# Li Hung Chang — My Life in China and America character guide

> Li Hung Chang in My Life in China and America by Yung Wing.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Viceroy Li, Viceroy Li Hung Chang, Li, the Viceroy, Viceroy Chang, Chang

**First appearance:** 0023-xxi-my-recall-to-china

## Snapshot

Tsang's brilliant but mercurial successor, a viceroy whose vanity and impulsiveness make him both indispensable and unreliable to Yung Wing's mission.

## Who they are

Li Hung Chang inherits the Educational Commission from his patron Tsang Kwoh Fan, but he is a different creature entirely—excitable, capricious, susceptible to flattery, and fond of what the Chinese call tall hats. His brusque manner hides a kind heart, yet as a statesman he cannot match Tsang's depth or integrity. Under his wavering patronage the Mission is launched, and Yung Wing must learn to navigate a patron whose moods can build or break a dream.

## In the story

### [My Life in China and America](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/my-life-in-china-and-america)

A prominent viceroy involved in government affairs and modernization efforts.

### [XIII: My Interviews with Tsang Kwoh Fan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xiii-my-interviews-with-tsang-kwoh-fan)

Mentioned as Tsang Kwoh Fan's protégé and successor, who left a large fortune, contrasting with Tsang's poverty.

### [XV: My Second Return to China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xv-my-second-return-to-china)

Cooperates with Viceroy Tsang in ending the Nienfi rebellion and is appointed as lieutenant in the field.

### [XVI: Proposal of My Educational Scheme](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xvi-proposal-of-my-educational-scheme)

Mentioned as being in the field finishing the Nienfi rebellion, otherwise would have been appointed to the Tientsin settlement.

### [XVII: The Chinese Educational Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xvii-the-chinese-educational-mission)

Succeeds Tsang as patron of the mission; authorizes building of permanent headquarters.

### [XVIII: Investigation of the Coolie Traffic in Peru](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xviii-investigation-of-the-coolie-traffic-in-peru)

Viceroy who orders Yung Wing's mission to Peru and uses the photographic evidence to defeat the Peruvian treaty.

### [XIX: End of the Educational Mission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xix-end-of-the-educational-mission)

Viceroy who appointed new commissioners and called attention to Woo's accusations.

### [Journey to Peking and Death of My Wife](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xx-journey-to-peking-and-death-of-my-wife)

Viceroy Li questions Yung Wing about the recall of the students and expresses his hidden preference to keep them in America.

### [XXI: My Recall to China](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xxi-my-recall-to-china)

Viceroy who opposes Chang Chi Tung's war plans and the hypothecation of customs revenue for a loan.

### [XXII: The Coup d'État of 1898](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xxii-the-coup-d-tat-of-1898)

Viceroy who signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki, referenced in context of the war with Japan.

### [Made a Mandarin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/made-a-mandarin)

One of the three officials impressed by Wing's reasoning; later becomes Viceroy of Chihli and a key supporter of Wing's project.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters/li_hung_chang
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters