Was Qianlong's Regime (1736-1795) the Zenith or Decline of the Qing Dynasty?

1. Zenith

1.1. Tribute System

1.2. China extended direct rule over largest area in history

1.3. Solved issue of Olod invaders

1.4. Record of 10 Perfect Achievements

2. Decline

2.1. Institutional Flaws

2.1.1. Mutual Han-Manchu distrust in administration

2.1.1.1. Mutual checks system

2.1.2. Effectiveness of Imperial Autocracy relies on individual emperor

2.1.3. Dynastic Cycle - Hsu

2.2. Complacency

2.2.1. Loss of dynamic central leadership

2.2.1.1. Example: Kangxi's secret palace memorial system was abandoned

2.2.2. Military decay

2.2.2.1. Bannermen

2.2.2.2. Corruption

2.2.3. Intellectual Irresponsibility

2.2.3.1. Scholars basically CBF to do any shit to help society

2.2.3.2. "Ceased to apply their knowledge to society" - Hsu

2.3. Financial Mismanagement

2.3.1. Opulent spending

2.3.1.1. Record of 10 Perfect Achievements

2.3.2. Widespread Corruption

2.3.2.1. Example: White Lotus Rebellion dragged on for 7 more years just for more graft and extortion opportunities

2.3.2.2. 1799 Trial of Heshen (800 mil taels)

2.3.2.2.1. Heshen was an "acute symptonm rather than the cause of the widespread corruption" - Hsu

2.3.2.3. 250% taxes

2.4. Population Unrest

2.4.1. Population pressure

2.4.2. Rural unrest

2.4.2.1. White Lotus Rebellion 1794-1804

2.4.2.2. Rebellions called Qing mandate of heaven into question, resulted in more traditional conservative policies to reaffirm mandate and status quo - Eleman

2.5. Beginnings of foreign encroachment

2.5.1. McCarney Mission 1793