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 lead soldiers to patrol in front of Yixiaotang, Shiwei Tianmen, but he also warned all the gangsters and gangsters in the capital not to go against Yixiaotang, Shiwei Tianwei.

He is the censor who patrols the city, and has the power to arrest bandits, suppress the ground, and hear lawsuits. To the senior officials in the capital, he may be just a minor official.

But for those hooligans and scoundrels, Tian Kui happens to be their nemesis. Therefore, they are all obedient. This also makes the hooligans and gangsters who were active around Yixiaotang and Shiweitian all stay away.

I'm afraid that Tian Kui will kill him 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, reading books from sages and doing benevolent and righteous things, he is actually unkind and despicable. Therefore, no matter how much he pretends to be a good person, Xiang Nan can still smell the scum of him.

…

Two months later, bad news came. The war between the Qing court and Japan was completely defeated, and the entire Beiyang fleet was annihilated. Many cities such as Lushun, Haicheng, Gakou, and Weihai fell one after another.

The majestic Celestial Empire had no ability to fight back against Japan's invasion, which was unacceptable to both the government and the public. What was even more unacceptable was that the imperial court had to send peace talks, which could be said to have completely disgraced the old people.

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 greatly increased.

Especially in April, Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Tan Sitong and others contacted the 18 provincial governors, nearly 1,200 people, and jointly signed the "Emperor's Letter", urging reforms to strengthen the country and rejecting peace.

They gathered in front of the gate of the Duchayuan and asked the censor of Zuodu to report on his behalf.

At that time, about ten thousand people from various provinces and enthusiastic citizens gathered there. It could be said that it was a sea of ​​people, and it was overwhelming. Although the censor of Zuodu was so frightened that he did not show up, and the signed letter was not handed in in the end. But it also made people happy.

The reputation of the reformers reached its peak.

However, Xiang Nan knew that the more violent the reformers made, the stronger the conservatives would counterattack.

When the time comes, all these naive reformists 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 not to talk about state affairs, or minimizing the number of visits to the Prince's Mansion, etc.

…

Unexpectedly, if Xiang Nan didn't look for trouble, trouble would come 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 affairs 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 and said, "Why don't you go and get two cups of tea?"

"Hey, sister-in-law, the letter is not to the official Shangshu, but to hundreds of emperors who wrote to the emperor, asking for reforms." 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 just knew that, so he didn't let Hu Suhua ask questions, "Go and pour tea."

"Every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the world." Seeing that Xiang Nan was not interested in state affairs, Lu Zhengming 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 compensation we have to pay in this peace negotiation? It’s really embarrassing to say it. Treasure Island, Penghu, Liaodong Peninsula, and North Korea were all given to Japan, and they had to pay compensation of 200 million taels of silver. You said that the law will not change

Well, 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 it was.

But she knew about Liaodong, where ginseng, deer antlers, and pearls were produced... 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 originally. 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 imperial court advocate peace, even if the emperor

There’s nothing you can do if you disagree.”

"Why is it so embarrassing? Isn't this Qin Hui?" Hu Suhua said angrily when she heard this.

Although she doesn't know how to read, she usually likes to listen to operas and storytelling, so she still knows about Yue Fei and Qin Hui.

"Who says it's not the case? That's why we must reform so that we can save the nation and strengthen our 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, and even if he agrees, he is unable to support it. Even if the powerful and aloof Empress Dowager Cixi fully supports the reform, it will be difficult to succeed.

After all, the vested interest groups are too powerful. Not to mention the millions of scholars in the world who will be opposed if there is no ladder for advancement without the imperial examination.

It is said that millions of bannermen in the capital will not give up if they lose their crops and their source of livelihood. When the time comes, it will be a big deal if they start to cause trouble.

And once the reform failed, Lu Zhengming, with his upright and upright character who would rather break than bend, would probably die again.
Chapter completed!