戊戌维新时期，谭嗣同与盛宣怀之间，围绕开发湖南煤矿问题曾发生过一段交往。盛宣怀接办汉阳铁厂后，急于在湖南寻找煤矿，以供炼焦炭之用。他邀请谭嗣同协助办矿，是想利用谭在湖南的关系和影响，为其汉阳铁厂服务。而当时在南京任候补知府的谭嗣同，主动承担赴湘开矿之责，其目的是藉此机会，返湘参加维新活动，并与梁启超赴湘讲学相配合，积极推动湖南的维新变法。由于陈宝箴对聘请外国矿师及成立商办矿务公司，存在顾虑；也由于湘煤当时的状况难以满足汉阳铁厂的需要，促使盛宣怀决定舍湘煤而用赣煤，致使谭嗣同的湖南之行无功而返。谭、盛交往，从经济活动的角度揭示了维新派与洋务派的复杂关系，也反映了湖南维新运动中存在的问题和矛盾。 During the Reform Movement of 1898, Tan Sitong and Sheng Xuanhuai had had some contacts around the issue of developing Hunan coal mines. Sheng Xuanhuai took over the Hanyang Ironworks, eager to find coal mines in Hunan for coking purposes. He invited Tan Sitong to assist in the operation of the mine and wanted to use Tan’s relations and influence in Hunan to serve its Hanyang Iron Works. Tan Sitong, who served as deputy governor in Nanjing at the time, volunteered to take the responsibility of going to Hunan for ore mining. The purpose was to take this opportunity to return to Hunan to participate in the rejuvenation activities and cooperate with Liang Qichao in going to Hunan to actively promote the reform in Hunan. As Chen Baozhen hired foreign miners and the establishment of commercial banks, there are concerns; also due to the current situation of Hunan coal can not meet the needs of Hanyang Ironworks, prompting Sheng Xuanhuai decided to use coal and She Xiang Hunan, resulting in the trip to Hunan with Tan Sitong Reap without success. Tan and Sheng exchanged their views, revealing the complex relations between the reformists and the Westernizationists from the perspective of economic activities and also reflected the problems and contradictions existing in the reform and opening up movement in Hunan.