Speaking of Li Hongzhang, we know that he is a controversial figure in modern history. He led the Westernization Movement and promoted the modernization process in the late Qing Dynasty. But he also signed many unequal treaties on behalf of the Qing government, so many people said he was a traitor. But as modern people, we still have to look back at that period of history, and Li Hongzhang's merits and demerits should also be viewed from two aspects.

For Li Hongzhang, many people think that he is wronged. After all, he was not the only one in charge of the Qing regime. Even if a treaty is to be signed, it is signed at the instigation of the ruler, not his own will. As a diplomat, he never wanted to fight for the rights and interests of the Qing government. Otherwise, he would not launch the Westernization Movement to make the Qing government stronger, or even go abroad for inspection, hoping to find a way to change the status quo. Especially when treaty of shimonoseki was signed, Li Hongzhang went to deal with foreigners alone, and everything he did was to clean up the mess for Empress Dowager Cixi at that time.

For Cixi, she completely healed the scar and forgot the pain. Just after signing treaty of shimonoseki, she actually wanted to form an alliance with the Boxer Rebellion to fight against foreigners. As a result, this incident caused great dissatisfaction among foreigners. In the end, Eight-Nation Alliance invaded China, which brought more disasters to the Qing government. At this time, Li Hongzhang had to come out to clean up the mess and sign a treaty of shame and ugliness, and he himself knew that once this treaty was signed, he would definitely be a sinner through the ages.

He was able to sign this word because the Manchu government once gave Li Hongzhang a new name, Su Yibo. He signed this word on behalf of the Qing government, but he made a choice, so people in later generations lamented Li Hongzhang's intention to sign this word.