Bo Yibo vs Ronglu

Bo Yibo joined the CCP in 1925 during the First United Front. He participated in the Northern Expedition and later worked in underground party activities in northern China.

Bo Yibo was appointed Minister of Finance of the newly founded People's Republic of China in 1949. He played a key role in stabilizing the economy, implementing land reform, and establishing the state planning system.

Bo Yibo was purged and imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution for his association with Liu Shaoqi and Deng Xiaoping. He was accused of being a capitalist roader and spent 12 years in prison.

Bo Yibo was rehabilitated after the Cultural Revolution and became a close ally of Deng Xiaoping. He served as Vice Premier and helped design China's economic reforms, including the opening to foreign investment.

Ronglu, as a key supporter of Empress Dowager Cixi, helped orchestrate the coup that ended the Hundred Days' Reform. He mobilized troops to surround the Forbidden City and arrest reform leaders, consolidating conservative control over the Qing government.

Following the suppression of the reforms, Ronglu was appointed Grand Councilor and Minister of War, becoming one of the most powerful officials in the Qing court. He oversaw military modernization and maintained Cixi's authority.

Ronglu commanded Qing forces during the Boxer Rebellion, initially supporting the Boxers but later shifting to protect foreign legations. His ambiguous stance helped prevent a complete rupture with foreign powers after the rebellion's suppression.

Ronglu participated in negotiations with foreign powers after the Boxer Rebellion, helping to finalize the Boxer Protocol. The agreement imposed heavy reparations on China and further weakened Qing sovereignty.