If Emperor Guangxu wanted to change the law, he must first obtain the permission of the Empress Dowager Cixi. The Empress Dowager Cixi promised to be there"Do not disobey the ancestors**"On the premise of supporting Emperor Guangxu's reform. Emperor Guangxu then promulgated it"Ming Dingguo is"The edict has caused great repercussions in society.
This edict is actually an oath written by Emperor Guangxu who is determined to change the law, and it is also a mobilization order to implement the change. Emperor Guangxu got the "Examination of the Political Change in Japan" and "The Political Change of Peter in Russia", which was like a treasure. He read it all night, tasted it repeatedly, and his thirsty heart was like a timely spring rain. Emperor Guangxu was impressed by Kang Youwei's ambition and grandeur, and sincerely felt that he had to start changing the law immediately.
However, Emperor Guangxu did not possess real imperial power. He was subject to the Empress Dowager Cixi at every turn. For such a top priority as the implementation of the law change, which has a bearing on the future and destiny of the country, of course, the consent of the Empress Dowager Cixi must be obtained first. Emperor Guangxu was afraid of touching nails, so he had no choice but to show his heart to Prince Qing Yixuan:"If the Queen Mother still does not give me the right to do things, I am willing to give up this position and am not willing to be the king of the country. "Yixuan forwarded these words to Cixi, and when Cixi heard this, anger rose from her heart:"He doesn't want to sit in this position, and I don't want him to sit in this position. "Of course, this was an angry remark, and after Yixuan's patient persuasion, Cixi's heart gradually calmed down, and then she agreed"It's up to him to do it, and he won't talk about it if he can't do it. "This remark has the flavor of settling accounts after the autumn, but it finally got Cixi's approval.
Yixuan conveyed Cixi's agreement to change the law to Emperor Guangxu. Emperor Guangxu had a bottom in his heart, so he went to the Summer Palace to meet Cixi in person. Cixi looked directly at Emperor Guangxu and said very seriously:"Any new policy that is implemented, but does not contradict the ancestors** and does not affect the power of Manchuria, is not stopped. "That is to say, I will not stop any new policy that is implemented, as long as it does not go against the ** of the ancestors and does not harm the power of Manchuria. Cixi promised Emperor Guangxu to be there"Do not disobey the ancestors**"The premise can be changed. This is a major promise of political reform. Why did Cixi allow Emperor Guangxu to change the law?There are three main reasons for this. One is the ring pressure of the great powers
After the First Sino-Japanese War, China faced the danger of being carved up by foreign powers. In the face of the threat of losing the illustrious imperial power, the contradictions between Cixi and the great powers became extremely acute. She couldn't ignore her ancestral business, her country, and her throne. She naturally thought of what she had been doing for years"Self-improvement"。Cixi confessed quite emotionally when she summoned Sheng Xuanhuai:"We must be self-reliant. But now foreign countries have deceived me too much, so I am very anxious. "At the same time, she later revealed her heart with her female bodyguard, Deling:"I hope that China will be strong in the future. "Changing the law is a way to self-improvement, and for this reason, she agrees to change the law. Contained:"Later (Cixi) tried to tell Dezong (Emperor Guangxu), and the change was Suzhi. At the beginning of Tongzhi, that is, Nazeng sent his children to study abroad, build ships and make weapons, and all in order to become rich and strong. "Cixi confessed herself"Changing the law is a suzhi", ie"Changing the law is what I have always wanted"。She also cited the new policies of sending people to stay abroad during the Tongzhi period, shipbuilding and machinery making, etc., all of which were implemented with her permission to prove that this is indeed the case. At that time, Cixi could not distinguish the difference between the reform of the political system and the new policy of foreign affairs in industrial and commercial practice. However, at the beginning, Cixi subjectively agreed with the change, which is true.
The second is the performance of his subordinates:
The First Sino-Japanese War was defeated, the external provocation was in danger, the neighbors were pressing, and the division was established. At this time, from the imperial court to the people, they were all brewing changes. Kang Youwei launched"Books on the bus"The most representative. It is reported that Kang Youwei's letter touched Cixi. Su Jizu remembered:"Gong Di (Prince Gong Yixun) passed away, Kang (Kang Youwei) was reinstated, and the Queen Mother was also moved by the book, and tried her best to exclude slander against the emperor and Kang. "Su Jizu meant that Cixi had been moved by Kang Youwei's letter and protected Emperor Guangxu and Kang Youwei, who were attacked. This statement came from the mouth of Su Jizu, the emperor who had no good impression of Cixi, and it should be credible. The third is the emperor's insistence
Emperor Guangxu treats new books like lovers after a long absence, as long as he gets his hands, he reads them day and night. He read Liu Ruifen's "British and French Politics", Song Yuren's "Collecting the Style" and Huang Zunxian's "Japanese National Chronicles". These books are vivid descriptions of the Western system and the changes in Japan. He told Cixi what he had read as it was, namely"Then it was the queen (Cixi) speech"。At the same time, he clearly stated his point of view:"It is not enough to train soldiers and make weapons. The way to govern the country should be fundamental. "We are aware that the way to become strong is to reform the political system fundamentally. Moreover, he further put Feng Guifen's "School Neighborhood**"."After entering (Cixi) view"。"School Neighborhood**" was first written in the 11th year of Xianfeng (1861). Although it was not officially printed at that time, its ideas were widely disseminated by the ** eunuchs of the Westernization faction and were already well known to people. It was officially printed in the 11th year of Guangxu (1885) and spread more widely. This masterpiece is not a general enlightenment reading of Westernist thought, but a new one"Learn from the West and seek self-improvement"Theses of the zeitgeist. Cixi browsed"Also known as its keche"。Cixi agreed with Emperor Guangxu to change the law"The First Ring Emperor doesn't have to deal with it", just to warn Emperor Guangxu not to be in a hurry. And make it clear:"If you can get rich and strong, you can do it yourself, and I don't control it internally. "As long as it is a measure that can make China rich and strong, you Emperor Guangxu will do it yourself, and she will not restrain it. Cixi clearly agreed with Emperor Guangxu's change, which gave Emperor Guangxu a reassurance. But he was a little too early to rejoice. The dense fog that was close at hand cleared, and dark clouds pressed over a wider area. At this time, there was an unexpected situation, Prince Gong Yixun died of a sudden illness. He died of illness on the 10th day of the fourth month of the 24th year of Guangxu (1898). Yixun's death is particularly important. In his twilight years, he was cautious about changing the law. "Wang (Yixun) is not a stubborn and conservative stream, but most of the policies that the Kang Party wants to do will be rejected by the king and deeply hated. ""The old system of the new ancestors cannot be changed, and the new people cannot be used, and the emperor listens to it. "Yixin advocated that the law should not be changed too hastily. Because of Yixun's special status, Cixi also gave him three points, and Emperor Guangxu could also listen to it. But Yixun is more about restraining Emperor Guangxu. Emperor Guangxu wanted to summon Kang Youwei, but he repeatedly discouraged him"You can't do what you want"。Yixun died of illness on the 10th day of the first month of April, and his widow earnestly admonished Emperor Guangxu"Everything is done in accordance with the will of the Queen Mother"。He seemed to have a dim premonition of the contradiction between the emperor and the queen. Yi Xun is alive,"Shang (Emperor Guangxu) and the Queen Mother were all strictly afraid of it, and they also relied on its reconciliation. until death, and Weng Tonggong held the government alone, and the voices of the two palaces began to separate"。Yixun's death deprived Cixi and Emperor Guangxu of an important mediator. This sharpens the contradictions between them. Thirteen days after Yixun's death, the Wuxu Reform began.
Drop it off. Another important mediator between Cixi and Emperor Guangxu was Cixi's sister. This Yehenara clan is the biological mother of Emperor Guangxu and the grandson of Prince Yiyun Fujin. On the eighth day of the fifth month of the 22nd year of Guangxu (June 18, 1896), he also died of illness. She died nine years after the death of her husband, Prince Yiyun. She was the buffer valve between Cixi and Emperor Guangxu. When Cixi dealt with the conflict with Emperor Guangxu, she couldn't ignore her, the only sister, not to mention that this sister had always been at the mercy of her iron-fisted sister. But now she's gone. "The Queen Mother's connection with the emperor and love, and the mediator of mediation, lost her person. And extraordinary changes are born. "As a result, the discord between the two palaces of the emperor and queen was completely exposed unscrupulously. Since he received Cixi's approval, Emperor Guangxu decided to implement the reform. In order to speed up the steps of changing the law, Emperor Guangxu closely relied on his most trusted teacher and favored minister Weng Tongyi. Emperor Guangxu often summoned Weng Tongyi alone to change the law together. The relationship between them is getting deeper and deeper, beyond the monarch and minister, and not like a master and apprentice, but like a father and son. In fact, Weng Tongyi was already the prime minister at this time. This aroused the envy of the old-fashioned ministers. They attacked them in groups, and even the wicked people sued first, and went to Cixi to tell Weng Tonggong what to say"Only Weng Tongyi can inherit the emperor's will"。Cixi gritted her teeth and replied:"When the time comes, I have my own way. "Secretly determined, waiting for an opportunity to get rid of Weng Tongyi. At this time, the ministers of the reform faction repeatedly issued a concert, urging the emperor to edict the world, quickly determine the country's situation, and decide to change the law. First fold. On April 13, Yang Shenxiu, the imperial historian, played "Please determine the country and clear the reward and punishment fold", which was prepared by Kang Youwei. Internal name:"Judging the changes of the times, we must change the law, not make a clear decree, determine the state is, announce the intention of the restoration, denounce the disadvantages of the old, and reform the old customs without a fixed trend. "This is the first fold of the request for the emperor to quickly determine the country. The second fold. On April 18, Kang You drafted for himself "Please Tell the Ancestors to Oath to the Ministers to Change the Law of the Country". Abbreviation:"In order to decide to change the law, please sue the ancestors and swear a great oath to the ministers, so as to determine the country and the hearts of one person. "It is recommended to follow the example of Japan, choose a day to fast, gather ministers, swear to the Temple of Heaven, and decide the country. Taking the reform of the law as the administrative policy violates this oath and will be punished without forgiveness.
The third fold. On April 20, Xu Zhijing, a Japanese living note official and a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy, went to the third fold, titled "Please Ming Dingguo is Shu". This fold was also drafted by Kang Youwei. Abbreviated:"For foreign insults, the country is undecided, and there is no basis for opening up the new and keeping the old. Please intervene in the special declaration, clearly show that you should be as soon as possible, and maintain the current situation with the hearts of all people. "This formed a call for Emperor Guangxu to make the country right. Emperor Guangxu decided to issue an edict quickly, and before that, he went to the Summer Palace to ask the Empress Dowager Cixi. According to the "Diary of Weng Wengong Gong":"Shang (Guangxu Emperor) was benevolent, and in the past, Yang Shenxiu, a scholar, and Xu Zhijing, a scholar, said that the country was undecided, and it was good. "Cixi made it clear that she agreed with Yang Shenxiu and Xu Zhijing's opinions, that is, with Kang Youwei's opinions, and that the state should be decreed as soon as possible. April 23, 1898, the 24th year of Guangxu (1898) is an important day. On this day, Emperor Guangxu convened all the ministers of military aircraft and promulgated an edict, clearly defining the state and deciding to change the law. The full text of the edict is as follows:
Kang Youwei. "Over the past few years, Chinese and foreign ministers have paid attention to current affairs, and many masters have changed the law and become self-reliant. Several edicts, such as the opening of special departments, the reduction of redundant troops, the reform of the military science system, and the establishment of large and small schools, have all been repeatedly examined and approved, and they are ready to be implemented after discussion. However, the atmosphere has not yet been opened, and there is no consensus on it. Or trust the old to worry about the country, thinking that the old chapter must be observed, the new law must be eliminated, and everyone knows that empty words are useless. If we still have untrained soldiers, limited salaries, no real learning, no good teachers, strong and weak comparisons, and the rich and poor are in suspense, how can we really control and strengthen the soldiers with strong armor?If the country is uncertain, the order will not work, it will be extremely corrupt, and it will lead to disputes at the door, water and fire with each other, and follow the accumulated habits of the Song and Ming dynasties, which will be of no benefit to the current politics. That is, in terms of the Chinese classics, the five emperors and three kings do not follow each other, such as winter Qiu and Xia Ge, and they are not mutually exceeding. With a special clear declaration, in the future, all Chinese and foreign ministers, from princes and scholars, should strive to move upward, be indignant, and plant their roots with the study of sages and righteousness. It is also necessary to learn from the West and be close to the current affairs, and pay attention to the strength to save the disadvantages of empty and evasive fallacy. Concentrate on it, keep improving, don't attack its fur in vain, don't compete with its mouth, turn useless into useful in the general period, and become a talent for economic change. The Jingshi University Hall is the initiative of all provinces, and it should be held first. The Minister of Military Aircraft, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of State Affairs and the Princes and Princes will discuss the meeting as soon as possible. All Hanlin Academy, each.
The members of the ministries and institutes, the guards of the gates, the alternate candidates for the provincial prefecture and county officials, the children of the great officials, the descendants of the Eight Banners, and the military positions of the provinces, who wish to enter the hall, are all allowed to study and study, in order to produce a large number of talents, to help each other in times of difficulty, not to perfunctory, favoritism, to live up to the court's earnest admonition, this encyclical is known. ”
Liang Qichao. Examining this edict carefully, the three paragraphs indicate three meanings. In the first paragraph, it eloquently refuted the erroneous remarks attacking the reform of the law and cleared the way for the reform of the law to be the first to be changed. What"The old chapter should be observed"What"The new law must be rejected", all kinds of fallacies, Emperor Guangxu resolutely counterattacked. In the second paragraph, the guiding ideology for carrying out the reform of the law was appropriately put forward, and the tone for the implementation of the reform of the law was set. The guiding ideology is:"It is rooted in the study of sages and righteousness, and it is necessary to learn from the West and cut it to the times, and the strength is demanding"。This is the same as Weng Tongyi recorded in his diary"Western law must not be forgotten, and the study of sages and righteousness must not be forgotten"Run in the same groove. This formulation is consistent with the Westernists' assertions"Middle school is the body, and Western learning is for use", which seems to be the same. Because this edict was drafted by Weng Tonggong, it basically reflects Weng Tonggong's theoretical height and ideological level. His thinking was still in the stage of Western-style thought, and compared with Kang Youwei's writings, it lacked the brilliant brilliance of the reformist ideology, reflecting the limitations of the imperial party's bureaucratic thinking. In the third paragraph, the first project of the Reform of the Law is clearly defined in the preparation of the Beijing Normal University Hall, which provides a model for the reform projects that will be introduced in the future. Emperor Guangxu ordered that this project be discussed by the Minister of Military Aircraft and the Minister of the General Administration, and called on the members of the compilation and inspection department, the children of the world, and the lower-level officials to apply for the examination. This is a great historical advance compared with the imperial examination. In short, the edict permeated Emperor Guangxu's concern for the country and the people.
Treaty of Shimonoseki. Liang Qichao gave a true and vivid description of the repercussions after the promulgation of this edict:"This edict is issued to declare the world. Rebuke the non-conformism of the old rules, rely on the fallacy of the old, set the dispute between the water and fire portals, and the Shang of Ge Dong Qiu in the next summer. With the purpose of changing the law as the command, and taking Western learning as the subject's demander, the book is the country, and the direction of the people is determined, and then, the matter of changing the law is decided, the people's hearts are one, and the trend is fixed. Since the world is the wind, from the imperial court to the people, they have changed the law, covering the great move of 4,000 years to change the old and open up the new. All the Restoration, based on this edict;The New Deal trip began on this day. "
This edict is actually an oath written by Emperor Guangxu who is determined to change the law, and it is also a mobilization order to implement the change. Since then, the reform of the law has officially begun.