The Narration And Discussion Of The Corruption Case Of Donation And Embezzling Relief In Gansu Province During Qianlong Period

This paper explored primarily the corruption case of donation and embezzling relief in Gansu province lasting from thirty-nine to forty-six years during Qianlong Period. This case, led by Wang Danwang——treasurer of Gansu province,from satrap of Shan’gan named Le Erjin to officials of each Dao, Fu,Zhou, and county, all of them participated in the case.Colluding evilly with one another, they privately collected taels, fabricated disasters and embezzled relief, embezzled public funds, took or extorted to take bribes.The case, known for its large scale, numerous involved members and so great number of grain and taels that had been peculated,was fairly unusual in history.After the case was uncovered, Qianlong Emperor promptly decreed to deal rigorously with it. The convicts and their families were respectively sentenced to deposition or demotion, confiscation of properties, exile and death according to the sum of taking bribes and the severity of their culpability. Settlement was also given over the grain and taels in arrears and the prior and present students of the Imperial Academy. This severe punishment was of great significance, not only deterred malfeasants of other provinces but also availed the modification of current systems. Furthermore, it unexpectedly pulled out a case occurred in Urumqi area, where the local officials made a false report of food prices.From a subjective perspective, the case happened for the reason of low quality of the local officials and inferiors’attachment to superiors.From an objective perspective, it was because of Gansu’s special geographical location.However, the institutional problems exposed during the implementation of the donation and relief systems were the deep cause, which reflected some political implications that the continuous improvement of political systems was an effective way of preventing corruption.