China: The Qianlong Emperor (25 September 1711 - 7 February 1799), at his writing table. Hanging scroll painting by Giuseppe Castiglione (1688-1766), c. 1750. The Qianlong Emperor, born Hongli and temple name Gaozong, was the fifth emperor of the Qing Dynasty. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 1735 to 1796, before abdicating in favor of his son, the Jiaqing Emperor - a filial act to not rule longer than his grandfather, the Kangxi Emperor. Despite his retirement, he retained ultimate power until his death.
The Yongzheng Emperor (13 December 1678 - 8 October 1735), was the fifth emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and the third Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1722 to 1735. A hard-working ruler, Yongzheng's main goal was to create an effective government at minimum expense. Like his father, the Kangxi Emperor, Yongzheng used military force in order to preserve the dynasty's position. Suspected by historians to have usurped the throne, his reign was often called despotic, efficient, and vigorous. Although Yongzheng's reign was much shorter than the reigns of both his father, the Kangxi Emperor, and his son, the Qianlong Emperor, his sudden death was probably brought about by his workload. Yongzheng continued an era of continued peace and prosperity as he cracked down on corruption and waste, and reformed the financial administration.
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Photo credit: © Pictures From History / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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