What is the relationship between Liu Yong and He Shen?

Liu Yong was born in the famous Liu family in Zhucheng, Shandong. He has been an official in the court since his great-grandfather, and his father Liu Tongxun is a famous official of a generation.

Liu Yong received a good education since he was a child. In the 16th year of Qianlong’s reign, he participated in the general examination and palace examination as an envoy, obtained a Jinshi background, and later became a scholar of the Imperial Academy, thus embarking on the road of official career.

In 1756 AD, Liu Yong was released as a local official, and he has been a local official for more than 20 years since then, from studying politics, magistrate to governor. As an official, Liu Yong was upright and capable, and acted vigorously and resolutely.

In film and television dramas, Liu Yong is also nicknamed Liu Luoguo. It is recorded in the history books that Emperor Jiaqing did call Liu Yong Liu Tuozi, which shows that he is indeed a little hunchbacked.

But Liu Yong was almost 80 years old at that time, and it was normal for him to bend over. It is unlikely that Liu Yong was a hunchback when he was young. Because there were four requirements for selecting officials in the Qing Dynasty: body, speech, writing, and judgment.

Among them, the body is the primary condition, requiring correct facial features, tall and straight figure, and dignified appearance, otherwise it will be difficult to establish a majestic image. Liu Yong was born in Kejia and must pass these four assessments. Therefore, the possibility of Liu Yong being a hunchback is very small. As we grow older, into old age, it is possible to hunch over.

In film and television dramas, the relationship between Liu Yong and He Shen is the most interesting. One is loyal and the other is treacherous, one is good and the other is evil. The two people are constantly fighting inside and outside the court. Liu Yong seems to be the embodiment of wisdom and justice, while He Shen often lifts stones Smash one’s own feet, steal a chicken and lose a lot of rice, you come and go, openly and secretly, it’s really beautiful.

However, Liu Yong has been serving as a local official until the forty-seventh year of Qianlong, that is, when Liu Yong was in his sixties, he was transferred to Beijing as the censor of Zuodu and walked in the South Study Room. Only then did he begin to serve as an official in the same dynasty as He Shen.

According to historical records, Liu Yong “did the time of being a snake, and only used humor to make him look good”. This shows that Liu Yong is not willing to have conflicts and confrontations with the Heshen party head-on, but handles the relationship with various factions in a tactful manner.

Liu Yong and He Shen once had an incident together: Shandong governor Guotai was impeached, saying that he wanted to plunder money in the name of paying tribute to upwards. Emperor Qianlong attached great importance to Wen Zuo, and ordered He Shen, Liu Yong and Yushi Qian Feng to go to check together.

Liu Yong knew that He Shen had a close relationship with Cathay Pacific, and the two would definitely communicate in advance to figure out how to deal with it. So Liu Yong conspired with Qian Feng for a solution.

When the party arrived in Shandong, He Shen said that they only need to spot check a few treasuries, and they all sent their confidants to search. After He Shen left, Qian Feng immediately ordered all the warehouses to be sealed, no one is allowed to tamper with, and they will be thoroughly checked the next day.

The inspection found that most of the silver in the library was “round silk variegated silver”, which was temporarily borrowed from various shops to make up for it. So Qian Feng ordered the shops to take back the silver taels, otherwise they would all be confiscated.

Soon the money was taken away. He Shen’s plan failed. Cathay was brought to justice. In this matter, Liu Yong has always stood on the same stand with Qian Feng, and Liu Yong’s support has allowed Qian Feng’s mission to be successfully completed.

However, Liu Yong and He Shendao are different and do not conspire with each other, but they have not developed to the point where swords are on the verge of breaking their faces. After Qianlong’s death, Liu Yong also actively participated in handling the Heshen incident. People think that Heshen’s crime is extremely heinous and should be executed Lingchi.

However, Liu Yong suggested that Heshen commit suicide, because if this is the case, the death penalty as Emperor Qianlong’s favorite minister would actually damage Qianlong’s face. Jiaqing listened to Liu Yong’s opinion and left the whole body for He Shen.

After the Heshen case, Liu Yong received a gift from the Prince Taibao, which shows Jiaqing’s appreciation and affirmation of him.