>>63948459
4) To continue from 3, because of this period of relative peace, armor takes on a ceremonial role. By the 19th century, few Chinese troops wear armor, even into battle. Indeed we know that even among the imperial guards of the palace, the trend was to wear "parade armor", which had the appearance of the decorative brigandines of earlier periods, but without the actual plates inserted, making them more comfortable to wear for long periods. Pic related is an original example.