Lianyuan was appointed as a supernumerary official of Zongli Yamen, the "de facto" foreign ministry of China during the late Qing dynasty.

At that point in time, some Chinese government officials could not resist the temptation to expel westerners by the means of this very rebellion.

The rebellion was largely against the European powers and consequently drew the sympathy of numerous government officials.

During an imperial conference, Xu Tong and Chongqi, both sympathetic to the Boxer rebels, claimed, "The sentiment of the people can be used."

However, ultraconservative members among the Chinese officials tried to initiate a total resistance by moving the capital to the western city of Xi'an.