Tian Kui became the censor of the city, which was a good thing for Xiang Nan in a short period of time.
Because Tian Kui knew that Xiang Nan was highly regarded by the prince and was a popular person in front of the prince, he was happy to flatter him.
Not only did he often patrol with soldiers in front of Yixiaotang and Shiweitianmen, but he also warned all the gangsters and gangsters in the capital not to go against Yixiaotang and Shiweitianwei.
He is the censor who patrols the city, and has the power to arrest bandits, suppress the ground, and hear lawsuits. To the high-ranking officials in the capital, he might just be a petty official.
But for those gangsters and scoundrels, Tian Kui happens to be their nemesis. Because of this, they are all obedient. It also made the hooligans and gangsters who were active around Yixiaotang and Shiweitian all stay away, for fear that Tian Kui would kill them to scare the monkeys.
Xiang Nan couldn't help but feel a little emotional after knowing what he had done.
If he was not familiar with Tian Kui and received this favor from him, he might even make him a confidant and speak good words for him in front of the prince. However, he had already seen Tian Kui clearly.
Although he is a scholar on the surface, he reads books from sages and does benevolent and righteous deeds. But in fact it is unkind and despicable. Therefore, no matter how much he pretends to be a good person, Xiang Nan can still smell that he is a scumbag.
…
Two months later, bad news came. The war between the Qing court and Japan was completely defeated, and the Beiyang fleet was completely wiped out. Many cities such as Lushun, Haicheng, Gakou, and Weihai fell one after another.
The majestic Celestial Empire had no power to fight back against Japan's invasion, which was unacceptable to both the government and the opposition. What is even more unacceptable is that the imperial court has to send people to negotiate, which can be said to have completely embarrassed the old man.
Therefore, many knowledgeable people hope that the imperial court can learn from Japan's reforms, so that it can enhance national strength and defeat foreign enemies.
Therefore, for a time, the reputation of the reformers increased greatly.
Especially in April, Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Tan Si and other officials contacted the governors of the 18 provinces, and nearly 1,200 people jointly signed the "Emperor's Letter", urging reforms to strengthen the country and reject peace. They gathered in front of the gate of the Duchayuan and asked Zuodu Yushi to report on his behalf.
At that time, about ten thousand people from all provinces and enthusiastic citizens gathered there. It can be said that it is a sea of people and a sea of people. Although Zuodu Yushi was so frightened that he did not show up, the joint letter was not handed in in the end. But it also brought the reputation of the reformers to its peak.
However, Xiang Nan knew that the more violent the reformers made, the stronger the conservatives would counterattack.
When the time comes, these naive reformers will be wiped out.
Therefore, on the one hand, he actively prepared to leave the capital, and on the other hand, he took the initiative to distance himself from politics.
For example, putting up slogans on the food court saying not to talk about state affairs, or minimizing the number of visits to the Prince's Mansion, etc.
…
Unexpectedly, Xiang Nan didn't look for trouble, but trouble came to him instead.
A few days after I wrote the letter on the bus, Lu Zhengming came to visit me.
"Hey, Mr. Lu, you haven't been to our place for a long time." Hu Suhua said with a smile, "What have you been busy with recently?"
"Hey, didn't I write on the bus a while ago? Prince Jing was busy, and I was busy too, so I didn't have time to visit my sister-in-law." Lu Zhengming explained with a smile, "Please forgive me in person."
"I know there are Ministers of the Ministry of War, Ministers of the Ministry of Personnel, and Ministers of the Ministry of Household Affairs. When will another bus come out to write a letter?" Hu Suhua asked doubtfully.
"Those are all important matters of the imperial court. Why are you asking so much?" Xiang Nan was afraid that she would make random inquiries, so he quickly interrupted her, "Why don't you go and get two cups of tea?"
"Hey, sister-in-law, the letter is not from an official minister, but from hundreds of emperors, asking for reform." Lu Zhengming explained with a smile, "Actually, this is also closely related to you people, you should know it. "
"You see, right?" Hu Suhua said proudly after hearing this, "Old man, if I don't ask more, I'm afraid you still don't know."
Xiang Nan smiled awkwardly. He knew it, so he didn't let Hu Suhua ask. "Go and pour tea."
"Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the world." Lu Zhengming saw that Xiang Nan was not interested in national affairs, but he said excitedly, "Now, our Qing Dynasty is exhausted, the country is poor and the people are weak, and even Japan dares to bully us.
Do you know how much we have to pay in compensation for this peace negotiation? It's really embarrassing to say it. Treasure Island, Penghu, Liaodong Peninsula, and Korea were all given to Japan, and they were also compensated with 200 million taels of silver. Do you think it’s okay to not change the law? If we don’t change the law, our Qing Dynasty will be destroyed. "
"What, the compensation is so much?" Hu Suhua was surprised after hearing this.
Treasure Island, Penghu, North Korea, she didn’t know where they were.
But she knew about Liaodong. Ginseng, deer antlers, and pearls were produced there... but now it was occupied by others. What a huge piece of land it must be.
Not to mention having to pay 200 million taels of silver. Even if their family doesn't eat or drink, it would take more than 10,000 years to earn so much money.
"Yes, there was no need to pay so much. Japan was a weak country, and although they won the battle, their losses were not small." Lu Zhengming sighed, "But so many old-fashioned ministers in the court advocate peace, even if the emperor There’s nothing you can do if you disagree.”
"Why is it so embarrassing? Isn't this already Qin Hui!" Hu Suhua said angrily when she heard this.
Although she didn't know how to read, she usually liked to listen to operas and storytelling, so he still knew about Yue Fei and Qin Hui.
"Who says it's not the case, so we must change the law so that we can save the nation and strengthen the country and its species." Lu Zhengming said excitedly.
"Yes, Mr. Lu, I support you." Hu Suhua was also moved by his words and said excitedly.
"Okay, go and pour the tea." Xiang Nan scolded, "You can understand these important matters of family and country!"
Hu Suhua rolled her eyes at him and left angrily.
"Xi Langzhong, don't say that." Lu Zhengming advised, "As soon as the emperor agrees to the reform, we will get off our hands and do it. Then, just wait and see."
Xiang Nan couldn't help feeling sad when he saw how confident and high-spirited he was.
Lu Zhengming was full of passion and his idea of saving the country and bringing peace to the people was worthy of respect, but his mind was too simple.
Regarding the reform, not to mention that the emperor is just a puppet. Even if he agrees, he cannot support it. Even if the powerful and aloof Empress Dowager Cixi fully supports the reform, it will be difficult to succeed.
After all, vested interest groups are too powerful. Not to mention how many millions of scholars in the world will be opposed to it. Without the imperial examination, there will be no ladder for advancement.
Just say that millions of bannermen in the capital will not give up if they lose their core crops and their source of livelihood. When the time comes, it will be a big deal if there is going to be trouble.
And once the reform failed, Lu Zhengming would probably die again with his upright and upright character, who would rather break than bend.
So Xiang Nan felt a little uncomfortable when he thought about this.
