Shanghai, Zhennan Wangfu, Changle Bookstore.

Feng Tiankui, who was in his early thirties and had short hair and a suit, walked quickly into the yard with light and fast steps. Leather shoes with iron palms clanged on the bluestone slabs, as if showing his pride. Leather shoes are popular recently and are expensive. Leather shoes are to protect the soles from wear.

Feng Tiankui was the first group of international students to return to China. He is currently the director of the Metallurgical Research Institute of Baoshan Iron and Steel Factory. He is indeed proud of his youth. Although there are many people in the huge yard, it is very quiet. The clanging sound is particularly eye-catching in the yard. Lin Meilian, who was walking in front, couldn't help but look back at him and whispered: "In the future, I will meet the big shopkeeper, don't wear leather shoes with shoe legs. The big shopkeeper likes quiet."

Feng Tiankui also noticed that his footsteps destroyed the silence in the yard. After hearing this, he paused and hesitated, "Why take off your leather shoes?"

Lin Meilian smiled, "No need." After a pause, she continued, "Does Director Feng come from Yuanqi Yixue?"

"Yes." Feng Tiankui smiled and said, "I was sold to Yuanqi Yixue, but I didn't expect that I would be blessed in disguise."

"Have your family been in touch?"

Feng Tiankui's expression became dark, "I have been searching for these years, but there has been no news..." After a pause, he added: "I am from Guangxi."

The Taiping Army was in chaos, and Guangxi was the hardest hit area. Lin Meilian sighed inwardly and comforted: "Don't be discouraged, many Guangxi immigrated to Annan and Nanyang..."

"Thank you." Feng Tiankui said softly. He had long since lost hope. Yuanqi Yixue has many students from Guangxi. Yuanqi has been helping to find their relatives over the years, and very few of them can be found.

As they spoke, the two had already arrived outside the study room. Lin Meilian reached out to give in and said, "Mr. Feng, please—."

Bowing slightly, Feng Tiankui deliberately let his feet lightly walk into the room. He saw Yi Zhizu at his desk and wrote a quick letter. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, "Student Feng Tiankui has met the principal."

"Tiankui is here." Yi Zhizu looked up at him and said, "Sit, it's fine soon." After writing the last line of words, he put his pen and stood up. After sitting down, he asked directly: "Have you made any progress recently?"

"No." Feng Tiankui said embarrassedly: "I tried many methods, but the dephosphorization effect was not ideal."

Steel with high phosphorus content is brittle and not suitable for casting cannons and ships. Although the current open furnace steelmaking converter steelmaking has greatly increased the steel production, the steel produced is generally high in phosphorus content and cannot meet the needs of the military industry. The current main topic of Baosteel Metallurgy Research Institute is dephosphorization.

"The dephosphorization technology cannot be achieved overnight, don't worry." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "I gave you a new mission. The artillery technology has been greatly improved recently, but it requires better quality spring steel. Yuanqi may have a large-scale war in the next two years, and it is urgent to improve artillery technology at present."

Feng Tiankui hurriedly said: "When the students go back, they draw hands to conduct research on spring steel."

After lighting a cigarette, Yi Zhizu said slowly: "Metallurgical technology is one of the basic technologies and is widely used, especially in the military industry. Its status is very important. Bullets, artillery, and ironclad ships are closely related to metallurgical technology. It can be said that metallurgical technology directly determines the level of a country in the fields of industry, science and technology, military industry, etc.

Although Yuanqi has always attached great importance to metallurgy technology, this is not enough. I am planning to add metallurgy majors in colleges and cultivate a large number of metallurgical talents...."

Seeing that Yi Quest attaches so much importance to metallurgy, Feng Tiankui was both happy and excited, saying loudly: "The principal attaches so much importance to metallurgy technology, in the past few decades, my country's metallurgy level will surely surpass Western countries."

Yi Zhizu nodded slightly and said, "As the leader in metallurgy, you should adopt a more open attitude, actively introduce talents and cultivate talents. As for research topics, in addition to task topics, you can take the initiative to apply, and there is no need to worry about funding."

Feng Tiankui quickly stood up and said, "The students understand that they will not let down the principal's high expectations."

As soon as Feng Tiankui left the study, Zhao Liewen quickly stepped in and said with a smile: "The big shopkeeper, the Military Affairs Office called, the Prime Minister Su went to Shanghai soon to review the Constitution, the House of Commons, and the Election Law..."

What does it mean? Is this planning to promulgate the Constitution in advance? Ci'an is showing his attitude - to honestly promote constitutionalism? It seems that the exposure of the Qingdao base has caused a great deterrence to the court. After pondering for a little, Yi Zhizu said: "It seems a bit of a big deal to let Sushun, the chief military minister, come to Shanghai. Isn't the Empress Dowager inclined to let Sushun form a regent?"

Hearing this tone, Zhao Liewen tentatively said: "The shopkeeper Zhong Yigong?"

"It depends on who the Queen Mother likes." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "If you want to promote the Qing Dynasty to achieve constitutionalism in a peaceful way, you must fully respect the Queen Mother's opinions."

Zhao Liewen was stunned, "Is this not conducive to realizing real constitutionalism?"

Yi Zhizu laughed and said, "Our country has been ingrained in feudal autocracy for more than 2,000 years, and the imperial autocracy is already deeply rooted. It is not easy to achieve true constitutionalism. It takes a long process. It takes at least three or even four or five generations to achieve true constitutional democracy."

For so long? Zhao Liewen hesitated and said, "So difficult?"

"Far more dangerous than we imagined." Yi Zhizu said in a deep voice. He knew better than anyone else how difficult it was to realize constitutional democracy in the Qing Dynasty, and it could even be said to be more difficult than imagined.

Seeing that he seemed unwilling to say more, Zhao Liewen said carefully: "The royal family does not enter the cabinet. Although King Gong is a leader in the constitutionalist faction, he is also the current imperial uncle..."

"There is no need to copy the Western system. The national conditions of each country are different." Yi Zhizu said uneasy: "What we need at present is to peacefully implement constitutionalism, and we can make some concessions appropriately. Various laws and regulations can be gradually improved in the future. To be honest, it is now a transitional period."

Zhao Liewen glanced at him and said, "Puppet Cabinet?"

Yi Zhizu smiled, "That's right, slowly transition."

Three days later, Sushun and his party arrived in Shanghai in a very low-key manner and moved into the "Danxiang Garden" not far from Zhennan Prince's Mansion. After a brief rest, Sushun hurriedly rushed to Zhennan Prince's Mansion in a hurry.

Ci'an suddenly changed his attitude and actively promoted the constitutional process. The happiest thing was Sushun. Ci'an's attitude changed meant that there was no obstacle to the imperial court's implementation of constitutionalism. What made him even more happy was that Wang Yi's situation is a bit embarrassing and he was in Japan, which was an extremely rare opportunity for him. Moreover, Ci'an asked him to come to Shanghai this time was also a very clear signal.

When Sushun heard the news, he came, and Yi Zhizu greeted him at the door of Changle Bookstore as usual. Seeing Sushun coming quickly, he smiled and took a few steps, but Sushun was still more than ten steps away and smiled: "After a few years of separation, Brother Guocheng is still in style."

Yi Zhizu bowed and smiled and said, "Brother Yuting is proud of his spring breeze, and his glory is even better than the past."

"Where does the spring breeze come from?" Sushun smiled heartily: "It's late autumn now, and there is also the autumn breeze."

"It's not enough to fight the autumn wind." Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "I don't have any surplus food here."

Su Shun smiled and said, "If Brother Guocheng has no surplus food here, the Qing Dynasty will have a famine."

The two of them met with joy and went into the study to sit down. Sushun asked with concern: "When will the war against Japan end?"

"Brother Yuting cares about war or King Gong?"

"Of course I care."

"A rare famine broke out in Japan, and the war went very smoothly, without any suspense." Yi Zhizu said slowly: "As for King Gong, he had already set off for Shanghai yesterday."

"So fast?" Su Shun was a little surprised.

"I heard that the situation has changed, how could he sit in Japan? I only heard the news after he set off." Yi Zhizu smiled, "What are you worried about? He can't go back to Beijing without orders." As he said, he changed his mind, "Is the Queen Mother really changing her mind?"

King Gong came to Shanghai, which was not good news for Sushun. He found that he seemed to be happy too early. He didn't dare to think too much and replied: "The Empress Dowager is not changing her mind, but has no choice!"

“No choice?”

Su Shun glanced at him, "The exposure of the dozen ironclad ships in Qingdao not only shows that Yuanqi's naval combat power is strong, but also shows that Yuanqi has a strong industrial foundation and has the ability to build ironclad ships in large quantities, not to mention the powerful new artillery.

Even if Britain and France had been willing to support the court strongly before, they would have stopped after learning the news. Without the support of Britain and France, what would the royalists compete with Yuan Qi? Under helplessness, the Empress Dowager could only honestly promote constitutionalism and ensure the extension of the Qing Dynasty's destiny. Brother Guocheng planned it with one hand, so why should he ask clearly?"

Yi Zhizu smiled and said, "I'm just confirming it."

"Confirmation?" Su Shun's heart moved, "Isn't it because he is worried about the Queen Mother? Or is he worried about Britain and France?"

"What's there to worry about?" Yi Zhizu said uneasy. He didn't care about Britain and France at all. Although the naval strength, industrial foundation and ironclad ship construction capabilities of Britain and France are not comparable to that of Yuanqi, it is impossible for the two countries to embark on a large expedition to fight against Yuanqi. Germany is rising rapidly, and its next goal is France, and Britain and France have no time to take care of the Far East.

After a pause, he changed his mind, "The Constitution, House Law, Election Law and other constitutional regulations have been drafted. You should hurry up and check if there are any places that need to be revised. Try to promulgate as early as possible. There is also a cabinet, and it should be established as soon as possible. After all, the preparatory constitutional period is about to end."

Su Shun nodded and said slowly: "The court has formulated a cabinet official system, with one Prime Minister and Thirteen Ministers. What do you think about the candidates for Prime Minister and Ministers of State?" As he said that, he took out a memorandum and handed it over.

After taking the note, Yi Jingzu said without thinking: "I have always advocated equality among all ethnic groups, and equality is also the core idea of ​​constitutionalism. The 13 Ministers of State and the Manchu and Mongolian ministers shall not pass the four..."

Can't pass the fourth? Su Shun hesitated and said, "Can't you get half?"

"No." Yi Zhizu said without hesitation: "There is no room for discussion in this matter, and there are already five prime ministers, so there are no more." As he said that, he opened the note.

The cabinet official system formulated the Prime Minister 1, Assistant Minister 2, and other ministers including Foreign Affairs, Civil Affairs, Ministry of Affairs, Education, Army, Navy, Judicial, Agricultural, Industry and Commerce, Francisco, Posts and Communications.

After reading it, Yi Zhizu pondered for a while before saying: "Yuan Qi needs a quota of assistant ministers and six ministers, including the ministry, academic affairs, army, navy, and justice."

The Thirteen Ministers of State, Yi Zhizu only had six places, which was not an exaggeration. Su Shun looked bitter, "Can the Minister of the Army change?"

Yi Zhizu said without hesitation: "The Army Minister is also famous for you. People who are not Yuanqi cannot command Yuanqi's new army."

Su Shun said in a deep voice: "Without a slight military power, isn't the Prime Minister a puppet?"

Yi Zhizu said slowly: "You should know that Yuan Qi has been in the northwest for many years and has been waiting for the northwest expansion, and this Army Minister will give you this."

When will the northwest expansion end? Su Shun was tactful and didn't ask, and instead said, "Where is the Prime Minister?"

Yi Zhizu said: "In order to ensure the smooth implementation of constitutionalism, Yuan Qi will not participate in the competition for the time being. However, no matter who serves as the Prime Minister, Yuan Qi's quota for these ministers of state must be guaranteed."

Sushun smiled and said, "If I become Prime Minister, not to mention six quotas, it would be fine if I could even eight."

Yi Zhizu glanced at him. He knew the other party's thoughts, but he wanted to get his support. He said sincerely: "Brother Yuting has been in the Nanyang Navy for a long time. It can be said that he is half a Yuanqi person. If you serve as the Prime Minister, I naturally strongly support him. However, in order to ensure the smooth and stable implementation of constitutionalism in the court, Yuanqi should not occupy too many places, six are enough."

Half of Yuan Qiren? Su Shun felt aroused, which shows that he and Gong Wang Yi were already different from each other in Yi Zhizu's heart. He nodded slightly and said, "It's still Brother Guocheng who is considerate."

He lit a cigarette slowly, and Yi Jingzuo said slowly: "Don't hide it, what else? He said it openly."

Su Shun smiled, "Then I will just say it." After a pause, he continued, "The Empress Dowager tends to be a bicameral system..."

Yi Zhizu smiled, "Is it a bicameral system that tends to be English? "

Sushun also did not deny that "English is a model of Western constitutionalism, and the bicameral system of England is also in line with our country's national conditions."

Yi Zhizu waved his hand and said, "My territory is vast and there are many provinces. Moreover, the centralized system has been adopted for thousands of years. If we say that it is in line with the national conditions, the one-campus system is more in line with the national conditions of our country."

Sushun frowned and looked at him and said, "Isn't England, America all bicamerals? The bicamerals are conducive to preventing group dictatorship and helping our country realize true democracy as soon as possible."

It is not easy to be true democracy! I am afraid that it will be difficult to achieve true democracy in a hundred years, Yi Zhizu sighed secretly and said: "One-campus system and two-campus system have their own advantages and disadvantages. Our country has vast territory, many provinces, and the population is the highest in the world. If the two-campus system is implemented, it will inevitably restrict each other and shirk each other's responsibility. Our Qing officials are good at shirk each other when it comes to shirk responsibility."
Chapter completed!