Kangxi's Approach to Governing with Both Severity and Leniency: The Way to Rule the Heart

Author: Dong Yon Jun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: "The combination of softness and strength" is the essence of ancient Chinese traditional thought on governing the mind. Generations of successful emperors deeply understood this principle. Kangxi of the early Qing Dynasty was a successful example in this regard. Kangxi was one of the few scholar-emperors in Chinese history and also one of the outstanding rulers who combined literary and martial achievements. Facing the turbulent Qing Dynasty with internal and external troubles, Kangxi profoundly grasped the truth of "softness when necessary, strength when needed, weakness when listening, and strength when imposing," combining these four aspects to govern appropriately. With his foresight, keen insight, and extraordinary talent, he created a path of combining softness and strength in governing the mind. With this grand vision, he propelled the Qing Dynasty towards prosperity, establishing the Kangxi Era as a significant Eastern emperor in the world. If you want to fully understand Kangxi's strategy of combining softness and strength in governing the mind, please carefully read the 36 successful methods of governing the mind summarized in this book.