32 Facts About Ronglu

Ronglu, courtesy name Zhonghua, was a Manchu political and military leader of the late Qing dynasty.

Ronglu was born in the Guwalgiya clan, which was under the Plain White Banner of the Manchu Eight Banners.

Ronglu was the maternal grandfather of Puyi, the last Emperor of China and the Qing dynasty.

Ronglu was born in the Manchu Guwalgiya clan, which was under the Plain White Banner of the Manchu Eight Banners.

Ronglu was a yinsheng, a type of position awarded to civil service candidates who successfully gained admission to the Guozijian.

Ronglu started his career in the Ministry of Works as a yuanwailang and was tasked with constructing roads in Zhili Province.

Ronglu was appointed as a flank commander and zhuancao dachen before being transferred to be a zongbing of the left flank.

In 1878, Baoting wrote a memorial to the imperial court, pointing out that certain officials concurrently held too many appointments, hence Ronglu was relieved of his duties as Secretary of Works and Minister of the Imperial Household Department.

Ronglu was initially accused of accepting bribes and was demoted by two grades.

Ronglu offended Prince Chun, Baojun and Shen Guifen and was forced to retire in early 1879.

In 1894, Ronglu was recalled from Xi'an to the capital Beijing to attend Empress Dowager Cixi's birthday celebrations.

In 1896, Ronglu was appointed as Secretary of Defence and Assistant Grand Secretary.

Ronglu proposed transferring Dong Fuxiang and his Gansu Army to Beijing to defend the capital and enhance the training of the New Army.

In 1898, Ronglu was promoted to Grand Secretary and subsequently assumed the following additional appointments: Viceroy of Zhili Province, Beiyang Trade Minister, and Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Cabinet overseeing the Ministry of Justice.

Ronglu was appointed to the Grand Council and sided with the Empress Dowager in the coup.

In 1899, Ronglu was granted authority as Imperial Commissioner in charge of military training and put in command of the military units led by Nie Shicheng, Dong Fuxiang, Song Qing and Yuan Shikai.

Ronglu established the Wuwei Corps, composed of five divisions led by the four commanders and himself.

Ronglu was initially undecided on this issue, but eventually he opposed the Empress Dowager's idea.

Ronglu heeded his advice and designated Puzhuan as "First Prince" instead.

Ronglu requested to accompany them but was denied permission; instead, he was ordered to remain in Beijing.

Ronglu did not want to antagonise Empress Dowager Cixi, but was not sympathetic towards the Boxers.

When Dong Fuxiang's Gansu Army was eager to attack the legations, Ronglu made sure that the siege was not pressed home.

Ronglu blocked the transfer of artillery to Dong Fuxiang, preventing him from destroying the legations.

Ronglu kept Nie Shicheng from finding out about an imperial decree that ordered him to stop fighting the Boxers.

Ronglu ordered Nie Shicheng to protect foreigners and protect the railway from attacks by the Boxers.

Ronglu had effectively derailed Prince Duan's efforts to capture the legations, and as a result, saved the foreigners inside.

Ronglu was shocked that he was not welcome after the war; however, the foreign powers did not demand that he, unlike Dong Fuxiang, be punished.

Ronglu was awarded a yellow jacket, a two-eyed peacock feather, and a purple girdle.

Ronglu escorted the Empress Dowager and the Guangxu Emperor back to the capital later.

In 1901, Ronglu was put in charge of the Ministry of Revenue.

Ronglu died in 1903 and was posthumously granted the honorary appointment of Grand Tutor.

Ronglu was awarded the posthumous name "Wenzhong" and posthumously enfeoffed as a first class baron.