Diplomacy Amidst Rebellion

This chapter explores a critical moment during the Taiping Rebellion when a general opts for diplomacy over military aggression towards foreign traders in Shanghai. It highlights the contrasting ambitions of the Taiping rebels and the indifference of foreign powers regarding the conflict, illustrating the challenges faced by the rebels in winning European support. Through the experiences of missionaries and the Taiping leadership's chaotic approach to Christianity, the narrative emphasizes the grim realities of war and the struggle for legitimacy amidst theological and moral dilemmas.