The Truth about Li Hongzhang's Mission to Europe and America

Author: Wang Peiyin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: The decline of the Qing Empire, a controversial modern historical figure, and a brutal naval battle unfold the humiliating prelude to modern Chinese history. The azure Lushun Bay, with a single net cast, could dredge up an entire chapter of modern Chinese history. Li Hongzhang, a powerful figure in the late Qing government, played an irreplaceable role in the political affairs of the late Qing court. He was a controversial figure. His contemporaries said, "He held immense power in his time, but was slandered everywhere." Liang Qichao once said, "I admire Li Hongzhang's talent, I pity Li Hongzhang's lack of vision, I mourn Li Hongzhang's misfortune." Mao Zedong described the relationship between the late Qing government and Li Hongzhang as "a shallow pond with a large boat." Deng Xiaoping, when discussing the return of Hong Kong and the Sino-British negotiations, said, "Today's Chinese government is not the late Qing government, and today's Chinese leader is not Li Hongzhang." After the defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War, Li Hongzhang, representing the incompetent Qing government, signed the humiliating Treaty of Shimonoseki with Japan, leading to widespread criticism and condemnation from all sectors of society. Enraged, the emperor stripped him of his three-eyed flower badge and forced him to reside in Xianliang Temple. The tiny island nation of Japan, through a single treaty, acquired vast Chinese territory, which provoked jealousy and dissatisfaction from the powers of Russia, Germany, France, Britain, and the United States. They sought to once again launch a scramble for China. Countries proposed "open doors and equal opportunities," issued notes to Japan, and threatened the Qing court, hoping to sign treaties for their own gain. Coincidentally, with the coronation of the new Russian Emperor Nicholas II, they demanded the Qing court reinstate Li Hongzhang. The precarious Qing government had no choice but to send Li Hongzhang back to Europe to attend the coronation and serve as an envoy to the West, hoping to save the riddled old ship of the Qing court from being overwhelmed by the fierce winds of the world. As the first-class special envoy with the three-eyed flower badge, Li Hongzhang was again appointed in times of crisis and turmoil, harboring hopes for a comeback. Carrying his mission and his companions, he set off to Europe and the West, traveling thousands of miles in search of foreign aid. This visit was partly to "connect with the West and contain the East" to protect the Qing court, and partly to increase China's import and export tariffs to boost the central revenue of the Qing court. Li Hongzhang, carrying humiliation, sorrow, a plea for help, a heavy burden, and the bullets of Japanese thugs shot at his face, boarded a steamship flying the dragon flag of the Great Qing and the flag of the first-class special envoy, and set sail from Wusong. Li Hongzhang went to Russia with the intention of "using foreigners to control foreigners"—alliance with Russia to contain Japan. Since he had a request for the other party, he had to offer some concessions. He represented the Qing government in signing the Sino-Russian Mutual Aid Treaty Against Enemies (the Sino-Russian Secret Convention), granting Russia the privilege of building railways in China. The Qing government, however, imposed an unbearable burden, with consequences that would last forever. All of this, Li Hongzhang unknowingly achieved his strategy of "using foreigners to control foreigners," seemingly achieving initial success. Even such a basic demand of a sovereign state as increasing import and export tariffs was rejected by the Western powers with various excuses. The taste of groveling truly humiliated "Li Hongzhang, the purple gate from the east," making him deeply feel that "a weak country has no diplomacy" and that "there is no international justice, only international power," losing all his morale. Li Hongzhang traveled around the world, receiving the highest honors from all countries, tasting the finest wines and delicacies, and indulging in the exotic culture of Europe. In contrast, his heart for his country and people had nowhere to pour out, and his plans to revitalize the nation and family could not be realized. He simply took pleasure in sightseeing and indulging in the scenery and feasts. On the morning of the 23rd day of the sixth month of the 20th year of the Guangxu reign (July 25, 1894), at 7:52 a.m., the Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack without declaration, striking first with fierce artillery against the Beiyang Fleet, igniting the shocking world-changing First Sino-Japanese War.