Kangxi the Great: Chaos Arises from Within

Author: Eryuehe
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-04-01
Features: The Chaos at the Court is the fourth volume of The Emperor Kangxi. It focuses on the selection of the heir apparent by Kangxi and the rivalry among the imperial princes for the throne. In his later years, Kangxi faced numerous corrupt policies. Officials embezzled and committed injustices, leading to a series of wrongful convictions; relatives and old loyalists borrowed from the treasury, causing it to deplete; and land taxes were uneven, with land highly concentrated in the hands of a few. Kangxi sent people multiple times to clean up and reform, but due to the weak, incompetent, lustful, and unskilled heir apparent Yinzhen, who was busy with factional struggles, the efforts were abandoned halfway. Kangxi was deeply dissatisfied and had to depose him, only to reinstate him, only to depose him again. The imperial princes seized the opportunity to stir up trouble, form alliances, and compete for the position of heir apparent, leading to conflicts among brothers. Later, Kangxi simply "let the deer roam in the Central Plains," allowing them to fight for dominance. Prince Yi, known as the "Cold-Faced King" for his harsh treatment of others, achieved significant achievements in reforming corrupt policies under the guidance of his advisor Wusi. He was selected by Kangxi. Kangxi issued an edict: to pass the throne to Prince Yi, who would become the future Emperor Yongzheng.
Introduction: The Chaos at the Court is the fourth volume of The Emperor Kangxi. It focuses on the selection of the heir apparent by Kangxi and the rivalry among the imperial princes for the throne. In his later years, Kangxi faced numerous corrupt policies. Officials embezzled and committed injustices, leading to a series of wrongful convictions; relatives and old loyalists borrowed from the treasury, causing it to deplete; and land taxes were uneven, with land highly concentrated in the hands of a few. Kangxi sent people multiple times to clean up and reform, but due to the weak, incompetent, lustful, and unskilled heir apparent Yinzhen, who was busy with factional struggles, the efforts were abandoned halfway. Kangxi was deeply dissatisfied and had to depose him, only to reinstate him, only to depose him again. The imperial princes seized the opportunity to stir up trouble, form alliances, and compete for the position of heir apparent, leading to conflicts among brothers. Later, Kangxi simply "let the deer roam in the Central Plains," allowing them to fight for dominance. Prince Yi, known as the "Cold-Faced King" for his harsh treatment of others, achieved significant achievements in reforming corrupt policies under the guidance of his advisor Wusi. He was selected by Kangxi. Kangxi issued an edict: to pass the throne to Prince Yi, who would become the future Emperor Yongzheng.