In 1786, the American War of Independence came to an end, and westward expansion began. The four Anglo-Dutch naval wars were over, and England had forged an empire on which the sun never set, commanding overwhelming naval supremacy. France began expanding its influence into Southeast Asia, pressing right up to Yunnan and Guangxi. The Tsar's Far Eastern policy had already reached Sakhalin.
The Southern Nguyen regime, the Tay Son regime, and the Le dynasty plunged the South China Sea into a massive war. French warships, Chinese pirates, and the Guangdong navy were all drawn into this endless conflict.
At this time, the Great Qing was enjoying the height of the Qianlong era. The Celestial Empire was so enamored with its own golden age that it paid no heed to the wider world. It had no idea that the great upheaval about to come would expose its ignorance and arrogance.
"No, the Great Qing did just fine. Its decay fattened our republic."
