The Tongzhi Emperor, born Aisin Gioro Zaichun, was the tenth emperor of the Qing Dynasty in China, ruling from 1861 to 1875. He ascended to the throne at the age of five after the death of his father, the Xianfeng Emperor. His reign was marked by the influence of his mother, the Empress Dowager Cixi, who acted as regent during his early years. The Tongzhi Emperor's rule faced significant challenges, including internal strife and foreign pressures. The Taiping Rebellion and the Second Opium War had weakened the dynasty, leading to reforms known as the Tongzhi Restoration. However, his reign ultimately struggled with corruption and inefficiency, and he died young at the age of 19.