Biography of Li Hongzhang

Author: Liang Qichao
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-07-01
Features: This book is entirely modeled after the biographical style of Westerners, detailing the life and deeds of Li Hongzhang while also providing commentary, enabling later readers to understand his character. In traditional Chinese literary styles, when recording the deeds of an individual, it is often done through biographies, chronicles, or personal statements, all of which primarily record events without offering commentary. When commentary is included, it is usually appended at the end. However, the practice of interspersing narration with commentary was actually pioneered by Sima Qian in the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), such as the chapters on Bo Yi, Qu Yuan, and the Merchants. Later scholars, lacking historical insight, dared not follow this example. The author, though unlearned, has dared to adopt this approach. In the past forty years, nearly all major events in China have been related to Li Hongzhang. Therefore, writing a biography of Li Hongzhang requires the same rigor as writing modern history. The author has some observations on the current situation and dares not conceal them, as the focus is not on the past but on the future. Regrettably, due to the scarcity of time, there are no reference books in the author’s luggage to verify the accuracy of the records, and errors are inevitable. Corrections will be made in the future. The campaign to pacify Wu, which includes many accounts of Xiang Army deeds, may seem tangential; however, the relationship between the Huai Army and the Xiang Army is extremely complex, and omitting it would fail to reveal the situation at the time. The reader is asked for understanding. The Treaty of Shandong, the Secret Treaty between China and Russia, and the Boxer Protocol are all included in full. Because the causes and consequences of Li Hongzhang’s deeds are closely related to these official documents, the author has reluctantly included them in their entirety. Li Hongzhang has been unfairly criticized in China. The author and he were political rivals, and their personal relationship was not particularly close, so it is certainly not the case that the author is intentionally writing a biased account. However, the book contains many justifications, and there are also points of disagreement with common opinions. This is because writing history must be done with fairness; otherwise, why would one choose to suffer the consequences of biased accounts? The British statesman Lord Grey once scolded a painter, saying, "Paint me as I am!" meaning do not distort my true image! I believe that in writing this book, I will not be criticized by Lord Grey. If Li Hongzhang were aware of this, he would surely smile from beyond the grave and say, "This young man understands me."