Three Impeachments : Guo Xiu and the Kangxi Court

Abstract

A probe into corruption in late Imperial China

At the beginning of China's long eighteenth century or ""High Qing"" era, a time of peace and prosperity when the foundations of Manchu rule under the Qing dynasty were established, a courageous official named Guo Xiu reported on corruption at court. Guo Xiu's findings resulted in the impeachment of five of the most powerful figures of his day: the director of river conservancy, the chief grand secretary, and three scholars who advised the Manchu emperor on matters of Chinese culture. Weighing the officials' accomplishments against their corruption and violations of Confucian norms, the emperor dismissed all five from office—only to reappoint all five within ten years.

Bringing together a rich trove of sources, including writings by the accused officials, Guo Xiu's impeachment comments, and court diaries, historian R. Kent Guy's Three Impeachments traces the process of impeachment, condemnation, and restoration to provide unique insights into the Kangxi golden age. Part 1 reveals that the highly lauded accomplishments of the Kangxi emperor were not his alone but the result of collaboration between Manchu elite, the newly formed Chinese Martial Banner Army, and Chinese scholars. Part 2, which focuses on Guo Xi's impeachments, sheds new light on dynastic history and political agency.

Three Impeachments is a rich and enticing portal into a key moment in late imperial Chinese history.