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Sep 30, 2026
Three Impeachments
Guo Xiu and the Kangxi Court
Summary
Three Impeachments: Guo Xiu and the Kangxi Court (U Washington Press, 2024) by Kent Guy tells the story of a series of impeachments brought by the censor Guo Xiu during the early Kangxi reign (1661–1722). Following Guo's accusations against the director of river conservancy, the powerful grand secretary Mingju, and several influential scholars, the book takes readers inside the Qing court of the 1680s, exploring questions of corruption, loyalty, and political power, as well as the relationship between Manchu and Chinese officials.
Drawing together impeachment memorials, court diaries, official histories, and the writings of both Guo Xiu and those he accused, the book does a wonderful job of bringing the politics of the early Kangxi court to life. Rather than treating the impeachments simply as legal disputes, it uses them to reveal the personalities, rivalries, and competing interests that shaped the Qing government. Through this, it offers a vivid picture of how the Kangxi emperor navigated competing factions as the dynasty established itself.
This rich and nuanced study of the Kangxi court should appeal to readers interested in Qing history, court politics, corruption, and the complex relationship between the emperor and his officials.
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Sarah Bramao-Ramos
Sarah Bramao-Ramos is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Colby College. She is a cultural historian of Qing China (1644–1911) with wider interests in pedagogy, book history, and science fiction. You can contact her by email: bramaoramossarah@gmail.com
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