At the Pinnacle of Power [Qing Dynasty History]

Blurb: Young Shanbao is lost and confused. He never imagined his future would be so tumultuous. After emerging from nine years of innocence, he faces a pack of wolves and tigers. So what will he choose? Will he become the treacherous official recorded in the history books, or will he strive to break free of fate's constraints? History: Heshen, courtesy name Zhizhai, of the Niohuru clan, was a Manchu of the Plain Red Banner. He was poor and without support in his youth, but passed the civil service examination. In the thirty-fourth year of Qianlong's reign, he inherited the rank of Third-Class Qingche Duwei. In the fortieth year, he was assigned to the Qianqing Gate, promoted to Imperial Bodyguard, and made Deputy Commander. The following year, he was appointed Vice Minister of Revenue, made a Grand Councilor, and also served as Minister of the Imperial Household Department, rapidly rising to prominence. In the forty-fifth year, he was also appointed Minister of the Imperial Bodyguard and Chief Editor of the Complete Library of the Four Treasuries, while taking charge of the Board for the Administration of Outlying Regions. His favor surpassed that of all the other court officials. In the forty-seventh year, imperial favor was extended to officials inside and outside the court. He was made Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent and appointed lecturer at the Classics Mat. In the forty-eighth year, he was granted a peacock feather with two eyes and appointed Chief Editor of the National History Office, Director of the Wenyuan Pavilion, and Chief Editor of the Qing Language Classics Institute. In the fifty-sixth year, when the stone classics were carved at Biyong, he was appointed Chief Editor. In the fifty-seventh year, after Gurkha was pacified, he was commended for his service and also appointed Academician-in-Charge of the Hanlin Academy. In the sixtieth year, he served as an examiner for the palace examination and instructed the junior scholars. On the fourth day of the first month, Emperor Gaozong died. The Censor-in-Chief was the first to impeach Heshen for his unlawful conduct. Emperor Renzong then ordered his arrest on the day the final edict was announced, and appointed princes and ministers to investigate. The accusations were all proven true. An edict announced his crimes, twenty of them in all. Officials inside and outside the court submitted memorials stating that Heshen's crimes warranted a charge of high treason. But because Heshen had once served as Chief Grand Councilor, the emperor could not bear to have him publicly executed, and instead ordered him to commit suicide. About fifteen years after Heshen was executed, the National History Office included his biography in its records.