Li Hongzhang (February 15, 1823 – November 7, 1901), born Zhang Tong, went by the courtesy names Jianfu and Zifu[fú], and was known as Shaoquan (alternatively spelled Shaoquan). In his later years, he adopted the self-title Yisou and also used the alternate name Xingsin. A native of Hefei, Anhui Province, Li was a prominent statesman, diplomat, and military leader during the late Qing dynasty in China. He was commonly referred to by the title "Li Zhongtang," as well as nicknames such as "Mr. Li Er," "Li Fuxiang," and "Li Wenzhong."

Li Hongzhang passed the imperial examination in 1847 as a jinshi, ranking among the top scholars of his cohort. In his early career, he followed his mentor Zeng Guofan in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion and the Nian Rebellion, and was later entrusted with forming the Huai Army. Thanks to his distinguished military achievements, he rose rapidly through the ranks, eventually becoming Governor-General of Zhili Province and concurrently serving as Minister of Trade for the Beiyang region. Over time, he was further elevated to the prestigious position of Grand Scholar of the Wenhua Hall and was ennobled as the First-Class Duke Su Yi of Shu. During this period, Li played a pivotal role in shaping the Qing dynasty’s responses to critical challenges—ranging from diplomacy and military strategy to economic reforms. He spearheaded the establishment of several key modernization initiatives, including the Jiangnan Arsenal, the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company, the Shanghai Machinery Weaving Bureau, and the Shanghai Guangfangyan School, all part of the broader Self-Strengthening Movement. Additionally, he oversaw the creation of the Beiyang Fleet, which became a symbol of China’s nascent naval power. However, during the First Sino-Japanese War, a series of strategic missteps led to the catastrophic defeat of the Beiyang Fleet. Following the war, Li was appointed as a special envoy to negotiate the Treaty of Shimonoseki with Japan. In 1899, at the age of 72, Li was recalled to serve as Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. The following year, when the Eight-Nation Alliance launched its invasion of China, Li actively participated in the "Southeast Mutual Protection Agreement," helping to stabilize the region amid the crisis. Later that same year, he was tasked with leading peace negotiations in Beijing. In 1901, Li Hongzhang, alongside Prince Qing Yikuang, signed the humiliating Boxer Protocol on behalf of the Qing government, marking one of the most consequential diplomatic agreements of the era. Tragically, just months after the treaty was finalized, Li succumbed to illness in Beijing at the age of 79. Posthumously, he was honored with the title of Grand Tutor and elevated to the rank of First-Class Marquis Su Yi, earning the posthumous honorific "Wenzhong."

Li Hongzhang was one of the key leaders of the Self-Strengthening Movement, alongside Zeng Guofan, Zhang Zhidong, and Zuo Zongtang—collectively known as the "Four Great Ministers Who Revived the Dynasty." Empress Dowager Cixi regarded him as the figure who "helped restore the dynasty, overcoming immense crises," as well as the one who "steered China through turbulent times, fostering harmony between China and foreign powers." Meanwhile, Western observers hailed him as one of the "Three Great Figures of His Era" and even referred to him as "China's Bismarck." However, Li also faced significant criticism due to his role in signing a series of unequal treaties on behalf of the Qing government, compounded by personal corruption and strategic misjudgments. Despite these controversies, his extensive writings are compiled in the *Complete Collection of Li Wenzhong*.