A Study On The Group Of Governor’s Grand Secretaries Of The Qianlong Dynasty

Governor’s grand secretaries,also known as the grand secretaries who concurrently serves as a local governor,can be traced back to the " Shi Xiang" during the Tang and Song dynasties,and was closely related to the promotion of the governor to grand secretaries in the early Ming and Qing Dynasties.This is the reform and innovation of the grand secretaries system by Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Qianlong.It first appeared in the late Yongzheng period,and the formation of collectivity began in the Qianlong Dynasty and was active in the middle and late Qing Dynasty.During the Qianlong Dynasty,there were a total of 12 governor’s grand secretaries,many of whom had prominent family backgrounds and were mostly from hereditary backgrounds,reflecting the employment characteristics of Emperor Qianlong’s "first reverence for Manchuria".They have many years of local employment experience and rich practical experience before being appointed,so they are generally older when appointed.In terms of employment areas,this group mostly stayed in military strongholds in the northwest,southwest and other border areas,indicating that the military center of the Qianlong Dynasty was in the west,reflecting the Qing Dynasty’s emphasis on this area.The group of governor’s grand secretaries of the Qianlong Dynasty benefited from a certain institutional background,which was mainly reflected in two aspects:First,the scope of selection of grand secretaries was expanded,and the rank of official should be expanded from the minister to the governor,which provided the possibility for the governor to be promoted to the rank of grand secretaries,the form of sending a grand secretaries gradually normalized,the cabinet showed a tendency to light their own duties,heavy orders,grand secretaries served as a governor has become one of the ways to participate in national governance.There are also personal factors that influence the group,including military prominence,seniority and political achievement.The grand secretary was awarded to a governor who had distinguished himself in military service.It was a reward for his deeds and encouraged him to do so in future wars.Political achievements and seniority should be important factors for governors to be promoted to grand secretaries.The Qing Court ordered them to stay in office because they had been away for a long time and had a deep knowledge of the affairs under their jurisdiction.In this way,they could play a more efficient role in the local area,which reflected their strengths.The governor’s position is the focus of its function,and the position of the grand secretaries has the tendency of fictitious title.Thus,the group of governor’s grand secretary’responsibilities lie primarily at the local level.Their business abilities are different from the capital grand secretaries,and they are more worldly talented.The governor’s grand secretaries in the important military areas are responsible for the preservation of the country,and ensured the smooth development of the military front and logistics by formulating the battle strategy,leading the troops to fight in person,and supplying military supplies.Because of their long tenure in local areas,this group also has the attitude of practicing and excellent professional technology,committed to the construction of river industry and water conservancy,the rectification of salt and copper affairs,as well as the development of agriculture and commerce.In addition,as the representative of the imperial power in the local,the grand governor played an important role in rectifying the local government.