Ding is from Lujiang County, Anhui Province. His parents died when he was a teenager, so he joined Cheng Xueqi's Taiping Army in 1854. 186 1 year joined the Huai army under the command of Li Hongzhang with Cheng Xueqi. Because of his bravery, he has repeatedly made meritorious military service in several years. Later, he was awarded the title of "Yongtulu" by the Pakistan Association. 1879, because of his bravery and loyalty, he was transferred to Beiyang Haiphong by Li Hongzhang and became his confidant. 1888, Beiyang navy officially became an army, and was recommended by Li Hongzhang as the prefect to command the whole navy. This year, he was just 43 years old.
At the same time, Ding's opponent, who is similar in age, is the commander of the Japanese navy, Ito Heng, who was born in a regular naval school. After graduation, he joined the Japanese navy and was proficient in naval warfare for a long time. Ding, born in the army, whose main merit is to suppress the peasant army, has no naval experience. Can he be a navy prefect? Is it because Li Hongzhang is cronyism?
Beiyang Navy was founded by Li Hongzhang and attached great importance to it. The personnel employed here must be reliable and capable, so as to control and control this fleet. To create a new army that can be put into battle immediately in a short time, commanders must have profound qualifications and rich experience. Compared with other generals with training background, Ding is the best candidate with the deepest qualifications, the richest combat experience and the greatest military exploits.
Ding (1836 ~1895.2.6438+02) was the prefect of Beiyang Navy in Qing Dynasty.
After Ding entered the navy, he began to study modern naval knowledge seriously. From the large number of handwritten documents and telegrams he left behind, it can be seen that he has a strong professional learning ability, and soon became familiar with the various businesses of the fleet, personally grasping the daily management of the navy, the training of soldiers and the repair of ships. On one occasion, the coal sent to the army was less 10 tons, and Ding personally took charge of the recovery work until it was full. He is personally in management and takes the lead in the battle. Ding participated in all the battles and major actions in beiyang fleet except the Toshima naval battle, and fought bravely. In the Yellow Sea naval battle, his right face, neck and feet were injured, but he refused to enter the cabin to rest. Instead, he sat on the deck and continued to command and inspire the soldiers.
Later, some scholars pointed out that in the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, he led his troops into Weihai Bay to escape the war. In fact, is he really afraid of fighting, passively protecting ships and delaying fighters?
It is now proved that Ding was instructed by Li Hongzhang's defensive policy of protecting ships and making enemies, and was forced to lead an army into Weihai Bay, so that the Japanese army landed from Rongcheng Mountain and occupied all the batteries on both sides of Ahava. But he is only the executor of this policy.
After the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Ding was repeatedly punished unfairly, such as being removed from office. In a letter to general Dai Zongqian, he said: Now I am guilty, and many people blame us, but I will not take care of my health. I'm guilty of not sending troops, my defense is weak, and I will send troops if I can't take care of the back road. This shows that he is determined to die. Although the ruling and opposition accused him of passive avoidance of war, although he only carried out orders, he never defended himself and prepared for war.
So he can bear the burden of humiliation, why did he finally choose to commit suicide?
1on February 3, 894, the Japanese army carried out land and sea encirclement, and Ding stuck to the isolated island and led the fleet to repel the enemy's eight attacks. Beiyang fleet suffered heavy losses, was stranded in an isolated island and was in a desperate situation. When a soldier suggested to him to surrender, he was angered: my governor will definitely come out, but I will die first, and I can never sit idly by! The Japanese army sent a letter of surrender, and Ding firmly said that he would never give up serving the country, and today he had to die as a minister!
When all the ammunition was exhausted, Ding sent Xia Jingchun, a subordinate, to swim to the other side in the biting seawater in winter, and asked Chen Fenglou, the governor of Shandong Province for help, hoping that he would send troops to support him. But instead of support, the army retreated. Loyal Xia Jingchun didn't escape alone, but swam through the biting sea and returned to Liu Gongdao to share life and death with everyone.
Knowing that the tide was over, Ding finally wrote a letter to the prefect Ito Sukehiro to protect the soldiers from being slaughtered: I implore you not to kill soldiers and civilians, and I am willing to hand over all the weapons of the fleet and battery. The commander of the British fleet will testify to what I said. Tomohiro Ito said to the emissary on the spot: I don't need any witnesses. Ding is the only one I trust. When Ding got Ito's promise to release the soldiers, he put his life and death in a secondary position.
While making the decision to surrender, Ding was still preparing for a final counterattack against the Japanese army. He suggested that he might survive several warships when he met enemy ships, and he would have a chance to live in Yantai, but his army was distracted and no one responded. He also proposed to sink the Zhenyuan ship, but no one carried it out. At this time, I knew that I was unable to save Ding Beiyang Navy. After appeasing everyone, he went back to his room alone and committed suicide by swallowing opium.
After Ding committed suicide, Emperor Guangxu ordered the confiscation of all his property, and the Ministry of Punishment ordered the coffin to be bound and locked with three copper hoops and painted with black paint to show guilt, and no burial was allowed. His wife swallowed gold and died, and his family was forced to live in a foreign land.
The Japanese army respected Ding and committed suicide after the defeat. Kogasawara, captain of the Japanese navy, said that Ding died a fair death, and he bravely resisted the Japanese attack. After doing my best, I finally committed suicide to save my men. This is really a righteous war, and there is a righteous fall.
Ding's death has always been controversial, and there is no conclusion yet. But in the absence of foreign aid, the enemy was strong and we were weak, and he still fought bravely against the enemy until he gave his life to serve the country. This kind of integrity is worthy of respect and commemoration by future generations!
He is a hero, a hero with a strong tragic color!
Ding showed a firmer patriotism and higher national integrity than his compatriots, which is worthy of the pride of China people. ——《 *** 》
Data appendix:
The surrender letter to the Beiyang navy prefect Ding is to be written on the day of the Sino-Japanese War.
Meiji 28th year 1 20th.
Earl nodded to the mountain.
Ito Yoo genton's head.
Letters from Lieutenant General Tomohiro Ito, Commander-in-Chief of imperial japanese navy, and Ding Junmen Chang Ru, Prefect of Beiyang Navy in Qing Dynasty;
With the change of times, it is unfortunate for your servant to fight with you on the battlefield. However, today's event is also a national event, not a personal grudge, so the friendship between your servant and you is as warm as yesterday. Is the servant of this book still trying to persuade the Qing prefect and the author? Everything in the world is fascinated by the authorities and commented by onlookers. Today's people are so confused by what they see. Although they have plans for the national economy and the people's livelihood, they are all covered by public and private affairs at present. Friends should feel free to tell the truth and let them think twice. Servants blaspheme you only out of friendship and sincerity. I hope you think twice.
The reason why Lien Chan joined the Qing Second Army in the north, if you make an investigation with an open mind, it is not difficult to see the reason for his defeat at once, and with your wisdom, you can confirm the known trial. Those who have lost today in the Qing dynasty are not guilty of their own crimes, covering up their ruthlessness and not knowing the reasons for the change. The husband must take the exam, and the exam must take the exam of literature and art, so there must be literary promotion in the dynasty. Literature and art are the steps of glory. Is it enough to help my husband? At present, it is like the past. Although it is not beautiful, it can make Guoguo independent and lonely. Can we not recover today? In the first 30 years, you know very well how hard my state affairs in Japan were and how I avoided death. At this time, our country is really eager to get rid of the old rule, adapt to the times and carry out the New Deal, thinking that the survival of the country is one of the main plans. In today's country, it is imperative to get rid of the old and seek the new. If you follow them, the country will be at peace; Otherwise, how can we avoid the number of destruction? If you fight Japan, you will be defeated, and it will take a long time to decide.
When the country is poor and weak, how can a courtier who is sincere to the country devote himself to the surging waves and serve the country? For thousands of years, Wan Li is criss-crossed, with a huge territory in history and the oldest country in space, which makes it prosperous and difficult to suppress. Husband's building collapsed, and not a tree was reached. If you see that the situation is impossible, it will not be profitable at that time, that is, surrender the enemy with the ship rights of the whole army, from the perspective of the rise and fall of the country. Why do you care about some details? I swear by the sun, I dare ask you to go to Japan temporarily. Lord Chehala will spare no effort to wait for the revival of your country one day and announce your achievements to repay your country. Your Excellency has the honor to listen.
It goes without saying that there are many examples in your country's history that will be remembered as a great ambition. Former French President Dumb Hen once surrendered to the enemy and waited for the opportunity; Later, he returned to China to help the country and changed the previous politics, but France did not disgrace his mission and still promoted him as president. Turkey's dumb smo always smoked incense, and Fuganali was defeated, and the city was trapped and became a prisoner. As soon as he returned to China, he rose to the high position of Fu and became a great hero in reforming the military system. So far, no one has scratched his great ideas. If you come to Japan, your servant can guarantee the magnanimity of His Majesty the Emperor. Do you only forgive those who harbor my Majesty's rebellious subjects? For example, Ben vice admiral, consultant of Big Bird, etc. , measuring their talents, appointing officials and making exceptions. Today, people who are not subjects of their own country, but who are famous and prestigious, will get several times more preferential treatment.
There are two endings that you have to decide today: Ren Fu, your country still doesn't understand, and you stick to the conventional wisdom, so that you can't reach the extreme and die together? Or do you think you can save your strength for another day? Soldiers in your country have always exchanged letters with enemy countries, and most of them reward each other with brave words, or show off their strength or cover up their weaknesses, thinking that they can make a difference. The servant's letter is based on the sincerity of friendship and is never careless. Please look at it. If you are lucky enough to accommodate your feelings, you will return the book. On the implementation method, it will be explained in detail.
I want to publish the above contents.