1
列傳七十四
Biography 74
2
3
Tong Guowei, of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner, was Tong Guolai's second son, the Empress Xiaokangzhang's younger brother, and the father of Empress Xiaoyiren. In the Shunzhi era he was made a first-class bodyguard. In Kangxi year 9 he was appointed Grand Minister of the Interior. When Wu Sangui rose in rebellion, his son Yingxiong lived in the capital as an imperial son-in-law and plotted an uprising, using the red cap as their rallying sign. Guowei reported the plot; the emperor ordered him to take thirty bodyguards, make the arrests, capture more than ten men, and send them in chains to the Ministry of Punishment for execution. In year 21 he was made Chief Grand Minister of the Imperial Bodyguard and a Deliberative Minister. In year 28, on account of Empress Xiaoyiren's favor, he was enfeoffed as a first-class duke.
4
In year 29, during the campaign against Galdan, he was ordered to assist the Grand General, the Prince of Yu; the army halted at Ulan Butong, and he and his elder brother Commandant Tong Guogang together led the left wing into action. Guogang was killed in battle; Guowei attacked from the slope behind the enemy, and they routed and fled. On the army's return, because the enemy had not been pursued to the finish, the ministry recommended stripping his rank; the emperor removed him as Deliberative Minister, cut four grades, and kept him in office. In year 35 he followed the emperor against Galdan, leaving by Dushikou; he asked pardon for slow camel transport, and the emperor excused him. In year 36 he again followed the emperor against Galdan; Galdan fled and died. When merits were tallied, his stripped grades were restored. In year 43 he retired on account of old age.
5
四十七年，皇太子允礽以病廢幽禁，上鬱怒成疾。 國維奏：「皇上治事精明，斷無錯誤。 此事於聖躬關係甚大，請度日後若易於措置，祈速賜睿斷； 若難於措置，亦祈速賜睿斷。 總之，將原定意指熟慮施行為是。」 上命諸大臣保奏諸皇子中孰可為皇太子者，諸大臣舉皇子允禩，上愈不懌。 旋以皇太子病癒，命釋之。 四十八年正月，召諸大臣詰孰先舉允禩，實出大學士馬齊。 上召國維，舉國維前奏語，問：「爾既解任，事與爾無與。 乃先眾陳奏，何意？」 國維對：「臣雖解任，蒙皇上命為國舅，冀聖躬速愈，故請速定其事。」 上曰：「將來措置難易，至時自知之。 人其可懷私而妄言乎？」 次日，复諭曰：「爾每言祝天求佛，原皇上萬歲。 嗣後惟深念朕躬，謂諸皇子皆吾君之子，不有所依附而陷害其馀，是即俾朕易於措置也。」 閱月，上已定復立允礽為皇太子，又諭曰：「爾乃國舅，又為大臣。 皇太子前染瘋疾，朕為國家計，安可不行拘執？ 後知為人鎮魘，調治全癒，又安可不行釋放？ 朕拘執皇太子時，並無他意。 不知爾肆出大言，激烈陳奏，果何心也？ 諸大臣聞爾言，眾皆恐懼，遂欲立允禩為皇太子，列名保奏。 朕臨御已久，安享太平，並無所謂難措置者，臣庶亦各安逸得所。 今因爾言，群小复肆為妄語，諸臣俱終日憂慮，若無生路。 此事關係甚重，爾既有此奏，必有確見，其何以令朕及皇太子、諸皇子不致殷憂，眾心亦可定？ 其明白陳奏。」 國維引罪請誅戮。 上复諭曰：「朕特為安撫群臣，非欲有所誅戮。 爾初陳奏，眾方贊爾，謂如此方可謂國家大臣。 今爾情狀畢露，人將謂爾為何如人？ 朕斷不加爾誅戮，爾其無懼，但不可卸責於朕。 觀爾言迷妄，其亦為人鎮魘歟？」
In year 47 Crown Prince Yinreng was deposed and imprisoned for illness; the emperor, brooding in anger, fell sick. Guowei submitted: 'Your Majesty governs with such keen judgment that there can be no error. This affair touches Your Majesty's person most deeply. If it may later prove easy to settle, I beg Your Majesty to grant a swift, sage decision; and if it will prove hard to settle, I likewise beg Your Majesty to grant a swift, sage decision. In any case, it is best to weigh carefully and execute the purpose Your Majesty originally fixed.' The emperor ordered the great ministers to recommend which prince might be made crown prince; the ministers named Prince Yinshi, and the emperor grew still more displeased. Before long, learning the crown prince's illness had healed, he ordered him released. In the first month of year 48 he summoned the great ministers and asked who had first proposed Yinshi; it proved to be Grand Secretary Ma Qi. The emperor summoned Guowei, quoted his earlier memorial, and asked: 'You have already retired — this matter does not concern you. Yet you spoke ahead of everyone — what did you mean?' Guowei answered: 'Though I have left office, Your Majesty made me the emperor's uncle by marriage; wishing Your Majesty a swift recovery, I asked that the matter be settled at once.' The emperor said: 'Whether it will later be easy or hard to settle — you will know when the time comes. Can anyone indulge private motives and speak recklessly?' The next day he again said: 'You always say you pray to Heaven and the Buddha that the emperor may live ten thousand years. Henceforth think only of my person: all the princes are your lord's sons; do not take sides and plot against the others — that is how you will make matters easy for me to settle.' A month later the emperor had already resolved to restore Yinreng as crown prince and said again: 'You are the emperor's uncle and also a great minister. When the crown prince earlier fell mad, could I, for the state's sake, have failed to confine him? Later, learning he had been struck down by witchcraft and was wholly cured, how could I not have released him? When I confined the crown prince I had no other design. I do not know why you spoke so wildly and memorialized so fiercely — what was truly in your heart? When the great ministers heard you, they were all terrified and then wished to make Yinshi crown prince, signing a joint recommendation. I have reigned long in peace; nothing is truly hard to settle, and my subjects each rest secure. Now, because of what you said, petty men again spread reckless talk; the ministers spend whole days in dread as if they had no way to live. This affair weighs most heavily; since you memorialized, you must have a clear view — how will you keep me, the crown prince, and the princes from deep grief and also settle every heart? Explain it plainly in a memorial.' Guowei confessed guilt and asked to be executed. The emperor again said: 'I mean only to reassure the ministers, not to put anyone to death. When you first memorialized, everyone praised you, saying only thus could one be called a true minister of the state. Now your true disposition is fully exposed — what will people say you are? I will certainly not execute you; do not fear — but you may not shift blame onto me. Seeing how deluded your words are, have you too been bewitched?'
6
In year 58 he died; imperial funeral rites were granted. In the first year of Yongzheng he was posthumously made Grand Tutor with the posthumous title Duanchun. Emperor Shizong personally wrote the tablet 'Benevolent, Filial, Diligent, and Earnest' and ordered it set up along the tomb road. His son Longkedo has a separate biography.
7
Ma Qi, of the Fuca clan and the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner, was Misihan's son. By yinsheng privilege he was appointed an assistant department director in the Ministry of Works. He rose through bureau director to Reader in the Grand Secretariat. In Kangxi year 24 he went out as Shanxi Administration Commissioner and was soon promoted Provincial Governor. When Ma Qi came to audience, the emperor praised his diligence and care in office and urged him to remain so to the end. Later the emperor ordered the Nine Ministers to name governors as incorrupt as Yu Chenglong; Ma Qi, Fan Chengxun, and Yao Deyu were put forward. Soon he was ordered to join Yu Chenglong and Kaiyinbu in investigating Huguang Governor Zhang Han's corruption. Initially Vice Minister Selenge had been sent to investigate Shangjing Circuit Intendant Zu Zeshen and also to examine Zhang Han; Selenge covered for them and did not report truthfully. Ma Qi and Yu Chenglong reinvestigated, fully established Zhang Han's and Zu Zeshen's corruption, and Selenge was punished by law.
8
二十七年，遷左都御史。 時俄羅斯遣使請定界，詔遣大臣往議。 馬齊疏言：「俄羅斯侵據疆土，我師困之於雅克薩城，本可立時剿滅，皇上寬容，不忍加誅。 今悔罪求和，特遣大臣往議，垂之史冊，關係甚鉅。 其檔案宜兼書漢字，使臣並參用漢員。」 詔如議行。 尋命偕尚書張玉書等勘閱河工。 二十九年，列議政大臣。 都御史與議政，自馬齊始。 尋遷兵部尚書。 時喀爾喀諸部避噶爾丹侵掠，舉族內鄉。 詔沿邊安插，命馬齊偕侍郎布圖等先期檄左右翼部長至上都河、額爾屯河兩界以待。 上出塞，喀爾喀諸部朝行在，定諸王、貝子、公等爵秩牧地。 烏珠穆沁台吉車根等叛附噶爾丹，命馬齊往按，寘諸法。 調戶部尚書。 三十五年，上親征噶爾丹，命馬齊檄喀喇沁、翁牛特兵備戰。 還京師，兼理籓院尚書。 噶爾丹旋敗遁，詔來春复親出塞，命先期往寧夏安置驛站。 三十八年，授武英殿大學士，賜御書「永世翼戴」榜。
In year 27 he was promoted Left Censor-in-Chief. At that time Russia sent envoys to fix the border; an edict sent great ministers to negotiate. Ma Qi memorialized: 'Russia has encroached on our territory; our troops had them besieged at Albazin and could have destroyed them at once, but the emperor was merciful and would not exterminate them. Now, repenting and suing for peace, special envoys are sent to negotiate — this will stand in the histories and is a matter of the greatest weight. The archives ought to be written in Chinese as well, and Han officials should serve alongside the envoys.' An edict ordered it done as proposed. Soon he was ordered to join Minister Zhang Yushu and others in inspecting river works. In year 29 he was made a Deliberative Minister. A censor-in-chief serving as Deliberative Minister began with Ma Qi. He was soon promoted Minister of War. At that time the Khalkha tribes, fleeing Galdan's raids, moved their whole peoples inward. An edict ordered frontier settlement; Ma Qi was sent with Vice Minister Butu and others ahead to summon the left- and right-wing chiefs to wait on the Shangdu and Ergun river boundaries. When the emperor went beyond the passes, the Khalkha tribes attended the traveling palace; ranks of princes, beile, and gong and their pasture lands were fixed. Chegen and other taiji of Ujimqin rebelled and joined Galdan; Ma Qi was sent to investigate and they were punished by law. He was transferred to Minister of Revenue. In year 35, when the emperor campaigned in person against Galdan, Ma Qi was ordered to rally Kharchin and Onnigud troops for battle. On returning to the capital he concurrently served as Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs. Galdan was soon defeated and fled; an edict said the emperor would again go beyond the passes in spring and ordered Ma Qi ahead to Ningxia to establish relay stations. In year 38 he was appointed Grand Secretary of the Hall of Military Glory and granted an imperial tablet reading 'Forever Supporting with Wings.'
9
四十七年冬，皇太子允礽既廢，儲位未定，佟國維奏請速斷。 上召滿、漢文武諸大臣集暢春園議諸皇子中孰可為皇太子者。 上意在復立皇太子，而諸皇子中貝勒允禩覬為皇太子最力，諸大臣揆敘、王鴻緒及佟國綱子鄂倫岱等為之羽翼。 集議日，馬齊先至，張玉書後入，問：「眾意誰屬？」 馬齊言眾有欲舉八阿哥者。 俄，上命馬齊毋預議，馬齊避去。 阿靈阿等書「八」字密示諸大臣，諸大臣遂以允禩名上，上不懌。 明年正月，召諸大臣問其日先舉允禩者為誰，群臣莫敢對。 上嚴詰，群指都統巴琿岱。 上曰：「是必佟國維、馬齊意也。」 馬齊奏辯。 巴琿岱言漢大臣先舉。 上以問大學士張玉書，玉書乃直舉馬齊語以對。 上曰：「馬齊素謬亂。 如此大事，尚懷私意，謀立允禩，豈非為異日恣肆專行計耶？」 馬齊复力辯，辭窮，先出。 翌日，上諭廷臣曰：「馬齊效用久，朕意欲保全之。 昨乃拂袖而出，人臣作威福如此，罪不可赦！」 遂執馬齊及其弟馬武、李榮保下獄。 王大臣議馬齊斬，馬武、李榮保坐罪有差，盡奪其族人官，上不忍誅，命以馬齊付允禩嚴錮，李榮保、馬武並奪官。
In the winter of year 47, after Crown Prince Yinreng had been deposed and the succession unsettled, Tong Guowei memorialized for a swift decision. The emperor summoned Manchu and Han civil and military great ministers to the Garden of Everlasting Spring to discuss which prince might be made crown prince. The emperor intended to restore the crown prince, but among the princes Beile Yinshi coveted the position most fiercely; Grand Ministers Kui Xu and Wang Hongxu, with Olondai son of Tong Guogang, backed him. On the day of deliberation Ma Qi arrived first; when Zhang Yushu entered later he asked, 'Whom does the assembly favor?' Ma Qi said many wished to nominate the Eighth Prince. Soon the emperor ordered Ma Qi not to join the deliberation, and Ma Qi withdrew. Aringa and others secretly showed the character 'eight' to the great ministers, and they then submitted Yinshi's name; the emperor was displeased. In the first month of the following year he summoned the great ministers and asked who had first proposed Yinshi that day; none dared answer. Under stern questioning the assembly pointed to Commandant Ba Huundai. The emperor said, 'This must have been Tong Guowei's and Ma Qi's doing.' Ma Qi memorialized in defense. Ba Huundai said the Han great ministers had spoken first. The emperor questioned Grand Secretary Zhang Yushu, and Yushu frankly repeated Ma Qi's words. The emperor said, 'Ma Qi has always been wildly mistaken. On so grave a matter he still cherished private intent and plotted to make Yinshi crown prince — was this not planning to act arbitrarily in days to come?' Ma Qi argued again with all his strength; when his words failed, he left first. The next day the emperor told the court: 'Ma Qi has long served well; I meant to preserve him. Yesterday he yet flung out his sleeve and left — for a subject to wield such power is unpardonable!' Ma Qi was thereupon arrested with his younger brother Ma Wu and Li Rongbao and imprisoned. The princes and great ministers proposed Ma Qi be beheaded and Ma Wu and Li Rongbao punished to their degree, stripping all their clansmen of office; the emperor could not bear to kill him and ordered Ma Qi handed to Yinshi for strict confinement, while Li Rongbao and Ma Wu were both stripped of office.
10
In year 49 Russia came for border trade; remembering Ma Qi's knowledge of frontier affairs, the emperor put him in charge; Li Rongbao and Ma Wu were both restored. Soon he was ordered to serve as acting Superintendent of the Imperial Household. In year 55 he was again made Grand Secretary of the Hall of Military Glory.
11
When Emperor Shizong took the throne, he issued a commendatory edict, granting a first-class ada hafan; Ma Qi was soon ordered to inherit his grandfather Hashutun's first-class ashan i hafan, was raised to second-class baron, and made Junior Tutor of the Heir Apparent. In the first year of Yongzheng he was moved to the Hall of Preserving Harmony and promoted Grand Tutor. In year 3 another edict praised his loyalty; he was granted an additional tabun niru hafan, which his son Fuliang inherited. In year 13, pleading illness, he asked to retire and was allowed to leave office. In Qianlong year 4, gravely ill, Emperor Gaozong said Ma Qi had served as chief minister through three reigns, was past great old age, and no court minister matched him; he ordered the Prince of He and the eldest imperial son to visit him. He soon died at eighty-eight; he was posthumously made Grand Tutor with the posthumous title Wenmu. His son Fuxing inherited the title but was dismissed for an offense; Fuliang inherited instead and was raised to first-class baron. In year 15 the additional style-name Dunhui was granted.
12
13
Ma Wu was Ma Qi's younger brother. He was first made a bodyguard and concurrently managed a company. He rose to Vice Commandant of the Bordered White Banner Chinese Brigade. When Ma Qi fell from favor his office was stripped. He was soon restored as Superintendent of the Imperial Household and transferred to Commandant of the Bordered White Banner Mongol Brigade. When Emperor Shizong took the throne, he was appointed Chief Grand Minister of the Imperial Bodyguard. In Yongzheng year 4 he died; he was granted baronial funeral rites, a third-class ada hafan, imperial funeral sacrifices, and the posthumous title Qinke.
14
15
Aringa, of the Niohuru clan and the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner, was Ebilun's fifth son. He first served as bodyguard and concurrent company commander. In Kangxi year 25 he inherited a first-class duke, was made Minister without Specific Duty, and was promoted Commandant of the Bordered Yellow Banner Manchu Brigade. Aringa's elder sister was enfeoffed by the emperor as Imperial Noble Consort. When the consort died she lay in state outside Chaoyang Gate; Aringa and his whole household kept mourning at the bier. He was estranged from his elder brother Faka and wished him dead, spreading slander to frame him. Faka reported to the emperor; enraged, the emperor stripped Aringa's office but kept his dukedom. He was soon made first-class bodyguard, rose to Commandant of the Plain Blue Banner Mongol Brigade, and was promoted Chief Grand Minister of the Imperial Bodyguard and Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs. In year 47 he joined Kui Xu, Wang Hongxu, and others in secretly plotting to make Yinshi crown prince. The emperor blamed Ma Qi for signaling the ministers, gave a severe reprimand, but did not pursue a great purge. In year 55 he died.
16
His son Ersong'a inherited at reduced rank as second-class duke and was promoted Chief Grand Minister of the Imperial Bodyguard and Minister of Punishments. In Yongzheng year 2 Emperor Shizong summoned the great ministers and said: 'Among this dynasty's ministers, none were more treacherous in heart or more given to faction and private gain than Aringa and Kui Xu. When the Second Prince was deposed, the decision came solely from the Sacred Mind. How could deposition and installation have followed mere slander from subjects? Yet Aringa and Kui Xu claimed the deed as their own merit, courted Yinshi and others, fabricated baseless talk, and spread it hand to hand until my late father was filled with anger beyond all inquiry. Aringa's son Ersong'a was soft, treacherous, and cunning — worse than his father. He was stripped of office and sent to Fengtian to guard his grandfather's tomb; and Aringa's tombstone was re-cut to read 'Tomb of Aringa — disloyal subject, unfilial brother, violent, greedy, and base,' to rectify his crime.' In year 4 he ordered Ersong'a executed and his wife and children confiscated. In the first year of Qianlong, because Aringa's tombstone still stood before the ancestral grave though the tomb had been moved, the emperor ordered it removed. His wife and children were released and allowed to return to the banner.
17
Kui Xu, style Kaigong, of the Nara clan and the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner, was Grand Secretary Mingzhu's son. In Kangxi year 35, from second-class bodyguard he was made Hanlin Reader and served as Daily Lecturer on the Imperial Diary. He rose to Chancellor of the Hanlin Academy and concurrent Vice Minister of Rites. He was sent on mission to invest the Queen of Korea. He soon served as Classics Colloquium lecturer and instructor of junior compilers. He was transferred to Vice Minister of Works.
18
Earlier, when Mingzhu held power, his influence blazed. He greatly built gardens and pavilions, and guests filled his gates. Kui Xu's connections were already wide, and he was especially skilled at forming ties; he had long been allied with Yinshi. After the crown prince was deposed, Kui Xu and Aringa spread slander, recounting the crown prince's moral failings to block his restoration. In the winter of year 47, when the emperor summoned Manchu and Han ministers to ask which prince might be crown prince, Kui Xu with Aringa, Olondai, Wang Hongxu, and others privately signaled the ministers, who then nominated Yinshi. The affair is given in full in Ma Qi's biography.
19
In year 51 he was transferred to Left Censor-in-Chief while still directing Hanlin affairs. He memorialized: 'Recently in the outer provinces, relay reports are picked over and assorted into great and small events under the name "little gazettes," startling ears and eyes. I beg strict prohibition, so ill-disposed men who delight in mischief may know fear.' An edict approved and carried it out. In year 56 he died; his posthumous title was Wenduan. In Yongzheng year 2 the crimes of Kui Xu and Aringa were published; Kui Xu's office was posthumously stripped and his posthumous title erased. His tombstone was re-cut to read 'Tomb of Kui Xu — disloyal, unfilial, insidious, and fawning.'
20
Olondai, of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner, was Tong Guogang's eldest son. He first served as first-class bodyguard. He went out as Deputy Commandant of the Guangzhou Garrison. In Kangxi year 29 he was promoted Commandant of the Bordered Yellow Banner Chinese Brigade and inherited a first-class duke. In year 35, when the emperor campaigned in person against Galdan, Olondai led the firearms battalion of the two Han Brigade Chinese banners and marched out by Gubeikou. He attended the emperor on the northern tour beyond the passes. In year 36 he was promoted Chief Grand Minister of the Imperial Bodyguard. For an offense he was demoted to first-class bodyguard. He was soon appointed Minister without Specific Duty. In year 46 he was again appointed Chief Grand Minister of the Imperial Bodyguard. In year 59 he was ordered beyond the frontier to manage Mongol relay stations. When Emperor Shizong took the throne he was recalled and appointed Commandant of the Plain Blue Banner Chinese Brigade.
21
In Yongzheng year 3 he instructed: 'Olondai and Aringa both belonged to Yinshi's faction. When Yinshi offended then, my late father was encamped at Yaoting and ordered Yinshi's household eunuchs tortured for interrogation; they fully reported Olondai and others' factional attachment. Olondai and the others turned pale and dared not reply. In the spring of year 49, as my late father returned from Bazhou, he reproached Olondai and others for faction on the road; Olondai was defiant and heedless. Again at Rehe, when my late father was unwell, Olondai daily led Qianqing Gate bodyguards in archery and games. During the hunting encampment my late father repeatedly counted his crimes and ordered bodyguards to flog him. Olondai was stubborn, fierce, and resentful; even the extreme penalty would not cover his guilt. I reflect that he was kin to my imperial grandmother and mother, and his father died in battle — I could not bear to execute him. He was ordered to Fengtian to live with Ersong'a.' In year 4 he was executed with Ersong'a, yet an edict still said his household would not be registered and his wife and children would not be confiscated.
22
23
The commentary says: After Prince Limi was deposed, from Princes Yintang and Yin'e to the great ministers, many plotted to install Yinshi, but the Sacred Ancestor never permitted it. Truly the heirship weighs beyond measure; it cannot be won by covetous scheming and seizure. Tong Guowei's memorial was fiercely worded, as though unfavorable to the former crown prince; he did not name Yinshi, yet his intent lay elsewhere, and Ma Qi then signaled the ministers. Yet neither acted from his true heart; the Sacred Ancestor understood, and Emperor Shizong understood as well, and so favor and ritual were never withdrawn, and rewards extended to their descendants. As for Aringa father and son, Kui Xu, Olondai, and Wang Hongxu — those who most forcefully backed Yinshi — once Emperor Shizong punished Yinshi, living ministers suffered heavy execution and the dead bore foul names; where could guilt escape? Hongxu was also punished for being classed with Xu Qianxue and others. The affair is treated elsewhere and is therefore not given in this chapter.