Li Hongzhang wept blood on his deathbed and warned that if China wants to be strong, it must destroy this country, what is this country?
Japanese Prime Minister Hirobumi Ito regarded Li Hongzhang as "the only person in the Qing Empire who had the ability to compete with the world powers", while German Admiral Konnard compared Li Hongzhang to the "Bismarck of the East", and the Empress Dowager Cixi considered Li Hongzhang to be "the man who recreated Xuanhuang". However, the world's evaluation of Li Hongzhang is completely different, and some people call him a "thief".
Li Hongzhang was born in 1823 in Hefei County, Anhui Province. He was the second of eight siblings, so he was called "Mr. Li Er". From a young age, Li Hongzhang showed extraordinary intelligence. His father, Li Wen'an, also contributed to his training, so that Li Hongzhang made many talented people in his early years.
After failing in the first test at the age of 22, Li Hongzhang worshiped under Zeng Guofan. Zeng Guofan had a far-reaching influence on him, and highly appreciated his talent, believing that he must have great achievements, and called him, Guo Songtao, Chen Nai, and Shuai Yuanduo "Ding Wei Four Gentlemen".
Li Hongzhang later made great achievements. He led the Huai army to suppress the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, pacified the Twist Army, and became an important figure in the Westernization Movement, and was also a trusted figure around the Empress Dowager Cixi. However, many believed that he was just a scapegoat for the Empress Dowager Cixi.
Li Hongzhang is a smart man, if he was born in the world of Ming Jun, he will be a loyal minister admired by future generations. However, he lived in the era of the Empress Dowager Cixi. Before his death, he wept blood and warned future generations: If China wants to be strong, it must deal with this country.
This country refers to Japan. After the First Sino-Japanese War, Li Hongzhang signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki with Japan. Although he was resolutely opposed to land cession, he was eventually forced by reality. In the negotiations with Japan, Li Hongzhang made compromises. Despite being humiliated by Ito, he believed that the Qing dynasty was in a weak position and could only adapt to the situation. When the treaty was signed, Li Hongzhang was even shot, but he still firmly believed that it was for the sake of national interests.
After Li Hongzhang finished handling the Tianjin teaching case in the tenth year of Tongzhi (1871), he signed the "Sino-Japanese Reconciliation Regulations" with Japan on behalf of the Qing Dynasty, which was a treaty of equality and reciprocity between the two sides. However, Li Hongzhang has long been aware of the risk of becoming a "problem to China's elbows" in the future. The Empress Dowager Cixi, by contrast, failed to see the situation clearly, and her excessive pursuit of lavish birthday celebrations led to a drastic cut in military spending. The military power of the country is neglected, which makes it difficult to defend against foreign enemies. In addition, the appearance of China's first foreign minister is also attributed to Li Hongzhang. Despite the initial challenges, this made China begin to realize the reality of "no diplomacy for a weak country", and it also gave birth to a group of excellent diplomats.