When it comes to Li Hongzhang, everyone's first impression will be that he signed a series of unequal treaties with the great powers on behalf of the Qing government, including treaty of shimonoseki, which deepened China's national crisis, and the Treaty of Xin Chou, which completely reduced China to a semi-colonial and semi-feudal society. It was the signing of these treaties that made many people misunderstand Li Hongzhang and regard him as a traitor. And Li Hongzhang has been under this stigma until today. We can see that Li Hongzhang is not a useless person. On the contrary, he is very talented. Leading the troops to suppress the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement, organizing the New Westernization Movement and participating in the Sino-Japanese War all showed his loyalty to the Qing government.

Li Hongzhang made great contributions to the rise and development of the Westernization Movement. Because of this, he was often obstructed by the feudal die-hards in the Qing court, so he was not favored by the feudal forces led by Empress Dowager Cixi. In addition, Li Hongzhang is very good at handling foreign affairs, so he often deals with other countries. On the one hand, he can handle many important negotiations on behalf of the Qing government and improve his diplomatic skills. On the other hand, the Qing government will also send him to sign unequal treaties with foreign powers, forcing China to cede its interests. In this way, Li Hongzhang is a veritable traitor.

Even though he was reluctant, Li Hongzhang could not despise imperial power and disobey orders. On the one hand, the court gave orders to itself, on the other hand, the people complained and abused themselves. Li Hongzhang, who can't change the reality, can only choose obedience. Therefore, Li Hongzhang did not refuse to sign the "Xin Chou Treaty", but he only signed the word "Su" instead of his name. Many people say, this? Sue? In fact, it is a similar word formed by splicing the three words Li Hongzhang vertically. Anyway, in such a solemn signing occasion, what is Li Hongzhang's intention of not signing his name?

In fact, anyone who knows Li Hongzhang should know that he was once awarded the title of first-class Su Yibo. And then what? Sue? It just happened to be his name, which was given to him by the Qing government. So, what did Li Hongzhang write when signing the "Xin Chou Treaty"? Sue? Words, not his name, which of course also contains some intentions.

First, whether signing the "Xin Chou Treaty" or "treaty of shimonoseki", or other treaties that harm national interests, basically the Qing court will send Li Hongzhang to negotiate and solve them. At this time, Li Hongzhang represented not only himself, but the Qing government. Then he chose to sign an unequal treaty, which was also the order of the Qing government. At this time, if he signed his name, it would represent himself except the Qing court. And he himself is not willing to bear such a stigma, so he can't sign his name on the treaty. Just right? Sue? The word was given to him by the Qing government. Changing the signature on the treaty into this word shows that he made such a decision on the orders of the Qing court rather than his own will.

Second, every time Li Hongzhang signed an unequal treaty, he would be scolded and puzzled by everyone. Although he only obeyed orders, he directly participated in the Qing court. Traitor? Behavior, so to some extent, everyone thinks his behavior is unforgivable.