Nian Gengyao, styled Guozhu, was a renowned general in the Qing Dynasty. Due to his outstanding military talents and the favor of Emperor Yongzheng, he once held immense power in the court. However, just as the sun sets when it reaches its zenith and the moon wanes when it is full, this once-powerful minister ultimately could not escape the cycle of fate, and his downfall marked the end of his legendary life. This article will explore the true historical story of how Nian Gengyao gradually lost the trust of Emperor Yongzheng and ultimately met his demise.

Initially, Nian Gengyao gained the recognition of Emperor Kangxi through his bravery and wisdom, and achieved notable military exploits in quelling the Rebellion of the Three Feudal Governors. After Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne, Nian Gengyao became an important assistant in consolidating the emperor's power. He successively subdued rebellions in Qinghai and invasions by the Dzungars, earning numerous military honors and being awarded the hereditary title of "First-Class Duke," bringing his power to its peak.

However, the expansion of power often accompanies arrogance and autocracy. While enjoying unparalleled glory, Nian Gengyao also began to exhibit arrogance and tyranny. His disdain for his colleagues, harshness towards his subordinates, and even disrespect for the emperor gradually alienated him from his allies in the court. More crucially, relying on his immense achievements, Nian Gengyao became increasingly autocratic and no longer took the emperor's opinions into consideration.

Emperor Yongzheng was a monarch adept at balancing and controlling power, and his patience with Nian Gengyao was not limitless. As Nian Gengyao's power expanded, he began to threaten the stability of imperial power, causing deep concern for Emperor Yongzheng. Consequently, a series of investigations and crackdowns targeting Nian Gengyao were gradually launched. In the third year of Yongzheng's reign (1725), Nian Gengyao was accused of 92 major crimes, including corruption, arbitrary killings, and collusion with foreign powers.

After a series of trials, Nian Gengyao was stripped of all his official positions and executed. This once-powerful figure in the court ultimately met a tragic end, with his family destroyed and his reputation ruined. Nian Gengyao's downfall was not only a turning point in his personal fate but also reflected the delicate balance of monarch-subject relations in the feudal era. Although favor was crucial, once it threatened the stability of imperial power, no matter how illustrious the achievements, one could ultimately not escape the sanctions of law and history.

Through the story of Nian Gengyao, we witness the process of a historical figure from glory to ruin, and also the wisdom and tactics of a dynasty in the distribution and control of power. The game of power is never simply a matter of honor and disgrace; it is a profound struggle requiring careful planning and cautious maneuvering. Nian Gengyao's downfall is a true portrayal of this philosophy of struggle.

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