In the last years of the Qing Dynasty, when the wind and rain were in turmoil, the fate of the country seemed to be controlled by four invisible **. The actions of these four major criminals, Weng Tongyong, Zhang Jian, Zhang Zhongxin and Li Bingheng, undoubtedly laid the groundwork for the fall of the Qing Dynasty.
Weng Tongyi, who is in a high position, but for the sake of personal grievances, he disregards the safety of the country. He was supposed to be Emperor Guangxu's right-hand man, but he chose infighting at a critical moment and focused on weakening his opponent Li Hongzhang. His passive sabotage directly led to the annihilation of the entire Beiyang Naval Division and the complete collapse of the Qing Dynasty's maritime defense line.
Zhang Jian, a character with a dual identity. He was both an industrialist and a politician. However, during the Sino-Japanese War, what he did was jaw-dropping. He suggested using Japanese power to weaken Li Hongzhang's military strength, and even slandered the generals of the Beiyang Naval Division as the remnants of the defeated army. His actions undoubtedly exacerbated the defeat of the First Sino-Japanese Naval War and caused the Qing Dynasty to lose its most important maritime power in foreign wars.
Zhang Zhongxi, a character with a special identity. He is not only the son of Zhang Kaisong, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, but also a criminal minister who stabbed the back when the country was in danger. When the Beiyang Naval Division was fighting fiercely with the Japanese fleet on the front line, he attacked Li Hongzhang from behind and falsely accused his son of having an affair with Japan. His behavior undoubtedly exacerbated the defeat of the First Sino-Japanese Naval War and put the Qing Dynasty in a desperate situation in the midst of internal and external difficulties.
Li Bingheng, as the governor of Shandong and a member of the Qing faction, should have actively supported the combat operations commanded by Li Hongzhang to unite the army and the people against the Japanese invaders. However, he chose the path of deviating from justice and frequently opposed Li Hongzhang. When the Beiyang Naval Division was in urgent need of assistance, he refused to provide it, resulting in the Beiyang Naval Division falling in isolation. His behavior is undoubtedly a betrayal of the country and the nation.
If Cixi had eliminated these four sinful ministers at the beginning of the First Sino-Japanese Naval War, then the fate of the Qing Dynasty might have been different. The Beiyang Naval Division may be able to obtain sufficient supplies and equipment updates to face the foreign enemy with an indestructible posture. Once the naval battle is won, then the rest of history will be rewritten. It is a pity that history has no ifs and assumptions. Cixi's erroneous decisions and the appeasement of the guilty ministers eventually led to the fall of the Qing Dynasty.
Looking back on this period of history, we can't help but ask: if Cixi had decisively eliminated these four black sheep at that time, what would have been the fate of the Qing Empire? This question may never be answered, but it reminds us that the rise and fall of a country often depends on the decisions of its leaders and the way people are employed. Only wise policy decisions and correct use of personnel can ensure the long-term peace and stability of the country.