# Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan — My Life in China and America character guide

> Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan in My Life in China and America by Yung Wing.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Tsang Kwoh Fan, Tsang, Viceroy Tsang Kwoh Fan, So Tsang Kwoh Fan, the Viceroy, Viceroy, Viceroy Tsang, Tsang Koh Fan

**First appearance:** 0015-xiii-my-interviews-with-tsang-kwoh-fan

## Snapshot

The one Qing viceroy who looked at Yung Wing's impossible educational scheme and saw not a threat but a necessity.

## Who they are

Tsang Kwoh Fan stands apart from his peers as a statesman whose gravity and foresight Yung Wing compares to a snow-capped peak above the Himalaya. He alone among the great mandarins is moved by the argument that China must educate her own diplomats and engineers rather than rent foreigners. His willingness to sponsor the Educational Mission gives the book its central hope—and his death leaves that hope dangerously exposed.

## 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 key government official who interacts with Yung Wing and supports his missions.

### [VIII: Experiences in Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/viii-experiences-in-business)

Mentioned as the future patron of the Chinese Education Scheme, to whom Yung Wing is introduced through Li Jen Shu.

### [XII: Expedition to the Taiping Tea District](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xii-expedition-to-the-taiping-tea-district)

Not directly present, but Yung Wing's connection to him is mentioned as a source of influence.

### [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)

The powerful Viceroy who invites Yung Wing to join his service, known for his integrity and role in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion.

### [My Mission to America to Buy Machinery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/xiv-my-mission-to-america-to-buy-machinery)

Issues the commission and confers official rank on Yung Wing.

### [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)

Commends Yung Wing's service, memorializes the government for his promotion, and visits the Kiang Nan Arsenal.

### [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)

Supports Yung Wing's educational efforts and is appointed as an Imperial commissioner for the Tientsin Massacre settlement.

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

Champion of the educational scheme; dies before seeing the first students depart.

### [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)

Projected and fathered the educational mission, referenced as 'Tsang the Upright'.

### [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)

Mentioned as the initiator of the Chinese educational scheme in 1870.

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

Mentioned as a predecessor of Chang Chi Tung who had a clear plan for China.

### [Taking First Steps in Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/taking-first-steps-in-life)

Viceroy of Kiang Su and Kiang Nan, generalissimo of Imperial forces; impressed by Yung Wing's history and views.

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

One of the three influential officials convinced by Wing's arguments; offers Wing a military command and later sends him abroad to purchase machinery.

### [An Opportunity Seized](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/chapters/an-opportunity-seized)

One of the three friends who support the mission; his portrait hangs in the Mission House.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/my_life_in_china_and_america_se/characters/tsang_kwoh_fan
- 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