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The kind of ruler that the average mediocre non-voting masses would leave stranded in the midterm and re-election...
PoLiTiCs ArE bOriNg (YaWn) I wAnNa Be DaZzLeD aNd EnTeRtAiNeD aLL dAy eVeRy DaY!!!
Then they get what they fucking mindlessly, myopically wish for.
wHy ArE pOLiTiCs So GrOsS nOwAdAyS?!!
Explanation: I'm not particularly well-read on Chinese history, but wiki says:
After ascending the throne in 1487, the emperor's administration was guided by Confucian ideology, and he himself was known for his diligence and hard work. He closely oversaw all state affairs, implementing measures such as reducing taxes and government spending, and appointing capable officials to ministerial positions. This marked a rare period of harmonious cooperation between the emperor and his grand secretaries and ministers during the Middle Ming period. In addition, the emperor encouraged his ministers to openly express their opinions and even criticize his decisions. As a result, the power of the eunuchs was diminished and the palace intrigues that had plagued previous reigns were eliminated. This led to a more transparent government and revitalized the functioning of the authorities.
Under the order of the emperor, the Great Ming Code was updated and supplemented. The empire's economy was thriving, and the government sought to address the shortage of currency by resuming the production of coins that had been abolished in the 1430s. Despite facing a series of floods, the Yellow River was successfully regulated, and foreign trade with Southeast Asia flourished. The Hongzhi Emperor's foreign policy was peaceful, with the only major military campaign during his reign being the expedition to Hami in 1495. Ming troops also effectively suppressed several smaller rebellions. As a result, the people prospered under his rule. In comparison to his renowned predecessors, the Hongzhi Emperor can be considered one of the most successful rulers of the Ming dynasty, alongside emperors Hongwu and Yongle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hongzhi_Emperor
"Nothing exciting happened" in a short reign is unexceptional; "nothing exciting happened" in a long reign is a sign of immense talent and hard work - and perhaps a touch of luck, as all great leaders have.
Is this the same country that originated the curse "I hope you live in interesting times" ?
No, it turns out that was the UK ambassador's creation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_you_live_in_interesting_times#Origins
The article contradicts itself.
"No, it's actually from a UK ambassador. Here's a quote where he says he heard it secondhand from China."
Many years ago I learned from one of our diplomats in China that one of the principal Chinese curses heaped upon an enemy is, 'May you live in an interesting age.'
He could still have made it up, but it's a weird way of presenting it.
That's not a quote from the ambassador, that's from the ambassador's son.
Research by philologist Garson O'Toole shows a probable origin in the mind of Austen Chamberlain's father Joseph Chamberlain dating around the late-19th and early-20th centuries. Specifically, O'Toole cites the following statement Joseph made during a speech in 1898:
I think that you will all agree that we are living in most interesting times. (Hear, hear.) I never remember myself a time in which our history was so full, in which day by day brought us new objects of interest, and, let me say also, new objects for anxiety. (Hear, hear.) [emphasis added][1]
Over time, the Chamberlain family may have come to believe that the elder Chamberlain had not used his own phrase, but had repeated a phrase from Chinese.