Ye Gongchuo And The Railway In Modern China

Ye Gongchuo was a very important historical figure in late Qing Dynasty and the early years of the Republic of China. Ye was not only a famous Ci(literally means word)expert, calligrapher, connoisseur, collect and artist, but also made a great influence on railway construction in modern China, who assumed the Director of Railway Bureau, vice Minister of Transportation and Minister of Transportation etc. As a main governor of railway construction in late Qing Dynasty and the early years of the Republic of China, during his tenure, Ye initiated a series of reforms which encountered numerous obstacle. Given to it, while indicating Ye's great contribution to Modern China's railway in this article, I not only elaborate the detailed measures Ye took on the construction and management of railways, but also reveal the cause of effect of every measure. On this basis, I try to reveal the reason why the Railway in Modern China developed very slowly.Besides preface and conclusion, this article consist of 4 parts.In preface, by reviewing the present study, I indicate the current research results still leave some room for further research. On this basis, I try to make clear the research meaning and method.In Part 1, by elaborating on Ye Gongchuo's family's origin and background, the education background in his early age, his working experience in Post-office Department in late Qing Dynasty, I analyze the reason why he got a quick promotion in Post-office Department. Besides, I also discuss that what kinds of measures Ye took in order to seize the dominate power in whole China's railway management, his important role in a section of Ministry of Transportation, his great influence on road management.In part 2, by elaborating on Ye Gongchuo's idea about construction and management of railway, I reveal that Ye's core idea is "Saving China by Transportation". Besides, I analyze another side of Ye's idea about the railway management scheme. Ye believe, the reason of backward situation of China's Railway development lies in its lack of expert, funds and materials produced by China.In part 3, I discuss Ye Gongchuo's railway management measures, besides the reform of old administration and the setup of new administration, a seies of measures to promote the beneficial and to abolish the harmful in railway management, such as abolishing likin and increasing tax, the implementation of compensation system of railway freight transportation, publishing the regulation of " A Special Discount on Educational Supply", "A Special Discount of State-owned Railway Transportating the Foodstuff Relief Bought at Official Price", reorganization of accounting system, implementation of special accounting system etc. And I also analyze the cause and effect of every measure.In part 4,I discuss how Ye Gongchuo redeem the sovereignty of Beijing-Wuhan Railway, Jiaozhou-Jinan Railway, the Middle East Railway and analyze the reason why Ye achieved a great success in carrying out the railway nationalization policy.In conclusion, by discussing the inside and outside plight during the development of China's railway, I conclude the reason why the railway development experienced a slow process in Modern China.