Early life and family origins

Fang Guancheng was born in Tongcheng County, Anhui Province during the Qing Empire. The Fang family of Tongcheng was notable for its many scholars and authors. He was the second son of Fang Shiji, an official of the Ministry of the Principal (zh: 官至工部主事). His elder brother was Fang Guanyong (zh: 方观永). His paternal grandfather was Fang Dengfeng (sc: 方登峄) and his paternal great-grandfather was Fang Xiaobiao (sc: 方孝标).

Nanshan Case

The Nanshan Case occurred in the fifth year of the Kangxi Emperor (1713). The incident marked a period of literary inquisition that targeted various scholars with real or perceived loyalties to competing claimants to the throne and to the previous dynasty. Both Fang's father and grandfather were caught up in the purge resulting in the exile of both to Heilongjiang. Due to their young age, Fang and his brother were not subjected to the same exile and were instead sent to be raised by monks from the Qingliang Temple.

Following the exile of their paternal support structure, the brothers were forced to travel great distances overland from the capital at Nanking to Heilongjiang beyond the Great Wall for family gatherings.

Political career

In 1749, Fang Guancheng was made the Viceroy of Zhili, a position he would hold until his death. In addition to this title, he was also granted the title of Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces, a title he held until 1755.

Descendants and legacy

Fang Guancheng had one son, Fang Weidian who would go on to become the Governor of Fukien and the Governor of Zhejiang. Fang's nephew, Fang Shouchou , the son of Fang's brother Fang Guanyong, would go on to also serve as Viceroy of Zhili. His grandson Fang Chuanmu would go on to become a Qing prefect.

生平

方式濟之子。康熙五十二年，祖父方登嶧、父方式濟均因南山案被流放至黑龍江。方觀承與兄方觀永年少，未曾同戍，寄身江寧緘西清涼寺。稍長，隨兄步行至黑龍江探親。屢試不第，五十歲仍以私塾為業。他每次途經北京，都要揮筆街頭，賣字籌湊路費。他的字剛勁瀟灑，索求者眾，為平郡王福彭所賞識。雍正十年（1732年），福彭出征準噶爾，招方觀承為記室。雍正十一年，事平，方觀承以功升為內閣中書。乾隆二年（1737年）升軍機處章京，再升吏部郎中。乾隆七年（1742年）授直隸清河道（轄區在今內蒙太僕寺旗一帶），官至直隸總督、太子太保，「督直隸二十年，治績彰顯」，多次主持治水，聘請趙一清、戴震編輯《直隸河渠書》130餘卷。方觀承很重視棉花的生產。乾隆三十年（1765年）乾隆南巡時，觀承「條舉木棉事十六則繪圖以進」，乾隆為《棉花圖》題詩，觀承摹本付刻。乾隆三十三年（1768年）患瘧疾，是年八月卒於任上。著有《述本堂詩》、《宜田匯稿》、《問亭集》等書。有子方維甸官至閩浙總督。

參考書目