乾隆

Qianlong ruled for 60 years officially, then abdicated in 1796 to avoid outreigning his grandfather Kangxi, but held real power until his death in 1799. His reign marked both the territorial peak of the Qing and the start of its slow institutional decline, with the corruption of his favorite 和珅 becoming legendary.

The Qianlong era is instantly recognizable to anyone who has watched a Chinese palace drama, from 《还珠格格》 to 《延禧攻略》 to 《如懿传》. His compulsive inscription of poems and seals onto priceless paintings in the imperial collection has long horrified art historians but delighted TV screenwriters.