This quote reflects the explosion of corruption in the feudal dynasties, where officials often abused their power to enrich themselves. The feudal system had many loopholes in controlling corruption, and sometimes even the emperors couldn’t stop it, and even tolerated the corruption of the officials.
Greedy Official Feeds 36 Concubines, Eating 2,000 Pounds of Ginseng a Month – Even the Emperor Lost This Battle
Corruption was forbidden many times in ancient dynasties, but as long as people have selfish desires, corruption persists. In the past, the confiscation of property from corrupt officials was not uncommon, and there are numerous anecdotes about seizing the entire fortune of corrupt individuals.
When Emperor Yongzheng ascended the throne during the Qing Dynasty, he was determined to rectify corruption. To execute this plan, Yongzheng appointed his most trusted official, Li Wei, to investigate and track down corrupt individuals for punishment. Li Wei quickly identified his first target, Tang Yao-wen, the Governor of Jiangnan.
Tang Yao-wen, in charge of tax collection in the region, had undoubtedly amassed a vast fortune through embezzlement.
Li Wei’s investigation revealed that Tang Yao-wen’s wealth even surpassed that of He Shen, a notoriously corrupt official in history. Additionally, Tang Yao-wen kept 36 young and beautiful concubines, requiring him to spend more than a month to satisfy them all in rotation. Such extravagance and abuse of power enraged Emperor Yongzheng, who himself had only a dozen concubines.
Upon inspecting Tang Yao-wen’s assets, Li Wei discovered over two thousand pounds of ginseng, an enormous quantity unexpected in an official’s residence. This intrigued Emperor Yongzheng, who wondered why a bureaucrat would possess so much ginseng. Did Tang Yao-wen intend to open an apothecary?
During the interrogation, Li Wei uncovered the bizarre reason behind the ginseng hoard. Tang Yao-wen enjoyed eating Chinese cabbage, but as it has an earthy odor, he devised a method to mask the smell by burning ginseng as fuel. The aromatic ginseng smoke would overpower the muddy scent, making the cabbage more palatable. The two thousand pounds of ginseng were barely sufficient for his monthly consumption.
Finally, when confiscating Tang Yao-wen’s property, Li Wei found three rare and valuable items of unknown origin in his home. Emperor Yongzheng, curious about these items, ordered Li Wei to bring them to the court for appraisal. Among them was a He Tian jade teapot adorned with precious stones, capable of emitting a delightful fragrance when filled with water.
Qing Dynasty Official’s Luxurious Lifestyle Exposed
However, the truth about this precious item also astonished Emperor Yongzheng. Upon investigation, he discovered that the magical teapot he cherished was, in fact, Tang Yao-wen’s chamber pot. This revelation not only surprised the emperor but also led him to deal severely with Tang Yao-wen, resulting in the complete annihilation of Tang Yao-wen’s entire clan.
The story of Tang Yao-wen reflects not only the corruption and abuse of power in feudal society but also highlights the peculiarities of officials during that period, showcasing the satire and criticism directed at those who abused their authority.
The Last Words of a Power: He Qing’s Final Legacy
In the twilight of his life, having foreseen his impending demise, Hoá Thân issued two secret orders, ensuring his descendants evaded the imperial pursuit.
The Empress of China’s Secret: Why Did Consorts Need an Escort After the Emperor’s Summons?
The Qing Dynasty established guidelines for the emperor to maintain harmony within the harem. These guidelines stipulated that the emperor should distribute his favors evenly and treat all concubines equitably. This practice of rotating concubines and ensuring equal treatment was implemented to prevent conflicts and foster a peaceful environment within the imperial harem.
