25 replies to this topic

[chinaking]

I read that Emperor Kangxi of Qing dynasty was a famous and one of the 'greatest' emperor in Qing history. What was his contribution to Qing dynasty? Did he fought any war?

[Fushida]

chinaking, on Jun 2 2004, 03:14 PM, said:

I read that Emperor Kangxi of Qing dynasty was a famous and one of the 'greatest' emperor in Qing history. What was his contribution to Qing dynasty? Did he fought any war?

Kang Xi (康熙)

Ruled for 60 years, and during this time, his significant military achievements were:

- Killing of Ao Bai
- Extermination of the three Ming turncoats - Wu Sangui (Ping Xi Wang), Shang Kexi (Ping Nan Wang), and Geng Jinmao (Jing Nan Wang)
- Conquered Taiwan
- Settled Mongolian tribes
- Defeated Russian armies in Siberia

[General_Zhaoyun]

I've just bought the TV drama on Emperor Kangxi (chinese version). My Dad has watched it..he told it's wonderful. I think, it's a great way to learn about him.

Sofar I've only watched until his extermination of Aobai, who intended to rebel against him. There were also 3 Ming turngoats who bent on rebelling against Qing, which he exterminated. I'm intending to learn more about him, as I realise his contribution to Qing dynasty was really great.

[Fushida]

Yea, I've seen that series too, it's a pretty good one, and the conquest of Taiwan was especially interesting.

[Chinaconqueror]

I haven't watched the series, but would love to watch it someday.Did they use lots of warship to conquer Taiwan?

[Shadowfax]

Not really, I watched it too and I don't remember them showing large groups of warships. :(

I was especially interested at Shi Lang (Is this translation right?) 施琅，who was a great general who originally belonged to the Taiwanese. He later led Qing's navy to conquer Taiwan.

[Sephodwyrm]

Some call Shi Lang a traitor...especially those that support Taiwanese independence. But Shi Lang began as a poor scholar who managed to gain the heart of a rich man's daughter. His father-in-law was furious that his daughter has chosen him for her husband and refused to acknowledge her. And guess who returned as the big conquering general?

The wars fought by Kangxi is mostly mentioned by other friends already. But I personally have some views about some treaties signed by Kangxi.
The treaty of Nerchinsk, IMO, is a display of China's lack of ambition and farsight. Even if it checked Russia's eastward expansion, it is also equivalent of China giving up vast tracts of land that could have flown the Manchu banner instead. And one must note that China should have been the "winner" in this treaty.

Another thing to note is that Kangxi should have introduced westernization and enlightenment ideals. China is already technologically backward by Kangxi's time, and Kangxi's reign is perhaps the best time to modernize. However, Kangxi's Confucian upbringing prevented any of this and China remain governed by a system that has changed little throughout the centuries, one that is increasingly incompatible for the world. It is true that the China became powerful in Kangxi's reign, but that power is only fleeting.

Right, I am critical of Kangxi, but at the same time I am not denying his deeds either. Amongst the Manchu emperors I would say that Kangxi is the most illustrious and enlightened (which also implies how much more conservative the other emperors are until Guang Xu). Kangxi further consolidated Manchu legitimacy over China and suppressed revolts and maintained a steady hold over vast territories occupied by the empire. Production was gradually picking up and this helped to push the Manchu Empire to its height in Qianlong's reign. The richness of the Empire during Qianlong's reign would not have been possible without Kangxi's influence.

[Zorigo]

Fushida, on Jun 2 2004, 04:43 PM, said:

Kang Xi (康熙)

Ruled for 60 years, and during this time, his significant military achievements were:

- Killing of Ao Bai
- Extermination of the three Ming turncoats - Wu Sangui (Ping Xi Wang), Shang Kexi (Ping Nan Wang), and Geng Jinmao (Jing Nan Wang)
- Conquered Taiwan
- Settled Mongolian tribes
- Defeated Russian armies in Siberia

1. Is it true that KangXi never went out with Army, but only once to pacify Mongols. Is there any more source on it?

2. Defeated Russian armies in Sibiria??? I never heard that Russian Armies come this far at that time. I thought there were few hundred kosak-free peasants/settlers.
Was it really russian armies. How many armies how many clashed were at that time.

[yongzheng freak]

Fushida, on Jun 3 2004, 05:43 AM, said:

Kang Xi (康熙)

- Defeated Russian armies in Siberia

Really? Did Kangxi really send troops out and had an actual battle?? Thought that the russian court and Qing court negoiated and that's was that?

[Zorigo]

After five years of continued raiding by the Dzungar (Oirad Mongols rom Western Mongolia) into central Mongolia, Kangxi led 80,000 troops into Mongolia and in 1696 crushed Galdan Boshigt Khaan near Jao Modo (Zuun Mod, south of present-day Ulaanbaatar).
Galdan retreated, and he died the next year. This ended the influence of the Dzunger in most of Mongolia, although they retained control of the western.

Do you know any more information on battle of Jao Modo, between Manchus and Oirads. Special thing about the battle is Kangxi himself led the Army, only one time

[Borjigin Ayurbarwada]

Quote

The treaty of Nerchinsk, IMO, is a display of China's lack of ambition and farsight. Even if it checked Russia's eastward expansion, it is also equivalent of China giving up vast tracts of land that could have flown the Manchu banner instead. And one must note that China should have been the "winner" in this treaty.

China is the winner of this treaty, despite what propagandalists in China want to depict it as. The official in charge of the treaty actually wrote to Kang Xi with the words "we have added a huge amount of territory to the empire previously not controlled". Chinese control never extended to the north of the Amur in any de facto terms.

Furthermore, the Qing actually proposed a border drawn at lake Lena far to the north of siberia at the beggining. But the invasion of Galdan has alot to do with Qing's policy of a quick settlement with Russia, in another world, the Sungar invasion of Mongolia probably saved Russia from ceading even more territory than it already did.

[Sephodwyrm]

Actually I would agree more with warhead, now that I have read more about the Qing dynasty.

[Borjigin Ayurbarwada]

Sorry, I didn't see the date that you actually posted it, there was a two year gap in between.

[Sephodwyrm]

The Jesuits at Kang Xi's court helped to mediate the Treaty process. They provided latin translation for the Russian court, and they themselves are extremely proficient in Chinese. They also determined the geographical constraints via advanced cartography for the dynasty.

[Whsie]

Yes, Kangxi did fight Russia up in Siberia. The Qing won and therefore got the upperhand in the treaty. At this time, Peter the Great was the Czar for Russia. This just further shows how great Kangxi is by beating one of the best czars of Russia.

The Tv series was good overall; however, the 8 Banner system armor suits don't look like that. They don't even have separate colors for the shirt. I only see the 8 Banner flags, but not the armors.

At first, Qing got sacked by the Dzungars and Galdan. But when Kangxi personally led the army, the Qing came out victorious. (The tv series doesn't show the problem after this) The big problem is that the treasury was nearly used up(as shown in Yongzheng Dynasty, this was indeed true). As a result, when a rebellion occured in Mongolia, the Qing dynasty couldn't do too much about it.