Yunli, Prince Guo

Family, titles, and administrative responsibilities

Yunli (formerly Yinli), the Kangxi emperor's seventeenth son, was a member of the Qing imperial clan. In 1723, the first year of the Yongzheng reign, he received the title Prince Guo of the Second Rank (junwang) and was assigned responsibilities connected with the Lifan Yuan, the central office that handled aspects of the empire's relations with Mongolian and Tibetan affairs. In 1728 he was elevated to prince of the first rank (qinwang). The distinction between these titles and his administrative assignments is essential: rank within the imperial clan did not itself constitute appointment as the minister of a particular board.

During Yongzheng's reign, Yunli also supervised affairs associated with the Board of Works, the Three Treasuries of the Board of Revenue, and the Imperial Clan Court, where he served as its head. In 1734 he traveled to Taining on an imperial mission relating to arrangements for the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet and an accompanying inspection. In the following year, he participated in matters concerning the Miao frontier and was named among those entrusted with assisting the succession under the late emperor's testament.

Later career and succession

Yunli continued to take part in state affairs after the Qianlong emperor's accession, including offering proposals concerning outstanding tax arrears in Jiangnan. He died in 1738 and received the posthumous name Yi, hence the later designation Prince Guoyi. Having no biological son, his line was continued through Hongzhan, a son of the Qianlong emperor appointed as his heir. This adoptive succession must not be mistaken for biological descent, nor should later holders' achievements be attributed to Yunli.