In 1895, Li Hongzhang went to Japan to sign the Treaty of Maguan, which humiliated the country. The signing of this treaty completely nailed Li Hongzhang to the pillar of shame of history, and Li Hongzhang became a traitor insulted by everyone after returning to China. Later, because of the great opposition of the government and the opposition, the imperial court had to dismiss Li Hongzhang from his post. Let Li Hongzhang start to investigate abroad. The expedition passed through many countries in Europe and the Americas. When Li Hongzhang stepped on American soil, he saw the skyscraper and said a word, which made people feel full of helplessness.
After Li Hongzhang arrived in the United States, he was solemnly welcomed by the United States. In particular, the precious cane given to him by former US President Grant made Li Hongzhang feel the importance of Americans. During his visit to the United States, an American reporter once interviewed him and asked him what the impact of his visit to the United States was on the skyscrapers he saw in the United States. Li Hongzhang said that he had never seen such a tall building in China, which was more than 20 stories high. Our country cannot build such a tall building, and even if it is built such a high building, it is not solid. When the reporter asked Li Hongzhang these words, they actually had the meaning of provocation, because these people knew the backwardness of the Qing Dynasty. And Li Hongzhang's answer can be said to be very helpless, he knows the backwardness of the Qing Dynasty, which is a fact that has to be admitted. Even if he was an outstanding diplomat and the Qing Dynasty was weak, he did not have the strength to return to heaven.
Throughout Li Hongzhang's life, he was a representative figure of the foreign affairs movement. During the entire foreign affairs movement, he single-handedly ran many enterprises, many of which still have a global impact. Moreover, he established the Huai Army and established the Beiyang Marine Division. These have also shocked the world. Although he was corrupt, few people in the late Qing Dynasty could compare with him in terms of doing things. He has indeed made a significant contribution to national development. But these contributions are only superficial, and in his own words, he is only a framer. A tree that was already dying, no matter how much Li Hongzhang watered it, he could not save this tree.
I respect Li Hongzhang's talent, I cherish Li Hongzhang's knowledge, and I mourn Li Hongzhang's encounter. This passage can be said to be the most appropriate evaluation of Li Hongzhang.