Wenxiang Explained

Wenxiang
Order:Grand Councilor
Term Start:1858
Term End:1876
Order1:Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall
Term Start1:1874
Term End1:1876
Order2:Grand Secretary of the Tiren Library
Term Start2:1872
Term End2:1874
Order3:Assistant Grand Secretary
Term Start3:1871
Term End3:1872
Office4:Minister of Personnel
Term Start4:March 31, 1866
Term End4:July 16, 1872
Alongside4:Zhu Fengbiao (until 1868), Shan Maoqian (since 1868)
Predecessor4:Ruichang
Successor4:Baoyun
Office5:Minister of Works
Term Start5:October 9, 1862
Term End5:March 31, 1866
Alongside5:Li Han (until 1863), Li Tangjie (1863–1864), Shan Maoqian (since 1864)
Predecessor5:Wesin
Successor5:Ruichang
Office6:Minister of Zongli Yamen
Term Start6:January 20, 1861
Term End6:May 26, 1876
Birth Date:October 16, 1818
Education:jinshi degree

Wenxiang (; born October 16, 1818, in Liaoyang, died May 26, 1876) was an ethnic Manchu statesman of the Qing dynasty of China. Wenxiang hailed from the Gūwalgiya clan and belonged to the Plain Red Banner in the Eight Banners in Mukden. In 1845, he obtained the highest degree (jinshi) in the imperial examination and four years later he was appointed to the Board of Works. He advanced through the ranks and in 1858, he was appointed vice president to the Board of Rites and also became a member of the Grand Council, the highest policy-making organ in the Empire. He subsequently held a number of prominent posts in the central government and became a key player in court politics.

As foreign troops invaded Beijing during the Second Opium War and the Xianfeng Emperor fled to Chengde, Wenxiang remained in the capital and took part in negotiating with the British and French. Following the peace settlement, he became one of the founders of the new Qing foreign office, the Zongli Yamen. He was one of the architects behind the Self-strengthening movement and was instrumental in devising the Qing government's cooperative policy towards the Western powers in the period between 1861 and 1876.

References