Minifigure – Late Qing Dynasty “Wuwei Corps” Soldier (Right Division) (Imperial Chinese Army – Yuan Shikai’s New Army) (LEGO Compatible)

Character Identification

Specific Name: Late Qing Dynasty “Wuwei Corps” Soldier (Right Division) (Imperial Chinese Army – Yuan Shikai’s New Army)

However, the specific Chinese characters printed on his chest identify him as a member of the elite Wuwei Corps (Guards Army), specifically the Right Division, which was historically the most modernized unit in China at the turn of the 20th century.

Visual Description

This custom-printed minifigure depicts a soldier from the “Self-Strengthening” era, wearing a distinct summer or field uniform:

• Uniform:

  • Color: He wears a White/Cream Cotton Tunic and trousers. This lighter color was often used for summer uniforms or specific provincial units, contrasting with the standard dark blue.

  • Insignia (Historical Text): The chest features four key Chinese characters:

    • “武衛” (Wuwei): This stands for the Wuwei Corps (Guards Army), a modern army corps formed to defend the capital, Beijing.

    • “右軍” (Right Army): This identifies his specific division. The Right Division was commanded by the famous general Yuan Shikai.

• Headgear: He wears a tan Broad-Brimmed Hat. This resembles a woven straw hat or an early style of pith helmet, which was practical for shielding soldiers from the sun during campaigns.

• Equipment:

  • Weapon: He holds a vintage Bolt-Action Rifle (likely representing a Mauser Gewehr 98 or Hanyang 88), symbolizing the adoption of Western technology.

  • Belt: He wears a brown leather belt with Ammunition Pouches and a blue sash underneath, blending traditional Chinese military dress with modern functionality.

• Footwear: Like the previous figure, he wears black cloth boots with white soles/markings.

Historical Background

• The Wuwei Corps (1898–1900): After losing the war with Japan in 1895, the Qing Dynasty created the Wuwei Corps to modernize its military. It consisted of five divisions (Front, Rear, Left, Right, and Center).

• The Right Division: commanded by Yuan Shikai, was the only division that fully adopted Western drilling, weaponry, and organization. While other Qing units were decimated during the Boxer Rebellion, the Right Division survived and grew into the Beiyang Army, which would dominate Chinese politics for decades after the fall of the empire.

• Role: A soldier like this would have been considered an “elite” trooper, trained by German or Japanese instructors, and equipped with the best rifles available to the Empire at the time.