User:Sabdarg/sandbox

Background
The Empress Myeongseong came from the Min Clan, a group that was known for its high-ranking bureaucrats in the past. At the time the Queen married she was 16, and the King Kojong was one year younger.

Empress Myeongseong was known to be very political, have significant influence over her husband, and be an enemy of the Daewongun. Although the Daewongun approved of her marriage to his son in the beginning, the two never got along. Following the king's succession, the Daewongun sent Queen Min's brother a box, that when opened, exploded and killed her mother, brother and nephew. The Min Clan and the Queen had many enemies, especially due to the fact that she was pro-Russian, and sought their help in the attempt to keep Japanese expansion out of Korea.

By 1874 the Queen found a position of power for around 30 members of the Min Clan, who, at this time were pushing pro-Chinese policy in opposition of the Enlightenment Party.The Enlightenment Party was a group dedicated to major reform and largely influenced by Japan. In 1884 the Enlightenment Party planned a coup against the Min Clan, and later that year, on December 4th, the plan was carried out. This coup lasted 2 days, when on December 6th Chinese troops arrived led by Yuan Shikai.