About Emperor Qianlong and Heshen

Earlier, we talked about the following four reasons for Heshen's rapid rise to power: firstly, he was very learned; secondly, he was born in Manchuria; thirdly, he was good-looking; and fourthly, he was smart and clever. However, just with these conditions, Heshen would not win the attention of Emperor Qianlong. In fact, we know that throughout the late Qianlong Dynasty, since Heshen's rapid rise to the top, until the time of Emperor Qianlong's illness and death of more than twenty years, Heshen himself has been well received by Emperor Qianlong's reuse. Heshen in the dynasty more than twenty years, the important promotion and knighthood up to fifty times.

What made the Qianlong Emperor reuse Heshen for a long time like a day for more than twenty years? Is it because Heshen had some irreplaceable talents of other ministers?

All aspects of the talent, Heshen have some; but more importantly, Heshen's attitude when dealing with the Qianlong Emperor: four words, serve the king as a father.

That is to say, Heshen with the Qianlong emperor, in addition to the general ministers will do, such as mastering the emperor's likes and dislikes and personal likes and dislikes, the use of a variety of opportunities in front of the emperor to fully demonstrate their talents, and so on, and Heshen also did like to treat their own father to treat the emperor in general. Specifically, contains the following aspects:

First, seize the opportunity to show their talents.

Heshen knows very well, to get along with the Qianlong Emperor, we have to seize all the opportunities that can be seized in front of the Qianlong Emperor, and vigorously display their talents. He knows that this is the first basic condition to win the favor of Emperor Qianlong.

So, in what ways can he seize the opportunity to show his talent?

The first is to write poems with Emperor Qianlong. About the life of the ancient Chinese emperors, mostly to Mao Zedong said, "Qin Huang Hanwu, slightly lose literary talent; Tang Zong Song Zu, a little inferior to the style; a generation of pride, Genghis Khan, only know bending the bow to set up a big eagle". Most of them are gallant martial artists, and they are a little bit worse in terms of literary style. This point, Heshen is also very clear.

However, Heshen also knows that today's Qianlong Emperor is not only able to fight, but also poetry, literature, calligraphy, can be described as martial arts. On this point, the Qianlong emperor in the Chinese dynasties of all emperors is the highest level. Moreover, Emperor Qianlong himself was proud of it. And all of the above is very much known to himself when he was studying in the official school of Xian'an Palace.

Therefore, Heshen in the real contact with the Qianlong Emperor, it was decided that he in the future, not only in the work of the work of excellence, more importantly, to poetry, literature, calligraphy as a breakthrough to win the Qianlong Emperor's goodwill towards their own.

Qianlong life favorite poetry, and Heshen on the style of poetry made by the Qianlong emperor, with the dictionary, like to use the words and phrases know exactly. Heshen in order to cater to the Qianlong emperor, hard work to learn poetry, writing poetry, and attainment is very deep. He would occasionally show his favoritism for poetry and literature in front of the Qianlong Emperor, and even called himself a "poet" in his spare time. Qian Yong, a contemporary of Heshen, once commented on his poems, saying, "His poems occasionally have good lines, and he is very good at poetry. Heshen's poems are all in line with Qianlong's aesthetic interest, Qianlong read, how can not be pleased, many times on the order of Heshen to the scene of poetry, instead of their own pro in order to. In Heshen's poetry collection "Jiale Hall Poetry Collection" there are many of the first is by order of the Qianlong emperor, such as "by order of the Imperial Court of honor title shooting deer figure - the Imperial Treasure Box Wushen" a:

Mulan more hunting by the autumn order, the flat field surrounded by the Yo Deer competition.

Frost leaves spread green roach red, corner of the dawn hostage cold wind strong.

The picture is made of a box of treasures, stored in the heavenly chapter of jade color Ying.

The text of the training and preparation of the two contain the beauty of the body, but also the body of the day diligently healthy line.

Heshen also often and Qianlong and poetry, historical archives are still preserved in the year Heshen and Qianlong and poetry documents.

Second, imitate the calligraphy of Emperor Qianlong. Emperor Qianlong loved calligraphy, Heshen deliberately imitated the calligraphy of Emperor Qianlong, and he wrote words that look like the imperial pen of Emperor Qianlong. Some of the late Qianlong poem plaque inscription, simply handed over to Heshen pen.

We now see the screen in the Palace of the Forbidden City, Beijing, Chonghua Palace of poetry is written by Qianlong, and hanging in the Palace of the Imperial Palace of Chongjing Imperial poetry plaque, according to evidence that is written by Heshen. Can be seen from the attainments of Heshen calligraphy.

Third, the words talk about euphemisms. As the saying goes: "good medicine is good for the disease, the words of wisdom is good for the line. However, even so, there are not many people are happy to hear the words against the ear, especially like the Qianlong such a king of the country, high and mighty, the whole day around the side of the sentence is to sing the praises of. A word against the holy will will sound more and more harsh. Heshen knows very well that trouble comes out of the truth, so he is serving the emperor, he always reminds himself to do tightly open eyes, slow to speak; in the time of speaking as much as possible to do to say the words euphemistically.

The most famous example of this is Heshen's activities before and after the suppression of the Taiwan Lin Shuangwen uprising.

During the Qianlong period, Lin Shuangwen in Taiwan to rise up, responsible for the suppression of the troops were repeatedly frustrated, causing Qianlong's concern, he said he wanted to go on a personal expedition.

Heshen thought, just a few thieves, a large court who can not control? Must let the emperor to go to the Royal Palace, Taiwan, more than 35,000 square kilometers of a piece of land, the mainland Qianlong how much of the area managed 13 million square kilometers, you put 13 million square kilometers do not go to the management of more than 30,000 square kilometers on the Royal Palace, it is not obvious that we have no one in the Qing Dynasty? If you go to Taiwan, the mainland side of the 13 million square kilometers is bound to make a mess, so Heshen to find a grandiose reason to stop Qianlong expedition.

But the problem is here, the emperor does not go, who is going to suppress the people's uprising? Don't worry, Heshen spoke at this time: Your Majesty, I tell you, Taiwan's poor war has its own profound reasons, you see you in your reign in the decades, to the people how good ah, light levies, head tax are not levied, only levy a little land tax, which see you so good emperor? But here in Taiwan, we certainly don't know about your kindness and your benevolence, what is the reason? What is the reason? It is the responsibility of the leader. The person you sent to manage Taiwan did not bring your benevolence to Taiwan, and here lies the problem. So in my humble opinion, prepare with two hands, one, continue to use the army; two, replace the officials in Taiwan. Replace them with a new official who will bring your benevolence to the Taiwanese. A few short words, master Qianlong heard very useful, very love. You can see that Heshen did not say much, the first prevented Master Qianlong's intention to go on a personal expedition, the second praised Master Qianlong's merits and virtues, and the third pointed out the strategy to break the enemy. A few words, the Qianlong master is still very happy, so it is just a little thing. You say, Qianlong listen to how comfortable? He can not like Heshen?

Second, living and living, considerate.

Generally speaking, we would think that Emperor Qianlong is an emperor.

However, in Heshen's eyes, Emperor Qianlong is not only an emperor, but more importantly, Emperor Qianlong is a very ordinary old man. When Heshen made his fortune, the Qianlong Emperor was already in his sixties, and the Qianlong Emperor was getting older and older. Therefore, in Heshen's opinion, in more cases than not, the Qianlong Emperor was less of an emperor and more of a very ordinary, kindly old man. In the Qianlong Emperor, Heshen seemed to see the shadow of his own father. He saw that the Qianlong emperor also has the same joys and sorrows as us ordinary people.

Therefore, learning how to take good care of the elderly Qianlong Emperor became the second basic condition for Heshen to win the favor of the Qianlong Emperor.

So, how to take good care of the elderly Qianlong Emperor?

First, take good care of the elderly Qianlong Emperor's life and living.

Take good care of the elderly Qianlong Emperor, which should have been the responsibility of the palace maid, concubines, eunuchs. But these court ladies, concubines, eunuchs are not educated, can not talk with the Qianlong emperor poetry, painting, calligraphy, Buddhist scriptures, and can not help the Qianlong emperor to deal with military affairs, multi-language communication. Therefore, Heshen for the elderly Qianlong, there is no one can replace.

What's more, the old Emperor Qianlong, like ordinary old people, likes to be flattered and taken care of, and Heshen accompanied Qianlong around, and served the Emperor with care and consideration. From the North Korean "Li Dynasty Records" can be seen: although Heshen noble university sergeant, military minister, but whenever the emperor coughs and spits, he immediately end a spittoon to catch.

Second, take care of the life of the Empress Dowager.

In history, we can often see such a situation, want to be close to what people, if he can be pro-side by his people to start, to show the same respect for his respect, or even stronger respect for his care of people to show more care, often will be cited as the same way, so that the people at first sight, by to the strange effect.

The Qianlong Emperor this person is very filial to his mother, Qianlong left down more than 10,000 poems in many on the portrayal of mother and son *** enjoy the scene of heavenly happiness, expressed his infinite love and attachment to his mother. These poems often borrowed the theme of festivals in which mothers and children get together **** celebration. For example, every year in May, when the pomegranate blossoms and the Duan Yang Spring Festival was approaching, Qianlong always accompanied the Empress Dowager to the Yuanmingyuan to watch the dragon boats. One of his poems recounted this lively scene, mother and son love jumped off the page:

Quickly clear the sky in the King Li fresh, pleasant to all for the benefit of farmland.

The light cloudy first clear invites shock lattice, eternal day as late as the ferry.

The leaves of the slanting clouds rolled by the pavilion, and the low branches of the durian fire burned in the swamp.

The five threads of colorful wisps are in line with the customs, and I wish to compare them to the life of Ci Ning.

Whenever the Empress Dowager's birthday, Qianlong always spared no expense to do a grand celebration of life, the scene is grand, so that the mother is satisfied, happy, and Heshen will be with the guards, personally carrying the Empress Dowager's phoenix carriage, Qianlong see in the eyes, the heart can not help but more valued, appreciate Heshen.

To what extent was the Qianlong Emperor filial to his mother? Emperor Qianlong ordered his mother to comb her hair every day, to fall underground hair one by one to pick up, and finally wait until after his mother died, all the hair are concentrated in a box, specialized in gold casting a gold hair tower, this gold hair tower is now preserved in the Forbidden City inside the collection. Outside is gold, inside is empty, empty box, the box is filled with hair.

The Empress Dowager Chong Qing in Qianlong 67 years old, at the age of 86 years old, died, Qianlong mournful, immediately cut hair, clothing white silk mourning clothes, mourning for the Empress Dowager. Qianlong dismissed the dynasty for three days, long kneeling, with the spirit there, who helped not to go home, that time you think he is the emperor? Many people have advised the Qianlong emperor, advised the Qianlong emperor to be sad, to be cautious, to the country, to the overall situation, only Heshen did not advise the Qianlong emperor a word, the Qianlong emperor kneeling there, he also knelt there, the Qianlong emperor did not get up, he did not go, he accompanied the Qianlong emperor since the beginning of the whole time, did not say a word, and Heshen did not advise the emperor a word. At this time, Heshen knew that all words were superfluous. Three days later, the Qianlong Emperor lost weight, and so did Heshen. The Qianlong Emperor later composed a poem to record the deep remembrance of the Empress Dowager after her death:

You years of black sweet where the township, from the carriage as usual.

Sun had served the banquet to not generation, song and dance line when entertaining a hall.

The first thing I did was to wake up, and I was so lonely that I couldn't bear to see the rest of the world.

Because of this, I thought that it would be true in the future, but it was not a dream, it was a dream.

Because of Qianlong's favor, Heshen's official position has risen, in the history of the Qing Dynasty 296 years is unprecedented. Heshen's official, military positions - inlaid blue flag Manchurian capital, the white flag Manchurian capital, inlaid yellow flag Manchurian capital, the foot army commander; civil service - Minister of the Ministry of the Interior, Minister of the Imperial Household, the Minister of the Government, the white flag collar within the minister of the guards, the yellow flag collar within the minister of the guards, Minister of the military aircraft, leading military aircraft, minister of the military aircraft, minister of the military aircraft, the leader of the class, the minister of the military aircraft, the minister of the Qing dynasty is unprecedented. Minister of Military Affairs, Minister of Military Affairs, Minister of the Imperial Household, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Minister of the Imperial Household, Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and Minister of the Imperial Household; academic positions - the Imperial Exam Reader, the Daily Lecturer, the President of the Sikuquanquan Pavilion, the President of the Shijing Pavilion, the President of the State Historical Pavilion, the Minister of the Imperial House of Justice of the Imperial Household; money official -Chongwenmen tax supervisor; internal duties - also in charge of the affairs of the Imperial Hospital, the Royal Dispensary; titles - Prince Crown Prince, Earl, Duke.

Third, religious beliefs, closely followed.

In any society, people will have certain beliefs; in any society, the ruler will publicize certain claims, so that it becomes a must for people to believe. A society without a dominant belief is very dangerous.

In our feudal society in China, the mainstream beliefs of the society were none other than Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Among these three schools, Confucianism is actually a social and ethical thought, a basic idea of governing the country, and cannot become a kind of faith of the people; the degree of influence of Taoism, which is native to China, is far less than that of Buddhism.

The Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty practiced Lamaism, a form of Buddhism, and so Heshen also practiced Lamaism. ***The same religious beliefs became the third basic condition for Heshen to win the favor of the Qianlong Emperor.

The Qianlong Emperor not only worship Lamaism, but also on the Lamaism of the classics quite a study. The Qianlong emperor also presided over the translation and engraving of the Manchu Da Zang Jing (Great Tibetan Scripture).

China is a country with a variety of religions, the world's three major religions (Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam), in China have their followers, organizations and places of activity. Among them, Buddhism is divided into three branches: Chinese-speaking Buddhism (introduced in the 1st century BC), Tibetan-speaking Buddhism (introduced in the 7th century AD) and Pali-speaking Buddhism (introduced in the 13th century AD). Tibetan Buddhism, referring to these three branches of Tibetan Buddhism, commonly known as Tibetan Buddhism, commonly known as Lamaism.

Lamaism, belonging to the Tantric Buddhism, was introduced to China in the 7th century, and at the beginning of the 15th century, Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), a native of Qinghai, reformed Tibetan Buddhism, combining the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism with local folk beliefs, and created the Lamaism, which is called "Gelugpa", because the Gelugpa monks wore yellow dharma crowns and yellow surplices on their heads. Gelugpa Lama monks wearing yellow crowns, wearing yellow robes and Lamaism is also known as the "yellow religion".

Lamaism as a branch of Buddhism, the ultimate goal of its pursuit and other sects are not different, but compared with the Han Chinese Buddhism known as "Hinayana", "Hinayana" to the theoretical exploration of the main, and Tibetan Buddhism to the essence of Tantra, with a highly organized mantra rituals. The highly organized mantra rituals and beliefs are the main features of Tibetan Buddhism, which propagates the practice of oral recitation of mantras (language secret), hand-knotted seal (body secret) and the mind as a visualization (mind secret) combined with the practice of the three secrets.

Heshen knew that Emperor Qianlong was a fan of Lamaism, so he studied the Lamaist classics. Soon, Heshen reached the point where he was able to "practice tantric Buddhism" with the Qianlong Emperor. In this regard, they were able to achieve the same mind.

Many Qing notes recorded on Heshen with the Qianlong emperor to "practice tantric" in an incident:

After the Qianlong emperor when the full 60 years after the abdication of the emperor, the Xiangyang region of Hubei set off a powerful White Lotus uprising. The insurgents rode across the five provinces of Sichuan, Hubei, Henan, Shaanxi and Gansu, greatly shaking the ruler. This also made Qianlong, who had already become the emperor, have trouble sleeping and eating all day long. Even in the death of Qianlong, but also can not forget.

After Qianlong Zen throne, suddenly one day, a separate call, ordered Heshen into the big inside into the see. When Heshen entered the harem, found that Qianlong face south and sit, and at that time has been enthroned as emperor Jiaqing, is only sitting on a small stool next to Qianlong. Heshen kneeling on the ground, after a long time did not see Qianlong speak, Qianlong closed his eyes as if asleep, only the mouth recite words, as if saying something. Jiaqing side up ears, trying to hear clearly, but ultimately useless, unknown. After a while, Qianlong suddenly opened his eyes and bellowed, "What is the name of that person?" Kneeling on the ground, Heshen did not think, immediately answered: "Xu Tiande, Gou Wenming." Qianlong stopped speaking and continued to close his eyes and recite something silently. After about an hour, before sending Heshen out, during which did not say a word with Heshen. Jiaqing was shocked, after a few days, secretly summoned Heshen, asked him to say: the last time, father called you into the palace, he said something, and you answered the six words and what is the meaning. Heshen should be quite a bit proud to say: the emperor recited a secret incantation in lamaism, silent recitation of this incantation, the cursed person although thousands of miles away from the place will suddenly die. So at that time, when the Taishang Emperor asked about it, I responded with the names of White Lotus bandit leaders Xu Tiande and Gou Wenming. This story clearly illustrates the degree of tacit understanding between Heshen and Emperor Qianlong in terms of their beliefs. However, tacit understanding to the extent that even Qianlong's son, Emperor Jiaqing, is not as good, how can the Jiaqing Emperor not be jealous of Heshen?