Because of the "pox" at an early age, he was "lucky" to succeed to the throne
Before his death, Emperor Shunzhi wanted to pass the throne to one of his cousins in order to take revenge on his mother. However, the Empress Dowager Hyozhuang could not accept this decision because she feared that her position would be marginalized.
In this case, the foreigner John Tong played an important role. He suggested that Emperor Shunzhi choose the prince who had already had pox as his heir.
Because, at that time, the Qing Dynasty royal family was very afraid of smallpox in the Central Plains, smallpox was extremely contagious, and the mortality rate and disability rate were high, and this infectious disease would not have existed when they lived on the grassland.
John Soup
Kangxi contracted smallpox when he was about two to three years old, and miraculously survived, and as a result, gained lifelong immunity to smallpox.
Therefore, if Kangxi was chosen as the emperor, he no longer had to be afraid of smallpox after becoming the emperor, so he chose the prince Xuanye to succeed him, which was later Emperor Kangxi.
John Tong was a native of Cologne, Germany, a Catholic Jesuit missionary, and one of the most important Jesuits to China after Matteo Ricci.
He arrived in Macao in 1620 (the 48th year of Wanli in the Ming Dynasty) and lived in China for 47 years, through the Ming and Qing dynasties. Kangxi's ability to succeed to the throne as emperor is closely related to his advice.
Kangxi
Kangxi ascended the throne at the age of 8 and became a pro-government at the age of 14, reigning for a total of 61 years from February 5, 1661 to his death on December 20, 1722, making him the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history.
Super science and engineering man, top student and science and technology expert
If Zhang Xueliang has listened to the songs of Jacky Cheung and Jay Chou and used his mobile phone, you may think that this is an illusion of time and space.
Because we may only remember the "Xi'an Incident" launched by him and Yang Hucheng against Chiang Kai-shek.
So, if Emperor Kangxi and Newton were of the same period, and even Kangxi knew Newton, and besides, he was still a science and engineering man, you might be even more surprised, but this is indeed true, and it is not an exaggeration to say that Kangxi is a science and engineering man:
1. Natural sciences
Riko Man
He studied mathematics, astronomy, calendar, physics, geography, agronomy, medicine, engineering technology, etc. He paid special attention to the natural sciences. He has a deep knowledge of mathematics and has studied both geometry and algebra.
In astronomy, he was personally involved in astronomical observations and promoted the development of astronomy. In terms of geography, he personally drew a map of the country and gained a deeper understanding of the country's geographical environment and resource distribution...
2. Vaccine experts
In the twenty-fourth year of Kangxi, he decided to comprehensively prevent and treat smallpox, and set up a "pox prevention department" in the palace. He heard about a method called the "pox method" and was impressed by its rationality.
To test this method, the Kangxi Emperor ordered an experiment in which 30 court ladies were inoculated with the smallpox virus, which lasted for ten years and is said to have killed four young court maids. But Emperor Kangxi eventually succeeded in developing an effective vaccine against smallpox.
Vaccine development
3. Science and technology experts and super scholars
The Kangxi Emperor had a deep interest in science, and his achievements were quite remarkable. He is a true "science and technology expert", who has dabbled in many fields such as astronomy, mathematics, geography, medicine, etc., and has personally promoted a series of scientific activities.
In terms of mathematics, Kangxi also has papers such as "The Theory of Imperial Triangle Deduction Algorithm" and "Pythagorean Method"!
However, although the Kangxi Emperor had a strong interest in science and achieved certain achievements, he did not succeed in introducing the advanced scientific system of the West into the country, and he himself studied mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
However, it is a pity that at that time, domestic students still read the Four Books and Five Classics, and the test was still Baguwen, if he could promote the new science to the people, so that the students who read the Four Books and Five Classics can also learn mathematics, physics and chemistry, perhaps, the end of the Qing Dynasty will not be so backward and ignorant.
Kangxi laid the foundation for the "prosperous Kangqian era", but what happened on the other side of the world at this time?
World events in the Kangxi era
Second Anglo-Dutch War
The period between 1662 and 1722 took place with a number of significant historical events and scientific advances:
Historical Events:
1665-1667: The Second Anglo-Dutch War broke out, resulting in the British gaining New York.
1666: The Great Fire of London destroyed much of the City of London.
1670: The Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of France sign the Treaty of Dorset, ending the Thirty-Year Anglo-Dutch War.
1672: King Charles II of England issued the Liberalization of Religion Act, which granted some freedom of worship in England.
1682: Peter the Great of Russia founded St. Petersburg.
1688: The "Glorious Revolution" broke out in England, which led to the overthrow of James II and the accession of William III and Mary II to the throne.
1689: England passed the Bill of Rights, which established the limits of Parliament's power over the monarch.
1692: The famous Salem Witch Trials took place in Salem, USA.
1701–1714: The War of the Spanish Succession broke out, culminating in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.
1707: England merged with Scotland to become the Kingdom of Great Britain.
1712: Thomas Newcomen invented the first practical steam engine, considered the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
1713: The First Balkan War ended, resulting in the loss of a large amount of territory to the Ottoman Empire.
1714: The Hanoverian dynasty was established in England, and George I became king of England.
1720: The South Sea Bubble bursts in Britain, leading to a financial crisis and investor losses.
The development of science and technology and science in the world
Development of the steam engine: An early prototype of the steam engine was invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712 and laid the foundations of the Industrial Revolution.
Optical research: The study of optics has made some progress during this time, which laid the foundation for the later development of optical instruments and optical theory.
Biological and medical research: Scientists began to conduct more in-depth research into microorganisms, cells, and anatomy, including Antonie van Leeuwenhoek's contributions in the field of microbiology.
Mathematics and physics: Isaac Newton's Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, published in 1687, laid the foundations of modern physics, especially motion and the laws of gravitation.
Chemistry: The gradual development of the study of chemistry, including the understanding of elements and chemical reactions, paved the way for the later rise of the chemical sciences.
World-renowned scientist
Isaac Newton (1643-1727): English physicist, mathematician, and astronomer who published the Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, proposing important theories such as the law of universal gravitation.
Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723): Dutch microbiologist and pioneer of microscopy techniques, discovered microorganisms and cells.
Robert Boyle (1627-1691): An English physicist and chemist who is considered one of the founders of modern chemistry, proposed Boyle's law.
John Locke (1632-1704): English philosopher and political theorist who had an important influence on modern political philosophy and epistemology.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716): German mathematician, philosopher, and physicist who discovered calculus with Newton and proposed Leibniz's theorem.
The world's advanced scientific and technological achievements
steam engine
Steam engine: Although the inventor of the steam engine was Thomas Newcomen, it was during this period that the steam engine began to be improved and applied, preparing the way for the arrival of the Industrial Revolution.
Optical instruments: During this period, optical instruments such as microscopes and telescopes were improved and popularized, and these instruments played an important role in scientific research and observations.
17th century clocks
Horological technology: Horological technology advanced during this period, and precision clocks became important timekeeping tools, playing a key role in navigation, scientific experimentation, and industrial production.
17th-century glasswork
Glassware: The manufacturing techniques of glassware were also improved during this period, and various glassware such as mirrors, windows, and bottles began to be produced and used on a large scale.
Shipbuilding technology: The design and construction of ships improved during this period, and larger and more durable ships became important tools for trade and exploration.
The European textile industry in the 17th century
Textile technology: The textile industry was one of the pioneers of the Industrial Revolution, and during this period, textile technology was improved, such as the invention of spinning machines and looms, which gave impetus to the development of the textile industry.
Metallurgical technology: Metal smelting and processing techniques also improved during this period, and various metal products such as steel, copper, and pewter began to be produced on a large scale.
Agricultural tools: Improvements in agricultural tools were also important achievements of this period, such as the invention of the harvester, which increased the efficiency of agricultural production.
The world's most advanced education
During this period, our country was still reading the Four Books and the Five Classics and taking the Eight Texts, while academic institutions such as universities, academies and colleges began to be established in various parts of Europe. These institutions provide a platform for higher education and enable more people to have access to specialized education.
Perhaps, it was from this period that the ancient East was slowly distanced by Europe...