On the 11th and 12th of July in the Gengzi year, Governor Yushou of Zhili led troops to fight against foreign soldiers at Beicang, but was defeated and retreated to Yangcun, then hurried to Caicun, and ultimately committed suicide by gunshot. At this time, Li Jian was ordered to lead troops for support and arrived at Hexiwu on the 14th. His subordinates, Zhang Chunfa and Chen Zelin, were completely routed after a brief engagement, and Li Jian also committed suicide by poison. The foreign troops then advanced towards Tongzhou.
At that time, everyone in the court was in a panic, and no one could come up with a solution. On the 16th, an order was finally given to flee westward. However, because the carriages and horses were not fully prepared, the departure was delayed. By the evening of the 19th, the sound of cannon fire echoed outside the city, ringing continuously. On the 20th, around Magpie Alley, shells fell like rain, and in the afternoon, reports started coming in that Tiananmen and Xichang'anmen had been taken. However, due to the distance, the palace was still unaware of the exact situation. That day, Wang Kuishi and Wen Shao were summoned a total of five times, the last time being at nine o'clock in the evening, with only Minister Zhao and the two of them there. The Empress Dowager said, "It's just the three of you left here; everyone else has gone home, regardless of me and the child. You three must follow me!" She also said to Wang, "You are so old; I feel uneasy about putting you through this hardship. You can come a bit later. The two of them usually ride horses and must leave with me." Wang replied, "I will definitely come!" The Emperor also said, "You must come!" But at that time, it was still uncertain when they would set off. That night, Wang was on duty in the palace and did not return home. By midnight, news came that foreign troops had entered the city. Wang wanted to go out to see what was happening, but the palace gates were tightly shut, and he could not get out. By seven o'clock the next morning, when Wang made his way into the city in a sedan chair, he found out that Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu had rushed out of the palace at dawn.
Today is the twenty-first. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor both took a carriage out of Desheng Gate. When they reached Guanshi, they switched to three sedan chairs: Guangyu, Tuohang, and Jiaojing. The Emperor shared a sedan chair with Lord Lun. Only upon reaching Huailai County and Xuanhua County did the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Eldest Prince get into their sedan chairs. Because they left the palace in a hurry, the Empress Dowager wore just a blue summer shirt, and her hair wasn't even styled. As for the Emperor, he was dressed only in a black gauze long shirt and two black cloth battle skirts. They didn’t bring any bedding or luggage, and for three days and two nights, they slept on a heated brick bed without blankets or a change of clothes. No one was there to serve them meals, so they could only drink a bit of millet porridge to quell their hunger.
Their miserable state was truly indescribable. None of the concubines or palace maids were brought along, and although a few eunuchs accompanied them, they were scarce. The princes and nobles accompanying the Emperor were also few. None of the Li Wang, Rong Xiang, or Qi Xiu accompanied them; only Duke Duan, Duke Qing, Duke Na, Duke Su, Lunbeizi, and a few other noblemen were present. Only five officials were present: Gang, Zhao, Wu, Wang, and Pu Xing. There were also a dozen or so department officials, two Manchu military ministers, one Han military minister, and probably over a thousand soldiers from the Divine Machine Camp and Tiger God Camp. The cavalry led by Ma Yukun probably also numbered over a thousand. All the shops along the way had closed and fled, leaving them unable to buy anything; thus, the situation was truly beyond description.
That day, Lord Wang had been ordered to accompany the emperor, but when he heard that the emperor had already left the capital, he didn't have time to go home, so he quickly slipped out from the back door with his second son. They were exhausted, so they first rested at Lingjiu Monastery. However, the monks in the monastery said that foreign soldiers had entered the city and were burning temples, which caused great panic. They also mentioned that foreign soldiers and their converts were firing guns on the walls from Andingmen to Deshengmen, and the streets were teeming with foreign soldiers, so they refused to let them stay. Lord Wang had no choice but to hide in the house of a Han family living nearby in the Internal Affairs Office, as all the carriage drivers and sedan chair bearers had disappeared.
In the afternoon, they heard that Xizhimen was not closed yet, so they left their belongings at the Han family and only took money and spare clothes. When it got dark, they made their way to Shisanhai from Deshengmen, following the crowd out of the city. As they reached Jiajia Hutong, a heavy rain began to fall, so they had to stay overnight at Jingzhai. The gunfire in the city had ceased, but flames were rising outside the back gate, burning all night. It was only at the hour of the tiger (3-5 am) that they heard Xizhimen had opened, the foreign soldiers had not yet arrived, and the Qing troops had all fled. No one knew how many refugees there were, nor was anyone being questioned. Lord Wang and his second son walked out of Xizhimen and only got on a carriage outside the bridge. The second son rode a mule, and there were only five or six people left, all walking.
Upon reaching Haidian, Lord Wang was famished and wanted to find a place to eat, but every restaurant was closed. They eventually found something to eat and managed to have a small meal. After eating, they continued on their journey. They traveled seventy li to Guanshi, where they learned that the imperial convoy had already passed through, so they stayed there overnight. On the twenty-third day, they reached Juyongguan. On the twenty-fourth day, they arrived at Huailai County, where they learned that Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu had arrived a day earlier, on the twenty-third, and had already been there for a day. Lord Wang hurried to see the imperial convoy, knelt, and wept. The Empress Dowager and the emperor wept alongside him, offering comfort before allowing him to withdraw.
The Empress Dowager and the Emperor arrived at the county yamen on the evening of the 23rd, just as it was getting dark. County Magistrate Wu was completely unprepared and hurriedly donned his official hat to greet them; the Emperor and Empress Dowager had already entered the county yamen. Magistrate Wu hurriedly paid his respects to the Emperor and Empress Dowager in the main hall, and they kindly spoke a few words to him. After Magistrate Wu withdrew, he hurriedly tidied up his wife's room to invite the Empress Dowager to rest. The Empress was assigned to stay in the main room of his daughter-in-law’s residence, while the Emperor temporarily stayed in the seal room.
The Empress Dowager was extremely hungry and pounded on the dressing table, insisting that food be served quickly. She had only eaten three eggs during the two days since leaving the capital. She opened her dressing box herself and took out a comb to tidy her hair. The Emperor then instructed Magistrate Wu to promptly go to the southeastern provinces to urge the collection of military funds, and the county seal was temporarily handed over to the county clerk for safekeeping. The Emperor and Empress Dowager continued their westward journey on the 25th. From this point on, officials along the way began to present tributes, and the Emperor and Empress Dowager felt a little more comfortable.
Below is a detailed record of the daily stops of the Emperor and Empress Dowager after leaving the capital, recorded by date, with the hope of not missing anything for future reference: On July 21st, they camped in the town of Guanshi, having traveled seventy miles. They stayed in a mosque. The Li and Yang families from Dongguangyu sent noodles, millet porridge, vegetables, and two horse-drawn carriages.
On July 22nd, they camped at a fork in the road, having traveled ninety miles. A heavy rain fell in the early morning, and when they arrived at Guankou, a mountain flood occurred, causing the Emperor's sedan chair to be swept away by the water. At noon, they passed through the Juyong Pass, where the eunuchs obtained rough porcelain tea bowls from the local people and brought back a bowl of cold water. Qin Mu Kui Liang from Yanqing Prefecture sent a blue woolen sedan chair. There was little supply along the way, which was quite challenging!
On July 23, stationed in Huailai County, a distance of fifty li. Stayed in Huailai County for two days. The county magistrate Wu Yongjin presented bird's nest soup and Hanfu women's clothing, and the Emperor even wore the attire of the eldest prince. On the same day, we arrived at Hecheng, a distance of sixty li. A green sedan chair and a qipao were sent from there. On July 26, stationed at Jiming Post, a distance of forty li, belonging to Xuanhua Prefecture.
On the 27th, we stayed in the city of Xuanhua, sixty li away from the place we stayed the previous day. Stayed in Xuanhua for four days. Resided at the Shanggu Public Office, with somewhat improved food supplies. When the county magistrate Chen came to pay his respects, Empress Dowager Cixi praised him for his efforts.
On August 1, set out from Xuanhua, stayed at Zuowei Yuan in Huai'an County, a distance of sixty li. The temporary palace was small and cramped, lacking any preparations.
On the 2nd, stayed in the city of Huai'an County, a distance of sixty li. The food supplies were quite basic.
On the 3rd, stayed in the city of Tianzhen County, Shanxi, a distance of eighty li. The magistrate of Tianzhen County, E Ling Teng, upon hearing that the entire city of Fengtian (Shenyang) had been captured, committed suicide. That day, we found ourselves at Zhir Ling Jian Station, with nothing prepared. Cen Zhongcheng Cen Chunxuan sent over some pouch eggs, which delighted Empress Dowager Cixi, and she praised him. The night's accommodation, arranged by Clerk Yang Shouxing, was better than the one at noon.
On the 4th, stayed at Jule Fort, ten li away from the place we stayed the previous day, belonging to Yanggao County.
On the 6th, stayed in the city of Taiyuan Prefecture, a distance of sixty li. Stayed at the Zhen Tai Yamen for four days, with better and more varied food supplies.
On the 10th, set out from Datong, stayed in Huairen County, a distance of ninety li. The food supplies were rather basic.
On the 11th, stayed in Daibing Town, Shanyin County, a distance of one hundred li. The temporary palace was small and cramped once again.
On the 12th, stayed in Guangwu Town, Daizhou, a distance of eighty-five li.
On the 13th, stayed in Yangming Fort, a distance of seventy-five li, belonging to Daizhou. Passed through Yanmen Pass, where Empress Dowager Cixi's sedan chair briefly stopped to take in the scenery. Cen Zhongcheng sent a bouquet of wild yellow flowers, and Empress Dowager Cixi thanked him with some milk tea.
On the 14th, we stayed in Yuanping Town, which is 80 li from Meng County. The temporary palace was actually a civilian home, and Magistrate Wang did not notice that there were actually several old coffins left inside! After Cen Zhongcheng discovered this, he quickly rode back to report it. Fortunately, Empress Dowager Cixi graciously said, "If they can be moved, then move them; if they are not in an important place, it’s fine if they are not moved." Before Empress Dowager Cixi arrived, Minister Yu Qiyuan had already ordered the soldiers to move all the coffins out.
On the 15th, we resided in Xinzhou City, 80 li away. Today, we switched to three yellow sedan chairs and two green ones at Ershili Pu.
On the 26th, we were stationed at Huangtuzhai, 60 li away from Yangqu County.
On the 17th, we arrived in Taiyuan Prefecture City, also 60 li away. We stayed in the Governor's residence, where all the furnishings and utensils were old items the Emperor had used during his previous trip to Wutai Mountain, kept in excellent condition and particularly beautiful! Empress Dowager Cixi even said that the palace didn't have such good items!
We spent more than ten days in Taiyuan. Later, a minister reported that the Allied Forces were going to plunder Baoding and then head west, so it was decided to go to Xi'an to see the situation. The Emperor immediately issued a decree to head south on the 8th of the leap month. The local officials along the way provided generous supplies, and the Empress Dowager was very satisfied. By the evening of the 26th of the leap month, the Emperor's carriage finally arrived at Jianguan.
Here’s what happened after we entered the pass: that day, the Emperor and Empress Dowager crossed the river on three beautifully decorated imperial boats. The weather was calm on the way, and both the Emperor and Empress Dowager were very happy, rewarding twenty taels of silver and one hundred silver medals. At that time, the Guanzhong area had been experiencing drought for many years, with parched land everywhere. As soon as the Emperor's carriage passed through, it unexpectedly rained over three inches! The common people cheered with joy, and their voices echoed for miles!
The Empress Dowager wanted to go to Mount Hua to pay her respects, so she called upon Huang Zhici, the Governor of Shaanxi, who was in charge of imperial assignments, to inquire about the situation at Mount Hua and where would be suitable for burning incense. Huang Zhici said that the mountain path was treacherous, but a battalion had already been dispatched to repair the road. The Empress Dowager then asked if it could be repaired in one day, to which Huang Zhici replied that spending a day in Huayin might make it somewhat smoother. However, due to pressing military matters, it was ordered not to ascend Mount Hua, but to burn incense at Huayue Temple, bow six times at Haoling Hall, and bow nine times in front of the ancestral dragon tablet. After the Empress Dowager completed her prayers, tears streamed down her face.
Later, the Empress Dowager ascended the Wanshou Tower, and despite repeated offers from ministers to carry her in a sedan chair, she declined and instead had a eunuch assist her as she slowly climbed the three-zhang ladder to the first level. The Empress Dowager, accompanied by the Emperor, Empress, concubines, eldest prince, and ministers, took in the view for a long time, and then ascended to an even higher level. Deputy Minister Cen, Minister Duan, and Huang Zhici were kneeling at the entrance to welcome her, and the Empress Dowager took out ginseng candies from her handkerchief, giving one to each person. The following day, Huang Zhici presented crabs, eggs, shrimp, and snuff tobacco, which the Empress Dowager accepted.
Earlier, on the 16th day, Deputy Governor Duan, who had been serving in the Governor's stead, rushed to the palace in Shanxi to greet the imperial entourage. Upon reaching Puzhou, the Emperor summoned him once; at Tongguan, the Emperor summoned him again, and then ordered him to rush to Shaanxi and Henan to handle matters. The Deputy Minister was very grateful for the Emperor's grace and immediately set off.
On the morning of the fourth day of the ninth month, the Emperor arrived in Xi'an, traveling from Changle Gate Street to the palace in Beiyuan. The imperial road was long and lined with yellow earth. The shops lining the street were adorned with lanterns, and the common folk knelt by the roadside to pay their respects, eager to catch a glimpse of the Emperor. The Emperor instructed his attendants not to disperse the crowd. The Empress Dowager also rewarded the common folk with numerous silver plaques.
After the emperor arrived at the North Court, the ministers quickly gathered. They arranged for 250 guards to take shifts day and night, standing watch at the main and secondary gates. This gave the emperor a bit more peace of mind. With disaster victims scattered throughout Shaanxi, life was extremely hard for the people. As the emperor toiled day and night, he switched to wearing coarse cloth garments. The princes and ministers emulated the emperor's frugality, not daring to indulge in any extravagance, and all donned cloth robes.
