Zhang Zhidong is the "temple army" in the Westernization Movement. In the bleak years when the Sino-Japanese War failed, he made outstanding achievements in modern industry, commerce, transportation, culture, education, military and other fields. He founded 1 1 enterprise in Wuhan, and was one of the earliest people in China to set up modern industry. Hanyang Cannery, Daye Iron Works and Pingxiang Coal Mine were integrated, and casting, smelting and fuel were integrated, and the joint company of Han, Metallurgical and Ping Heavy Industries was established, which was called the First Trust of the East. Presided over the construction of the first railway trunk line in China-Han Jing Railway; The introduction of improved cotton varieties from the United States and the establishment of "four bureaus of cotton, cloth, hemp and silk" have promoted the development of mainland agriculture; Boldly put forward to abolish the imperial examination system, change college-style teaching into school-style teaching, set up modern science and technology disciplines such as mathematics, science, culture, astronomy, geography, military, Mandarin, hire "foreign teachers", host more than 50 academies in Hubei, Sichuan, Shanxi, Jiangsu and other places, and set up Hubei Railway School in Tokyo, Japan.
"Draft of the History of Qing Dynasty" said: "If there is a coup, Dong should first write" Persuade to Learn "to see its meaning, so it can be excused." This is also a mistake. 1898, on the eve of the coup, Zhang Zhidong wrote "Persuading Learning", proposing that "old (Chinese) learning is the body, new (Western) learning is used, and it cannot be neglected". This statement is very clever, and both Guangxu and Cixi can accept it, which also left him a way out after the coup. Liang Qichao once commented that after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Chinese style and western style of study were popular words in China, and Zhang Zhidong liked them best. Because of his fame and high status, this sentence caught up with him. Although there are some logical problems, it is still very practical, at least in the Reform Party and the New Deal in the late Qing Dynasty. At that time, Yan Fu said that it was "cow body and horse use", which is also a principle, but it is operable and can be used as a starting point. We don't have to be hard on practical people.
Zhang Zhidong has a great personality. Li Hongzhang once commented on him: "Zhang Du has been away for many years and has a little experience. He was also a scholar in Beijing twenty years ago. " Zhang Zhidong was furious: "Hefei called me a scholar's habit, yes, but the scholar's habit seems to be better than that of the main hall!" " Zhang Zhidong's so-called bookishness mainly lies in his love of boasting. "The Draft of Qing History" says that Zhang Zhidong "speaks clearly with Confucianism and dares to speak when something happens". However, Zhang Zhidong's enthusiasm, daring to take risks and dare to do it may also be one of the bookish. Zhang Zhidong's bold spirit of actively exploring, advancing with the times, pioneering and innovating, and resolutely taking responsibility when the nation is in danger can not be achieved by saying a few big words.
Zhang Zhidong has done a great job as an official and set up many enterprises, which is the best condition for making money, but he is really an honest official. He "hands to the officer, will achieve something. No matter how much it costs, business is good. " Spend money like water, but just don't put it in your pocket. "You have been in Xinjiang for decades, and you will not add an acre of cloud to your home." When Zhang Zhidong rebuilt the two rivers in the 28th year of Guangxu, a Taoist gave a businessman 200,000 yuan for his birthday and invited him to mine in Haizhou. Zhang Zhidong showed no mercy and "let it collapse". Zhang Zhidong is extravagant and extravagant, pays attention to ostentation and extravagance, likes to appreciate antique calligraphy and painting, often treats people to banquets, lingers on poetry and wine, and also likes to give gifts and rewards. He spends a lot of money and often makes ends meet. He has no choice but to go to the pawnshop. In the late Qing Dynasty, there was a market in pawn shops such as the "Reform" in Wuchang: whenever the governor's office pawned suitcases, every box had to be pawned. After the spring, the money dispersed, and the manager redeemed the box with silver. Fu Yue, a disciple of Zhang Zhidong, once said: "After Zhang died, he died, leaving no legacy and his family was poor. His master and family all know this situation, so the gift is relatively heavy, with a total of less than 20,000. The funeral of the Zhang family also depends on this money, and there is not much left after the funeral. He has been a big official all his life. He is a very important person, but his pockets are empty, which can be called incorruptible. "
Zhang Zhidong is bohemian and eccentric, and doesn't care about details. The National newspaper said that Zhang Zhidong was "conceited, busy, and disdainful of sticking to the rules. The older he got, the more arrogant he became. He enjoyed peace for 50 years and looked down on everything, thinking that there was nothing in the world." How arrogant and eccentric? "Zhili people smell this hole for use, all know and laugh, and there are eight governments and three States kyou-kan, Zhang Yan in Huguang Hall, collecting famous products, well dressed and very popular. It has been three days since I collected caves in Cambodia. At that time, there will be an endless stream of reminders, and no one will go. Lu and Xu Shichang were hungry until the second watch, but they were disappointed. Smell his eccentric temperament: or stay up all night; Or not for months; Or call people in the middle of the night and use crutches if you feel a little uncomfortable; Or sit in the hall during the day and declare her immoral; Or go out to thank the guests, who are dressed and can't afford to lie in the middle. His life is meticulous and rarely absurd. " Zhang Zhidong likes to associate with literati and celebrities, and generally has little respect for his family. On one occasion, a well-known military envoy went to the Governor's Office to visit Zhang Zhidong. When he left, Zhang Zhidong stopped at the entrance hall. At this time, the special envoy turned to Zhang Zhidong and said, "Please walk a few more steps. I still have a few words to tell you. " So Zhang Zhidong accompanied him for another walk until he reached Yimen. Before the envoy spoke, Zhang Zhidong asked impatiently, "Don't you have something to say to me?" The envoy said, "Actually, I just want to tell your Excellency that according to the etiquette system, the governor should send the envoy to the ceremonial gate. Since the adults have sent me to the Yimen according to the regulations, please stay. " With that, he bowed deeply and left. Give Zhang Zhidong a good rinse.
Zhang Zhidong died of illness at his home in Qianhai, Beijing on June 4th, 1909, and passed away peacefully. Before he died, he said to his family, "I have no pain." At the age of 72.