“误国之忠臣”?——再论庚子事变中的李秉衡

A Loyalist Who Harmed His Country?——Li Bingheng in the Boxer Rebellion Reconsidered

在中国近代史上,李秉衡是起过重要作用的一位历史人物,尤其在庚子事变中千里勤王,以至身殁殉国,身后寂寞,而谤亦随之。通过对他一生最后阶段的事迹考订,可祛除既有认知中的迷思成分,厘清他与清朝中央、东南督抚及义和团之间多种关系,也可由其个案观察晚清政治的"时代相"。李秉衡心怀报效之忱,反对侵略而力主战议,在因应时变的策略上,与李鸿章、张之洞等东南督抚明显拉开距离。"忠君爱国"确为其思想本质,"庇拳仇洋"则未必是历史事实。近代中国在与西方相遇后,被迫打开国门,由于新旧两股力量长期拼力撕扯,人心国力的凝聚反而变得不可得。李秉衡的身后是非不仅反映其个人所处的困境,其实也折射了时代的复杂性。

Li Bingheng was an important figure in Chinese modem history. This paper investigates the historical facts of the latter half of Li＇s life, excluding the myths in the existing evaluation about Li, and clarifying his relationships with central government, the southeast viceroys and the Boxers. Li＇s attitude toward the foreign countries and the war was different than that of Li Hongzhang or Zhang Zhidong. Loyalty to the emperor was the core of his spirit, and his alleged hatred of the foreign powers was not exactly the truth. The personal dilemma of Li Bingheng reflected the complexity of his time.