Emperor Kangxi Was a Wise Ruler and a Paragon of Benevolence (1 of 3)
 
Aixin-Juelo Xuanye, whose title during his reign was Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722 AD), acceded to the Qing Dynasty imperial throne at the age of eight and ruled for 61 years. The name "Kangxi" was derived from the proverb, "Civilians living a life that is healthy, peaceful, prosperous, and abundant." Emperor Kangxi was a noble, generous, and compassionate ruler. He was determined to build a great nation. During his reign, China became the world's largest and strongest nation, with the largest population, the richest economy, and the most glorious culture. Emperor Kangxi established the "Prosperous Era of Kangxi and Qianlong" and was a wise ruler, rarely seen in the history of China.
 
1) With benevolence and tolerance, Emperor Kangxi united China
 
When Emperor Kangxi acceded to the throne, China was wrought with internal strife and suffered continued foreign invasions. People lived in misery and could not enjoy peace. At the time, China was not a unified country, and many railed against the imperial court. Grand Dowager Empress Xiao Zhuang asked Emperor Kangxi for his opinion on the nation's situation and he replied, "Those who are benevolent don't have enemies." He also said to his ministers, "The way to end a rebellion is to be forgiving, generous, and noble. We can win people's hearts through leniency. To rule a nation one needs to be tolerant." At the age of 16, Emperor Kangxi already possessed extraordinary wisdom and courage. Therefore, he was able to depose the despotic and authoritarian regent, Oboi. Then he ended the revolt of the three instigators, suppressed Taiwan, twice subdued the Dzungar Mongols, stopped the invasion of the Russians at the northern border, and unified all of China.
 
When three liege subjects revolted, Kangxi told them firmly that the nation's territory was inviolate. He asked these lieges to keep the nation's interests in mind and end the revolt. In return, he would grant them clemency. After he successfully crushed the rebellion, he treated everyone involved in the revolt with leniency so as to keep the losses to a minimum.
 
During the height of the revolt, Wu Sangui, Lord of Pingxi, offered a bribe to Wang Fuchen, the commander-in-chief of Shanxi Province. Wang dispatched troops and plotted an uprising. This brought despair to the Sichuan and Shanxi Provinces. At the time, Wang Fuchen's son, Wang Jizhen and his relatives resided at the nation's capital. The imperial ministers suggested to Emperor Kangxi to immediately arrest them for plotting a rebellion. Although Kangxi was very concerned, he sent Wang Jizhen to deliver a letter to his father. In the letter, Kangxi wrote that the imperial court realized that this rebellion was not really Wang Fuchen’s intent and hoped that everything could be resolved amiably. In return, the imperial court would grant clemency. Wang Fuchen was highly touched. Wang and his troops then paid the highest respect in the empire--they kowtowed toward the north. However, because of fear, he did not surrender.
 
Emperor Kangxi appointed Tu Hai as military general. Tu Hai told his soldiers, "His majesty is benevolent and righteous. His majesty is merciful and of high virtue. We need to appease the enemy first and conquer them later. Our directive is that no one may kill mercilessly." Tu Hai's troops were invincible and Wang Fuchen realized that the only course of action was to surrender. Emperor Kangxi still offered him the title of "Pacifying General" and directed him to help Tu Hai to guard and protect Central China. Wang Fuchen felt deep shame and regret for his actions. Many times, Kangxi asked Tu Hai to encourage him.
 
Kangxi adopted the policy of "encouraging people" in regards to governing Mongolia. One of the tribal leaders of Khalkha Mongol (Outer Mongolia), Tosheetu Khan, was responsible for internal strife, giving Galdan Khan of the Dzungar Khanate the opportunity to invade and occupy Tosheetu’s land and forcing him to move south. Facing the threat from Galdan, Emperor Kangxi arranged for a Mongolian league conference and traveled beyond The Great Wall to preside over it personally. During the conference, Kangxi reprimanded Tosheetu Khan for his aggression. Then Kangxi said, "I was supposed to punish Tosheetu Khan severely during the league conference, but I did not have the heart. Therefore, I granted him clemency and forgave his blunders in everyone's presence." Kangxi resolved strives amongst the Mongolian tribes through diplomacy, providing instruction and guidance and thus was successful in reunifying the Khalkha Mongols. Therefore, the Mongolian people surrendered voluntarily to Kangxi by "kneeling three times with the head touching the ground nine times" (an ancient ritual performed by the people showing utmost respect to the emperor). Emperor Kangxi officially accepted the Khalkha Mongols as subjects into his empire.
 
After Galdan was defeated, Kangxi said to his ministers, "To rule a nation, one should treat people with benevolence. One should not use coercion. Galdan is an oppressor and violent, but I treat him with tolerance and mercy. Galdan is cunning and sly, but I show him honesty and trust." The ministers and the officials pleaded with the Emperor to accept an honorific title, but Kangxi refused the mere thought of it and said, "People have experienced the wrath of war and have lived under distressing conditions. I have to attend to their needs and not accept impractical titles."
 
康熙皇帝: 一代明君　仁者风范 (上)
 
清圣祖康熙皇帝爱新觉罗•玄烨，八岁登基，在位六十一年，「康熙」取万民康宁、天下熙盛之意，他以博大的胸怀和对万民的仁爱，励精图治，使中国成为当时世界上幅员最辽阔、人口最众多、经济最富庶、文化最繁荣、国力最强盛的国家，开创了「康乾盛世」的大好局面，是自古以来少有的一代明君。
 
一、宽仁兼容、一统天下
 
康熙登基时，内忧外患，民不聊生，国家统一尚未完成，民众对朝廷抵触很大。孝庄太皇太后问他的想法，康熙答道「惟仁者无敌」。他对大臣们说：「定乱之方，惟崇尚宽大，宽则得众。治天下之道，以宽为本。」他十六岁时，以超凡的智慧和勇气设计铲除了专权跋扈的辅臣螯拜。随后平三藩之乱，平定台湾，两次亲征准噶尔，北拒沙俄，定鼎天下，完成了中华民族的大一统。
 
对于三藩之乱，康熙曾多次向三藩言明自己誓死维护国家疆土的决心，并希望其以国家利益为重，如停止作乱，既往不咎。取得平藩胜利后也要求「处理以宽，不涉牵更多人。」
 
陕西提督王辅臣，被平西王吴三桂笼络收买，起兵反叛，川陕震动。当时王辅臣之子王继贞及其家眷都在京城，大臣们都建议立即以谋反罪拘捕。康熙虽非常着急，但他还是平静的让王继贞去给他父亲送信说朝廷体谅其谋反实非本意，望其迷途知返，不究责任。王辅臣深受感动，带领士卒向北行大礼，因心有顾虑，不肯投降。康熙任命图海为抚远大将军，图海对将士们说：「仁义之师，体圣主好生之德，先招抚，后讨伐。勿妄杀生灵！」图海大军战无不胜，王辅臣被迫投降。康熙仍然授其靖寇将军，命令和图海一起镇守汉中，王辅臣非常惭愧，内心不安，康熙多次让图海对其抚慰。
 
对于蒙古的治理，康熙采取抚绥的政策。喀尔喀蒙古（外蒙古）部落首领之一土谢图汗挑起内部纠纷，使噶尔丹乘机东犯，逼迫喀尔喀南迁。康熙亲赴塞外，主持会盟。盟会上，康熙对土谢图汗的过失加以申斥，然后说，如此盛大的盟会，要是对土谢图汗处以重罪，实在于心不忍，于是当众赦免其罪。康熙通过训谕和教导化解了各部落分歧，实现了喀尔喀蒙古内部的从新统一。蒙古部众心悦诚服，齐向康熙皇帝行三跪九叩大礼，康熙正式接受全体喀尔喀蒙古的臣服。
 
征服噶尔丹时，康熙对大臣们说：「天下当以仁感，不可徒以威服。噶尔丹凶暴，朕惟待以宽仁，噶尔丹奸狡，朕惟示以诚信。」群臣请皇帝上尊号，康熙严词拒绝，他说：「历经战火，生民涂炭，应该务实，切戒虚名。」