Was Wai Siu Bo the only true friend Emperor K'ang Hsi would ever have?

[Ken Cheng]

When you're the emperor of a mighty nation such as China, it's hard to have real friendships. Nobody is your peer. Millions will gladly kiss your a$$ because they fear you or want favors from you, but nobody thinks of you or genuinely treats you as a real friend.

I think Emperor K'ang Hsi treasured his friendship with Wai Siu Bo because he knew that due to his status, he'd never have another friend. Wai Siu Bo was the only true friend that K'ang Hsi would ever have. Later in life, the emperor must have deeply regretted that their friendship could not continue.

[Mandred Skavenslayer]

When you're the emperor of a mighty nation such as China, it's hard to have real friendships. Nobody is your peer. Millions will gladly kiss your a$$ because they fear you or want favors from you, but nobody thinks of you or genuinely treats you as a real friend.

I think Emperor K'ang Hsi treasured his friendship with Wai Siu Bo because he knew that due to his status, he'd never have another friend. Wai Siu Bo was the only true friend that K'ang Hsi would ever have. Later in life, the emperor must have deeply regretted that their friendship could not continue.

Kangxi probably did feel sad but probably also grateful that he ever had such a friend, something few of his predecessors ever had.