More Devastating Black Death in China

[Marius Mazzini]

Kim Stanley Robinson's Years of Rice and Salt removes Europe from world history by having the Black Death kill about 99% rather than 50-60% [1] of the continent's population. What if the reverse occurs, where Europe is still devastated by the Black Death at OTL levels but China and neighbouring countries in East Asia suffer far more, with death rates at around 80% (I don't think 99% is very plausible)? What would the effects of a far more feeble China from the late 14th Century onwards be?

[1] 1/3 of Europe's population is the most common number in history books but more recent research suggests death rates were higher.

 

[Marius Mazzini]

Bumped.

 

[History Learner]

How extensively spread is the effect zone? Mongols, Timor, etc could also take advantage of this, depending on how affected they are.

 

[Kaze]

Considering it happened in IRL - not much.

One of the considering factor for the success of the rebellion against the Yuan Dynasty that the Black Death struck central China BEFORE it moved to Europe. The rebels were able with relative ease toppled the Yuan and establish the Ming Dynasty - if it was not for the Black Death, it is likely that the rebellion may have either - 1. Failed... or... 2. succeeded at a lot longer pace than the limited lifespan of Zhu Yuanzhang (the First Ming Emperor) and the other rebels.