1. Wang Wenshao, courtesy name Wenqin, was an influential Chinese statesman and military figure during the late Qing Dynasty who advocated for Westernization.
12 Facts About Wang Wenshao
1. 2.
Wang Wenshao's family had moved from Shangyu, Zhejiang to Hangzhou during the Ming dynasty, and his grandfather was a salt merchant.
3.
Wang Wenshao was later promoted to a mid-level position, taking the post of daotai of An Xiang Yun Jing in Hubei Province.
4.
Wang Wenshao's service was described as excellent and was praised by other officials such as Zuo Zongtang and Li Hongzhang.
5.
Wang Wenshao was then sent to Hubei as a Standard class, Rank 3 envoy and to Hunan as a chief envoy.
6.
Wang Wenshao served as the Deputy Minister of Rites and simultaneously in the Prime Minister's Office.
7.
In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, Wang Wenshao opposed provoking foreign nations.
8.
Wang Wenshao did not participate in the rebellion due to the agreement of the Mutual Defense Pact of the Southeastern Provinces.
9.
Wang Wenshao advocated compromise with foreign nations, and was promoted to Grand Secretariat of the Tiren Library.
10.
Wang Wenshao deeply admired Zuo Zongtang, but he thought Lin Zexu's style of acting was too stubborn and ignored the bigger picture.
11.
Wang Wenshao had corresponded with Western diplomats in his early career.
12.
Wang Wenshao was open to Western culture and was willing to listen to the opinions of Western diplomats.