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Guangxu Restoration
I would like to try explore into the possibility that Guangxu Emperor somehow managed to stay in Beijing during the Boxers' Rebellion in 1900. The POD will be in late 1899, though it's simply for my convenience since I really don't know if 1900 should be counted as before 1900 or after 1900. As you may all know, the majority of the Eight Powers at the time preferred pro-Western Guangxu instead of Cixi to be the ruler of China. What if he's installed by the Eight Powers? It would not end up good at first, but may well potentially be an opportunity for China. I hope to finish this long essay or short one-page TL within a few days.

In 1898, Guangxu Emperor tried to push forward a series of progressive and aggressive reforms. However, he was effectively put under house arrest after Cixi's coup in September, just a day after receiving former Japanese Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi. Leading reformists are executed, purged or forced into exile. Guangxu wrongly put his trust into Yuan Shikai, a highly capable but opportunist military personnel, who would turn out to betray the Reforms. In 1900, the incompetent and reactionary Empress Dowager decided to declare war on all foreign countries, blindly believing that Boxers could possibly save China from foreign aggression and restore the Empire from its previous glory. However, that turned out to be a grave mistake, and Eight Powers were marching towards Beijing... Before Cixi got away from Beijing for the so-called "Western Hunting Trip", the Emperor and his most beloved woman, Consort Zhen was nowhere to be found...
(below: Guangxu Emperor and Consort Zhen)​

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