A Retrospect of Political and Commercial Affairs in China 1868 to 1872

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. Excerpt from book: Section 3RETROSPECT T I OP POLITICAL EVENTS IN CHINA AND JAPAN DURING FIVE YEARS (1868 TO;i872.) 8 e s Political. We are glad to begin our sketch of events during 1868 with a less gloomy picture than we have had to draw in previous years. We are able to chronicle the suppression of the insurgent hordes who had been so long devastating Northern China, and the restoration of comparative tranquillity throughout the country. More than one report came down in the early part of the year, of brilliant success which afterwards proved to be utter failure. A statement that Li and Tso had succeeded in hemming in and exterminating the Nienfei in Shantung, was followed by information of a combined inroad, by the latter and the Mahomedan insurgents of the North- West, into the Metropolitan province; and for some months the treaty port of Tientsin, and even the capital itself, was thought to be in danger. Eventually, however, the insurgent force retired as it had advanced, pretty nearly unmolested; and new rumours came of strategical movements by the various Imperial Commanders, having for their object to surround and utterly crush their opponents. Nature eventually came to their aid; a flood effected what they had been unable to accomplish. Hemmed in between the waters on one side and the Imperialist forces on the other, the Nienfei bands were brought to bay, attacked and routed with fearful slaughter. The rapid movements which had thus far defeated the exertions of their pursuers could no longer avail them, and the superior organisation and armament of the latter told their true tale. The Nienfei rebellion was extinguished; and the Generals who effected this result, restored to the favour which their delay had shaken, were ordered baok to their respective I seats of Government?Li-huug-chang to the ...