Chapter 70 Guangxu was actually a good emperor

Having said that, after Weng Tonghe and Guangxu master and apprentice took the line of showing weakness, Cixi began to let Guangxu handle some things. Historically, the first major event that can reflect Guangxu's certain independent status was the main battle in the Sino-Japanese War.It's a pity that Guangxu originally wanted to prove his ability in a performance, but in the end let the subjects of the whole country see his "incompetence". It was supposed to make the country self-improvement and avenge its shame, but it did not expect to bring such a big disaster. However, the active thinking of young people tends to jump out of the old shackles. This war not only taught Guangxu a lesson, but also opened his horizons.Not only did he realize the success of the Japanese Meiji Restoration, but after the signing of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki", Guangxu also carefully read the official memorials and bus letters compiled by the Metropolitan Procuratorate, which gave him some thoughts in his heart. We must learn from Japan, reform and strengthen ourselves, and implement a constitutional monarchy system.

It just so happened that Weng Tonghe came to his senses because of his defeat in the Sino-Japanese War of 1899-1895, and realized that China was indeed no match for Japan. Since both master and apprentice realized the urgency of the reform, they acted immediately: recruiting talents and listening to suggestions. Weng Tonghe quickly recruited four reform talents for Guangxu: Chen Chi, Wen Tingshi, Shen Zengzhi, and Shen Zengtong. Chen Chi, the author of the preface to "Words of a Prosperous Age", has a deep research on economic theory. His current position is Zhang Jing of the military aircraft, and he is a promising senior national civil servant.

Wen Tingshi, one of Weng Tonghe's six proud disciples, the teacher of Guangxu's lover Zhenfei. As for the brothers Shen Zengzhi and Shen Zengtong, the elder brother Shen Zengzhi was a great Confucianist at the time and a scholar of great social status. Weng Tonghe admired his calligraphy and articles; although the younger brother Shen Zengtong was not as outstanding as his elder brother, he was also a very well-educated scholar. Although the qualifications of these four people are very good, and they are very insightful in the theoretical research of the reform, but their strength is still a bit weak.

It just so happened that Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao did not return to their hometowns after the imperial examinations. At this time, they were promoting reform among ministers and ministers. After Weng Tonghe heard that they had the intention to establish a "strong society", he also expressed his intention to win over, and the two hit it off. In November 1895, the famous Qiang Society, the stronghold of the reformers, was established. Speaking of the Strong Society, Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao's mentors and apprentices may be the leaders in everyone's impression.In fact, this is a misunderstanding.Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao, who are not well-educated and have no official positions, are too young and have insufficient influence to be leaders.

The real leaders of the Strong Society are Guangxu and Weng Tonghe, supplemented by Chen Chi and others as middle management. As for Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao, they run errands, but their work attitude is very positive. The establishment of the Strong Society has indeed touched the hearts of many passionate intellectuals who strive to strengthen the country and enrich the people. Everyone spontaneously and consciously supports the Strong Society, offers suggestions, and donates money and efforts.The influence of the Strong Society, which conforms to the trend of the times, is growing. It is a pity that these people are too eager for success and wish to change the sun and the moon in a few days. Their fierce reform ideas have touched the minefield of die-hard conservatives.

The stubborn vanguard trio—Shangshu of the Ministry of Officials (Minister of Personnel) Xu Tong, Minister of Rites (Deputy Minister of Education) Gangyi, and Yushi Yang Chongyi took turns to go to battle and complained to Cixi, saying that the strong learn to "behave against the scriptures and talk about current affairs" , slandering the minister". It is estimated that Cixi also felt that these scholars were too crazy and too capable of making troubles, so she instructed Guangxu to close the two-month-old Qiang Society. The stubborn conservatives managed to take down Guangxu's Qiang Society as soon as they took action. Who are these people, so powerful?

There are two kinds of diehards— One is to defend their own vested interests, thus resisting the New Deal that will harm their interests. Most of these people are Manchu dignitaries with vested interests. The other is self-importance, blindly rejecting all new things in the West, being self-styled, and refusing to carry out any reforms. Most of them are old-fashioned Hanchens, and most of them are in high positions. It just so happens that there are two typical cases in the above trio, which can be analyzed. Fortitude, a man with a yellow banner.The most famous saying is "The Han people are strong, but the Manchus are dead; the Han people are fat, but the Manchus are thin".This "stubborn brother" is the first kind of old stubbornness who does his part.

Xu Tong, Han nationality.He believes that learning foreign strengths will destroy the country and wipe out the species. He is a blind xenophobic guy.This old man is a typical old stubbornness of the second kind. However, this attack by the diehards did not dampen Guangxu's determination to reform, on the contrary, his determination became firmer. University scholar Sun Jianai asked Guangxu: If there is a parliament, the people have rights but the king has no rights, what should you do? Guangxu replied: I only want to save China. As long as I can succeed, what is my personal power? Man and Han are not separated")? !

Realm!You know, for two thousand years, imperial power has been the lifeblood of autocratic rulers.Based on the above sentence, it is enough to show that Guangxu is a true patriot and an enlightened ruler with the idea of ​​"the people are more important than the emperor". Although the upcoming reform will fail after only a hundred days, Guangxu I also had to spend the last ten years of my life as a prisoner, but just for this sentence, it is worth a handful of tears for future generations. In the next three years, the reformers headed by Guangxu and Weng Tonghe accumulated strength, sharpened their swords, and prepared for reform.In fact, regardless of whether the reform was successful or not, Guangxu's actions have proved that he is a responsible monarch at the moment of national crisis and national peril, and his actions are worthy of his heart!