In feudal times, many people had a deep belief in predictions or fortune-telling.
The story of Emperor Qianlong accidentally receiving a fortune teller’s prediction and then abdicating the throne is a testament.
Emperor Qianlong’s real name is Ai Tan Giac La Hoang Lich (1711 – 1799).
During his lifetime, Qianlong was one of the four longest-lived emperors in Chinese history.
Emperor Qianlong decided to cede the throne to his son Vinh Diem while he was still healthy.
Most opinions believe that Qianlong decided to cede the throne to his son because he wanted to fulfill a promise that he would not stay on the throne longer than his grandfather, Emperor Kangxi (who ruled the country for 61 years).
However, there is also a story spread among the people that Emperor Qianlong `reluctantly` gave up the throne because of a prediction from a fortune teller he happened to meet on the side of the road.
During the reign of the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong loved to behave.
Accordingly, during a trip disguised as a civilian, while passing through Suzhou, Emperor Qianlong passed by a fortune-telling booth.
This fortune teller has the temperament of an immortal.
When Emperor Qianlong heard this, he laughed loudly and felt that this Taoist was acting mysterious, so he asked: `Tell me a little about my identity and the purpose of coming here.`
Having finished speaking, Emperor Qianlong sat down in front of the fortune teller.
After hearing this, Qian Long appeared calm on the outside, but inside he was stirred.
However, the strange thing is that when the assassin returned to carry the goods just now, the fortune teller disappeared without a trace.
After reading this paper, Emperor Qianlong felt that this physiognomy master was not simple.
It’s unclear why Emperor Qianlong was afraid of the fortune teller’s prediction. After returning from that trip, Emperor Qianlong made an unexpected decision.
In October 1795, Qianlong announced that the following spring (1796) he would voluntarily abdicate and transfer the throne to his son.
Emperor Qianlong, after abdicating his throne, ascended to the position of Thai Thuong Emperor, residing in Ninh Tho palace.
In 1799, after about 3 years on the throne, Qianlong passed away at the age of 88. This indeed fulfilled the prediction of the old fortune teller.
Although there is still much controversy surrounding Emperor Qianlong’s voluntary succession to the throne, it cannot be denied that the strange coincidence of this emperor’s lifespan fulfilled a famous prediction among the people.
Article reference sources: QQ, Baidu