和申的发迹史

和申的发迹史
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The Rise of Heshen

Within a year, Heshen was promoted to vice-president of the Board of Revenue, and two months later was made a grand councillor. Within three months later, he was promoted even further to a minister of the Imperial Household, a post usually filled with the most meritorius officials. 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 the both the Boards of Revenue and the Civil Council, allowing him to control the revenue of the entire empire, and appoint his own henchmen to important posts with in the officials.

 

Heshen's hold on the Emperor was further strengthened when in 1790, his son was married to Gaozong's tenth and favourite daughter. Once secure of the Emperor's favour and approbation, Heshen enjoyed almost complete freedom of his actions. He became openly corrupt and practiced extortion on a grand scale.

 

His henchmen within the imperial system followed his lead, and his military associates prolonged campaigns in order to continue the benefits of additional funds. He abrogated powers and official posts, including that of Grand Councillor, and regularly stole public funds and taxes. 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 result of the corruption where dishonest officials pocketed funds that were meant for the upkeep of canals and dams. Rising prices of rice lead to many that simplystarved to death. This widespread corruption and nepotism was the start of a century that lead to the downfall of the Qing Dynasty, and the imperial rule of China.

本文来源： Immanuel Hsü (1990). The Rise of Modern China. Oxford Press. 《崛起的当代中国》牛津出版社 书号ISBN 0-19-512504-5.

 

备注：

councillor n.（地方议会的）议员；顾问；评议员
meritorious adj.有价值的; 有功劳的; 可称赞的; 值得奖励的, 相当好的 meritorious deeds功绩He was praised for his meritorious service.他由于出色地工作而受到称赞。He wrote a meritorious theme about his visit to the cotton mill.他写了一篇关于参观棉纺织厂的有价值的论文。
prestigious adj. 享有声望的, 声望很高的
henchman n.(pl. -men)亲信, 心腹; (政治上的)支持者, 仆从, 捧场者走狗; 狗腿子The gang chief went everywhere accompanied by his  henchman. 那流氓头子到什么地方都有手下的狗腿子跟着。
approbation n.称赞The play received the approbation of the mass media.这个剧本受到大众媒体的欢迎。
extortion n.勒索, 敲诈, 强取, 被勒索的财物
abrogate vt.废除(法令等); 取消This law has been abrogated.这项法令今已取消。This custom was abrogated years ago.这一惯例多年前业已废除。
upkeep n.维修(费), 保养费; 生活费(土地、房屋、汽车)保养; (生活)维持He earned his own upkeep at a very early age.他很小就自食其力了。
nepotism n.袒护[重用]亲戚; 任人唯亲作风; 裙带关系