However, the construction process of the plain is tortuous, which is full of many political factors. At the beginning of the construction, Li Hongzhang strongly criticized the ship, claiming that "it cannot be used as an enemy of western armored ships." Of course, his evaluation is not objective, but more for buying a large number of foreign warships and taking the opportunity to suppress the Fujian Shipping Bureau, which is a political enemy.
However, an unexpected move by Empress Dowager Cixi saved the ship. Empress Jubilee specially left a long comment on the throne of Fujian ship administration: "The preparations for coastal defense for more than 20 years have been fruitless, but the ships made in Fujian are not suitable. What is the so-called self-improvement? This time, I asked for the construction of the steel armored ship No.3, which was funded by it. However, this work is complicated and expensive, and ministers and others should use their strength to urge it, and should not be hastily reduced, even in name only. "
Empress Dowager Cixi gave a helping hand this time, making the construction of this ship possible. In fact, the real behind-the-scenes supporter of the Westernization Movement and the development of China's modern shipbuilding industry is Empress Dowager Cixi. Cixi's vision is not wrong. It is precisely because of this memorial hall that she gave birth to the highest achievement of shipbuilding in the Qing Dynasty and built the best domestic warships in the late Qing Dynasty. However, due to various reasons, Pingyuan has no brothers and sisters of its own, only one of its own.
On the battlefield against Japan, the plain also played an indelible role. Pingyuan, a 2000-ton small armored ship, once threatened three 4000-ton "three refined ships". So the Japanese thought it was incredible, so they took its shell as a sacred object.