My Life in China and America · Chapter
Made a Mandarin explained
Yung Wing's perseverance through years of discouragement culminates in his appointment as a Mandarin of the fifth rank under Viceroy Tsang Koh Fan.
What happens
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 of a key ally, Wing's advocacy for educational reform gains traction among influential officials, leading to his mission to purchase machinery for the Kiang Nan Arsenal and his eventual advancement to the fourth rank.
Themes in this chapter
Education as a Tool for National Reform
Yung Wing's persistent advocacy for educating Chinese youth to serve as representatives in international affairs, despite years of discouragement.
Patriotism and Loyalty to China
Wing's intense patriotism, demonstrated by his resumption of native dress and his dedication to advancing China's civilization, even through establishing an arsenal.
Corruption and Personal Integrity
Wing's integrity in declining a military command he felt unqualified for and his honest use of entrusted funds for machinery purchases.
Modernization vs. Tradition
The tension between Wing's reformist ideas and the conservative forces opposing them, as seen in the delay of his memorial due to traditional mourning customs.
Characters to notice
- Yung Wing
Endures years of trial and loneliness, persists in his educational reform plan, and is appointed Mandarin of the fifth rank, later advancing to the fourth.
- Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan
One of the three influential officials convinced by Wing's arguments; offers Wing a military command and later sends him abroad to purchase machinery.
- Li Hung Chang
One of the three officials impressed by Wing's reasoning; later becomes Viceroy of Chihli and a key supporter of Wing's project.
- Governor Ting
The most willing of the three officials; makes representations to Imperial Minister Wan Cheang and advises Wing to address a memorial to the Imperial Council.
- Wan Cheang
Imperial Minister who agrees to commend Wing's memorial to the Council but is forced into retirement due to his mother's death, delaying the project.
Key passages
“years of great trial to Yung Wing. He was prospering, indeed, in one point of view, but the hope to which he was devoted was so long deferred that his heart was often sick.”
Yung Wing faced many difficult years, though he was financially successful, his cherished hope was delayed so long that he often felt disheartened.
Highlights Wing's emotional struggle despite outward prosperity.
“It began to come to his ears now and than that his American and English friends in China were whispering it among themselves that he was a failure, that he had had a noble chance and had not known how to improve it; that he was impracticable; and that this scheme of his was utterly visionary and could never be successful.”
He heard rumors that his foreign friends considered him a failure, impractical, and his scheme visionary and impossible, which only strengthened his resolve.
Shows how criticism motivated Wing to persist.
“The result of the interview was that Wing entered his service and was made a Mandarin of the fifth rank, there being nine degrees of that dignity in the Chinese official system.”
Following the meeting, Wing joined Tsang Koh Fan's service and was appointed to the fifth rank of the nine-tiered Mandarin system.
Marks Wing's official entry into Chinese government service.
