Originally Posted by
Ken Cheng
K'ang Hsi was the Emperor of China. At his discretion and on his authority, he could order Obai's execution without explanation.
K'ang Hsi didn't do so, however, because of the realpolitik that underlay the situation. Though Obai menaced him and contravened the Emperor's authority, K'ang Hsi knew that he would pay a heavy political price if he ordered Obai's arrest and execution seemingly without reason. Obai was popular with the people as a military hero, and he was also popular with many of his colleagues in the Qing imperial court. Executing him would have undermined the bureaucracy and the people's faith and trust in K'ang Hsi.