Chapter 17 Chapter Fourteen

A petty official is neither arrogant nor humble.A real attack by the Five Confucians in Chinese history has begun. Inside the Forbidden City Palace.In the Xihua Hall of the Prime Minister’s Yamen, snowflakes were fluttering in front of the hall, and there were two rows of servants standing outside the hall gate, all of them looked solemn and solemn, just like the second general Hengha in the temple. Today, there are already five powerful ministers sitting in the Xihua Hall. They are Li Hongzhang, Weng Tonghe, Minister of the Ministry of War Ronglu, Minister of the Ministry of Punishment Liao Shouheng, and Minister of the Prime Minister's Yamen Zhang Yinhuan.

In the morning, Kang Youwei was brought to the front of the hall to wait to be heard. He shook his hat and the snowflakes on his body, breathed the heat from his mouth on his frozen hands, and then looked at the guards standing on both sides of the hall door. Emboldened in my heart: It's nothing special, isn't it just to meet a few ministers?Maybe I will be more important than their position in the future!Who does the emperor value in the future and doesn't know?Thinking of it, my heart quickly calmed down, admiring the flying snow flakes with a calm expression, waiting to be heard.

After Kang Youwei was announced, he was invited to sit down by the door after being invited. He raised his eyes and saw five high officials sitting in front of him. A petty official is neither arrogant nor humble. A real attack on the Five Confucianists in Chinese history has begun... It was Empress Dowager Cixi's confidant Rong Lu who first challenged Kang Youwei.This hard-core confidant who has a special relationship with the Empress Dowager Cixi has won the appreciation of the Empress Dowager Cixi for his flattery and flattery skills since he made contributions to the Xinyou coup. Finally, he kept kicking away obstacles and skyrocketed.After the Jiawu period, his official position was as high as the Minister of the Ministry of War and the commander of the infantry, and he became a villain beside the Empress Dowager Cixi.

At this time, he stared at the southerner sitting next to him with eagle-dog eyes, thinking, Empress Dowager Cixi is my reborn parents and also my towering tree. If anyone dares to shake this tree, I will be honored. Lu, of course, defended first.So he jumped up, pushed the teacup forward, without even thinking about clearing his voice, he gave the challenger in front of him a blow, and he shouted firmly: "The family law of the ancestors cannot be changed!" Kang Youwei smiled indifferently when he heard this, and shot back: "The law of the ancestors is to govern the land of the ancestors. If the land of the ancestors cannot be guarded today, what is the law of the ancestors?"

Rong Lu was at a loss for words when he heard this, thinking that this man was really powerful, and just when he didn't know how to answer, Liao Shouheng, Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, helped him out, and he said unhurriedly: "Mr. I don’t know what to do first, sir?” Kang Youwei replied immediately: "Every change is inseparable from the original purpose. Of course, we should start with the reform of the official system." Li Hongzhang said with a smile: "Sir, what you mean is to abolish all the six ministries of the Qing court, so may I ask, are the original ancestral court guidelines also abolished?" After saying that, he deliberately leaned forward and turned his ears to him , make an appearance of all ears.

Kang Youwei replied solemnly: "Today, the powerful countries stand side by side, and the various official systems are not unified. However, the legal and official systems of our dynasty are still unified. The reason why China is weak is because of these pedantic laws that subjugate the country. Of course, the decadent systems should be eliminated. , even if it cannot be completely reformed for a while, a new law should be adopted as appropriate, and the new policy can be implemented.” Li Hongzhang asked further: "What is the name of Mr.'s New Deal?" There was disdain in his words.

Kang Youwei replied angrily after hearing this: "First set up a system bureau, and then set up a legal bureau, a branch bureau, an agricultural bureau, a commercial bureau, an industrial bureau, a railway bureau, a mining bureau, a post office, a teaching bureau, a society bureau, and an army bureau according to the system. There are twelve bureaus in the Navy Bureau, of course, each bureau has its own rules and regulations.” Rong Lu was already impatient to hear it, he sneered: "Ah, what a great ambition, it's a pity that I can't listen to the official business, so I will not accompany you. Disrespect and disrespect." After saying that, he bowed his hands and left.

Kang Youwei did not change his face because of Rong Lu's disdain, he still sat calmly with the attitude of a reformer and statesman. Weng Tonghe wanted to ease the atmosphere, so he asked: "The old minister wants to listen to my master's advice: how to raise funds for the reform?" After hearing this, Kang Youwei replied respectfully: "Back to the old Prime Minister, Japan has banknotes, France has stamps, and India has land taxes. Given the size of China, if taxes can be reformed, the fundraising can be ten times that of today." Weng Tonghe nodded in admiration.But wanting to test his guts, he said: "Mr. Kang is worthy of a lifetime of excellence, but as far as I know, most of the reformers throughout the ages have tragic endings. I wonder if Mr. Kang has considered his own fate?"

Kang Youwei said calmly: "Master Chengmeng Weng reminded that yes, many reformers in ancient times had unfortunate endings. For example, Shang Yang was smashed by a car, Lu Buwei was deposed, Wang Anshi was dismissed and returned home, but they all put personal life and death at risk. Lost integrity. The ancients were fearless, so why should I be afraid! I have made up my mind, as long as I am in the middle, the country can reform and strengthen, and I will have no regrets even if I am smashed into pieces." Weng Tonghe gave him appreciative glances. Kang Youwei then talked about the reformation of the ancestors. He said: "Besides, in my Qing Dynasty, didn't Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Yongzheng become strong after implementing the New Deal?"

When Kang Youwei saw this remark, none of the four of them dared to raise objections, so he went on to say, "It's not just China, almost all the countries that have become stronger in the world today are because of the implementation of the new law. Japan and Russia are typical examples around us, especially Japan has grown stronger by imitating the West." At this time, Zhang Yinhuan interjected in a strange way: "It seems that Mr. Kang admires foreigners very much, isn't he afraid of being flattering foreigners?" Kang Youwei retorted angrily after hearing this: "Master Zhang's words are wrong. If imitating foreigners is flattery, then Li Zhongtang and Prince Gong's large-scale foreign affairs, trying to enrich the country and strengthen the people, are they flattering foreigners?"

Zhang Yinhuan was speechless, but Li Hongzhang glared at him angrily. Seeing that the other party was at a loss for words, Kang Youwei changed the topic and said: "After the Sino-Japanese War, the Chinese were brutally cut off land and paid compensation, and everyone was filled with righteous indignation. Facing the national humiliation, I dare to ask a few national pillars as a humble official, what are the Japanese So they dare to bully China because they carried out the Meiji Restoration and dared to imitate the West, so they became strong, but what about us? When Li Hongzhang mentioned the loss of power and humiliation of the country, Li Hongzhang's face darkened. Seeing this, Weng Tonghe interrupted the topic and asked, "In Mr. Kang's opinion, how should we imitate others?" Kang Youwei showed them the two books he had brought, and said, "I brought two books of my own. The Story of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great's Political Change is a book recommending the implementation of the reform by Peter I of Russia. Japan and Russia have both become prosperous and strong through reform and restoration. Why are you afraid of being bullied?" Kang Youwei's heartfelt words left the four of them speechless. Seeing that it was getting late, Li Hongzhang said: "Today, the Holy Majesty ordered me to summon Mr. Kang for him. Although Mr. Kang's method failed to make us surrender in the end, Mr. Kang's chivalrous courage and profound insights into the court have made us respectful." We admire Mr. Kang, and we will definitely tell the emperor about Mr. Kang’s advice. It’s getting late today, so I’m afraid we’ll stop here for the meeting, what does Old Weng think?” Weng Tonghe pretended to be acquainted for the first time, and said politely: "Mr. Kang is indeed a talent. The old minister lamented that I have a lot of talents in China. It's a pleasure to meet you! Mr. Kang's advice to the emperor, the veteran must truthfully pass it on to the emperor." The other two said a few words in an ambiguous manner, and the meeting ended. As soon as Emperor Guangxu and Concubine Zhen finished their dinner, Wang Shang reported. "Weng Tonghe asks to see you." Emperor Guangxu's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly delivered an order: "I am summoned by the imperial study." "Zhen'er, Master Weng has sent us a message. I really want to hear about their interview with Kang Youwei on my behalf." "Your majesty, don't worry, let's have some tea first." Zhen'er took the teacup from the attendant and handed it to the emperor. The emperor drank a few sips and handed the teacup to the eunuch. Go to the study. When he arrived at the Imperial Study Room, Emperor Guangxu saw Weng Tonghe was already kneeling outside the door, and hurriedly said, "I am exempt from courtesy." Entering the house, Emperor Guangxu hurriedly asked: "Master Weng, how is it?" Weng Tonghe said with a smile: "Your Majesty, please sit down and wait for the old minister to speak slowly." Concubine Zhen personally handed the teacup to Weng Tonghe from the servant.And asked the inner eunuch to move the brazier to Weng Tonghe's side. "Ah! Concubine Zhen, you are welcome, the old minister thanked you." "Your Majesty, Kang Youwei is indeed a rare talent, and his eloquent rebuttals left all the elders speechless." "Ah, what have you been arguing about?" Emperor Guangxu asked. Weng Tonghe told the emperor about the interview process. He said: "Rong Lu was the first to attack. He said that the family law of the ancestors could not be changed. The interview had just begun, and he left with a snort. Obviously he represented the Queen Mother's will." Emperor Guangxu frowned, and his face darkened. "Then... what about Li Hongzhang's attitude?" Emperor Guangxu asked. "He only asks questions and doesn't make a clear statement." "Li Hongzhang is always good at watching the wind." Emperor Guangxu said. "However, it can be seen that he is not too disgusted with Kang Youwei, on the contrary, it seems that he is a little interested." "What about Liao Shouheng and Zhang Yinhuan?" "Of course, these two people are Kang Youwei's tongue-in-cheek opponents." Weng Tonghe spoke highly of Kang Youwei, saying: "Your Majesty, this man is a man of righteousness and courage. If he can be reused, he may be even more powerful than Shang Yang. Shang Yang can make Qin Xiaogong strong and lay the foundation for Qin to rule the world. In the opinion of the veteran, Kang Youwei It will definitely help Shengshang to reform the law and make the country avenge its shame." "Okay." The emperor said excitedly: "I want to use him again." "Your Majesty." Weng Tonghe took out the book that Kang Youwei presented to the Emperor today, and said, "This is Kang Youwei's "Research on the Political Change in Japan" and "The Story of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great's Political Change". Please read it. Discussion on following the example of Japan and Russia's reformation." The emperor unfolded it and read it, and immediately sent an order: "Wang Shang." "The slave is here." "Pass down my decree and order the Minister of the Prime Minister's Yamen to submit books such as "Research on the Political Change in Japan" and "The History of the Russian Emperor Peter the Great" written by Kang Youwei, the head of the Ministry of Industry. Since then, if Kang Youwei has an order, he will submit it on the same day. block, and order Kang Youwei to follow through on the words.” "Your Majesty, there is hope for China." Concubine Zhen burst into tears excitedly. Weng Tonghe knelt down to Emperor Guangxu with tears streaming down his face... Kou Liancai, the eunuch who was standing beside him, also knelt down to Emperor Guangxu and shouted from the bottom of his heart, "Long live the emperor, long live the emperor."