A Chinese Biographical Dictionary/Ao-pai

by Herbert A. Giles

12Ao-pai 鼇拜. Died A.D. 1669. A Minister under the Emperor Shun Chih. Ennobled as Duke and appointed one of four Regents during the minority of K'ang Hsi, he overawed his colleagues and established a species of tyranny. For opposing his wanton proposal to transfer the farms of officers of the Plain White Banner (that being the Banner of his enemy Su-k'o-sa-ha) to his own Bordered Yellow Banner, several statesmen of high rank were executed; and in one case he did not hesitate to forge a Decree of death. His crimes came to light in 1669, and he paid the penalty with his life.