Li Hongzhang's photo
By the end of modern times, Li Hongzhang's influence had gradually increased. However, he was bound by the feudal empire and could not get rid of the limitations of westernization reform and failed to achieve his goal. Li Hongzhang gradually changed from a powerful country in the Westernization Movement to a rich country, and began to build state-owned enterprises for people's livelihood in the imperial court. The prosperity brought by the Westernization Movement was finally owned by only a few Manchu nobles.
The new wind brought by the Westernization Movement gave modern China the cornerstone of catching up with the great powers, liberated the people's minds to a certain extent, and promoted the success of the future revolution. Enterprises founded by the Westernization Movement, such as China Merchants, accelerated the economic prosperity of the southern coastal areas, and Hanyang Arsenal became an important force in the armed revolution in modern China.
In order to ensure the stability of the Qing dynasty, Li Hongzhang, as an important minister in diplomatic exchanges, signed a series of unequal treaties with the powers, and the infiltration of the powers continued to increase. China was reduced to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country by the Xin Chou Treaty signed by Li Hongzhang before his death, and the country was in chaos.
Li Hongzhang was a famous minister of ZTE in the Qing Dynasty, a traitor to the country and a great reformer in the historical situation. Li Hongzhang's talent is outstanding, and the corruption in the Qing Dynasty greatly limited his display space. Shallow water and big boat make people feel awkward.
Notes on Li Hongzhang's political reform Li Hongzhang's political reform notes are from Schell, which comprehensively analyzes Li Hongzhang's practice of saving the decadent empire by westernization reform. During this period, Li Hongzhang's enemies included feudal political enemies and Manchu aristocrats, who were oppressed by imperialism. However, Li Hongzhang cultivated the descendants of soldiers by "controlling foreign countries" and expanded the influence of the Westernization Movement and the progress of reform.
Notes on Li Hongzhang's political reform
In the notes of the reform, we can see how Li Hongzhang became a powerful minister of the Qing Dynasty, struggling to survive in the cracks through political struggle among domestic opposition, using corrupt officials to achieve the balance of major domestic forces, and still not changing his original intention after experiencing low tide, thus completing the established purpose of westernization reform.
Li Hongzhang is not a traitor. Domestic forces want to talk about peace, while foreign forces oppress and intimidate. During the negotiation of treaty of shimonoseki, Li Hongzhang was even assassinated, and the safety of father and son could not be guaranteed. Because Li Hongzhang tried to protect the maritime safety of the Qing Dynasty by expanding the navy and building railways, this incident made Japan extremely afraid of Li Hongzhang. However, the signing of this unequal treaty plunged Li Hongzhang into a low political tide, and the Westernization Movement began to die down.
Li Hongzhang once made a thrilling journey to the west, accumulating knowledge for political reform. In the process of traveling around the world, Li Hongzhang amazed all countries and agreed that the declining Oriental Minister had a vision and political skills that no one else in modern times had, which benefited Li Hongzhang a lot and laid the foundation for the future diplomatic treason.
During Li Hongzhang's low tide, he realized the possibility of China's future democracy or constitutional monarchy, and thought it was very likely to happen. At the same time, he also hopes that future political leaders can remember the necessity of national reunification for the rise.
Li Hongzhang visited the United States Li Hongzhang spent most of his life dealing with foreigners, but it was 1896' s visit to the United States at the end of August that caused a sensation at home and abroad. At that time, Li Hongzhang was an old man in his seventies. He visited the United States in order to publicize his Westernization Movement, make the Qing Dynasty strong and protect the interests of overseas China people.
Portrait of Li Hongzhang
At that time, Li Hongzhang's visit to the United States attracted national attention, and the international community was also very concerned about this matter. The American ruling and opposition parties also regarded him as a major event and came to the United States as the first senior official in the East. * * * tracked and reported the whole process of Li Hongzhang's activities.
Li Hongzhang's visit to the United States is tight. In addition to routine work, he also met with foreign envoys. After watching "Chinese" in the United States, he also delivered a famous speech "American Exclusion Act" and the practice of discriminating against Chinese workers in the United States. He also accepted an unforgettable visit, discussed the foreign policy of the Qing Dynasty, and welcomed foreigners to conduct friendly business and investment in China. He said, "We must protect the country and prohibit anyone from endangering our sacred rights." I will bear in mind General Grant's legacy that all capital, whether American or European, can invest freely in China. "
After a ten-day visit to the United States, Li Hongzhang spontaneously left China to see him off. During the ten days of his visit to the United States, this ancient and rare old man showed the integrity of China people and the unique demeanor of a senior official. Although he is an old man, he has done his best for the country with his own actions. Perhaps his merits and demerits have already been clearly stated, but in the hearts of different people, the old man's patriotism is indisputable and worthy of respect.
Li Hongzhang's calligraphy was an important official in the late feudal empire. Li Hongzhang still retains the unique hobby of ancient China literati, is friendly to classmates, gets along well with neighbors and teachers, and plans to write couplets to express his feelings. The calligraphy left by Li Hongzhang also proves that he has a good knowledge of China traditional literature.
Li Hongzhang's Calligraphy
Li Hongzhang's calligraphy works are all modern, and many of them are still preserved, but their value far exceeds that of an ancient calligraphy and painting. In ancient times, people were often judged by words and judges by words. Li Hongzhang was once an academician of Jishi Shu, which shows that his literary skills are worthy of recognition. His Mo Bao was given to his comrades-in-arms or classmates to express his thoughts in calligraphy.
"Often virtue will show vulgarity, which is nothing more than taking heaven from foreign things." This simple couplet shows the peace of Li Hongzhang's writing: not to be happy with things, not to be sad for yourself. As an important official of North Korea, Li Hongzhang intends to make Qiang Bing rich. He no longer needs or even wants to protect his power by fighting for power and profit.
The word "Tian" will appear in the couplets. Li Hongzhang's personal honor and disgrace has been trampled to pieces by the Qing Dynasty and foreign powers. He no longer cares about these external reputations, and runs through his life with loyalty and patriotism.
In his later years, Li Hongzhang's calligraphy was gradually hidden inside, and his signature changed from "Hefei Li Hongzhang" to "Li Hongzhang". He is old and devoted his life to his country. He never broke away from the imperial decrees and the queen's will. When he wrote a book, he took care of the overall layout of the paper.
So far, all Li Hongzhang's writing postures are extremely low. Whether it is official script or cursive script, he is humble and respectful, avoiding everywhere and following the rules. However, in the distance between the lines and the size of the font, we can sometimes see the old man's helplessness and determination.
Portrait of Li Hongzhang's descendants
Shortly after Li Hongzhang signed the Xin Chou Treaty, Li Jingshu, the eldest son, also died in mourning. Only Li Jingmai, Li Hongzhang's youngest son, assumed the power of the Li family. Li Hongzhang dotes on his youngest son very much, so Li Jingmai was appointed minister and right assistant minister of Austria-Hungary by Li Hongzhang and Yu respectively. Li Jingmai is the person who understands his father best, so he once complained about his father's injustice and deeply regretted reading others wrong and trusting the court by mistake.
Li Hongzhang was extremely depressed when he signed treaty of shimonoseki, and only his eldest grandson Li Guojie eased his mood. Li Guojie is very famous. He made friends with warlords Duan and others. He held a high position in the Beiyang period and the early Republic of China and served as the director of China Merchants Bureau for a long time. The rich have a close relationship with Du and Huang, and have helped to resist Japan. After Chiang Kai-shek came to power, Li Guojie was hostile to Chiang Kai-shek because of the Westernization Movement and the legacy of Manchu Dynasty, and did not see through the overall political situation. Shortly after Japan invaded China, he was assassinated by Chiang Kai-shek.
With the death of Li Guojie and the Japanese invasion of China, Li Hongzhang's great-grandchildren gradually declined, or remained anonymous, or specialized in academics, and most of them lived in Shanghai or Hefei, Anhui. In modern China, Li Hongzhang's descendants were mostly Taoist priests and immortals.
Gentleman's grace is beheaded three times. This old proverb has been thoroughly fulfilled in the descendants of Li Hongzhang. Starting from Li Hongzhang's grandson, they no longer have the pride of nobility and live for themselves by their own education and knowledge.