Emperor Qianlong reigned for more than 60 years and was the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty to make a difference. During his reign, he not only realized the "prosperous era of Kangqian", but also left many interesting anecdotes. One of the most famous is the incident of "Qianlong gave Liu Tang to commit suicide by jumping into the river". At that time, Liu Tang, as one of Qianlong's most trusted ministers, was killed by Qianlong due to a dispute and ordered him to commit suicide by throwing himself into the river. Faced with life and death, Liu Tang unexpectedly went home to take a bath before going to the river. In the end, Liu Tang not only did not commit suicide, but was rewarded by Qianlong. What is the inside story behind this? Why did Liu Tang be so calm and calm, and why did Qianlong suddenly change his mind? Let us find out.
The origin of Qianlong and Liu Tang
Liu Tang, the word is thick, Dream Village, Jiangsu Chang Acquaintance. He was born in a famous family, read poetry and books since he was a child, read a lot of books, and was honest and kind. During the Qianlong period, Liu Tang was selected as a scholar of the Hanlin Academy as a talent and entered the official career. With his outstanding talent and noble character, Liu Tang was soon appreciated by Emperor Qianlong and was repeatedly reused.
At the beginning of Qianlong's accession to the throne, the country was in turmoil, and the government and the opposition were in chaos. With a style of outspoken admonition, Liu Tang took up the case for Qianlong, pointed out all kinds of malpractices at present, and put forward pertinent suggestions. Qianlong greatly appreciated Liu Tang's talent and loyalty, and kept him by his side and entrusted him with important tasks. Since then, Liu Tang has risen all the way, successively serving as a bachelor in the Hanlin Academy, a scholar in the Ministry of Rites and other important positions, and has become one of Qianlong's most trusted advisers.
The two have known each other for many years and have already established a deep trust. Qianlong praised Liu Tang for his "superior knowledge and excellent integrity", and regarded him as "the minister of the humerus". And Liu Tang also had great virtue towards Emperor Qianlong, served piously, and worked together from top to bottom, forming a rare relationship between monarchs and ministers. During the reign of Qianlong, Liu Tang made many miraculous achievements and made great contributions to the implementation of a series of policies.
However, the struggle between the government and the opposition has never ceased. He Shen, as another important minister of Qianlong, has always had a dislike with Liu Tang. The two have different opinions on many political matters, and often quarrel with each other and attack each other. Although Qianlong trusted Liu Tang, he was occasionally confused by He Shen's rhetoric. This kind of contradiction accumulated over time, and finally broke out at a court meeting.
The dispute on the Golden Luang Palace
In the early morning of the 36th year of Qianlong, on the Jinluan Palace, Emperor Qianlong was presiding over the court meeting. The topic of the day was the military defense of the border areas, and the ministers of the DPRK and China had a heated discussion on this issue.
For a while, the Jinluan Hall was divided into two factions. One faction advocates strengthening border defense and increasing troops to garrison the border in order to ensure national security, while the other faction believes that there is no major threat to the border areas at present and that there is no need to spend too much military spending. The two sides insist on their own words, you come and go, and argue endlessly.
Emperor Qianlong listened to the arguments of the ministers on the dragon chair, sometimes frowning, sometimes nodding. As the current emperor, he needs to weigh the pros and cons and make the final decision.
At this moment, Lord He Shen spoke. As Qianlong's most trusted adviser, He Shen is proficient in observing words and feelings. He saw that Qianlong had doubts about this issue, so he took the opportunity to speak.
He Shen first affirmed the importance of strengthening border defense, but then pointed out that at present, the treasury is empty, grain and grass are in short supply, and if we hastily increase troops, I am afraid it will be difficult to continue. He suggested postponing the increase in troops, concentrating efforts on reorganizing the existing army first, and then making plans when the time was ripe.
He Shen's words were like a basin of cold water, dousing the smell of gunpowder in the dispute between the DPRK and China. The ministers all looked sideways and felt that He Shen's proposition was indeed reasonable. Even the faction that originally insisted on increasing the number of troops was secretly shaken at this time.
However, at this moment, Liu Yong suddenly opened his mouth to refute He Shen's point of view. As another important minister of Qianlong, Liu Yong has always been upright and never afraid of He Shen's power.
Liu Yong bluntly pointed out that He Shen's proposition is short-sighted and short-sighted, ignoring the country's long-term peace and stability. He believes that the frontier is related to the security of the country and must not be taken lightly. Even if the national treasury is in an emergency at present, it is necessary to increase troops to garrison the border in order to consolidate the foundation of the frontier.
As soon as Liu Yong's words came out, the DPRK and China were immediately divided into two factions. Those who originally supported He Shen were also persuaded by Liu Yong's arguments at this time and turned to support the increase in troops. The two sides once again quarreled and argued.
Seeing this, Emperor Qianlong couldn't help frowning. He was originally inclined to He Shen's ideas, but Liu Yong's words also made him waver. As the king of a country, he needs to judge the situation, weigh the pros and cons, and make the wisest choice.
At this juncture, He Shen spoke again. He first praised Liu Yong's vision, but pointed out that Liu's ideas were too idealistic and ignored the difficulties of reality. Then, He Shen pointed the finger at Liu Yong, saying that he was complacent, disregarding the overall situation, and was a "scholarly spirit".
Liu Tang's abnormal behavior after receiving the order
Emperor Qianlong was furious and ordered Liu Tang to commit suicide by throwing himself into the river, and the news soon spread throughout the capital. As an important minister of the court, the news of Liu Tang's death undoubtedly caused shock to the government and the opposition.
However, while everyone was speculating about how Liu Tang would face life and death, Liu Tang's own reaction was beyond everyone's expectations. Far from being terrified, he was calm, as if it were just a trivial matter.
In the afternoon of the same day, Liu Tang returned to his mansion. Along the way, he did not show the slightest expression of sadness or fear, and remained calm and calm, as if he was going to an ordinary banquet.
After arriving at the mansion, Liu Tang instructed his subordinates to prepare hot water for him and take a bath and change clothes. Although the family did not understand what they meant, they still did what they said. Soon, a pool of hot water was prepared.
Liu Tang took off his clothes and walked slowly into the bath. He carefully washed every inch of skin on his body, as if he were going to perform a solemn ceremony for himself. After bathing, he changed into a new robe, which still smelled faintly of incense.
After tidying up, Liu Tang instructed his family to prepare a sumptuous dinner for him, and put on his favorite dishes. He said that when he returned from the river, he would have to enjoy the feast.
After hearing this, the family members were even more confused, so they had to follow their words. Soon, a table of delicacies was set up, and the aroma was overflowing.
At this moment, a team of officers and soldiers suddenly came to Liu Tang's mansion and wanted to take him to the execution ground for justice. Liu Tang did not panic at all, but just said to his family, "I'll go out for a while," and left with the officers and soldiers.
Along the way, the people along the street all saw off Liu Tang. They all know that Liu Tang is a good official who is honest and upright and loves the people. Now that they have suffered this misfortune, they all feel sad and unjust.
Liu Tang smiled all the way and waved to the people along the way, as if he was going to a grand ceremony. Until he arrived at the river, he still maintained a calm and calm demeanor.
A large crowd has gathered along the river. Liu Tang looked around, tidied up his appearance again, and then jumped into the river. Everyone saw him fall lightly into the water, splash in bursts, and disappear under the surface of the river.
The reason why Qianlong changed his mind
Emperor Qianlong was originally furious at what Liu Yong had done, and in a fit of rage, he ordered him to commit suicide by throwing himself into the river. However, the development of events was beyond Qianlong's expectations.
When Qianlong learned that Liu Yong did not really commit suicide according to his will, but climbed up from the river again, he couldn't help but have some doubts in his heart. On the one hand, Liu Yong openly disobeyed the emperor's edict, which was absolutely intolerable in feudal society; on the other hand, as one of Qianlong's most trusted advisers, Liu Yong's actions must have other hidden motives.
Just when Qianlong was weighing repeatedly in his heart, He Shen couldn't wait to stand up and ask for Liu Yong's "disrespectful resistance". He Shen, as always, put on a face of a traitorous villain, accused Liu Yong like a cannon, and even asked Qianlong to severely punish Liu Yong's crimes.
Seeing this, Qianlong did not immediately make a judgment. Instead, he silently waited for Mr. Liu's own explanation. As a generation of Ming Jun, Qianlong knows Liu Yong's personality very well, so he naturally will not easily believe Heshen's words.
Sure enough, Liu Yong quickly knelt on the ground and explained what he had done. He said that after jumping into the river, he came to a strange place where the river hung upside down, but people could walk on the bottom of the river. It was there that he met the spirit of the ancient poet Qu Yuan.
Qu Yuan told Liu Yong that the reason why he committed suicide by throwing himself into the river was because King Chu Huai listened to slander and did not distinguish between loyalty and treachery, which eventually led to a big mistake. Qu Yuan didn't want Qianlong, a generation of Ming monarchs, to repeat the mistakes of King Chu Huai, so he pushed Liu Yong to the bottom of the river and let him return to the world.
Liu Yong said that he is a grass people, and life and death are insignificant. But if it was because of his own life, it would be a pity for Qianlong to transform from a wise and martial emperor to a mediocre tyrant. Therefore, he had to temporarily "resist the decree" to protect Qianlong's respect as a Ming monarch.
After listening to Liu Yong's explanation, Qianlong couldn't help but smile. It turned out that what Liu Yong did was not really disobeying the emperor's order, but out of a deep intention to protect himself. Although Qianlong was angry at the beginning of being provoked by He Shen, he thought about it calmly afterwards and felt that it was too much to kill Liu Yong, a loyal minister.