Oboi
Encyclopedia
Oboi (c.
1610?-1669) was a highly decorated Manchu
military commander and courtier who served in various military and administrative posts under three successive Emperor
s of the early Qing Dynasty
. He was one of four regents nominated by the Shunzhi Emperor
to oversee the government during the Kangxi Emperor
's minority. Eventually deposed and imprisoned by the new emperor for having amassed too much power, he was posthumously rehabilitated. He was also called the First Warrior of Manchuria
.
Guwalgiya
clan (Ch
:瓜尔佳氏). Under the Manchu Banner
organization created by Nurhachi, Oboi's branch of the family was registered under the Bordered Yellow division which came under the command of Nurhachi's son and future Emperor
Hung Taiji. Oboi's father Uici (Ch
: 瓜尔佳·卫齐) (? - 1634) was a senior military officer who was once garrison commander of the Manchu capital city Mukden
while his paternal uncle Fiongdon (Ch
: 瓜尔佳·费英东) was one of Nurhachi's most trusted generals. Oboi's childhood and early years are relatively obscure. Being his father's third son, he was not destined to inherit the family's hereditary seat in the Banner hierarchy. Oboi was first mentioned in official Qing history in the Chronicles of Hung Taiji (Ch
: 《清太宗实录》) in 1632, documenting his triumphant return from a minor raid into Ming
territories in which he was allowed to keep his spoils as reward.
Oboi officially started his military career in 1634 during the reign of Hung Taiji as a junior officer in the Banner
's cavalry guard unit in which capacity he distinguished himself many times in battle against Ming
forces and was renowned for his personal bravery. For this, he was granted an hereditary commission as captain of a company (niru i janggin). In 1637 during the Manchu
s' second Korean campaign
, Oboi volunteered and succeeded in capturing a small but strategically important "Pi" island (Ch
: 皮岛) south of the Yalu River
after a difficult amphibious landing followed by desperate hand-to-hand battle ending in the complete annihilation of the Ming garrison. For this achievement he was promoted to the rank of a hereditary colonel third-class and bestowed the rare honorific title of "Baturu
" (Ch
: 巴图鲁) meaning "(brave) warrior." In 1641 Oboi again distinguished himself in battle scoring five victories in as many encounters against Ming
forces in the campaign for Songshan (Ch
: 松山)). He was promoted to full Colonel rank and given command of the Bayarai guards of the Bordered Yellow Banner
. Oboi's raise in the Banner
hierarchy continued apace with the Manchus' war with the Ming Dynasty
, in 1645 he was promoted to the rank of General. It was recorded in official Qing history that in 1646 during the campaign to pacify Sichuan
, Oboi was personally responsible for slaying the rebel chief Zhang Xianzhong
in battle.
, Oboi's loyalty to his Banner
master was crucial to his rapid advancement during the years when Hung Taiji commanded the Banner
. However after Hung Taiji's death, Oboi's loyalty to his new Banner
master Hooge
became a political liability. When Dorgon
who commanded the White and Bordered White Banner
s became regent to the young Emperor Shunzhi
, he sought to weaken the influence of the other Banners
at court by purging the ranks of their senior commanders. Just as Hooge
was arrested and eventually died in prison, in 1648 Oboi was stripped of his rank and titles under a charge of claiming false victories in battle. Later he was found guilty of a more serious crime of conspiracy to elect Hooge
as Emperor
during the succession dispute after Hung Taiji's death. This later charge carried with it the death penalty, however the sentence was commuted while he continued to command troops against Ming
loyalists. The charges against Oboi were most likely politically motivated and were rehabilitated in 1651 after Dorgon
's death. Oboi for his unswerving loyalty to his Banner
and services to the Qing government was appointed a cabinet minister by Emperor Shunzhi
, who also bestowed on him the title of Marquis of the first rank.
The extent of Emperor Shunzhi
's trust in Oboi's loyalty can be gauged by the honours the Emperor
showered on him. In 1652 after Emperor Shunzhi
successfully purged the court of the more powerful elements in Dorgon
's faction, Oboi was elevated to a hereditary Duke
of the second rank and more importantly appointed the commander of the imperial bodyguard (Ch
: 领侍卫内大臣), a job which doubled as the de facto police chief in the capital. In this capacity Oboi acted as Emperor Shunzhi
's much feared enforcer against Dorgon
's old cohorts and helped to consolidate power to the throne and the Emperor's own "Upper Three Banners". During the period of Emperor Shunzhi
's personal rule Oboi was responsible for the arrest and execution of a number of noblemen found guilty of one crime or another. Although there is no doubt that these executions were carried out with the approval of Emperor Shunzhi
, it is not surprising that after the Emperor
's death Oboi, given his ruthless character and position in court, when left uncontrolled by a higher authority should eventually come to dominate court politics creating unto himself a "state within a state".
on February 5, 1661, at the age of twenty-four. On his deathbed he appointed four Manchu
"Executive Ministers" (Ch
: 辅政大臣, Pinyin
: Fǔzhéngdàchén) commonly referred to as regents to "assist" his eight years old son Xuan-Ye
to govern the country until the young Emperor
reached the age of maturity at sixteen. The four ministers in their order of seniority were Sonin
of the Yellow Banner
, who apart from being chief minister of the imperial secretariate (Zh
: 内务府大臣) was also nominated by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang to head the regency. The second minister on the list was Suksaha
of the White Banner
. Originally a trusted deputy of Dorgon
, Suksaha
was politically astute enough to switch sides immediately after the former regent's death when the court was still dominated by Dorgon
's associates. By the time of Shunzhi's death he was one of the Emperor
's most trusted courtiers. Then came Ebilun
and Oboi, both members of the Bordered Yellow Banner
. Emperor Shunzhi's succession plan set a precedence for Qing Dynasty
of nominating courtiers who owed their loyalty to the crown to "assist" a young Emperor
during the years of minority in running the state. This reflected the lesson learned from Dorgon
's regency, when the regent grew almost too powerful for the Emperor to control. Unfortunately, this system of appointing ministers to oversee the government during an Emperor
's minority proved not to be a very stable political device after all.
Three of the four ministers, Sonin
, Ebilun
and Oboi were members of the "Two Yellow Banner
s" (i.e. Yellow Banner and Bordered Yellow Banner) previously under the command of Emperor Shunzhi's elder brother Hooge
. Because of the personal and political rivalries between Hooge
and Dorgon
all three men were persecuted at one time or another during Dorgon
's regency for their Banner
affiliation. However their loyalty thus proven was also key to their rapid advancement after Dorgon
's death. It was a major factor in Emperor Shunzhi's choice of personnel to oversee his son's regency. However Emperor Shunzhi's arrangement heightened the already sensitive relationship between the three members of the Yellow Banner
s and Suksaha
who belonged to the White Banner
. Suksaha
was a much despised figure at this point not only because he was a member of the White Banner
in an imperial court dominated by the two Yellow Banner
s, but also because he gained Emperor Shunzhi's trust by denouncing his former master Dorgon
, an action seen by his colleagues including members of the White Banner
as disloyal.
In the first years of regency, the tension between the two Yellow Banner
s faction and Suksaha
was kept in check by an even handed Sonin
and the four ministers managed to maintain a relatively peaceful and efficient working relationship. But the dynamics of the regency began to shift as Sonin
's health deteriorated due to old age. As Sonin
gradually took more time off on sabbatical, Oboi monopolized decision making by dominating the indecisive Ebilun
and worked to sideline Suksaha
during policy discussions especially on issues concerning welfare of the Manchu
Banners
. By 1667 when Sonin
realized he hadn't long to live, attempted to restore some balance to the regency and also to neutralize Oboi's rapidly expanding power clique petitioned a request that the fourteen year old Emperor Kangxi
assume personal rule ahead of schedule. Thus Emperor Kangxi
formerly took over the reins of power in a ceremony on August 25, a month after Sonin
's death. This was followed by an official decree technically downgrading the three remaining ministers to the status of "advisers" (Ch
: 佐政大臣) while still remaining on their posts. However even with the formal authority of office, the young Emperor
found it difficult to curb the growing power of Oboi.
The Kangxi Emperor took power earlier than expected at age fourteen in 1669. The Emperor suddenly arrested Oboi pronouncing thirty crimes on him. He was sentenced to death but it was reduced to imprisonment in consideration of his achievements. Some sources say that he displayed the many wounds on his body that had been received in the defense of Kangxi's great-grandfather Nurhaci
, this act had apparently moved Kangxi Emperor to excuse Oboi at last.
Oboi was posthumously rehabilitated. The Kangxi Emperor forgave the crime in 1713. The Yongzheng Emperor
gave the rank of the first-class duke
and the posthumous title Chaowu (超武 "exceedingly martial") but the Qianlong Emperor
demoted him to the first-class baron
after reviewing his merits and demerits.
Circa
Circa , usually abbreviated c. or ca. , means "approximately" in the English language, usually referring to a date...
1610?-1669) was a highly decorated Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
military commander and courtier who served in various military and administrative posts under three successive Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
s of the early Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
. He was one of four regents nominated by the Shunzhi Emperor
Shunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
to oversee the government during the Kangxi Emperor
Kangxi Emperor
The Kangxi Emperor ; Manchu: elhe taifin hūwangdi ; Mongolian: Энх-Амгалан хаан, 4 May 1654 –20 December 1722) was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the first to be born on Chinese soil south of the Pass and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722.Kangxi's...
's minority. Eventually deposed and imprisoned by the new emperor for having amassed too much power, he was posthumously rehabilitated. He was also called the First Warrior of Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
.
Early Life & Military Career
Oboi was born to a distinguished military family of the extensive ManchuManchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
Guwalgiya
Guwalgiya
Guwalgiya was one of the most powerful Manchu clans. Kangxi's administrator Oboi came from this clan....
clan (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
:瓜尔佳氏). Under the Manchu Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
organization created by Nurhachi, Oboi's branch of the family was registered under the Bordered Yellow division which came under the command of Nurhachi's son and future Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
Hung Taiji. Oboi's father Uici (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 瓜尔佳·卫齐) (? - 1634) was a senior military officer who was once garrison commander of the Manchu capital city Mukden
Shenyang
Shenyang , or Mukden , is the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province in Northeast China. Currently holding sub-provincial administrative status, the city was once known as Shengjing or Fengtianfu...
while his paternal uncle Fiongdon (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 瓜尔佳·费英东) was one of Nurhachi's most trusted generals. Oboi's childhood and early years are relatively obscure. Being his father's third son, he was not destined to inherit the family's hereditary seat in the Banner hierarchy. Oboi was first mentioned in official Qing history in the Chronicles of Hung Taiji (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 《清太宗实录》) in 1632, documenting his triumphant return from a minor raid into Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
territories in which he was allowed to keep his spoils as reward.
Oboi officially started his military career in 1634 during the reign of Hung Taiji as a junior officer in the Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
's cavalry guard unit in which capacity he distinguished himself many times in battle against Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
forces and was renowned for his personal bravery. For this, he was granted an hereditary commission as captain of a company (niru i janggin). In 1637 during the Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
s' second Korean campaign
Second Manchu invasion of Korea
The second Manchu invasion of Korea occurred in 1636, when the Manchu Qing Empire brought Korea's Joseon dynasty into submission. It followed the first Manchu invasion of Korea of 1627.-Background:...
, Oboi volunteered and succeeded in capturing a small but strategically important "Pi" island (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 皮岛) south of the Yalu River
Yalu River
The Yalu River or the Amnok River is a river on the border between North Korea and the People's Republic of China....
after a difficult amphibious landing followed by desperate hand-to-hand battle ending in the complete annihilation of the Ming garrison. For this achievement he was promoted to the rank of a hereditary colonel third-class and bestowed the rare honorific title of "Baturu
Baturu
Baturu is a title from the Qing Dynasty for commanders and soldiers who fight bravely in a battlefield. In Manchu, baturu means warrior or brave. It is originally from the Mongolian word "baγatur" which has the same meaning....
" (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 巴图鲁) meaning "(brave) warrior." In 1641 Oboi again distinguished himself in battle scoring five victories in as many encounters against Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
forces in the campaign for Songshan (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 松山)). He was promoted to full Colonel rank and given command of the Bayarai guards of the Bordered Yellow Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
. Oboi's raise in the Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
hierarchy continued apace with the Manchus' war with the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
, in 1645 he was promoted to the rank of General. It was recorded in official Qing history that in 1646 during the campaign to pacify Sichuan
Sichuan
' , known formerly in the West by its postal map spellings of Szechwan or Szechuan is a province in Southwest China with its capital in Chengdu...
, Oboi was personally responsible for slaying the rebel chief Zhang Xianzhong
Zhang Xianzhong
Zhang Xianzhong or Chang Hsien-chung , nicknamed Yellow Tiger, was a Chinese rebel leader who conquered Sichuan Province in the middle of the 17th century. Upon capturing it, he declared himself emperor of the Daxi Dynasty .According to Chinese chronicles, many scholars rejected that claim, so he...
in battle.
Persecution and Rehabilitation
As a member of the Bordered Yellow BannerEight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
, Oboi's loyalty to his Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
master was crucial to his rapid advancement during the years when Hung Taiji commanded the Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
. However after Hung Taiji's death, Oboi's loyalty to his new Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
master Hooge
Hooge, Prince Su
Hooge was a prominent Manchu prince. He was the eldest son of Emperor Huang Taiji of the Qing Dynasty. He was the founder of the House of Prince Su .-Life:...
became a political liability. When Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
who commanded the White and Bordered White Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
s became regent to the young Emperor Shunzhi
Shunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
, he sought to weaken the influence of the other Banners
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
at court by purging the ranks of their senior commanders. Just as Hooge
Hooge, Prince Su
Hooge was a prominent Manchu prince. He was the eldest son of Emperor Huang Taiji of the Qing Dynasty. He was the founder of the House of Prince Su .-Life:...
was arrested and eventually died in prison, in 1648 Oboi was stripped of his rank and titles under a charge of claiming false victories in battle. Later he was found guilty of a more serious crime of conspiracy to elect Hooge
Hooge, Prince Su
Hooge was a prominent Manchu prince. He was the eldest son of Emperor Huang Taiji of the Qing Dynasty. He was the founder of the House of Prince Su .-Life:...
as Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
during the succession dispute after Hung Taiji's death. This later charge carried with it the death penalty, however the sentence was commuted while he continued to command troops against Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
loyalists. The charges against Oboi were most likely politically motivated and were rehabilitated in 1651 after Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
's death. Oboi for his unswerving loyalty to his Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
and services to the Qing government was appointed a cabinet minister by Emperor Shunzhi
Shunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
, who also bestowed on him the title of Marquis of the first rank.
The extent of Emperor Shunzhi
Shunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
's trust in Oboi's loyalty can be gauged by the honours the Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
showered on him. In 1652 after Emperor Shunzhi
Shunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
successfully purged the court of the more powerful elements in Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
's faction, Oboi was elevated to a hereditary Duke
Equivalents of Duke outside Europe
Some titles of nobility outside Europe may be considered as equivalents of Duke.Like other major Western noble titles, Duke is sometimes used to render certain titles in non-western languages. "Duke" is used even though those titles are generally etymologically and often historically unrelated and...
of the second rank and more importantly appointed the commander of the imperial bodyguard (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 领侍卫内大臣), a job which doubled as the de facto police chief in the capital. In this capacity Oboi acted as Emperor Shunzhi
Shunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
's much feared enforcer against Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
's old cohorts and helped to consolidate power to the throne and the Emperor's own "Upper Three Banners". During the period of Emperor Shunzhi
Shunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
's personal rule Oboi was responsible for the arrest and execution of a number of noblemen found guilty of one crime or another. Although there is no doubt that these executions were carried out with the approval of Emperor Shunzhi
Shunzhi Emperor
The Shunzhi Emperor was the third emperor of the Manchu-led Qing dynasty, and the first Qing emperor to rule over China, which he did from 1644 to 1661. "Shunzhi" was the name of his reign period...
, it is not surprising that after the Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
's death Oboi, given his ruthless character and position in court, when left uncontrolled by a higher authority should eventually come to dominate court politics creating unto himself a "state within a state".
Regency
Emperor Shunzhi died from smallpoxSmallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
on February 5, 1661, at the age of twenty-four. On his deathbed he appointed four Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
"Executive Ministers" (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 辅政大臣, Pinyin
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: Fǔzhéngdàchén) commonly referred to as regents to "assist" his eight years old son Xuan-Ye
Kangxi Emperor
The Kangxi Emperor ; Manchu: elhe taifin hūwangdi ; Mongolian: Энх-Амгалан хаан, 4 May 1654 –20 December 1722) was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the first to be born on Chinese soil south of the Pass and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722.Kangxi's...
to govern the country until the young Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
reached the age of maturity at sixteen. The four ministers in their order of seniority were Sonin
Sonin
Sonin, also known as Soni, and rarely Sony , was a senior regent of the Four Regents during Chinese Kangxi Emperor's minority in the Qing Dynasty. Sonin was from the Heseri clan, belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner....
of the Yellow Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
, who apart from being chief minister of the imperial secretariate (Zh
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 内务府大臣) was also nominated by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang to head the regency. The second minister on the list was Suksaha
Suksaha
Suksaha was a one of the Four Regents during the early reign of the Chinese Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty.Like his father Suna, he was from the Nara clan, but the family fought under the White Banner of the Manchu Eight Banners instead. During the Manchurian conquest of China, he was rewarded...
of the White Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
. Originally a trusted deputy of Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
, Suksaha
Suksaha
Suksaha was a one of the Four Regents during the early reign of the Chinese Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty.Like his father Suna, he was from the Nara clan, but the family fought under the White Banner of the Manchu Eight Banners instead. During the Manchurian conquest of China, he was rewarded...
was politically astute enough to switch sides immediately after the former regent's death when the court was still dominated by Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
's associates. By the time of Shunzhi's death he was one of the Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
's most trusted courtiers. Then came Ebilun
Ebilun
Ebilun was one of the Four Regents and an assistant minister appointed by the Shunzhi Emperor for his successor, Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty. Ebilun worked with Oboi to defeat Suksaha.His mother was the Aisin Gioro princess.-See also:**...
and Oboi, both members of the Bordered Yellow Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
. Emperor Shunzhi's succession plan set a precedence for Qing Dynasty
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
of nominating courtiers who owed their loyalty to the crown to "assist" a young Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
during the years of minority in running the state. This reflected the lesson learned from Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
's regency, when the regent grew almost too powerful for the Emperor to control. Unfortunately, this system of appointing ministers to oversee the government during an Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
's minority proved not to be a very stable political device after all.
Three of the four ministers, Sonin
Sonin
Sonin, also known as Soni, and rarely Sony , was a senior regent of the Four Regents during Chinese Kangxi Emperor's minority in the Qing Dynasty. Sonin was from the Heseri clan, belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner....
, Ebilun
Ebilun
Ebilun was one of the Four Regents and an assistant minister appointed by the Shunzhi Emperor for his successor, Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty. Ebilun worked with Oboi to defeat Suksaha.His mother was the Aisin Gioro princess.-See also:**...
and Oboi were members of the "Two Yellow Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
s" (i.e. Yellow Banner and Bordered Yellow Banner) previously under the command of Emperor Shunzhi's elder brother Hooge
Hooge, Prince Su
Hooge was a prominent Manchu prince. He was the eldest son of Emperor Huang Taiji of the Qing Dynasty. He was the founder of the House of Prince Su .-Life:...
. Because of the personal and political rivalries between Hooge
Hooge, Prince Su
Hooge was a prominent Manchu prince. He was the eldest son of Emperor Huang Taiji of the Qing Dynasty. He was the founder of the House of Prince Su .-Life:...
and Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
all three men were persecuted at one time or another during Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
's regency for their Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
affiliation. However their loyalty thus proven was also key to their rapid advancement after Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
's death. It was a major factor in Emperor Shunzhi's choice of personnel to oversee his son's regency. However Emperor Shunzhi's arrangement heightened the already sensitive relationship between the three members of the Yellow Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
s and Suksaha
Suksaha
Suksaha was a one of the Four Regents during the early reign of the Chinese Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty.Like his father Suna, he was from the Nara clan, but the family fought under the White Banner of the Manchu Eight Banners instead. During the Manchurian conquest of China, he was rewarded...
who belonged to the White Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
. Suksaha
Suksaha
Suksaha was a one of the Four Regents during the early reign of the Chinese Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty.Like his father Suna, he was from the Nara clan, but the family fought under the White Banner of the Manchu Eight Banners instead. During the Manchurian conquest of China, he was rewarded...
was a much despised figure at this point not only because he was a member of the White Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
in an imperial court dominated by the two Yellow Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
s, but also because he gained Emperor Shunzhi's trust by denouncing his former master Dorgon
Dorgon
Dorgon , also known as Hošoi Mergen Cin Wang, the Prince Rui , was one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing Dynasty. He laid the groundwork for the Manchu rule of China.-Early life:Dorgon was born in Yenden, Manchuria , China...
, an action seen by his colleagues including members of the White Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
as disloyal.
In the first years of regency, the tension between the two Yellow Banner
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
s faction and Suksaha
Suksaha
Suksaha was a one of the Four Regents during the early reign of the Chinese Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty.Like his father Suna, he was from the Nara clan, but the family fought under the White Banner of the Manchu Eight Banners instead. During the Manchurian conquest of China, he was rewarded...
was kept in check by an even handed Sonin
Sonin
Sonin, also known as Soni, and rarely Sony , was a senior regent of the Four Regents during Chinese Kangxi Emperor's minority in the Qing Dynasty. Sonin was from the Heseri clan, belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner....
and the four ministers managed to maintain a relatively peaceful and efficient working relationship. But the dynamics of the regency began to shift as Sonin
Sonin
Sonin, also known as Soni, and rarely Sony , was a senior regent of the Four Regents during Chinese Kangxi Emperor's minority in the Qing Dynasty. Sonin was from the Heseri clan, belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner....
's health deteriorated due to old age. As Sonin
Sonin
Sonin, also known as Soni, and rarely Sony , was a senior regent of the Four Regents during Chinese Kangxi Emperor's minority in the Qing Dynasty. Sonin was from the Heseri clan, belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner....
gradually took more time off on sabbatical, Oboi monopolized decision making by dominating the indecisive Ebilun
Ebilun
Ebilun was one of the Four Regents and an assistant minister appointed by the Shunzhi Emperor for his successor, Kangxi during the Qing Dynasty. Ebilun worked with Oboi to defeat Suksaha.His mother was the Aisin Gioro princess.-See also:**...
and worked to sideline Suksaha
Suksaha
Suksaha was a one of the Four Regents during the early reign of the Chinese Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty.Like his father Suna, he was from the Nara clan, but the family fought under the White Banner of the Manchu Eight Banners instead. During the Manchurian conquest of China, he was rewarded...
during policy discussions especially on issues concerning welfare of the Manchu
Manchu
The Manchu people or Man are an ethnic minority of China who originated in Manchuria . During their rise in the 17th century, with the help of the Ming dynasty rebels , they came to power in China and founded the Qing Dynasty, which ruled China until the Xinhai Revolution of 1911, which...
Banners
Eight Banners
The Eight Banners were administrative divisions into which all Manchu families were placed. They provided the basic framework for the Manchu military organization...
. By 1667 when Sonin
Sonin
Sonin, also known as Soni, and rarely Sony , was a senior regent of the Four Regents during Chinese Kangxi Emperor's minority in the Qing Dynasty. Sonin was from the Heseri clan, belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner....
realized he hadn't long to live, attempted to restore some balance to the regency and also to neutralize Oboi's rapidly expanding power clique petitioned a request that the fourteen year old Emperor Kangxi
Kangxi Emperor
The Kangxi Emperor ; Manchu: elhe taifin hūwangdi ; Mongolian: Энх-Амгалан хаан, 4 May 1654 –20 December 1722) was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the first to be born on Chinese soil south of the Pass and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722.Kangxi's...
assume personal rule ahead of schedule. Thus Emperor Kangxi
Kangxi Emperor
The Kangxi Emperor ; Manchu: elhe taifin hūwangdi ; Mongolian: Энх-Амгалан хаан, 4 May 1654 –20 December 1722) was the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the first to be born on Chinese soil south of the Pass and the second Qing emperor to rule over China proper, from 1661 to 1722.Kangxi's...
formerly took over the reins of power in a ceremony on August 25, a month after Sonin
Sonin
Sonin, also known as Soni, and rarely Sony , was a senior regent of the Four Regents during Chinese Kangxi Emperor's minority in the Qing Dynasty. Sonin was from the Heseri clan, belonged to the Plain Yellow Banner....
's death. This was followed by an official decree technically downgrading the three remaining ministers to the status of "advisers" (Ch
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
: 佐政大臣) while still remaining on their posts. However even with the formal authority of office, the young Emperor
Emperor of China
The Emperor of China refers to any sovereign of Imperial China reigning between the founding of Qin Dynasty of China, united by the King of Qin in 221 BCE, and the fall of Yuan Shikai's Empire of China in 1916. When referred to as the Son of Heaven , a title that predates the Qin unification, the...
found it difficult to curb the growing power of Oboi.
Conflict with Kangxi
Oboi forced the young emperor to execute Suksaha and his family. He controlled Ebilun completely and then finally established a system of near absolute rule under himself.The Kangxi Emperor took power earlier than expected at age fourteen in 1669. The Emperor suddenly arrested Oboi pronouncing thirty crimes on him. He was sentenced to death but it was reduced to imprisonment in consideration of his achievements. Some sources say that he displayed the many wounds on his body that had been received in the defense of Kangxi's great-grandfather Nurhaci
Nurhaci
Nurhaci was an important Jurchen chieftain who rose to prominence in the late sixteenth century in what is today Northeastern China...
, this act had apparently moved Kangxi Emperor to excuse Oboi at last.
Oboi was posthumously rehabilitated. The Kangxi Emperor forgave the crime in 1713. The Yongzheng Emperor
Yongzheng Emperor
The Yongzheng Emperor , born Yinzhen , was the fifth emperor of the Manchu Qing Dynasty and the third Qing emperor from 1722 to 1735. A hard-working ruler, Yongzheng's main goal was to create an effective government at minimal expense. Like his father, the Kangxi Emperor, Yongzheng used military...
gave the rank of the first-class duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
and the posthumous title Chaowu (超武 "exceedingly martial") but the Qianlong Emperor
Qianlong Emperor
The Qianlong Emperor was the sixth emperor of the Manchu-led Qing Dynasty, and the fourth Qing emperor to rule over China proper. The fourth son of the Yongzheng Emperor, he reigned officially from 11 October 1735 to 8 February 1796...
demoted him to the first-class baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
after reviewing his merits and demerits.
Popular culture
- The Deer and the CauldronThe Deer and the CauldronThe Deer and the Cauldron, also known as The Duke of Mount Deer, is a novel by Jin Yong, and was the last of Jin Yong's works. The novel was initially published as a serial, and ran between October 24, 1969 to September 23, 1972 in Ming Pao.Although the book is often termed as a wuxia novel, it is...
(鹿鼎記): a wuxiaWuxiaWuxia is a broad genre of Chinese fiction concerning the adventures of martial artists. Although wuxia is traditionally a form of literature, its popularity has caused it to spread to diverse art forms like Chinese opera, manhua , films, television series, and video games...
novel by Louis Cha. In the story, Oboi was a cruel and power-hungry aristocrat. Oboi was removed from power by the protagonist, Wei XiaobaoWei XiaobaoWei Xiaobao is the fictional protagonist of Jin Yong's wuxia novel The Deer and the Cauldron . He is a witty, sly and illiterate teenager, born to a prostitute from a brothel in Yangzhou during the Qing Dynasty. He bumbles his way into the Forbidden City and has a fateful encounter with the young...
and the young Kangxi Emperor and imprisoned. He is later killed by Wei Xiaobao.
- Oboi was played by Du Yu Lu in the TV series The Secret History of Kangxi.