Course Of Life And Ups And Downs In The Official Circles: Preliminary Study On Yang Fang

Yang Fang, who was born in Xi Cheng, Yin County, Zhe Jiang province (now it is named as Ning Bo city, Zhe Jiang province), lived in Ning Bo in his early life, and left Ning Bo in Dao Guang 23 year, Qing dynasty (year 1843) and made a living in Shanghai when he was the comprador in Yi He Firm. When Yang Fang got rich, he opened a private bank named as"Tai Ji"mainly dealing with raw silk, and tea and opium trades were also dealt simultaneously at the Yong'an Street, East Men, Shanghai.In Dao Guang 25 (year 1845), Yang Fang accepts the millet to enter cheng jun and stepped into officialdom formly. In the 1st year, Xian Feng (year 1851), Yang Fang was promoted as grain Taotai of susongchang town. In August, 1st year of Xian Feng, Qing dynasty, Shanghai Small-Sword Society Uprising went up, the insurrectionary army led by Liu Li Chuan; Pan Qi Liang took the county town of Shanghai. Yang Fang, ordered by Ji Er Hang A, the governer of Jiang Su province, was responsible for military supplies and successfully suppressed the Small-Sword Society Uprising. Later, Yang Fang was promoted as Salt Controller.In April of Year 10, Xian Feng (year 1860), Taiping rebellion army led by Li Xiu Cheng occupied Suzhou, Qing Pu, etc. and launched attack to Shanghai. Shanghai official-merchant group led by Xue Huan, Wu Xu and Yang Fang felt the great crisis, and Yang Fang actively contacted with parties, seeking for military guarantee, and safeguarded Shanghai by foreign military force. In May of year 10, Xian Feng, Qing dynasty (year 1860), Hua Er came to Shanghai and made the acquaintance of Yang Fang by being introduced by American merchants. Upon negotiation, Yang Fang, Wu Xu and Hua Er reached an agreement that they decided to build up an army led by Hua Er and supervised by Wu Xu, Yang Fang Lead and made financial contribution to defend against Taiping army.Year 9, Xian Feng (year 1859), British and French joined force decided to go to Beijing to change the agreement. During the period of British and French joined force invasion to China, Yang Fang gathered information between Qing government and Britain and France and played the role of middleman.In the spring of 1st year, Tong Zhi (year 1862), Li Hong Zhang, leading Huai Army, went to Shanghai to fight against Tai Ping army with British and French joined force and "Ever Triumphant Army". When Li Hong Zhang and Huai Army enter Shanghai, Shanghai official-merchant group to which Yang Fang belongs is at a disvantage place in the competition with Li Hong Zhang."Bai Qi Wen event"especially delivers a heavy blow to Yang Fang. Along with reorganization and dissolve of foreign rifle detachment, Yang Fang finally quiets the historical stage and disappears.