Kang Youweis Audience with Emperor Guangxu

Leads to Hundred Days of Reform

After sending five requests to Emperor Guangxu, reformer Kang
Youwei was granted a private audience with the emperor in late
January 1898. The remarkable conversation, which led to the Hundred
Days of Reform, lasted five hoursthe longest imperial audience in
recorded history. Their conversation was recorded by a scribe and is
excerpted below.

Guangxu: Today it is really imperative that we reform.

Kang: In recent years we have talked about reform but it was

only a slight reform. The prerequisites of reform are that all the laws
and the political and social systems be changed and decided anew.

At this point, Guangxu cast a sidelong glance at the screen next to him,
where Dowager Empress Cixi often lurked.

Guangxu: What can I do with so much hindrance?

Kang: Today most of the high ministers are very old and conservative,
and they do not understand matters concerning foreign countries. If
Your Majesty wishes to rely on them for reform it will be like climbing
a tree to look for fish. If Your Majesty wishes reform, the only
thing to do is to promote and make use of lower officials. The
trouble today lies in the noncultivation of the peoples wisdom, and
the cause lies in the civil service examinations based on the eight-
legged essay.
Guangxu: It is so. Westerners are all pursuing useful studies, while we
Chinese pursue useless studies.
Kang: Since Your Majesty is already aware of the harm of the eight-
legged essay, could we abolish it?
Guangxu: We could. If you have something more to say you may
prepare memorials and send them here to me later on.

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