十九世纪中后期,本已处于风雨飘摇的清政府,在西方凭借现代技术带来的巨大优势面前显得尤其孱弱无力。随着西方殖民力量的侵入,虽然如上海、广州这样的沿海口岸地区已经向西方世界开放,但在中国内陆地区,当地的旧秩序依然牢不可破。然而,随着中央政府的控制力逐渐削弱,地方治安日趋变差,暴乱四起、土匪横行。尽管困难重重,但一批批西方探险家和博物学家远道而来,试图成就他们各自的事业与梦想。 In the mid-to-late nineteenth century, the Qing government, already in a precarious state of affairs, was especially weak in the West in the face of the enormous advantages brought about by modern technology. With the invasion of Western colonial forces, although such coastal ports as Shanghai and Guangzhou have opened to the West, the old order in the Mainland remains untenable. However, with the gradual weakening of the control of the Central Government, the deteriorating law and order situation in the local area led to the rioting of civilians and the rampant banditry. Despite the difficulties, a group of Western explorers and naturalists came from afar in an attempt to accomplish their respective businesses and dreams.