...was the fifteenth son of Qianlong. During his reign, he attempted to restore the state to financial health and curb the smuggling of opium into China.

Accession to the throne

The empire faced internal disorder, most importantly the large-scale White Lotus (1796–1804) and Miao Rebellions (1795–1806), as well as an empty treasury. Emperor Jiaqing engaged in the pacification of the empire and quelled the rebellions. He endeavored to bring China back to its 18th-century prosperity and power. However, due in part to large outflows of silver from the country as payment for the opium smuggled into China from British India, the economy declined.

Opposition to Christianity (Catholicism)

Into The Great Qing Code "Prohibitions Concerning Sorcerers and Sorceresses" a clause was added in 1811 refering directly to Christianity, which sentenced Europeans to death for spreading Catholicism among Chinese and Manchus, while unrepentant Chinese Christians were sent as slaves to Xinjiang.