In the Kangxi reign, Aobai can be said to be powerful. In the court, although Kang Xi is the emperor, but Aobai's right to speak is obviously higher. According to theory, Kang Xi has no chance to overturn, but the actual situation is that Kang Xi successfully defeated Aobai. Where exactly did Aobai lose?
First of all, Aobai's character was very bad. Although there were many of Aobai's henchmen, not many of them were truly loyal to him. Most of the people who followed him were attracted to him rather than his charisma. Because of this, these people did not try to find ways to get Aobai out after he was imprisoned, but tried hard to clear the connection between themselves and Aobai. This was not because of the thinness of human nature, but rather because Ao Bai could not manage relationships, or he did not care to do so, which caused the wall to fall down and people pushed him out.
Secondly, Aobai was very conceited. If Aobai secretly operated his own power, then Kang Xi absolutely did not dare to move him. But Aobai felt that Kang Xi could not threaten himself at all, so he put everything in the open. In the middle of the court, Kang Xi only needed to glance over to know who was very close to Ao Bai and who was loathed by Ao Bai. There is a saying that the enemy of the enemy is a friend, Kang Xi was privately very close to those ministers who were against Ao Bai, and received their support and backing. Without the help of these people, Kang Xi really had no way to arm wrestle with Aobai. Kang Xi consolidated the forces opposing Aobai, and afterward made them closely united, so that they could have the upper hand in the fight against Aobai.
Kang Xi himself was also very powerful. Kang Xi was not compelled by Aobai, and he was always wary of Aobai. But he didn't show his true emotions, instead he pretended to be very unassertive and asked Aobai for advice on everything. Aobay enjoyed this feeling so much that he felt Kang Xi was just his puppet, so he never made a move against Kang Xi. If Kang Xi had been compelled by Aobai, or if Kang Xi had shown hostility towards Aobai at a very early stage, then Kang Xi would definitely have been killed by Aobai. The young Kangxi can really be said to be standing on the tip of the knife dancing, every step taken is very dangerous.
Kang Xi's methods were also very powerful. After Kang Xi killed Aobai, it was like a stone thrown into the sea, did not make any waves at all. This is because Kang Xi has long been in the secret of those who hold important positions in the country to replace the officials with their own beloved. Because this process is very slow, so Ao Bai did not find out.
Why do you think Aobai lost to Kang Xi? Welcome to tell me in the comment section below!