Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike.

Censor Yang Wenxiu, who was waiting nearby, quickly agreed.

He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

Without dismissing corrupt officials, abolishing the eight-legged essay system for selecting officials, and training a new-style army, all efforts will be in vain.

This time, taking advantage of Li Xin's coercion of the Ministry of War, we can seize the opportunity to initiate reforms.

If all countries respond and lend a helping hand, it is likely that Wanfu Wanshouyuan will only be able to watch helplessly and dare not oppose it too vehemently.

…………

Chapter 147 The True Seed of Life and Death

Thinking of the Empress Dowager who was living in luxury at Wanfu Wanshou Garden.

Tan Shaoyang was still somewhat uneasy.

He said after careful consideration:

"Your Majesty, the first concern now is Your Majesty's own safety, which we must take precautions against. Of course, it would be best to contact the new army; I will find a way to do so."

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he recalled his secret conversation with General Yuan late at night.

Without troops at their disposal, the matter of reform was treated like child's play.

Tan Shaoyang always felt that they should just go all the way.

When you do something, you have to go all the way.

Otherwise, to pin one's hopes on the harem's soft-heartedness seems rather unrealistic.

"Sigh, Shaoyang, if only my father knew my good intentions and understood that only reform could save the country, she would definitely agree. There's no need to be so drastic."

"Your Majesty," Tan Shaoyang wanted to persuade him further.

But the young emperor stopped him, saying, "I believe my father wouldn't harm me. He just doesn't believe I can succeed and always wants to achieve everything in one fell swoop."

However, as long as we open our eyes and look at the world, we will understand that Western countries are now far ahead of us in science and technology.

Even if you win temporarily, how can you win forever?

Only by learning from its strengths and making the country prosperous can we then make other plans.

We are like a patient, already terminally ill.

We can't fight now; we need to recover our health first, and put everything else aside for the time being.

First be a grandson, then be a grandfather. Isn't that the way things are in this world?

Give the Ansar whatever he wants.

Give Sakura whatever he wants.

Even I, the emperor, could refrain from seizing power and give it all to him.

As long as the country becomes strong, schools should be opened, railways should be built, newspapers should be published, a new army should be trained, the eight-legged essay should be abolished, and incompetent officials should be demoted.

When we once again stand tall among the nations of the world, it will be the day we stand tall and reclaim our power.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Yang Guangyuan, Tan Shaoyang, and the others all bowed down, their eyes filled with tears, completely convinced of their admiration.

Those who are emperors don't even care about the power of the emperor anymore.

They were determined to learn from the West, replicate the constitutional monarchy, and transfer power to their ministers.

Enlighten the people and prioritize their well-being...

What else is there to say?

In order for the Qing Dynasty to rise again and become strong in the future, inviting foreigners to preside over the government and allowing advanced systems to take root and flourish on this land is the only viable path at present.

"I'm afraid the Empress Dowager won't agree."

"A son of a wealthy family should not sit under a dangerous roof. The emperor is diligent and determined to reform the government, but he also has to guard against the schemes of some scoundrels."

"Yes, preparation is key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure..."

"Yutian..." The young emperor thought about it and agreed. He turned to look at the guard commander, Gong Yutian, and smiled, "With your abilities, you can surely keep me safe, right?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not say that we are invincible, but I can say that no one can harm even a hair on His Majesty's head while we are protecting you."

Gong Yutian dared to say such things.

His nickname says it all.

Yes, his name is "Gong Houzi" (宫猴子), one of the Six Wonders of the Capital.

Having inherited Yin Changshou's Bagua teachings and received personal instruction from Dong Laogong, his cultivation level is undoubtedly superior to his master's.

His lightness skill and agility had been honed to the point that ordinary people could hardly see him.

With him protecting them, the only way to defeat him is to fight him head-on and knock him down.

It is indeed extremely difficult to catch someone off guard and harm the person he is protecting.

"Oh, what about Li Xin?"

"Uh……"

Gong Yutian looked slightly embarrassed.

As a martial arts practitioner, he was better able to understand the extent of Li Xin's martial arts skills than those who were laymen.

Of course, he also knew that his master, Yin Changshou, had fought Li Xin in the palace that day.

The two exchanged several blows, neither gaining the upper hand, and each suffered minor injuries before immediately stopping.

However, Gong Yutian knew.

In the end, my master actually lost that battle.

The imperial palace is protected by the "Peace and Prosperity Throughout the Land" formation.

If an outsider were to intrude, under the suppression of the dragon's aura, their martial arts skills would be reduced by at least 30%, if not half.

Under pressure.

Li Xin was able to fight his own master, the longevity master known as the Imperial Tutor, to a standstill, and then left easily afterward.

Just by thinking about it, one can understand how terrifying this person is.

What if it were me?

After thinking for a moment, Gong Yutian could only shake his head:

"If he were to storm the palace, the consequences would be unpredictable."

Your Majesty may not know this, but we actually have no conflict with Li Xin.

Judging from his actions, this man has no ambition; he only thinks about practicing boxing and enjoying himself.

They always have a chivalrous heart and cannot tolerate those who bully the weak.

Oh, and he also has another wish: to become the top martial arts champion.

Such a person is not only unnecessary for the emperor to reject, but can be actively courted and relied upon as an ally.

"He wants to become the top martial arts scholar? What kind of martial arts scholar is he? He even drove the Minister of War to his death."

His biological father and hesitant mother were both frightened and uneasy. This kind of person, coming to take the imperial examination? Could it be that he's... cough cough!

The young emperor almost let slip the secret, shaking his head in confusion: "There's no need for that."

Gong Yutian suppressed a laugh, his lips twitching slightly, and said in a deep voice, "This humble subject is aware of this matter."

There has always been a saying: "In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second."

A nation may be inferior in literature and art, but it cannot relinquish its military prowess.

The naval defeat, the fall of Jiaozhou, the payment of reparations and the cession of territory have left the people in a state of disarray.

Rumors had been circulating in secret for some time, that we, the people of the Celestial Empire, were inherently inferior to foreigners.

Not only were they physically inferior, but they were also less intelligent, and their martial arts skills were utterly useless against the guns and cannons of the foreigners.

If this continues, this idea will become deeply ingrained and impossible to change.

As far as I know, many of you candidates have already openly or privately admitted that none of your martial arts training is of any use. You claim that the strength of foreigners is truly insurmountable…

"Many ministers in the court have long proposed to abolish the martial arts examination and from now on train only in firearms, not physical fitness."

Gong Yutian spoke with great distress at this point.

"Is there something wrong with it? It's supposed to be like this..."

Yang Fangyuan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, asked in confusion, "We were never going to be able to beat them."

"Look, look, Lord Yang, what's this talk about 'original' or 'not original'?"

Would you have thought this way before you were defeated?

Lord Lin once said that foreigners could not even bend their legs when walking, and when they fought, they were as weak and feeble as wood.

At that time, did Lord Yang ever think that foreigners were powerful?

"What... what exactly are you trying to say?" The young emperor also vaguely realized what was going on.

Gong Yutian sighed: "The power of the mind is immense. When you feel inferior to others, then you truly are inferior."

Today, everyone believes that foreigners are stronger than the Chinese, but only Li Xin's killings have instilled fear in both the East and the West.

He stood up and said that he was stronger than the foreigners, and everyone believed him.

Because he proved through his actions that he was indeed strong.

Even with foreign guns and cannons, they couldn't do anything to him.

Even the Angusa and Dongyi people suffered greatly at his hands, but could only swallow their bitter pills and dared not retaliate.

If he were the top martial arts champion, he would surely set an example for the world.

Battlefield defeats are possible, but the will of the people will not.

"That makes some sense." Although the young emperor didn't understand, he readily agreed.

"Then let the Ministry of War prepare the official documents. Isn't Li Xin going to take the martial arts exam? Perfect, with his abilities, obtaining the title will be as easy as taking candy from a baby."

Now, I only have Minister Gong by my side, and I am truly a little worried.

"In that case, it would be better to appoint him as a third-rank imperial bodyguard, to serve by my side; that would surely ensure much greater safety."

"Yes."

Gong Yutian opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't.

He knew that for some people, being granted an official position was indeed a tremendous favor.

But for another type of person, being granted official titles and ranks is nothing short of an insult.

They dared to rule an entire dynasty all by themselves.

You're going to appoint him to a minor official position?

This……

There's no need to mention this to the Emperor.

Everyone has their own thoughts, and it's impossible to truly understand what's going on in someone else's mind.

The young emperor's desire to make the country strong was indeed a passionate one.

But he was just placing his hopes on others.

I have absolutely no idea what other people are thinking.

It's hard to say about this.

He watched as the emperor and his ministers discussed the reforms with great interest.

Gong Yutian lowered his eyes and said no more.

……

Li Xin returned to Li Garden with his elder brother Li Cheng and cousin Li Xiaowan.