The four Chinese regents, in their order…
March 1661 CE
The four Chinese regents, in their order of seniority, are Sonin of the Yellow Banner, who apart from being chief minister of the imperial secretariat had also been nominated by Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang to head the regency.
The second minister, Suksaha of the White Banner was originally a trusted deputy of Dorgon, one of the most influential Manchu princes in the early Qing dynasty, but was politically astute enough to switch sides immediately after the former regent's death when the court was still dominated by Dorgon's associates.
Suksaha was one of the Emperor's most trusted courtiers by the time of Shunzhi's death.
The remaining two ministers, Ebilun and Oboi, are both members of the Bordered Yellow Banner.
Emperor Shunzhi's succession plan sets a precedence for the Qing Dynasty of nominating courtiers who owe heir loyalty to the crown to "assist" a young Emperor during the years of minority in running the state.
This reflects the bitter taste left by Dorgon's regency.
Unfortunately, this system of appointing ministers to oversee the government during an Emperor's minority will prove to be an unstable political tactic.
Three of the four ministers, Sonin, Ebilun and Oboi, are members of the "Two Yellow Banners" (i.e., Yellow Banner and Bordered Yellow Banner) previously under the command of Emperor Shunzhi's elder brother Hooge.
Because of the personal and political rivalries between Hooge and Dorgon all three men had been persecuted at one time or another during Dorgon's regency for their Banner affiliation.
Their loyalty, thus proven, was also key to their rapid advancement after Dorgon's death.
It had been a major factor in Emperor Shunzhi's choice of personnel to oversee his son's regency, but this arrangement heightens the already sensitive relationship between the three members of the Yellow Banners and Suksaha, who belongs to the White Banner.
Suksaha is a much-despised figure at this point not only because he is a member of the White Banner in an imperial court dominated by the two Yellow Banners, but also because he had gained Emperor Shunzhi's trust by denouncing his former master Dorgon, an action seen by his colleagues including members of the White Banner as disloyal.