The Enigmatic "Iron Cap Prince" in the Qing Dynasty
In the vast history of the Qing Dynasty, the term "Iron Cap Prince" often captures our attention. These figures, with their seemingly ordinary appearances yet extraordinary influence, hold a unique place in the annals of history. But what exactly is an "Iron Cap Prince"? Is the title truly as unbreakable as it sounds?
The Origins of the Title
The Qing Dynasty's system of conferring noble titles was, to some extent, inspired by the Ming Dynasty, but it also had its own distinct characteristics. Unlike in the Ming Dynasty, where the emperor's sons were automatically granted the title of Prince upon birth, in the Qing Dynasty, they might be given lower-ranking titles such as郡王 (junwang), 貝勒 (beile), or 鎮輔國公 (zhenfugong). Even if a son was initially named Prince, the title was not passed down unchanged from generation to generation. Instead, the descendants' titles would gradually be demoted.
This system was somewhat similar to that of the Song Dynasty. For example, if the first generation was a Prince, the second-generation heir would be a郡王, the third-generation a 貝勒, and by the fourth generation, the Prince's line would be reduced to a 鎮國公 (zhenguogong), the郡王's line to a 輔國公 (fuguogong), and the 貝勒's line to an 不入八分鎮國公 (burubafen zhenguogong). The term "不入八分" refers to eight special privileges, such as a red - wheeled carriage, a purple cushion, a purple riding bridle, a double - eyed peacock feather on the hat, and the use of eunuchs in the mansion. Those without these privileges were called "不入八分" and their titles would not be further reduced in the next generation.
The Exception: "Iron Cap Princes"
However, there was an exception to this rule of title reduction - the "世襲罔替" (shixi wangti) system. These "Iron Cap Princes" were able to pass on their titles intact from generation to generation. Even if a Prince committed a crime, only he would be punished, and the title would be passed on to another member of the family.
There were two distinct noble title systems in the Qing Dynasty: the imperial clan title system and the Mongol title system. The rule of title reduction applied only to the Manchu imperial clan, while Mongol Princes' titles were not subject to reduction.
How One Became an "Iron Cap Prince"
Becoming an "Iron Cap Prince" was essentially about having a close relationship with the emperor, especially in the first generation. From Nurhaci's grandfather, Juechang'an, to Xianfeng Emperor's two sons, Tongzhi Emperor and Minjun Wang, there were a total of 127 imperial sons in the Qing Dynasty. Among them, 59 were Princes and 郡王, either enfeoffed or posthumously awarded. Of these, 46 were enfeoffed while alive, and four of them ascended to the throne - Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang.
Out of all the Princes and 郡王, only 12 were granted the privilege of "世襲罔替." Eight of them were awarded this title during the early Qing Dynasty for their founding merits.
The First Generation of "Iron Cap Princes"
The first was Daisan, Nurhaci's second son. In 1636 (the ninth year of Chongzhen in the Ming Dynasty), Daisan was enfeoffed as the "和碩兄禮親王" (Heshuo Xiong Liqin Wang) for his military achievements in attacking various Jurchen tribes, as well as in campaigns against the Mongols and the Ming Dynasty, and for his role in helping Huang Taiji ascend to the throne. His family's title changed several times, but it was restored to Liqin Wang in 1778. The Liqin Wang title was passed down 13 times, and they were among the most prominent Princes, always standing at the front of the imperial clan during court assemblies.
The second was Zhengqin Wang Jirhalang, Nurhaci's younger brother Shurhaci's sixth son. In 1636, he was enfeoffed as a Prince for his military campaigns against the Mongols, the invasion of Korea, and the resistance against the Ming Dynasty. In 1644, his title was further enhanced to "信義輔政叔王" (Xinyi Fuzheng Shu Wang). His descendants' title changed to Jianqin Wang, but it was restored to Zhengqin Wang in 1778. The title was passed down 17 times. However, after Xianfeng Emperor's death, Zhengqin Wang Duanhua was appointed as one of the eight regents. Following the "Xinyou Coup" launched by Empress Dowager Cixi and Prince Gong, Duanhua was forced to commit suicide, and the title was reduced to an 不入八分輔國公, thus losing the "Iron Cap Prince" status.
The third was Ruiqin Wang Dorgon, Nurhaci's fourteenth son. In 1636, he was also enfeoffed as a Prince for his military achievements. After assisting the young Shunzhi Emperor to ascend the throne, Dorgon began to regent. But in 1650, he died in a horse-riding accident. Two months after his death, someone accused him of treason. Shunzhi Emperor then stripped him of his title, and his tomb was even excavated and his body desecrated. Dorgon had no sons, so before his death, he adopted his younger brother Duoduo's son, Dorbo, as his heir. After his death, the title was gradually reduced from 貝勒 to 貝子, then to 鎮國公 and 輔國公. It was not until 1778 that Qianlong Emperor restored the title to his family and granted the privilege of "世襲罔替." The title was passed down seven times.
The fourth was Yuqin Wang Duoduo, Nurhaci's fifteenth son. In 1636, he was enfeoffed as a Prince for his military exploits. Due to his connection with Dorgon, his descendants' title was reduced to Xinyi Junwang, but they still enjoyed the "世襲罔替" privilege. After being suppressed for over a century, the title was restored to Yuqin Wang in 1778. The title was passed down 13 times.
The fifth was Suqin Wang Haoge, Huang Taiji's eldest son. In 1636, he was enfeoffed as a Prince for his military achievements. He was later stripped of his title twice, demoted twice, and then restored three times. In 1651, the emperor posthumously enfeoffed him as a Prince and his son as Xianqin Wang with the "世襲罔替" privilege. In 1778, the title was changed to Suqin Wang. The title was passed down ten times.
The sixth was Chengzeqin Wang Shuose, Huang Taiji's fifth son. In 1648, he was enfeoffed as a Prince, but later demoted to a 郡王. In 1651, due to his participation in the campaign against Li Zicheng, the destruction of the Southern Ming Dynasty, the expedition against the Khalkha, and the suppression of the rebellion in Datong led by Jiang Xiang, he was restored to the title of Prince. After his son Bogoduo inherited the title, the title was changed to Zhuangqin Wang. Since Bogoduo had no sons, Kangxi Emperor's sixteenth son, Yunlu, was adopted as his heir. The title was passed down 11 times. The last Zhuangqin Wang was Zaixun. At the end of the Guangxu reign, Empress Dowager Cixi ordered a declaration of war against the foreign powers. During the negotiation of the Boxer Protocol, Zaixun was scapegoated by Empress Dowager Cixi and forced to commit suicide because he had supported the Boxers.
The seventh was Keqin Wang Yuetuo, Daisan's eldest son. Initially, Huang Taiji enfeoffed him as Chengqin Wang, but later he was stripped of his title due to a crime. After his death, he was posthumously enfeoffed as Keqin Wang. His descendants' title changed to Yanxi Junwang and then Pingjun Wang. The fifth Pingjun Wang was Fupeng. Although Fupeng may not be well-known, his cousin, Cao Xueqin, is. The Beijin Wang in A Dream of Red Mansions is said to be based on Fupeng. During the Qianlong period, the title was changed back to Keqin Wang. The title was passed down 17 times.
The eighth was Shunchengjun Wang Lekedehun, Daisan's grandson. In 1648, he was enfeoffed as a 郡王 for his military achievements. The title was passed down 15 times.
The Later "Iron Cap Princes"
In addition to these eight founding heroes, during the Qianlong, Tongzhi, and Guangxu reigns, four more Princes were "specially enfeoffed" as "Iron Cap Princes" for various reasons.
The first was Yixiang Wang Yunxiang, Emperor Kangxi's thirteenth son, who is well-known to those who have watched The Yongzheng Dynasty. He was very close to the fourth son, Yinzhen. After Yinzhen became the emperor (Yongzheng), Yunxiang was appointed to manage river works and water conservancy, as well as handle military affairs in the northwest. After his death, Yongzheng Emperor treated him with great favor. He not only restored Yunxiang's original name but also allowed him to be enshrined in the imperial ancestral temple. He was the only person in the Qing Dynasty who did not need to avoid the emperor's name. Yongzheng Emperor let his fourth son, Hongxiao, inherit the title of Yixiang Wang, and his third son, Hongjiao, was also enfeoffed as Ningjun Wang with the "世襲罔替" privilege. However, later, Qianlong Emperor changed it to a system of title reduction. Before Xianfeng Emperor's death, he designated Yixiang Wang Zaiyuan as one of the eight regents. But after the "Xinyou Coup," he was forced to commit suicide by Empress Dowager Cixi. The title of Yixiang Wang was then passed on to Zaiyuan's great-grandson, Zaidun.
The second was Gongqin Wang Yixin, Emperor Daoguang's sixth son. During the Second Opium War, when the emperor fled to Chengde, Yixin was left in Beijing to handle affairs. Later, he, along with Empress Dowager Cixi and Empress Dowager Ci'an, launched a coup to overthrow the regents. The two empresses dowagers named him the "議政王" (Yizheng Wang) and put him in charge of the Grand Council. The empresses dowagers originally wanted to grant him the "世襲罔替" privilege, but he declined. Three years later, the two empresses dowagers still granted him the "世襲罔替" title and allowed him to receive double the salary of a Prince. However, later, Yixin was suspected by Empress Dowager Cixi, and his title of "議政王" was removed, and his title was reduced to a 郡王, and the "世襲罔替" privilege was also revoked. After his death, his grandson, Puwei, inherited the title. In 1936, Puwei died in the Puppet Manchukuo. Three years later, Puyi named Puwei's seventh son, Yushan, as the "Gongqin Wang." This was the last time a Wang title was conferred in the Qing Dynasty, although it was not in accordance with the Qing Dynasty's regulations of granting a gold册 (ce). Instead, Yushan was simply called to the Puppet Manchukuo Palace and named verbally, and then asked to kowtow to express his gratitude.
The third was Chunqin Wang Yixuan, Emperor Daoguang's seventh son. In 1874, his second son, Zaitian, was chosen by the two empresses dowagers to inherit the throne (Guangxu Emperor), and Yixuan was granted the "世襲罔替" privilege. However, Yixuan knew that his son's fate was in the hands of Empress Dowager Cixi, so he was very cautious and tried his best to please her. His life was full of caution. The Chunqin Wang Mansion was very special in the late Qing Dynasty because it produced two emperors, Guangxu and Puyi, which was rare in history.
The fourth was Qingqin Wang Yikuang, the eldest son of Fuguo Gong Mianxing. The first Qingqin Wang was Yonglin, Emperor Qianlong's seventeenth son, who was the younger brother of Emperor Jiaqing, both born to Concubine Ling. Yonglin was initially enfeoffed as Huijun Wang and then changed to Qingjun Wang. In 1820, when Yonglin was seriously ill, Emperor Jiaqing visited him and promoted him to Qingqin Wang. After his death, his son Mianmin inherited the title, which was reduced to Qingjun Wang. Since Mianmin had no sons, Yicai, the grandson of Yongxuan, was adopted as his heir. In 1842, Yicai was deprived of his title because he secretly took a concubine during the mourning period. His sixth uncle, Mianxing, coveted the 郡王 title and bribed relevant people, but the matter was exposed, and he was exiled to Shenyang. Then, Emperor Daoguang adopted Mianxing's son, Yikuang, as Mianmin's heir. In 1894, Yikuang was enfeoffed as Qingqin Wang. In 1908, he was granted the "世襲罔替" privilege. He was the last "Iron Cap Prince" in the Qing Dynasty, and it was this last "Iron Cap Prince" who "brought down" the Qing Dynasty.
The Downfall of the Qing Dynasty
Yikuang was a shrewd and calculating man who was very good at making money. He often associated with Yuan Shikai, Xu Shichang, and Natuo, and was highly favored by Empress Dowager Cixi. He successively served as the Mongol General of the Bordered Red Banner and the Bordered White Banner, as well as the Manchu General of the Bordered White Banner, the Plain Yellow Banner, and the Plain Blue Banner. He also held the position of Zongrenfu Zongzheng. Moreover, he served as the supervisor of Chongwenmen five times. Chongwenmen was the largest customs office in the north during the Qing Dynasty, a very lucrative position.
When the Qing Dynasty decided to build a navy, Yikuang was in charge of naval affairs along with Chunqin Wang. He also managed the army, serving as a minister in various military departments such as the Wubeiyuan, Shenjiying, Huoqiying, Baqi Xiaojiaying, and Lianbingchu. In 1884, Yikuang was appointed to take charge of the Zongli Yamen and was promoted to Qingjun Wang. Later, he served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Grand Councilor, as well as the Prime Minister of the "Imperial Cabinet" at the end of the Qing Dynasty.
Despite his humble beginnings as a poor 貝子, Yikuang's greed never changed. When he was the Prime Minister of the late Qing Dynasty, he, along with his son Zaizhen and Natuo, engaged in selling official positions. Their mansion was always bustling with people, and they were nicknamed the "Qing - Nuo Company." Their reputation even spread abroad. British The Times and American The New York Times reported that their mansion was like a "bazaar" in the Chinese officialdom, with a "toll booth" at the gate.
In 1908, when Yikuang celebrated his 70th birthday, officials from the capital and provinces rushed to send gifts. Although Yikuang told his servants not to accept gifts on the surface, he secretly kept four account books named "福" (Fu), "祿" (Lu), "壽" (Shou), and "喜" (Xi). Cash gifts of over 10,000 taels or gifts worth over 30,000 taels were recorded in the "福" account book. Cash gifts of 5,000 taels and gifts worth over 10,000 taels were recorded in the "祿" account book. Cash gifts of 1,000 taels and gifts worth over 3,000 taels were recorded in the "壽" account book, and the rest were recorded in the "喜" account book. Gifts worth less than 100 taels were recorded in another account book. During the three-day birthday celebration, he received at least 500,000 taels of cash gifts and over 1 million taels worth of gifts. During these three days, the wives and concubines in the mansion played mahjong and cards, with wins and losses amounting to over 300,000 taels.
Even after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Yikuang and his son Zaizhen, two generations of Qingqin Wangs, still held huge amounts of property and continued to live a luxurious life. There were over a hundred servants in their mansion. A banquet cost over 1,700 silver dollars. The water in their mansion was very particular; boiled water was not good enough, and they preferred distilled water, a hundred years earlier than we do today. Their fur coats and silk fabrics were piled up like mountains, yet they still ordered the major silk shops to send the latest fabrics. They had a dozen tailors to make new clothes for them, and some clothes were only worn a few times before being discarded. A pair of new shoes was worn for at most half a month. Zaizhen was very fond of raising flowers, birds, fish, and insects, and they were all carefully attended to. He bought over a thousand cricket gourds, some of which were made of ivory. When he got tired of them, he simply threw them all away.
Yikuang was highly criticized. It was said that he managed internal affairs without any order and foreign affairs without any success. He was definitely the number one spendthrift in the late Qing imperial clan.
In 1917, Yikuang died in Tianjin. His family asked Puyi to grant him a posthumous title for a proper burial. The Internal Affairs Office initially proposed the character "哲" (Zhe), but Puyi refused. Puyi himself came up with four characters: "謬" (Miu), "醜" (Chou), "幽" (You), and "厲" (Li), and asked them to choose. Of course, Yikuang's family could not accept such posthumous titles, so they asked Zaifeng, Puyi's father, to intercede. Zaifeng begged Puyi to give a better posthumous title, but Puyi refused. Finally, he wrote the character "獻" (Xian). Zaifeng said that this character had a dog radical, which was not very good. Puyi got angry and scolded, saying that Yikuang had accepted money from Yuan Shikai and persuaded the empress dowager to hand over the country, and that the two - hundred - year - old Qing Dynasty was destroyed by him. Only after repeated persuasion from Zaifeng and Puyi's teachers did Puyi reluctantly give the character "密" (Mi), which means "to make up for past mistakes." Among the posthumous titles of Wangs in the Qing Dynasty, except for "阿齊那" (Aqina) and "塞思黑" (Saihei) during the Yongzheng period, Yikuang's "密" character was probably the worst.
This was the last "Iron Cap Prince" of the Qing Dynasty, and he was also the first "naked official" to deposit all his huge property in foreign banks. Such a person was favored and trusted by Empress Dowager Cixi throughout her life. Even when the situation was at its worst, he was only lightly reprimanded and not severely punished. No wonder his bad reputation spread far and wide. It is truly difficult to find such a "big tiger" in the history books. Perhaps only in a decaying feudal dynasty facing a period of great upheaval could such a figure emerge.
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