| Abstract |
What was life like for a government official during the Daoguang period (1820-1850)? To answer this question, the present article examines the life of Weng Xincun (1791-1862). He is especially suited for such a task, for he lived in the capital city of Beijing, before returning to his hometown in the countryside to mourn for his deceased mother: his life in Beijing gives us some idea of what it was like to be a government official living in the capital, while his time in the countryside sheds light on the concerns of the country gentry. In the capital, we see Weng maintaining a network of friendships with the literati through frequent parties attended by colleagues and former classmates. In the countryside, we find him discussing local affairs and national politics. Through Weng, we are able to grasp how complicated relations were between Manchu and Han officials during the Daoguang period. Caught in between these two parties, Weng was able to remain above the fray. Through the friendship between Weng and his close friend Qi Junzao, we gain further insight on regional differences and on the north-south divide. These and many other issues worthy of further investigation are raised by an examination of the life of Weng Xincun. |
