What kind of person is Li Hongzhang?

I have read many versions of Li Hongzhang's comments, all of which are controversial, and many of them are parrots. In fact, Li Hongzhang lives not far away and has a lot of information reflecting his life. Should be able to give him a more objective and pertinent evaluation.

Li Hongzhang's life after his debut in scientific research mainly focused on military affairs, westernization, diplomacy and political struggles. Throughout his life, we can summarize and evaluate from the following points:

First, Li Hongzhang's talent and knowledge are worthy of recognition and belong to the category of capable ministers. Li Hongzhang was clever since childhood and a scholar when he was young, which shows his high cultural knowledge. Later, he seized the opportunity of the Taiping Rebellion at that time, resolutely returned to his hometown to organize Yong ying and joined the ranks of suppressing the Taiping Rebellion. In the end, he not only made achievements in the military, but also formed a powerful Huai army. Although this process is inseparable from Zeng Guofan's guidance, his own ability is also the key to success. Later, the establishment of the Beiyang Navy and the advocacy of the Westernization Movement were of positive significance to promoting the process of national modernization. All these events can show that Li Hongzhang has a broad international vision and a profound insight into the national strength of the late Qing Dynasty and the gap at home and abroad.

Second, Li Hongzhang is not an honest official. It can be seen from many documents that Li Hongzhang is actively making profits for himself while serving the Qing government. When Li Hongzhang was governor of Zhili, because he didn't like crabs in the north, he bought Yangcheng Lake hairy crabs from the south, thousands at a time. There are some such examples, which reflect the Li family's luxurious lifestyle. In short, it can reflect that Li Hongzhang is more extravagant. Secondly, judging from the huge legacy left by Li Hongzhang after his death, he can't be an honest official. In addition, Li Hongzhang actively moved closer to Cixi, promoted and placed his own army, became political enemies with Zuo and Weng, and joined the political struggle of the imperial court. Such a person who is good at making profits for himself can't be an honest official.

Third, Li Hongzhang was only a loyal minister of the late Qing court, not a great man of the nation. Li Hongzhang, as a Han minister, was able to climb to a very high position, except for his ability and military achievements, because he actively worked for the corrupt court in the late Qing Dynasty and moved closer to the corrupt rulers in the late Qing Dynasty. Of course, Li Hongzhang was well aware of the situation of the Qing government and rulers at that time, but all he did was let the Qing Dynasty last for decades through peace talks and armistice. His practice is to be a qualified loyal minister for the Qing Dynasty, but this determines that he is not a great man who is in dire straits for the development of the country and the people. Many people call Li Hongzhang a sinner of history, and I think this is one of the important reasons.

Fourth, about signing unequal treaties. In the war between the late Qing Dynasty and the great powers, Li Hongzhang mainly advocated a peaceful truce, which is indisputable. Although Li Hongzhang signed many unequal treaties on behalf of the Qing court, he was only forced to sign on behalf of the rulers of the late Qing dynasty, and he himself was unwilling to sign. It is worth mentioning that some foreigners named Li Hongzhang to sign the contract, because Li Hongzhang was engaged in westernization and was in charge of diplomacy. Many foreigners are familiar with him and understand his style. Judging from the fact that Li Hongzhang was ashamed to write his name directly on the treaties and fell ill after signing the contract, Li Hongzhang himself was dissatisfied and ashamed of these treaties. Therefore, in the matter of signing unequal treaties, Li Hongzhang was only a supporting role of the late Qing government.