How do you evaluate Ma Qi in "Yongzheng Dynasty"?

Ma Qi (1652-1739). Haha, when I first met Ma Qi, I thought he had the same surname as Ma and Qi, the same surname as myself.

It turns out that he is a serious Manchu, and he is a member of the "Shangsan Banners" with a yellow flag. He is the son of Mi Sihan, the Minister of Household Affairs, and the uncle of Empress Xiaoxian Chun. His name is Fucha Ma together. With the help of the previous generation, he obtained the qualification of supervising students, and was later awarded the position of Yuanwailang of the Ministry of Industry, which can be regarded as the beginning of his own official career.

After that, he rose through the ranks and served successively as a doctor, cabinet minister, governor of Shanxi, censor of Zuodu, minister of the Ministry of War, minister of household affairs, bachelor of Wuyingdian, bachelor of Baohedian, and minister of military aircraft. Added the title of Taibao of the Crown Prince. He died in the fourth year of Qianlong's reign (1739) at the age of 88, and was given the posthumous title Wenmu.

Due to his noble birth and strong personal abilities, Ma Qi had a smooth career in the officialdom. It's a pity that he was so humble in his high position. In the complex political struggle, he got involved in the battle for the throne among the princes that he should least have participated in.

In the forty-seventh year of Kangxi (1708), after deposing the crown prince Yin Reng, Emperor Kangxi ordered a meeting of ministers to speak out and protect the new crown prince. Before the incident, Kangxi privately "instructed Ma Qi not to intervene" in order to protect Ma Qi from getting involved and avoid becoming a thorn in the eyes of the princes.

However, Ma Qi did not know how to advance or retreat. Instead, under the secret connection of his uncle Tong Guowei, he actively cooperated with the leading bodyguard ministers Aling'a, Orundai and others to recommend the emperor together. The eighth son, Yinhu, became the prince and became a member of the "Eighth Lord Party", which made Emperor Kangxi very angry.

In the forty-eighth year of Kangxi's reign (1709), Kangxi issued an edict:

"Ma Qi should have been killed as a warning to others. Because he has been in office for a long time, he cannot bear to be punished."< /p>

Ma Qi was dismissed from his post as a bachelor because of the incident of seizing the direct descendant. His third brother Ma Wu and other tribesmen were implicated and were questioned one after another. This was the first and only time in Ma Qi's official career that he suffered a major setback.

A year later, Ma Qi, who had a good attitude of admitting his mistakes and reflecting on himself, was forgiven by Kangxi, and his return was rearranged on the grounds that he was "oldly involved in Russian affairs." Not long after, another decree was issued:

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs has a lot of time backlog, and the most important matters are the most important ones. Let's take care of them and take charge of them."

Not only that, Ma Qi's brothers and tribesmen also resumed their work one after another and began to resume their old positions. Kangxi also awarded Ma Qi the position of bachelor of Wuying Palace. This time, Ma Qi completely understood the truth, kept a low profile, concentrated on his work, and no longer participated in any court struggles.

In the 61st year of Kangxi (1722), when Yongzheng came to the throne, he evaluated Ma Qi:

"Ma Qi has been a bachelor for more than 20 years, and he is very worthy of the title. Respectful and generous, the emperor always followed him when he was on tour, and made great efforts."

The main reason why Yongzheng introduced Ma Qi as soon as he came to the throne was to appease him, who had participated in the election of Lao Ba. The incident of establishing a prince was something that Yongzheng hoped to win over because of the power of the Fucha family. During the Yongzheng period, Ma Qi was awarded the first-grade official position and the title of Prince Shaobao. During the Qianlong period, Ma Qi continued to be favored.

Like a political tumbler, Ma Qi won the favor of three dynasties and finished his life with great honor. After his death, Qianlong issued an edict: "Those who have served for three dynasties and are over the age of 10 are not as good as the ministers of the dynasty."

After that, the good fortune of the Fucha family where Ma Qi lived continued . Ma Qi's nephew Fu Heng, grandnephew Fukang'an and others all became Qianlong's ministers.