Life

Liu Tongxun was born in a scholarly family and got a good education since childhood. His father Liu Jie received Jinshi degree in Kangxi Emperor』s period, served as provincial administrator, then later promoted to lieutenant governor in Sichuan. And his grandfather Liu Bixian also gained Jinshi degree in Shunzhi Emperor's period. Liu Tongxun was studying hard enough, and obtain Jinshi degree in 1724. Sooner, he started his career in Hanlin Academy (Chinese: 翰林院). Later on, he risen through the central administration. He died in 1773 due to overwork, at the age of 76.

Achievements

Investigate Malfeasance

Liu Tongxun was famous in the central government because of his incorruptible personality. He investigated several cases of Manchu officials who got involved in Malfeasance.

In 1741, he indicted Grand Councilor Zhang Tingyu, Grand Secretary Noqin of in order to curb nepotism factionalism.

In 1753, he was sent to Lower Yangzi valley(Yangzte valley) to investigate river conservancy. During this investigation, he found two officials Gao Bin and Zhang Shizai who in charge of river conservancy in Yangzi, mismanaged the river conservancy and confused the financial accounts. Gao and Zhang lost their positions after verified misconducts.

In 1759, he was called on to investigated a former governor in Shanxi province, Jiang Zhou. Jiang was found guilty because he had not accounted for deficits in the provincial treasury when he was in the position.

In 1760, he convicted the Chinese education commissioner of Jiangxi province, Asiha of corruption and accepting bribes from his subordinate and local gentry members.

River Conservancy

Although the Qing court took various measures to strengthen regulation in river conservancy and spent a large amount of money, but gained little success. In 1736, the emperor promoted Liu Tongxun to Grand Secretariat, and followed the another Grand Secretary Ji Zengyun to Zhejiang province to study river conservancy.

In 1746, Liu Tongxun served as governor of the transport of water. In 1748, Liu Tongxun and his colleague Gaobin inspected the relief work in Shandong Province and investigated the river courses. At that time, the canal rose quickly and Liu Tongxun asked for permission to divert the canal water out of the sea. After the fall, the height of the two embankments will be raised again, blocking the water and preventing dam breaches and floods.

Quell Zunghar Mongols

Between 1757 and 1759, the Qianlong Emperor invaded the territory around the Tarim Basin for the expansion of its territory. Liu Tongxun did not consider it necessary to conquer this huge ranch that had not traditionally threatened China's homeland. He suggested that the main force should be temporarily withdrawn to Hami to avoid any further losses. However, the Qianlong Emperor was mad and would not accept this admonition. This time, Liu Tongxun was put in jail for a long time. Later, the Qianlong Emperor ordered the release of him and his family, and returned his property.

Other Works

"Xiyu Tuzhi"(Chinese: "西域图志"), 1756.

"Imperial Collection of Four" ("Siku Quanshu"/ Chinese: "四库全书"), 1773.

生平

康熙朝

康熙三十八年（1700年），劉統勳生於山東青州諸城。他的父親劉棨官至四川布政使，他自幼時接受完整的儒家教育。

雍正朝

雍正二年（1724年），劉統勳中甲辰科進士，選庶吉士，散館授編修，歷任南書房行走、上書房行走、詹事、內閣學士等職位。

乾隆朝

乾隆元年（1736年），劉統勳受到乾隆帝的重用，曾到浙江學習治水，對他往後處理治河事務很有幫助。二年（1737年），他被任命為刑部侍郎，不久後因為母親去世，而中斷官員生涯三年。乾隆六年（1741年），劉統勳擔任都察院左都御史時，曾參奏大學士張廷玉、尚書公訥親而名聞朝野。之後他一路升遷為漕運總督、刑部尚書，工部尚書，吏部尚書，尚書房總師傅，內閣大學士，翰林院掌院學士及軍機大臣等要職，乾隆帝對他深為倚重，重要的軍國大事，都曾召見他討論。乾隆二十年阿睦爾撒納叛，因定西將軍永常率部從木壘撤退，乾隆帝責他附和永常不救班第，被籍沒奪職，其子劉墉亦被奪職，與在北京子孫皆下牢獄。二十一年六月，授刑部尚書。二十二年加太子太保。二十三年，調吏部尚書。二十四年，命協辦大學士。二十六年，拜東閣大學士，兼管禮部、兵部。二十八年，任上書房總師傅，兼管刑部。三十八年（1773年）卒于上朝途中。

評價

劉統勳為官清廉，不結朋黨，敢言直諫，勇於任事，因此深得乾隆帝的敬重與信賴。當他病逝後，乾隆帝聞訊說：「朕失去一股肱！」「如統勳乃不愧真宰相，汝等宜法效之。」乾隆帝評價：「神敏剛勁，終身不失其正」，贈太傅，諡「文正」。

劉統勳在治水方面獲得重要成果，懲治貪贓枉法的官員，因而受到百姓的愛戴。河南、山東等地的百姓紛紛為他建立祠堂。

註釋