Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of K'ang-hsi
This book offers an intimate, first-person portrait of the Kangxi Emperor, China’s longest-reigning monarch, curated from his own writings, edicts, and private reflections. Spanning his decades on the throne, it reveals unfiltered insights into his life: rigorous Manchu archery training, record-breaking hunting expeditions, strategic military campaigns against Mongol warlord Galdan, and his nuanced governance philosophy. Readers gain access to his cautious approach to law enforcement, landmark tax reforms like the perpetual exemption for new households, and efforts to balance Manchu traditions with Confucian ideals and Western scientific knowledge. The narrative also delves into personal struggles—painful succession crises involving his sons, aging health, and reflections on legacy—humanizing a legendary ruler beyond formal imperial records.