Alfred von Waldersee vs Zuo Zongtang

Waldersee succeeded the elder Moltke as Chief of the German General Staff. He held the position until 1891. His tenure was marked by advocacy for a preventive war against Russia, which was not adopted by Chancellor Bismarck. He was known for his political ambitions and close ties to the Kaiser.

Waldersee was appointed Supreme Commander of the Eight-Nation Alliance forces during the Boxer Rebellion. He arrived in China after the relief of the legations in Beijing. His command oversaw punitive expeditions and the signing of the Boxer Protocol, which imposed heavy indemnities on China.

Zuo Zongtang commanded Hunan Army forces that recaptured Hangzhou and other cities from Taiping rebels. His military efforts contributed to the eventual defeat of the Taiping Rebellion, which had devastated much of southern China.

Zuo Zongtang founded the Fuzhou Naval Yard and Arsenal as part of the Self-Strengthening Movement. This shipyard built modern warships and trained Chinese engineers, aiming to modernize China's naval capabilities against foreign threats.

Zuo Zongtang led Qing forces to defeat the Nian rebels in northern China. His use of cavalry and fortified positions broke the rebellion, which had threatened Qing control over the Yellow River region.

Zuo Zongtang led a Qing army to defeat Yakub Beg's forces and reassert Chinese control over Xinjiang. This campaign ended the Muslim rebellion and restored Qing authority in the region, securing China's northwestern frontier.

After recovering Xinjiang, Zuo Zongtang implemented agricultural policies including irrigation projects and land reclamation. These measures aimed to settle Han Chinese farmers and integrate the region economically into the Qing empire.