Yongzheng's Use of Personnel and Bazi

According to historical records, the iron-fisted Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty not only frequently enjoyed auspicious omens but also often considered a person's birth date and time (Bazi) as a criterion when appointing officials. Of course, even so, he did not let his belief in Bazi lead to the ruin of the state. His belief was not absolute; rather, it served as another political management method for him to control his ministers and rule over the hearts of the people. Yue Zhongqi, a military general who was once highly trusted by Emperor Yongzheng, left some records in credible memorial archives regarding the emperor and Bazi. In the sixth year of Yongzheng, while he was presiding over military affairs in the western frontier, the emperor ordered him to report the "birth years" of important military officers. Yue Zhongqi listed his personal Bazi in a memorial dated April 15th of the same year: 1. Commander Feng Yunzhong, currently 60 years old, born on the 29th day of the fifth month at Shen hour, Bazi: Ji You, Geng Wu, Xin You, Bing Shen. Bing Xin Geng Ji Shen You Wu You 2. Garrison Commander Yuan Jiyin, currently 56 years old, born on the 6th day of the twelfth month at Shen hour, Bazi: Gui Chou, Yi Chou, Xin Chou, Bing Shen. Bing Xin Yi Gui Shen Chou Chou Chou 3. Garrison Commander Zhang Yuanzuo, currently 46 years old, born on the 7th day of the second month at Mao hour, Bazi: Gui Hai, Jia Yin, Ji Mao, Ding Mao. Ding Ji Jia Gui Mao Mao Yin Hai Additionally: "Garrison Commander Ji Chengbin previously appeared in the capital for an audience and has already been inquired about by the Emperor, so there is no need to list him again. Regarding the birth year of Deputy General Wang Gang, I will submit a separate memorial once it is provided." Yongzheng annotated this Bazi report with: "The Bazi record has been kept in the palace." On the 29th of the same month, Yue Zhongqi supplemented the report with Wang Gang's birth Bazi: "Currently 46 years old, born at Zi hour on the 16th day of the fourth month, Bazi: Gui Hai, Ding Si, Wu Zi, Ren Zi. Respectfully request the Emperor's wise judgment." Ren Wu Ding Gui Zi Zi Si Hai After reading Yue Zhongqi's memorial, Yongzheng immediately provided the following evaluations for these military officers based on命理 (numerology): "Wang Gang's Bazi is presumably good. I have reviewed Feng Yunzhong's, and it is very unsuitable; his luck seems to have passed, and he can only maintain a peaceful status. Yuan Jiyin is also very unsuitable; I fear for his longevity, etc. Zhang Yuanzuo is in a prime and vigorous luck period, with everything auspicious. Assistant Commander Wang Tingrui and Colonel Chen Bi, these two have very prosperous and good fortunes; if action is required, these two can be dispatched. Since several people are unsuitable for use, you may consider a few more individuals and submit their Bazi in a secret memorial. For the proposed officers who need to be used, you may also send their Bazi for review. Although the principles of destiny are subtle, one should not completely disregard them." From this, it can be seen that Emperor Yongzheng's appointments and troop deployments were handled with reference to birth dates and times. Similarly, when Ma Long, under Yue Zhongqi's command, failed to investigate properly and sought to appoint Zhao Xianzhong as Deputy General of Jingyuan Garrison, Yongzheng also gave instructions based on Bazi, stating: "Ma Long's department has not yet arrived with the new regulations. If there are no offenses warranting punishment in the transfer, he should not be specially demoted. Zhao Xianzhong can wait for a vacancy to be recommended for appointment; send his Bazi for my review. Zhao Xianzhong appears to be an outstandingly good candidate. Ertai deeply pities him and requested to keep him in Yunnan Province, but Wang did not agree. I have already reviewed Wang Gang's Bazi; his destiny is very good, his luck is currently prosperous, and everything is auspicious. His fate is full of loyalty and integrity, and he can potentially reach the rank of Commander-in-Chief; however, I fear his lifespan may not be long. This is not a comment on the present but a prediction for when he reaches sixty. I do not know how to read destinies, but judging by his appearance, it seems naturally good. If my words come true! When reviewing people's destinies, I will never show any preferences or aversions, causing them to seek my approval." Based on the above historical records, we can believe that Yongzheng indeed attached great importance to the Bazi of his ministers at that time. He believed that Bazi could reveal a person's annual luck, and it could also explain a person's abilities and lifespan. He was almost "using people according to their destiny," or one could say that in many instances, he acted according to Bazi, using it as a reference for the promotion, transfer, and appointment of officials.