Zhang Zhidong

Author: Li Jianliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Zhang Zhidong, a bright and intelligent boy, resembled an ape in physique, and was said to be the reincarnation of a spiritual monkey from General Mountain; he became the third place in the imperial examination and held positions such as the Education Commissioner of Hubei and Sichuan, the Governor of Shanxi, and the Viceroy of Guangdong, Hunan, and Jiangnan. He rose to the rank of Grand Secretary of the Body of Benevolence and Military Councilor. In the turbulent political climate of late Qing, he proposed the strategy of "Chinese learning as the foundation and Western learning as the application," promoting industrial development, arms manufacturing, and rigorous military training, pouring out the very last drop of his blood for the late Qing dynasty.