In Kangxi's later years, the nine princes fought fiercely for the throne, and this event was known as the "Nine Dragons Seize the Throne". Every prince is not an idle person, and all of them have the potential to become a Ming monarch, but Yongzheng, who won in the end, is extraordinary. However, if Kangxi had chosen another prince, Yinxiang, the fate of the Qing Dynasty might have been very different.
Perhaps, the invasion of the Eight-Nation Coalition will not be a thing of the past at all, and it is possible that the Qing Dynasty will also move towards the road to becoming a world-class power. Kangxi's sons tried their best to compete for the throne, but Yongzheng chose a different strategy. He was very low-key among the princes, not in direct conflict with his brothers, nor in competition for power in the court.
On the surface, he even pretended to withdraw from the race for the throne and behaved very open-mindedly. This move not only eliminated Kangxi's suspicion of him, but also made the other princes relax their vigilance. The reason why Yongzheng can succeed is because he knows how to hide himself. When the crown prince was deposed, the other princes were eager to try, but Yongzheng still kept a low profile.
He approached Kangxi, showed his concern and filial piety to his father, and even took his son Qianlong to meet Kangxi. Kangxi fell in love with Qianlong at first sight and thought that he had the air of an emperor, which not only enhanced Yongzheng's status, but also won him more supporters. Compared with Yongzheng, Yinxiang, the thirteenth son of the emperor, is even better.
Kangxi doted on him, Yinxiang followed Kangxi to learn various skills since he was a child, riding horses and archery, reading and writing, and was proficient in writing. Not only did he excel in military affairs, but he was also able to speak fluently with the ministers of the DPRK and China, and even learned English to communicate with foreign envoys with ease. Yinxiang's open-mindedness and identification with Western culture made him unique among the princes of the Qing Dynasty.
He not only embraced Western ideas, but also hoped to introduce these advanced ideas into the Qing Dynasty and promote the modernization of the country. In contrast, although Yongzheng also had a willingness to reform, his methods were more conservative and authoritarian. If Kangxi passed the throne to Yinxiang, the fate of the Qing Dynasty could change dramatically.
Yinxiang's open-mindedness and acceptance of Western culture may have pushed the Qing Dynasty to integrate with the world earlier and avoid a policy of closing the country to the outside world. Such a Qing Dynasty was not only able to absorb advanced foreign technology and ideas, but also to occupy a more favorable position in the international arena. Yinxiang's ascension to the throne could change the domestic and foreign policies of the Qing Dynasty.
He will not only continue Kangxi's reforms, but also may increase the intensity of opening up, bring in more Western technology and talent, and promote the modernization process of the country. Such a Qing Dynasty may be able to have a stronger resistance in the face of foreign aggression, and the invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance may not happen at all.
After Yongzheng succeeded to the throne, although the Qing Dynasty continued to develop under his rule, his authoritarian methods and suppression of dissidents also laid the groundwork for the later closure of the country. Although he was diligent in government and loved the people, he was too tough in handling the affairs of the DPRK and China, which limited the further development of the Qing Dynasty to a certain extent.
Although Yongzheng's reforms achieved some results in the short term, his policies were too conservative to cope with the changing international situation. In contrast, Yinxiang's open-mindedness and identification with Western culture may have been more suitable for the Qing dynasty of that era, allowing it to embark on the path of modernization earlier and avoid its later decline.
History has no ifs, but we can think of another possibility by hypothetical. If Kangxi passed the throne to Yinxiang, the Qing Dynasty might have embarked on another path of development under his leadership. Yinxiang's openness and openness may have been able to bring prosperity and stability to the Qing Dynasty for a longer time.
Under Yinxiang's rule, the Qing Dynasty may pay more attention to the development of science and technology and education, introduce advanced Western technologies and ideas, and promote the modernization process of the country. This can not only enhance the comprehensive national strength of the Qing Dynasty, but also occupy a favorable position in international competition. Yinxiang had a grand idea of reform, and he hoped to learn from Western systems and technologies to promote the comprehensive reform of the Qing Dynasty.
He is likely to make significant changes in the following areas:
- Educational Reform: Yinxiang is well aware of the importance of education, and he may promote the reform of the education system, introduce Western science and technology education, and cultivate a group of talents with modern ideas. These talents will become the backbone of the future development of the Qing Dynasty.
- Military Reform: In the face of external threats, Yinxiang may vigorously develop military power, introduce advanced Western weapons and military technology, and improve the combat effectiveness of the Qing army, so that it can effectively respond to foreign aggression.
- Economic reforms: Yinxiang may implement a series of economic reform measures, including opening up foreign trade, attracting foreign investment, and developing industry and commerce, to promote rapid economic development and enhance the country's economic strength.
- Political reform: Yinxiang may carry out certain reforms in the political system, learn from the Western democratic system, promote the modern management of the government, and enhance the country's governance capacity.
If Yinxiang can successfully implement these reforms, the Qing Dynasty's status on the international stage will be greatly enhanced. An open and strong Qing dynasty would not only be able to dominate East Asia, but also play an important role in global affairs. The Qing Dynasty could become a world-class power, on an equal footing with the European and American powers, to jointly dominate the international order.
Under Yinxiang's rule, the Qing Dynasty's military strength and comprehensive national strength were greatly improved, and the invasion of the Eight-Nation Alliance may not have happened at all. Even if it happened, the Qing Dynasty would have had enough strength to put up an effective resistance and avoid heavy damage to the country. Such a Qing Dynasty could not only safeguard the sovereignty and dignity of the country, but also occupy an active position in international affairs.
Kangxi faced a difficult choice in his later years, and he needed to choose an heir among many excellent princes. In the end, he chose Yongzheng, a decision that had a profound impact on the fate of the Qing Dynasty. However, if Kangxi had chosen Yinxiang, the history of the Qing Dynasty might have taken on a different picture. Yinxiang's enlightenment and reform may be able to lead the Qing Dynasty to a more brilliant future.
Although history cannot be repeated, we can learn valuable lessons from it. Kangxi's choice tells us that the decisions of leaders are crucial to the fate of the country. An enlightened, reformist leader can lead a country to prosperity and strength, while a conservative, authoritarian leader can limit a country's development potential.
As an excellent prince of Kangxi, Yinxiang's talent and ambition are remarkable. If Kangxi had chosen to pass the throne to Yinxiang, the history of the Qing Dynasty might have been very different. Yinxiang's enlightenment and reforms may bring prosperity and stability to the Qing Dynasty for a longer period of time, allowing it to occupy an important position on the international stage.
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