Emperor Heshen was an unremarkable man at first glance. He contained both Han and Manchu blood, much like many others in the royal family by now. Although some people commented that he looked remarkably similar to the previous great emperor of China Qianlong, he dismissed such remarks. What use was it to just look similar to Qianlong? Depending on how you look at it, Heshen is either a very lucky or very unlucky man. Hes lucky in the sense that hes the emperor of about 300 million people. A snap of finger is all thats needed to kill someone if he so wished. He lives in luxuries that many others can only dream about. This is no doubt what the millions of peasants in China thought of him. Only a select few, however, know about his concerns and troubles.
It wasnt easy being an emperor. Its harder still when the three emperors before you all did great things for the nation that one doubt can be repeated. Kangxi, Yongzheng and Qianlong. Those were the names that Heshen was always compared to with, and always Heshen was reminded to act more like his predecessors and bring China to greatness. Unfortunately for him, he faces a different and more dangerous world than those emperors did. Kangxi didnt have to face an empire that stretched the entire length of the world. In Yongzhengs time, Japan was still a backward vassal of China. Even Qianlong didnt face a Russia this large and powerful. Heshen faced a crossroad; he would either emerge as the greatest emperor to have ruled China, or he will be forever remembered as the man who ruined China.
Based on what hes been hearing the last 15 minutes from the council of the General Command Centre, however, it seemed more and more like he will end up as the latter. The council was composed of the 6 highest ranked ministers in the court of Qing China. Unfortunately, these six ministers are also 6 of the oldest and most conservative members in service right now. He had heard rumours that many of the decrees he issued werent being followed, and that many reforms werent carried out as a result. That day, he decided to see for himself just how (in)competent these men were. It wasnt a coincidence that Heshen chose that day to inspect his court officials. That day was the day when courtiers from around the country come to the capital to give their annual reports. Heshen was especially interested in the progress of the modernization.
So far, representatives from several provinces reported the status of their province, and none of them satisfied Heshen. Not one of them mentioned a thing about railroads or modern schools or factories. The only topic of interest was when all the representatives reported a drastic decrease in income of capital owned businesses. Apparently, the westerners have stolen all the sales of products such as clothes and furnitures. Heshen stifled a laugh when it was revealed that the very clothes wore by the representative came from westerners stores. Nevertheless, he had seen enough. With a simple hand gesture, his accompanying eunuch announced his name and his arrival.
Good afternoon, my beloved officials. I hope Im not intruding on your meeting. As you can see, I couldnt wait for the reports to be written and sent to me, so I chose to come and listen for myself first hand how smoothly the modernizing progress is going.
Needless to say, it was going to be a long day for both Heshen and the ministers alike.
