AHC: Kangxi's eugenics program

Kangxi Emperor was the longest reigning Emperor of China in recorded history, and the one who could boast most children.

He ruled from 1661 (7 years old at the time) to 1722 and the Kangxi Dictionary is among his accomplishments.

He welcomed the Jesuits to China and was grateful for their knowledge, both scientific and linguistic (and we could butterfly the ban on Chinese rites from 1705 and the Ex illa die Papal Bull of 1715).

His will is one of "Four Greatest Mysteries of the Qing Dynasty" (play with it, pleeease?)

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What I want is Kangxi starting an eugenics program. The end of 17th century is sufficiently late IMHO for people to notice a link between the traits of the parents and the offspring.

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If I knew enough of the time period in question, I'd write this TL myself!
 
What I want is Kangxi starting an eugenics program. The end of 17th century is sufficiently late IMHO for people to notice a link between the traits of the parents and the offspring.

***
If I knew enough of the time period in question, I'd write this TL myself!
Why? Why eugenics? Why then? Especially if you dont know enough about the time period to write a tl? ???
 

RousseauX

Donor
What I want is Kangxi starting an eugenics program. The end of 17th century is sufficiently late IMHO for people to notice a link between the traits of the parents and the offspring.
Eugenics only really got invented as a concept -after- Darwin's origin of the species and Mendelian inheritence gave the idea that the trait inheritance is "biological" in the modern sense of the word.
 
Eugenics only really got invented as a concept -after- Darwin's origin of the species and Mendelian inheritence gave the idea that the trait inheritance is "biological" in the modern sense of the word.
Well, maybe eugenics is a not the best word, what about "a breeding program"?

Why eugenics? Why then?
My reasoning:

Kangxi, having had so many children, would probably want to make sure he chooses the *best* possible heir. Prince Yinzi (the eldest) had 10 or so children of his own. I'd assume the others were pretty prolific too.
Therefore, Kangxi would probably ask both Chinese and Jesuit scholars. One of them might carry out experiments similar to the ones Mendel carried out in OTL. Then the Emperor would apply the same line of thinking to ensuring his dynasty's survival and strengthening their grip on the throne.

Especially if you dont know enough about the time period to write a tl? ???
My only source is Wikipedia. Maybe if you are kind enough to point me to other sources, I could give this TL a shot!
 
Eugenics only really got invented as a concept -after- Darwin's origin of the species and Mendelian inheritence gave the idea that the trait inheritance is "biological" in the modern sense of the word.
People have always known that offspring inherit the traits of their parents, though. That's how most animals were domesticated, except the ones that domesticated themselves like cats.

Basic Mendelian inheritance has probably been independently observed by thousands of people throughout history, who raise livestock.
 
People have always known that offspring inherit the traits of their parents, though. That's how most animals were domesticated, except the ones that domesticated themselves like cats.

Basic Mendelian inheritance has probably been independently observed by thousands of people throughout history, who raise livestock.

Fits perfectly in my line of thinking - seems we are on the same wavelength :)
 
I thought I'd tackle it... alas, I don't know Chinese. I think I'll look for some Ottoman Sultan who could do something similar...

My preliminary notes for Kangxi timeline:
1654 - Kangxi Emperor is born. Zhou Zhang begins his experiments. [POD]
1667 - Kangxi's coronation at the age of 13.
1672 - Kangxi, aged 19, learns of Zhou Zhang's experiments, half a year after Prince Yinzhi is born. Yinzhi (later Prince Zhi) is Kangxi's fifth son, but the first who looks as though he'd survive infancy - first four have died early. [as per OTL, except for the experiments]
1673 - State Princess Rongxian is born. She is the first daughter to survive infancy, after two other girls.
1674 - Changhua, the emperor's sixth son, dies as an infant. Yinreng, the seventh son, is born. Duanjing, the girl no. 4, is born. [butterflied away an infant]
1675 - Changsheng, the seventh son, is born.
1676 - When it becomes obvious that Changsheng is sickly and will not live much longer, the Emperor (aged 23) orders that his new consort has to come from a family known for having healthy children. At the end of the year, a suitable woman is found in the Magiya clan.
1677 - Yinzhi (later known as Prince Cheng), the eight son, is born. The other Yinzhi, future Prince Zhi, is five years old. [I butterflied one son in-between away]
1678 - Yinzhen, the ninth son, is born.
1679 - Yinzan, the tenth son, is born. Kejing, daughter no. 5, is born.
1680 - When Yinzan dies as an infant, his mother, Concubine Tong, is sent away. Yinzhi (Prince Zhi) is eight years old. Yinqi and Yinyou are born. [Yinzuo, who died in infancy IOTL, butterflied away]
1681 - Yinsi, son no. 13, is born.
1683 - Yintang, son no. 14, and Yin'e, son no. 15, are born. A sixth daughter, Wenxiang, is born. [butterflied away another boy infant and two girl infants who died early due to better family planning]
1685 - Yinzhi (future Prince Cheng) is eight years old and he shows great promise. Prince Zhi is 13. The Emperor (now 31) believes Zhang Zhao's findings are true. Yinzi (son no. 16) is born. Chunque, daughter no. 7, is born.
1686 - Yintao, son no. 17, and Yinxiang, son no. 18, are born.
The Emperor announces Zhang's findings as Eight Blessed Principles and orders all high-ranking officials to adhere to them.
1688 - Yinzhen, later renamed Yinti, (no. 19) was born. Wenke, daughter no. 8 and the last one, is born. [2 infants butterflied away]
1690 - Princess Quejing, daughter no. 9, is born.
1691 - Princess Dunke, daughter no. 10, is born.
1693 - Yinwu (no. 20) is born. [butterflied an infant away]
Prince Zhi's eldest son, Hongyu, is born. [pure assumption, based on the fact Zhi is 21]
1695 - Yinlu (no. 21) is born. The emperor is 41. He creates Blessed Rank Offices. From now on, they record all children and their parentage. All nobles are segregated into one of the classes, depending on mental and physical capabilities, regardless of family ties. Prince Zhi is 23. Prince Cheng is 18.
1697 - Yinli (no. 22) is born.
1704 - Fifteen years after the noble class has been ordered to obey Eight Blessed Principles, Emperor Kangxi (aged 47) receives first reports on the first generation of Blessed Children. He finds roughly 2/3rds of them match the expectations. Scholars are ordered to continue Zhou Zhang's experiments in order to find out what is lacking in the remaining 1/3rd.
1706 - Yinyi (no. 23) is born. [butterflied away 2 boys in-between]
1711 - Yinxi (no. 24) is born.
1712 - Yinhu (no. 25) is born. The Kangxi Emperor is 47.
1714 - Yinqi (no. 26) is born.
1716 - Yinmi (son no. 27 and the last) is born.

P.S. What I just found:
http://gw4.geneanet.org/nabulione932?lang=fr;p=xuanye;n=aisin+gioro
 
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