The Kangxi Emperor

At 61 years, the reign of the Kangxi Emperor is the longest of any ruler in China’s history. As second emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the Kangxi Emperor won the respect of a Chinese populous still widely suspicious of its Manchu rulers. Although he was an advocate of neo-Confucianism, his beliefs did not keep him from opening ports for trade with other nations, and even welcoming foreign missionaries, such as the Jesuits, into his kingdom. In his 61 years of rule, the Kangxi proved to be a stable and beloved ruler, strengthening domestic policies and extending his empire past its borders into Mongolia, Tibet, and Taiwan. The Kangxi Emperor was born Aixin-Jueluo Xuanye, on May 4, 1654. He ascended the throne in 1662, at the age of seven, twelve days after the death of his father the Shunzhi Emperor. At first the young ruler had no hand in governing his country. Before his death, Kangxi’s father had appointed four regents to make decisions in the boy’s stead. However, at almost the moment these men tasted their newfound power, they turned on each other. One died, one was murdered, and one tried to usurp the young Kangxi Emperor as the supreme ruler of the Qing. Having stood by and watched long enough, the teenaged emperor stepped in and took control in 1669. From that point on, the Kangxi Emperor worked hard to please his people, believing that even the smallest act of carelessness could cause grave, empire-wide repercussions. He worked tirelessly to win their goodwill and overturn years of bitterness from those still loyal to the preceding Ming Dynasty. He toured the south of the country with a small, humble entourage, educating himself about local conditions and concerns, and reasserting his rule among regional leaders. In 1670 the Kangxi Emperor issued the Sacred Edict, which consisted of sixteen moral maxims that were based on Confucian teachings. They encouraged respect for parents and ancestors, generosity, frugality, hard work, and the importance of taxes to the community and the empire. With this act, he proved himself to be a true Chinese emperor; despite his ethnic Manchu background, he was sensitive to the needs and cultures of the Chinese people. Until his death in 1722, the Kangxi Emperor ruled in such a way as to make him remembered as one of China’s most capable of adroit leaders, and the greatest of the Qing Dynasty emperors. He orchestrated the Treaty of Nerchinsk with Russia, adding parts of Outer Mongolia and Tibet to China's domain. He ordered the repair of China’s Grand Canal to allow for easier transportation of rice to the hungry northern populations. He dredged the Yellow River to prevent destructive flooding. He reduced taxes and commissioned the creation of important texts, including the “Kangxi Dictionary” and a written history of the Ming Dynasty. But perhaps the Kangxi Emperor’s most creative accomplishment was learning to “tickle the ivory,” as he was the first Chinese ruler to play a Western instrument - the piano. In Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, the Kangxi Emperor prioritizes defense, matching his focus on domestic policy in life. He is unlikely to attack his enemies early in the game, but when he does prepare for battle, he raises vast armies primarily composed of infantry units.

From the game's History encyclopedia, AoE3: DE 100.19.18309.