How do later generations evaluate Yongzheng?

1. Yang Zhen, an expert on Qing history, said: "Emperor Yongzheng only reigned for 13 years. However, through a series of drastic reforms, he quickly reversed the serious abuses and hindered social development in the late Kangxi period. On this basis, the prosperous period of Kangxi and Qianlong could enter its heyday, bringing the politics, economy, and culture of traditional Chinese society to its highest peak. In this century-long historical process, Emperor Yongzheng played an incomparable role in inheriting the past and ushering in the future. Lack. If we look at it from the perspective that his reign was relatively short, but his achievements were no less great than those of other famous historical emperors, Emperor Yongzheng is undoubtedly more difficult to achieve. ”

2. Famous. Historian Guo Fuxiang said: "Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty is a legendary figure in history. His outstanding talents, strong character, legendary political career and contradictory thoughts have left a lasting impression on people. Deeply impressed."

3. Feng Zuozhe, a researcher at the Institute of History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said: "Emperor Yongzheng was an outstanding pragmatic politician."

4. Liu Guilin: "Shizong of the Qing Dynasty. The talents shown by Chu Zheng are extraordinary, and his extraordinary energy, diligence, and ability are beyond the reach of ordinary people."?

5. The famous historian Yi Zhongtian said: "It is true that he is mean. He was mean but not ungrateful; he was really cold but not ruthless. The statement that Yongzheng had no official duties may be an exaggeration, but it is a fair evaluation of Yongzheng's governance. He is also an outstanding person. He is rich in emotion, strong-willed, resolute in character, sharp in vision, and diligent."?

Extended information

Supporting scholars

When Emperor Yongzheng was a prince, he liked to travel incognito and make many chivalrous friends. One year, I went to Hangzhou and planned to go boating on the West Lake. As soon as I left Kinmen, I saw a scholar selling calligraphy. His calligraphy was quite exquisite, so Yinzhen asked him to write a couplet. There is a word "Autumn" in it, but the scholar wrote the word "Fire" on the left side. Yinzhen then asked: "Did you write the word 'Autumn' wrong?" The scholar disagreed and said that he was right. Then he took out a famous calligraphy book and opened it for Yinzhen to compare.

Yin Zhen said: "Since you are so knowledgeable, why don't you go get some fame? Why do you want to make a living selling calligraphy here?" The scholar said: "My family is so poor that I can't even support my wife and children. You can only make a living by selling calligraphy. How dare you think about being rich?" Yinzhen then donated his money generously and said, "I have money and can help you gain fame. Just don't forget me when the time comes." The scholar was extremely grateful, and later he actually got the honors and entered the Hanlin Academy.

At this time, Yinzhen had also ascended the throne. One day, he saw the scholar's name on the roster and remembered his trip to Hangzhou, so he summoned him. Yinzhen casually wrote the word "和", deliberately writing the word "口" on the left side, and then asked someone to show it to the scholar. The scholar didn't know why and replied that it was a typo. Yinzhen smiled and said nothing. The next day, Yinzhen asked the scholar to go to Zhejiang with the imperial edict. The governor of Zhejiang received the edict. The edict said: The scholar was ordered to sell calligraphy in Yongjinmen for another three years before coming back to serve. Only then did the scholar suddenly realize.

Reference material Baidu Encyclopedia-Yongzheng