Anecdote of the Fifth Queen Mother

Chapter 36 The Empress Dowager (8)
Guangxu wanted to punish Li Lianying several times, but all of them came to naught because of Cixi's meddling.But Li Lianying was even more unscrupulous.Guangxu was indignant, and made such an oath: "Look, one day I will punish this arrogant and rude servant. Because no matter how powerful he is, he is still our subordinate after all. A slave, just let him go on at this moment, if one day, when no one can stand between me and him to persuade others, we can see his end is coming." (De Ling's "Yingtai Weeping Blood" page 149)
However, the development of the facts is the same as in the previous few years. The oath made by Guangxu is just an empty slogan.How can a powerless emperor punish a eunuch with power inside and out?Instead, Li Lianying trapped Guangxu together with Cixi.Until he was sent to the west.Guangxu's oath, like Tongzhi's will, has become an eternal hatred.Presumably, on the day the two brothers met in Jiuquan, they could only look at each other and weep.

[-]. The Reform Movement of [-]

Guangxu was not reconciled to being a puppet emperor who was dominated by others, but Cixi firmly held on to power.It is still possible to hold the power when the curtain is behind the curtain, because the emperor is young after all, but Cixi has "returned to the government" after the emperor's wedding.Power still has not passed into his hands.Although Guangxu was aggrieved by this, he was helpless.

In the 20th year of Guangxu (AD 1894), the Sino-Japanese War of 21-1895 broke out, and the huge China was defeated by the island country Japan.In April of the [-]st year of Guangxu (AD [-]), he was forced to sign the "Treaty of Shimonoseki", which humiliated the country and humiliated the country.China compensated Japan with [-] million taels of military expenses; opened Shashi, Chongqing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Changsha as commercial ports; allowed Japan to set up factories in the treaty ports; China ceded the Liaodong Peninsula, Penghu, and Taiwan to Japan. ...

The news of the signing of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" caused great repercussions.Civil servants and military generals wrote letters asking to reject the peace treaty, condemning Li Hongzhang as the signer.Of course, the most influential one at that time was Kang Youwei's "Commitment to the Public Vehicle" initiative.

Kang Youwei, courtesy name Guangsha, nickname Changsu, was born in Nanhai County, Guangdong.Born in a bureaucratic family, he pays attention to the practical knowledge of the world.During the Sino-French War from the 1884th year of Guangxu (11 AD) to the 14th year, although the Chinese army led by Feng Zicai defeated the French army at Zhennan Pass and recovered Lang Son and other places, the French cabinet of Jou Ferry fell as a result.Under such a favorable situation, the Qing government even advocated taking advantage of the victory and closing it, negotiating peace with France and signing the "Sino-French Peace Treaty", which resulted in a situation where China was invincible and defeated.Thus, Kang Youwei witnessed the corruption and incompetence of the Qing government.Strongly hope to save the country from peril and national disaster through reform.In the 1888th year of Guangxu (AD [-]), when he went to Beijing to take the Shuntian Township Examination, he wrote to the imperial court and put forward the idea of ​​"becoming a law, understanding emotions, and being cautious about left and right", which is "The First Book of the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty". This book did not reach the Qing emperor.After that, he founded the Wanmu Thatched Cottage, gathering disciples to give lectures and advocating political reform.He also wrote works such as "Xin Xue Pseudo-Classical Test" and "Confucius Reform Test", which served as the theoretical basis for implementing the reform and had considerable influence in society.In the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War of [-]-[-], China suffered a disastrous defeat and signed the Treaty of Shimonoseki.The news came that Kang Youwei, who was taking the examination in Beijing, united more than [-] candidates from various provinces in Beijing to jointly write a letter, and put forward the idea of ​​"rejecting peace, moving the capital, and reforming the law", which is the famous "public letter".

After the First Sino-Japanese War, the wind of reform and seeking strength became stronger and stronger, and Guangxu, who lived deep in the palace, heard about it frequently.He was very dissatisfied with the poor and weak state of the country, and he had long wanted to be strong.Moreover, it is imperative to take advantage of the political reform to change one's puppet status.Therefore, Guangxu decided to reform.It was in this situation that Kang Youwei stepped onto the stage.

Kang Youwei passed the general examination and was appointed as the head of the Ministry of Industry.The little master has no right to worship Da Guangxu, let alone meet Guangxu.It was Weng Tonghe, a senior scholar and Guangxu's master, who connected Guangxu and Kang Youwei.Weng Tonghe had heard of Kang Youwei's name early on, but had never seen him.After Kang Youwei became the head of the Ministry of Industry, he visited many times in the name of paying homage to him. During the conversation, he stated his reform proposals to Weng Tonghe.

"According to the old minister's humble opinion, the emperor can call him to the palace to meet once and listen to his opinion."

"Very good! Then let's call him to meet him. Let Master Weng go out and tell him today, and send him to the palace tomorrow." Guangxu happily accepted Weng Tonghe's suggestion.

The next day, Guangxu summoned Kang Youwei and listened to his reform proposals. The more Guangxu listened to him, the more excited he became, and he was sincerely happy to meet his confidant, so he decided to reuse Kang Youwei and implement the reform.

After Kang Youwei was appointed as the Prime Minister and went to the Office of State Affairs, he actively contacted Liang Qichao, Yang Rui, Yang Shenxiu, Lin Xu, Kang Guangren, Tan Sitong and others to jointly deploy and promote the reform.Under their impetus, on April 24, the 1898th year of Guangxu (AD 23), the edict "Ming Ding Guo Shi" was issued nationwide, announcing the official start of the reform.

"Over the past few years, Chinese and foreign ministers and workers have paid attention to current affairs, and they have advocated reforms and self-improvement. There are several edicts, such as the opening of special departments, laying off redundant soldiers, changing the martial arts system, and establishing large and small schools. Properly implement it. However, the atmosphere has not yet opened up, and the opinions are inconsistent, or they are old and worried about the country, thinking that the old rules must be adhered to, and the new laws must be discarded. People are talking about it, and empty words are useless. Let’s ask the current situation and the situation of the country. With untrained soldiers and limited talents, scholars have no practical learning, workers have no good teachers, strong and weak, and rich and poor are inseparable, how can it really control the stiles and strengthen the soldiers? If the country is uncertain, orders will not work, it is extremely Misbehavior will inevitably lead to family disputes, mutual conflicts, and only follow the accumulated practices of the Song and Ming Dynasties, which is of no benefit to the country's government. It clearly declares that all ministers, big and small, both at home and abroad, should work hard to make progress from the princes and the common people, to become heroes with anger, and to plant their roots with the knowledge of sages, sages, righteousness, and principles, and to learn from all kinds of knowledge that are relevant to current affairs. Disadvantages. Concentrate on, keep improving, don't just look at it, don't talk about it, try to turn uselessness into usefulness, so as to become a talent for economic change. The Beijing Normal University Hall is advocated by all provinces, and it should be held first. Minister of Military Aircraft The Prime Minister, the Minister of State Affairs, and the Wang Minister will discuss and discuss it promptly." ("Donghua Continued Records" Guangxu [-])

Since then, reform edicts have been issued repeatedly, and their contents mainly include the following aspects.Political aspects: First, officials and people are allowed to write letters to express their opinions.It is stipulated that all provinces, vassals and Taoists can directly submit letters to express their affairs.Officials from prefectures and counties, etc., will submit the original letter to the imperial court by the governor of the province.As for the scholars and people who want to write a letter to speak out, that is, the provincial and provincial governments will play at any time, and they are not allowed to obstruct them a little.If you dare to disobey, once found out, the magistrate of the province will be severely punished immediately.The second is to cut redundant staff and eliminate overlapping bureaucracies.It is stipulated that Zhan Shifu, Tongzhengsi, Guanglu Temple, Honglu Temple, Taipu Temple, Dali Temple and other yamen of the imperial court will be abolished.Local governors and those from the same city were dismissed as governors.The second is to allow the banner people to fend for themselves; in terms of military affairs: the main thing is to train soldiers, and the first thing to do is to practice foreign exercises.While practicing foreign exercises, they switched to foreign guns and cannons, added a navy, cast military ships, held group training, etc.; in terms of culture and education: first of all, they set up schools and changed academies into schools.It is stipulated that the capital shall set up the Imperial University, and the provinces shall set up current affairs schools.All the existing large and small academies in the provincial capitals, prefectures and counties will be converted into schools that also study middle school and Western learning, and all will be awarded the articles of association of the Imperial University, ordering it to follow suit.The second is to abolish the theory of stereotype reform.It is stipulated that starting from the lower subjects, the provincial examinations and the birth and age subjects will all be changed to the examination strategy.The second is to allow the freedom to establish newspapers and societies, send overseas students to study abroad, and send ministers to travel and study in various countries.

Guangxu tried his best to promote the reform in Zijin City, and Cixi stepped up his conspiracy in the Summer Palace.It should be said that Guangxu's reform was approved by Cixi, even though she was reluctant.Kang Youwei made a detailed explanation: "Sijiao (state) and Lu (shun) were separated, and political power was lost one after another. Sitting on the sidelines and watching, accumulating anger and anger, people told the Queen Mother: 'I can't be the one who subjugated the country. Your Majesty, if you don’t give me power, I’d rather abdicate!’ Xihou was worried and Yang comforted him. Yin and Rong Lu planned to abolish the establishment. So the emperor and Changshu (that is, Weng Tonghe. Because he is from Changshu, so the name) Determined to reform." ("Kang Youwei Political Essays · Fu Yitian Baichuan Junshu")
After the relief, Cixi closely watched the movements of Zijin City.In order to keep the power in her hands, she took active measures.On the fourth day after Guangxu promulgated the "Ming Dingguo Shizhao", that is, on April 24th in the 1898th year of Guangxu (AD 27), Guangxu went to the Summer Palace to greet Cixi according to the ancestral system. When he saw Cixi salute, he said:

"Greetings to my father, baby."

"That's all!" Cixi replied coldly.

After Guangxu asked for peace, he stood aside with his hands down, waiting for Cixi to ask questions.Cixi really asked about Guangxu's situation.

"How has the emperor been eating recently?"

"It's okay, dear dad."

"There are so many government affairs, can the body handle it?"

"be able to stand."

"Recently, many people have paid homage to your master Weng Tonghe, do you know?" After asking a few words by the way, Cixi turned to the main topic.

"My child has not received any negligence from Master Weng, so I don't know what my father said?" Guangxu asked back in puzzlement.

"Because Weng Tonghe is your master, there are very few people who directly participate in impeachment. Don't you think it's all transferred to me?"

As Cixi said, she picked up a bunch of memorials, waved them to Guangxu, and put them back where they were.Seeing that Guangxu seemed to believe it or not, she picked up another memorial and glanced at it, then raised her head to look at Guangxu, and said:

"Weng Tonghe, as the co-organizer of the university and the secretary of the household department, has not agreed to cooperate with him in many things, so that the public is not convinced. How can such a person be reused? I think he should be dismissed!"

"My son, I would like to obey Yi's decree." After hearing Cixi's decree, Guangxu hesitated for a while. How could he have the heart to remove capable generals at this time of employing people?However, if we don’t go to Weng Tonghe, I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do. For the sake of reforming the law and strengthening the country, we can only make compromises, so he still expressed the above attitude.

Seeing that Guangxu agreed to the post of Ge Weng Tonghe, Cixi further made another request of hers.

"The emperor also asks you to consider two other points: From now on, all the officials who have been rewarded by me and those who have been awarded the first rank of civil and military affairs, and the servants of the Manchu and Han Dynasties must come to thank you; Ronglu is smart and capable, and the emperor should reuse him..."

"My son complies with the order, and it will be done after returning to the palace." Guangxu agreed to Cixi's request again.

Guangxu finally left the Summer Palace and the place that terrified him.He did not expect that just after the "Ming Dingguo is the Edict" was issued, Cixi would not give an inch, setting one after another for the reforms he carried out.Helpless, in order to strive for the success of the reform, he agreed to all Cixi's requests.However, how did Guangxu understand that today's humiliation is the prelude to the failure of tomorrow's reform, he is too weak!
On April 28, Weng Tongsu was dismissed and returned to his hometown. "Decree to the cabinet: Weng Tonghe, the co-organizer of the university and the minister of the household department, has not agreed to cooperate with many things recently, so that the public is dissatisfied. He has participated in the performance many times, and every time he is summoned, he consults whether the incident is arbitrary. The joy and anger are seen in the color of the words, and gradually revealed Power-grabbing madness is contrary to the situation. It is difficult to win the cardinal's mission. It should have been investigated and dealt with and severely punished. Gu Nian has been walking in Yuqing Palace for a long time, and can't bear to be severely punished. Weng Tonghe immediately returned to his hometown to show Preservation." (Volume 410 of "Records of Emperor Dezong of the Qing Dynasty")

On the same day, when Weng Tonghe packed his bags and left Beijing for the south, the second edict was handed down. "It is also ordered: From now on, the courtiers will pay respects to Empress Dowager Cixi, Duanyou Kangyi, Zhaoyu Zhuang, Chengshou, and drink, present the rewards of the Empress Dowager Chongxi, and give the first grade of civil and military affairs and the Minister of Man and Han Dynasty. They will all be written in front of the Empress Dowager. , Dutong, governor, admiral and other officials also wrote a memorial to thank." (Volume 410 of "Records of Emperor Dezong of the Qing Dynasty")

In April, Cixi's two requirements were finally met.Wu Yue continued to meet her third request - reuse Rong Lu.First promoted Ronglu to be a scholar of Wenyuan Pavilion, and then appointed him as governor of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang Commerce, with military and political power in one hand, the Gyeonggi area has almost become the world of Ronglu.

Guangxu thought that Cixi's concessions and compromises would get her sympathy and support, or at least no objection.But Cixi always believed that Guangxu was using the banner of reform to achieve the goal of seizing power from her.Therefore, the more active Guangxu's reforms were and the more edicts were issued, the more worried Cixi was.Therefore, just as the edicts of Zijin City were repeatedly issued, Cixi and Ronglu were also plotting a new court coup: they decided to use the opportunity of the military parade in Tianjin in September to launch a coup, imprison Guangxu, and return to the court.

Many secrets in the court are often difficult to keep secret.The conspiracy between Cixi, Ronglu and others was even known by Guangxu.It was really a bolt from the blue, and Guangxu felt a little disoriented and restless when he heard the news.He couldn't just wait for captivity, urgent countermeasures had to be taken.On July 29, Guangxu secretly summoned Yang Rui, told him about the plot of the Summer Palace, ordered him to leave the palace quickly, and called Kang and Liang to study countermeasures to save the crisis.Before leaving, Guangxu wrote another secret order for Yang Rui to take out for the sake of caution.

After Yang Rui left the palace, he hurriedly summoned Kang and Liang people. After a while, Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Tan Sitong, Liu Guangdi and others gathered in Kang's house. Yang Rui and the others relayed Guangxu's oral edict, and then took out the secret edict from his bosom.Kang Youwei quickly accepted the secret edict, and immediately read it in a low voice.

"The reform method has disobeyed the empress dowager, and the position is almost in danger. You will wait for it to be done quickly and carefully, and try to save each other."

All the people present held their breath and listened to Guangxu's secret edict. They all felt that the situation was serious and countermeasures must be taken immediately.However, Cixi and Ronglu are in power, and the Gyeonggi area has been firmly controlled by Ronglu.After discussion, everyone agreed that in order to save the crisis, the support of the army must be obtained, and a reliable military commander must be selected.Although the number of Yuan Shikai's Xiaozhan soldiers is small, only 7000, they are of high quality and can be described as capable and powerful.And Yuan himself expressed his support for the reform many times, so he was the first candidate.Nie Shicheng was also inclined to reform and reform, and he was selected as the second candidate.For the sake of prudence, everyone agreed that a "detective" should be sent to the second division's station to conduct a practical investigation, and then determine how to take the last step.

Xu Zhijing was first sent to persuade Wang Zhao, who had received special favor from Guangxu, to go to Nie Tucheng. If Nie expressed his sincere support, he could be granted the post of governor of Zhili and transfer his army to the capital.But Xu Zhijing encountered a setback head-on, and Wang Zhao refused to take the risk.

"You are so afraid of things, it's just for the sake of your wealth, you really failed the emperor's grace." After Xu Zhijing was rejected, he angrily reprimanded Wang Zhao.

"You can't insist on the same opinion. I think it will make you feel more uneasy if the emperor takes risks." Wang Zhao replied bluntly.

After Xu Zhijing hit the nose, the fight for Nie Shicheng fell through, and everyone concentrated all their energy on Yuan Shikai.After many discussions, it was decided that Tan Sitong and Xu Zhijing would go to Tianjin.After Tan Sitong and Xu Zhijing were appointed, they went straight to Yuan's Mansion in Tianjin without stopping.Yuan Shikai warmly received the two special envoys, needless to say the banquet.At night, they had a secret meeting in the secret room of the Yuan Mansion.

After Tan Sitong lobbied and persuaded Yuan Shikai in many ways, he showed his hole card when he saw Yuan Shikai's attitude was clear.

"The New Deal is about to come into effect, but there are internal and external pressures from the full staff, and the Duke of Ming is trying to come up with a plan, and our army's Beiyang position can be replaced."

"Only by the imperial court's order, dare not to die!" Yuan Shikai expressed his opinion immediately after hearing Tan Sitong's words.

"Rong Lu and Gang Yi really played tricks, took their mother's queen to face the emperor, and now they will kill Ming Gong and take their heads to thank the world." Tan Sitong clarified Yuan Shikai's mission.

"Killing Ronglu is like killing a dog's ears!"

After hearing what Yuan Shikai said, Tan Sitong and Xu Zhijing were overjoyed.But it is better to put ugly words first, and Tan Sitong decided to give Yuan Shikai a warning.

"Repaying the king's kindness, saving the king is difficult, making great achievements, the affairs of the world are like entering the public; like coveting wealth and honor, reporting to change the feudal lord, harming the emperor is also in the public, but the public will judge himself."

"Who do you think I am? I have received great kindness from the country for the third time, and I will definitely not be insane and delay the overall situation. But if it can benefit the monarchy, it must be given to life and death."

Tan Sitong and Xu Zhijing were moved by Yuan Shikai's generous speech. They let out a long sigh of relief for successfully completing the task and saving the king.The next morning, Tan and Xu left Tianjin and returned to Beijing quickly, and made a more detailed report to Kang and Liang.Then turned to Guangxu.Guangxu also felt relieved when he heard about it, so he "telegraphed Rong Lu's work to inform Yuan Shikai that he would come to Beijing to see you." (Volume 420 of "Records of Emperor Dezong of Qing Dynasty")
On the first day of August, Guangxu summoned Yuan Shikai, who came to see His Majesty, and he wanted to make some arrangements in person.

"I kowtow to the emperor." When the eunuch guided Yuan Shikai into Guangxu, Yuan Shikai kowtowed immediately.

"Qing came from Tianjin, and you have worked hard all the way." Guangxu greeted Yuan Shikai.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your care. Your Majesty has summoned you. Sansheng is very lucky. How dare you say it is hard!"

After Guangxu expressed his greetings and concern to Yuan Shikai, he turned to the topic, and he whispered with a serious face:

"Our new policy is about to be implemented, which is a matter of life and death for our country. However, our empress dowager—Lafayette—may not be able to agree because he does not understand the general trend of the world very well. Therefore, now We want to keep her from knowing that we have such a plan for the time being. There is only one way to do this, and that is absolutely not to let any palace supervisor pass the news to the Queen Mother. People in the garden are also not allowed to come out. Because once they go outside, they can hear all kinds of news immediately, and they must tell the Queen Mother when they go back. Therefore, we order you now to transfer a team immediately The soldiers went to temporarily guard the Summer Palace, and until all the new policies we decided to implement were issued, absolutely no one was allowed to enter or anyone to come out. (De Ling's "Yingtai Weeping Blood" p. 276)
Yuan Shikai listened respectfully and carefully. He understood all of Guangxu's plans. After listening, he said "yes" and hurried out of the palace.

In the next few days, Guangxu summoned Yuan Shikai for the second time.After everything is arranged, let him act quickly.Then Jiaen promoted him to be an alternate servant.Guangxu did place great hopes on Yuan Shikai, but how could he expect that the hope would come to naught. Yuan Shikai betrayed him and fell into Cixi's arms.

(End of this chapter)