The Seven-Year-Old Emperor of the Qing Dynasty

Kangxi was only 7 or 8 when he took over as
the 2nd Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.
He was one of the longest in rule, reigning for 61
years.
(google.com)

     "The most significant conquest of China occured in 1644, when the Manchus toppled the Ming Dynasty and replaced it with the Qing (also spelled Ch'ing) Dynasty. (1)

     The emperor who reigned the longest was Kangxi. He ruled for 61 years from 1661-1722. His father, Shunzi, the first emperor of the Qing Dynasty, died when Kangxi was only 7 or 8 years of age. Regents ruled until one named Oboi was imprisoned. Oboi became so dangerously powerful, he killed many of the officals. Kangxi decided at the age of 15 that it was time to rule the empire himself.

    "Many regarded him [Kangxi] as an emperor who loved his people. He was highly educated and was known as a hard working emperor who ruled diligently. He learned mathematics, geography, and science from the Jesuits, and some of them became trusted advisers and officials." (2)

Kangxi unlike other rulers who were well remembered did not kill or torture many of his people, nor in his later years did he tax heavily because his empire had enough money in their treasury.

     Under his long rule, Kangxi was able to build a dynasty that "started to prosper, dynastic succession was stabilized, and he was comparatively benevolent." (2)

     Question:
   
     Do you believe that a 7 or 8 year old could run an empire? How about a 15 year old? What do you think made Kangxi such a beloved Emperor?

     Works Cited:

     (1) Rowntree, et al. Globalization and Diversity: Geography of a Changing World. New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2011

     (2)  Zhou, Ruru.  "Emperor Kangxi" China Highlights. Web. 28 April 2012.
http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/china-history/emperor-kangxi.htm