The late Qing Dynasty is full of people. The famous officials of the late Qing Dynasty, led by Zeng Guofan, , Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, , Zhang Zhidong and others, are extremely well-known. Liu Kunyi , also born in Hunan and started with the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement, looks less dazzling. However, Liu Kunyi's political status is no less than the above four people. Liu Kunyi served as the Governor of Liangjiang, Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Minister of Commerce in Nanyang. He was an important political figure that cannot be ignored in the late Qing Dynasty.
Liu Kunyi
failed the provincial examination
In the second year of Xianfeng in the Qing Dynasty (1852), a 22-year-old Hunan scholar Liu Kun participated in the provincial examination in Hunan with great enthusiasm. His application status is student , which is the best among scholars, the kind that the Qing government gave food subsidies. The young Liu Kun thought to himself: "I am so outstanding, I should be stable in the provincial examination."
Liu Kunyi's confidence is not groundless. The article he wrote in the provincial examination aroused the "broken wall" of Huang Xiaozhi, the examiner who gave Liu Kunyi to the chief examiner without hesitation. Unfortunately, the examiner looked down on Liu Kunyi's article and thought it was a mediocre work. So Liu Kunyi failed the exam "successfully".
Assuming that Liu Kun won the Juren as he wished, his life ceiling is likely to be limited to the height of county-level officials, and at most it can be a state official. It was precisely his failure to win the exam that forced him to find another way out and participated in Hunan Army .
Started a group training
In the late years of the Qing Dynasty, Hong Xiuquan launched the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Uprising in Guangxi, and the storm was also surging in Hunan. At this moment, Liu Kunyi participated in the suppression of Li Yuan, his hometown, and launched an uprising. Then he started a group training with Jiang Zhongyuan and Liu Changyou in the countryside, which was for Chu Yong before.
In the fifth year of Xianfeng (1855), Liu Kunyi followed Liu Changyou to conquer Cheming , Chenzhou, Guiyang, Yizhang and other places, and was promoted from a student to a teacher. The following year, the governor of Hunan, Luo Bingzhang, sent Liu Changyou to lead the army to rescue Jiangxi, and Liu Changyou ordered Liu Kun to lead his own battalion to go to war. This was the first time that Liu Kunyi led his troops to fight alone. He won consecutive victories in the wars such as Luxi and Xuanfeng Town , and then recovered Yuanzhou (now Yichun, Jiangxi). With the recommendation of Liu Changyou, he was appointed as the governor of Zhili Prefecture and was awarded Huafeng .
In the seventh year of Xianfeng (1857), Liu Kunyi led his army to conquer Linjiang (now Jiangxi Province, with four counties under the jurisdiction of Qingjiang, Xingan, Xinyu and Xiajiang in the late Qing Dynasty), and was promoted to the prefect of Linjiang.
In the eighth year of Xianfeng (1858), Liu Changyou temporarily retired due to illness and handed over his troops to Liu Kunyi to command. Liu Kunyi ushered in the opportunity to command "Chu Yong". When his fellow Taoist Xiao Qijiang crossed the Ganjiang River, defeated the Taiping Army, took advantage of the opportunity to collect Fuzhou , conquered Jianchang, and promoted to Taoist . In the ninth year of Xianfeng (1859), the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Wing King Shi Dakai attacked Hunan. Liu Kun returned to the rescue and lifted the siege of Yongzhou and Xinning, and added the official title of Salt Transportation Envoy. When the Taiping Army was moving towards Guangxi, Liu Kunyi followed Liu Changyou to pursue him, recovered Liuzhou , and then added the title of governor.
From joining the Hunan Army as a student in 1854 to suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, to becoming the rank of governor in 1859, Liu Kunyi was promoted from a scholar without any position to a provincial cadre in just five years, breaking the promotion record in the late Qing officialdom.
In the 11th year of Xianfeng (1861), Liu Kunyi encircled and suppressed the Taiping Army in Xunzhou (now Guiping, Guangxi), and "recorded the name of the censor ." Later, he led his troops to ambush Shi Dakai's troops in Hunan, causing him to flee to Guizhou, and was awarded the Guangdong Censor for his merits (in charge of criminal law affairs in a province, equivalent to the current secretary of the Provincial Political and Legal Affairs Committee).
Tongzhi in the third year (1864), after Liu Kunyi pacified the Xunzhou Rebellion, he was awarded the title of "Shuoyong Batulu" by the Qing court ("Baturu " is the transliteration of the word "hero" and "warrior" in Manchu )". The following year, he was promoted to the governor of Jiangxi. After , he worked in this position for nine years.Overall, during the Ganfu term, Liu Kunyi was very conservative, worked hard at the internal control, spared no effort to suppress peasant uprisings in various places, and gave the people a stable living environment; he rejected Western civilization and technology from the outside, and had natural disgust and fear in the Westernization Movement. This attitude was not changed until after becoming the Governor of Liangjiang and Minister of Commerce of Nanyang in 1890.
Starting from 1875 AD (the first year of Guangxu), with the ascension of Emperor Guangxu, the Qing court transferred major personnel to the provincial governor of Liangjiang from all over the country, and Liu Kunyi was promoted to the second-rank Governor-General of Liangjiang. Because Liangjiang area is economically prosperous and has always been a major tax place for the Qing court, foreigners often come in and out or do business. During the long-term contact with foreigners, Liu Kunyi gradually transformed from conservative feudal ideas to advanced ideas. During the Tongzhi and Guangxu periods, it was the time for the Westernization Movement. Liu Kunyi was also a representative figure of the Westernization Movement. Due to his outstanding political achievements, he also served as the Minister of Nanyang. Since then, the Governor of Liangjiang also served as the Minister of Nanyang.
In February 1881, Liu Kunyi and Li Hongzhang jointly investigated and dealt with the corruption case of Sheng Xuanhuai Shipbuilding Corporation. Sheng was Li Hongzhang's confidant, and thus was counterattacked by the Huai clan. In June, Liu Kun was impeached once or twice and was dismissed from his post and returned home. After nine years of silence in the countryside, he returned to serve as the governor of Liangjiang again.
From the fourth year of Tongzhi (1865) to the time when he died as the governor of Liangjiang in October of the 28th year of Guangxu (1902), Liu Kun served as the governor of Liangjiang for nearly 37 years. Looking at the entire late Qing Dynasty, it can be said that it is unique.
fight against the Japanese main war, opposing the signing of the " Treaty of Shimonoseki "
In the 20th year of the Guangxu period (1894), Sino-Japanese War of 1895 broke out. Liu Kunyi strongly advocated anti-Japanese. As the governor of Liangjiang, he suggested that he transfer Nanyang Fleet to the front line of Sino-Japanese War of 1895 to assist Beiyang Fleet to fight Japanese Navy , but was rejected by the Qing court. A year later, the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 ended, and the Qing government was forced to cede land for compensation. Liu Kunyi and others strongly opposed cede land, especially Liu Kunyi. He complained about the harm of cede land to China. He said: "If Japan obtains Liao and Taiwan, if it is attached to two wings, China will suffer the disaster of consuming the navel. Liao, Taiwan and Japan are united and become increasingly strong. In the future, they will seek assistance to major Western countries, but they will not be able to control their lives. This peace agreement has been completed, and only by allowing the Japanese to do whatever they want will bring endless troubles. How can they imagine it!" But the Qing court ignored Liu Kunyi's painful complaint and the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed as scheduled. When the court ceded Taiwan and ordered all officials to cross the country, Liu Kun unanimously wrote to the governor of Taiwan, Tang Jingsong, said that the ceasing was "to make Chi County become a foreign land, and the people become a left-sided . Whoever has blood and energy will not be heartbroken. Kun is old, even though he waves the sword from Luyang, he only holds the stone of Jingwei. He stands up every night, looking at his hair, and is sad from it, and he is afraid that there will be no more revenge in this life." His patriotic sincerity can be seen at the sun.
made a memorial and sternly resisted the dethronement of Guangxu
50 After the failure of the reform, Guangxu became a prisoner. Cixi hated Guangxu and was said to be ready to poison Guangxu to death and then replace him with puppets. No one in the officialdom is stupid. Who would be willing to offend Cixi for a powerless puppet emperor? But Liu Kunyi had his own bottom line toward Cixi: no matter how much the emperor was a puppet, he could not be deposed for no reason. So Liu Kunyi did not avoid suspicion and issued a memorial to warn Cixi: Don’t make trouble, confirm the rumors that are not good for you, and cause foreigners to send troops. No one can save you by then. At the same time, Liu Kunyi also asked Cixi to give Kang, Liang and others a way out. Cixi wanted to kill all the people, but Liu Kunyi's weight was so heavy that he did not agree. Cixi had to give Liu three points of face. Liu Kunyi's comment caused a sensation in society. Various factions used this comment to put strong public pressure on Cixi, forcing Cixi to give up its original plan and Guangxu escaped.
, Cixi looked at Guangxu horizontally and vertically, and wanted to ruin it. In 1899, a major event happened in the Qing court, which was to make Puye, the great-grandson of Emperor Daoguang, the eldest prince, to be the eldest prince, and prepare to replace Guangxu.
Liu Kunyi is already 70 years old and goes to Beijing to find Cixi to argue. After many efforts and coercion and temptation, Cixi finally gave up her plan to depose Guangxu for the second time.It can be said that although Guangxu was poisoned to death by Cixi at the age of 38, if it were not for Liu Kunyi, he would have died 14 years ago. These extra 14 years were given to him by Liu Kunyi. It was that Liu Kun stepped forward that reduced the political arena of the late Qing Dynasty and maintained national stability.
main pillars of the Liangjiang River, and participated in the planning of " Southeast Mutual Protection "
In the spring and summer of the 26th year of the Guangxu period (1900), the Boxer Movement, which was under the banner of " Support the Qing Dynasty and destroy the foreign countries", showed a prairie fire in Beijing and Tianjin. At the end of May of that year, ministers from various countries sent troops into Beijing on the grounds of "protecting the embassy". Cixi believed that the move of the great powers was to force her to return to power by force, so she used the Boxer Rebellion to compete with it. Then she broke off diplomatic relations with all diplomatic countries like crazy, thus the most bizarre declaration of war on the eleven countries in the history of the world appeared. The most proud gamble in her life, which led to the eight-nation coalition forces invading Beijing and fled to Xi'an by herself.
At this time, Liu Kunyi, who was clear-headed, watched Cixi approach the madness step by step, and felt that Cixi's move was really ridiculous. So he publicly violated the imperial edict and refused to implement it. Liu Kunyi joined forces with Huguang Governor Zhang Zhidong, Guangdong and Guangxi Governor Li Hongzhang, Fujian and Zhejiang Governor Xu Yingzhi , Shandong Governor Yuan Shikai , Zhejiang Governor Liu Shutang, Anhui Governor Wang Zhichun and Guangdong Governor Deshou, to advocate Southeast mutual protection, saying that the imperial edict was a "forgiveness" under the support of the boxing people. Although Shaanxi Governor Duanfang and Sichuan Governor Kui Jun did not join Southeast Mutual Protection, he also supported Southeast Mutual Protection. Under Liu Kunyi's instruction, Sheng Xuanhuai was planned from the scene, and Shanghai Dao Yu Lianyuan agreed with the consuls of various countries in Shanghai to "Nine Articles of Association for the Protection of Southeast".
On July 14, 1900, the Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, Xu Yingzhi signed the Fujian Mutual Protection Agreement with various countries. Morally speaking, when the country is in crisis, it should be condemned that local governments have formed a private alliance. However, the Boxer Incident was a bitter fruit caused by Cixi's own power, which was a hot-headed and detonated for his own power. To a certain extent, the Southeast Mutual Protection avoided the spread of war and laid a good foundation for the stability of the situation in the future. More importantly, the "Southeast Mutual Protection" advocated by Liu Kunyi put the contradictions between the central and local governments on the surface. The corrupt Qing government lost control of the local area, especially the southern region, and was left to survive. The continuous southern revolution later was a clear proof. Moreover, Yuan Shikai, who had the strongest elite soldiers, took the opportunity to preserve his strength and became the strongest vassal after the incident, and became the only remaining dependence of the Qing government. Yuan Shikai not only took a further career in his official career, but also gradually accumulated the strength to subvert the Qing Dynasty. Finally, he successfully made a peaceful coup, completed the change of dynasty, and created the Beiyang era. It can be said that Liu Kunyi's actions essentially ruined the Qing Dynasty .
"Three Folds of Jiang and Chu", suggesting that the Qing court improves reforms and reforms
Liu Kun's early thoughts became conservative and had complaints about the Westernization Movement. Since he became the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi in the first year of Guangxu, the catalysis of the Western Wind and European rains finally made him "open his eyes to see the world". When he was transferred to Liangjiang for the third time, he had evolved from a conservative chief of border officials to a reformer and reformer in the political arena of the late Qing Dynasty. In May and June of the 27th year of the Guangxu period (1901), Liu Kunyihui and the governor of Hubei Zhang Zhidong submitted a memorial to the court three times in a row, requesting "change politics" and suggesting that the court should promote education as its first priority, rectify the old Chinese laws, and adopt Western laws. This is the "Three Disclaimers of Jiang and Chu" that influenced the moment.
In fact, when Liu Kun was repeatedly appointed as the governor of Jiang, his "Western Affairs" had begun to show results, such as setting up a Jiangning Telegraph Bureau, building a gunpowder factory, building a Western-style fortress and adding breech cannons, and organizing a large number of translations of Western works. After three terms, he vigorously promoted the development of industry and commerce, especially accelerated the process of machine textile industry in the Jiangsu and Shanghai areas. Around the Jiawu , a total of 14 machine textile enterprises were established in the Suzhou and Shanghai region, including the famous ones such as Nantong Dayen, Wuxi Yeqin, Suzhou Sulun Spinning Mill, etc. By the time of the Gengzi, the spindle production in the region had accounted for more than 60% of the total national volume, which is obviously closely related to his attention, promotion and support.
Youwen encouraged learning and proposed to prepare for Sanjiang Normal University
not to enter the officialdom. This is Liu Kunyi's lifelong regret. Therefore, he once said to his friend: "I am ashamed of a different path and never talks about culture and education."However, with the change of concepts, Liu not only talked about culture and education repeatedly, but also carried out the work in a big way: during his tenure as governor of Guangdong, he donated 150,000 taels of silver as a fund to build the "Western Learning Hall"; after becoming Jiang Governor again, he raised funds to rebuild the Zhongshan Academy in Jiangning. His memorial stated that this move was to "the state blesses literature and encourages education and benefit scholars." In April of the 28th year of the Guangxu period (1902), in order to further practice the "promote learning" proposition, Liu Kunyi invited celebrities such as Zhang Jian and Miao Quansun to discuss school management. On the 23rd of that month, he submitted a "Registration for Preparation of Schools" and submitted a request to supervise the Jiangning (Nanjing) to run a normal school. In September of that year, Liu Kunyi passed away. Fortunately, his descendants Zhang Zhidong and Wei Guangtao were able to follow his ambitions. In July 29, the 29th year of the Guangxu period (1903), the first modern higher education institution in Nanjing history, Sanjiang Normal School (renamed Liangjiang Normal School in 1905), temporarily borrowed the Governor-General to open the school. At the same time, the school building was built in the Arctic. This is the prototype of famous schools such as Nanda and Dongda . As the initial creator, although Liu Kunyi died before he succeeded in running the school, he undoubtedly became the founder of modern higher education in Nanjing history.
honors the people and won the honor of the people behind him. "The official is honest and honest, and generous, and does not seek a great reputation, but is in a difficult and dangerous situation. He never shirks his responsibilities, can make a decision on major events, and has the destiny of famous officials. "This is what Zhang Zhidong said to him after Liu Kunyi died of illness. Indeed, Liu Kun was a high-ranking official, and he had been in the officialdom for forty or fifty years. He had tens of millions of public funds in his life, but he had no land savings, and his family's wealth was only middle-class. Historical data showed that he always regarded the integrity and tranquility of his official position as his creed. During his supervision of Guangdong, he had unleashed his private pockets to help the country. When he stepped down, he did not take a slight amount. Instead, he reported to the Ming court and donated 150,000 taels of money as needed to store and raise Westernization talents, and the rest were used as disaster relief and repair The dike and various good things for nourishment have caused people to be dissatisfied and denounced them as "arrogance and integrity", and he laughed it off. When he was in the third place, although he was close to early business giants such as Zhang Jian and tried his best to promote the development of national industries in order to become rich and strong, he never "stop" to participate in the shares to seek profit.
So that Zhang Zhidong, who has always regarded himself, not only wrote a memorial to praise his character, but also sent a message to his descendants, saying, "There will be one of them in the future. "According to the " Draft of Qing History ", the Qing court "rewarded his loyal nature, great talent and great achievements, and was extremely successful in the southeast. He posthumously awarded the first-class baron, awarded the title of Grand Tutor, and granted the funeral to the funeral of Jiangning. He ordered the general of Jiangning to pay tribute, and was specially named "Loyalty", worshipped the virtuous temple, and built a special temple in his original hometown. "Such mourning is rare in the late Qing political arena.
