A Fateful Mission to the South

In the bitter winter of early 1871, Zheng Dunjin, the respected Minister of Justice, embarked on what would become the most defining and disillusioning assignment of his career. Dispatched by the imperial court to investigate the sensational assassination of Ma Xinyi, the Governor-General of Liangjiang, Zheng represented the Qing government’s determination to bring resolution to a case that had captured the nation’s attention. The journey south from Beijing to Nanjing was arduous, undertaken through snow and freezing temperatures, yet Zheng approached his task with the solemn dedication expected of a senior official of his stature.

The political atmosphere in Nanjing was tense when Zheng arrived. The city remained shaken by the brazen murder of its highest official, and all eyes turned to the investigation that would either restore confidence in imperial authority or expose the vulnerabilities of the Qing administration. Zheng understood the weight of expectations – from the imperial court, from his colleagues, and from the public who followed the case with intense interest.

The Investigation and Its Constraints

Zheng Dunjin’s investigation unfolded against a complex backdrop of regional politics and personal relationships. The most significant figure in this drama was Zeng Guofan, the powerful Governor-General who had been recalled to Nanjing following Ma’s assassination. Zeng, a senior statesman known for his role in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion, maintained considerable influence throughout the region. His presence created an invisible boundary around the investigation, limiting what could be thoroughly examined or openly discussed.

The assassin, Zhang Wenxiang, had been captured shortly after the murder, but his motives remained obscure. Various theories circulated – personal vengeance, political conspiracy, or secret society connections – yet definitive answers proved elusive. Zheng found himself navigating not only the facts of the case but also the delicate political ecosystem that surrounded it. His every move was observed, his every question analyzed for hidden meanings or implications.

The Unwelcome Gift and Its Symbolism

As the investigation drew to a close, Zeng Guofan dispatched an attendant with traveling expenses for the officials involved – one hundred taels each for the two junior officers accompanying Zheng, and two hundred taels for Zheng himself, accompanied by a personal letter from Zeng. The message carefully framed the money as a gift between colleagues rather than compensation for official duties, emphasizing that it came from Zeng’s personal funds rather than government coffers.

Zheng’s refusal of this gesture spoke volumes about his perception of the investigation’s outcome. By rejecting the money, he signaled his dissatisfaction with the resolution of the case and his unwillingness to accept what might be construed as compensation for a compromised investigation. This symbolic act established his position as an official who prioritized principle over practicality, even when confronting one of the most powerful figures in the empire.

The Official Resolution and Its Aftermath

The joint memorial submitted by Zheng and Zeng received imperial approval in early February 1871. The court granted Ma Xinyi posthumous honors according to the regulations for officials killed in battle, authorized the construction of a dedicated shrine in Nanjing, and expressed the emperor’s profound appreciation for Ma’s loyal service. The following day, Zhang Wenxiang was executed at Xiaoying in northern Nanjing.

The execution itself became a subject of intense speculation.曾国藩’s unprecedented personal attendance at the execution raised eyebrows and fueled rumors about potential complications that might have arisen without his direct supervision. The method of execution – a form of lingchi reflected the severity with which the state treated this crime against its official.

A Minister’s Crisis of Conscience

For Zheng Dunjin, the conclusion of the case brought not relief but profound disquiet. His journey back toward Beijing became a procession of melancholy and introspection. Stopping at Qingjiangpu, he was hosted by Zhang Zhaodong, the newly appointed Governor-General of Water Transport, who extended hospitality and encouraged him to stay several days.

It was during this period that Zheng made his momentous decision. Rather than continuing to Beijing to report on his mission, he would resign his position and return to his hometown. When questioned by Zhang about this unexpected change of plans, Zheng cited weariness with official life and quoted Tao Yuanming’s famous line: “Since fields and gardens are falling to neglect, why not return?” His reference to Zeng Guofan’s difficult position and compromised reputation hinted at deeper concerns about the moral compromises inherent in high office.

The Resignation and Its Implications

Zheng’s determination to resign immediately, without first reporting to the imperial court, represented a significant breach of protocol. His explanation – that waiting until after his report would make resignation impossible – revealed his understanding of the court’s likely response to his departure. When pressed for reasons, he offered eight telling characters: “Ashamed before public opinion, troubled in my conscience.”

This statement encapsulated his moral dilemma. He believed the resolution of the Ma Xinyi case had involved judicial compromise that failed to deliver true justice. While recognizing the political necessity of certain decisions, he found himself unable to continue serving while burdened by these compromises. His resignation became an act of personal integrity in the face of institutional constraints.

Reactions in the Capital

When Zheng’s two junior officers returned to Beijing without their superior, they faced immediate questioning from colleagues curious about the unusual circumstances. The news eventually reached Prince Gong, who summoned the officers to the Grand Council for a full account. The Prince then reported to the Empress Dowagers Cixi and Ci’an, who had noted Zheng’s unexpected resignation with suspicion.

The imperial reaction reflected the tension between understanding Zheng’s position and maintaining bureaucratic discipline. Empress Dowager Cixi initially expressed displeasure at Zheng’s failure to report before resigning, but accepted Prince Gong’s recommendation to handle the matter delicately. The court ultimately chose not to pursue disciplinary action, instead hoping Zheng might reconsider his resignation after a period of reflection.

Historical Context and Significance

Zheng Dunjin’s resignation occurred during a critical period of Qing history known as the Tongzhi Restoration. This era saw efforts to revitalize the empire after the massive upheavals of the Taiping Rebellion and other mid-century crises. The case revealed the ongoing tensions between central authority and regional power, between legal principle and political practicality, and between personal integrity and official duty.

The Ma Xinyi assassination and its investigation exposed the limitations of Qing justice even as the government sought to project an image of stability and competence. High-profile cases involving senior officials tested the system’s ability to balance transparency with political considerations, often with unsatisfactory results for those involved.

Cultural and Social Impacts

The case captured public imagination and became the subject of widespread discussion and speculation. The unusual aspects – a high official assassinated in broad daylight, the prominent investigator’s abrupt resignation, the personal involvement of senior figures like Zeng Guofan – fueled rumors and theories that persisted long after the official resolution.

Zheng’s resignation in particular resonated with literati traditions of withdrawing from service when principles could not be maintained. His actions evoked historical precedents of scholar-officials choosing retirement over compromise, thus positioning himself within a respected Confucian tradition of principled dissent through withdrawal rather than confrontation.

Legacy and Modern Relevance

Zheng Dunjin’s story offers enduring insights into the challenges of maintaining integrity within complex bureaucratic systems. His decision to resign rather than continue serving under compromised circumstances raises questions about the possibilities for ethical action within political institutions that remain relevant today.

The case also illustrates the often unrecorded personal costs of historical events. While official records might document the facts of the investigation and its outcome, Zheng’s personal struggle and ultimate departure reveal the human dimension of historical processes typically presented as impersonal administrative actions.

Historians continue to debate the full circumstances of the Ma Xinyi assassination and the investigation that followed. Zheng’s resignation remains a pivotal moment that signals the investigation’s limitations and the difficult choices faced by officials operating between principle and practicality in late imperial China.

The story endures as a reminder that historical events are shaped not only by policies and decisions but by the personal moral calculations of those who implement them. Zheng Dunjin’s resignation stands as a testament to one official’s refusal to let political necessity completely override personal conscience, even at the cost of a distinguished career.