ABSTRACT

This chapter examines the Zhang/Nocin case to find out about the Qing central government's stance on high officials neglecting their obligations for private interests. The case of Zhang Guangsi was not only in the mind of contemporary scholars and historians, but preoccupied generations of later historians and historiographical novelists, who raised the question of how a commander in a position of such high earnings, with such military success could fall for the worst practices of corruption. During the Dzungar campaign Zhang Guangsi became acquainted with Yue Zhongqi when Zhang was made second commander only after Yue. Nocin, totally frustrated by his military failure, left the work to Zhang Guangsi and preferred to stay in his tent. The case Zhang/Nocin is characterized by a lot of criteria that bring it into the vicinity of corruption. Yet the charge, for which Zhang and Nocin were executed, but probably in a wider sense of misuse of entrusted power for private gain.