Quick Facts
Kangxi: China's longest-reigning emperor, expanded borders, patron of arts and sciences.
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Life Journey
Kangxi was born as Xuanye, the third son of Shunzhi Emperor and Empress Xiaokangzhang. He was named after the Chinese characters for 'peace' and 'health', reflecting his parents' hopes for his well-being.
Following the death of his father, the Shunzhi Emperor, at age 24, Kangxi ascended to the throne at the age of seven, becoming the fourth emperor of the Qing dynasty.
At the age of thirteen, Kangxi took personal control of the government from the regents who had been ruling on his behalf, marking the beginning of his active reign.
Kangxi successfully quelled the Revolt of the Three Feudatories, a rebellion by powerful military leaders that threatened the stability of the Qing dynasty, solidifying his authority.
Kangxi's forces conquered Taiwan, ending the Ming loyalist resistance led by the Zheng family and bringing the island under Qing rule, expanding the empire's territorial control.
Kangxi signed the Treaty of Nerchinsk with Russia, which established the boundary between the two empires and marked the first diplomatic agreement between China and a European power.
Kangxi commissioned the creation of the Kangxi Dictionary, a comprehensive lexicographical work that became one of the most important reference books in Chinese history, reflecting his commitment to scholarship.
Kangxi founded the Jing Shi Zhen Yuan Academy, a prestigious institution for training officials, emphasizing the importance of Confucian education and governance within the empire.
Kangxi met with Ferdinand Verbiest, a Jesuit missionary and scientist, who became a trusted advisor and contributed significantly to the emperor's scientific knowledge and interests.
Kangxi celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of his reign, marking a significant milestone in his long and prosperous rule, and demonstrating his enduring influence over the empire.
Kangxi died at the age of sixty-eight after a reign of sixty-one years. He was succeeded by his fourth son, Yinzhen, who became the Yongzheng Emperor, continuing the legacy of the Qing dynasty.