When Empress Dowager Cixi arranged for Li Hongzhang and others to negotiate with Eight-Nation Alliance, Eight-Nation Alliance made a request that 12 culprits must be executed, including many princes and ministers. Empress Dowager Cixi later agreed to Eight-Nation Alliance's request to kill and exile these princes and ministers in order to protect her rights.
One of them, a military strategist named Zhao Shuqiao, had an accident when dealing with him. Zhao Shuqiao was an orphan since childhood and was brought up by his aunt. He is a very sensible and diligent person, so his career went smoothly later. Since he became an official, he has been a clean and honest man for 25 years. When drought and flood hit his place, he also offered his own money to make up for the losses of the victims. At the worst of the disaster, I also asked my family to sew clothes for the affected people day and night.
Therefore, the Qing court did not intend to really kill Zhao Shuqiao at first, but sentenced him to be dismissed from office and remain in office. Later, this incident was known by foreigners, who disagreed and put pressure on the Qing court again and again. Later, dismissal and retention became suspended sentences, equivalent to death penalty. The foreigner still insisted on making a decision, but the Qing court had no choice but to sentence him to make a decision. After the story spread, it caused great repercussions.
Because Zhao Shuqiao won the hearts of the people, some gentry in Xi 'an joined more than 300 people to petition the court, demanding that Zhao Shuqiao be exempted from the death penalty. Later, more and more people petitioned, and nearly 10000 people claimed to rob the court. Empress Dowager Cixi dared not oppose these people. But he didn't dare to offend the G8. Later, he had to change the decision of the death penalty, and let Zhao Shuqiao die quietly at home, under the supervision of Shaanxi Governor.