關於康有為與戊戌變法諸問題

Problems Relating to the 1898 Reform and K'ang Yu-wei

湯志鈞(Tang Zhi-jun)

《中國文化研究所學報》 16卷 (1985/01) Pp. 31-41

https://doi.org/10.29708/JCS.CUHK.198501_16.0002

並列摘要

1. While it is generally acknowledged that through a remoulding of new text learning in classical studies and a reinterpretation of Confucian doctrines K'ang Yu-wei 康有為 succeeded in setting up a theoretical system for constitutional reform and modernization, it has, up to now, not been brought to public notice that in his early years he was very fond of Chou li 周禮 (The Book of Chou Rites) and idolised Chou Kung 周公 (the Duke of Chou); in other words, he respected personages and works held in high esteem by scholars of old text learning. K'ang Yu-wei wrote in 1886 an essay entitled ＂Chiao-hsüeh t'ung-yi＂ 教學通議 (General Discourse on Education), in which he put forward the idea that the Confucian teachings should be properly used in the government of the state and the ancient precepts should be interpreted in such a way as to fit in with the modern age. He considered Chou Kung as a model of those who carried through such sublime ideas and regarded such decrees and regulations as contained in the Chou li as ＂indications of the statecraft possessed by Chou Kung.＂ The Duke ＂had a noble character and held a key post,＂ ＂renovated with the times,＂ and was therefore ＂obediently followed by all people under Heaven.＂ He maintained that the six classics were ＂what Chou Kun instituted,＂ while Confucius did no more than to comply with ancient sages and follow them. In this connexion, K'ang Yu-wei intended both to make explanations of ancient precepts fit in with the modern age in accordance with Chou Kung's policy of developing education and preaching law and order and to make use of the Confucian teachings in the government of the state according to the principles of government administration contained in the six classics. In 1888 K'ang Yu-wei seized the opportunity of his visit to the capital to take the imperial examinations to submit for the first time a memorial to Emperor Kuang-hsü 光緒皇帝, proposing a constitutional reform. He had hoped that the emperor might be able to have a minister like Chou Kung in ruling over the country and also to initiate an epoch of good government as did Ch'eng Wang 成王 (King Ch'eng) of Chou dynasty. However, his memorial never reached the emperor, as there were a number of ministers who stood in his way. He was, besides, confronted with fierce attacks from the courtiers, which forced him to look for a new theoretical basis. As a result he drew from his new text learning what was available for his further intervention in political debates. On that score there appeared in his works hitherto unheard-of contents of new text learning. 2. On the eve of the 1898 reform Emperor Kuang-hsü issued two confidential imperial edicts, of which sources varied and contents differed. These edicts had probably gone through some falsification by K'ang Yu-wei, who changed the first one as though it were addressed to himself. On that pretext he professed to have received an imperial edict generally known as yi-tai-chao 衣帶詔 (an edict smuggled out of the palace by sewing it into the girdle of a robe when the emperor was under house arrest), to which he added such phrases as ＂to try to offer support＂ ＂to go abroad to ask for help,＂ which became an advance hint for him to go abroad into exile after the coup d'état with a view to ＂asking for help in obedience to the imperial edict.＂ 3. Prince Hirobumi Ito 伊藤博文 arrived at Tientsin 天津 in September, 1898. On the 14th day of September he reached Peking 北京. On the 20th day he had an audience with Emperor Kuang-hsü in Ch'in Cheng Tien 勤政殿 (the Hall of Diligent Administration), and on the following day there was the coup d'état. K'ang Yu-wei and his companions placed their ardent hope on the arrival of Prince Ito in China, while Emperor Kuang-hsü was pleased and heartily gratified to meet him. They were anxious to rely on him for support and also to get him to act as their adviser. He showed in return profound solicitude for the Chinese reformist cause. It was improbable that the Empress Dowager's Party was unaware of the intentions cherished by Prince Ito and the attitude which Emperor Kuang-hsü as well as K'ang Yu-wei and his companions took towards the prince. Yi K'uang 奕劻, minister for foreign affairs and trusted follower of the Empress Dowager, was engaged in frequent activities and got in touch with people inside and outside. It would be safe to say that the arrival of Prince Ito incited the Empress Dowager's Party to take preemptive measures and quickened the pace of the coup d'etat. Indeed, it had something to do with the coup.