This book is about Aisin Gioro Xuanye (1654–1722), the Kangxi
Emperor, the greatest emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1644–1721).
The Aisin Gioro Clan rose in Northeast China. Legend has it that
they were descendents of Fokulun, a fairy from Heaven.
Aisin Gioro Bukuliyongshun unified the Manchu people
in Northeast China and became their king. Bukuliyongshun’s
descendants became commanders of the Jianzhou Army Station (in
Xinbin, Liaoning Province) established by the government of the
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).
Many generations later Aisin Gioro Nurhaci conquered the State
of Hada (in Xifeng, Liaoning Province) in 1599, the State of Huifa (in
Huinan, Jilin Province) in 1607, the State of Wula (in Wulajie, Jilin
Province), and the State of Yehe (in Lishu, Jilin Province) in 1619. In
1616 Nurhaci established the (Later) Jin Dynasty and he ascended the
throne as emperor of this dynasty. He was on the throne for 10 years.
Aisin Gioro Huangtaiji succeeded his father Nurhaci as the
Emperor of the (Later) Jin Dynasty in 1626. He carried out expeditions
against the Ming Dynasty. In 1629 Huangtaiji commanded his army to
attack Beijing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty. But later he gave up
the attack and withdrew back to Shenyang (in Liaoning Province),
the capital of the (Later) Jin Dynasty, in 1630. In 1636 he changed the
name of the dynasty from Jin Dynasty to Qing Dynasty. He was on the
throne for 17 years.