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Thread: Obai - was he wrong about K'ang Hsi?

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    Moderator Ken Cheng's Avatar
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    Default Obai - was he wrong about K'ang Hsi?

    Obai was cruel and authoritarian, and certainly viewed the Han people as enemies of the Manchurian Qing Dynasty, but was he wrong in his assessment of the young Emperor K'ang Hsi? Though K'ang Hsi would come to be known in history as one of the greatest rulers any nation ever had, he was very young at the time that he assumed the throne and Obai had doubts that the gifted, but youthful emperor did not yet have the experience or gravitas to rule. Additionally, Obai felt that K'ang Hsi's policies were "soft" on the Han people and would embolden rebels and create instability. Was Obai wrong?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Cheng View Post
    Obai was cruel and authoritarian, and certainly viewed the Han people as enemies of the Manchurian Qing Dynasty, but was he wrong in his assessment of the young Emperor K'ang Hsi? Though K'ang Hsi would come to be known in history as one of the greatest rulers any nation ever had, he was very young at the time that he assumed the throne and Obai had doubts that the gifted, but youthful emperor did not yet have the experience or gravitas to rule. Additionally, Obai felt that K'ang Hsi's policies were "soft" on the Han people and would embolden rebels and create instability. Was Obai wrong?
    Sori about it what Mandarin name for Obai..

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    Quote Originally Posted by Western Eccentric View Post
    Sori about it what Mandarin name for Obai..
    Mandarin: Oboi , Ao Bai
    Cantonese: Obai, Ngou Bai
    Hokkien: Go Pay
    Best Wuxia author of all time : master Jin Yong

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ken Cheng View Post
    Obai was cruel and authoritarian, and certainly viewed the Han people as enemies of the Manchurian Qing Dynasty, but was he wrong in his assessment of the young Emperor K'ang Hsi? Though K'ang Hsi would come to be known in history as one of the greatest rulers any nation ever had, he was very young at the time that he assumed the throne and Obai had doubts that the gifted, but youthful emperor did not yet have the experience or gravitas to rule. Additionally, Obai felt that K'ang Hsi's policies were "soft" on the Han people and would embolden rebels and create instability. Was Obai wrong?
    Not really. Kangxi showed his ruthlessness in dealing with the Heaven & Earth Society as well as the Three Feudatories.
    His 'soft' policies were intended the win over talented Han scholars and it worked very well.
    So contrary to Obai's fears Kangxi knew exactly when to apply strength/softness when it was most appropriate.

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