My Life in China and America · Chapter
XXII: The Coup d'État of 1898 explained
This chapter recounts the political upheaval of September 1898, when Emperor Kwang Su was deposed by Dowager Empress Chi Hsi, and the subsequent persecution of reformers.
What happens
This chapter recounts the political upheaval of September 1898, when Emperor Kwang Su was deposed by Dowager Empress Chi Hsi, and the subsequent persecution of reformers. Yung Wing, who had harbored reformers, fled to Shanghai and then Hong Kong, organizing the 'Deliberative Association of China.' In 1901, he visited Formosa, where he met Viscount Gentaro Kodama, who revealed a warrant for his arrest but chose to protect him. During their conversation, Yung Wing admitted authorship of a controversial proposal to mortgage Formosa to fund a war against Japan, a bold stance that earned Kodama's respect and protection.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Yung Wing’s emotional peak is the collision between his personal honor—the joint ministership to Washington—an…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Political Reform and Revolution
The chapter centers on the reform movement of 1898, the emperor's reformist zeal, and the reactionary coup.
- Patriotism and Loyalty to China
Yung Wing's willingness to die for China and his bold defense of his proposal to fight Japan.
- Corruption and Personal Integrity
The usurpation by Chi Hsi and Yung Wing's moral courage in owning his controversial proposal.
- The West as Model and Mentor
Yung Wing's reform ideas and his association with Western-educated reformers.
Characters to notice
- Yung Wing
Narrator and central figure; flees Peking after the coup, organizes reform association, and later confronts Kodama in Formosa.
- Emperor Kwang Su
Deposed emperor; portrayed as a patriot reformer and pioneer of reform movement.
- Dowager Empress Chi Hsi
Usurper who deposed Kwang Su; described as ambitious and jealous.
- Viscount Gentaro Kodama
Japanese governor of Formosa; protects Yung Wing and engages in candid conversation about the mortgage proposal.
- Bartlett G. Yung
Yung Wing's younger son, mentioned as graduating from Yale in 1902.
- Chang Chi Tung
Viceroy for whom Yung Wing drew up the Formosa mortgage proposition.
- Li Hung Chang
Viceroy who signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, referenced in context of the war with Japan.
Key passages
“The coup d’état of September, 1898, was an event memorable in the annals of the Manchu Dynasty.”
The September 1898 coup was a landmark event in Manchu history.
Sets the stage for the chapter's focus on the political upheaval.
“In the assertion of his true manhood, and the exercise of his sovereign power, his determination to reform the government made him at once the cynosure of Peking, inside and outside of the Palace.”
When the emperor began to assert his authority and push for reforms, he became the center of attention in Peking.
Highlights Kwang Su's reformist role.
“I was not disturbed by this unexpected news, nor was I at all excited. I met it calmly and squarely, and said in reply that I was entirely in his power, that he could deliver me over to my enemies whenever he wished; I was ready to die for China at any time, provided that the death was an honorable one.”
I remained calm when told of the arrest warrant, stating I was in his power and willing to die honorably for China.
Shows Yung Wing's courage and patriotism.
“The bold and open stand I took on that occasion won the admiration of the governor who then invited me to accompany him to Japan where he expected to go soon to be promoted.”
My fearless stance impressed the governor, who invited me to join him in Japan.
Illustrates the respect Yung Wing earned from Kodama.
