Introduction
The trumped-up story, Emperor of China: Self-Portrait Of Kang-Hsi, was authored by Jonathan D. Spence In 1974. The narrative is a biography of Kang-Hsi that Spence composed through essays, poems, proclamations, and letters written by the emperor. The book vividly describes what a Manchu emperor was from the inside, except for a leader. Moreover, the book is an aid for the west in understanding the history of china and its culture. The prospective audience for the fiction is politicians, as Kang–Hsi is advising on fair governance and has plans for his successors and healthy living. The book provides a platform for the reader to explore the talents, personal points of view, and heart of the Qing emperor, who ruled China for 61 years.
Main body
The book is not a straightforward chronological biography as it is intertwined around themes. The melodic subject in the narrative includes: “In motion,” which illustrate in the first chapter, where Kang–Hsi demonstrates expertise in hunting and comprehension of how to pull through during the war. The second segment, “Ruling,” conveys Kang-Hsi’s opinion on governing a country. Western culture and ideologies have been compared in the third phase, “thinking,” between China and Western countries. The fourth chapter has extensively covered “growing old,” which illustrates applying medical knowledge to real life. Lastly, the last chapter cover “son,” reflecting on the father’s love for his sons. Thus, fiction can be endorsed as the mirror of various events that take place.
Kang- Hsi was a remarkable emperor in China in the aspect of how he used to solve issues. The Han and munch had cultural differences, and Kang-Hsi is trying his best to balance their differences. It was considered a sense of pride to anyone who took governorship. For instance, the westernized missionaries were expected to bow before Kang Hsi as a sign of respect. On the contrary, if the minister failed to do so, he would be in trouble or be out to face death. Kang-Hsi had conversations with the missionaries as he was interested in the western ideologies; however, he would establish guidelines to govern their measures and advance Christianity. The author’s exhibition of Kang’s ways of solving cultural conflicts, internal issues linking Manchu and Han Chinese, and aesthetics between Chinese and western cultures is remarkable.
In the fiction, Kang Hsi demonstrates to be an impressive learner. He takes time to read The Book Of Change and The Analects, ideal readings for the Confucian scholar he references. His intellectual conservative in books has helped him learn managing skills, expenses, and advice from his government. However, such skills as hunting and martial arts are inborn from his Manchu blood. Moreover, he records his conversations with people for future records and reminders. The talents and virtues of Kang-Hsi are presented through the use of these primary sources.
Kang Hsi never liked scholars who nearly depended on books for their basic knowledge. On the contrary, a person to be an emperor was expected to have a lot of expertise to make fair judgments. In addition, would criticize the governors that were biased in Manchu and Han. He believed intellectual ability was not just found in books but also in practical methodology. “There are too many men, who claim to be scholars, and yet they are stupid and arrogant; we better off with moral principle and more practice of it” (Kangxi and Spence 40). Through Kang Hsi’s basic knowledge of medicine, he would take care of his army in the field as he was an active emperor who would not sit back and rule the country. His practices outdid that not just education from books can bring a difference in a person’s life.
The primary purpose of the bibliography was to explore Kang Hsi’s inner world. Being an emperor is not an easy task as one must not show and express personal emotions in front of people. In addition, to be an emperor, one has to have basic knowledge of managing and governing people to their expectations. Kang-Hsi is always on the move on, wanting to know everything that affects his country. While at the same time, he was a father to his children, and he effectively balanced both being an emperor to a whole mass. He loved his sons as an ordinary men as he would teach them basic skills such as hunting and punish them when they did wrong. On the outlook of Kang-Hsi, personal life reflects a responsible person who can handle different roles effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the article has summarized the heart, personal point of view, and talents of the emperor. Throughout the fiction, Kang-Hsi has evolved as a man with endorsed character as he was principled despite his many years in government. The author has used him as a reflection of people in governance. He advocates for responsibility, lack of bias, character traits that a leader should have, and intellectual knowledge based on our daily practices. He also appreciates culture as he is trying to show how life back then was.
Work cited
Kangxi and Jonathan D. Spence. Emperor of China: Self Portrait of Kʻang Hsi. Vintage, 1975.