In May, a Boxer Rebellion broke out in Beijing, and even went to war with foreign powers. Now Yi Xiang and Li Hongzhang are negotiating with ambassadors from various countries in Beijing, and the main contents have been finalized. Think about where this disaster came from; it was all caused by those princes and ministers who were incompetent and arrogant, superstitious, and held the court in their grip. They disobeyed the orders to suppress the Boxers, instead indulging them, fighting recklessly, and as a result, the Boxers became more and more arrogant. They gathered tens of thousands of Boxer rebels right under the imperial government's nose and couldn't control them at all. They even ordered the reckless soldiers to besiege the embassies. After a few months, a great disaster occurred; the Qing Dynasty was on the brink of destruction, the imperial tombs were threatened, and the people suffered. The Empress Dowager and I were in mortal danger; it's impossible to describe. Thinking about it now, I am still terrified, both sad and angry. These princes and ministers, who believed in superstition, indulged bandits, harmed the country, and caused disasters to the people, what do they deserve? The previous two punishments were too lenient; they should receive further punishment, commensurate with their crimes.
Prince Zai Xun, who has already been dismissed from his position, allowed the Boxers to attack the embassy, issued notices that violated the agreement, believed the words of the bandits, and wrongfully killed many people. He was a cruel, stubborn fool. He was ordered to commit suicide, and Ge Baohua, the Imperial Inspector, was sent to supervise. Prince Zai Yi of Duan County, who has also been dismissed, incited the princes and nobles to trust the Boxers, falsely claiming they should go to war, leading to this disaster. There's no question of his guilt. Duke Zai Lan, who has been demoted, issued notices that violated the agreement along with Zai Xun, and should also be punished. They were stripped of their titles. Even though they were princes, they were all sentenced to life in Xinjiang, under guard. Disgraced Governor Yu Xian, who has been dismissed, had previously believed in the Boxers' nonsense while serving as governor in Shandong. He spread this in Beijing, influencing many princes and ministers. While serving as governor in Shanxi, he also killed many missionaries and believers, brutally incompetent in his actions. He was the main culprit behind the crimes. He had already been exiled to Xinjiang, probably near Gansu by now. The order was: execute him immediately, with Imperial Inspector He Fukun overseeing the execution.
Former junior grand secretary and Minister of Personnel Shangshu Gangyi, who sheltered the Boxers and caused a great disaster, also participated in issuing proclamations that violated the treaty. Though deserving of severe punishment, he died before it could be carried out, so his original official position is revoked. Gansu governor Dong Fuxiang led troops into Beijing, whose troops lacked discipline, and whose poor diplomacy and reckless actions resulted in significant issues. Although the siege of the embassy was instigated by those dismissed princes, he also bears responsibility. He should have faced severe punishment, but considering his merits in Gansu and the support of the Han people, he is given a lighter punishment and dismissed. Former Left Censorate Yingnian, when he issued proclamations in defiance of the treaty, had tried to stop it, which is partially excusable, but he failed to succeed, so he is also responsible. He is dismissed with grace and sentenced to be beheaded. Justice Minister Zhao Shuqiao, who usually did not pay much attention to diplomacy, did not shelter the Boxers, but his dilatory actions cost valuable time. He is dismissed with grace and sentenced to be beheaded. Yingnian and Zhao Shuqiao are both imprisoned in Shaanxi. Grand Secretary Xu Tong and former Governor of Sichuan Li Bingheng have both died, but their actions left them open to charges, so they are both dismissed, with their posthumous honors revoked. After this punishment, all friendly nations should understand that the Boxer Rebellion was incited by these culprits, not the intention of the court. I am punishing these culprits severely, not leniently, and the people of the world also understand the significance of this matter. So ordered.
