Heshen, who had only gained his position…

Heshen, who had only gained his position because he was the Emperor's favorite, is known to have embezzled funds and resources earmarked for the defeat of the White Lotus; this accounted for his defeat.

The Jiaqing Emperor, on assuming effective power in 1799, overthrows the Heshen clique and, as a way of restoring discipline and morale, gives support to the efforts of the more vigorous Manchu commanders in suppressing the White Lotus Rebellion.

A systematic program of pacification follows, in which the populace is resettled in hundreds of stockaded villages and organized into militia.