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This article is a study of the corruption trial of Li Fengbao (1834-1887). He served as the Chinese diplomat in Germany from 1878 to 1884. Under the order of Chinese statesman Li Hongzhang, Li Fengbao was to commission military ships as well as weapons and armaments. But before Li Fengbao had returned to China, news of corruption charges had appeared. This event coincided with the termination of his post. The author contends that these two events were unrelated, and that the corruption case was not the cause of his termination. Drawing from primary sources such as archival information on Li Hongzhang, the author proposes other reasons for the termination.