It is certainly desirable to say that high salaries and honesty are the best way for the government to control corruption, not only in ancient times but also in modern times. However, this method changed during the Qianlong period. In the previous dynasties, the salaries of these officials changed with the economic changes, but in the Qianlong period, this value became a fixed value, that is to say, the money depreciated, but people still got a little salary, which made high salary a success.

As we all know, the system of high salary and honesty began in Yongzheng period of Qing Dynasty. At that time, in order to prevent the corruption of his officials and the collapse of the national credit system, the emperor gave them high salaries to maintain honesty, which not only supported the lives of officials, but also satisfied some extravagant ideas, so that officials did not have to commit crimes for their lives. In this way, corruption is much less, and not everyone is willing to spend endless money.

So this system has been passed down very well. Do you think that scholars gain fame only to serve their country? I don't object to people who have this idea, but who wants to take the exam for a reputation that can't even make ends meet at home? Even if the salary of ordinary small officials is not enough, you want to raise a few servants on that salary, even senior officials are not enough.

However, such a system changed its flavor during the Qianlong period. Originally, the salary of this system changed with the economic situation at that time, but in the boom period, the variable value became a fixed value, and the currency devaluation in the boom period was also so severe that the same money bought a lot less things, so that raising a clean salary became a joke.