Brief: This article tells the story of Ha Panlong, a top martial scholar under the Qianlong Emperor. He won the imperial military exam with outstanding archery and strength. Sent to suppress the Jinchuan rebellion, he was framed by incompetent generals. Qianlong later uncovered the truth, punished the generals, and Ha achieved distinction as a loyal military commander.
I. The Legacy of the Kangxi Emperor
When the Qianlong Emperor ascended the throne at twenty-five, he immediately reversed his father Yongzheng’s controversial policies. He executed Zeng Jing – the scholar his father had famously pardoned and used for propaganda in the Dayi Juemi Lu – and restored the royal status of his disgraced uncles. This boldness stemmed from a unique source of legitimacy: Qianlong believed he was chosen not just by his father, but by his grandfather, the great Kangxi Emperor. Kangxi had taken a special liking to young Hongli (Qianlong), raising him in the palace and prophesying that the boy would have greater fortune than himself. This perceived dual mandate gave Qianlong the confidence to forge his own path, emphasizing both literary scholarship and martial prowess.
II. The Rise of the Martial Exam
Inspired by his ancestors, Qianlong revitalized the Imperial Military Examination Wuju). Originally established during the Tang Dynasty, this system tested candidates on archery, horsemanship, strength, and military strategy. Qianlong took a personal interest in these exams, often presiding over the final rounds to identify talented officers who could help quell the empire’s frequent rebellions.
Among the aspiring warriors was Ha Panlong, a Hui Muslim man from Hejian, Hebei province. Born into a family of military clerks, Ha possessed immense physical strength, capable of wielding heavy iron whips and lifting massive stone locks. After excelling in the provincial exams, he traveled to Beijing for the national competition, which consisted of an outer field (physical skills) and an inner field (strategy essays).
III. Winning the Emperor’s Favor
The final palace exam took place at the Violetrays Pavilion (Ziguang Pavilion). Ha Panlong performed spectacularly in the physical trials. In mounted archery, he hit the bullseye with all six arrows; in foot archery, he struck a rolling ball target perfectly. He also dominated the strength tests, ranking first or second in drawing heavy bows and moving stones. Impressed by his physical feats and his insightful essay on military strategy, Qianlong personally selected Ha Panlong as the Number One Military Scholar (Wuzhuangyuan). Overcome with emotion, the son of a common clerk stood before the court as a First-Class Imperial Bodyguard, ready to serve the empire.
IV. The Nightmare of Jinchuan
After five years of service, Ha Panlong returned home to mourn his mother. However, duty called sooner than expected. The Emperor, touring the region, confided in Ha about a frustrating rebellion in the Jinchuan region of Sichuan. The local chieftain, Sarbun, had defied imperial authority, using the mountainous terrain and blockhouses to ambush government troops. Despite sending large armies, the Qing forces were suffering humiliating defeats. Seeing an opportunity to prove his loyalty, Ha Panlong cut short his mourning period and volunteered for the front lines.
V. Betrayal and Vindication
Arriving at the front, Ha Panlong served under General Zhang Guangsi and the Chief Minister Nacin. While Ha proved to be a capable tactician – using high ground to capture the Dasonlin stockade – his superiors were incompetent. They relied on costly human wave tactics that failed against the entrenched rebels. The situation worsened when the brave General Ren Ju was killed in an ambush at Serli Stone City due to poor planning by Nacin.
Fearing the Emperor’s wrath for their failures, Nacin and Zhang Guangsi decided to scapegoat Ha Panlong. They reported to Beijing that Ha’s “inaction” had led to Ren Ju’s death and requested his demotion. Enraged, Qianlong initially ordered an investigation. However, realizing Ha was no coward, he demanded a direct report from the warrior himself.
Ha Panlong, sweating with anxiety, wrote a detailed account of the battle, exposing how the commanders had shifted blame to cover their own incompetence. Qianlong, upon verifying the truth, executed Nacin and Zhang Guangsi for their crimes. Vindicated, Ha Panlong led a successful night raid to capture Serli Stone City. He eventually rose to become a Provincial Admiral, a first-rank military official, proving that merit and loyalty could overcome even the treachery of high-ranking courtiers.
Note
Qianlong Emperor (Hongli)
The fifth Qing emperor, grandson of Kangxi. He revived the imperial military exam, valued talent and loyalty, and punished corrupt generals to uphold justice.
Ha Panlong
A Hui military officer who won the Wuzhuangyuan (Number One Military Scholar). He was brave and upright, framed by superiors but later vindicated by the emperor.
Kangxi Emperor
Qianlong’s revered grandfather, who favored him in childhood and shaped his governing style.
Yongzheng Emperor
Qianlong’s father, known for strict rule; Qianlong reversed some of his controversial policies.
Zhang Guangsi & Nacin
Incompetent Qing generals in the Jinchuan campaign. They used failed tactics and framed Ha Panlong to avoid blame; later executed by Qianlong.
Sarbun
Local tribal chief in Jinchuan who rebelled against Qing rule.
Ren Ju
A loyal Qing general killed in an ambush due to his commanders’ poor planning.
Zeng Jing
A dissident scholar who was pardoned by Yongzheng but executed by Qianlong.
Imperial Military Examination (Wuju)
A national test to select military officers, evaluating archery, horsemanship, physical strength, and strategy.
Wuzhuangyuan
The highest rank in the imperial military exam, awarded to the top candidate personally by the emperor.
Hui Muslim
An ethnic group in China with Islamic heritage; Ha Panlong was a member of this community.
Three‑generation Legacy (Kangxi‑Yongzheng‑Qianlong)
The golden age of the Qing Dynasty, emphasizing governance, military strength, and cultural prosperity.
Jinchuan Rebellion
A local uprising in Sichuan’s mountainous Jinchuan region; Qing troops suffered heavy losses due to incompetent command.
Frame‑up and Vindication
Ha Panlong was wrongfully accused of inaction; he defended himself truthfully, and Qianlong executed the guilty generals.
Scapegoating
A political trick where superiors shift blame for their failures to subordinates.
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