This book has a unique writing style and presents a panoramic view of the ups and downs of the twelve emperors of the Qing Dynasty in the past three hundred years.
Nurhaci raised an army with thirteen pieces of armor, unified the Jurchens, and laid the foundation for the Jin Dynasty. Huang Taiji changed the name of the country to Qing to gain strength for entering the customs. During the Shunzhi period, the Qing army entered the pass and began its rule.
Kang, Yong and Qian created a prosperous age. Kangxi pacified the three vassals, took over Taiwan, and stabilized the country; Yongzheng promoted reforms and rectified officialdom; Qianlong was prosperous in the early period, but caused hidden dangers in the later period. Jiaqing overthrew Heshen, but it was still difficult to reverse the decline. During the Daoguang period, the Opium War opened the door to the country. Xianfeng faced the invasion of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and foreign powers, internal and external troubles. Tongzhi and Guangxu were controlled by Cixi, and the reform failed.
Puyi ascended the throne ignorantly at the age of three. Under the wave of the Revolution of 1911, he had no choice but to abdicate, and the Qing Dynasty came to an end. The twelve emperors had different destinies, but together they composed the magnificent tragedy of the Qing Dynasty from its rise to prosperity to its decline.
