“方今中外之势,古今之变局也。”这是薛福成(1838年～1894年,江苏无锡人,字庸庵)对晚清局势的总结。这个科举考场的失意者、曾(国藩)李(鸿章)手下的得意门生,以其挺身抗法的壮举、革新自强言论与出使英法比意的外交实践,回应了时代的挑战。 “The current situation in China and abroad now and in the past has changed.” This is a summary of the situation in the late Qing dynasty by Xue Fucheng (1838-1894, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China). The disappointed opponent of the examination room, the prodigal son under Li (Hung-chan), responded to the challenges of the times with his feats of resisting the law, reforming his own self-reliance and diplomatic practice of enlightening the interests of both Britain and France.