The Scramble for China and French Ambitions in the Southwest

The late 19th century witnessed Western powers carving spheres of influence across China during what became known as the “Scramble for Concessions.” Among these colonial aggressors, France set its sights on China’s resource-rich southwestern regions, using Vietnam as a springboard for expansion. By the 1880s, French forces had advanced toward Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, threatening China’s territorial integrity.

This encroachment alarmed Feng Zicai, a retired 70-year-old former Guangxi military commander. Despite having left active service, Feng conducted reconnaissance missions into Vietnam and repeatedly urged Qing authorities to strengthen border defenses. His warnings gained urgency in December 1883 when French Admiral Courbet launched a surprise attack against Chinese troops in northern Vietnam, marking the beginning of the Sino-French War (1883-1885).

The Collapse of Qing Defenses and Feng’s Call to Arms

French forces, armed with modern artillery and disciplined troops, quickly overpowered the unprepared Qing armies. As defeats mounted, the Qing court desperately recalled Feng Zicai from retirement, tasking him with organizing local militias across four prefectures. Despite lacking official funding or authority, Feng established nine regional defense groups within months. His elite 500-man “Cui Army” from Qinzhou would later form the backbone of resistance.

The situation deteriorated in February 1885 when French troops captured Zhennan Pass (modern Friendship Pass), the strategic gateway to Guangxi. In a symbolic act of humiliation, they dynamited the pass’s fortifications and erected a wooden plaque declaring: “The gates of Guangxi no longer exist!” This provocation galvanized Feng into action. Newly appointed Viceroy Zhang Zhidong authorized Feng to lead eighteen battalions to the front as deputy commander of Guangxi border defenses.

Preparing for the Decisive Battle

Before departing, the white-haired general performed ancestral rites and instructed his family: “If the battle turns against us, our homeland will be lost. Return to our ancestral lands in Jiangnan rather than live under foreign domination.” Bringing his two sons to war, Feng demonstrated his willingness to sacrifice everything for his country—a resolve that inspired both troops and civilians.

The military situation appeared dire. French forces held the advantage in weaponry and morale, while Qing defenses were in disarray after the previous commander’s retreat. Recognizing Feng’s experience and integrity, frontline officers unanimously elected him as supreme field commander. He immediately began fortifying positions at Guanqian’ai, a narrow mountain pass near Zhennan. His defensive preparations included:
– A 3-li (1.5 km) stone-earth barrier across the valley
– Deep trenches flanking the wall
– Multiple artillery positions on the eastern and western ridges
– Strategic placement of his best troops at critical points

The Battle That Shook an Empire

On March 23, 1885, French commander de Négrier launched a two-pronged assault under cover of fog. Despite losing three eastern ridge artillery positions initially, Feng’s forces held firm. When some Qing officers suggested retreat, the aged general drew his sword and declared: “I shall stand or fall with this wall! We will rebuild Guangxi’s gates with French heads!”

The following morning, as 8,000 French troops attacked again, the 70-year-old Feng tied a handkerchief around his head, donned straw sandals, and led a spear-wielding charge over the barricades—his sons close behind. This unprecedented counterattack stunned the French, whose troops were unprepared for close-quarters combat. After hours of brutal fighting, Qing forces recaptured lost positions and surrounded the invaders.

By March 25, Feng ordered a general offensive that annihilated the French vanguard, killing over 1,000 soldiers. Pursuing the retreating forces, Chinese troops reclaimed Wen Yuan and laid siege to Lang Son (Liangshan) in Vietnam. A brilliant tactical maneuver—feigning attack on Driv while secretly assaulting Lang Son—resulted in another decisive victory on March 28, leaving French commander de Négrier severely wounded.

Victory Betrayed: The Paradox of Zhennan Pass

These victories marked a historic turning point:
– They represented the Qing dynasty’s first major victory against a Western power
– The defeats triggered political crisis in France, toppling Prime Minister Jules Ferry’s government
– Chinese morale soared as Feng’s forces liberated additional territories

Yet in a tragic irony, the Qing government—fearing prolonged conflict—signed the Treaty of Tianjin on June 9, 1885. The agreement recognized French dominance over Vietnam and granted commercial privileges in southwest China, creating the infamous “victory-in-defeat” paradox where military success translated into diplomatic surrender.

Legacy of a National Hero

Though the treaty nullified his battlefield achievements, Feng Zicai became a legendary figure:
– His innovative defensive tactics at Zhennan Pass are still studied in military academies
– The campaign demonstrated that Western forces could be defeated with proper strategy and morale
– Poet Huang Zunxian immortalized him in “General Feng’s Song,” praising his indomitable spirit

When Feng returned from the front, villagers lined roads for miles, offering incense and firecrackers in tribute. His story endures as both a testament to Chinese resilience and a cautionary tale about how political weakness can undermine military valor—a lesson echoing through modern discussions about sovereignty and national dignity.