Dimensions: Height: 11cm; length of each side: 8.5cm

Origin: Collected from Hunan Administrative Committee for Cultural Relics in 1953

The year of 1837

During the reigns of Emperor Jiaqing and Emperor Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty, in order to deal with the worsening social crisis and seek ways to save the country, many literates from Hunan Province, such as Tao Shu, Wei Yuan and Zeng Guofan, actively participated in the modernization process of China by following the principles of “governing and benefiting the people” and “learning from other countries” and joining the Westernization Movement (c. 1861-1895, a period of institutional reforms initiated in China during the late Qing Dynasty following a series of military defeats and concessions to foreign powers). 

Tao Shu was the representative of the thought of governance or statecraft that should benefit the country and its people. As a pioneer in the modern economic reform, he exerted great influence upon Wei Yuan and other dignitaries. When in office, he scored tremendous achievements by initiating a series of reforms, including improving the water transport of grain to the capital via canals, advocating sea transportation and reforming the salt system. As a result, Emperor Daoguang conferred on him the Emperor’s handwritten inscription “sui jiang ci hu” (bringing peace to the country and blessings to its people) as an award.