Chapter 76 The imperial court's finances are in full control

The forty-fifth year of Qianlong (1780) was a lucky year in Heshen's life journey.In March, Heshen's handling of the case in Yunnan was not over. His father-in-law Yinglian made up for the vacancy of Han University scholar, and Heshen made up the vacancy of his household secretary.Since the household department is in charge of all household registration and finance in the world, Emperor Qianlong ordered Heshen to return to Beijing as soon as possible. Before Heshen returned to Beijing to take up his post, the affairs of the household department were still managed by Yinglian. , in April, Emperor Qianlong personally bestowed the name of Fengshen Yinde on Heshen's eldest son, and designated him as the forehead son-in-law of his most beloved Gu Lun and Princess Xiao. .Not long after, He Shen was also awarded the vacancy of the Manchuria Commander of the Inlaid Blue Banner left by Yonggui.In June, he also served as the Minister of the Guards of the Manchurian Zhengbai Banner.

This coherent political action of Emperor Qianlong was sending a strong signal to the inside and outside of the court that He Shen had completely won his trust, and he would enter the ranks of important officials of the court from now on.Qianlong entrusted him with the financial power of the Qing government, and was willing to form a family with Heshen, establishing a special relationship between monarch and minister, making Heshen the closest minister of the Qing Empire, which is undoubtedly the greatest affirmation and reward for Heshen . The Minister of the Household Department can be said to be the Minister of Finance of the Qing Dynasty. Before that, the affairs of the Household Department had been presided over by Heshen's father-in-law Yinglian.Later, the father-in-law Yinglian was promoted to a bachelor, and the affairs of the household department were handled by Heshen with full authority.Among them, Yinglian must have recommended him, and He Shen was able to quickly secure this position, but one thing must be admitted: He Shen himself also has certain abilities, otherwise he would not be able to hold this position for a long time, and even later When he was promoted to a bachelor and concurrently served as Minister of the Ministry of Officials and Minister of the Ministry of Punishment, he did not leave the position of Minister of the Ministry of Households. If He Shen really did not have any management skills and real skills, it is estimated that Emperor Qianlong would not be able to rest assured and boldly Give him the power.

After Heshen took over the post of Minister of the Household Department just in time for Qianlong's 70th birthday, the new official took office three times. He organized the celebration of Emperor Qianlong's 700,000th birthday in August of that year and won Qianlong's approval. . The seventy-year-old Emperor Qianlong, who is full of ambition and has ruled the Qing Dynasty for forty-five years, naturally hopes to hold this celebration to show the scene of peace and prosperity under his rule.But he has a request, that is, not to spend the state's finances, so as not to damage his image as a benevolent monarch who loves and cares for the people.

This matter sounds inconsistent. How can there be a big scene without spending money?But He Shen did it, and his method was very simple, that is, to collect money from officials in the central government and various places.He Shen already knew that he was the Minister of the Household Department in Yunnan, so he began to think about this matter at that time, and after returning to Beijing, he was in a hurry to discuss it. He kept saying hello to officials and wealthy businessmen from all over the country, especially the salt government and salt merchants who had always been rich, threatening and coaxing them, with the purpose of getting them to contribute money in the name of honoring the emperor.Regarding the specific situation of this celebration, there are not many records in the official book, and they are not specific enough.But we can get a glimpse of the huge cost at that time from the renovation project recorded in the history books.The Korean envoy once recorded that: the buildings in the imperial city are so gorgeous that they cannot be counted.According to what the officials and others have seen, there is Taiye Pool between the Forbidden City in the palace city. Around the pool, there are temples and pagodas straddling the lotus network, which is almost dazzling. Place.The merchants pre-lode the colorful satin and odd toys between Suzhou and Hangzhou. The roadside sheds are in the shape of objects, or in the shape of towers, which are extremely dazzling and span dozens of miles.So much so that the envoy sighed and said: For the entertainment of sightseeing, the servants are doing this, and the labor is paid with money, so the people are not complaining.

For Emperor Qianlong's 700,000th birthday celebration, He Shen is not only Emperor Qianlong's favored minister, but also his in-laws, and he has just taken up the new post of Minister of the Household Department. Big golden Buddha as a gift.The North Korean envoy mentioned in his knowledge: there are Buddhist shops in the capital, and they sell and buy each other.The courtiers made this contribution, and the emperor also rewarded the noble ministers with this.In the early morning of the Autumn Festival, there was a tribute-covered yellow handkerchief shelf, containing a golden Buddha, which was about several feet long, and entered the palace.

Through the successful preparation of Emperor Qianlong's 700,000th birthday celebration, the relationship between Heshen and Emperor Qianlong became closer.In October of the same year, He Shen was appointed as the president of the Sikuguan, and he was also acting as the minister of the Fanyuan.In other words, He Shen not only took control of the financial power of the Qing Dynasty, but also began to transform into cultural and ethnic affairs. He has truly become a compound talent, and his status is even more prominent.The records of the Korean envoys include: Fu Longan, Minister of the Ministry of War, and He Shen, Minister of the Ministry of Households, who are lucky to use things.The elder of the pavilion, Agui, belongs to him, just filling his seat.And specifically mentioned He Shen: he is cunning and good at flattering.Thirty-one years old, he is the Minister of the Ministry of Households and the admiral of the Nine Gates.And the most beloved six-year-old princess is engaged to his son.The nature is sinister and vicious, there is little suspicion, but it will cause slander, and everyone will look sideways.

From then on, Heshen embarked on the road of controlling financial power for more than 20 years, until he was confiscated by Jiaqing to death.