How did Yang Xiuqing, who wielded great power, ultimately die

After the Jintian Uprising, the Taiping Army was unstoppable. After capturing the first major city of Yong’an, Hong Xiuquan carried out a series of political construction, known as the “Yong’an Establishment” in history. Yang Xiuqing, Shi Dakai and others were enfeoffed as kings. However, Yang Xiuqing ranked first among the kings and was in charge of military power.
Not long after, they broke through Nanjing and occupied half of the southern territory. At this time, after Hong Xiuquan established his capital and changed his name, Tianjing officially began a decade long era of confrontation with the Qing government.
Hong Xiuquan began to fall into depravity. He built the Heavenly Palace and indulged in pleasure all day long. For more than a decade, he even rarely left the palace. As for the government affairs, they have long been handed over to the Eastern Prince Yang Xiuqing.
At that time, Yang Xiuqing, who held religious, political, and military power, was essentially the highest ruler of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. However, he was not popular and his recklessness was no less than that of another nine thousand year old Wei Zhongxian in history, who had the potential to replace Hong Xiuquan.
In the end, the Tianjing Incident broke out, and Yang Xiuqing and his followers were easily executed.
Many people are puzzled. At that time, Yang Xiuqing was in control of the situation, had many followers around him, and even had the legitimate army of the Eastern Prince himself. It shouldn’t be that easy.
You should know that without the orders of the Eastern King, the troops cannot be easily mobilized, let alone guarding and fortifying every corner of the Heavenly Capital City. It is strange that thousands of troops can quietly enter the city and surround the Eastern Palace.
So, during the Tianjing Incident, why was Yang Xiuqing easily killed while holding all the power?
The truth about this is actually very simple.
Firstly, this incident was too sudden, something that Yang Xiuqing did not anticipate. Just like the Xuanwu Gate Incident during the Tang Dynasty, the civil and military officials around Crown Prince Li Jiancheng were far from comparable to Li Shimin. But due to the suddenness, Li Jiancheng couldn’t possibly carry the army with him 24 hours a day.
That’s the truth. No matter how alert Yang Xiuqing is, she couldn’t have anticipated this day.
So even if Yang Xiuqing’s main force receives the news, the yellow cabbage will cool down.
Secondly, the smooth progress of the Tianjing Incident was inseparable from the help of one person, Chen Chengli. Chen Chengli was the head of the imperial court at that time, and he was a powerful figure in all military and political affairs of the Heavenly Kingdom, regardless of their size. To be honest, his steady rise was inseparable from the help of Yang Xiuqing, who was originally one of Yang Xiuqing’s confidants.
However, in the power struggle, he betrayed Yang Xiuqing and sided with the other party.
It was he who reported to Hong Xiuquan that Yang Xiuqing was going to usurp the throne, which made Hong Xiuquan determined to take action first. It was he who concealed the fact that Yang Xiuqing opened the door at night to welcome Wei Changhui’s troops into the city, and he also disbanded Yang Xiuqing’s guards. Causing Yang Xiuqing to return to the West while still dreaming.
Finally, Yang Xiuqing was usually domineering and arrogant, and had a very bad relationship with the princes. At critical moments, the wall collapsed and everyone pushed, leaving no one standing in line and isolated.
Of course, there is one more thing, which is that Yang Xiuqing has become accustomed to being domineering and has lost his vigilance. It can also be said that he is a politically incompetent person who lacks crisis awareness and has relaxed his vigilance.
However, after the Tianjing Incident, these meritorious officials did not have a good ending, and those who played with fire themselves were also buried in the flames.