In the late Qing Dynasty, it was "closed to the outside world", thinking that it was the big center of the world, but because it was conservative, it did not keep up with the Industrial Revolution, resulting in a far backwardness in the West. The invasion of the great powers was the beginning of the humiliating indemnity for the cession of land, and Cixi and Li Hongzhang were the managers of this humiliating history.
Li Hongzhang, in his early years, studied under Zeng Guofan, then studied with Pan Shien, the chief examiner of the Suzhou family, and then studied with Weng Xincun.
Subsequently, he entered the Hanlin Academy for editing, and was fortunate to come into contact with a lot of Western knowledge, which became his concept through the ages.
When the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement broke out, Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang returned to their hometowns to practice in the regiment, and Zeng Guofan wrote a letter to Li Hongzhang to communicate with Li Hongzhang. Through several years of regimental training, Li Hongzhang has learned a lot of truths, and his foresight and patience are the ones he has learned the most from it.
Under the guidance of Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang recruited and formed the Huai Army, and received the attention of Zeng Guofan, who personally conducted research and tests on the army and made regulations for the army. The Xiang Army was also sent to strengthen Li Hongzhang's army.
Later, Li Hongzhang planned the Taiping Army under the town and fixed the Twist Army. He also expanded the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, the Suzhou Machinery Bureau expanded to the Jinling Machinery Bureau, and then the Tianjin Machinery Bureau. Under such a movement of mastering and mastering skills to control Yi, he was indispensable.
The three modern industries founded by Li Hongzhang alone have introduced Western production technology and fully supported the foreign affairs movement, making great contributions.
In 1871, the Qing Dynasty and Japan signed the "Sino-Japanese Reconciliation Regulations", and Li Hongzhang was the representative of this negotiation. He was more than a dozen, and behind this treaty of equality and reciprocity was Japan's ambitions.
Li Hongzhang insisted on doing his best to maintain peace externally and to change the law internally, hoping that this would win more opportunities for the foreign affairs movement. Li Hong could only do his best to negotiate for this, but he could not refuse in the face of an unequal treaty.
The Treaty of Maguan, the Treaty of Xinugu, the Treaty of Yantai, and the Treaty of Tianjin were all signed by Li Hongzhang, who probably signed more than 30 treaties, but never wrote his name.
He wrote only one word.
"Su"
Because Li Hongzhang was awarded the title of "Su Yi Hou". The Treaty of Xinugu was the last treaty signed by Li Hongzhang, and he died of illness soon after.
Japanese Prime Minister Ito Hirobumi said he was the only person in the Qing Empire who had the ability to compete with the world's powers. It can be seen that Li Hongzhang is not without strength, he is just forced, in fact, in the process of negotiations, he has tried his best to minimize losses.