Songgotu
Songgotu (Manchu:
Songgotu helped the young Kangxi Emperor depose Oboi, a regent during the reign of the young emperor. Gradually, Songgotu gained more power and became one of the most prominent officials under Kangxi. He was involved in a long power struggle with Mingju, another leading official at Kangxi's court. He also acted as a diplomat and signed the Treaty of Nerchinsk with Russia.
During Kangxi's expedition against Dzungar khan Galdan, Songgotu advocated for a withdrawal, but was reprimanded by the emperor for suggesting such a strategy. Songgotu was later implicated in the heir-apparent crisis, and was imprisoned and executed. Kangxi rescinded recognition for all of Songgotu's achievements during the latter's life, with the sole exception of the Treaty with Russia.
In fiction
- The Deer and the Cauldron (鹿鼎記), a wuxia novel by Louis Cha. In the story, Songgotu was an aristocrat who befriended the protagonist Wei Xiaobao.
References
- Fang, Chao-ying (1943). "Songgotu". In Hummel Sr., Arthur W. Eminent Chinese of the Ch'ing Period. United States Government Printing Office.
- Spence, Jonathan. Emperor of China: Self-Portrait of K'ang-hsi. Jonathan Cape (1974) ISBN 0-224-00940-0.