In fact, in his later years, Qianlong was troubled by two contradictions: One was the political creed of power and declining health; One was the constant flood of material desires and the promise of not increasing the burden on the people.
Although his health was becoming more and more difficult to support daily government affairs, Qianlong never thought of sharing power with the important officials of the court.
Although he was old, Qianlong knew that these important officials had been in the court for many years and had deep roots. Once they shared the highest decision-making power, it was easy to attract a large number of followers and form cliques. In the future, it was inevitable that Qianlong would be powerless. Therefore, in order to ensure that he monopolized power, Qianlong urgently needed a handy crutch, or a capable personal secretary to help him deal with daily government affairs and implement specific decisions.
Firstly, this person should have no background in the court, no faction, and no qualifications. Only then would he be submissive and absolutely loyal to the Emperor. Second, and more importantly, he had to be quick-witted, decisive, talented, and capable of handling some complicated affairs on behalf of the emperor. Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to enter the eyes of Qianlong, who was famous for being picky.
Coincidentally, He Shen was such a person.
In the 40th year of Qianlong, Heshen was listed on the Qianlong market.
A year later, in the first month of the 41st year of Qianlong (1776), the 27-year-old He Shen was appointed as the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, becoming a second-grade official. In March, he became the Minister of Military Affairs, and in April, he was also the Prime Minister of the Internal Affairs Department.
From then on, he had been steadily at the highest level of politics, from baron to duke, from the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue to the minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the grand secretary of the Hall of Cultural Splendor, and the crown prince. His rapid promotion, the complexity of his responsibilities, and the scale of his responsibilities were unprecedented in the Qing Dynasty. Emperor Qianlong, who had always looked down on others, was very observant and unpredictable, never doubted Heshen's talent and loyalty.
Qianlong naturally wanted to put He Shen in an important position. However, He Shen was not stupid. He understood what it meant to accompany the emperor like a tiger. He also understood the emperor's thoughts. It was not that he had not considered his own path of retreat.
On one hand, it was the engagement between Feng Shen Yin De and the Tenth Princess. On the other hand, He Shen deliberately did not get along with his younger brother He Lin, so that He Lin would rely on Fu Kangan to gain military power.
The last step was to rope in Liu Hao.
In the future, if Liu Hao was released, he could also form a spy with him.
It could be said that He Shen's little calculations were also ringing. Qianlong was also getting older and more muddle-headed. His energy was gradually not as good as before, and some things were naturally left to be.
"Liu Hao, you are a sixth-rank scholar from the Imperial Academy. You have rendered meritorious service in managing the refugees. In addition, you have found Ge Ge for Zhen. Zhen will promote you to a sixth-rank cabinet attendant!”"How is it?" Qianlong asked slowly.”
A sixth-rank cabinet attendant?
He had been promoted from Rank Six to Rank Six. It seemed that he had not gained much from it. However, not everyone was like a great official who could be promoted from an unranked official to a Rank Two official of the imperial court in just a year.
Liu Hao hurriedly bowed to Qianlong.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Qianlong narrowed his eyes and said slowly,""Liu Hao, you have managed the refugees well and shared my worries. However, you are still young and need to be trained. In the future, if there is a chance, I will reward you!”
"Your Majesty's words are timely. Rain, dew, thunder, and lightning are all your grace. Liu Hao will definitely pour his liver and brain on the ground. Although ten thousand deaths are not enough to repay your grace!”Liu Hao stood up and said.
Qianlong was obviously in a good mood. While drinking Meng 'er's tea, he said,"Liu Hao, tell me, how did you manage these refugees?”
"Nothing else. I'm just eating, living, and sleeping with the refugees!”Liu Hao slowly said.
Oh?
Qianlong's face revealed a slightly stunned expression.""Eat, live, and sleep together?"
Liu Hao slowly said," That's right. When Liu Hao deals with the disaster victims, he naturally has to calm them down. At the same time, on one hand, Liu Hao cultivates the wasteland, and on the other hand, he raises chickens and ducks!”
……
Liu Hao explained. He was extremely good at telling stories.
In this one month, there was a lot of bitterness and bitterness. He chose a few stories of the disaster victims to tell, which was enough to move Qianlong.
After pondering for a moment, Qianlong suddenly said,""Liu Hao, take off your boots!"
Liu Hao was silent for a moment when he heard this. After which, he quietly took off his boots.
Ah!
Even Meng 'er couldn't help but let out a cry. Liu Hao had suffered a lot in the past month, and his feet had long been worn out with thick calluses.
"You are a scholar, a scholar of the Imperial Academy, a sixth-rank official!”Qianlong let out a sigh, and the corners of his eyes were actually a little wet."I didn't expect that you would personally go to the fields to govern the refugees. With a loyal official like you in the Great Qing Dynasty, there would be no end to it!”
"Qianqiu Wuji, my ass. If I get the chance, I'll definitely be the first to rebel against you!”Liu Hao muttered in his heart.
Qianlong's personality could be said to be extremely complicated.
He was a temperamental man who drank only a few cups in his life. However, he was also extravagant and extravagant, spending money like sand and the sea. He was compassionate and often shed tears because of the hardships of the people. Sometimes, he was as barbaric as a beast, creating tragic literary prisons and even exterminating races in wars.
To the 'obedient people', he' loved them like his own children 'and often shed tears for the sufferings of the people. He generously exempted the world's money and grain, exempted the taxes of the poor people, and spared no effort in providing relief during times of famine.
He was unreasonable to the 'unruly people' who dared to resist. No matter how the common people were exploited by the corrupt officials, they could only resign themselves to fate and could not "skip levels to appeal". He had always regarded the mass protests and the defense of his own rights as a great enemy. He had repeatedly stressed that he would "punish them strictly" and even "punish them without any hesitation".
He was a complicated person, but he wasn't.
All his life, his actions revolved around the " maximized political benefits " and the overall situation of " establishing the foundation of the Qing Dynasty for all generations ". For the sake of this big picture, he could be as soft as silk or as tough as steel. It could be the most merciful, but it could also be the most cruel.
He was a brilliant actor. Many times, his personality changes were completely due to political needs.
Taking a deep breath, Qianlong slowly said,""Liu Hao, zhen wants to reward you, heavily reward you!“
"Your Majesty!" Liu Hao inhaled a deep breath of air. After which, he slowly opened his mouth and said,"Liu Hao doesn't want a reward, he only wishes for one thing.”
Oh?
Qianlong's eyes revealed a sharp glint.""Tell me!"
On the other side, Meng 'er lowered her head slightly, and her face could not help but turn red.
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