Kangxi and Louis XIV, or How a Child Plotted a Coup

During his years on the throne, Louis XIV, the Sun King of France, longed to make the acquaintance of Emperor Kangxi of China. The two men had a great deal in common: they both acceded to the throne as young children, both for a time had no real power, and both went on to rule their respective countries well and for many decades. But whereas Louis waited for his chief minister to die of his own accord before assuming full control, a 14-year-old Kangxi plotted against his own regent, announcin...