How did china's geography influence the directions in which the rulers chose to expand their empires?

The pioneers of China extended their realm by vanquishing territories that were anything but difficult to go to. Ranges secured by mountains and deserts were difficult to go to. Like the leaders of the Ming administration, the Qing attempted to disengage China from outside impacts. China was kept in a semi-medieval state and was completely unfit to protect itself against current nations in Europe and Japan.