Zhang Zhidong's Political Orientation During His Governing of Shanxi Province

When Zhang Zhidong's governed Shanxi province,his political inclination is repelling Xiang and Huai faction. We can come to this conclusion through analyzing his measures on screwing up official's discipline and reorganizing troops. I think his political inclination is in accordance with the political target of the central government of the Qing Dynasty,which wanted to weaken the power of Xiang and Huain faction. The reason that he insisted on this political inclination has three. First,the central government supported him. Second,his political character is just and patriotic. Third,he correctly recognized the political structure. His political inclination won Cixi, the then Emperor's trust,which leaded to his further promotion and the central government further depending on him.