Vol. 286 | Revisiting the Jiawu War: A War in the Balance, A Long Shadow | Guest: Sha Qingqing
In this episode, we invited researcher of modern East Asian history, Mr. Sha Qingqing, to discuss the Jiawu War, which is very familiar to Chinese people. This war in 1895 was actually the starting point of the 20th century in East Asia. It ended the old tributary system and connected the Korean Peninsula, Northeast China, and the subsequent Russo-Japanese War and the September 18th Incident into a long line. More than a decade before the war, Japan had already established a sophisticated intelligence network in China. Army Lieutenant Arao Sei established an intelligence base in Hankou relying on the Rakuzendo pharmacy. Spies such as Munakata Kotaro shaved their heads, changed their clothes, disguised themselves as Chinese, traveled through nine northern provinces, and infiltrated the Weihaiwei naval base to probe the strengths and weaknesses of the Beiyang Fleet. The Qing Dynasty knew almost nothing about this. With hindsight, the defeat of the Qing Dynasty seems to have been an inevitable outcome, but both Japan and the Qing Dynasty were in a state of uncertainty before the outbreak of the war. Japan was not certain about starting the war, and within the Qing court, there was repeated tug-of-war between the pro-war and pro-peace factions, and between Li Hongzhang and the imperial court.
Original Chinese title & description
Vol.286｜重观甲午：摇摆的战争，漫长的阴影｜嘉宾：沙青青
本期节目我们邀请到东亚近现代史研究者沙青青老师，一起聊一聊中国人非常熟悉的甲午战争。1895年的这场战争其实是东亚的20世纪的起点，它终结了旧的朝贡秩序，也把朝鲜半岛、中国东北和后来的日俄战争、九一八事变连成一条长线。 早在战争前十多年，日本就已经在中国布下了一张精密的情报网络。陆军中尉荒尾精依托乐善堂药店，在汉口建立起情报据点。宗方小太郎等间谍剃发易装、扮成中国人走遍北方九省，潜入威海卫军港刺探北洋水师虚实。清朝对此几乎一无所知。以事后的眼光来看，清朝战败似乎是注定的结局，但无论是日本还是清朝在开战前都处在不确定状态，日方并非笃定开战，清廷内部主战派与主和派、李鸿章与朝廷之间更是反复拉扯。
Participation credit “嘉宾”：沙青青（近代史研究者、《东亚观察局》《边角聊》主播。
Original episode page ↗