Breaking the treaty and fighting again, and persisting in a protracted war at all costs, is the only practical and feasible way to achieve victory in the end. What is needed to do so is the determination of the leader to do so.
In 1812, Marshal Kutuzov defeated the French Napoleonic invasion of the war;In 1945, Stalin of the Soviet Union defeated the German invasion of Hitler;The war of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China to defeat the aggression of Japanese imperialism has irrefutably proved this truth. The first condition for victory is the determination of the war instructors to break through.
The Sino-Japanese War was not. Cixi, who hid behind the scenes and retained the right to criticize, although she appeared tough on the outside, did not want to hunt Rehe in the north, as she did in 1860 when Emperor Xianfeng was in power, which is self-evident.
The puppet Emperor Guangxu, who acted in accordance with Cixi's will, naturally did not dare to take a step beyond Lei Chi. The shadow of Cixi always hung over him. Emperor Guangxu's immature shoulders could not bear the two burdens of the fall of the ancestral tomb of Fengtian and the relocation of Kyoto to Beijing. He had to choose the historic humiliation of signing against his heart and guilt.
The plenipotentiary who signed the contract was Li Hongzhang, and of course he could not escape the blame. As the final approver of Emperor Guangxu, we do not need to be ashamed of His Holiness and exonerate him from his due responsibility. In the Qing Dynasty, there was a man named Yi Shunding who wrote a book called "Dun Mo Picks Up the Remainder", one of which is "The Beginning and End of the Covenant on April 14". It says:
Jining (Sun Yuwen) forced the appointment (Emperor Guangxu) to approve, and Haiyan (Xu Yongyi) and it. "
Again:"On the eighth day of the first month, Gong Di (Prince Gong) cancelled the holiday, and the four small cardinal robberies were above. "
And again:"And the tsunami of Tianjin newspaper is coming, Jining (Sun Yuwen) is forced (Emperor Guangxu) to force it, the words are very strong, each hub does not dare to have different words, so he does not wait for the replies of various countries, and actually approves it. "
This account is completely contrary to the record of Weng Tongyong, who participated in his affairs and was on his side. Not to mention that Sun Yuwen did not have the courage to force the emperor's approval, and Emperor Guangxu was by no means unassertive and arbitrarily driven. Yi Shunding recorded this because his thoughts of being a fool of His Holiness were making trouble. There's a book recently that says what"Emperor Guangxu was held hostage by the diehards"Approve the signing, it is Yi Shunding"Forced to say"of further development, and become unwarranted"Hijacked said"Finish. Emperor Guangxu is not so incompetent, the author wants to love him, but he doesn't want to hurt him.
The signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki stimulated the appetite of the capitalist powers. Out of consideration for their own national interests, Russia, Germany, and France interfered with Japan's return of the Liaodong Peninsula to China. The great powers have extended their criminal hands to China and seized many rights and interests in China. When Emperor Guangxu was in a national crisis, he did not lose confidence, and still thought about cheering up and trying to forge ahead.
Although the Treaty of Shimonoseki was ratified as scheduled, it was difficult to calm the hearts of the indignant people. For this reason, Emperor Guangxu issued an edict on April 17, the fourth day of approving the exchange of contracts, to express the people's indignation. The edict said:
Edict: Minister of Military Aircraft, etc. Japan coveted Korea and called it a military offender. I am in vassal, and I will be a teacher. In the original period, the enemy atmosphere was quickly swept away, and the border troubles were eliminated forever. Therefore, all those who can benefit the military affairs, do not wait for the ministers to perform, they have all been implemented immediately, and the generals do not know the soldiers, the soldiers do not need to die, and the debts of the world are deepening day by day, and the funds raised are collected by the hooligans, and then the sea and land routes are all defeated. Extending to the inside and outside of the Great Wall, dangers are everywhere. Than the horse barge, there is no advance or retreat. It is impossible to say that the general will invade Liaoshen in the north and Gyeonggi in the west, and the critical situation is beyond words. Peace and war must be decided immediately. I have been in the world for more than 20 years, and I have been diligent and diligent, and I have not tasted a little relief. Now there is such a sudden change, but it is only due to contempt and virtue. And the tsunami in Tianjin was a disaster, which washed away the barracks, which was only seen by Shi Ce. The warning from heaven is especially chilling. The ministers of Nair worked in the covenant they had discussed, either by ceding the land, or by paying the silver for a disgrace, or by hastening a decisive battle. They are loyal and hardworking, bold and promising. However, when the current situation is at stake, there is no overall planning. In the event of another defeat in a war, it is even more difficult to imagine a disaster. Now that the peace covenant has been exchanged, it must be issued to show the great faith. There is no need to discuss any more of these things. From now on, all members of the civil and military forces outside Beijing will be deeply introspective, painstakingly eliminate accumulated shortcomings, and know that training and raising salaries is an urgent task today. Earnestly revitalize, a new atmosphere, not to follow the path of slack, and repeat the past. All the ministers and others are the boundaries on which I depend, and we should all know the hardships of me. I have no choice but to make peace, and I should also be forgiven by the subjects of the world. ”
Emperor Guangxu said three meanings in this edict:
The first layer explains the reasons for the defeat.
The second layer illustrates the pain of signing a contract.
The third layer expresses the determination to revitalize.
Emperor Guangxu confessed a trace of his heart to his subjects in the world:"I have no choice but to make peace, and I should also be forgiven by the subjects of the world. "And the goal to be achieved is:"Earnestly revitalize, a new atmosphere"。This edict is essentially a sinful edict. The fact that the great power, which regarded itself very highly, actually lost to Nie Erxiaoyi, who was close to his elbow, shocked the whole of China. The signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which humiliated the country, was a great stimulus to Emperor Guangxu. But he was not discouraged and decadent because of this, he was thinking about cheering up and trying to forge ahead. More than two months after the signing of the treaty, that is, on the 27th day of the fifth month of the leap month, Emperor Guangxu issued an edict to consult on good strategies to tide over the difficulties
The way to seek a cure from the time must be adapted to the times. In addition, when national affairs are difficult, we should especially work together to improve ourselves and fight disasters. We are prosperous and diligent, and we punish the past and the future, but we must eliminate accumulated habits and practice practical government first. According to the work of Chinese and foreign ministers, the current affairs are summarized in detail, and the picking is carried out. For example, building railways, minting money, building machinery, opening iron mines, folding Nancao, reducing the number of troops, creating postal services, training the army, reorganizing the navy, and establishing schools, it is about urgent to raise salaries and train troops, and to compassionate to merchants and workers as the source. This should be held in a timely manner. "
Emperor Guangxu sent this edict to the governors of the provinces, and came up with a way to repeat it within one month. At the same time, emphasized"On this day of great pain, it was the time when my monarch and ministers were lying down and tasting their courage"We should redouble our efforts to overcome the difficulties together. Asking the feudal officials to come up with a good prescription to cure the terminally ill Qing Dynasty in just one month is not only difficult for a strong man, but also a fool's dream. But it is not difficult to see from this that the young Guangxu Emperor hopes to regain his urgency. However, this edict did not infiltrate any spark of new ideas, and what was revealed was only a copy of the ideas of the Westernists. Although Emperor Guangxu was anxious, he was still embarking on the old road that had been proven by practice to be impassable. Emperor Guangxu knew that if he wanted to cheer up, he must recruit talents. For this reason, on the 13th day of the previous leap month, an edict was issued, ordering the recommendation of talents, and the edict said:
The most important thing in politics is to win souls. The pre-decree sponsors talents by foreign ministers and workers, and they have been promoted in the first order. When the current situation is difficult, it is especially necessary to recruit real talents and borrow funds. The officials of various ministries and courts and the generals and governors of various provinces and other provinces, etc., have real insight, instrumental knowledge, excellent talent, attention to current affairs, and both practical and practical people, and list the facts and special folds to ensure the performance. It has genius ability, is proficient in astronomy and geomorphology, algorithm is elegant, and makes all kinds of science, and must try to have clear results, not involved in empty talk, prepare expertise, and save money. "
This edict is quite different from the previous edict in terms of the concept of employing people. It emphasizes the selection of two kinds of people: one is"Pay attention to current affairs"of;One is proficient in practical learning. At the same time, Emperor Guangxu made major personnel adjustments. A series of personnel appointments and dismissals were carried out throughout June. On 5 June, Sun Yuwen was dismissed from his posts as Minister of Military Aircraft and Secretary of the Ministry of War. On 16 June, Xu Yongyi was dismissed from his posts as Minister of Military Aircraft and Minister of the General Administration, and Qian Yingpu, the left attendant of the Ministry of Rites, was appointed Minister of Military Aircraft, and Weng Tongsui and Li Hongzao were appointed as ministers of the General Administration.
On June 21, Rong Lu was appointed as the secretary of the military department. Emperor Guangxu hoped that through personnel adjustments, he would be able to make **"A new atmosphere"。However, practice has proved that the results are limited. The signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki stimulated the insatiable appetite of the Western capitalist powers. They also wanted to cut a piece of meat on China's huge and sick body, so they set off a frenzy to carve up beans and dissect China. First, Russia, Germany, and France jointly intervened to return Liao. The Treaty of Shimonoseki stipulated that China ceded the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan. Because it touches the vested interests of the great powers and causes dissatisfaction among them. ** I have long regarded Northeast China as a piece of fat on my plate, and no one is allowed to touch it. Japan's occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula is tantamount to snatching food from its own mouth, and it will never be tolerated. Chancellor of the Exchequer Witte strongly asserts:"We cannot allow the Japanese to occupy South Manchuria. "Because if Japan is allowed to occupy South Manchuria, it will not be able to realize its ambition of dominating the Far East and the Pacific. Germany's joint action with ** is an attempt"Shift your gaze to the east"and the second is a conspiracy to get one in China"A place where the navy is anchored or cantoned"。France's calculations were to consolidate the newly established Russian-French alliance and to take advantage of the opportunity, and it also actively participated in the joint intervention of the three countries. Russia, Germany, and France staged military demonstrations and diplomatic intimidation against Japan. Exhausted, Japan had to give in completely. Japan said it would renounce its permanent occupation of the Liaodong Peninsula. But in the end, China reimbursed Japan 30 million taels of silver"Ransom fee", redeemed the land that belonged to him. On April 22, the 22nd year of Guangxu (June 3, 1896), Li Hongzhang signed the "Sino-Russian Secret Treaty" under the threat of **.
According to the record of "Weng Tongxiao's Diary", the "Sino-Russian Secret Treaty" was written by Prince Gong Yixun, Prince Qing Yixuan, Li Hongzao, Weng Tonggong, Rong Lu, Zhang Yinhuan and other military ministers and the Minister of the General Administration General Li Hongzhang"All the transcripts of the ciphered telegrams were read publicly, and the discussions were followed"。
On April 17, Emperor Guangxu approved the secret treaty"The edict was issued in an arrangement (Shen Chu), and then the entire text of the covenant was revised and issued (戌正)."。Emperor Guangxu"Tearfully ratify the covenant"。The signing of the "Sino-Russian Secret Treaty" was a signal for the great powers to carve up China. The partition of China by the great powers"It all began with this covenant"。
On October 20, 1897, the 23rd year of Guangxu (November 14, 1897), under the pretext that two German missionaries in Juye County, Caozhou Prefecture, Shandong Province were killed, and sent ** to occupy Jiaozhou Bay and seize Qingdao Fort. The telegram approved by Emperor Guangxu only said:"The only way to do this is to be calm and strict, let it be intimidated, and not be moved, and never fire the cannon first, and provoke yourself. "Acting weak and powerless. Under the pretext of protecting China, they took advantage of the fire to loot, and on November 22, they sent ** to occupy Lushunkou and Dalian Bay. On February 14, the 24th year of Guangxu (March 6, 1898), Li Hongzhang and Weng Tonggong signed the "Jiaoao Concession Treaty" with the German Minister Haijing. Germany was allowed to lease Jiaozhou Bay for a period of ninety-nine years, during which Jiaozhou Bay was under German jurisdictionGermany was allowed to build the Jiaoji Railway, and Germany had the right to exploit minerals within 30 miles on each side of the railway. From then on, Shandong became a German sphere of influence. On March 6, the 24th year of Guangxu (March 27, 1898), Li Hongzhang and Zhang Yinhuan signed the "Luda Land Lease Treaty" with the Russian chargé d'affaires Pablofo. Lushunkou, Dalian Bay and the nearby water surface will be leased to ** for a period of 25 years. He was also allowed to build the South Manchurian Railway. Since then, the Northeast has become the largest sphere of influence. Following Germany and Russia, France and Britain also divided their spheres of influence in China. The huge China is facing a severe national crisis that can be slaughtered and eaten by others.
In short, the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki caused four major crises and a great danger to China. The four major crises are: the partition crisis, the economic crisis, the social crisis, and the political crisis. Partition crisis. After the signing of the Treaty of Shimonoseki, the imperialists saw that Japan had ceded a lot of territory from China, which stimulated their greed. As a result, imperialism frantically seized seaports in China, divided spheres of influence, and set off a frenzy to carve up China. In the middle of this, ** acted as the vanguard of imperialism. In the Treaty of Shimonoseki"Cession of the Liaodong Peninsula"One touched the vested interests of **Northeast China, **very angry. It colluded with Germany and France, and the three countries jointly intervened in Japan's return of the Liaodong Peninsula. Germany and France each made their own calculations and actively participated in the intervention of the three countries to return Liao. Under the military threats and diplomatic intimidation of Russia, Germany, and France, the exhausted Japan was forced to return the Liaodong Peninsula to China, but demanded it from China"Ransom"**Thirty million taels. The intervention of the three powers to return Liao to Liao was the beginning of the partition of China by the great powers at the end of the 19th century.
Since then, Germany has occupied Jiaozhou Bay, captured Qingdao Fort, and Shandong has become Germany's sphere of influence**Occupied Lushunkou and Dalian Bay, and the northeast became **'s sphere of influence;France forcibly leased Guangzhou Bay, and Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan became France's sphere of influenceIn addition to expanding the concession of Hong Kong, Britain also forcibly leased Weihaiwei and turned the Yangtze River valley into its sphere of influenceIn addition to forcibly occupying Taiwan, Japan also turned Fujian into its sphere of influenceThe United States proposed"The door is open"policy, singing the praises of the interests of the imperialist countries in China"Equal opportunities", also got a piece of the pie. At this time, China was already riddled with holes and dying. China is in deep danger of being carved up by the great powers. Economic crisis.
The Treaty of Shimonoseki compensated Japan for military expenses of 200 million taels**, plus"Ransom fee"30 million taels, a total of 230 million taels**. This huge war indemnity overwhelmed the Qing Dynasty. At that time, the annual fiscal revenue of the Qing Dynasty was 80 million taels**, and the annual financial expenditure was also **80 million taels, so the Qing court was simply unable to repay this huge indemnity. According to the terms of the treaty, the Qing court was to pay it off in eight installments.
The first time 50 million taels were to be repaid six months after the treaty was signed, the second time was to be repaid 50 million taels twelve months after the treaty was signed, and the remaining 100 million taels were to be repaid in six installments over seven years. The Qing court was unable to repay the loan, so it had to borrow foreign debts.
The great powers saw this as a great opportunity to control China, and they were all pulling in loans. In the more than three years after the First Sino-Japanese War, the Qing court borrowed money from foreign powers three times. The first was borrowed from the Russian-French bloc"Russian-French models"。"Russian-French models"The total amount was 400 million francs, or more than 98 million taels of silver;The second time was borrowed from the Anglo-German group"Anglo-German model"。"Anglo-German model"The total amount is 16 million pounds, or more than 97 million taels of silver;The third is to renew the loan to the Yingde Group again"Anglo-German model"。The total amount of the loan was 16 million pounds, equivalent to 112 million taels of silver. In addition to the above three major loans, the Qing court also borrowed a number of other loans. According to statistics, from 1895 to 1900, the Qing court borrowed a total of 451 million taels from foreign powers, about five and a half times the fiscal revenue of that year. These borrowings have high interest rates, large discounts, and political conditions attached. Since then, the Qing court has been plunged into a serious economic crisis. Social crisis. The roof leak was rained overnight. In the years following the First Sino-Japanese War, China was hit by a series of natural disasters. Fourteen provinces, including Zhili, Fengtian, Shandong, Henan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, suffered serious floods or droughts. In 1896, a catastrophic flood occurred in Hunan. In 1897, there was a severe drought in Hunan. In 1898 and 1899, the Yellow River burst for two consecutive years, and the land was full of mourning and starvation. Extraordinarily large natural disasters that have not been encountered in a century have deepened man-made disasters, promoted social instability, and made people's minds move. There was a serious crisis in the society of the Qing Dynasty.
Political crisis. The partition crisis, political crisis, and social crisis caused by the defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War made all strata of Chinese society deeply disappointed with the Qing court. There was a political crisis in whether the Qing court would be able to continue its rule.
The above four crises have highlighted a major danger. This is the danger of national extinction. The so-called danger of national extinction means that China is facing the danger of extinction, and the Chinese nation is facing the danger of extinction. In the face of this situation, the ideological elites in China have thought about the future of the nation and the way out of the country from their own angles"Save the Dead"and then led to the Pentecostal Change.
It can be said that the four major crises and one major danger caused by the signing of the "Treaty of Shimonoseki" were the fundamental reasons for the Guangxu Emperor's Wuxu reform.
In this regard, Emperor Guangxu, who personally approved the signing, was both ashamed and humiliated, but also enterprising, and he was looking for a new person and a new strategy to get rid of the predicament and go to a smooth road.