京，有識無識，莫不撫膺太息，以為皇上鄉用琦善之意，尚不止此。 Rehe lies close to the capital; learned and common people alike sigh in dismay, fearing the Emperor intends to employ Qishan even closer to court.

萬一有事，則熒惑聖聰者，必仍系斯人。 If trouble should arise again, this same man would surely be the one to mislead Your Majesty.

頃者禦試翰詹，以'烹阿封即墨'命題，而今茲刑賞顧如此，臣未知皇上所謂阿者何人？ At the recent Hanlin examination the topic was "boiling A and enfeoffing Jimo," yet rewards and punishments now run the opposite way—I do not know whom Your Majesty considers "A."

所望皇上立奮天威，收回成命，體大學絜矩之旨，鑑盈廷毀譽之真，國法稍伸，民心可慰。」 I beg Your Majesty to rouse imperial authority, withdraw these appointments, heed the Great Learning's teaching on the measuring square, discern true praise and blame in the court, give the law some force, and console the people's hearts."

疏上，宣宗嘉之，諭曰：「朕無知人之明，以致琦善、奕經、文蔚諸人喪師失律，惟有反躬自責，不欲諉罪臣工。 When the memorial reached the throne, the Daoguang Emperor praised it and said: "I lacked the wisdom to judge men, and so Qishan, Yijing, Wenwei, and others lost armies and broke discipline. I can only blame myself and will not shift guilt onto my officials.

宣宗覽奏動容，嘉其切直，朝野傾望丰采。 The Daoguang Emperor was moved by the memorial and praised its blunt honesty; court and public alike looked to him with admiration.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 379Volume 379 Biographies 166: Zhao Shenzhen, Lu Kun, Ceng Sheng, Tao Shu · 4 passages

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道光二年，入覲，宣宗嘉其誠實不欺，溫諭褒勉，擢閩浙總督。 In the second year of Daoguang he had an audience with the throne; the Daoguang Emperor praised his honesty and sincerity, spoke warmly in encouragement, and promoted him to governor-general of Fujian and Zhejiang.

宣宗深韙之。 The Daoguang Emperor strongly approved his view.

坤久任封圻，所皆有名績，宣宗深倚之。 Kun had long held high provincial office with distinguished achievements wherever he served, and the Daoguang Emperor relied on him deeply.

言官摭浮言，屢事彈劾，賴宣宗鑑其忠誠，倚畀愈專。 Censorial officials seized on rumors and repeatedly impeached him; the Daoguang Emperor, recognizing his loyalty, relied on him ever more exclusively.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 382Volume 382 Biographies 169: Hu Song E, Bu Yan Tai, Sa Ying A · 1 passage

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會宣宗東巡，扈蹕，校射，中三矢，賜黃馬褂。 When the Xuanzong Emperor made his eastern tour, Hu Song'e joined the imperial escort; in the archery contest he scored three hits and received a yellow riding jacket.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 384Volume 384 Biographies 171: Lin Peihou, Li Xiangkun, Li Zongchuan, Wang Fengsheng, Huang Mian, Yu De Yuan, Yao Ying · 12 passages

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時蔣攸銛移督直隸，詔舉賢吏，遂薦之，不旬日，擢大順廣道。 Jiang Youxian had by then been transferred to govern Zhili; when the throne called for nominations of capable officials, he recommended Peihou, who within ten days was promoted intendant of the Da-Shun-Guang circuit.

及攸銛入相，那彥成代之，坐河北旱荒施賑不如法，解培厚任，宣宗夙知其能，改授湖北糧儲道。 After Jiang Youxian joined the Grand Council, Na Yancheng succeeded him as governor-general; Peihou was dismissed on the pretext that his drought relief in Hebei had not followed proper procedure, but the Xuanzong Emperor, who had long valued his talent, reassigned him as grain intendant of Hubei.

曆三運無誤，上意方鄉用，以勞卒於通州運次。 He completed three transport cycles without a hitch just as the throne was turning toward promoting him, but he died of exhaustion at the Tongzhou transport depot.

攸銛採其議，改灶鹽，節浮費，濬河道，增屯船，緝場私、鄰私之出入，禁江船、漕船之夾帶，及清查庫款，督運淮北諸條，疏陳待施行，會詔捕鹽梟巨魁黃玉林，鳳生計招出首，責緝私贖罪。 Jiang Youxian adopted his proposals—reforming furnace salt, cutting waste, dredging waterways, adding transport vessels, cracking down on field and cross-border smuggling, banning contraband on river and grain boats, auditing treasury funds, and tightening north-of-Huai transport—and memorialized the package for implementation. When the throne ordered the capture of the salt-smuggling kingpin Huang Yulin, Fengsheng devised a plan to induce the chief culprit to surrender and required him to hunt smugglers in exchange for clemency.

攸銛已入告，旋因告訐置之獄，又得玉林所寄其黨私書，意反复，密疏請處以重法。 Jiang Youxian had already reported the surrender to the throne, but Yulin was soon jailed after an informer's accusation; when letters from Yulin to his gang were found, Jiang took this as proof of double-dealing and secretly memorialized for the severest penalty.

上以前後歧異，譴攸銛，鳳生亦降調。 The emperor, seeing the contradiction between the two accounts, censured Jiang Youxian and demoted Fengsheng as well.

尋淮北票鹽大暢，陶澍以鳳生首議功上聞，促之出，未行而卒。 Soon ticket salt north of the Huai was thriving; Tao Shu reported Fengsheng's pioneering role to the throne and urged him to return to service, but he died before he could set out.

十年，宣宗以兩淮鹽法大壞，授陶澍為兩江總督，命尚書王鼎、侍郎寶興赴江南會議改革。 In the tenth year, seeing how badly the Liang-Huai salt system had decayed, the Xuanzong Emperor appointed Tao Shu governor-general of the Two Jiangs and sent Minister Wang Ding and Vice Minister Bao Xing to Jiangnan to plan reforms.

陶澍益賢之，薦其才可大用，以循良久在鹽官可惜，上亦嘉之，未及擢用而卒。 Tao Shu admired him all the more, recommended him for higher office, and lamented that a man of such talent should linger so long in the salt administration; the emperor praised him too, but he died before he could be promoted.

故事，台灣以懸隔海外，加兵備道按察使銜，得與鎮臣專奏事。 By precedent, because Taiwan lay far overseas, its military defense intendant held provincial judge rank and could memorialize the throne jointly with the regional commander on his own authority.

英兵留駐鼓浪嶼，前獲俘欲解內地，勢不能達，奏請便宜誅之，以絕內患，已報可，怡良仍令解省。 British troops remained on Gulangyu Island; earlier prisoners could not be sent inland, so a memorial requested discretionary execution to forestall trouble; the throne had approved, yet Yi Liang still ordered the prisoners sent to the provincial capital.