Chapter 163 Cixi holds a new political meeting
While Li Qiwei was planning Huangpu University of Technology, Guangdong academician Yu Shimei was not idle either.
After he organized and polished Li Qiwei's educational reform outline, he set off north to the Holy See to present this outline.
Starting from Guangzhou, along the coastline, all the way to Tanggu, Tianjin, and then rushed to the capital without stopping.
On April 15, 1903, Yu Shimei finally arrived in the capital smoothly and stayed at Xianliang Temple, waiting for the court meeting tomorrow.
In the minds of many people in later generations, the most familiar thing about ancient emperors was probably going to court to handle government affairs.
Some emperors were lazy and did not go to court for twenty years; while some emperors were workaholics and wished they could go to court 24 hours a day to handle national affairs.
The court meetings in the Qing Dynasty were divided into major dynasties and regular dynasties.
The Great Dynasty is on New Year's Day, Winter Solstice and Wanshou Festival every year. The Emperor's Palace of Supreme Harmony accepts visits and celebrations from princes and civil and military officials.
Dachao is a court system established purely to reflect the national etiquette. The emperor will not handle any government affairs at the court meeting.
To put it bluntly, it is a ritual that only happens three times a year.
The Chang Dynasty is a routine system established to handle daily government affairs, also called "imperial court listening to politics."
According to the emperor's preferences, the time of the Chang Dynasty is also different.
But generally speaking, Chang Chao is held three or four times a month.
It can be seen that even in the Chang Dynasty, there was very little time, and it was almost impossible for the emperor to deal with too many affairs.
Therefore, in addition to the Great Dynasty and Chang Dynasty, there is also a kind of court meeting called "Yumen Listening to Government".
It is the most important form of court meeting for the emperor to handle government affairs. The so-called "going to court" in later film and television works refers to the royal gate listening to politics.
As for the places where the imperial gate listens to politics, there are the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Palace of Qianqing, the Old Summer Palace, the Summer Resort, etc.
In the late Qing Dynasty, due to the fact that emperors came to the throne at a young age and the impact of Western learning, the organizational structure of the Qing Dynasty underwent drastic changes.
The procedures and processes of the court meeting have also undergone significant changes.
"Daqi" is a special kind of court meeting, also called "imperial meeting".
In order to deal with important political and diplomatic issues, the emperor summoned the military minister and all ministers, and sometimes even lowered the rank of officials.
Imperial meetings often involve a large number of officials and discuss major issues.
In addition, because of Cixi's existence, the system of listening to politics behind the curtain came into being, that is, the queen mother listened to politics in person.
The location of the court meeting was often moved to Cixi's residence, Yiluan Hall.
The so-called imperial meeting was actually a meeting led by Cixi.
Guangxu usually summons his ministers in Qianqing Palace or Kunning Palace.
Of course, he is now under house arrest and living in Yingtai. Only when he is needed to attend court meetings, Cixi will send someone to pick him up and take him back to the Forbidden City.
What a miserable word.
April 16, Forbidden City.
At 10:15 in the morning, Cixi, the actual ruler of the Qing Dynasty, held a large-scale imperial meeting in the East Nuan Pavilion of Yiluan Palace.
More than a hundred officials in Beijing participated, and many officials came from outside Beijing. Yu Shimei was among them.
The theme of this meeting is to discuss the implementation of the New Deal.
The Yiluan Hall faces north and south. Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi sat with their backs to the window facing north, while many ministers knelt beside the imperial desk in turn.
After all the ministers knelt down and kowtowed, Guangxu and Cixi made everyone stand flat, and the meeting began.
Empress Cixi is shadowy behind the bright yellow bead curtain, making it difficult for people to see her expression clearly.
Three years ago, it was here that she discussed with hundreds of officials about declaring war on the Eight-Power Allied Forces, but she was beaten to pieces.
Now, she has to listen to people discuss here again the New Deal reforms that she dislikes the most.
Cixi felt very uncomfortable, but there was nothing she could do about it.
She is good at playing a balancing policy, but when all the ministers unanimously agree on something, she can only compromise.
Politics is complicated.
Guangxu, on the other hand, seemed to be in high spirits at this moment, finally regaining a little bit of the feeling of being an emperor.
You didn’t support my reform at first, but now you have to obey me.
He felt extremely happy and wanted to see what you guys had done with the New Deal.
Prince Yikuang of Qing was the first to appear. He was the person in charge of the New Deal, and all results were reported to him.
Yikuang first flattered Cixi and Guangxu, praising the Queen Mother and the Emperor for their strategic planning and foresight, which allowed the Qing Dynasty to regain its vitality and its national power to flourish.
Then he went on to glorify the achievements of the New Deal.
It focuses on the training situation of the new army that Cixi cares about most.
“To the Queen Mother and the Emperor, the work of training the new army is now proceeding in an orderly manner.”
“Provinces across the country have gradually established supervision and training offices to train the new army for provincial leaders. ”
"I dare to report, hoping that the imperial court can set up a military training office to coordinate the training of new armies across the country."
After saying that, Yikuang lowered his head and handed over a plan with both hands. Li Lianying took it away and sent it to In front of Cixi, after reading it, it was shown to Guangxu.
A voice came from behind the bead curtain: "You did a good job."
"If our Qing Dynasty had such a new army, we wouldn't have been bullied like this by the foreign devils. ”
“It can be seen that you are usually lazy and indifferent to national affairs. ”
The ministers were immediately frightened. Although they complained in their hearts that it was not all your fault, you old witch, they must not show it.
"My slaves (minions) will die!" After finishing the brushing, they all knelt down.
"Okay, everyone, get up. Today is here to discuss things, not for you to kowtow."
"The rest is up to you, the Emperor."< br>
After understanding the most important reform of the New Army, Cixi didn't care much about the rest.
Of course, she just said it casually. Just because she doesn't care doesn't mean Guangxu can make decisions. And Guangxu was also very self-aware. The so-called taking care of things was just watching Cixi do it.
“Yes, my biological father.”
Next, Yikuang summarized the achievements of the New Deal in business, education, officialdom, law, etc.
Winning the silent nods of the ministers present, this is now a precursor to ZTE.
The Qing Dynasty has experienced so many dark moments, and now it can finally see a little light.
Guangxu also had an expression of surprise on his face. There is no emperor who doesn't like a strong country.
Although it is not yours for the time being, sooner or later it will be.
Guangxu has figured out that in terms of power struggle, he will not be able to match Cixi in another thirty years.
It is better to wait for the time. Age is his greatest asset.
As a result, the baggage in his heart was gone, and he seemed more energetic.
He did not hesitate to reward Yikuang and praised him for his hard work for the country and being a model for all officials.
Then, several political ministers of the New Deal also presented their speeches respectively, introducing the specific results and the current difficulties faced, hoping that the court could provide support.
Including the establishment of the Ministry of Commerce, advocating private establishment of industrial and commercial enterprises; revising the laws of the Qing Dynasty; setting up provinces in border areas to facilitate management, etc.
Among them, Yuan Shikai’s excerpt caused an outcry.
Together with Zhang Zhidong, he petitioned the imperial court to stop the imperial examination and establish new schools.
You must know that this is not the martial arts imperial examination that was canceled in 1901, but the liberal arts imperial examination that has lasted in China for more than 1,300 years.
The imperial examination was the only way for all scholars in ancient times to leap over the dragon gate, and it was also the only opportunity for poor students to change their lives against the odds.
However, in the face of the New Deal, the imperial examination had to make concessions.
Because the content and form of the imperial examination cannot keep up with the development of the world.
As early as a few years ago, many ministers had suggested the abolition of the imperial examination.
But because the matter was so important, the Qing government kept delaying it, taking it one step at a time.
Today, provinces across the country have begun to establish new schools, which has a natural contradiction and conflict with the imperial examination.
The situation forces us to change.
Either cancel the imperial examination or cancel the New Deal, you can only choose one of the two.
At this time, there were a lot of whispers in the court meeting.
Zhang Zhidong was the governor of Huguang, and Yuan Shikai was the governor of Zhili. The two big bosses jointly submitted a memorial, and even Cixi had to pay attention to it.
"Emperor, what is your opinion?"
Guangxu lowered his head slightly and kicked the ball back, "Everything depends on the judgment of my father."
Cixi was behind the curtain , no one could see her expression, nor could they figure out her thoughts.
"That's all, it's up to you. If you want to abolish it, then abolish it."
"But the Ai family has one request, that is, after the imperial examination is abolished, the new style schools need to play a role."
>"The purpose of cultivating talents for the country cannot be changed."
The ministers shouted: "The Queen Mother is sage, the emperor is sage."
Suddenly, Cixi asked again: "Where is Zhang Baixi?"< br>
A person flashed out from the crowd, it was Zhang Baixi, the Minister of Management, "The humble minister is here."
"I read the school charter you wrote, and it can only be regarded as average."
"Continue What do you want to do next? "
"How should education be reformed?"
"The more those young people know, the more they will oppose the Qing Dynasty."
"Don't think that I am an old fool just because I am in the palace."
"Those overseas students sent by the imperial court every year even have their pigtails cut off when they come back. Is this what you call loyalty and patriotism?"
Cixi's tone was not harsh, but it frightened everyone present to kneel down again.
“Education is the foundation of the country.”
“I ask you to run a new type of education to strengthen the Qing Dynasty, not to cultivate traitors who are against the Qing Dynasty.”
"Or, you all here have some ulterior motives."
These words were serious and heart-wrenching, and everyone was trembling with fear, and no one dared to speak out.
Just kidding, whoever dares to talk to you at this time is the old birthday girl who hanged himself because he thought his life was too long.
After a long time, a calm voice came from behind the curtain, "Everyone, get up."
"Zhang Baixi, study it carefully when you go back. I will ask you again next time."< br>
"Yes."
Next, the monarchs and ministers discussed various details of the new policy, trying to make no mistakes.
After a while, Dong Nuan Pavilion became quiet.
After receiving the signals from Cixi and Guangxu, the little eunuch said sharply: "If there is something to do, we will start, and if there is nothing to do, we will retreat."
Just when everyone thought that today's meeting was about to end, suddenly , a voice came from behind the crowd.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the Queen Mother, I have sent a memorial to Yu Shimei to study politics in Guangdong."
Everyone glanced at Yu Shimei with their peripheral vision, wondering who this foolish young man was.
The Queen Mother is already dissatisfied with the education under the New Deal. You are just a member of the academic administration, and you are just getting kicked in the head.
(End of this chapter)