Prince Gong was a prominent figure during the late Qing Dynasty in China. Born in 1833, he was the son of the Daoguang Emperor and held the title of Prince of the First Rank. He played a significant role in the political landscape of China, particularly during the tumultuous period of the Taiping Rebellion and the Second Opium War. As a reformist, Prince Gong advocated for modernization and was instrumental in establishing the Zongli Yamen, which was China's first modern foreign affairs office. His efforts aimed to strengthen China’s position in the world and improve relations with Western powers, reflecting the challenges faced by the Qing Dynasty during his lifetime.