Heshen

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Heshen
Chief Grand Councillor
In office 1797–1799
Monarch	Jiaqing Emperor
Preceded by	Agui
Succeeded by	Yongxing
Grand Councillor
In office 1776 – 1799 (as the Chief Grand Councillor since 1797)
Monarchs	Qianlong Emperor Jiaqing Emperor
Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall
In office 11 September 1786 – 2 February 1799
Monarchs	Qianlong Emperor Jiaqing Emperor
Preceded by	Cai Xin
Succeeded by	Dong Gao
Minister of Personnel
In office 4 September 1784 – 16 September 1786 Serving with Liu Yong
Monarch	Qianlong Emperor
Preceded by	Umitai
Succeeded by	Fuk'anggan
Minister of Revenue
In office 26 April 1780 – 4 September 1784 Serving with Liang Guozhi
Monarch	Qianlong Emperor
Preceded by	Feng Yinglian
Succeeded by	Fuk'anggan
Personal details
Born	Shanbao (善保) (1750-07-01)1 July 1750 Beijing, Qing Empire
Died	22 February 1799(1799-02-22) (aged 48) Zhizhai, Beijing, Qing Empire
Cause of death	Forced suicide by hanging
Spouse	Feng Jiwen
Domestic partner	Lady Chang
Relations	Gurun Princess Hexiao (daughter-in-law) Helin (brother)
Children	Fengšeninde 1 son 3 daughters
Occupation	Official
Noble titles	1st 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.