In 1751, 79-year-old Zhang Tingyu was raided and found 360,000 taels of silver. Qianlong sneered: "Look, this is what you call Qingguan." But when Qianlong finished reading the account book, his face turned livid, and he not only sent back 360,000 taels of silver, but also kept his promise and let Zhang Tingyu enjoy the temple.
Zhang Tingyu, a respected old minister, suffered a downfall in his later years.
This Hanlin from a famous family was deeply appreciated by the two emperors because of his outstanding talents. He has a very high degree, but he can rise and fall in the middle of the dynasty, and Zhang Tingyu has always been honest and incorruptible, not seeking selfish interests.
However, the favor of the emperor is difficult to find, and Zhang Tingyu cannot escape suspicion after all.
Before Yongzheng's death, there was a posthumous order that Zhang Tingyu could enter the temple after his death. The newly ascended Qianlong Emperor was quite disrespectful to Hanchen and did not want to obey his father's orders.
Zhang Tingyu also had the intention to go into hiding, and repeatedly went to beg for leave, but the emperor forcibly kept it, and it was difficult to get what he wanted.
One day, Zhang Tingyu happened to see a landscape painted by a famous artist and appreciated it. The owner wanted to give the painting to him, but he thanked him. Who knew that the painter transported the painting to Zhang's mansion without authorization, and Zhang Tingyu was about to return it, but was summoned by the emperor to inquire about "accepting bribes".
Zhang Tingyu's explanation was fruitless, and the emperor was furious and ordered the Zhang family to be raided.
Copying out 360,000 taels of silver, Zhang Tingyu's face was dull. Qianlong mocked: "Look, this is what you call Qing Guan. "But carefully check the accounts, the money is all about mercy and rewards, Qianlong's face changed greatly, and he returned the silver taels, embarrassed and speechless.
Zhang Tingyu finally got the emperor's permission to return to his hometown, and left his post to weave cloth at home. He died at the age of eighty-three, and the spirit tablet entered the temple according to the emperor's widow, becoming a unique Hanchen among the ancestral shrines.
Zhang Tingyu has been upright and honest all his life. Disasters in the last days, the emperor is wrong, and the family is broken and people die, after all, it is a regret in life. However, its spirit lives on, and future generations worship it, and it can be seen that the clear stream is endless, and the right path is finally like the light of the stars shining in the night sky.
Zhang Tingyu's father, Zhang Ying, also Hanlin, was an official and a cabinet bachelor, and had a great influence on his son's growth. Zhang Tingyu was intelligent since childhood, able to recite Mencius and Analects at the age of eight, and studied with his father in the Siming Building in Nanyang at the age of twelve, dabbling in subsets of scripture and history.
At the age of twenty, he was raised in the middle of his twenties, and then entered the Hanlin Academy as an editor.
Zhang Tingyu was upright by nature and honest and honest. He first served as a scholar and government in Shandong, rectified the school in Yuzhou County, and established a pavilion to give lectures and educate the party. After being transferred to the Criminal Department, he strongly advocated a simple prison and rehabilitated unjust, false and wrong cases, which was deeply loved by the people.
Seeing his talent, the Yongzheng Emperor was promoted to the rank of Attendant of the Ministry of Work, and soon moved to the Ministry of Officials, and began to participate in the important position.
After the Qianlong Emperor came to the throne, Zhang Tingyu repeatedly offered suggestions and made outstanding political achievements. However, because of his promotion to Hanchen, it aroused the jealousy of the old Manchurian ministers. The Qianlong Emperor also suspected that Hanchen was too prosperous, and Zhang Tingyu gradually lost favor, and repeatedly asked for dismissal.
After raiding the house, Zhang Tingyu was exhausted, and finally allowed to return to his hometown, unload the book house, entertain himself with cultivation and weaving, and pass away.
Zhang Tingyu was the most praised person in his life, and he should be regarded as his integrity and promotion of the morality.
He was indifferent to fame and fortune, and vigorously gave away paintings, which shows that he is clean and temperate. In his later years, he even taught his children not to follow the world, which shows that the righteousness has not been lost.
He single-handedly promoted young talents, allowing many ill-fated scholars to enter the service, showing his generosity and protection.
Zhang Tingyu's spirit can be described as a model for future generations, and he should be an example for gentlemen.
