Interview With Emperor Shunzhi (Fulin)

Kyle: Hello emperor Shunzhi, first off I would like to thank you for participating in this interview.


Emperor Shunzhi:  No, thank you, it is an honor to be here.


Kyle: Let me get to the first question, Shunzhi, how did you manage to take control over all of China?


Emperor Shunzhi: Well, there were different things happening in China that opened the doors for my fellow Manchurians and I.  I also got some help from Dorgon, since he is one of my regents.  First of all, Nuraci set the foundation for this dynasty to begin, so there was not much work to be done.  The government was becoming corrupt under the Ming Dynasty, which made it easier to take control of China.  When I saw the opportunity to take over the government and control China, I took it, which leads to where I am today.


Kyle: Emperor Shunzhi, why did you leave some of the Mings in their government positions and only replace the really important jobs with Manchurians, although you had complete control of China?

Emperor Shunzhi

Emperor Shunzhi:  I think that there was only reason for that, and that reason was for making the transition easier.  It would be too much of a hassle for all of China and myself if I were to replace all of the people in office.  I thought it was best for China if I only replaced the most important positions with fellow Manchus, so there would not be a dramatic change on the government of China


Kyle:  Next question , Emperor Shunzhi, what have you done for China and what does it mean for your legacy?


Emperor Shunzhi:  I think that I have very much helped China.  I brought civil service examinations back in order for people to earn their jobs as civil servants, and not just get them because they are from an upper class.  I had a goal and that goal was to follow in the Han Dynasty's footsteps and reinstate the Confucian curriculum.  With the way the China is going right now, I can see this dynasty lasting for over 300 years.  I want people to remember me as an emperor who learns from history and since the Han Dynasty was successful, I figured that using their ideas would be good for China.  I reestablished a successful philosophy and I was one of the many good rulers and added to the foundation of this dynasty.  That...now that is what it means to my legacy.


Kyle:  Emperor Shunzhi, how did you become ruler of China? Is there any background information that you would like to share about yourself that leads up to where you are today?


Emperor Shunzhi:  I became ruler of China after my father, Hong Taiji, and I shared power with Dorgon until he died in 1650.  My father was just the second emperor of the Qing Dynasty and I was lucky to take power after him, although I was his ninth son.  Usually, the ninth son does not fulfill such an important position, but as I said before I got lucky.  My father did not name a successor, and when he died, there was a critical decision to be made.  Manchu princes said that Dorgon should become emperor because he was a proven military leader.  However, Dorgon said one of my siblings should become emperor.  The members of the Grand Council chose me to fulfill my father's postion, and that is why I am where I am today.


Kyle: Last question...tell me about the haircutting command, what is it and why did you do it?


Emperor Shunzhi:  The haircutting command was a special tradition for Manchurian men, but I did not think of the idea.  Nurhaci was the first one to enforce this tradition around China, and I had to do the same.  This special hairstyle had to be worn by the men in the areas that the Manchus had conquered.  This hairstyle was actually called a Queue.  Every ten days, the hair above the temples had to be shaven off and the rest would all be braided to form a very long ponytail.  I had the Chinese do this because I did not want to against my own tradition, that would be wrong.  The two emperors before me had also done this, so I was stuck between a rock and a hard place on this decision.  I was basically forced into following this tradition, although many do not like it.