As his era of rule over Great Qing drows to a close, the Yongzheng Emperor spares neither expense nor detail to reform the empire he inherited and modernize it for the one who will inherit it from him. But this is no idle fancy - he has a definite purpose. Though no great warrior himself, he is nevertheless fully in-line with the century-long grand objective of his father and son: the absolute destruction of the Zhungar Khanate.

Time Period Covered:

1722-1735 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Great Qing:

The Yongzheng Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen) [r. 1722-1735]

The Qianlong Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Hongli) [r. 1735-1796, d. 1799]

Prince Yinxing [1686-1730]

General Longkedo [1648-1728]

Governor-General Qingfu

Governor-General Yinjishan

Dzungar Khanate:

Galdan Tseren, Khan of the Dzungars [r. 1727-1745]

Tsewang Dorji Namjal, Hongtaiji of the Dzungars [1746-1750]

Princess Ulan Bayar

Lama Darja/Dorji

Dawaci [d. 1759]

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The Yongzheng Emperor seeks to capitalize on his father's greatness abroad - but cautiously. He wants to exterminate the barbarians... but delicately. He wants to build better worlds... no matter how many he has to destroy in the process. He's riding for a fall.

Time Period Covered:

~1725-1731 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Qing Empire:

Kangxi Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Xuanye) [r. 1661-1722]

Yongzheng Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen) [r. 1722-1735]

Prince Yinti, the Fuyuan Daijiangjun [1688-1755]

Governor Nian Gengyao [1679-1726]

Governor-General Yue Zhongqi [1686-1754]

General Erentei [d. 1718]

Funingga [d. 1728]

Dzungar Khanate:

Tsewang Rabdan, Khong Tayiji [r. 1697-1727]

Galdan Tseren, Khong Tayiji [r. 1727-1745]

General Tsering Dondup

Tibetan Gelupa/“Yellow Hats”:

5th Dalai Lama [r. 1642-1682]

6th Dalai Lama [r. 1697]

7th Dalai Lama [r. 1720-1757]

sDe-pa Sangya Gyatso [1652-1705]

Polhanas (Polhané Sönam Topgyé) [1689-1747]

Kokonor Mongols:

Khoshots:

Güshi Khan (Torbaikhu) [r. 1642-1655]

Lhazang Khan [r. 1700-1717]

Prince Lobzang Danjin, Dalai Hongtaiji [d. 1731]

Sources Cited:

Perdue, Peter C. China marches west: the Qing conquest of Central Eurasia.

Rowe, William T. China's last empire: the great Qing.

Zelin, Madeline. “The Yung-chung reign” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 9: The Ch'ing Dynasty, Part 1: To 1800.

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Doc 1: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, A Student Demonstration of Sorts in Tiananmen Square (11/21/85)

Doc 2: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, Government Arrests Student Demonstrators (11/25/85)

Doc 3: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, More Student Demonstrations (12/23/85)

Doc 4: From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, Student Demonstrations Update (12/24/86)

Doc 5: IPAC Daily Intelligence Summary 1-87, China: Student Demonstrations (01/02/87)

Doc 6: IPAC Daily Intelligence Summary 10-87, China: Hu Yaobang Resigns (01/17/87)

Doc 7: Memorandum of Conversation, [George Bush] Meeting with Wan Li, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Member of the Politburo, People’s Republic of China (05/23/89)

Doc 8: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/0289, China: Stalemate Continues

Doc 9: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/03/89, China: Police Use Tear Gas on Crowds

Doc 10: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, SITREP No. 27: Martial Law with Chinese Characteristics (06/03/89)

Doc 11: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, SITREP No. 28: Ten to Fifteen Thousand Armed Troops Stopped at City Perimeter by Human and Bus Barricades (06/03/89)

Doc 12: Cable, From: Department of State, Wash DC, To: U.S. Embassy Beijing, and All Diplomatic and Consular Posts, TFCHO1: SITREP 1, 1700 EDT (06/03/89)

Doc 13: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/04/89, China: Troops Open Fire

Doc 14: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, SITREP No. 32 (06/04/89)

Doc 15: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, SITREP No. 33 (06/04/89)

Doc 16: Cable, From: Department of State, Wash DC, To: U.S. Embassy Beijing, China Task Force Situation Report No. 3 (06/04/89)

Doc 17: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/05/89, China: After the Bloodbath

Doc 18: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, SITREP No. 35 (06/05/89)

Doc 19: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/06/89, China: Descent into Chaos

Doc 20: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, TFCH01--SITREP No. 37 (06/06/89)

Doc 21: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/07/89, China: Tense Standoff Continues

Doc 22: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, TFCH01--SITREP No. 38 (06/07/89)

Doc 23: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/9/89, China: Uneasy Calm

Doc 24: Department of State Intelligence Brief, "Current Situation in China: Background and Prospects" (Ca. 06/10/89)

Doc 25: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/10/89, China: Mixed Signals on Purge

Doc 26: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, SITREP No. 49, (06/11/89)

Doc 27: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/14/89, China: Back to Business, But Crackdown Continues

Doc 28: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/15/89, China: Accusation over Fang Lizhi

Doc 29: Secretary of State's Morning Summary for 06/21/89, China: Swift Justice

Doc 30: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, Eyewitness Account of June 4 PLA Tank Crushing 11 Students and Related Early Morning Events in Tiananmen Square (06/22/89)

Doc 31: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, What Happened on the Night of June 3/4? (06/22/89)

Doc 32: Cable, From: U.S. Embassy Beijing, To: Department of State, Wash DC, TFCH01: SITREP No. 65 (06/27/89)

Doc 33: State Department document entitled "Themes" (06/29/89)

Doc 34: State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research, "Status Report on Situation in China as of 07/ 26/89"

Doc 35: State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research, "China: Aftermath of the Crisis" (07/27/89)

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While the Yongzheng Emperor attempts to get his domestic policy ducks in a row from the Forbidden City, out on the Western Frontiers, change is the only constant. Between squabbling Tibetan lamas, restless Kokonor Khans, and the ever-dangerous Dzungar Empire still on the loose out there, the new successor of the late, great Kangxi Emperor has some very big combat-boots to fill...

Time Period Covered:

ca. 1722-1728 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Dzungar Khanate:

Galdan Tseren, Khong Tayiji [r. 1727-1745]

Tibetan Gelupa/“Yellow Hats”:

7th Dalai Lama [r. 1720-1757]

sDe-pa Sangya Gyatso [1652-1705]

Polhanas (Polhané Sönam Topgyé) [1689-1747]

Kokonor Mongols (Khoshots):

Güshi Khan (Torbaikhu) [r. 1642-1655]

Lhazang Khan [r. 1700-1717]

Sources Cited:
Perdue, Peter C. China marches west: the Qing conquest of Central Eurasia.
Rowe, William T. China's last empire: the great Qing.

Zelin, Madeline. “The Yung-chung reign” in The Cambridge History of China, Vol. 9: The Ch'ing Dynasty, Part 1: To 1800.

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Leaving behind the imperial court of Beijing, we return to the far frontiers of the northwest, where China, Tibet, Mongolia, and Russia all converge and vie for power. Glory and riches to the victors, subjugation or death for those destined to lose. Into this mix, we follow the travels of three emissaries as they cross deserts, mountains, words, and wits to ensure their sovereign emerges on top.

Time Period Covered:

~1712~1724 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Dzungar Khannate:

Tsewang Rabdan

Tsarist Russia:

Tsar Peter I

Leon Vasielevich Izmailov

Captain Ivan Unkovskii

John Bell

Governor Gragarin of Siberia

Glazunov

Great Qing Empire:

The Kangxi Emperor [r. -1722]

The Yongzheng Emperor [r. 1722-17]

Tulisen

Mongols:

Ayuki Khan of the Torghuts [r. 1673-1724]

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The Yongzheng Emperor brings Peace, Justice, & Security to his new Empire.

Time Period Covered:

1723-1728 CE

Major Works Cited:

Perdue, Peter C. China marches west: the Qing conquest of Central Eurasia.

Qin, Han Tang (秦漢唐). 不同於戲裡說的雍正皇帝 [A different Yongzheng from the work of fiction] 

Rowe, William T. China's last empire: the great Qing.

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The Yongzheng Emperor's stylings:

https://bsky.app/profile/thoc.bsky.social/post/3lnvmogqntk2g

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Patreon.com/thehistoryofchina

With the passing of his titan of a father, the Kangxi Emperor's 4th curviving son Prince Yinzheng, will assume the Dragon Throne amidst a tumultuous succession. Amid betrayals and backstabbings, this unlikely monarch will ultimately find himself sandwiched between his father and his son - two uncontestable pillars of Chinese history. And yet, he'll still find ways to shine through, all his own...

Time Period Covered:

1722~1728 CE

Major Historical Figures:

Manchu:

The Yongzheng Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Yinzhen) [r. 1723-35], Kangxi's 11th (4th surviving) Son

Empress Dowager Xiaogongren [1660-1723]

Longkodo, Commandant of the Capital Gendarmerie [d. 1728]

Prince Yunzhi, Kangxi's 10th (3rd) Son [1677-1732]

Prince Yinsi, Kangxi's 16th (8th) Son [1681-1726]

Prince Yintang, Kangxi's 17th (9th) Son [1683-1726]

Prince Yinxiang, Kangxi's 22nd (13th) Son [1686-1730]

Prince Yunti, Kangxi's 23rd (14th) Son [1688-1755]

O'er'tai [1680-1745]

Hanjun:

Chen Menglei [1650-1741]

Nian Genglao, Sichuan-Shaanxi Governor-General [1679-1726]

Zeng Qing [1679-1736]

Yue Zhongqi [1686-1784]

Lü Liuliang [1629-1683]

Jiang Tingxi [1669-1732]

Zhang Tingyu [1672-1755]

Li Wei [1687-1738]

Tian Wenjing [1662-1732]

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I'm on with Trae Crowder & Cory Ryan Forrester to talk wild & crazy stories about China.
Please forgive the tech difficulties!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKVpUmzGr8o

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Beginning in Beijing, and then expanding out all the way to the "New Frontier" of Dzungaria, we take a survey-altitude view of the final decade-ish of the Kangxi Emperor's life & reign over the Qing Empire

Time Period Covered:

~1700-1722 CE

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Original publication: 03/21/2025

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