Many people call Li Hongzhang Oriental Bismarck. Why did Liang Qichao say: ridiculous?

Liang Qichao thought that Li Hongzhang was not equal to Bismarck at all. After Li Hongzhang's death, Liang Qichao wrote Biography of Li Hongzhang, which described Li Hongzhang's poverty and scenery. However, when talking about many people calling Li Hongzhang Oriental Bismarck, he did think that this statement was either flattering or ridiculous, and scoffed at it.

The origin of the title of Oriental Bismarck comes from the praise of a German general. At that time, Li Hongzhang was ordered to build the Beiyang Navy, and German Minister Konar led a fleet to visit China and docked the warship at Dagukou, Tianjin. Conard invited Li Hongzhang to visit his warship. Unfortunately, it happened to rain that day, and Li Hongzhang ventured by boat in the rain and arrived at Conard's warship. Conard praised his trustworthy personality like Bismarck.

Bismarck was the bloody German Prime Minister. Known as "German architect" and "German navigator", Bismarck has been in German politics for decades and unified Germany at that time through years of battles. Later, Germany's hegemonic position in Europe was established. However, Liang Qichao thought that Li Hongzhang was inferior to Bismarck in military affairs, internal affairs and diplomacy.

Calling Li Hongzhang Oriental Bismarck is a false accusation against two people. Liang Qichao believes that every family has its own problems and everyone has their own difficulties. But heroes become heroes only after overcoming difficulties. And Li Hongzhang often mentioned his own difficulties, thinking that what he is doing now is his best, but he didn't know that Bismarck also had his difficulties. This is actually the survival of the fittest.