Chapter 40 Former teacher becomes student

Heshen has different ways to win over different people, the so-called varies from person to person.For example, Sun Shiyi, who has real talent and learning, did not beat around the bush, but showed his own strength, and he quickly convinced him; when dealing with those shameless people, he gave them some benefits, and quickly subdued them Moreover, with Heshen's status, it doesn't take a lot of effort to win over low-level officials, and most of the other parties will take the initiative to send them to their door, and he only needs to do a little favor to establish a stable interest relationship with the other party.This is the case with all officials in general, even his own teacher is no exception.

Heshen's teachers, Wu Shengqin and Wu Shenglan brothers, although their character is mediocre, and they can even be called inferior, they are all smart since childhood, rich in learning, and extraordinary. Wu Shengqin, courtesy name Chongzhi and nickname Baihua, was born in Nanhui, Jiangsu, in the seventh year of Yongzheng (1729).Wu Shengqin is proficient in poetry and prose. He wrote "The First Draft of Baihua" and is famous for his literary poems.Whenever the country held a grand ceremony, the poems and essays he presented would be rewarded by the emperor, and would be stamped with the imperial seal and kept in the inner mansion.Throughout his life, Wu Shengqin served successively as secretary of the cabinet, attendant of the Imperial Academy, walking in the study room, minister of Guanglu Temple, official examiner of Guizhou, Guangxi, Hubei, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provincial examinations, co-examiners of general examinations, Shuntian Xuezheng, Shuntian Fu Yin, etc. Minister of Rites, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Officials, and Zuodu Censor of the Inspectorate and other important positions.

Wu Shenglan, courtesy name Quanzhi, is Wu Shengqin's younger brother.He first took the position of teaching official in Xian'an Palace, and then was promoted to assistant teacher of Guozijian.In the forty-third year of Qianlong (1778), he participated in the general examination and lost his name to Sun Shan.When Qianlong learned about it, he personally decreed: Wu Shenglan, an assistant teacher of the Imperial College, has excellent knowledge and has contributed a lot to collation of group books in the Sikuguan. He is now specially allowed to participate in the imperial examination together with Juren, who was in the undergraduate mid-level examination.As a result of the palace examination, Wu Shenglan ranked second, first and third, and obtained Jinshi status.

When Wu Shenglan was a teacher in Xian'an Palace, she became friends with Heshen's uncle Wu Miwuxun, and they often talked about poetry together.Later, Wu Miwuxun introduced from it, so Wu Shenglan became He Shen's first teacher.In front of Wu Shenglan, He Shen behaved like a disciple and studied hard.He Shen has been smart since he was a child, and has made significant progress in less than half a year of study, and can quickly recite the texts taught by Wu Shenglan.Wu Shenglan didn't have a good impression of the children of the Eight Banners at first, thinking that they were all playboys who walked in and out of the land of love and moon, but He Shen's performance made his eyes shine, so he admired and loved He Shen very much.

Soon, brothers He Shen and He Lin entered the Xian'an Palace Official School to study, and the Wu brothers were their teachers.The two brothers He Shen are very frugal because they have no source of income, but they are hardworking and hardworking, and He Shen has shown extraordinary intelligence very early on.However, it also showed a strong desire for fame.He also asked Wu Shenglan how Manchus could enter the court and become officials by riding and shooting.Wu Shenglan taught him that he can win the world immediately, but it is difficult to defend the world, and cited the examples of Shang Tang and Zhou Wu to make him understand that the combination of martial arts and martial arts is the way to long-term stability.Therefore, since Emperor Kangxi, the Qing Dynasty also began to respect Sinology, respect teachers, and seek talents.Therefore, it is not only necessary to learn the art of riding and shooting, but also to learn the Four Books and Five Classics.He Shen was deeply inspired, so he advanced both civil and military, laying a solid foundation for his future development.

After Heshen made his fortune, his official career prospered, and he did not forget the Wu brothers, especially Wu Shengqin. Although he was full of economics, it was a pity that he failed the imperial examinations many times, and felt helpless.Later, Heshen's official fortune was prosperous and his power was growing day by day. One year Wu Shengqin took part in the township examination, and Heshen happened to be the examiner.Although Wu Shengqin had been He Shen's teacher, in order to get He Shen's care, he visited He Shen before the exam.He knelt down to Heshen and said, "The disciple came here specially to see Mr.!"

Although He Shen has been an official for many years and his face has been polished several times, he was still taken aback by the teacher's behavior, and quickly said: Teacher, please hurry up, you are my teacher, why do you do this to the students? Wu Shengqin said cheekily: "My lord, you are the chief examiner. According to the rules, all those who take the exam are students. It is an ancient tradition to call the chief examiner a teacher."I am indeed your disciple now!Although He Shen felt a little awkward, he still agreed. He Shen actually has his own plans: Although he has a high position and weight in the court, his foundation is not stable after all, and he needs to win over some talented and learned people as party members.Wu Shengqin's behavior has shown that his character is not good, but after all, he can still make suggestions for himself.In this way, Wu Shengqin changed from He Shen's teacher to He Shen's student.The two get what they need, but they are also happy to have a strange talk through the ages.

The exam questions were written by the emperor himself, and they were highly confidential. However, He Shen knew the content through the eunuchs around the emperor and disclosed it to Wu Shengqin.Wu Shengqin has seen Heshen's hands and eyes, and admires Heshen even more. Together with his younger brother Wu Shenglan, he becomes Heshen's party member and is very loyal to Heshen.The Wu family brothers are not only highly educated, but also very capable of handling affairs. They even helped He Shen beat his fellow villager Cao Xibao.Therefore, He Shen has more trust in Brother Wu Shengqin. Under He Shen's recommendation, he presides over rural examinations in various places as the chief examiner and reaps a lot of benefits.With He Shen's care, their official career is also very smooth.

Wu Shengqin presided over the township examination many times and was very dissatisfied with the phenomenon of fraud.So he asked Qianlong Shangzuo to increase the paper used in the test papers and avoid carrying materials for cheating, etc. His series of rationalization suggestions were praised by Qianlong. Wu Shenglan was more successful than his elder brother. He successively served as the branch officer of Siku Quanshu Library and the school manager of Wenyuan Pavilion.He has successively served as Nanshufang Xingxing, Cabinet Bachelor, Minister of Rites, Minister of Industry, Zhejiang Shuntian Xuezheng, Shuntian Township Examination Co-examiner, Zhejiang Provincial Examination Official Examiner, Hall Examination Paper Reader, General Examination Assistant Examiner, etc.

Wu Shenglan has the ability to be an official, but also has high talent and learning.He was once sent by Heshen to Emperor Jiaqing's side, named as an accompanying student, but actually as a monitor.Fortunately, Emperor Jiaqing followed the strategy of keeping a low profile, which he readily accepted.Emperor Jiaqing was careful everywhere, and Wu Shenglan couldn't grasp it for a while.Unexpectedly, after Emperor Jiaqing ascended the throne, he immediately wrote a letter to his former mentor Zhu Gui, expressing his desire to ask the teacher to return to Beijing as soon as possible to help me.Wu Shenglan quickly saw the letter and immediately reported it to He Shen.He Shen knew that this was a violation of Qianlong's taboo, and immediately played it secretly to the Supreme Emperor Qianlong.

Qianlong had just handed over the throne, and he was very upset. Hearing this, he was furious.It is believed that Jiaqing is trying to win people's hearts and cultivate his confidantes, so as to make him, the Supreme Emperor, empty.So he asked the minister Dong Gao how to deal with it. Dong Gao knew that Qianlong had just abdicated and it was difficult to adapt for a while.In fact, there was nothing wrong with Emperor Jiaqing's doing so, but he didn't dare to contradict Qianlong, so Dong Gao said very cleverly: I have heard of it, and the Holy Master has nothing to say.This sentence is impeccable. Emperor Jiaqing has already ascended the throne, so of course he has the right to decide any personnel transfers. As a courtier, Dong Gao cannot pick the emperor's faults.Emperor Qianlong knew that this was Dong Gao's kind reminder to himself, so he had no choice but to follow suit and encourage Dong Gao to assist Emperor Jiaqing well.In the end, Zhu Gui was still unable to be transferred back to the capital because of Heshen's interference. After He Shen fell from power, the Wu brothers were implicated.Jiaqing later found an excuse and ordered Wu Shengqin to be dismissed and returned to his hometown.A few years later, Wu Shengqin died in obscurity.Wu Shenglan was demoted to editor, and removed from Xuezheng and Nanshufangxing.Later, due to his outstanding talent and learning, the official was restored to his original post.Regardless of previous suspicions, Emperor Jiaqing still held him in high esteem. A few months later, he was also appointed as the commentator of Japanese daily life and the admiral of Hunan Xuezheng. In order to repay Emperor Jiaqing's kindness, Wu Shenglan has been conscientious since then, and dare not neglect her official duties in the slightest.He also often put forward constructive opinions on current problems, which won Jiaqing's trust.In the ninth year of Jiaqing (1804), Wu Shenglan returned to his hometown honorably due to old age and frailty.