Chapter 11 Chapter Three

Successive promotions Since Heshen was favored and favored by Emperor Qianlong, his status was constantly changing, and his official career was prosperous; his power was growing, and more and more departments were under his jurisdiction, just like a kite riding on the wind, skyrocketed. The rapid promotion within a year made He Shen not come back to his senses, this is not over yet.In May of the forty-second year of Qianlong (1777), Emperor Qianlong decreed that Ling Heshen, Yinglian, Liang Guozhi, and Liu Yong were responsible for revising the description of the Mongols in the History of the Ming Dynasty. Review and add to the original one by one, making sure that the beginning and the end are detailed and the meaning of the words is precise.One month later, Emperor Qianlong appointed Heshen as the left servant of the Ministry of Officials, and concurrently as the right servant, responsible for the appointment, use, inspection and assessment of officials.In October, he was again ordered to concurrently serve as the commander of the capital's infantry (that is, the admiral of the nine gates).

Even if good luck comes, it can't be stopped, even if it is implicated, with the emperor's care, it will be safe and sound.In the forty-three years of Qianlong (1778), Yonggui, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and others made a statement, exempting them from being accompanied by the punishment of the officials of the Jingchao Division; although Heshen was also involved in this matter, since Emperor Qianlong saw Surely he intends to cultivate him, these can be prevaricated.In the end, he was only demoted to two ranks, and he remained in office. The punishment can be described as superficial, and He Shen's official career was not affected in any way.

Not long after, Emperor Qianlong asked him to concurrently serve as tax supervisor of Chongwenmen, in charge of administrative affairs.The position of tax supervisor in Chongwenmen is a huge job, and it can be said that it is making a lot of money every day. This job is usually filled by princes or relatives of the emperor who have made great achievements in their ancestors.Now that this errand is given to He Shen, a fool can see the emperor's intentions and special care for He Shen. Who dares to mention the punishment He Shen received a few months ago?At the same time, Emperor Qianlong also let Heshen concurrently serve as the governor of Manchuria in the Xianglan Banner.In June of the same year, Emperor Qianlong awarded Heshen Zhengbaiqi Dudu Commander and Minister of Guards and other posts.In August of the forty-fourth year of Qianlong (1779), He Shen was appointed to learn to walk on the imperial court.In just a few years, He Shen took all the official positions inside and outside the court, which shows Qianlong's trust and love for him, and it is also to train him and prepare for greater promotion in the future.

Sure enough, in March of the forty-fifth year of Qianlong (1780), Emperor Qianlong granted Heshen the post of Minister of the Household Department, and was officially promoted to Minister of the Imperial Palace. The ministers of the guards and the ministers of the king of affairs.This is the beginning of He Shen's entry into the core leadership.In October of the same year, he was appointed as the official president of "Siku Quanshu" and concurrently served as the Minister of Lifan Academy, which made Heshen involved in the management of the cultural department.In the forty-sixth year of Qianlong (1781), Emperor Qianlong made Heshen concurrently the minister of the Ministry of War, and ordered Heshen to concurrently serve as the president of the Fanglue Museum, and at the same time be responsible for managing the three treasuries of the household department.In the forty-seventh year of Qianlong's reign (1782), he was also named the crown prince and Taibao, and concurrently served as the president of the book "Old News under the Imperial Order".In the forty-eighth year of Qianlong (1783), Emperor Qianlong rewarded Heshen with double-eyed feathers, and served as the chief executive of the National History Museum, as well as the president of the Wenyuan Pavilion and the Qingzi (Manchu) Museum.During this period of time, Qianlong mainly let Heshen be in charge of the affairs of the cultural department.In order to temper Heshen, it can be said that he has worked hard, and Qianlong's concern for Heshen can be seen from this.

In July of the forty-ninth year of Qianlong (1784), Emperor Qianlong once again awarded him the post of Lieutenant of Qingche, and appointed him as Minister of the Ministry of Officials, co-organizer of the University, and concurrently in charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Household Affairs.In September of the same year, Emperor Qianlong awarded him a first-class baron.At this time, He Shen was still concurrently serving as the Manchurian capital of the Zhengbai Banner and the Manchurian capital of the Xianglan Banner.In July of the fifty-first year of Qianlong (1786), Emperor Qianlong awarded him the position of a bachelor in the Wenhua Palace. In this way, He Shen finally entered the core leadership.In February of the fifty-third year of Qianlong (1788), He Shen was promoted to the third-class Earl of Zhongxiang and bestowed with purple reins.In April of the fifty-fourth year of Qianlong (1789), he served as the examiner of the palace examination, and in May of the same year, he served as a teacher.In the fifty-fifth year of Qianlong (1790), Emperor Qianlong rewarded Heshen with a yellow belt and four open robes.In the fifty-sixth year of Qianlong (1791), He Shen also served as the official president of the seal carving stone scriptures.

So far, He Shen's status in the court is second only to Agui, the foreman of the military aircraft minister, the scholar of Wuyingdian, the chief assistant of the cabinet, and the first-class sincere and heroic public. During this period, the affairs of the imperial court in the capital were all handled by Heshen, and the military aircraft department was also headed by Heshen.In this way, Agui became the number one in name, and He Shen was the first person who truly controlled the real power of the court.At that time, the North Korean envoy who came to China once said: Hubu Shangshu Heshen, you are lucky to use things.The elder of the pavilion, Agui, belongs to him, just filling his seat.

In the fifty-seventh year of Qianlong (1792), He Shen concurrently served as a bachelor of the Imperial Academy.In the fifty-eighth year of Qianlong (1793), Emperor Qianlong let Heshen take charge of the Imperial Hospital and the Imperial Pharmacy. In this way, Heshen successively involved the Ministry of Households, the Ministry of Officials, the guards of the palace, and the capitals of the Eight Banners. Everywhere.On the third day of September in the 60th year of Qianlong (1795), Emperor Qianlong decided to abdicate the throne to his fifteenth son Yongyan (after he ascended the throne, the word Yong was changed to Yong, and the year name was Jiaqing). The Supreme Emperor.

However, Emperor Qianlong abdicated and did not give up power, and all real power was still firmly in his hands.In this way, Qianlong's favorite minister He Shen can still rely on the name of the Supreme Emperor to issue orders and dominate.It is precisely because the power is still in the hands of Qianlong, so, until Qianlong's death, Heshen's road to promotion was still smooth.In the first month of the first year of Jiaqing (1796), He Shen was transferred to be the Minister of Internal Guards of Zhenghuang Banner (the banner where the children of the royal family are located).In June of the same year, he also served as the capital of Manchuria in Xianghuang Banner.This year, A Guinian, the foreman of military aircraft and a university scholar, was 80 years old, and he was suffering from illness, so he asked to resign and go home to take care of his old age. He was approved and passed away not long after.He Shen finally became the number one courtier, although he had already grasped the real power.In the second year of Jiaqing (1797), He Shen was ordered to take charge of the Ministry of Punishment, but he was still in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs.In the first month of the third year of Jiaqing (1798), he was ordered to serve as the counselor of the government and to take charge of the affairs of various ministries. So far, he has taken over all the power of the court affairs.In August of the same year, He Shen was promoted to be the first-class Duke Jiayong.

From the above dazzling different official positions, we can clearly see the history of Heshen's fortune.His road to promotion has never stopped. Generally, he will assume a new position within half a year, and his official position is getting higher and higher, and his power is getting bigger and bigger.His official career is also very wide, almost all kinds of high-ranking officials have done it all, enjoy the scenery, and finally take charge of the affairs of various ministries, he is really the second emperor under one person and above ten thousand people. From his resume, we can easily see that he has served as the Minister of Military Aircraft for more than 20 years. This important position has been held for fifteen years, and this kind of courtesy is really rare.While being promoted, his status is also rising.He Shen was promoted from the third-class light car captain to the first-class male, then the third-class Zhongxiang Bo, and finally the first-class Jiayong Duke, which can be described as infinitely beautiful.

Not only did He Shen become more and more officials, but the scope of his involvement was also varied and blossomed everywhere.Promoted from a bodyguard to the Minister of Military Aircraft, the Minister of the Imperial Palace, the Minister of the Consular Bodyguard, the Bachelor, in charge of officials, households, soldiers, the Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sanku, Lifanyuan, Yuanmingyuan, Tea Room, Manufacturing Office, Shangsiyuan It can be said that his colleagues and subordinates are all inside and outside the court. All in all, He Shen has not only been promoted repeatedly throughout his life, but also spread throughout the six ministries, inside and outside the court, and has great power. He is a very popular figure inside and outside the court.Especially during the period from Qianlong's later years to his death, he served as the chief minister of military affairs, a scholar of Wenhuadian University, and also took charge of the affairs of various ministries, thus controlling the power of appointment, removal and promotion of officials, financial expenditure, and litigation and judgment. Looking forward to his neck.Heshen had a certain influence on the politics, economy, culture and military in the mid-Qing Dynasty. It is no exaggeration to say that he was one of the driving forces behind the decline of the Qing Dynasty.