The Mentor and the Protégé: The Relationship Between Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang

In the waning years of the Qing Dynasty, few relationships shaped China’s political landscape as profoundly as that between Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang. Years after their initial collaboration, Li—by then a powerful regional governor—would often reflect with deep gratitude: “Without Lord Zeng, there would be no Li Hongzhang.” Though they eventually stood as equals in rank, Li’s rise was inextricably tied to Zeng’s mentorship. The phrase “Zeng-Li” became synonymous with late Qing military and political leadership, but without Zeng’s foundational influence, Li’s legacy might never have materialized.

Zeng’s patronage of Li began when the latter joined Zeng’s staff, but it reached its zenith with the creation of the Huai Army—a force that would propel Li to prominence and redefine China’s military modernization.

Shanghai’s Strategic Emergence in the Taiping Rebellion

Shanghai, once a modest fishing village under Jiangsu Province, had languished in obscurity for centuries. Its fortunes changed dramatically after the First Opium War (1839–1842), when it was designated a treaty port. By the 1850s, it had eclipsed Guangzhou as southern China’s economic hub. The Taiping Rebellion (1850–1864) further accelerated its growth, as wealthy families fleeing Nanjing’s fall in 1853 poured their riches into the city.

Shanghai’s economic and strategic value made it a prize for both the Qing government and the Taiping rebels. Yet, despite repeated Taiping assaults, the city held firm—thanks largely to foreign intervention. The Qing’s local governor, Xue Huan, proved inept, leaving Shanghai precariously suspended between two powers, reliant on foreign arms for survival.

The Desperate Plea for Reinforcements

After Taiping general Li Xiucheng captured Hangzhou, Shanghai’s elite grew increasingly desperate. A delegation approached Zeng Guofan, then overseeing four provinces, begging for military protection. Knowing Zeng’s financial constraints, they dangled a tantalizing offer: 600,000 taels of silver monthly in exchange for troops.

Zeng, though tempted, demurred, citing his focus on besieging the Taiping capital at Nanjing. The delegates returned empty-handed, only to be chastised by their peers for their blunt approach. “Zeng is a Confucian scholar,” they were told. “Appeal to his sense of duty, not his purse.”

A revised appeal, penned by local official Qian Dingming and scholar Feng Guifen, struck the right chord. Framed as a moral imperative—a plea to save Shanghai’s populace from devastation—it resonated deeply with Zeng’s Confucian ideals. Qian’s emotional account of Shanghai’s vulnerability sealed the deal: Zeng agreed to send reinforcements.

The Birth of the Huai Army

Zeng’s initial plan to dispatch his brother, Zeng Guoquan, was rebuffed. Left without options, he turned to Li Hongzhang, who offhandedly suggested raising a new army. Recognizing the brilliance of this idea, Zeng tasked Li with recruiting troops from Anhui—a region known for its hardy, disciplined populace.

Unlike the Hunan Army (Zeng’s own creation), the Huai Army was assembled with remarkable speed. Li leveraged existing local militias, reorganizing them under the Hunan Army’s structure. By mid-1862, the Huai Army numbered over 10,000 men. Its composition differed starkly from the Hunan Army: its officers were less scholarly, its ranks more diverse, and—critically—it would soon adopt modern firearms, setting the stage for China’s military modernization.

The Perilous Journey to Shanghai

Transporting the Huai Army to Shanghai posed a logistical nightmare. Overland routes were fraught with Taiping-controlled territories, risking catastrophic losses. Li proposed a daring alternative: secure British ships to ferry the troops by sea.

Shanghai’s elites eagerly arranged the transport, but Jiangsu Governor Xue Huan balked, fearing Li’s arrival would cost him his position. Qian Dingming’s pragmatic warning—”Without the Huai Army, you’ll lose your head to the Taiping”—swayed Xue. The British vessels were secured, and by June 1862, the Huai Army had safely arrived in Shanghai.

Li Hongzhang’s Ascendancy and Zeng’s Final Counsel

Before Li’s departure, Zeng imparted a final lesson drawn from Confucian principles: “In dealing with foreigners, adhere to loyalty, trustworthiness, diligence, and respect.” These words would guide Li’s diplomatic engagements in Shanghai, where he navigated complex interactions with Western powers.

Zeng’s influence was evident in Li’s swift appointment as Jiangsu’s new governor, replacing Xue Huan. With this, the “Hunan Clique” solidified its dominance over key southern provinces, marking a seismic shift in Qing politics.

The Huai Army’s Legacy: Modernization and Beyond

The Huai Army’s arrival in Shanghai was more than a military maneuver—it was a catalyst for change. Under Li’s leadership, the force rapidly modernized, adopting advanced firearms and Western drilling techniques. This transformation mirrored Li’s own evolution from a traditional scholar-official to a pragmatic reformer.

Culturally, the Huai Army’s rise underscored the declining influence of Confucian elitism in military affairs. Its officers, often less educated than their Hunan counterparts, represented a shift toward meritocratic pragmatism.

In the long term, Li’s stewardship of the Huai Army laid the groundwork for China’s Self-Strengthening Movement (1861–1895), an early attempt to blend Western technology with Chinese institutions. Though the Qing’s eventual collapse loomed, the Huai Army’s legacy endured in China’s ongoing struggle to modernize.

Conclusion: The Indelible Mark of a Mentorship

The story of Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang is one of mentorship, ambition, and adaptation. Without Zeng’s guidance, Li might never have risen to prominence; without Li’s Huai Army, Shanghai—and perhaps the Qing Dynasty—might have fallen sooner. Their partnership exemplifies the interplay of tradition and innovation in a crumbling empire, offering timeless lessons on leadership and legacy.