Heshen is not only a master of accumulating money, he is also proficient in the officialdom. Of course, this is also one of the typical bureaucratic characteristics of Kangqian period.
Kangxi and Qianlong prosperity
Heshen relied on Qianlong to control the power of the court, and at the same time used the power in his hands to form cliques, cultivate confidants, and continuously expand his own power. Heshen won over his trusted military minister Fu Chang'an, who was the nephew of Qianlong Empress Xiaoxian. His father, Fu Heng, and his brother, Fu Kang'an, were both senior officials such as military ministers. He had no ability, but he obeyed Heshen's orders and eventually became Heshen's accomplices. There are also Shandong Governor Yijiang A who can only brag about playing horses. His teachers Wu Shengqin and Wu Sheng Xinglan all became Heshen's confidants.
His younger brother and Lin were promoted from a cabinet salt official to the Governor of Sichuan within a few years. Heshen used all means to exclude, suppress and attack those upright ministers who did not obey his command. For example, Grand Secretary Songyun never surrendered in front of Heshen, so Songyun was sent to a remote area to serve.
Foreman Military Minister Agui A general and a prime minister, with high moral character. Heshen has always hated him and always wanted to bring him down, but Agui doesn't buy it at all.
Wang Jie and Dong Gao were also the targets of Heshen’s suppression, but these two ministers were well-educated and adhered to principles when encountering problems, and Heshen could not do anything to them for the time being.
has such a record in the book " Qing History Draft ". The longer Heshen held power, the more he understood the emperor's intentions, so he used this to be a hero. Anyone who disobeys him will find an opportunity to provoke the emperor and use the emperor's hands to punish the man. But he tried his best to help him get careless, or deliberately delay the matter. When the emperor slowly calmed down, no matter how big the matter was, it would be left alone.
Heshen's methods of dealing with colleagues were very clever, and pleasing Emperor Qianlong was even more unique. There were some things that others could not think of and could not do, Heshen could think of and do. For example, Heshen was often by Qianlong and was very considerate in taking care of the emperor and serving the emperor. From the "Records of the Lee Dynasty of Korea" at that time, we can see that the Korean envoy who came to China described it as follows: Although Heshen was a Grand Secretary and a Minister of Military Affairs, whenever the emperor coughed and spitted, he would immediately take a basin to pick it up.
Heshen is familiar with the officialdom, but his actions are not always clear. There are always some people coming to impeach him, rather than the smooth Liu Yong people. Those who dare to speak out for justice and dare to impeach him are some middle and lower-level officials.
Qianlong portrait
As early as June 18, Qianlong's "Edict of the Summer Archive" recorded this thing: The Censor Cao Xibao originally wanted to first participate in Heshen's family Liu Quan , and open a gap from it to provide Heshen's supply. But Cao Xibao was careless and gave the memorial to his fellow villager Wu Shengqin to review it. Unexpectedly, Wu Shengqin was Heshen's teacher and his relative. Wu Shengqin sent people to Rehe overnight to report to Heshen. After Heshen found out, he blew the wind in front of Qianlong. On July 18, just one month later, the Qianlong "Autumn Archive" recorded the investigation and prosecution results of this matter: Cao Xibao was dismissed from office and retained for this matter.
Cao Xibao was forced to admit the suing Liu Quan in a memorial thanking the emperor for his dismissal. He was not clear about the facts and was presumptuous.
Cao Xibao, Yin Zhuangtu and others did not move Heshen, but instead made Heshen vigilant. He decided to take the method of removing firewood from the bottom of the pot to prevent future troubles. He stipulated that in the future, all memorials given to the emperor must be prepared at the same time to send them to Military Affairs Office , so that it will be difficult for anyone to go to the emperor to sue him. He further stipulated that when the position of the censor is vacant in the future, an old minister over 60 years old can only be held by him.
Heshen used his power to block almost all channels to the emperor, so Heshen thought he could rest assured. In the first year of Jiaqing , Emperor Qianlong held a ceremony of abdication, passed the throne to his 15th son Prince Jia Yongyan , and became the Supreme Emperor himself.But he did not give up his power. He had to personally inquire about any major national affairs, important personnel appointments and removals.
Prince Jia in the film and television drama
Qianlong became the Supreme Emperor for four years. Emperor Jiaqing often asked for instructions and reported, but in fact, Qianlong controlled the real power. Heshen was still favored at this time, but the situation changed after all.
(To be continued, interested readers please wait patiently and upload it one after another)
