Qing Kangxi Emperor was the longest-reigning emperor in history. Kangxi ascended the throne at a young age, and with his extraordinary political talents, he expanded his territory and opened up the " Kangxi and Qianlong Prosperity" for the Qing Dynasty.
During the reign of Kangxi, he boldly launched Han officials, including Zhang Tingyu, a veteran of three dynasties. Zhang Tingyu was extremely talented and loyal, and highly valued by Kangxi, but Kangxi demoted him three levels in his later years. Why is this?
1. Kangxi and Zhang Tingyu
When Kangxi was eighteen years old, Zhang Tingyu was born in a family of officials in the capital. His father was later the Minister of Rites Zhang Ying .
Because he was born into a family of officials, Zhang Tingyu was very talented and quick-witted when he was young, and under the influence of his father, he also understood the way of dealing with affairs as a minister.
In the 36th year of Kangxi, the imperial examination was held every three years. Zhang Tingyu, who was 26 years old, wanted to show his skills. Who knew that Kangxi appointed his father Zhang Ying as the chief examiner, and relatives needed to avoid suspicion, so Zhang Tingyu had to take the exam after being idle for three years.
Three years later, his father Zhang Ying became prime minister, Zhang Tingyu participated in the imperial examination as scheduled, and passed the imperial examination in one fell swoop, and went to Hanlin Academy to work. After studying in the Hanlin Academy for a year, Kangxi was transferred to South Study Room .
Nan Study Room was a place where Kangxi and court officials discussed major academic matters. The scholars of the Qing Dynasty were proud to enter Shinan Study Room. At this time, Zhang Tingyu was equivalent to Kangxi's think tank and his secretary.
Zhang Tingyu's turning point as an official came after his father retired. One day, Kangxi was working in Changchunyuan and suddenly remembered his retired old minister Zhang Ying. So, he ordered Zhang Tingyu to go over and ask about his father's recent situation.
Faced with the emperor's sudden concern, Zhang Tingyu's answer was completely leaked, which successfully attracted Kangxi's attention. Kangxi asked him to write another poem, and Zhang Tingyu answered it smoothly.
Kangxi praised the young man in front of him and immediately promoted him. From then on, Kangxi took Zhang Tingyu to Rehe in summer and hunting in autumn, never leaving. Zhang Tingyu became a minister whom Kangxi relied on, and in just over ten years he became the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice.
Zhang Tingyu's official career in the first half of his life can be described as a simple rise, but if he climbs high and falls heavily, he will be with the king like a tiger. No matter how cautious and conscientious Zhang Tingyu was, in the 61st year of Kangxi, Emperor Kangxi, who held him to a high position, still demoted him three levels in a row.
2. During the Yongzheng period, the most powerful minister was demoted to three levels without making any mistakes. Zhang Tingyu's sons were very puzzled by Kangxi's will, and the rest of the officials who were demoted were at a loss.
Only Zhang Tingyu returned home silently with the emperor's imperial edict, closed the door, and said to his sons: "For the father, you must give me kindness to the new emperor." In other words, Zhang Tingyu was demoted to facilitate the new emperor to give him grace when he ascended the throne.
After listening to Zhang Tingyu's words, the sons also calmed down and waited for the opportunity at home. In fact, Zhang Tingyu knew very well that the emperor had not had much time. The emperor demoted him not because he made a mistake, but because he wanted to become the assistant minister and the new king.
As expected, after Kangxi died, soon after Yongzheng recalled Zhang Tingyu back to Nanshu. We can also know from " The Legend of Zhen Huan " that all those who summoned Zhang Tingyu for major events were Zhang Tingyu. It can be seen that Zhang Tingyu was also highly valued by Yongzheng.
Zhang Tingyu did not let down Kangxi's trust and supported Yongzheng wholeheartedly, becoming the main assistant to the great military and national affairs of Yongzheng's dynasty. Zhang Tingyu could handle it with more than a dozen imperial edicts every day; if Yongzheng was urgently summoned, he would even kneel down in front of the imperial edict. During the appointment of the Minister of Rites, Yong Zheng said directly: "I think about it again, and I will not be able to do it unless you."
Zhang Tingyu served as the Minister of Revenue, the Grand Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, the Grand Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, and the Secretary of the Military Affairs Department, and also the important positions of the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue. Before Yongzheng died, he appointed Zhang Tingyu as the minister of the Qianlong Dynasty, and in his will he also gave him the honor of Taimiao .
is a gift for enjoying the Taimiao, which means that you can enjoy the royal fireworks after death. In the eyes of ancient ministers, this is a reward worthy of glorious ancestors.As the Han minister in the Qing Dynasty court, Zhang Tingyu was the first Han minister to be betrothed to enjoy the Taimiao, which is undoubtedly the supreme honor. All of this confirms what he said: "For the father, you must give me kindness to the new king." Zhang Tingyu has indeed received countless graces from Yongzheng, the successor of Kangxi.
3. . The powerful ministers fell during the Qianlong
. Yongzheng died. Qianlong ascended the throne at first, and he was respectful to the group of ministers left by his father. Zhang Tingyu also shouldered a heavy responsibility in the early days. He not only had to be the prince's master, but also selected talents, and also wrote the classics such as "The Records of the Saint Ancestor of the Qing Dynasty" that we saw today.
Later, the conflict between Han ministers led by Zhang Tingyu and Manchu ministers led by Ortai deepened, and open and secret struggles intensified. Qianlong was also very disgusted with the stubborn old minister who was left by the father in front of him. In order to balance the interests of the court, Qianlong began to weaken Zhang Tingyu's power.
Qianlong demoted Zhang Tingyu again and again. This time, Zhang Tingyu knew that Qianlong was not Kangxi, and he should not be able to turn over again. So, Zhang Tingyu submitted a resignation letter to Qianlong and returned home.
However, every time Zhang Tingyu asked Qianlong for resignation, Qianlong rejected his request on the grounds that Zhang Tingyu would be an old minister who was worthy of the Taimiao in the future and could not return to the land and end his life.
Zhang Tingyu was also stubborn. Qianlong refused him, so he continued to hand over the memorial and resigned. In the 15th year of Qianlong's reign, Zhang Tingyu continued to write a letter to ask for retirement and return home, but unexpectedly he encountered the new mourning of Emperor Qianlong's eldest son.
This time, Qianlong was very angry and ordered Zhang Tingyu to go home and think about whether he was qualified to enjoy the Taimiao. Soon Qianlong asked the Grand Secretary Jiuqing to discuss that Zhang Tingyu was disqualified from being a member of the Taimiao and asked him to return to his hometown to retire.
Zhang Tingyu finally got what he wanted and returned home, but Qianlong continued to suppress him and ordered Zhang Tingyu to hand over the items given by the royal reward.
Some of Qianlong's operations made Zhang Tingyu feel nervous and depressed in his later years. He died at home at the age of 84. After Zhang Tingyu's death, Qianlong restored Zhang Tingyu's honor to enjoy the Taimiao in accordance with the will of Emperor Shizong of the Qing Dynasty, which is the will of Yongzheng.
4. Summary of the ups and downs of officialdom, Zhang Tingyu joined the emperors of the three dynasties with his outstanding military and political talents, gained a foothold in the Manchu court as a Han Chinese, and became the only Han minister in the Qing Dynasty who was worthy of the Taimiao. His life was very fulfilling.
Although he was suppressed by Qianlong in his later years, it also proved that the emperor and his ministers were once. Fortunately, after Zhang Tingyu's death, Qianlong retained his last dignity, so that he would not have been able to make him look different because of his great merits.
#Telebrity Creation Challenge#
