Li Hongzhang was a Chinese politician and statesman, specifically known for his stance as a developer of modernism within the domains of Chinese territory. As a member of the late Qing Dynasty, he is known to initiate the projects especially in the domains of commerce and industry that conducted Chinese relations with Western superpowers. Though he courted controversies, yet, he is specifically remembered for his success in Taiping Rebellion.
Background
Born in the quaint village of Qunzhi, to Li Wên-an (father), Li Hung-chang was always interested in the affairs of the state, given his remarkable performance in Imperial examinations, as well as, his constant exposure to civil matters courtesy to his father’s connections.
His rise to the higher realms of Chinese dominion was a momentous one. From raising a militant regiment in the face of Taiping rebellion, to his stance as the Viceroy of Zhili province, to finally one of the best Chinese diplomats of his time, he was truly a man of letters.
Education
Li Hongzhang received a good education and passed the provincial examination in 1844. He too became a jinshi degree holder in 1847 and was appointed to the Hanlin Academy in 1850 as a compiler, a prestigious academic position for a scholar in China.
Career
As a person who charted a completely different course in the history of China, Li Hongzhang, was a person who had shown his excellence right from his childhood, by getting the position of shengyuan in the Imperial system of Examination that was held in China. It was in 1847, that he is said to have obtained the ‘jinshi’ degree that was denoted to be the highest in Imperial Examinations.
It is post these obtaining of degrees that his actual career in the active life of China began. He had a strong influence in his career and life in the form of Zeng Guofan, under whom he started his official career back in 1844. With the 1850 Taiping Rebellion breaking out, he was the man to organise a local militia to help in crushing of this uproar. Within this period, in 1847, Li passed the second Imperial Examination that resulted in his earning of the chin-shih degree. It is due to his zealous pursuit that helped him earn a judgeship in 1856.
In 1859, he was appointed at the rank of intendant of circuit known as ‘taotai’ and transferred to the province of Fujian. It is during his tenure that he joined hands with an American by the name of Frederick, organizing an army under command of Charles George Gordon, to suppress revolts that resulted in suppression of Suzhou, and Nanjing’s capture at his hands. Post this, he was offered the position of the governor of Jiangsu, and made an earl, with decoration by a yellow jacket.
After this, he was also associated with suppression of Nian Rebellion that broke out in Shandon and Henan provinces. Finally in 1867, he was made as the Viceroy of Huguang province.
Finally, in 1870, he was appointed as the Governor-General of Zhili province. It is here that some of the major achievements of him were to start. During this period, he was also made the superintendent of trade, a post that allowed him to have a say in the foreign policy of China over a substantial time period. Officially there was a Beijing agency for China’s Western diplomatic relations, known as the Zongli Yamen, it was Li who became famous among foreigners.
During his tenure of 25 years as a governor general of this province, he was a towering personality, who showed great interest in modernizing China. He sent youths from China to United States to learn skills associated with industrialization. It was associated with his idea to open the domains of China to the world by means of Chinese Educational Mission. Also, his name is associated with construction of cotton mill, railroad, telegraph line, commercial steamship lines, military academy, and two modern naval bases.
Associated with vice royalty, was his position as the Superintendent of Trade, wherein he engaged in negotiations with Japanese, French and British. He is credited with organizing the foreign policy of China. He is known to have expanded his foreign policies all the way to Korea. This is evident in his role as found in Boxer Rebellion, where he played a major diplomatic role. In 1896 he negotiated a treaty that granted the right to Russia to build the Trans-Siberian Rail Road across North Manchuria.
Though his immense failure in the Sino-Japanese War was a matter of controversy, yet, on the whole, he was a remarkable statesman of China.
Li Hongzhang was a towering personality of the 19th century, who is given sheer credit for making of the modern nation of China. Though he believed in taking the best of modern powers to make the best out of China, yet on the base level, he wished to remove any type of love for foreign nations from the minds of Chinese people. Though he was loyal to the system, yet he manipulated it as per requirements.
The best part of his persona was his modern outlook, diplomatic nature, and an ability to ensure that he got the best of deals in regards to Chinese affairs. It was courtesy to his progressive internal policies, presented in a moderate manner that resulted in building of a number of railroads and army buildings. It was to his credit that western styled industrialism was introduced in China, and his excellent diplomacy skills.
Quotes from others about the person
A noted biographer stated about Li, that he "...........did perhaps all he could for a land where the conservatism of the people, a reactionary officialdom, and unrestrained international rivalry made each step forward a matter of great difficulty...."
Connections
Li's first primary spouse, Lady Zhou, bore him a son, Li Jingyu, who died prematurely. Lady Zhou died of illness in 1861.
Li's second primary spouse, Zhao Xiaolian bore him another son, Li Jingshu. Li Jingshu inherited his father's peerage as Marquis Suyi , but died early. Li Jingshu's son, Li Guojie, inherited the Marquis Suyi peerage and served in a number of official positions in the final years of the Qing dynasty. He became an official and industrialist in the Republic of China later. Li Guojie also married the daughter of Natong, who served in the Grand Secretariat and Grand Council.
Li's secondary spouse, Lady Mo, bore him three sons: Li Jingyuan, Li Jingmai and Li Jingjin. Among the three, only Li Jingmai survived into adulthood. He served as the Qing Empire's Ambassador to Austria-Hungary and a Right Vice Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Li had three daughters. One of them, Li Ju'ou, married Zhang Peilun (1848–1903) and bore the father of the writer Eileen Chang (1920–1995). The other two daughters married Guo Enhou, the magistrate of Weifang County, and Ren Dehe, the zhushi of Yixing County.
Li also adopted Li Jingfang (1855–1934), a son of his sixth brother Li Zhaoqing. Li Jingfang served as the Qing Empire's Ambassador to Japan and a Left Vice Secretary in the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications.
Father:
Li Wenan
Spouse:
Lady Zhou
Spouse:
Zhao Xiaolian
Spouse:
Lady Mo
Brother:
Li Hanzhang
elder son:
Li Ching-shu
younger son:
Li Ching-mai
Predecessor:
Zeng Guofan
References
Li Hongzhang | Chinese statesman | Britannica.com
Leading Chinese statesman of the 19th century, who made strenuous efforts to modernize his country. In 1870 he began a 25-year term as governor-general of the capital province,...
Li Hung-chang
Li Hung-chang , 1823–1901, Chinese statesman and general. His first success was as a commander of forces fighting the Taiping Rebellion.
Li Hung-Chang | East Asian History | Cambridge University Press
Alicia Little (1845–1926) was a prolific writer who moved to China after her marriage in 1866. This volume, first published in 1903, contains her biography of eminent Chinese statesman Li Hung-Chang (1823–1901). This volume was the first extensive account of Li's life to be published in English.
Li Hung Chang his life and times
This book, "Li Hung Chang his life and times", by Archibald Little, is a replication of a book originally published before 1903. It has been restored by human beings, page by page, so that you may enjoy it in a form as close to the original as possible.