Zhang Zhidong's Secret Learning (Full 12 volumes)

Author: Not Available
Publisher: People's Literature Publishing House
Publication Date: Not Available
Features: Known as one of the late Qing Dynasty's three key officials alongside Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, he was also a towering figure in academia, the last representative of the Self-Strengthening Movement, a shrewd politician in the Wuxu Reform, an advocate and practitioner of "Chinese learning as the essence, Western learning for application," and a transitional figure during the social transformation period. Unconsciously, he became the architect of the fall of the Great Qing Dynasty. He entered the civil service through the imperial examinations, renowned for his literary talent, initially becoming a rising star in the Qīngliú (Pure Stream) Faction, then a champion of the Self-Strengthening Movement, and finally a leading figure in the New Policies. Throughout the reigns of the Daoguang, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, Guangxu, and Xuantong emperors, he personally witnessed major late Qing events such as the Opium War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Wuxu Reform, and the Self-Strengthening Movement. He navigated the turbulent waves of officialdom not only unscathed but also rose steadily, enjoying special honors, demonstrating exceptional skills in diplomacy and political maneuvering. His artistry lies in harmonizing East and West, balancing the old and the new—a rare expertise that adapts to the changing times, embodies the pinnacle of courtly wisdom, and is both commendable and teachable.