Obstacles on the Path to the World: Gu Gongsuo and the Daoguang-Tongzhi-Guangxu Era

Author: Wang Rongzu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-11-01
Features: This book is about a person and the era in which he lived. Guo Songtao was indeed one of the few who dared to stand against the tide in that time. By tracing his life, we can witness his loneliness and helplessness. His ideas were far ahead of his time, and few of his contemporaries could accept them. His personality appeared humble and frugal, but in reality, he was overly self-assured and stubborn. The depth of Guo's commitment only showed the strength of his conviction. During his time, people thought he was the one who was drunk while the rest were awake, but today we see that it was the rest who were drunk and this person alone was awake! Guo Songtao was the Qing Dynasty's first envoy to Britain and France, and he was a highly controversial figure of his era. His insights far surpassed those of his contemporaries, and he had long realized that China could no longer isolate itself but should open up to the world. However, because of this, he was not accepted by mainstream society and faced ridicule and criticism. He was outnumbered and had to step aside. His personal setbacks symbolized China's struggles in opening up to the world. Later generations proved that Guo Songtao's direction was correct; despite setbacks and difficulties, China eventually opened up to the world, though at a higher cost. This book attempts to construct a "three-dimensional space" of Guo Songtao's life (daily routines, travels, social engagements), thoughts (his understanding of current affairs and Western affairs), and emotions (his joys and sorrows in and out of office) within the context of the Daoguang, Xianfeng, Tongzhi, and Guangxu eras. It shows how the era shaped the person, and in turn, how the person reflects the era.