載湉 Zàitián
Biography
德宗同天崇運大中至正經文緯武仁孝睿智端儉寬勤景皇帝，諱載湉，文宗嗣子，穆宗從弟也。本生父醇賢親王奕譞，宣宗第七子。本生母葉赫那拉氏，孝欽皇后女弟。同治十年六月，誕於太平湖邸第。十三年，食輔國公俸。
十二月癸酉，穆宗崩，無嗣。慈安皇太后、慈禧皇太后召惇親王奕誴、恭親王奕訢、醇親王奕譞，孚郡王奕譓、惠郡王奕詳，貝勒載澂，鎮國公奕謨，暨御前大臣、軍機大臣、內務府大臣，弘德殿、南書房諸臣等定議，傳懿旨，以上繼文宗為子，入承大統，為嗣皇帝。俟嗣皇帝有子，即承繼大行皇帝。乙亥，王大臣等以遺詔迎上於潛邸，謁大行皇帝几筵。丙子，上奉慈安皇太后居鍾粹宮，慈禧皇太后居長春宮。從王大臣請，兩宮皇太后垂簾聽政。皇太后訓敕稱懿旨，皇帝稱諭旨。詔停三海工程。乙卯，停各省貢方物。壬午，頒大行皇帝遺詔。懿旨，醇親王奕譞以親王世襲罔替。翰林院侍講王慶祺有罪，褫職。定服制，縞素百日，仍素服二十七月。伯彥訥謨祜、景壽俱管理神機營。癸未，詔惇親王、恭親王、孚郡王諭旨章奏勿書名，召對宴賚免叩拜。甲辰，詔以明年為光緒元年。丁亥，上大行皇帝尊諡曰繼天開運受中居正保大定功聖智誠孝信敏恭寬毅皇帝，廟號曰穆宗。戊子，懿旨封皇后為嘉順皇后，皇貴妃為敦宜皇貴妃。諭中外臣工，於用人行政，據實直陳。飭臣民去奢崇實。敕各督撫求民疾苦，慎選牧令，考覈屬吏，並修明武備。壬辰，頒遺詔於朝鮮。甲午，禁內務府官結納太監。乙未，內務府大臣貴寶、文錫褫職。丙申，諭左宗棠督剿河州叛回。丁酉，祫祭太廟。是月，免浙江被災鹽場灶課。
Dezong, Emperor Jing (Tongtian Chongyun Dazhong Zhizheng Jingwen Weiwu Renxiao Ruizhi Duanjian Kuanqin Jing Huangdi), personal name Zaitian, was the adopted son of Wenzong and a cousin of Muzong. His natural father was Yixuan, Prince Chunxian of the First Rank, the seventh son of Xuanzong. His natural mother, of the Yehenala clan, was the younger sister of Empress Xiaoqin. He was born in the sixth month of the tenth year of Tongzhi in the residence at Taipinghu. In the thirteenth year, he was given the stipend of a Duke Who Assists the State. Edit
In the twelfth month, on guiyou, Muzong died without an heir. The Empress Dowager Ci'an and the Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Yicong, Prince Dun of the First Rank; Yixin, Prince Gong of the First Rank; Yixuan, Prince Chun of the First Rank; Yihui, Prince Fu of the Second Rank; Yixiang, Prince Hui of the Second Rank; Beile Zaicheng; Yimo, Duke Who Guards the State; together with the Ministers of the Imperial Presence, the Grand Councillors, the Ministers of the Imperial Household Department, and the officials of the Hongde Hall and the Southern Study, and settled the matter. Their edict was proclaimed: the emperor was to be the son and heir of Wenzong, to come in and succeed to the great line as the succeeding emperor. When the succeeding emperor had a son, that son would be heir to the late emperor. On yihai, the princes and high ministers, bearing the testamentary edict, welcomed the emperor at his residence, and he paid his respects at the spirit seat of the late emperor. On bingzi, the emperor installed the Empress Dowager Ci'an in the Zhongcui Palace and the Empress Dowager Cixi in the Changchun Palace. At the request of the princes and high ministers, the two Empress Dowagers listened to government from behind the screen. The instructions of the Empress Dowagers were to be called "edicts of the Empress Dowagers", and those of the emperor "imperial edicts". An edict stopped the works on the Three Lakes. On yimao, the provinces' tribute of local products was stopped. On renwu, the testamentary edict of the late emperor was proclaimed. By an edict of the Empress Dowagers, Yixuan, Prince Chun of the First Rank, was to hold the title of Prince of the First Rank to be inherited in perpetuity without reduction. Wang Qingqi, Reader of the Hanlin Academy, was found guilty and stripped of office. The mourning dress was fixed: white for a hundred days, then plain clothes for twenty-seven months. Boyannemohu and Jingshou were both put in charge of the Shenji Battalion. On guiwei, an edict ruled that Prince Dun, Prince Gong and Prince Fu need not sign their names in edicts and memorials, and were excused from kowtowing at audiences, banquets and when receiving gifts. On jiachen, an edict made the next year the first year of Guangxu. On dinghai, the emperor gave the late emperor the posthumous name Emperor Jitian Kaiyun Shouzhong Juzheng Baoda Dinggong Shengzhi Chengxiao Xinmin Gongkuan Yi, with the temple name Muzong. On wuzi, by an edict of the Empress Dowagers, the empress was given the title Empress Jiashun and the Imperial Noble Consort the title Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi. The officials in the capital and the provinces were instructed to speak frankly and truthfully on the employment of men and the conduct of government. Officials and people were enjoined to give up luxury and value plainness. The governors-general and governors were ordered to seek out the hardships of the people, choose their prefects and magistrates with care, examine their subordinates, and put their military preparations in order. On renchen, the testamentary edict was proclaimed to Korea. On jiawu, officials of the Imperial Household Department were forbidden to form ties with eunuchs. On yiwei, Guibao and Wenxi, Ministers of the Imperial Household Department, were stripped of office. On bingshen, Zuo Zongtang was instructed to direct the campaign against the rebel Hui of He Department. On dingyou, the joint sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. This month, the stove tax of the salt works of Zhejiang that had suffered disaster was remitted. Edit
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光緒元年
光緒元年乙亥春正月己亥朔，免朝賀。命吏部尚書英桂、兵部尚書沈桂芬並協辦大學士。戊申，予明故藩朱成功建祠台灣，追諡忠節。庚戌，敕沈葆楨勘辦琅軿築城建邑，籌開山撫番事宜。辛亥，祈穀於上帝。清江設廠，收養徐、海被水飢民。內閣侍讀學士廣安疏請廷臣會議大行繼嗣頒鐵券，斥之。丙辰，越南匪黨竄滇邊，巡撫岑毓英剿平之，戊午，上御太和殿，即皇帝位，頒赦詔，開恩科。辛酉，申諭督撫進賢懲貪，除夤緣奔競。
二月丁丑，諭刑部清釐積案。戊寅，祭大社、大稷，豫親王本格攝行。由是大祀皆遣代，至十二年冬至圜丘祀天始親詣。壬午，英翻譯官馬嘉禮被戕於雲南。劉錦棠等復河州。甲申，台灣生番亂，提督唐定奎剿之。丙戌，賜琉球國王緞匹文綺及貢使緞匹。戊子，嘉順皇后崩。
三月戊戌朔，日有食之。己亥，上大行皇帝尊諡廟號。壬子，山東賈庄河工合龍。丙辰，越南匪黨蘇亞鄧等伏誅。乙丑，召景廉回京，授左宗棠欽差大臣，督辦新疆軍務，以金順為烏魯木齊都統副之。是月，普免各省欠糧，免江西、山西同治六年以前逋賦。
夏四月丁卯朔，享太廟。庚午，命穆圖善調所部馬隊來京，隸神機營，駐南苑。己卯，唐定奎克台灣南路番社。壬辰，以沈葆楨為兩江總督，兼通商大臣，督南洋海防，李鴻章督北洋海防。
五月戊戌，興直隸水利，防軍墾鹹水沽稻田。庚子，大考翰、詹，擢吳寶恕、瞿鴻禨、鈕玉庚、孫詒經一等，餘升黜有差。甲辰，停浙江貢綠玉簪鐲，並停各織造傳制諸品。劉岳昭督攻越南，復同文土州等城。戊申，上嘉順皇后尊諡曰孝哲嘉順淑慎賢明憲天彰聖毅皇后。辛亥，工部神庫火。壬子，刑部科房火。命李瀚章往雲南查馬嘉禮案，薛煥繼往會按之。乙卯，夏至，祭地於方澤。
六月戊辰，吉林將軍奕榕褫職遣戍。庚午，奉天匪據大東溝作亂，崇實討平之。停甘肅例貢。甲午，免直隸同治十年以前民欠旗租並補徵稅。懿旨命醇親王與御前大臣舉各署諳綠營、勇營紀律，及侍衛可任統兵者。壬午，以穆宗帝後梓宮奉移山陵，預戒有司毋備御道，旋禁苛擾。
秋七月戊戌，免直隸同治六年以前逋賦並稅糧。庚子，永定河決。諭各省詳理京控諸獄。貸太原等縣倉穀濟民食。癸卯，賞劉典三品京堂，幫辦陝、甘軍務。免湖北米穀釐金。甲辰，秘魯換約成。諭總署會籌保護華工。丙午，慈安皇太后聖壽節，停筵宴。壬戌，命李鴻章、丁日昌與英使威妥瑪就商馬嘉禮案。候補侍郎郭嵩燾、候補道許鈐身充出使英國大臣。
八月戊寅，免陝西被兵額賦。庚辰，免長蘆、兩淮鹽政應進物品。庚寅，命丁日昌督福建船政。
九月丁酉，諭穆圖善整飭吉林吏治、旗營。甲辰，申定外人遊歷內地條約。吳棠督剿敘永廳竄匪。辛亥，免梓宮經過大興等州縣額賦十之五，遵化十之七，賞平毀麥田籽種銀，並免蠲賸錢糧及旗租。甲寅，奉安梓宮於隆福寺。乙卯，上謁諸陵。閱普祥峪、菩陀峪工程。丙辰，閱惠陵工程。丁巳，奉兩宮皇太后還宮。庚申，至自隆福寺。辛酉，諭王凱泰區處台灣生番。癸亥，劉長佑剿敗越南匪，匪首黃崇英、周建新伏誅。
冬十月甲子朔，享太廟。癸酉，慈禧皇太后聖壽，停筵宴。甲戌，允丁寶楨請，於煙台、威海衛、登州府築炮台，設機器局。己卯，弛浙江南田島禁，聽民耕作。庚辰，賞京師貧民棉衣銀，每歲皆如之。敘永匪李增元等為亂，提督李有恆剿平之。癸未，賞八旗各營一月錢糧，歲以為常。湖南新化、衡、永匪亂，總兵謝晉鈞、提督趙聯升剿平之。丁亥，委散秩大臣吉和、內閣學士烏拉喜崇阿使朝鮮，封李熙子拓為世子。
十一月戊戌，岑毓英克鎮雄大寨，匪首鞠占能伏誅。劉岳昭以玩泄褫職。丁未，予郎中陳蘭彬以京堂候補，充出使美日秘大臣。乙卯，奉天大通溝匪平。戊午，冬至，祀天於圜丘。己未，免朝賀。庚申，祔穆宗帝後神牌於奉先殿。
十二月丙寅，奉安神御於壽皇殿。丁卯，除盛京養息牧鹼地額賦。甲戌，懿旨：「皇帝典學，內閣學士翁同龢、侍郎夏同善授讀於毓慶宮，御前大臣教習國語滿、蒙語言文字及騎射。」大學士文祥請解機務，慰留之。戊寅，免浙江被災新舊賦課。甲申，祈雪壇廟。辛卯，祫祭太廟。
是歲，朝鮮、琉球、緬甸入貢。
光緒二年
二年丙子春正月癸巳朔，免朝賀。戊戌，諭各省宣講聖諭廣訓。癸卯，免仁和等場未墾灶盪課糧。癸丑，黔匪陷下江，尋復之。丙辰，祈雨。自是頻祈雨。辛酉，四川蠻匪平。
二月乙丑，詔自本年孟夏始，未親政以前，太廟時享及祫祭大祀，俱前一日親詣行禮。己卯，免海沙、蘆瀝等場灶額課。壬午，鄧川匪首羅洪昌、項和伏誅。免浙江逋賦。庚寅，陽萬土州判岑潤清作亂，嚴樹森剿平之。壬辰，東鄉匪聚眾抗官。
三月丙申，以旱故，詔清庶獄。己亥，予吳贊誠三品京堂，督辦福建船政。甲寅，已革都司陳國瑞遣戍黑龍江。丙午，免陝西六十六州縣逋賦。丁未，詔以慈安皇太后四旬萬壽，停本年秋決。貴州四腳牛賊巢及六峒匪平。戊申，以雨澤愆期，諭內外臣工直言闕失。
夏四月乙亥，停陝西進方物，免淮、揚等屬同治六年以前逋賦。壬午，上始御毓慶宮讀書。丙戌，賜曹鴻勛等三百二十四人進士及第出身有差。戊子，蘇熱達熱畢噶爾瑪薩哈進哀表，頒敕答之，並賜緞匹。
五月乙未，文祥卒。乙巳，以近畿亢旱，直隸、山東暨河南、河北等府小民艱食，諭長官撫恤，並捕蝗蝻。丙辰，御史潘敦儼請更上孝哲皇后諡號。予嚴議，尋褫職。
閏五月辛酉朔，賑近畿旱災。庚午，賑福建水災。辛未，以旱敕修省。壬申，孝陵大碑樓災。自春正月不雨，至於是日雨。甲申，階州齋匪平。乙酉，諭劉坤一防海練兵，亟圖整頓。
六月庚寅朔，諭文焜等嚴懲傳習邪術。壬辰，騰越練軍踞城作亂，並陷順寧、雲州。丁酉，以李鴻章為全權大臣，赴煙台與英使威妥瑪議結馬嘉禮案。庚子，安徽蝗。戊申，開雲南實官捐例。辛亥，以江、皖、魯、豫匪擾，諭沈葆楨等分兵搜剿，解散脅從。丁巳，總兵孔才進攻瑪納斯，斬匪首馬得明等。是月，賑南豐、南昌、福建水災。
是夏，免淮、揚等屬逋賦，盛京同治六年以前逋賦，長蘆各場同治十年以前灶課，直隸同治十年以來逋賦。
秋七月辛酉，上兩宮皇太后徽號。辛未，復淮鹽楚岸引地。甲戌，東鄉匪首袁廷蛟伏誅。辛巳，劉長佑、潘鼎新復騰越各城，匪首蘇開先伏誅。戊子，馬嘉禮案議結，免案內官所坐罪。
八月辛卯，劉錦棠、金順擊敗回酋白彥虎，復烏魯木齊、迪化城，尋復昌吉、呼圖壁、景化各城。辛丑，許鈐身改出使日本大臣。丁未，賑浙江水災。辛亥，賑江西水災。孔才等復瑪納斯北城。
九月戊午朔，予上元、江寧兩縣一門殉難三十五家百九十五人旌恤建坊。壬戌，順天增設粥廠。己巳，定出使各國章程。以四川州縣民、教訟鬩，諭魁玉等持平訊斷。壬申，諭文煜等嚴緝福建、江西、安徽等省邪教匪黨。
冬十月丙午，賑皖北旱災。命景廉、李鴻藻在總理各國事務衙門行走。甲寅，召榮全來京，以金順為伊犁將軍。丁巳，賑口北、山東、安徽、江北飢。
十一月丁卯，金順、錫綸克瑪納斯南城，匪首何碌、馬有財伏誅。壬午，以新疆北路平，發帑汰遣金順軍。甲申，截漕一萬石，並提倉穀濟蘇、常留養災民。
十二月戊子，命侍講何如璋充出使日本大臣。甲辰，命督撫嚴查州縣，毋匿災，各省民、教案持平審理。戊申，賑江北淮、海災。己酉，回匪竄擾科布多，參贊大臣保英派兵遲緩，切責之。乙卯，免杭、嘉、松各場未墾地灶課。
光緒三年
三年丁丑春正月丁巳朔，免朝賀。戊午，命以左都御史景廉為軍機大臣。庚申，命前藏濟嚨呼圖克圖於達賴未出世以前掌商上事務，給「達善」名號。癸亥，以英桂為體仁閣大學士，載齡以吏部尚書協辦大學士。丙寅，免洪澤湖灘欠租。
二月戊子，穆坪夷匪伏誅。己丑，申諭各省墾荒田，禁械鬥，慎舉劾，整營規。賑直隸、山東、山西、河南、安徽、江西、福建還籍飢民。巳亥，免湖北逋賦。庚子，懿旨：「梓宮在殯，皇帝沖齡，除朝賀大典外，其頒慶賞宴外賓典禮暫緩舉行。」辛丑，復淮鹽引地。壬寅，刑部平反浙江民人葛品連獄，巡撫楊昌濬、侍郎胡瑞瀾褫職，知府以下論罪有差。申諭各省理刑，期情真罪當，毋輕率。
三月丁巳朔，上釋服。以山陵未安，仍禁官中宴會演劇。辛未，免華陰被水糧課三年。癸酉，以劉錫鴻充出使德國大臣。賑沭陽災民。辛巳，除台灣府屬雜餉，賑內山飢番。
夏四月辛卯，常雩，祀天於圜丘。甲午，馬邊裸夷結野番、黑夷出擾，魁玉等剿之。乙未，免酃縣被水逋賦。戊戌，劉錦棠等克七克騰木、辟展，復吐魯番滿、漢兩城。尋攻克達坂及託克遜賊壘，安集延酋帕夏自殺。己亥，總兵張其光攻台灣率芒番社，克之。庚子，貸義州旗戶籽種銀。辛丑，賑貴陽地震災。壬寅，昭通、廣南匪作亂，官軍討平之。癸卯，以災區緩徵，吏胥舞弊，諭各省整頓。旌安貧樂道高郵增生韋弼諧。甲辰，越南遣使進方物，賚其國王緞匹。庚戌，賜王仁堪等三百二十九人進士及第出身有差。是月，江蘇、安徽蝗。
五月戊辰，日本阻琉球入貢，遣來使歸國。癸酉，山西旱，留京餉二十萬賑之。甲戌，監利會匪王澕漳等作亂，伏誅。撥帑銀一百二十萬解西征糧台。戊寅，賑福州水災。壬午，懿旨以皇上萬壽值齋戒期，更定六月二十六日行慶賀禮，著為令。山西大旱，巡撫曾國荃請頒扁額為禱。以非故事，不許。諭曰：「禱惟其誠，當勤求吏治，清理庶獄，以迓和甘。」
六月戊子，詔工噶仁青之子羅布藏塔布克甲木錯即作為達賴喇嘛之呼畢勒罕，毋庸掣瓶。辛卯，廣東北江堤決，連州大水，詔賑撫災民。戊戌，先是穆宗祔廟位次，懿旨命大臣會議，醇親王復請定久遠至計，少詹事文治，鴻臚寺卿徐樹銘、少卿文碩，內閣侍讀學士鍾佩賢、司業寶廷並有陳奏。至是，仍命王大臣等詳議以聞，並命李鴻章妥議。丙午，以災祲疊見，誡臣工修省。庚戌，上萬壽，御乾清宮受賀。
秋七月丁巳，撥海防經費助山西賑。己未，惇親王等議上穆宗帝後神牌位次，請於太廟中殿東西各四楹，遵道光初增奉先殿後殿龕座，修葺改飾，並從醇親王請，自今以往，不援百世不祧之例。戊辰，免江寧、上元等縣被災額賦十之三。己巳，留京餉漕折銀賑河南飢。
八月丁亥，諭各省修農田水利。壬辰，撥天津練餉十萬濟山西賑。甲午，免台灣同治十年供粟及糯米易穀。庚子，諭劉坤一等整頓廣東捕務。戊申，撥銀四十萬賑山西、河南災，並留江安漕糧輸山西、河南各四萬石備賑。
九月甲寅，羅田匪首陳子鰲伏誅。戊午，命前侍郎閻敬銘往山西查賑。己未，申禁山西種罌粟，改植桑、棉。辛酉，撥山東冬漕各八萬石續賑山西、河南災。甲子，予漢儒河間獻王劉德從祀文廟。乙丑，詔求直言。丁卯，命李鶴年往河南查賑。戊辰，減緩山西、河南應協西征軍餉。庚辰，加賑祥符等縣災民口糧。辛巳，賑興化府屬風災。
冬十月壬辰，賑三姓雹災。庚子，諭各省安撫轉徙飢民。甲辰，免三姓被災銀穀。加賑陽曲等縣災民口糧。乙巳，增設內城粥廠。庚戌，劉錦棠進復喀喇沙爾、庫車兩城，尋復阿克蘇及烏什城。
十一月癸丑，詔戒各部院玩愒因循。乙卯，開山東運漕新河。丁巳，諭督、撫、府尹講求吏治。
十二月辛卯，緩赫哲貢貂。庚子，豫免山西、河南被災州縣來歲糧。
是冬，連祈雪。撥來年江、鄂漕米凡十二萬石賑山西，發帑金賑陝西。
是歲，山、陝大旱，人相食。
光緒四年
四年戊寅春正月辛未，賑河南飢。命郭嵩燾兼出使法國大臣。西軍復葉爾羌、喀什噶爾，和闐回眾降。己卯，諭各省清理詞訟。
二月辛巳朔，修成都都江堰。壬午，諭興北方水利。乙酉，命署兵部左侍郎王文韶為軍機大臣。庚寅，諭舉州縣能實行荒政者。壬辰，新疆平，匪首白彥虎遁入俄羅斯。論功，進左宗棠二等侯，劉錦棠二等男，予提督余虎恩等世職有差。甲午，諭清庶獄。丁酉，賑呼蘭災。己亥，下詔罪己。賑山西、河南飢。丙午，瘞災地遺骸。庚戌，免侯官被水丁糧。
三月甲寅，諭被災各省試行區田法。壬申，賑直隸飢，撥察哈爾牧群馬三千匹給貧民耕作。甲戌，諭內務府，減經費，除浮冒。戊寅，英桂致仕。是月，河南雨。
四月壬午，沈葆楨請罷武科，斥之。壬辰，賑廣東風災。
五月庚戌朔，諭直省廣植桑、茶。命載齡為體仁閣大學士，管工部事，全慶以刑部尚書協辦大學士。辛未，以崇厚為出使俄國大臣。
六月丙戌，免陝西逋賦。庚寅，嚴私鑄禁。甲午，賑台灣風災。庚子，諭刑部嚴定州縣侵賑罪。
秋七月乙卯，雲南官軍復耿馬土城。辛未，命禮部右侍郎王文韶、順天府府尹周家楣在總理各國事務衙門行走。壬申，嚴命案延玩處分。甲戌，以曾紀澤為出使英法大臣。丁丑，免平陽、蒲、解、絳今歲秋賦。是月，賑金、衢、嚴等府，浮梁等縣水災。
八月己卯，永定河決。丙戌，沁河決。戊子，賑崇安、浦城水災。
九月丁巳，諭東南疆吏豫救水患，清釐保甲，防會匪煽惑災民。癸亥，賑山西旱，免陽曲等縣逋賦，及徐溝等縣秋糧。戊辰，賑藍田水災。丙子，修樊口江堤。
冬十月壬午，廣西在籍總兵李揚才叛，命馮子材剿之。免通、海各處，淮安四衛逋賦並雜課。丁亥，賑濮、范、壽陽水災。癸巳，沁河復決。賑奉天水災。乙未，北新倉火。戊戌，台灣後山加禮宛等社就撫，縛獻番目，誅之。免貴州被兵新舊額賦。
十一月丙辰，修北運河堤。辛酉，白彥虎寇邊，劉錦棠擊敗之。癸亥，李揚才踞越南長慶，楊重雅剿之。己巳，詔督撫整躬率屬。責軍機大臣勿避嫌怨，院部大臣力戒因循。甲戌，冬至，祀天於圜丘。乙亥，停朝賀。
十二月己丑，詔永罷捐輸事例。
是歲，免仁和鹽場逋課者二。朝鮮、廓爾喀入貢。
光緒五年
五年己卯春正月乙巳朔，停筵宴。乙丑，申諭停籌餉捐例。修高淳堤。辛未，賑山西飢。
二月壬午，吉州知州段鼎耀以吞賑處斬。癸未，詔復河運。甲午，諭山西清理荒田，編審丁口，均差徭。己亥，梓宮奉安山陵，禁有司科派擾累。賑文安等州縣水災。
三月丙午，賊目鍾萬新與李揚才合犯宣光，馮子材會師越南擊之。壬子，免梓宮所過大興、通、三河、薊、遵化額賦。庚申，頒吉嚨呼圖克圖敕書，並賚哈達、蟒緞。布魯特回酋合安集延賊酋寇邊，劉錦棠敗之。乙丑，奉兩宮皇太后謁東陵。己巳，謁昭西、孝東諸陵。庚午，葬穆宗於惠陵，孝哲後祔。癸酋，至自東陵。
閏三月乙亥，穆宗神主祔太廟，頒詔天下。丁亥，李揚才踞者岩。己丑，修襄陽、沔陽、天門江堤。庚寅，吏部主事吳可讀於東陵仰藥自盡，遺疏請豫定大統。懿旨，王大臣等集議以聞。乙未，命三品卿銜李鳳苞為出使德國大臣。
夏四月戊申，修通州北運河。癸丑，予吳可讀恤典。懿旨，以可讀原疏及會議摺，徐桐、寶廷、張之洞等摺，並前後諭旨均錄存毓慶宮。免河南被災州縣漕銀及逋課。己巳，先是嶧縣知縣朱永康以謀殺委員高文保論戍，尋下廷議。至是，奏上，詔以罪浮於法，改論死。
五月丙子，夏至，祭地於方澤。己卯，免兩淮、泰、海各場逋課。壬午，河南蝗。己亥，官軍剿平者岩賊。是月，賑清河、安東風災。山西雨。階、文、西和地震歷十有三日。
六月壬子，刑部言東鄉獄事，誣叛妄殺，已革知縣孫定揚、提督李有恆論死。尋文格、丁寶楨並坐奪職。命發帑二十萬，撥丁釐銀三十萬，濟山西賑需。己未，諭言事諸臣，交部議奏之事，不得攙越陳奏，亦不得雷同附和，相率瀆陳。普免山西積年民欠倉穀。烏拉特、阿拉善等旗蝗。甲子，懿旨允醇親王奕譞家居養疾，解職務。賑邠、乾、漢、鳳地震災。
七月庚辰，賑直隸水災。戊子，以星變、地震求直言。諭各省積穀。免絳、蒲、陽城被災夏課鹽稅。庚寅，復海運。
八月戊申，祭大社、大稷。詔各省舉文武堪備任使者。壬子，致仕大學士單懋謙卒。癸丑，賑博山等州縣水災。乙卯，江、皖各屬蝗。乙丑，賑階、文、西和地震及水災。
九月甲戌，賑直隸水災。壬辰，加上文宗、穆宗尊諡。己亥，重慶等府縣地震，賑之。
冬十月辛丑朔，免曲沃等州縣歉收額賦。乙卯，免奉天旗民站丁地課抵例賑口糧。丁巳，諭水師並習陸戰。癸亥，賑秀山等處水災。己巳，英桂卒。免齊齊哈爾、黑龍江、墨爾根屯糧，並原貸籽種。
十一月乙亥，李揚才伏誅。己卯，冬至，祀天於圜丘。庚辰，停朝賀。壬午，沈葆楨卒。甲申，以劉坤一為兩江總督，兼南洋大臣。庚寅，詔責崇厚與俄人定伊犁約，擅自回京，所議條約，廷臣集議。壬辰，免山西災重州縣稅契銀。
十二月己酉，懿旨，廷議俄約覆奏，下王大臣等再議，醇親王並預議以聞。乙卯，褫崇厚職，下獄。辛酉，諭修社倉，興社學。己未，免永濟等州縣秋糧。丙寅，祫祭太廟。詔洗馬張之洞會商俄約。戊辰，修山東運河。
是歲，朝鮮、廓爾喀入貢。
光緒六年
六年庚辰春正月己巳朔，停筵宴。辛未，命曾紀澤為出使俄國大臣，改議條約。甲戌，諭查營伍虛額占役。乙亥，西林苗匪平。丙子，命前工部尚書李鴻藻仍為軍機大臣。壬午，尋甸匪亂，官軍討平之。己丑，詔中外舉人才，疆吏飭邊備海防。命河北道吳大澂幫辦吉林軍務，通政使劉錦棠幫辦新疆軍務。辛卯，定崇厚罪，論斬。癸巳，戶部奏籌饟十條，詔各省推行。是月，除山西各屬荒地丁銀，免仁和等場荒盪夏稅。
二月乙巳，永免榆次貢瓜。壬戌，甘肅總兵蕭兆元侵蝕軍糧，論斬。
三月甲戌，賑順直水災。乙亥，左宗棠出屯哈密，金順扼精河，張曜、劉錦棠分進伊犁。己卯，免山西洪洞、忻州各屬荒賦三年或四年。
四月庚子，祀天於圜丘。復設科布多昌吉斯台、霍呢邁拉扈等八卡倫官兵。丙午，三姓設廠造輪船。甲寅，階州番匪哈力等作亂，伏誅。壬戌，賜黃思永等三百三十三人進士及第出身有差。乙丑，調李長樂為直隸提督，統武毅四營，鮑超為湖南提督，召來京。
五月丙子，賑洛陽等縣雹災。乙酉，階州番匪古旦巴等伏誅。丙戌，以徇俄人請，貸崇厚死，仍繫獄。
六月丁酉朔，賑福建水災。癸卯，畀李鴻章全權大臣，與巴西議約。甲辰，禁徵糧浮收勒折。丙辰，賑廣州等處水災。丁巳，免交城等縣荒地缺課。命曾國荃督辦山海關防務。
七月壬申，召左宗棠來京，督辦關外事宜。癸酉，出崇厚於獄。癸未，賑揚州風災。甲申，命前浙江提督黃少春辦理浙江防務。
八月己亥，巴西商約成。戊申，召劉銘傳來京。庚戌，南北洋初置電線。壬子，江蘇捕蝗。癸亥，朝鮮來告與日本交聘。
九月己巳，命浙江提督吳長慶幫辦山東防務，節制防軍。庚午，免永濟貢柿霜。辛未，允朝鮮派工匠來天津學造器械。壬申，賑蒲城等處災。壬午，給曾國荃病假，命岐元節制各軍。癸未，減涼、肅番族馬貢。己丑，賑資陽、清溪災。庚寅，印度進樂器並所撰樂記，賚以金寶星。癸巳，除拉林旗佃租賦。
冬十月丙午，察木多帕克巴拉胡圖克圖進貢物，以哈達、大緞賜之。己酉，東明河決。辛亥，命前吏部尚書毛昶熙在總理各國事務衙門行走。甲寅，賑圍場海龍城及渮澤水災。甲子，懿旨醇親王管理神機營事務。
十一月乙丑朔，命侍講許景澄為出使日本大臣。己巳，以全慶為體仁閣大學士，靈桂以吏部尚書協辦大學士。甲申，冬至，祀天於圜丘。丙戌，江華瑤匪平。癸巳，免永平等屬逋賦。
十二月丙午，命楊昌濬會辦新疆善後。丙辰，免文安被水額賦。庚申，懿旨神機營選弁兵赴天津學制外洋火器。辛酉，濬漕運河道。
是冬，數祈雪。
是歲，朝鮮、廓爾喀入貢。
光緒七年
七年辛巳春正月甲子朔，停筵宴。沈桂芬卒。癸酉，敕各省慎舉孝廉方正。乙亥，達賴喇嘛遣人進哈達、佛香，命獻惠陵，賚以哈達、緞匹。戊寅，免浙江仁和等場荒坍灶盪，各府州縣衛荒地新墾地六年逋課及額糧。辛卯，越南請官兵助剿積匪，不許。免海陽六年逋賦。壬辰，命左宗棠為軍機大臣，管兵部，兼總理各國事務衙門行走。除貴築、興義、八寨水銀等廠逋課。
二月癸巳朔，命李鴻章籌山海關防務，節制諸軍。以曾國荃為陝甘總督。戊戌，日本使臣戶璣來議琉球條款，不協，敕海疆戒備。己酉，修襄陽老龍石堤。辛亥，修濟陽壩工。甲寅，通政司參議劉錫鴻以誣劾李鴻章職。
三月甲子，除錦州官田租賦。丁卯，改築焦山都天廟炮台。己巳，命李鳳苞兼出使義和奧大臣，黎庶昌為出使日本大臣。辛未，慈安皇太后不豫，壬申，崩於鍾粹宮。癸未，上大行皇太后尊諡曰孝貞慈安裕慶和敬儀天祚聖顯皇后。
夏四月癸巳，雷波夷匪平。己亥，命吳大澂督辦吉林三姓、寧古塔、琿春防務兼屯衛。免陝西咸寧等六十二廳州縣逋賦。辛丑，頒孝貞顯皇后遺誥於朝鮮。己酉，曾紀澤與俄國改訂新約成。丙辰，永禁明陵私衛。己未，懿旨，恭親王、醇親王會同左宗棠、李鴻章議興畿輔水利。初置琿春副都統。庚申，賑台北地震災。
五月壬戌朔，日有食之。官軍擊散越南積匪。丁卯，詔疆臣於命盜重獄按月冊報，遲逾者罪之。戊寅，罷烏里雅蘇台屯田。己丑，賑鹽源水災。賞鄭藻如三品卿銜，為出使美日秘大臣。
六月己亥，彗星見，詔修省。丙辰，萬壽節，停朝賀。己未，命李鴻藻協辦大學士。
秋七月癸亥，賞學行純篤廣東在籍知縣朱次琦、舉人陳澧並五品卿銜。戊子，召劉坤一來京，以彭玉麟署兩江總督兼南洋大臣。賑階州等處地震災。
閏七月壬辰，諭各省統覈釐卡出入，酌定撤留。癸巳，賑兩淮、泰州各場灶災。甲午，免榆社等縣五年逋賦。己亥，命金順督辦交收伊犁事宜，錫綸為特派大臣，與俄人會商界務。尋命升泰並為特派大臣。甲辰，命鮑超復裁所部營伍。乙巳，初置呼倫貝爾副都統。庚戌，禁州縣諱飾重獄。是月，賑江蘇、福建、四川水災，陝西雹災。
八月甲子，頒帑金二萬給養霍碩特流民。辛巳，以皇太后疾愈，命刑部停秋決。其緩決屆三次與未屆三次，分別差減之。癸未，孝貞顯皇后奉安，免所過州縣租賦。命劉錦棠為欽差大臣，督辦新疆軍務，張曜副之。丙戌，除伯都訥磽地賦額。全慶致仕。
九月甲午，賑寧海等縣水災。乙未，允彭玉麟解職，仍巡閱長江。劉坤一罷，以左宗棠為兩江總督，兼南洋大臣。丙午，葬孝貞顯皇后於定東陵。丁未，汝寧、光州捻匪平。己酉，再減金壇漕額十分之一分四釐。賞附居青海番眾八族青稞歲八百餘石。辛未，孝貞顯皇后神牌祔太廟。丙辰，賑台灣颶風災。是月，甘肅、台灣地震。
冬十月己巳，皇太后聖壽節，停筵宴。庚午，昭通匪陸松山等作亂，官軍討斬之。癸酉，以靈桂為體仁閣大學士，以刑部尚書文煜協辦大學士。甲戌，法人踞越南北境，諭滇、粵合籌弭釁。甲申，詔舉行察典，勿有舉無劾。賑泰和等縣水災。丁亥，安徽已革提督李世忠擅縶貢生吳廷鑒等，裕祿上其狀，詔處斬。
十一月庚寅，免吉林被水官莊及伯都訥地租。丙申，施南會匪楊登峻伏誅。丁酉，濬吳淞淤沙。戊戌，廣西果化土州匪首趙蘇奇伏誅。賑貴縣等處水災。甲辰，賑台灣、澎湖災。
十二月乙亥，賞恭親王子載潢不入八分公，醇親王子載洸奉恩輔國公。是月，免浙江各府州縣衛荒廢及新種賦課，仁和等場灶課。免安州、任縣、文安澇地額糧。除吉林荒地租賦。
是冬，頻祈雪。
是歲，朝鮮、越南入貢。
光緒八年
八年壬午春正月戊子朔，免朝賀。辛卯，修洞庭西湖堤。自去年十一月不雨至於是月。己亥，雪。庚戌，修滹沱新河及子牙河堤。
二月己未，江蘇文廟火。壬戌，以朝鮮占種吉林邊地開墾歷年，令其領照納租隸籍。癸丑，申嚴門禁，更定稽察守衛章程。壬午，申禁私伐明陵樹木。乙酉，先是江寧疑獄，命麟書、薛允升往勘之。至是訊明，委員胡金傳以酷刑論斬。諭疆吏詳覈重獄，勿冤溢。
三月乙未，命左副都御史陳蘭彬在總理各國事務衙門行走。庚戌，李鴻章母憂，連疏請終制，許之；命百日後駐天津練軍，仍權理通商事務。辛亥，法、越構兵，諭李鴻章、左宗棠、張樹聲、劉長佑籌邊備。乙卯，築浙江海口炮台。是月，俄人歸我伊犁。
是春，免陽曲逋糧、大城額賦及累年逋賦。
夏四月丙辰朔，永免山西荒地稅糧。戊午，免陝西前歲逋賦。己巳，法人入越南東京。起曾國荃署兩廣總督。甲戌，全慶卒。甲申，朝鮮請遣使來駐京師，不許，惟予已開口岸貿易。
五月丙戌朔，諭金順經畫伊犁，西北邊界以長順勘分，西南以沙克都林札布勘分。戊子，賑汀州風災。壬辰，召劉長佑來京，以岑毓英署雲貴總督。乙巳，初置吉林分巡道。庚戌，直隸蝗。
六月丁巳，翰林院侍讀溫紹棠奏稱時事多艱，請皇太后勵精勤政。詔以皇太后尚未康復，飭之。命整頓八旗官學。乙亥，清安言俄兵至哈巴河。諭長順詳慎勘界，以杜覬覦。戊寅，朝鮮匪亂，命張樹聲剿平之。尋提督丁汝昌往援，吳長慶率師東渡。癸未，朝鮮焚日本使館，日本以兵船至。命李鴻章赴天津部署水陸軍前往察辦。是月，賑安徽水災，浙江、江西水災。
秋七月乙酉朔，三岩野番就撫。乙巳，懿旨損秋節宮費，賑安徽、浙江、江西三省災。丁未，吳長慶軍入朝鮮，執其大院君李昰應。初置新疆阿克蘇、喀什噶爾分巡道。癸丑，朝鮮亂平。
八月丙辰，諭：「科布多界務，崇厚貽誤於前，曾紀澤力爭於後。茲訂新約，應就原圖指辦，酌定新界。清安等當與俄官量議推展，期後來彼此相安。」丁巳，諭有司慎覈秋審。甲子，詔雲南布政使唐炯出關視邊防。乙丑，安置李昰應於保定。尋朝鮮國王乞釋歸，不許。丁丑，彗星復見東南，詔內外臣工修省。
九月乙酉，河決山東惠民、商河、濱州。癸巳，鬱林匪亂，官軍剿平之。
是秋，賑四川、浙江、山東、陝西、福建、江西、貴州水災，資州火災，台灣風災水災。
冬十月乙卯，諭京師嚴緝捕，毋諱飾擾累。壬戌，河決歷城。甲子，諭捕嘓匪。丁丑，王文韶連疏乞罷。溫旨慰留。
十一月丁亥，王文韶仍以養親乞罷，許之。命翁同龢為軍機大臣。戊子，命潘祖蔭為軍機大臣。台州匪首王金滿日久逋誅，下所司嚴緝。乙未，允朝鮮互市。辛丑，開天津塌河淀南新河。壬寅，以地震詔臣工勤職察吏。庚戌，詔中外保薦人才。是月，開銅山縣煤鐵礦。
十二月辛酉，命游百川赴山東勘河工。壬戌，設滬、粵沿海電線。乙丑，詔中外清理積案。壬申，自上月連祈雪，至是雪。
是冬，賑直隸地震災，四川、陝西雹災。免齊齊哈爾、墨爾根歉地，浙江州縣衛新舊屯地，仁和等場灶盪額賦。
是歲，朝鮮入貢。
光緒九年
九年癸未春正月癸未朔，停筵宴。丙申，劉錦棠言沙克都林札布與俄使勘分新疆南界，不符舊約，諭長順等按約詰之。尋諭曾紀澤力爭重勘。戊戌，命宗人府丞吳廷芬在總理各國事務衙門行走。庚子，諭蠲免錢糧，民已輸官者，得抵翌年正賦，勿重徵。乙巳，撥鄂漕三萬石備賑順直飢。是月，越南匪覃四娣等降。
二月甲寅，直、魯流民紛集京師，諭有司撫恤。戊午，山東河決歷城，齊河諸縣民埝壞，命游百川等賑撫災民。己未，先是馬蘭鎮總兵景瑞修繕營房，為營兵匿控，總兵桂昂請兵激變，遣伯彥訥謨祜、閻敬銘查辦。至是覆陳，褫景瑞職，桂昂尋並褫職。禁各省酷吏非刑。命廣西布政使徐延旭出關籌防。戊辰，福建按察使張夢元督辦福建船政。癸酉，高州都司莫毓林聚亂，伏誅。庚辰，刑部言河南胡體洝一獄，原讞舛誤，覆審回護。詔褫巡撫李鶴年、河東河道總督梅啟照職，原審官譴戍有差。
三月戊子，鎮國公溥泰收受禁墾淀地，坐削爵，圈禁一年。法人陷南定。乙未，命唐炯統防軍守雲南邊境。諭倪文蔚保北圻。
是春，免潛山等縣夏糧，陝西被旱丁糧米折。賑濟南、武定水災，台灣地震災。
夏四月己未，俄撤伊犁駐兵。甲子，諭嚴緝畿輔盜賊。甲戌，劉長佑以病免，授岑毓英雲貴總督。乙亥，賜陳冕等三百八人進士及第出身有差。
五月辛巳，詔李鴻章回北洋署任，部署海防。壬午，命升泰與俄使勘分塔爾巴哈台西南界。丁亥，湖南會匪方雪敖倡亂，擒斬之。辛卯，禁私鑄錢。庚子，諭岑毓英等選募邊民，與官軍扼守滇、越要隘。戊申，懿旨醇親王會籌法、越事宜。先是，御史陳啟泰奏太常寺卿周瑞清包攬雲南報銷，御史洪良品、給事中鄧承修以事涉樞臣景廉、王文韶，相繼論劾。先後命惇親王、閻敬銘、潘祖蔭、張之萬、麟書、翁同龢、薛允升會同察辦。至是覆陳，瑞清等罪如律，戶部尚書景廉，前侍郎王文韶、奎潤，前尚書董恂，與前雲貴總督劉長佑俱鐫三級，餘處罰有差。
六月庚戌，山東河決，壞歷城、齊東、利津民埝，諭堵塞賑撫並行。越將劉永福及法兵戰於河內，敗之。乙卯，修沁河堤。戊午，法國遣使托利古來議和約。太監王永和盜御用衣物，詔刑部按律擬罪，勿株連。丁卯，濬山東小清河。庚午，山東以水災開辦賑捐事例。
是夏，免雲南土司地租，甘肅舊欠糧賦。又免懋功被災、銅仁被水額糧。留漕糧凡十萬石、京餉十六萬兩賑山東災。
秋七月己卯，留京餉二十萬給廣西軍。壬午，諭令吳全美、方耀分巡廉、瓊洋面及欽州邊境。戊子，詔開雲南礦。辛卯，台州匪首王金滿率眾降，詔免死，與餘眾留營效力。
八月庚戌，法人破順化河岸炮台，越人停戰議和。壬子，永定河決。乙卯，考察部院官。諭修築沿海堤塘各工，並撫恤災戶。丙寅，詔舉謀勇兼優堪備任使者。己巳，詔彭玉麟赴廣東，會同張樹聲布置防務。
九月辛巳，法、越議和，立新約。丙戌，命何如璋督辦福建船政，倪文蔚為廣東巡撫，徐延旭為廣西巡撫。己亥，撥廣西庫銀十萬濟劉永福軍。丁未，唐炯以率行回省褫職，仍留任。
是秋，撥京倉及漕米五萬餘石，庫帑凡十萬，賑順天直隸。留漕五萬石，賑山東。賑熱河、長陽、崞縣等處水災。賑江南災。
冬十月戊辰，詔南北洋及沿江沿海諸省嚴戒備。辛未，河決齊東、蒲台、利津。丙子，詔李鴻章舉將才。命岑毓英出關駐山西，唐炯回滇籌餉。
十一月辛巳，命署左副都御史張佩綸在總理各國事務衙門行走。壬午，趣徐延旭出關策應。辛卯，嚴內外城門禁。壬辰，越南民變，殺嗣王阮福時，命張樹聲戡定之，尋改命岑毓英往平亂。庚子，懿旨，清江設廠收養災民，命戶部發帑一萬接濟，並給順直、山東各四萬，湖北三萬，安徽二萬。壬寅，法人陷山西，劉永福退走。癸卯，詔以尚書文煜被劾，回奏積俸至三十六萬，命捐銀十萬充公。林肇元坐庫儲空虛奪職。
十二月戊申，祈雪。庚戌，法人進攻北寧，圖犯瓊州。命彭玉麟檄湘楚軍會合吳全美師船嚴防，起楊岳斌往福建會辦海防。官軍大敗法人於諒山。己未，以山東、淮、徐災民聚集清江等處，命所司撫恤，並隨時資遣。庚申，諭江西籌餉二萬濟王德榜軍。丁丑，追復故總兵陳國瑞世職。
是冬，免順天直隸等州縣秋賦，浙江被災州縣衛所額賦。除山西鳳台等州縣荒地租糧。
是歲，朝鮮、越南入貢。
光緒十年
十年甲申春正月庚寅，岑毓英出鎮南關赴興化，節制邊外諸軍。
二月丁未朔，法人攻興化，官軍擊卻之。岑毓英與徐延旭進圖山西。諭嚴約束，勿擾越境。留江、浙漕米各五萬石賑通州、天津水災。尋撥京倉粟米三萬石賑順天災。丁丑，法人陷北寧，官軍退守太原。戊辰，命湖南巡撫潘鼎新赴廣西籌防。乙亥，法人陷太原，徐延旭、唐炯褫職逮問。
三月丁亥，岑毓英請免節制楚、粵諸軍，不許。以太原陷，提督黃桂蘭、道員趙沃並褫職逮問。戊子，懿旨以因循貽誤罷軍機大臣恭親王奕訢家居養疾，大學士寶鋆原品休致，協辦大學士李鴻藻、景廉俱降二級，工部尚書翁同龢褫職仍留任。命禮親王世鐸，戶部尚書額勒和布、閻敬銘，刑部尚書張之萬並為軍機大臣。工部侍郎孫毓汶在軍機學習。己丑，懿旨軍機處遇重要事，會同醇親王商榷行之。壬辰，授潘鼎新廣西巡撫，張凱嵩雲南巡撫。總兵陳得貴失守炮台，副將黨敏宣臨陣退縮，詔並斬於軍前。以怡親王載敦為閱兵大臣。命貝勒奕劻管總理各國事務衙門事，內閣學士周德潤在總理各國事務衙門行走。癸巳，左庶子盛昱、右庶子錫鈞、御史趙爾巽各疏陳醇親王不宜與聞機務，不報。命刑部侍郎許庚身在軍機學習。甲午，詔李鴻章、左宗棠、曾國荃、岑毓英舉部將中沈毅勇敢有謀略者。己亥，閻敬銘、許庚身並在總理各國事務衙門行走。命潘鼎新赴鎮南關接統徐延旭軍。庚子，法人進據興化。
是春，免仁和荒蕪灶盪上年逋課，陝西咸寧等處逋賦及雜欠。免穆坪土司馬匹糧草十年。
夏四月丙午，勘分新疆南界事竣。以侍講許景澄充出使法德義和奧大臣。庚戌，先是，法、越戰事亟，法水師將福祿諾屬稅務司德璀琳獻議媾和息兵。李鴻章以聞，許之，敕其籌定。至是，覆陳「當審勢量力，持重待時」。詔集廷議。懿旨醇親王並與議。允吳長慶兵還。辛亥，利津等決口合龍。癸丑，罷開馬頰河，濬宣惠河，修德州運河堤。戊午，命通政使吳大澂會辦北洋事宜，內閣學士陳寶琛會辦南洋事宜，侍講學士張佩綸會辦福建海疆事宜，皆許專奏。尋加佩綸三品卿銜。福祿諾出私議五條，因李鴻章上聞。敕鴻章「力杜狡謀，常存戒懼」。詔戶部裁冗費。庚申，授李鴻章全權大臣，與法使議約。癸亥，免褒城瀕江地畝額賦。乙丑，祈雨。丙寅，再發倉米賑順天。戊辰，吳大澂辭北洋會辦。上責其飾詞，不許。壬申，張樹聲以疾請免本職，專治軍事，許之。
五月丙子，命李成謀總統江南兵輪。己卯，岑毓英辭節制粵、楚各軍，許之。丁亥，授文煜武英殿大學士。戊子，額勒和布、閻敬銘並以戶部尚書協辦大學士。己丑，京師久旱，諭有司平糶。賞徽寧太廣道張蔭桓三品卿銜，在總理各國事務衙門學習行走。辛卯，詔中外保薦文武人才。甲午，詔皇太后五旬萬壽，停秋決。丁酉，詔中外大臣「率屬盡職，勿耽逸樂、尚浮華」。戊戌，詔左宗棠仍為軍機大臣，毋庸常川入直，並管理神機營。免武昌、黃州二衛額糧。壬寅，詔舉宗室及旗、漢世職人才。
閏五月乙巳，命工部尚書福錕、理藩院尚書昆岡、左都御史錫珍、工部侍郎徐用儀、內閣學士廖壽恆並在總理各國事務衙門行走。丁未，命前提督劉銘傳督辦台灣事務，錫珍、廖壽恆、陳寶琛、吳大澂往天津會商法約。庚戌，命太常卿徐樹銘勘獻縣新開橫河。法人犯觀音橋，潘鼎新擊敗之。辛亥，山東河堤工成。甲寅，以法使言和，調潘鼎新諸軍回諒山，岑毓英軍仍駐保勝。乙卯，自四月不雨，至於是日始雨。頒定蠲緩錢糧章程。庚申，思恩匪首莫夢弼伏誅。丙寅、法艦犯閩海。丁卯，諭曰：「法使延不議約，孤拔要求無理，我軍當嚴陣以待。彼如犯我，並力擊之。敢退縮者，立置軍法。」庚午，授曾國荃為全權大臣，與法使於上海議約，命陳寶琛會辦。
六月癸酉朔，以鄖西余瓊芳獄事讞不實，下總督卞寶第、巡撫彭祖賢部議，承審各官貶斥有差。甲戌，河決歷城等縣。以乞援守城，追予沈葆楨妻林氏附祀廣信葆楨專祠。丙子，建昌、多倫匪首楊長清伏誅。丁丑，吳長慶卒，旌其子主事保初孝行。己卯，諭直省考察州縣官。壬辰，法人陷基隆。詔集廷臣議和戰。乙未，劉銘傳復基隆。己亥，懿旨，神機營選馬步軍三千，巡捕五營選練軍二千，以都統善慶為總統，前鋒統領托倫布為幫統，分防畿東，並抽調直隸練軍協守。命曾國荃、陳寶琛回江寧布防。是月，賑順德、青浦風災，葉縣水災。
秋七月乙巳，命吳元炳勘山東河工、海防。授張之洞兩廣總督。丙午，法人襲馬尾炮台及船廠，陸軍擊退之。戊申，醇親王奏延煦劾左宗棠，斥為蔑禮不臣，肆口妄陳，任情顛倒。懿旨坐延煦奪職留任，罰俸一年。詔與法人宣戰，楊昌濬赴福建督師。癸丑，法人毀長門炮台。丁巳，諭穆圖善、張佩綸毋退駐省城。詔授左宗棠為欽差大臣，督辦福建軍務，福州將軍穆圖善、漕運總督楊昌濬副之，張佩綸以會辦大臣兼署船政大臣。授曾國荃兩江總督，兼南洋大臣。丙寅，論北寧失守罪，已革道員趙沃、提督陳朝綱並論斬。戊辰，以楊昌濬為閩浙總督。普賑歷城等縣災民。是月，賑浮梁及齊河、長安等處水災。
八月壬申，命鴻臚寺卿鄧承修在總理各國事務衙門行走。論馬尾戰事功罪，褫何璟職及張佩綸卿銜，下部議，提督黃超群等頒賞進秩有差。建、邵匪首張廷源等伏誅。甲戌，河決東明。賑南海等縣水災。丙子，授李鴻章直隸總督、北洋大臣。戊寅，懿旨賞醇親王子載灃不入八分輔國公。文煜以病免。命崇厚、崇禮、文錫、文銛輸財助饟。庚辰，賑台灣風災。丁亥，法人復陷基隆。戊子，命道員徐承祖充出使日本大臣。己丑，詔刑部本年情重各案及秋、朝審官犯，並停查辦。癸巳，蘇元春及法人戰於陸岸，敗之。命楊岳斌幫辦左宗棠軍務。賑星子水災。戊戌，法人犯滬尾，提督孫開華擊敗之。
九月癸卯，逮唐炯下獄廷訊。乙巳，出帑金五萬賚劉永福軍。辛亥，嚴諭南北洋輪船悉援台灣。壬子，劉銘傳為福建巡撫，駐台灣督防，蘇元春幫辦潘鼎新軍務，楊昌濬等分防澎湖，張兆棟、何如璋並褫職。詔免雲南田稅，暫荒緩三年，永荒蠲十年。甲寅，劉銘傳自請治罪，詔原之。戊午，留新漕十萬備山東冬賑。庚申，以滬尾戰勝，予總兵孫開華世職，發帑銀一萬犒軍。授額勒和布體仁閣大學士。乙丑，以刑部尚書恩承協辦大學士。丙寅，賑鳳凰城潦災。庚午，官軍及法人戰於陸岸，又敗之，予蘇元春世職。辛未，新疆改建行省，置巡撫、布政使各一，裁南北路都統、參贊、辦事、領隊諸職。
冬十月壬申朔，懿旨晉封奕劻慶郡王，奕謨固山貝子。癸酉，以劉錦棠為甘肅新疆巡撫。戊寅，賑江北廳等處水災雹災。辛巳，皇太后五旬聖壽，上率王以下文武大臣等詣慈寧宮慶賀。辛卯，鮑超屢誤師期，切責之。癸巳，以託疾規避，奪提督王洪順職。甲午，張樹聲卒。乙未，朝鮮復亂，吳大澂往察辦，續昌副之。文煜卒。庚子，劉永福及法人戰於宣光，敗績。
十一月丁未，命提督孫開華幫辦台灣軍務。戊申，逮徐延旭下獄廷訊。壬子，李鴻章調軍發朝鮮。癸丑，普洱地震。丙辰，禁州縣捏報災荒。丁巳，東明決口合龍。戊午，李秉衡赴龍州部署防軍。己未，祈雪。雲南巴蠻降。戊辰，諭各省積穀。
十二月戊寅，官軍敗法人於紙作社。壬午，唐炯、徐延旭並論斬。乙酉，官軍復宣光、興化、山西三省，安平府暨二州五縣。壬辰，祿勸夷匪平。丙申，雨雪。張佩綸、何如璋並褫職遣戍。
是歲，免鎮西廳荒地逋賦，文安四州縣澇地額賦。朝鮮入貢。越南國王阮膺登自殺，法人立其弟為國王。
光緒十一年
十一年乙酉春正月癸卯，命馮子材襄辦廣西關外軍務。乙巳，法人陷諒山。丙午，官軍圍宣光，復美良城。甲寅，法人犯鎮南關，總兵楊玉科死之。乙卯，賜英將戈登恤金。甲子，法艦去台灣。左宗棠等兵援浙江。乙丑，命李鴻章為全權大臣，偕吳大澂與日使議朝鮮事。庚午，朝鮮亂平，使來表謝，賚之。
二月甲戌，浙江提督歐陽利見敗法人於鎮海口。戊寅，褫潘鼎新職，以李秉衡署廣西巡撫，蘇元春督辦廣西軍務。辛巳，秦州地震。癸未，馮子材、王孝祺大敗法人於鎮南關外，遂復諒山。予楊玉科等世職。辛卯，法人請和。允之。壬辰，詔停戰撤兵。緬匪平。戊戌，岑毓英奏官軍大捷於臨洮。
三月乙巳，命李鴻章為全權大臣，與法使議約，刑部尚書錫珍、鴻臚卿鄧承修往津會商。丙午，朝鮮訂約成。庚戌，岑毓英復緬旺與清水、清山諸寨，獲越南叛臣黃協等誅之。癸丑，命吳大澂、依克唐阿會勘吉林東界。丙辰，免永平、張家口、順天等十府州積年民欠租賦。癸亥，命馮子材督辦欽、廉防務。乙丑，免陝西咸寧等處前歲逋糧。
夏四月己卯，祈雨。丙戌，趣岑毓英撤軍，毋爽約開釁。辛卯，諭除江西丁漕積弊。壬辰，趣劉永福撤回保勝軍。天津會訂中法新約成。
五月丁未，懿旨勘修南北海工程。詔整海軍，大治水師，下南北洋大臣等籌議。基隆法兵退，命楊岳斌等部署全台事宜。除福建光緒初年逋賦。辛亥，許乍丫隨察木多入貢。癸丑，予蘇元春、馮子材三等輕車都尉，王孝祺、岑毓英雲騎尉，復王德榜原官優敘。辛酉，復祈雨。壬戌，雨。丁卯，以張曜為廣西巡撫。是月，賑基隆兵災、桐城等縣及鎮筸水災。
六月己巳，詔停秋決。庚午，懿旨命文銛、崇禮、崇厚、文錫修建三海工程。許景澄兼出使比利時大臣。辛未，定內附越南民籍。甲戌，曾紀澤訂煙台約成。丁丑，諭岑毓英察雲南銅礦。通諭曾國荃等勘東南各礦。賑裕州水災。癸未，命工部侍郎孫毓汶、順天府尹沈秉成、湖南按察使續昌均在總理各國事務衙門行走。召曾紀澤來京，命江西布政使劉瑞芬充出使英俄大臣，張蔭桓充出使美日秘大臣。法兵去澎湖。命左宗棠等選將吏調輪船策應。辛卯，越南新約成，宣諭中外。詔誡建言諸臣挾私攻訐。追論御史吳峋劾閻敬銘、編修梁鼎芬劾李鴻章俱誣謗大臣，予嚴議。尋各降五級。甲午，授孫毓汶軍機大臣。是月，賑河南、廣東、廣西、江南、安徽、江西水災。
秋七月丁酉朔，設廣西南寧電線達雲南。己亥，懿旨發帑銀六萬賑兩廣水災。庚子，左宗棠連乞病，許之。丙辰，命周德潤往雲南，鄧承修往廣西，會同岑毓英、張凱嵩勘中、越界。壬戌，河決山東長清。甲子，開川、滇銅鐵礦。是月，賑黔陽、湘潭、輝縣、清江、當塗、汾陽等處水災。
八月丁卯朔，賑奉天水災。己巳，截漕糧十萬石充順直賑需。賑皋蘭等處雹災水災。乙亥，賑長沙等處水災。丁丑，山東歷城、章丘等處水，發帑五萬賑之。以水災故，停三海工作。李鴻章與法使議滇、粵陸路通商。戊寅，釋李正應歸朝鮮。辛巳，命蘇元春存撫越南入關流民。賑襄城水災。乙酉，左宗棠卒，贈太傅。辛卯，賑福建風災。
九月庚子，懿旨，醇親王總理海軍事務，奕劻、李鴻章會辦，漢軍都統善慶、兵部侍郎曾紀澤幫辦。改福建巡撫為台灣巡撫，歸福建巡撫事於閩浙總督。英使來議印度、西藏通商。諭丁寶楨、色楞額等開導藏番毋生事。壬寅，靈桂卒。甲辰，裁伊犁參贊大臣，改設副都統二。裁塔爾巴哈台滿洲領隊大臣，仍留額魯特領隊大臣。甲寅，賑賓川、恩安等處雹災。
冬十月丙寅朔，朝鮮王李熙以伏莽未除，來請鎮撫。李鴻章遣軍防衛之。戊辰，賑朝陽災。庚辰，截來年京餉銀五萬充山東冬賑。辛巳，命奕劻、許庚身與法使互換條約，劉瑞芬於英京互換煙台條約，並議洋藥專條。丁亥，授穆圖善為欽差大臣，會同東三省將軍辦理練兵，節制副都統以下。甲午，撥年節宮用銀五萬賑給山東災區。嚴紫禁城門禁。
十一月壬寅，祈雪。乙巳，雲南地震。庚申，裁新疆各城回官。癸亥，懿旨，八旗都統釐剔旗營諸弊。授恩承體仁閣大學士，閻敬銘東閣大學士，戶部尚書福錕、刑部尚書張之萬並協辦大學士。以英人滅緬甸，嚴四川邊備。
十二月丙寅，續設三姓、黑龍江陸路電線。丙子，詔內務府禁止浮冒虛糜。己卯，趙莊決口合龍。
是冬，賑潮州、萬縣水災，台灣風災。免永寧被水丁銀，浙江各州縣衛荒廢並新種地課。減文安、天津窪地糧賦。除徐溝、汾陽被水銀稅。
光緒十二年
十二年丙戌春正月乙未朔，停筵宴。庚子，免湖北逋賦。辛丑，山東溞溝決口合龍。免台灣舊欠供粟。癸卯，免奇台被旱額賦。丙辰，命特爾慶阿等隨同穆圖善練兵。甲子，詔以謁陵，本年會試改三月十日入場。
二月乙丑朔，山東黃河南岸決。甲戌，張曜往勘何王莊決口。己卯，除漵浦積年被水額賦。戊子，設黑龍江綏化廳。辛卯，上奉皇太后謁東陵，免經過州縣稅糧十分之四。
三月乙未，謁諸陵。上詣定東陵。庚子，至自東陵。癸丑，賑廣寧災。是月，留山東新漕十萬石賑何王莊暨章丘、濟陽、惠民被水災民。
夏四月戊子，賜趙以炯等三百三十九人進士及第出身有差。是月，丘北地震及廣西州火，賑之。
五月庚子，台灣生番歸化四百餘社，七萬餘人。賑臨潼等縣風雹災。壬寅，裁陽江鎮水師總兵，置北海鎮水陸總兵。改高州鎮陸路總兵為水陸總兵。
六月壬申，懿旨，欽天監於明年正月擇皇帝親政日期。甲戌，修復海鹽石塘。丙子，醇親王暨王大臣等合詞疏請皇太后仍訓政，不許。皇帝親政定於明年正月十五日舉行，命樞臣集議，整齊圜法。庚辰，醇親王暨禮親王等復申訓政之請，尚書錫珍、御史貴賢並以為言，懿旨勉從之。命醇親王仍措理諸務。
七月甲午，木邦土司請內附，卻之。丁酉，金順卒。辛丑，留江蘇漕米五萬石備順、保賑需。乙巳，錢法議定奏上。允行。甲寅，賑太原等縣水災。
八月壬戌，以色楞額為伊犁將軍。賑熱河水災。乙丑，禮親王暨廷臣請加上皇太后徽號，懿旨不許。丁卯，再撥江北漕米五萬石賑順天通州水災，並發帑金二萬散給災民，免陝西咸寧等處荒田逋賦。戊辰，以北運河決口漫溢，撥庫帑十萬充永平各府急賑，再發內帑二萬濟之。丙子，增設廣西太平歸順道，移提督駐龍州。增設柳慶鎮總兵駐柳州。庚辰，築懷柔白河漫口。乙酉，御史朱一新奏遇災修省，豫防宦寺流弊，言醇親王巡閱北洋，總管太監李蓮英隨往，恐蹈唐代監軍覆轍。懿旨命回奏。尋奏入，以執謬降主事。
九月辛卯朔，賑奉天、浙江水災。癸巳，賑甘肅雹災水災，留壩、南鄭水災。丁酉，以順直水災減各府各旗莊田租及其他租額。庚子，鮑超卒。乙巳，賑光山雹災。丙午，劉銘傳剿蘇魯馬那邦叛番。甲寅，賑上饒等縣水災。
十一月庚寅朔，壽張決口合龍。乙巳，宥徐延旭、唐炯罪，延旭戍新疆，炯戍雲南。丁未，命曾紀澤在總理各國事務衙門行走。庚戌，再撥京倉粟米三萬石備順天春賑。丙辰，冬至，祀天於圜丘，始親詣。除隆科城額賦。
十二月甲子，減安州、河間、隆平澇地糧賦。丁卯，祈雪。庚辰，懿旨再敕曾國荃等詳議兩江河道治法。丁亥，祫祭太廟。
是歲，朝鮮入貢。
光緒十三年
十三年丁亥春正月己丑朔，停筵宴。辛丑，以親政遣官告天地、宗廟、社、稷，祈穀於上帝。癸卯，上始親政，頒詔天下，覃恩有差。壬子，撥江蘇漕米十萬石賑順直災民。懿旨購置機器於天津鼓鑄，一文以一錢為率，京、外毋得參差。
二月壬戌，雨雪。辛酉，責恭鏜嚴剿馬賊，整頓見有練軍。川、滇接修電線成。戊辰，祭大社、大稷。辛巳，賞唐炯巡撫銜，督辦雲南礦務。是月，懿旨醇親王以親王世襲罔替，朝廷大政事，仍備顧問。
三月己丑朔，上初詣奉先殿行禮。乙未，上奉皇太后謁西陵，免經過州縣額賦十分之三。己亥，謁陵。甲辰，至自西陵。辛巳，祀先農，親耕耤田，三推畢，加一推，自是歲以為常。甲寅，劉錦棠請解職省親就醫，不許；給假三月，在任調理。撥直藩庫帑八萬賑所屬飢民。除文安等處無糧地租。
夏四月戊午朔，享太廟。丁卯，命內閣侍讀學士林維源督辦台灣鐵路及商務。己巳，祈雨。丙子，常雩，祀天於圜丘。
閏四月己酉，免江蘇各州縣衛逋賦逋課。壬子，賑昆明等縣水災。
五月戊午，夏至，祭地於方澤。己未，命前內閣學士洪鈞充出使俄德奧和大臣，大理卿劉瑞芬充出使英法義比大臣。癸未，賑隴州等處水災。甲申，雨。
六月丁亥朔，賑富陽各屬水災。乙巳，賑懷寧等縣水災。丁未，開州大辛庄河溢，灌山東境，截留新漕五萬石賑濮州等處災民。庚戌，賑羅田、石首水災。壬子，賑溫宿、烏什水災。癸丑，賑凌雲風雹災。
秋七月丙辰朔，日有食之。庚申，永定河、潮白河先後並溢。甲子，增設福建澎湖鎮總兵。乙丑，賑南陽等處水災。丁卯，除甘肅積年民欠銀糧暨雜賦。賑洮州等屬雹災。乙亥，增設雲南臨安開廣道。丁丑，黎匪平。辛巳，命道員黎庶昌充出使日本大臣。
八月戊子，祭大社、大稷。甲辰，沁河決。賑平彝水災。丙午，沔陽等州縣被水，留冬漕三萬石賑之。鄭州河決，南入於淮，褫河督成孚職，留任。己酉，撥京倉漕米五萬石賑順天通州各屬。截留京餉漕折銀三十萬賑河南。癸丑，懿旨發內帑銀十萬賑濟水災。
九月乙卯朔，免陝西各府廳州縣前歲逋賦。辛酉，以鄭州河決，豫留明年江北、江蘇河運米糧並運費充賑。辛未，准哷徵胡圖克圖入貢。乙亥，命薛允升赴河南察鄭工。丁丑，李鴻藻往河南會察河工。是月，賑武陟、安縣、雲陽、皖北水災，漢口、龍州水災，建水、通海雹災。
冬十月甲申朔，賑融縣火災。丁亥，馮子材以疾辭職，命留粵辦欽、廉防務。乞休，不許。己丑，賑惠、高、廉、雷、瓊、赤溪、陽江風災。己亥，穆圖善卒。賑給鄭州等災區貧民口糧。壬寅，以善慶為福州將軍，襄辦海軍事，並管神機營。免順直被水各州縣秋賦。乙巳，賑鎮西廳雪災。戊申，上侍皇太后臨視醇親王疾，自是頻視疾，至於明年七月有瘳。庚戌，賑長安等屬水災。癸丑，賑綏來霜災。
十一月乙卯，授定安欽差大臣，會同東三省將軍辦理練兵，節制副都統以下。辛酉，冬至，祀天於圜丘。壬戌，諭文碩訪呼畢勒罕，依制掣定。壬申，祈雪。
十二月丁亥，命李鴻藻督辦鄭州河工。己丑，除恩隆、百色等處荒田額賦。賑桂林等處火災。壬辰，免陽城等縣災緩稅租。丁酉，雨雪。戊戌，懿旨復閻敬銘、福錕、翁同龢、嵩申、孫詒經、景善、孫家鼐處分。庚子，以皖北被災，撥安徽漕折、蕪湖關常稅共銀十萬，備來年春賑。辛丑，置新疆伊塔道、伊犁府、霍爾果斯廳、塔城廳，設道、府、撫民通判、同知等官。壬寅，石屏、建水地震。己酉，撥山東冬漕五萬石備河南來年冬賑。
是歲，朝鮮入貢。
光緒十四年
十四年戊子春正月癸丑朔，上親詣堂子行禮。丙辰，雪。免安徽被淹太和等州縣夏糧。己未，開黑龍江漠河金礦。庚申，開廣東昌化石綠銅礦。辛酉，展接騰越至雲南省垣電線。乙亥，劉錦棠乞疾。慰留，再給假四月。壬午，諭官鑄當十大錢，每文重至二錢以上者，一律行用。是月，撥留京倉及海運漕米凡十三萬石賑順直災。
二月乙酉，賑梧州火災。丙戌，賞裴蔭森三品京堂，督辦福建船政。庚寅，文碩以擅行密疏稿於都察院，褫職。辛亥，祀先農，親耕耤田。是月，詔修葺頤和園，備皇太后臨幸。
三月丙辰，免浙江光緒五年以前逋賦。丙寅，賚班禪額爾德尼轉世呼畢勒罕哈達、念珠、如意。
夏四月庚寅，永定河決口合龍。辛卯，上奉皇太后始幸西苑。甲午，展接廣東電線自九江至大庾嶺。丁酉，雨雹。辛亥，命張曜幫辦海軍事務。賑惠州等屬水災。
五月乙卯，京師、奉天、山東地震。癸亥，夏至，祀地於方澤。丁卯，祈雨。
六月癸巳，雨。己亥，懿旨，皇帝大婚典禮，明年正月舉行。甲辰，彭玉麟以疾免兵部尚書，巡閱長江水師如故。壬寅，懿旨，明年二月初三日歸政。
七月庚申，以河工貽誤，褫李鴻藻、倪文蔚職，仍留任，李鶴年、成孚並戍軍台。甲子，永定河復決。丙寅，閻敬銘罷。丁丑，諭吳大澂察覈河工。是月，津沽鐵路成。
八月丁亥，賑奉天各廳州縣，安徽懷寧等縣水災。己丑，詔直省清庶獄。壬辰，賑蒼梧等處水災。丁酉，截留江北漕米備蘇、皖賑。乙巳，醇親王以歸政有日，請解職務。懿旨，海軍署、神機營依前管理，歸政後奏事勿列銜。
九月丙辰，除陝西去年逋賦。甲戌，永定河決口合龍。
冬十月己卯朔，享太廟。癸未，懿旨立葉赫那拉氏為皇后。癸巳，撥京漕二萬石備順天冬賑。甲午，免水城等處丁糧。賑丹徒旱災、南昌等縣水災。庚子，免朝鮮紅葠釐稅。
十一月壬戌，滇越邊界聯接中法電線成。初置北洋海軍提督，以丁汝昌任之。丙寅，冬至，祀天於圜丘。丁卯，免朝賀。戊辰，免靜海積水淀地租。
十二月壬午，賑阿迷、蒙自等處疫災。乙酉，詔光緒十五年舉行恩科鄉試，十六年恩科會試。辛卯，增設吉林水師營總管各官。癸巳，太和門災。甲午，詔修省，敕臣工勤職。乙未，免陝西前歲民欠錢糧。丁酉，懿旨，以水災停減頤和園工作。御史余聯沅、屠仁守、洪良品各疏請罷鐵路，徐會灃等條奏，同下海軍署與軍機大臣議。旋翁同龢、奎潤、游百川、文治等並言鐵路不當修，亦並下議。命太僕少卿林維垣襄辦台灣開墾撫番事。庚子，賑威遠廳水災。辛丑，道員徐承祖前使日本，坐浮冒，褫職聽勘，籍其家。丙午，鄭州決口合龍。授吳大澂河東河道總督，復李鴻藻、倪文蔚原官，並優敘，釋成孚、李鶴年還。
光緒十五年
十五年己丑春正月丁未朔，停筵宴。庚申，靖遠、皋蘭地震。辛酉，以張之萬為東閣大學士，徐桐以吏部尚書協辦大學士。海軍署會同軍機議駮停鐵路諸疏，覆請詳議。懿旨：「慶裕、定安、曾國荃、張之洞、黃彭年等，按切時勢，各抒所見以聞。」乙丑，惇親王薨。上奉皇太后臨奠。丁卯，御史屠仁守上言：「歸政伊邇，時事孔殷，密摺封奏，請仍書皇太后聖鑒，披覽後施行。」懿旨斥其乖謬，罷御史，下部議，原摺擲還。戊辰，御史林紹年請禁督撫報效。懿旨斥之。癸酉，大婚禮成。
二月戊寅，吳大澂請敕議尊崇醇親王典禮，懿旨斥之，通諭中外臣民。己卯，皇太后歸政。上御太和殿受賀，頒詔天下。丙戌，免江、淮光緒初年災熟各項稅糧。己丑，以齊東等州縣水災，撥山東庫帑五萬備賑。壬辰，加上皇太后徽號，頒詔覃恩有差。甲午，朝鮮慶賀歸政，進方物，賚其國王及王妃緞匹。
三月丙午朔，命侍講崔國因充出使美日秘大臣。丁未，彭玉麟辭巡閱職。溫諭慰留。濮州河決。癸丑，以布魯克巴部長歸化，予封號印敕。甲寅，撥黑龍江庫帑二萬加賑呼蘭屬災民。丁巳，皇后祀先蠶。己未，再加上皇太后徽號。庚午，免雲南被匪村寨錢糧。戊辰，上奉皇太后幸頤和園，閱水陸操。允閻敬銘回籍養病。
夏四月戊寅，撥南漕十萬石備山東賑。己卯，賑奉天、吉林災民。辛卯，賞湖南按察使薛福成三品京堂，充出使英法義比大臣。懿旨發內帑銀十萬備山東賑。庚子，賜張建勛等三百三十一人進士及第出身有差。
五月癸丑，停秋決。庚申，賑瀘州火災。
六月丙子，岑毓英卒。丁丑，以王文韶為雲貴總督。己卯，重修太和門。丁亥，賑周家口火災。壬辰，永定河道缺，李鴻章舉堪任之員。上疑於魁柄下移，予申斥。
秋七月丁未，章丘河決。己酉，除貴州西良山額課。庚午，齊河決。辛未，沁河決。是月，賑莒州、沂水雹災，周家口水災，長安、西鄉、鄜州水災雹災。賑雲南昆陽、太和，安徽霍丘等州縣水災。
八月乙亥，命李鴻章、張之洞會同海軍署籌辦蘆漢鐵路。丁亥，留新漕十萬石備山東賑。壬辰，以四川水災，捐款五萬賑災民。丁酉，天壇祈年殿災。庚子，賑伊犁、綏定等處地震災。辛丑，免貴州被賊府廳州縣衛未徵並民欠稅糧。
九月壬子，重修祈年殿。賑溫州等處風災水災。癸丑，免陝西各屬前歲逋賦。賑咸寧等處水災雹災。乙卯，賑皋蘭等處水災。壬辰，長垣堤決，黃水浸入滑縣。丙寅，諭定安等除東三省練兵弊習。丁卯，定明年祈穀暫於圜丘舉行。
冬十月乙亥，賑陽曲等處雹災水災。戊寅，設西安至嘉峪關電線。賑杭、嘉、湖屬水災。丁亥，以江、浙雨水為災，各撥庫儲五萬，並發內帑五萬賑濟。以張之洞訂購機器，遽立契約，詔切責之，嗣後凡創設之事，未先奏明，毋輕舉。己丑，撥武昌庫儲十萬備湖北賑需。壬辰，詔各省兩司仍專摺奏事。台灣社番亂，副將劉朝帶等陣沒，敕劉銘傳剿辦之。甲午，再撥浙江庫儲十五萬賑杭、嘉、湖災。己亥，山東大寨河工合龍。壬寅，撥蘇、皖賑捐餘款修運河。賑綏德等屬雹災水災。
十一月丙辰，允海軍署請，戶部歲撥二百萬開辦鐵路。丁巳，詔汰冗員，刪浮費。戊午，撥安徽漕折銀三萬備安慶、寧國、泗州賑需。丙寅，浙江發常平倉穀賑天台、仙居等處難民。
十二月壬申朔，免杭、嘉、湖應徵漕白糧並地丁稅。甲戌，留山東漕米四萬石備賑。丁丑，再撥武昌庫儲五萬備湖北賑需。丁亥，山東西紙坊漫口合龍。癸巳，申禁辦理蠲緩積弊。免雲南匪擾村寨錢糧。丁酉，免鄭州、淮寧、尉氏等州縣稅糧。免仁和等縣，杭、嚴衛所糧課。
是歲，朝鮮入貢。
光緒十六年
十六年庚寅春正月壬寅朔，停筵宴。辛酉，免直隸十三年以前灶課。丁卯，諭本年萬壽毋庸告祭，停升殿禮，免各省文武大員來京祝嘏。
二月乙酉，張曜言統核山東河工需費二百八十八萬有奇。命所司籌給。壬辰，台灣內山番社酋有敏等伏誅。是月，免榆林等州縣十三年逋賦。除東川被水官田稅糧。免文安、靜海、霸州淀泊逋租及伯都訥地課。
閏二月壬寅，賑桂林各屬火災。己酉，命太僕寺卿張蔭桓在總理各國事務衙門行走。乙卯，上奉皇太后謁東陵，免所過地額賦十分之三。庚申，上臨奠端慧皇太子園寢。癸亥，至自東陵。乙丑，曾紀澤卒，尋予特諡。諭李鴻章整頓北洋水陸軍，定安等訓練東三省兵。
三月辛未，懿旨，劉銘傳幫辦海軍事務。西寧地震，賑恤之。辛卯，以二旬萬壽，頒詔天下，覃恩有差。乙未，濬餘杭南湖。瞻對番目撒拉雍珠與巴宗喇嘛結野番作亂，官軍剿平之。
夏四月庚寅，彭玉麟卒。庚戌，諭整頓土藥稅釐。命剛毅詳察徐州土藥出產及徵稅實額，嚴定整理章程。丁卯，賜吳魯等三百三十六人進士及第出身有差。
五月己巳朔，日有食之。辛未，色楞額卒，以長庚為伊犁將軍。丙子，以升泰為駐藏大臣。己卯，上詣大高殿祈雨。乙酉，御畫舫齋閱侍衛步射，至壬辰皆如之。己丑，雨。築閿鄉沿河石壩。賑淮寧等縣風災。
六月己亥朔，徙齊東各州縣瀕河村民二千餘戶。丁未，開三姓金礦。戊申，以藏事平，頒給布魯克巴部長敕印。自癸卯至己酉連祈晴。辛亥，近畿霪雨成災，京師六門外增設粥廠，命撥京倉米萬五千石煮賑，並發內帑五萬充賑需。壬子，永定河決口。癸丑，永北屬土司章天錫謀逆，官軍討斬之。丁巳，撥奉天運京粟米，並留江北漕米，備天津災賑。甲子，萬壽節，御乾清宮受賀。
秋七月乙亥，鎮康土族亂，剿平之。詔責李鴻章堵合永定河決口。己卯，發帑五萬兩，大錢五十萬貫，米十萬石，賑順天各屬災。壬午，諭嚴懲領放賑款侵冒剋扣。庚寅，分撥部庫及海關銀凡三十萬，濟永定河工。癸巳，命翰林院侍讀許景澄充出使俄德和奧大臣，道員李經方充出使日本大臣。賑湖北、廣西、陝西、雲南水災。
八月壬寅，再撥京倉米十萬石備順天賑需。乙巳，上詣醇親王邸視疾。己酉，劉錦棠乞歸。仍予假。壬子，以劉銘傳擅興商礦，章程紕繆，諭止之，予部議。丁巳，留漕米五萬石，撥庫帑十萬，備山東賑。壬戌，以順直水患，諭王公各府京旗莊田並減租。是月，免陝西、江西逋賦。賑陝西水災雹災，雲南水災，台灣風災。
九月乙亥，戶部言祿米倉虧十五萬石，倉場侍郎興廉、游百川下部議，尋並奪職。丙子，賑琿春、寧古塔潦災。壬午，御史吳兆泰請停頤和園工程，予嚴議。永定河決口合龍。甲申，賑甘肅雹災。壬辰，石埭會匪亂，剿定之。癸巳，撥部帑及倉米於順天備賑。
冬十月丁未，以劉坤一為兩江總督兼南洋大臣。庚戌，曾國荃卒，贈太傅。辛亥，再撥京倉米五萬石備順天賑。免奉、直、魯、豫商販雜糧稅捐。
十一月乙亥，賑湖南被水州縣災。乙酉，上奉皇太后臨醇親王邸視疾。丁亥，醇親王薨，輟朝七日，上奉皇太后臨邸視殮，皇太后賜奠。命王子鎮國公載灃即日襲王爵。上成服，懿旨定稱號曰「皇帝本生考」，己丑，懿旨賜諡曰賢。皇帝持服一年。
十二月壬子，懿旨晉封輔國公載洵入八分鎮國公，鎮國將軍載濤不入八分輔國公。乙卯，醇賢親王金棺奉移園寓，上送至適園。壬戌，緩南苑工程。甲子，免浙江各廳州縣場光緒初年逋賦。
光緒十七年
十七年辛卯春正月癸巳，四川雷波夷匪就撫。
二月癸卯，留海運漕米十六萬石備順直春撫。己巳，御史高燮曾請舉行日講。詔以有名無實，不納。辛亥，命李鴻章、張曜會閱北洋海軍。劉錦棠以憂去，以陶模為新疆巡撫。雲南匪亂，陷富民、祿勸縣城，討平之。是月，免湖北、山西十三年以前逋賦。
三月丁卯，諭資遣難民歸籍。己巳，皇后祀先蠶。壬申，修寶坻、通、薊諸州縣河工。丁丑，命李鴻章督修關東鐵路。庚寅，命沙克都林札布會額爾慶額勘察哈巴河。辛卯，劉銘傳以疾免。
夏四月丁酉，立醇賢親王廟。丙午，復建祠。辛酉，頤和園蕆工，上奉皇太后臨幸自此始。
五月丁卯至庚午連雨。辛未，皇后躬桑。壬午，賑清江等處風災。是月，京畿蝗。總署以各省教案迭出，請飭辦。諭曰：「各國傳教，載在條約，商民教士，各省當力衛其身家。乃者焚毀教堂，同時並起。顯有匪徒布謠生事，各督撫其緝治之，俾勿有所擾害。」
六月戊戌，諭嚴緝會匪。戊申，詔會匪自首與密報匪首因而緝獲者原免之。辛亥，王文韶奏誅附亂參將鮑虎。巧家廳披沙蠻酋祿汶芢伏誅，滇支夷二十一寨就撫。
秋七月癸未，以王文韶言雲南猛參、猛角、猛董土司劃界息爭。予孟定土知府罕忠邦宣撫使銜，土目罕榮高管理猛角、猛董，予土千總准世襲。乙酉，張曜卒。
八月壬辰朔，予樂亭耆儒史夢蘭四品卿銜。癸巳，命奕劻總理海軍事務，定安、劉坤一襄辦。己亥，世祖御制勸善要言譯漢書成，頒行直省學官，朔望與聖諭廣訓一體宣講。寶鋆卒。癸丑，諭疆吏飭營伍，除積習，嚴禁句結包庇。
九月癸未，免陝西前歲逋課。丙戌，初，與國來使，自同治十二年以來，皆見於紫光閣。是月，德使巴蘭德謂視如藩屬，屢以易地為言。至是，奧使畢格哩本來，遂於承光殿覲見。戊子，雲南北勝土州同改土歸流。
十月丁酉，免隰、榆次等處逋賦及旗租。癸丑，詔班禪額爾德尼呼畢勒罕明年正月坐床，升泰、蘇呼諾門罕往視，頒寄敕書珍物。甲寅，予宋儒游酢從祀文廟。戊午，熱河朝陽匪亂，提督葉志超、聶士成剿平之。
十一月丁卯，以熱河匪首擒戮，諭民間無論入會否，並許自新，其自拔來歸者宥之。乙亥，命戶部侍郎崇禮、兵部侍郎洪鈞並在總理各國事務衙門行走。己卯，海運倉火。甲申，以喀喇沁旗匪亂，撥庫帑三萬賑撫之。賑漢口火災。
十二月丙申，免河南光緒初年逋賦。乙巳，賑熱河被匪災區。戊申，申諭內務府撙節用費。
是冬，免浙江、陝西本年民欠稅糧。
光緒十八年
十八年壬辰春正月丁亥，濬運河。辛卯，撥庫帑五萬於熱河，賑敖罕、奈曼兩旗蒙古。癸丑，英兵入坎巨提，回部頭目逃避色勒庫爾，賑撫之。
三月庚申，閻敬銘卒。
夏四月己酉，葬醇賢親王。是月，台灣內山番社作亂，剿平之。
五月甲子，陽江匪亂，首逆譚運青伏誅。庚午，祈雨。辛未，賜劉福姚等三百一十七人進士及第出身有差。乙亥，合肥等州縣旱蝗，賑之。是月，上林、賓州匪首莫自閒等伏誅。
六月庚寅，祈雨。丙申，雨。壬寅，命編修汪鳳藻充出使日本大臣。
閏六月己未，永定河決。庚申，賑汾州及歸綏七廳旱災。甲子，留江蘇江北河漕各五萬石於順直備賑。丙寅，阿克達春以奏對失辭，罷山西巡撫。丁丑，以近畿水災，撥部帑十萬備賑。庚辰，恩承卒。是月，京畿蝗。
秋七月辛丑，發庫帑十萬備雲南各屬賑。壬寅，河南蝗。癸丑，諭唐炯整頓銅運。
八月丙寅，命奎煥與英使保爾議印藏商約。甲寅，命福錕為體仁閣大學士，麟書協辦大學士。留山東新漕備賑。
九月庚寅，撥江北漕米五萬石備鎮江各屬賑。己亥，福建德化匪首陳拱伏誅。壬寅，免陝西前歲民欠錢糧。
十月乙卯朔，留江南漕米三萬石備江寧諸縣賑。庚申，醴陵匪首鄧海山伏誅。己巳，賑莎車水災。免直隸通州等處糧租雜課。
十一月乙酉朔，免直隸通州等處逋賦。辛卯，賑台灣等處潦災。辛丑，諭李鴻章、孫家鼐等察賑，被災州縣有玩視民瘼者，嚴劾以聞。壬寅，免江蘇各廳州縣衛逋賦。庚戌，發庫帑十萬賑太原等屬水旱霜雹災。癸丑，發內帑二萬賑順直各屬災民。
十二月乙卯朔，詔王大臣承辦皇太后六旬慶典，會同戶、禮、工部，內務府博稽舊典，詳議以聞。丙寅，召劉錦棠來京。丁卯，再發京倉米四萬石，賑順天災民。乙巳，懿旨，辦理慶典，一切撙節，內外臣工例貢免進獻。特頒內帑賑濟順直災區，每歲准此，畀順天府、直隸總督永濟窮黎。每省各賞銀二萬，自明年甲午始，俱發內帑畀各省疆吏散給之。諭已故貝勒那爾蘇為僧格林沁孫，惓念前勞，追封親王，後不得援例。丙子，賞徽寧池太廣道楊儒四品京堂，充出使美日秘大臣。
是歲，朝鮮入貢。
光緒十九年
十九年癸巳春正月乙酉朔，詔以明歲皇太后六旬聖壽，今年舉行恩科鄉試，翌年舉行甲午恩科會試。丙戌，免長洲等州縣冬漕米石。己亥，免長沙等州縣逋賦。甲辰，詔明年應來京祝嘏蒙古與內札薩克王、公、台吉等，除有年班外，俱止來京。癸丑，以口外七廳及大同等府災，命直、晉免收運商糧稅，撥部帑十萬賑之。
二月戊午，留江蘇漕米五萬石備賑安州等處。戊辰，見德使巴蘭德於承光殿。癸酉，留京餉五萬賑陝西北山等處災民。
三月辛卯，命以兩湖漕米六萬餘石變價賑山西災。
夏四月丙子，祈晴。己卯，以阿拉善札薩克和碩親王多羅特色楞游牧連年荒旱，頒帑三萬賑之。
五月乙酉，北新倉火。乙未，以伊克昭盟長札薩克固山貝子札那吉爾第游牧連年荒旱，頒帑一萬賑之。
六月乙卯，命直省擇保精曉天文、醫理、卜筮、數學及嫻於堪輿者，上之內務府。戊午，撥部帑三萬備賑醴陵等處災。庚申，見德使紳珂於承光殿。癸亥，祈晴。丁卯，普安匪首劉燕飛等伏誅。癸酉，京師雨災，詔於六門外等六處各設粥廠，撥京倉米萬石充賑。乙亥，再撥奉天粟米、江南北漕米備順直賑需。永定河決，南北汛並溢。丙子，免安徽積年逋賦，暨潛山等縣衛前欠夏糧。
秋七月甲申，諭順天府平糶。甲辰，近畿積潦漸消，諭遣就食貧民歸籍。
八月辛亥，賜故總督曾國荃孫廣漢四五品京堂。除華僑海禁，自今商民在外洋，無問久暫，概許回國治生置業，其經商出洋亦聽之。丁卯，採購奉、豫、魯省雜糧分備順直賑。
九月癸未，山東截留新漕六萬石賑瀕河州縣災民。再撥江南北漕米十萬石改折，復留江蘇漕米八萬石充賑順直，分半給之。癸卯，發京倉米三萬石賑順天。是月，免陝西各屬逋賦及額賦。
冬十月己酉朔，修太倉四州縣海塘。壬子，賞四川布政使龔照瑗三品京堂，充出使英法義比大臣。己未，命戶部歲納內務府銀五十萬。乙丑，免通州等處糧賦。
十一月己丑，申私錢之禁，有銷毀改鑄或載運者，所司訪緝嚴治之。戊子，甘肅、新疆地震。辛卯，命許振禕與李鴻章會勘永定河。甲午，免大興等縣秋稅。
十二月辛亥，命吏部侍郎徐用儀在軍機大臣上學習行走。壬子，詔京察嚴考覈。戊午，除內地人民出海禁。辛酉，賑安仁疫災。壬戌，免歸化等七廳租賦。丁卯，免烏拉捕東珠。壬申，撥京東倉米五萬石備順天春賑。癸酉，刑部奏革員周福清於考官途次函通關節，擬杖流，改斬監候。
光緒二十年
二十年甲午春正月己卯朔，懿旨，六旬慶辰，晉封妃嬪名號，增恭親王護衛，奕劻晉封親王，醇親王載灃等賞賚有差。自中外大臣、文武大員、蒙古王公等以次恩錫。丙申，許振禕會勘永定河工程，命與李鴻章會籌。允歲增修費四萬，並撥部帑三十萬充經費。己亥，庫車地震。免鎮、迪各屬逋賦。庚子，重申科場禁例。辛丑，免鄂倫春貢貂。壬寅，滇緬續約成。
二月辛亥，詔殿廷考試閱卷大臣公慎校取勿濫。濬通惠河，築閘壩。甲子，命李鴻章閱海軍。甲戌，禁州縣非時預徵及濫用非刑。允許振禕請，盧溝橋置河防局，仿裘曰修成法，設浚船百二十艘。
三月戊寅朔，日有食之。諭疆吏毋濫保屬官。戊子，詔停秋決。
是春，免新疆各屬逋賦，雲南各屬額賦雜課。
夏四月戊申，韶州南雄匪亂，剿平之。己酉，漵浦匪首諶北海伏誅。甲寅，大考翰、詹，擢文廷式等六人一等，餘升黜有差。辛酉，見義使巴爾迪等於承光殿。辛未，賜張謇等三百十一人進士及第出身有差。壬申，諭直省清理京控積案。
五月丁亥，以畿輔多盜，諭嚴捕務。戊子，詔駐藏辦事大臣、幫辦大臣三年任滿得請覲，著為令。丁酉，初，朝鮮以匪亂乞師，李鴻章檄提督葉志超、總兵聶士成統兵往。上慮兵力不足，因諭綏靖藩服，宜圖萬全，尚須增調續發，以期必勝。壬寅，除免江蘇海運漂沒漕糧。乙巳，召劉銘傳來京。裁鄂倫春總管，升布特哈總管為副都統。
六月己酉，詔停道、府捐。癸丑，京師霪雨，祈晴。乙卯，見日使小村壽太郎於承光殿。戊午，命翁同龢、李鴻藻與軍機、總署集議朝鮮事。壬戌，停海軍報效。乙丑，諭：「湖南京漕折價，備順天賑。向有濟荒經費，亦報解存儲。」皆自今歲始，歲以為常。丁卯，命南澳鎮總兵劉永福赴台灣。戊辰，召劉錦棠來京。辛未，上二旬萬壽，御殿受賀筵宴。命徐用儀為軍機大臣。壬申，召免出使日本大臣汪鳳藻回國。
秋七月乙亥朔，日本侵朝鮮，下詔宣戰。戊寅，命李瀚章毀南海舉人康祖詒所著書。己卯，諭遣道員袁世凱往平壤撫輯。丙辰，命台灣布政使唐景崧、南澳鎮總兵劉永福助邵友濂籌防。辛巳，諭李鴻章擴充海軍，慎選將才，精求訓練，通籌熟計以聞。乙酉，免賓川等州縣田租。丙戌，敕神機營兵防近畿，駐通州，旋移南苑。戊子，命端郡王載漪、敬信練旗兵，以滿洲火器營、健銳營、圓明園八旗槍營暨漢軍槍隊充選。載漪尋管神機營。諭停不急工程。允吳大澂請，統湘軍赴朝鮮督戰。丁酉，賑會同、會樂二縣災。己亥，命葉志超總統駐平壤諸軍。敬信、汪鳴鑾均在總理各國事務衙門行走。癸卯，重訂中外保護華工約。
八月丙午，吳大澂督軍出關，自請幫辦海軍，不許。丁未，始釋奠於先師。己酉，劉錦棠卒。戊午，上皇太后徽號，頒詔覃恩有差。壬戌，李鴻章以師久無功，褫三眼孔雀翎、黃馬褂。丙寅，懿旨發內帑三百萬備軍需。命四川提督宋慶幫辦北洋軍務。丁卯，命承恩公桂祥統率馬步各營往駐山海關。戊辰，奉天援軍統領高州鎮總兵左寶貴及日人戰於平壤，敗績，死之。己巳，命吳大澂軍駐樂亭。庚午，懿旨，六旬慶辰停止頤和園受賀。撥京倉米三萬石賑順天各屬水災。
九月甲戌朔，懿旨起恭親王奕訢直內廷，管總署、海軍署事，並會同措理軍務。乙亥，命宋慶節制直、奉諸軍。罷葉志超總統。丁丑，諭在籍提督曹克忠募津勇駐山海關。召王文韶來京。調黃少春為長江水師提督。庚辰，命兵部侍郎王文錦等辦理團練。辛巳，免陝西咸寧等處旱荒田賦。壬午，海軍副將鄧世昌及日人戰於大東溝，死之。癸未，召張之洞來京。丁亥，賑瑞昌等縣潦災。戊子，以臨敵潰散，罷葉志超、衛汝貴統領，以聶士成統兩軍。庚子，日兵渡鴨綠江。辛丑，陷九連城。壬寅，命長順率吉林軍往奉天助剿，豐紳統三省練軍防東邊。
冬十月甲辰朔，諭裕祿飭金州戰備。乙巳，命提督唐仁廉募勇二十營，會定安、裕祿防剿。丁未，詔山西各省入衛。戊申，詔恭親王督辦軍務，各路統帥聽節制。命王大臣等分辦巡防、團防，廣西按察使胡燏棻駐天津督糧饟，許專奏。召劉坤一來京，以張之洞署兩江總督兼南洋大臣。寧夏鎮總兵衛汝貴以臨敵退縮，褫職逮問。己酉，命翁同龢、李鴻藻、剛毅並為軍機大臣。壬子，日人陷金州，副都統連順棄城遁。徐邦道及日人戰，敗績。丙辰，賑東省瀕河貧民，並撥帑撫恤。丁酉，各國使臣呈遞國書，賀皇太后六旬萬壽，上見之於文華殿。壬戌，日人陷岫岩州，豐升阿、聶桂林皆棄城走。額勒和布、張之萬罷軍機。定安以臨敵無功，奪欽差大臣、漢軍都統，暫留辦東三省練兵。依克唐阿以督兵畏葸褫職，戴罪圖功。丁卯，日人襲旅順船塢，總辦龔照璵遁煙台，黃仕林、趙懷業、衛汝成繼之，徐邦道與張光前、薑桂題、程允和奔復州依宋慶。諭李秉衡嚴防威海。吳大澂請自任山海關防務，並俟各軍會合，規復朝鮮。諭曰：「臨事而懼，古有明訓。切勿掉以輕心，致他日言行不相顧。」以旅順失守，責李鴻章調度乖方，褫職留任。壬申，奪丁汝昌海軍提督，暫留任。宋慶自請治罪，特原之。詔各路將帥嚴約束，禁擾累民間，犯者立正軍法。褫葉志超職。
十一月癸酉朔，褫龔照璵職，尋逮問。己卯，以金州陷，褫副都統連順職，程之偉並褫職，趙懷業逮京治罪。庚辰，懿旨恭親王奕訢復為軍機大臣。辛巳，免順直被水州縣額賦。丙戌，日本陷復州。戊子，日本兵集金、復二州。諭宋慶率諸軍決戰。豐升阿、聶桂林自岫岩奔析木城，聞敵至，師復潰，日人取析木城。以程文炳為陸路提督。己丑，宋慶及日人戰於海城，敗績，退保田莊台。庚寅，依克唐阿及日人戰於鳳凰城，侍衛永山死之。命榮祿在總理各國事務衙門行走。壬辰，豐升阿、聶桂林逮問。癸巳，逮葉志超、丁汝昌治罪。戊戌，褫提督程允和、張光前、總兵薑桂題職，俱留營效力。
十二月癸卯，停是月紫光閣、保和殿筵宴。褫提督衛汝成職，逮問。甲辰，御史安維峻以論李鴻章，坐妄言褫職，戍軍台。命劉坤一為欽差大臣，關內外各軍均歸節制。褫提督黃仕林職，逮問。壬子，命張蔭桓、邵友濂以全權大臣往日本議和，尋召還。丙辰，撥江蘇漕米十二萬石備順直春賑。丁巳，章高元及日人戰於蓋平，敗績。奉軍復戰，提督楊壽山死之，城陷。辛酉，懿旨，劉坤一駐山海關籌進止。趣吳大澂率師出關，會宋慶進剿。以近畿米貴，運豫、魯雜糧平糶。癸亥，衛汝貴處斬。甲子，命宋慶、吳大澂襄辦劉坤一軍務。乙丑，再撥京倉米三萬石備順天春賑。己卯，日本陷榮成。庚午，命王文韶襄辦北洋軍務。
是歲，朝鮮入貢。
光緒二十一年
二十一年乙未春正月癸酉朔，停筵宴。乙亥，日兵寇威海。丁丑，我海軍與戰於南岸，敗績。己卯，吳大澂始出關視師。辛巳，威海陷，守將戴宗騫死之。改命聶士成統兵入關。丁亥，詔責李鴻章。庚寅，劉公島陷，水師熸，丁汝昌及總兵劉步蟾死之。諭張之洞、松椿防海、贛、清江水陸要衝，保清、淮通運。辛卯，授李鴻章為頭等全權大臣，使日本。壬辰，見各國使臣於文華殿。陶模言喀什噶爾、莎車、和闐等屬戶民，英印度部收買為奴，應由公家贖放，從之。丙申，葉志超、龔照□興俱論斬。己亥，日本陷文登、寧海，偪煙台。宋慶等及日人戰於太平山，敗績，走。
二月乙巳，宋慶、吳大澂敗日人於亮甲山，參將劉雲桂、守備趙雲奇戰死。賑錦州、寧遠災民。丁未，命聶士成總統津、沽海口防軍。乙酉，日兵薄遼陽，長順、唐仁廉擊卻之。庚戌，日兵陷牛莊，吳大澂退走，日人遂襲營口。癸丑，馬玉昆敗日人於田莊台。甲寅，復戰，敗績。丙辰，日兵陷田莊台。吳大澂奔錦州，宋慶退雙台。丁巳，以吳大澂師徒撓敗，切責之。戊午，恭親王等奏撤海軍署。免上元、江寧等處，淮安等衛賦課。賑直隸水災。庚申，分神機營兵駐喜峰口。癸亥，命吳大澂解軍務幫辦來京，湘、鄂諸軍以魏光燾領之。乙丑，撥庫帑十萬加賑薊州等處災民。戊辰，知州徐慶璋集民團固守遼陽，命裕祿濟饟械。己巳，賑玉田、灤州、樂亭水災。日人狙擊李鴻章，彈傷其頰。庚午，日人犯澎湖。
三月壬申朔，命吳大澂回湖南巡撫任。癸酉，濟陽高家紙坊河決。乙亥，日兵陷澎湖。戊子，褫提督蔣希夷職，逮問。癸巳，命郭寶昌隨同劉坤一辦防務。己亥，李鴻章與日本全權伊籐博文、陸奧宗光馬關會議。和約成，定朝鮮為獨立自主國，割遼南地、台灣、澎湖各島，償軍費二萬萬，增通商口岸，任日本商民從事工藝製造，暫行駐兵威海。
夏四月戊申，撥京倉米石備順天平糶。己酉，天津海溢，王文韶自請罷斥，不許。諭曰：「非常災異，我君臣惟當修省惕厲，以弭天災。」甘肅撒回叛，陷循化□，雷正綰剿之。庚戌，命道員聯芳、伍廷芳赴煙台與日本換約。乙卯，諭曰：「和約定議，廷臣交章謂地不可棄，費不可償，當仍廢約決戰。其言固出忠憤，而未悉朝廷苦衷。自倉卒開釁，戰無一勝。近者情事益迫，北可逼遼、瀋，南可犯畿疆。瀋陽為陵寢重地，京師則宗社攸關。況慈闈頤養廿餘年，使徒御有驚，藐躬何堪自問？加以天心示警，海嘯成災，戰守更難措手。一和一戰，兩害兼權，而後幡然定計。其萬難情事，言者所未及詳，而天下臣民皆當共諒者也。茲將批準定約，特宣示前後辦理緣由。我君臣惟期堅苦一心，痛除積弊。」戊午，諭軍機大臣及諸臣工，和局已成，勿再論奏。留山東運糧十萬石備寧河等處賑。命裕祿接濟寧、錦等屬賑需。己未，賞前宿松縣知縣孫葆田五品卿銜。辛酉，達賴喇嘛受戒畢，賚哈達、念珠等物。癸亥，撥湖北漕米三萬石，備寧、錦等屬賑。乙丑，京師平糶。命李經方為台灣交地全權委員。丙寅，賜駱成驤等二百八十二人進士及第出身有差。丁卯，召唐景崧來京。
五月辛未朔，賑臨漳等縣水災。庚辰，蔣希夷論斬。乙酉，見俄使喀希尼、法使施阿蘭於文華殿。壬辰，日本歸我遼南地。丁酉，免湖南新化，雲南阿迷、保山、昆明上年被災田賦。賑長武等縣水災雹災。庚子，唐景崧休致。
閏五月辛丑朔，撥山東庫帑二萬助賑奉天。壬寅，撫恤江、浙運漕稽候船戶萬餘人。甲辰，大學士福錕致仕。乙巳，命直隸提督聶士成總統淮軍駐津、沽，江西布政使魏光燾總統浙軍駐山海關，四川提督宋慶總統毅軍駐錦州，俱聽北洋大臣調度。癸丑，吳大澂罷。戊午，予惠潮嘉道裕庚四品京堂，充出使日本大臣。丁卯，諭曰：「近中外臣工條陳時務，如修鐵路，鑄鈔幣，造機器，開礦產，折南漕，減兵額，創郵政，練陸軍，整海軍，立學堂，大抵以籌餉練兵為急務，以恤商惠工為本源，皆應及時興舉。至整頓釐金，嚴覈關稅，稽察荒田，汰除冗員，皆於國計民生多所裨補。直省疆吏應各就情勢，籌酌辦法以聞。」
六月甲戌，孫毓汶以疾免。丁丑，賑熱河饑民。乙酉，軍機大臣徐用儀罷。以麟書為武英殿大學士，昆岡以禮部尚書協辦大學士。命錢應溥為軍機大臣，翁同龢、李鴻藻均兼總理各國事務衙門行走。戊子，賑鍾祥等處水災。
秋七月甲辰，沁河決。乙巳，滎澤河決。丁未，詔李鴻章入閣辦事。授王文韶直隸總督兼北洋大臣。戊申，賑商州、清澗等處水災雹災。己酉，予宋儒呂大臨從祀文廟。壽張、齊東河決。豐升阿遣戍軍台。戊午，賑鎮安等縣水災。辛酉，江西巡撫德馨有罪褫職。色勒庫爾地震。壬戌，以回眾猖獗，褫總兵湯彥和職，楊昌濬、雷正綰並褫職留任。丁卯，已革提督黃仕林論斬。
八月壬申，賑富川、容縣水災。丙子，賑階、文、西寧等州縣水災。己卯，四川總督劉秉璋以不能保護教堂褫職。丙戌，命工部郎中慶常以五品京堂充出使法國大臣。癸巳，免雲南威遠被災田賦。
九月庚子，賑梧州府屬火災。留山東新漕備瀕河諸縣災賑。乙巳，留湖北冬漕三萬石備鍾祥等縣賑需。丁未，命魏光燾統軍援甘肅。戊申，免望都差徭，及退出圈地額賦五成，著為令。己酉，免陝西前歲民欠，暨華州開渠佔地錢糧。壬子，見英使歐格訥於文華殿。乙卯，賑甘肅被擾各地難民。戊午，賑臨湘蛟災。撥帑三萬購倉穀，備常德、衡州旱災。壬戌，見和使克羅伯於文華殿。癸亥，命宗人府府丞吳廷芬兼總理各國事務衙門行走。丙寅，後藏班禪額爾德尼來京謁陵，進方物。揭陽、潮陽、普寧等縣地震。
十月辛未，楊昌濬罷，以陶模署陝甘總督。辛巳，李鴻章與日使互換歸遼條約。甲申，長麟、汪鳴鑾並以召對妄言褫職。己丑，初設新建陸軍，命溫處道袁世凱督練。丙申，免江川被災田賦二年。賑鶴慶等州縣水旱災。
十一月乙酉朔，山東趙家口合龍。丁未，免盛京被淹官莊額賦。戊申，留河南漕折八萬備內黃等縣工賑。己酉，以湖北布政使王之春充俄皇加冕賀使。庚戌，免奉天被兵各屬旗民兩年田賦，並積年逋賦。癸丑，劉永福免。癸亥，甘肅提督李培榮以赴援西寧逗留褫職。乙丑，調董福祥為甘肅提督，仍總統甘軍，前敵諸將均歸節制。賑保山蛟災。
十二月戊寅，壽張決口合龍。庚辰，撥庫帑六萬備湖北春賑。癸巳，改命李鴻章使俄，邵友濂副之。是月，免陝西前歲逋賦、奉天上年葦稅及官莊稅糧。賑盛京、萍鄉災。發帑各十萬，賑湖南、雲南、陝西各屬災。
光緒二十二年
二十二年丙申春正月丙申朔，停筵宴。丁酉，以特遣李鴻章使俄，諭止邵友濂、王之春毋往。己亥，賑長沙各府水旱災。乙卯，見各國公使於文華殿。庚申，命馮子材仍回廣東，督辦欽、廉防務。
二月庚午，移塔爾巴哈台額魯特領隊大臣駐布倫布拉克，伊犁察哈爾營領隊大臣駐博羅塔拉。壬申，始議郵政與各國聯會。開龍州鐵路。劉銘傳卒。丁亥，戶部火。
三月戊戌，額勒和布致仕。癸卯，開杭州商埠。丁未，命王文韶、張之洞督辦蘆漢鐵路。辛酉，回匪窺珠勒都斯。癸亥，命董福祥駐西寧，專任剿撫，魏光燾還駐河州，尋命回陝西巡撫任。
夏四月壬申，五台山菩薩頂災。乙亥，免昆明、丘北被災夏糧。辛巳，命榮祿往天津閱新建陸軍。戊子，授昆岡體仁閣大學士，榮祿以兵部尚書協辦大學士。
五月丁酉，諭李秉衡查州縣糧賦，浮收者覈減之。免恩安被災額賦。辛丑，鄭州文廟災。是月，上數奉皇太后臨醇王邸視福晉疾。癸卯，醇賢親王福晉葉赫那拉氏薨，輟朝十一日，上奉皇太后臨邸視殮，越日復往奠祭。懿旨，醇賢親王福晉薨逝，應稱曰「皇帝本生妣」。乙巳，上成服。壬子，免安徽歷年逋賦。甲子，緩鄂倫春牲丁進貂貢。
六月丙寅，諭奎順撫恤青海蒙民。丁卯，河決利津。戊辰，免浙江歷年各場積欠灶課鹽課。庚午，賑浙江風災。壬申，醇賢親王福晉金棺奉移，上躬詣臨送。甲戌，上奉皇太后如醇王園寓臨奠福晉金棺。己卯，諭整頓長江水師。壬午，命裕祿兼充船政大臣。丙戌，松潘番亂，官軍剿平之。丁亥，允王大臣請，神機營練兵處仿西制練兵。辛卯，永定河溢。是月，賑大東溝海溢災，安徽、湖北蛟災。
秋七月甲午朔，日有食之。丁酉，順天東南各屬水，命孫家鼐等速籌賑需。乙巳，留南漕十萬石於天津備賑。
八月乙丑，以關內外回匪漸平，諭陶模、董福祥安輯降眾，搜捕餘匪。己巳，川軍剿瞻對，疊克要隘，進逼中瞻。庚辰，諭鹿傳霖：「瞻對用兵，乃暫時辦法。事定後仍設番官否，當再審詳。不得因此苛責喇嘛，轉生他釁，慎勿鹵莽而行。」己丑，諭刑部訊獄應速結，毋任延宕。壬辰，禁各省濫用非刑。
九月丙申，福錕卒。免陝西前歲逋賦。己亥，東陵蟲災。丙午，賞盛宣懷四品京堂。先是，王文韶、張之洞請立招商輪船總公司，舉盛宣懷督辦。至是，旨下，並准專奏。大學士張之萬致仕。丁未，見德使海靖、比使費葛於文華殿。庚戌，命李鴻章在總理各國事務衙門行走。癸丑，李秉衡言勘明黃河尾閭，擬由舊黃河東岸挑濬新河，仍導歸舊河入海。諭以大舉興辦，務期一勞永逸，以副委任。
是秋，賑河南、奉天、湖北、安徽、山東、山西、吉林、黑龍江水災，湖南蛟災，及陝、甘水災雹災，新疆蝗災雹災，廣東洋面風災。
冬十月壬戌朔，賑湖北江、漢水災。癸亥，辦河州冬賑。甲子，增設蘇州、杭州、沙市、思茅四關。丙寅，諭陶模選廉明賢吏，和輯漢、回，偶有爭執，專論是非，准情理以劑其平，並分別撫恤被兵區域。論平回功，予董福祥騎都尉世職，授陶模陝甘總督，饒應祺新疆巡撫，予奎順、魏光燾優敘，其餘甄敘有差。甲戌，永定河決口合龍。戊寅，定朝鮮設領事，不立條約，不遣使，不遞國書，以總領事一人駐其都城。庚辰，命左都御史楊儒充出使俄奧荷大臣，道員羅豐祿充出使英義比大臣，黃遵憲充出使德國大臣，伍廷芳充出使美日祕大臣。癸未，免武清等州縣秋賦雜課。乙酉，賑華州等處水災。己丑，以徐桐為體仁閣大學士，李鴻藻以禮部尚書協辦大學士。
十一月戊申，冬至，祀天於圜丘。己酉，免朝賀。辛亥，免河、洮等處被災賦課。丁巳，命工部侍郎許景澄充出使德國大臣。是月，賑山東、四川水災。
十二月乙丑，初，鹿傳霖屢奏瞻對宜剿，擬收回後改設漢官。上慮失達賴心，命鹿傳霖、文海等詳議。至是，疏陳瞻民向化，藏番震懾各情。因諭剴切勸導達賴，期於保藏、保川兩無窒礙。賑四川東鄉等屬災。丙子，免遼陽各村屯糧賦，綏德等州縣逋糧。
光緒二十三年
二十三年丁酉春正月辛卯朔，停筵宴。丁酉，免山東光緒初年逋賦。辛亥，留湖北漕米充工賑。乙卯，見美、法、英、德、荷、比、俄、義、日本及日、奧諸國公使於文華殿。
二月壬戌，命戶部侍郎張廕桓使英。庚午，河決歷城、章丘。己卯，命崇禮、許應騤在總理各國事務衙門行走。
三月癸巳，詔汰冗兵。甲辰，懿旨發內帑十萬賑四川，五萬賑湖北，並以庫帑十萬加賑四川夔、綏、忠三屬。辛亥，免銅仁、青谿被水田賦。丁巳，初設海參葳委員。
夏四月乙亥，李秉衡奏減山東錢漕。
五月丙申，詔棍噶札拉參胡圖克圖嘉穆巴圖多普准轉世為八音溝承化寺胡圖克圖。甲辰，張之萬卒，贈太保。丁未，上詣本生妣醇賢親王福晉園寢，週年釋服。壬子，予呂海寰四品京堂，充出使德荷二國大臣。
六月己卯，賑崇陽等縣水災。
是夏，見奧使齊幹、俄使烏爾他木斯科、英使竇納樂、日使矢野文雄於文華殿。
秋七月庚寅，李鴻藻卒。丙申，命廖壽恆在總理各國事務衙門行走。辛丑，復故陝西固原提督雷正綰原官。甲辰，免岷州衛二十四寺進騾，並展緩馬貢。甲寅，平遙普洞村山陷入地中。
八月己巳，靖西地震。壬申，命翁同龢以戶部尚書協辦大學士。癸未，弛科布多札哈沁寶爾吉礦禁，許蒙、漢民人開採。乙酉，以鹿傳霖於德爾格忒土司措理失宜，罷改土歸流議，釋土司昂翁降白仁青暨其家屬，仍回德爾格忒管土司事。
九月戊子，鹿傳霖罷。己丑，命德爾格忒撤兵。戊戌，見挪威使柏固於文華殿。甲辰，達賴喇嘛請還瞻對地。諭恭壽等會商以聞。丙午，利津決口合龍。乙卯，復故陝甘總督楊昌濬官。
是秋，賑陝西雹災水災，湖南北、江西、廣東、安徽、雲、貴水災，新疆蝗災。
十月戊午，廣西巡撫史念祖坐事褫職。壬申，曹州匪戕害德國教士，命李秉衡察勘之。戊寅，德以兵輪入膠澳。壬午，免樂亭等州縣被災額賦。是月，賑廣東風災，陝西雹災，湖南、江南水災。
十一月辛卯，撥江北漕米三萬石，備徐、海各屬賑。甲午，詔罷三瞻改土歸流議，仍隸達賴喇嘛。辛丑，諭安撫江蘇各屬饑民。丁未，英使竇納樂入見。癸丑，冬至，祀天於圜丘。甲寅，免朝賀。昭烏達盟旗匪平。
十二月甲子，利津河決。己巳，免安州澇地租。乙亥，三巖野番就撫，改設土千戶，隸巴塘。罷硃窩、章谷兩土司歸流議。戊寅，詔各省保護教堂教士。免狄道、巴燕戎格等處額賦。
光緒二十四年
二十四年戊戌春正月乙酉朔，日有食之。元旦受禮改於乾清宮，停宗親宴。戊子，詔各省大吏定議籌餉練兵，速覆以聞。庚寅，定經濟特科及歲舉法。命中外保薦堪與特科者。乙未，免建水被旱夏糧。己酉，見各國公使於文華殿。壬子，免石屏、昆明夏糧。
二月甲子，命廖壽恆在軍機大臣上學習行走。丙寅，免清海阿里克番族馬貢銀。乙巳，留江北漕米一萬石賑徐州災。丁丑，命神機營選練先鋒隊。庚辰，詔武科改試槍砲，停默寫武經。
三月丁亥，詔立義倉。戊子，俄使巴布羅福覲見。乙巳，除新化被水額賦。是月，開直隸北戴河至秦王島、湖南岳州、福建三都澳口岸。
閏三月乙卯，召張之洞來京。丙辰，麟書卒。庚申，以德人入即墨文廟，毀聖賢像，下總署察問。乙丑，臨恭親王邸視疾。甲戌，上侍皇太后幸外火器營教場，閱火器、健銳、神機三營及武勝新隊操，凡三日。丁丑，以湖北沙市焚毀教堂，諭張之洞回任。續賑徐、海災。戊寅，見德親王亨利於玉瀾堂。己卯，還宮。免新興被旱額賦。庚辰，見法使畢勝於文華殿。壬午，安徽鳳、穎、泗災。
是春，以膠州灣租借於德意志，旅順口、大連灣、遼東半島租借於俄羅斯。
夏四月壬辰，恭親王奕訢薨，輟朝五日，素服十五日，臨邸賜奠。懿旨特謚曰忠。守衛園寢增設丁戶，每祭祀官經理之。孫貝勒溥偉襲。甲午，懿旨，恭忠親王功在社稷，應配饗太廟。詔中外臣工當法恭忠親王，各攄忠悃，共濟時艱。己亥，授榮祿為文淵閣大學士，剛毅為兵部尚書協辦大學士。乙巳，詔定國是，諭：「中外大小諸臣，自王公至於士庶，各宜發憤為雄。以聖賢義理之學植其根本，兼博採西學之切時勢者，實力講求，以成通達濟變之才。京師大學堂為行省倡，尤應首先舉辦。軍機大臣、王大臣妥速會議以聞。」丙午，詔各省立商務局。賜夏同龢等三百四十二人進士及第出身有差。己酉，翁同龢罷。選派宗室王公出洋遊歷。近支王、貝勒等，上親察之；公以下及閒散人員，由宗人府保薦。召王文韶來京。裁督辦軍務處。庚戌，召見工部主事康有為，命充總理各國事務衙門章京。辛亥，前藏達賴喇嘛貢方物。
五月癸丑朔，詔陸軍改練洋操，令營弁學成者教練，於北由新建陸軍，於南由自強軍派往。各疆臣限六閱月，舉並餉練兵及分駐地，妥議以聞。其軍械槍砲，各省機器局酌定格式，精求製造。甲寅，賑棲霞火災。丁巳，詔自下科始，鄉、會、歲、科各試，向用四書文者，改試策論。命孫家鼐以吏部尚書協辦大學士，王文韶以戶部尚書為軍機大臣兼總理各國事務衙門行走。授榮祿直隸總督兼北洋大臣。庚申，趣盛宣懷蘆漢鐵路刻日興工，並開辦粵漢、寧滬各路。甲子，詔以經濟歲舉歸並正科，歲、科試悉改策論，毋待來年。丁卯，詔立京師大學堂，命孫家鼐管理。賞舉人梁啟超六品銜，辦理譯書局。戊辰，詔興農學。諭曰：「振興庶務，首在鼓勵人材。各省士民著有新書，及創新法，成新器，堪資實用者，宜懸賞以勸。或試之實職，或錫之章服。所制器給券，限年專利售賣。其有獨力創建學堂，開闢地利，興造槍砲廠者，並照軍功例賞勵之。」辛未，免祿勸被水田糧。癸酉，詔八旗兩翼諸營，均以其半改習洋槍、抬槍。以奕劻等管理驍騎營，崇禮等管理護軍營。甲戌，詔改直省各屬書院為兼習中西學校，以省書院為高等學，郡書院為中等學，州、縣書院為小學。其地方義學、社學亦如之。乙亥，命裕祿為軍機大臣。丙子，諭各省州縣實力保護教堂。丁丑，命三品以上京堂及各省督撫、學政舉堪與經濟特科者。頒士民著書，制器暨創興新政獎勵章程。命中外舉製造、駕駛、聲光化電人材。戊寅，詔各省保護商務。免海康、遂谿上年被災額賦。賑長安等州縣水災雹災。
六月癸未朔，詔改定科舉新章。丙戌，賑徐、海災。己丑，詔頒張之洞著勸學篇，令直省刊布。命康有為督辦官報。壬辰，命榮祿會同張之洞督辦蘆漢鐵路。鬱林、梧州土匪、會匪相結為亂，陷容、興業、陸川三縣，官軍剿平之。丙申，饒應祺進回部貢金。丁酉，命翰詹、科道輪班召對。部院司員條列時事，堂官代陳。士民得上書言事。設礦務鐵路總局於京師，王文韶、張廕桓專理之。庚子，湖南設製造槍砲兩廠。辛丑，賑寧羌火災，洵陽等縣水災雹災。癸卯，命伍廷芳賑古巴華民。乙巳，諭曰：「時局艱難，亟須圖自強之策。中外臣工墨守舊章，前經諭令講求時務，勿蹈宋、明積習，訓誡諄諄。惟是更新要務，造端宏大，條目繁多，不得不廣集眾長，折衷一是。諸臣於交議之事，當周諮博訪，詳細討論。毋緣飾經術，附會古義，毋膠執成見，隱便身圖。倘面從心違，致失朝廷實事求是本旨，非朕所望也。朕深惟窮變通久之義，創建一切，實具萬不得已之苦衷。用申諭爾諸臣，其各精白乃心，力除壅蔽，上下一誠相感，庶國是以定，而治道蒸蒸矣。」諭南北洋大臣籌辦水師及路礦學堂。諭各省廣開通商口岸。命黃遵憲以三品京堂充駐朝鮮大臣。
是夏，廣東九龍半島、山東威海衛俱租借於英吉利。
秋七月甲寅，詔停新進士朝考，並罷試詩賦。賑奉天被賊各□縣災。丙辰，詔於京師設農工商總局，以端方、徐建寅、吳懋鼎督理，並加三品卿銜。命出使大臣設僑民學堂於英、美、日本各國。丁巳，河決山東上中游，濟陽等六縣同時並溢。己未，詔定於九月十五日奉皇太后幸天津閱兵。移沙市關監督、荊宜施道、江陵縣並駐沙市鎮。壬戌，賑南陽水災。乙丑，詔裁詹事府，通政司，大理、光祿、太僕、鴻臚諸寺，歸並其事於內閣、禮、兵、刑部兼理之。裁湖北、廣東、雲南巡撫，以總督兼管之。河東河道總督並於河南巡撫。兼裁各省糧道、鹽道。庚午，以抑格言路，首違詔旨，奪禮部尚書懷塔布、許應騤，侍郎坤岫、徐會灃、溥頲、曾廣漢等職。賞上書主事王照四品京堂。辛未，頒曾國籓州縣清訟事宜及功過章程於各省，並增道府功過。諭疏導京師河道溝渠，平治道塗。諭各省實行團練。賞內閣侍讀楊銳、中書林旭、刑部主事劉光第、江蘇知府譚嗣同並加四品卿銜，參預新政。賑建水水災。癸酉，罷李鴻章總理各國事務衙門行走。以裕祿為禮部尚書，在總理各國事務衙門行走。乙亥，置三、四、五品卿，三、四、五、六品學士。丙子，賑泰和水災。丁丑，召袁世凱來京。諭曰：「國家振興庶政，兼采西法，誠以為民立政，中西所同，而西法可補我所未及。今士大夫昧於域外之觀，輒謂彼中全無條教。不知西政萬端，大率主於為民開智慧，裕身家。其精者乃能淑性延壽。生人利益，推擴無遺。朕夙夜孜孜，改圖百度，豈為崇尚新奇。乃眷懷赤子，皆上天所畀，祖宗所遺，非悉使之康樂和親，未為盡職。加以各國環相陵逼，非取人之所長，不能全我之所有。朕用心至苦，而黎庶猶有未知。職由不肖官吏與守舊士夫不能廣宣朕意。乃至胥動浮言，小民搖惑驚恐，山谷扶杖之民，有不獲聞新政者，朕實為歎恨。今將變法之意，佈告天下，使百姓鹹喻朕心，共知其君之可恃。上下同心，以成新政，以強中國，朕不勝厚望焉。」諭各省撤驛站，設郵政。嚴米糧出口禁。
八月壬午朔，命戶部編定歲出入表頒行之。諭出使大臣徵送僑民歸國備任使。命袁世凱以侍郎候補，專任練兵事宜。丙戌，見日本侯爵伊籐博文、署使林權助於勤政殿。賑射洪等縣水災，略陽等縣水災雹災。丁亥，皇太后復垂簾於便殿訓政。詔以康有為結黨營私，莠言亂政，褫其職，與其弟廣仁皆逮下獄。有為走免。戊子，詔捕康有為與梁啟超。庚寅，戶部侍郎張廕桓、翰林院侍讀學士徐致靖、御史楊深秀暨楊銳、林旭、劉光第、譚嗣同並坐康有為黨逮下獄。辛卯，上稱疾，徵醫天下。召榮祿來京。命逮文廷式，捕孫文。壬辰，詔復設詹事府，通政司，大理、光祿、太僕、鴻臚諸寺。禁官民擅遞封章。罷時務官報。各省祠廟毋改學堂。命吏部侍郎徐用儀在總理各國事務衙門行走。癸巳，撥江漕八萬石改折，備徐、海賑。賑高州水災。甲午，楊深秀、楊銳、林旭、劉光第、譚嗣同、康廣仁俱處斬。謫張廕桓新疆。徐致靖禁錮。命榮祿為軍機大臣。以裕祿為直隸總督兼北洋大臣。乙未，以康有為大逆不道，構煽陰謀，頒硃諭宣示臣下。罷巡幸天津閱操。命榮祿管兵部事，兼節制北洋諸軍及宋慶軍。丁酉，籍康有為、梁啟超家。命趙舒翹會同王文韶督辦礦路總局。諭蘇、浙新漕運京，罷改折議。留山東新漕米石備賑。戊戌，賞袁昶三品京堂，在總理各國事務衙門行走。庚子，李端棻以濫保褫職，戍新疆。褫王照職，籍其家，逮捕。辛丑，賞前御史文悌知府。壬寅，黃遵憲以疾免，賞李盛鐸四品京堂充出使日本大臣。陳寶箴以濫保奪湖南巡撫任。癸卯，詔疆臣飭吏治，培人才，開財源，修武備，舉劾牧令，整齊營規。詔言責諸臣指陳國計得失，其淆亂是非事攻訐者罪之。乙巳，懿旨復鄉、會試及歲、科考舊制，罷經濟特科，罷農工商局。丙午，端方進所編勸善歌，詔頒行。懿旨命疆臣保衛民生，慎選循良，整飭保甲團練。凡水利蠶桑，及製造販運，資民間利賴者，以時教導之。申聯名結會之禁。授榮祿為欽差大臣。己酉，命裕祿會辦蘆漢等處鐵路。設上海、漢口水利局。
九月辛亥朔，懿旨，一切政治關國計民生者，無論新舊，仍次第推行。建言諸臣章奏務裨時局，毋妄意揣摩。癸丑，發內帑二十萬賑山東水災。甘肅、新疆地震。丁巳，廣西匪平。己未，命軍機大臣會大學士及部院議治河之策。辛酉，初，強劫盜案，不分首從。至是，命樞臣暨法司詳議區別。代州地震。壬戌，免陝西咸寧等處逋課。戊辰，復武鄉、會試及童試舊制，惟營用武進士及投標武舉令習槍砲。復置湖北、廣東、雲南巡撫，河東河道總督。免裁糧道等缺。己巳，命許景澄在總理各國事務衙門行走。甲戌，復刑名解勘舊制，除軍務省分及情事重大者，仍就地正法，餘不準行。丙子，命胡燏棻在總理各國事務衙門行走。己卯，權停福州船廠製造。庚辰，命李鴻章往勘山東黃河。是月，賑直、陝、川、鄂、蘇、滇、晉、新等各省災。
冬十月辛巳朔，享太廟，禮親王世鐸攝行，是後郊廟祀典皆遣代，至辛丑冬自西安還京，始親詣。丙戌，命道員張翼督辦直隸暨熱河礦務，立公司。賑順天各屬災。丙申，賑韓城等縣災。己亥，命戶部撥帑八萬備安徽賑。辛丑，追奪翁同龢職。前湖南巡撫吳大澂坐事褫職。濟陽決口合龍。壬寅，懸賞購捕康有為、梁啟超、王照。甲辰，允榮祿請，以宋慶、聶士成、袁世凱、董福祥所部分立四軍，別募萬人為中軍。乙巳，見俄使格爾思於勤政殿。命胡燏棻督辦津鎮鐵路，以張翼副之。丁未，賑羅平水災雹災。
十一月癸丑，諭張汝梅辦山東災賑。賞桂春三品京堂，命在總理各國事務衙門行走。甲寅，命啟秀為軍機大臣，趙舒翹、聯元並在總理各國事務衙門行走。丁巳，留河南漕折於滑縣備賑。撥庫帑二十萬於江蘇備賑。己巳，命溥良察山東賑。庚午，命裕庚在總理各國事務衙門行走。辛未，命疆臣均兼總理各國事務大臣銜。壬申，賑吐魯番等處水災蝗災。丁丑，以稱疾停年節升殿筵宴。戊寅，罷直隸練軍。
十二月丙戌，湖北巡撫曾鉌坐事免。癸巳，命馬玉昆往河南辦理防剿。罷胡燏棻津蘆路督辦，以許景澄代之。丁酉，免漢陽等州縣被災額賦。壬寅，改湖北漢口同知為夏口撫民同知。戊申，發內帑五萬於清、淮備賑。
光緒二十五年
二十五年己亥春正月庚戌，撫恤豫、皖被賊州縣災民。丙辰，詔清庶獄。庚申，免渦陽等州縣被賊稅糧。辛酉，止各國駐京公使覲賀。壬戌，再撥部帑五萬於安徽備賑。丙寅，召李秉衡來京。
二月甲申，申諭各省辦積穀、清訟、團練、保甲。丁亥，命武勝新隊名曰虎神營。舉行京師保甲。戊戌，膠州灣德兵藉詞護教，入沂州境。命呂海寰告德國外部，止其進兵。以新建陸軍訓練有效，予袁世凱優敘。庚子，命副都統壽山募練十六營，為鎮邊新軍。甲辰，德兵至蘭山。丁未，陷日照城。
三月乙卯，諭有漕各□州縣，自今冬始，改徵本色運京師。丁丑，召蘇元春來京。
夏四月癸未，諭曰：「近因時事艱難，朝廷孜孜求治，疊諭疆臣整頓一切。旋據覆陳練兵、籌餉、保甲、團練、積穀各事，雖匪空言，尚虛確效。用再諭令所籌諸務，速即興辦。仍將有無成效，據實以聞。」申諭疆臣切實校閱營伍。又諭察勘荒田，勸導民墾，勿任吏胥訛擾，亦毋遽擬升科。義人以兵艦來，圖登三門灣，諭嚴戒備。己丑，命剛毅往江南諸省覈庫藏出納實數。癸巳，命聶士成軍馬步四營駐熱河，實邊防。丙申，諭劉坤一等集重兵為備，義兵登陸，即迎擊之。丁酉，命按察使李光久督辦浙江防剿，長順往吉林稽察練兵。乙巳，詔：「關稅、釐、鹽諸課，歲有常經，疆吏瞻徇，不能力除積弊。大學士、軍機大臣其詳覈會議以聞。」
五月壬子，命吳廷棻在總理各國事務衙門行走。甲寅，神機營兵廠藥庫火。乙卯，命太僕少卿裕庚充出使法國大臣。乙丑，命正定鎮總兵楊玉書統練軍駐熱河。除安化、武岡、新寧被水田賦。己巳，岳州開商埠，移岳常澧道駐之，兼岳州關監督。
六月戊子，免迪化等屬逋賦。丁酉，諭整飭海軍，除積弊。庚子，賑廬陵等縣水災。
秋七月庚戌，以法人租借廣州灣，命蘇元春往會勘。乙卯，訂朝鮮通商條約。丁巳，開秦皇島商埠。己巳，命剛毅往廣東清釐財政。庚午，命蘇元春赴淮、徐練兵，聽榮祿節制。
八月丁亥，甘肅海城回亂，官軍剿平之。己亥，詔各省宣講聖諭廣訓。甲辰，錦州、廣寧匪亂，剿平之。
九月丁未，以旱詔求直言。庚戌，詔清訟獄，緩徵輸。諭疆吏整躬率屬，持公道，順輿情。己未，副都統壽長以廢弛營務，褫職謫戍，榮和褫職逮問。辛酉，命李徵庸充督辦四川商礦大臣。甲戌，義人兵艦續至，諭直、魯、江、浙嚴防。
是秋，賑浙江、湖南、甘肅水災，陝西旱災。
冬十月庚寅，命李秉衡巡閱長江水師。丙申，命李鴻章為通商大臣，考察商埠。壬寅，免陝西咸寧等處前歲逋賦。
十一月癸丑，命太僕寺卿徐壽朋充出使韓國大臣。甲寅，廖壽恆罷軍機大臣，命趙舒翹在軍機大臣上學習行走。免北流被賊上年逋賦。壬戌，再暴康有為、梁啟超罪狀，懸賞嚴捕。戊辰，孫家鼐以疾免。己巳，以戶部尚書王文韶協辦大學士。
十二月甲戌朔，詔停年節升殿筵宴。丙子，舉行察典，敕毋冒濫。乙酉，免榆林等處被災田糧。己丑，罷蘇元春江南練兵，回廣西提督任。乙未，命陳澤霖募勇駐江北操練，為武衛先鋒右軍。丁酉，詔以端郡王載漪之子溥俊為穆宗嗣，封皇子。命崇綺直弘德殿，授皇子溥俊讀。壬寅，詔來年三旬壽辰，停朝賀筵宴，止文武大吏來京祝嘏。特舉恩科，明年庚子鄉試，次年辛丑會試。其正科鄉、會試，遞推於辛丑、壬寅年舉行。
是冬，賑山西、雲南、陝西、甘肅、山東等屬災。
是歲，廣州灣租借於法郎西，並開滇越鐵路。
光緒二十六年
二十六年庚子春正月甲辰朔，詔以三旬慶辰，加宗支近臣恩賚。己酉，命醇親王載灃直內廷，命侍講寶豐直弘德殿。停本年秋決。壬子，先是，知府經元善聯名上書諫立嗣。至是，詔嚴捕治罪，尋籍其家。戊子，詔大索康有為、梁啟超，毀所著書，閱其報章者並罪之。壬戌，三嚴夷平，增設巴塘等處土官各職。癸亥，總署與法人議廣州灣租約，訂期九十九年。甲子，留南漕三萬石賑河北災民。是月，拳匪起山東，號「義和拳會」，假仇教為名，劫殺相尋，蔓延滋害。
二月丙子，河決濱州。乙酉，免昆明等州縣被災額賦。戊戌，定墨國條約。
三月戊申，命李盛鐸使日本，賀其太子聯姻；呂海寰使德，賀其太子加冠。壬子，濱州決口合龍。癸丑，以旱詔中外慮囚。甲寅，賞高賡恩四品京堂，直弘德殿。丁巳，命內閣學士桂春充出使俄國大臣，尋命兼使奧國。撥部帑十萬賑山東、貴州各屬水災。己未，靖遠夷就撫，置諸夷土官。壬戌，命袁世凱集新兵二十營，增立一軍，名為武衛右軍先鋒隊。
夏四月乙酉，善聯罷，以許應騤兼管船政大臣。庚寅，義和拳入京師，詔步軍統領等會議防禁以聞。辛卯，免宣威、嵩明被水秋賦。丙申，賑重慶等處水旱災。丁酉，總署言拳會造言煽惑，人心浮動，易肇釁端。諭所司妥議。授李鴻章兩廣總督。庚子，免新化等州縣被水額賦。是月，拳匪焚毀保定鐵路，副將楊福同往鎮攝，行及淶水，被戕。
五月癸卯，拳匪毀琉璃河、長辛店車站局廠。命聶士成護蘆保、津蘆兩路，防禦之。甲寅，命載漪管總理各國事務衙門，啟秀、溥興、那桐同時兼行走，罷廖壽恆。乙卯，拳匪殺日本使館書記杉山彬於永定門外。丁巳，諭令馬玉昆赴京西剿拳匪。大沽戒嚴。己未，拳匪擾五城，坊市流血。詔步軍統領神機營、虎神營、武衛中軍會巡，大臣巡察街陌，分駐九門監啟閉。召李鴻章、袁世凱入衛。庚申，榮祿以武衛中軍護各國使館。命李端遇、王懿榮為京師團練大臣。召李秉衡及馬玉昆統兵來京。是夕，拳匪焚正陽門城樓，閭市灰燼。庚申，詔剛毅、董福祥募拳民精壯者成軍，自餘遣散。辛酉，詔各省以兵入衛。外軍攻大沽口，提督羅榮光不能御，走天津，死之，大沽遂陷。裕祿以捷聞，詔發內帑十萬犒師。壬戌，命徐桐、崇綺會同奕劻、載濂等商軍務。癸亥，命許景澄、那桐往告各國公使速出京。自庚申至於是日，皇太后連召王大臣等入見，諮眾論。載漪持戰議甚堅。載勳、載濂、載瀾、徐桐、崇綺、啟秀、溥良、徐承煜等，更相附和。榮祿依違其間。獨許景澄、袁昶言匪宜剿，釁不可開，殺使臣，悖公法，辭殊切直。故有是命。甲子，拳匪戕德使克林德於崇文門內。乙丑，詔以中外釁啟，飭戰備。罷崇禮步軍統領。以載勳代之。發倉米開糶濟民食。庚午，召鹿傳霖來京。
六月辛未朔，諭順天府五城平糶，瘞教民暴骸。癸酉，命倉場侍郎劉恩溥往天津募水會強壯者，編立成軍，與通州、武清、東安團民駐直隸，濟之餉械。發倉於通州開糶。長萃等言津通道阻，請暫停漕運，不許。乙亥，諭各省護教士回國，教民悔悟自首者許自新。己卯，南漕運阻，命清江浦置局，採買運京。壬午，調李鴻章為直隸總督兼北洋大臣，趣兼程來京。乙酉，詔展緩本年恩科鄉試，明年三月八日舉行，會試八月八日舉行，庚子正科鄉試及會試以次遞推。外兵襲天津，聶士成戰於八里台，死之。戊子，以呂本元為直隸提督。天津陷，裕祿、宋慶、馬玉昆並退守北倉。庚寅，命顧璜、張仁黼會辦河南團防。下戶部尚書立山於獄。辛卯，詔緝戕害德使兇犯。額勒和布卒。丙申，上三旬萬壽，東華門不啟，群臣朝賀皆自神武門入。免疏附、拜城被災額賦。賑福建水災。
秋七月庚子朔，命李秉衡幫辦武衛軍事，張春發、陳澤霖、萬本華、夏辛酉諸軍並聽節制。壬寅，殺吏部侍郎許景澄、太常寺卿袁昶。乙巳，調馬玉昆為直隸提督。丁未，命榮祿以兵護各國公使往天津。己酉，外兵據北倉。庚戌，陷楊村，直隸總督裕祿自殺。壬子，授李鴻章全權大臣，與各國議停戰。外兵襲蔡村。癸丑，李秉衡戰於蔡村，敗績。外兵進佔河西塢。甲寅，增祺言蓋平、熊岳先後失守。丙辰，殺戶部尚書立山、兵部尚書徐用儀、內閣學士聯元。李秉衡戰敗於張家灣，死之。丁巳，外兵陷通州。命剛毅幫辦武衛軍事。己未，德、奧、美、法、英、義、日、俄八國聯兵陷京師。庚申，上奉皇太后如太原，行在貫市。壬戌，次懷來。命榮祿、徐桐、崇綺留京辦事。癸亥，廣東布政使岑春渲率兵入衛，遂命扈蹕。甲子，次沙城堡。懿旨命岑春渲督理前路糧台。丁丑，次雞鳴驛，下詔罪己，兼誡中外群臣。丙寅，次宣化。命萬本華、孫萬林、奇克伸布軍聽馬玉昆節制，駐後路。丁卯，詔求直言。免蹕路所過宛平、昌平等處錢糧一年。
八月庚午朔，次左衛。辛未，次懷安。壬申，次天鎮。詔奕劻還京，會李鴻章議和。癸酉，次陽高。甲戌，次聚樂鎮。太監張天順騷擾驛站，處斬。乙亥，次大同。命劉坤一、張之洞會議和局。以載漪為軍機大臣。戊寅，賞隨扈王公暨大小臣工津貼銀兩。己卯，次懷仁。命京師部、院、卿寺堂官暨內廷行走者，除留京外，均率司員赴行在。辛巳，次廣武鎮。命程文炳統軍駐潼關。壬午，次陽明堡。諭榮祿收集整理武衛中軍。癸未，次原平鎮。諭廷雍督剿直屬拳匪。甲申，次忻州。丙戌，次太原，御巡撫署為行宮。免蹕路所過天鎮、陽高等州縣今歲額賦。丁亥，西安等府旱。戊子，諭榮祿約束武衛中軍。癸巳，詔有司勸教民安業，拳民被脅者令歸農。乙未，賑四川各屬災。
閏八月庚子朔，賑麗水等縣水災。辛丑，追悼德使克林德，命昆岡往奠之。論庇拳啟釁罪，削莊親王載勳、怡親王溥靜、貝勒載濂、載瀅爵。罷載漪、載瀾、剛毅、趙舒翹、英年職，並下府部議。命鹿傳霖為軍機大臣。壬寅，以日書記杉山彬被戕，遣那桐使日本致祭賻。毓賢罷。乙巳，詔幸西安。丁未，啟蹕。是日，次徐溝。戊申，次祈縣。己酉，次平遙。庚戌，次介休。辛亥，次靈石。壬子，次霍州。召榮祿赴行在。甲寅，詔改陝西巡撫署為行宮。乙卯，次平陽。丙辰，次史村驛。諭北五省嚴捕自立會黨。戊午，次聞喜。己未，詔以西幸，陵寢壇廟久疏對越，命奕劻遴近支王貝勒代享太廟及祭東西陵，太常寺派員祭壇廟。尋令今歲除夕、來歲元旦祀典，並遣代行。趣近省解京餉給在京官弁俸糧。授奕劻全權大臣，會李鴻章議和約，劉坤一、張之洞仍會商。辛酉，次臨晉。癸亥，次蒲州。諭江蘇等省解款百萬濟京城俸饟。免蹕路所過太原、陽曲等屬今歲額賦。乙丑，次潼關。賑福州水災。丁卯，次華陰。命敬信、溥興管理虎神營。戊辰，次華州。
九月己巳朔，次渭南。壬申，至西安府，御巡撫署為行宮。甲申，以裕鋼為駐藏辦事大臣。丙子，予殉難祭酒王懿榮世職，並旌其妻謝氏、子婦張氏。乙卯，李鴻章奏誅附匪逞亂道員譚文煥。壬午，德人陷紫荊關，布政使升允退軍浮圖億。尋奏德兵退易州，上以其張皇，切責之。己丑，罷保德貢黃河冰魚。庚寅，削載漪爵，與載勳、溥靜、載瀅並交宗人府圈禁。載瀾、英年降級。趙舒翹奪職留任。剛毅病故，免議。毓賢戍極邊。壬辰，予闔家自焚黑龍江將軍延茂、祭酒熙元、侍讀寶豐、崇壽等恤。乙未，賑陝西荒。丙申，免陝西咸寧等縣逋賦。戊戌，免雲南各□州縣暨土司被災逋賦。
冬十月戊申，皇太后聖壽節，停筵宴。庚戌，詔董福祥不諳外情，遇事鹵莽，奪提督，仍留任。辛亥，發內帑四十萬賑陝西饑民，趣江、鄂轉漕購糧以濟。癸丑，授王文韶為體仁閣大學士，崇禮、徐郙並協辦大學士。丁巳，諭廓爾喀、前後藏及各土司暫勿貢獻。癸亥，開秦、晉實官捐例賑旱災。
十一月壬申，免長安額賦十之五。乙亥，清平苗匪王老九等作亂，官軍剿擒之。庚辰，命楊儒為全權大臣，與俄議交收東三省事。辛巳，以長沙等府旱災，開賑捐事例。壬午，免蹕路所經山西各州縣額賦十之二。癸未，命盛宣懷為會辦商務大臣。乙酉，命徐壽朋赴京隨辦商約。癸巳，安徽開籌餉捐例。丙寅，增祺坐擅與俄人立交還奉天暫行約，予嚴議，尋褫職。
十二月甲辰，詔免明年元旦禮節。丁未，詔議變法，軍機大臣、大學士、六部、九卿、出使大臣、直省督撫參酌中西政要，條舉以聞。庚戌，諭直省大小官吏保護外僑，違者重譴。嚴立會仇教之禁，犯者問死刑。壬子，命左都御史張百熙充專使英國大臣。甲寅，留京大臣奏京師盜風甚熾，權用重典，允之。庚申，賞張佩綸編修，隨李鴻章辦交涉。壬戌，詔復冤陷諸臣立山、徐用儀、許景澄、聯元、袁昶職。再論縱匪肇亂首禍諸臣罪，奪載瀾爵職，與載漪並謫新疆禁錮。褫剛毅職。英年、趙舒翹並褫職論斬。追褫徐桐、李秉衡職。啟秀、徐承煜褫職聽勘。董福祥褫職解任。癸亥，下詔自責。以當時委曲苦衷示天下。並誡中外諸臣激發忠誠，去私心，破積習，力圖振作。
光緒二十七年
二十七年辛丑，行在西安。春正月戊辰朔，詔以救濟順直兵災，開實官捐例。罷多倫諾爾歲貢海龍諸皮。庚午，賜載勳自盡。辛未，毓賢處斬。癸酉，英年、趙舒翹並賜自盡。剛毅、徐桐、李秉衡並論斬，以前沒免。乙亥，啟秀、徐承煜處斬。庚辰，免仁和等縣荒廢田糧。辛巳，免新會貢橙。
二月己亥，撥部帑百萬於山西備賑。壬子，廣東郎中黎國廉等進方物，升敘有差。
三月戊辰，免蹕路所過暨被災陝西咸寧等處稅糧。己巳，詔立督辦政務處，奕劻、李鴻章、榮祿、昆岡、王文韶、鹿傳霖並為督理大臣，劉坤一、張之洞遙為參預。甲戌，免雲南臨安等處逋糧。丁丑，論拳匪仇教保護不力罪，奪已故總督裕祿、駐藏大臣慶善原職，褫浙江巡撫劉樹棠職，布政使榮銓、副都統晉昌褫職戍極邊，道員鄭文欽、知縣白昶、都司周之德並處斬，餘褫謫有差。撥山東漕米五萬石賑直隸災民。壬午，諭免自京來行在各署司員停補扣資。
夏四月丁酉，賞在京王公百官半俸，旗、綠營兵丁一月錢糧。辛丑，命馬玉昆剿近畿餘匪，瞿鴻禨在軍機大臣上學習行走。丁未，命瞿鴻禨兼政務處大臣。己酉，賑直隸旱災。壬子，詔開經濟特科，命中外舉堪與試者。免各省例貢，除茶葉藥材及關祭品者，一切食物悉罷之。癸丑，命載灃充德國專使大臣。庚申，詔從各國議，停順天、奉天、黑龍江、直隸、山西、河南、陝西、浙江、江西、湖南諸省考試五年。壬戌，命張百熙等修京師蹕路。癸亥，停吉林今歲貢。
五月乙丑，命那桐充日本專使大臣。展山西本年恩、正兩科鄉試。癸未，賞道員蔡鈞四品京堂，充出使日本大臣。甲午，賑墨爾根等處災。
六月丙申，命副都統廕昌充出使德國大臣，尋命為荷蘭兼使。賞知府許台身道員，充出使韓國大臣。庚子，萬壽節，停朝賀筵宴。癸卯，詔置外務部，以總理各國事務衙門改設之，命奕劻總理，王文韶為會辦大臣，瞿鴻禨任尚書並會辦大臣，徐壽朋、聯芳為侍郎。庚戌，各國聯軍去京師。壬子，發內帑五萬於江西備賑。賑棲霞火災。
秋七月甲子朔，命鄧增節制隨扈諸軍。免陝西、河南、直隸蹕路所過地額賦。乙丑，詔除漕務積弊，河運海運並改徵折色，在京倉采運收儲。世鐸罷直軍機。己巳，河決章丘、惠民。己卯，詔改科舉自明年始，罷時文試帖，以經義、時務策問試士，停武科。予羅豐祿三品京堂，充出使俄國大臣。戊子，全權大臣奕劻、李鴻章與十一國公使議訂和約十二款成。己丑，展陝西鄉試於明年舉行。壬辰，詔永罷實官捐例。諭各省建武備學堂。癸巳，諭各省裁兵勇，改練常備、續備、警察等軍。
八月甲午朔，以迴鑾有日，遣官告祭西嶽、中嶽。蹕路所經名山大川、古帝王陵寢、先儒名臣祠墓，並由疆吏遣官致祭。乙未，詔直省立學堂。戊申，廢內外各署題本，除賀本外，均改為奏。壬子，命盛宣懷為辦理商稅大臣。癸丑，詔以變法圖強示天下，並以劉坤一、張之洞條奏命各疆吏舉要通籌。丁巳，車駕發西安。己未，升允奏臨潼知縣夏良材誤供應，請褫職。皇太后命從輕議。升允自請處分，原之。
九月己酉，李鴻章卒，贈太傅，晉一等候爵。命王文韶署全權大臣，袁世凱署直隸總督兼北洋大臣。
是秋，發帑十五萬賑陝西、安徽災，留漕款十萬、漕米六萬石備安徽、江蘇賑。又賑兩湖、安徽、雲南水災，江蘇潮災。
冬十月癸巳朔，日有食之。甲午，次開封。惠民決口合龍。丙申，賞道員張德彝三品卿銜，充出使英國大臣，旋命兼使義比。壬寅，皇太后聖壽節，停朝賀。壬子，懿旨撤溥俊皇子名號。丙辰，詔展會試於癸卯年。其明年順天鄉試及癸卯科會試，權移河南貢院舉行。
十一月丙子，特予故大學士李鴻章建祠京師。戊子，命貽穀督晉邊墾務。章丘決口合龍。庚寅，上奉皇太后至自西安。辛卯，詔以珍妃上年殉節宮中，追晉貴妃。命翰、詹、科道及各署司員，按日預備召見。
十二月癸巳朔，命王文韶仍督辦路礦，瞿鴻禨副之，袁世凱督辦關內外鐵路事宜，胡燏棻會辦。丙申，申諭中外臣工，重邦交，安民教。以比匪誤國，附和權貴，褫左副都御史何乃瑩、侍講學士彭清藜、編修王龍文、知府連文沖、曾廉職。丁酉，賑蹕路所過三十里內貧民。己亥，祀天於圜丘。自戊戌年八月至於是月，始親詣。庚子，祭大社、大稷。遣睿親王魁斌等告祭方澤、朝日壇、夕月壇，恭親王溥偉、貝子溥倫詣東西陵告祭。壬寅，命袁世凱參預政務處。甲辰，命鎮國將軍載振充英國專使，賀其君加冕，尋晉貝子銜。免蹕路所過河南州縣額賦十之三。賑廣西火災。辛亥，兩宮見各國公使於乾清宮。免雲南銅廠積年民欠。甲寅，以瞿鴻禨為軍機大臣。授孫家鼐體仁閣大學士。乙卯，兩宮見各國公使暨其夫人等於養性殿。丁巳，免山西州縣歷年逋賦倉穀。庚申，祫祭太廟。辛酉，上始復御保和殿，筵宴蒙古王公暨文武大臣。免浙江仁、錢等州縣，杭嚴、嘉湖二衛未墾地畝糧賦。
光緒二十八年
二十八年壬寅春正月庚午，享太廟。辛未，祈穀於上帝。癸酉，四川提督宋慶卒，晉封三等男爵。丁丑，命張翼總辦路礦事宜，王文韶、瞿鴻禨為督理，呂海寰會盛宣懷議商約。戊寅，罷河東河道總督。命各省大吏清釐屯地，改屯饟為丁糧，撤衛官歸營，屯丁、運軍並罷。諭各省立農工學堂。戊子，罷詹事府、通政使司。
二月壬辰朔，命張德彝充日斯巴尼亞專使，賀其君加冕。癸巳，諭各省亟立學堂暨武備學堂，開館編纂新律。甲午，廣西遊匪戕法兵官，剿辦之。丁酉，釋奠於先師。戊戌，祭大社、大稷。庚戌，劉坤一乞疾，慰留。
三月辛酉朔，交收東三省條約成。甲子，見義使嘎釐納於乾清宮。乙丑，祀先農，親耕耤田。丙寅，上奉皇太后謁東陵，免蹕路所過州縣額賦十之三。己巳至庚午，謁諸陵。甲戌，幸南苑，駐蹕團河行宮。壬午，至自東陵。癸未，皇后祀先蠶。
是春，免宣威、昆明及齊齊哈爾、墨爾根旗屯災賑。免榆林等處逋賦，西安等□縣秋糧十之二。
夏四月壬辰，見俄使雷薩爾於乾清宮。甲午，常雩祀天。丙申，命沈家本、伍廷芳參訂現行法律。戊戌，李經羲以陳奏失辭，免雲南巡撫，下部議。壬寅，命許鎯充出使義國大臣，吳德章充出使奧國大臣，楊兆鋆充出使比國大臣。癸卯，皇后躬桑。甲辰，裁銀、緞匹、顏料三庫，罷管庫大臣。乙卯，免灤平被災地課。
五月壬戌，授袁世凱直隸總督兼北洋大臣。免雙城逋賦。甲子，見各國公使等於樂壽堂。丙寅，廣西匪陷廣南之皈朝，雲南官軍擊走之，復其城。丙子，夏至，祭地於方澤。戊寅，見美使康格等於乾清宮。
六月己丑朔，免鶴慶、賓川被災雜賦。丙申，命孫寶琦充出使法國大臣，胡惟德充出使俄國大臣，梁誠充出使美日祕大臣。庚戌，見美使康格及博覽會長巴禮德於乾清宮。辛亥，命張之洞為督辦商務大臣。癸丑，賑四川南充、簡等屬災。
秋七月庚午，頒行學堂章程。
八月甲申，移雲南迤西道駐騰越，兼監督關務。戊戌，袁世凱請裁陋規加公費，命他省仿行。癸卯，河決利津、壽張等處。己酉，見德使葛爾士等於仁壽殿。庚戌，河復決惠民。
九月癸巳，兩江總督劉坤一卒，追封一等男，贈太傅。命張之洞署兩江總督兼南洋大臣。免天津被兵新舊額賦。丁酉，見法使賈斯那等於仁壽殿。甲辰，見各國公使於仁壽殿。壬子，命袁世凱充督辦商務大臣，伍廷芳副之，兼議各國商約。
是秋，發庫帑三十萬，續撥義賑十二萬，並於四川備賑。又賑山東、廣東、雲南、福建、貴州等屬水災。
冬十月戊子，中英商約成。己丑，湖南都司劉長儒坐不保護教士處斬。是月，賑山、陝各屬災。雲南劍川、鶴慶州，新疆疏勒等□縣俱地震。
十一月戊午，詔自明年會試始，凡授編、檢及改庶常與部屬中書用者，胥肄業京師大學堂，俟得文憑，始許散館及奏留。分省知縣亦各入課吏館學習。己未，以有泰為駐藏大臣。辛酉，發內帑、部帑各五萬於山東備賑。壬戌，調魏光燾為兩江總督兼南洋大臣。丙寅，免臨潼被水地課五年。庚辰，冬至，祀天於圜丘。是月，見法使呂班、美使康格於乾清宮。
十二月癸卯，命袁世凱充督辦電務大臣。辛亥，旌殉親異域使俄大臣楊儒子錫宸孝行。是月，免江、浙各□州縣衛額賦，宜良被水租糧。
光緒二十九年
二十九年癸卯春正月丁巳朔，停筵宴。以明歲皇太后七旬聖壽，詔開慶榜，本年為癸卯恩科鄉試，來年為甲辰恩科會試，其正科鄉、會試並於下屆舉行。乙丑，見美使康格等於乾清宮。丁卯，命榮慶同管大學堂事。己巳，見各國公使等於養性殿。丁亥，免鎮西、疏附被災糧賦。
二月壬子，惠民決口合龍。
三月丙辰朔，日有食之。庚申，見德親王亨利、公使葛爾士等於乾清宮。詔以謁陵取道鐵路，禁攤派差徭，扈從並免供給。辛酉，裁官學滿、漢總裁及教習。癸亥，祀先農，親耕耤田。上奉皇太后謁西陵。乙丑，幸保定府駐蹕，免蹕路所過州縣額賦十之三。己巳，榮祿卒，贈太傅，晉一等男。罷印花稅及一切苛細雜捐，科派侵漁者論如律。庚午，命奕劻為軍機大臣。癸亥，幸南苑。甲戌，幸團河駐蹕。庚辰，命奕劻、瞿鴻禨會戶部整理財政。立銀錢鑄造總廠於京師。命載振、袁世凱、伍廷芳參訂商律。辛巳，至自南苑。是月，免陝西庚子年逋賦。
夏四月己亥，見各國公使於仁壽殿。己酉，雲南匪陷臨安府城。庚戌，免蹕路所過州縣旗租。辛亥，命崇禮為東閣大學士，敬信協辦大學士。
五月癸亥，命鐵良會袁世凱練京旗兵。戊辰，戶部火。甲戌，命楊樞充出使日本大臣。乙亥，雲南裸夷平。壬午，賜王壽彭等三百一十五人進士及第出身有差。
閏五月甲申朔，命馮子材會岑春渲辦理廣西軍務。丙戌，命張之洞會張百熙、榮慶釐定大學堂章程。庚寅，滇軍復臨安府城，石屏匪首周雲祥伏誅。壬辰，自四月不雨，至於是日雨。丙申，廣西巡撫王之春、提督蘇元春並褫職，以柯逢時為廣西巡撫，劉光才為廣西提督。己亥，御試經濟特科人員於保和殿。壬寅，命馬玉昆巡緝近畿盜賊。甲辰，中英續訂商約成。
六月壬戌，予考取特科袁嘉穀等升敘有差。癸亥，逮蘇元春下獄。丁卯，世鐸等請加上皇太后徽號。懿旨以廣西兵事方殷，民生困苦，不許。丁丑，河決利津。是月，見日使內田康哉等、義使嘎釐納等於仁壽殿。山東煙台水災，賑之。
秋七月乙酉，開廈門、鼓浪嶼為各國公地。辛卯，賞鄭孝胥四品京堂，督辦廣西邊防，得專奏。昆岡致仕。戊戌，初置商部，以載振為尚書。
八月壬子朔，王公百官豫請來年皇太后七旬萬壽報效廉俸申祝，懿旨止之。癸丑，免靈州瀕河地糧。丁卯，日本商約成。庚寅，見各國公使於仁壽殿。壬申，以敬信為體仁閣大學士，裕德協辦大學士。丁丑，見法使呂班、德使穆默於仁壽殿。
九月丙申，命榮慶在軍機大臣上學習行走。調那桐為外務部尚書兼會辦大臣。丁酉，命那桐與奕劻、瞿鴻禨整理戶部財政，榮慶充政務處大臣。戊戌，命孫家鼐、張百熙並充政務處大臣。
是秋，賑湖北、陝西等屬水災，懷柔雹災，雲南各屬水旱災雹災，鎮西、綏來蝗災凍災。
十月辛亥朔，見荷使希特斯於乾清宮。戊午，以英秀接收阿勒台借地，率議展緩，命瑞洵往按之。丙寅，置練兵處，命奕劻總理，袁世凱、鐵良副之。甲戌，命岑春渲總統廣西諸軍。乙亥，賞楊晟四品卿銜，充出使奧國大臣。丙子，袁世凱劾張翼擅售開平煤礦暨秦王島口岸於外人。詔褫職，責令收回。
十一月丙午，諭曰：「興學育才，當務之急。據張之洞同管學大臣會訂學章所稱，學堂、科舉合為一途，俾士皆實學，學皆實用。著自丙午科始，鄉、會中額，及各省學額，逐科遞減。俟各省學堂辦齊有效，科舉學額分別停止，以後均歸學堂考取。」丁未，改管學大臣為學務大臣，以孫家鼐任之。
十二月丙辰，廣西匪首覃志發等伏誅。戊午，詔內務府再減宮廷用費，罷一切不急工作。己巳，置翰林學士撰文，並增員缺，更定品級。丙子，以日、俄手冓兵，中國守局外中立例，宣諭臣民。己卯，授榮慶軍機大臣。是月，免安州被澇、昆明被旱地畝租糧。
是冬，賑甘肅、雲南各州縣水災，南州、新化蛟災，瀘州火災。
光緒三十年
三十年甲辰春正月癸未，移廣西鹽道駐梧州，兼關監督。河決利津王莊。甲申，見美、英、法、德、日、義、比、荷、葡各使康格等於乾清宮。己丑，雲南提督張春發有罪，褫職戍軍台。甲午，以皇太后七旬聖壽，上御太和殿，頒詔天下，覃恩有差。已亥，雲南普洱鎮總兵高德元坐玩寇殃民處斬。己酉，詔停本年秋決。
二月庚戌朔，日有食之。己未，見葡使白朗穀於乾清宮。丙寅，利津決口合龍。
三月庚辰朔，見德使穆默等於乾清宮。癸未，御史蔣式瑆以疏劾奕劻語無根據，責還本官。戊子，下王照於獄。庚寅，免榆林等州縣逋課。丁未，張德彝與英訂保工條約成。
夏四月辛亥，見德親王阿拉拜爾、公使穆默於乾清宮。乙亥，蘇元春戍新疆。是月，免鄧川上年災糧，新化被蛟，呼蘭、綏化等屬被兵逋賦。
五月辛巳，命道員袁大化辦理安徽礦務。乙酉，熱河行宮災。丙戌，懿旨特赦戊戌黨籍，除康有為、梁啟超、孫文外，褫職者復原銜，通緝、監禁、編管者釋免之。戊戌，廣西叛勇陷柳城，斬統領祖繩武於軍前。己亥，旌九世同居邢台貢生范鳳儀。癸卯，賜劉春霖等二百七十三人進士及第出身有差。乙巳，懿旨，本年七旬壽節停筵宴，將軍、督撫等毋來京祝嘏，並免進獻。罷粵海、淮安關監督，江寧織造。
六月己酉，諭曰：「時艱民困，官吏壅蔽，下情不通。甚至州縣錢糧浮收中飽，以完作欠，百弊叢生，大負朝廷恤民之意。各督撫速將糧額幾何，實徵幾何，正耗收米或折色幾何，具列簡明表冊。此外有無規費，一一登明聲敘，毋飾毋漏，據實奏聞。」壬子，命鐵良往江南考求製造局廠，籌畫所宜，並察出入款目，及各司庫局所利弊。戊午，趣岑春渲赴桂、柳督師。癸亥，青海住牧盟長車琳端多布等，請藉年班繼貢物赴京祝嘏。懿旨嘉獎，仍卻之。癸酉，永定河決。丙子，河決利津薄莊。
秋七月戊寅，見比使葛飛業於乾清宮。罷福建水師提督，歸並於陸路提督，移駐廈門。甲申，永定河北下汛復決。戊子，發內帑十萬賑四川水旱災。壬辰，英兵入藏境，達賴逃，褫其名號，命班禪額爾德尼攝之。甲午，甘肅黃河決，皋蘭被災，命崧蕃賑濟。乙未，停九江進瓷器。丙申，命李興銳署兩江總督兼南洋大臣。是月，賞湯壽潛四品卿銜，督辦浙江鐵路。
八月丁未朔，裁併內務府司員。癸亥，賞唐紹儀副都統銜，往西藏查辦事件。辛未，見義使嘎尼納於仁壽殿。癸酉，見墨使酈華於乾清宮。
九月丙子朔，見英使薩道義於乾清宮。癸未，敬信以疾免。己亥，李興銳卒，命周馥署兩江總督兼南洋大臣。以英兵入藏，達賴求救，命德麟安撫之。英兵旋退。敕唐紹儀為議約全權大臣。癸卯，改湖北糧道為施鶴兵備道。
是秋，免吉林被兵、雲南水旱兵災逋賦，武威、金州額賦。賑雲南、順天、福建、甘肅、江西水災，山西、浙江、廣東等處災。
冬十月丙午，呂海寰續訂中葡商約成。以裕德為體仁閣大學士，世續協辦大學士。庚戌，見奧、美、德、俄、比諸使齊幹等於皇極殿。永定河決口合龍。壬子，上奉皇太后御仁壽殿，賜近支宗籓等宴，率王、貝勒、貝子、公等進舞。甲寅，皇太后聖壽節，上詣排雲殿進表賀。辛酉，見英、日、法、韓諸使薩道義等於皇極殿。丙寅，懿旨禁各省藉新政巧立名目，苛細私捐。一切學堂工藝有關教養者，當官為勸導，紳民自籌，毋滋苛擾。除浙江墮民籍，准入學堂，畢業者予出身。
十一月乙亥朔，命廕昌仍充出使德國大臣，曾廣銓充出使韓國大臣。四川打箭爐地震。丁丑，見義使巴樂禮於乾清宮。壬午，廣西匪首陸亞發伏誅。戊子，定新軍官制。甲辰，諭增祺賑撫東三省難民。
十二月戊申，見義使巴樂禮、荷使希特斯、葡使阿梅達等於皇極殿。甲寅，裁江安糧道，改江南鹽道為鹽糧道。丁巳，發內帑三十萬賑奉天難民。壬戌，直隸始行公債票。丙寅，罷漕運總督，置江淮巡撫。丁卯，立貴冑學堂。戊辰，置黑龍江巡道兼按察使銜，蘭綏海兵備道，呼蘭、綏化二府。辛未，修四川都江堰。
是冬，裁湖北、雲南巡撫，湖南、陝西糧道。免石屏、趙州秋糧，陳留等州縣逋賦，朝邑被水額賦。
光緒三十一年
三十一年乙巳春正月丁丑，見德、英、日本、法、荷、比、義、日、葡、墨、美、韓、奧諸使於乾清宮。達賴喇嘛請於庫倫建廟諷經，不許。命仍還藏，善撫眾生。癸巳，鐵良言察閱諸省營伍，湖北陸軍為最優，詔嘉獎。江南各軍統領懲罰有差。命唐紹儀充出使英國大臣。
二月乙巳，懿旨發內帑三十萬撫恤東三省難民。庚戌，命長庚、徐世昌考驗改編三鎮新軍。丙寅，景陵隆恩殿災。庚午，見美使康格於海晏堂。壬申，賑阿拉善遊牧。癸酉，免陝西前歲逋糧。
三月乙亥，奉天饑。俄兵入長春，據之。丙子，巴塘番人焚毀法國教堂，駐藏幫辦鳳全剿捕，遇伏死。飭四川提督馬維騏剿之。命柯逢時管理八省土膏統捐事宜。丁丑，見德親王福禮留伯、公使穆默於乾清宮。己卯，詔督撫舉堪勝提鎮官者。己丑，雲南省城開商埠。庚寅，罷新置江淮巡撫，改淮揚總兵為江北提督。癸巳，諭更定法律。死罪至斬決止，除凌遲、梟首、戮屍等刑。斬、絞、監候者以次遞減。緣坐各條，除知情外，餘悉寬免。刺字諸例並除之。甲午，以禁止刑訊，變通笞、杖，清查監獄羈所，諭督撫實力奉行。乙未，犍為匪徒作亂，官軍剿平之。丙申，命周馥往江北籌畫吏治、海防、河工、捕務。
夏四月甲辰，以俄艦至南洋，諭所在預防，並禁商人運煤接濟。更定竊盜條款。凡應擬笞、杖者改罰工作。乙巳，諭各省府州縣立罪犯習藝所。丙午，賞劉永慶侍郎銜，署江北提督，鎮、道以下歸節制。丁未，裁廣東糧道，置廉欽兵備道。己酉，命程德全署黑龍江將軍。壬子，德兵艦突至海州測量，飭嚴詰。
五月丁亥，見日使賈思理、美使柔克義於乾清宮。癸巳，見墨使胡爾達於皇極殿。庚子，王文韶罷軍機大臣，命徐世昌在軍機大臣上學習行走，兼政務處大臣，鐵良、徐世昌會辦練兵事。
六月丙午，見俄使璞科第於仁壽殿。免中牟等州縣逋賦。甲寅，予考試留學生金邦平等進士舉人出身有差。命載澤、戴鴻慈、徐世昌、端方往東西洋各國考察政治。戊午，詔置盛京三陵守護大臣。裁盛京戶、禮、兵、刑、工五部侍郎。己未，以世續為體仁閣大學士，那桐協辦大學士。癸亥，裁廣東巡撫。庚午，黔匪陷都勻之四寨，官軍克復之。
七月丙子，罷御史巡視五城及街道□，改練勇為巡捕。乙酉，續派紹英為出洋考察政治大臣。己丑，以巴塘兵事，開實官捐一年。丙申，賞廷傑侍郎，往奉天辦墾荒事務。常德、湘潭開商埠。丁酉，命鐵良在軍機大臣上學習行走，尋兼政務處大臣。
八月壬寅，諭：「各省工商抵制美約，既礙邦交，亦損商務。疆吏當剴切開導，以時稽察之。」甲辰，詔廢科舉。丙午，裁奉天府尹、府丞，改置東三省學政。命劉式訓充出使法日大臣，黃誥充出使義國大臣，周榮曜充出使比國大臣。榮曜旋罷，改任李盛鐸。丁未，免奉天北路被兵額賦。辛亥，發內帑三萬於江蘇備急賑。癸丑，詔各省學政專司考校學堂，嗣後學政事宜，歸學務大臣考核。戊午，新疆巡撫潘效蘇坐侵款褫職，戍軍台。己未，命袁世凱、鐵良校閱新軍秋操。壬戌，命汪大燮充出使英國大臣，楊晟充出使德國大臣，李經邁充出使奧國大臣。甲子，開海州商埠。乙丑，改命李經方為商約大臣。丁卯，載澤等啟行，甫登車，有人猝擲炸彈。事上，詔嚴捕重懲。己巳，巴塘亂平，匪首喇嘛阿澤、隆本郎吉等伏誅。
九月丙子，以三品京堂周榮曜舊充關書，侵盜鉅帑，褫職逮治，籍其貲。庚辰，初置巡警部，以徐世昌為尚書。庚寅，北新倉火。辛卯，論肅清廣西功，晉岑春渲太子少保銜，李經羲優獎。丙申，見德使穆默於勤政殿。戊戌，命尚其亨、李盛鐸會同載澤等赴各國考察政治。
是秋，賑貴州、雲南各屬水災，太康風災，鎮番暨巴燕戎格雹災風災。
冬十月癸卯，見日本公使內田康哉等於勤政殿。置吉林哈爾濱道。丙辰，蘆漢鐵路成。英兵入藏，索賠款一百二十餘萬。諭國家代給，以恤番艱。壬戌，訂鑄造銀幣及行用章程。乙丑，以陸徵祥充出使荷國大臣，兼理海牙和平會事。戊辰，置考察政治館，擇各國政法宜於中國治體者，斟酌損益，纂訂成書，取旨裁定。詔：「近有不逞之徒，造為革命排滿之說，假借黨派，陰行叛逆。各疆臣應嚴禁密緝。首從各犯，論如謀逆例。」
十一月庚午朔，陝、洛會匪平。辛未，裕德卒。丙子，罷駐韓使臣，改置總領事。己卯，詔置學部，以國子監歸並之，調榮慶為尚書。乙未，中日新約成。
十二月辛亥，授那桐體仁閣大學士，榮慶協辦大學士。癸亥，置京師內外城巡警總厅。罷工巡局。命徐世昌、鐵良並為軍機大臣。是月，免盛京各旗、陝西各屬被兵逋賦，安州積澇、韓城水沖地租。
是冬，賑會澤潦災，荊州水災，英吉沙爾水災雹災。
光緒三十二年
三十二年丙午春正月丙子，緩布特哈貢貂。丁丑，見德、英、法、美、日本、荷、義、俄、奧、比、葡、墨諸使穆默等於乾清宮。丁亥，漳浦匪首張嬰伏誅。壬辰，徐郙以察典罷。甲午，命瞿鴻禨協辦大學士。
二月戊辰，詔各省保護教堂及外人身家。乙丑，見德使穆默等於勤政殿。是月，頒帑十萬助賑日本災。
三月戊辰朔，以忠君、尊孔、尚公、尚武、尚實五大綱為教育宗旨，宣詔天下。庚午，罷選八旗秀女。丙子，命汪大燮往賀日君婚禮。丙戌，開江蘇通州商埠。丁酉，美國舊金山地震，頒帑十萬賑華民。是月，奧使顧新斯基、義使巴樂禮等、德使穆默等、法使呂班先後覲見。
是春，免浙江仁和等場與各州縣，杭、嚴、衢三所灶課及荒地山塘雜課，雲南、湖南、新疆災糧，陝西逋賦。
夏四月戊戌朔，命陸徵祥往瑞士議紅十字會公約。己亥，裁各省學政，改置提學使。庚子，見日本公使內田康哉於勤政殿。癸丑，命鐵良充督辦稅務大臣，唐紹儀副之。丁巳，發湖南庫帑十萬賑水災。
閏四月丙戌，以暘雨失時，偏災屢告，懿旨飭君臣上下交儆。戊子，唐炯以衰疾解雲南礦務。
五月戊戌，發庫帑五萬賑廣東水澇災。癸卯，河南沁河溢，賑災民。是月，見法使巴思德、義親王費爾迪安德等於乾清宮。
六月丁卯，德國減直隸駐兵，歸我廊坊、楊村、北戴河、秦王島、山海關地。庚辰，沅陵匪首覃加位伏誅。
是夏，免浪穹舊逋，莎車復荒額賦，甘肅、雲南被災逋賦。賑武陟水災，朝陽火災。
秋七月戊戌，置川滇邊務大臣，以趙爾豐任之，賞侍郎銜。沁河決口合龍。庚子，江蘇水陸各營旗防軍改編巡防隊。辛丑，考察政治大臣載澤等還京，上封事。命醇親王、軍機政務處大臣、大學士、北洋大臣公閱，取進止。乙巳，奉天開商埠大東溝，置海關，以東邊道兼監督。戊申，諭曰：「載澤等陳奏，謂國勢不振，由上下相暌，內外隔閡。官不知所以保民，民不知所以衛國。而各國所由富強，在實行憲法，取決公論。時處今日，惟有仿行憲政，大權統於朝廷，庶政公諸輿論。預備立憲基礎，內外臣工切實振興。俟數年後規模粗具，參用各國成法，再定期限實行。」己酉，諭立憲預備，須先釐定官制，命大臣編纂，奕劻、孫家鼐、瞿鴻禨總司核定，取旨遵行。調端方為兩江總督兼南洋大臣。甲子，發江蘇庫儲十萬賑徐、海、淮西水災。
八月丁亥，除臨川水沖地額賦。庚寅，見日本王爵博恭、公使林權助於仁壽殿。是月，賑安徽水災，廣東風災，湖州澇災。
九月癸卯，見各國公使等於仁壽殿。丙午，賜遊學畢業陳錦濤等各科進士、舉人出身有差。甲寅，詔更定官制。內閣、軍機處、外務、吏、禮、學部、宗人府、翰林院等仍舊。改巡警部為民政部，戶部為度支部，兵部為陸軍部，刑部為法部，工部並入商部為農工商部，理籓院為理籓部。各設尚書一人，侍郎二人，不分滿、漢。都察院都御史一人，副都御史二人。改六科給事中為給事中，大理寺為大理院。增設郵傳部、海軍部、軍諮府、資政院、審計院。以財政處歸度支部，太常、光祿、鴻臚三寺歸禮部。太僕寺、練兵處歸陸軍部。各部尚書俱充參預政務處大臣。命世續為軍機大臣，林紹年軍機大臣上學習行走，鹿傳霖、榮慶、徐世昌、鐵良並罷軍機，專理部務。乙卯，發廣東庫儲十萬賑香港及潮、高、雷、欽、廉屬風災。丁巳，改政務處為會議政務處。戊午，命曾廣銓以三品京堂充出使德國大臣。
冬十月癸酉，皇太后聖壽節，停筵宴。癸未，見英使硃邇典、比使柯霓雅於乾清宮。乙酉，裁併廣東陸路、水路提督為廣東提督。丁亥，見日本公使林權助等於勤政殿。戊子，瀏陽、醴陵匪巫王永求、陳顯龍倡亂，官軍擒斬之。己丑，撥漕折三十萬備賑江蘇。辛卯，立官報局於京師。
十一月己亥，留廣東京餉十萬備賑。壬寅，免廣西銻礦出井稅。甲辰，撥陝西官帑八萬助賑江蘇。戊申，詔升孔子為大祀，所司議典禮以聞。癸丑，詔各省議幣制。丁卯，建曲阜學堂，發內帑十萬濟工。是月，見墨使胡爾達於勤政殿，德使雷克司、法使巴思德、英使硃邇典於乾清宮。
十二月癸亥朔，日有食之。丁卯，加京官養廉。甲戌，改駐各國公使為二品實官。
是冬，賑普寧、趙州、羅平、師宗災，江寧、揚州水災。免灤平、安州澇災糧賦，永城額賦，陝西咸寧等處逋賦，永平、太和、昆明災地欠糧。
光緒三十三年
三十三年丁未春正月甲辰，見各國公使於乾清宮。庚戌，裁各部小京官。
二月甲子，有泰以貽誤藏事褫職，謫戍軍台。壬申，留蘇漕十五萬備賑。
三月丙申，見日本公使林權助等於勤政殿。戊戌，長春、哈爾濱辟商埠。己亥，改盛京將軍為東三省總督，裁吉林、黑龍江將軍，改置奉、吉、黑三巡撫，授徐世昌欽差大臣，為東三省總督。壬寅，命府尹孫寶琦充出使德國大臣。壬子，命天津道梁敦彥充出使美墨祕古大臣。丙申，命陸徵祥充保和會專使大臣，李經方充出使英國大臣，錢恂充出使荷國大臣。丁巳，昆岡卒。
是春，免中衛被水及榆林等屬逋賦，雲南旱災等州縣逋糧及額賦。
四月甲子，裁各省民壯捕役，改設巡警。綏來地震。乙丑，御史趙啟霖坐污衊親貴褫職。辛未，更定東三省官制，奉天、吉林、黑龍江各設行省公署，以總督為長官，巡撫為次官，置左右參贊，分領承宣、諮議兩□，分設交涉、旗務、民政、提學、度支、勸業、蒙務七司，各置司使，及提法使、督練處等官。己卯，祈雨。辛巳，以江北水災，嚴米糧出口禁。丁亥，定陸海軍官制，陸軍部設兩□十司，軍諮處五司，海軍部六司。戊子，命衍聖公孔令貽稽察山東學務。
五月癸巳，巴塘等屬喇嘛脅河西蠻作亂，官軍討平之。乙未，命王士珍以侍郎銜署江北提督。丙申，西陵禁山火。丁酉，瞿鴻禨罷。己亥，授鹿傳霖軍機大臣。命醇親王直軍機。辛丑，王文詔罷，命張之洞協辦大學士。癸卯，崇禮卒。丁巳，改按察使為提法使，置巡警、勸業道，裁分守、分巡各道，酌留兵備道，及分設審判□，備司法獨立，增易佐治員，備地方自治，期十五年內通行。戊午，詔：「憲法，官民均有責任，凡知所以預備之方、施行之序者，許各條舉，主者甄采以聞。」安徽候補道徐錫麟刺殺巡撫恩銘，錫麟捕得伏誅。
六月辛酉，命李家駒充出使日本大臣。丙寅，復御史趙啟霖官。壬申，自四月不雨至於是日雨。授張之洞體仁閣大學士，鹿傳霖協辦大學士。乙酉，停萬壽筵宴。永定河決。
是夏，免新化被水額賦，伊通被賊逋課，雲南旱災等州縣銀米。賑雲南饑及直隸水災。
秋七月辛卯，詔中外臣工議化除滿、漢。甲午，改考查政治館為憲政編查館。其軍機大臣、大學士、參預政務大臣會議事，於內閣行之。壬寅，懿旨遣楊士琦赴南洋各埠考察，獎勵華僑。免趙州、祿豐被災額賦。賑順天等屬災民，及瀏陽、邵陽蛟災。甲辰，詔以匪徒謀逆，往往假革命名詞，巧為煽誘。各督撫當設法解散。獲犯擬罪，分別叛逆、盜匪科論，被脅及家屬不知情者勿株連。命張廕棠為全權大臣，與英人議藏約。敬信卒。己酉，定限年編練陸軍三十六鎮。丙辰，命張之洞、袁世凱並為軍機大臣，以袁世凱為外務部尚書。丁巳，命楊士驤署直隸總督兼北洋大臣。戊午，李經邁以母病免，命雷補同充出使奧國大臣。己未，河決孟縣。
八月辛酉，上不豫，詔各省薦精通醫理者。命汪大燮使英國，達壽使日本，於式枚使德國，俱充考察憲政大臣。壬戌，置京師高等審判□。己巳，置總檢察 □。壬申，立資政院，以貝子溥倫、孫家鼐為總裁。乙亥，命伍廷芳充出使美國大臣，薩廕圖充出使俄國大臣。己卯，詔以各省駐防習為遊惰，命各將軍等授田督耕，歸農後，一切歸有司治理。庚辰，裁奉天驛站，設文報局。壬午，詔中外臣工研究君主立憲政體。諭定自治章程。甲辰，見德使雷克司、日使阿部守太郎於仁壽殿。諭神機營衛隊及官兵歸陸軍部管轄。
九月辛卯，詔議定滿、漢禮制、刑律，考定度量權衡畫一制度章程。是日，以煙習未除，敕責莊親王載功、睿親王魁斌、都御史陸寶忠、副都御史陳名侃解職，迅速戒斷。並諭內外文武，限三月淨盡，否即嚴懲。癸巳，命沈家本、俞廉三、英瑞充修訂法律大臣。己亥，命各省立諮議局，公舉議員，並籌設州、縣議事會。壬寅，日本以水災來告糴，輸江、皖、浙、鄂諸省米糧六十萬石濟之。甲辰，命各省立調查局，各部、院設統計處。予遊學畢業生章宗元等進士、舉人出身有差。戊申，湖北按察使梁鼎芬言挽回時局，莫亟於禁賄賂，絕請託，劾奕劻、袁世凱等夤緣比附，貪私誤國。廷旨以有意沽名，斥之。是月，免雲南旱傷等州縣稅糧。賑懷寧等縣水災。
冬十月乙丑，命派孫家鼐、榮慶、陸潤庠、張英麟、唐景崇、寶熙、硃益籓進講經史及國朝掌故。永定河合龍。戊辰，皇太后聖壽節，停筵宴。壬申，見日使林權助等於勤政殿。丙戌，哲布尊巴丹胡圖克圖進方物。
十一月庚寅，廣西匪踞南關砲台，責張鳴岐督剿，尋復之。戊申，嚴聚眾開會演說之禁。諭各省整頓學堂，增訂考核勸戒法。壬子，見俄使璞科第等於乾清宮。以內外臣工條議幣制，用兩用元，互有利害，諭各督撫體察籌議以聞。發帑五十萬濟廣西軍。
十二月戊午朔，復分置廣東陸路提督、水師提督。癸亥，裁吉林副都統，置交涉、民政、度支三司使暨提法使、勸業道。予進士館遊學畢業學員楊兆麟等進敘有差。壬申，裁山東糧道，置巡警、勸業二道。甲戌，諭熱河圍場辦屯墾，裁駐防官兵。乙亥，命呂海寰充督辦津浦鐵路大臣。丙子，那桐兼督辦稅務大臣。辛巳，賞總稅務司赫德尚書銜。丙戌，再停布特哈貢貂一年。
是冬，免雲南被旱、直隸被潦暨陝西逋賦。賑雲南等屬蛟災，四川水災，廣東風災水災。
光緒三十四年
三十四年戊申春正月丁亥朔，授醇親王載灃為軍機大臣。庚寅，見各國公使於乾清宮。己亥，以京師銀價驟高，物直踴貴，發帑五十萬，命順天府尹貶價收錢，並令各省廠鑄當十銅元，定額外加鑄三成一文新錢，以資補救。甲寅，建蘭州黃河鐵橋。丙午，見奧使顧新斯基於勤政殿。是月，免雲南昆明等縣逋賦，浙江仁和等場灶課，湖南邵陽額賦。
二月戊午，祭大社、大稷，是後祀典不克親行，皆遣代。庚申，賞趙爾豐尚書銜，為駐藏大臣，仍兼邊務大臣。癸亥，詔增給滿大臣暨各旗官十成養廉，更定御前大臣以下等員津貼。丙寅，諭京、外清庶獄。甲戌，京師勸工陳列所災。丙子，諭以「禁煙議成，英人許分年減運，見已實行遞減。相約試行三年，限滿再為推減。轉瞬期至，其何以答友邦。民政、度支二部迅訂稽核章程，責成督撫飭屬將減種、減食，切實舉辦以聞」。丁丑，召達壽還，命李家駒為考察憲政大臣，胡惟德充出使日本大臣。壬午，黃誥罷，調錢恂為出使義國大臣，以陸徵祥為出使荷國大臣。
三月壬辰，命恭親王溥偉、鹿傳霖、景星、丁振鐸充禁煙大臣，立戒煙所，專司查驗。丙午，廓爾喀貢方物。甲寅，以湛深經術，賜湘潭舉人王闓運檢討。是月，免雲南被災新舊額賦。
夏四月丙辰，見日使林權助等於勤政殿。綏遠城將軍貽穀有罪褫職，逮下刑部獄，尋籍其家。命信勤充墾務大臣，兼署綏遠城將軍。丁巳，裁安徽安廬滁和道。己未，越匪陷河口，命劉春霖以三品京堂幫辦雲南邊防，前敵諸軍歸節制。戊辰，裁貴州糧道、貴西道。己巳，見各國公使希特斯等於仁壽殿，賜宴。庚辰，雲南官軍敗匪於田房，復四隘，旋克大小南溪及河口，發帑犒軍。
五月乙酉朔，滇匪平。丁亥，裁巴塘、裡塘土司，置流官。壬辰，上疾復作，命直省薦精通醫理者。癸巳，錄中興功臣多隆阿、向榮、江忠源、羅澤南、駱秉章、張國樑、李續賓、彭玉麟、楊岳斌、鮑超、李孟群、程學啟、劉松山、馮子材等後，升敘有差。甲午，修曲阜孔子廟。癸卯，襄河決，颶風為災。庚戌，郎中曹元弼進所著禮經校釋，賞編修。癸丑，廣東大雨，東西北三江並溢，沖決圍堤。
六月丁巳，前祭酒王先謙進所著尚書孔傳參正、漢書補注、荀子集解、日本源流考，賞內閣學士銜。甲子，免廣西礦地出井、出口兩稅五年。庚午，予進士館游學畢業學員黎湛枝等進敘有差。甲戌，命張之洞兼督辦粵漢鐵路。乙亥，允達賴喇嘛入覲。丙子，以美國減收賠款，命唐紹儀充專使致謝，兼赴東西洋考察財政。議免釐加稅。乙卯，授楊士驤直隸總督兼北洋大臣。辛巳，法部主事陳景仁等請三年後開國會。詔以景仁倡率生事，褫職交管束。
是夏，免雲南水旱雹災，奉天水災荒地額賦。賑江蘇風雹災，湖北水災。發部帑五萬賑察哈爾蒙旗及兩翼牧群災，又部帑十萬賑廣東廣州、肇慶、陽江各屬水災。
秋七月壬辰，裁黑龍江愛琿等三副都統，增置□愛琿道、呼倫貝爾道。丙申，釋蘇元春回。己亥，免鐵路公私稅三年。庚子，以各省設政聞社斂財結黨，陰擾治安，諭所在嚴禁。辛丑，修浙江海塘。癸卯，廣西巡勇叛變，戕殺統將，張人駿督剿之。丙午，命三品卿銜胡國廉總理瓊、崖墾礦事。庚戌，置雲南交涉使。是月，山東、安徽蝗。
八月甲寅朔，憲政編查館、資政院上憲法、議院、選舉各綱要，暨逐年籌備事宜。詔頒行京、外官署，依限舉辦，每六閱月，臚列成績以聞。辛未，命薑桂題總統武衛左軍。戊寅，見俄使廓索維慈、荷使希特斯等於仁壽殿。己卯，命廕昌、端方校閱秋操。庚辰，馬玉昆卒，晉二等輕車都尉。辛巳，命廕昌充出使德國大臣。壬午，遣御前大臣博迪蘇往保定迎勞達賴喇嘛。
九月癸未朔，予先儒顧炎武、王夫之、黃宗羲從祀文廟。乙酉，美軍艦遊歷至廈門，遣貝勒毓朗、梁敦彥往勞問。己丑，開寧夏渠墾田。庚寅，達賴喇嘛至京，尋於仁壽殿覲見。癸巳，頒畫一幣制。丙申，允郵傳部請，試辦本國公債。戊戌，予進士館畢業陳雲誥等敘進有差。庚子，見英使硃邇典等於仁壽殿。癸卯，予遊學畢業陳振先等出身，進士館畢業葉光圻等敘進各有差。己酉，裁四川成綿龍茂道，增置巡警、勸業兩道。辛亥，詔以前籌備憲政事宜尚有未盡，諭各部院依前格式，各就職司所繫，分期臚列奏明，交編查館覆核，取旨遵行。
是秋，免雲南會澤被水逋賦，楚雄等縣及湖南漵浦被水額糧。發帑十萬賑湖北、湖南災民。復賑甘肅災，廣東風災水災，廣西、浙江、黑龍江、福建水災。
冬十月甲寅，見日使伊集院彥吉於勤政殿。廣州、肇慶等屬颶風為災，諭施急賑。戊午，賜達賴宴於紫光閣。壬戌，皇太后聖壽節，停筵宴。達賴祝嘏，進方物，懿旨加封誠順贊化西天大善自在佛，歲賜廩餼萬金，遣歸藏。
壬申，上疾甚。懿旨，醇親王載灃之子溥儀在宮中教養，覆命載灃監國為攝政王。癸酉，上疾大漸，崩於瀛台涵元殿，年三十有八。遺詔攝政王載灃子溥儀入承大統，為嗣皇帝。皇太后懿旨，命嗣皇帝承繼穆宗為嗣，兼承大行皇帝之祧。宣統元年正月己酉，上尊謚曰同天崇運大中至正經文緯武仁孝睿智端儉寬勤景皇帝，廟號德宗，葬崇陵。
論
論曰：德宗親政之時，春秋方富，抱大有為之志，欲張撻伐，以湔國恥。已而師徒撓敗，割地輸平，遂引新進小臣，銳意更張，為發奮自強之計。然功名之士，險躁自矜，忘投鼠之忌，而弗恤其罔濟，言之可為於邑。洎垂廉再出，韜晦瀛台。外侮之來，釁自內作。卒使八國連兵，六龍西狩。庚子以後，怫鬱摧傷，奄致殂落，而國運亦因此而傾矣。嗚呼，豈非天哉！
First year of Guangxu (1875)
First year of Guangxu, yihai. In the spring, the first month, on the first day, jihai, the court congratulations were dispensed with. Minister of Personnel Yinggui and Minister of War Shen Guifen were both made Assistant Grand Secretaries. On wushen, a shrine in Taiwan was granted to the late Ming feudatory Zhu Chenggong, and he was given the posthumous name Zhongjie. On gengxu, Shen Baozhen was ordered to survey and arrange the building of a walled town and a county at Langping, and to plan the opening of the mountains and the pacifying of the aborigines. On xinhai, the prayer for grain was offered to the Lord on High. Shelters were set up at Qingjiang to take in the starving flood victims of Xu and Hai. Guang'an, Reader of the Grand Secretariat, memorialised asking that the court officials deliberate together on an heir for the late emperor and issue an iron tablet [to guarantee it]; he was rebuked. On bingchen, Vietnamese bandit bands fled across the Yunnan border, and Governor Cen Yuying crushed them. On wuwu, the emperor went to the Taihe Hall and took the throne as emperor; an edict of amnesty was proclaimed and a special examination of grace was opened. On xinyou, the governors-general and governors were instructed again to put forward men of worth and punish the greedy, and to put an end to currying favour and scrambling for office. Edit
The second month. On dingchou, the Board of Justice was instructed to clear its backlog of cases. On wuyin, sacrifice was offered at the Altars of Earth and Grain, with Benge, Prince Yu of the First Rank, acting [for the emperor]. From then on someone was sent to act at all the great sacrifices, until at the winter solstice of the twelfth year [the emperor] first went himself to sacrifice to Heaven at the Round Altar. On renwu, the British interpreter Margary was murdered in Yunnan. Liu Jintang and others recovered He Department. On jiashen, the aborigines of Taiwan rose, and Provincial Commander Tang Dingkui attacked them. On bingxu, the King of Ryukyu was given satins and patterned silks, and his tribute envoys satins. On wuzi, Empress Jiashun died. Edit
The third month. On the first day, wuxu, there was an eclipse of the sun. On jihai, the late emperor's posthumous name and temple name were conferred. On renzi, the breach of the river works at Jiazhuang in Shandong was closed. On bingchen, the Vietnamese bandit Su Yadeng and others were put to death. On yichou, Jinglian was recalled to the capital, and Zuo Zongtang was made Imperial Commissioner to take charge of military affairs in Xinjiang, with Jinshun as Lieutenant-General of Wulumuqi as his second. This month, the grain owed by every province was remitted generally, and the arrears of tax of Jiangxi and Shanxi from before the sixth year of Tongzhi were remitted. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month. On the first day, dingmao, sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On gengwu, Mutushan was ordered to bring the cavalry under his command to the capital, to be attached to the Shenji Battalion and stationed in the Southern Park. On jimao, Tang Dingkui took the aboriginal villages of the southern route of Taiwan. On renchen, Shen Baozhen was made Governor-General of Liangjiang and also Commissioner of Trade, in charge of the coastal defence of the Southern Ports, and Li Hongzhang was put in charge of the coastal defence of the Northern Ports. Edit
The fifth month. On wuxu, water works were begun in Zhili, and the garrison troops reclaimed rice fields at Xianshuigu. On gengzi, in the great examination of the Hanlin Academy and the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction, Wu Baoshu, Qu Hongji, Niu Yugeng and Sun Yijing were placed in the first class, and the others promoted or demoted in varying degrees. On jiachen, Zhejiang's tribute of green jade hairpins and bracelets was stopped, and so were the various articles ordered through the Imperial Textile Commissioners. Liu Yuezhao led an attack into Vietnam and recovered the native department of Tongwen and other towns. On wushen, the emperor gave Empress Jiashun the posthumous name Empress Xiaozhe Jiashun Shushen Xianming Xiantian Zhangsheng Yi. On xinhai, the sacred storehouse of the Board of Works caught fire. On renzi, the clerks' office of the Board of Justice caught fire. Li Hanzhang was ordered to go to Yunnan to investigate the Margary case, and Xue Huan followed to try it with him. On yimao, the summer solstice, Earth was sacrificed to at the Square Pool. Edit
The sixth month. On wuchen, Yirong, General of Jilin, was stripped of office and exiled to frontier service. On gengwu, bandits of Fengtian seized Dadonggou and rose in revolt; Chongshi attacked and put them down. The regular tribute of Gansu was stopped. On jiawu, the banner rents owed by the people of Zhili from before the tenth year of Tongzhi, and the taxes due for back-collection, were remitted. An edict of the Empress Dowagers ordered Prince Chun and the Ministers of the Imperial Presence to recommend men in the various offices who knew the discipline of the Green Standard and the braves, and guards who were fit to command troops. On renwu, as the coffins of Muzong and his empress were to be moved to the mausoleum, the officials concerned were warned in advance not to prepare an imperial road, and soon harassment [of the people] was forbidden. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month. On wuxu, the arrears of tax and tax grain of Zhili from before the sixth year of Tongzhi were remitted. On gengzi, the Yongding River broke its banks. The provinces were instructed to try with care the cases appealed to the capital. Grain from the granaries of Taiyuan and other counties was lent to feed the people. On guimao, Liu Dian was given a capital post of the third grade, to assist in military affairs in Shaanxi and Gansu. The likin on rice and grain in Hubei was remitted. On jiachen, the exchange of the treaty with Peru was completed. The Zongli Yamen was instructed to plan jointly for the protection of Chinese labourers. On bingwu, the birthday of the Empress Dowager Ci'an, the banquets were suspended. On renxu, Li Hongzhang and Ding Richang were ordered to negotiate the Margary case with the British envoy Wade. Expectant Vice Minister Guo Songtao and Expectant Circuit Intendant Xu Qianshen were made envoys to Britain. Edit
The eighth month. On wuyin, the regular tax of Shaanxi, which had suffered from war, was remitted. On gengchen, the articles that the Salt Controllers of Changlu and Lianghuai were due to present were remitted. On gengyin, Ding Richang was ordered to direct the Fujian Shipbuilding Administration. Edit
The ninth month. On dingyou, Mutushan was instructed to put the administration and the banner garrisons of Jilin in order. On jiachen, the treaty rules for foreigners travelling in the interior were fixed anew. Wu Tang directed the campaign against the bandits who had fled into Xuyong Subprefecture. On xinhai, half the regular tax of Daxing and the other departments and counties through which the coffins passed, and seven tenths of that of Zhunhua, were remitted; silver for seed was given for the wheat fields levelled [for the road], and the money and grain left after the remissions and the banner rents were remitted too. On jiayin, the coffins were laid to rest at the Longfu Temple. On yimao, the emperor visited the mausoleums. He inspected the works at Puxiangyu and Putuoyu. On bingchen, he inspected the works of the Hui Mausoleum. On dingsi, he attended the two Empress Dowagers back to the palace. On gengshen, he arrived from the Longfu Temple. On xinyou, Wang Kaitai was instructed to deal with the aborigines of Taiwan. On guihai, Liu Changyou defeated the Vietnamese bandits, and the bandit chiefs Huang Chongying and Zhou Jianxin were put to death. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month. On the first day, jiazi, sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On guiyou, the birthday of the Empress Dowager Cixi, the banquets were suspended. On jiaxu, at Ding Baozhen's request, it was allowed to build forts at Yantai, Weihaiwei and Dengzhou Prefecture and to set up a machine works. On jimao, the ban on Nantian Island in Zhejiang was lifted, and the people were allowed to farm it. On gengchen, the poor of the capital were given silver for padded clothes, and this was done every year. Li Zengyuan and other bandits of Xuyong rose, and Provincial Commander Li Youheng put them down. On guiwei, the garrisons of the Eight Banners were given a month's pay and grain, and this was made a yearly rule. Bandits rose in Xinhua, Heng and Yong in Hunan; Brigade General Xie Jinjun and Provincial Commander Zhao Liansheng put them down. On dinghai, Assistant Chamberlain Jihe and Wulaxichong'a, Sub-Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat, were sent as envoys to Korea to invest Tuo, son of Li Xi, as Heir Prince. Edit
The eleventh month. On wuxu, Cen Yuying took the great stronghold of Zhenxiong, and the bandit chief Ju Zhanneng was put to death. Liu Yuezhao was stripped of office for negligence. On dingwei, Department Director Chen Lanbin was made an expectant holder of a capital post and appointed envoy to the United States, Spain and Peru. On yimao, the bandits of Datonggou in Fengtian were put down. On wuwu, the winter solstice, Heaven was sacrificed to at the Round Altar. On jiwei, the court congratulations were dispensed with. On gengshen, the spirit tablets of Muzong and his empress were placed in the Fengxian Hall. Edit
The twelfth month. On bingyin, the portraits were laid up in the Shouhuang Hall. On dingmao, the regular tax on the alkaline land of the Yangximu pasture of Shengjing was abolished. On jiaxu, an edict of the Empress Dowagers said: "For the emperor's studies, Weng Tonghe, Sub-Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat, and Vice Minister Xia Tongshan will teach him reading in the Yuqing Palace, and the Ministers of the Imperial Presence will teach him the national language, Manchu and Mongol speech and script, and riding and archery." Grand Secretary Wenxiang asked to be relieved of his duties in the Grand Council; he was comforted and kept on. On wuyin, the new and old taxes and dues of the stricken places of Zhejiang were remitted. On jiashen, prayers for snow were offered at the altars and temples. On xinmao, the joint sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Edit
This year, Korea, Ryukyu and Burma came with tribute. Edit
Second year of Guangxu (1876)
Second year, bingzi. In the spring, the first month, on the first day, guisi, the court congratulations were dispensed with. On wuxu, the provinces were instructed to expound the Amplified Instructions on the Sacred Edict. On guimao, the dues and grain on the unreclaimed stove marshes of Renhe and the other salt works were remitted. On guichou, Guizhou bandits took Xiajiang, and it was soon recovered. On bingchen, there were prayers for rain. From then on prayers for rain were frequent. On xinyou, the Man bandits of Sichuan were put down. Edit
The second month. On yichou, an edict ruled that from the first month of summer this year, until [the emperor] took over the government, he would go himself the day before to perform the rites of the seasonal sacrifices at the Imperial Ancestral Temple and of the joint sacrifice and the great sacrifices. On jimao, the regular stove dues of Haisha, Luli and other salt works were remitted. On renwu, the bandit chiefs of Dengchuan, Luo Hongchang and Xiang He, were put to death. The arrears of tax of Zhejiang were remitted. On gengyin, Cen Runqing, the native assistant department magistrate of Yangwan, rose in revolt, and Yan Shusen put him down. On renchen, bandits of Dongxiang gathered a crowd and resisted the officials. Edit
The third month. On bingshen, because of drought, an edict ordered the prisons to be cleared. On jihai, Wu Zancheng was given a capital post of the third grade and put in charge of the Fujian Shipbuilding Administration. On jiayin, the dismissed first captain Chen Guorui was exiled to frontier service in Heilongjiang. On bingwu, the arrears of tax of sixty-six departments and counties of Shaanxi were remitted. On dingwei, an edict, for the fortieth birthday of the Empress Dowager Ci'an, stopped this year's autumn executions. The rebel lair of Sijiaoniu and the bandits of Liudong in Guizhou were put down. On wushen, as the rains were late, the officials in the capital and the provinces were instructed to speak frankly of faults and shortcomings. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month. On yihai, the tribute of local products from Shaanxi was stopped, and the arrears of tax of Huai, Yang and other districts from before the sixth year of Tongzhi were remitted. On renwu, the emperor began his studies in the Yuqing Palace. On bingxu, Cao Hongxun and three hundred and twenty-four others were granted the jinshi degree in their several grades. On wuzi, Surendra Bikram Shah [of Nepal] presented a memorial of condolence; an imperial letter was issued in reply, with gifts of satins. Edit
The fifth month. On yiwei, Wenxiang died. On yisi, as there was severe drought near the capital, and the common people of Zhili and Shandong and of Henan, Hebei and other prefectures were hard put to it for food, the senior officials were instructed to give relief and to catch the locusts and their larvae. On bingchen, Censor Pan Dunyan asked that Empress Xiaozhe be given a new posthumous name. He was handed over for severe censure and soon stripped of office. Edit
The intercalary fifth month. On the first day, xinyou, relief was given for the drought near the capital. On gengwu, relief was given for the floods in Fujian. On xinwei, because of drought, self-examination was ordered. On renshen, the great stele pavilion of the Xiao Mausoleum caught fire. It had not rained since the first month of spring; on this day it rained. On jiashen, the vegetarian-sect bandits of Jie Department were put down. On yiyou, Liu Kunyi was instructed to guard the coast and train troops, and to set things in order at once. Edit
The sixth month. On the first day, gengyin, Wenkun and others were instructed to punish severely those who passed on and practised heterodox arts. On renchen, the trained troops of Tengyue seized the city and rebelled, and took Shunning and Yun Department as well. On dingyou, Li Hongzhang was made plenipotentiary to go to Yantai and settle the Margary case with the British envoy Wade. On gengzi, there were locusts in Anhui. On wushen, the sale of substantive offices was opened in Yunnan. On xinhai, as bandits were raiding Jiangsu, Anhui, Shandong and Henan, Shen Baozhen and others were instructed to divide their troops to hunt them down and to disperse those who had been coerced. On dingsi, Brigade General Kong Cai attacked Manasi and beheaded the bandit chief Ma Deming and others. This month, relief was given for the floods in Nanfeng, Nanchang and Fujian. Edit
This summer, the arrears of tax of Huai, Yang and other districts, the arrears of tax of Shengjing from before the sixth year of Tongzhi, the stove dues of the salt works of Changlu from before the tenth year of Tongzhi, and the arrears of tax of Zhili since the tenth year of Tongzhi were remitted. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month. On xinyou, honorific titles were conferred on the two Empress Dowagers. On xinwei, the licensed sales districts of Huai salt on the Chu shores were restored. On jiaxu, Yuan Tingjiao, the bandit chief of Dongxiang, was put to death. On xinsi, Liu Changyou and Pan Dingxin recovered the towns of Tengyue, and the bandit chief Su Kaixian was put to death. On wuzi, the Margary case was settled, and the officials involved in it were pardoned the crimes charged against them. Edit
The eighth month. On xinmao, Liu Jintang and Jinshun defeated the Hui chief Bai Yanhu and recovered Wulumuqi and the city of Dihua, and soon recovered the towns of Changji, Hutubi and Jinghua. On xinchou, Xu Qianshen was made envoy to Japan instead. On dingwei, relief was given for the floods in Zhejiang. On xinhai, relief was given for the floods in Jiangxi. Kong Cai and others recovered the northern city of Manasi. Edit
The ninth month. On the first day, wuwu, thirty-five families of Shangyuan and Jiangning counties, a hundred and ninety-five people, who had died as martyrs whole households together, were honoured with condolence grants and memorial arches. On renxu, more soup kitchens were set up in Shuntian. On jisi, regulations for envoys to foreign countries were laid down. As the people and the Christians of the departments and counties of Sichuan were quarrelling in lawsuits, Kuiyu and others were instructed to try and judge them fairly. On renshen, Wenyu and others were instructed to hunt down strictly the heterodox sect bands of Fujian, Jiangxi, Anhui and other provinces. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month. On bingwu, relief was given for the drought in northern Anhui. Jinglian and Li Hongzao were ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On jiayin, Rongquan was summoned to the capital, and Jinshun was made General of Yili. On dingsi, relief was given for the famine in Koubei, Shandong, Anhui and north of the Yangzi. Edit
The eleventh month. On dingmao, Jinshun and Xilun took the southern city of Manasi, and the bandit chiefs He Lu and Ma Youcai were put to death. On renwu, as the northern route of Xinjiang was pacified, treasury funds were issued to reduce and disband Jinshun's army. On jiashen, ten thousand shi of tribute grain were held back, and granary grain drawn, to feed the disaster victims being sheltered at Su and Chang. Edit
The twelfth month. On wuzi, Reader He Ruzhang was made envoy to Japan. On jiachen, the governors-general and governors were ordered to keep a strict watch on the departments and counties so that they did not hide disasters, and the cases between the people and the Christians in every province were to be tried fairly. On wushen, relief was given for the disasters in Huai and Hai north of the Yangzi. On jiyou, the Hui rebels fled into and raided Kebuduo; Councillor Baoying was slow in sending troops and was sharply rebuked. On yimao, the stove dues on the unreclaimed land of the salt works of Hang, Jia and Song were remitted. Edit
Third year of Guangxu (1877)
Third year, dingchou. In the spring, the first month, on the first day, dingsi, the court congratulations were dispensed with. On wuwu, Senior Censor-in-Chief Jinglian was made a Grand Councillor. On gengshen, the Jilong Hutuketu of Anterior Tibet was ordered to manage the affairs of the Shangshang until the Dalai Lama was reborn, and was given the title "Dashan". On guihai, Yinggui was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Pavilion, and Zailing, Minister of Personnel, was made an Assistant Grand Secretary. On bingyin, the arrears of rent on the shoals of Hongze Lake were remitted. Edit
The second month. On wuzi, the Yi bandits of Muping were put to death. On jichou, the provinces were instructed again to reclaim waste fields, forbid armed feuds, take care in recommendations and impeachments, and put the rules of the camps in order. Relief was given to the starving people of Zhili, Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Anhui, Jiangxi and Fujian returning to their native places. On sihai, the arrears of tax of Hubei were remitted. On gengzi, an edict of the Empress Dowagers said: "While the coffin is still unburied and the emperor is young, apart from the great ceremony of court congratulations, the ceremonies of proclaiming rewards and of banquets for foreign guests are to be put off for now." On xinchou, the licensed sales districts of Huai salt were restored. On renyin, the Board of Justice reversed the verdict in the case of Ge Pinlian, a commoner of Zhejiang; Governor Yang Changjun and Vice Minister Hu Ruilan were stripped of office, and the prefect and those below him were punished in varying degrees. The provinces were instructed again, in trying criminal cases, to make sure that the facts were true and the penalties fitting, and not to be careless. Edit
The third month. On the first day, dingsi, the emperor put off mourning. As the burial in the mausoleum had not yet taken place, banquets and theatricals in the palace were still forbidden. On xinwei, the grain dues of Huayin, which had been flooded, were remitted for three years. On guiyou, Liu Xihong was made envoy to Germany. Relief was given to the stricken people of Shuyang. On xinsi, the miscellaneous levies of the districts of Taiwan Prefecture were abolished, and relief was given to the starving aborigines of the inner mountains. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month. On xinmao, the regular rain sacrifice was offered to Heaven at the Round Altar. On jiawu, the Luo Yi of Mabian joined the wild Fan and the Black Yi in raiding; Kuiyu and others attacked them. On yiwei, the arrears of tax of Ling County, which had been flooded, were remitted. On wuxu, Liu Jintang and others took Qiketengmu and Pizhan and recovered the Manchu and Chinese cities of Tulufan. Soon they took the rebel works of Daban and Tuokexun, and the Anjiyan chief, the Pasha, killed himself. On jihai, Brigade General Zhang Qiguang attacked the aboriginal village of Shuaimang in Taiwan and took it. On gengzi, the banner households of Yi Department were lent silver for seed. On xinchou, relief was given for the earthquake at Guiyang. On renyin, bandits rose in Zhaotong and Guangnan; the government troops attacked and put them down. On guimao, because the clerks and runners were playing tricks with the deferment of taxes in the stricken areas, the provinces were instructed to set things in order. Wei Bixie, a supplementary student of Gaoyou who was content in poverty and delighted in the Way, was honoured. On jiachen, Vietnam sent envoys to present local products, and its king was given satins. On gengxu, Wang Renkan and three hundred and twenty-nine others were granted the jinshi degree in their several grades. This month, there were locusts in Jiangsu and Anhui. Edit
The fifth month. On wuchen, Japan stopped Ryukyu from sending tribute, and the envoys who had come were sent home. On guiyou, as Shanxi was in drought, two hundred thousand of the capital's allotment of funds were kept back for its relief. On jiaxu, Wang Huazhang and other secret-society bandits of Jianli rose in revolt and were put to death. One million two hundred thousand in treasury silver was allotted and sent to the supply depots of the western expedition. On wuyin, relief was given for the floods at Fuzhou. On renwu, an edict of the Empress Dowagers, as the emperor's birthday fell in a period of fasting, moved the ceremony of congratulation to the twenty-sixth day of the sixth month, and this was made the rule. As Shanxi was in great drought, Governor Zeng Guoquan asked to be granted a tablet [inscribed by the emperor] to pray with. As there was no precedent, this was not allowed. An edict said: "Prayer lies only in sincerity. You should labour at good administration and clear the prisons, so as to welcome gentle rain." Edit
The sixth month. On wuzi, an edict ruled that the son of Gonggarenqing, Luobuzangtabukejiamucuo, was to be the hubilehan of the Dalai Lama, without the drawing of lots from the urn. On xinmao, the dykes of the Bei River in Guangdong broke and there was a great flood at Lian Department; an edict ordered relief for the stricken people. On wuxu: before this, an edict of the Empress Dowagers had ordered the high ministers to deliberate on the place of Muzong's tablet in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and Prince Chun had asked again that a plan for the long future be fixed, and Junior Supervisor of Imperial Instruction Wenzhi, Director of the Court of State Ceremonial Xu Shuming, its Vice Director Wenshuo, Reader of the Grand Secretariat Zhong Peixian and Director of Studies Baoting had all memorialised on it. Now the princes and high ministers were again ordered to deliberate in detail and report, and Li Hongzhang was ordered to give his considered view. On bingwu, as calamities had come one after another, the officials were enjoined to examine themselves. On gengxu, the emperor's birthday, he went to the Qianqing Palace to receive congratulations. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month. On dingsi, coastal defence funds were allotted to help the relief in Shanxi. On jiwei, Prince Dun of the First Rank and others reported their deliberation on the places of the spirit tablets of Muzong and his empress: they asked that four bays be set out on each of the east and west sides of the middle hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, following the example of the niches added in the rear hall of the Fengxian Hall early in Daoguang, with repairs and redecoration; and, as Prince Chun had asked, that from now on the precedent of [tablets] never removed for a hundred generations not be invoked. On wuchen, three tenths of the regular tax of Jiangning, Shangyuan and other counties that had suffered disaster were remitted. On jisi, the capital's allotment and the silver commuted from tribute grain were kept back for the relief of the famine in Henan. Edit
The eighth month. On dinghai, the provinces were instructed to build irrigation works for the farmland. On renchen, a hundred thousand of Tianjin's training funds were allotted to help the relief in Shanxi. On jiawu, the millet due from Taiwan for the tenth year of Tongzhi, and the glutinous rice exchanged for grain, were remitted. On gengzi, Liu Kunyi and others were instructed to put the policing of Guangdong in order. On wushen, four hundred thousand in silver was allotted for the relief of the disasters in Shanxi and Henan, and of the tribute grain of Jiangsu and Anhui, forty thousand shi each was kept back and sent to Shanxi and Henan for relief. Edit
The ninth month. On jiayin, Chen Zi'ao, the bandit chief of Luotian, was put to death. On wuwu, the former Vice Minister Yan Jingming was ordered to go to Shanxi to oversee the relief. On jiwei, the growing of the opium poppy in Shanxi was forbidden again, with mulberry and cotton to be planted instead. On xinyou, eighty thousand shi each of Shandong's winter tribute grain was allotted for further relief of the disasters in Shanxi and Henan. On jiazi, the Han Confucian Liu De, Prince Xian of Hejian, was granted a place among those sacrificed to in the Temple of Confucius. On yichou, an edict sought frank advice. On dingmao, Li Henian was ordered to go to Henan to oversee the relief. On wuchen, the army pay for the western expedition that Shanxi and Henan were due to contribute was reduced and deferred. On gengchen, the grain rations for the stricken people of Xiangfu and other counties were increased. On xinsi, relief was given for the wind disaster in the districts of Xinghua Prefecture. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month. On renchen, relief was given for the hail disaster at Sanxing. On gengzi, the provinces were instructed to settle the starving people who were wandering from place to place. On jiachen, the silver and grain of Sanxing, which had suffered disaster, were remitted. The grain rations for the stricken people of Yangqu and other counties were increased. On yisi, more soup kitchens were set up in the Inner City. On gengxu, Liu Jintang advanced and recovered the two cities of Kalasha'er and Kuche, and soon recovered the cities of Akesu and Wushi. Edit
The eleventh month. On guichou, an edict warned the Boards and Courts against negligence and drift. On yimao, a new canal for carrying the tribute grain was opened in Shandong. On dingsi, the governors-general, governors and metropolitan prefects were instructed to attend to good administration. Edit
The twelfth month. On xinmao, the tribute of sables from the Hezhe was deferred. On gengzi, next year's grain tax of the stricken departments and counties of Shanxi and Henan was remitted in advance. Edit
This winter, there were prayers for snow again and again. A hundred and twenty thousand shi in all of next year's tribute rice from Jiangsu and Hubei were allotted for relief in Shanxi, and treasury money was issued for relief in Shaanxi. Edit
This year, there was a great drought in Shanxi and Shaanxi, and people ate one another. Edit
Fourth year of Guangxu (1878)
Fourth year, wuyin. In the spring, the first month. On xinwei, relief was given for the famine in Henan. Guo Songtao was ordered to serve also as envoy to France. The western army recovered Ye'erqiang and Kashiga'er, and the Hui of Hetian surrendered. On jimao, the provinces were instructed to clear their lawsuits. Edit
The second month. On the first day, xinsi, the Dujiangyan of Chengdu was repaired. On renwu, an edict called for water works in the north. On yiyou, Wang Wenshao, acting Left Vice Minister of War, was made a Grand Councillor. On gengyin, it was ordered that magistrates of departments and counties who could really carry out famine relief be recommended. On renchen, Xinjiang was pacified, and the rebel chief Bai Yanhu fled into Russia. Merit was assessed: Zuo Zongtang was raised to Marquis, second class, and Liu Jintang to Baron, second class, and Provincial Commander Yu Hu'en and others were given hereditary ranks in varying degrees. On jiawu, the prisons were ordered cleared. On dingyou, relief was given for the disaster at Hulan. On jihai, an edict was issued in which [the emperor] took the blame on himself. Relief was given for the famine in Shanxi and Henan. On bingwu, the remains left in the stricken areas were buried. On gengxu, the poll tax and land grain of Houguan, which had been flooded, were remitted. Edit
The third month. On jiayin, the stricken provinces were instructed to try the pit-field method of farming. On renshen, relief was given for the famine in Zhili, and three thousand horses from the herds of Chaha'er were given to poor people to work their fields. On jiaxu, the Imperial Household Department was instructed to reduce its expenses and stop padded claims. On wuyin, Yinggui retired. This month, it rained in Henan. Edit
The fourth month. On renwu, Shen Baozhen asked that the military examinations be abolished; he was rebuked. On renchen, relief was given for the wind disaster in Guangdong. Edit
The fifth month. On the first day, gengxu, the provinces were instructed to plant mulberry and tea widely. Zailing was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Pavilion in charge of the Board of Works, and Quanqing, Minister of Justice, was made an Assistant Grand Secretary. On xinwei, Chonghou was made envoy to Russia. Edit
The sixth month. On bingxu, the arrears of tax of Shaanxi were remitted. On gengyin, the ban on private coining was made stricter. On jiawu, relief was given for the wind disaster in Taiwan. On gengzi, the Board of Justice was instructed to fix strict penalties for magistrates who embezzled relief. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month. On yimao, the government troops of Yunnan recovered the native town of Gengma. On xinwei, Right Vice Minister of Rites Wang Wenshao and Zhou Jiamei, Prefect of Shuntian, were ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On renshen, the penalties for delay and negligence in murder cases were made stricter. On jiaxu, Zeng Jize was made envoy to Britain and France. On dingchou, this year's autumn tax of Pingyang, Pu, Xie and Jiang was remitted. This month, relief was given for the floods in Jin, Qu, Yan and other prefectures and in Fuliang and other counties. Edit
The eighth month. On jimao, the Yongding River broke its banks. On bingxu, the Qin River broke its banks. On wuzi, relief was given for the floods in Chong'an and Pucheng. Edit
The ninth month. On dingsi, the officials of the south-east were instructed to prepare in advance against floods, to put the baojia in order, and to guard against secret-society bandits stirring up the stricken people. On guihai, relief was given for the drought in Shanxi, and the arrears of tax of Yangqu and other counties and the autumn grain of Xugou and other counties were remitted. On wuchen, relief was given for the floods in Lantian. On bingzi, the river dyke at Fankou was repaired. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month. On renwu, Li Yangcai, a Brigade General living at home in Guangxi, rebelled, and Feng Zicai was ordered to attack him. The arrears of tax and miscellaneous dues of the places of Tong and Hai and of the four guards of Huai'an were remitted. On dinghai, relief was given for the floods in Pu, Fan and Shouyang. On guisi, the Qin River broke its banks again. Relief was given for the floods in Fengtian. On yiwei, the Beixin Granary caught fire. On wuxu, Jialiwan and other villages of the back mountains of Taiwan submitted, and bound and handed over their aboriginal chiefs, who were put to death. The new and old regular tax of Guizhou, which had suffered from war, was remitted. Edit
The eleventh month. On bingchen, the dykes of the Northern Canal were repaired. On xinyou, Bai Yanhu raided the border, and Liu Jintang defeated him. On guihai, Li Yangcai seized Changqing in Vietnam, and Yang Chongya attacked him. On jisi, an edict charged the governors-general and governors to correct themselves and lead their subordinates. The Grand Councillors were told not to shrink from suspicion and resentment, and the ministers of the Courts and Boards to guard hard against drift. On jiaxu, the winter solstice, Heaven was sacrificed to at the Round Altar. On yihai, the court congratulations were stopped. Edit
The twelfth month. On jichou, an edict abolished for good the rules for buying office by contribution. Edit
This year, the arrears of dues of two salt works of Renhe were remitted. Korea and Nepal came with tribute. Edit
Fifth year of Guangxu (1879)
Fifth year, jimao. In the spring, the first month, on the first day, yisi, the banquets were suspended. On yichou, it was ordered again that the rules of contribution for raising army funds be stopped. The dyke of Gaochun was repaired. On xinwei, relief was given for the famine in Shanxi. Edit
The second month. On renwu, Duan Dingyao, magistrate of Ji Department, was beheaded for embezzling relief. On guiwei, an edict restored the transport of grain by the canal. On jiawu, Shanxi was instructed to clear its waste fields, register its adult males and share out the corvee fairly. On jihai, the coffins were laid to rest in the mausoleum; the officials were forbidden to burden the people with levies. Relief was given for the floods in Wen'an and other departments and counties. Edit
The third month. On bingwu, the rebel leader Zhong Wanxin joined Li Yangcai in attacking Xuanguang, and Feng Zicai joined forces in Vietnam to attack them. On renzi, the regular tax of Daxing, Tong, Sanhe, Ji and Zunhua, through which the coffins passed, was remitted. On gengshen, an imperial letter was issued to the Jilong Hutuketu, with gifts of hada scarves and python satin. The Hui chief of the Bulute joined the rebel chief of Anjiyan in raiding the border, and Liu Jintang defeated them. On yichou, the emperor, attending the two Empress Dowagers, visited the Eastern Tombs. On jisi, they visited the Zhaoxi, Xiaodong and other mausoleums. On gengwu, Muzong was buried in the Hui Mausoleum, with Empress Xiaozhe buried beside him. On guiyou, they arrived from the Eastern Tombs. Edit
The intercalary third month. On yihai, the spirit tablet of Muzong was placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and an edict was proclaimed to the empire. On dinghai, Li Yangcai seized Zheyan. On jichou, the river dykes of Xiangyang, Mianyang and Tianmen were repaired. On gengyin, Wu Kedu, a Secretary of the Board of Personnel, took poison and killed himself at the Eastern Tombs, leaving a memorial asking that the succession be settled in advance. By an edict of the Empress Dowagers, the princes and high ministers were to deliberate together and report. On yiwei, Li Fengbao, who held the rank of a minister of the third grade, was made envoy to Germany. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month. On wushen, the Northern Canal at Tong Department was repaired. On guichou, Wu Kedu was granted the rites of condolence. By an edict of the Empress Dowagers, Kedu's original memorial and the memorial of the joint deliberation, the memorials of Xu Tong, Baoting, Zhang Zhidong and others, and all the edicts before and after were to be copied and kept in the Yuqing Palace. The tribute-grain silver and arrears of dues of the stricken departments and counties of Henan were remitted. On jisi: before this, Zhu Yongkang, magistrate of Yi County, had been sentenced to frontier exile for murdering the deputed official Gao Wenbao, and the case was then sent to the court for deliberation. Now its report came up, and an edict, holding that his crime went beyond what the law [had imposed], changed the sentence to death. Edit
The fifth month. On bingzi, the summer solstice, Earth was sacrificed to at the Square Pool. On jimao, the arrears of dues of the salt works of Lianghuai, Tai and Hai were remitted. On renwu, there were locusts in Henan. On jihai, the government troops crushed the rebels of Zheyan. This month, relief was given for the wind disaster in Qinghe and Andong. It rained in Shanxi. In Jie, Wen and Xihe there were earthquakes for thirteen days. Edit
The sixth month. On renzi, the Board of Justice reported on the case of Dongxiang: men had been falsely accused of rebellion and wrongly killed, and the dismissed magistrate Sun Dingyang and Provincial Commander Li Youheng were sentenced to death. Soon Wenge and Ding Baozhen were both deprived of office for it. Two hundred thousand from the treasury was ordered issued, and three hundred thousand in poll-tax and likin silver allotted, for the relief needs of Shanxi. On jiwei, an edict told the officials who offered advice that on matters handed to the Boards to deliberate and report they must not overstep with memorials of their own, nor echo one another and pester the throne with memorials one after another. The grain owed to the granaries by the people of Shanxi over many years was remitted generally. There were locusts in the Wulate, Alashan and other banners. On jiazi, an edict of the Empress Dowagers allowed Yixuan, Prince Chun of the First Rank, to rest at home to recover from illness, and relieved him of his duties. Relief was given for the earthquake in Bin, Qian, Han and Feng. Edit
The seventh month. On gengchen, relief was given for the floods in Zhili. On wuzi, because of a change in the stars and an earthquake, frank advice was sought. The provinces were instructed to store grain. The summer dues and salt tax of Jiang, Pu and Yangcheng, which had suffered disaster, were remitted. On gengyin, transport by sea was restored. Edit
The eighth month. On wushen, sacrifice was offered at the Altars of Earth and Grain. An edict ordered the provinces to recommend civil and military men fit to be employed. On renzi, the retired Grand Secretary Shan Maoqian died. On guichou, relief was given for the floods in Boshan and other departments and counties. On yimao, there were locusts in the districts of Jiangsu and Anhui. On yichou, relief was given for the earthquake and floods in Jie, Wen and Xihe. Edit
The ninth month. On jiaxu, relief was given for the floods in Zhili. On renchen, further honorific posthumous names were added to Wenzong and Muzong. On jihai, there was an earthquake in Chongqing and other prefectures and counties, and relief was given. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month. On the first day, xinchou, the regular tax of Quwo and other departments and counties, which had poor harvests, was remitted. On yimao, the land dues of the bannermen, commoners and post-station men of Fengtian were remitted, offset against the regular relief rations. On dingsi, the naval forces were instructed to train in land warfare as well. On guihai, relief was given for the floods in Xiushan and other places. On jisi, Yinggui died. The grain of the military colonies of Qiqiha'er, Heilongjiang and Mo'ergen, and the seed lent to them earlier, were remitted. Edit
The eleventh month. On yihai, Li Yangcai was put to death. On jimao, the winter solstice, Heaven was sacrificed to at the Round Altar. On gengchen, the court congratulations were stopped. On renwu, Shen Baozhen died. On jiashen, Liu Kunyi was made Governor-General of Liangjiang and also Commissioner for the Southern Ports. On gengyin, an edict rebuked Chonghou for concluding the Yili treaty with the Russians and returning to the capital on his own authority; the treaty he had negotiated was handed to the court officials to deliberate together. On renchen, the deed-tax silver of the hardest-hit departments and counties of Shanxi was remitted. Edit
The twelfth month. On jiyou, by an edict of the Empress Dowagers, the court officials' report on the Russian treaty was sent down to the princes and high ministers for further deliberation, with Prince Chun to take part in it and report. On yimao, Chonghou was stripped of office and put in prison. On xinyou, an edict ordered community granaries to be built and community schools to be set up. On jiwei, the autumn grain of Yongji and other departments and counties was remitted. On bingyin, the joint sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. An edict ordered Librarian Zhang Zhidong to join in the deliberations on the Russian treaty. On wuchen, the Grand Canal in Shandong was repaired. Edit
This year, Korea and Nepal came with tribute. Edit
Sixth year of Guangxu (1880)
Sixth year, gengchen. In the spring, the first month, on the first day, jisi, the banquets were suspended. On xinwei, Zeng Jize was made envoy to Russia to renegotiate the treaty. On jiaxu, an edict ordered an inquiry into empty places on the army rolls and soldiers taken for private service. On yihai, the Miao rebels of Xilin were put down. On bingzi, the former Minister of Works Li Hongzao was ordered to serve again as a Grand Councillor. On renwu, bandits rose in Xundian; the government troops attacked and put them down. On jichou, an edict called on the capital and the provinces to recommend men of talent, and the frontier officials to put the border and coastal defences in order. Wu Dacheng, Circuit Intendant of Hebei, was ordered to assist in military affairs in Jilin, and Liu Jintang, Commissioner of the Office of Transmission, to assist in military affairs in Xinjiang. On xinmao, Chonghou's crime was settled, and he was sentenced to beheading. On guisi, the Board of Revenue memorialised ten measures for raising army funds, and an edict ordered the provinces to carry them out. This month, the poll-tax silver on the waste land of the districts of Shanxi was abolished, and the summer tax on the waste marshes of Renhe and other salt works was remitted. Edit
The second month. On yisi, the tribute of melons from Yuci was remitted for good. On renxu, Xiao Zhaoyuan, a Brigade General of Gansu, embezzled army grain and was sentenced to beheading. Edit
The third month. On jiaxu, relief was given for the floods in Shuntian and Zhili. On yihai, Zuo Zongtang went out to garrison Hami, Jinshun held Jinghe, and Zhang Yao and Liu Jintang advanced separately on Yili. On jimao, the tax on waste land in Hongtong, Xin Department and other districts of Shanxi was remitted for three or four years. Edit
The fourth month. On gengzi, Heaven was sacrificed to at the Round Altar. The officers and men of the eight guard posts of Changjisitai, Honimailahu and others in Kebuduo were restored. On bingwu, a yard was set up at Sanxing to build steamships. On jiayin, Hali and other Fan bandits of Jie Department rose in revolt and were put to death. On renxu, Huang Siyong and three hundred and thirty-three others were granted the jinshi degree in their several grades. On yichou, Li Changle was transferred to be Provincial Commander of Zhili, commanding the four Wuyi battalions, and Bao Chao was made Provincial Commander of Hunan and summoned to the capital. Edit
The fifth month. On bingzi, relief was given for the hail disaster in Luoyang and other counties. On yiyou, Gudanba and other Fan bandits of Jie Department were put to death. On bingxu, in compliance with the Russians' request, Chonghou was spared death but kept in prison. Edit
The sixth month. On the first day, dingyou, relief was given for the floods in Fujian. On guimao, Li Hongzhang was made plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty with Brazil. On jiachen, overcharging and forced commutation in the collection of grain tax were forbidden. On bingchen, relief was given for the floods in Guangzhou and other places. On dingsi, the dues owing on the waste land of Jiaocheng and other counties were remitted. Zeng Guoquan was ordered to take charge of the defence of Shanhai Pass. Edit
The seventh month. On renshen, Zuo Zongtang was summoned to the capital to take charge of affairs beyond the pass. On guiyou, Chonghou was let out of prison. On guiwei, relief was given for the wind disaster in Yangzhou. On jiashen, Huang Shaochun, former Provincial Commander of Zhejiang, was ordered to manage the defence of Zhejiang. Edit
The eighth month. On jihai, the commercial treaty with Brazil was concluded. On wushen, Liu Mingchuan was summoned to the capital. On gengxu, telegraph lines were laid for the first time for the Southern and Northern Ports. On renzi, locusts were caught in Jiangsu. On guihai, Korea came to report that it had exchanged envoys with Japan. Edit
The ninth month. On jisi, Wu Changqing, Provincial Commander of Zhejiang, was ordered to assist in the defence of Shandong, with command of the garrison troops. On gengwu, the tribute of persimmon frost from Yongji was remitted. On xinwei, Korea was permitted to send craftsmen to Tianjin to learn to make machinery and arms. On renshen, relief was given for the disasters in Pucheng and other places. On renwu, Zeng Guoquan was given sick leave, and Qiyuan was ordered to command the armies. On guiwei, the tribute of horses from the Fan tribes of Liang and Su was reduced. On jichou, relief was given for the disasters in Ziyang and Qingxi. On gengyin, India presented musical instruments and a treatise on music it had written, and was given a gold decoration. On guisi, the rents and taxes on the banner tenants of Lalin were abolished. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month. On bingwu, the Pakebala Hutuketu of Chamuduo presented tribute and was given hada scarves and large satins. On jiyou, the river broke its banks at Dongming. On xinhai, the former Minister of Personnel Mao Changxi was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On jiayin, relief was given for the floods in Weichang, Hailongcheng and Heze. On jiazi, by an edict of the Empress Dowagers, Prince Chun was put in charge of the affairs of the Shenji Battalion. Edit
The eleventh month. On the first day, yichou, Reader Xu Jingcheng was made envoy to Japan. On jisi, Quanqing was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Pavilion, and Linggui, Minister of Personnel, an Assistant Grand Secretary. On jiashen, the winter solstice, Heaven was sacrificed to at the Round Altar. On bingxu, the Yao rebels of Jianghua were put down. On guisi, the arrears of tax of Yongping and other districts were remitted. Edit
The twelfth month. On bingwu, Yang Changjun was ordered to join in managing the reconstruction of Xinjiang. On bingchen, the regular tax of Wen'an, which had been flooded, was remitted. On gengshen, by an edict of the Empress Dowagers, the Shenji Battalion was to choose officers and men to go to Tianjin to learn to make foreign firearms. On xinyou, the waterways of the tribute-grain canal were dredged. Edit
This winter, there were many prayers for snow. Edit
This year, Korea and Nepal came with tribute. Edit
Seventh year of Guangxu (1881)
Seventh year, xinsi. In the spring, the first month, on the first day, jiazi, the banquets were suspended. Shen Guifen died. On guiyou, the provinces were ordered to take care in recommending men of filial piety, integrity, uprightness and rectitude. On yihai, the Dalai Lama sent men to present hada scarves and Buddhist incense; it was ordered that they be offered at the Hui Mausoleum, and he was given hada scarves and satins. On wuyin, the dues and regular grain owed for the sixth year on the collapsed and abandoned stove marshes of Renhe and other salt works of Zhejiang, and on the waste and newly reclaimed lands of its prefectures, departments, counties and guards, were remitted. On xinmao, Vietnam asked for government troops to help suppress its long-standing bandits; this was not allowed. The arrears of tax of Haiyang for the sixth year were remitted. On renchen, Zuo Zongtang was made a Grand Councillor in charge of the Board of War and also to serve in the Zongli Yamen. The arrears of dues of the mercury mines of Guizhu, Xingyi, Bazhai and other places were abolished. Edit
The second month. On the first day, guisi, Li Hongzhang was ordered to plan the defence of Shanhai Pass, with command of the armies. Zeng Guoquan was made Governor-General of Shaan-Gan. On wuxu, the Japanese envoy Shishido Tamaki came to discuss the terms on Ryukyu; they did not agree, and the coastal frontiers were ordered to be on guard. On jiyou, the Laolong stone dyke of Xiangyang was repaired. On xinhai, the dam works of Jiyang were repaired. On jiayin, Liu Xihong, Assistant Transmission Commissioner, was stripped of office for falsely impeaching Li Hongzhang. Edit
The third month. On jiazi, the rents and taxes on the official fields of Jinzhou were abolished. On dingmao, the fort at the Dutian Temple of Jiaoshan was rebuilt. On jisi, Li Fengbao was ordered to serve also as envoy to Italy, the Netherlands and Austria, and Li Shuchang was made envoy to Japan. On xinwei, the Empress Dowager Ci'an fell ill, and on renshen she died in the Zhongcui Palace. On guiwei, the late Empress Dowager was given the posthumous name Empress Xiaozhen Ci'an Yuqing Hejing Yitian Zuosheng Xian. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month. On guisi, the Yi bandits of Leibo were put down. On jihai, Wu Dacheng was ordered to take charge of the defence of Sanxing, Ningguta and Hunchun in Jilin, and of the military colonies as well. The arrears of tax of Xianning and sixty-two other subprefectures, departments and counties of Shaanxi were remitted. On xinchou, the testamentary decree of Empress Xiaozhenxian was proclaimed to Korea. On jiyou, the new revised treaty that Zeng Jize negotiated with Russia was concluded. On bingchen, private guards at the Ming tombs were forbidden for good. On jiwei, by an edict of the Empress Dowagers, Prince Gong of the First Rank and Prince Chun of the First Rank were to deliberate with Zuo Zongtang and Li Hongzhang on water works for the capital region. A Deputy Lieutenant-General of Hunchun was appointed for the first time. On gengshen, relief was given for the earthquake at Taibei. Edit
The fifth month. On the first day, renxu, there was an eclipse of the sun. The government troops scattered the long-standing bandits of Vietnam. On dingmao, an edict ordered the frontier officials to report grave cases of homicide and robbery every month in registers, and those who were late would be punished. On wuyin, the military colonies of Wuliyasutai were abolished. On jichou, relief was given for the floods in Yanyuan. Zheng Zaoru was given the rank of a minister of the third grade and made envoy to the United States, Spain and Peru. Edit
The sixth month. On jihai, a comet appeared, and an edict called for self-examination. On bingchen, the emperor's birthday, the court congratulations were stopped. On jiwei, Li Hongzao was made an Assistant Grand Secretary. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month. On guihai, Zhu Ciqi, a county magistrate living at home in Guangdong, and the provincial graduate Chen Li, men pure and sincere in learning and conduct, were both given the rank of a minister of the fifth grade. On wuzi, Liu Kunyi was summoned to the capital, and Peng Yulin was made acting Governor-General of Liangjiang and Commissioner for the Southern Ports. Relief was given for the earthquake in Jie Department and other places. Edit
The intercalary seventh month. On renchen, the provinces were instructed to check together the receipts and outgoings of their likin stations, and decide which to close and which to keep. On guisi, relief was given for the disaster to the salt-boilers of the salt works of Lianghuai and Taizhou. On jiawu, the arrears of tax of Yushe and other counties for the fifth year were remitted. On jihai, Jinshun was ordered to take charge of the handing over and receiving of Yili, and Xilun was made special commissioner to discuss the border with the Russians. Soon Shengtai was also made a special commissioner. On jiachen, Bao Chao was ordered to reduce the battalions under him again. On yisi, a Deputy Lieutenant-General of Hulunbei'er was appointed for the first time. On gengxu, departments and counties were forbidden to conceal grave cases. This month, relief was given for the floods in Jiangsu, Fujian and Sichuan, and the hail disaster in Shaanxi. Edit
In the eighth month, on jiazi, twenty thousand taels from the privy purse were granted to support the Huoshuote refugees. On xinsi, because the Empress Dowager had recovered from her illness, the Ministry of Justice was ordered to suspend the autumn executions; the sentences of those whose executions had been deferred three times, and of those deferred fewer than three times, were reduced by different degrees. On guiwei, Empress Xiaozhenxian was laid to rest, and the land tax and levies of the departments and counties along the route were remitted. Liu Jintang was made Imperial Commissioner to direct military affairs in Xinjiang, with Zhang Yao as his deputy. On bingxu, the tax quota on the barren lands of Boduna was abolished. Quanqing retired. Edit
In the ninth month, on jiawu, relief was given for floods in Ninghai and other counties. On yiwei, Peng Yulin was allowed to resign his post, while continuing to inspect the Yangtze. Liu Kunyi was dismissed, and Zuo Zongtang was made Governor-General of Liangjiang, concurrently Commissioner for the Southern Ports. On bingwu, Empress Xiaozhenxian was buried in the Eastern Ding Mausoleum. On dingwei, the Nian bandits of Runing and Guang Department were put down. On jiyou, the tribute grain quota of Jintan was reduced again, by one fen and four li in every ten fen. The eight tribes of the Fan people living as dependants in Qinghai were granted over eight hundred shi of highland barley a year. On xinwei, the spirit tablet of Empress Xiaozhenxian was placed in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On bingchen, relief was given for typhoon damage in Taiwan. This month there were earthquakes in Gansu and Taiwan. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on jisi, the Empress Dowager's birthday festival, the banquets were suspended. On gengwu, the Zhaotong bandit Lu Songshan and others rose in revolt; government troops attacked and beheaded them. On guiyou, Linggui was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall, and Wenyu, Minister of Justice, was made Assistant Grand Secretary. On jiaxu, the French having occupied the northern border region of Vietnam, Yunnan and Guangdong were instructed to plan together to avert conflict. On jiashen, an edict ordered the review of officials to be held, and that there should not be recommendations without impeachments. Relief was given for floods in Taihe and other counties. On dinghai, the cashiered Anhui Provincial Commander Li Shizhong had on his own authority seized and held the tribute student Wu Tingjian and others; Yulu reported his conduct, and an edict ordered him beheaded. Edit
In the eleventh month, on gengyin, the rents of the flooded government estates of Jilin and of the lands of Boduna were remitted. On bingshen, the Shinan society bandit Yang Dengjun was executed. On dingyou, the silt at Wusong was dredged. On wuxu, Zhao Suqi, a bandit chief of the Guohua Native Department in Guangxi, was executed. Relief was given for floods in Gui County and other places. On jiachen, relief was given for disasters in Taiwan and Penghu. Edit
In the twelfth month, on yihai, Zaihuang, son of Prince Gong of the First Rank, was granted the rank of a Duke Who Assists the State, without the Eight Privileges, and Zaiguang, son of Prince Chun of the First Rank, the rank of Duke Who Assists the State by Grace. This month, the taxes on the abandoned and newly cultivated lands of the prefectures, departments, counties and guards of Zhejiang were remitted, along with the hearth levies of Renhe and the other salt yards. The fixed grain tax on the waterlogged lands of An Department, Ren County and Wen'an was remitted. The rent and tax on the waste lands of Jilin were abolished. Edit
This winter, prayers for snow were offered again and again. Edit
This year, Korea and Vietnam sent tribute. Edit
Eighth year of Guangxu (1882)
In the eighth year, renwu, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, wuzi, the court congratulations were dispensed with. On xinmao, the dikes of the West Lake of Dongting were repaired. From the eleventh month of the previous year to this month there had been no rain. On jihai, it snowed. On gengxu, the dikes of the new channel of the Hutuo River and of the Ziya River were repaired. Edit
In the second month, on jiwei, the Temple of Confucius in Jiangsu burned. On renxu, since Koreans had for years been occupying and reclaiming land on the Jilin border, they were ordered to take out permits, pay rent and be entered on the registers. On guichou, the rules on the palace gates were strictly restated, and the regulations on inspection and guarding were revised. On renwu, the ban on privately cutting the trees of the Ming tombs was restated. On yiyou: earlier, over a doubtful case at Jiangning, Linshu and Xue Yunsheng had been ordered to go and investigate it. Now the case was made clear, and the deputed official Hu Jinchuan was sentenced to beheading for using cruel torture. The provincial officials were instructed to review serious cases in detail, so that none were wronged or punished excessively. Edit
In the third month, on yiwei, Chen Lanbin, Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Left, was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On gengxu, Li Hongzhang, in mourning for his mother, sent memorial after memorial asking to complete the full mourning period, and this was granted; he was ordered, after a hundred days, to be stationed at Tianjin to train troops, while still acting in charge of trade affairs. On xinhai, France and Vietnam being at war, Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, Zhang Shusheng and Liu Changyou were instructed to plan the border defences. On yimao, forts were built at the sea mouths of Zhejiang. This month, the Russians returned Yili to us. Edit
This spring, the grain tax arrears of Yangqu, and the fixed tax and the arrears of many years of Dacheng, were remitted. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on the first day, bingchen, the land tax in grain on the waste lands of Shanxi was remitted for good. On wuwu, the tax arrears of Shaanxi from the year before last were remitted. On jisi, the French entered Tonkin in Vietnam. Zeng Guoquan was recalled to service as acting Governor-General of Liangguang. On jiaxu, Quanqing died. On jiashen, Korea asked to send an envoy to reside at the capital; this was refused, and it was only allowed to trade at the ports already opened. Edit
In the fifth month, on the first day, bingxu, Jinshun was instructed to plan the affairs of Yili, the northwestern border to be surveyed and divided by Changshun and the southwestern by Shakedulinzhabu. On wuzi, relief was given for wind damage in Tingzhou. On renchen, Liu Changyou was summoned to the capital, and Cen Yuying was made acting Governor-General of Yungui. On yisi, a circuit intendancy was first set up in Jilin. On gengxu, there were locusts in Zhili. Edit
In the sixth month, on dingsi, Wen Shaotang, Reader of the Hanlin Academy, memorialised that the times were full of difficulties and asked the Empress Dowager to apply herself vigorously to government. Since the Empress Dowager had not yet recovered, an edict reprimanded him. The official schools of the Eight Banners were ordered to be put in order. On yihai, Qing'an reported that Russian troops had reached the Haba River. Changshun was instructed to survey the border carefully and prudently, so as to cut off any covetous designs. On wuyin, there was a rising of bandits in Korea, and Zhang Shusheng was ordered to suppress it. Soon the Provincial Commander Ding Ruchang went to give help, and Wu Changqing led an army east across the sea. On guiwei, the Koreans burned the Japanese legation, and Japan sent warships. Li Hongzhang was ordered to go to Tianjin to dispose the land and naval forces and send them to investigate and deal with the matter. This month, relief was given for floods in Anhui, and for floods in Zhejiang and Jiangxi. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on the first day, yiyou, the wild Fan of Sanyan submitted. On yisi, a decree of the Empress Dowager cut the palace expenses for the autumn festival, to give relief for the disasters in the three provinces of Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangxi. On dingwei, Wu Changqing's army entered Korea and seized its Taewongun, Yi Ha-eung. Circuit intendancies were first set up at Akesu and Kashiga'er in Xinjiang. On guichou, the disorder in Korea was put down. Edit
In the eighth month, on bingchen, an edict said: "In the border affairs of Kebuduo, Chonghou did harm by his errors at first, and Zeng Jize contended hard afterwards. Now that the new treaty has been made, the matter should be handled according to the original map, and the new border fixed with due consideration. Qing'an and the others should discuss with the Russian officials how far it may be extended, so that in future each side may be at peace with the other." On dingsi, the officials concerned were instructed to review the autumn assizes with care. On jiazi, an edict sent Tang Jiong, Financial Commissioner of Yunnan, beyond the passes to inspect the border defences. On yichou, Yi Ha-eung was lodged at Baoding. Soon the King of Korea begged that he be released and sent home; this was refused. On dingchou, a comet appeared again in the southeast, and an edict called on the officials at court and in the provinces to reform themselves and reflect. Edit
In the ninth month, on yiyou, the Yellow River broke its banks at Huimin, Shanghe and Bin Department in Shandong. On guisi, there was a rising of bandits at Yulin, and government troops suppressed it. Edit
This autumn, relief was given for floods in Sichuan, Zhejiang, Shandong, Shaanxi, Fujian, Jiangxi and Guizhou, for a fire in Zi Department, and for wind and flood damage in Taiwan. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on yimao, the capital was instructed to be strict in arresting criminals, without concealing matters or harassing the people. On renxu, the Yellow River broke its banks at Licheng. On jiazi, an order was given to arrest the guo bandits. On dingchou, Wang Wenshao sent memorial after memorial asking to be relieved of office. A warm edict consoled him and kept him in office. Edit
In the eleventh month, on dinghai, Wang Wenshao again asked to be relieved of office in order to care for his parent, and this was granted. Weng Tonghe was made a Grand Councillor. On wuzi, Pan Zuyin was made a Grand Councillor. The Taizhou bandit chief Wang Jinman having long escaped punishment, the matter was sent to the officials concerned for strict pursuit. On yiwei, trade with Korea was allowed. On xinchou, a new channel was opened south of the Tahedian at Tianjin. On renyin, because of an earthquake, an edict called on the officials to be diligent in their duties and to keep watch over their subordinates. On gengxu, an edict called on the officials at court and in the provinces to recommend men of talent. This month, the coal and iron mines of Tongshan County were opened. Edit
In the twelfth month, on xinyou, You Baichuan was ordered to go to Shandong to inspect the river works. On renxu, telegraph lines were set up along the coast to Shanghai and Guangdong. On yichou, an edict called on the officials at court and in the provinces to clear their backlogs of cases. On renshen, after prayers for snow continuously since the previous month, it snowed. Edit
This winter, relief was given for earthquake damage in Zhili and for hail in Sichuan and Shaanxi. The fixed taxes were remitted on the poor-harvest lands of Qiqiha'er and Mo'ergen, on the old and new military colony lands of the departments, counties and guards of Zhejiang, and on the hearths and marshes of Renhe and the other salt yards. Edit
This year, Korea sent tribute. Edit
Ninth year of Guangxu (1883)
In the ninth year, guiwei, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, guiwei, the banquets were suspended. On bingshen, Liu Jintang reported that the survey and division of the southern border of Xinjiang by Shakedulinzhabu and the Russian envoy did not agree with the old treaty, and Changshun and others were instructed to question it according to the treaty. Soon Zeng Jize was instructed to contend hard for a new survey. On wuxu, Wu Tingfen, Assistant of the Imperial Clan Court, was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On gengzi, an edict said that where land tax had been remitted and the people had already paid it to the government, it could be set against the next year's regular tax, and must not be collected twice. On yisi, thirty thousand shi of Hubei tribute grain were allotted to be held ready for relief of the famine in Shuntian and Zhili. This month, the Vietnamese bandit Tan Sidi and others surrendered. Edit
In the second month, on jiayin, refugees from Zhili and Shandong were gathering in crowds at the capital, and the officials concerned were instructed to care for them and give them relief. On wuwu, the Yellow River in Shandong broke its banks at Licheng, and the people's dikes of Qihe and other counties were destroyed; You Baichuan and others were ordered to give relief to the victims and settle them. On jiwei: earlier, Jingrui, Brigade General of Malan, had repaired the barracks and was accused anonymously by his soldiers, and the Brigade General Gui'ang asked for troops and so provoked a mutiny; Boyannemohu and Yan Jingming had been sent to investigate. Now they reported, and Jingrui was stripped of his post, Gui'ang soon after being stripped of his too. Cruel officials in the provinces were forbidden to use illegal tortures. Xu Yanxu, Financial Commissioner of Guangxi, was ordered to go beyond the passes to plan the defences. On wuchen, Zhang Mengyuan, Judicial Commissioner of Fujian, was put in charge of the Fujian Navy Yard. On guiyou, Mo Yulin, Second Captain of Gaozhou, gathered men in revolt and was executed. On gengchen, the Ministry of Justice reported that in the case of Hu Ti'an of Henan the original judgment had been wrong, and the retrial had covered it up. An edict stripped the Governor Li Henian and the Director-General of the Yellow River in Hedong Mei Qizhao of their posts, and the officials who had first tried the case were punished and banished in varying degrees. Edit
In the third month, on wuzi, Putai, Duke Who Guards the State, was found guilty of accepting marsh land on which reclamation was forbidden; he was stripped of his rank and confined for one year. The French took Nam Dinh. On yiwei, Tang Jiong was ordered to command the defence army guarding the Yunnan border. Ni Wenwei was instructed to protect Beiqi [northern Vietnam]. Edit
This spring, the summer grain tax of Qianshan and other counties was remitted, as was the commuted poll-and-grain tax of the drought-stricken areas of Shaanxi. Relief was given for floods in Jinan and Wuding and for earthquake damage in Taiwan. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on jiwei, Russia withdrew its garrison from Yili. On jiazi, an order was given for strict pursuit of the robbers and thieves of the metropolitan region. On jiaxu, Liu Changyou was relieved of office because of illness, and Cen Yuying was appointed Governor-General of Yungui. On yihai, Chen Mian and others, three hundred and eight men, were granted the jinshi degree in its several grades. Edit
In the fifth month, on xinsi, an edict sent Li Hongzhang back to his acting post at the Northern Ports to dispose the coastal defences. On renwu, Shengtai was ordered to survey and divide the southwestern border of Ta'erbahatai with the Russian envoy. On dinghai, the Hunan society bandit Fang Xue'ao started a rising; he was captured and beheaded. On xinmao, the private casting of coins was forbidden. On gengzi, Cen Yuying and others were instructed to recruit men from the border population to hold the strategic passes between Yunnan and Vietnam with the government troops. On wushen, a decree of the Empress Dowager had Prince Chun of the First Rank take part in planning the affairs of France and Vietnam. Earlier, the Censor Chen Qitai had memorialised that Zhou Ruiqing, Chief Minister of the Court of Sacrificial Worship, had been brokering the settlement of Yunnan's expenditure accounts; since the matter involved the Grand Councillors Jinglian and Wang Wenshao, the Censor Hong Liangpin and the Supervising Secretary Deng Chengxiu impeached them one after another. Prince Dun of the First Rank, Yan Jingming, Pan Zuyin, Zhang Zhiwan, Linshu, Weng Tonghe and Xue Yunsheng were ordered in turn to investigate it together. Now they reported: Zhou Ruiqing and the others were punished according to the law; Jinglian, Minister of Revenue, the former Vice Ministers Wang Wenshao and Kuirun, the former Minister Dong Xun, and the former Governor-General of Yungui Liu Changyou were all demoted three grades, and the rest were punished in varying degrees. Edit
In the sixth month, on gengxu, the Yellow River broke its banks in Shandong, destroying the people's dikes of Licheng, Qidong and Lijin; it was ordered that the breaches be closed and relief given at the same time. The Vietnamese general Liu Yongfu fought the French troops at Hanoi and defeated them. On yimao, the dikes of the Qin River were repaired. On wuwu, France sent the envoy Tricou to discuss a peace treaty. The eunuch Wang Yonghe stole clothing and articles for the emperor's use; an edict had the Ministry of Justice propose his punishment according to the law, without implicating others. On dingmao, the Xiaoqing River in Shandong was dredged. On gengwu, because of the floods, Shandong opened a scheme of contributions for relief. Edit
This summer, the land rents of the native chieftains of Yunnan and the old grain tax arrears of Gansu were remitted. The fixed grain tax of the stricken areas of Maogong and the flooded areas of Tongren was also remitted. In all, a hundred thousand shi of tribute grain and a hundred and sixty thousand taels of funds due to the capital were kept back to give relief for the disaster in Shandong. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on jimao, two hundred thousand taels of funds due to the capital were kept back for the Guangxi army. On renwu, Wu Quanmei and Fang Yao were instructed to patrol separately the waters off Lian and Qiong and the border of Qinzhou. On wuzi, an edict opened the mines of Yunnan. On xinmao, the Taizhou bandit chief Wang Jinman surrendered with his followers; an edict spared him from death, and he and the rest of his men were kept in the army to serve. Edit
In the eighth month, on gengxu, the French broke through the forts on the river bank at Hue, and the Vietnamese stopped fighting and sued for peace. On renzi, the Yongding River broke its banks. On yimao, the officials of the ministries and courts were examined. An order was given to build the dikes and embankments along the coast, and to give relief to the households struck by the disaster. On bingyin, an edict called for the recommendation of men excelling in both strategy and courage who could be entrusted with duties. On jisi, an edict sent Peng Yulin to Guangdong to dispose the defences together with Zhang Shusheng. Edit
In the ninth month, on xinsi, France and Vietnam made peace and concluded a new treaty. On bingxu, He Ruzhang was ordered to take charge of the Fujian Navy Yard, Ni Wenwei was made Governor of Guangdong, and Xu Yanxu Governor of Guangxi. On jihai, a hundred thousand taels of silver from the Guangxi treasury were allotted to help Liu Yongfu's army. On dingwei, Tang Jiong was stripped of his rank for returning to the provincial capital without authority, but kept in his post. Edit
This autumn, over fifty thousand shi of grain from the capital granaries and of tribute rice, and a hundred thousand taels in all from the treasury, were allotted for relief in Shuntian and Zhili. Fifty thousand shi of tribute grain were kept back for relief in Shandong. Relief was given for floods in Rehe, Changyang, Guo County and other places. Relief was given for the disaster in Jiangnan. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on wuchen, an edict ordered the Northern and Southern Ports and the provinces along the Yangtze and the coast to keep strict watch. On xinwei, the Yellow River broke its banks at Qidong, Putai and Lijin. On bingzi, an edict called on Li Hongzhang to recommend men fit to be generals. Cen Yuying was ordered to go beyond the passes and be stationed at Son Tay, and Tang Jiong to return to Yunnan to raise funds for the army. Edit
In the eleventh month, on xinsi, Zhang Peilun, acting Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Left, was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On renwu, Xu Yanxu was urged to go beyond the passes in support. On xinmao, the rules on the gates of the inner and outer cities were made strict. On renchen, there was a popular rising in Vietnam, and the heir king Ruan Fushi was killed; Zhang Shusheng was ordered to put it down, and soon the order was changed and Cen Yuying was sent to quell the disorder. On gengzi, by decree of the Empress Dowager, shelters were set up at Qingjiang to take in and feed the victims of the disaster; the Ministry of Revenue was ordered to issue ten thousand taels from the treasury to help them, and to give forty thousand each to Shuntian and Zhili and to Shandong, thirty thousand to Hubei and twenty thousand to Anhui. On renyin, the French took Son Tay, and Liu Yongfu withdrew. On guimao, an edict said that the Minister Wenyu, having been impeached, had replied in his memorial that his saved salary came to three hundred and sixty thousand, and he was ordered to give a hundred thousand taels of silver to the public funds. Lin Zhaoyuan was stripped of his post for the emptiness of the treasury stores. Edit
In the twelfth month, on wushen, prayers were offered for snow. On gengxu, the French advanced to attack Bac Ninh and planned to strike at Qiongzhou. Peng Yulin was ordered to call up the Hunan and Hubei armies to join Wu Quanmei's warships in strict defence, and Yang Yuebin was recalled to service to go to Fujian and help direct the coastal defence. Government troops heavily defeated the French at Lang Son. On jiwei, as the victims of the disasters in Shandong, Huai and Xu had gathered at Qingjiang and other places, the officials concerned were ordered to give them relief and to send them home with help as occasion allowed. On gengshen, Jiangxi was instructed to raise twenty thousand for the pay of Wang Debang's army. On dingchou, the hereditary rank of the late Brigade General Chen Guorui was restored posthumously. Edit
This winter, the autumn tax of the departments and counties of Shuntian, Zhili and elsewhere, and the fixed tax of the stricken departments, counties, guards and posts of Zhejiang, were remitted. The rent in grain on the waste lands of Fengtai and other departments and counties of Shanxi was abolished. Edit
This year, Korea and Vietnam sent tribute. Edit
Tenth year of Guangxu (1884)
In the tenth year, jiashen, in the spring, the first month, on gengyin, Cen Yuying went out through Zhennan Pass to Hung Hoa, to take command of all the armies beyond the border. Edit
In the second month, on the first day, dingwei, the French attacked Hung Hoa, and government troops drove them back. Cen Yuying and Xu Yanxu advanced with designs on Son Tay. They were instructed to keep strict discipline and not to harass the Vietnamese territory. Fifty thousand shi each of tribute rice from Jiangsu and Zhejiang were kept back to give relief for the floods in Tong Department and Tianjin. Soon thirty thousand shi of millet from the capital granaries were allotted to give relief for the disaster in Shuntian. On dingchou, the French took Bac Ninh, and government troops withdrew to hold Thai Nguyen. On wuchen, Pan Dingxin, Governor of Hunan, was ordered to go to Guangxi to plan the defences. On yihai, the French took Thai Nguyen; Xu Yanxu and Tang Jiong were stripped of their posts, arrested and put on trial. Edit
In the third month, on dinghai, Cen Yuying asked to be relieved of command of the Hubei and Guangdong armies; this was refused. Because of the fall of Thai Nguyen, the Provincial Commander Huang Guilan and the circuit intendant Zhao Wo were both stripped of their posts, arrested and put on trial. On wuzi, a decree of the Empress Dowager, for their dilatoriness and errors, dismissed the Grand Councillor Yixin, Prince Gong of the First Rank, to live at home and nurse his illness; the Grand Secretary Baoyun was retired with his rank; the Assistant Grand Secretaries Li Hongzao and Jinglian were both demoted two grades; and Weng Tonghe, Minister of Works, was stripped of his rank but kept in office. Shiduo, Prince Li of the First Rank, E'lehebu and Yan Jingming, Ministers of Revenue, and Zhang Zhiwan, Minister of Justice, were all made Grand Councillors. Sun Yuwen, Vice Minister of Works, was to learn the work in the Grand Council. On jichou, a decree of the Empress Dowager said that when the Grand Council met an important matter it should consult with Prince Chun of the First Rank before acting. On renchen, Pan Dingxin was appointed Governor of Guangxi, and Zhang Kaisong Governor of Yunnan. The Brigade General Chen Degui having lost a fort, and the Colonel Dang Minxuan having shrunk back in the face of the enemy, an edict had both beheaded before the army. Zaidun, Prince Yi of the First Rank, was made Minister for Reviewing Troops. Beile Yikuang was ordered to direct the affairs of the Zongli Yamen, and Zhou Derun, Sub-Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat, to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On guisi, the Senior Secretary of the Left Shengyu, the Senior Secretary of the Right Xijun and the Censor Zhao Erxun each memorialised that Prince Chun of the First Rank ought not to take part in affairs of state; no reply was given. Xu Gengshen, Vice Minister of Justice, was ordered to learn the work in the Grand Council. On jiawu, an edict called on Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, Zeng Guoquan and Cen Yuying to recommend those of their subordinate officers who were steady and resolute, brave and skilled in strategy. On jihai, Yan Jingming and Xu Gengshen were both to serve in the Zongli Yamen. Pan Dingxin was ordered to go to Zhennan Pass to take over command of Xu Yanxu's army. On gengzi, the French advanced and occupied Hung Hoa. Edit
This spring, the arrears of the previous year's levies on the abandoned hearths and marshes of Renhe were remitted, as were the tax arrears and miscellaneous debts of Xianning in Shaanxi and other places. The horses, grain and fodder due from the native chieftain of Muping were remitted for ten years. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on bingwu, the survey and division of the southern border of Xinjiang was completed. The Expositor Xu Jingcheng was made Minister to France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria. On gengxu: earlier, when the war between France and Vietnam was pressing, the French naval officer Fournier had asked the Commissioner of Customs Detring to put forward a proposal to make peace and end the fighting. Li Hongzhang reported it, and it was approved, and he was told to work out the terms. Now he replied that "we should judge the situation, weigh our strength, act with caution and wait for the right moment." An edict called a court conference. A decree of the Empress Dowager had Prince Chun of the First Rank take part in it. Wu Changqing's troops were allowed to return. On xinhai, the breaches at Lijin and elsewhere were closed. On guichou, the cutting of the Majia River was stopped, the Xuanhui River was dredged, and the Grand Canal dikes at Dezhou were repaired. On wuwu, Wu Dacheng, Commissioner of the Office of Transmission, was ordered to help direct the affairs of the Northern Ports, Chen Baochen, Sub-Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat, to help direct the affairs of the Southern Ports, and Zhang Peilun, Academician Expositor, to help direct the coastal defence of Fujian, all with leave to memorialise directly. Soon Zhang Peilun was given the rank of a chief minister of the third grade. Fournier produced five private proposals, which were reported to the throne through Li Hongzhang. Li Hongzhang was ordered "to work hard to thwart their crafty schemes, and to remain always watchful and cautious." An edict told the Ministry of Revenue to cut needless expenses. On gengshen, Li Hongzhang was appointed Plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty with the French envoy. On guihai, the fixed tax on the riverside lands of Baocheng was remitted. On yichou, prayers were offered for rain. On bingyin, granary rice was again issued for relief in Shuntian. On wuchen, Wu Dacheng declined the post of assistant director of the Northern Ports. The emperor rebuked him for making excuses and refused. On renshen, Zhang Shusheng asked, because of illness, to be relieved of his own post and to devote himself to military affairs alone; this was granted. Edit
In the fifth month, on bingzi, Li Chengmou was ordered to command the steam warships of Jiangnan. On jimao, Cen Yuying declined command of the Guangdong and Hubei armies, and this was granted. On dinghai, Wenyu was appointed Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall. On wuzi, E'lehebu and Yan Jingming were both made Assistant Grand Secretaries while remaining Ministers of Revenue. On jichou, as there had long been drought at the capital, the officials concerned were instructed to sell grain at fair prices. Zhang Yinhuan, Circuit Intendant of Hui-Ning-Tai-Guang, was given the rank of a chief minister of the third grade, to learn the work in the Zongli Yamen. On xinmao, an edict called on the officials at court and in the provinces to recommend men of talent, civil and military. On jiawu, an edict, for the Empress Dowager's fiftieth birthday, suspended the autumn executions. On dingyou, an edict told the great officials at court and in the provinces "to lead their subordinates in doing their duty, and not to indulge in ease and pleasure or prize show and luxury." On wuxu, an edict said that Zuo Zongtang should remain a Grand Councillor but need not attend at court regularly, and should also direct the Shenji Battalion. The fixed grain tax of the two guards of Wuchang and Huangzhou was remitted. On renyin, an edict called for the recommendation of men of talent among the imperial clansmen and among the bannermen and Chinese who held hereditary ranks. Edit
In the intercalary fifth month, on yisi, Fukun, Minister of Works, Kungang, Minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs, Xizhen, Censor-in-Chief of the Left, Xu Yongyi, Vice Minister of Works, and Liao Shouheng, Sub-Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat, were all ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On dingwei, the former Provincial Commander Liu Mingchuan was ordered to direct the affairs of Taiwan, and Xizhen, Liao Shouheng, Chen Baochen and Wu Dacheng to go to Tianjin to discuss the treaty with France. On gengxu, Xu Shuming, Chief Minister of the Court of Sacrificial Worship, was ordered to inspect the newly cut Heng River in Xian County. The French attacked Guanyin Bridge, and Pan Dingxin defeated them. On xinhai, the river dike works in Shandong were completed. On jiayin, because the French envoy spoke of peace, Pan Dingxin's armies were moved back to Lang Son, while Cen Yuying's army remained stationed at Lao Cai. On yimao, after no rain since the fourth month, it began to rain on this day. Regulations on remitting and deferring the land tax were issued. On gengshen, the Si'en bandit chief Mo Mengbi was executed. On bingyin, French warships attacked the waters of Fujian. On dingmao, an edict said: "The French envoy delays and will not discuss the treaty, and Courbet's demands are unreasonable. Our army should stand in strict array and wait. If they attack us, strike them with all our strength. Any who dare to shrink back shall at once be dealt with under military law." On gengwu, Zeng Guoquan was appointed Plenipotentiary to negotiate the treaty with the French envoy at Shanghai, with Chen Baochen to help him. Edit
In the sixth month, on the first day, guiyou, because the judgment in the case of Yu Qiongfang of Yunxi had been untrue, the Governor-General Bian Baodi and the Governor Peng Zuxian were sent to the Ministry for deliberation, and the officials who had tried the case were demoted or dismissed in varying degrees. On jiaxu, the Yellow River broke its banks at Licheng and other counties. Because she had begged for help in defending the city, Lady Lin, wife of Shen Baozhen, was granted posthumously a place beside him in his own shrine at Guangxin. On bingzi, the Jianchang and Duolun bandit chief Yang Changqing was executed. On dingchou, Wu Changqing died, and his son Baochu, a Secretary, was honoured for his filial conduct. On jimao, the provinces were instructed to examine their department and county officials. On renchen, the French took Jilong. An edict called the court officials to discuss peace or war. On yiwei, Liu Mingchuan recovered Jilong. On jihai, by decree of the Empress Dowager, three thousand horse and foot were chosen from the Shenji Battalion and two thousand trained troops from the Five Battalions of the Gendarmerie, with the Lieutenant-General Shanqing as commander and the Commander of the Vanguard Tuolunbu as deputy commander, to defend the area east of the capital in divisions, and the trained troops of Zhili were also drawn on to help in the defence. Zeng Guoquan and Chen Baochen were ordered to return to Jiangning to dispose the defences. This month, relief was given for wind damage in Shunde and Qingpu and for floods in Ye County. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on yisi, Wu Yuanbing was ordered to inspect the river works and coastal defences of Shandong. Zhang Zhidong was appointed Governor-General of Liangguang. On bingwu, the French attacked the forts and the shipyard at Mawei, and the land forces drove them back. On wushen, Prince Chun of the First Rank memorialised that Yanxu, in impeaching Zuo Zongtang, had denounced him as contemptuous of the rites and disloyal as a subject, speaking recklessly and wildly and turning things upside down at will. A decree of the Empress Dowager found Yanxu guilty; he was stripped of his rank but kept in office, and fined a year's salary. An edict declared war on the French, and Yang Changjun went to Fujian to direct the army. On guichou, the French destroyed the forts at Changmen. On dingsi, Mutushan and Zhang Peilun were instructed not to withdraw to the provincial capital. An edict appointed Zuo Zongtang Imperial Commissioner to direct military affairs in Fujian, with Mutushan, General of Fuzhou, and Yang Changjun, Director-General of Grain Transport, as his deputies, and Zhang Peilun, as assistant director, also acting Minister of the Navy Yard. Zeng Guoquan was appointed Governor-General of Liangjiang, concurrently Commissioner for the Southern Ports. On bingyin, judgment was given on the guilt for the loss of Bac Ninh: the cashiered circuit intendant Zhao Wo and the Provincial Commander Chen Chaogang were both sentenced to beheading. On wuchen, Yang Changjun was made Governor-General of Min-Zhe. Relief was given generally to the victims of the disaster in Licheng and other counties. This month, relief was given for floods in Fuliang and in Qihe, Chang'an and other places. Edit
In the eighth month, on renshen, Deng Chengxiu, Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. Merit and guilt in the fighting at Mawei were judged: He Jing was stripped of his post and Zhang Peilun of his rank of chief minister, and they were sent to the Ministry for deliberation; the Provincial Commander Huang Chaoqun and others were rewarded and promoted in varying degrees. The bandit chiefs of Jian and Shao, Zhang Tingyuan and others, were executed. On jiaxu, the Yellow River broke its banks at Dongming. Relief was given for floods in Nanhai and other counties. On bingzi, Li Hongzhang was appointed Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner for the Northern Ports. On wuyin, a decree of the Empress Dowager granted Zaifeng, son of Prince Chun of the First Rank, the rank of Duke Who Assists the State, without the Eight Privileges. Wenyu was relieved of office because of illness. Chonghou, Chongli, Wenxi and Wenxian were ordered to contribute money to help pay the army. On gengchen, relief was given for wind damage in Taiwan. On dinghai, the French took Jilong again. On wuzi, the circuit intendant Xu Chengzu was made Minister to Japan. On jichou, an edict had the Ministry of Justice suspend, for this year, the hearing of all grave cases and of official offenders in the autumn and court assizes. On guisi, Su Yuanchun fought the French at Luc Ngan and defeated them. Yang Yuebin was ordered to assist in Zuo Zongtang's military affairs. Relief was given for floods in Xingzi. On wuxu, the French attacked Huwei, and the Provincial Commander Sun Kaihua defeated them. Edit
In the ninth month, on guimao, Tang Jiong was arrested, put in prison and tried at court. On yisi, fifty thousand taels from the privy purse were issued as a reward to Liu Yongfu's army. On xinhai, a strict order was given that the steamships of the Northern and Southern Ports should all go to the aid of Taiwan. On renzi, Liu Mingchuan was made Governor of Fujian, stationed in Taiwan to direct its defence; Su Yuanchun was to assist in Pan Dingxin's military affairs; Yang Changjun and others were to defend Penghu in divisions; and Zhang Zhaodong and He Ruzhang were both stripped of their posts. An edict remitted the land tax of Yunnan, deferring it for three years on land temporarily abandoned and remitting it for ten years on land abandoned for good. On jiayin, Liu Mingchuan asked to be punished, and an edict pardoned him. On wuwu, a hundred thousand shi of the new tribute grain were kept back for winter relief in Shandong. On gengshen, for the victory at Huwei, the Brigade General Sun Kaihua was given a hereditary rank, and ten thousand taels of silver were issued from the treasury to reward the army. E'lehebu was appointed Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall. On yichou, Encheng, Minister of Justice, was made Assistant Grand Secretary. On bingyin, relief was given for waterlogging at Fenghuang City. On gengwu, government troops fought the French at Luc Ngan and again defeated them, and Su Yuanchun was given a hereditary rank. On xinwei, Xinjiang was made a province, with a Governor and a Financial Commissioner, one each, and the posts of Lieutenant-General, Councillor, Agent and Commandant of the Southern and Northern Circuits were abolished. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, renshen, a decree of the Empress Dowager raised Yikuang to Prince Qing of the Second Rank and Yimo to a gushan Beizi. On guiyou, Liu Jintang was made Governor of Gansu-Xinjiang. On wuyin, relief was given for floods and hail in Jiangbei Subprefecture and other places. On xinsi, the Empress Dowager's fiftieth birthday, the emperor led the princes and the civil and military officials below them to the Cining Palace to offer congratulations. On xinmao, Bao Chao, having repeatedly missed the dates set for his army, was sharply rebuked. On guisi, the Provincial Commander Wang Hongshun was stripped of his post for evading duty on the pretext of illness. On jiawu, Zhang Shusheng died. On yiwei, there was disorder in Korea again; Wu Dacheng went to investigate and deal with it, with Xuchang as his deputy. Wenyu died. On gengzi, Liu Yongfu fought the French at Tuyen Quang and was defeated. Edit
In the eleventh month, on dingwei, the Provincial Commander Sun Kaihua was ordered to assist in the military affairs of Taiwan. On wushen, Xu Yanxu was arrested, put in prison and tried at court. On renzi, Li Hongzhang moved troops and sent them to Korea. On guichou, there was an earthquake at Pu'er. On bingchen, departments and counties were forbidden to make false reports of disaster and famine. On dingsi, the breach at Dongming was closed. On wuwu, Li Bingheng went to Longzhou to dispose the defence forces. On jiwei, prayers were offered for snow. The Ba Man of Yunnan surrendered. On wuchen, the provinces were instructed to store grain. Edit
In the twelfth month, on wuyin, government troops defeated the French at Zhizuoshe. On renwu, Tang Jiong and Xu Yanxu were both sentenced to beheading. On yiyou, government troops recovered the three provinces of Tuyen Quang, Hung Hoa and Son Tay, with Anping Prefecture and two departments and five counties. On renchen, the Yi bandits of Luquan were put down. On bingshen, there was rain and snow. Zhang Peilun and He Ruzhang were both stripped of their posts and banished to the frontier. Edit
This year, the arrears of tax on the waste lands of Zhenxi Subprefecture, and the fixed tax on the waterlogged lands of Wen'an and three other departments and counties, were remitted. Korea sent tribute. The King of Vietnam, Ruan Yingdeng, killed himself, and the French set up his younger brother as king. Edit
Eleventh year of Guangxu (1885)
In the eleventh year, yiyou, in the spring, the first month, on guimao, Feng Zicai was ordered to assist in the military affairs of Guangxi beyond the passes. On yisi, the French took Lang Son. On bingwu, government troops besieged Tuyen Quang and recovered Meiliang City. On jiayin, the French attacked Zhennan Pass, and the Brigade General Yang Yuke died there. On yimao, a grant was made to the family of the British general Gordon. On jiazi, the French warships left Taiwan. Zuo Zongtang and others sent troops to the aid of Zhejiang. On yichou, Li Hongzhang was made Plenipotentiary to discuss the affairs of Korea with the Japanese envoy, together with Wu Dacheng. On gengwu, the disorder in Korea was put down, and an envoy came with a memorial of thanks and was given gifts. Edit
In the second month, on jiaxu, Ouyang Lijian, Provincial Commander of Zhejiang, defeated the French at the mouth of Zhenhai harbour. On wuyin, Pan Dingxin was stripped of his post; Li Bingheng was made acting Governor of Guangxi, and Su Yuanchun was to direct the military affairs of Guangxi. On xinsi, there was an earthquake in Qin Department. On guiwei, Feng Zicai and Wang Xiaoqi heavily defeated the French outside Zhennan Pass and so recovered Lang Son. Yang Yuke and others were given hereditary ranks. On xinmao, the French asked for peace. This was granted. On renchen, an edict ordered the fighting to stop and the troops to withdraw. The Burmese bandits were put down. On wuxu, Cen Yuying reported a great victory of the government troops at Lintao. Edit
In the third month, on yisi, Li Hongzhang was made Plenipotentiary to negotiate a treaty with the French envoy, and Xizhen, Minister of Justice, and Deng Chengxiu, Chief Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, went to Tianjin to take part in the talks. On bingwu, the treaty concerning Korea was concluded. On gengxu, Cen Yuying recovered Mianwang and the stockades of Qingshui, Qingshan and others, and captured the Vietnamese rebel official Huang Xie and others and put them to death. On guichou, Wu Dacheng and Yiketang'a were ordered to survey the eastern border of Jilin together. On bingchen, the arrears of rent and tax owed by the people over many years in ten prefectures and departments, including Yongping, Zhangjiakou and Shuntian, were remitted. On guihai, Feng Zicai was ordered to direct the defence of Qin and Lian. On yichou, the grain tax arrears of the previous year in Xianning in Shaanxi and other places were remitted. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on jimao, prayers were offered for rain. On bingxu, Cen Yuying was urged to withdraw his army, and not to break the agreement and start a quarrel. On xinmao, an order was given to end the long-standing abuses in the poll tax and tribute grain of Jiangxi. On renchen, Liu Yongfu was urged to withdraw his army from Lao Cai. The new treaty between China and France negotiated at Tianjin was concluded. Edit
In the fifth month, on dingwei, a decree of the Empress Dowager ordered the survey and repair of the works of the South and North Lakes. An edict ordered the navy to be put in order and the fleets to be greatly improved, and sent the matter to the Commissioners for the Northern and Southern Ports and others to plan and discuss. The French troops withdrew from Jilong, and Yang Yuebin and others were ordered to arrange the affairs of all Taiwan. The tax arrears of Fujian from the first years of Guangxu were abolished. On xinhai, Zhaya was allowed to send tribute along with Chamuduo. On guichou, Su Yuanchun and Feng Zicai were given the rank of qingche duwei of the third class, and Wang Xiaoqi and Cen Yuying the rank of yunqi wei, and Wang Debang was restored to his former post with special commendation. On xinyou, prayers were again offered for rain. On renxu, it rained. On dingmao, Zhang Yao was made Governor of Guangxi. This month, relief was given for the war damage in Jilong and for floods in Tongcheng and other counties and in Zhengan. Edit
In the sixth month, on jisi, an edict suspended the autumn executions. On gengwu, a decree of the Empress Dowager ordered Wenxian, Chongli, Chonghou and Wenxi to build the works of the Three Lakes. Xu Jingcheng was also made Minister to Belgium. On xinwei, the household registration of the Vietnamese who had come over to live within the borders was settled. On jiaxu, the Yantai Convention agreement made by Zeng Jize was concluded. On dingchou, Cen Yuying was instructed to examine the copper mines of Yunnan. A general instruction told Zeng Guoquan and others to survey the mines of the southeast. Relief was given for floods in Yu Department. On guiwei, Sun Yuwen, Vice Minister of Works, Shen Bingcheng, Prefect of Shuntian, and Xuchang, Judicial Commissioner of Hunan, were all ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. Zeng Jize was summoned to the capital; Liu Ruifen, Financial Commissioner of Jiangxi, was made Minister to Britain and Russia, and Zhang Yinhuan Minister to the United States, Spain and Peru. The French troops left Penghu. Zuo Zongtang and others were ordered to choose officers and officials and move steamships in support. On xinmao, the new treaty concerning Vietnam was concluded and proclaimed at court and in the provinces. An edict warned the officials who offered advice against attacking others out of private motives. Judgment was passed after the event that the Censor Wu Xun's impeachment of Yan Jingming and the Compiler Liang Dingfen's impeachment of Li Hongzhang had both slandered great officials, and they were sent for severe deliberation. Soon each was demoted five grades. On jiawu, Sun Yuwen was appointed a Grand Councillor. This month, relief was given for floods in Henan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Jiangnan, Anhui and Jiangxi. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on the first day, dingyou, a telegraph line was set up from Nanning in Guangxi to Yunnan. On jihai, a decree of the Empress Dowager issued sixty thousand taels of silver from the treasury to give relief for the floods in Guangdong and Guangxi. On gengzi, Zuo Zongtang asked again and again to retire because of illness, and this was granted. On bingchen, Zhou Derun was ordered to go to Yunnan and Deng Chengxiu to Guangxi, to survey the border between China and Vietnam together with Cen Yuying and Zhang Kaisong. On renxu, the Yellow River broke its banks at Changqing in Shandong. On jiazi, the copper and iron mines of Sichuan and Yunnan were opened. This month, relief was given for floods in Qianyang, Xiangtan, Hui County, Qingjiang, Dangtu, Fenyang and other places. Edit
In the eighth month, on the first day, dingmao, relief was given for floods in Fengtian. On jisi, a hundred thousand shi of tribute grain were held back to meet the needs of relief in Shuntian and Zhili. Relief was given for hail and floods in Gaolan and other places. On yihai, relief was given for floods in Changsha and other places. On dingchou, there were floods at Licheng, Zhangqiu and other places in Shandong, and fifty thousand from the treasury were issued for relief. Because of the floods, the work on the Three Lakes was stopped. Li Hongzhang discussed with the French envoy the overland trade of Yunnan and Guangdong. On wuyin, Yi Ha-eung was released to return to Korea. On xinsi, Su Yuanchun was ordered to settle and care for the refugees who had come in through the passes from Vietnam. Relief was given for floods in Xiangcheng. On yiyou, Zuo Zongtang died and was posthumously made Grand Mentor. On xinmao, relief was given for wind damage in Fujian. Edit
In the ninth month, on gengzi, by decree of the Empress Dowager, Prince Chun of the First Rank was to have general direction of naval affairs, with Yikuang and Li Hongzhang as associate directors, and Shanqing, Lieutenant-General of the Chinese-martial banners, and Zeng Jize, Vice Minister of War, as assistant directors. The Governor of Fujian was changed to Governor of Taiwan, and the affairs of the Governor of Fujian were given to the Governor-General of Min-Zhe. The British envoy came to discuss trade between India and Tibet. Ding Baozhen, Selenge and others were instructed to persuade the Tibetans not to make trouble. On renyin, Linggui died. On jiachen, the post of Councillor of Yili was abolished and two Deputy Lieutenant-Generals were set up instead. The Manchu Commandant of Ta'erbahatai was abolished, while the E'lute Commandant was kept. On jiayin, relief was given for hail in Binchuan, En'an and other places. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, bingyin, the King of Korea, Yi Hui, as hidden rebels had not yet been rooted out, asked for help to keep order. Li Hongzhang sent troops to guard the country. On wuchen, relief was given for the disaster in Chaoyang. On gengchen, fifty thousand taels of the next year's funds due to the capital were held back for winter relief in Shandong. On xinsi, Yikuang and Xu Gengshen were ordered to exchange the treaty with the French envoy, and Liu Ruifen to exchange the Yantai Convention in the British capital and to negotiate the special article on foreign opium. On dinghai, Mutushan was appointed Imperial Commissioner to manage the training of troops together with the Generals of the Three Eastern Provinces, with command over the Deputy Lieutenant-Generals and those below them. On jiawu, fifty thousand taels of the palace's New Year funds were allotted for relief in the stricken areas of Shandong. The rules on the gates of the Forbidden City were made strict. Edit
In the eleventh month, on renyin, prayers were offered for snow. On yisi, there was an earthquake in Yunnan. On gengshen, the Muslim officials of the cities of Xinjiang were abolished. On guihai, a decree of the Empress Dowager told the Lieutenant-Generals of the Eight Banners to root out the abuses of the banner garrisons. Encheng was appointed Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall and Yan Jingming Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall, and Fukun, Minister of Revenue, and Zhang Zhiwan, Minister of Justice, were both made Assistant Grand Secretaries. Because the British had destroyed Burma, the border defences of Sichuan were made strict. Edit
In the twelfth month, on bingyin, overland telegraph lines were extended to Sanxing and Heilongjiang. On bingzi, an edict forbade the Imperial Household Department false claims and waste. On jimao, the breach at Zhaozhuang was closed. Edit
This winter, relief was given for floods in Chaozhou and Wan County and for wind damage in Taiwan. The poll tax in silver of the flooded areas of Yongning, and the levies on the abandoned and newly cultivated lands of the departments, counties and guards of Zhejiang, were remitted. The grain tax on the low-lying lands of Wen'an and Tianjin was reduced. The silver tax on the flooded areas of Xugou and Fenyang was abolished. Edit
Twelfth year of Guangxu (1886)
In the twelfth year, bingxu, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, yiwei, the banquets were suspended. On gengzi, the tax arrears of Hubei were remitted. On xinchou, the breach at Saogou in Shandong was closed. The old arrears of tribute grain in Taiwan were remitted. On guimao, the fixed tax of the drought-stricken areas of Qitai was remitted. On bingchen, Te'erqing'a and others were ordered to train troops with Mutushan. On jiazi, an edict said that because of the visit to the imperial tombs, entry to this year's metropolitan examination was changed to the tenth day of the third month. Edit
In the second month, on the first day, yichou, the south bank of the Yellow River in Shandong broke. On jiaxu, Zhang Yao went to inspect the breach at Hewangzhuang. On jimao, the fixed tax of Xupu, flooded for many years, was abolished. On wuzi, Suihua Subprefecture was set up in Heilongjiang. On xinmao, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager on a visit to the Eastern Tombs, and four tenths of the land tax in grain of the departments and counties along the way were remitted. Edit
In the third month, on yiwei, the visits were paid to the tombs. The emperor went to the Eastern Ding Mausoleum. On gengzi, he returned from the Eastern Tombs. On guichou, relief was given for the disaster in Guangning. This month, a hundred thousand shi of Shandong's new tribute grain were kept back for relief of the flood victims of Hewangzhuang and of Zhangqiu, Jiyang and Huimin. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on wuzi, Zhao Yijiong and others, three hundred and thirty-nine men, were granted the jinshi degree in its several grades. This month, there was an earthquake at Qiubei and a fire in Guangxi Department, and relief was given. Edit
In the fifth month, on gengzi, over four hundred villages of the raw aborigines of Taiwan, more than seventy thousand people, submitted to civilisation. Relief was given for wind and hail in Lintong and other counties. On renyin, the post of naval Brigade General of the Yangjiang Brigade was abolished, and a Brigade General of land and naval forces was set up for the Beihai Brigade. The land-force Brigade General of the Gaozhou Brigade was changed to a Brigade General of land and naval forces. Edit
In the sixth month, on renshen, a decree of the Empress Dowager told the Imperial Board of Astronomy to choose a day in the first month of the next year for the emperor to take up personal rule. On jiaxu, the stone seawall of Haiyan was repaired. On bingzi, Prince Chun of the First Rank, with the princes and great officials, memorialised jointly asking the Empress Dowager to continue to guide the government; this was refused. The emperor's assumption of personal rule was fixed for the fifteenth day of the first month of the next year, and the Grand Councillors were ordered to meet and discuss the reform of the coinage. On gengchen, Prince Chun of the First Rank, Prince Li of the First Rank and others renewed the request that she continue to guide the government; the Minister Xizhen and the Censor Guixian also spoke for it, and a decree of the Empress Dowager reluctantly agreed. Prince Chun of the First Rank was ordered to continue to manage affairs. Edit
In the seventh month, on jiawu, the native chieftain of Mubang asked to come over and submit; he was refused. On dingyou, Jinshun died. On xinchou, fifty thousand shi of Jiangsu tribute rice were kept back for the needs of relief in Shun and Bao. On yisi, the deliberations on the coinage were submitted. They were approved. On jiayin, relief was given for floods in Taiyuan and other counties. Edit
In the eighth month, on renxu, Selenge was made General of Yili. Relief was given for floods in Rehe. On yichou, Prince Li of the First Rank and the court officials asked to add honorific titles to the Empress Dowager's name; a decree of the Empress Dowager refused. On dingmao, a further fifty thousand shi of tribute rice from Jiangbei were allotted to give relief for the floods in Shuntian and Tong Department, and twenty thousand from the treasury were issued and distributed to the victims; the tax arrears on the waste fields of Xianning in Shaanxi and other places were remitted. On wuchen, because the Northern Grand Canal had breached and flooded, a hundred thousand from the treasury were allotted for emergency relief in Yongping and the other prefectures, and a further twenty thousand from the privy purse were issued to help. On bingzi, the Taiping-Guishun Circuit of Guangxi was added, and the Provincial Commander was moved to be stationed at Longzhou. A Brigade General of the Liu-Qing Brigade was added, stationed at Liuzhou. On gengchen, the breach of the Bai River at Huairou was closed. On yiyou, the Censor Zhu Yixin memorialised that in time of disaster one should reform and reflect and guard in advance against the abuses of eunuchs, saying that when Prince Chun of the First Rank inspected the Northern Ports the Chief Eunuch Li Lianying had gone with him, and he feared a repetition of the ruin brought by the eunuch army supervisors of the Tang. A decree of the Empress Dowager ordered him to answer. Soon his reply came in, and for his obstinate error he was demoted to Secretary. Edit
In the ninth month, on the first day, xinmao, relief was given for floods in Fengtian and Zhejiang. On guisi, relief was given for hail and floods in Gansu and for floods in Liuba and Nanzheng. On dingyou, because of the floods in Shuntian and Zhili, the rents of the banner estates of each prefecture and banner, and other rents, were reduced. On gengzi, Bao Chao died. On yisi, relief was given for hail in Guangshan. On bingwu, Liu Mingchuan attacked the rebel aborigines of Sulu and Manabang. On jiayin, relief was given for floods in Shangrao and other counties. Edit
In the eleventh month, on the first day, gengyin, the breach at Shouzhang was closed. On yisi, Xu Yanxu and Tang Jiong were pardoned; Xu Yanxu was banished to Xinjiang and Tang Jiong to Yunnan. On dingwei, Zeng Jize was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On gengxu, a further thirty thousand shi of millet from the capital granaries were allotted for spring relief in Shuntian. On bingchen, at the winter solstice, the sacrifice to Heaven was offered at the Circular Mound, the emperor going in person for the first time. The fixed tax of Longkecheng was abolished. Edit
In the twelfth month, on jiazi, the grain tax on the waterlogged lands of An Department, Hejian and Longping was reduced. On dingmao, prayers were offered for snow. On gengchen, a decree of the Empress Dowager again ordered Zeng Guoquan and others to discuss in detail how to manage the rivers of Liangjiang. On dinghai, the joint sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Edit
This year, Korea sent tribute. Edit
Thirteenth year of Guangxu (1887)
In the thirteenth year, dinghai, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, jichou, the banquets were suspended. On xinchou, because of the assumption of personal rule, officials were sent to announce it to Heaven and Earth, the Ancestral Temple and the gods of the soil and grain, and prayers were offered to Shangdi for a good harvest. On guimao, the emperor began his personal rule; an edict was proclaimed to the empire, and favours were extended in varying degrees. On renzi, a hundred thousand shi of Jiangsu tribute rice were allotted for relief of the victims of the disaster in Shuntian and Zhili. A decree of the Empress Dowager ordered machinery bought to cast coins at Tianjin, each cash to weigh one qian, with no difference between the capital and the provinces. Edit
In the second month, on renxu, there was rain and snow. On xinyou, Gongtang was charged to suppress the mounted bandits strictly and to put the existing trained troops in order. The telegraph lines linking Sichuan and Yunnan were completed. On wuchen, sacrifice was offered at the Great Altars of the Soil and Grain. On xinsi, Tang Jiong was given the rank of a Governor and put in charge of the mining affairs of Yunnan. This month, a decree of the Empress Dowager said that Prince Chun of the First Rank, as a prince whose rank was hereditary in perpetuity, should still be available for consultation on the great affairs of state. Edit
In the third month, on the first day, jichou, the emperor went for the first time to the Fengxian Hall to perform the rites. On yiwei, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager on a visit to the Western Tombs, and three tenths of the fixed tax of the departments and counties along the way were remitted. On jihai, the visits were paid to the tombs. On jiachen, he returned from the Western Tombs. On xinsi, sacrifice was offered to the First Farmer, and the emperor ploughed the sacred field in person; after the three pushes of the plough he added one more, and from then on this was done every year. On jiayin, Liu Jintang asked to be relieved of his post to visit his family and seek treatment; this was refused, and he was given three months' leave to recover while in office. Eighty thousand taels from the Zhili provincial treasury were allotted for relief of the famine victims under it. The rent on the lands without grain tax in Wen'an and other places was abolished. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on the first day, wuwu, sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On dingmao, Lin Weiyuan, Academician Reader of the Grand Secretariat, was ordered to direct the railway and commercial affairs of Taiwan. On jisi, prayers were offered for rain. On bingzi, the regular rain sacrifice was offered to Heaven at the Circular Mound. Edit
In the intercalary fourth month, on jiyou, the arrears of taxes and levies of the departments, counties and guards of Jiangsu were remitted. On renzi, relief was given for floods in Kunming and other counties. Edit
In the fifth month, on wuwu, at the summer solstice, the sacrifice to Earth was offered at the Square Pool. On jiwei, the former Sub-Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat Hong Jun was made Minister to Russia, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, and Liu Ruifen, Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, Minister to Britain, France, Italy and Belgium. On guiwei, relief was given for floods in Long Department and other places. On jiashen, it rained. Edit
In the sixth month, on the first day, dinghai, relief was given for floods in Fuyang and the places under it. On yisi, relief was given for floods in Huaining and other counties. On dingwei, the river overflowed at Daxinzhuang in Kai Department and flooded into Shandong; fifty thousand shi of the new tribute grain were held back for relief of the victims in Pu Department and other places. On gengxu, relief was given for floods in Luotian and Shishou. On renzi, relief was given for floods in Wensu and Wushi. On guichou, relief was given for wind and hail in Lingyun. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on the first day, bingchen, there was an eclipse of the sun. On gengshen, the Yongding River and the Chaobai River overflowed one after the other. On jiazi, a Brigade General of the Penghu Brigade in Fujian was added. On yichou, relief was given for floods in Nanyang and other places. On dingmao, the silver and grain owed by the people of Gansu over many years, and the miscellaneous taxes, were abolished. Relief was given for hail in Tao Department and the places under it. On yihai, the Lin'an-Kaiguang Circuit of Yunnan was added. On dingchou, the Li bandits were put down. On xinsi, the circuit intendant Li Shuchang was made Minister to Japan. Edit
In the eighth month, on wuzi, sacrifice was offered at the Great Altars of the Soil and Grain. On jiachen, the Qin River broke its banks. Relief was given for floods in Pingyi. On bingwu, Mianyang and other departments and counties were flooded, and thirty thousand shi of the winter tribute grain were kept back for relief. The Yellow River broke its banks at Zhengzhou and flowed south into the Huai; the Director-General of the River Chengfu was stripped of his rank but kept in office. On jiyou, fifty thousand shi of tribute rice from the capital granaries were allotted for relief in Shuntian, Tong Department and the places under them. Three hundred thousand taels of the funds due to the capital and of the commuted tribute grain silver were held back for relief in Henan. On guichou, a decree of the Empress Dowager issued a hundred thousand taels of silver from the privy purse for relief of the floods. Edit
In the ninth month, on the first day, yimao, the tax arrears of the previous year of the prefectures, subprefectures, departments and counties of Shaanxi were remitted. On xinyou, because of the breach of the Yellow River at Zhengzhou, the rice and grain of the next year to be carried by water from Jiangbei and Jiangsu, with its transport costs, were kept back in advance for relief. On xinwei, the Liezheng Hutuketu was allowed to send tribute. On yihai, Xue Yunsheng was ordered to go to Henan to inspect the Zhengzhou works. On dingchou, Li Hongzao went to Henan to inspect the river works with him. This month, relief was given for floods in Wuzhi, An County, Yunyang and northern Anhui, for floods in Hankou and Longzhou, and for hail in Jianshui and Tonghai. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, jiashen, relief was given for a fire in Rong County. On dinghai, Feng Zicai resigned because of illness and was ordered to stay in Guangdong to manage the defence of Qin and Lian. He asked to retire; this was refused. On jichou, relief was given for wind damage in Hui, Gao, Lian, Lei, Qiong, Chixi and Yangjiang. On jihai, Mutushan died. Rations were given to the poor of Zhengzhou and the other stricken areas. On renyin, Shanqing was made General of Fuzhou, to assist in naval affairs and also to direct the Shenji Battalion. The autumn tax of the flooded departments and counties of Shuntian and Zhili was remitted. On yisi, relief was given for snow damage in Zhenxi Subprefecture. On wushen, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager on a visit to Prince Chun of the First Rank in his illness, and from then on they visited him often, until he recovered in the seventh month of the next year. On gengxu, relief was given for floods in Chang'an and the places under it. On guichou, relief was given for frost damage in Suilai. Edit
In the eleventh month, on yimao, Ding'an was appointed Imperial Commissioner to manage the training of troops together with the Generals of the Three Eastern Provinces, with command over the Deputy Lieutenant-Generals and those below them. On xinyou, at the winter solstice, the sacrifice to Heaven was offered at the Circular Mound. On renxu, Wenshuo was instructed to seek out the reincarnation and to fix the choice by drawing lots according to the rule. On renshen, prayers were offered for snow. Edit
In the twelfth month, on dinghai, Li Hongzao was ordered to direct the river works at Zhengzhou. On jichou, the fixed tax on the waste fields of Enlong, Baise and other places was abolished. Relief was given for fires in Guilin and other places. On renchen, the taxes and rents of Yangcheng and other counties deferred because of disaster were remitted. On dingyou, there was rain and snow. On wuxu, a decree of the Empress Dowager cancelled the punishments of Yan Jingming, Fukun, Weng Tonghe, Songshen, Sun Yijing, Jingshan and Sun Jianai. On gengzi, because of the disaster in northern Anhui, a hundred thousand taels of silver in all, from the commuted tribute grain of Anhui and the regular duties of the Wuhu customs house, were allotted for spring relief the next year. On xinchou, the Yi-Ta Circuit, Yili Prefecture, Huo'erguosi Subprefecture and Tacheng Subprefecture were set up in Xinjiang, with a circuit intendant, a prefect, an Assistant Subprefect for the people and Subprefects and other officials. On renyin, there were earthquakes at Shiping and Jianshui. On jiyou, fifty thousand shi of Shandong's winter tribute grain were allotted for winter relief in Henan the next year. Edit
This year, Korea sent tribute. Edit
Fourteenth year of Guangxu (1888)
In the fourteenth year, wuzi, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, guichou, the emperor went in person to the Tangzi [the dynasty's shamanic shrine] to perform the rites. On bingchen, it snowed. The summer grain tax of Taihe and the other flooded departments and counties of Anhui was remitted. On jiwei, the gold mines of Mohe in Heilongjiang were opened. On gengshen, the Shilu copper mine of Changhua in Guangdong was opened. On xinyou, the telegraph line was extended from Tengyue to the provincial capital of Yunnan. On yihai, Liu Jintang asked leave because of illness. He was consoled and kept in office, and given a further four months' leave. On renwu, an order was given that the large official coins worth ten cash, each weighing two qian or more, should all be put into use. This month, a hundred and thirty thousand shi in all of rice from the capital granaries and of the tribute rice carried by sea were allotted and kept back for relief of the disaster in Shuntian and Zhili. Edit
In the second month, on yiyou, relief was given for a fire in Wuzhou. On bingxu, Pei Yinsen was given the rank of a capital official of the third grade and put in charge of the Fujian Navy Yard. On gengyin, Wenshuo was stripped of his post for sending the draft of a secret memorial to the Censorate on his own authority. On xinhai, sacrifice was offered to the First Farmer, and the emperor ploughed the sacred field in person. This month, an edict ordered the repair of the Yihe Garden, to be ready for the Empress Dowager's visits. Edit
In the third month, on bingchen, the tax arrears of Zhejiang from before the fifth year of Guangxu were remitted. On bingyin, the reincarnation of the Panchen Erdeni was given a hada scarf, a rosary and a ruyi sceptre. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on gengyin, the breach of the Yongding River was closed. On xinmao, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager on her first visit to the Western Park. On jiawu, the Guangdong telegraph line was extended from Jiujiang to the Dayu Range. On dingyou, there was hail. On xinhai, Zhang Yao was ordered to assist in naval affairs. Relief was given for floods in Huizhou and the places under it. Edit
In the fifth month, on yimao, there were earthquakes at the capital, in Fengtian and in Shandong. On guihai, at the summer solstice, the sacrifice to Earth was offered at the Square Pool. On dingmao, prayers were offered for rain. Edit
In the sixth month, on guisi, it rained. On jihai, a decree of the Empress Dowager said that the emperor's wedding ceremony would be held in the first month of the next year. On jiachen, Peng Yulin was relieved of the post of Minister of War because of illness, while continuing to inspect the Yangtze fleet. On renyin, a decree of the Empress Dowager said that she would return the government to the emperor on the third day of the second month of the next year. Edit
In the seventh month, on gengshen, for failures in the river works, Li Hongzao and Ni Wenwei were stripped of their rank but kept in office, and Li Henian and Chengfu were both banished to the military post stations. On jiazi, the Yongding River broke its banks again. On bingyin, Yan Jingming was dismissed. On dingchou, Wu Dacheng was instructed to inspect and check the river works. This month, the Tianjin-Dagu railway was completed. Edit
In the eighth month, on dinghai, relief was given for floods in the subprefectures, departments and counties of Fengtian and in Huaining and other counties of Anhui. On jichou, an edict told the provinces to clear their prisons of doubtful cases. On renchen, relief was given for floods in Cangwu and other places. On dingyou, tribute rice from Jiangbei was held back for relief in Jiangsu and Anhui. On yisi, Prince Chun of the First Rank, since the return of the government was near, asked to be relieved of his duties. A decree of the Empress Dowager said that he should direct the Admiralty and the Shenji Battalion as before, and that after the return of the government his name and titles need not be listed when matters were memorialised. Edit
In the ninth month, on bingchen, the tax arrears of Shaanxi from the previous year were abolished. On jiaxu, the breach of the Yongding River was closed. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, jimao, sacrifice was offered at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On guiwei, a decree of the Empress Dowager made Lady Yehenala empress. On guisi, twenty thousand shi of tribute grain at the capital were allotted for winter relief in Shuntian. On jiawu, the poll and grain tax of Shuicheng and other places was remitted. Relief was given for drought in Dantu and floods in Nanchang and other counties. On gengzi, the lijin duty on Korean red ginseng was remitted. Edit
In the eleventh month, on renxu, the telegraph line joining the Chinese and French lines on the border of Yunnan and Vietnam was completed. The post of Admiral of the Beiyang Fleet was first set up, and Ding Ruchang was appointed to it. On bingyin, at the winter solstice, the sacrifice to Heaven was offered at the Circular Mound. On dingmao, the court congratulations were dispensed with. On wuchen, the rent on the waterlogged marsh lands of Jinghai was remitted. Edit
In the twelfth month, on renwu, relief was given for epidemics in Ami, Mengzi and other places. On yiyou, an edict ordered special provincial examinations by grace to be held in the fifteenth year of Guangxu, and a special metropolitan examination by grace in the sixteenth year. On xinmao, a Commandant and other officials were added for the naval battalion of Jilin. On guisi, the Gate of Supreme Harmony burned. On jiawu, an edict called for reform and reflection, and charged the officials to be diligent in their duties. On yiwei, the money and grain owed by the people of Shaanxi from the year before last were remitted. On dingyou, a decree of the Empress Dowager, because of the floods, stopped or reduced the work on the Yihe Garden. The Censors Yu Lianyuan, Tu Renshou and Hong Liangpin each memorialised asking that the railways be stopped, and Xu Huifeng and others memorialised point by point; all were sent together to the Admiralty and the Grand Councillors for discussion. Soon Weng Tonghe, Kuirun, You Baichuan, Wenzhi and others also said that railways ought not to be built, and these too were sent for discussion. Lin Weiyuan, Junior Chief Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, was ordered to assist in the reclamation of land and the pacification of the aborigines in Taiwan. On gengzi, relief was given for floods in Weiyuan Subprefecture. On xinchou, the circuit intendant Xu Chengzu, formerly Minister to Japan, was found guilty of false accounts; he was stripped of his post to await investigation, and his property was confiscated. On bingwu, the breach at Zhengzhou was closed. Wu Dacheng was appointed Director-General of the Yellow River in Hedong; Li Hongzao and Ni Wenwei were restored to their former posts with special commendation, and Chengfu and Li Henian were released to return home. Edit
Fifteenth year of Guangxu (1889)
In the fifteenth year, jichou, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, dingwei, the banquets were suspended. On gengshen, there were earthquakes at Jingyuan and Gaolan. On xinyou, Zhang Zhiwan was made Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall, and Xu Tong was made Assistant Grand Secretary while remaining Minister of Personnel. The Admiralty, together with the Grand Council, discussed and rebutted the memorials asking that the railways be stopped, and replied asking for detailed discussion. A decree of the Empress Dowager said: "Qingyu, Ding'an, Zeng Guoquan, Zhang Zhidong, Huang Pengnian and the others are each to set out their views in accordance with the real state of the times, and report them." On yichou, Prince Dun of the First Rank died. The emperor attended the Empress Dowager in going to offer libations. On dingmao, the Censor Tu Renshou said: "The return of the government is close at hand, and the affairs of the time are very pressing. Secret memorials submitted under seal should, I ask, still be addressed for the Empress Dowager's sacred inspection, and be carried out after she has read them." A decree of the Empress Dowager denounced this as perverse; he was dismissed as Censor and sent to the Ministry for deliberation, and his memorial was thrown back to him. On wuchen, the Censor Lin Shaonian asked that the Governors-General and Governors be forbidden to make contributions to the throne. A decree of the Empress Dowager rebuked him. On guiyou, the imperial wedding ceremonies were completed. Edit
In the second month, on wuyin, Wu Dacheng asked for an order to discuss rites to honour Prince Chun of the First Rank; a decree of the Empress Dowager rebuked him, and was proclaimed to the officials and people at court and in the provinces. On jimao, the Empress Dowager returned the government to the emperor. The emperor came to the Hall of Supreme Harmony to receive congratulations, and an edict was proclaimed to the empire. On bingxu, the various taxes in grain of the stricken and harvested lands of Jiangsu and the Huai region from the first years of Guangxu were remitted. On jichou, because of the floods in Qidong and other departments and counties, fifty thousand from the Shandong treasury were allotted for relief. On renchen, honorific titles were added to the Empress Dowager's name, and an edict was proclaimed extending favours in varying degrees. On jiawu, Korea sent congratulations on the return of the government and presented local products; its King and Queen were given satins. Edit
In the third month, on the first day, bingwu, the Expositor Cui Guoyin was made Minister to the United States, Spain and Peru. On dingwei, Peng Yulin resigned his post as inspector. A warm edict consoled him and kept him in office. The Yellow River broke its banks in Pu Department. On guichou, since the chief of the Bulukeba [Bhutan] had submitted, he was given a title, a seal and a patent. On jiayin, twenty thousand from the Heilongjiang treasury were allotted as further relief for the victims of the disaster under Hulan. On dingsi, the empress sacrificed to the First Sericulturist. On jiwei, honorific titles were again added to the Empress Dowager's name. On gengwu, the money and grain due from the villages and stockades of Yunnan ravaged by bandits were remitted. On wuchen, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager to the Yihe Garden, where they reviewed drills on land and water. Yan Jingming was allowed to return home to nurse his illness. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on wuyin, a hundred thousand shi of southern tribute grain were allotted for relief in Shandong. On jimao, relief was given to the victims of the disasters in Fengtian and Jilin. On xinmao, Xue Fucheng, Judicial Commissioner of Hunan, was given the rank of a capital official of the third grade and made Minister to Britain, France, Italy and Belgium. A decree of the Empress Dowager issued a hundred thousand taels of silver from the privy purse for relief in Shandong. On gengzi, Zhang Jianxun and others, three hundred and thirty-one men, were granted the jinshi degree in its several grades. Edit
In the fifth month, on guichou, the autumn executions were suspended. On gengshen, relief was given for a fire in Luzhou. Edit
In the sixth month, on bingzi, Cen Yuying died. On dingchou, Wang Wenshao was made Governor-General of Yungui. On jimao, the Gate of Supreme Harmony was rebuilt. On dinghai, relief was given for a fire in Zhoujiakou. On renchen, the post of Circuit Intendant of the Yongding River being vacant, Li Hongzhang recommended men fit for it. The emperor suspected that the power of appointment was passing down to his ministers, and reprimanded him. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on dingwei, the Yellow River broke its banks at Zhangqiu. On jiyou, the fixed levy of Xiliangshan in Guizhou was abolished. On gengwu, the river broke its banks at Qihe. On xinwei, the Qin River broke its banks. This month, relief was given for hail in Ju Department and Yishui, for floods in Zhoujiakou, and for floods and hail in Chang'an, Xixiang and Fu Department. Relief was given for floods in Kunyang and Taihe in Yunnan and in Huoqiu and other departments and counties of Anhui. Edit
In the eighth month, on yihai, Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong were ordered to plan the Lu-Han railway together with the Admiralty. On dinghai, a hundred thousand shi of the new tribute grain were kept back for relief in Shandong. On renchen, because of the floods in Sichuan, fifty thousand were donated for relief of the victims. On dingyou, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at the Temple of Heaven burned. On gengzi, relief was given for earthquake damage in Yili, Suiding and other places. On xinchou, the uncollected taxes and the people's arrears of tax in grain in the prefectures, subprefectures, departments, counties and guards of Guizhou ravaged by bandits were remitted. Edit
In the ninth month, on renzi, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was rebuilt. Relief was given for wind and floods in Wenzhou and other places. On guichou, the tax arrears of the previous year of the places under Shaanxi were remitted. Relief was given for floods and hail in Xianning and other places. On yimao, relief was given for floods in Gaolan and other places. On renchen, the dike at Changyuan broke, and the water of the Yellow River flooded into Hua County. On bingyin, Ding'an and others were instructed to remove the bad habits in the training of troops in the Three Eastern Provinces. On dingmao, it was settled that the next year's prayer for grain would be held for the time being at the Circular Mound. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on yihai, relief was given for hail and floods in Yangqu and other places. On wuyin, a telegraph line was set up from Xi'an to Jiayu Pass. Relief was given for floods in the places under Hangzhou, Jiaxing and Huzhou. On dinghai, because rain and floods had caused disaster in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, fifty thousand from the treasury stores of each were allotted, and fifty thousand from the privy purse were issued, for relief. Because Zhang Zhidong, in ordering machinery, had hastily signed a contract, an edict sharply rebuked him, saying that from now on no new undertaking should be lightly entered upon without first being reported to the throne. On jichou, a hundred thousand from the Wuchang treasury stores were allotted for the needs of relief in Hubei. On renchen, an edict said that the two commissioners of each province should still memorialise on matters directly. The village aborigines of Taiwan rose in revolt, and the Colonel Liu Chaodai and others fell in battle; Liu Mingchuan was ordered to suppress them. On jiawu, a further hundred and fifty thousand from the Zhejiang treasury stores were allotted for relief of the disaster in Hangzhou, Jiaxing and Huzhou. On jihai, the river works at Dazhai in Shandong were closed. On renyin, the surplus of the relief contributions of Jiangsu and Anhui was allotted to repair the Grand Canal. Relief was given for hail and floods in Suide and the places under it. Edit
In the eleventh month, on bingchen, the Admiralty's request was granted that the Ministry of Revenue allot two million a year to start the railways. On dingsi, an edict ordered superfluous officials to be cut and needless expenses removed. On wuwu, thirty thousand taels of Anhui's commuted tribute grain silver were allotted for the needs of relief in Anqing, Ningguo and Si Department. On bingyin, Zhejiang issued grain from the ever-normal granaries to give relief to the distressed people of Tiantai, Xianju and other places. Edit
In the twelfth month, on the first day, renshen, the tribute grain and white rice due from Hangzhou, Jiaxing and Huzhou, and their land-and-poll tax, were remitted. On jiaxu, forty thousand shi of Shandong tribute rice were kept back for relief. On dingchou, a further fifty thousand from the Wuchang treasury stores were allotted for the needs of relief in Hubei. On dinghai, the breach at Xizhifang in Shandong was closed. On guisi, the ban on the long-standing abuses in carrying out remissions and deferments was restated. The money and grain due from the villages and stockades of Yunnan ravaged by bandits were remitted. On dingyou, the tax in grain of Zhengzhou, Huaining, Weishi and other departments and counties was remitted. The grain levies of Renhe and other counties and of the guards and posts of Hang and Yan were remitted. Edit
This year, Korea sent tribute. Edit
Sixteenth year of Guangxu (1890)
In the sixteenth year, gengyin, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, renyin, the banquets were suspended. On xinyou, the hearth levies of Zhili from before the thirteenth year were remitted. On dingmao, an edict said that for the emperor's birthday this year there need be no announcing sacrifices, that the rite of ascending the hall would be suspended, and that the high civil and military officials of the provinces were excused from coming to the capital to offer birthday congratulations. Edit
In the second month, on yiyou, Zhang Yao reported that the total cost of the river works in Shandong came to over two million eight hundred and eighty thousand. The officials concerned were ordered to raise and provide it. On renchen, Youmin and other chiefs of the aboriginal villages in the inner mountains of Taiwan were executed. This month, the tax arrears of the thirteenth year of Yulin and other departments and counties were remitted. The tax in grain on the flooded government fields of Dongchuan was abolished. The rent arrears on the marshes and lakes of Wen'an, Jinghai and Ba Department and the land levies of Boduna were remitted. Edit
In the intercalary second month, on renyin, relief was given for fires in the places under Guilin. On jiyou, Zhang Yinhuan, Chief Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On yimao, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager on a visit to the Eastern Tombs, and three tenths of the fixed tax of the lands along the way were remitted. On gengshen, the emperor went to offer libations at the tomb garden of Crown Prince Duanhui. On guihai, he returned from the Eastern Tombs. On yichou, Zeng Jize died, and soon he was given a special posthumous name. Li Hongzhang was instructed to put the land and naval forces of the Northern Ports in order, and Ding'an and others to train the troops of the Three Eastern Provinces. Edit
In the third month, on xinwei, by decree of the Empress Dowager, Liu Mingchuan was to assist in naval affairs. There was an earthquake at Xining, and relief was given. On xinmao, for the emperor's twentieth birthday, an edict was proclaimed to the empire, and favours were extended in varying degrees. On yiwei, the South Lake of Yuhang was dredged. The Zhandui chief Sala Yongzhu and the Lama Bazong joined with the wild Fan in revolt, and government troops suppressed them. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on gengyin, Peng Yulin died. On gengxu, an order was given to put in order the duties and lijin on native opium. Gangyi was ordered to examine in detail the production of native opium in Xuzhou and the true amount of tax collected, and to draw up strict regulations for setting it in order. On dingmao, Wu Lu and others, three hundred and thirty-six men, were granted the jinshi degree in its several grades. Edit
In the fifth month, on the first day, jisi, there was an eclipse of the sun. On xinwei, Selenge died, and Changgeng was made General of Yili. On bingzi, Shengtai was made Imperial Resident in Tibet. On jimao, the emperor went to the Dagao Hall to pray for rain. On yiyou, he came to the Huafang Studio to review the guards' archery on foot, and did so every day until renchen. On jichou, it rained. Stone dikes were built along the river at Wenxiang. Relief was given for wind damage in Huaining and other counties. Edit
In the sixth month, on the first day, jihai, over two thousand households from the riverside villages of Qidong and other departments and counties were moved. On dingwei, the gold mines of Sanxing were opened. On wushen, as the affairs of Tibet had been settled, the chief of the Bulukeba was given a patent and seal. From guimao to jiyou prayers were offered for clear skies every day. On xinhai, as continuous rain had caused disaster near the capital, more gruel kitchens were set up outside the six gates of the capital; fifteen thousand shi of rice from the capital granaries were ordered allotted to make gruel for relief, and fifty thousand from the privy purse were issued for the needs of relief. On renzi, the Yongding River broke its banks. On guichou, Zhang Tianxi, a native chieftain under Yongbei, plotted rebellion, and government troops attacked and beheaded him. On dingsi, the millet being shipped from Fengtian to the capital was allotted, and tribute rice from Jiangbei kept back, for disaster relief in Tianjin. On jiazi, the emperor's birthday, he came to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to receive congratulations. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on yihai, the native clans of Zhenkang rose in revolt and were suppressed. An edict charged Li Hongzhang with closing the breach of the Yongding River. On jimao, fifty thousand taels from the treasury, five hundred thousand strings of large cash and a hundred thousand shi of rice were issued for relief of the disaster in the places under Shuntian. On renwu, an order was given for severe punishment of embezzlement, false claims and deductions in receiving and paying out relief funds. On gengyin, three hundred thousand taels of silver in all from the Ministry's treasury and the maritime customs were allotted to help the Yongding River works. On guisi, Xu Jingcheng, Reader of the Hanlin Academy, was made Minister to Russia, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria, and the circuit intendant Li Jingfang Minister to Japan. Relief was given for floods in Hubei, Guangxi, Shaanxi and Yunnan. Edit
In the eighth month, on renyin, a further hundred thousand shi of rice from the capital granaries were allotted for the needs of relief in Shuntian. On yisi, the emperor went to the mansion of Prince Chun of the First Rank to visit him in his illness. On jiyou, Liu Jintang asked to go home. He was again given leave. On renzi, because Liu Mingchuan had started commercial mining on his own authority with faulty regulations, an order stopped it and sent him to the Ministry for deliberation. On dingsi, fifty thousand shi of tribute rice were kept back and a hundred thousand from the treasury allotted for relief in Shandong. On renxu, because of the floods in Shuntian and Zhili, an order was given that the estates of the princes' and dukes' mansions and of the capital banners should all reduce their rents. This month, the tax arrears of Shaanxi and Jiangxi were remitted. Relief was given for floods and hail in Shaanxi, floods in Yunnan and wind damage in Taiwan. Edit
In the ninth month, on yihai, the Ministry of Revenue reported that the Lumi Granary was short by a hundred and fifty thousand shi; the Vice Ministers of the Granaries Xinglian and You Baichuan were sent to the Ministry for deliberation, and soon both were stripped of their posts. On bingzi, relief was given for waterlogging in Hunchun and Ningguta. On renwu, the Censor Wu Zhaotai asked that the work on the Yihe Garden be stopped, and was sent for severe deliberation. The breach of the Yongding River was closed. On jiashen, relief was given for hail in Gansu. On renchen, the society bandits of Shidai rose in revolt and were suppressed. On guisi, funds from the Ministry's treasury and granary rice were allotted to Shuntian for relief. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on dingwei, Liu Kunyi was made Governor-General of Liangjiang, concurrently Commissioner for the Southern Ports. On gengxu, Zeng Guoquan died and was posthumously made Grand Mentor. On xinhai, a further fifty thousand shi of rice from the capital granaries were allotted for relief in Shuntian. The taxes and levies on the miscellaneous grains of the merchants and traders of Fengtian, Zhili, Shandong and Henan were remitted. Edit
In the eleventh month, on yihai, relief was given for the disaster in the flooded departments and counties of Hunan. On yiyou, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager to the mansion of Prince Chun of the First Rank to visit him in his illness. On dinghai, Prince Chun of the First Rank died. Court was suspended for seven days; the emperor attended the Empress Dowager to the mansion to see him laid in his coffin, and the Empress Dowager granted libations. The prince's son Zaifeng, Duke Who Guards the State, was ordered to inherit the princely rank that same day. The emperor put on mourning, and a decree of the Empress Dowager fixed his title as "the Emperor's Natural Father". On jichou, a decree of the Empress Dowager gave him the posthumous name Xian. The emperor wore mourning for one year. Edit
In the twelfth month, on renzi, a decree of the Empress Dowager raised Zaixun, Duke Who Assists the State, to Duke Who Guards the State, with the Eight Privileges, and Zaitao, General Who Guards the State, to Duke Who Assists the State, without the Eight Privileges. On yimao, the golden coffin of Prince Chunxian of the First Rank was moved to the residence in his garden, and the emperor accompanied it as far as the Shi Garden. On renxu, the works in the Southern Park were put off. On jiazi, the tax arrears from the first years of Guangxu of the subprefectures, departments, counties and salt yards of Zhejiang were remitted. Edit
Seventeenth year of Guangxu (1891)
In the seventeenth year, xinmao, in the spring, the first month, on guisi, the Yi bandits of Leibo in Sichuan submitted. Edit
In the second month, on guimao, a hundred and sixty thousand shi of tribute rice carried by sea were kept back for spring relief in Shuntian and Zhili. On jisi, the Censor Gao Xiezeng asked that the daily lectures be held. An edict said that they would be a name without substance, and did not accept it. On xinhai, Li Hongzhang and Zhang Yao were ordered to review the Beiyang Fleet together. Liu Jintang left office in mourning, and Tao Mo was made Governor of Xinjiang. Bandits rose in Yunnan and took the county seats of Fumin and Luquan; they were attacked and put down. This month, the tax arrears of Hubei and Shanxi from before the thirteenth year were remitted. Edit
In the third month, on dingmao, an order was given to help the distressed people return to their homes. On jisi, the empress sacrificed to the First Sericulturist. On renshen, the river works of Baodi, Tong, Ji and other departments and counties were repaired. On dingchou, Li Hongzhang was ordered to direct the building of the railway east of the pass. On gengyin, Shakedulinzhabu was ordered to survey the Haba River together with E'erqing'e. On xinmao, Liu Mingchuan was relieved of office because of illness. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on dingyou, a temple was set up for Prince Chunxian of the First Rank. On bingwu, a shrine was also built. On xinyou, the work on the Yihe Garden was completed, and from this time the emperor attended the Empress Dowager on her visits there. Edit
In the fifth month, it rained continuously from dingmao to gengwu. On xinwei, the empress picked mulberry leaves in person. On renwu, relief was given for wind damage in Qingjiang and other places. This month, there were locusts in the metropolitan region. The Zongli Yamen, since cases involving missionaries were arising one after another in the provinces, asked for orders to deal with them. An edict said: "The preaching of religion by the various countries is written into the treaties, and the provinces should do their utmost to protect the lives and property of merchants and missionaries. Of late, churches have been burned and destroyed, in many places at once. Plainly there are bandits spreading rumours and stirring up trouble. Let the Governors-General and Governors arrest and punish them, so that they may cause no more harm." Edit
In the sixth month, on wuxu, an order was given for strict pursuit of the society bandits. On wushen, an edict said that society bandits who gave themselves up, or who secretly reported their chiefs so that they were caught, would be pardoned. On xinhai, Wang Wenshao reported that he had executed the Lieutenant-Colonel Bao Hu, who had joined the rebels. Lu Wenpeng, chief of the Pisha Man of Qiaojia Subprefecture, was executed, and twenty-one stockades of the Zhi Yi of Yunnan submitted. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on guiwei, on Wang Wenshao's advice, the native chieftains of Mengcan, Mengjiao and Mengdong in Yunnan had their boundaries drawn to end their quarrels. Han Zhongbang, native prefect of Mengding, was given the rank of Pacification Commissioner, and the headman Han Ronggao was put in charge of Mengjiao and Mengdong and given the post of native Company Commander, to be hereditary. On yiyou, Zhang Yao died. Edit
In the eighth month, on the first day, renchen, Shi Menglan, an aged scholar of Laoting, was given the rank of a chief minister of the fourth grade. On guisi, Yikuang was ordered to have general direction of naval affairs, with Ding'an and Liu Kunyi to assist. On jihai, the Chinese translation of Shizu's own Essential Words for Exhorting to Goodness was completed and issued to the education officials of the provinces, to be expounded on the first and fifteenth of each month together with the Amplified Instructions on the Sacred Edict. Baoyun died. On guichou, the provincial officials were instructed to put the army in order, remove its long-standing bad habits, and strictly forbid collusion and shielding of offenders. Edit
In the ninth month, on guiwei, the arrears of levies of Shaanxi from the previous year were remitted. On bingxu: at first, the envoys of friendly states had, since the twelfth year of Tongzhi, all been received at the Ziguang Pavilion. This month, the German envoy Brandt said that this treated them as vassals, and repeatedly asked for a change of place. Now, when the Austrian envoy Bigeliben came, he was received in audience at the Chengguang Hall. On wuzi, the native Assistant Department Magistrate of Beisheng in Yunnan was replaced by a regular official. Edit
In the tenth month, on dingyou, the tax arrears and banner rents of Xi Department, Yuci and other places were remitted. On guichou, an edict said that the reincarnation of the Panchen Erdeni would be enthroned in the first month of the next year; Shengtai and the Suhu Nomenhan were to go and attend it, and a patent and precious gifts were sent. On jiayin, the Song Confucian You Zuo was given a place among those honoured in the Temple of Confucius. On wuwu, there was a rising of bandits at Chaoyang in Rehe, and the Provincial Commanders Ye Zhichao and Nie Shicheng suppressed it. Edit
In the eleventh month, on dingmao, since the Rehe bandit chiefs had been captured and killed, an edict said that among the people, whether they had joined the societies or not, all were allowed to make a fresh start, and those who broke away and came over of themselves were pardoned. On yihai, Chongli, Vice Minister of Revenue, and Hong Jun, Vice Minister of War, were both ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On jimao, the Haiyun Granary burned. On jiashen, because of the rising of bandits in the Kalaqin Banner, thirty thousand from the treasury were allotted for relief and settlement. Relief was given for a fire in Hankou. Edit
In the twelfth month, on bingshen, the tax arrears of Henan from the first years of Guangxu were remitted. On yisi, relief was given to the areas of Rehe ravaged by the bandits. On wushen, the Imperial Household Department was again instructed to economise in its expenses. Edit
This winter, the people's arrears of tax in grain for this year in Zhejiang and Shaanxi were remitted. Edit
Eighteenth year of Guangxu (1892)
In the eighteenth year, renchen, in the spring, the first month, on dinghai, the Grand Canal was dredged. On xinmao, fifty thousand from the treasury were allotted to Rehe for relief of the Mongols of the two banners of Aohan and Naiman. On guichou, British troops entered Kanjuti [Hunza], and the Muslim tribal chiefs fled to Selekuer, where they were given relief and settled. Edit
In the third month, on gengshen, Yan Jingming died. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on jiyou, Prince Chunxian of the First Rank was buried. This month, the aboriginal villages in the inner mountains of Taiwan rose in revolt and were suppressed. Edit
In the fifth month, on jiazi, bandits rose at Yangjiang, and their chief rebel, Tan Yunqing, was executed. On gengwu, prayers were offered for rain. On xinwei, Liu Fuyao and others, three hundred and seventeen men, were granted the jinshi degree in its several grades. On yihai, there were drought and locusts in Hefei and other departments and counties, and relief was given. This month, the bandit chiefs of Shanglin and Bin Department, Mo Zixian and others, were executed. Edit
In the sixth month, on gengyin, prayers were offered for rain. On bingshen, it rained. On renyin, the Compiler Wang Fengzao was made Minister to Japan. Edit
In the intercalary sixth month, on jiwei, the Yongding River broke its banks. On gengshen, relief was given for drought in Fenzhou and the seven subprefectures of Guisui. On jiazi, fifty thousand shi each of the river-borne tribute grain of Jiangsu and Jiangbei were kept back in Shuntian and Zhili for relief. On bingyin, Akedachun was dismissed as Governor of Shanxi for improper answers in audience. On dingchou, because of the floods near the capital, a hundred thousand from the Ministry's treasury were allotted for relief. On gengchen, Encheng died. This month, there were locusts in the metropolitan region. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on xinchou, a hundred thousand from the treasury were issued for relief in the places under Yunnan. On renyin, there were locusts in Henan. On guichou, Tang Jiong was instructed to put the transport of copper in order. Edit
In the eighth month, on bingyin, Kuihuan was ordered to negotiate a trade treaty for India and Tibet with the British envoy Bao'er. On jiayin, Fukun was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall and Linshu Assistant Grand Secretary. Shandong's new tribute grain was kept back for relief. Edit
In the ninth month, on gengyin, fifty thousand shi of tribute rice from Jiangbei were allotted for relief in the places under Zhenjiang. On jihai, the bandit chief Chen Gong of Dehua in Fujian was executed. On renyin, the money and grain owed by the people of Shaanxi from the previous year were remitted. Edit
In the tenth month, on the first day, yimao, thirty thousand shi of Jiangnan tribute rice were kept back for relief in the counties of Jiangning. On gengshen, the Liling bandit chief Deng Haishan was executed. On jisi, relief was given for floods in Shache. The grain rents and miscellaneous levies of Tong Department in Zhili and other places were remitted. Edit
In the eleventh month, on the first day, yiyou, the tax arrears of Tong Department in Zhili and other places were remitted. On xinmao, relief was given for waterlogging in Taiwan and other places. On xinchou, Li Hongzhang, Sun Jianai and others were instructed to inspect the relief, and to impeach severely and report any officials of the stricken departments and counties who were indifferent to the sufferings of the people. On renyin, the tax arrears of the subprefectures, departments, counties and guards of Jiangsu were remitted. On gengxu, a hundred thousand from the treasury were issued for relief of the floods, drought, frost and hail in Taiyuan and the places under it. On guichou, twenty thousand from the privy purse were issued for relief of the victims of the disaster in the places under Shuntian and Zhili. Edit
In the twelfth month, on the first day, yimao, an edict charged the princes and great officials with arranging the celebrations of the Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday, and told them, with the Ministries of Revenue, Rites and Works and the Imperial Household Department, to search widely in the old precedents and to discuss the matter in detail and report. On bingyin, Liu Jintang was summoned to the capital. On dingmao, a further forty thousand shi of rice from the capital granaries were issued for relief of the victims of the disaster in Shuntian. On yisi, a decree of the Empress Dowager said that in arranging the celebrations everything should be done sparingly, and the customary tribute of the officials at court and in the provinces was excused. Funds from the privy purse were specially granted for relief of the stricken areas of Shuntian and Zhili; this was to be the rule every year, given to the Prefecture of Shuntian and the Governor-General of Zhili for the relief of the poor for all time. Each province was granted twenty thousand taels of silver, beginning from the next year, jiawu, all to be issued from the privy purse and given to the provincial officials to distribute. An edict said that the late Beile Na'ersu, being the grandson of Senggelinqin, was in grateful memory of past services posthumously made a Prince of the First Rank, and that this was not to be cited as a precedent afterwards. On bingzi, Yang Ru, Circuit Intendant of Hui-Ning-Chi-Tai-Guang, was given the rank of a capital official of the fourth grade and made Minister to the United States, Spain and Peru. Edit
This year, Korea sent tribute. Edit
Nineteenth year of Guangxu (1893)
In the nineteenth year, guisi, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, yiyou, an edict said that because of the Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday the next year, special provincial examinations by grace would be held this year, and the special metropolitan examination by grace of jiawu the year after. On bingxu, the winter tribute rice of Changzhou and other departments and counties was remitted. On jihai, the tax arrears of Changsha and other departments and counties were remitted. On jiachen, an edict said that the Mongol and Inner Jasak princes, dukes, taiji and others who should come to the capital the next year to offer birthday congratulations were all excused from coming, except those due on their yearly rotation. On guichou, because of the disasters in the seven subprefectures beyond the pass and in Datong and other prefectures, Zhili and Shanxi were ordered to stop collecting the tax on grain carried by merchants, and a hundred thousand from the Ministry's treasury were allotted for relief. Edit
In the second month, on wuwu, fifty thousand shi of Jiangsu tribute rice were kept back for relief in An Department and other places. On wuchen, the German envoy Brandt was received at the Chengguang Hall. On guiyou, fifty thousand of the funds due to the capital were kept back for relief of the victims of the disaster in the northern hills of Shaanxi and other places. Edit
In the third month, on xinmao, an order was given that over sixty thousand shi of the tribute rice of Hubei and Hunan be sold, and the proceeds used for relief of the disaster in Shanxi. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on bingzi, prayers were offered for clear skies. On jimao, because the pastures of Duoluotesileng, the Jasak Prince of the First Rank of Alashan, had suffered drought and dearth for years on end, thirty thousand from the treasury were granted for relief. Edit
In the fifth month, on yiyou, the Beixin Granary burned. On yiwei, because the pastures of Zhanajierdi, head of the Yikezhao League and Jasak Gushan Beizi, had suffered drought and dearth for years on end, ten thousand from the treasury were granted for relief. Edit
In the sixth month, on yimao, the provinces were ordered to choose and recommend men expert in astronomy, medicine, divination and mathematics, and those versed in geomancy, and send them up to the Imperial Household Department. On wuwu, thirty thousand from the Ministry's treasury were allotted for relief of the disaster in Liling and other places. On gengshen, the German envoy Shenke was received at the Chengguang Hall. On guihai, prayers were offered for clear skies. On dingmao, the Pu'an bandit chief Liu Yanfei and others were executed. On guiyou, because of the rain disaster at the capital, an edict had gruel kitchens set up at each of six places outside the six gates and elsewhere, and ten thousand shi of rice from the capital granaries were allotted for relief. On yihai, more millet from Fengtian and tribute rice from Jiangnan and Jiangbei were allotted for the needs of relief in Shuntian and Zhili. The Yongding River broke its banks, overflowing in both its southern and northern sections. On bingzi, the tax arrears of many years in Anhui, and the old arrears of summer grain of Qianshan and other counties and guards, were remitted. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on jiashen, the Prefecture of Shuntian was instructed to sell grain at fair prices. On jiachen, as the standing water near the capital was gradually going down, an order was given to send the poor who had come in search of food back to their homes. Edit
In the eighth month, on xinhai, Guanghan, grandson of the late Governor-General Zeng Guoquan, was given the rank of a capital official of the fourth or fifth grade. The maritime ban on overseas Chinese was lifted: from now on merchants and common people abroad, however long or short their stay, were all allowed to return to the country to make a living and acquire property, and they were also free to go abroad to trade. On dingmao, miscellaneous grains were bought in the provinces of Fengtian, Henan and Shandong and divided for relief in Shuntian and Zhili. Edit
In the ninth month, on guiwei, Shandong held back sixty thousand shi of the new tribute grain for relief of the victims in the riverside departments and counties. A further hundred thousand shi of tribute rice from Jiangnan and Jiangbei were allotted and commuted into money, and eighty thousand shi of Jiangsu tribute rice were also kept back for relief in Shuntian and Zhili, half to each. On guimao, thirty thousand shi of rice from the capital granaries were issued for relief in Shuntian. This month, the tax arrears and fixed tax of the places under Shaanxi were remitted. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, jiyou, the seawalls of Taicang and three other departments and counties were repaired. On renzi, Gong Zhaoyuan, Financial Commissioner of Sichuan, was given the rank of a capital official of the third grade and made Minister to Britain, France, Italy and Belgium. On jiwei, the Ministry of Revenue was ordered to pay five hundred thousand taels of silver a year to the Imperial Household Department. On yichou, the grain tax of Tong Department and other places was remitted. Edit
In the eleventh month, on jichou, the ban on private coins was restated: any who melted down and recast coins or carried them were to be sought out, arrested and severely punished by the officials concerned. On wuzi, there were earthquakes in Gansu and Xinjiang. On xinmao, Xu Zhenyi was ordered to survey the Yongding River together with Li Hongzhang. On jiawu, the autumn tax of Daxing and other counties was remitted. Edit
In the twelfth month, on xinhai, Xu Yongyi, Vice Minister of Personnel, was ordered to learn the work of a Grand Councillor. On renzi, an edict called for strict assessment in the capital review of officials. On wuwu, the ban on people of the interior going overseas was lifted. On xinyou, relief was given for an epidemic in Anren. On renxu, the rents and taxes of Guihua and the other six subprefectures were remitted. On dingmao, Wula was excused from gathering eastern pearls. On renshen, fifty thousand shi of rice from the granaries east of the capital were allotted for spring relief in Shuntian. On guiyou, the Ministry of Justice reported that the cashiered official Zhou Fuqing had sent a letter to an examiner on his journey to arrange a bribe, and proposed beating and exile; this was changed to beheading after the assizes. Edit
Twentieth year of Guangxu (1894)
In the twentieth year, jiawu, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, jimao, a decree of the Empress Dowager, for her sixtieth birthday, raised the titles of the consorts and concubines, increased the guards of Prince Gong of the First Rank, raised Yikuang to Prince of the First Rank, and gave rewards in varying degrees to Zaifeng, Prince Chun of the First Rank, and others. Favours were granted in turn to the great officials at court and in the provinces, the high civil and military officials, the Mongol princes and dukes, and others. On bingshen, Xu Zhenyi, having surveyed the Yongding River works, was ordered to plan them together with Li Hongzhang. An increase of forty thousand a year in the repair funds was allowed, and three hundred thousand from the Ministry's treasury were allotted for the expenses. On jihai, there was an earthquake at Kuche. The tax arrears of the places under Zhen and Di were remitted. On gengzi, the rules against abuses in the examination halls were restated. On xinchou, the Elunchun were excused from their tribute of sable. On renyin, the supplementary convention on Yunnan and Burma was concluded. Edit
In the second month, on xinhai, an edict told the great officials reading the papers of the examinations in the palace to be fair and careful in grading and selecting, and not to pass men too freely. The Tonghui River was dredged, and sluices and dams were built. On jiazi, Li Hongzhang was ordered to review the navy. On jiaxu, departments and counties were forbidden to collect taxes in advance out of season or to use illegal tortures freely. At Xu Zhenyi's request, a River Defence Bureau was set up at Lugou Bridge, and, following the established method of Qiu Yuexiu, a hundred and twenty dredging boats were provided. Edit
In the third month, on the first day, wuyin, there was an eclipse of the sun. The provincial officials were instructed not to recommend their subordinates too freely. On wuzi, an edict suspended the autumn executions. Edit
This spring, the tax arrears of the places under Xinjiang, and the fixed taxes and miscellaneous levies of the places under Yunnan, were remitted. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on wushen, bandits rose at Shaozhou and Nanxiong and were suppressed. On jiyou, the Xupu bandit chief Chen Beihai was executed. On jiayin, in the grand examination of the Hanlin Academy and the Supervisorate of Instruction, Wen Tingshi and five others were placed in the first class, and the rest were promoted or demoted in varying degrees. On xinyou, the Italian envoy Ba'erdi and others were received at the Chengguang Hall. On xinwei, Zhang Jian and others, three hundred and eleven men, were granted the jinshi degree in its several grades. On renshen, the provinces were instructed to clear their backlogs of cases appealed to the capital. Edit
In the fifth month, on dinghai, because there were many robbers in the metropolitan region, an order was given to be strict in making arrests. On wuzi, an edict said that the Imperial Resident and the Assistant Resident in Tibet might ask for an audience on completing three years in office, and this was made a rule. On dingyou: earlier, when Korea had asked for troops because of a rising of bandits, Li Hongzhang had ordered the Provincial Commander Ye Zhichao and the Brigade General Nie Shicheng to lead troops there. The emperor, fearing their strength was not enough, instructed that in pacifying a vassal state they should plan for complete safety, and must still send more troops in succession, so as to be sure of victory. On renyin, the tribute grain of Jiangsu lost at sea in transport was remitted. On yisi, Liu Mingchuan was summoned to the capital. The Commandant of the Elunchun was abolished, and the Commandant of Buteha was raised to Deputy Lieutenant-General. Edit
In the sixth month, on jiyou, an edict stopped the purchase of the ranks of circuit intendant and prefect. On guichou, there was continuous rain at the capital, and prayers were offered for clear skies. On yimao, the Japanese envoy Komura Jutaro was received at the Chengguang Hall. On wuwu, Weng Tonghe and Li Hongzao were ordered to meet with the Grand Council and the Zongli Yamen to discuss the affairs of Korea. On renxu, the navy's contributions to the throne were stopped. On yichou, an edict said: "The commuted value of Hunan's tribute grain for the capital is to be set aside for relief in Shuntian. The funds formerly kept for famine relief are also to be reported, sent and stored." All of this was to begin this year and be the rule every year. On dingmao, Liu Yongfu, Brigade General of Nan'ao, was ordered to go to Taiwan. On wuchen, Liu Jintang was summoned to the capital. On xinwei, the emperor's twentieth birthday, he came to the hall to receive congratulations and gave a banquet. Xu Yongyi was made a Grand Councillor. On renshen, Wang Fengzao, Minister to Japan, was recalled from his post and summoned home. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on the first day, yihai, Japan having invaded Korea, an edict declared war. On wuyin, Li Hanzhang was ordered to destroy the books written by Kang Zuyi, a provincial graduate of Nanhai. On jimao, an order was given to send the circuit intendant Yuan Shikai to Pyongyang to calm and settle the people. On bingchen, Tang Jingsong, Financial Commissioner of Taiwan, and Liu Yongfu, Brigade General of Nan'ao, were ordered to help Shao Youlian plan the defences. On xinsi, Li Hongzhang was instructed to expand the navy, to choose men fit to be generals with care, to train the forces thoroughly, and to make a full and careful plan and report it. On yiyou, the land rents of Binchuan and other departments and counties were remitted. On bingxu, the troops of the Shenji Battalion were ordered to guard the area near the capital, stationed at Tong Department and soon moved to the Southern Park. On wuzi, Zaiyi, Prince Duan of the Second Rank, and Jingxin were ordered to train banner troops, chosen from the Manchu Firearms Division, the Jianrui Battalion, the Eight Banner musket battalions of the Yuanming Garden and the Chinese-martial musket corps. Zaiyi soon took charge of the Shenji Battalion. An order was given to stop works that were not urgent. Wu Dacheng's request was granted that he lead the Hunan army to Korea to direct the fighting. On dingyou, relief was given for the disaster in the two counties of Huitong and Huile. On jihai, Ye Zhichao was ordered to take overall command of the armies stationed at Pyongyang. Jingxin and Wang Mingluan were both to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On guimao, the treaty between China and foreign countries for the protection of Chinese labourers was revised. Edit
In the eighth month, on bingwu, Wu Dacheng led his army out through the pass, and asked to assist in naval affairs; this was refused. On dingwei, the shidian offering to the Former Teacher was made for the first time. On jiyou, Liu Jintang died. On wuwu, honorific titles were offered to the Empress Dowager, and an edict was proclaimed extending favours in varying degrees. On renxu, because his army had long been in the field without success, Li Hongzhang was stripped of his three-eyed peacock feather and yellow riding jacket. On bingyin, a decree of the Empress Dowager issued three million from the privy purse for military needs. Song Qing, Provincial Commander of Sichuan, was ordered to assist in the military affairs of the Northern Ports. On dingmao, Guixiang, Duke Chengen, was ordered to lead the battalions of horse and foot to be stationed at Shanhai Pass. On wuchen, Zuo Baogui, commander of the Fengtian relief army and Brigade General of Gaozhou, fought the Japanese at Pyongyang and was defeated and killed. On jisi, Wu Dacheng's army was ordered to be stationed at Laoting. On gengwu, a decree of the Empress Dowager cancelled the receiving of congratulations at the Yihe Garden for her sixtieth birthday. Thirty thousand shi of rice from the capital granaries were allotted for relief of the floods in the places under Shuntian. Edit
In the ninth month, on the first day, jiaxu, a decree of the Empress Dowager recalled Yixin, Prince Gong of the First Rank, to serve in the inner court, to direct the affairs of the Zongli Yamen and the Admiralty, and to take part in managing military affairs. On yihai, Song Qing was ordered to take command of the armies of Zhili and Fengtian. Ye Zhichao was dismissed from overall command. On dingchou, Cao Kezhong, a Provincial Commander living at home, was instructed to recruit Tianjin braves to be stationed at Shanhai Pass. Wang Wenshao was summoned to the capital. Huang Shaochun was transferred to be Provincial Commander of the Yangtze Fleet. On gengchen, Wang Wenjin, Vice Minister of War, and others were ordered to organise the militia. On xinsi, the land tax on the drought-stricken fields of Xianning in Shaanxi and other places was remitted. On renwu, the naval Colonel Deng Shichang fought the Japanese at Dadonggou and was killed. On guiwei, Zhang Zhidong was summoned to the capital. On dinghai, relief was given for waterlogging in Ruichang and other counties. On wuzi, because their troops had scattered in the face of the enemy, Ye Zhichao and Wei Rugui were dismissed from command, and Nie Shicheng was given command of both armies. On gengzi, Japanese troops crossed the Yalu River. On xinchou, they took Jiuliancheng. On renyin, Changshun was ordered to lead the Jilin army to Fengtian to help in the fighting, and Fengshen to command the trained troops of the three provinces to guard the eastern border. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, jiachen, Yulu was instructed to put the war preparations of Jinzhou in order. On yisi, the Provincial Commander Tang Renlian was ordered to recruit twenty battalions of braves to defend and attack together with Ding'an and Yulu. On dingwei, an edict called the troops of Shanxi and other provinces to come to guard the capital. On wushen, an edict put Prince Gong of the First Rank in charge of military affairs, with the commanders of all the armies under his command. The princes and great officials were ordered to manage patrol defence and militia defence in their several areas, and Hu Yufen, Judicial Commissioner of Guangxi, to be stationed at Tianjin to direct supplies and pay, with leave to memorialise directly. Liu Kunyi was summoned to the capital, and Zhang Zhidong was made acting Governor-General of Liangjiang, concurrently Commissioner for the Southern Ports. Wei Rugui, Brigade General of Ningxia, was stripped of his post, arrested and put on trial for shrinking back in the face of the enemy. On jiyou, Weng Tonghe, Li Hongzao and Gangyi were all made Grand Councillors. On renzi, the Japanese took Jinzhou, and the Deputy Lieutenant-General Lianshun abandoned the city and fled. Xu Bangdao fought the Japanese and was defeated. On bingchen, relief was given to the poor along the river in Shandong, and funds were allotted for their care. On dingyou, the envoys of the various countries presented letters of state congratulating the Empress Dowager on her sixtieth birthday, and the emperor received them in the Hall of Literary Glory. On renxu, the Japanese took Xiuyan Department, and Fengsheng'a and Nie Guilin both abandoned the city and fled. E'lehebu and Zhang Zhiwan were dismissed from the Grand Council. Ding'an, for having no success in the face of the enemy, was stripped of the posts of Imperial Commissioner and Lieutenant-General of the Chinese-martial banners, while kept for the time being to manage the training of troops in the Three Eastern Provinces. Yiketang'a was stripped of his post for timidity in commanding his troops, to redeem his guilt by service. On dingmao, the Japanese attacked the dockyard at Lushun; its director Gong Zhaoyu fled to Yantai, followed by Huang Shilin, Zhao Huaiye and Wei Rucheng, and Xu Bangdao, with Zhang Guangqian, Jiang Guiti and Cheng Yunhe, fled to Fu Department to join Song Qing. Li Bingheng was instructed to guard Weihai closely. Wu Dacheng asked to take charge of the defence of Shanhai Pass himself, and, once the armies had joined, to recover Korea. An edict said: "To face a task with due fear is a clear teaching of the ancients. On no account treat it lightly, so that one day your words and deeds do not agree." Because of the loss of Lushun, Li Hongzhang was rebuked for faulty dispositions and stripped of his rank but kept in office. On renshen, Ding Ruchang was stripped of the post of Admiral, but kept in office for the time being. Song Qing asked to be punished, and was specially pardoned. An edict told the commanders of all the armies to keep strict discipline and forbade them to harass the people, any offender to be dealt with at once under military law. Ye Zhichao was stripped of his post. Edit
In the eleventh month, on the first day, guiyou, Gong Zhaoyu was stripped of his post, and soon arrested and put on trial. On jimao, because of the fall of Jinzhou, the Deputy Lieutenant-General Lianshun was stripped of his post, Cheng Zhiwei was also stripped of his, and Zhao Huaiye was arrested and sent to the capital for punishment. On gengchen, a decree of the Empress Dowager made Yixin, Prince Gong of the First Rank, a Grand Councillor again. On xinsi, the fixed tax of the flooded departments and counties of Shuntian and Zhili was remitted. On bingxu, Japan took Fu Department. On wuzi, Japanese troops gathered in the two departments of Jin and Fu. Song Qing was instructed to lead the armies into a decisive battle. Fengsheng'a and Nie Guilin fled from Xiuyan to Ximucheng; hearing that the enemy was coming, their army broke again, and the Japanese took Ximucheng. Cheng Wenbing was made Provincial Commander of the land forces. On jichou, Song Qing fought the Japanese at Haicheng and was defeated, and withdrew to hold Tianzhuangtai. On gengyin, Yiketang'a fought the Japanese at Fenghuang City, and the Imperial Guardsman Yongshan was killed. Ronglu was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On renchen, Fengsheng'a and Nie Guilin were arrested and put on trial. On guisi, Ye Zhichao and Ding Ruchang were arrested for punishment. On wuxu, the Provincial Commanders Cheng Yunhe and Zhang Guangqian and the Brigade General Jiang Guiti were stripped of their posts, all of them kept in the army to serve. Edit
In the twelfth month, on guimao, the banquets of this month at the Ziguang Pavilion and the Hall of Preserving Harmony were cancelled. The Provincial Commander Wei Rucheng was stripped of his post, arrested and put on trial. On jiachen, the Censor An Weijun, for his criticism of Li Hongzhang, was found guilty of reckless speech, stripped of his post and banished to the military post stations. Liu Kunyi was made Imperial Commissioner, with all the armies inside and outside the pass under his command. The Provincial Commander Huang Shilin was stripped of his post, arrested and put on trial. On renzi, Zhang Yinhuan and Shao Youlian were ordered to go to Japan as Plenipotentiaries to negotiate peace; they were soon recalled. On bingchen, a hundred and twenty thousand shi of Jiangsu tribute rice were allotted for spring relief in Shuntian and Zhili. On dingsi, Zhang Gaoyuan fought the Japanese at Gaiping and was defeated. The Fengtian army fought again; the Provincial Commander Yang Shoushan was killed, and the city fell. On xinyou, a decree of the Empress Dowager had Liu Kunyi stationed at Shanhai Pass to plan whether to advance or hold. Wu Dacheng was urged to lead his army out through the pass and join Song Qing in the attack. Because rice was dear near the capital, miscellaneous grains from Henan and Shandong were brought in and sold at fair prices. On guihai, Wei Rugui was beheaded. On jiazi, Song Qing and Wu Dacheng were ordered to assist in Liu Kunyi's military affairs. On yichou, a further thirty thousand shi of rice from the capital granaries were allotted for spring relief in Shuntian. On jimao, Japan took Rongcheng. On gengwu, Wang Wenshao was ordered to assist in the military affairs of the Northern Ports. Edit
This year, Korea sent tribute. Edit
Twenty-first year of Guangxu (1895)
In the twenty-first year, yiwei, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, guiyou, the banquets were suspended. On yihai, Japanese troops attacked Weihai. On dingchou, our navy fought them off the south shore and was defeated. On jimao, Wu Dacheng at last went out through the pass to inspect the army. On xinsi, Weihai fell, and its commander Dai Zongqian was killed. Nie Shicheng was instead ordered to lead his troops back inside the pass. On dinghai, an edict rebuked Li Hongzhang. On gengyin, Liugong Island fell and the fleet was destroyed; Ding Ruchang and the Brigade General Liu Buchan died. Zhang Zhidong and Songchun were instructed to guard the strategic points by land and water at Hai, Gan and Qingjiang, and to keep the canal traffic through Qing and Huai open. On xinmao, Li Hongzhang was appointed Plenipotentiary of the First Class and sent as envoy to Japan. On renchen, the envoys of the various countries were received in the Hall of Literary Glory. Tao Mo reported that households of Kashiga'er, Shache, Hetian and other places had been bought as slaves by tribes of British India, and that they should be ransomed and freed at public expense; this was approved. On bingshen, Ye Zhichao and Gong Zhaoyu were both sentenced to beheading. On jihai, Japan took Wendeng and Ninghai and pressed on Yantai. Song Qing and others fought the Japanese at Taipingshan and were defeated and fled. Edit
In the second month, on yisi, Song Qing and Wu Dacheng defeated the Japanese at Liangjiashan; the Lieutenant-Colonel Liu Yungui and the Captain Zhao Yunqi were killed in battle. Relief was given to the victims of the disaster in Jinzhou and Ningyuan. On dingwei, Nie Shicheng was ordered to take overall command of the defence forces at the sea mouths of Tianjin and Dagu. On yiyou, Japanese troops pressed on Liaoyang, and Changshun and Tang Renlian drove them back. On gengxu, Japanese troops took Niuzhuang; Wu Dacheng withdrew, and the Japanese then attacked Yingkou. On guichou, Ma Yukun defeated the Japanese at Tianzhuangtai. On jiayin, they fought again, and he was defeated. On bingchen, Japanese troops took Tianzhuangtai. Wu Dacheng fled to Jinzhou, and Song Qing withdrew to Shuangtai. On dingsi, because Wu Dacheng's army had given way and been defeated, he was sharply rebuked. On wuwu, Prince Gong of the First Rank and others memorialised for the abolition of the Admiralty. The taxes and levies of Shangyuan, Jiangning and other places and of Huai'an and other guards were remitted. Relief was given for floods in Zhili. On gengshen, troops of the Shenji Battalion were detached to be stationed at Xifeng Pass. On guihai, Wu Dacheng was ordered to give up his post as assistant in military affairs and come to the capital, and the Hunan and Hubei armies were put under Wei Guangtao. On yichou, a hundred thousand from the treasury were allotted as further relief for the victims in Ji Department and other places. On wuchen, the department magistrate Xu Qingzhang gathered the people's militia and held Liaoyang firmly, and Yulu was ordered to help him with pay and arms. On jisi, relief was given for floods in Yutian, Luan Department and Laoting. A Japanese shot at Li Hongzhang from ambush, and the bullet wounded him in the cheek. On gengwu, the Japanese attacked Penghu. Edit
In the third month, on the first day, renshen, Wu Dacheng was ordered to return to his post as Governor of Hunan. On guiyou, the Yellow River broke its banks at Gaojiazhifang in Jiyang. On yihai, Japanese troops took Penghu. On wuzi, the Provincial Commander Jiang Xiyi was stripped of his post, arrested and put on trial. On guisi, Guo Baochang was ordered to manage the defences with Liu Kunyi. On jihai, Li Hongzhang met the Japanese plenipotentiaries Ito Hirobumi and Mutsu Munemitsu in conference at Shimonoseki. A peace treaty was concluded: Korea was recognised as an independent and sovereign state; the land south of Liao, Taiwan and the islands of Penghu were ceded; an indemnity of two hundred million was to be paid for the costs of the war; more treaty ports were opened; Japanese subjects were allowed to engage in crafts and manufacturing; and troops were to be stationed for the time being at Weihai. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on wushen, rice from the capital granaries was allotted for sale at fair prices in Shuntian. On jiyou, the sea overflowed at Tianjin, and Wang Wenshao asked to be dismissed; this was refused. An edict said: "In the face of an extraordinary disaster and portent, we, sovereign and ministers, should only reform ourselves, reflect and be watchful, so as to avert the calamity sent by Heaven." The Salar Muslims of Gansu rebelled and took Xunhua, and Lei Zhengwan attacked them. On gengxu, the circuit intendants Lianfang and Wu Tingfang were ordered to go to Yantai to exchange the treaty with Japan. On yimao, an edict said: "Now that the peace treaty has been agreed, the court officials have memorialised one after another that land must not be given up and the indemnity must not be paid, and that the treaty should still be torn up and a decisive battle fought. Their words come, to be sure, from loyalty and indignation, but they do not fully understand the court's hard position. Since the war was begun in haste, we have not won a single battle. Of late the situation has grown ever more urgent: in the north the enemy could press on Liaoyang and Shenyang, and in the south could attack the capital region. Shenyang is the sacred ground of the imperial tombs, and on the capital hang the Ancestral Temple and the altars of the state. Moreover, the Empress Dowager has lived in quiet retirement for over twenty years; should her carriage and attendants be put in alarm, how could I, unworthy as I am, face myself? Add to this that Heaven has shown its warning, and a tidal wave has caused disaster, making war or defence still harder to manage. Peace and war each have their harm; we weighed the two together, and then at last made our decision. The extreme difficulties of the matter are such as those who speak have not been able to go into in detail, yet all the officials and people of the empire should understand them together. We are now about to ratify the treaty, and therefore make known the reasons for all that has been done. We, sovereign and ministers, can only hope to be of one mind in firmness and hardship, and resolutely root out long-standing abuses." On wuwu, the Grand Councillors and all the officials were instructed that peace had been made and no more memorials were to be sent arguing it. A hundred thousand shi of grain being shipped from Shandong were kept back for relief in Ninghe and other places. Yulu was ordered to meet the needs of relief in the places under Ning and Jin. On jiwei, Sun Baotian, former magistrate of Susong County, was given the rank of a chief minister of the fifth grade. On xinyou, the Dalai Lama having completed his ordination, he was given a hada scarf, a rosary and other gifts. On guihai, thirty thousand shi of Hubei tribute rice were allotted for relief in the places under Ning and Jin. On yichou, grain was sold at fair prices at the capital. Li Jingfang was made Plenipotentiary Commissioner for handing over the territory of Taiwan. On bingyin, Luo Chengxiang and others, two hundred and eighty-two men, were granted the jinshi degree in its several grades. On dingmao, Tang Jingsong was summoned to the capital. Edit
In the fifth month, on the first day, xinwei, relief was given for floods in Linzhang and other counties. On gengchen, Jiang Xiyi was sentenced to beheading. On yiyou, the emperor received the Russian minister Cassini and the French minister Gerard in the Wenhua Hall. On renchen, Japan returned to us the land south of the Liao. On dingyou, the land tax on fields struck by disaster the previous year was remitted for Xinhua in Hunan and for Ami, Baoshan and Kunming in Yunnan. Relief was given for floods and hail in Changwu and other counties. On gengzi, Tang Jingsong was retired. Edit
In the intercalary fifth month, on the first day, xinchou, twenty thousand taels from the Shandong treasury were allotted to help the relief in Fengtian. On renyin, relief was given to more than ten thousand boat households of Jiangsu and Zhejiang held up while carrying the tribute grain. On jiachen, the Grand Secretary Fukun retired. On yisi, Nie Shicheng, Provincial Commander of Zhili, was ordered to command the Huai Army stationed at Tianjin and Dagu; Wei Guangtao, Financial Commissioner of Jiangxi, to command the Zhejiang army stationed at Shanhai Pass; and Song Qing, Provincial Commander of Sichuan, to command the Yi Army stationed at Jinzhou, all of them under the direction of the Commissioner for the Northern Ports. On guichou, Wu Dacheng was dismissed. On wuwu, Yugeng, Circuit Intendant of Hui-Chao-Jia, was given the rank of a fourth-grade capital official and made Minister to Japan. On dingmao, an edict said: "Of late officials at court and in the provinces have memorialized on current affairs: building railways, minting money and printing notes, making machines, opening mines, commuting the southern tribute grain to money, reducing the numbers of troops, founding a postal service, training the army, reorganizing the navy, setting up schools. In general they hold raising funds and training troops to be the urgent business, and caring for merchants and benefiting artisans to be the root; all of these should be taken up in good time. As for putting the likin in order, strictly auditing the customs duties, inspecting waste fields and cutting superfluous officials, all of these would do much for the finances of the state and the livelihood of the people. The high officials of the provinces should each, according to their circumstances, consider and plan the means of carrying them out and report." Edit
In the sixth month, on jiaxu, Sun Yuwen was relieved of office because of illness. On dingchou, relief was given to the famine-stricken people of Rehe. On yiyou, the Grand Councillor Xu Yongyi was dismissed. Linshu was made Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall, and Kungang, Minister of Rites, Assistant Grand Secretary. Qian Yingpu was made a Grand Councillor, and Weng Tonghe and Li Hongzao were both ordered to serve concurrently in the Zongli Yamen. On wuzi, relief was given for floods in Zhongxiang and other places. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on jiachen, the Qin River burst its banks. On yisi, the river burst its banks at Xingze. On dingwei, an edict summoned Li Hongzhang to enter the Grand Secretariat and attend to business there. Wang Wenshao was made Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner for the Northern Ports. On wushen, relief was given for floods and hail in Shang Department, Qingjian and other places. On jiyou, the Song Confucian Lu Dalin was given a place among those honoured with sacrifices in the Temple of Confucius. The river burst its banks at Shouzhang and Qidong. Fengsheng'a was sent into exile at the military post stations. On wuwu, relief was given for floods in Zhen'an and other counties. On xinyou, Dexin, Governor of Jiangxi, was stripped of office for an offence. There was an earthquake at Selekuer. On renxu, because the Muslim rebels were running rampant, the Brigade General Tang Yanhe was stripped of office, and Yang Changjun and Lei Zhengwan were both stripped of rank but kept at their posts. On dingmao, the former Provincial Commander Huang Shilin, already dismissed, was sentenced to beheading. Edit
In the eighth month, on renshen, relief was given for floods in Fuchuan and Rong County. On bingzi, relief was given for floods in Jie, Wen, Xining and other departments and counties. On jimao, Liu Bingzhang, Governor-General of Sichuan, was stripped of office for failing to protect the churches. On bingxu, Qingchang, a Director in the Ministry of Works, was ordered to serve as Minister to France with the rank of a fifth-grade capital official. On guisi, the land tax on fields struck by disaster in Weiyuan, Yunnan, was remitted. Edit
In the ninth month, on gengzi, relief was given for fires in the districts under Wuzhou Prefecture. Shandong's new tribute grain was kept back to provide for disaster relief in the counties along the river. On yisi, thirty thousand shi of Hubei's winter tribute grain were kept back to provide for the relief needed in Zhongxiang and other counties. On dingwei, Wei Guangtao was ordered to lead troops to the aid of Gansu. On wushen, the labour service of Wangdu was remitted, and also half of the fixed tax on enclosed lands that had been given back, and this was made a standing rule. On jiyou, the arrears of the people of Shaanxi from the year before last were remitted, together with the money and grain taxes on land taken up by the digging of canals in Hua Department. On renzi, the emperor received the British minister O'Conor in the Wenhua Hall. On yimao, relief was given to the refugees from the places in Gansu harried by the rebels. On wuwu, relief was given for flash floods in Linxiang. Thirty thousand taels from the treasury were allotted to buy granary grain against drought in Changde and Hengzhou. On renxu, the emperor received the Dutch minister Keluobo in the Wenhua Hall. On guihai, Wu Tingfen, Assistant Director of the Imperial Clan Court, was ordered to serve concurrently in the Zongli Yamen. On bingyin, the Panchen Erdeni of Further Tibet came to the capital to pay homage at the imperial tombs and presented products of his land. There were earthquakes in Jieyang, Chaoyang, Puning and other counties. Edit
In the tenth month, on xinwei, Yang Changjun was dismissed, and Tao Mo was made acting Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu. On xinsi, Li Hongzhang and the Japanese minister exchanged the treaty for the return of Liaodong. On jiashen, Changlin and Wang Mingluan were both stripped of office for speaking wildly when summoned to audience. On jichou, the Newly Created Army was first set up, and Yuan Shikai, Circuit Intendant of Wen-Chu, was ordered to direct its training. On bingshen, the land tax on fields struck by disaster in Jiangchuan was remitted for two years. Relief was given for floods and drought in Heqing and other departments and counties. Edit
In the eleventh month, on the first day, yiyou, the breach at Zhaojiakou in Shandong was closed. On dingwei, the fixed tax on the flooded official estates of Shengjing was remitted. On wushen, eighty thousand of Henan's tribute grain commuted to money was kept back to provide for work relief in Neihuang and other counties. On jiyou, Wang Zhichun, Financial Commissioner of Hubei, was made envoy to congratulate the Russian emperor on his coronation. On gengxu, two years' land tax was remitted for the bannermen and commoners of the districts of Fengtian that had suffered from the war, together with the arrears of past years. On guichou, Liu Yongfu was relieved of office. On guihai, Li Peirong, Provincial Commander of Gansu, was stripped of office for lingering on his way to the relief of Xining. On yichou, Dong Fuxiang was transferred to be Provincial Commander of Gansu, still in overall command of the Gansu Army, with all the generals at the front placed under his control. Relief was given for flash floods in Baoshan. Edit
In the twelfth month, on wuyin, the breach at Shouzhang was closed. On gengchen, sixty thousand taels from the treasury were allotted to provide for the spring relief in Hubei. On guisi, Li Hongzhang was instead ordered to go as envoy to Russia, with Shao Youlian as his deputy. This month, the arrears of Shaanxi from the year before last, Fengtian's reed tax of the previous year and the tax grain of the official estates were remitted. Relief was given for disasters in Shengjing and Pingxiang. A hundred thousand taels each were issued from the treasury for relief of the disasters in the districts of Hunan, Yunnan and Shaanxi. Edit
Twenty-second year of Guangxu (1896)
In the twenty-second year, bingshen, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, bingshen, the banquets were suspended. On dingyou, because Li Hongzhang had been specially sent as envoy to Russia, an edict told Shao Youlian and Wang Zhichun not to go. On jihai, relief was given for floods and drought in Changsha and other prefectures. On yimao, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries in the Wenhua Hall. On gengshen, Feng Zicai was ordered to return to Guangdong and direct the defences of Qinzhou and Lianzhou. Edit
In the second month, on gengwu, the Commandant of the Olot troops of Ta'erbahatai was moved to be stationed at Bulunbulake, and the Commandant of the Chahar battalions of Yili to be stationed at Boluotala. On renshen, discussion began of joining the other countries in a postal union. The Longzhou railway was begun. Liu Mingchuan died. On dinghai, there was a fire at the Ministry of Revenue. Edit
In the third month, on wuxu, E'lehebu retired. On guimao, Hangzhou was opened as a trading port. On dingwei, Wang Wenshao and Zhang Zhidong were ordered to direct the building of the Lu-Han Railway. On xinyou, the Muslim rebels spied on Zhuledusi. On guihai, Dong Fuxiang was ordered to be stationed at Xining, charged solely with suppressing and pacifying the rebels, and Wei Guangtao to return to be stationed at Hezhou; soon after, Wei was ordered back to his post as Governor of Shaanxi. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on renshen, there was a fire at Pusading on Mount Wutai. On yihai, the summer grain tax struck by disaster in Kunming and Qiubei was remitted. On xinsi, Ronglu was ordered to go to Tianjin to inspect the Newly Created Army. On wuzi, Kungang was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall, and Ronglu, Minister of War, Assistant Grand Secretary. Edit
In the fifth month, on dingyou, an edict ordered Li Bingheng to look into the grain and land taxes of the departments and counties and to reduce what had been over-collected. The fixed tax struck by disaster in En'an was remitted. On xinchou, there was a fire at the Temple of Confucius in Zhengzhou. This month, the emperor several times attended the Empress Dowager to the residence of Prince Chun to see the consort in her illness. On guimao, the consort of Prince Chunxian of the First Rank, of the Yehe Nara clan, died. Court was suspended for eleven days, and the emperor attended the Empress Dowager to the residence to see her laid in her coffin, and the day after went again to make offerings. A decree of the Empress Dowager said that since the consort of Prince Chunxian had passed away, she should be called "the emperor's birth mother". On yisi, the emperor put on mourning. On renzi, the arrears of Anhui of past years were remitted. On jiazi, the sable tribute of the Elunchun hunters was put off. Edit
In the sixth month, on bingyin, an edict ordered Kuishun to give relief to the Mongol people of Qinghai. On dingmao, the river burst its banks at Lijin. On wuchen, the salt-works levies and salt taxes owed for years by the salt works of Zhejiang were remitted. On gengwu, relief was given for storms in Zhejiang. On renshen, the golden coffin of the consort of Prince Chunxian was moved, and the emperor went in person to see it off. On jiaxu, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager to Prince Chun's garden residence to make offerings before the consort's golden coffin. On jimao, an edict ordered the reorganization of the Yangtze River fleet. On renwu, Yulu was ordered to serve concurrently as Commissioner of the Navy Yard. On bingxu, the tribesmen of Songpan rose in revolt, and the government troops put them down. On dinghai, at the request of the princes and ministers, the training office of the Shenji Battalion was allowed to train troops on the Western model. On xinmao, the Yongding River overflowed. This month, relief was given for the flooding by the sea at Dadonggou and for flash floods in Anhui and Hubei. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on the first day, jiawu, there was an eclipse of the sun. On dingyou, there were floods in the districts in the southeast of Shuntian, and Sun Jianai and others were ordered to make speedy provision for the relief. On yisi, a hundred thousand shi of the southern tribute grain were kept back at Tianjin to provide for relief. Edit
In the eighth month, on yichou, since the Muslim rebels inside and outside the passes were gradually being put down, an edict ordered Tao Mo and Dong Fuxiang to settle those who had surrendered and to hunt down the rebels who remained. On jisi, the Sichuan army, attacking Zhandui, took one strategic pass after another and pressed on to Central Zhandui. On gengchen, an edict to Lu Chuanlin said: "The use of troops in Zhandui is only a temporary measure. Whether native officials are to be set up again once the matter is settled must be considered again with care. You are not to treat the lamas harshly on this account and so give rise to other troubles; take great care not to act rashly." On jichou, an edict ordered that the Ministry of Justice should conclude its trials quickly and not let them drag on. On renchen, the provinces were forbidden to use unlawful tortures at will. Edit
In the ninth month, on bingshen, Fukun died. The arrears of Shaanxi from the year before last were remitted. On jihai, there was a plague of insects at the Eastern Tombs. On bingwu, Sheng Xuanhuai was granted the rank of a fourth-grade capital official. Before this, Wang Wenshao and Zhang Zhidong had asked for a general company of the China Merchants' Steam Navigation to be set up, and had put forward Sheng Xuanhuai to direct it. Now the decree came down, and he was also allowed to memorialize directly. The Grand Secretary Zhang Zhiwan retired. On dingwei, the emperor received the German minister Heyking and the Belgian minister Feige in the Wenhua Hall. On gengxu, Li Hongzhang was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On guichou, Li Bingheng reported that he had surveyed the mouth of the Yellow River and proposed to dig a new channel from the east bank of the old Yellow River, leading it back into the old course to the sea. An edict told him to carry it out on a large scale, aiming to settle the matter once and for all, so as to be worthy of the trust placed in him. Edit
This autumn, relief was given for floods in Henan, Fengtian, Hubei, Anhui, Shandong, Shanxi, Jilin and Heilongjiang, for flash floods in Hunan, for floods and hail in Shaanxi and Gansu, for locusts and hail in Xinjiang, and for storms on the seas off Guangdong. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, renxu, relief was given for the floods of the Yangtze and the Han in Hubei. On guihai, winter relief was carried out in Hezhou. On jiazi, four more customs houses were set up, at Suzhou, Hangzhou, Shashi and Simao. On bingyin, an edict ordered Tao Mo to choose honest, clear-sighted and worthy officials to bring the Han and the Muslims into harmony; where disputes arose now and then, they were to judge them solely by right and wrong, weighing feeling and reason to keep things even; and he was to give relief, each according to its case, to the areas that had suffered from the war. In rewarding the merit of putting down the Muslims, Dong Fuxiang was given the hereditary rank of Qiduwei, Tao Mo was made Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu and Rao Yingqi Governor of Xinjiang, Kuishun and Wei Guangtao were recorded for generous reward, and the others were reviewed and recorded by degree. On jiaxu, the breach in the Yongding River was closed. On wuyin, it was settled that a consul would be set up in Korea: no treaty would be made, no envoy sent and no letter of state presented, but one consul-general would be stationed in its capital. On gengchen, Yang Ru, Censor-in-Chief of the Left, was ordered to serve as Minister to Russia, Austria and the Netherlands; the Circuit Intendant Luo Fenglu as Minister to Britain, Italy and Belgium; Huang Zunxian as Minister to Germany; and Wu Tingfang as Minister to the United States, Spain and Peru. On guiwei, the autumn tax and miscellaneous levies of Wuqing and other departments and counties were remitted. On yiyou, relief was given for floods in Hua Department and other places. On jichou, Xu Tong was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall, and Li Hongzao, Minister of Rites, Assistant Grand Secretary. Edit
In the eleventh month, on wushen, the winter solstice, the emperor sacrificed to Heaven at the Circular Mound. On jiyou, the court congratulations were dispensed with. On xinhai, the taxes and levies of the disaster-struck places of Hezhou, Taozhou and elsewhere were remitted. On dingsi, Xu Jingcheng, Vice Minister of Works, was ordered to serve as Minister to Germany. This month, relief was given for floods in Shandong and Sichuan. Edit
In the twelfth month, on yichou: earlier, Lu Chuanlin had memorialized several times that Zhandui should be suppressed, proposing that once it was recovered, Han officials should be set up in place of the native ones. The emperor, fearing to lose the goodwill of the Dalai Lama, ordered Lu Chuanlin, Wenhai and others to discuss it in detail. Now they memorialized setting out how the people of Zhandui were turning to civilization and how the Tibetans were overawed. An edict therefore ordered that the Dalai Lama be earnestly advised and guided, in the hope that keeping Tibet secure and keeping Sichuan secure would neither stand in the way of the other. Relief was given for disasters in Dongxiang and other districts of Sichuan. On bingzi, the grain tax of the villages and hamlets of Liaoyang and the grain arrears of Suide and other departments and counties were remitted. Edit
Twenty-third year of Guangxu (1897)
In the twenty-third year, dingyou, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, xinmao, the banquets were suspended. On dingyou, the arrears of Shandong from the first years of Guangxu were remitted. On xinhai, Hubei's tribute rice was kept back for work relief. On yimao, the emperor received the ministers of the United States, France, Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Japan, Spain and Austria in the Wenhua Hall. Edit
In the second month, on renxu, Zhang Yinhuan, Vice Minister of Revenue, was ordered to go as envoy to Britain. On gengwu, the river burst its banks at Licheng and Zhangqiu. On jimao, Chongli and Xu Yingkui were ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. Edit
In the third month, on guisi, an edict ordered superfluous troops to be cut. On jiachen, a decree of the Empress Dowager issued a hundred thousand taels from the palace treasury for relief in Sichuan and fifty thousand for relief in Hubei, and a further hundred thousand taels from the state treasury for additional relief in the three districts of Kui, Sui and Zhong in Sichuan. On xinhai, the land tax on flooded fields in Tongren and Qingxi was remitted. On dingsi, a commissioner at Haishenwei [Vladivostok] was first appointed. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on yihai, Li Bingheng memorialized to reduce the money and tribute grain taxes of Shandong. Edit
In the fifth month, on bingshen, an edict allowed the Gun'gazhalacan Hutuketu Jiamubatuduopu to be reborn as the Hutuketu of the Chenghua Monastery at Bayingou. On jiachen, Zhang Zhiwan died and was posthumously made Grand Guardian. On dingwei, the emperor went to the tomb garden of his birth mother, the consort of Prince Chunxian of the First Rank, and on the anniversary put off mourning. On renzi, Lu Haihuan was given the rank of a fourth-grade capital official and made Minister to the two countries of Germany and the Netherlands. Edit
In the sixth month, on jimao, relief was given for floods in Chongyang and other counties. Edit
This summer, the emperor received the Austrian minister Czikann, the Russian envoy Wu'ertamusike, the British minister MacDonald and the Japanese minister Yano Fumio in the Wenhua Hall. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on gengyin, Li Hongzao died. On bingshen, Liao Shouheng was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On xinchou, the late Lei Zhengwan, Provincial Commander of Guyuan in Shaanxi, was restored to his former office. On jiachen, the twenty-four monasteries of the Minzhou Guard were excused from presenting mules, and their tribute of horses was put off. On jiayin, a hill at Pudong village in Pingyao sank into the ground. Edit
In the eighth month, on jisi, there was an earthquake at Jingxi. On renshen, Weng Tonghe, Minister of Revenue, was made Assistant Grand Secretary. On guiwei, the ban on the Baoerji mine of the Zhahaqin in Kebuduo was lifted, and Mongols and Han were allowed to work it. On yiyou, because Lu Chuanlin had handled the native chieftain of De'ergete wrongly, the proposal to replace the native chieftain with regular officials was dropped, and the chieftain Angweng Jiangbai Renqing and his family were released and sent back to De'ergete to manage the chieftain's affairs as before. Edit
In the ninth month, on wuzi, Lu Chuanlin was dismissed. On jichou, the troops were ordered to withdraw from De'ergete. On wuxu, the emperor received the Norwegian minister Baigu in the Wenhua Hall. On jiachen, the Dalai Lama asked for the land of Zhandui to be returned. An edict ordered Gongshou and others to discuss it together and report. On bingwu, the breach at Lijin was closed. On yimao, the late Yang Changjun, Governor-General of Shaanxi and Gansu, was restored to office. Edit
This autumn, relief was given for hail and floods in Shaanxi, for floods in Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Anhui, Yunnan and Guizhou, and for locusts in Xinjiang. Edit
In the tenth month, on wuwu, Shi Nianzu, Governor of Guangxi, was stripped of office over an affair. On renshen, bandits of Caozhou murdered German missionaries, and Li Bingheng was ordered to investigate. On wuyin, Germany sent warships into Jiao'ao. On renwu, the fixed tax struck by disaster in Laoting and other departments and counties was remitted. This month, relief was given for storms in Guangdong, hail in Shaanxi, and floods in Hunan and Jiangnan. Edit
In the eleventh month, on xinmao, thirty thousand shi of tribute rice from Jiangbei were allotted to provide for relief in the districts of Xuzhou and Haizhou. On jiawu, an edict dropped the proposal to replace the native chieftains of the three Zhan with regular officials, and they remained under the Dalai Lama. On xinchou, an edict ordered the famine-stricken people of the districts of Jiangsu to be settled and soothed. On dingwei, the British minister MacDonald came to audience. On guichou, the winter solstice, the emperor sacrificed to Heaven at the Circular Mound. On jiayin, the court congratulations were dispensed with. The bandits in the banners of the Zhaowuda League were put down. Edit
In the twelfth month, on jiazi, the river burst its banks at Lijin. On jisi, the rent on waterlogged land in An Department was remitted. On yihai, the wild tribesmen of Sanyan submitted, and a native chiliarch was set up instead, under Batang. The proposal to replace the two native chieftains of Zhuwo and Zhanggu with regular officials was dropped. On wuyin, an edict ordered the provinces to protect churches and missionaries. The fixed tax of Didao, Bayanrongge and other places was remitted. Edit
Twenty-fourth year of Guangxu (1898)
In the twenty-fourth year, wuxu, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, yiyou, there was an eclipse of the sun. The New Year's Day homage was moved to the Qianqing Palace, and the banquet for the imperial kinsmen was suspended. On wuzi, an edict ordered the high officials of the provinces to settle on plans for raising funds and training troops and to report speedily. On gengyin, the rules for the special examination in statecraft and the annual recommendations were fixed. Officials at court and in the provinces were ordered to recommend men fit for the special examination. On yiwei, the summer grain tax struck by drought in Jianshui was remitted. On jiyou, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries in the Wenhua Hall. On renzi, the summer grain tax of Shiping and Kunming was remitted. Edit
In the second month, on jiazi, Liao Shouheng was ordered to serve as a probationary Grand Councillor. On bingyin, the silver paid in place of tribute horses by the Alike tribe of Qinghai was remitted. On yisi, ten thousand shi of tribute rice from Jiangbei were kept back for relief of the disaster in Xuzhou. On dingchou, the Shenji Battalion was ordered to select and train a vanguard corps. On gengchen, an edict ordered that the military examinations should test firearms and cannon instead, and that writing out the military classics from memory should stop. Edit
In the third month, on dinghai, an edict ordered charity granaries to be set up. On wuzi, the Russian minister Pavlov came to audience. On yisi, the fixed tax of the flooded places of Xinhua was remitted. This month, Beidaihe to Qinwangdao in Zhili, Yuezhou in Hunan, and Sandu'ao in Fujian were opened as ports. Edit
In the intercalary third month, on yimao, Zhang Zhidong was summoned to the capital. On bingchen, Linshu died. On gengshen, because Germans had entered the Temple of Confucius at Jimo and destroyed the images of the sages and worthies, the matter was sent to the Zongli Yamen to investigate. On yichou, the emperor went to the residence of Prince Gong to see him in his illness. On jiaxu, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager to the drill ground of the Outer Firearms Battalion and reviewed the drill of the three battalions, Firearms, Jianrui and Shenji, and of the new Wusheng corps, over three days. On dingchou, because churches had been burned at Shashi in Hubei, an edict ordered Zhang Zhidong back to his post. Relief continued for the disasters in Xuzhou and Haizhou. On wuyin, the emperor received the German prince Henry in the Yulan Hall. On jimao, he returned to the palace. The fixed tax struck by drought in Xinxing was remitted. On gengchen, the emperor received the French minister Pichon in the Wenhua Hall. On renwu, there were disasters in Fengyang, Yingzhou and Sizhou in Anhui. Edit
This spring, Jiaozhou Bay was leased to Germany, and Lushun, Dalian Bay and the Liaodong peninsula to Russia. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on renchen, Yixin, Prince Gong of the First Rank, died. Court was suspended for five days and plain clothing worn for fifteen days, and the emperor went to his residence and made offerings. A decree of the Empress Dowager specially gave him the posthumous name Zhong. More households were set up to guard his tomb garden, and officials were to manage each sacrifice. His grandson, Beile Puwei, succeeded to the title. On jiawu, a decree of the Empress Dowager said that since the merit of Prince Gongzhong of the First Rank lay in the altars of the state, he should share in the sacrifices of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. An edict told officials at court and in the provinces to take Prince Gongzhong as their model, each to pour out his loyal devotion, and together to see the times through their troubles. On jihai, Ronglu was made Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Hall, and Gangyi, Minister of War, Assistant Grand Secretary. On yisi, an edict fixed the course of the state, saying: "All ministers great and small, at court and in the provinces, from the princes and dukes down to the scholars and commoners, should each rouse themselves and strive to be strong. Let them root themselves in the learning of the principles of the sages and worthies, and at the same time draw widely on those parts of Western learning that suit the times, studying them in earnest, so as to become men of broad understanding able to meet change. The Imperial University of the capital is to lead the provinces, and above all should be set up first. Let the Grand Councillors and the princes and ministers deliberate on it properly and quickly and report." On bingwu, an edict ordered the provinces to set up commercial bureaus. Xia Tonghe and three hundred and forty-one others were granted the degree of jinshi in their several classes. On jiyou, Weng Tonghe was dismissed. Princes and dukes of the imperial clan were chosen and sent to travel abroad: the princes, beile and others of the near branches were to be examined by the emperor himself, and the dukes and below and the clansmen without office were to be recommended by the Imperial Clan Court. Wang Wenshao was summoned to the capital. The Office for Directing Military Affairs was abolished. On gengxu, the emperor summoned to audience Kang Youwei, a Secretary in the Ministry of Works, and made him a secretary of the Zongli Yamen. On xinhai, the Dalai Lama of Hither Tibet presented products of his land. Edit
In the fifth month, on the first day, guichou, an edict ordered the army to change to drilling in the foreign manner, with battalion officers who had completed their training to drill them, sent in the north from the Newly Created Army and in the south from the Self-Strengthening Army. The high provincial officials were given six months to set out plans for combining pay, training troops and the places where they would be stationed, and to report. As for weapons, rifles and cannon, the machine bureaus of the provinces were to fix their patterns and strive to make them with precision. On jiayin, relief was given for fire in Qixia. On dingsi, an edict ordered that from the next examination onward, the provincial, metropolitan, annual and qualifying examinations, which had used the Four Books essay, should test policy essays instead. Sun Jianai, Minister of Personnel, was made Assistant Grand Secretary, and Wang Wenshao, Minister of Revenue, was made a Grand Councillor and ordered to serve concurrently in the Zongli Yamen. Ronglu was made Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner for the Northern Ports. On gengshen, Sheng Xuanhuai was urged to begin work on the Lu-Han Railway without delay, and also to start the Canton-Hankou, Nanjing-Shanghai and other lines. On jiazi, an edict merged the annual recommendations in statecraft into the regular examinations, and ordered the annual and qualifying examinations all to change to policy essays at once without waiting for the next year. On dingmao, an edict founded the Imperial University of the capital, with Sun Jianai to manage it. The provincial graduate Liang Qichao was granted sixth-grade rank to run the Translation Bureau. On wuchen, an edict ordered the promotion of the study of agriculture. The edict said: "To revive all affairs, the first thing is to encourage men of talent. Where scholars and commoners of the provinces have written new books, or devised new methods or made new instruments that are of practical use, rewards should be offered to encourage them. They may be tried in real office, or granted insignia and robes. For the instruments they make, they are to be given a certificate allowing them the sole right to sell them for a fixed number of years. Those who by their own means found schools, open up the land's resources or build factories for rifles and cannon are likewise to be rewarded as for military merit." On xinwei, the grain tax on flooded fields in Luquan was remitted. On guiyou, an edict ordered that in all the battalions of the two wings of the Eight Banners, half the men should change to training with foreign rifles and jingals. Yikuang and others were put in charge of the Vanguard Battalion, and Chongli and others of the Guards Battalion. On jiaxu, an edict ordered the academies in all the districts of the provinces to be changed into schools teaching both Chinese and Western learning, the academies of the provincial capitals to be higher schools, those of the prefectures middle schools, and those of the departments and counties primary schools; the local charity schools and community schools likewise. On yihai, Yulu was made a Grand Councillor. On bingzi, an edict ordered the departments and counties of the provinces to protect churches in earnest. On dingchou, capital officials of the third grade and above, and the governors-general, governors and education commissioners of the provinces, were ordered to recommend men fit for the special examination in statecraft. Regulations were issued for rewarding scholars and commoners who wrote books, made instruments or started new undertakings. Officials at court and in the provinces were ordered to recommend men of talent in manufacture, navigation, acoustics, optics, chemistry and electricity. On wuyin, an edict ordered the provinces to protect commerce. The fixed tax struck by disaster the previous year in Haikang and Suixi was remitted. Relief was given for floods and hail in Chang'an and other departments and counties. Edit
In the sixth month, on the first day, guiwei, an edict revised the new regulations for the civil examinations. On bingxu, relief was given for the disasters in Xuzhou and Haizhou. On jichou, an edict issued Zhang Zhidong's Exhortation to Learning and ordered the provinces to print and circulate it. Kang Youwei was ordered to direct the official gazette. On renchen, Ronglu was ordered to direct the Lu-Han Railway together with Zhang Zhidong. Bandits and secret society rebels of Yulin and Wuzhou joined together in revolt and took the three counties of Rong, Xingye and Luchuan; the government troops put them down. On bingshen, Rao Yingqi presented the tribute gold of the Muslim tribes. On dingyou, the officials of the Hanlin Academy and the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction, and the supervising and circuit censors, were ordered to be summoned to audience in turn. Officials of the ministries and courts might set out current affairs point by point, to be presented for them by the heads of their offices. Scholars and commoners might submit letters on affairs. A General Bureau of Mines and Railways was set up in the capital, with Wang Wenshao and Zhang Yinhuan in sole charge. On gengzi, Hunan set up two factories to make rifles and cannon. On xinchou, relief was given for fire in Ningqiang and for floods and hail in Xunyang and other counties. On guimao, Wu Tingfang was ordered to give relief to the Chinese in Cuba. On yisi, an edict said: "The times are hard, and we must urgently seek the means to make ourselves strong. Officials at court and in the provinces cling to the old rules; we have already ordered them to study current affairs and not to fall into the ingrained habits of the Song and Ming, and have admonished them again and again. But the essential business of renewal is vast in its beginnings and many in its items, and we cannot but gather the strengths of many and settle on what is right among them. In the matters sent to you for deliberation, you ministers should consult widely and inquire broadly, and discuss them in detail. Do not dress things up with the learning of the classics or force ancient meanings onto them; do not cling to fixed opinions or secretly serve your own ends. If you comply to our face but oppose us in your hearts, and so lose the court's true purpose of seeking truth from facts, that is not what we hope for. We have thought deeply on the principle that when things reach their limit they must change, and by changing endure; in founding all these things we truly have the painful purpose of one who has no other choice. We therefore charge you ministers again: let each of you make his heart pure and clear, and strive to remove obstruction and concealment, so that above and below are moved by one sincerity; then the course of the state may be fixed, and the way of government flourish more and more." An edict ordered the Commissioners for the Southern and Northern Ports to plan schools for the navy and for railways and mines. An edict ordered the provinces to open many treaty ports. Huang Zunxian was ordered to serve as Minister in Korea with the rank of a third-grade capital official. Edit
This summer, the Kowloon peninsula in Guangdong and Weihaiwei in Shandong were both leased to Britain. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on jiayin, an edict stopped the court examination of new jinshi and abolished the test of poetry and rhapsodies. Relief was given for the disasters in the counties of Fengtian harried by bandits. On bingchen, an edict set up a General Bureau of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce in the capital, with Duanfang, Xu Jianyin and Wu Maoding to direct it, all given the rank of a third-grade minister. The ministers abroad were ordered to set up schools for Chinese residents in Britain, the United States, Japan and other countries. On dingsi, the river burst its banks on its upper and middle course in Shandong, flooding Jiyang and five other counties at once. On jiwei, an edict fixed the fifteenth day of the ninth month for the emperor to attend the Empress Dowager to Tianjin to review the troops. The Superintendent of the Shashi customs, the Circuit Intendant of Jing-Yi-Shi and the magistrate of Jiangling County were all moved to be stationed at Shashi town. On renxu, relief was given for floods in Nanyang. On yichou, an edict abolished the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction, the Office of Transmission, and the Court of Judicial Review, the Court of Imperial Entertainments, the Court of the Imperial Stud and the Court of State Ceremonial, merging their business into the Grand Secretariat and the Ministries of Rites, War and Justice to handle along with their own. The Governors of Hubei, Guangdong and Yunnan were abolished, their business to be handled by the Governors-General. The Director-General of the Yellow River in Hedong was merged into the Governor of Henan. The grain intendants and salt intendants of the provinces were abolished as well. On gengwu, for blocking the channels of speech and being the first to defy the edicts, the Ministers of Rites Huaitabu and Xu Yingkui and the Vice Ministers Kunxiu, Xu Huifeng, Puting, Zeng Guanghan and others were stripped of office. Wang Zhao, the Secretary who had submitted the letter, was granted the rank of a fourth-grade capital official. On xinwei, Zeng Guofan's Matters for Clearing Lawsuits in Departments and Counties and his regulations on merits and demerits were issued to the provinces, with merits and demerits added for circuit intendants and prefects. An edict ordered the rivers, channels and ditches of the capital to be dredged and its roads levelled and repaired. An edict ordered the provinces to put the militia into effect. Yang Rui, a Reader of the Grand Secretariat, Lin Xu, a Secretary of the Grand Secretariat, Liu Guangdi, a Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, and Tan Sitong, a prefect of Jiangsu, were all granted the rank of a fourth-grade minister and made to take part in the new policies. Relief was given for floods in Jianshui. On guiyou, Li Hongzhang was removed from serving in the Zongli Yamen. Yulu was made Minister of Rites and ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On yihai, ministers of the third, fourth and fifth grades and academicians of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades were created. On bingzi, relief was given for floods in Taihe. On dingchou, Yuan Shikai was summoned to the capital. An edict said: "The state is reviving all its affairs and also taking up Western methods, truly because in setting up government for the people China and the West are the same, and Western methods can make up for what we lack. Now the scholar-officials, blind to what lies beyond our borders, keep saying that over there they have no rules or teachings at all. They do not know that Western government, in all its many affairs, is in the main directed at opening the people's minds and enriching their persons and families. The finest of it can even improve their nature and lengthen their lives. The benefits for the living it extends and spreads, leaving nothing out. We toil day and night to change all our institutions; is this from a love of novelty? It is that we cherish our children the people, who are all given us by Heaven and left to us by our ancestors, and unless we make them all healthy, happy, harmonious and close, we have not done our duty. Besides, the countries all around press upon us and bully us, and unless we take what others do well, we cannot keep whole what we have. Our purpose is most earnest, and yet the common people still do not know it. This is because unworthy officials and scholars who cling to the old cannot spread our meaning widely. It has come to the point where they stir up idle talk, and the common people are shaken, confused and frightened, and there are people with their staffs in the mountain valleys who have never heard of the new policies; we truly sigh and grieve over it. Now we proclaim the meaning of the reform of laws to the whole realm, so that the people may all understand our heart and all know that their sovereign can be relied upon. If high and low are of one heart in carrying out the new policies and making China strong, our hopes will be more than fulfilled." An edict ordered the provinces to abolish the courier stations and set up a postal service. The ban on exporting rice and grain was made strict. Edit
In the eighth month, on the first day, renwu, the Ministry of Revenue was ordered to compile and issue tables of the annual revenue and expenditure. An edict ordered the ministers abroad to summon Chinese residents and send them home to be ready for employment. Yuan Shikai was ordered to wait for appointment as Vice Minister and to take sole charge of training troops. On bingxu, the emperor received the Japanese marquis Ito Hirobumi and the acting minister Hayashi Gonsuke in the Qinzheng Hall. Relief was given for floods in Shehong and other counties and for floods and hail in Lueyang and other counties. On dinghai, the Empress Dowager again sat behind the screen in a side hall to instruct the government. An edict said that Kang Youwei had formed a faction for private ends and disordered the government with wicked words; he was stripped of office, and he and his brother Guangren were both to be arrested and put in prison. Youwei escaped. On wuzi, an edict ordered the arrest of Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao. On gengyin, Zhang Yinhuan, Vice Minister of Revenue, Xu Zhijing, Reader-Expositor of the Hanlin Academy, the Censor Yang Shenxiu, and Yang Rui, Lin Xu, Liu Guangdi and Tan Sitong were all arrested and put in prison as members of Kang Youwei's faction. On xinmao, the emperor declared himself ill, and doctors were sought throughout the realm. Ronglu was summoned to the capital. Wen Tingshi was ordered to be arrested, and Sun Wen to be hunted down. On renchen, an edict set up again the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction, the Office of Transmission, and the Court of Judicial Review, the Court of Imperial Entertainments, the Court of the Imperial Stud and the Court of State Ceremonial. Officials and commoners were forbidden to send in sealed memorials on their own. The official gazette of current affairs was stopped. The shrines and temples of the provinces were not to be turned into schools. Xu Yongyi, Vice Minister of Personnel, was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On guisi, eighty thousand shi of the Jiangsu tribute grain were allotted to be commuted to money to provide for relief in Xuzhou and Haizhou. Relief was given for floods in Gaozhou. On jiawu, Yang Shenxiu, Yang Rui, Lin Xu, Liu Guangdi, Tan Sitong and Kang Guangren were all beheaded. Zhang Yinhuan was banished to Xinjiang. Xu Zhijing was imprisoned for life. Ronglu was made a Grand Councillor. Yulu was made Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner for the Northern Ports. On yiwei, because Kang Youwei had committed great treason and impiety and contrived and stirred up a plot, a vermilion edict was issued to proclaim it to the officials. The tour to Tianjin to review the drill was cancelled. Ronglu was ordered to take charge of the business of the Ministry of War and also to command the armies of the Northern Ports and Song Qing's army. On dingyou, the households of Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao were confiscated. Zhao Shuqiao was ordered to direct the General Bureau of Mines and Railways together with Wang Wenshao. An edict ordered that the new tribute grain of Jiangsu and Zhejiang be shipped to the capital, and dropped the proposal to commute it to money. Shandong's new tribute rice was kept back to provide for relief. On wuxu, Yuan Chang was granted the rank of a third-grade capital official and ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On gengzi, Li Duanfen was stripped of office for reckless recommendations and banished to Xinjiang. Wang Zhao was stripped of office, his household confiscated and he ordered to be arrested. On xinchou, the former Censor Wenti was granted the post of prefect. On renyin, Huang Zunxian was relieved of office because of illness, and Li Shengduo was granted the rank of a fourth-grade capital official and made Minister to Japan. Chen Baozhen was removed from his post as Governor of Hunan for reckless recommendations. On guimao, an edict ordered the high provincial officials to put the conduct of officials in order, cultivate men of talent, open sources of revenue, prepare the military, recommend and impeach the local magistrates, and bring order to the rules of the camps. An edict ordered the officials charged with remonstrance to point out the gains and losses in the affairs of the state, and those who confused right and wrong or made a business of attacking others would be punished. On yisi, a decree of the Empress Dowager restored the old system of the provincial and metropolitan examinations and the annual and qualifying examinations, abolished the special examination in statecraft, and abolished the Bureau of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce. On bingwu, Duanfang presented the Songs Exhorting Goodness he had compiled, and an edict issued them. A decree of the Empress Dowager ordered the high provincial officials to protect the livelihood of the people, choose upright and good officials with care, and put the baojia and the militia in order. In water control and sericulture, and in manufacture and trade, all that the people depend on for profit, they were to instruct the people as occasion required. The ban on joining names and forming societies was proclaimed again. Ronglu was made Imperial Commissioner. On jiyou, Yulu was ordered to help direct the Lu-Han and other railways. Water conservancy bureaus were set up at Shanghai and Hankou. Edit
In the ninth month, on the first day, xinhai, a decree of the Empress Dowager said that all measures of government that concerned the affairs of the state and the livelihood of the people, whether new or old, were still to be carried out in their order. The memorials of the officials who offered advice must be of use to the times, and they were not to guess wildly at what was wanted. On guichou, two hundred thousand taels were issued from the palace treasury for relief of the floods in Shandong. There were earthquakes in Gansu and Xinjiang. On dingsi, the bandits of Guangxi were put down. On jiwei, the Grand Councillors were ordered to discuss plans for controlling the river with the Grand Secretaries and the ministries and courts. On xinyou: before this, in cases of robbery with violence, no distinction had been made between the leaders and the followers. Now the Grand Councillors and the judicial offices were ordered to discuss in detail how to distinguish them. There was an earthquake in Dai Department. On renxu, the arrears of taxes in Xianning and other places in Shaanxi were remitted. On wuchen, the old system of the military provincial and metropolitan examinations and the boys' examinations was restored, except that the military jinshi employed in the battalions and the military juren who joined the garrisons were ordered to train with rifles and cannon. The Governors of Hubei, Guangdong and Yunnan and the Director-General of the Yellow River in Hedong were set up again. The abolition of the grain intendants and other posts was cancelled. On jisi, Xu Jingcheng was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On jiaxu, the old system of sending criminal cases up for review was restored; except in provinces with military operations and in cases of great gravity, where execution on the spot was still allowed, it was not to be done. On bingzi, Hu Yufen was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On jimao, building at the Fuzhou Shipyard was stopped for the time being. On gengchen, Li Hongzhang was ordered to go and survey the Yellow River in Shandong. This month, relief was given for disasters in Zhili, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Yunnan, Shanxi, Xinjiang and other provinces. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, xinsi, offerings were made at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, with Shiduo, Prince Li of the First Rank, performing them in the emperor's place. After this, the sacrifices at the suburban altars and the temple were all performed by deputies, until in the winter of the year xinchou the emperor returned to the capital from Xi'an and first went in person again. On bingxu, the Circuit Intendant Zhang Yi was ordered to direct the mining affairs of Zhili and Rehe and to set up a company. Relief was given for disasters in the districts of Shuntian. On bingshen, relief was given for disasters in Hancheng and other counties. On jihai, the Ministry of Revenue was ordered to allot eighty thousand taels from the treasury to provide for relief in Anhui. On xinchou, Weng Tonghe was retroactively stripped of office. The former Governor of Hunan Wu Dacheng was stripped of rank over an affair. The breach at Jiyang was closed. On renyin, rewards were offered for the capture of Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao and Wang Zhao. On jiachen, at Ronglu's request, the forces under Song Qing, Nie Shicheng, Yuan Shikai and Dong Fuxiang were made into four separate armies, and ten thousand more men were recruited to be the Central Army. On yisi, the emperor received the Russian minister Giers in the Qinzheng Hall. Hu Yufen was ordered to direct the Tianjin-Zhenjiang Railway, with Zhang Yi as his deputy. On dingwei, relief was given for floods and hail in Luoping. Edit
In the eleventh month, on guichou, an edict ordered Zhang Rumei to handle the disaster relief in Shandong. Guichun was granted the rank of a third-grade capital official and ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On jiayin, Qixiu was made a Grand Councillor, and Zhao Shuqiao and Lianyuan were both ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On dingsi, Henan's tribute grain commuted to money was kept back at Hua County to provide for relief. Two hundred thousand taels from the treasury were allotted to Jiangsu to provide for relief. On jisi, Puliang was ordered to inspect the relief in Shandong. On gengwu, Yugeng was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On xinwei, the high provincial officials were all ordered to hold concurrently the title of Minister of the Zongli Yamen. On renshen, relief was given for floods and locusts in Tulufan and other places. On dingchou, because the emperor declared himself ill, the New Year's session in the throne hall and the banquets were stopped. On wuyin, the Trained Army of Zhili was disbanded. Edit
In the twelfth month, on bingxu, Zeng He, Governor of Hubei, was relieved of office over an affair. On guisi, Ma Yukun was ordered to go to Henan to take charge of defence and suppression. Hu Yufen was removed as director of the Tianjin-Lugou railway, and Xu Jingcheng put in his place. On dingyou, the fixed tax struck by disaster in Hanyang and other departments and counties was remitted. On renyin, the Sub-Prefect of Hankou in Hubei was changed to the Sub-Prefect for the People of Xiakou. On wushen, fifty thousand taels were issued from the palace treasury to Qingjiang and Huai'an to provide for relief. Edit
Twenty-fifth year of Guangxu (1899)
In the twenty-fifth year, jihai, in the spring, the first month, on gengxu, relief was given to the people of the departments and counties of Henan and Anhui who had suffered from the bandits. On bingchen, an edict ordered the prisons to be cleared of pending cases. On gengshen, the tax grain of Guoyang and other departments and counties harried by the bandits was remitted. On xinyou, the New Year audience and congratulations of the foreign ministers in the capital were stopped. On renxu, a further fifty thousand taels from the ministry's treasury were allotted to Anhui to provide for relief. On bingyin, Li Bingheng was summoned to the capital. Edit
In the second month, on jiashen, an edict again ordered the provinces to see to storing grain, clearing lawsuits, the militia and the baojia. On dinghai, the new Wusheng corps was ordered to be named the Hushen Battalion. The baojia was put into effect in the capital. On wuxu, the German troops at Jiaozhou Bay, on the pretext of protecting the church, entered the territory of Yizhou. Lu Haihuan was ordered to tell the German Foreign Ministry to stop their advance. Because the Newly Created Army had been trained with success, Yuan Shikai was recorded for generous reward. On gengzi, the Deputy Lieutenant-General Shoushan was ordered to recruit and train sixteen battalions as the New Army for Guarding the Frontier. On jiachen, the German troops reached Lanshan. On dingwei, they took the city of Rizhao. Edit
In the third month, on yimao, an edict ordered that the departments and counties paying tribute grain should, from this winter, collect it in kind instead and ship it to the capital. On dingchou, Su Yuanchun was summoned to the capital. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on guiwei, an edict said: "Of late, because the times are hard, the court has striven tirelessly for good government and has repeatedly ordered the high provincial officials to put everything in order. They have since replied, reporting on training troops, raising funds, the baojia, the militia and storing grain; though these are not empty words, there are still no real results. We therefore order again that all the business they have planned be taken up at once, and that they report truthfully whether it has had results." The high provincial officials were again ordered to review their troops in earnest. Another edict ordered waste fields to be surveyed and the people encouraged to reclaim them, without letting clerks and runners extort from and harass them, and without hastening to put the land on the tax register. The Italians came with warships, aiming to land at Sanmen Bay, and an edict ordered strict precautions. On jichou, Gangyi was ordered to go to the provinces of Jiangnan to check the true figures of what had gone in and out of the treasuries. On guisi, four battalions of horse and foot of Nie Shicheng's army were ordered to be stationed at Rehe to strengthen the frontier defences. On bingshen, an edict ordered Liu Kunyi and others to gather strong forces in readiness, and if the Italian troops landed, to meet them and attack. On dingyou, the Judicial Commissioner Li Guangjiu was ordered to direct the defence and suppression in Zhejiang, and Changshun to go to Jilin to inspect the training of troops. On yisi, an edict said: "The customs duties, the likin, the salt taxes and the other levies have their fixed rules each year, but the provincial officials, out of favouritism and regard for others, cannot strive to root out the long-standing abuses. Let the Grand Secretaries and the Grand Councillors examine this in detail, deliberate together and report." Edit
In the fifth month, on renzi, Wu Tingfen was ordered to serve in the Zongli Yamen. On jiayin, there was a fire in the powder magazine of the arsenal of the Shenji Battalion. On yimao, Yugeng, Junior Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, was ordered to serve as Minister to France. On yichou, Yang Yushu, Brigade General of Zhengding, was ordered to command the Trained Army stationed at Rehe. The land tax on flooded fields in Anhua, Wugang and Xinning was remitted. On jisi, Yuezhou was opened as a trading port, and the Circuit Intendant of Yue-Chang-Li was moved to be stationed there, serving also as Superintendent of the Yuezhou customs. Edit
In the sixth month, on wuzi, the arrears of Dihua and other districts were remitted. On dingyou, an edict ordered the navy to be put in order and its long-standing abuses removed. On gengzi, relief was given for floods in Luling and other counties. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on gengxu, because the French had leased Guangzhou Bay, Su Yuanchun was ordered to go and survey it jointly with them. On yimao, a commercial treaty with Korea was concluded. On dingsi, Qinhuangdao was opened as a trading port. On jisi, Gangyi was ordered to go to Guangdong to clear up and put its finances in order. On gengwu, Su Yuanchun was ordered to go to Huai'an and Xuzhou to train troops, under the control of Ronglu. Edit
In the eighth month, on dinghai, the Muslims of Haicheng in Gansu revolted, and the government troops put them down. On jihai, an edict ordered the provinces to expound the Amplified Instructions on the Sacred Edict in public. On jiachen, bandits rose in Jinzhou and Guangning and were put down. Edit
In the ninth month, on dingwei, because of drought, an edict called for frank advice. On gengxu, an edict ordered lawsuits and prison cases cleared and the collection of taxes put off. An edict ordered the provincial officials to correct themselves and lead their subordinates, uphold justice and follow the feelings of the people. On jiwei, the Deputy Lieutenant-General Shouchang was stripped of office and banished to a garrison for letting the affairs of his troops fall into neglect, and Ronghe was stripped of office and arrested for questioning. On xinyou, Li Zhengyong was ordered to serve as Minister Directing Commerce and Mines in Sichuan. On jiaxu, more Italian warships arrived, and an edict ordered Zhili, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang to keep strict guard. Edit
This autumn, relief was given for floods in Zhejiang, Hunan and Gansu and for drought in Shaanxi. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on gengyin, Li Bingheng was ordered to make a tour of inspection of the Yangtze River fleet. On bingshen, Li Hongzhang was made Minister of Commerce to inspect the trading ports. On renyin, the arrears of the year before last in Xianning and other places in Shaanxi were remitted. Edit
In the eleventh month, on guichou, Xu Shoupeng, Minister of the Court of the Imperial Stud, was ordered to serve as Minister to Korea. On jiayin, Liao Shouheng was removed as Grand Councillor, and Zhao Shuqiao was ordered to serve as a probationary Grand Councillor. The arrears of the previous year in Beiliu, harried by bandits, were remitted. On renxu, the crimes of Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao were proclaimed again, and rewards were offered for their strict pursuit and arrest. On wuchen, Sun Jianai was relieved of office because of illness. On jisi, Wang Wenshao, Minister of Revenue, was made Assistant Grand Secretary. Edit
In the twelfth month, on the first day, jiaxu, an edict stopped the New Year's session in the throne hall and the banquets. On bingzi, the review of officials was held, with a warning against false and excessive recommendations. On yiyou, the grain tax on fields struck by disaster in Yulin and other places was remitted. On jichou, Su Yuanchun was removed from training troops in Jiangnan and sent back to his post as Provincial Commander of Guangxi. On yiwei, Chen Zelin was ordered to recruit braves and station them in Jiangbei to drill as the Right Vanguard of the Wuwei Army. On dingyou, an edict made Pujun, son of Zaiyi, Prince Duan of the Second Rank, the heir of Muzong, with the title of imperial son. Chongqi was ordered to serve in the Hongde Hall and teach the imperial son Pujun to read. On renyin, an edict said that for the emperor's thirtieth birthday in the coming year the court congratulations and banquets would be stopped, and the high civil and military officials were not to come to the capital to offer birthday wishes. A special grace examination would be held, the provincial examination next year, gengzi, and the metropolitan examination the year after, xinchou. The regular provincial and metropolitan examinations would be put back in turn to be held in the years xinchou and renyin. Edit
This winter, relief was given for disasters in the districts of Shanxi, Yunnan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Shandong and elsewhere. Edit
This year, Guangzhou Bay was leased to France, and the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway was begun. Edit
Twenty-sixth year of Guangxu (1900)
In the twenty-sixth year, gengzi, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, jiachen, an edict, for the celebration of the emperor's thirtieth birthday, granted further favours and gifts to the near branches of the imperial clan and to the close ministers. On jiyou, Zaifeng, Prince Chun of the First Rank, was ordered to serve in the inner court, and the Expositor Baofeng to serve in the Hongde Hall. The autumn executions of this year were suspended. On renzi: before this, the prefect Jing Yuanshan had joined others in a letter remonstrating against the naming of an heir. Now an edict ordered him to be strictly hunted down and punished, and soon his household was confiscated. On wuzi, an edict ordered a great search for Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao, the destruction of the books they had written, and the punishment as well of any who read their newspapers. On renxu, the Yi of Sanyan were put down, and more posts of native officials were set up in Batang and other places. On guihai, the Zongli Yamen negotiated with the French the lease of Guangzhou Bay, fixing its term at ninety-nine years. On jiazi, thirty thousand shi of southern tribute grain were kept back for relief of the disaster-stricken people of Hebei. This month, the Boxer bandits rose in Shandong, calling themselves the Yihe Boxing Society; under the pretence of hostility to the Christian religion, they robbed and killed one after another, spreading and doing great harm. Edit
In the second month, on bingzi, the river burst its banks at Binzhou. On yiyou, the fixed tax struck by disaster in Kunming and other departments and counties was remitted. On wuxu, a treaty with Mexico was concluded. Edit
In the third month, on wushen, Li Shengduo was ordered to go as envoy to Japan to congratulate its crown prince on his marriage, and Lu Haihuan to go as envoy to Germany to congratulate its crown prince on his coming of age. On renzi, the breach at Binzhou was closed. On guichou, because of drought, an edict ordered officials at court and in the provinces to review the cases of prisoners. On jiayin, Gao Geng'en was granted the rank of a fourth-grade capital official and ordered to serve in the Hongde Hall. On dingsi, Guichun, Sub-Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat, was ordered to serve as Minister to Russia, and soon after also as envoy to Austria. A hundred thousand taels from the ministry's treasury were allotted for relief of the floods in the districts of Shandong and Guizhou. On jiwei, the Yi of Jingyuan submitted, and native officials were set up over the Yi. On renxu, Yuan Shikai was ordered to gather twenty battalions of new troops to form an additional army, named the Vanguard of the Right Army of the Wuwei. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on yiyou, Shanlian was dismissed, and Xu Yingkui was made Commissioner of the Navy Yard concurrently. On gengyin, the Yihe Boxers entered the capital, and an edict ordered the Commander of the Gendarmerie and others to discuss together how to guard against and suppress them and report. On xinmao, the autumn tax on flooded land in Xuanwei and Songming was remitted. On bingshen, relief was given for floods and drought in Chongqing and other places. On dingyou, the Zongli Yamen said that the Boxer societies were making up rumours and stirring and deluding the people, that people's minds were unsettled, and that this could easily lead to a quarrel with the foreigners. An edict ordered the offices concerned to discuss it properly. Li Hongzhang was made Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi. On gengzi, the fixed tax on flooded land in Xinhua and other departments and counties was remitted. This month, the Boxer bandits burned the railway at Baoding; the Colonel Yang Futong went to bring them under control, and on reaching Laishui was killed. Edit
In the fifth month, on guimao, the Boxer bandits destroyed the stations, offices and works of the railway at Liulihe and Changxindian. Nie Shicheng was ordered to protect the two railways, Lugou-Baoding and Tianjin-Lugou, and defend them. On jiayin, Zaiyi was ordered to take charge of the Zongli Yamen, with Qixiu, Puxing and Natong at the same time serving in it concurrently, and Liao Shouheng was removed. On yimao, the Boxer bandits killed Sugiyama Akira, chancellor of the Japanese legation, outside the Yongding Gate. On dingsi, an edict ordered Ma Yukun to go west of the capital to suppress the Boxer bandits. Martial law was declared at Dagu. On jiwei, the Boxer bandits ran riot in the Five Wards, and blood flowed in the streets and markets. An edict ordered the Commander of the Gendarmerie, the Shenji Battalion, the Hushen Battalion and the Central Army of the Wuwei to patrol together, high ministers to inspect the streets and lanes, and others to be stationed at the Nine Gates to watch their opening and closing. Li Hongzhang and Yuan Shikai were summoned to come and guard the capital. On gengshen, Ronglu protected the legations of the various countries with the Central Army of the Wuwei. Li Duanyu and Wang Yirong were made Ministers of the Militia of the capital. Li Bingheng and Ma Yukun were summoned to bring troops to the capital. That night, the Boxer bandits burned the gate tower of the Zhengyang Gate, and the streets and markets were reduced to ashes. On gengshen, an edict ordered Gangyi and Dong Fuxiang to recruit the strongest of the Boxers into an army and disband the rest. On xinyou, an edict ordered the provinces to send troops to guard the capital. Foreign forces attacked the Dagu forts; the Provincial Commander Luo Rongguang could not hold them off, fled to Tianjin and died there, and Dagu fell. Yulu reported a victory, and an edict issued a hundred thousand taels from the palace treasury to reward the troops. On renxu, Xu Tong and Chongqi were ordered to discuss military affairs with Yikuang, Zailian and others. On guihai, Xu Jingcheng and Natong were ordered to go and tell the ministers of the various countries to leave the capital quickly. From gengshen to this day, the Empress Dowager had summoned the princes and ministers and others to audience day after day to hear their views. Zaiyi held most firmly for war. Zaixun, Zailian, Zailan, Xu Tong, Chongqi, Qixiu, Puliang, Xu Chengyu and others echoed one another in support. Ronglu wavered between the two sides. Only Xu Jingcheng and Yuan Chang said that the bandits should be suppressed, that no quarrel should be started, and that killing envoys went against the law of nations, and their words were most earnest and direct. Hence this order. On jiazi, the Boxer bandits murdered the German minister von Ketteler inside the Chongwen Gate. On yichou, an edict said that since a quarrel had broken out between China and the foreign powers, preparations for war were to be made. Chongli was removed as Commander of the Gendarmerie, and Zaixun put in his place. Grain from the granaries was issued for sale at fair prices to help feed the people. On gengwu, Lu Chuanlin was summoned to the capital. Edit
In the sixth month, on the first day, xinwei, an edict ordered grain to be sold at fair prices in the Five Wards of Shuntian Prefecture, and the exposed bodies of Christian converts to be buried. On guiyou, Liu Enpu, Vice Minister of the Granaries, was ordered to go to Tianjin to recruit the strong men of the water associations and form them into an army, to be stationed in Zhili with the militia of Tongzhou, Wuqing and Dong'an, supplied with pay and weapons. The granaries at Tongzhou were opened to sell grain at fair prices. Changcui and others said that the roads to Tianjin and Tongzhou were cut and asked that the shipping of tribute grain be suspended for a time; this was not allowed. On yihai, an edict ordered the provinces to escort missionaries back to their countries, and Christian converts who repented and gave themselves up were allowed to make a new start. On jimao, since the shipping of the southern tribute grain was blocked, a bureau was ordered to be set up at Qingjiangpu to buy grain and ship it to the capital. On renwu, Li Hongzhang was transferred to be Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner for the Northern Ports and urged to come to the capital at double speed. On yiyou, an edict put off this year's grace provincial examination, to be held on the eighth day of the third month of next year, with the metropolitan examination on the eighth day of the eighth month, and the regular provincial and metropolitan examinations of gengzi to be put back in turn. Foreign troops attacked Tianjin; Nie Shicheng fought at Balitai and died there. On wuzi, Lu Benyuan was made Provincial Commander of Zhili. Tianjin fell, and Yulu, Song Qing and Ma Yukun all fell back to hold Beicang. On gengyin, Gu Huang and Zhang Renfu were ordered to help direct the militia defence of Henan. Lishan, Minister of Revenue, was put in prison. On xinmao, an edict ordered the arrest of the murderers of the German minister. E'lehebu died. On bingshen, the emperor's thirtieth birthday, the Donghua Gate was not opened, and the officials all entered by the Shenwu Gate to offer their congratulations. The fixed tax struck by disaster in Shufu and Baicheng was remitted. Relief was given for floods in Fujian. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on the first day, gengzi, Li Bingheng was ordered to assist in directing the military affairs of the Wuwei Army, with the armies of Zhang Chunfa, Chen Zelin, Wan Benhua and Xia Xinyou all under his control. On renyin, Xu Jingcheng, Vice Minister of Personnel, and Yuan Chang, Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, were put to death. On yisi, Ma Yukun was transferred to be Provincial Commander of Zhili. On dingwei, Ronglu was ordered to escort the ministers of the various countries to Tianjin with troops. On jiyou, foreign troops took Beicang. On gengxu, they took Yangcun, and Yulu, Governor-General of Zhili, killed himself. On renzi, Li Hongzhang was made plenipotentiary to negotiate a cease-fire with the various countries. Foreign troops attacked Caicun. On guichou, Li Bingheng fought at Caicun and was defeated. Foreign troops advanced and occupied Hexiwu. On jiayin, Zengqi reported that Gaiping and Xiongyue had been lost one after the other. On bingchen, Lishan, Minister of Revenue, Xu Yongyi, Minister of War, and Lianyuan, Sub-Chancellor of the Grand Secretariat, were put to death. Li Bingheng was defeated at Zhangjiawan and died there. On dingsi, foreign troops took Tongzhou. Gangyi was ordered to assist in directing the military affairs of the Wuwei Army. On jiwei, the allied forces of the eight countries, Germany, Austria, the United States, France, Britain, Italy, Japan and Russia, took the capital. On gengshen, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager on the way to Taiyuan, the travelling court halting at Guanshi. On renxu, they halted at Huailai. Ronglu, Xu Tong and Chongqi were ordered to stay in the capital to handle affairs. On guihai, Cen Chunxuan, Financial Commissioner of Guangdong, came with troops to guard the throne and was then ordered to escort the imperial carriage. On jiazi, they halted at Shachengbu. A decree of the Empress Dowager ordered Cen Chunxuan to direct the supply depots on the road ahead. On dingchou, they halted at Jimingyi, and the emperor issued an edict blaming himself and also admonishing the officials at court and in the provinces. On bingyin, they halted at Xuanhua. The armies of Wan Benhua, Sun Wanlin and Qikeshenbu were ordered to be under the control of Ma Yukun and stationed on the road behind. On dingmao, an edict called for frank advice. One year's money and grain taxes were remitted for Wanping, Changping and the other places the imperial carriage had passed through. Edit
In the eighth month, on the first day, gengwu, they halted at Zuowei. On xinwei, they halted at Huai'an. On renshen, they halted at Tianzhen. An edict ordered Yikuang to return to the capital and negotiate peace together with Li Hongzhang. On guiyou, they halted at Yanggao. On jiaxu, they halted at Jule town. The eunuch Zhang Tianshun harassed a courier station and was beheaded. On yihai, they halted at Datong. Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidong were ordered to take part in the negotiations for peace. Zaiyi was made a Grand Councillor. On wuyin, the princes, dukes and officials great and small escorting the emperor were granted allowances of silver. On jimao, they halted at Huairen. The heads of the ministries, courts and boards of the capital and those serving in the inner court were all ordered, except those staying in the capital, to lead their officials to the travelling court. On xinsi, they halted at Guangwu town. Cheng Wenbing was ordered to command troops stationed at Tong Pass. On renwu, they halted at Yangmingbu. An edict ordered Ronglu to gather up and reorganize the Central Army of the Wuwei. On guiwei, they halted at Yuanping town. An edict ordered Tingyong to direct the suppression of the Boxer bandits in the districts of Zhili. On jiashen, they halted at Xinzhou. On bingxu, they halted at Taiyuan, using the governor's office as a travelling palace. This year's fixed tax was remitted for Tianzhen, Yanggao and the other departments and counties the imperial carriage had passed through. On dinghai, there was drought in Xi'an and other prefectures. On wuzi, an edict ordered Ronglu to keep the Central Army of the Wuwei under restraint. On guisi, an edict ordered the officials concerned to urge the Christian converts to settle in their occupations, and the Boxers who had been coerced to return to farming. On yiwei, relief was given for disasters in the districts of Sichuan. Edit
In the intercalary eighth month, on the first day, gengzi, relief was given for floods in Lishui and other counties. On xinchou, the German minister von Ketteler was mourned, and Kungang was ordered to go and make offerings to him. In judging the crime of sheltering the Boxers and starting the quarrel, Zaixun, Prince Zhuang of the First Rank, Pujing, Prince Yi of the First Rank, and the Beile Zailian and Zaiying were stripped of their titles. Zaiyi, Zailan, Gangyi, Zhao Shuqiao and Yingnian were removed from office and sent to the Imperial Clan Court and the ministries for deliberation. Lu Chuanlin was made a Grand Councillor. On renyin, because Sugiyama Akira, chancellor of the Japanese legation, had been murdered, Natong was sent as envoy to Japan to make offerings and give funeral gifts. Yuxian was dismissed. On yisi, an edict announced the journey to Xi'an. On dingwei, the imperial carriage set out. That day they halted at Xugou. On wushen, they halted at Qi County. On jiyou, they halted at Pingyao. On gengxu, they halted at Jiexiu. On xinhai, they halted at Lingshi. On renzi, they halted at Huozhou. Ronglu was summoned to the travelling court. On jiayin, an edict turned the office of the Governor of Shaanxi into a travelling palace. On yimao, they halted at Pingyang. On bingchen, they halted at Shicunyi. An edict ordered the five northern provinces to hunt down strictly the members of the Independence Society. On wuwu, they halted at Wenxi. On jiwei, an edict said that because of the journey west the rites of reverence at the tombs, altars and temples had long been neglected, and ordered Yikuang to choose princes and beile of the near branches to make the offerings at the Imperial Ancestral Temple in the emperor's place and to sacrifice at the Eastern and Western Tombs, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to send officials to sacrifice at the altars and temples. Soon after, it was ordered that the rites of this year's New Year's Eve and next year's New Year's Day should also be performed by deputies. The nearby provinces were urged to send the capital's funds to pay the salaries and grain of the officials and soldiers in the capital. Yikuang was made plenipotentiary to negotiate the peace treaty together with Li Hongzhang, with Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidong still taking part in the discussions. On xinyou, they halted at Linjin. On guihai, they halted at Puzhou. An edict ordered Jiangsu and other provinces to send a million taels to provide the salaries and pay in the capital. This year's fixed tax was remitted for Taiyuan, Yangqu and the other districts the imperial carriage had passed through. On yichou, they halted at Tong Pass. Relief was given for floods in Fuzhou. On dingmao, they halted at Huayin. Jingxin and Puxing were ordered to take charge of the Hushen Battalion. On wuchen, they halted at Hua Department. Edit
In the ninth month, on the first day, jisi, they halted at Weinan. On renshen, they reached Xi'an Prefecture, using the governor's office as a travelling palace. On jiashen, Yugang was made Amban in Tibet. On bingzi, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy Wang Yirong, who had died for his country, was given a hereditary rank, and his wife, of the Xie family, and his daughter-in-law, of the Zhang family, were honoured. On yimao, Li Hongzhang memorialized for the execution of the Circuit Intendant Tan Wenhuan, who had joined the bandits and made trouble. On renwu, the Germans took Zijing Pass, and the Financial Commissioner Shengyun drew his troops back to Futuyi. Soon after he memorialized that the German troops had withdrawn to Yi Department; the emperor, finding him alarmist, rebuked him sharply. On jichou, the tribute of ice fish from the Yellow River by Baode was stopped. On gengyin, Zaiyi was stripped of his title, and he, Zaixun, Pujing and Zaiying were all handed to the Imperial Clan Court to be kept in confinement. Zailan and Yingnian were demoted. Zhao Shuqiao was stripped of rank but kept at his post. Gangyi had died of illness and was spared deliberation. Yuxian was banished to the farthest frontier. On renchen, Yanmao, General of Heilongjiang, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy Xiyuan, the Reader Baofeng, Chongshou and others, who had burned themselves to death with their whole households, were granted posthumous honours. On yiwei, relief was given for famine in Shaanxi. On bingshen, the arrears of Xianning and other counties in Shaanxi were remitted. On wuxu, the arrears struck by disaster of the departments and counties and the native chieftains of Yunnan were remitted. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on wushen, the birthday festival of the Empress Dowager, the banquets were stopped. On gengxu, an edict said that Dong Fuxiang did not understand foreign affairs and acted rashly; he was stripped of his rank of Provincial Commander but kept at his post. On xinhai, four hundred thousand taels were issued from the palace treasury for relief of the famine-stricken people of Shaanxi, and Jiangsu and Hubei were urged to forward tribute grain and buy grain to help them. On guichou, Wang Wenshao was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall, and Chongli and Xu Fu were both made Assistant Grand Secretaries. On dingsi, an edict told the Gurkhas, Hither and Further Tibet and the native chieftains not to send tribute for the time being. On guihai, the sale of substantive offices was opened in Shaanxi and Shanxi for relief of the drought. Edit
In the eleventh month, on renshen, half the fixed tax of Chang'an was remitted. On yihai, the Miao bandits of Qingping, Wang Laojiu and others, rose in revolt, and the government troops suppressed and captured them. On gengchen, Yang Ru was made plenipotentiary to negotiate with Russia the handing back of the Three Eastern Provinces. On xinsi, because of drought in Changsha and other prefectures, contributions for relief were opened. On renwu, two-tenths of the fixed tax were remitted for the departments and counties of Shanxi the imperial carriage had passed through. On guiwei, Sheng Xuanhuai was made Associate Minister of Commerce. On yiyou, Xu Shoupeng was ordered to go to the capital to help with the commercial treaties. On guisi, Anhui opened contributions for raising funds. On bingyin, Zengqi, for making on his own authority a provisional agreement with the Russians for the return of Fengtian, was sent for strict deliberation, and soon stripped of office. Edit
In the twelfth month, on jiachen, an edict dispensed with the ceremonies of next year's New Year's Day. On dingwei, an edict called for discussion of reform of the laws: the Grand Councillors, the Grand Secretaries, the Six Ministries, the Nine Chief Ministers, the ministers abroad and the governors-general and governors of the provinces were to weigh the essentials of Chinese and Western government and report them point by point. On gengxu, an edict ordered officials great and small in the provinces to protect foreign residents, with severe punishment for any who failed. The ban on forming societies hostile to the Christian religion was made strict, with offenders to be judged for the death penalty. On renzi, Zhang Baixi, Censor-in-Chief of the Left, was ordered to serve as special envoy to Britain. On jiayin, the ministers who had stayed in the capital memorialized that robbery was rife there, asking to use heavy punishments for a time; this was allowed. On gengshen, Zhang Peilun was granted the post of Compiler and ordered to assist Li Hongzhang in the negotiations. On renxu, an edict restored to office the ministers wrongly condemned, Lishan, Xu Yongyi, Xu Jingcheng, Lianyuan and Yuan Chang. The crimes of the ministers who had been the chief cause of the disaster by indulging the bandits were judged again: Zailan was stripped of title and office and, with Zaiyi, banished to Xinjiang and kept in confinement there. Gangyi was stripped of office. Yingnian and Zhao Shuqiao were both stripped of office and sentenced to beheading. Xu Tong and Li Bingheng were stripped of office after their deaths. Qixiu and Xu Chengyu were stripped of office to await investigation. Dong Fuxiang was stripped of rank and relieved of his post. On guihai, the emperor issued an edict blaming himself. He made known to the realm the painful compromises of that time, and admonished the officials at court and in the provinces to rouse their loyalty, put away selfish thoughts, break with ingrained habits and strive to bestir themselves. Edit
Twenty-seventh year of Guangxu (1901)
In the twenty-seventh year, xinchou, the travelling court was at Xi'an. In the spring, the first month, on the first day, wuchen, an edict, to relieve the war damage in Shuntian and Zhili, opened the sale of substantive offices. The annual tribute of sea otter and other pelts from Duolunnuo'er was stopped. On gengwu, Zaixun was ordered to take his own life. On xinwei, Yuxian was beheaded. On guiyou, Yingnian and Zhao Shuqiao were both ordered to take their own lives. Gangyi, Xu Tong and Li Bingheng were all sentenced to beheading, but spared because they had already died. On yihai, Qixiu and Xu Chengyu were beheaded. On gengchen, the grain tax on abandoned fields in Renhe and other counties was remitted. On xinsi, the tribute of oranges from Xinhui was stopped. Edit
In the second month, on jihai, a million taels from the ministry's treasury were allotted to Shanxi to provide for relief. On renzi, Li Guolian, a Director from Guangdong, and others presented products of their land, and were promoted and recorded by degree. Edit
In the third month, on wuchen, the tax grain was remitted for the places the imperial carriage had passed through and for Xianning and other disaster-struck places of Shaanxi. On jisi, an edict set up the Office for Directing Government Affairs, with Yikuang, Li Hongzhang, Ronglu, Kungang, Wang Wenshao and Lu Chuanlin all as directing ministers, and Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidong taking part from afar. On jiaxu, the grain arrears of Lin'an and other places in Yunnan were remitted. On dingchou, in judging the crime of failing to give protection against the Boxer bandits' hostility to the Christian religion, the late Governor-General Yulu and the Amban in Tibet Qingshan were stripped of their former offices, Liu Shutang, Governor of Zhejiang, was stripped of office, the Financial Commissioner Rongquan and the Deputy Lieutenant-General Jinchang were stripped of office and banished to the farthest frontier, the Circuit Intendant Zheng Wenqin, the county magistrate Bai Chang and the Second Captain Zhou Zhide were all beheaded, and the rest were stripped of office or banished by degree. Fifty thousand shi of Shandong's tribute rice were allotted for relief of the disaster-stricken people of Zhili. On renwu, an edict lifted the suspension from filling vacancies and the loss of seniority for the officials of the various offices who had come from the capital to the travelling court. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on dingyou, the princes, dukes and officials in the capital were granted half a year's salary, and the soldiers of the banners and the Green Standard a month's money and grain. On xinchou, Ma Yukun was ordered to suppress the remaining bandits near the capital, and Qu Hongji to serve as a probationary Grand Councillor. On dingwei, Qu Hongji was ordered to serve concurrently as a minister of the Office of Government Affairs. On jiyou, relief was given for drought in Zhili. On renzi, an edict opened the special examination in statecraft and ordered officials at court and in the provinces to recommend men fit to sit it. The customary tribute of the provinces was remitted: apart from tea, medicinal herbs and things connected with sacrifices, all foodstuffs were stopped. On guichou, Zaifeng was ordered to serve as special envoy to Germany. On gengshen, an edict, following the proposal of the various countries, suspended the examinations for five years in Shuntian, Fengtian, Heilongjiang, Zhili, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Hunan. On renxu, Zhang Baixi and others were ordered to repair the roads of the capital along the imperial route. On guihai, this year's tribute from Jilin was stopped. Edit
In the fifth month, on yichou, Natong was ordered to serve as special envoy to Japan. This year's grace and regular provincial examinations in Shanxi were put off. On guiwei, the Circuit Intendant Cai Jun was granted the rank of a fourth-grade capital official and made Minister to Japan. On jiawu, relief was given for disasters in Mo'ergen and other places. Edit
In the sixth month, on bingshen, the Deputy Lieutenant-General Yinchang was ordered to serve as Minister to Germany, and soon also as envoy to the Netherlands. The prefect Xu Taishen was granted the rank of Circuit Intendant and made Minister to Korea. On gengzi, the emperor's birthday, the court congratulations and banquets were stopped. On guimao, an edict set up the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made out of the Zongli Yamen, with Yikuang to head it, Wang Wenshao as associate minister, Qu Hongji as its Minister and also associate minister, and Xu Shoupeng and Lianfang as Vice Ministers. On gengxu, the allied armies of the various countries left the capital. On renzi, fifty thousand taels were issued from the palace treasury to Jiangxi to provide for relief. Relief was given for fire in Qixia. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on the first day, jiazi, Deng Zeng was ordered to command the armies escorting the emperor. The fixed tax was remitted for the places in Shaanxi, Henan and Zhili the imperial carriage had passed through. On yichou, an edict ordered the long-standing abuses in the tribute grain to be removed: tribute shipped both by river and by sea was to be collected in money instead, and grain was to be bought, shipped and stored at the granaries in the capital. Shiduo was removed from serving in the Grand Council. On jisi, the river burst its banks at Zhangqiu and Huimin. On jimao, an edict ordered that from next year the civil examinations would be changed: the eight-legged essay and the examination poems would be abolished, and scholars examined on the meaning of the classics and on policy questions of current affairs; the military examinations were stopped. Luo Fenglu was given the rank of a third-grade capital official and made Minister to Russia. On wuzi, the plenipotentiaries Yikuang and Li Hongzhang completed with the ministers of eleven countries the peace treaty of twelve articles. On jichou, the provincial examination of Shaanxi was put off to be held next year. On renchen, an edict abolished for good the sale of substantive offices. An edict ordered the provinces to build military schools. On guisi, an edict ordered the provinces to cut their troops and braves and to train instead standing, reserve, police and other forces. Edit
In the eighth month, on the first day, jiawu, since the day of the return was near, officials were sent to announce it with sacrifices to the Western Peak and the Central Peak. For the famous mountains and great rivers, the tombs of ancient emperors and kings, and the shrines and graves of former Confucians and famous ministers along the imperial route, the provincial officials were to send officials to make sacrifices. On yiwei, an edict ordered the provinces to set up schools. On wushen, the routine memorials of the offices at court and in the provinces were abolished, and apart from congratulatory memorials, all were changed to palace memorials. On renzi, Sheng Xuanhuai was made Minister for Commercial Taxes. On guichou, an edict proclaimed to the realm the reform of the laws to seek strength, and ordered the provincial officials to pick out the essentials of the memorials of Liu Kunyi and Zhang Zhidong and plan them as a whole. On dingsi, the imperial carriage left Xi'an. On jiwei, Shengyun memorialized that Xia Liangcai, magistrate of Lintong, had failed in the supplies, and asked that he be stripped of office. The Empress Dowager ordered that he be judged leniently. Shengyun asked to be punished himself, and was pardoned. Edit
In the ninth month, on jiyou, Li Hongzhang died; he was posthumously made Grand Mentor and raised to marquis of the first class. Wang Wenshao was made acting plenipotentiary, and Yuan Shikai acting Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner for the Northern Ports. Edit
This autumn, a hundred and fifty thousand taels were issued from the treasury for relief of disasters in Shaanxi and Anhui, and a hundred thousand taels of the tribute grain funds and sixty thousand shi of tribute rice were kept back to provide for relief in Anhui and Jiangsu. Relief was also given for floods in Hunan, Hubei, Anhui and Yunnan and for tidal floods in Jiangsu. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on the first day, guisi, there was an eclipse of the sun. On jiawu, they halted at Kaifeng. The breach at Huimin was closed. On bingshen, the Circuit Intendant Zhang Deyi was granted the rank of a third-grade minister and made Minister to Britain, and soon after ordered to serve also as envoy to Italy and Belgium. On renyin, the birthday festival of the Empress Dowager, the court congratulations were stopped. On renzi, a decree of the Empress Dowager withdrew Pujun's title of imperial son. On bingchen, an edict put off the metropolitan examination to the year guimao. Next year's provincial examination of Shuntian and the metropolitan examination of guimao were to be moved for the time to the examination hall of Henan. Edit
In the eleventh month, on bingzi, the late Grand Secretary Li Hongzhang was specially granted a shrine in the capital. On wuzi, Yigu was ordered to direct the reclamation of land on the frontier of Shanxi. The breach at Zhangqiu was closed. On gengyin, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager back from Xi'an. On xinmao, an edict said that since the Consort Zhen had died for her honour in the palace the year before, she was posthumously raised to Noble Consort. The officials of the Hanlin Academy and the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction, the supervising and circuit censors and the officials of the various offices were ordered to be ready day by day to be summoned to audience. Edit
In the twelfth month, on the first day, guisi, Wang Wenshao was ordered to continue directing railways and mines, with Qu Hongji as his deputy, and Yuan Shikai to direct the affairs of the railways inside and outside the Pass, with Hu Yufen helping to direct them. On bingshen, an edict again told officials at court and in the provinces to value good relations with other states and to keep the commoners and the converts at peace. For harming the state by siding with the bandits and echoing the powerful, the Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Left He Naiying, the Academician Expositor Peng Qingli, the Compiler Wang Longwen, and the prefects Lian Wenchong and Zeng Lian were stripped of office. On dingyou, relief was given to the poor within thirty li of the imperial route. On jihai, the emperor sacrificed to Heaven at the Circular Mound. From the eighth month of the year wuxu to this month, it was the first time he had gone in person. On gengzi, he sacrificed at the Great Altar of Earth and the Great Altar of Grain. Kuibin, Prince Rui of the First Rank, and others were sent to make announcing sacrifices at the Square Pool, the Altar of the Sun and the Altar of the Moon, and Puwei, Prince Gong of the First Rank, and the Beizi Pulun went to the Eastern and Western Tombs to make announcing sacrifices. On renyin, Yuan Shikai was ordered to take part in the Office of Government Affairs. On jiachen, Zaizhen, General Who Guards the State, was ordered to serve as special envoy to Britain to congratulate its sovereign on his coronation, and soon after was raised to the rank of Beizi. Three-tenths of the fixed tax were remitted for the departments and counties of Henan the imperial carriage had passed through. Relief was given for fire in Guangxi. On xinhai, the two palaces received the ministers of the various countries in the Qianqing Palace. The arrears owed for years by the people at the copper works of Yunnan were remitted. On jiayin, Qu Hongji was made a Grand Councillor. Sun Jianai was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall. On yimao, the two palaces received the ministers of the various countries and their wives and others in the Yangxing Hall. On dingsi, the arrears of taxes and granary grain owed for years by the departments and counties of Shanxi were remitted. On gengshen, the joint sacrifice was made at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On xinyou, the emperor came again to the Baohe Hall for the first time, and gave a banquet for the Mongol princes and dukes and the high civil and military officials. The grain tax on unreclaimed land was remitted for Renhe, Qiantang and other departments and counties of Zhejiang and for the two guards of Hang-Yan and Jia-Hu. Edit
Twenty-eighth year of Guangxu (1902)
In the twenty-eighth year, renyin, in the spring, the first month, on gengwu, offerings were made at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. On xinwei, the emperor prayed to the Supreme Lord for the grain. On guiyou, Song Qing, Provincial Commander of Sichuan, died and was raised to Baron, third class. On dingchou, Zhang Yi was ordered to be general manager of railways and mines, with Wang Wenshao and Qu Hongji directing, and Lu Haihuan to negotiate the commercial treaties with Sheng Xuanhuai. On wuyin, the Director-General of the Yellow River in Hedong was abolished. The high officials of the provinces were ordered to clear up the lands of the military colonies and change the colonies' grain levy into the ding and grain tax, to withdraw the guard officers into the regular camps, and to abolish both the colony soldiers and the grain transport troops. An edict ordered the provinces to set up schools of agriculture and industry. On wuzi, the Supervisorate of Imperial Instruction and the Office of Transmission were abolished. Edit
In the second month, on the first day, renchen, Zhang Deyi was ordered to serve as special envoy to Spain to congratulate its sovereign on his coronation. On guisi, an edict ordered the provinces to set up schools and military schools quickly, and an office was opened to compile new laws. On jiawu, roving bandits in Guangxi murdered French officers, and they were suppressed. On dingyou, the emperor made the libation to the Former Teacher. On wuxu, he sacrificed at the Great Altar of Earth and the Great Altar of Grain. On gengxu, Liu Kunyi asked to retire because of illness, and was comforted and kept in office. Edit
In the third month, on the first day, xinyou, the treaty for the handing back of the Three Eastern Provinces was concluded. On jiazi, the emperor received the Italian minister Gallina in the Qianqing Palace. On yichou, he sacrificed to the First Farmer and ploughed the sacred field himself. On bingyin, the emperor attended the Empress Dowager to pay homage at the Eastern Tombs, and three-tenths of the fixed tax were remitted for the departments and counties the imperial carriage passed through. From jisi to gengwu, they paid homage at the tombs. On jiaxu, they went to Nanyuan and halted at the Tuanhe Travelling Palace. On renwu, they returned from the Eastern Tombs. On guiwei, the empress sacrificed to the First Sericulturist. Edit
This spring, remissions were granted in relief of disasters to Xuanwei and Kunming and to the banner colonies of Qiqiha'er and Mo'ergen. The arrears of Yulin and other places, and two-tenths of the autumn grain tax of Xi'an and other counties, were remitted. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on renchen, the emperor received the Russian minister Lessar in the Qianqing Palace. On jiawu, the regular rain sacrifice was made to Heaven. On bingshen, Shen Jiaben and Wu Tingfang were ordered to revise the laws in force. On wuxu, Li Jingxi, for improper wording in a memorial, was removed as Governor of Yunnan and sent to the ministry for deliberation. On renyin, Xu Lang was ordered to serve as Minister to Italy, Wu Dezhang as Minister to Austria and Yang Zhaojun as Minister to Belgium. On guimao, the empress picked mulberry leaves herself. On jiachen, the three storehouses of silver, satins and pigments were abolished, and the ministers in charge of them done away with. On yimao, the tax on disaster-struck land in Luanping was remitted. Edit
In the fifth month, on renxu, Yuan Shikai was made Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner for the Northern Ports. The arrears of Shuangcheng were remitted. On jiazi, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries and others in the Leshou Hall. On bingyin, bandits from Guangxi took Guichao in Guangnan; the government troops of Yunnan drove them off and recovered the town. On bingzi, the summer solstice, the emperor sacrificed to Earth at the Square Pool. On wuyin, he received the American minister Conger and others in the Qianqing Palace. Edit
In the sixth month, on the first day, jichou, the miscellaneous taxes struck by disaster in Heqing and Binchuan were remitted. On bingshen, Sun Baoqi was ordered to serve as Minister to France, Hu Weide as Minister to Russia, and Liang Cheng as Minister to the United States, Spain and Peru. On gengxu, the emperor received the American minister Conger and the president of the exposition, Balide, in the Qianqing Palace. On xinhai, Zhang Zhidong was made Minister Directing Commerce. On guichou, relief was given for disasters in Nanchong, Jian and other districts of Sichuan. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on gengwu, the regulations for schools were issued. Edit
In the eighth month, on jiashen, the Circuit Intendant of Yixi in Yunnan was moved to be stationed at Tengyue, also superintending the customs. On wuxu, Yuan Shikai asked to abolish the customary fees and increase the allowances for public expenses, and the other provinces were ordered to follow his example. On guimao, the river burst its banks at Lijin, Shouzhang and other places. On jiyou, the emperor received the German minister Ge'ershi and others in the Renshou Hall. On gengxu, the river burst its banks again at Huimin. Edit
In the ninth month, on guisi, Liu Kunyi, Governor-General of Liangjiang, died; he was posthumously made Baron, first class, and Grand Mentor. Zhang Zhidong was made acting Governor-General of Liangjiang and Commissioner for the Southern Ports. The new and old fixed taxes of Tianjin, which had suffered from the war, were remitted. On dingyou, the emperor received the French minister Jiasina and others in the Renshou Hall. On jiachen, he received the ministers of the various countries in the Renshou Hall. On renzi, Yuan Shikai was made Minister Directing Commerce, with Wu Tingfang as his deputy, both also to negotiate the commercial treaties with the various countries. Edit
This autumn, three hundred thousand taels were issued from the treasury, and a further hundred and twenty thousand of charitable relief allotted, both to provide for relief in Sichuan. Relief was also given for floods in the districts of Shandong, Guangdong, Yunnan, Fujian, Guizhou and elsewhere. Edit
In the winter, the tenth month, on wuzi, the Sino-British commercial treaty was concluded. On jichou, Liu Changru, a Second Captain of Hunan, was beheaded for failing to protect missionaries. This month, relief was given for disasters in the districts of Shanxi and Shaanxi. There were earthquakes in Jianchuan and Heqing Department in Yunnan, and in Shule and other counties in Xinjiang. Edit
In the eleventh month, on wuwu, an edict ordered that from next year's metropolitan examination, all those appointed Compilers or Correctors, or made Hanlin bachelors, or employed as ministry officials or Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat, should all study at the Imperial University of the capital, and only when they had their diplomas would they be allowed to graduate from the Hanlin or be kept on by memorial. The county magistrates assigned to the provinces were also each to study at the schools for officials. On jiwei, Youtai was made Amban in Tibet. On xinyou, fifty thousand taels each from the palace treasury and the ministry's treasury were issued to Shandong to provide for relief. On renxu, Wei Guangtao was transferred to be Governor-General of Liangjiang and Commissioner for the Southern Ports. On bingyin, the tax on flooded land in Lintong was remitted for five years. On gengchen, the winter solstice, the emperor sacrificed to Heaven at the Circular Mound. This month, he received the French minister Dubail and the American minister Conger in the Qianqing Palace. Edit
In the twelfth month, on guimao, Yuan Shikai was made Minister Directing Telegraphs. On xinhai, the filial conduct of Xichen, son of Yang Ru, Minister to Russia, who had died for his father in a foreign land, was honoured. This month, the fixed taxes of the departments, counties and guards of Jiangsu and Zhejiang were remitted, and the rent grain on flooded land in Yiliang. Edit
Twenty-ninth year of Guangxu (1903)
In the twenty-ninth year, guimao, in the spring, the first month, on the first day, dingsi, the banquets were suspended. Because next year would be the Empress Dowager's seventieth birthday, an edict opened a celebratory examination list: this year would hold the grace provincial examination of guimao and next year the grace metropolitan examination of jiachen, the regular provincial and metropolitan examinations both to be held at the next session. On yichou, the emperor received the American minister Conger and others in the Qianqing Palace. On dingmao, Rongqing was ordered to share in the management of the University. On jisi, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries and others in the Yangxing Hall. On dinghai, the grain tax struck by disaster in Zhenxi and Shufu was remitted. Edit
In the second month, on renzi, the breach at Huimin was closed. Edit
In the third month, on the first day, bingchen, there was an eclipse of the sun. On gengshen, the emperor received the German prince Henry, the minister Ge'ershi and others in the Qianqing Palace. An edict said that since the journey to the tombs would go by railway, the apportioning of labour service was forbidden and the escort was also not to be supplied by the localities. On xinyou, the Manchu and Han directors and the instructors of the official schools were abolished. On guihai, the emperor sacrificed to the First Farmer and ploughed the sacred field himself. The emperor attended the Empress Dowager to pay homage at the Western Tombs. On yichou, they went to Baoding Prefecture and halted there, and three-tenths of the fixed tax were remitted for the departments and counties the imperial carriage passed through. On jisi, Ronglu died; he was posthumously made Grand Mentor and raised to Baron, first class. The stamp tax and all harsh petty miscellaneous levies were abolished, and those who apportioned levies and embezzled were to be judged by the law. On gengwu, Yikuang was made a Grand Councillor. On guihai, they went to Nanyuan. On jiaxu, they went to Tuanhe and halted there. On gengchen, Yikuang and Qu Hongji were ordered to put the finances in order together with the Ministry of Revenue. A general mint for silver and copper coins was set up in the capital. Zaizhen, Yuan Shikai and Wu Tingfang were ordered to draft a commercial code. On xinsi, they returned from Nanyuan. This month, the arrears of Shaanxi from the year gengzi were remitted. Edit
In the summer, the fourth month, on jihai, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries in the Renshou Hall. On jiyou, bandits in Yunnan took the city of Lin'an Prefecture. On gengxu, the banner land rents of the departments and counties the imperial carriage had passed through were remitted. On xinhai, Chongli was made Grand Secretary of the Dongge Hall, and Jingxin Assistant Grand Secretary. Edit
In the fifth month, on guihai, Tieliang was ordered to train the banner troops of the capital together with Yuan Shikai. On wuchen, there was a fire at the Ministry of Revenue. On jiaxu, Yang Shu was ordered to serve as Minister to Japan. On yihai, the Luo Yi of Yunnan were put down. On renwu, Wang Shoupeng and three hundred and fourteen others were granted the degree of jinshi in their several classes. Edit
In the intercalary fifth month, on the first day, jiashen, Feng Zicai was ordered to handle the military affairs of Guangxi together with Cen Chunxuan. On bingxu, Zhang Zhidong was ordered to revise the regulations of the University together with Zhang Baixi and Rongqing. On gengyin, the Yunnan army recovered the city of Lin'an Prefecture, and Zhou Yunxiang, the bandit leader of Shiping, was put to death. On renchen, it had not rained since the fourth month, and on this day it rained. On bingshen, Wang Zhichun, Governor of Guangxi, and Su Yuanchun, its Provincial Commander, were both stripped of office, and Ke Fengshi was made Governor of Guangxi and Liu Guangcai Provincial Commander of Guangxi. On jihai, the emperor examined the candidates for the special examination in statecraft in the Baohe Hall. On renyin, Ma Yukun was ordered to patrol and hunt down robbers near the capital. On jiachen, the supplementary Sino-British commercial treaty was concluded. Edit
In the sixth month, on renxu, Yuan Jiagu and the others who had passed the special examination were promoted and recorded by degree. On guihai, Su Yuanchun was arrested and put in prison. On dingmao, Shiduo and others asked to add honorific titles to the Empress Dowager. Her decree refused it, since the fighting in Guangxi was at its height and the people were in hardship. On dingchou, the river burst its banks at Lijin. This month, the emperor received the Japanese minister Uchida Kosai and others and the Italian minister Gallina and others in the Renshou Hall. There were floods at Yantai in Shandong, and relief was given. Edit
In the autumn, the seventh month, on yiyou, Xiamen and Gulangyu were opened as common ground for all countries. On xinmao, Zheng Xiaoxu was granted the rank of a fourth-grade capital official and ordered to direct the frontier defence of Guangxi, with the right to memorialize directly. Kungang retired. On wuxu, the Ministry of Commerce was first set up, with Zaizhen as its Minister. Edit
In the eighth month, on the first day, renzi, the princes, dukes and officials asked in advance to contribute their salaries in celebration of the Empress Dowager's seventieth birthday next year; her decree stopped them. On guichou, the grain tax on land along the river in Lingzhou was remitted. On dingmao, the commercial treaty with Japan was concluded. On gengyin, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries in the Renshou Hall. On renshen, Jingxin was made Grand Secretary of the Tiren Hall, and Yude Assistant Grand Secretary. On dingchou, the emperor received the French minister Dubail and the German minister Mumm in the Renshou Hall. Edit
In the ninth month, on bingshen, Rongqing was ordered to serve as a probationary Grand Councillor. Natong was transferred to be Minister of Foreign Affairs and associate minister. On dingyou, Natong was ordered to put the finances of the Ministry of Revenue in order together with Yikuang and Qu Hongji, and Rongqing to serve as a minister of the Office of Government Affairs. On wuxu, Sun Jianai and Zhang Baixi were both made ministers of the Office of Government Affairs. Edit
This autumn, relief was given for floods in the districts of Hubei, Shaanxi and elsewhere, for hail in Huairou, for floods, drought and hail in the districts of Yunnan, and for locusts and frost in Zhenxi and Suilai. Edit
In the tenth month, on the first day, xinhai, the emperor received the Dutch minister Xitesi in the Qianqing Palace. On wuwu, because Yingxiu, in taking over the borrowed land of Aletai, had hastily agreed to put it off, Ruixun was ordered to go and investigate. On bingyin, the Army Training Office was set up, with Yikuang to head it and Yuan Shikai and Tieliang as his deputies. On jiaxu, Cen Chunxuan was ordered to command all the armies of Guangxi. On yihai, Yang Sheng was granted the rank of a fourth-grade minister and made Minister to Austria. On bingzi, Yuan Shikai impeached Zhang Yi for selling the Kaiping coal mines and the port of Qinwangdao to foreigners on his own authority. An edict stripped him of office and ordered him to get them back. Edit
In the eleventh month, on bingwu, an edict said: "To promote schools and nurture talent is the most urgent business. According to the school regulations drawn up by Zhang Zhidong with the Ministers in charge of Schools, the schools and the civil examinations are to be joined into one road, so that every scholar has real learning and all learning is of real use. From the examination of bingwu onward, the quotas of successful candidates in the provincial and metropolitan examinations, and the student quotas of the provinces, are to be reduced at each examination. When the schools of the provinces are all set up and working, the examination quotas are to be stopped one by one, and thereafter all will be selected through the schools." On dingwei, the Minister in charge of Schools was renamed Minister of Education, and Sun Jianai appointed to the post. Edit
In the twelfth month, on bingchen, the Guangxi bandit leader Qin Zhifa and others were executed. On wuwu, an edict ordered the Imperial Household Department to reduce the expenses of the palace once more and to stop all works that were not urgent. On jisi, Hanlin Academicians were appointed to compose texts, posts were added, and the ranks were fixed anew. On bingzi, because Japan and Russia had come to blows, China, observing the rule of neutrality for those outside the contest, proclaimed this to its officials and people. On jimao, Rongqing was appointed Grand Councillor. This month, the land rent and grain of Anzhou, flooded, and of Kunming, struck by drought, were remitted. Edit
That winter, relief was given for floods in the departments and counties of Gansu and Yunnan, for the flood dragons (jiaozai) at Nanzhou and Xinhua, and for the fire at Luzhou. Edit
Thirtieth year of Guangxu (1904)
The thirtieth year, jiachen. Spring, the first month, on guiwei, the Guangxi Salt Intendant was moved to reside at Wuzhou, and was also made Customs Superintendent. The Yellow River breached at Wangzhuang in Lijin. On jiashen, the emperor received the ministers of the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Portugal, Conger and the others, in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On jichou, Zhang Chunfa, Provincial Commander of Yunnan, was found guilty, stripped of his office and exiled to the military posts. On jiawu, on the occasion of the Empress Dowager's seventieth birthday, the emperor went to the Hall of Supreme Harmony and issued an edict to the empire, extending favors in different degrees. On jihai, Gao Deyuan, Brigade General of the Pu'er Garrison in Yunnan, was executed by beheading for making light of bandits and bringing disaster on the people. On jiyou, an edict ordered that the autumn executions of this year be suspended. Edit
Second month, on the first day, gengxu, there was an eclipse of the sun. On jiwei, the emperor received the Portuguese minister Bai Langgu in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On bingyin, the breach at Lijin was closed. Edit
Third month, on the first day, gengchen, the emperor received the German minister Mumm and others in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On guiwei, the censor Jiang Shixing, because his memorial impeaching Yikuang had words without basis, was reprimanded and returned to his original post. On wuzi, Wang Zhao was put in prison. On gengyin, the arrears of taxes in Yulin and other departments and counties were remitted. On dingwei, Zhang Deyi concluded with Britain the treaty for the protection of works. Edit
Summer, fourth month, on xinhai, the emperor received the German Prince Alabai'er and the minister Mumm in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On yihai, Su Yuanchun was sent to garrison duty in Xinjiang. This month, the grain relief of last year's disasters in Dengchuan was remitted, as were the tax arrears of Xinhua, struck by flood dragons, and of Hulan, Suihua and other districts, which had suffered from war. Edit
Fifth month, on xinsi, the intendant Yuan Dahua was ordered to manage mining affairs in Anhui. On yiyou, the traveling palace at Rehe was destroyed by fire. On bingxu, the Empress Dowager's decree granted a special pardon to those on the register of the wuxu party; apart from Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao and Sun Wen, those who had been stripped of office were restored to their former ranks, and those who had been sought by warrant, imprisoned or placed under supervision were released and pardoned. On wuxu, the rebel militia of Guangxi captured Liucheng, and the commander Zu Shengwu was beheaded before the army. On jihai, Fan Fengyi, a tribute student of Xingtai whose family had lived together for nine generations, was honored. On guimao, Liu Chunlin and 273 others were granted the jinshi degree and standing, in different grades. On yisi, the Empress Dowager's decree ordered that for her seventieth birthday this year banquets be dispensed with, that generals, governors-general and governors need not come to the capital to offer congratulations, and that presentation of tribute be waived. The Superintendents of the Customs at Guangdong (Yuehai) and Huai'an, and the Imperial Textile Commissioner of Jiangning, were abolished. Edit
Sixth month, on jiyou, an edict said: "The times are hard and the people distressed; officials obstruct and conceal, and the feelings of those below do not get through. Indeed, in the departments and counties, grain and money are collected in excess and pocketed, what has been paid in full is called arrears, and a hundred abuses spring up, greatly failing the court's intention to have compassion for the people. Let each governor-general and governor quickly set out in a plain and clear register the grain quota, how much was actually levied, and how much of the regular levy and surcharge was collected as rice or in commuted form. In addition, whether there are customary fees or not, record each one clearly and explain it. Do not embellish, do not omit; report in accordance with the facts." On renzi, Tieliang was ordered to go to Jiangnan to inquire into the arsenals and factories, plan what was suitable, and examine the items of receipt and expenditure and the benefits and abuses of the treasuries, bureaus and offices. On wuwu, Cen Chunxuan was urged to hasten to Guilin and Liuzhou to command the troops. On guihai, Che Linduanduobu and other league chiefs who pastured their herds in Qinghai asked to use the annual audience rota to bring further tribute goods to the capital to offer congratulations. The Empress Dowager's decree praised them, but still declined. On guiyou, the Yongding River breached. On bingzi, the Yellow River breached at Bozhuang in Lijin. Edit
Autumn, seventh month, on wuyin, the emperor received the Belgian minister Ge Feiye in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The Provincial Commander of the Fujian Navy was abolished and merged with the Provincial Commander of the land forces, who was moved to reside at Xiamen. On jiashen, the Yongding River breached again at its northern lower section. On wuzi, 100,000 taels from the privy purse were issued as relief for floods and droughts in Sichuan. On renchen, British troops entered the Tibetan border; the Dalai Lama fled, was stripped of his title, and the Panchen Erdeni was ordered to act in his place. On jiawu, the Yellow River breached in Gansu and Gaolan suffered the disaster; Songfan was ordered to provide relief. On yiwei, the sending of porcelain from Jiujiang as tribute was stopped. On bingshen, Li Xingrui was ordered to serve as acting Governor-General of Liangjiang and Commissioner of the Southern Ports. This month, Tang Shouqian was granted the rank of fourth-grade chamberlain and put in charge of the railways of Zhejiang. Edit
Eighth month, on the first day, dingwei, the staff officials of the Imperial Household Department were cut and merged. On guihai, Tang Shaoyi was granted the rank of Deputy Lieutenant-General and sent to Tibet to investigate and handle affairs. On xinwei, the emperor received the Italian minister Ga Nina in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. On guiyou, he received the Mexican minister Li Hua in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Edit
Ninth month, on the first day, bingzi, the emperor received the British minister Satow in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On guiwei, Jingxin was dismissed because of illness. On jihai, Li Xingrui died, and Zhou Fu was ordered to serve as acting Governor-General of Liangjiang and Commissioner of the Southern Ports. Because British troops had entered Tibet and the Dalai Lama sought help, Delin was ordered to pacify him. The British troops soon withdrew. Tang Shaoyi was commissioned as plenipotentiary commissioner for negotiating the treaty. On guimao, the Hubei Grain Intendant was changed into the Shihe Military Defense Intendant. Edit
That autumn, the tax arrears of Jilin, which had suffered war, and of Yunnan, struck by flood, drought and war, were remitted, as was the fixed tax of Wuwei and Jinzhou. Relief was given for floods in Yunnan, Shuntian, Fujian, Gansu and Jiangxi, and for disasters in Shanxi, Zhejiang, Guangdong and other places. Edit
Winter, tenth month, on bingwu, Lu Haihuan concluded the continued negotiation of the Sino-Portuguese commercial treaty. Yude was made Grand Secretary of the Hall of Embodying Benevolence, and Shixu Assistant Grand Secretary. On gengxu, the emperor received the ministers of Austria, the United States, Germany, Russia and Belgium, Qi Gan and others, in the Hall of Imperial Supremacy. The breach in the Yongding River was closed. On renzi, the emperor, attending the Empress Dowager, went to the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity and gave a banquet to the princes and nobles of the near branches of the imperial clan, and led the princes, beile, beizi and dukes in offering a dance. On jiayin, on the Empress Dowager's birthday, the emperor went to the Hall of Dispersing Clouds and presented a memorial of congratulation. On xinyou, he received the ministers of Britain, Japan, France and Korea, Satow and others, in the Hall of Imperial Supremacy. On bingyin, the Empress Dowager's decree forbade the provinces to use the new policies as a pretext to invent names for exactions and levy petty private contributions. All schools and crafts that bore on nurture and instruction should be encouraged by the officials, with the gentry and people raising funds themselves, so as not to cause harsh disturbance. The registration of the outcast (duomin) households of Zhejiang was abolished; they were allowed to enter schools, and those who completed their courses were given standing. Edit
Eleventh month, on the first day, yihai, Yinchang was ordered to remain minister to Germany, and Zeng Guangquan minister to Korea. An earthquake struck Dajianlu in Sichuan. On dingchou, the emperor received the Italian minister Ba Lueli in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On renwu, the Guangxi bandit leader Lu Yafa was executed. On wuzi, the system of officers for the new army was fixed. On jiachen, Zengqi was ordered by edict to provide relief for and pacify the refugees of the three provinces of the Northeast. Edit
Twelfth month, on wushen, the emperor received the Italian minister Ba Lueli, the Dutch minister Xi Tesi, the Portuguese minister A Meida and others in the Hall of Imperial Supremacy. On jiayin, the Jiang-An Grain Intendant was abolished, and the Jiangnan Salt Intendant was changed into the Salt and Grain Intendant. On dingsi, 300,000 taels from the privy purse were issued as relief for the refugees of Fengtian. On renxu, Zhili for the first time issued public bond notes. On bingyin, the Governor-General of Grain Transport was abolished, and a Governor of Jianghuai was established. On dingmao, the School for the Imperial Kin was founded. On wuchen, a Heilongjiang Circuit Intendant, also holding the rank of Judicial Commissioner, the Lan-Sui-Hai Military Defense Intendant, and the two prefectures of Hulan and Suihua were established. On xinwei, the Dujiangyan in Sichuan was repaired. Edit
That winter, the Governors of Hubei and Yunnan, and the Grain Intendants of Hunan and Shaanxi, were abolished. The autumn grain of Shiping and Zhaozhou, the tax arrears of Chenliu and other departments and counties, and the fixed tax of Chaoyi, which had been flooded, were remitted. Edit
Thirty-first year of Guangxu (1905)
The thirty-first year, yisi. Spring, first month, on dingchou, the emperor received the ministers of Germany, Britain, Japan, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Mexico, the United States, Korea and Austria in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The Dalai Lama asked to build a temple at Urga to chant scriptures; this was not permitted. He was ordered to return to Tibet and take good care of the multitude. On guisi, Tieliang reported that, in inspecting the armies of the provinces, the land army of Hubei was the finest, and an edict praised it. The commanders of the various armies of Jiangnan were punished in different degrees. Tang Shaoyi was ordered to serve as minister to Britain. Edit
Second month, on yisi, the Empress Dowager's decree issued 300,000 taels from the privy purse to console and relieve the refugees of the three provinces of the Northeast. On gengxu, Changgeng and Xu Shichang were ordered to examine and test the three newly reorganized divisions of the new army. On bingyin, the Hall of Abundant Grace at the Jing Mausoleum was destroyed by fire. On gengwu, the emperor received the American minister Conger in the Hall of the Calm Sea. On renshen, relief was given to the nomads of Alashan. On guiyou, last year's tax arrears of grain in Shaanxi were remitted. Edit
Third month, on yihai, there was famine in Fengtian. Russian troops entered Changchun and occupied it. On bingzi, Tibetans of Batang burned down the French church; Fengquan, the Assistant Amban stationed in Tibet, went to suppress and arrest them, met an ambush and died. The Provincial Commander of Sichuan, Ma Weiqi, was ordered to suppress them. Ke Fengshi was ordered to manage the unified levy on native opium in eight provinces. On dingchou, the emperor received the German Prince Fuliliubo and the minister Mumm in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On jimao, an edict directed governors-general and governors to recommend those able to fill the posts of provincial commander and brigade general. On jichou, the provincial capital of Yunnan was opened as a commercial port. On gengyin, the newly established Governor of Jianghuai was abolished, and the Brigade General of Huai-Yang was changed into Provincial Commander of Jiangbei. On guisi, an edict ordered the laws revised. For capital crimes the penalty was to go no further than decapitation; the punishments of slow slicing, exposure of the severed head, and mutilation of the corpse were abolished. Decapitation and strangulation pending review were to be reduced in due order. In the clauses on liability by association, apart from those who knew of the crime, all others were pardoned leniently. The regulations on tattooing the face were all abolished. On jiawu, because interrogation by torture was forbidden, the penalties of beating with the light and heavy rods were adapted, and jails and places of detention were to be inspected and cleared; governors-general and governors were ordered by edict to carry this out in earnest. On yiwei, bandits at Qianwei rose in revolt, and the government troops suppressed and pacified them. On bingshen, Zhou Fu was ordered to go to Jiangbei to plan the administration of officials, coastal defense, river works and the arrest of criminals. Edit
Summer, fourth month, on jiachen, because Russian warships had reached the South Seas, an edict ordered the places concerned to guard against them beforehand, and also forbade merchants to carry coal to supply them. The articles on theft were revised: for all cases that should have been punished by the light or heavy rod, penal labor was substituted. On yisi, an edict ordered every province, prefecture, department and county to set up a workhouse for criminals to learn trades. On bingwu, Liu Yongqing was granted the rank of vice minister and made acting Provincial Commander of Jiangbei, with the brigade generals and intendants below him under his control. On dingwei, the Guangdong Grain Intendant was abolished, and the Lian-Qin Military Defense Intendant was established. On jiyou, Cheng Dequan was ordered to serve as acting General of Heilongjiang. On renzi, a German warship suddenly arrived at Haizhou to take soundings; orders were given to question it strictly. Edit
Fifth month, on dinghai, the emperor received the Japanese minister Jia Sili and the American minister Rockhill in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On guisi, he received the Mexican minister Hu Erda in the Hall of Imperial Supremacy. On gengzi, Wang Wenshao was relieved as Grand Councillor; Xu Shichang was ordered to study the work as a probationer above the Grand Councillors, and also to be Minister of the Bureau of Government Affairs; Tieliang and Xu Shichang were to manage jointly the training of troops. Edit
Sixth month, on bingwu, the emperor received the Russian minister Pu Kedi in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. The tax arrears of Zhongmou and other departments and counties were remitted. On jiayin, examinations were held for students who had studied abroad, and Jin Bangping and others were granted the standing of jinshi and juren in different degrees. Zaize, Dai Hongci, Xu Shichang and Duanfang were ordered to go to the countries of East and West to study their governments. On wuwu, an edict ordered the appointment of ministers to guard the three mausolea of Shengjing. The Vice Ministers of Revenue, Rites, War, Justice and Works of Shengjing, five ministries in all, were abolished. On jiwei, Shixu was made Grand Secretary of the Hall of Embodying Benevolence, and Natong Assistant Grand Secretary. On guihai, the Governor of Guangdong was abolished. On gengwu, the Guizhou bandits captured the four stockades of Duyun, and the government troops recovered them. Edit
Seventh month, on bingzi, the censors' inspection of the five wards and of the streets [...] was abolished, and the trained militia were changed into patrolmen. On yiyou, Shaoying was further sent as a minister to go abroad and study governments. On jichou, because of the war at Batang, the sale of substantive office was opened for one year. On bingshen, Tingjie was granted the rank of vice minister and sent to Fengtian to handle the opening of wasteland. Changde and Xiangtan were opened as commercial ports. On dingyou, Tieliang was ordered to study the work as a probationer above the Grand Councillors, and soon was also made Minister of the Bureau of Government Affairs. Edit
Eighth month, on renyin, an edict said: "The merchants and tradesmen of the provinces are boycotting the American treaty. This both harms friendly relations and damages commerce. Local officials should counsel them earnestly and examine the matter from time to time." On jiachen, an edict abolished the civil service examinations. On bingwu, the Prefect and Vice Prefect of Fengtian were abolished, and Education Commissioners of the three provinces of the Northeast were established. Liu Shixun was ordered to serve as minister to France and Japan, Huang Gao as minister to Italy, and Zhou Rongyao as minister to Belgium. Rongyao was soon dismissed and Li Shengduo was appointed in his place. On dingwei, the fixed tax of the northern circuit of Fengtian, which had suffered war, was remitted. On xinhai, 30,000 taels from the privy purse were issued to Jiangsu for emergency relief. On guichou, an edict ordered the education commissioners of the provinces to be solely in charge of examining the schools, and from then on the affairs of the education commissioners would be assessed by the Minister of School Affairs. On wuwu, Pan Xiaosu, Governor of Xinjiang, was stripped of office for embezzling funds and exiled to the military posts. On jiwei, Yuan Shikai and Tieliang were ordered to review the autumn maneuvers of the new army. On renxu, Wang Daxie was ordered to serve as minister to Britain, Yang Sheng as minister to Germany, and Li Jingmai as minister to Austria. On jiazi, Haizhou was opened as a commercial port. On yichou, Li Jingfang was ordered instead to serve as Commissioner for Commercial Treaties. On dingmao, Zaize and the others set out, and just as they boarded the train someone suddenly threw a bomb. When the matter was reported, an edict ordered strict arrest and heavy punishment. On jisi, the disorder at Batang was quelled, and the bandit leaders, the lamas Aze and Longbenlangji, were executed. Edit
Ninth month, on bingzi, Zhou Rongyao, a third-rank capital official, who had formerly served as a customs clerk and had embezzled a huge sum of public funds, was stripped of office, arrested and tried, and his property confiscated. On gengchen, a Ministry of Police was established for the first time, with Xu Shichang as Minister. On gengyin, the Beixin Granary caught fire. On xinmao, in judging the merit of having pacified Guangxi, Cen Chunxuan was promoted to the rank of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and Li Jingxi was given generous commendation. On bingshen, the emperor received the German minister Mumm in the Hall of Diligent Governance. On wuxu, Shang Qiheng and Li Shengduo were ordered to join Zaize and the others in going to the various countries to study their governments. Edit
That autumn, relief was given for floods in the districts of Guizhou and Yunnan, for the windstorm at Taikang, and for the hail and windstorm at Zhenfan and Bayanrongge. Edit
Winter, tenth month, on guimao, the emperor received the Japanese minister Uchida Yasuya and others in the Hall of Diligent Governance. A Harbin Circuit was established in Jilin. On bingchen, the Lu-Han Railway was completed. British troops had entered Tibet and demanded an indemnity of more than 1,200,000 taels. An edict ordered that the state pay it on the Tibetans' behalf, in compassion for their hardship. On renxu, the regulations for casting silver coins and putting them into circulation were fixed. On yichou, Lu Zhengxiang was ordered to serve as minister to the Netherlands, and also to handle the affairs of the Hague Peace Conference. On wuchen, a Bureau for the Study of Governments was established, to select from the governments and laws of the various countries what suited the form of government of China, weigh what to subtract and add, compile them into a book, and submit it to the throne for decision. An edict said: "Recently lawless people have fabricated doctrines of revolution and of driving out the Manchus, borrowing the name of parties to carry out treason in secret. Let all the governors of the frontier regions strictly prohibit it and secretly seize them. The principal and accessory offenders are to be judged under the statute for plotting rebellion." Edit
Eleventh month, on the first day, gengwu, the secret-society bandits of Shaanxi and Luo were pacified. On xinwei, Yude died. On bingzi, the ministers stationed in Korea were abolished and consuls-general established in their place. On jimao, an edict established a Ministry of Education and merged the Directorate of Education into it, and Rongqing was transferred to be its Minister. On yiwei, the new Sino-Japanese treaty was concluded. Edit
Twelfth month, on xinhai, Natong was appointed Grand Secretary of the Hall of Embodying Benevolence and Rongqing Assistant Grand Secretary. On guihai, a General Police Office for the inner and outer cities of the capital was established. The Bureau of Works and Patrol was abolished. Xu Shichang and Tieliang were both appointed Grand Councillors. This month, the tax arrears of the banners of Shengjing and of the districts of Shaanxi, which had suffered war, and the land rent of Anzhou, long waterlogged, and of Hancheng, washed by floods, were remitted. Edit
That winter, relief was given for the flood at Huize, the flood at Jingzhou, and the flood and hail at Yingjisha'er. Edit
Thirty-second year of Guangxu (1906)
The thirty-second year, bingwu. Spring, first month, on bingzi, the tribute of sable from Butha was deferred. On dingchou, the emperor received the ministers of Germany, Britain, France, the United States, Japan, the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, Austria, Belgium, Portugal and Mexico, Mumm and the others, in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On dinghai, the Zhangpu bandit leader Zhang Ying was executed. On renchen, Xu Fu was dismissed in the official evaluation. On jiawu, Qu Hongji was appointed Assistant Grand Secretary. Edit
Second month, on wuchen, an edict ordered the provinces to protect churches and the persons and families of foreigners. On yichou, the emperor received the German minister Mumm and others in the Hall of Diligent Governance. This month, 100,000 taels of treasury silver were issued to help relieve the disaster in Japan. Edit
Third month, on the first day, wuchen, the five great principles of loyalty to the sovereign, honoring Confucius, valuing the public good, valuing military prowess and valuing practical substance were made the guiding aim of education, and an edict proclaimed this to the empire. On gengwu, the selection of beautiful women of the Eight Banners for the palace was abolished. On bingzi, Wang Daxie was ordered to go and congratulate the ruler of Japan on his wedding. On bingxu, Tongzhou in Jiangsu was opened as a commercial port. On dingyou, an earthquake struck San Francisco in the United States, and 100,000 taels of treasury silver were issued to relieve the Chinese people there. This month, the Austrian minister Gu Xinsiji, the Italian minister Ba Leli and others, the German minister Mumm and others, and the French minister Lu Ban had audiences in turn. Edit
That spring, the following were remitted: in Renhe and other salt yards and in the departments and counties of Zhejiang, in the three salt offices of Hang, Yan and Qu, the salt-boiler levy and the miscellaneous levies on wasteland, hills and ponds; the disaster grain of Yunnan, Hunan and Xinjiang; and the tax arrears of Shaanxi. Edit
Summer, fourth month, on the first day, wuxu, Lu Zhengxiang was ordered to go to Switzerland to discuss the Red Cross convention. On jihai, the education commissioners of the provinces were abolished and Provincial Education Commissioners established in their place. On gengzi, the emperor received the Japanese minister Uchida Yasuya in the Hall of Diligent Governance. On guichou, Tieliang was ordered to serve as Commissioner in charge of Tax Affairs, with Tang Shaoyi as his deputy. On dingsi, 100,000 taels from the Hunan treasury were issued to relieve the flood. Edit
Intercalary fourth month, on bingxu, because sunshine and rain had not come at their proper times and partial disasters had repeatedly been reported, the Empress Dowager's decree admonished sovereign and ministers, high and low, to be watchful together. On wuzi, Tang Jiong, because of age and illness, was relieved of the mining affairs of Yunnan. Edit
Fifth month, on wuxu, 50,000 taels of treasury silver were issued to relieve the flood in Guangdong. On guimao, the Qin River in Henan overflowed, and relief was given to the stricken people. This month, the emperor received the French minister Ba Side and the Italian Prince Fei'erdi'ande and others in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Edit
Sixth month, on dingmao, Germany reduced its garrison in Zhili and returned to us the land at Langfang, Yangcun, Beidaihe, Qinwangdao and Shanhai Pass. On gengchen, the Yuanling bandit leader Qin Jiawei was executed. Edit
That summer, the old arrears of Langqiong, the fixed tax of Shache, which had again fallen waste, and the arrears of Gansu and Yunnan, which had suffered disasters, were remitted. Relief was given for the flood at Wuzhi and the fire at Chaoyang. Edit
Autumn, seventh month, on wuxu, a Commissioner for Border Affairs of Sichuan and Yunnan was established and Zhao Erfeng appointed to it, with the rank of vice minister. The breach of the Qin River was closed. On gengzi, the land and water camps and banner defense troops of Jiangsu were reorganized as patrol and defense units. On xinchou, Zaize and the other Commissioners for the Study of Governments returned to the capital and presented a sealed memorial. The Prince Chun of the First Rank, the ministers of the Bureau of Government Affairs and Grand Council, the Grand Secretaries and the Commissioner of the Northern Ports were ordered jointly to read it and obtain a decision. On yisi, Fengtian opened Dadonggou as a commercial port, established a customs house, and had the Eastern Border Circuit Intendant act as Superintendent concurrently. On wushen, an edict said: "Zaize and the others, in their memorial, say that the nation's strength is not roused because high and low are estranged and the court and the provinces are cut off from one another. Officials do not know how to protect the people, and the people do not know how to defend the state. The reason other countries are rich and strong lies in carrying out constitutional government and deciding by public opinion. At present, there is only the way of modeling ourselves on constitutional government, with great powers united in the court and the various affairs of government laid open to public discussion. As for the foundations of preparing for a constitution, let ministers and officials inside and outside the capital earnestly bestir themselves. When in a few years the outline is roughly in place, we shall draw on the established laws of other countries and then fix a time limit for putting it into effect." On jiyou, an edict said that for the preparation of a constitution the official system must first be revised and fixed, and ministers were ordered to compile it, with Yikuang, Sun Jia'nai and Qu Hongji in overall charge of examining and settling it, and submitting it to the throne for compliance. Duanfang was transferred to be Governor-General of Liangjiang and Commissioner of the Southern Ports. On jiazi, 100,000 taels from the stores of the Jiangsu treasury were issued to relieve the floods of Xu, Hai and western Huai. Edit
Eighth month, on dinghai, the fixed tax on the flood-washed land of Linchuan was remitted. On gengyin, the emperor received the Japanese prince Bogong and the minister Hayashi Gonsuke in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. This month, relief was given for floods in Anhui, windstorms in Guangdong and waterlogging in Huzhou. Edit
Ninth month, on guimao, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. On bingwu, Chen Jintao and others who had completed their studies abroad were granted standing as jinshi and juren in the various fields, in different degrees. On jiayin, an edict revised the official system. The Cabinet, the Grand Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministries of Personnel, Rites and Education, the Imperial Clan Court, the Hanlin Academy and the like remained as before. The Ministry of Police was changed into the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the Ministry of Revenue into the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of War into the Ministry of the Army, the Ministry of Justice into the Ministry of Law, the Ministry of Works was merged into the Ministry of Commerce to form the Ministry of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce, and the Court of Colonial Affairs became the Ministry of Colonial Affairs. In each, one Minister and two Vice Ministers were established, without distinction between Manchu and Han. In the Censorate there was to be one Censor-in-Chief and two Vice Censors-in-Chief. The Supervising Secretaries of the Six Offices became simply Supervising Secretaries, and the Court of Judicial Review became the Supreme Court. A Ministry of Posts and Communications, a Ministry of the Navy, a Military Advisory Office, an Advisory Council and an Audit Court were newly established. The Finance Bureau was attached to the Ministry of Finance, and the three courts of Imperial Sacrifices, Banqueting and State Ceremonial were attached to the Ministry of Rites. The Court of the Imperial Stud and the Army Training Office were attached to the Ministry of the Army. The Ministers of all the ministries were to serve as Ministers of the Bureau of Government Affairs. Shixu was appointed Grand Councillor, Lin Shaonian was to study the work as a probationer above the Grand Councillors, and Lu Chuanlin, Rongqing, Xu Shichang and Tieliang were all relieved of the Grand Council to attend solely to the business of their ministries. On yimao, 100,000 taels from the stores of the Guangdong treasury were issued to relieve the windstorm at Hong Kong and in the districts of Chao, Gao, Lei, Qin and Lian. On dingsi, the Bureau of Government Affairs was changed into the Conference Bureau of Government Affairs. On wuwu, Zeng Guangquan, with the rank of third-rank capital official, was ordered to serve as minister to Germany. Edit
Winter, tenth month, on guiyou, on the Empress Dowager's birthday, banquets were suspended. On guiwei, the emperor received the British minister Jordan and the Belgian minister Ke Niya in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On yiyou, the Guangdong land-route and water-route Provincial Commanders were merged into a single Provincial Commander of Guangdong. On dinghai, the emperor received the Japanese minister Hayashi Gonsuke and others in the Hall of Diligent Governance. On wuzi, the bandit shamans Wang Yongqiu and Chen Xianlong of Liuyang and Liling raised disorder, and government troops seized and beheaded them. On jichou, 300,000 taels from the commutation of grain tribute were allotted to prepare relief in Jiangsu. On xinmao, an Official Gazette Bureau was set up in the capital. Edit
Eleventh month, on jihai, 100,000 taels of the capital subsidy from Guangdong were retained to prepare relief. On renyin, the pit-mouth tax on antimony ore in Guangxi was remitted. On jiachen, 80,000 taels of government silver from Shaanxi were allotted to help relieve Jiangsu. On wushen, an edict raised Confucius to the Great Sacrifice, and the responsible office was to deliberate the ceremonies and report. On guichou, an edict ordered the provinces to deliberate the currency system. On dingmao, a school at Qufu was built, and 100,000 taels from the privy purse were issued to assist the work. This month, the emperor received the Mexican minister Hu'erda in the Hall of Diligent Governance, and the German minister Lei Kesi, the French minister Ba Side and the British minister Jordan in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Edit
Twelfth month, on the first day, guihai, there was an eclipse of the sun. On dingmao, the integrity allowance of capital officials was increased. On jiaxu, the ministers stationed in the various countries were changed into substantive officials of the second rank. Edit
That winter, relief was given for disasters at Puning, Zhaozhou, Luoping and Shizong, and for floods at Jiangning and Yangzhou. The grain taxes of Luanping and Anzhou, waterlogged, the fixed tax of Yongcheng, the tax arrears of Xianning and other places in Shaanxi, and the grain arrears of the disaster-struck lands of Yongping, Taihe and Kunming were remitted. Edit
Thirty-third year of Guangxu (1907)
The thirty-third year, dingwei. Spring, first month, on jiachen, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On gengxu, the minor capital officials of the ministries were abolished. Edit
Second month, on jiazi, Youtai, for having bungled the affairs of Tibet, was stripped of office and banished to the military posts. On renshen, 150,000 shi of the Suzhou grain tribute were retained to prepare relief. Edit
Third month, on bingshen, the emperor received the Japanese minister Hayashi Gonsuke and others in the Hall of Diligent Governance. On wuxu, Changchun and Harbin were opened as commercial ports. On jihai, the General of Shengjing was changed into Governor-General of the Three Eastern Provinces, the Generals of Jilin and Heilongjiang were abolished, and three Governors, of Fengtian, Jilin and Heilongjiang, were established in their place; Xu Shichang was commissioned Imperial Commissioner and made Governor-General of the Three Eastern Provinces. On renyin, the Prefect Sun Baoqi was ordered to serve as minister to Germany. On renzi, Liang Dunyan, Tianjin Circuit Intendant, was ordered to serve as minister to the United States, Mexico, Peru and Cuba. On bingshen, Lu Zhengxiang was ordered to serve as special envoy to the Peace Conference, Li Jingfang as minister to Britain, and Qian Xun as minister to the Netherlands. On dingsi, Kungang died. Edit
That spring, the tax arrears of Zhongwei, flooded, and of Yulin and other districts, and the grain arrears and fixed tax of the departments and counties of Yunnan struck by drought, were remitted. Edit
Fourth month, on jiazi, the militia and constables of the provinces were abolished and police established in their place. An earthquake struck Suilai. On yichou, the censor Zhao Qilin, for slandering imperial relatives and nobles, was stripped of office. On xinwei, the official system of the Three Eastern Provinces was revised: Fengtian, Jilin and Heilongjiang were each to have provincial government offices, with the Governor-General as chief and the Governor as second; Counselors of the Left and Right were established, in charge respectively of the two [...] of Chengxuan and Ziyi; seven departments, for foreign affairs, banner affairs, civil affairs, education, finance, encouragement of industry and Mongol affairs, were separately set up, each with a department commissioner, along with a Provincial Judicial Commissioner, a Training Supervision Office and other officials. On jimao, prayers for rain were made. On xinsi, because of the flood in Jiangbei, the ban on exporting rice and grain was strictly enforced. On dinghai, the official system of the army and navy was fixed: the Ministry of the Army was to have two [...] and ten departments, the Military Advisory Office five departments, and the Ministry of the Navy six departments. On wuzi, the Duke Yansheng, Kong Lingyi, was ordered to inspect educational affairs in Shandong. Edit
Fifth month, on guisi, the lamas of Batang and other districts coerced the barbarians west of the river into revolt, and government troops put them down. On yiwei, Wang Shizhen, with the rank of vice minister, was ordered to act as Provincial Commander of Jiangbei. On bingshen, a fire broke out in the forbidden hills of the Western Tombs. On dingyou, Qu Hongji was dismissed. On jihai, Lu Chuanlin was appointed Grand Councillor. The Prince Chun of the First Rank was ordered to serve on duty in the Grand Council. On xinchou, Wang Wenzhao was dismissed, and Zhang Zhidong was ordered to serve as Assistant Grand Secretary. On guimao, Chongli died. On dingsi, the Provincial Judicial Commissioners were established in place of the Provincial Judges, Police and Industry Circuit Intendants were established, the Circuit Intendants for guarding and for patrol were abolished, the military defense intendants were kept as seemed fit, and separate trial [...] were established in preparation for the independence of the judiciary; assistants in government were increased and replaced in preparation for local self-government, which was expected to be in force everywhere within fifteen years. On wuwu, an edict said: "In the matter of the constitution, officials and people alike have a responsibility. All who know the methods of preparing for it and the order of carrying it out are permitted each to set forth their points item by item, and the responsible office shall select and adopt them and report." Xu Xilin, a candidate intendant of Anhui, assassinated the Governor Enming; Xilin was captured and executed. Edit
Sixth month, on xinyou, Li Jiaju was ordered to serve as minister to Japan. On bingyin, the censor Zhao Qilin was restored to office. On renshen, rain fell on this day, after there had been none since the fourth month. Zhang Zhidong was appointed Grand Secretary of the Hall of Embodying Benevolence and Lu Chuanlin Assistant Grand Secretary. On yiyou, the banquets for the emperor's birthday were suspended. The Yongding River breached. Edit
That summer, the fixed tax of Xinhua, flooded, the levies in arrears of Yitong, which had suffered from bandits, and the silver and rice due from the departments and counties of Yunnan struck by drought were remitted. Relief was given for the famine in Yunnan and the flood in Zhili. Edit
Autumn, seventh month, on xinmao, an edict ordered officials inside and outside the court to deliberate on dissolving the distinction between Manchu and Han. On jiawu, the Bureau for the Study of Governments was changed into the Bureau for Compiling and Examining Constitutional Government. Matters for the joint conferences of the Grand Councillors, Grand Secretaries and ministers participating in government affairs were to be conducted in the Cabinet. On renyin, the Empress Dowager's decree sent Yang Shiqi to the ports of the Southern Seas to make inquiries and to encourage overseas Chinese. The fixed tax of Zhaozhou and Lufeng, which had suffered disasters, was remitted. Relief was given to the disaster victims of Shuntian and other districts, and for the flood dragons of Liuyang and Shaoyang. On jiachen, an edict said that bandits plotting rebellion often borrowed the term revolution to incite and lure people cleverly. Governors-general and governors should find ways to disperse them. When offenders were seized, their sentences were to be drawn up and judged separately as rebellion or as banditry, and those who had been coerced, and family members who did not know the facts, were not to be implicated. Zhang Yintang was ordered to serve as plenipotentiary to negotiate the Tibet treaty with the British. Jingxin died. On jiyou, a time limit was fixed for organizing and training thirty-six divisions of the army. On bingchen, Zhang Zhidong and Yuan Shikai were both appointed Grand Councillors, and Yuan Shikai was made Minister of Foreign Affairs. On dingsi, Yang Shixiang was ordered to serve as acting Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner of the Northern Ports. On wuwu, Li Jingmai was relieved because of his mother's illness, and Lei Butong was ordered to serve as minister to Austria. On jiwei, the Yellow River breached at Meng County. Edit
Eighth month, on xinyou, the emperor was unwell, and an edict ordered the provinces to recommend persons skilled in medicine. Wang Daxie was sent as envoy to Britain, Dashou to Japan and Yu Shimei to Germany, all serving as Commissioners to Study Constitutional Government. On renxu, a Higher Court of Trial [...] was established in the capital. On jisi, a General Procuratorate [...] was established. On renshen, the Advisory Council was founded, with the Beizi Pulun and Sun Jia'nai as presidents. On yihai, Wu Tingfang was ordered to serve as minister to the United States and Sa Yintu as minister to Russia. On jimao, an edict held that the garrison troops in the provinces had fallen into idle habits, and ordered the generals and others to grant them land and supervise their plowing; after they returned to farming, everything was to be handled by the local authorities. On gengchen, the postal stations of Fengtian were abolished and a Dispatch Bureau established. On renwu, an edict ordered officials inside and outside the court to study the system of constitutional monarchy. An edict ordered the regulations on self-government to be fixed. On jiachen, the emperor received the German minister Lei Kesi and the Japanese minister Abe Moritaro in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. An edict ordered the guard units of the Firearms Division and its officers and men to be placed under the Ministry of the Army. Edit
Ninth month, on xinmao, an edict ordered the ritual regulations and penal code for Manchus and Han to be deliberated and fixed, and the weights and measures to be examined and set in a single uniform system and regulations. On that day, because the habit of opium had not been given up, an order reprimanded Prince Zhuang of the First Rank Zaigong, Prince Rui of the First Rank Kuibin, the Censor-in-Chief Lu Baozhong and the Vice Censor-in-Chief Chen Mingkan, dismissed them from office and ordered them quickly to cure themselves of it. It also ordered civil and military officials inside and outside the court to be wholly rid of it within three months, or be strictly punished. On guisi, Shen Jiaben, Yu Liansan and Yingrui were ordered to serve as Commissioners for Revising the Laws. On jihai, the provinces were ordered to set up Provincial Assemblies, with members publicly elected, and also to plan the establishment of deliberative councils in departments and counties. On renyin, Japan, because of floods, came to ask to buy grain, and 600,000 shi of rice and grain from Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang and Hubei were sent to relieve them. On jiachen, the provinces were ordered to set up Investigation Bureaus, and the ministries and offices to set up Statistics Offices. Zhang Zongyuan and others who had completed their studies abroad were granted standing as jinshi and juren, in different degrees. On wushen, Liang Dingfen, Provincial Judge of Hubei, spoke of retrieving the situation of the times: nothing was more urgent than forbidding bribery and cutting off requests for favors; he impeached Yikuang, Yuan Shikai and others for currying favor and forming cliques, being greedy for private gain and harming the state. An imperial decree held that he intentionally sought fame, and rebuked him. This month, the grain tax of the departments and counties of Yunnan struck by drought was remitted. Relief was given for floods in Huaining and other counties. Edit
Winter, tenth month, on yichou, Sun Jia'nai, Rongqing, Lu Runxiang, Zhang Yinglin, Tang Jingchong, Baoxi and Zhu Yifan were ordered to lecture on the classics and histories and the institutions of the present dynasty. The breach in the Yongding River was closed. On wuchen, on the Empress Dowager's birthday, banquets were suspended. On renshen, the emperor received the Japanese minister Hayashi Gonsuke and others in the Hall of Diligent Governance. On bingxu, the Zhebuzunbadan Hutuketu presented local products. Edit
Eleventh month, on gengyin, Guangxi bandits occupied the Nanguan fort, and Zhang Mingqi was charged with directing the suppression; soon it was recovered. On wushen, the ban on assembling crowds to hold meetings and give speeches was strictly enforced. The provinces were ordered to reorganize their schools and to revise and add to the methods of evaluation, encouragement and warning. On renzi, the emperor received the Russian minister Pu Kedi and others in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Because officials inside and outside the court had memorialized on the currency system, with each of the tael and the yuan having advantages and disadvantages, governors-general and governors were ordered to look into it and deliberate, and report. 500,000 taels of treasury silver were issued to assist the Guangxi army. Edit
Twelfth month, on the first day, wuwu, the Provincial Commander of the land forces and the Provincial Commander of the navy in Guangdong were again established separately. On guihai, the Deputy Lieutenant-General of Jilin was abolished, and three Commissioners, for foreign affairs, civil affairs and finance, along with a Provincial Judicial Commissioner and an Industry Circuit Intendant, were established. Yang Zhaolin and other students who had completed their studies abroad at the Jinshi College were granted promotion and appointment, in different degrees. On renshen, the Grain Intendant of Shandong was abolished, and two circuit intendants, for police and for industry, were established. On jiaxu, an edict ordered the hunting preserve at Rehe to be opened to military farming settlements and the garrison officers and men to be abolished. On yihai, Lu Haihuan was ordered to serve as Commissioner in charge of the Tianjin-Pukou Railway. On bingzi, Natong was also made Commissioner in charge of Tax Affairs. On xinsi, Hart, the Inspector General of Customs, was granted the rank of minister. On bingxu, the tribute of sable from Butha was suspended for one more year. Edit
That winter, the tax arrears of Yunnan, struck by drought, of Zhili, waterlogged, and of Shaanxi were remitted. Relief was given for flood dragons in Yunnan and other districts, floods in Sichuan, and windstorms and floods in Guangdong. Edit
Thirty-fourth year of Guangxu (1908)
The thirty-fourth year, wushen. Spring, first month, on the first day, dinghai, Zaifeng, Prince Chun of the First Rank, was appointed Grand Councillor. On gengyin, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. On jihai, because the price of silver in the capital had suddenly risen and prices of goods had soared, 500,000 taels of treasury silver were issued, and the Prefect of Shuntian was ordered to buy up copper cash at a lowered price; the provincial mints were also ordered to cast ten-cash copper coins, and, beyond the fixed quota, to cast an additional thirty percent of one-cash new coins, as a remedy. On jiayin, an iron bridge over the Yellow River at Lanzhou was built. On bingwu, the emperor received the Austrian minister Gu Xinsiji in the Hall of Diligent Governance. This month, the tax arrears of Kunming and other counties in Yunnan, the salt-boiler levy of Renhe and other salt yards in Zhejiang, and the fixed tax of Shaoyang in Hunan were remitted. Edit
Second month, on wuwu, the emperor sacrificed at the Great Altar of Soil and the Great Altar of Grain; after this, when he could not himself perform the sacrificial rites, he sent others in his place. On gengshen, Zhao Erfeng was granted the rank of minister, made Amban in Tibet, and still served concurrently as Commissioner for Border Affairs. On guihai, an edict increased to the full ten parts the integrity allowance given to Manchu ministers and to officials of the banners, and revised the allowances of the Ministers in Attendance and the officials below them. On bingyin, an edict ordered that all prison cases in the capital and the provinces be cleared. On jiaxu, the Exhibition Hall for the Promotion of Industry in the capital was destroyed by fire. On bingzi, an edict said: "The proposal for the prohibition of opium has been agreed. The British have consented to reduce the shipments in stages by year, and the reductions are now being carried out year by year. It was agreed to try this for three years, and after the term, to reduce further. In an instant the time will come; how shall we answer our friendly state? Let the Ministries of Civil Affairs and Finance quickly draw up regulations for inspection and audit, and charge the governors-general and governors with ordering their subordinates to reduce planting and reduce consumption in earnest, and to report." On dingchou, Dashou was recalled, Li Jiaju was ordered to serve as Commissioner to Study Constitutional Government, and Hu Weide to serve as minister to Japan. On renwu, Huang Gao was dismissed, Qian Xun was transferred to be minister to Italy, and Lu Zhengxiang to be minister to the Netherlands. Edit
Third month, on renchen, Puwei, Prince Gong of the First Rank, Lu Chuanlin, Jingxing and Ding Zhenduo were ordered to serve as Commissioners for Opium Prohibition; opium-cure offices were established, with sole charge of inspection. On bingwu, the Gurkhas presented local products. On jiayin, because of his profound learning in the classics, Wang Kaiyun, a juren of Xiangtan, was granted the rank of Examiner. This month, the old and new fixed taxes of the disaster areas of Yunnan were remitted. Edit
Summer, fourth month, on bingchen, the emperor received the Japanese minister Hayashi Gonsuke and others in the Hall of Diligent Governance. Yigu, General of Suiyuan City, was found guilty and stripped of office, arrested and put in the prison of the Ministry of Justice, and soon his family property was confiscated. Xinqin was ordered to serve as Commissioner for Land Reclamation and also as acting General of Suiyuan City. On dingsi, the An-Lu-Chu-He Circuit in Anhui was abolished. On jiwei, Vietnamese bandits captured Hekou, and Liu Chunlin, with the rank of third-rank capital official, was ordered to assist in the frontier defense of Yunnan, with the armies at the front under his control. On wuchen, the Grain Intendant of Guizhou and the Guixi Circuit were abolished. On jisi, the emperor received the ministers of the various countries, Xi Tesi and others, in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity, and gave them a banquet. On gengchen, the government troops of Yunnan defeated the bandits at Tianfang, recovered four passes, and soon took Greater and Lesser Nanxi and Hekou; treasury silver was issued to reward the army. Edit
Fifth month, on the first day, yiyou, the bandits of Yunnan were pacified. On dinghai, the native chieftains of Batang and Litang were abolished and rotating officials established. On renchen, the emperor's illness recurred, and the provinces were ordered to recommend persons skilled in medicine. On guisi, the descendants of the meritorious officials of the Restoration, Duolong'a, Xiang Rong, Jiang Zhongyuan, Luo Zenan, Luo Bingzhang, Zhang Guoliang, Li Xubin, Peng Yulin, Yang Yuebin, Bao Chao, Li Mengqun, Cheng Xueqi, Liu Songshan, Feng Zicai and others were recorded, promoted and appointed in different degrees. On jiawu, the Confucian temple at Qufu was repaired. On guimao, the Xiang River breached and a typhoon brought disaster. On gengxu, Cao Yuanbi, a Department Director, presented his work, Collation and Explication of the Classic of Rites, and was granted the rank of Compiler. On guichou, heavy rain fell in Guangdong, and the three rivers, east, west and north, all overflowed and broke through the dikes. Edit
Sixth month, on dingsi, Wang Xianqian, former Chancellor of the Directorate of Education, presented his works, the Corrected Comparison of the Kong Commentary on the Book of Documents, the Supplementary Commentary on the Book of Han, the Collected Explanations of Xunzi and the Investigation of the Origins of Japan, and was granted the rank of Academician of the Grand Secretariat. On jiazi, the pit-mouth and export taxes on mines in Guangxi were remitted for five years. On gengwu, Li Zhanzhi and other students who had completed their studies abroad at the Jinshi College were granted promotion and appointment, in different degrees. On jiaxu, Zhang Zhidong was ordered to be also Commissioner in charge of the Guangdong-Hankou Railway. On yihai, the Dalai Lama was permitted to come for an audience. On bingzi, because the United States had reduced its collection of the indemnity, Tang Shaoyi was ordered to go as special envoy to express thanks, and also to go to the countries of East and West to study finance. The abolition of lijin with an increase in customs duties was discussed. On yimao, Yang Shixiang was appointed Governor-General of Zhili and Commissioner of the Northern Ports. On xinsi, Chen Jingren, a Secretary of the Ministry of Law, and others asked that a national assembly be opened after three years. An edict held that Jingren had led others and stirred up trouble, and he was stripped of office and handed over for supervision. Edit
That summer, the fixed tax of Yunnan, struck by flood, drought and hail, and of the flooded wasteland of Fengtian was remitted. Relief was given for windstorm and hail in Jiangsu and the flood in Hubei. 50,000 taels from the ministry's funds were issued to relieve the disaster of the Mongol banners of Chahar and the two wings' herds, and 100,000 taels of the ministry's funds to relieve the floods in the districts of Guangzhou, Zhaoqing and Yangjiang in Guangdong. Edit
Autumn, seventh month, on renchen, the three Deputy Lieutenant-Generals of Heilongjiang, at Aihui and elsewhere, were abolished, and an [...] Aihui Circuit and a Hulunbuir Circuit were established. On bingshen, Su Yuanchun was released and sent home. On jihai, the public and private tax on railways was remitted for three years. On gengzi, because the provinces had set up Political Information Societies that collected money and formed cliques and secretly disturbed public order, an edict ordered the places concerned to forbid them strictly. On xinchou, the sea dike of Zhejiang was repaired. On guimao, the patrol militia of Guangxi mutinied and killed their commanders, and Zhang Renjun directed their suppression. On bingwu, Hu Guolian, with the rank of third-rank chamberlain, was ordered to take overall charge of reclamation and mining at Qiong and Ya. On gengxu, a Commissioner for Foreign Affairs of Yunnan was established. This month, there were locusts in Shandong and Anhui. Edit
Eighth month, on the first day, jiayin, the Bureau for Compiling and Examining Constitutional Government and the Advisory Council presented the outlines of the constitution, the parliament and elections, together with the matters to be prepared year by year. An edict ordered them promulgated to the offices in the capital and the provinces, to be carried out within the time limits, and every six months the results were to be listed and reported. On xinwei, Jiang Guiti was ordered to command the Left Army of the Wuwei. On wuyin, the emperor received the Russian minister Kuosuoweici, the Dutch minister Xi Tesi and others in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. On jimao, Yinchang and Duanfang were ordered to review the autumn maneuvers. On gengchen, Ma Yukun died, and was posthumously promoted to the hereditary rank of Commandant of Light Chariots of the second class. On xinsi, Yinchang was ordered to serve as minister to Germany. On renwu, the Minister in Attendance Bodisu was sent to Baoding to welcome and console the Dalai Lama. Edit
Ninth month, on the first day, guiwei, the former scholars Gu Yanwu, Wang Fuzhi and Huang Zongxi were allowed to share in the sacrifices at the Confucian temple. On yiyou, an American warship visiting Xiamen, the Beile Yulang and Liang Dunyan were sent to console and greet the visitors. On jichou, canals in Ningxia were opened and fields reclaimed. On gengyin, the Dalai Lama arrived in the capital, and soon had an audience in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. On guisi, a unified currency system was promulgated. On bingshen, the request of the Ministry of Posts and Communications was granted, and a trial of domestic public bonds was undertaken. On wuxu, Chen Yungao and others who had completed their studies at the Jinshi College were granted appointment and promotion. On gengzi, the emperor received the British minister Jordan and others in the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity. On guimao, Chen Zhenxian and others who had completed their studies abroad were granted standing, and Ye Guangqi and others who had completed their studies at the Jinshi College appointment and promotion, in different degrees. On jiyou, the Cheng-Mian-Long-Mao Circuit of Sichuan was abolished and two circuit intendants, for police and for industry, were added. On xinhai, an edict held that the matters previously planned for preparing constitutional government were still not complete, and ordered the ministries and offices, following the earlier format, each according to what was bound up with its duties, to list and report in stages and explain, handing them to the Bureau of Compilation and Examination for review, and to proceed upon the throne's instructions. Edit
That autumn, the tax arrears of Huize in Yunnan, flooded, and the fixed grain tax of Chuxiong and other counties and of Xupu in Hunan, flooded, were remitted. 100,000 taels of treasury silver were issued to relieve the disaster victims of Hubei and Hunan. Further relief was given for disasters in Gansu, for windstorms and floods in Guangdong, and for floods in Guangxi, Zhejiang, Heilongjiang and Fujian. Edit
Winter, tenth month, on jiayin, the emperor received the Japanese minister Ijuin Hikokichi in the Hall of Diligent Governance. Typhoons brought disaster to Guangzhou, Zhaoqing and the neighboring districts, and an edict ordered urgent relief. On wuwu, the Dalai Lama was given a banquet in the Pavilion of Purple Light. On renxu, on the Empress Dowager's birthday, banquets were suspended. The Dalai Lama offered his congratulations and presented local products; the Empress Dowager's decree conferred on him the title Sincere and Obedient, Aiding Transformation, Great and Good, Self-Existent Buddha of the Western Heaven, granted him a yearly stipend of 10,000 taels, and sent him back to Tibet. Edit
On renshen, the emperor's illness became grave. The Empress Dowager's decree ordered that Puyi, son of Zaifeng, Prince Chun of the First Rank, be raised and taught in the palace, and again ordered Zaifeng to oversee the state as Prince Regent. On guiyou, the emperor's illness became critical, and he died in the Hall of Embracing Origin on Yingtai, at the age of thirty-eight. His testamentary edict directed that Puyi, son of the Prince Regent Zaifeng, enter to inherit the great succession as heir emperor. The Empress Dowager's decree ordered the heir emperor to be adopted as heir to Muzong and also to carry on the ancestral temple line of the late emperor. In the first month of the first year of Xuantong, on jiyou, the honorific posthumous name was conferred on the emperor: Emperor Tongtian Chongyun Dazhong Zhizheng Jingwen Weiwu Renxiao Ruizhi Duanjian Kuanqin Jing, with the temple name Dezong. He was buried at the Chong Mausoleum. Edit
Appraisal
The appraisal says: When Dezong took up government in person, he was in the prime of his years and held the ambition of great accomplishment; he wished to launch punitive campaigns and wash away the disgrace of the state. Soon his armies were beaten and routed, land was ceded and indemnities paid, and he then drew in newly risen minor officials and resolutely made changes, in a plan to rouse himself and strengthen the country. But these men eager for fame and position were treacherous and rash and vain of themselves; they forgot the caution against throwing at the rat for fear of the vessel, and gave no heed to their failure to succeed, which is sad to speak of. When the Empress Dowager lowered the screen again, he lay hidden away in obscurity on Yingtai. The insults from abroad that came had their cause in strife within. At last eight powers joined their troops, and the imperial carriage went hunting in the west. After the gengzi year he was oppressed with gloom and broken by grief, and suddenly passed away, and the fortunes of the dynasty toppled with him. Alas, was this not Heaven's doing! Edit
The English was translated from the original by an AI, not checked sentence by sentence by a person, and is for reference; where it differs from the original, the original is right. Names are in pinyin. If a sentence is wrong, use “Edit” after the paragraph to correct it - no need to sign in.
Source: 清史稿 卷二十三 本纪二十三 德宗本纪一 (Draft History of Qing, juan 23, Annals 23: Annals of Dezong 1); 清史稿 卷二十四 本纪二十四 德宗本纪二 (Draft History of Qing, juan 24, Annals 24: Annals of Dezong 2)
Wikipedia: Guangxu Emperor · Chinese Wikipedia: 光绪帝 · Baidu Baike: 光绪帝 (an article of the same name, not checked to be him)
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Source
From the historical record: the notes below say where · qing-zongshi-00988
Notes (2)
- [Source] 清史稿 卷二十三 本纪二十三 德宗本纪一 Draft History of Qing, juan 23, Annals 23: Annals of Dezong 1
- [Collation note] 本纪：「德宗同天崇運大中至正經文緯武仁孝睿智端儉寬勤景皇帝，諱載湉，文宗嗣子，穆宗從弟也。本生父醇賢親王奕譞，宣宗第七子。」 The annals: “Dezong, Emperor Jing (full posthumous title: Tongtian Chongyun Dazhong Zhizheng Jingwen Weiwu Renxiao Ruizhi Duanjian Kuanqin Jing Huangdi), personal name Zàitián, was the adopted heir of Wenzong and a cousin of Muzong. His birth father was Yìxuān, Prince Chun of the First Rank (posthumous name Xian), seventh son of Xuanzong.”