THE ARMY 38 39 THE ARMY Russian gunboats were sailing toward Chefoo.Yuan and his secre- adopt Western institutions if she was to preserve her national tary were drafting a reply when the porter announced the arrival integrity. of an uninvited guest,T'an Ssu-t'ung.T'an was a young reformer In essence,the reform of 1898 proposed to change China's tra- and philosopher of considerable reputation.At this time,he held ditional educational and examination systems so that they would an important post in the Grand Council.A full record of this cru- produce the kind of civil servants China needed.The reformers cial meeting is found in Yuan's journal: also proposed to open channels of communication between the rulers and the people by creating societies for political discussion. I know of him as a newly appointed and trusted adviser to His Majesty. These societies would eventually lead to the establishment of a His unheralded visit at this hour must mean that he has serious matters to consult me about,so I put down the writing-brush and go out to greet parliament and a constitution:In other words,the reform meant him.Mr.T'an is in informal clothes.Having congratulated me on my no less than a total restructuring of the Confucian Empire into a promotion,he says he wants to talk to me alone.This strikes me as odd, modern nation-state with a constitutional monarch. but I lead him to a chamber at the back of the temple.Our conversation The imperial proclamation of reform was issued'on June 11, begins with the usual compliments and then turns to physiognomy.T'an 1898.K'ang was appointed head of the Office of the Constitution, sees in me the makings of a great military leader.Suddenly he asks,"Are and his power over the emperor was considerable.Five days after you going to say good-bye 'to His Majesty on the goth?"I refer to the news of British warships approaching the coast and tell him that I will? the proclamation,the emperor granted him an audience of nine request His Majesty's permission to leave tomorrow for Tientsin.T'an hours.The Hundred Days'Reform was under way.The conserva- replies,"Our worries lie at home,not abroad."I immediately ask for an tives,led by the dowager empress,were alarmed by this rapid de- explanation and he says,"Mr.Yuan,you have just been granted an ex- velopment and took steps to abort it.Weng T'ung-ho was relieved ceptional favor,for which,I am sure,you are anxious to show your grati- of all his duties and"graciously commanded to go home";Jung-lu tude.His Majesty is in grave danger,and you,Mr.Yuan,are the only one who can help!"My face turns pale and I repeat,"My family has received was appointed viceroy of Chihli and commander of the Peking imperial kindness for generations;of course I must place myself entirely police;and plans were made for the empress and emperor to in- at His Majesty's command.But I am afraid I do not understand what you spect the army at Tientsin,at a date to be determined later. mean by danger."T'an explains,"Jung-lu has recently proposed to de- Following'these moves,the conservatives transferred General throne and murder the Emperor.Did you know that?"I deny any knowl- Nieh Shih-ch'eng's Tenacious Army from Taku to Tientsin and. edge of.it,for I often see His Excellency Jung-lu at.Tientsin and know him,in both word and deed,to be an upright and loyal man.I suggest Tung Fu-hsiang's Kansu Braves from Chichow to the outskirts of that the rumor is completely groundless.But T'an says,"Mr.Yuan,you Peking.It became obvious to the reformers that their ultimate fate are a straightforward man and therefore may not be aware of his guile. depended on the attitude of the military leaders,especially on He is outwardly nice to you,but in fact he is both suspicious and jealous that of Yuan Shih-k'ai,who had previously expressed sympathy of you.Your long,hard work has won admiration from people at home with the movement.On September 14,Yuan was ordered to Pe- and abroad,and yet you have been promoted only once.Why?It is en- tirely due to Jung-lu's obstruction.The other day Mr.K'ang spoke highly king for an audience with the emperor.They met on September of you to His Majesty,but the Emperor merely said that according to the 16,and immediately afterward Yuan was promoted from provin- Empress and Jung-lu,you were arrogant and disobedient.Many people cial judge to vice-president of the Board of War,in full command can prove this.It is perfectly true....Your recent promotion did not of all military training in the empire.The next morning,Yuan come at all easily.If you really mean to help His Majesty out of the went to the palace to express his gratitude;at that time,the em- present.difficulty,I have a plan." Mr.T'an then produces a piece of paper,...on which are these words: peror informed him of the irrevocable decision to pursue the re- "Jung-lu plans to dethrone and murder H.M.Traitorl Must be done form. away with as soon as possible-else H.M.'s position is untenable.Yuan On September 18,Yuan visited Li Hung-chang and later Prince leaves for Tientsin on the goth.Give him a mandate in the Vermilion Ch'ing.At dusk,he received a telegram from Jung-lu,urging him Pencil,ordering him to arrest and execute Jung-lu.Yuan takes over the to return to Tientsin at once because of reports that British and viceroyalty and the commissionership.Make known Jung-lu's treachery