Chapter 13 The four fulcrums of the third section "Golden Age"

The birth of Qianlong's prosperous age was the result of a combination of many factors.In addition to forming a stable political situation by monopolizing power, in addition to emphasizing agriculture and farmers, and in addition to completely pacifying Junggar, there are several reasons why Qianlong successfully climbed to the top of the prosperous age. First, the foundation laid by the father and grandparents. The main reason why China under the rule of man is full of disasters is that most of the rulers are mediocre and low-quality. Occasionally, there are a few talented people who rise and fall, which is difficult to sustain. A rash mistake ruined everything.Therefore, it is difficult to see a long-term continuous period of peace and stability in Chinese history.The rule of Wenjing in the Han Dynasty lasted only for more than forty years, and it was also mixed with the large-scale Seven Kingdoms Rebellion.There was also a long period of political turmoil between the reign of Zhenguan in the heyday of the Tang Dynasty and the prosperity of Kaiyuan.

Qianlong's success was partly due to the Qing Dynasty's principle of selecting the best candidates and partly due to historical accidents. The three emperors with first-class qualities achieved a political relay for more than 130 years.This is the first and only time in Chinese history.When Qianlong ascended the throne, he inherited a foundation that all emperors envy.Kangxi and Yongzheng realized a series of valuable innovations in the system, such as sharing the property into the mu, raising honesty and silver, the secret collection system, and the military aircraft department, paving the way for Qianlong to go to prosperity.Qianlong himself was a doer rather than a thinker. In fact, Qianlong's domestic and foreign policies followed the legacy of his father and grandfather, and there was no major institutional innovation.It's just that his excellent practical ability makes these major policies implemented just right.

Second, Qianlong's diligent administration. Excellent inheritance, good education, and successful self-improvement, Emperor Qianlong formed a very precious quality when he was a student: Persistence in everything.His daily life was as regular as a clock.Zhao Yi, a historian of the Qing Dynasty, recorded the diligent administration of Emperor Qianlong with his personal experience: The emperor left the palace every morning at Maoshi (six o'clock)... When he came out of the palace, he set off firecrackers every time he passed a door.We were on duty in Zhishe, and when we heard the firecrackers coming from far to near, we knew that Shengjia had arrived at Qianqing Palace.At this time of winter, the candle will burn more than an inch before it is bright.More than a dozen of us are on duty, and we take morning shifts every five or six days, and we are already feeling very tired.Who knew that the emperor was like this every day.This is still normal.When Xizhen was using troops, if there was a military report, even though it was midnight, he would definitely read it in person, and then summon the Minister of Military Aircraft to the front to give instructions, and he would say a thousand words at every turn.I was in charge of drafting documents at that time, from drafting to submitting in regular script, sometimes it took an hour or two, and the emperor was still waiting in his clothes. (Volume 1 of Miscellaneous Notes on Eaves Exposure)

A Korean also noted that Qianlong's daily life became a fixed pattern: Get up at a good time, have breakfast, then read the documents, and summon the ministers to discuss how to deal with it until noon.After dinner, I have to continue to deal with unfinished official documents, or read and write poems until bedtime. From enthronement to death, Qianlong basically lived according to this schedule, which has not changed for more than 60 years. When the emperors of all dynasties came to court, the emperor came slowly after the ministers had gathered.However, in the Qianlong Dynasty, there were frequent scenes where the emperor sat in the palace and waited for the ministers to arrive.The reason was not that the ministers of the Qianlong Dynasty were particularly arrogant or lazy, but that the emperor got up too early.At dawn every day, the emperor was already dressed and ready to sit quietly in the palace.It is often the eunuchs who went out to see it several times, and the ministers "gathered together".The emperor was impatient to wait, so he had to "linger on the classics and history, and sit and wait for them", reading books to pass the time.So much so that the emperor often got angry, and issued a decree to ask the officials to go to work early: "Everyone who listens to the government at the imperial gate, distinguishes the color. Everyone sends people to ask whether the officials will gather together. After several times, Shiyun gathered. It is the same today. It is even more conceivable that the ministers played at the imperial gate, and it was too late to go to the office to do things every day." He also said: "I have seen that all the ministries have played recently, and they have arrived in the past hour (equivalent to seven o'clock to nine o'clock in the morning today. Between time), I feel refreshed and prosperous, but linger on the classics and history, just sit and wait for it. Is this the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers to be a warning and diligent in governing?"

Even if he was sick, Qianlong worked as usual.In the first month of the fifth year of Qianlong's reign (1740), he hosted banquets in Mongolia for several days and summoned ministers. He was exhausted, suffering from colds and coughing all day long.Zhu Xuxuan, the censor, took the opportunity to present the memorial, and asked the emperor to pay attention to rest and reduce the workload in the past few days.Unexpectedly, Qianlong did not appreciate it. Instead, he criticized the censor and said that it is common for people to get sick due to the change of summer and cold. National government affairs, do not do things personally, but insist on the name of the important, and the gradual opening of the clump, it is a mistake." ("Records of Emperor Gaozong of the Qing Dynasty")

Third, the highly efficient bureaucratic team built by Qianlong. An important reason for Qianlong's political success is that he built a cadre team capable of winning battles with his extraordinary vision and skill, giving both grace and power, and combining leniency and strictness.Qianlong was not like traditional emperors who valued morality rather than talent.His request to ministers is, "Be proactive and promising."He has always hated those nerds with high grades and low abilities, who only know how to abide by official rules, and lack practical operation ability. Around the thirteenth year of Qianlong (1748), in view of the worries of his cronies, he began to vigorously recruit newcomers who had nothing to do with the gangs in the officialdom, so as to draw salary from the bottom of the bucket of the Hubei and Zhang cliques.Thirteen years before Qianlong, the only one he promoted was Neqin.Although this person was young, he had entered the Military Aircraft Department in the last years of Yongzheng. He was able to handle affairs and was appreciated by Yongzheng.Qianlong once said: "Naqin went to the Mongolian emperor for awards, thinking that among the young ministers, he can be expected to be successful." After Qianlong ascended the throne, he successively appointed him as the Minister of Manchuria, who was inlaid with a white banner, the minister who led the guards, and assisted in the affairs of the prime minister. A first-class duke, who has power for a while.Unexpectedly, in the thirteenth year of Qianlong's unlucky life, he died because of the ineffective battle of Jinchuan.Although Neqin was killed, Qianlong discovered the benefits of using young ministers from the experience of appointing Neqin.That is, these people are quick in thinking, full of energy, and capable in handling affairs, which met the high standards of Emperor Qianlong for employing people.Moreover, these people are not as smooth and sophisticated as those veterans who have been in the ups and downs of their careers for many years, and they do things simply and neatly.They have nothing to do with court and Chinese cronies, and the emperor is very relieved to use them.After Neqin, the emperor promoted his brother-in-law Fu Heng the most.In the fifth year of Qianlong (1740), this man was nothing more than a Lan Ling bodyguard. In the seventh year of Qianlong (1742), he was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs. In the thirteenth year of Qianlong (1748), after Neqin was killed, He leapt to become the Chief Minister of Military Aircraft. He was only twenty-five years old at the time, making him the youngest "Prime Minister" in Chinese history.In addition, he also promoted Manchu talents such as Shuhede and Zhaohui at a rocket speed, and successively appointed Wang Youdun, Liu Tongxun, Liang Shizheng, Yu Minzhong and other Han officials to the center, thus truly establishing his own team.

An emperor in his thirties actually appointed a young man who was more than ten years younger than himself as the chief minister of military affairs.This appointment can be said to be completely unexpected.Fortunately, Emperor Qianlong had a unique vision for knowing people, and the people he used were quite convincing.Brother-in-law Fu Heng was reused not just to comfort the dead Empress Xiaoxian, but because he was truly outstanding.He is far-sighted, loyal, hard-working, and capable in handling affairs, and he is courteous and corporal, and he treats people generously, which is quite the legacy of his sister.According to historical records, he "received his subordinates with humility every time, shared the same bed with his colleagues, and showed no signs of arrogance."He led the military aircraft for 23 years before and after, and has always won the trust of the emperor.Zhaohui started from Zhangjing, a military aircraft, and Qianlong "knew that his talents were available, and he was repeatedly promoted to be a minister".In the later war to pacify Xinjiang, he made outstanding contributions. He led 3,000 people against the enemy and 10,000 people in the siege of Heishuiying, and he held on for three months, becoming a famous general in the military history of the Qing Dynasty.Li Shiyao, who served as the governor of Huguang and Yunnan and Guizhou, was "short and sharp, and he can recite it with his eyes. When he sees his subordinates, he can tell whether he is talented or not by a few words. How tall he sits, how to control the fertility and badness of the words, or the dark things, if you see it in person." .As for ministers such as Liu Tongxun and Liang Shizheng, they are also known for their ability and have become famous ministers of a generation.Zhang Jixin, a minister in the Xianfeng period, commented on Qianlong's employing staff, saying that during the Qianlong period, the country was prosperous, and although the governors were inevitably greedy, they were all generous with their talents and skills.

In the later years of Qianlong, the members of the Macartney Mission who visited China did not take many affairs of the Qing Empire seriously, but spoke highly of the quality of many officials they met.In their eyes, most of the officials under Qianlong's leadership were well-mannered and capable.For example, John Barrow commented: "The old governor of Beizhili is a Manchurian. His relaxed, natural, polite and respectful attitude is unmatched by the most elegant courtiers in modern Europe. His respect for the mission He paid close attention to affairs, entertained us naturally in Tianjin, and gave instructions to junior officials and servants with a kindness and kindness, and won the unanimous love of everyone. He is a very lovely old man at seventy-eight years old. He is short, with eyes Small and bright, with a kind demeanor, long beard and silver-white beard, the whole image is calm and calm, not angry but mighty." As for He Wen, Stangton commented: "He Zhongtang's attitude is amiable, and he has a sharp and deep understanding of problems. He is a mature politician." Macartney also thought: "He Wen is fair and handsome, has a chic demeanor, talks and laughs happily, and makes handovers calmly and calmly, and handles everything in one word. .”

The most common political disease in Chinese history is "intestinal obstruction", which means that the highest decision-making cannot be effectively implemented through the official class to the bottom of society.In the middle and early period of Qianlong Dynasty, this problem was successfully solved.The bureaucratic team in the middle and early stages of the Qianlong Dynasty was quite efficient and had a strong ability to govern. The emperor's major decisions could basically be effectively implemented.This provided a solid and powerful cadre guarantee for the arrival of Qianlong's prosperity.

Fourth, the success of Qianlong's early measures to punish corruption. Emperor Qianlong is one of the emperors with the most resolute attitude, strictest methods and toughest wrists in Chinese history in punishing corruption. Qianlong was meticulous in his mind, sought perfection in everything, and knew the importance of preventing the passing of time.Therefore, when he rectified the administration of officials, he started with trivial matters such as treating guests and giving gifts.Corruption is like bacteria, once it has a foothold to breed, it will spread rapidly.A small unspoken gift, if not guarded against, will inevitably develop into a large bribe.Therefore, he clearly stipulated that officials at all levels should no longer give gifts in the name of giving "local gifts", that is, "local specialties".The emperor said, "There is no way to be honest before being cautious. The governor is an example for a province. If it is appropriate to receive the land of the prefecture and county, then the legacy of the two divisions and the Taoist government cannot be rejected. If the prefecture and county send the governor's soil, it is appropriate for the two The donations from the Secretary and the Taoist government are indispensable, and they are handed over repeatedly. The governor’s income is limited, and the fees of the subordinates are not cheap.” ("Cases of Qing Huidian")

In response to the fact that eating and drinking with public funds is becoming more and more common, the emperor also stipulated that all the expenses of the banquets of the governors and officials "should be funded and managed by themselves", and that the appointment of subordinates to bear the expenses of the banquets should be "prohibited" in order to prevent the prefectures and counties from "borrowing money". The end must be settled, and even the compensation will be exhausted", ("Qing Hui Dian Case") disturbs the people. In officialdom, accepting door bags has always been a small chronic problem.It seems that it does not cause much harm, but in fact it greatly damages the dignity of the political system and starts the harbinger of corruption.Therefore, in the fifth year of Qianlong's reign (1740), the emperor stipulated that officials who were ordered to go on business trips and inspected, who dared to take the opportunity to accept door bags when they went to prefectures and counties, "the ones who participated in the business were punished according to the rules of asking for bribes, and the recipients were punished according to the rules of greed and bribery." punishment".In the forty-sixth year of Qianlong (1781), the emperor issued an edict to all provinces, from the governors to the Taoist government, to strictly manage the family members. , it is not allowed to set up another family member of the gatekeeper."For the first time in history, the emperor's regulations on punishing corruption have been detailed to the families of ministers. ("Cases of Qing Huidian") People generally have the impression that Qianlong is more benevolent than Yongzheng, but in fact, the punishment of corrupt officials in Qianlong Dynasty is much harsher than that in Yongzheng Dynasty.Before Qianlong, the "Regulations on Consuming Loot and Reducing Grades" were implemented in punishing corruption.The regulation stipulates that any prisoner who embezzles public funds, if he pays compensation for all the embezzled public funds within one year, he can avoid death and reduce crimes.If the full compensation is not made up within one year, there is a grace period of one more year, allowing the officials to continue raising funds to make up for it outside of prison.If the compensation cannot be fully paid in the second year, the prisoner will go to prison, but his wife can still help him make up the compensation.He was not executed until his family property was exhausted.With such procrastination, few corrupt officials have been punished by Ming Zheng. After a long period of deliberation, in the 23rd year of Qianlong (1758), the emperor overcame great resistance and resolutely abolished the "Regulations on Reduction of Loot after Completed Loot" and replaced it with a new regulation of "no deduction of grade after completed Loot".No matter how rich your family is, as long as the embezzlement of silver is full of 1,000 taels (equivalent to 200,000 yuan today), you will be sentenced to beheading, and you will never be given a loan.This reform brought the Qing Dynasty's punishment of corruption to a huge level, causing countless corrupt officials to be killed and their families destroyed.In all cases of corruption or bribery, once the responsible officer finds out the facts, he immediately asks for an order to dismiss the offender and confiscate his family property. All of them entered the government, and the land was really clean!In Chinese history, Qianlong can be ranked second after Zhu Yuanzhang in punishing corruption severely. The legislation is so strict, and the law enforcement is even worse.Qianlong's measures to punish corruption have the following characteristics: One is to take strict precautions and be vigilant.Emperor Qianlong made full use of the secret book system, spread his eyes and ears, and fully monitored every move of the ministers.And for the same person, he often ordered many people to investigate secretly, so as not to listen to one side and believe one side.In this way, a large number of real situations are grasped.For example, in the eleventh year of Qianlong (1746), Qianlong ordered Kaitai, the governor of Hubei, to secretly investigate the official conduct of the governor of Huguang, Emida.Kaitai reported back that E's body was old and frail, but he was still able to work normally.His family members have heard about accepting door bags, but the number is not large, and E himself doesn't seem to know about it.After reading it, the emperor gave instructions, the problem of the E family is not only that, you have not reflected comprehensively: "Not only that! Amida went to investigate Hunan Province, ordered his son to worship his subordinates, and there were also some who received gifts. Read and see..." In this way, all senior officials always feel that they are under the supervision of their colleagues around them, and they are always in danger. Naturally, the officials are walking on eggshells and have to be cautious. The second is to strictly enforce the law and never tolerate it.If senior officials are involved in corruption, even if the circumstances are minor and the amount is not large, they will never be forgiven lightly. Hengwen, governor of Yunnan, was one of Qianlong's favorite and trusted ministers. He was flexible in mind, outstanding in ability, and good at handling various complicated relationships.Qianlong said that he "successfully served as a seal of borders and received the most kindness".In the 22nd year of Qianlong (1757), Hengwen prepared "earth tribute" for the emperor according to local practices.Because of the gold produced in Yunnan, he planned to buy gold and make several golden hand furnaces for the emperor.At that time, the market price of gold was 14 taels of silver for every tael of gold, but Hengwen only gave 10 taels of silver in order to take advantage.Of course, this is extortion in the name of purchase, which is indeed quite despicable, but taking such a small advantage, the plot is indeed not serious. After the incident was revealed, Qianlong was quite surprised, and immediately sent Shangshu Liu Tongxun as the imperial envoy to investigate strictly.Although the case is minor, the emperor decides to grant Hengwen suicide immediately.Later, it was found out that the cause of the incident was instigated by his subordinates, and the circumstances were justifiable, so he was sentenced to life imprisonment.The governor of Yunnan, the chief envoy of Yunnan, and the inspector of Yunnan who helped Hengwen buy gold were also dismissed, and the other 56 state and county officials were punished accordingly.This shows the emperor's merciless attitude towards cases involving corruption. In the twenty-first year of Qianlong (1756), Yang Hao, the governor of Hunan Province, took advantage of his work to embezzle more than 3,000 taels of silver. Yang Hao was sentenced to be executed in the autumn of twenty-two years.During the trial in the autumn of the 22nd year of Qianlong, that is, when the death row was reviewed, Jiang Bing, the successor Governor of Hunan, believed that Yang Hao had made up all the stolen money within one year, and suggested that he be sentenced to death with a reprieve.When the case file was submitted, Emperor Qianlong was "unbelievable to read and horrified", and was so angry that he trembled with anger, "shivering with anger", and within the same day, he issued four imperial edicts, full of articles, denouncing the absurdity of this proposal.He said that Yang Hao, as a member of the third rank, had withheld more than 3,000 taels, and should have been beheaded immediately, "the prison has been a special favor from me."For such a bad crime, the emperor thought that the ministers would naturally recommend execution, but unexpectedly, the ministers agreed that the death sentence should be changed to a suspended sentence.At this point in the mess, one has to be pardoned from death, "then all governors and officials can regard greed and loss of money as a common thing, and they are unscrupulous in invading fisheries and seizing money." "How can we order the officials and suppress the law?"! Yang Hao was executed immediately, Jiang Bing, the governor of Hunan Province who proposed a motion to commute his sentence, was dismissed from office and ransacked his home, and sent to the military platform to serve as atonement.Sixty-eight people including Shangshu, Shilang, and Gishizhong who agreed with this proposal, including Yushi Zhao Hongen, Emida, Jiang Pu, Li Yuanliang, Wang Jihua, Li Qingfang, Wang He, Lersen, Shu Ming, Dong Bangda, Jin Deying, and Liu Lun, were sentenced to death. Dismissal and retention, downgrading and retention, loss of rank, loss of records, demotion, registration and other punishments. The next day, the emperor was still furious, and issued a long edict, denouncing the wind of mutual protection among officials.Qianlong said: Fu Ming's punishment and teaching is the outline of the country's criminal administration...Recently, people from home and abroad have asked about the habits of the criminal yamen, not seeking permission for their crimes of love, but serving the benevolence of the women's temple...To the point where you should serve as an official and govern, you should know how to abide by the constitution, and It's like brazenly committing adultery and crimes, and if this can be lenient, then whoever does not disrespect the law for personal gain, the common people will suffer greatly from it... Is there any official Fang Yue who is greedy for a lot of stolen goods, and still uses the excuse of finishing the stolen goods in order to steal his life? Interest, it makes sense! ... Jiuqing Kedao, every time he argues in the autumn trial shed, he just asks for a life, or accumulates blessings for himself, but in such important cases, no one sees it. Don't add punishment here, Ji Gang is here! ... At the end of the decree, the emperor firmly stated: I will try my best to change the chronic habit of protecting each other for officials! The third is not to avoid the royal relatives. The imperial concubine Huixian is the daughter of Gao Bin, an academician, and she became the concubine of Prince Bao during the Yongzheng period.After Qianlong ascended the throne, she was registered as a noble concubine, and after her death in the tenth year of Qianlong (1745), she was promoted to be an imperial concubine.She was favored only under Empress Xiaoxian during her lifetime, and she was one of the four concubines who were able to be buried in the underground palace. Gao Heng, the younger brother of the imperial concubine Huixian, was favored by her sister, and her official career was quite smooth. In the 22nd year of Qianlong (1757), she took up the fat job of the Lianghuai Salt Administration.However, not long after this person took office, he "accepted as much as two to one hundred and thirty thousand silver payments from merchants."After the incident, the emperor was not lenient, and executed the brother-in-law immediately because he "lived up to the holy grace and was innocent". But after all, they were his close relatives. After killing Gao Heng, the emperor took good care of Gao Heng's descendants.Ten years later, Gao Pu, the son of Gao Heng, was able to serve as Minister of Affairs of Yarkand.Unexpectedly, this person has a lot of ancestral style. Soon after he took office, he privately worked Hui people to mine jade, and transferred it to the mainland for private sale, putting the money into his own pocket.After the incident, the emperor regretted it unceasingly, and on the other hand, Gao Pu was "greedy and unscrupulous, disregarding the law and order, even more so than his father Gao Heng, and he couldn't be a little more reserved as the nephew of Emperor Huixian". local law. Later generations commented on Qianlong, and almost unanimously affirmed the strict law enforcement in the early stage.Xue Fucheng said in the late Qing Dynasty: "Gaozong sent all the corrupt officials, who had a large body, lost their family identities, and killed their descendants. It can be said that it is strict if there is any contagion, and the poor will not be slightly loaned!" Corruption cases were investigated and dealt with as many as 30 cases, of which more than 20 were punished or ordered to commit suicide. On average, one provincial-level military and political official was executed for corruption or favoritism in one or two years. It was rare in the previous generation, and it was only seen in the Qing Dynasty. Because Qianlong grasped the key of official governance or anti-corruption in the early stage, he was able to quickly push the Qing Dynasty to the pinnacle of prosperity.This is the opinion of the ruling and opposition parties.Zhang Xuecheng believes that the forty-five years of Qianlong (1780), that is, before Heshi came to power, the Qianlong Dynasty can be called the Qingming Dynasty.Zhao Yi later also said that in the middle and early Qianlong period, all those who held the center were clean and self-sufficient.