生平

方式济之子。康熙五十二年，祖父方登峄、父方式济均因南山案被流放至黑龙江。方观承与兄方观永年少，未曾同戍，寄身江宁缄西清凉寺。稍长，随兄步行至黑龙江探亲。屡试不第，五十岁仍以私塾为业。他每次途经北京，都要挥笔街头，卖字筹凑路费。他的字刚劲潇洒，索求者众，为平郡王福彭所赏识。雍正十年（1732年），福彭出征准噶尔，招方观承为记室。雍正十一年，事平，方观承以功升为内阁中书。乾隆二年（1737年）升军机处章京，再升吏部郎中。乾隆七年（1742年）授直隶清河道（辖区在今内蒙太仆寺旗一带），官至直隶总督、太子太保，「督直隶二十年，治绩彰显」，多次主持治水，聘请赵一清、戴震编辑《直隶河渠书》130馀卷。方观承很重视棉花的生产。乾隆三十年（1765年）乾隆南巡时，观承「条举木棉事十六则绘图以进」，乾隆为《棉花图》题诗，观承摹本付刻。乾隆三十三年（1768年）患疟疾，是年八月卒于任上。著有《述本堂诗》、《宜田汇稿》、《问亭集》等书。有子方维甸官至闽浙总督。

参考书目

Early life and family origins

Fang Guancheng was born in Tongcheng County, Anhui Province during the Qing Empire. The Fang family of Tongcheng was notable for its many scholars and authors. He was the second son of Fang Shiji, an official of the Ministry of the Principal (zh: 官至工部主事). His elder brother was Fang Guanyong (zh: 方观永). His paternal grandfather was Fang Dengfeng (sc: 方登峄) and his paternal great-grandfather was Fang Xiaobiao (sc: 方孝标).

Nanshan Case

The Nanshan Case occurred in the fifth year of the Kangxi Emperor (1713). The incident marked a period of literary inquisition that targeted various scholars with real or perceived loyalties to competing claimants to the throne and to the previous dynasty. Both Fang's father and grandfather were caught up in the purge resulting in the exile of both to Heilongjiang. Due to their young age, Fang and his brother were not subjected to the same exile and were instead sent to be raised by monks from the Qingliang Temple.

Following the exile of their paternal support structure, the brothers were forced to travel great distances overland from the capital at Nanking to Heilongjiang beyond the Great Wall for family gatherings.

Political career

In 1749, Fang Guancheng was made the Viceroy of Zhili, a position he would hold until his death. In addition to this title, he was also granted the title of Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces, a title he held until 1755.

Descendants and legacy

Fang Guancheng had one son, Fang Weidian who would go on to become the Governor of Fukien and the Governor of Zhejiang. Fang's nephew, Fang Shouchou , the son of Fang's brother Fang Guanyong, would go on to also serve as Viceroy of Zhili. His grandson Fang Chuanmu would go on to become a Qing prefect.