The Silent Reforms of Eldridge Chapter 61

Qi Xiang died of illness

Suddenly I heard the news that Qi Xiang died of illness in Jiangbei Camp, and I felt sad about losing a close friend. Prime Minister Qi is extremely intelligent and has a keen eye for things. He is proficient in all matters of punishment, money, valley, and official management. He often studies the art of war of Sun Wu without letting go of the scrolls. He treats his subordinates and disciplines his children strictly, and he never uses the hands of his staff to narrate memorials. The discussion is appropriate and the diction is concise. When Qi Xiang was the minister of the Ministry of Justice, he once wore the seals of seven divisions and was the general manager of the autumn trial for many years. He was known as the "White Bread Dragon Picture" in Beijing.

Qi Xiang is not completely aloof from personal interests, but he must be willing to go along with the situation only when it does not violate reason. He will never choose a place based on people and harm the people of one party. He does not accept money at all, but he must assess the person to see that he is indeed capable of developing talents and is diligent and reliable in his work before he is willing to accept bribes from the other party. However, he has never used extortion to extort money, and has never decided a case based on the amount of the bribe. If you are short of wealth, you will be addicted to fat.

The biggest shortcoming of Qi Xiang is that he is arrogant and arrogant. Few famous officials and ministers in the world come into his eyes. He often treats people with insincere words, which is embarrassing. Therefore, the courtiers' evaluation and reputation of Prime Minister Qi were more ruined than praised. In addition, Qi Xiang uses power in dealing with people and cannot be open and honest, which is his major flaw.

Prime Minister Qi and I were strangers to each other. When I was promoted to be the envoy of Sichuan, Prime Minister Na (i.e. Neer Jing'e) said to me: "Everything that Prime Minister Qi does in his country can be regarded as a law for future generations. You are here to meet me." "When I passed through Shaanxi, Governor Yang Zhitang said to me again: "Qi Xiang is unkind in everything he does, and he is a bannerman. I am really worried about my brother's departure." I replied. He said, "Don't worry. If we agree, we will stay. If we don't, we will leave. I, Mr. Zhang, will never compromise." After arriving in Sichuan, Qi Xiang actually seemed to regret meeting me late and was full of praise for me. Later, I was promoted to Chief Envoy of Guizhou. Before taking office, I was transferred to Gansu and worked with Qi Xiang again.