Yongzheng Dynasty

Yongzheng Dynasty

DVD cover art
Genre Historical drama
Written by Eryue He (original story)
Liu Heping
Directed by Hu Mei
Presented by Yang Weiguang
Liu Wenwu
Cui Zengfu
Starring Tang Guoqiang
Jiao Huang
Xu Min
Wang Huichun
Wang Hui
Du Yulu
Jiang Guangyu
Du Zhiguo
Opening theme De Minxin Zhe De Tianxia (得民心者得天下) performed by Liu Huan
Composer(s) Xu Peidong
Country of origin China
Original language(s) Mandarin
No. of episodes 44
Production
Executive producer(s) Zhao Huayong
Zheng Jiaming
Producer(s) Liu Wenwu
Feng Ji
Su Bin
Luo Hao
Location(s) China
Cinematography Chi Xiaoning
Zhang Yuefu
Editor(s) Liu Miaomiao
Wu Zhaolong
Running time 45 minutes per episode
Production company(s) CCTV
Changsha TV
北京同道文化发展有限公司
Release
Original network CCTV
First shown in 1999
Chronology
Followed by Kangxi Dynasty (2001)
Related shows Li Wei the Magistrate (2001)
Li Wei the Magistrate II (2004)
Yongzheng Dynasty
Chinese 雍正王朝

Yongzheng Dynasty is a 1999 Chinese historical television series starring Tang Guoqiang and Jiao Huang. The series, spanning 44 episodes, occupied the CCTV-1 prime time slot; after its premiere, there have been many re-runs of the show on television networks in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The series was adapted from Eryue He's historical novels, which are loosely based on historical events in the reigns of the Kangxi and Yongzheng Emperors in the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). The series was followed by a 2001 prequel, Kangxi Dynasty, and a 2002 sequel, Qianlong Dynasty, both of which were also based on Eryue He's novels.

Yongzheng Dynasty was one of the most watched television series in mainland China in the 1990s and remains one of the "classics" among Chinese historical television dramas. It is among the highest rated CCTV-1 prime time historical dramas in history.[1] The series roughly covers Chinese history from 1705, some 15 years prior to the Yongzheng Emperor's accession to the throne, to the emperor's death in 1735. About one third of the content is devoted to the struggle among the Kangxi Emperor's sons for the succession to their father's throne.

Yongzheng Dynasty received critical acclaim. The major themes covered in the series include loyalty and betrayal, fratricide, political corruption, and the centralisation of power.

Plot

Towards the end of the reign of the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1661–1722) in the Qing dynasty, the emperor's talented and ambitious sons vie for the coveted throne. Palace intrigue is rife as complex networks of loyalty emerge in the battle for succession. Eventually, the Fourth Prince, Yinzhen, emerges victorious; he becomes known as the Yongzheng Emperor. Many people are surprised as to why the Kangxi Emperor chose Yinzhen over his other likely heirs: Second Prince Yinreng, who has been Crown Prince for almost 40 years; Third Prince Yinzhi, who excels in literary arts; Eighth Prince Yinsi, who has a reputation for being virtuous; 14th Prince Yinti, the warrior-prince favoured by his father.

Yinzhen, who is nicknamed "Stern Prince", was not seen as a strong candidate by the imperial court to succeed his father. Previously, he had incited victims of natural disasters in Jiangnan to create a disturbance; to help these victims, he prepared a "Feast at Hong Gate" to extort more than two million silver taels from rich merchants and provincial officials; in pursuing imperial treasury debts, he forced a senior official to commit suicide and caused nobles to sell their assets on the streets; he watched his brothers compete with each other until they were exhausted before he joined the fray; he used Nian Gengyao to cause Yinreng to lose his position as Crown Prince in a corruption scandal, however, superficially, he maintained good relations with Yinreng. In the ensuing struggle after Yinreng is removed for a second time as Crown Prince, the Kangxi Emperor scolds Yinsi for vying for the throne, and orders Yinxiang to be imprisoned. The Kangxi Emperor then appoints Yinti as border pacification general-in-chief.

As the ailing Kangxi Emperor lays on his deathbed, he assembles seven of his sons to his deathbed, including Yinsi and Yinzhen. Prior to their father's death, Yinzhen releases Yinxiang from captivity and sends him to take control of Fengtai Commandery on the outskirts of Beijing. The Kangxi Emperor speaks to Yinzhen in private, telling him he intends to pass on the throne to him, then dies. Longkodo reads the Kangxi Emperor's final edict and declares Yinzhen the new Emperor.

The Yongzheng Emperor's rule was seen as authoritarian and vigorous, but efficient. Upon ascending the throne, he made Yinsi and Yinxiang his top advisors. His first priority was to pursue debts owed to the state treasury by officials. He meted out harsh punishments to officials found guilty of corruption and bribery. He also used the confiscated assets and properties from corrupt officials to finance disaster relief efforts and his military campaigns in northwestern China. He grows distant to some of his most trusted advisors, including Nian Gengyao and Longkodo. Both Nian and Longkodo eventually fall out of the emperor's favour. The emperor's 13th brother Yinxiang dies while his eighth brother Yinsi and ninth brother Yintang are expelled from the imperial clan and become commoners.

In 1735, the hardworking Yongzheng Emperor dies suddenly from what appears to be over-exhaustion. He is succeeded by his son, Hongli, who becomes known as the Qianlong Emperor. Before Hongli becomes the emperor, the Yongzheng Emperor forces another of his sons, Hongshi, to commit suicide so as to prevent Hongshi from fighting with Hongli for the throne.

Historical accuracy

Yinsi-related
Other princes
Officials
Personal

Cast

Main cast

Other cast

Note: Some cast members played multiple roles.

Soundtrack

The music for the series was composed by Xu Peidong.

  1. De Minxin Zhe De Tianxia (得民心者得天下; The One Who Wins the Hearts of the People Gains the Empire) performed by Liu Huan
  2. Mutong (牧童; Shepherd Boy) performed by Xu Peidong
  3. Shengong (深宫; Inner Palace)
  4. Qingzhai (情债; Emotional Debt)
  5. Shangchao (上朝; Attending Court)
  6. Chuzheng (出征; Embarking on a Military Campaign)
  7. Qingyuan (情缘; Predestined Romance)
  8. Shijian (事件; Incident)
  9. Shenmi (神秘; Mysterious)
  10. Qingshang (情殇; Dead Romance)
  11. Minsu (民俗; Popular Custom)
  12. Qingyuan (情怨; Emotional Blame)
  13. Xingdong (行动; Action)
  14. Kaixuan (凯旋; Triumphant Return)
  15. Shiguan (史观; Historical Perspective)

Awards and nominations

  • 17th Golden Eagle Television Awards (1999)[2]
    • Outstanding Drama
    • Outstanding Lead Actor (Tang Guoqiang)
    • Outstanding Supporting Actor (Jiao Huang, Wang Huichun)
    • Best Screenplay
    • Best Art Direction
    • Best Editing
    • Best Music
    • Best Theme Song

  • 19th Flying Sky Television Awards (1999)
    • Best Drama
    • Best Actor (Jiao Huang)
    • Best Screenplay
    • Best Art Direction
    • Best Music

References

External links

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