Xue Fucheng Diary (Volume 1 and 2)

Author: (Qing) Xue Fucheng and Cai Shaoqing (compilers)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Xue Fucheng (1838.4.12－1894.7.21), styled Shuyun, styled Yong'an. Born in Binyanli, Wuxi, Jiangsu. He came from a scholarly and official family. His father, Xue Xiang, passed the imperial examination in 1845 (Daoguang 25th year) and held positions such as Professor of Zhenjiang Prefecture, Magistrate of Anfu County, Hunan, and Governor of Xunzhou. His eldest brother, Xue Fuchen, served as a Vice Director of the Ministry of Works, Director of Jidong-Taiwu-Lin Dao, Director of Zhili Tongyong Dao, and Vice Censor-in-Chief, having passed the provincial examination. His second brother, Xue Futong, passed the provincial examination in the first year of the Tongzhi reign. His fourth brother, Xue Fubao, was involved in political affairs in the office of Ding Baozhen, Governor of Shandong, for a long time.
Xue Fucheng studied classics diligently in his youth. However, when the Taiping Rebellion broke out, he was deeply shaken and resolved to abandon the study of the eight-legged essay and focus on practical learning to serve the nation. In 1858 (Xianfeng 8th year), he passed the county examination. That same year, he visited his father, Xue Xiang, who was traveling in Hunan, only to find that his father had passed away. Xue Fuchen and Xue Fucheng stayed in Hunan for over a year to handle their father's affairs. In 1860 (Xianfeng 10th year), they learned that the Taiping Army had advanced to Suzhou and Changzhou, and they rushed back only to find that their family had already fled. After much hardship, they finally located their family in the eastern part of Bao'an, Jiangsu. Xue Fucheng continued his studies in governance.
In the summer of 1865 (Tongzhi 4th year), the Viceroy of Liangjiang, Zeng Guofan, marched north to suppress the Taiping Rebellion and posted notices to recruit talents. Upon hearing the news, Xue Fucheng wrote an eight-point proposal titled "Letter to Viceroy Zeng," a lengthy essay of over 10,000 words. Impressed by his ideas on reforming the imperial examination system, abolishing the green camp, and adopting Western methods, Zeng Guofan hired Xue Fucheng as a secretary. Over the next seven years in Zeng's entourage, Xue Fucheng focused on military affairs, financial matters, administrative affairs, and cultural affairs, often submitting proposals for reform. He was highly regarded by Zeng Guofan and appointed as a candidate for the position of Assistant Magistrate of Tongzhou and later as the Magistrate of Zhili Prefecture, with the title of Vice Governor added.
In February 1872 (Tongzhi 11th year), Zeng Guofan died, and Xue Fucheng took a position at the Suzhou Book Bureau. In 1875 (Guangxu 1st year), he went to the capital for an audience and was deeply moved by the new emperor's edict calling for suggestions from the people. He wrote "Six Policies for Governing Peace" and "Ten Secret Proposals for Coastal Defense," over 10,000 words in length. He advocated improving foreign relations by publishing international law and treaties in all prefectures and counties, setting up a special examination for those skilled in Western affairs to cultivate outstanding talents, and developing the navy by hiring foreign experts, sending students abroad, and building armored ships. His proposals were well-received by the court, and soon, his suggestions were implemented, bringing him fame. Officials like Ding Baozhen and Guo Shoujing recommended him for diplomatic posts. Li Hongzhang, Viceroy of Zhili, was also impressed by his talent and brought him into his service.
In the second half of 1875 (Guangxu 1st year), Xue Fucheng joined Li Hongzhang's entourage to handle documents and strategic planning. The following year, while negotiating the Macartney Incident with Britain, Xue Fucheng wrote "On Matters of Negotiating with the British Envoy," proposing that China should not yield to Britain's unreasonable demands but instead adopt a strategy of selective defense, organizing militias, spreading false alarms, and attacking with fewer forces. Li Hongzhang highly praised his idea and sent him to negotiate with the British envoy, recommending him as a Magistrate for his contributions to Western affairs.
In 1879 (Guangxu 5th year), "the Inspector-General of Customs, Robert Hart, was pleased with his achievements, and the Imperial Household Department discussed appointing him as the Director of Coastal Defense." Deeply concerned, Xue Fucheng wrote "Letter to Viceroy Li on Why Robert Hart Should Not Serve as Director of Coastal Defense," arguing that "if this were the case, then China's military and financial power would be entirely in the hands of one person." He advised Li Hongzhang that if Robert Hart wanted to be the Director of Coastal Defense, he must resign as the Inspector-General of Customs and personally train naval forces at the coast. Xue Fucheng believed that Robert Hart would not give up his position as Inspector-General of Customs, and the matter could be resolved. Li Hongzhang agreed and passed the proposal to the Imperial Household Department. Following Xue Fucheng's advice, the Imperial Household Department acted accordingly, preventing Robert Hart from controlling China's navy. That same year, Xue Fucheng wrote "Draft Proposals on Western Affairs," arguing that China had reached a point where it must undergo major reforms and adopt Western methods. "When the times change slightly, the governance laws change slightly; when the times change greatly, the governance laws change greatly." He advocated developing industry and commerce, "gaining foreign benefits to enrich our people," and proposed measures against unequal treaties, preventing Japanese and Russian aggression, and reforming customs duties. Li Hongzhang greatly praised the book and had it distributed among officials for reading.
In 1881 (Guangxu 7th year), Xue Fucheng served as the acting Magistrate of Xuanhua, Zhili, and wrote "Proposed Regulations for the Northern Navy of Zhili," outlining his vision for the future Northern Navy. Later, Li Hongzhang established the Northern Navy based on his ideas. The following year, when Yi Myeong-bok, the Great Prince of Joseon, launched a coup, Xue Fucheng advised the acting Viceroy of Zhili, Zhang Shusheng, to quickly send troops to Joseon to arrest the ringleaders. Zhang Shusheng adopted his advice and swiftly suppressed the coup, foiling Japan's plot to seize control of Joseon. For his contributions, Xue Fucheng was promoted to the rank of Vice Director of the Fourth Grade. In early summer 1884 (Guangxu 10th year), Xue Fucheng was officially appointed as the Director of Ningbo, Shaoxing, and Tai'an, where he strengthened defenses and led the people to defeat French warships invading Zhejiang, earning the title of Vice Governor for his achievements. In autumn 1886 (Guangxu 12th year), he compiled his writings over the years into "Records of Defense in Eastern Zhejiang" and, in the following year, edited "Collected Writings of Yong'an" in four volumes.
In early autumn 1888 (Guangxu 14th year), Xue Fucheng was promoted to the position of Governor of Hunan. In the following spring, when he went to the capital for an audience, he was reassigned as the Envoy to Britain, France, Italy, and Belgium. During his tenure in Europe, Xue Fucheng visited many countries, studied industrial development, and thoroughly researched political, military, educational, legal, and financial systems, broadening his horizons and changing his views. He believed that Western countries were now a hundred times stronger than China and that China should tirelessly learn from the West, establishing private companies such as "collecting collective wisdom as wisdom, collective ability as ability, and collective wealth as wealth." He proposed twenty-one "essential new methods for nurturing the people," including "seeking new methods to achieve prosperity and strength," "selecting capable people to handle affairs," and "manufacturing machines for production." Xue Fucheng kept detailed diaries of his observations and thoughts in Europe for four years, which he later compiled into "Diaries of the Envoy to Four Countries."
During his time in Europe, Xue Fucheng also engaged in numerous diplomatic affairs. In 1892 (Guangxu 18th year), he negotiated with Britain on the division of the Yunnan-Burma border and trade treaties. Drawing on international conventions and employing a mix of firmness and flexibility, Britain finally agreed to sign the "Supplementary Treaty on the Yunnan-Burma Border and Trade," allowing China to reclaim some territory and rights in the Yunnan border region. Additionally, based on international law, he forced the British government to agree to the establishment of a Chinese consulate in British territories, enabling the Chinese government to set up consulates in places like Southeast Asia and Myanmar to protect the rights of Chinese overseas communities.
In 1894 (Guangxu 20th year), Xue Fucheng returned from his post. He arrived in Shanghai on May 28 and, due to exhaustion and an epidemic, passed away on the night of June 19, at the age of fifty-six.
Xue Fucheng wrote extensively throughout his life, publishing works such as "Collected Writings of Yong'an" in four volumes, "Supplement" in two volumes, "External Collection" in four volumes, "Collected Writings of Yong'an Abroad," "Draft Proposals on Western Affairs" in fourteen volumes, "Diaries of the Envoy to Four Countries" in six volumes, "Supplement," "Notes of Yong'an," "Memorials of the Envoy," and "Official Documents of the Envoy" in ten volumes.