Li Hongzhang's Mission to Europe and America: The True Intentions

Author: Wang Peiyin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-01-01
Features: The decline of the Qing Empire, a controversial figure in modern history, and a brutal sea battle, all unfolding 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 Qing Dynasty, played an irreplaceable role in the late Qing government's affairs and politics. He was a controversial figure. His contemporaries said, "He wielded immense power in his time, yet was slandered by all." Liang Qichao once remarked, "I admire Li Hongzhang's talent, I pity his lack of vision, and I mourn his misfortune." Mao Zedong described the relationship between the late Qing government and Li Hongzhang as "a small boat in deep water." Deng Xiaoping, when discussing Hong Kong's return and Sino-British negotiations, stated that today's Chinese government is not the late Qing government, and today's Chinese leaders are 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, earning widespread condemnation and curses from the court and the public. 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 mere treaty, acquired vast Chinese territory, which provoked jealousy and dissatisfaction among 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 into service to attend the coronation and serve as an envoy to Europe and America, hoping to save the riddled old ship of the Qing court from sinking in the stormy seas of the world. As the First Class Imperial Commissioner with the three-eyed flower badge, Li Hongzhang was again appointed in a time of crisis and turmoil, harboring hopes for a comeback. Carrying his mission and his twin ambitions, he set off with a coffin to Europe and America, traveling thousands of miles in search of foreign aid. This visit served two purposes: to "connect with the West and contain the East" to protect the Qing court, and to increase China's import and export tariffs to boost the central revenue of the Qing court. Li Hongzhang, bearing humiliation, sorrow, and desperation, with the bullets of Japanese thugs still on his face, boarded a steamship flying the dragon flag of the Great Qing and the flag of the First Class Imperial Commissioner, sailing away 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 need 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. Li Hongzhang, unknowingly, had achieved a superficial success with his strategy of "using foreigners to control foreigners," while even the most basic demand of a sovereign nation—increasing import and export tariffs—was rejected by Western countries on various pretexts. The taste of groveling truly humiliated the "purple gate from the east" Li Hongzhang, making him deeply feel that "a weak nation has no diplomacy" and that there was no international justice, only international power. His morale plummeted. Li Hongzhang traveled around the world, receiving the highest honors from all countries, savoring the finest wines and delicacies, and indulging in the exotic culture of Europe. In contrast, his patriotic and people-loving heart had nowhere to pour out, and his plans to revitalize the nation and family remained unfulfilled. He simply took pleasure in sightseeing and indulging in the beauty of nature and feasts.