Reading Qing History at the Office: Prospects in the Inner Circle

In Read Qing History in the Office: The Road to Power in the Inner Circle, Nurhaci, Hong Taiji, the Shunzhi Emperor, the Kangxi Emperor, and the Yongzheng Emperor form the central thread. Drawing on major historical events from each reign and systematic research into Qing palace archives, the book selectively examines the nature and reality of power struggles within the early Qing court. It traces Nurhaci imprisoning his younger brother and killing his son; Hong Taiji framing his elder brothers, forcing his mother to die, eliminating the Four Great Beile, and consolidating power over a decade; Dorgon surviving dangerous circumstances, relinquishing the throne but not power, eliminating political rivals, and playing both sides; Shunzhi purging the Censorate, settling old scores, resolving factional conflicts between the north and south, and investigating major corruption cases; Kangxi seizing power, suppressing the Three Feudatories, balancing the two factions, and mediating the struggle among his nine sons; and Yongzheng laying plans in secret, prevailing from a position of weakness, and bringing order to a troubled situation. The author strives for a detailed and vivid reconstruction, presenting the rise and fall of each figure in this period with fairness and reason, without love, hatred, or bias.