The island that Kang Youwei bought, who does it belong to now?
Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao and other representatives of the Reform School wrote to Emperor Guangxu, advocating the development of science and technology, agriculture, commerce and industry by learning from Western experience.
Although this reform had the potential to change the fortunes of the Qing dynasty, many of the reforms touched the interests of conservatives such as the Empress Dowager Cixi, who were adamantly opposed to the further advancement of the reform movement.
In the end, the Empress Dowager Cixi imprisoned Emperor Guangxu, Tan Si and the six gentlemen of Wuxu were killed, and this patriotic and salvation movement ended after only 103 days.
After the failure of the Wuxu Reform, the Empress Dowager Cixi ordered the arrest of representatives of the Restoration. Kang Youwei and Liang Qichao knew the danger, left the capital early, and finally escaped the fate of being killed.
Kang Youwei has been wandering abroad for 16 years, traveled to many countries in Europe and the United States, and experienced exotic customs. Although some people think that his life abroad must be miserable, in fact, his life is very comfortable.
He lived in a luxurious and comfortable place, with a full table of good food, and even bought a small island in Sweden. So, how did Kang Youwei live such a comfortable life?
Where is his wealth**?
Kang Youwei has been adrift overseas for 16 years, covering 42 countries and regions such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Japan, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Pakistan and Egypt, galloping in the Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean, and creating an original overseas company.
Behind such a colorful life experience is the silent support of donations to save the country. Overseas Chinese were discriminated against, and Kang Youwei's reform movement made them hear a little, so they were ecstatic when they saw him.
Kang Youwei actively promoted the idea of reform and reform overseas, which was well received by the Chinese. Later, he co-founded the "Royalist Society" with other overseas Chinese, and members were required to pay a membership fee of 2 yuan, which would be used for the development of the country, such as communications, newspapers, and industrial and commercial establishments.
Because of their love for the country and their trust in Kang Youwei, many Chinese actively paid their dues. Soon after, the number of members reached the millions. Kang Youwei gained a lot of wealth as a result, but he embezzled it and used it to travel around the world.
During his sixteen years in exile, Kang lived mainly in Sweden, where he bought a small island and built a private garden. Among them, he lived in Sweden for the longest time, reaching five years.
He is rumored to have traveled to the United States, Mexico, and Canada for two years, among other places, and to the United Kingdom eight times. During this trip, he raised $1 million, from which he used $100,000 to travel around the world.
Located in the dune Baden region on the southeast coast of Stockholm, this small island is a sight to behold. Kang Youwei spared no expense to take it into his pocket, and later built a Chinese-style garden here, named "Beihai Thatched Cottage".
He lived here for three years, and although he later left, the people of the island still habitually refer to it as Kang Youwei Island. More than 100 years later, the island has long since been reclaimed by Sweden, but every time someone comes to explore Kang Youwei's footsteps, there are people who talk about this history with relish.