Shunzhi Emperor

Shunzhi, at age six, was installed as emperor in Beijing after Qing forces captured the city from Li Zicheng. This marked the beginning of Qing rule over China proper, with Prince Dorgon serving as regent.

Qing forces under Dorgon and later Shunzhi's own command conquered the Southern Ming regimes. Key campaigns included the capture of Nanjing and the suppression of loyalist resistance in Fujian and Guangdong.

Shunzhi assumed direct control of the government at age 13, ending the regency of Dorgon. He began to assert his authority, promoting Han Chinese officials and reducing the power of Manchu nobles.

Shunzhi actively promoted Confucian governance, sponsoring the compilation of the Kangxi Dictionary and supporting the civil service examination system. He also patronized Chinese scholars and reduced Manchu privileges.

Shunzhi died of smallpox at age 22. His death led to the succession of his son Xuanye, who became the Kangxi Emperor. Shunzhi's reign laid the foundation for the Qing consolidation of China.