Tan Zhonglin

In 1863, he was yushi, investigating censor; in this capacity he was the leader of more than 40 officials who successfully petitioned Empress Dowager Cixi to exonerate Prince Gong.

In 1875 (the first year of reign of Guangxu Emperor), Tan was appointed Governor of Shaanxi mainly because of his contribution to the victory by supplying Zuo's army when it battled Muslim rebels in Xinjiang.

[3] Zuo and Tan became close friends and partners in implementing Manchu policy of suppressing Muslim rebellion in Northwest China.

[5] In 1881, Tan was appointed the Viceroy of Shaanxi and Gansu Provinces, worked hard to promote local agriculture and increased fiscal revenues.

[1] In 1899, Tan resigned to live in Changsha of his home province as he opposed to Hong Kong's New Territories' Lease to the UK and the Guangzhouwan to France.