Heshen

Heshen
Chief Grand Councillor
In office
1797–1799
MonarchJiaqing Emperor
Preceded byAgui
Succeeded byYongxing
Grand Councillor
In office
1776 – 1799
(as the Chief Grand Councillor since 1797)
MonarchsQianlong Emperor
Jiaqing Emperor
Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall
In office
11 September 1786 – 2 February 1799
MonarchsQianlong Emperor
Jiaqing Emperor
Preceded byCai Xin
Succeeded byDong Gao
Minister of Personnel
In office
4 September 1784 – 16 September 1786
Serving with Liu Yong
MonarchQianlong Emperor
Preceded byUmitai
Succeeded byFuk'anggan
Minister of Revenue
In office
26 April 1780 – 4 September 1784
Serving with Liang Guozhi
MonarchQianlong Emperor
Preceded byFeng Yinglian
Succeeded byFuk'anggan
Personal details
Born
Shanbao (善保)

(1750-07-01)1 July 1750
Beijing, Qing Empire
Died22 February 1799(1799-02-22) (aged 48)
Zhizhai, Beijing, Qing Empire
Cause of deathForced suicide by hanging
SpouseFeng Jiwen
Domestic partnerLady Chang
RelationsGurun Princess Hexiao (daughter-in-law)
Helin (brother)
ChildrenFengšeninde
1 son
3 daughters
OccupationOfficial
Noble titles1st class baron→3rd class earl→1st class duke

Heshen (Manchu: ᡥᡝᡧᡝᠨ, Möllendorff: Hešen; Chinese: 和珅; pinyin: Héshēn; Wade–Giles: Ho2-shen1; 1 July 1750 – 22 February 1799) of the Manchu Niohuru clan, was an official of the Qing dynasty favored by the Qianlong Emperor and called the most corrupt official in Chinese history. After the death of Qianlong, the Jiaqing Emperor confiscated Heshen's wealth and forced him to commit suicide. As an official, he acquired an estimated at 1.1 billion taels of silver, equal to roughly US$270 billion. Heshen is remembered as one of the richest men in history.

Born Shanbao (Shan-pao; 善保), his name was later changed to Heshen. His courtesy name was Zhizhai (Chih-chai; 致齋). He was a member of the Plain Red Banner.