"This institution, an unofficial adjunct to the provincial bureaucratic structure ... experienced its climactic development during the Qing ... evolved as a practical solution to the conflict between administrative needs of the empire and the cultural ideals of the scholar-official. Refusing to become a professional administrator, the scholar had to employ ... professionals in government who could guide him through the maze of official regulations ... the flexible nature of the mufu sustem enabled it to absorb experts in Western style international diplomacy, weaponry, production, transportation ... Self-strengthening movement ..."--dustjacket.