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Wanyan Chonghou was a [[Qing Dynasty]] scholar-official and diplomat whose dealings with Russia and Japan created considerable international tensions in and around [[1880]].

Wanyan Chonghou was a [[Qing Dynasty]] scholar-official and diplomat whose dealings with Russia and Japan created considerable international tensions in and around [[1880]].

Chonghou was born in [[1826]], into a [[Manchu]] family whose members had served in official posts for generations; his father (d. [[1846]]) was a senior court official, and his older brother, [[Wanyan Chongshi]] ([[1820]]-[[1876]])<!--完顏崇實-->, would also come to serve in an official post. Both held ''jinshi'' status, having passed the highest ("capital" or "metropolitan") level of the [[Chinese imperial examinations]]; Chonghou, however, only ever achieved ''juren'' status, passing the provincial exams on the third attempt.<ref>The exams had three levels - county (local), provincial, and capital (Beijing). Passing the provincial exams meant Chonghou was eligible for government positions, but was of a second-tier, compared to those who passed the metropolitan exams.</ref> Monetary donations to the Court made by Chonghou's father, brother, and himself helped him achieve appointment and promotion.

Chonghou was born in [[1826]], into a [[Manchu]] family whose members had served in official posts for generations; his father (d. [[1846]]) was a senior court official, and his older brother, [[Wanyan Chongshi]] ([[1820]]-[[1876]])<!--完顏崇實-->,<ref>Youmi Kim Efurd, "[http://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/dspace/handle/1808/10813 Baiyun guan: the Development and Evolution of a Quanzhen Daoist Temple]" (PhD dissertation, Univ. of Kansas, 2012), 60, 203.</ref> would also come to serve in an official post. Both held ''jinshi'' status, having passed the highest ("capital" or "metropolitan") level of the [[Chinese imperial examinations]]; Chonghou, however, only ever achieved ''juren'' status, passing the provincial exams on the third attempt.<ref>The exams had three levels - county (local), provincial, and capital (Beijing). Passing the provincial exams meant Chonghou was eligible for government positions, but was of a second-tier, compared to those who passed the metropolitan exams.</ref> Monetary donations to the Court made by Chonghou's father, brother, and himself helped him achieve appointment and promotion.

Chonghou enjoyed an audience with the [[Xianfeng Emperor]] in [[1853]], receiving a promotion; he was then appointed in [[1856]] to oversee the management of the Yongding River,<ref>This river is perhaps most famous for the Marco Polo Bridge which crosses over it. The bridge was the site of a particularly incendiary incident in 1937 which many take as marking the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War.</ref> which runs through the outskirts of [[Beijing]]. As a result of Chonghou's incompetence in responding to a flood two years later, in [[1858]], he lost that position, but was sent to aid in the defense of [[Tianjin]], in the [[Second Opium War]] which was then already underway. Once the war ended, in the wake of China's defeat, Chonghou was appointed superintendent of trade in Tianjin, where he would be forced to handle the rather undignified task of dealing with the European "barbarians." During his time in that position, he played a role in negotiating [[Unequal Treaties]] with France, Britain, Italy, Austria, Spain, and Prussia, and eventually recommended to the Court that they send diplomats overseas, as to do otherwise attracted considerable suspicion from the Western powers.

Chonghou enjoyed an audience with the [[Xianfeng Emperor]] in [[1853]], receiving a promotion; he was then appointed in [[1856]] to oversee the management of the Yongding River,<ref>This river is perhaps most famous for the Marco Polo Bridge which crosses over it. The bridge was the site of a particularly incendiary incident in 1937 which many take as marking the beginning of the Second Sino-Japanese War.</ref> which runs through the outskirts of [[Beijing]]. As a result of Chonghou's incompetence in responding to a flood two years later, in [[1858]], he lost that position, but was sent to aid in the defense of [[Tianjin]], in the [[Second Opium War]] which was then already underway. Once the war ended, in the wake of China's defeat, Chonghou was appointed superintendent of trade in Tianjin, where he would be forced to handle the rather undignified task of dealing with the European "barbarians." During his time in that position, he played a role in negotiating [[Unequal Treaties]] with France, Britain, Italy, Austria, Spain, and Prussia, and eventually recommended to the Court that they send diplomats overseas, as to do otherwise attracted considerable suspicion from the Western powers.