Life experience review
"He?'s Biography" is an original archive compiled during the Jiaqing period, recording He?'s life experience and his experiences in detail.
He? (1750-1799), whose courtesy name was Zhizhai, whose original name was Shanbao, was from the Niu Hulu clan and was a native of Zhenghong Banner in Manchuria. He was born in the 15th year of Qianlong's reign. His father's name was Chang Bao, who once served as deputy capital of Fujian. His ancestors were from Qingyuan County in present-day Liaoning Province. They entered the country with the Qing Emperor in the early Qing Dynasty and lived in Donkey Rou Hutong, Xizhimen, Beijing.
He?
He? was born in a military attaché family that was not wealthy, but he and his younger brother He Lin received a good education since childhood, and were selected to join the Xian army when they were in their teens. An Gong official school, receiving education in Confucian classics and Manchu, Chinese and Mongolian characters. He? is talented, hard-working, and achieves outstanding results, so he is highly valued by his teacher Wu Shenglan and others.
In the thirty-fourth year of Qianlong's reign, the 20-year-old He? inherited his ancestor's title of third-class light chariot captain. The next year, he took part in the Shuntianfu imperial examination and failed to pass the examination. However, He?, who had no fame, later took charge of many cultural and educational undertakings because of his talent.
In November of the thirty-seventh year of Qianlong's reign, 23-year-old He Kun was appointed as a third-class bodyguard (full fifth rank), which became an important turning point in his life.
A turning point in the official career
The emperor had many guards, but why did He? get the appreciation of Qianlong?
"Yong'an Notes" records: One day Qianlong was going out, and in a hurry he couldn't find the yellow cover used for ceremonial guards. Qianlong asked: "Whose fault is this?" All the guards were too frightened to go out. Only He? responded: "The person in charge of this matter must be blamed!" Qianlong immediately promoted him.
Another theory is that one day Qianlong was reciting "The Analects of Confucius" in a sedan chair. He forgot the following and recited it smoothly. Qianlong was very happy. In short, the young He? was handsome, talented, and might have attracted Qianlong's attention by chance. From then on, he prospered and prospered.
In the tenth month of the fortieth year of Qianlong's reign, the 26-year-old He? was promoted to the guard of the Qianqing Gate, and in November he was promoted to the imperial guard, and was awarded the title of Deputy Commander of the Zhenglan Banner. In the first month of the forty-first year, he was awarded the title of Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Household Affairs, in March, he was awarded the title of Minister of Military Aircraft, in April, he was awarded the title of Minister of Internal Affairs...
In just half a year, He? went from being an ordinary bodyguard to entering the Qing Dynasty. The highest level of dynasty power became the confidant and favorite of Emperor Qianlong.
Please read the unfinished story
(Sina Yanzhao Metropolis Daily) [Editor: Sun Peng] 1
Yunnan Investigation
《 "The Biography of He?" records that in the first month of the forty-fifth year of Qianlong's reign (1780), the 31-year-old He? accepted an important task and went to Yunnan with Kaning'a, the Minister of Punishment, to investigate the corruption case of Li Shiyao, a bachelor and governor of Yunnan and Guizhou. .
As soon as He? arrived in Yunnan, he first arrested Li Shiyao's housekeeper and obtained solid evidence, forcing the shrewd and capable Li Shiyao to bow his head and plead guilty. It only took more than two months from when He? accepted this task to when Qianlong issued an imperial decree to punish Li Shiyao.
Subsequently, He? reported to the emperor that the administrative management of Yunnan was in chaos and many states and counties were in deficit and needed to be thoroughly cleaned up. This report was immediately approved by Qianlong.
After returning to Beijing in May of that year, he further expressed to the emperor his specific opinions on rectifying Yunnan's salt affairs, money laws and border defense affairs, all of which were affirmed by Qianlong.
The case in Yunnan was handled very well by He?, which really showed his talent, so He? was promoted to Minister of Household Affairs on his way back to Beijing.
Marriage to the Royal Family
A month later, Qianlong named He?6-year-old son Fengshen Yinde, and betrothed his favorite youngest daughter Hexiao Princess to Fengshen Yin De, the two got married in the 54th year of Qianlong's reign.
This marriage not only brought economic benefits to He?, but also gave He? political benefits that are immeasurable. If you want the wind to get wind and the rain to get rain, even if you do something wrong, you will not be punished.
In the forty-sixth year of Qianlong's reign, Su Shisan of Gansu Province rebelled, and He? was ordered to supervise the army together with the great scholar Agui to suppress it. The general at the front was about to win, but He? was one step ahead and gave blind orders, turning victory into defeat. As a result, the commander-in-chief Tu Qinbao was killed. Please read the unfinished story (Sina Yanzhao Metropolis Daily) [Editor: Sun Peng]
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After Qianlong learned of the situation, he ordered He? to return to Beijing immediately. After He? returned to Beijing, not only was he not punished, but he also served as Minister of the Ministry of War.
According to historical records, in the 29 years from the time He succeeded as the third-class captain of light vehicles until he was convicted, he was awarded 47 important official titles.
In the forty-first year of Qianlong's reign, the 27-year-old He? was awarded the title of Minister of Military Aircraft. Three years later, Yu Minzhong, the lead military aircraft minister, passed away, and Agui, a bachelor of Yingwu Palace, became the lead military aircraft minister. Also serving in the Military Aircraft Department at that time were bachelor Wang Jie, Shangshu Dong Gao and Fu Changan. Agui, Wang Jie, and Dong Gao all hated being together. As a result, there was a strange phenomenon that the five ministers did not work together every day.
For this reason, the censor Qian Feng made a special memorial, asking the emperor to order the restoration of the rule that the military ministers work together. This memorial pointed the finger at He?, and Qianlong admitted that the situation reflected in the memorial was correct. , but in the end it was nothing.
Qianlong knew that Agui was at odds with He? He often asked A Gui to lead troops outside or inspect projects and handle cases. The real power of the Military Aircraft Department naturally fell into He?'s hands. When the British envoy Macartney visited China in the 58th year of Qianlong's reign, he heard that "many Chinese people privately called He He the Second Emperor."
Versatile
He? What skills did he rely on to please Emperor Qianlong so much?
He? was not as unlearned as the legend has it. On the contrary, he is still very talented. According to the "Biography of He?", He? has an amazing memory, is smart and decisive, agile and versatile. Qianlong specifically mentioned in "Pictures of the Fifteen Heroes of the Pacification of Gorkha" that He? was proficient in four languages: Manchu, Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetan.
He? Another way is to do what he likes. Qianlong loved poetry and calligraphy all his life. In order to cater to Qianlong, he put a lot of effort into these aspects and reached a high level. Please read the unfinished story (Sina Yanzhao Metropolis Daily) [Editor: Sun Peng]
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Qianlong's calligraphy is very skillful, and the characters "?" are very similar to Qianlong, maybe he deliberately In order to imitate, some poem plaques in the late Qianlong period were simply handed over to He? According to research, the imperial poetry plaque hanging in the Chongjing Hall of the Forbidden City in Beijing was ghostwritten by He?
A good money maker
In his later years, Qianlong took advantage of the prosperity of the country, lived a luxurious life, and carried out large-scale construction projects. He visited the South six times and built thirty palaces along the way; he imitated Jiangnan scenery in the Old Summer Palace and Summer Resort; built entertainment venues; and held a longevity ceremony when he was 80 years old. All of this required a lot of money. At that time, the national treasury was exhausted. Where did the money come from?
In this case, Qianlong was in great need of people like He?, because He? was a good money maker. He found ways to meet Qianlong's needs without using much of the treasury.
On the eightieth birthday of the emperor, all officials from other provinces of third rank and above must donate, ministers in Beijing must donate their salaries, and salt merchants in Huainan and Huaibei must donate four million taels of silver.
He? also created a crime-discussing silver system, which allowed culpable officials to pay fines in lieu of punishment, ranging from thousands of taels of silver to tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of taels. This kind of crime settlement money was handed over directly to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and went into the emperor's personal pocket. Many governors and governors have been subjected to this kind of blackmail, and their way to deal with it is to spread the losses layer by layer, and finally fall on the common people.
Randomly plundered
Nurhaci’s descendant Zhao? said in "Xiaoting Miscellaneous Records" that He? Just turn a loss into a profit. Qianlong's pockets were bulging and he was able to enjoy himself at will. Of course he was happy, and he became more dependent on He?
He? not only extorted merchants and officials at Chongwenmen Customs, but also used various methods to seize large amounts of silver and treasures. While He? was filling the emperor's pockets, he was also unequivocally filling his own arms with money. All gifts from other provinces as tribute to the emperor had to go through He? Sometimes one or two pieces were handed over to the Emperor, and the rest fell into He?'s hands. These jewels were hidden in many places. In He's house back then, some of the jewels were hidden in special walls. Please read the unfinished story (Sina Yanzhao Metropolis Daily) [Editor: Sun Peng]
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This kind of thing, under the banner of loyalty to the emperor, is naturally not easy to be discovered. Even if we discovered it, who would dare to make irresponsible remarks?
It seems that He? has determined this: as long as he pleases the emperor, everything else will be easy to do. Even if he makes some mistakes or gives himself money by the way, the emperor will not do it. care.
So, since He? had served Emperor Qianlong to the point of being inseparable from him, how could he lose his life?
The reason why He? was able to become Qianlong's favorite and wield all the power was not only because he got Qianlong a lot of money, but also because he was very skillful in playing power in the officialdom. However, all of these failed to save his life.
Cultivation of power
He? On the one hand, he relied on Qianlong to control the power of the DPRK, and at the same time, he used power to form gangs, cultivate cronies, and continuously expand his power.
He? Won over the trusted Minister of Military and Aircraft Fu Chang'an. Fu was the nephew of Empress Xiaoxian of Qianlong. His father Fu Heng and his brother Fu Kang'an had both served as Minister of Military and Aircraft and other high-ranking officials. In addition, Yi Jiang'a, the governor of Shandong, and He's teachers Wu Shengqin and Wu Shenglan have all become He's confidants. His younger brother He Lin was promoted from a cabinet official to the governor of Sichuan within a few years.
He? For those upright ministers, he will use all means to exclude and attack them. Song Yun, a bachelor, refused to give in to He? and was sent to a remote area to serve. The foreman, the military minister Aguid, is highly respected, and He always wants to bring him down. Military ministers Wang Jie and Dong Gao were also targets of He?'s suppression.
He?'s methods of dealing with his colleagues are very clever, and pleasing the emperor is even more extraordinary. From the "Records of the Lee Dynasty" of North Korea at that time, we can see the description of the North Korean envoys who came to China: Although He Gui was a bachelor and military minister, whenever the emperor spit, he would immediately pick up a basin to catch it.
Participating in the Impeachment of Powerful Officials
Please read if it is not finished (Sina Yanzhao Metropolis Daily) [Editor: Sun Peng]
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Because For all He?'s evil deeds, there are always people who want to impeach him. Of course, that was not the legendary Liu Yong. In fact, Liu Yong was more tactful and did not dare to speak out for justice. Instead, some low-level officials dared to confront tough situations.
The "Summer File" in the fifty-first year of Qianlong's reign records: The imperial censor Cao Xibao originally wanted to participate in the impeachment of Liu Quan, a member of He?'s family, to open a gap. But he was careless and showed the memorial to his fellow countryman Wu Shengqin for review. Wu Shengqin reported to He? overnight, and Cao Xibao was dismissed from his post and retained.
Cao Xibao and others did not move He? Instead, He? He stipulated that in the future, all memorials sent to the emperor must be sent to the Military Aircraft Department at the same time, so that it would not be easy for anyone to go to the emperor to file a complaint against him. He also stipulated that when the position of censor is vacant, it can only be filled by veterans over 60 years old. He? used his power to block almost all channels leading to the emperor, so that he thought he could sit back and relax.
Jiaqing Succession
In the first year of Jiaqing, Qianlong passed the throne to his fifteenth son, Prince Jia? Yan, and he became the Supreme Emperor. But when it comes to major national affairs and the appointment and dismissal of important personnel, he has to personally intervene.
The situation changed, and He? had to take measures to prevent Jiaqing. While he tried his best to please Jiaqing, he also tried his best to restrict Jiaqing from cultivating his cronies. When Jiaqing came to the throne, his teacher Zhu You, who was the governor of Guangdong at the time, wrote a congratulatory memorial. He went to Qianlong and complained to Zhu You, but Qianlong ignored him.
In August of the first year of Jiaqing, Qianlong was preparing to summon Zhu Xi back to Beijing and be promoted to bachelor. Jiaqing congratulated the teacher, and He? complained to Qianlong, saying that Jiaqing had won over people's hearts. This time Qianlong was angry. Fortunately, Dong Gao, the Minister of Military and Aircraft, persuaded Qianlong to give up. But soon, He? still encouraged Qianlong to demote Zhu? from the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi to the governor of Anhui.
He? also sent Wu Shenglan to Jiaqing to monitor Jiaqing's words and deeds. Unfinished Please read (Sina Yanzhao Metropolis Daily) [Editor: Sun Peng]
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In the second year of Jiaqing, the chief military and aircraft minister Agui died of illness, and He? became the chief military and aircraft minister. Wang Jie, a bachelor, retired due to illness because he couldn't stand it, and Dong Gao returned to his hometown because of his mother's filial piety. He could call the shots in the military aircraft department.
At this time, Qianlong was old and weak, and his memory was declining. He? truly became the spokesperson of Qianlong, and he was even more tyrannical than before.
Jiaqing City is very deep, and he sees He?'s every move, but does not show any emotion. When someone said that peace was not good, Jiaqing criticized him and said: I am relying on him to govern the country, why are you saying that he is not good? Even some important things are still left to He? to deal with. In this way, He? was finally paralyzed.
The downfall of powerful ministers
On the third day of the first lunar month of the fourth year of Jiaqing, Qianlong died at the age of 89, and He?'s backer fell.
On the same day, Jiaqing appointed He He, Prince Rui and others to preside over the funeral ceremony, and summoned Zhu He to return to Beijing quickly.
On the fourth day of the first lunar month, Jiaqing denounced the generals who suppressed the White Lotus Sect in Sichuan for pretending to be rewarded, and dismissed He? and Fu Changan, who were mainly responsible for the incident, from their positions as military ministers, and ordered them to stay in Dachi day and night. The wake cuts them off from the outside world.
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, officials went to court one after another to impeach and abuse power and commit major crimes.
On the sixth day of the first lunar month, Jiaqing made personnel adjustments.
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Jiaqing ordered the submitted documents to be sent directly to him, and the Military Aircraft Department was not allowed to make copies.
On the ninth day of the first lunar month, while announcing Qianlong's edict, Jiaqing announced that He Ji and Fu Chang'an would be dismissed from their posts, handed over to the Ministry of Punishment, and ordered the inspection of He Ji's family property. Please read the unfinished story (Sina Yanzhao Metropolis Daily) [Editor: Sun Peng]
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On the eleventh day of the first lunar month, Jiaqing announced the twenty major crimes of He? and asked the governors of all provinces to Take a stand.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Hu Jitang, the governor of Zhili, first expressed his position and requested that He Lingchi be executed.
On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, ministers in Beijing petitioned He Lingchi to be executed and Fu Changan, the accomplice in the crime, to be beheaded. Jiaqing said that for the sake of the country's face, Encihe committed suicide. Fu Changan was sentenced to death with a reprieve, but he had to watch He? commit suicide with his own eyes.
Subsequently, except for He?’s cronies Yi Jianga, Wu Shenglan, Wu Shengqin and others were punished, other officials recommended by He? or who bribed him were not pursued, ensuring political stability.
As rich as a country
Why did Jiaqing want to eradicate He??
Some people say that He? was killed because he was too rich. The so-called "He? fell down and Jiaqing was full". It is said that his family property was worth 800 million taels of silver, which was the total fiscal revenue of the Qing Dynasty in ten years. , thus causing death.
It can be seen from the list of seized property that He? has long controlled the Chongwenmen Customs, demanding and accepting bribes; annexing large amounts of land; opening pawnshop banks and lending usury; opening coal mines, running transportation... a large amount of money into his pocket.
The huge wealth enables He? to live a luxurious life like an emperor. He has residences in Beijing, Chengde and other places. He? built a mansion (today's Prince Gong's Mansion) by the Shichahai Lake in Beijing. In the mansion, he even built a nanmu house imitating Qianlong's Ningshou Palace, and built a hanging flower door imitating the emperor's system. He also built Shuchun Garden in Haidian, Beijing, which is now Weiming Lake of Peking University.
He? not only enjoyed a life of concubines and fine food and clothing, but also dreamed of being as prosperous as an emperor after death. He built a huge tomb in Jizhou, Hebei (today's Ji County), with a size even larger than that of a prince. , known as "Heling" among the people. When He?'s home was confiscated, his tomb was destroyed. Please read the unfinished information (Sina Yanzhao Metropolis Daily) [Editor: Sun Peng]
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When He?'s home was ransacked, in addition to various properties and gardens, more than 300 silver was also confiscated Ten thousand taels, more than 32,000 taels of gold; more than 100,000 acres of land, more than 1,000 rent-collecting houses; various pawnshops, bank accounts, various jewelry, clothing, etc. His total family property is equivalent to about 10 million taels of silver. At that time, the Qing government's annual income was only 70 to 80 million taels.
The Disaster of Death
By imitating the emperor's system and building houses, mausoleums, etc., it is not difficult to see that he is not only greedy for money, but also has an astonishing desire for power. This was the main reason why he was killed.
In the fourth year of Jiaqing, Jiaqing gave instructions in Zhang Chengji's memorial: "If I don't get rid of He?, people in the world will only know that He? He?'s family property is adequate. In the first month of the fourth year of Jiaqing, he clearly instructed in the memorial of Wu Xiongguang, the chief envoy of Zhili, that "there is no need to be too implicated in the search." Even later, when Minister Sabintu reported that the amount copied so far was less than one-tenth of the family property, and asked for more digging and rigorous pursuit, he was severely criticized by Jiaqing.
It can be seen that Jiaqing killed He? because he had too much power and had seriously threatened the imperial power. Jiaqing even suspected that he might rebel.
However, Jiaqing was still positive about He?'s achievements and talents. In the 19th year of Jiaqing, the Qing State History Museum sent the compiled "Biography of He?" to Jiaqing for review. Jiaqing was very dissatisfied when he saw that the records were extremely simple and only recorded He?'s official resume. He commented: He? is not without merit. He is "smart and agile" and has done a lot in his 30 years in office. It was only because He was "greedy by nature, selfish in his parents' power, and arrogant and arrogant" that he had to be severely punished. For this reason, Jiaqing ordered a rewrite.
It prospered but then declined
During the Qianlong period, He? Maybe he was too lucky and prospered but then declined. After the first year of Jiaqing, He?'s family suffered misfortune one after another.
On the seventh day of July in the first year of Jiaqing, the second son who was regarded as the apple of his eye by He? died just after turning two years old. At that time, he was traveling to the summer resort with him. He was extremely sad to hear the unfortunate news.
More than two months later, He's younger brother He Lin, the governor of Sichuan, contracted the miasma and died again. The He brothers had a deep brotherhood, and He Lin was a pillar of his officialdom. He suddenly died suddenly, and He was particularly sad.
In the second year of Jiaqing, He?'s grandson died.
In the third year of Jiaqing, his wife Feng, whom he had been married to for thirty years, also passed away. Although He? has many wives and concubines, he has the deepest relationship with Feng.
In less than a year, He? himself became a ghost under the spring. After He?s death, his son Fengshen Yinde hastily buried He? in Jizhou, Hebei.
He? always believed that he was harmed by his own talent. He? is indeed a talented person, but his greatest talent is playing power. He was able to ascend to a high position below one person and above ten thousand people because of his ability to stick closely to the emperor and please the emperor. However, this ability could not allow him to enjoy wealth forever. In the end, the emperor sent him to the throne. guillotine.