Chapter 41 On Humanity-Jiang Tingfu Says Qi Shan Surpasses the People of His Time

Jiang Tingfu said that Qishan was not to be praised or blamed in the military aspect of the Opium War, but in the diplomatic aspect, he examined the strengths and weaknesses of China and foreign countries and weighed the pros and cons, which "really surpassed the times." Fang Zongcheng said: "Since Daoguang, there have been no public officials for a long time. Recently, Zeng Xiangguo and Runzhi Gongbao (Hu Linyi) have opened up this trend." Zhang Taiyan said that Zeng Guofan's "Ping Hong Yang" was not "praising Qing", but to support "famous teachers".In Zeng's view, all governance activities range from astronomy, geography, military administration, and official system to river engineering, salt water, taxation, state use, military activities such as "Ping Hong Yang" and Huayang's "Qu Quan Neighbors" Negotiation activities all belong to "ritual", that is, the scope of moral practice activities.

Miao Fenglin said that since Tang Taizong, Zuo Zongtang was the first person who contributed the most to the country's sovereign territory. From the first month of 1867, Guo Songtao was forced to be idle, and he stayed in his hometown for eight years.From this, I can calmly think about the world and study Westernization.In his letter to his friends, he said proudly: Among the current "comrades" who understand Westernization, "Zhongtang (referring to Li Hongzhang) can see his greatness, Ding Yusheng (Ding Richang) can develop his essence, and Shen Youtian (Shen Baozhen) can do his best." In fact." And he himself achieved "both fine and big".

Li Hongzhang said of Wang Tao: "A madman is also a celebrity". Zhou Zuoren said about Wang Tao: "The Wang family was almost an authority in the intellectual circles when they were in Tongguang, but they couldn't get rid of their celebrity and talent. It seems that they are finally a clean guest, but they only help out in times of peace, and they only help out in troubled times." Liang Qichao said that Li Hongzhang: I don't know the principles of the people, I don't understand the general trend of the world, and I don't know the origin of politics. When Li Hongzhang visited Europe, the hospitality of the Germans was the best. Kaiser Wilhelm II praised Li as the Bismarck of the East to please him. He meant that China was defeated by Japan as a big country in East Asia, and that it would restore its armaments and clean up its shame. Germany can take the opportunity to supply, so I contacted Li Jiayi to patent his benefits.The result was a big disappointment, because I didn't know the feelings of China at that time and Li Zhi's real status.Liang Qichao also thought that Li Duan could not be compared with Bismarck: "This is not to judge people by success or failure. Li Hongzhang's knowledge, wisdom, skill and courage are not comparable to Bismarck. His achievements cannot be compared with that. and also."

In November 1901, Li Hongzhang passed away. Before he died, he said: "Looking around in Yunei, there is no one on the right side of Yuan Shikai." He tried to protect Yuan as the governor of Zhili. Zhang Zhidong was eccentric in nature, had no restraint in his daily life, and was strict with his subordinates. His subordinates "had minor faults, and the voice of blame was heard outdoors."Once met Yuan Shikai in Baoding. Among Yuan Shikai's subordinates was Yang Shixiang, the governor of the Zhili feudal clan. Because he was born in the Imperial Academy, he was cited by Zhang Zhidong as the same tune. During the meeting, Zhang Wei and Yang Shixiang talked eloquently. The talkers are all Hanlin stories.Yuan Ku sat on the sidelines, unable to praise him at all.Shi Xiang was quick to deal with it, and he appreciated it very much. Zhang later said to others, "I don't want Yuan Weiting to be the governor, but the feudal secretary still has Yang Lian Mansion!" Why don’t you ask him to play a tune in Hubei so that we can get along with each other in daily life?” Shi Xiang said with a smile: “Even if Xiang Shuai has this intention, Si Li would not serve such a boss!” Not enough talent, incapable of deterring Yuan Shikai, but the latter underestimated him.

Huang Yuanyong said that Xiao Ping, the president of Zhongli Palace, said: What kind of key does your grandma need? You are your grandma's master key. The relationship between Yuan Shikai and Liang Shiyi is "quite similar."