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Brief: This article recounts the 1813 Forbidden Gate Incident. Members of the Tianli Sect attacked the Forbidden City with help from eunuchs. Prince Mianning (later Daoguang Emperor) defended the palace bravely. The shocked Jiaqing Emperor issued a self‑reproach edict. The crisis weakened his health and foreshadowed the Qing’s decline.
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Brief: This article tells the case of Li Yuchang, an honest inspector investigating flood relief embezzlement. He refused bribes and was poisoned and murdered by the corrupt magistrate Wang Shenhan, who faked a suicide. Li’s uncle uncovered the truth and appealed to the Jiaqing Emperor, who ordered a full probe, executed the guilty, and…
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Brief: This article tells how the Jiaqing Emperor restored stability after executing Heshen. He redressed unjust cases from Qianlong’s literary inquisition, pardoned critical scholar Hong Liangji, and issued a self‑blaming edict during a severe drought. Heavy rain fell the night Hong was pardoned, showing the emperor’s repentance and commitment to good governance.
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Brief: This article reviews Qianlong’s late reign. He boasted of “Ten Great Campaigns,” rejected Britain’s Macartney mission, and abdicated to Jiaqing but kept real power. He held the grand Banquet of Ten Thousand Elders to show prosperity. The feast marked the Qing’s peak, yet hidden decline and official corruption loomed beneath.