# My Life in China and America — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for My Life in China and America by Yung Wing.

- [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/dedication.md): The author dedicates his memoirs to his devoted sons, Morrison Brown and Bartlett Golden Yung.
- [My Life in China and America](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/my-life-in-china-and-america.md): This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of Yung Wing's life, from his birth in Nam Ping to his education in China and America, his return to China, and his subsequent career in business, translation, and governmen
- [I: Boyhood](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/i-boyhood.md): Yung Wing recounts his birth in Nam Ping, his early education at Mrs. Gutzlaff's school in Macao, his father's death, and his subsequent work as a candy hawker and rice gleaner to support his family. He also describes an
- [II: School Days](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/ii-school-days.md): Yung Wing recounts his early education at the Morrison School, describing its founding, his fellow students, and the pivotal moment when Mr. Brown announced his return to America and invited pupils to accompany him. Yung
- [III: Journey to America and First Experiences There](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/iii-journey-to-america-and-first-experiences-there.md): Yung Wing and his companions embark from Whompoa on the ship Huntress, enduring a dramatic gale at the Cape of Good Hope and stopping at St. Helena, where they visit Napoleon's empty tomb. They arrive in New York in Apri
- [At Monson Academy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/iv-at-monson-academy.md): Yung Wing and his fellow Chinese students, Wong Shing and Wong Foon, enter Monson Academy in Massachusetts. They study under the principal, Rev. Charles Hammond, and board with Mrs. Phoebe H. Brown. After Wong Shing retu
- [V: My College Days](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/v-my-college-days.md): Yung Wing recounts his time at Yale College, detailing the financial struggles, academic challenges, and his growing resolve to use his education to reform China. He refuses to pledge himself to missionary work, instead 
- [VI: Return to China](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/vi-return-to-china.md): Yung Wing returns to China after nearly ten years in America, having graduated from Yale. He reunites with his mother in Macao, then settles in Canton to relearn Chinese language and culture. He witnesses the brutal supp
- [VII: Effort to Find a Position](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/vii-effort-to-find-a-position.md): Yung Wing, after mastering the spoken language, seeks a position that will allow him to support his mother and work toward reforming China. He briefly serves as private secretary to Dr. Peter Parker, then moves to Hong K
- [VIII: Experiences in Business](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/viii-experiences-in-business.md): After leaving the Imperial Customs Service, Yung Wing takes up a temporary position as a clerk in an English tea and silk firm, gaining valuable business experience. When the firm dissolves, he turns to translation work,
- [IX: My First Trip to the Tea Districts](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/ix-my-first-trip-to-the-tea-districts.md): Yung Wing recounts his first journey into the interior of China, traveling through tea and silk districts to purchase goods for foreign trade. He describes the process of preparing black tea, the impact of the Taiping Re
- [My Visit to the Taipings](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/x-my-visit-to-the-taipings.md): In the fall of 1859, Yung Wing joins a small party of missionaries and Tsang Laisun on a journey to Nanking to observe the Taiping rebels and assess their potential to replace the Manchu Dynasty. Traveling by boat and on
- [XI: Reflections on the Taiping Rebellion](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xi-reflections-on-the-taiping-rebellion.md): Yung Wing reflects on the Taiping Rebellion, analyzing its origins, religious character, and ultimate failure. He discusses the roles of missionaries like Dr. Robert Morrison and Rev. Icabod J. Roberts in introducing Chr
- [XII: Expedition to the Taiping Tea District](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xii-expedition-to-the-taiping-tea-district.md): Yung Wing, disillusioned with the Taiping rebellion, turns his attention to commercial ventures. He learns of a large stock of green tea in the Taiping district, controlled by rebels, and organizes an expedition to purch
- [XIII: My Interviews with Tsang Kwoh Fan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xiii-my-interviews-with-tsang-kwoh-fan.md): Yung Wing receives a series of letters from Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan's secretary, Chang Shi Kwei, and mathematician Li Sien Lan, inviting him to Ngan Khing. Initially hesitant, Yung Wing eventually agrees to meet the Vicer
- [My Mission to America to Buy Machinery](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xiv-my-mission-to-america-to-buy-machinery.md): Yung Wing is commissioned by Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan to purchase machinery in America, receiving the fifth official rank and Tls. 68,000. He travels via Europe, meets Mr. John Haskins in Shanghai, and together they journe
- [XV: My Second Return to China](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xv-my-second-return-to-china.md): Yung Wing returns to China via a circuitous route, enduring a difficult voyage on the Ida de Rogers. Upon arrival, he reports to Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan, who praises his machinery purchase and recommends him for official 
- [XVI: Proposal of My Educational Scheme](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xvi-proposal-of-my-educational-scheme.md): Yung Wing, encouraged by the establishment of a mechanical training school, revives his long-dormant educational scheme. With the support of Governor Ting Yih Chang, he drafts four proposals for the Chinese government, i
- [XVII: The Chinese Educational Mission](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xvii-the-chinese-educational-mission.md): Yung Wing details the establishment of the Chinese Educational Mission, including the selection of students, the preparatory school in Shanghai, the appointment of Chin Lan Pin as co-commissioner, the death of Viceroy Ts
- [XVIII: Investigation of the Coolie Traffic in Peru](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xviii-investigation-of-the-coolie-traffic-in-peru.md): Yung Wing returns to China in 1873 to introduce the Gatling gun, and while in Tientsin, he confronts the Peruvian Commissioner about the brutal coolie trade. At Viceroy Li Hung Chang's request, Yung Wing travels to Peru 
- [XIX: End of the Educational Mission](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xix-end-of-the-educational-mission.md): The final installment of students arrives in 1875 under new commissioner Ou Ngoh Liang, appointed by Viceroy Li Hung Chang. Yung Wing is appointed joint minister to Washington but declines, preferring to stay as Commissi
- [Journey to Peking and Death of My Wife](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xx-journey-to-peking-and-death-of-my-wife.md): Yung Wing recounts his return to China after the recall of the Chinese Educational Mission, his visit to Li Hung Chang in Tientsin, and his subsequent journey to Peking to report to the government. He describes the harsh
- [XXI: My Recall to China](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xxi-my-recall-to-china.md): Yung Wing is recalled to China by Viceroy Chang Chi Tung during the Sino-Japanese War. He proposes plans for a loan and military diversion, but they are thwarted by political rivalries. He returns to China, serves briefl
- [XXII: The Coup d'État of 1898](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xxii-the-coup-d-tat-of-1898.md): This chapter recounts the political upheaval of September 1898, when Emperor Kwang Su was deposed by Dowager Empress Chi Hsi, and the subsequent persecution of reformers. Yung Wing, who had harbored reformers, fled to Sh
- [Appendix](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/appendix.md): This appendix contains an address by the Rev. Joseph H. Twichell, delivered before the Kent Club of the Yale Law School on April 10, 1878. The address describes the Chinese Educational Mission in Hartford, Connecticut, d
- [Commissioner Yung Wing](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/commissioner-yung-wing.md): This chapter introduces Yung Wing, the driving force behind the Chinese Educational Mission to the United States. It details his humble beginnings in Macao, his early education at Mrs. Gutzlaff's school and the Morrison 
- [In Yale College](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/in-yale-college.md): Yung Wing's time at Yale College is detailed, highlighting his academic struggles and successes, his decision to forgo the ministry, his poverty, and his internal conflict between staying in America and returning to Chin
- [Taking First Steps in Life](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/taking-first-steps-in-life.md): Yung Wing, after returning to China, seeks to advance his grand scheme of modernization by gaining access to influential officials. He tries various positions—private secretary to Commissioner Parker, law student in Hong
- [Made a Mandarin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/made-a-mandarin.md): Yung Wing's perseverance through years of discouragement culminates in his appointment as a Mandarin of the fifth rank under Viceroy Tsang Koh Fan. Despite initial setbacks, including the Tientsin Massacre and the death 
- [An Opportunity Seized](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/an-opportunity-seized.md): Yung Wing, under the official control of Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan, arrives late to a commission in Tientsin but seizes the opportunity to advocate for his educational mission. With the support of three influential friends,
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/endnotes.md): This chapter contains endnotes, beginning with a definition of the Chinese doctrine of feng shui, which holds that spirits rule over winds and waters. The note explains that this belief is universal among the Chinese and

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