Instalment 2 (early 1890s)
Scene 1: At the Imperial Court
Li Hongzhang calls on the Empress Dowager Cixi. Cixi first wishes to know how Li – advanced in his years as herself – manages to lead such a healthy life. Li answers that he makes use of three methods: First, he enjoys eating fish. Second, he takes a walk after each meal to strengthen his stamina. – Cixi explains in this context, that she also likes to take daily walks; except, she always makes sure to walk exactly 999 steps, because this number is very auspicious. – And finally, Li explains that he likes to garden and keeps many birds because both activities soothe and relax him. Sheng Xuanhuai, Li’s confidant, has brought an Indian parrot that can speak as a present for Cixi. Cixi asks what the parrot can say, and Sheng answers assiduously that the parrot can pronounce the words that are most close to Sheng’s own heart: “May the Empress Dowager always retain her good health and live for many more years!” However, the parrot does not repeat the sentence but merely skirls in reply.
Sheng and Li turn very nervous, and everyone is waiting for the parrot to start speaking, but the bird remains silent. Finally, when the cage is being carried out the parrot suddenly says: “May the Empress Dowager always retain her good health and live for many more years!” Cixi is very pleased by this present.
The Guangxu emperor then asks Li Hongzhang whether it is correct that the Beiyang Army occupies the front position in East Asia and the position of fourth best army in the world. Li agrees, but reminds the emperor of the fact that the Meiji Tennô has already purchased many new war vessels. He cautions that Japan is in fact turning into a cancerous tumour for China. Cixi, though, does not share his opinion, since she believes that Japan is tiny and need not be feared. Li, however, reports that the Beiyang Army has not purchased any new vessels for the past six years. Furthermore, there is a high degree of abrasion; the vessels have run out of gun powder and are not fit for action. Therefore, Li requires funds to continue support for the Army. Cixi ends the discussion by stating that if Li required money he should turn to the new Minister of Revenue, (Li’s one-time foe) Weng Tonghe, who is also present.
Scene 2: At the Palace; on the way back from the audience
Stepping out of the audience hall, Weng Tonghe remarks to Li, that the Beiyang Army should not require any money if it is really as strong as Li reported it to be. Moreover, he accuses Li of stylising Japan into a bugaboo in order to amass more funds. Li explains that he needs the money to guarantee that the Army retains its premier position as East Asia’s best and most modern army. He even goes on to caution Weng saying that the Chinese unfortunately only esteem their morals, but not their military. If there should be war, however, it would be too late to show remorse (as one should have learnt from the Opium Wars). Weng is displeased with Li’s indirect criticism and refuses to grant him the funds needed which greatly angers Li. Immediately they start an argument. Later on, Sheng Xuanhuai remarks to Li that he is marvelled by the fact that Weng is so narrow-minded after having taught two emperors and thus being very influential.
The Summer Palace is under construction. The Chun Prince Yihuan is responsible for the project. Sheng Xuanhuai remarks to Li Hongzhang that the prince is very altruistic in shouldering such a task, but Li argues that the prince is rather intelligent and clever. After all, the Chun Prince – as biological father of the Guangxu emperor – must exercise extreme caution in his position. The prince is worried because he is still in need of 7.5 million Liang silver to settle the construction costs. Li Hongzhang proposes three solutions to him: to sell out official titles; to demand funds from the provincial governors; or to borrow money from the foreign powers.
The quality of the iron produced in Zhang Zhidong’s foundry is poor because the wrong furnaces have been purchased. The German expert Mr. Heinrich advocates purchasing different furnaces and cannot understand why Zhang has made such a foolish decision. Zhang should have first ordered a chemical analysis of the iron ore. Only then should he have decided which furnaces to purchase. Zhang Zhidong’s advisor Gu Hongming, with whom Mr. Heinrich is arguing, defends Zhang contending he did not make any mistakes. Rather, Gu argues that Zhang only acted out of national sentiment and self-respect. Mr. Heinrich coldly replies that he does not understand such a silly logic. Zhang Zhidong, in turn, requires additional funds for his Hanyang foundry. But instead of finding a solution to his financial difficulties, he receives a letter from Li Hongzhang ordering him to dispense with one million Liang silver to support the Summer Palace’s construction funds.
Weng Tonghe opposes the sale of official titles. He contends that many people study a life long for their official examinations without ever achieving an official title. Weng is consequently upset that the government wishes to sell official titles for a little bit of silver and warns that the government will ultimately lose its reputation because of such a sale. Li Hongzhang counters by naming a few cases of precedence: the Kangxi and the Qianlong emperors both sold official titles. Since the Guangxu emperor does not wish to make a decision about the sale of titles himself, he prefers to ask the Empress Dowager Cixi, and she supports Li’s idea.
The people are encouraged to give money to the government to purchase new war vessels. This is done under the motto “haifangjuan” (donating money for coastal defence). Donators each receive an official title in return. The more mo-ney they donate, the higher their new official titles will be. Some donators are illiterate, others so old that they are unqualified to take up an official position. Thus, the sale of official titles ends up in chaos. Zhang Zhidong thereupon sends a petition to Cixi detailing the situation and asking her to put an end to this chaos. She finally complies with his request.
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