Viceroy of Liangjiang facts for kids

Map showing the area controlled by the Viceroy of Liangjiang in 1911.

The Viceroy of Liangjiang was a very important job in China during the Qing dynasty. This person was like a super-governor for a large area. Their full Chinese name meant "Governor-General of the Two River Provinces and Other Local Admirals, in Charge of Military Affairs, Food and Wages, Management of Rivers, and Administration on Nanhe Affairs."

The Viceroy of Liangjiang was one of eight main regional leaders during that time. They were in charge of military, government, and daily life for the areas of Jiangnan and Jiangxi. Jiangnan is now parts of Jiangsu, Anhui, and Shanghai. Jiangxi is mostly the modern-day Jiangxi province. This important role started in 1647 and ended in 1912.

History of the Viceroy Role

Map of the different Viceroy regions in Qing Dynasty China.

The job of Viceroy of Liangjiang began in 1647. This was during the rule of the Shunzhi Emperor. At first, it was called "Viceroy of the Three Provinces of Jiangdong, Jiangxi, and Henan." The main office was in Jiangning, which is now Nanjing.

A few years later, in 1652, the name changed to "Viceroy of Jiangxi." The office moved to Nanchang for a short time. But soon, the old system and name came back.

Changes Under the Kangxi Emperor

During the time of the Kangxi Emperor, new Viceroy jobs were made for Jiangdong and Jiangxi in 1661 and 1674. However, these separate roles were later combined back into the Viceroy of Liangjiang in 1665 and 1682. From then on, the name "Viceroy of Liangjiang" stayed the same.

New Responsibilities

In 1723, the Yongzheng Emperor gave the Viceroy of Liangjiang even more power. The Viceroy also became the Secretary of War. This meant they helped manage the military. They also became a "Right Censor-in-Chief," which was like a chief inspector making sure officials were doing their jobs right.

Later, in 1831, the Daoguang Emperor added another big task. The Viceroy of Liangjiang became responsible for the salt trade in the Huai River area. Salt was a very important product back then!

Challenges During the Taiping Rebellion

During the Taiping Rebellion, a big uprising, the rebels took over Jiangning. They made it their capital city. Because of this, the Viceroy of Liangjiang's office had to move many times. It shifted to places like Yangzhou, Changzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Anqing.

Trade and Commerce

In 1866, under the Tongzhi Emperor, the Viceroy of Liangjiang got more duties. They were put in charge of trade in the five treaty ports. These were special ports where foreign countries were allowed to trade. The Viceroy also became the "Southern Ocean Trade Minister." This was a very important role for managing international trade. The "Northern Ocean Trade Minister" was a similar role held by the Viceroy of Zhili.

End of an Era

The Qing dynasty ended in 1912. After that, the old headquarters of the Viceroy of Liangjiang in Nanjing became the Presidential Palace. This was the home of the President of the new Republic of China until 1949.

Images for kids

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  Yu Chenglong, a Viceroy of Liangjiang.

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  Gao Qizhuo, who served as Viceroy multiple times.

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  Yengišan, another Viceroy who served multiple terms.

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  Zhuang Yougong, who stood in as Provincial Governor of Jiangsu.

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  Sun Shiyi, a Viceroy who was later promoted.

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  Tiebao, a Viceroy who was later dismissed.

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  Sun Yuting, a Viceroy who was promoted to Grand Secretary.

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  Tao Zhu, who served as Viceroy for many years.

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  Lin Zexu, appointed Viceroy but reassigned before taking office.

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  Deng Tingzhen, also reassigned before taking office.

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  Qiying, a Viceroy.

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  Li Xingyuan, a Viceroy who left office due to illness.

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  Zeng Guofan, a very famous Viceroy.

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  Li Hongzhang, who stood in as Provincial Governor of Jiangsu.

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  Xu Youren, who stood in as Provincial Governor of Jiangsu.

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  Liu Kunyi, a Viceroy who served multiple times.

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  Shen Baozhen, a Viceroy who died in office.

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  Peng Yulin, a Viceroy who was dismissed.

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  Zuo Zongtang, a Viceroy who left office due to illness.

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  Yulu, who stood in as Provincial Governor of Anhui.

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  Zeng Guoquan, who acted as Viceroy.

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  Shen Bingcheng, who stood in as Provincial Governor of Anhui.

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  Zhang Zhidong, who stood in as Viceroy.

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  Lu Chuanlin, who stood in as Provincial Governor of Jiangsu.

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  Wei Guangtao, a Viceroy.

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  Zhou Fu, a Viceroy.

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  Duanfang, who served as Viceroy.

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  Fan Zengxiang, who stood in as Lieutenant-Governor of Jiangning.

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  Zhang Renjun, the last official Viceroy.

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  Zhang Xun, who stood in as Provincial Military Commander.