Pictured above are Trump and Xi at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, part of the Temple of Heaven complex in Beijing, dating originally from 1420 and renovated on various occasions since then.
The Ming and Qing emperors used to pray there for—you guessed it—a good harvest.
What kind of harvest was Emperor Xi hoping for, and did he get it?
Same question for Emperor Trump.
If Emperor Trump were wise, he would have prayed not lose the Mandate of Heaven, which, in his case, is rapidly waning. But Emperor Trump is not wise, and therefore he probably prayed no such prayer.
Beijing’s ordinary residents get a lot of use out of the extensive grounds of the Temple of Heaven. Some practice tai chi. Some exercise in other ways. Some dance. Some sing Chinese opera. The old men try to outwit one another at board games.
Which of the two elderly emperors outwitted the other? I’ll let you guess.
Meanwhile, in one courtyard area, women hold up photos of their unmarried adult sons and daughters and negotiate with other women to arrange a blind date that, they hope, will lead to love, marriage, and grandchildren.
What arrangements did the two emperors negotiate?
When and if we learn the answer, I don’t think we will like it.
Facing MAGA 