乾隆十五年五月二十八日(1750年7月1日)，和珅出生在福建副都统常保家中，三岁时母亲因难产而去世，临终时产下弟弟和琳，父亲常保在和珅九岁时亦因病去世，幸得一位老家丁和父亲的一位偏房保护和珅、和琳两兄弟才能免于被赶出家门。和珅后考上咸安宫，和珅精通满、汉、蒙、藏四种语言，更通读四书五经。更得老师吴省钦、吴省兰喜爱。

乾隆三十三年(1768年)，18岁的和珅娶直隶总督冯英廉之孙女冯氏。

和珅于乾隆三十四年(1769年)踏上仕途， 参加乾隆三十四年(1769年)己丑年科举，但名落孙山。他以文生员承袭三等轻车都尉。乾隆三十七年(1772年)，被授三等侍卫，被挑选为补粘杆处侍卫。乾隆三十八年(1773年)，23岁的和珅由于在乾隆面前展示自己的才学。终于做了乾隆的仪仗队的侍从。

乾隆三十八年(1773年)，23岁时的和珅就任管库大臣，管理布库，他从这份工作中学习到如何理财，他勤朴地管理布库，令布的存量大增，这些使他他得到乾隆的赏识。

乾隆四十年(1775年)十月，和珅擢为乾清门侍卫。十一月再升为御前侍卫，并任命正蓝旗满洲副都统。

乾隆四十一年(1776年)正月，任命户部右侍郎，三月任命军机大臣，四月，任命总管内务府大臣。八月，调任镶黄旗满洲副都统。十一月，任国史馆副总裁，赏一品朝冠。十二月，任总管内务府三旗官兵事务，赐紫禁城骑马。

乾隆四十二年(1777年)六月，任户部左侍郎，兼署吏部右侍郎。十月，兼步军统领。

乾隆四十三年(1778年)，因吏部尚书永贵弹劾，因失察降两级留用，监督崇文门税务，总管行营事务。

乾隆四十四年(1779年)，命在御前大臣上学习行走。

和珅书法

 和珅在清朝的外交事务担任重要职位，英特使马戛尔尼对和珅的外交十分赞赏。和珅初为官时，精明强干，为政清廉，通过李侍尧案巩固自己的地位。乾隆帝对其宠信有加，并将幼女十公主嫁给和珅长子丰绅殷德，使和珅不仅大权在握，而且成为皇亲国戚。随着权力的成长，他的私欲也日益膨胀，利用职务之便，结党营私，聚敛钱财，并用贿赂、迫害、恐吓、暴力、绑架等方式笼络地方势力、打击政敌。此外，和珅还亲自经营工商业，开设当铺七十五间，设大小银号三百多间，且与英国东印度公司、广东十三行有商业往来。成为后人所称权倾天下、富可敌国的"贪官之王"、"贪污之王"。和珅亦同时是18世纪世界首富，超越了同时期的梅耶·罗斯柴尔德。以嘉庆帝、监察御史钱沣、大学士刘墉、翰林院编修范衷、军机大臣王杰、户部尚书董诰和礼部侍郎朱圭为代表的朝中清议力量，曾多次弹劾和珅，但和珅均能化险为夷。

虽然贪污是他的最大的过错，但他的才华还是应该得到认可。有人将他与刘墉和纪晓岚并列为清乾隆时期三大中堂。虽然刘墉和纪晓岚均未入军机处，但刘墉官至体仁阁大学士(正一品)，纪晓岚官至协办大学士(从一品)，按职级标准而言，称为中堂是合理的。《清史稿》说"大学士非兼军机处，不得为真宰相"。故称为刘、纪为中堂还可以，宰相则不沾边了。他虽然聚敛，但他确实善于理财。前几任都因办不到，而被罢职。之后，由于要花钱办事，所以，还得靠和珅来弄钱。

文学

和珅一生读书甚多，清史载和珅喜读《三国演义》和《春秋》，精通四书五经，他早年对朱熹的理念十分认同。虽然后来信奉现实主义，不过闲时亦爱与文人墨客一聚。而且四大名著之一的《红楼梦》，也是因为和珅才保留了下来。他常常与乾隆帝一起作诗，和珅对乾隆所作诗词的风格都知道得一清二楚。和珅为了迎合乾隆，下功夫学诗、写诗，并造诣很深。他偶尔会在乾隆面前表现一下自己对诗文的研究，甚至闲暇的时候以"骚人"自居。和珅的诗合乎乾隆的审美趣味，乾隆很多时候就命和珅即景赋诗，以代替自己。在和珅的诗集《嘉乐堂诗集》中就有很多首是奉乾隆帝的命令所为，从中可以看出和珅书法之造诣。

 He Gong (May 28, 1750 - February 22, 1799), Niu Hulu, formerly known as Shanbao, Zhaizhai, is the owner of Jiayuetang, Shihuyuan, Oasis Pavilion, Manchuria Zhenghong Banner, the minister and businessman in the middle of Qing Dynasty. On May 28, 1750, Qianlong was born in Changbao, Vice-Capital of Fujian Province. When he became an official at the beginning, he was smart and capable, and consolidated his position through the Li Shiyao case. Emperor Qianlong believed in him and married his ten young princesses to his eldest son, Fengsheng Yinde, so that He Gong not only held power, but also became a relative of the emperor's kingdom. With the growth of power, his selfish desire is also expanding day by day. By taking advantage of his position, he forms a party for private purposes, collects money and attackes political opponents. In addition, he Jing also manages industry and Commerce personally, opening 75 pawnshops, setting up more than 300 large and small silver shops, and has business contacts with British East India Company and Guangdong Thirteen Lines. He Gong held and concurrently held many key positions in the central government of the Qing Dynasty, including first-class loyal Xianggong and official Baiwenhua Palace Bachelor. His positions mainly included the Chief Cabinet Bachelor, Chief Military Aircraft Minister, Official Shangshu, Ministry of Household Shangshu, Ministry of Criminal Justice Shangshu, Li Fan College Shangshu, and also served as Head of the Cabinet Office, Academician in charge of Hanlin College, General Compiler of Sikuquanshu, Minister of Cabinet Guard. Dozens of important positions, such as the head of the infantry.

On May 28, 1750, Qianlong was born in Changbao, Fujian Province. At the age of three, his mother died of dystocia. On his deathbed, he gave birth to his brother Helin. At the age of nine, his father Changbao also died of illness. Fortunately, two brothers, Huang and Lin, from an old family, were saved from being expelled. He Jing was admitted to Xian'an Palace, and he Jing was proficient in Manchu, Han, Mongolian and Tibetan languages. He read four books and five classics more thoroughly. Teachers like Wu Shiqin and Wu Shilan.

Thirty-three years (1768) in Qianlong, 18-year-old He Gong married Feng Shi, the granddaughter of Chili Governor Feng Yinglian.

He Jing embarked on his official career in the 34th year of Qianlong (1769) and participated in the imperial examination in the ugly year of the 34th year of Qianlong (1769), but his name fell to Sun Shan. He inherited the third-class light vehicle captain as a literary student. In the thirty-seventh year of Qianlong Emperor (1772), he was appointed a third-class guard, and was selected as a guard of the sticking rod. In the thirty-eighth year of Qianlong (1773), 23-year-old He Jing showed his talent and learning in front of Qianlong. Finally, he served as a guard of honor in Qianlong.

In the thirty-eighth year of Qianlong (1773), at the age of 23, He Jing took office as Minister of Treasury and managed the Treasury. He learned how to manage the Treasury from this job. He managed the Treasury diligently and plainly, which greatly increased the stock of cloth, which made him appreciated by Qianlong.

In October of the forty years of Qianlong (1775), Hejin served as a guard at the Qianqing Gate. In November, he was raised to the rank of the Royal Front Guard and appointed the Manchukuo Vice-Capital of Zhenglan Banner.

In the first month of Emperor Qianlong's forty-first year (1776), he appointed the right waiter of the Ministry of Household Affairs, the Minister of military aircraft in March, and the Minister of the General Administration in April. In August, he was transferred to Manchukuo Vice-Capital of Xiehuang Banner. In November, he served as Vice President of the National History Museum, rewarding a champion. In December, he served as the chief administrative officer of the three banners of the Forbidden City for horseback riding.

Qianlong forty-two years (1777) in June, he served as the left waiter of the household department, and the right waiter of the office. In October, the concurrent infantry commander.

In the forty-third year of Qianlong Emperor (1778), he was impeached by the Ministry of officials, and was detained at two levels for negligence. He supervised the tax affairs of Chongwenmen and took charge of the business affairs.

In the forty-fourth year of Qianlong (1779), he was ordered to study and walk in the imperial ministers.