A Chess Game of Imperial Politics

On an unremarkable evening in 1669, the 15-year-old Kangxi Emperor summoned his confidant Songgotu under the pretense of a chess match. This was no casual invitation—it marked the final move in a years-long strategy to dismantle the power of Oboi, the regent who had dominated Qing court politics since Kangxi’s childhood.

Songgotu, son of the late grand chancellor Sonin, had been groomed as Kangxi’s secret weapon. As contemporary observers noted, “The blade forged by Sonin had been kept sheathed too long—now it would finally taste blood.” The next day, Songgotu shocked the court by resigning his prestigious position as Vice Minister of Personnel to become a third-rank imperial bodyguard—a seemingly inexplicable demotion that concealed his true role in Kangxi’s unfolding plot.

The Gathering Storm

Historical records reveal this was no spontaneous decision. The groundwork had been laid since Sonin’s death, with Kangxi systematically transferring Oboi’s allies away from the capital while quietly consolidating control of the Imperial Guard. As modern historians observe, “What appears obvious in retrospect was invisible to contemporaries—Oboi dismissed Songgotu’s move as mere caprice, unaware the noose was already tightening.”

The Day of Reckoning

On May 16, 1669, Kangxi summoned Oboi to the Wuying Hall under the guise of routine consultation. Accounts vary on the precise location—some suggest the Southern Study, though most scholars agree the more spacious Wuying Hall better suited the emperor’s purposes.

At the palace gates, Songgotu stopped the regent with an unprecedented demand: “Your sword, Chancellor.” Though momentarily unsettled—Oboi had always worn his blade in the emperor’s presence—the veteran warrior dismissed his unease. “What could a boy-emperor do to me?” he reportedly mused before surrendering his weapon.

A Trap Sprung

The scene that followed combined psychological warfare with physical theater:
1. Kangxi maintained cordial pretense, praising Oboi’s governance
2. A carefully prepared teacup—heated to scalding temperatures—forced Oboi to drop it
3. A sabotaged chair collapsed when guards “assisted” the regent
4. A dozen wrestler-bodyguards immobilized the aging warrior

Contemporary chronicles capture the climax with stark efficiency: “Oboi entered, whereupon the emperor ordered guards to seize and bind him.” Thirteen characters that ended a political era.

The Mechanics of Power

Behind the dramatic narrative lie fascinating operational details:
– The boiling teacup served as both distraction and pretext for “disrespect”
– The emperor’s young wrestling companions became executioners
– All palace guards had been quietly replaced with Kangxi loyalists

As historian Jonathan Spence notes, “What appears as sudden coup was actually the culmination of years of meticulous preparation—the teenage emperor played the long game with masterful patience.”

Legacy of a Political Masterstroke

Kangxi’s overthrow of Oboi established key precedents:
1. Demonstrated imperial authority could triumph over entrenched regents
2. Established palace guards as critical power brokers
3. Set a template for later Qing succession struggles

The event also revealed Kangxi’s distinctive leadership style—indirect yet decisive, employing psychological manipulation alongside military precision. As the emperor later reflected, “To remove a mountain, one must first loosen every stone.”

Conclusion: Theater of Power

More than a simple power transition, the Oboi incident represents one of history’s most brilliantly staged political performances. Kangxi transformed what could have been a bloody purge into a carefully choreographed demonstration of imperial authority—a lesson in statecraft that would define his 61-year reign as China’s longest-ruling emperor. The teenage sovereign’s triumph proved that in the high-stakes game of imperial politics, sometimes the most powerful weapon is the element of surprise.