Zeng Jing

Zeng Jing (曾靜) (c. 1679 – 1736) was a Chinese intellectual and scholar who lived during the Qing Dynasty. He is primarily known for his involvement in a seditious plot against the Yongzheng Emperor in 1728.

Life and Background:

Zeng Jing was a licentiate (生員) from Hunan province. He was influenced by the ideas of Lü Liuliang, a late Ming Dynasty scholar who opposed the Qing Dynasty due to its Manchu origins and its perceived suppression of Han Chinese culture. Although Lü Liuliang had died before Zeng Jing was born, his writings and teachings were disseminated among a small circle of scholars.

The Zeng Jing Affair:

Inspired by Lü Liuliang's anti-Manchu sentiments, Zeng Jing formulated a series of accusations against the Yongzheng Emperor. These accusations centered on alleged acts of cruelty, usurpation, and moral failings. Zeng Jing then attempted to persuade Yue Zhongqi, the governor-general of Sichuan and Shaanxi, to lead a rebellion and overthrow the Qing Dynasty. He sent letters to Yue Zhongqi outlining his grievances and arguing for the restoration of Ming rule.

Yue Zhongqi's Betrayal:

Yue Zhongqi, a loyal Qing official, immediately reported Zeng Jing's letters to the Yongzheng Emperor. Zeng Jing and his disciple, Zhang Xi, were arrested and brought to Beijing for interrogation.

The Emperor's Response:

The Yongzheng Emperor, rather than simply executing Zeng Jing and Zhang Xi, chose to publicly confront their accusations. He personally reviewed Zeng Jing's confession and wrote a detailed refutation of his claims, titled the Dayi juemi lu (大義覺迷錄, "A Record of Awakening from Delusion through a Great Righteousness"). In this book, the Yongzheng Emperor defended his legitimacy, refuted the specific charges leveled against him, and argued for the unity of the Manchu and Han Chinese peoples. The Dayi juemi lu was widely distributed throughout the empire.

Aftermath:

The Yongzheng Emperor initially pardoned Zeng Jing and Zhang Xi, believing that they had been misled by the ideas of Lü Liuliang. However, after the Yongzheng Emperor's death, his successor, the Qianlong Emperor, reversed the decision. The Qianlong Emperor viewed the Dayi juemi lu as a dangerous precedent that could encourage future rebellions. He ordered the book to be suppressed and had Zeng Jing and Zhang Xi executed in 1736. Lü Liuliang's corpse was exhumed and publicly mutilated, and his family members were punished.

The Zeng Jing affair remains a significant event in Qing Dynasty history, highlighting the complex relationship between the ruling Manchus and the Han Chinese population, and demonstrating the lengths to which the Qing emperors went to legitimize their rule.