Masterpiece Collection (Vol. 1-4)

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Features: Having served the emperor for 40 years, became an indispensable figure to the Qianlong Emperor in his later years. His philosophy of governance was to avoid provoking the emperor's wrath for the sake of righteousness, while regarding "being cautious of greed" as the key to protecting oneself from misfortune. During the transition between the old and new emperors, when Qianlong passed the throne to Jiaqing, it was a spiritual crucible for. He navigated the situation, never forgetting the favor he had received, aided the new emperor, and dealt with the conflicting factions of Heshen and Jiagui. Jia Ranglan maintained a close relationship with Jiagui while keeping a distance from Heshen, which ensured the smooth resolution of the Ministry of Justice case without incident. His cleverness often appeared as foolishness; for his unintentional disclosure of state secrets, Qianlong could only sigh at his extraordinary talent. After his exile to Xinjiang, he spent his days conversing with dogs in their language, and through the ups and downs of his life, he finallyed the philosophy of "sing the song suitable for the mountain." This embodied the supreme of "wisdom is hard, being foolish is harder, and transitioning from wisdom to foolishness is the hardest." In social interactions, he was universally respected as a first-class minister, associating with people from all walks of life, cherishing sincerity, and making genuine friends. He despised hypocritical figures and was not bound by Confucian or Taoist principles. Regarding his life's journey, he believed in "going with the flow" and said, "If you don't set limits on life, life will present you with the best." Once the mind is enslaved, one loses their true self. Experiencing life is the most important thing, and the ultimate outcome should be left to fate. His conduct was extraordinary, earning him the nickname "Monkey Sage Reincarnated." He was known to "eat tens of pounds of meat daily," called a "Tea Star," referred to as the "Ji Da Yan Dai" (Ji the Big Pipe), and had a lifelong penchant for concubines.
He served as the chief compiler of the《Siku Quanshu》 for 18 years, completing an unprecedented scholarly endeavor. During this time, he faced multiple literary crackdowns and deeply understood that serving the emperor was like accompanying a tiger. Yet, he excelled in literary pursuits and had a smooth career, harmonizing well with the emperor.
It is said that《Selected Anecdotes from Qing Dynasty Official Life》 is a collection of life experiences, offering advice to the world. It covers everything from local customs and political intrigue to historical regulations, divination, and supernatural tales, making it a truly fascinating social history.
Qianlong called him a seasoned statesman and a national treasure. In his later years, he became a prudent and reserved elder, leaving behind enduring masterpieces, including exemplary essays and poems, all of which were revered by later generations.