The Last Empress - Anchee Min [95]
"According to Kang Yu-wei, Japan was also a tradition-bound nation," the Emperor continued. "It was able to transform itself almost overnight from a feudal society to an industrial state."
"But when Japan began its reforms, it was not under attack," I pointed out, "nor did it carry tremendous domestic and international debts. Let me finish, Guang-hsu. People in Japan were ready to follow their Emperor when he called."
"What makes you think that my people won't follow me?"
"Guang-hsu, your own court is against you."
The Emperor screwed up his eyes. "The first thing on my reform agenda will be to get rid of that roadblock."
I felt a chill but tried not to show it.
"My edicts will bypass the Clan Council and the court." Guang-hsu sounded determined. "Kang Yu-wei believes I should speak directly to my people."
"The court will fight you, and there will be chaos."
"With your support, Mother, I shall fight back and win."
I didn't want to discourage him, although I believed that abandoning the court was a dangerous idea.
"Think again, son. The defeat by Japan has frightened our nation. Stability is everything."
"But reform can no longer wait, Mother." The gentleness in my son's voice was gone.
"I want you to be aware of the political realities."
"I am, Mother."
"There has been insurrection in the countryside. The radicals in Canton have been gaining political momentum. The latest spy report shows that the movement calling for a Chinese republic is being funded by the Japanese."
Guang-hsu grew impatient. "Nobody will stop me from moving forward. Nobody."
The standing clock in the corner struck twice. Li Lien-ying came in to remind me that lunch had already been reheated.
"May I tell the court that I have your permission to meet with Kang Yu-wei?" Guang-hsu asked.
"I'll see if I can get the court to loosen its grip."
"You have the power to dictate your will."
"It is better to make the granting of permission the court's decision."
He walked toward the door and then walked back, visibly upset. "Fear has caused China its sickness, its weakness, and soon its death!"
"Guang-hsu, may I reveal a bit of my struggle? Your uncles and senior councilors have been coming to me."
"What do they want?"
"They want you out." I opened a stack of documents I had been reviewing. "Listen to this. 'The Emperor has acted impetuously and is not to be trusted without a guiding hand.' 'Guang-hsu has not demonstrated the capability to arrive at decisions by consensus. It is necessary to remove him from the throne. We suggest that P'u-chun, Prince Ts'eng's grandson, succeed him.'"
"How dare they!" Guang-hsu was enraged. "I shall prosecute them for conspiracy!"
"Not if the entire court signed the petition." I pushed the documents aside.
Guang-hsu continued to protest, but his tone changed. He lowered his voice, seemed to pull himself back, and eventually he stopped talking, leaned against the window and folded his arms in front of his chest. He stared outside for a while and then turned toward me. "I need your support, Mother."
"Use me well, my son. When the court talks about putting the power back in my hands, it means their hands. My role has been a ceremonial one. The only time I become important is when I am needed as a figurehead. It is to lend legitimacy to the princes, grandees and high mandarins—the people who possess true power."
"But Mother..."
"I have ignored Li Hung-chang and Yung Lu, who have expressed their own doubts about you. To be honest, I have doubts myself. You have never proved yourself."
"But I am trying to do the right thing."
"That, my son, I do not doubt one bit."
When Guang-hsu begged me for the third time for a chance to meet with Kang Yu-wei, he was in tears. The redness in his eyes showed that he hadn't been sleeping well. "As you know, Mother, I'm a 'eunuch.' It is unlikely I will produce an heir, so successful reform will be my only legacy."
I was struck by his honesty and desperation. But I had to ask: "Do you mean you can't