Qianlong's visit to the south of the Yangtze River generally included the following aspects: bestowing favors and rewards, inspecting river workers, observing the people and officials, offering favors to the gentry, cultivating the gentry, and conducting military parades and memorial tombs.

On the 5th and 17th of October in the fourteenth year of Qianlong (1749), Emperor Qianlong Hongli issued two edicts one after another, describing the reasons why he wanted to tour the south of the Yangtze River in the sixteenth year. There were roughly four points: First, officials from Jiangsu and Zhejiang represented the military and civilians

Gentleman Jin respectfully invites the Emperor to visit him; secondly, the great scholar and Jiuqing refer to classics and history and the example of the Holy Ancestor's southern tour, and suggest that his request be granted; thirdly, Jiangsu and Zhejiang are vast and densely populated, and they should go there to inspect the people's sentiments and military affairs, and ask questions.

The people suffer; fourthly, they honor their mother and visit famous places to fulfill their filial piety.

Extended information: Emperor Qianlong once visited in 1751 (the 16th year of Qianlong), 1757 (the 22nd year of Qianlong), 1762 (the 27th year of Qianlong), 1765 (the 30th year of Qianlong), and 1780 (the fourth year of Qianlong).

In the 15th year of the Qianlong reign) and 1784 (the 49th year of Qianlong's reign), he visited the south of the Yangtze River six times. Each time, he usually visited Jiangning Prefecture (now Nanjing City), Suzhou Prefecture, Hangzhou Prefecture, and Yangzhou Prefecture. The last four times he also visited Zhejiang Province.

Haining.

Emperor Qianlong's grandfather, Emperor Kangxi, also visited Jiangnan six times during his reign.

Emperor Qianlong regarded his southern tour as one of the most important achievements in his life.

He made six trips to the south of the Yangtze River and spent a lot of money, which became one of the reasons for the decline of the country's power in the middle of Qianlong.

During six trips to the south of the Yangtze River, there were gains and losses, advantages and disadvantages.

Through six rounds of inspections, Emperor Qianlong had a clear understanding of the official customs and customs of the south of the Yangtze River. He also vigorously promoted river engineering, paid taxes extensively, treated ministers who became officials with courtesy, cultivated scholars, promoted the divine grace, won over the Jin gentry people, stabilized Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and protected the lives and property of the people.

It played a positive role in promoting property, developing production, enriching culture, creating and continuing the "heyday of the Qing Dynasty".

But, on the other hand, the expenses are indeed huge. Each southern tour lasts four to five months. There are usually about 3,000 officers and soldiers accompanying them, about 6,000 horses, 400 to 500 boats, and several thousand more.

The famous servant spent millions of silver and caused great harassment to the people.

Qianlong also knew this very well. In his "Southern Tour Notes" written in the 49th year of his reign, he not only described the reasons for the success of the two major events of the "Western Division" and the "Southern Tour", but also clearly pointed out that those who do not have the power of a monarch

The four conditions of "no desire", "obeying the law" of the military officers, "honesty" of the officials, and "being cordial to the people" cannot be said for the southern tour.

More than ten years later, he had a deeper understanding of the waste of people and money caused by the southern patrol. He said to the military aircraft Zhang Jing Wu Xiongguang: "I have been in the imperial government for sixty years and have not lost any moral character. However, during the six southern patrols, I wasted people and money.

It is useless, but it is harmful. In the future, the emperor will tour the south, and if you don't stop it, there will be nothing to do against me." Baidu Encyclopedia - Emperor Qianlong's southern tour.