The Kangxi Emperor, born in 1654, ruled for 61 years, making him the longest-reigning monarch in Chinese history. Placed on a precarious throne around age seven after surviving smallpox, he was forced to endure the dictatorial rule of the regent Oboi before orchestrating a quiet coup as a teenager with the crucial support of his grandmother.

This deep dive traces how a fragile boy became a relentless, visionary workaholic who engineered the High Qing era while paying a heavy personal toll. It offers a masterclass in leadership and crisis management, alongside a stark warning about extreme micromanagement.

• The eight-year War of the Three Feudatories triggered by his aggressive push against the warlords
• His pragmatic conquest of Taiwan and co-opting the sea goddess Mazu for legitimacy
• The palace memorial system of l ...