Feng Zuyue

Feng Zuyue, styled Zhongji, also known as Minzhai. My great grandfather, Rujing, Zuyunsi, Fuqin, Kangxi Xinmao, passed the imperial examination, and served as the head of the Sichuan Department of the Ministry of Justice. In the first year of Emperor Yongzheng's reign (1723), he passed the imperial examination and became a jinshi in the second year. In the second year, he was appointed as the head of the Jiangnan Department of the Ministry of Revenue, promoted to the position of Yuanwailang of the Henan Department, and was ordered to preside over the Shaanxi Jiyou Provincial Examination. When the Minister of Revenue was appointed as the Governor of Ganzhou Prefecture in Shaanxi Province, the court was using troops in Xinjiang, and all military supplies such as food, forage, weapons, etc. needed to be prepared by hand. Especially when he acted as an agent for the three provinces of Ganshan, Suzhou, and Anxi, holding four big seals, he traveled to and from the four places, doing all kinds of things and demonstrating extraordinary governance skills. In the third year of the Qianlong reign (1738 AD), he was promoted to the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Pingqing Circuit Inspection Department. The following year, the Tao Min Road was adjusted. Taomin is an area inhabited by ethnic minorities, with 24 chieftains under its jurisdiction, managing trivial affairs such as farming, tea and horse trade, and civil affairs. Zuyue is honest and self disciplined, treats people with integrity, and has served for three years with clean hands. But he was demoted due to work-related issues. He successively completed filial piety for his father and grandmother, and was appointed as the governor of Chenzhou Prefecture in Henan Province by the Ministry of Personnel. At the beginning of the journey to the east, there was a heavy rain and flood. We inspected the water and found that it had reached the Qinglong Embankment in Xihua. The flood was so severe that it was about to collapse, causing panic among the people on the embankment. Zuyue sat on the embankment and ordered, "Continue to reinforce the embankment. If there are anyone who wants to escape, we will not take lightly!" With the full efforts of officials and people to rescue, the embankment was finally saved from collapse. In his spare time, Zuyue vigorously focused on school construction, equipped with renowned teachers to teach, and turned Chenzhou's "Xian Ge Academy" into the best academy in Henan, cultivating many outstanding talents. But due to the crimes committed by his subordinates, he was once again demoted to the position of Jiangnan Governor and Grain Assistant for negligence. In the 16th year of the Qianlong reign (1751), the emperor went on a southern tour and was personally appointed as the governor of Leizhou. After taking office, he treated ethnic minorities with sincerity, governed with integrity and competence, and was elected as the "outstanding first" in the province by the governor during the assessment of officials. He passed away in the official office in the 20th year of the Qianlong reign, at the age of 64, before being granted the imperial title. The eunuch's purse was less than a hundred gold coins, and the governor and colleagues donated funds one after another, allowing the coffin to be buried.
Zuyue's career was bumpy, with two demotions and repeated criticism from officials. However, he did not selflessly commit any wrongdoing and was appreciated by the emperors of Yongzheng and Qianlong. He was recognized by the court as a virtuous and capable official.