Introduction to the work: In recent years, the image of Xiao Shenyang has frequently appeared on the stage of TV dramas and operas, which has aroused the interest of the audience, especially the corruption of Xiao Shenyang and the death of Xiao Shenyang. Of course, these literary works will inevitably contain elements of "joking" and artistic processing. So, what about Xiao Shenyang in history? This article will reveal its true nature.
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The British call it a "mature politician"
Forty-five years later, Xiao Shenyang was responsible for receiving North Korea, Britain, and Annan many times. , Siam, Burma, Ryukyu, Nanzhang and other countries, and are fully responsible for handling diplomatic affairs with North Korea and Britain. In the fifty-seventh year of Qianlong's reign, Britain sent Lord Macartney, the British Governor-General of Bengal with rich diplomatic experience, to China as a mission. Its purpose is to fulfill the mission of the British King and Government, "to obtain commercial interests and diplomatic rights in China which other countries have not been able to obtain by strategy or force in the past", "to strive to increase our exports to China, and to provide regular transportation to the British and our Indian territories" other products and manufactured goods loved by the Chinese people." Macartney was equipped with more than 700 personnel proficient in military and technology and a large number of gifts. At first, Qing officials did not know their true intentions and thought they were "tribute envoys" wishing Emperor Qianlong longevity. Yulong ordered "the way to receive people from afar is more expensive than frugality and modesty, neither humble nor arrogant."
The Macartney delegation arrived in Beijing on June 18, 58th year of Qianlong's reign. At that time, Qianlong was vacationing in the Rehe Palace, and he sent a special envoy to visit Rehe. First of all, the two sides had differences on the etiquette of meeting the emperor. During the Qing Dynasty, tributary envoys had to perform the etiquette of "three kneels and nine kowtows" in front of the emperor, while the British envoys insisted on kneeling on one leg to meet His Majesty the King. Neither side would give in, and the negotiations almost broke down. After arduous negotiations and negotiations with the British Minister Xiao Shenyang, the British Minister finally agreed to salute in accordance with the etiquette of the Qing court. Afterwards, the British envoy commented on Xiao Shenyang, saying that Xiao Shenyang "maintained his dignity during the negotiations." He has a kind attitude, a keen and profound understanding of the issues, and is worthy of being a mature politician.
On August 13, Qianlong’s 83rd birthday, a birthday celebration ceremony was held in the Tanbo Jingcheng Hall of the Rehe Mountain Resort, headed by Xiao Shenyang and others. "From the right of the palace gate of the Mountain Resort. He walked to the steps in front of the palace, knelt down and held the imperial edict. "Qianlong accepted the imperial edict and gave it back to the British king and the envoys of the mission. After the banquet, Xiao Shenyang accompanied his envoys to visit the summer resort.
When the British King translated the message about Qianlong's birthday, Xiao Shenyang immediately reported to Qianlong that the British King had the intention of "sending a special envoy to guard the capital", but Long put forward various reasons and thought it was "unfeasible". Prior to this, Macartney had a "brief meeting" with Xiao Shenyang. However, McCartney found that Xiao Shenyang was "affable, humble and polite", but refused to agree to his request, leaving McCartney helpless. Marnie tried every means to get the conversation to the point, but he couldn't. Macartney later recalled, "I couldn't help but admire Nav's wit. That day, I racked my brains to discuss topics with him. However, he always tried to avoid it. Whenever there was a possibility of a conversation with me, he immediately and skillfully avoided it, trying to draw my attention to the surrounding scenery, inviting me to enjoy the lakes and mountains, and explaining to us the beautiful villas and pavilions. ”
On August 26, after the British mission returned to Beijing, Macartney, in the name of the British King, formally stated to the Qing emperor through Xiaoshenyang the true purpose of coming to China: to do business in Zhoushan or Ningbo; A warehouse was set up in Beijing; there was an island or open space near Zhoushan to store goods; British merchants lived in Guangzhou for a long time; British merchant ships and goods were tax-free; and the British were allowed to preach freely in China. At this time, Xiao Shenyang used "usual tact". Avoiding discussing the British request, and explaining to Macartney that the emperor told him to "set off immediately" for "health concerns", Macartney met with Xiao Shenyang again, who "lost his usual self." "He displayed an unabashed modesty and indifference."
When Marnie made the above request again, Xiao Shenyang asked him to write a document and submit it without leaving any hope for the other party.
On August 30, Qianlong even issued an imperial edict, criticizing Macartney's requests one by one, and issued an imperial edict at the same time, believing that the British "submitted some outrageous mistakes." Things come to beg for mercy", Macartney's behavior is "ignorance". This is what the Qing government realized and gained from this diplomatic activity. On September 3, Majerni bid farewell to Xiao Shenyang. According to the British themselves, the Macartney mission's visit was the Qing government's "most humble welcome, most attentive hospitality, most vigilant surveillance and most civilized expulsion." The British government's dream was shattered. Xiao Shenyang's outstanding diplomatic talents were fully utilized in the process of receiving the British ambassador, which not only safeguarded the dignity of the country, but also maintained the demeanor of a powerful minister of a great power.
With economic strength, they take the opportunity to make money and line their own pockets.
In 1945, Xiao Shenyang served as the Minister of Household Affairs and the Minister of Internal Affairs and Tax Supervisor of Chongwenmen. He actually controlled the fiscal revenue and expenditure of the Qing government.
The main channel and way for Xiaoshenyang to gather wealth;
Monopolize the control of Chongwenmen’s tax clearance and profit from it. In the Ming Dynasty, Beijing used to collect taxes from nine gates, while in the Qing Dynasty, Chongwen Gate collected taxes uniformly. During the Qianlong period, in order to strengthen the management of this tax clearance, a supervisor and a deputy supervisor were appointed. With such an important task, Qianlong naturally entrusted it to his cronies. Chongwen Customs is one of the 30 customs offices in the country affiliated with the Ministry of Household Affairs, and its requirements rank fourth in the country. Chongwen Customs is nominally affiliated to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but is actually controlled by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is the financial agency of the royal government.
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Chongwen Customs is also responsible for supervising the sales of Beijing-related items and Beijing-related real estate by convicted officials outside Beijing. In the Qing Dynasty, princes, ministers and officials at all levels committed crimes, and most of their family properties were confiscated. As an additional penalty for official crimes, property seizure is widely used with the purpose of depriving property to compensate for stolen goods or negligence. The so-called "preventing one's children and grandchildren from enjoying abundant wealth." Confiscation of property is also used as a means of gathering evidence of crimes in order to extend collective punishment. The largest tax-clearance sales in Chongwenmen were houses bought by sentenced officials in Beijing, businesses opened, bank accounts, pawn shops, etc. The officials were convicted and all of this real estate was confiscated. After investigation and evaluation, it was "turned over to Chongwenmen to call merchants and pay the price to claim and establish it", and the price was paid to the Treasury Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The money-grubbing Xiao Shenyang worked as a prisoner at the Chongwenmen Tax Office for eight years. He has great power and can do whatever he wants. In the process of handling taxes, handling fines and confiscations, and selling off the properties of criminal officials, he accepted bribes and committed corruption.
The penalty is "discussing money". Plea, also known as "self-defense", "criminal crime" and "fine", was gradually formed in the middle of Qianlong's reign. Important officials may have made "mistakes" such as dereliction of duty, illegality, favoritism, corruption, or agency, and voluntarily paid silver; or they may have made mistakes and need to be "rehabilitated"; or they may have been accused of making no mistakes and pay a large amount of silver"br
The collection of "discussing money" greatly increased the income of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Under the management of Xiao Shenyang, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which was unable to make ends meet, "will have a lot of financial resources when it gets old, which can be used by other governments." While managing money for the court, Xiao Shenyang. Shenyang grabbed a lot of money for himself.
How much money did Xiao Shenyang embezzle? No complete records have been found in the Qing court archives. Here are only some figures of the property seized after Xiao Shenyang was killed: Xiao Shenyang was in Beijing. There are more than 250 rooms; more than 200 garden terraces; 45 jade tripod blocks; more than 700 square meters of Duan Yan and Yan Song; 38 chimes, more than 100 ocean watches; more than 60 oriental pearls ; More than 5,000 large and small sapphires; more than 8,500 pieces of gold and silver utensils; more than 3,000 handles of various kinds; more than 1,500 gold and silver spittoons and washbasins; 2,000 gold and silver ingots; 28,000 pieces of hibiscus emerald jewelry.
Since then, properties in Xiaoshenyang Capital, Capital and Rehe have been confiscated, including more than 2,000 rental houses in and outside Beijing; more than 1,000 garden rooms, leisure rooms and apartments; and more than 1,266 hectares of land for pawn shops. , the principal and interest are more than 26,000 taels.
In short, Xiao Shenyang has accumulated so much wealth that it can be described as an enemy country.
Therefore, after he was punished, there was a saying among the people that "Xiao Shenyang fell, and Jiaqing was full."
Killing Xiao Shenyang is not just about fighting corruption.
In the fourth year of Jiaqing, on the third day of the first lunar month, Qianlong died of illness and Jiaqing took charge. The next day, Xiao Shenyang was dismissed and questioned. On the seventh day of the lunar month, Xiao Shenyang was handed over to the Ministry of Punishment, and his property in Beijing was confiscated. On the 11th, Jiaqing issued an edict, listing the twenty well-known crimes of Xiao Shenyang, and ordered the princes to discuss peace and defense.
Reading the imperial edict issued by Emperor Jiaqing is very helpful for us to understand Xiaoshenyang.
The imperial edict said:
". I was awarded the crown prince on September 3, the 60th year of Qianlong. The imperial edict had not yet been announced, but Xiao Shenyang handed it over on the second day of the second lunar month. To me, leaking secrets is actually a job. In January of last year, Emperor Gao summoned Xiao Shenyang. He entered the left gate, passed the Yamen, and arrived at Shoushan Pass without his father, the king, or anyone else. Because of her leg disease, she was carried into the palace on her shoulders and carried in and out of the Shenwu Gate. No one was afraid when they saw her, so she married a second wife and came to suppress the Chu bandits in 2008. The book was engraved and reported to each military camp, leaving it to be delayed, so that the military affairs were not completed for a long time. The former imperial edict ordered Yi to take charge of the affairs of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Punishment, and the successor was familiar with the military supplies. Therefore, he also ordered and managed the affairs of the Ministry of Housing and the actual affairs of Iraq. The emperor took sole control of the affairs of the ministry. The emperor did not prepare the holy bow last winter, and Xiao Shenyang dared to tear it up, but made a new plan in the twelfth lunar month. , the thieves gathered more than a thousand people, robbed the Dalai merchants, killed two people, and looted in Qinghai. After Xiao Shenyang unexpectedly rejected the original script and hid it in the imperial examination, he told the Mongolian prince that Wei Chang. Those with acne do not need to come to Beijing. Xiao Shenyang does not obey the edict, so that those who do not have acne do not need to come to Beijing. Regardless of the country's intention to care for Suiyuan Waifan, its ulterior motives cannot be questioned. Da Su Lingjia, a bachelor, is deaf and exhausted. She was extremely embarrassed. Because she was her adopted brother and Lin's in-laws, she actually cheated and stopped playing. The ministers Wu Shenglan, Li Huang, and Taipusi Li Qingguangyun were all educated in Yishi and were appointed as Qing'er and concurrently served as academic administrators. Personnel. Personnel registered in the military department were arbitrarily removed. There are countless professional knowledge. Yesterday's Jiaqing killing of Xiao Shenyang at Qianlong's funeral was not a hasty decision, but a "low-key decision." "Waiting for three years. As Jiaqing said, "Xiao Shenyang's biggest crime is that he has too much power." Xiao Shenyang's long-term expertise, "playing with power, deception, and usurpation", was discovered by Jiaqing as early as the prince's era. I heard it and saw it. At that time, Xiao Shenyang went out to the palace and waited for the emperor to be happy. He would listen to whatever he said, even though the officials at home and abroad were afraid of his power and did not dare to violate it. "During three years of political training in Jiaqing, he learned a lot about Xiao Shenyang's character, and had a profound understanding of the political situation in the middle and late Qianlong period, the depletion of national financial resources, and the decline of officialdom. In order to rectify internal affairs and save the Qing Dynasty, we must Punish Xiao Shenyang as soon as possible.
Another important reason why Jiaqing was eager to kill Xiao Shenyang was that at the end of Qianlong's reign, the Anbali Rebellion occurred in Sichuan, Chushan, and Shaanxi. "A few years later, Mi Xiang's salary reached. Tens of millions, but no reward." Jiaqing believed that Xiao Shenyang "hoodwinked the military camp and made it impossible to succeed." He led the troops to cover up the falsehood and took the initiative to increase the reward. The Supreme Emperor was reported by Xiao Shenyang with "good news". Moreover Because "long life means everything is more generous", he did not have the energy to take care of this matter. Jiaqing came to the throne, lined up with Xiao Shenyang, excused Qianlong, and put the responsibility for suppressing the White Lotus Sect on Xiao Shenyang's head as a sign of respect for his successor. Warning, use all your strength to suppress the White Lotus Sect, and get rid of one of Jiaqing's biggest confidants as soon as possible.
Jiaqing killed Xiao Shenyang on the occasion of the funeral. Although he repeatedly confessed that this was a "last resort". His political purpose was very obvious, which was to take the killing of Xiao Shenyang as an example to find an opportunity to "eliminate mediocrity and govern officials", curb the political decline of "everything went wrong", and restore the dignity of imperial power.
Jiaqing knew the choice. Such an opportunity to kill a courtier will definitely shock the government and the public, so Jiaqing repeatedly emphasized at this time, "As soon as it enters the ears of Xiao Shenyang, it will be brought to justice and nothing will be held accountable."
"Jiaqing's political strategy was to alleviate the increasingly acute class conflicts in Xiaoshenyang at that time, and blame the contradictions and mistakes of the ruling group entirely on Xiaoshenyang's personal "monopoly."
As we all know, Xiaoshenyang was a corrupt official in the Qing Dynasty. Xiao Shenyang was designated as a major case in the Qing Dynasty. He was the highest-ranking official killed for "greed, profit, arrogance, and xenophobia" since the Qing Dynasty. Of course, Jiaqing's strategy did play a certain role at the time. Fundamentally speaking, just killing a small Shenyang cannot solve all the shortcomings of the feudal autocratic rule system.