1. Overview
Jin Jian, also known as 金簡Jīn JiǎnChinese or 金鑑Jīn JiànChinese and by his Manchu name ᡤᡳᠨ᠋ᡤᡳᠶᠠᠨGingiyanManchu, was a prominent Korean politician who served in the Qing dynasty from 1721 until his death on January 13, 1795. His courtesy name was 可亭KetingChinese. Jin Jian rose through the ranks of the Qing bureaucracy to become a trusted and influential statesman under the Qianlong Emperor. He held various high-ranking positions, including Minister of the Imperial Household Department and Vice Chief Editor of the comprehensive literary project, the Siku Quanshu. His career encompassed significant administrative, financial, and cultural contributions, reflecting his deep involvement in the imperial system. Notably, he was also the elder brother of Imperial Noble Consort Shujia, a concubine of the Qianlong Emperor, which underscored his family's influential standing within the Qing imperial court. His life and career are reflective of the opportunities and challenges faced by non-Manchu elites integrated into the Qing imperial structure.
2. Life and Family Background
Jin Jian's personal history is rooted in a distinguished Korean family that integrated into the Qing imperial system, leading to his prominent career within the dynasty.
2.1. Origins and Early Family History
Jin Jian's family belonged to the Kim clan, originally from Uiju, Joseon (modern-day Korea). Their ancestor, Sandari 三達理San DaliChinese, and his elder brother Xin Dali 辛达礼Xin DaliChinese, formally pledged allegiance to the Later Jin dynasty (precursor to the Qing) as early as 1627, serving as translators. This early affiliation occurred during the Dingmao War (1627). The family's complete incorporation into the Qing dynasty's system took place during the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636, when they were officially assigned to the Han Chinese Imperial Household Department Plain Yellow Banner (內務府漢軍正黃旗Nèiwùfǔ Hànjūn ZhènghuángqíChinese), a specialized administrative unit within the Eight Banners.
The Kim clan's lineage became part of a unique administrative unit within the Imperial Household Department called the "Goryeo Zuo Ling" (高麗佐領Gāolí ZuǒlǐngChinese, Korean Company). This was the sole Zuo Ling within the Imperial Household Department that fell under the command of the Fourth Plain Yellow Banner Bao yi Captain (正黄旗包衣第四参领). This particular company comprised 43 different clans, with the Kim and Han clans being the most prominent. Both families established their prominence through military contributions and were granted hereditary official positions, earning them favor and respect from the Manchu nobility. They emerged as influential gentry families within Qing society.
2.2. Family Relationships
Jin Jian was part of a family that held significant positions within the Qing court. His grandfather was Shang Ming 尚明Shàng MíngChinese. His father, Jin Sanbao 金三寶Jīn SānbǎoChinese, was a high-ranking official who served as the Commissioner of the Changlu Salt Administration (巡视长芦盐政Xúnshì Chánglú YánzhèngChinese) and later as the Minister of the Military Preparations Department (武备院卿Wǔbèiyuàn QīngChinese), concurrently holding roles as Public Zuo Ling (公中佐领Gōngzhōng ZuǒlǐngChinese) and the Third and Fourth Zuo Ling.
Jin Jian had several siblings who also achieved notable statuses. His elder brother, Jin Ding 金鼎Jīn DǐngChinese, served as a Blue-feathered Imperial Guard (蓝翎侍卫Lánlíng ShìwèiChinese). His second elder brother, Jin Hui 金辉Jīn HuīChinese, became the Manchu Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War. Most notably, his younger sister became Imperial Noble Consort Shujia, a high-ranking concubine of the Qianlong Emperor, further cementing the family's ties to the imperial family. Jin Jian also had a son named Wunbu 缊布WūnbùChinese, who followed in his father's footsteps, serving as Deputy Lieutenant-General of the Mongol Plain Red Banner, Lieutenant-General of the Han Chinese Bordered Red Banner, Minister of the Imperial Household Department, Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, and Minister of the Ministry of Works.
3. Career and Contributions
Jin Jian's career as a Qing bureaucrat was marked by a steady rise through various critical government departments, demonstrating his administrative acumen and significant influence in imperial governance.
3.1. Early Appointments and Promotions
Jin Jian's official career began to flourish in the later half of the 18th century. By 1772, during the 37th year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, he was promoted to Minister of the Imperial Household Department (總管內務府大臣Zǒngguǎn Nèiwùfǔ DàchénChinese). In the same year, he assumed responsibility for managing the Wuyingdian (武英殿), a significant imperial hall, and was appointed Vice Chief Editor of the monumental literary project, the Siku Quanshu. In this role, he was specifically tasked with overseeing the compilation, examination, and supervision of the numerous scholars and officials involved in this vast scholarly endeavor.
In 1774, the 39th year of Qianlong, Jin Jian was appointed Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue (戶部侍郎Hùbù ShìlángChinese), where he took charge of financial laws and currency management. Concurrently, he served as Deputy Lieutenant-General of the Han Chinese Bordered Yellow Banner (鑲黃旗漢軍副都統Xiānghuángqí Hànjūn FùdūtǒngChinese) and was honored with the Peacock Feather, a prestigious award. In 1775, he successfully petitioned the Qianlong Emperor to discontinue the use of furnace fans in the intercalary fourth month, a proposal that the emperor approved.
3.2. Key Administrative Roles and Policy Involvement
Jin Jian held several pivotal administrative roles throughout his career, contributing significantly to the Qing government's financial management, public works, and cultural initiatives. In 1778, the 43rd year of Qianlong, the emperor ordered him to oversee the compilation of the Siku Huiyao (四庫會要Sìkù HuìyàoChinese), an abridged version of the Siku Quanshu. During this period, he also served as acting Minister of the Ministry of Works. That same year, he was dispatched to Shengjing (modern-day Shenyang) to assist General Hongxiang (弘晌) in investigating a severe shortage of silver in the treasury, leading to the punishment of officials like Lazali (拉薩禮LāsàlǐChinese) and Yilun (伊倫YīlúnChinese) who had embezzled public funds.
When the Qianlong Emperor conducted an eastern tour and discovered extensive damage to the city walls of Shengjing, he instructed his grand councilors to estimate the repair costs and allocate the necessary funds, placing Jin Jian in temporary charge of the Ministry of Works affairs. He officially assumed the position of Minister of Works in 1781. In 1783, he was promoted to Minister of Works (工部尚書Gōngbù ShàngshūChinese) and continued to serve as Deputy Lieutenant-General of the Han Chinese Bordered Yellow Banner.
In 1784, Jin Jian implemented measures to dredge and clear blocked waterways in the capital region and its vicinity, improving water transport and flood control. The following year, in 1785, he participated in the "Qian Sou Yan" (千叟宴), a grand banquet for elderly subjects hosted by the emperor, and was officially recognized for his contributions to the completion of the Siku Quanshu. In the same year, the Qianlong Emperor commissioned Liu Yong and Debao to initiate extensive repairs on the thirteen Ming Dynasty Tombs, including adding moon terraces to the Zhusi Ling (祾恩殿) and expanding the worship halls and palace gates.
3.3. Handling of Vietnamese Exiles
In 1790, during the 55th year of Qianlong, Jin Jian played a crucial role in managing the affairs of Vietnamese exiles in the Qing capital. Following the Battle of Ngọc Hồi-Đống Đa, Lê Chiêu Thống, the last emperor of the Vietnamese Later Lê dynasty, sought asylum in Beijing along with a number of high-ranking loyalists. The Qianlong Emperor ordered these Vietnamese to be settled in Beijing and incorporated into the Han Chinese Bordered Yellow Banner, specifically forming a "An Nam Zuo Ling" (安南佐領Ānnán ZuǒlǐngChinese, Annam Company). As the serving Deputy Lieutenant-General of the Han Chinese Bordered Yellow Banner, Jin Jian was directly responsible for overseeing their integration into the banner system, ensuring their settlement and welfare.
His involvement did not end with their incorporation. In 1791, as some of Lê Chiêu Thống's loyal subjects, such as Hoàng Ích Hiểu and Lê Quang Tễ, expressed their desire to return to Vietnam, the Qianlong Emperor instructed Jin Jian and other officials to escort these individuals back to their homeland. This humanitarian task involved managing the arrangements for their safe return, highlighting Jin Jian's role in the diplomatic and logistical aspects of handling foreign asylum seekers. In 1792, Jin Jian was appointed Minister of the Ministry of Personnel (吏部尚書Lìbù ShàngshūChinese).
4. Death
Jin Jian's long and distinguished career concluded with his passing in 1795.
4.1. Circumstances of Demise
Jin Jian died of illness in 1794, during the 59th year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign.
5. Posthumous Assessment and Legacy
Following his death, Jin Jian received significant imperial honors, and his family's status continued to evolve within the Qing administrative structure.
5.1. Imperial Recognition and Tributes
Upon Jin Jian's death, the Qianlong Emperor expressed his condolences and bestowed upon him the posthumous name of Qinke 勤恪QínkèChinese, which signifies diligence and integrity. To honor his loyal service, the emperor dispatched his grandson, Prince Mianqin 綿勤MiánqínChinese, to offer imperial condolences and perform sacrificial rites at Jin Jian's funeral.
5.2. Family's Post-Mortem Changes
In 1795, during the first year of the Jiaqing Emperor's reign, significant changes were made to Jin Jian's family's affiliation within the Eight Banners. The Kim family changed their surname to ᡤᡳᠨᡤᡳᠶᠠGingiyaManchu (金佳) and were formally transferred and merged into the Manchu Plain Yellow Banner. This move represented a further elevation in their status and a deeper integration into the Manchu elite, underscoring the lasting impact of Jin Jian's contributions and the imperial favor extended to his lineage.