Chapter 28 Chapter 30

A major case handled by Emperor Qianlong in the Hall of Mental Cultivation was Gao Heng's embezzlement case. Gao Heng, a Manchurian inlaid yellow banner man, Gao Jia's family, the son of Gao Bin, a scholar.Gao Binguan Wenyuange Bachelor, Minister of Military Aircraft, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, Governor of Zhili, Governor of Nanhe (Jiangnan River Affairs), etc., and his daughter is the noble concubine of Emperor Qianlong. (Volume 214 of "Manuscripts of Qing History: Biography of Empresses") Gao Bin worked diligently throughout his life. At the age of 73, he died of exhaustion on the river harnessing construction site, and was worshiped in the temple on the same level as Jin Fu. (Volume 300 of "Gao Bin Zhuan" in Drafts of Qing History) Gao Hengyi relied on his father as a high-ranking official and the brother-in-law of Emperor Qianlong.This is naturally faster and easier than being promoted in the imperial examination.After being sent to the outside world, he served as a fat servant-the chief of Shanhaiguan, Huaianguan, Zhangjiakou customs and other customs.Soon, Lu Yanzheng, the acting chief, was appointed as the general soldier of Tianjin.In the 22nd year of Qianlong (1757), the Lianghuai Salt Administration was granted.The two Huai salt administrations are both expensive and fat. Emperor Kangxi appointed Li Xu to be in charge.It can be seen that Emperor Qianlong trusted and favored Gao Heng.Gao Heng's official career was prosperous. In the 29th year (1764), he was transferred back to Beijing and served as Minister of the Shangsi Academy, in charge of the emperor's horses, and also in charge of the Lianghuai Salt Administration.Thirty years (1765), because he was promoted from his elder brother (cousin) Gao to the governor of Liangjiang, he should avoid it and no longer manage the Lianghuai salt administration.Soon, he served as the minister in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, that is, the chief of Ouchi.The minister in charge of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is the closest relative, the most trusted, the most important, and the most important official vacancy.Thirty-two years (1767), Minister of the Department of Officials, served as Deputy Minister in charge of cadres and personnel.At this time, Emperor Qianlong made many southern tours, and salt merchants from Huaihe River and Huaihe River came to meet him in Yangzhou, and built a palace with extravagance and huge expenses.

During Gao Heng's tenure in the Lianghuai Salt Administration, he asked the salt merchants to withdraw three taels of silver for public use.Thirty-three years (1768), You Bashi, the Lianghuai salt administration, reported Gao Heng's corruption.After investigation, the salt merchants reported that Gao Heng had embezzled more than 4.67 million taels of silver for paying tributes and preparing for the southern tour in successive years.How big is this number?National annual salt collection silver: in the 60th year of Kangxi (1721) it was more than 3.77 million taels, in the 12th year of Yongzheng (1734) it was more than 3.99 million taels, and Gao Heng was greedy for more than 4.76 million taels!Emperor Qianlong ordered the Ministry of Punishment to investigate and trial, the facts are clear and the evidence is sufficient.Decree: Gao Heng accepted bribes from salt merchants and executed. (Volume 339 of "Gao Heng Zhuan" in Draft History of the Qing Dynasty) The relevant officials have poor convictions.But when Emperor Qianlong wanted to condemn Gao Heng to death, the scholar Fu Heng interceded for Gao Heng: please the emperor favor the noble concubine Huixian to save her from death.Emperor Qianlong said: If the imperial concubine brothers break the law and avoid death, then what should the queen brothers do if they break the law?This is for Fu Heng - Fu Heng's sister is Fucha, the filial and pure queen of Emperor Qianlong.When Fu Heng heard it, there was a voice behind the words. This is "knocking the mountain and shaking the tiger", warning me!So trembling, no longer dare to speak.

As the saying goes: "Fortune never comes, misfortune never comes singly." Gao Heng's son, Gao Pu, was not born in the imperial examination. He was a member of Yuanwailang at first through the triple relationship of grandfather, father and aunt. Department level was upgraded to bureau level.In the thirty-seventh year (1772), he made an exception as the left deputy capital censor (deputy ministerial level).Emperor Qianlong found out that Gao Pu was playing tricks: "I had a good opinion before, and I always wanted to be comfortable when I retreated."Moved to the right servant of the Ministry of war.Emperor Qianlong secretly recorded the names, achievements and shortcomings of the provincial government and the magistrate, but was leaked to the outer court by the eunuch Gao Yuncong, which caused Zuodu Yushi Guanbao and others to discuss it privately.Gao Pu heard about it and gave a sparse report.Emperor Qianlong was furious and ordered Gao Yuncong to be punished, but nothing else was asked.Emperor Qianlong praised Gao Pu and said: "All the ministers have no knowledge, Gao Pu is the only one who makes a report, and he should be ashamed of his introspection." In the forty-one year (1776), Gao Pu was appointed as the minister of affairs in Yarkand, Xinjiang.More than 400 miles away from Yarkand, there is Mierdai Mountain, which produces beautiful jade and has been banned.After Gao Pu arrived in Yarkand, he asked for mining, once a year.Two years later, Aqimbokseti Paledi, Xinjiang, sued Gao Pu for enslaving 3,000 Hui people to go up the mountain to collect jade, greedily extorting gold and silver, and stealing and selling official jade.Emperor Qianlong received the report and ordered Gao Pu to seize the official Yan Yan (ju).After investigation, Gao Pu deposited more than 16,000 taels of silver and more than 500 taels of gold in Yaerqiang, and sent the beautiful jade home. ("Manuscripts of Qing History Gao Hengzi Pu Chuan" Volume 339) Emperor Qianlong said: "Gao Pu is greedy and unscrupulous, disregarding the law and order, especially compared with his father Gao Heng, he cannot be read as the nephew of Emperor Huixian and be a little more reserved. Also." In other words, Gao Pu cannot be exempted from punishment just because he is the imperial concubine's nephew.Emperor Qianlong ordered: to kill Gao Pu, and to live in his family.

The case of Gao Heng and Gao Pu's father and son had just been concluded, and Wang Dan (dan)'s case started again.