Chapter 58 Section fifty-seven

Half a year before Zhang Yinglin took over, there was an edict to set up the Senior Advisory Council to replace the National Assembly, and appointed his son Pu Lun and Sun Jianai, a scholar of Wuyingdian University, as the president. The House of Representatives was called the "Parliament of Nations" on the basis of which the House of Commons was established. The result was rejected!Because from the Empress Dowager Cixi to Zhang Zhidong and Yuan Shikai, none of them had the intention to implement a constitutional government with a bicameral system. After Zhang Yinglin took over, the charters of the Zizhengyuan and the provincial advisory bureaus have been drawn up, but the imperial court still has to look forward to it and has not promulgated it.But the call for constitutionalism has already been sung into the clouds. In Shanghai, there are many groups advocating constitutionalization. One is called the "Preparatory Constitutional Association". A two-year limit.There is also a powerful "Zhengwenshe", organized by Liang Qichao, which is also the stronghold of the royalist party. It called the constitutional editorial office to hold a congress within three years.

Except for the publication of such memorials in newspapers, the imperial court "not reported" as usual, but copied a memorial from Yu Shimei, a minister of the Ministry of Rites who had just returned from Germany and Japan, who was sent abroad to investigate constitutional government.Yu Shimei has been in the Beiyang shogunate for many years, specializing in chapters, and the text is recited at home, so even court officials who are not interested in constitutional government should read it carefully. His memorial said at the beginning: "I believe that the constitution is free in China, and there is no need to go abroad." Just looking at this sentence, it is a cold water for those who are enthusiastic about constitutionalism.

However, his articles have the magic power to make people feel calm and study the reasons carefully: "Recently, I have visited the public opinion, studied in detail, compiled and studied the history of East and West, and I know the differences between Chinese and foreign words. Both China and France are determined from top to bottom. Follow the law, and the Western law must be followed from the bottom up. This is an unheard of thing in ancient times, but it is a new theory in recent days. The ministers have taken the constitutional provisions of various countries and compared them one by one. There are laws and regulations that are unique to China. There are things that don’t need to be declared, things that don’t exist in China and don’t need to be imitated, things that are ridiculous and ridiculous, things that are ridiculous, things that are rejected by one country but allowed by another country, things that were true the day before but not the day after, It is due to the migration of the current situation, and it is also due to the differences between politics and religion."

Having said that, Yu Shimei believes that the Japanese constitution is more preferable. "Although the term "Western Country" is still in the nature of the East, it is self-righteous and profound." The following quotes an article titled "This Year's Citizens Petition for the National Assembly" published on the Shanghai Poster, attacking "Constitutionalism can be implemented. It must be because the people have experienced a period of intense movement, and without this, it will not be enough to destroy the vanguard of autocracy." He said: "Constitutions in various countries are mostly requested by the people, and if they can't get it, they will fight. There will be chaos, the reason why the husband country is established is called politics; Its potential is the most dangerous! If it is done well, it will be the restoration of Japan; if it is done badly, it will be the revolution of France."

Then I briefly described the results of the French Revolution and Japan's constitutionalism, and then discussed: "Gai France, after repeated tyranny, the people are already in deep trouble, and they want to save the nation with a constitution, but they don't know how to promote chaos. Japan should respect the king and pour out the curtain." , is based on the power of the people, so the constitution is a reward, but it still needs to be postponed repeatedly. There is a feeling of last resort, and there is an unavoidable situation, and the situation is compelling. The most important, the most lenient politics, the dignity of the country, the peace of human relations, neither the accumulation of national grievances, nor the beginning of Japan's reform. My empress dowager and the emperor listened to the court's opinions and allowed extraordinary actions. What a great grace! The decrees are extremely detailed and time-determined, and they are especially clear. How should we praise and encourage them before they are implemented? How can we allow haste to claim compensation, and seeking treatment is the same as negotiating a price?"

At this point, he changed his style of writing, and in a contemptuous tone, he scolded journalists and teachers who advocated constitutionalism: "What's more, if you talk about the constitution today, those who invite the Congress are actually for the benefit and not for the harm, and it is for the scholars and not for the people! Schools, no agriculture, no work, no business, but they can be called scholars, and they are not responsible for paying taxes and serving as soldiers, but they want to exercise the power of foreign affairs and internal governance! They dare to say "supervise the imperial court", or say "overthrow the government", read the imperial edict If you see the laws and regulations, you will sneer at them, and you will make false statements, which is almost the same as disrupting the party!" Therefore, Yu Shimei believes: "Looking at the affairs of France, you know that the beginning is huge, and it is necessary to prevent disasters and changes. .” But he did not deny it: “Looking at the affairs of Japan, we know that reforms are new, and human feelings are always there.” He warned: “Only urgent remedial measures are needed, so that there is no risk of collapse.”

As for the remedy: "Only in the imperial court, strive to be prosperous and strong, promote education, employ people for administration, and be upright. If you don't criticize it a little bit, you can't use it as a way to incite. As for the border officials in the southeastern provinces, you should especially carefully choose those who have the wind and power. Those who know the general situation can persuade them at any time, and suppress them when things happen, so that they will not cause trouble." Finally, it comes down to the constitution, advocating "rectification of names and divisions" first, quoting "the Japanese emperor said that 'organizational authority is determined by my own'; the German minister said 'The law rests with the king, not the people'," which means that "the future constitution must be determined by the imperial court and cannot be made by the Congress." , we must carefully select talents, edit them in detail, do not need to draw similarities with Western methods, but expect them to be correct and practical.”

This kind of argument, in the old school, especially the young relatives who are increasingly powerful, naturally praises it. In the eyes of ordinary people, it is disgusting to get rid of the "sage" and criticize outspoken reporters and teachers. He admitted that constitutional requirements are "everything in human nature", so he did not feel much resentment.As for those who are particularly interested in the ups and downs of the officialdom, they focus on the phrase "border officials in the southeastern provinces, especially those who have the wind and know the general situation", thinking that it is aimed at Duanfang, the governor of Liangjiang, and the governor of the southeast may be There are transfers.

This article only aroused criticism and did not cause a storm, but when it spread overseas, the royalists were in an uproar.So in June, the Military Aircraft Department received a strange telegram. This telegram was sent from Nanyang, and it was an electronic performance. It was signed by "Chen Jingren, the head of the Ministry of Law", and he said he was a member of the Political News Society. To thank the world for my post." "Absurd, absurd!" Zhang Zhidong shook his head after reading the telegram: "It's the end of the world, and all kinds of strange things happen! Look, everyone, how should we deal with it?"

"If you're dismissed, it's over!" Shixu replied, "The master has no right to deal with matters, and it's extremely abominable if you just divide things up!" "Wait a minute!" Yuan Shikai had a different opinion, "Chen Jingren relies on the Zhengwenshe, so how can the Zhengwenshe rely on it and dare to be so rampant?" As soon as this remark came out, the audience fell silent.In the end, King Qing Yikuang spoke up: "There is no need to ask any more questions! In my opinion, we only ask the Political News Agency to establish a constitution within a time limit, file a case with this surnamed Chen, and issue an imperial edict. What do you think?"

Everyone knows that the Political News Agency has a relationship with Prince Su Shanqi, so Yikuang advocated "don't ask too much".But who is Chen Jingren?Why is it in Nanyang?Zhang Zhidong thought it was time to investigate. "Why don't you find a 'Jin Gentleman' first?" Shixu's words remind everyone.Immediately, I fetched the records of nobles and gentlemen in the spring and summer of the thirty-fourth year of Guangxu, printed by Rongluzhai in Liulichang, and searched all the officials of the Ministry of Justice, but could not find a principal named Chen Jingren. "Could it be a fake joke?" Zhang Zhidong said, "If there is no such person, then Huanghuang will issue an order, and no one will be targeted, then it will be nothing serious!" "Fake names are not allowed." Shixu added, "In my opinion, this person may not be found out in the Ministry of Justice, so he must be found in the Ministry of Officials." As a result, Yuan Shikai also thought of it, "Maybe he is the head of the donating class," he said, "I have never been to the Ministry of Law." His guess was right. The official of the Ministry of Officials checked and replied that Chen Jingren was the head of the donation class. He was originally assigned to the Ministry of Punishment. Once the new bureaucracy was changed, he became the head of the Ministry of Law. I heard that this person is a wealthy businessman in Nanyang. As long as there is this person, it will be easy to handle.Zhang Zhidong dictated the general idea, and Junji Zhangjing drew up a draft, which was circulated in the hall.Yuan Shikai saw what was written on it: "Zhengwenshe, the head of the Ministry of Law, Chen Jingren, and others telegraphed: Please set a meeting within three years, and change the style to thank the world. However, it is necessary to discuss and prepare various affairs. The clues are complicated, and it will take a certain amount of time. The imperial court must carefully consider and weigh it properly. The time limit should be set. Why should the principal be presumed to invite you? Yu Shimei is the second member of the Qing Dynasty , how should the master wait for the income to ask for dismissal? It is absurd that Chen Jingren and others, as officials, dare to agree with each other and make troubles. .If punishment is not given, it may turn out to be an illusion, which will disturb the overall situation and hinder public order. Chen Jingren, the head of the Ministry of Justice, will be dismissed as soon as he writes it, so as to eliminate officials." "I want to change a sentence or two." Yuan Shikai wrote a few sentences with a brush, and then showed it to Zhang Zhidong. At first glance, the words "Yi Su Guan Chang" were ticked off, and two sentences were added: "The local officials will check and control them to show light punishment." Zhang Zhidong immediately asked: "Mr. Chen is in Nanyang, how can he order the local officials to investigate and control him?" "This is a foreshadowing." Yuan Shikai said: "If this person dares to sneak back to the mainland, he can order the local officials to act according to the order." "Ah, ah!" Zhang Zhidong couldn't help feeling ashamed. After serving as a governor for thirty years, he didn't even know this little trick in official business. Isn't it absurd?