Category: Culture/Art gt; gt; Historical Topics
Analysis:
Heshen (1750-1799), courtesy name Zhizhai, formerly known as Shanbao, Niu Hulu, a native of Zhenghong Banner. 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 Shen was born into a family of military officers who were not wealthy, but he and his younger brother He Lin received a good education since childhood. When they were ten years old, they were selected to attend the Xian'an Palace Official School and received Confucian classics and Manchu education. , Chinese and Mongolian writing education. He Shen is talented, hard-working and has outstanding achievements, so he is highly valued by his teacher Wu Shenglan and others.
In the thirty-fourth year of Qianlong's reign, 20-year-old He Shen inherited his ancestor's title of third-class captain of light vehicles. The next year, he took part in the Shuntianfu imperial examination and failed to pass the examination. However, He Shen, 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.
Turning point in official career
The emperor had many guards, but why was He Shen appreciated by 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 Shen 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 and forgot the following. He Shen recited it smoothly, and Qianlong was very happy. In short, the young Heshen was handsome and talented. He may have attracted Qianlong's attention by chance. From then on, he prospered and prospered.
In the leap tenth month of the fortieth year of Qianlong's reign, the 26-year-old Heshen was promoted to the guard of the Qianqing Gate. 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 in Charge of Internal Affairs...
In just half a year, Heshen 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.
Yunnan Investigation
"The Biography of Heshen" records that in the first month of the forty-fifth year of Qianlong's reign (1780), the 31-year-old Heshen accepted an important task and cooperated with the Ministry of Punishment The minister Kaning'a went to Yunnan together to investigate the corruption case of Li Shiyao, a bachelor and governor of Yunnan and Guizhou.
As soon as He Shen arrived in Yunnan, he first arrested and interrogated Li Shiyao's housekeeper and obtained solid evidence, forcing the shrewd and capable Li Shiyao to bow his head and confess. It only took more than two months from the time He Shen accepted this task to the time Qianlong issued the imperial decree to punish Li Shiyao.
Subsequently, Heshen reported to the emperor that Yunnan's administrative management was in chaos, and many states and counties were experiencing deficits and needed to be thoroughly cleaned up. This report was immediately approved by Qianlong.
After Heshen returned 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.
He Shen handled the Yunnan case very well, which really showed his talent, so He Shen was promoted to Minister of Household Affairs on his way back to Beijing.
Royal Marriage
One month later, Qianlong named He Shen's 6-year-old son Fengshen Yinde, and betrothed his favorite youngest daughter and Princess Xiao to Fengshen. Yin De, the two got married in the 54th year of Qianlong's reign.
This marriage not only brought economic benefits to Heshen, but also gave Heshen immeasurable political benefits. Heshen gets wind and rain, and even if he does something wrong, he will not be punished.
In the forty-sixth year of Qianlong's reign, Su Shisan of Gansu Province rebelled, and He Shen was ordered to supervise the army together with the great scholar A Gui to suppress it.
The general at the front was about to win, but He Shen was one step ahead and gave blind orders, turning victory into defeat. As a result, the commander-in-chief Tu Qinbao was killed.
After Qianlong learned of the situation, he ordered Heshen to return to Beijing immediately. After Heshen returned to Beijing, not only was he not punished, but he also served as Minister of War.
According to historical records, in the 29 years before and after He Shen inherited the title of third-class light vehicle captain until he was convicted, he was awarded 47 important official titles.
In the forty-first year of Qianlong's reign, 27-year-old Heshen 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. A Gui, Wang Jie, and Dong Gao all hated He Shen. As a result, there was a strange phenomenon that the five ministers did not work together every day.
For this reason, Yushi Qian Feng made a special memorial, asking the emperor to order the restoration of the rule that military ministers work together. This memorial pointed the finger at He Shen, 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 Heshen and often asked Agui to lead troops or inspect projects and handle cases. The real power of the Military Aircraft Department naturally fell into the hands of Heshen. When the British envoy Macartney visited China in the 58th year of Qianlong's reign, he heard that "many Chinese privately called He Shen the Second Emperor."
Versatility
What skills did He Shen rely on to please Emperor Qianlong so much?
Heshen was not as unlearned and unskilled as later generations said. On the contrary, he is still very talented. According to the "Biography of He Shen", He Shen had an amazing memory, was smart and decisive, agile and versatile. Qianlong specifically mentioned in "Pictures of the Fifteen Heroes of the Pacification of Gorkha" that Heshen was proficient in Manchu, Chinese, Mongolian and Japanese.
Another tactic Heshen uses is to do what he likes. Qianlong loved poetry and calligraphy throughout his life. In order to cater to Qianlong, Heshen put a lot of effort into these areas