Learn about the history of Li Hongzhang's family
Anhui Yellow Mountain, flying stone. Li Hongzhang's family was one of the most famous families in China in the late Qing Dynasty. The birthplace of Li Hongzhang's family is in Modian Township, Dongxiang, Hefei County, Luzhou Prefecture, Anhui Province, and now belongs to Yaohai District, Hefei.
His ancestor's original surname was Xu, who came from Hukou, Jiangxi, and later moved to Hefei. Xu Yingxi, the eighth ancestor of Li Hongzhang, succeeded his second son Shen to his in-law Li Xinzhuang, and Xu Zhen also changed his name to Li Zhen.
Li Zhen is the seventh ancestor of Li Hongzhang. By the time of Li Hongzhang's grandfather, Li Dianhua, the Li family began to accumulate wealth, owning a small tile courtyard with three entrances, and two acres of thin fields.
Although it is not rich, it is already at the level of a middle peasant. The ancients said, "Three generations make a noble family". Judging from the development history of Li Hongzhang's family, it is not difficult to see that the efforts and persistent efforts of Li Hongzhang's grandfather Li Dianhua, father Li Wenan, and three generations of brothers were the key to becoming one of the most famous families in China at that time.
Li Hongzhang's Compassion" Li Hongzhang's grandfather, Li Dianhua, was a scholar in the countryside of Hefei, Anhui Province. He cherished the dream of the imperial examination, but after many failures, he opened a private school in the village and pinned his hopes on his four sons.
He hopes that they can all study and become officials, and glorify their ancestors. In order to achieve this goal, he spared no expense to invite masters in the field as tutors to help his sons prepare for the imperial examination.
In addition, Grandpa Li is also proficient in medical skills, often sees doctors for the villagers, and lives a better life than ordinary farmers. One winter, on his way home, Grandpa Li heard the cry of a baby on the side of the road.
He felt pity and looked back to see that it was a baby girl with a high fever and had been abandoned on the side of the road. In those days, smallpox was an extremely dangerous infectious disease and it was easily contagious.
Grandpa Li was a kind man, he brought the baby girl home, gave her smallpox, and raised her. As for who her parents were, Li Hongzhang's grandfather didn't know that the girl took the surname of the Li family as her surname and became a member of the Li family.
Although the girl in the former residence of Li Hongzhang's family knew that she had picked it up, she knew that she had to work hard since she was a child. Due to her mother's early death, no one tied her feet, and when she was a teenager, she was still a pair of heavenly feet, and she left pockmarks from smallpox, and her appearance was very ugly.
It is difficult for such a woman to find a suitable husband, but the Li family did not dislike her because she was ugly, but kept her at home. Although the neighbors laughed at this pockmarked girl with big feet, she didn't mind.
She only knew how to work hard, but she didn't know that there was a pair of kind eyes that had been watching her, and that was Li Wen'an, the fourth young master of the Li family. Li Wenan is a kind-hearted and amiable person who feels pain when he sees others suffering.
It was another cold winter, the girl was too tired from work, and fell asleep at the mouth of the stove, Li Wenan took off her coat and covered her. This scene was seen by Li Hongzhang's grandfather, and Grandpa Li already had an idea in his heart.
When the two children reached marriageable age, Grandpa Li made the decision to let his son Li Wenan marry the girl.
The story of the Li family tells us that a good woman can bring endless blessings and good luck to the family. This is not to say that only women can influence the fate of the family, but rather to emphasize the roles and responsibilities of a family member.
In a family, everyone has their own contribution and influence, and a woman's good qualities can bring even more positive impact. For example, the change of the Li family began after a marriage, after Li Wenan married the Li family, his studies and career became smooth, which is not accidental, but because of the excellent quality and wisdom of the Li family, Li Wenan has brought strong support and encouragement.
Therefore, no matter what era it is, excellent women in a family are indispensable, and their wisdom and qualities can bring happiness and success to the family.
Li Hongzhang's parents: a model of kindness and wisdom Li Hongzhang's mother, Li, not only has the life of "Wang Jia" and "Wang Fu", but also has won people's praise for her virtuous and virtuous virtues.
She gave birth to six sons and two daughters, among which Li Hanzhang, Li Hongzhang, Li Hezhang, Li Yunzhang, Li Fengzhang, and Li Zhaoqing brothers have all left a brilliant mark in history. It is precisely because of her hard work that the Li family has been able to prosper and spread out.
When Li Wen'an was studying for exams or going out to be an official, Li Hongzhang's mother always silently took on all the housework, whether she was handling housework or working in the fields, she was a good hand.
She takes diligence and thrift as her family style, stitches and threads, and manages her finances, which has deeply affected the children. Although Li's mother has never studied, she relied on her wisdom to constantly warn her children of the truth that "when the water is full, it will overflow, and when the moon is full, it will be lost", and taught them to keep a low profile and be cautious, diligent and humble, showing the true kung fu of "blessed people".
Her words and deeds have deeply influenced Li Hongzhang and his brothers, making them more stable on the road of life in the future.
When the water is full, it overflows, and when the moon is full, Li Wen'an, a jinshi, his appearance is at the right time, and he was admitted in the same year as Zeng Guofan, who will shine in the future. This relationship, known as the "same year", was extremely important in that era, because it not only transcended the relationship of fellow villagers, classmates, kindred people, and even compatriots, but was even more important from the point of view of "affordability".
Because taking the Jinshi exam at the same time means being an official at the same time, and there is a common connection and reference. Their identities make them a group that, apart from their examiners, is more closely related than anyone else and can rightfully help and take advantage of each other.
Li Wenan is introverted, but he has a unique vision and a clear mind. In the same year, he always maintained a close relationship with Zeng Guofan, and let his two sons, Li Hongzhang and Li Hanzhang, successively worship Zeng Guofan as a teacher and learn from the world.
This is undoubtedly the highest wisdom that Li Wenan brought to the Li family.
The brothers Li Hanzhang and Li Hongzhang entered Beijing in the 25th year of Daoguang (1845) to participate in the examination, and worshiped Zeng Guofan as a teacher as a son of the Nian family. Zeng Guofan was a lecturer at the Hanlin Academy at that time, but due to lung disease, he lived in the Baoguo Temple in the south of the city and discussed scriptures with the scholar Liu Chuanying and others.
Baoguo Temple was once the residence of Gu Yanwu, a thinker in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and Zeng Guofan's strong sense of responsibility made him compare himself to Gu Yanwu. He once studied under Yao Nai, of the Tongcheng School, and added an article of "economy" on this basis, forming a study that has been applied to the world.
The Lee brothers advanced in their studies under the tutelage of Tsang Kwok-fan. In the twenty-seventh year of Daoguang (1847), Li Hongzhang was ranked 13th in the second class, and began his career.
In the twenty-ninth year of Daoguang (1849), Li Hanzhang participated in the tributary examination every six years, was rated as a second-class, and was assigned to Hunan to serve as the governor of Yongding.
Li Wen'an, a calligrapher of Zeng Guofan, after serving in the Criminal Department, adhered to the principle of adjudicating cases according to law with his strong and dignified judicial demeanor. At the end of the autumn trial, he would always go through the case file until late at night, striving for fair and accurate sentencing, and resolutely not letting a good person be wronged.
His style of "court and face" is reminiscent of Bao Gong's reincarnation. He strictly forbade the prison guards to mistreat the prisoners, stipulating that each prisoner must have a full spoonful of prison food, and in order to prevent the prison guards from deducting two pounds, he personally checked and tasted whether the food was cooked.
Despite his limited expenses in prison, he would cook porridge out of his own pocket for the prisoners who were escorted to the prison after dinner to satisfy their hunger. In order to prevent the outbreak of infectious diseases in prison during the spring and summer holidays, he sent people to prepare medicines early.
Even fans and mats were purchased in the summer, and cotton clothes were donated in the winter"So"Twelve quilts were also provided to provide an environment for sick prisoners to sweat and recuperate. These measures not only reflect his kindness, but also reflect his careful and humane management.
The rise of the famous families of the Qing Dynasty: the efforts of three generations have achieved the prominent position of the Li Hongzhang brothers. The fame of the Li family was not achieved overnight, but gradually accumulated with the unremitting efforts of the six brothers such as Li Hongzhang and Li Hanzhang.
Among them, Li Hongzhang's contribution is the most prominent, and he is known as "Mr. Li Er". With his outstanding talent and lofty ambition, he led the Huai Army and the Hunan Army to jointly exterminate the Taiping Army and the Twist Army, and presided over the "Westernization Movement" to promote the development of national industry.
Although he was unable to change the fate of the Qing Empire's demise, his efforts did bring time to the decaying Qing Dynasty. Li Hongzhang's deeds prove that the glory of the family is not accidental, but can only be achieved through the joint efforts and wisdom of several generations.
Some people praise Li Hongzhang as a loyal minister of the late Qing Dynasty, he participated in the pacification of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Twist Army Rebellion, led the Tongzhi Zhongxing Westernization Movement, and made pioneering contributions to the Qing Dynasty's military, education, and industrial modernization.
Some people also criticized him for being a lackey of the decadent Qing Empire, signing ** treaties, and using the Westernization Movement to seek personal interests for himself, and being a sinner of the nation and the country. There is some truth to both of these views, but a person must not be judged solely by simple criteria of good or evil, but must be judged by the historical context in which he or she lives.
If we analyze it in depth, Li Hongzhang's image in history will be more three-dimensional and objective. No matter how you evaluate him, one thing cannot be denied, that is, Li Hongzhang is the key person who promoted the Li family to become a famous family.
Li Hongzhang, an important minister in the late Qing Dynasty, was not only a powerful official, but also a shrewd businessman. He founded many enterprises during his lifetime, among which China Merchants Steamship, Kaiping Coal Mine, China Commerce Bank and pawnshops, telegraph offices, railways and other industries were the most profitable at that time, and he also participated in them and obtained considerable dividend income.
According to Rong Hong's description in "The Evolution of Western Learning from the East", Li Hongzhang "had private property of more than 40 million taels of descendants when he died", which was equivalent to 50% of the annual fiscal revenue of the Qing Dynasty.
In addition, he also owns a number of real estate and a large number of movable assets such as gold and silver bills, and the total amount of the inheritance is extremely flexible, from 10 million to tens of millions.
Li Hongzhang and his eldest brother Li Hanzhang entered the staff of Zeng Guofan at the same time, but Li Hongzhang had already taken charge of himself and became the leader of the Huai army, while Li Hanzhang was just an ordinary clerk in the staff.
However, when Zeng led his army to attack Nanjing, the capital of the Taiping army, financial difficulties forced him to rely on the transit tax of the passing provinces, which was then known as the important circulation tax of the centijin.
The subject matter and amount of the tax are not fixed, so it has become an important way for many officials to enrich their pockets. But there will always be times when difficulties turn into opportunities.
Zeng Guofan sensed the frustration in taxation and decided to rectify the only fiscal revenue. He pinned his hopes on the literati Confucian who was "ethical, unofficial, more organized, and less eloquent", and Li Hanzhang was appointed as the best candidate as the director of the Hunan army's logistics grain and grass, and later promoted him to be the director of the province of Jiangxi, and at the same time served as the local Taotai.
Li Hanzhang's career has since begun, and he is responsible for the logistics of the Hunan army and the collection of money, although the Hunan army is still a little stretched, but it can generally maintain the first, and Li Hanzhang has made great contributions.
Therefore, after the Taiping army was completely extinguished, Li Hanzhang began to transfer to the local governor and became a feudal official in many places.
Like Zeng Guofan, Li Hanzhang started the Westernization Movement of China's modernization together with Li Hongzhang, Prince Gong and others, and had the grand ambition of "mastering the skills of Yi to control the country".
However, under the corruption of Manchu officialdom, he began to pay more and more attention to personal interests, and although he believed that "a gentleman loves money and takes it in the right way", he can still be regarded as a clear stream in the Qing officialdom.
He went with the flow, selling his official position, and at the same time acquiesced in similar behaviors of his colleagues and subordinates, never **any**. Compared with Li Hongzhang's negative image, Li Hanzhang appears obscure.
However, his children and grandchildren were able to survive the ensuing changes. His eldest son held the position of second-rank official, and the second son became the first head of the Bank of Communications.
It can be said that Li Hanzhang has contributed to the Li family becoming a famous family.
Li Hanzhang, Li Hongzhang, Li Hezhang, Li Yunzhang, Li Fengzhang, Li Zhaoqing, the six sons were carefully cultivated by their mother, Mrs. Li, all of them were talented, and they were either rich or expensive.
Li Hanzhang and Li Hongzhang are governors, the third Li Hezhang is both wise and brave, and has helped Li Hongzhang to make military exploits, but he is indifferent to fame and fortune, resigned from the imperial court awards, returned to his hometown to buy property and business, and is enthusiastic about public welfare.
Although the fourth Li Yunzhang is blind, he has a good way of managing money, although he has a physical disability, but he can plan with both hands, is good at the way of management, and has a wide range of financial resources, he once spent a lot of money to buy the mansion of Chen Yucheng, the king of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
The fifth Li Fengzhang followed his father to make many military exploits on the battlefield, and then retired to Wuhu to retire for the rest of his life. The sixth Li Zhaoqing followed Zeng Guofan to fight against the Taiping Army, governing the army for more than ten years, hundreds of battles, never asking for merit and reward, he did not love money, did not take credit, and was called "poor old six" by his brothers.
The Li family is illustrious, and the two daughters are married to ** dignitaries, and the scenery is infinite, which is enviable. Such glory seems to be unmatched in modern Chinese history except for Liang Qichao.
Mrs. Li's life has been difficult, but she used her wisdom and perseverance in exchange for the rest of her life to enjoy wealth and prosperity, which proves it"If you suffer hardship, you will become a superior person"of truth.
In the seventh year of Tongzhi, Li Hongzhang's family ushered in a glorious moment. Li Hanzhang took over as the governor of Huguang, and Li's mother became the mother of two governors, an honor unprecedented in Chinese history.
The officials of the Governor's Mansion were amazed, and said: "There is a Governor Li, and there is a Governor Li, the original Governor is called the old lady, and the new Governor is still called the old lady, and the governor has changed, but the Governor's mother has not changed."
The glory and splendor of the Li family are enviable.
Back then, Emperor Guangxu was as indifferent as an old lady, and their defense had nothing to do with him. His blessing is unparalleled, and he has won the emperor's grace. Because of the excellent children she raised, Mrs. Li enjoyed deep blessings and endless glory in her later years.
On her 75th birthday, Emperor Guangxu specially issued a commendation decree and gave her a special favor. She was given a plaque inscribed by the emperor with the words "Songyun Yishou", three red sandalwood inlaid jade ruyi, two large rolls of cheongsam fabric and two large rolls of eight-silk satin robe fabric.
Mrs. Li died in 1882 at the age of 83, and the Guangxu Emperor gave her many rewards and honors, and issued an edict asking for proper care along the way.
After the death of Li Hongzhang and Li Hanzhang's brothers, the Qing Dynasty posthumously named Li Hongzhang's mother as Mrs. Yipin, Jin as Mrs. Yipinbo, and Jin as Mrs. Yipinhou. Mrs. Li's blessings and honors are enviable.
The generations of Li Hongzhang's family are named "Articles through the Country, Family Road Yongchang", reflecting their emphasis on career and academics. The members of the family were officials in the court, and their power leaned towards the government and the opposition, showing strong political influence.
In the four generations of Jiadao Yongchang, family members chose to devote themselves to the torrent of the times and became leaders in all walks of life, showing the diversity and adaptability of family members.
Li Daozeng, the great-great-grandson of Li Hongzhang's third brother Li Hezhang, is the most academically accomplished member of the family, and his achievements fully reflect the family's emphasis on education and knowledge.
Li Zhaoqing's great-grandson, the three brothers of the family, Li Jiachang, Li Jiajing, and Li Jiashu, are the most dazzling richest people in the family, and their success reflects the family's innovation and business talents.
Overall, the core idea of the Li Hongzhang family is to pursue political influence and academic success, but also to be diverse and adaptable, while also placing a strong emphasis on education and knowledge, as well as innovation and business talents.
The rise of a family requires not only the right time and place, but also the moral character of the ancestors. From a small point of view, the virtue of the ancestors will affect the behavior of the younger generations; In the big picture, the virtue of a family often determines the future of the family.
Li Hongzhang's grandfather adopted a daughter and abandoned baby, and this kind act accumulated great blessings for the Li family, and also marked the rise of the Li family. The ancients said: "Rich is not more than three generations", but the Li family in Hefei, Anhui Province has been able to continue to this day, with many talents, which is mainly due to their focus on education.
The family motto of "there is a ** house in the book, and there is Yan Ruyu in the book" circulated in the family admonishes future generations to improve themselves by reading. The success of the descendants of the Li family is closely related to their family's inheritance of reading.
In ancient times, "everything is inferior, only reading is high" and today's "knowledge changes fate" is in the same line, which is the truth that has been inextinguished through the ages. No matter what your background, as long as your children and grandchildren continue to improve themselves, you will definitely succeed.
Let's start from now, start from ourselves, stick to morality, be kind to others, conform to nature, and be a responsible person!
Spring is in full bloom and flowers are in full bloom.