Zhang Peilun

Zhang Peilun commanded the Fujian Fleet during the Battle of Fuzhou against the French Far East Squadron. The Chinese fleet was destroyed in a matter of hours, with most ships sunk or damaged, marking a major defeat.

Following the naval battle, French forces bombarded and destroyed the Fuzhou Shipyard, a key Qing naval facility. The loss crippled China's naval modernization efforts and exposed the weakness of the Qing navy.

Zhang Peilun was court-martialed for his role in the defeat at Fuzhou and sentenced to exile in Manchuria. The punishment reflected the Qing government's need to assign blame for the military disaster.