One of the Most corrupted Officials In Ancient China-Heshen
2 min readThe fall of Heshen，the rise of Jiaqing.How corrupted can a man be that his treasure even threatens the emperor？
Niohuru Heshen（July 1，1750-February 22，1799），born Shanbao，commonly known as Heshen or Hesen，was from the Manchu Niohuru clan and an official of the Qing Dynasty who wasfavoured by the Qianlong Emperor.His courtesy name was Zhizhai.He was a member of the Plain Red Banner，as well as one of the most corupt officials in Chinese history.
Life
Heshen’s rise
It is said that Heshen reminded emperor of his favorite imperial concubine and so he was favored by the emperor.Within a year，Heshen was promoted to vice-president of the Ministry of Revenue，and two months later was made a Grand Councilor.Within three months，he was promoted even further to a minister of the Imperial Household Department，a post usually filled with the most meritoriousofficials.In 1777，at the age of 27，Heshen was given the privilege of riding a horse within the Forbidden City，a prestigious privilege given only to high-ranking officials of elderly age.It was not long before Heshen was given control of both the Ministry of Revenue and the Civil Council，allowing him to control the revenue of the entire empire and appoint his own henchmen to important posts within the officials.
Supreme in power
Heshen’s hold on the Qianlong Emperor was further strengthened in 1790.His son was married to the emperor’s tenth and favorite daughter.Once secure of the Qianlong Emperor’s favor and approbation，Heshen enjoyed almost complete freedom of his actions.3
He became openly corrupt and practiced extortion on a grand scale.
His supporters within the imperial system followed his lead.Taxes were raised again and again，and this led to the suffering of the people.
Unfortunately，their suffering was compounded by severe floods of the Yellow River-an indirect resuil-of the corruption where dishonest officials pocketed funds that were meant for the upkeep of canals and dams.Rising prices of rice led to starvation.
Succeeded in carrying out one’s duty
In 1793，Heshen was responsible for hosting the McCartney Embassy and he did an excellent job.Knowing the importance of sovereignty and independence，Heshen refused McCartney’s so-called.
“seven requests”to the imperial court though McCartney bribed him many precious gifts Despite conflicts and arguments between these two intelligent diplomatists，Heshen was greatly admired by McCartney.
Heshen’s death
It was not until Qianlong’s death in 1799 that his successor，the Jiaqing Emperor，was able to prosecute Heshen.On February 12，Heshen was arrested.Declared guilty by an imperial edict he was condemned to slow slicing.The Jiaqing Emperor spared Heshen this horrible death，and instead ordered him to commit suicide（by hanging himself with a rope of golden silk）in his home on February 22，sparing his family.
