Alingga (Chinese:
Biography
editAlingga's birthdate is unknown. He was the seventh son of Ebilun, one of the main advisors to the Kangxi Emperor in the latter's early reign, Alingga grew up in a prominent household. He initially was an imperial bodyguard, then niru (
Alingga did not get along with his older brother Faka (
The Yongzheng Emperor reserved particular scorn for Alingga, possibly as a result of the latter's endorsement of Yunsi during the battle for succession. In 1735, the Yongzheng Emperor said to his assembled officials, "in today's court, the most treacherous, most selfishly bent on seeking their own gain; the worst of them are Alingga and Kuiju".[1] The emperor accused Alingga of spreading rumors in order to support the cause of Yunsi assuming the position of crown prince. Additionally, the emperor placed on Alingga's tombstone the remarks "he was not a good subject, not a good younger brother, violent, and mediocre."[2]
In popular culture
editAlingga appeared as a character in numerous Chinese television series, including Yongzheng Dynasty, Scarlet Heart, and Palace II. Contemporary understandings of Alingga are basically derived from two sources - the Draft History of Qing, which features a short biography of him, and various edicts issued by the Yongzheng Emperor, who despised him. It is therefore difficult to ascertain what kind of life he truly led or his personal character, as the Yongzheng Emperor's opinions were likely affected by Alingga's allegiance to the emperor's political rivals.
References and notes
edit- Draft History of the Qing, Chapter 287, Biographies, 74