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Text: Yanyan
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Preface
When it comes to Zhang Zhidong, a famous minister in the late Qing Dynasty, many people first think of his statecraft and outstanding political achievements. However, what is less known is that this historical celebrity actually had many quirks in his life that were jaw-dropping.
Imagine a dignified official, squatting on a chair while eating, in a posture like a child; What's even more peculiar is that he prefers to use fruit as a "snack to drink".
This makes people wonder, what is it that makes Zhang Zhidong so different in terms of eating habits? Is it a childhood experience, or is it a unique personal fetish?
What kind of story did he have, and how did he become one of the four famous ministers of the Qing court in an era of corruption? Let's explore the legendary life of this minister!
Zhang Zhidong's road to the imperial examination
Zhang Zhidong was born in a family of eunuchs and received a strict education from a young age. His father can be described as a typical "strict father", not only for his own son, but also for the study of relatives' children, he has never relaxed.
Therefore, Zhang Zhidong has developed the habit of studying diligently and diligently since he was a child, and he has mastered all the four books and five classics without exception. Under the influence of such education, Zhang Zhidong's talent is naturally extraordinary. With his outstanding knowledge and writing, he successively won the show and lifted people, and finally stood out in the Tanhua exam and became the champion of Tanhua.
This road to the imperial examination, which lasted for more than ten years, finally won the pinnacle of Zhang Zhidong's life. Although the success of the imperial examination paved the way for Zhang Zhidong's official career, he had also experienced a failure before that.
This failure did not discourage Zhang Zhidong, but became the driving force for his future development. During this experience, he not only helped his father, but also served as a staff member under Mao Changxu and his brother Zhang Zhiwan, which can be described as the accumulation of practice.
From the editor to the governor of Liangguang
After entering the officialdom, Zhang Zhidong's career can be described as smooth sailing. He first served as the editor of the Hanlin Academy, and then served as the deputy examiner of the township examination. From a literati to an important position, Zhang Zhidong can be said to have risen step by step.
However, before that, Jang Zhidong had been opposed to the Westernization Movement. It was not until he was a governor in Shanxi that he gradually realized his shortcomings, including the lack of equipment and ideological limitations. Since then, Zhang Zhidong began to devote himself to the reform of foreign affairs.
With the efforts of Zhang Zhidong and others, a number of modern industrial and educational institutions were established, including Hanyang Iron Works, Daye Iron Mine, Xinxue, etc. In addition, the mainland's earliest modern new army, the "Jiangnan Self-improvement Army", was also trained by Zhang Zhidong.
These outstanding achievements of Zhang Zhidong have naturally won wide recognition from his contemporaries. Zeng Guofan and others spoke very highly of him, believing that he was a rare talent, and he was one of the best ministers in the Guangxu Dynasty.
The ambitious Jang Zhidong
While his career took off, Zhang Zhidong's personality characteristics gradually became known. He is a typical "night owl", preferring to take care of official duties late at night and sleep peacefully during the day.
This reversal of his routine not only made his staff feel inconvenient, but even some important meetings. For example, once a subordinate official from other places found Zhang Zhidong and wanted to discuss some government affairs issues, but Zhang Zhidong fell asleep while chatting with him.
On another occasion, Zhang Zhidong, the governor of Liangguang, took the official sedan chair to the governor's mansion to discuss matters, but the governors had been waiting for a long time, but found Zhang Zhidong sleeping soundly in the sedan chair. Even Yuan Shikai, who was the governor of Zhili, was also crying and laughing because of Zhang Zhidong's quirks.
In addition to the special work and rest time, Zhang Zhidong also has a unique eating habits. He is particularly fond of keeping cats, not one or two, but dozens, which can even come and go in his study and bedroom at will, but Zhang Zhidong has never complained about this.
On the contrary, he always uses an amiable appearance and patiently cleans up cat feces and cat urine with a handkerchief. During the meal, Zhang Zhidong's behavior was even more surprising. He is used to squatting in a chair and eating like a cat. And when drinking, he also has another unique habit, that is, he always likes to eat some fruit as a "snack dish".
These strange behaviors often make the people around them cry and laugh. But for Zhang Zhidong himself, these are his way of life, and he is not ashamed of it. On the contrary, on some occasions, he will use his own unique experience to excuse himself, such as he once said that his work and rest problems were developed from staying up late when he was a child.
Zhang Zhidong's incorruptible behavior
However, even though Zhang Zhidong has so many quirks, as one of the four famous ministers of the late Qing Dynasty, he also showed an extraordinary incorruptible style in the process of becoming an official.
This was rare in officialdom at the time. The officialdom of the late Qing Dynasty was full of all kinds of "unspoken rules" for gift-giving, whether it was a birthday gift, a congratulatory ceremony or a water ceremony, corruption was widespread.
But Zhang Zhidong insisted on refusing these benefits, and even when he was in the high position of Sichuan Xuezheng, he never had any improper interests.
Once, when Zhang Zhidong was a school administrator, on the way home from his post, he didn't even have a piece of entanglement, and in the end he could only rely on the books he engraved in exchange for travel expenses. This was quite rare in officialdom at the time.
Zhang Zhidong's honest style has also won praise from many people. Someone once commented on him: "Zhongtang is loyal to the country, famous, and cherished for the country." In the face of such praise, Zhang Zhidong, who was sick and dying, also said frankly: "I dare not be loyal to the country, I am honest and selfless, and I dare not be reluctant." It can be seen that the conviction in his heart is so strong.
The last will
As a minister of the first generation, Zhang Zhidong died of illness in his old house in Beijing in August 1909. When he was dying, he called his protégés Chen Zengshou and Fu Yue to his side and personally dictated the testament to them.
At the same time, Jaefeng, who was the regent of the prison country at the time, also came to visit Zhang Zhidong, who was seriously ill. Seeing Zhang Zhidong, who was sick in bed, Zaifeng expressed his condolences to him: "Zhongtang Gong is loyal to the country, has a reputation, and cherishes the country." "
In this regard, Zhang Zhidong also responded frankly: "I dare not be loyal to the country, I am honest and selfless, and I dare not be reluctant." It can be seen that even before his death, Zhang Zhidong still maintained his own way of being an official.
Subsequently, Zhang Zhidong summoned all his children and grandchildren to the sickbed and told them not to make trouble because of the competition for family property after his death. On the contrary, he hopes that his children and grandchildren will be determined to serve the country, work hard, establish good values, and associate with people with good character.
After Zhang Zhidong said these last words, he swallowed his breath and passed away forever. The Qing court posthumously gave him the nickname "Wenxiang" and posthumously awarded him the title of Marquis of Suyi, which shows his status and influence in the court.
epilogue
Zhang Zhidong is undoubtedly a legend. Politically, he was one of the four famous ministers of the late Qing Dynasty and made outstanding contributions to the Westernization Movement.
But at the same time, he is also a "minister" with many peculiar quirks, from the reversal of the schedule to the uniqueness of the eating habits, all of which are impressive.
Even so, Zhang Zhidong still won wide recognition from his contemporaries, and even before his death, he was able to maintain his incorruptible style, which left a deep impression on future generations.
The life of this minister is also worthy of study and discussion by our descendants. What are your thoughts on Jang Zhidong's life? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area!