Chapter 55 11. Xiong Xiling went east to Japan to find the gunman

Among the large number of people affected by the coup seven years ago, Xiong Xiling was the luckiest one.At that time, the punishment given to him by the imperial court was: he was sent to the Hanlin Academy to be a good scholar, and he was handed over to the local officials to strictly control him.His native place is Fenghuang, a small remote county in western Hunan, which belongs to Changde Mansion.When he was dispatched to Changde City, the prefect Zhu Qiyi he met was a man who loved and cherished talents.He has heard of Xiong's name for a long time, and privately admires Xiong's move to run the Current Affairs School and run the "Xiang Bao" to inspire people's wisdom and develop the atmosphere.Xiangxi has always been closed, poor and culturally backward. It is not easy to produce such a talent. When Xiong Xiling came to the yamen to report for duty as a guilty person, Zhu Qiyi saw that he was burly and energetic, and he liked him even more.Zhu wanted to preserve his safety, so he did not send Xiongfa to Fenghuang, and stayed in Changde City West Road Normal School to teach gymnastics.Later, he called Xiong to talk a few times, and found that the dismissed Hanlin was indeed excellent in learning and knowledge, so he intended to betroth his younger sister Zhu Qihui to him.Zhu Qihui was also satisfied with Xiong Xiling, but just wanted to test it out, so she sent a message to ask Xiong to write a couplet for the back garden of the magistrate's yamen.

Xiong Xiling carefully wrote a couplet and sent it.Zhu Qihui read the couplet: plant a few potted flowers to know the warmth and coldness of the world, and store a pool of water to see the fullness of the world.Surprised in my heart, I said: This person really has the mind of a prime minister!So he happily agreed to the marriage. In the second year, Zhu Qiyi recommended him to the governor Zhao Erxun to study abroad because of his meritorious service in founding a school. Xiong Xiling was able to travel east to Japan, and returned to China a year later to continue teaching in Changde.The imperial court pardoned political prisoners in the 1898 year, and he was restored to fame.In the spring of this year, he resumed his official position as a concubine, and Xiong Xiling happily took his wife to Jinjing to serve.His enthusiasm for caring about state affairs and his ability to handle affairs were quickly appreciated by the cabinet, and this time he was designated as an important entourage of the five ministers to study abroad.

Xiong Xiling is also worrying about this group of inspectors who are still alive: if they are asked to appreciate the dazzling overseas prosperity, they may be competent, and if they are asked to investigate politics, they have to submit a report when they come back. At!Fortunately, Xu Shichang and Dai Hongci also expected this. After all, it is Senior Hanyuan who can plan ahead. Xiong Xiling took the Yamamoto Maru from Shanghai and arrived in Yokohama six days later.He didn't know where Liang Qichao lived, so he didn't stop in Yokohama, and immediately transferred to Tokyo.Xiong Xiling was on a business trip, and the Qing government embassy in Japan received him very politely, and then took him to Tanaka Kametaro's house in a car.

The horn of the car called Tanaka out, and the driver asked in Japanese, "Is Mr. Shina Yangdo still living here? Someone from the embassy is looking for him." Tanaka nodded.Xiong Xiling got out from the back seat, with a large briefcase in his arm, and greeted the old man with a smile in his not-so-fluent Japanese.At that time, there were not many small cars in Tokyo, and those who could ride in small cars were high-ranking officials. To show off their wealth, Yang Shu, the Minister of the Qing court, bought a small car at a high price to serve him and the important officials from the imperial court who came to Japan.Tian Zhongxin thought that although there were many people who came to see Yang Du, most of them were poor international students, and there was never any visitor in a car.Seeing Xiong Xiling's dignified appearance, he might be the minister of the embassy, ​​so he put his hands vertically on his knees, bent deeply, and said very politely: "Mr. Minister, please come in. Mr. Yang is at home."

Xiong Xiling said: "I'm not a minister, I'm his friend Xiong Xiling." He said to the room, "Xizi, I'm here to see you!" On this day, it happened that Yang Jun asked Dai Yi to come to his elder brother's place. The three of them were talking, when they suddenly heard the voice of an unfamiliar Chinese outside, and Yang Du hurried out.Xiong Xiling hurried up to meet her, and said with a smile, "Do you still recognize me, Xiong Xiling, who was promoted by the School of Current Affairs back then." It has been more than seven years since we met in Shiwu School that year, and Yang Du has never seen Xiong Xiling again. Unexpectedly, when we meet here today, Yang Du was overjoyed and hugged him affectionately: "Brother Bing, yes You, come into the house!"

Dai Yi and Yang Jun also came out.Dai Yi stepped forward and said, "Xiong Hanlin, I haven't seen you for many years, what brought you to Japan?" Yang Du stretched out his hand and introduced to Xiong Xiling: "This is my brother-in-law Wang Jiguo. He went to the current affairs school with me that year." Xiong Xiling hurriedly said: "Remember, remember, Mr. Xiangqi's fourth son." Then he asked Dai Yi: "Is there a letter from the old man? Are you in good health?" "TOEFL, TOEFL." Dai Yi nodded repeatedly, "My father is still in good health."

Yang Du pointed to Yang Jun and said, "This is Yang Jun, my brother-in-law. He has been in Japan for two years and is now studying Oriental Art in Hongwen College." Yang Jun was a little shy, blushing and said, "Hello, Xiong Hanlin." Xiong Xiling held Yang Jun's hand and said with a smile: "Zhilan Yushu was born on the steps of your mansion." Everyone laughed and entered the room together, and Yang Jun poured tea for the guests. "Brother Bing, now you have released the entourage of the five ministers to go abroad for inspection. Why do you come to Japan when you have time? Could it be that you came to fight for the five ministers?" After everyone sat down, Yang Du asked first.

"The five ministers went abroad to investigate the matter, you know?" Xiong Xiling thought, the news from Tokyo was so fast, and except for the capital city in China, most prefectures and counties didn't know about it. "How can you not know about such a big thing, we were still talking about it just now!" Dai Yi said. Yang Jun said: "Xiong Hanlin, you are lucky, you can travel around the world for free." Xiong Xiling said: "My domestic friends also congratulate me so much. I am not very proud of myself, but feel that this job is difficult to handle."

"Easy to handle, easy to handle." Yang Du said, "You can and should handle this job beautifully!" Three days ago, all the Chinese newspapers in Tokyo had published the matter of the five ministers going abroad to investigate constitutionalism in a prominent position, and several Japanese newspapers also reported on it.The Chinese student community in Tokyo has been discussing this matter for the past few days. Yang Jun and Dai Yi came here to discuss this matter with their brother. Yang Jun has always been indifferent to politics and has low expectations for this matter.Dai Yi has recently been greatly influenced by the Revolutionary Party and is disappointed with the imperial court.Only Yang Du is extremely interested in this matter from inside to outside.Last time in Wuchang, Zhang Zhidong told him that some important officials in the country were inclined to Junxian.It now appears that this tendency has won the approval of the Empress Dowager Cixi and gained the upper hand in domestic politics.For him, who has always advocated the constitution of the monarch, it means that a time has come for him to show his talents.He even thought of returning to the country immediately, and then thought again, what is it to return to the country with this status?Count as a student studying in Japan who has returned to China?An expert on constitutionalism?He subconsciously shook his head, returning to China in such a capacity was far from his usual ideal.

He expected himself to be famous in Japan, not only to be admired by the overseas student community, but also to be admired by the Japanese political circles. Therefore, he became famous, and the Empress Dowager Cixi and the emperor personally issued an edict, and sent relatives, noble ministers or senior officials at the level of ministers and ministers to come. Tokyo, welcome him back to China, and then install Car Pulun into the Forbidden City.The empress dowager and the emperor led civil and military officials to greet them, read out the imperial edict, conferred the bachelor degree, and presided over the constitutional affairs of the whole country.That scene was like when King Yanzhao paid homage to Guo Kui and Han Gaozu paid homage to Zhang Liang.But now, he clearly realized that he did not have the prestige of Guo Wei and Zhang Liang, and it was impossible to expect the empress to be a great scholar, so he had to improve his reputation.

In the past few days, he has imagined that the only way to improve political prestige is to form a political party. The best preparation for forming a political party is to create an influential newspaper, just like Liang Qichao's "Xin Min Cong Bao" and Sun Yat-sen Huang's "Min Bao". Similarly, if you publicize your political views in the newspapers, recruit and gather comrades, a political party with yourself as the leader will be established soon.He also thought of the name of the newspaper, and it was called "China News".The main article of the previous issues has also been published, which is to publish his own magnificent theory "Gold and Iron Doctrine" in chapters.This doctrine is the purpose of the political party to be formed.It is not only different from the Three People's Principles of the Sun Huang Tongmenghui, but also different from the enlightened autocracy of the Kangliang Royalist Party. It wants to win the hearts of the people with the doctrine that is most suitable for China's national conditions, expand its team, and eventually take charge of the leader of Chinese politics.It is not difficult to run this newspaper. I have accumulated a lot of great articles to write in my chest, and I have 20,000 silver dollars in the bank as a strong backing.He imagined everything beautifully.A passionate young politician immersed in the most exhilarating and frenzied days of his years in exile. "It's hard!" Xiong Xiling sighed. "Xi Zi, you don't know, except for Xu Shichang who is a sensible person among the five ministers who went abroad, the other four, in our Hunan dialect, are all 'treasures'." "Bao" is a Hunan dialect, which contains multiple meanings such as dumb, stupid, stupid, self-righteous, and unreasonable.Both Yang Jun and Dai Yi laughed.Yang Jun said: "Which one of the high officials is not a 'treasure'? I think Emperor Guangxu is the first big 'treasure'." "That's why Zhang Taiyan scolded him as 'the clown of Zaiyun, who can't tell the difference between beans and wheat'." Dai Yi added and then sighed, "Liang Qichao claims to drop book bags, but I think Zhang Taiyan's book bags drop better than him. , There are so many talents in the League!" Yang Du said: "It is said that Zaize is an enlightened faction in the royal family, and Duan Fang is a talented man among the Manchus. They should be able to do things!" "It's just a false name." Xiong Xiling shook his head and said, "I'll tell you something. That day Zaize served wine in the Duke's mansion and invited many royal children and high officials to dinner. The guests toasted him one after another. Zai Ze held up his cup and told everyone that when he met foreigners in the capital and listened to their speech, I knew they had beads in their mouths. Spit out the beads. After I go to the West this time, I can ask ordinary people to spit out the beads. Let me see what it looks like. I can buy one like him and put it in my mouth. It will be easier to learn foreign languages. You Look, this is the insight of our Duke of Baylor, the majestic yellow belt!" Yang Jun and Dai Yi burst out laughing.Yang Du also found it funny, and said, "This is someone else making it up to smear him!" "Where is it! A friend told me. He also went to drink that day and heard it with his own ears. You see, such a person goes out to investigate politics, and what can he investigate!" Xiong Xiling's Xiangxi Mandarin is full of momentum, As if angry. "In addition, there is the biggest absurdity, that is, none of the five ministers understands a foreign language. If they can't understand the words, can they talk about other things?" "Bingsan, you have high requirements. It can be said that none of the officials in our country knows a foreign language. If the standard is based on whether or not they know a foreign language, then no official can be sent, and only foreign students can be sent." Yang Du immediately retorted, "When Li Hongzhang visited more than ten countries in Europe and America, he couldn't understand a single word of foreign language, so he still handled things as usual. It depends on the translator, and on you attachés!" "Xizi, what you said makes sense. However, when Li Hongzhang went abroad for a visit, the embassy took care of everything in advance. He just signed and pledged and attended the reception. But this time he went to investigate, inspect other people's politics and constitution, and translate And no one in the entourage understands this. Take me for example, I can speak Japanese and read Japanese characters, but I don’t understand at all the hundreds of legal codes in Japan, so I am not a qualified inspection entourage. " Xiong Xiling's frank attitude won Yang Jun's respect.He said: "Xiong Hanlin, you are a sensible person. There are very few people in the officialdom of our country who can clearly see their own shortcomings. Wearing a black gauze hat on their heads, it seems that they have become wiser than others. In fact, Many officials are three points stupider than our Shitangpu farmers." "You're telling the truth." Yang Du stood up and poured tea for Xiong Xiling, and said to himself, "It's a very good thing to investigate the politics of various countries this time. The whole country and the whole world are watching. Its success or failure depends directly on It is related to the success or failure of the monarchy in the future." "Xizi, it's exactly what you said, that's why I came to Japan to look for you, and I want to ask you to do a great favor for the success of this inspection of constitutional government." Xiong Xiling stood up, looked at Yang Du earnestly and said. "What can I do for you?" Yang Du asked.This sentence also aroused the interest of Yang Jun and Dai Yi. They all focused on Xiong Xiling and listened to his next words. "I came to Japan this time under the order of Xu Shichang, the minister. Xu Shichang said that there are two experts in China today who study the constitutionalism of various countries. One is Liang Qichao, and the other is you, Xizixiong. Both of them are unworldly talents." The four characters of "unworldly talent" are a temporary high hat that Xiong Xiling put on, and it really worked. Yang Du was very proud when he heard it, and said, "Xu Shichang knows something!" Dai Yi interjected: "Brother Bing, I heard that Xu Shichang relied on Yuan Shikai's strength to become the Minister of the Ministry of War. Is this true?" "There is some truth to this, but not all of it." Xiong Xiling replied, "When Xu Shichang was down and down, Yuan Shikai saw that he was a talent, became brothers with him, and sponsored him to go to Beijing for the examination. , relying on his own real talent and learning. After entering Hanyuan, the official luck was not good, and Yuan Shikai invited him to the small station. Later, Yuan became the direct governor and Beiyang minister, and recommended him to be the Secretary of the Imperial Academy. Since then, he has been promoted every year. You Cheng of the Ministry, the Minister of the Military Department of the later Department, was ordered to walk on the military plane, and was officially appointed as the Minister of the Military Department. In just a few years, he was promoted from the seventh rank to the second rank. The official fortune is good, if there is a great star." Dai Yi said: "Look, isn't it all Yuan Shikai's role? Yuan Shikai is now the only one besides Cixi." "It's not all." Xiong Xiling said with a smile, "Xu Shichang is knowledgeable, able to handle affairs, and he is a good-looking talent. His cultivation and demeanor are among the best among the court officials. I heard that when Yuan Shikai recommended him to Cixi, Cixi said to call him Come and take a look. As soon as we met, the queen mother smiled and said to the people around her, "Hey, this is a handsome man!" In a word, everyone laughed.Yang Du remembered that when he met Xu Shichang at the beginning of that year, he was also attracted by his appearance and demeanor. Yang Jun teased him intentionally, and said: "I'm afraid Xu Shichang is someone like Zhang Yizhi and Zhang Zongchang." "Don't talk nonsense, Xu Shichang is a decent person. He specifically discussed with Yuan Shikai about asking Xizi for help. Yuan Shikai also said that Yang Xizi is a great talent, so I don't know if he can do it." Xiong Xiling took the opportunity to carry Yuan Shikai out again. Give Yang Du another high hat. "Do you know? The matter of sending the five ministers abroad was written by Yuan Gongbao." "Oh, it's his book!" Yang Du said softly.Yuan Shikai strongly advocated a constitutional monarchy, and Yuan Shikai praised him as a great talent.These two incidents greatly eliminated Yang Du's aversion to Yuan because of the 1898 coup. Dai Yi said: "Brother Bing, you have made so many detours, and you haven't said anything important yet. You have come to Japan on a special trip, what do you want Brother Xizi to do for you?" Xiong Xiling said with a smile: "Xu Shilang will take advantage of Xizi's great talent and write a few reports on behalf of the five ministers after returning to China." Yang Jun hurriedly said: "There is such a strange thing, they go abroad to spend time and drink, but they need someone else to write the report?" Turning to Yang Du, he said, "Brother, you can't do this kind of gunman thing." Yang Du folded his hands, smiled coldly, and remained silent. Dai Yi said: "Chongzi, it's not easy for Bingsan to come once, so don't deny it first. It's just that the shooter can't be done for nothing. Is there any reward?" "Yes, yes." Xiong Xiling nodded again and again, "I will give you a warm pen of one thousand taels of silver first, and then I will give you another thousand taels of silver after handing in the paper." Dai Yi shouted: "Two thousand taels of silver, this matter can be done, Xizi, promise it!" Yang Du thought in his heart.If he wrote a book on constitutionalism in his own name, and the imperial court printed it out and distributed it to governments at all levels, he would be willing to do so even if he didn't get paid a penny.But he was very reluctant to dedicate his achievements to those big bastard bureaucrats, even though there was two thousand taels of silver in exchange.I wanted to refuse, but after thinking about it, he quickly agreed, and said to Xiong Xiling: "Okay, I agree to be a shooter for them, but I want to cooperate with Liang Qichao, and he will also write a part. Zhuo Ru lives in Yokohama, and tomorrow we two Go to Yokohama for a while. You don’t want to talk, let me tell. As for the reward,” Yang Du thought for a while and said, “I don’t want two thousand taels of silver either,…” "Why not?" Dai Yi said anxiously, "If you don't want it, it's better to give it to Uncle Ji and Chongzi!" Yang Du smiled and said: "Please go back Bingsan and tell Xu Shilang that they should donate a candidate for me to put there. I don't know how much it will cost. It's less than two thousand taels. They got rich, but more than two thousand taels. I'm sorry, can I ask them to make up for it?" "Okay!" Xiong Xiling agreed. "However, you have to write it carefully. If Liang Zhuoru disagrees, you have to bear it alone." Dai Yi said: "I will be a middleman for you, and when the time comes, I will hand over the paper with one hand and the top with the other." I thought it would take a lot of talking, but I didn't expect Yang Du to agree so readily. Xiong Xiling was very happy and said with a smile: "Ji Guo is the best person in the middle, so this matter is settled. The top is on me, and the article will be written." It's all on Xizi. I'll be the host, and I'll invite you to have a few drinks. Now, let's replace the wine with tea. Let's clink a glass and wish Junxian success in China." As he said that he raised the tea bowl first, both Yang Du and Dai Yi raised it.Yang Jun thought to himself: My brother usually speaks very loudly, and he always talks about conferring marquis and worshiping ministers, but why did he sell his article for a small candidate?He didn't want to spoil everyone's interest, so he slowly raised the tea bowl in his hand.The four touched each other and all laughed. Xiong Xiling looked at the "Hunan Youth Song" hanging on the wall, and said to Yang Du: "Xi Zi, your calligraphy is really good, please help me write a banner!" Yang Du smiled and said, "Hanlin Xiong Bingsan wants to raise Yang Xizi to write, wouldn't it lower your status?" Xiong Xiling said sincerely: "It's not lowering, it's raising." "What to write?" Yang Du asked. "That's what happened." Xiong Xiling said, "Zai Ze, the Lord of Zhen, drank too much that day, and asked me to write a poem for him in a drunken way, and I agreed in a daze. I am busy and have no poetic feeling, so I have to turn out a small poem I filled out outside the customs a few years ago, you help me write a banner, and I will take it back and give it to him." Yang Jun was not very happy again, and said: "These yellow tapes don't know any calligraphy, it's a waste of energy to write for them." "Chongzi's words are wrong." Xiong Xiling said seriously, "There are very few politicians in the Aixinjueluo family, but there are quite a few people who can write and draw, and they are quite accomplished. Zaize calligraphy and painting are not considered in the clan. He is brilliant, but his level of appreciation is not bad. Besides, this duke of the state can be quite confused, but he has something to praise for his personality. Whenever others have skills, he will not cover up or be jealous, so as to show off others' strengths." Yang Du immediately became interested when he heard this.He thinks highly of his calligraphy, but it's a pity that the ink has not spread to the highest level. It is also a good thing to spread his reputation among the princes and nobles through the mouth of this Duke who is good at showing off the strengths of others.What he urgently needs right now is the famous broadcaster Kunou! "You read the words!" Yang Du had already spread out the pen and paper. "Waves wash the sand. Climb to Jilin City." Xiong Xiling read in cadence, "a river with several bays, a mountain like a dragon, and a tower on a high place. The wind is tighter when you cross the sunset, like this river and mountain. In the severe cold, Sai Hongfei didn't know how to return. I send a message to you to forget your homeland and fall in love with Jiangnan." Just as Xiong Xiling finished reading, Yang Du stopped writing.On the three-foot-long rice paper, there are two pieces above and below, and the characters are wonderful, which is a typical combination of academic ability and talent.Hanlin clapped his hands and praised: "What a beautiful calligraphy!" "Is there any postscript?" Yang Du asked while holding a pen. "Let's write a few sentences!" Xiong Xiling thought for a while, and said, "The Duke asked for a sentence, but there is no new poem, so I will present it with a small poem from an old work. I just went to Tokyo to visit my old friend Yang Xizi. I have admired his calligraphy for a long time. Please write for me." , Xizi happily waved his brush, and chatted for the Duke to bask in." After hearing this, Yang Jun thought to himself: This Mr. Hanlin turned out to be a person who flattered the powerful, and he was "presented" and "sunned".It is up to you to dedicate your words to him. How can my brother's words be shared by him?Isn't this a bit charming?It was inconvenient for him to make a sound, and he just looked at his brother with his eyes. Yang Du frowned a little, and the smile just now was gone.He looked at the pen in his hand and said: "This paragraph is too long, and it is not well-proportioned when matched with the words. Why not write it like this: Xiong Xiling's old work, Yang Du's new book. Yisi was in Tokyo in early autumn." Xiong Xiling was hesitating, seeing that Yang Du had already started to write, she could only nod her head reluctantly: "I want it too, so let's do it!" He realized Yang Du's reluctance to bow down in front of Zai Ze, and was afraid of misunderstanding himself, so he said: "I use this reading to remind him not to be obsessed with the world of foreigners and not want to leave. When he is abroad, he must always remember his homeland." Yang Jun was very satisfied with his brother's attitude, and said to Xiong Xiling with a smile: "I can also see that Xiong Hanlin sent Zaize this "Lang Taosha" with such a layer of intentions." Xiong Xiling put away the words and invited everyone out for dinner.At the dinner table, Yang Du and Xiong Xiling each talked about their experiences since their separation in the Year of 1898, and they didn't return to their apartment until late at night to rest.