A Study On Chen Bi In The Boxer Rebellion Period

The Shuntian prefectural office was established during the reign of the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, with five sub-prefectures and nineteen counties under its administration. While its administrative district covered the strategic region of the capital Beijing and its environs, the Shuntian prefectural office was the highest rank of local administrative organization. During the Qing Dynasty, the status of Shuntian office was further strengthened, and the administration of greater Beijing area was evolved into relying mainly on Shuntian prefectural office, with garrison forces and five-city censors as subsidiaries. Shuntian prefectural magistrate was a prominent official that had distinctive influence toward the city of Beijing, and it was in charge of the jurisdictional and administrative affairs.In 1900, numerous uprising Boxers swarmed into Beijing to fight against the foreign religions. They attacked churches and burned down embassies, destroying everything attached to foreigners. The Eight-Nation Alliance troops seized Beijing in the lunar seventh month and made unprecedented destructions to the capital, which greatly altered the history of modern China.As one of the officials that stayed behind in Beijing, Chen Bi was promoted from a modest position to Shuntian magistrate. He made great efforts to restore the city of Beijing, including maintaining public security, assisting the people, normalizing commerce, developing modern education, et cetera. Meanwhile, Chen Bi, as one of the outstanding figures resorting to western approaches, made innovative attempts in constructing the Beijing city. Though restricted by his official rank, Chen Bi was connected to several high officials through his social network, which firmly upheld his measures in dealing with the city affairs.Being an official stayed in Beijing, Chen Bi on the one hand ensured social stability of the city and won popular supports; on the other hand, he promoted the modernization of Beijing, setting a referential example for other cities with regard to their constructions and developments.