diymy Chapter 76 The Book Shakes Nine Provinces
Chapter 76 The Book Shakes Nine Provinces
June 1898, Shanghai.
Under the cover of the plum rains, sails dotted the Huangpu River, and the chimes of the Bund's foreign firms pierced through the thin mist, spreading the excitement of the new policies throughout the treaty ports.
With the issuance of the "Edict on Establishing National Policy" in the capital, the reform movement was gradually reaching its climax, and Shanghai newspapers became the main battleground for public opinion.
Inside the editorial office of the "Current Affairs Daily," Liang Zhuoru had just finished translating the telegrams on the new policies when he picked up the manuscript on his desk.
The cover prominently displays the words "The Rise of Great Powers," along with a smaller line about Portugal.
Editor-in-Chief Wang Kangnian paced back and forth anxiously: "Brother Liang, are you really going to publish this article? Xiang Shuai called yesterday, specifically instructing me not to provoke overseas discussion during the new policy period, lest it give the conservatives an excuse and ruin the overall reform."
Liang Zhuoru looked up and said, "Brother Wang, do you know the author of this book, Chen Feng? He's not just talking nonsense; he has already raised thousands of Chinese militia in Luzon and established a firm foothold. Portugal, a tiny country, was able to achieve a century-long hegemony through maritime trade. The core lies in the word 'focus,' concentrating the nation's resources on one path and not trying to be all things to all people!"
He rose and paced back and forth, his voice growing increasingly firm: "His Majesty has now issued an edict for reform, yet the court is still embroiled in endless debates. Though there are many new policies, they are scattered and disorganized! If we could emulate Portugal, focusing on industry and coastal defense, using the Jiangnan Arsenal as our foundation, developing railways, opening treaty ports, accumulating wealth through trade with Southeast Asia, and training a modern navy to protect the railways, how could the new policies fail?"
Having said that, he picked up his brush and wrote with flowing strokes: "Today, our dynasty is reforming, and the ills are dissipating! Portugal, with its regional strengths, has overcome countless difficulties; this is the only way for a weak nation to become strong..."
The ink strokes fell on the rice paper, each character resounding and powerful, forming the opening of the essay "After Reading 'The Rise of Great Powers: Portugal'".
This article caused an uproar in Shanghai.
At this time, with the new policy just being implemented and all parties exploring the path of reform, this unusual book from overseas instantly became the focus of public opinion.
Three days later, in the Governor-General's residence in Wuchang, Zhang Xiaoda threw the "Current Affairs Daily" onto the table, his face ashen.
Although this leader of the Self-Strengthening Movement supported the new policies, he always advocated that Chinese learning should be the foundation and Western learning should be used for practical purposes. He was already wary of the radical proposals of reformers such as Liang Zhuoru. When he saw that this book was regarded as a model of the new policies, he was even more furious.
"Absurd! Utterly absurd!"
Pointing to the newspaper, he said to his advisor Zhao Fengchang, "Chen Feng has lived overseas for a long time and knows nothing about the situation in China. His entire article is written in vernacular Chinese and is utter nonsense! Portugal is a small maritime country with no vast territory or hundreds of millions of people; it can only make a living through maritime trade. China, on the other hand, is a large continental country with abundant resources and a unified land. Reforms should focus on rectifying officialdom, developing agriculture and sericulture, and strengthening the army to consolidate our national foundation!"
He paused, his tone becoming even more agitated: "The reformers always want to copy Western systems, but they don't realize that oranges grown south of the Huai River are sweet oranges! Chen Feng only talks about how the Portuguese became rich through trade, but he doesn't mention the nature of their colonial plunder, which runs counter to the fundamental principles of benevolent governance and love for the people that underpin our Chinese nation! If the new policies follow this path, they will inevitably be attacked by the conservatives, and all our efforts will ultimately be in vain!"
Zhao Fengchang bowed and replied, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. Judging from this entire piece of plain language, this person must be completely lacking in strategy. If such remarks become rampant, it may put the new policies in a passive position. I am willing to write an article on his behalf to refute this in the Guowen Bao, so as to set the record straight and also to show the court your pragmatic stance on reform."
As a result, an article titled "Refuting the Fallacy of the 'Portugal Chapter' on Powerful Nations," signed by a disciple of Xiang Tao, was quickly published, directly opposing Liang Zhuoru's article.
In the editorial department of the Guowen Daily in Tianjin, Yan Youling was staring intently at two articles.
This scholar, who had just returned from studying abroad, had just finished translating "Evolution and Ethics" and knew that the deep-seated problems in China lay not only in technology, but also in the system.
He stroked his beard, recalling the constitutional monarchy and trade system he had seen while studying in England, and thinking about the predicament of the new policies in China that only changed the surface but not the essence, he picked up his pen and wrote "A Review of 'Portugal Chapter'".
"Mr. Chen Feng has the insight that trade is the source of wealth and military force is the shield to protect industry. This is the common sense of a strong country, and it can be learned from by all, regardless of land or sea or size."
Portugal's rise was not only due to maritime trade, but also to institutional reforms under the centralized monarchy.
Prince Henry's establishment of a nautical school and the enactment of maritime laws were fundamental! If our new policies only learn the art of commercial military strategy without adopting the methods of institutional reform, they will ultimately be short-lived.
Meanwhile, the conservative faction in the capital was already in an uproar.
Inside the residence of Xu Tong, the Minister of Rites, a group of students surrounded their mentor, vehemently denouncing the "Portuguese Chapter" as heresy.
This die-hard leader hated Western learning throughout his life and refused to even set foot in Western-style buildings. He was furious when he saw that some people were praising overseas works during the New Policies period.
"My mentor, Chen Feng actually advocates for political negotiation; this is utterly heretical!"
Holding the copy, the student Zhang Zhongxin was filled with righteous indignation. "Our China has been established for thousands of years, relying on the fundamental principles of ruler-subject, father-son, and the social order of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Merchants are considered the lowest class; how can they be involved in politics? Such fallacies are clearly an attempt to overturn the sacred way!"
Xu Tong closed his eyes and stroked his beard, his face as solemn as iron: "The new policies were already disastrous for the country and its people, and now this foreign heresy has been added to the mix. This is intolerable! You must immediately write an article to be published in the *Shenbao* newspaper, vehemently denouncing it; then contact all the ministers to jointly petition the Empress Dowager, requesting that this book be banned, those who spread it be severely punished, and that we turn the tide!"
Zhang Zhongxin accepted the order and left. His article, "Rebuking 'The Portuguese Chapter': Heresy and Deceit," was quickly published. It was a scathing critique of Chen Feng's work and the New Policies.
This debate spread like wildfire, from Beijing and Tianjin to Shanghai and Guangzhou, from the imperial court to the general public.
In the capital city, at the Liuyang Guild Hall, the oil lamp flickered dimly.
Tan Fusheng was engrossed in reading "The Rise of Great Powers: Portugal Chapter" when he suddenly heard heavy footsteps outside.
Wang Zhengyi lifted the curtain and entered.
Dressed in coarse cloth and shorts, with a resolute face, he said in a deep voice, "Brother Tan, Xu Tong and his gang of old thieves are fabricating charges against you for violating the new policies. Your guild has been targeted by their henchmen. I've brought the brothers from Yuanshun Escort Agency to guard the area. If anything goes wrong, I'll risk my life to protect you and help you break through the encirclement!"
Tan Fusheng put down his pen, stood up, and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Wang, Xu Tong is old and decadent, not worth mentioning. Look at this extraordinary book from overseas, about a tiny country that made its living by seafaring and protected its commerce with force, and actually became a regional hegemon?"
Wang Zhengyi stepped forward, glanced at the cover, and thought to himself: How come the author's name is the same as my disciple's?
However... that disciple is highly skilled in martial arts, but he hasn't read many books, so it can't possibly be the same person.
If they had known that Luzon was going to be at war, they should have sent them to Java to escape the conflict.
Tan Fusheng then said with great emotion, "Brother Wang, the new policies are currently hampered at every turn. If we could learn from Portugal's strategy of uniting forces, prioritizing military strength over perfection and then promoting commerce, we would surely be able to break through! If I am summoned by the Emperor next month, I will strongly recommend righteous heroes from the martial arts world. The new policies need upright officials in the court, but they also need loyal and courageous heroes like you from the common people!"
Wang Zhengyi laughed heartily, "Brother Tan, let's work together! You just need to pick up your pen and write about everything under the heavens, and I'll just wield my sword and sweep away all evil in the world!"