Yixin (奕訢) | 24 Histories

Overview

Yixin was a prince Gong.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 1860 咸豐十年八月
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89
AD 1894 to AD 1895 光緒二十年前後
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 443, passage 45
AD 1884 光緒十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 444, passage 123
AD 1878 光緒四年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 445, passages 118, 120
AD 1861 十一年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 387, passages 32, 36
AD 1860 十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 387, passages 26, 29

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AD 1868 同治七年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 436, passage 52
AD 1864 to AD 1865 同治三年至四年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passages 109, 116
AD 1862 同治初年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 98
AD 1873 同治十二年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 91, passages 149, 160
AD 1871 to AD 1884 同治至光緒初
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 444, passage 136
AD 1860 咸豐十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 386, passages 56, 60
AD 1865 明年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 441, passages 17, 19
AD 1852 柩歸
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 35
AD 1846 校獵南苑
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 11
AD 1875 榮祿言於恭親王
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 437, passage 9
AD 1850 to AD 1859 道光三十年至咸豐九年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 420, passage 96

Family

Immediate relationships attested in the translated histories.

Child of Daoguang Emperor (宣宗)
imperial son 皇子
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 11
Kin of Muzong Emperor (穆宗)
Prince Gong 恭親王
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 91, passages 149, 160
Sibling of Xianfeng Emperor (咸豐帝)
princes 諸皇子 · Paternal half siblings
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 10-11

Key source chapters

Career and standing

Superintendent of Affairs with Foreign Countries 總理各國事務
Held
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 91, passage 160
Grand Council 軍機
Reentered
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 443, passage 45
Prince Gong 恭親王
Held
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 91, passage 160; Draft History of Qing 420, passage 96; Draft History of Qing 444, passage 123; Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89
Dismissed
AD 1884 光緒十年 · Dismissal
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 444, passage 123
Impeached and withdrew from the Grand Council, then restored to duty
AD 1865 同治四年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passages 115-116
Received
Reprimanded
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 441, passage 19

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stripped of office but kept on duty 褫職留任
Suffered
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 445, passage 120

Places and affiliations

Polity Qing 清 · Relation Member of
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 444, passage 123
Polity Qing 清 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 91, passage 160; Draft History of Qing 385, passage 11; Draft History of Qing 386, passage 60; Draft History of Qing 387, passage 29; Draft History of Qing 420, passage 96; Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89
AD 1860 咸豐十年
Organization Zongli Yamen 總理各國事務衙門 · Relation Head of
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 63

Works and attributed material

Requested imperial approval
Memorial · Author
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 91, passage 161
Audience statement · Speaker · Topic ruler and ministers mutually admonishing one another
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passage 110

Events and relationships

Debated kowtow protocol
AD 1873 同治十二年 · Diplomatic · Negotiator
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 91, passages 160-161
Dismissed for opposing Yuanmingyuan restoration
AD 1862 to AD 1874 同治年間 · Political · Dismissed official
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 101
Peace talks with allies
AD 1860 咸豐十年 · Diplomatic · Lead negotiator · With Wenxiang (文祥)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 60
Reinstated
Political · Restored official
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 102
Reopened talks
AD 1860 咸豐十年八月 · Diplomatic · Negotiator · With Xianfeng Emperor (咸豐帝) · Summary Reopened negotiations and the crisis was settled 再議款局，而難始定
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89
Suffered slander
Political · Subject
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 444, passage 136

Show 2 more source-backed claims

Relation Kin of · Person Yiyi (奕枻) · Kinship Term fellow imperial prince 王
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 420, passage 96
Relation Student of · Person Zeng Biguang (曾璧光)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 420, passage 96

Assessments and attributes

Assessment after repeated setbacks could no longer serve with former energy · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 102
Assessment strongly agreed with Tangjie's counsel · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passage 109

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 60; Draft History of Qing 420, passage 96; Draft History of Qing 494, passage 89

References in the histories

Search passages

History

32 passages

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 91Volume 91 Treatises 66: Rites 10, Bin Li · 1 passage

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時總理各國事務恭親王以拜跪儀節往復申辨，而各使堅執如初。 At the time Prince Gong, who supervised affairs with foreign countries, repeatedly debated the kneeling and kowtowing protocol back and forth, but the various envoys held firm to their original position.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 385Volume 385 Biographies 172: Du Shoutian Son: Han, Qi Junzao Son: Shi Zhang, Weng Xincun, Peng Yunzhang · 2 passages

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會校獵南苑，諸皇子皆從，恭親王奕訢獲禽最多，文宗未發一矢，問之，對曰：「時方春，鳥獸孳育，不忍傷生以乾天和。」 During a hunt in the Southern Park all the princes were present. Prince Gong Yixin bagged the most game, but the prince who would become Xianfeng did not shoot once. Asked why, he answered: 'It is spring; the birds and beasts are breeding. I cannot bear to kill them and offend Heaven's harmony.'

及柩歸，命恭親王奠送，遣官到籍致祭，飾終之典，一時無與比。 When the coffin went home, Prince Gong was ordered to escort it; officials were sent to his native place for rites—funeral honors unequaled in the age.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 386Volume 386 Biographies 173: Wen Qing, Wen Xiang, Bao Yun · 5 passages

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從恭親王奕訢議和，出入敵營，於非分之求，侃侃直言，折之以理。 He joined Prince Gong Yixin in the peace talks, moving in and out of the enemy camps; when unreasonable demands were made, he answered plainly and turned them back with argument.

偕恭親王等通籌全局，疏上善後事宜，於是設立總理各國事務衙門，恭親王領之，滿、漢大臣數人，文祥任事最專。 With Prince Gong and others he planned the larger settlement and memorialized on postwar recovery; the Zongli Yamen was then established under Prince Gong with several Manchu and Han ministers, and Wen Xiang shouldered the heaviest share of the work.

文祥自同治初年偕恭親王同心輔政，總理各國事務，以一身負其責。 From the early Tongzhi years Wen Xiang worked in concert with Prince Gong, directed foreign affairs, and carried the weight of that charge largely alone.

既而恭親王以阻圓明園工程忤旨斥罷，文祥涕泣，偕同列力諫，幾同譴。 Soon afterward Prince Gong was dismissed for defying the throne by opposing restoration of the Old Summer Palace. Wen Xiang wept and, with his colleagues, remonstrated so forcefully that he nearly suffered the same punishment.

恭親王尋復職，而自屢遭挫折後，任事不能如初。 Prince Gong was soon reinstated, but after so many reversals he could no longer work with his former energy.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 387Volume 387 Biographies 174: Zong Shisushun, Mu Yin, Kuang Yuan, Jiao Youying, Chen Fuen · 3 passages

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洎敵軍入京師，恭親王留京主和議，議即定，敵軍漸退。 When the enemy entered Beijing, Prince Gong stayed behind to lead the peace talks; once agreement was reached the allied forces gradually withdrew.

恭親王至行在，乃密定計。 When Prince Gong arrived at Rehe, a secret plan was laid.

自庚申議和後，恭親王為中外所繫望，肅順等不圖和衷共濟，而數阻返蹕。 After the 1860 peace Prince Gong was looked to at home and abroad; Sushun and his fellows sought no harmony but again and again blocked the emperor's return to Beijing.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 391Volume 391 Biographies 178: Wo Ren, Li Tangjie, Wu Tingdong · 4 passages

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棠階語恭親王及同直諸大臣，謂當設誠致行，久而不懈，勿徒以空言相文飾，王深然之。 Tangjie told Prince Gong and the other councilors on duty that they must act in earnest and keep at it, not dress one another in empty phrases. The prince strongly agreed.

翼日召對，王反复陳君臣交儆之義，棠階與同僚繼言之，兩宮改容嘉納。 At audience the next day the prince spoke again and again on how ruler and ministers must warn each other; Tangjie and his colleagues added their voices, and the two empress dowagers listened with changed faces and welcomed the counsel.

四年，恭親王被劾退出軍機，棠階謂王有定難功，時方多故，不當輕棄親賢，入對，力言王非有心之失。 In 1865 Prince Gong was impeached and left the Grand Council. Tangjie said the prince had saved the dynasty in crisis and must not be cast aside while troubles remained; at audience he insisted the fault was not deliberate.

會惇、醇兩王亦奏言奕訢不可遽罷，乃復命入直。 When the Princes of Dun and Chun also argued that Yixin must not be removed so hastily, he was ordered back to the council.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 420Volume 420 Biographies 207: Han Chao, Tian Xingshu, Ceng Biguang, Xi Baotian · 1 passage

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入直上書房，授恭親王奕訢、醇郡王奕枻讀。 He entered the Upper Study and tutored Prince Gong Yixin and Prince Chun Yiyi.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 436Volume 436 Biographies 223: Shen Guifen, Li Hongzao, Weng Tonghe, Sun Yuwen · 5 passages

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倭仁等亦代為陳請，仍命恭親王傳諭慰勉。 Woren and others petitioned on his behalf as well, but the court still had Prince Gong convey the edict and urge him to comply.

奏入，上遂命各路統兵大臣均歸恭親王節制。 When the memorial reached the throne, the emperor ordered all field commanders placed under Prince Gong's command.

廷臣多執此入諫，恭親王等尤力諍，上不懌。 Many officials used the case to remonstrate; Prince Gong and others argued especially forcefully, and the emperor was displeased.

於是命恭親王督辦軍務，同龢、鴻藻等會商辦理。 Prince Gong was then ordered to supervise military affairs, with Tonghe, Hongzao, and others to consult and handle matters jointly.

恭親王以毓汶世受國恩，首抗捐餉，深惡之。 Prince Gong deeply detested him, holding that a family long favored by the state should not have been foremost in resisting tax levies.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 437Volume 437 Biographies 224: Rong Lu, Wang Wenshao, Zhang Zhidong, Qu Hongji · 2 passages

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榮祿言於恭親王，乃請頒詔，俟嗣皇帝有子，承繼穆宗。 Rong Lu urged Prince Gong to seek an edict providing that when the new emperor should have a son, that son would carry on Emperor Muzong's succession.

日本構釁，恭親王、慶親王督辦軍務，榮祿參其事。 When Japan provoked war, Princes Gong and Qing were put in charge of military affairs, and Rong Lu assisted them.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 441Volume 441 Biographies 228: Pan Zuyin, Li Wentian, Sun Yijing, Xia Tongshan, Zhang Jiaxiang, Zhang Yinglin, Zhang Renfu, Zhang Hengjia · 4 passages

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明年，恭親王奕訢獲譴，下群臣議。 The following year, when Prince Gong Yixin was reprimanded, the matter was referred to the ministers for deliberation.

二十年，疏請起用恭親王奕訢及前布政使遊智開，依行。 In the twentieth year he memorialized to recall Prince Gong Yixin and the former provincial administer You Zhikai; both requests were granted.

未幾，復將詣恭親王府祀神，詒經再上疏，言：「聖學方新，宸修宜懋。 Before long the emperor was again to go to Prince Gong's mansion to offer sacrifices; Yijing memorialized again, saying: "Sacred learning has just been renewed; imperial self-cultivation should be redoubled.

乃與李文田等請起用恭親王奕訢，稱旨。 He then joined Li Wentian and others in asking to recall Prince Gong Yixin; the request pleased the throne.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 443Volume 443 Biographies 230: Sun Jianai, Zhang Baixi, Tang Jingchong, Yu Shimei, Shen Jiaben · 1 passage

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未幾，孫毓汶引疾歸，恭親王奕訢復入軍機，而百熙亦出督廣東學政。 Before long Sun Yuwen retired on grounds of illness, Prince Gong Yixin returned to the Grand Council, and Baixi was sent out to supervise education in Guangdong.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 444Volume 444 Biographies 231: Huang Tifang, Zong Shibaoting, Zong Shishengyu, Zhang Peilun, Deng Chengxiu, Xu Zhixiang · 2 passages

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太后怒，罷恭親王奕訢等，而詔醇親王奕枻入樞府，盛昱復言：「醇親王分地綦崇，不宜嬰以政務。」 The empress dowager was enraged and dismissed Prince Gong Yixin and others, but then summoned Prince Chun Yixuan to the Grand Council. Sheng Yu protested again: "Prince Chun's princely station is too exalted to be burdened with routine state affairs."

恭親王奕訢遭讒構，復請責王竭誠負重，上嘉納之。 When Prince Gong Yixin fell victim to slander, Peilun urged that the prince be entrusted with full authority and devotion—a proposal the emperor praised and accepted.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 445Volume 445 Biographies 232: Wu Kedu, Zhu Yixin, Tu Keshou, An Weijun, Wen Ti, Jiang Chunlin · 1 passage

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越日，命下，恭親王奕訢等五人並褫職留任，直聲震一時。 The next day orders came down; Prince Gong Yixin and four others were all stripped of office but kept on duty, and his upright reputation shook the age.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 494Volume 494 Biographies 281: Loyal and Righteous 8 · 1 passage

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時文宗駐蹕熱河，命恭親王奕訢再議款局，而難始定。 The Xianfeng Emperor was then at Rehe; he ordered Prince Gong Yixin to reopen negotiations, and only then was the crisis brought to an end.