Kang Youwei

Author: Su Ren
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-07-01
Features: Intelligent and nimble from a young age, yet faced extraordinary hardships in entering official service. The of "A Petition to the Emperor of the Upper Clear" made him a celebrity. Establishing the "Wanmu Grass Hall" aimed to cultivate talents as pillars of the nation. The failure of "The Petition on the Imperial Carriage" had a tremendous social impact. Li Tai Mo Tai said, "I was amazed to find that almost all my previous suggestions were summarized and condensed in his specific and detailed plan." Seeking reform and strengthening the nation, he questioned, "The laws of our ancestors were meant to govern our ancestral lands. Now that we cannot even hold onto our ancestral lands, what use is there in adhering to the laws of our ancestors?" The reform failed, and he barely escaped with his life. In exile overseas, he remained loyal to the monarchy. He upheld "constitutional monarchy" and was ashamed to associate with Yuan Shikai, even encouraging Zhang Xun's restoration.