Would Obai have sided with K'ang Hsi, or Ng 3 Gwai?

[Ken Cheng]

This might arguably have gone under the Academia Forum as well, but since we're far more familiar with the fictionalized Jin Yong versions of these two historical figures and the actual historical figures themselves...

Obai and Ng 3 Gwai were probably the two gravest threats that Emperor K'ang Hsi faced during DOMD. Fortunately, he didn't need to face them both at the same time. By the time Ng 3 Gwai really became a problem, Obai was already long in his grave.

If Obai were alive at the time that Ng 3 Gwai started his insurrection, would Obai have sided with the emperor or with Ng 3 Gwai? On the one hand, Obai didn't hold the youthful emperor in much esteem. On the other hand, I doubt that Obai would have wanted to see Ng 3 Gwai usurp the Qing throne. Which side would Obai have helped?

[Trien Chieu]

Even though Obai is a bad dude, but he wouldn't do anything that would bring harm to the Manchurians. He would not jeopardize the interest of his people.

[Ian Liew]

The San Fan were Han Chinese generals of the Ming Dynasty who helped the Qing subjugate the remnants of the Ming Dynasty, and who were accorded their own semi-private fiefdoms in China. Aobai would never have sided with them. If anything, Aobai's presence at court would have made them all think twice about even trying to rebel, but with him gone Kangxi was vulnerable.

There was a series starring Julian Cheung and Lam Kar Wah where Julian played Kangxi and Lam played Aobai. In the end Lam was captured and incarcerated, and Kangxi went to visit him. Aobai tearfully begged Kangxi to take care of himself, and to beware of the San Fan, as they could not be trusted. While he probably had prejudice against the San Fan because of their Han heritage, he also knew that they were not to be trusted, and could not be controlled by the Qing court.

I think Aobai would also be very aware that under Kangxi he would be able to retain a measure of his power, but under Wu Sangui he'd just end up being a rival to be eventually eliminated. There's no way he would support Wu Sangui's claim to the throne, although if Kangxi does not obey him he might usurp the throne for himself first, claiming that he needs to gain the emergency powers to fend off the San Fan threat, and proceed to fight Wu Sangui to the death.

[nie_feng2002]

Yup.. i agree with the opinions above. Obai would have more or less sided with Kangxi, considering that he looks down on Han people, and Kangxi himself also once mentioned in the novel that Obai was afraid of San Fan's military strength, hence he did not allow San Fan's army to enter Beijing to mourn for the previous Emperor, Shun Zhi.

[charbydis]

I agree too. Obai was a bully but he was not a traitor. In the height of his power, he did not wish to usurp the throne though he enjoyed the authority in court. Not to mention that he was one of the main warriors that helped the Machurians conquer China, he would have not watched from the side if it were to be reversed. Obai was a straightforward rough person who was not secretive or devious at all like Ng San Gwai. He was openly a bully and openly a patriot. He would definatly side with KangXi and defend his nation.