Liu Yong, a legendary figure in the history of the Qing Dynasty, what kind of person is he? He was a brilliant man of letters, known for his profound calligraphy skills; He was an honest and honest official who won the hearts of the people by obeying the law; He was also a sleek and sophisticated courtier, who was comfortable navigating the complex politics of the court. However, behind these appearances, what is Liu Yong's inner world? Has his way of being an official consistent? How did he adjust his way of doing things in two completely different environments, the local and the imperial court? What is the subtle relationship between him and the powerful He Shen?
Liu Yong, the word Chongru, the number Shian, the ancestral home of Zhucheng, Shandong. He was born into a prominent family, his grandfather Liu Yuan was the governor of Jiangxi, and his father Liu Tongxun was the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu. Such a family background provides unique conditions for Liu Yong's growth.
The Liu family has been cultivating and reading for generations, and the family has a rich collection of books. Liu Yong has been exposed to such an environment since he was a child, and has developed a strong interest in poetry and poetry. It is rumored that at the age of seven, Liu Yong was able to read classics such as the Book of Songs and the Analects by heart, and was able to grasp the meaning of them. This not only reflects Liu Yong's talent and intelligence, but also reflects the importance that the Liu family attaches to the education of their children.
However, unlike ordinary people, Liu Yong did not embark on the path of the imperial examination as a teenager. On the contrary, he did not take any imperial examinations until he was thirty years old. This anomaly has given rise to a lot of speculation. Some people believe that this is because Liu Yong's father, Liu Tongxun, hopes that his son can accumulate more practical experience, instead of blindly delving into the Bagu article. It is also said that when Liu Yong was young, he traveled all over the world for a period of time to observe the people's feelings and lay the foundation for his future career.
In any case, this unconventional experience added a unique color to Liu's later political career. He not only has a profound cultural heritage, but also has a personal understanding of the people's suffering. This combination of knowledge and experience enabled Liu to handle a variety of complex issues with ease in his later career.
It was not until the sixteenth year of Qianlong (1751) that the thirty-three-year-old Liu Yong took the imperial examination for the first time. This year, he participated in the examination and the palace examination as a person of Enyinju, and won the Jinshi in one fell swoop. This hard-won fame marks Liu Yong's official career.
Subsequently, Liu Yong was elected as the Jishi of the Hanlin Academy, and began his officialdom career that lasted for more than half a century. During his time at the Hanlin Academy, Liu Yong was diligent and studious, constantly improving his talents. His calligraphy skills improved greatly during this period, laying the foundation for his later well-known scholars.
However, it wasn't all smooth sailing. In the twentieth year of Qianlong (1755), Liu Yong's father, Liu Tongxun, was imprisoned for inappropriate military affairs. Liu Yong, who was a waiter at the Hanlin Academy, was also implicated and was arrested and imprisoned. Although he was released two months later, his official position was demoted to the rank of editor. This setback had a profound impact on Liu Yong, making him deeply aware of the sinister and impermanence of officialdom.
Fortunately, the following year, Liu Yong was promoted to Anhui Xuezheng and began his career as a magistrate. This experience provided Liu with valuable practical opportunities to put his knowledge and ideas into practice. During his tenure as a scholar in Anhui and Jiangsu, Liu Yong vigorously rectified the accumulated shortcomings in the scientific field and reformed the bad habits of officialdom, which won the praise of the people.
During this period, Liu Yong showed a vigorous and resolute, honest and capable style. He inherited his father Liu Tongxun's way of being an official, and was known for his honesty and integrity. When handling cases, Liu Yong is often able to quickly sort out the clues and make fair judgments, which has enabled many difficult cases that have been backlogged for a long time to be resolved.
Liu Yong's performance was appreciated by Emperor Qianlong. The emperor gave Liu Yong poems twice, placing high hopes on him. This is not only an affirmation of Liu Yong's ability, but also lays the foundation for his future career development.
Liu Yong's performance as a magistrate laid a solid foundation for his future career. From Anhui Xuezheng to Jiangsu Xuezheng, and then to the prefect of Taiyuan Prefecture and Jiangning Prefecture, Liu Yong gradually showed the image of an upright and upright magistrate.
In the Anhui academic and political office, Liu Yong first faced the problem of accumulation of shortcomings in the scientific field. At that time, in the imperial examinations, fraud was repeatedly prohibited. After Liu Yong took office, he immediately set about rectifying the order of the examination room. He personally inspected the examination room, strictly invigilated the examination, and severely punished any cheating found no matter who was involved. Once, when the son of a local tycoon was found to be carrying a cheat sheet, Liu Yong expelled him from the examination room on the spot and disqualified him from the examination, regardless of his family's power. Although this move offended many powerful people, it won the respect and support of the candidates.
In Jiangsu's academic and political office, Liu Yong showed his strength. He noticed that the education system at that time focused too much on the eight-strand essay and neglected the practical application. To this end, he put forward the educational concept of "applying what is done to the world", encouraging students to pay attention to real-world problems and apply what they have learned. He also organized a number of academic seminars, inviting scholars from all over the world to discuss the direction of education reform. These measures caused a lot of shock in the education circles at that time, and also provided a reference for later education reform.
Liu Yong's performance as the governor of Taiyuan Prefecture is even more impressive. At that time, Taiyuan Prefecture was facing a serious flood problem, and during the rainy season, floods flooded, and the people were miserable. After Liu Yong took office, he immediately organized manpower to survey the terrain and formulated a complete flood control plan. He personally supervised the progress of the project, worked tirelessly, and often went to the front line to command. Thanks to his efforts, the water conservancy facilities in Thai Nguyen Province have been significantly improved, effectively reducing the damage caused by flooding.
However, Liu's political achievements in Taiyuan Province were not all smooth sailing. Just as he was benefiting the people, a corruption case caught him in the whirlpool. Yangqu County Ling Duan successfully took advantage of his position to embezzle public funds. As a superior official, Liu Yong was implicated for failing to detect and stop the act in time. Although Liu Yong himself was not involved in corruption, he was dismissed from his post for negligence and even faced the death penalty for a time.
This incident dealt a heavy blow to Liu Yong's career, but it also made him more aware of the complexity of officialdom. After Emperor Qianlong's amnesty, although Liu Yong was spared death, he was still sent to serve in the frontier. This experience had a profound impact on Liu Yong's way of becoming an official, making him more cautious in his future career.
After experiencing the hardships of frontier life, Liu Yong once again got the opportunity to become an official. His appointment as prefect of Jiangning Province was another turning point in his political career. As the political and economic center of Nanzhili, Jiangning Prefecture is far more difficult to govern than before. Liu Yong knew that this was an opportunity to prove himself, so he threw himself into governance.
During his tenure in Jiangning, Liu Yong implemented a series of reform measures. He noticed that there were many irrationalities in the local tax system, which led to an overburden on the people. To this end, he proposed the policy of "equal servitude", which reasonably distributed the labor obligations originally borne by the poor people to all strata. This policy has greatly reduced the burden on the people at the bottom and has been widely praised.
At the same time, Liu Yong also pays attention to cultural construction. He advocated the establishment of schools and encouraged scholars to participate in local governance. Under his promotion, the cultural atmosphere of Jiangning Mansion has become increasingly strong, and a number of outstanding literati and scholars have emerged. This not only improved the local cultural level, but also reserved talents for the imperial court.
Liu Yong's political achievements in Jiangning Mansion attracted the attention of the imperial court. Emperor Qianlong was pleased with his performance, believing that he had learned from his previous mistakes and had regained his ability to govern. As a result, Liu Yong was soon promoted to governor of Hunan and began a higher level of local governance.
In his tenure as governor of Hunan, Liu Yong's challenges are even more daunting. At that time, the Hunan region was in a period of social turmoil, bandits were rampant, and the people were struggling to make a living. Liu Yong took tough measures, on the one hand, strengthening local armed forces to crack down on bandits; On the other hand, the policy of reassuring the people was implemented to encourage the people to engage in production. After a period of hard work, the social order in Hunan has been markedly improved.
Liu's outstanding performance as a magistrate has earned him the opportunity to be promoted. In the fifty-second year of Qianlong (1787), Liu Yong was recalled to the capital and officially entered the central political arena. During this period, Liu Yong showed a completely different political style from the period of local officials, and gradually grew into a sleek and sophisticated court minister.
When he first entered the imperial court, Liu Yong was appointed as a waiter in the Ministry of Rites. As an important official of the Ministry of Rites, he was responsible for handling the ceremonial affairs and diplomatic affairs of the imperial court. In this position, Liu Yong has demonstrated remarkable diplomatic skills. At that time, the Qing Dynasty's relations with neighboring countries were sometimes frictional, and Liu Yong, with his profound cultural cultivation and flexible way of doing things, resolved diplomatic crises many times.
Once, when a Korean mission came to visit, there was a dispute with Qing officials over etiquette. The two sides took a tough attitude, and the situation reached a stalemate for a while. Liu Yong cleverly quoted relevant expositions from the Confucian classics, both to preserve the dignity of the Qing dynasty and to give due respect to the Korean mission. This way of dealing with it that is neither rude nor decent, won the appreciation of Emperor Qianlong.
With the accumulation of political experience, Liu Yong gradually mastered the rules of operation of imperial court politics. He realized that in the complex environment of the imperial court, simple honesty and honesty were no longer enough. In order to better realize his political ambitions, he began to learn to maneuver with other officials and form his own political alliances.
In the process, the relationship between Liu Yong and He Shen became a compelling topic. As the most powerful minister in the late Qianlong Dynasty, He Shen almost monopolized the power of the imperial court. Many officials were either attached to Heshen or opposed it. However, Liu has adopted a delicate balancing act. He neither openly opposes Heshen nor is he completely attached to him. This way of doing things allowed Liu Yong to maintain a relatively independent position in the imperial court, and at the same time avoided a head-on conflict with He Shen.
In the 56th year of Qianlong (1791), Liu Yong was appointed Minister of Military Aircraft and officially entered the core of power. As a member of the Military Aircraft Division, Liu Yong has been involved in the formulation of many major decisions. In this position, he gave full play to his political wisdom and maneuvered between various forces with ease.
On one occasion, there was a heated debate between the DPRK and China about the governance policy in the Northwest Territories. The main war faction advocated a strong way to suppress the local rebels, while the main peace faction tended to adopt a policy of softness. The debate was at an impasse. Liu proposed a compromise: to strengthen military defenses while implementing a series of policies to benefit the people in order to win the support of the local population. This plan not only took care of the demands of both sides, but also was feasible, and was finally adopted by Emperor Qianlong.
Liu Yong's performance in the military aircraft department showed his superb political balancing skills. He is adept at finding a balance between different interest groups, not offending any party, but also promoting the implementation of policies. This way of doing things made Liu Yong's position in the court increasingly solid.
However, Liu's political career has not been without its challenges. In the last years of Qianlong, the power struggle within the imperial court became more and more intense. He Shen's autocratic power caused dissatisfaction among many ministers, but because He Shen won the trust of Emperor Qianlong, few dared to openly oppose him. In this case, Liu Yong adopted a subtle tactic: he maintained friendly relations with He Shen on the surface, but secretly supported some policies against He Shen.
Although this practice saved Liu Yong himself, it also put him in a dilemma. On the one hand, he could not completely break with Heshen, because that would endanger his political life; On the other hand, he was reluctant to be completely dependent on He Shen, because that would be contrary to his political ideals. This contradictory situation has become one of the biggest challenges of Liu's political career.
In the 60th year of Qianlong (1795), Emperor Qianlong decided to cede the throne to the prince Yongyan (later Emperor Jiaqing). During this sensitive period, Liu Yong played an important role. He assisted Emperor Qianlong in a series of matters related to Chan Rang and ensured the smooth transfer of power. This contribution enabled Liu Yong to maintain an important position after the new emperor ascended the throne.
After Jiaqing ascended the throne, the political landscape of the imperial court changed dramatically. He Shen's power was gradually weakened, and he was finally investigated and raided. In the process, Liu Yong once again demonstrated a masterful political balance. He neither fell into the trap and participated in the criticism of Heshen, nor did he defend Heshen. This neutral attitude enabled Liu Yong to preserve himself during the transition between the old and new forces, and continued to play an important role in the DPRK.
In the first year of Jiaqing (1796), with the accession of the new emperor, the political situation of the imperial court changed dramatically. Liu Yong, with his accumulated political capital and slick handling of affairs during the Qianlong Dynasty, successfully achieved a transition of power and continued to hold important positions in the imperial court. During this period, Liu Yong can be said to have achieved fame and reached the pinnacle of his career.
After Emperor Jiaqing ascended the throne, the first task he faced was to rectify the rule of officials and eliminate the corrupt influence left by He Shen. As an experienced veteran, Liu Yong played an important role in this process. He proposed a series of reforms, including a review of the criteria for the appointment of officials and a stronger oversight of local officials. These suggestions were approved by Emperor Jiaqing and gradually put into practice.
In the process of handling the He Shen case, Liu Yong showed superb political wisdom. He neither fell into the trap nor defended Heshen, but adopted a neutral attitude. This approach avoids getting involved in complex political disputes and preserves itself. Emperor Jiaqing admired Liu Yong's way of doing things, believing that he was a trustworthy minister.
In the third year of Jiaqing (1798), Liu Yong was appointed as the head of the household department. As the main person in charge of one of the six ministries of the imperial court, Liu Yong's challenges are even more daunting. At that time, the Qing Dynasty's financial situation was deteriorating day by day, and the treasury was empty. Liu Yong proposed a series of reforms, including overhauling the tax system, cutting redundant staff, and controlling spending. Although these measures caused dissatisfaction among some officials in the short term, in the long run, they played a positive role in stabilizing the Qing Dynasty's finances.
During his tenure in the Ministry of Households, Liu Yong also handled a far-reaching case. At that time, a large-scale salt tax fraud case broke out in the Jiangnan area. The amount of money involved is huge, and the implications are widespread. Liu Yong personally went to Jiangnan to investigate the case, fearless of the powerful, and thoroughly investigated to the end. In the end, he not only recovered a large amount of lost tax revenue, but also exposed a group of corrupt officials. The successful handling of this case not only demonstrated Liu Yong's ability, but also saved a lot of losses for the imperial court.
In the sixth year of Jiaqing (1801), Liu Yong was appointed as the Minister of Military Aircraft and concurrently served as the secretary of the ministry. This marked the pinnacle of his career. As Minister of Military Aircraft, Liu Yong participated in the formulation of many major national policies. When dealing with the affairs of the Northwest Frontier, he proposed the strategy of "using razes to defeat razors", by supporting some tribes to contain other restless forces. This strategy has eased tensions in the Northwest to some extent.
However, as he grew older, Liu began to consider retiring. In the tenth year of Jiaqing (1805), he submitted his resignation to Emperor Jiaqing on the grounds of old age and infirmity. Emperor Jiaqing did not agree at first, thinking that the imperial court still needed an old minister like Liu Yong. But under Liu Yong's repeated pleas, Emperor Jiaqing finally accepted his resignation.
After Liu Yong retired, he did not completely break away from the government. Emperor Jiaqing often summoned him to the palace to consult on state affairs, especially on some difficult issues, and often asked Liu Yong's opinion. This state of "retreat without rest" made Liu Yong still maintain his influence on the affairs of the imperial court in his later years.
Living in seclusion has given Liu more time to pursue his personal interests. He began to devote himself to calligraphy and painting, and created a large number of works. Liu Yong's calligraphy is known for its regular script and line calligraphy, and his penmanship is strong and powerful, which is quite distinctive. His paintings are mainly landscape paintings, with a fresh and elegant painting style, which is deeply loved by literati and scholars. These artistic creations not only enriched Liu Yong's later life, but also left a valuable cultural heritage for future generations.
In addition to his artistic creation, Liu Yong also devotes a lot of time to writing books and sayings. He sorted out his many years of political experience and compiled it into the book "The Best of Huan Hai", which recorded his career experience and insights into officialdom in detail. This book is not only a summary of Liu Yong's personal experience, but also provides valuable first-hand information for the study of Qing Dynasty politics.
In his later years, Liu was also passionate about philanthropy. He used some of his accumulated wealth to build schools, roads, and alleviate poverty. In his hometown of Anhui, he donated funds to establish a number of schools to provide educational opportunities for local underprivileged children. These acts of kindness have not only improved the lives of the local people, but also earned Liu a good reputation.
In the eighteenth year of Jiaqing (1813), Liu Yong, who was in his prime, passed away. After Emperor Jiaqing learned the news, he personally wrote a memorial text and spoke highly of Liu Yong's life's contributions. The imperial court also posthumously awarded Liu Yong the honorary official position of Prince Taibao, and ordered the construction of an ancestral hall in his hometown as a token of appreciation. Liu Yong's death marked the end of an outstanding politician in the Qing Dynasty and also drew an end to the political stage in the middle of the Qing Dynasty.
As a pivotal political figure in the mid-Qing Dynasty, Liu Yong's life's deeds and contributions have sparked extensive discussions and evaluations in history. From the Qianlong Dynasty to the Jiaqing Dynasty, Liu Yong's political career spanned two eras, witnessing and participating in the critical period of the Qing Dynasty's transition from prosperity to decline.
At the political level, Liu's assessment is mixed. Proponents see Mr. Liu as a politician who can navigate complex political situations. In the last years of Qianlong and during the period of Shen's dictatorship, he was able to maintain a relatively neutral position, neither openly confronting Heshen nor being completely dependent on him, and this balancing act enabled him to gain a long-term foothold in the political arena. After the fall of He Shen in the early years of Jiaqing, Liu Yong was able to quickly adjust his position and assist the new monarch in implementing reforms, and this political acumen and adaptability were seen as a manifestation of his political wisdom.
Critics, however, point out that Liu's approach to the world actually reflects his opportunistic tendencies. They believe that Liu Yong failed to stand up in the face of He Shen's corruption, but instead adopted a wise attitude of self-preservation, which saved himself, but also connived at the spread of corruption to a certain extent. Some historians even believe that it was the existence of officials like Liu Yong that enabled He Shen to control the government for a long time, which eventually led to the decline of the Qing Dynasty.
In terms of administrative ability, Liu's performance has been more unanimously affirmed. During his tenure as the head of the household department, he proposed a series of reforms in the face of the Qing Dynasty's growing financial crisis, such as rectifying the tax system, reducing redundant staff, and controlling expenditures. Although these measures caused some resistance in the short term, in the long run, they played a positive role in stabilizing the Qing Dynasty's finances. In particular, his decisiveness and courage in handling the Jiangnan salt tax fraud case have won wide praise.
Liu Yong's contributions to culture are also noteworthy. As a well-educated person, Liu Yong has good attainments in poetry and calligraphy. His calligraphy works are known for his regular script and line calligraphy, and his penmanship is strong and powerful, and is widely respected by later generations of calligraphy lovers. In his later years, he wrote "The Outstanding Records of the Imperial Sea", which is not only a personal memoir, but also an important historical material for the study of Qing Dynasty politics, providing valuable first-hand information for later generations of scholars.
In terms of education and philanthropy, Liu Yong's contributions cannot be overlooked. In his hometown of Anhui, he donated funds to set up a free school to provide educational opportunities for local poor children, and this emphasis on education has played a positive role in improving the local cultural level. At the same time, he was also enthusiastic about various charitable causes, such as building roads and alleviating poverty, which not only improved the lives of the local people, but also earned him a good reputation.
Liu Yong's way of being an official had a profound impact on later generations of officials. He was good at finding a balance between different interest groups, and his practice of not offending any party while promoting the implementation of policies was regarded by many later officials as a guideline for dealing with the world. However, this approach has also sparked controversy, with some arguing that the golden mean, while good for one's career, may be detrimental to the long-term development of the country.
In historical evaluations, Liu Yong's image is often portrayed as a synthesis of contradictions. He was both a capable politician and administrator, as well as a controversial figure in his moral integrity. His political career reflected the complexity of officialdom in the mid-Qing Dynasty, as well as the social contradictions and political dilemmas of the era.
Liu's experiences and actions provide a unique perspective for understanding the political ecology of the mid-Qing Dynasty. His political wisdom and administrative prowess undoubtedly contributed to the rule of the Qing Dynasty, but his attitude in the face of corruption also reflected the problems that prevailed in officialdom at the time. This complexity makes Liu Yong an important case study of Qing politics.
In general, Liu Yong's evaluation as a historical figure has always been controversial. But in any case, his political, cultural, educational, and other contributions cannot be ignored. His experiences and deeds not only influenced the era in which he lived, but also left a rich historical legacy and profound enlightenment for future generations.