Qian Feng Uncovering the Treasury Silver Deficit Case

In 1782, upright censor Qian Feng impeached Guotai, the Governor of Shandong, for massive embezzlement that had emptied the provincial treasury. Emperor Qianlong dispatched Heshen, Liu Yong, and Qian Feng to investigate. Guotai, tipped off in advance, hastily borrowed silver from local merchants to fill the vaults. Qian Feng noticed the silver pieces were of varying purity and suspected the fraud. He issued a public notice giving merchants a deadline to reclaim their silver or have it confiscated. Merchants rushed to withdraw their funds, exposing the empty treasury. Even Heshen, who had intended to shield Guotai, could not intervene. Guotai and his accomplice, Financial Commissioner Yu Yijian, were dismissed and sent to Beijing for trial.

Guotai and Yu Yijian were stripped of their positions, tried, and ordered to commit suicide.

Whether the treasury deficit actually existed and whether Heshen's attempted cover-up could be proven and overcome.

The case served as a powerful deterrent against corruption among high-ranking officials, highlighted the role of imperial censors in upholding justice, and cemented Qian Feng's legacy as an incorruptible role model, revered as the "Iron-faced Censor".