Journal paper

Issue No.	No. 47
Title	The Lucky Situational Coincident in Li Hung-Chang’s Political Career
Author	Wang, Erh Min
Page	185-220
Abstract	Li Hung-Chang was a prominent character in the political field in the late Ch’ing. This article deals with his rise which is not so smooth after he was defeated by the Taiping Army. However, by meeting advantageous external chance and owning personal insight, he earned good fortune and high achievement at last. Therefore, chance plays an important role in his official career. 　　Uprising in Guangxi in 1850, the Taiping Army expanded quickly, disturbed several provinces and occupied Nanking as capital. Li accepted imperial order to train army in his hometown. He must conscript soldiers and raise salary to defend his native place. However, he was failed by insufficient manpower and money. 　　Li casted the dice to rely on Tseng Kuo-Fan’s Hunan Army and assumed as his staff. At that time, Hunan Army was frustrated also. The Government’s Army suffered a defeat in Nanking. The Court must depend on Tseng Kuo-Fan. The Hunan Army could develop further by Tseng’s position as Commissioner and Governor of Jiangsu, Anhui and Jiangxi. Li was recommended as Governorgeneral of Jiangsu. The Nien Army extended their force in Northern provinces and killed the commander-in-chief Senglinxin. While Li was appointed to expedition the East Nien and the West Nien, Tseng was assigned as Governor of Chi-li. As the Tienjin Accident happened in 1870, France acclaimed to send army to China. The Court moved the Huai Army to defend the capital in a hurry and appointed Li as Governor of Chi-li. France couldn’t resort to forces in the East because the bursting out of the Franco-Prussian War. Li solved the accident in peace. 　　Li was in charge of foreign affairs and national defense at the same time for 25 years. Knowing that China must exercise reformation, he only discussed with Ding Ri-Chang and didn’t suggest to the Court. He undertook heavy responsibility but without real power, therefore, he should not be blamed for the failure to face the foreign affairs in the late Ch’ing.
Keyword	Late Qing, Li Hung-Chang, Zeng Guofan, Huaijun, Xiangjun
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