My Life in China and America · Chapter
XIII: My Interviews with Tsang Kwoh Fan explained
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.
What happens
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 Viceroy, who wants him to join the government service. Upon arrival, Yung Wing learns of the Viceroy's plan to establish a machine shop in China and offers his views on creating a fundamental machine shop that can reproduce others. The chapter also provides a detailed character sketch of Tsang Kwoh Fan, highlighting his integrity, patriotism, and role in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion.
Themes in this chapter
Modernization vs. Tradition
Yung Wing's proposal for a fundamental machine shop reflects the tension between adopting Western industrial methods and preserving Chinese traditions.
Corruption and Personal Integrity
The chapter contrasts Tsang Kwoh Fan's incorruptibility and poverty with Li Hung Chang's vast fortune, highlighting the theme of personal integrity in public service.
Patriotism and Loyalty to China
Tsang Kwoh Fan is portrayed as a patriotic figure who dedicated his life to restoring peace and order to China, and Yung Wing's desire to help China become prosperous and strong is evident.
Characters to notice
- Yung Wing
Receives letters from Tsang Kwoh Fan's secretaries, deliberates on the invitation, and eventually meets the Viceroy to discuss the machine shop project.
- Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan
The powerful Viceroy who invites Yung Wing to join his service, known for his integrity and role in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion.
- Chang Shi Kwei
Old friend and secretary to Tsang Kwoh Fan, who writes the initial letters inviting Yung Wing to Ngan Khing.
- Li Sien Lan
Distinguished mathematician and astronomer who writes to Yung Wing, explaining the Viceroy's interest and helping to dispel Yung Wing's doubts.
- Li Hung Chang
Mentioned as Tsang Kwoh Fan's protégé and successor, who left a large fortune, contrasting with Tsang's poverty.
Key passages
“He wanted me to give up my mercantile business altogether and identify myself under him in the service of the state government, and asked whether or not I could come down to Ngan Khing at once.”
Tsang Kwoh Fan requested that Yung Wing abandon his trading business and join the government service under his command, asking if he could come to Ngan Khing immediately.
This is the key moment where Yung Wing is offered a government position.
“Tsang Kwoh Fan was a most remarkable character in Chinese history. He was regarded by his contemporaries as a great scholar and a learned man.”
Tsang Kwoh Fan was an exceptional figure in Chinese history, esteemed by his peers as a profound scholar and intellectual.
Yung Wing provides a character assessment of Tsang Kwoh Fan.
“I said that as I was not an expert in the matter, my opinions or suggestions might not be worth much, but nevertheless from my personal observation in the United States and from a commonsense point of view, I would say that a machine shop in the present state of China should be of a general and fundamental character and not one for specific purposes.”
Yung Wing humbly stated that while he was not an expert, based on his American experience, he believed China should establish a general-purpose machine shop that could produce other machine shops, rather than a specialized one.
Yung Wing shares his vision for industrial development in China.
