Sun’s revolutionary zeal was ahead of his time. While reformers like Feng Guifen and Li Hongzhang were still arguing that China could be fixed from within, Sun argued for the overthrow of the Qing from very early in his career. His attitude may have been cemented when a letter he sent to Li Hongzhang in 1894 offering his services to the eminent self-strengthener went unanswered.

The letter clearly showed Sun was already thinking about the role wealth and power would have to play in China’s rejuvenation.