The Silent Reforms of Eldridge Chapter 34

Qishan, the governor of Sichuan, was very strict in managing officials. His severity frightened many people. Before I left the capital, Zhang Lanjun, the Minister of Punishment, said to me: "When you get along with Prime Minister Qishan, you must be more careful in official matters. If you are questioned by him once, you will inevitably be criticized by him in the future. Any criticism, And the details of his subordinates should be kept in mind. When I was in Zhili, I couldn't get along with him at first, but later we became very harmonious. "When we passed by Baoding, the governor of Zhili, Ner Jing'e, also said to me: " Qi Zhongtang can be said to be the first person in modern times in terms of criminal names, money valleys, criminal cases, camps, and military tactics. I have learned from him many times. However, he has an impatient personality and cannot be calm when encountering problems. This is his major flaw. "When I said goodbye to Governor Yang Yizeng in Shaanxi, he said to me: "Qizhongtang and we are not the same people, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to get along with him." I said, "If I really can't serve him, I will buy a boat and go south. Forget it, go back to your hometown in Yizheng to take care of yourself."

As soon as I arrived in Chengdu, I went to see Governor Qishan (this person appears in history textbooks as a capitulator and traitor, but I want to say that if you read more real history, you will find that this is not the case at all. That's right. In order to express my respect for him, I will call him Qixiang from now on--because he was a bachelor of Wenyuan Pavilion, the same as I treat Lin Zexu).

After exchanging pleasantries, he said to me: "I have heard of your name for a long time, and I hope you will give me some advice on the current political affairs in Sichuan."

"Sichuan's political affairs have been neglected for a long time, and there are too many places that need to be rectified." I replied.

"Then what should be the priority for rectification?" Qixiang asked again.