Chapter 31: Is it worthy too?

Scott left.

Inside the editor's office, only two Chinese men remained.

Gu Hongming candidly asked, "Mr. Lu, do you know why I brought up the matter of cutting the queue just now?"

During the late Qing and early Republican era, there were three very famous "queue-wearers":

Zhang Xun,

Wang Guowei,

Gu Hongming.

Even after the collapse of the Qing dynasty and the adoption of modern hairstyles by everyone else, these three individuals stubbornly kept their long queues.

Zhang Xun did it to show loyalty to the Qing court;

Wang Guowei did it to promote traditional culture;

While Gu Hongming's reasons were similar to Wang Guowei's, there were other factors involved.

He asked Lu Shi, "Mr. Lu, tell me truthfully, do you think that Westerners are more advanced, and that by not keeping the queue, they are necessarily more advanced? Is that why you cut off your queue, wanting to fully integrate into life in London?"

Lu Shi remained silent.

Gu Hongming didn't need Lu Shi's answer; he continued, "Rubbish! The Qing Dynasty practiced foot binding, but didn't Europe also have tight-lacing? Are the British Queen, the former Tsar, and the former Emperor more noble than the current Emperor?"

In Gu Hongming's view, both China and the West had their darkness and decay. The West merely buried its darkness and barbarism beneath the surface prosperity after acquiring new technologies.

This was why Gu Hongming, on one hand, kept his queue and on the other hand, kept his gentlemanly beard. His wardrobe at home contained both Western suits and Chinese long robes. After all, who was nobler than whom?

On this matter, Lu Shi and Natsume Soseki actually shared the same view.

Lu Shi reassured him, "Mr. Gu, I've dealt with many British media people. What sort of character they have, I'm well aware of. Once they strip off their clothes, they're just as bare and naked as anyone else. What difference would there be?"

Gu Hongming was greatly relieved. "Your attitude shows you're still clear-headed! In that case..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Lu Shi interrupted, "Mr. Gu, I know what you're thinking. Let me be clear: I'm not going back."

Gu Hongming was taken aback. "Why?"

Lu Shi said, "Haven't you heard the lessons of the Hundred Days' Reform?"

Gu Hongming's expression darkened slightly, then he said, "Mr. Lu, this matter was not the fault of the Emperor. You should know it was the Empress Dowager..."

Gu Hongming undoubtedly wanted to mention Cixi, but perhaps he realized that plotting against the monarch behind his back was a serious crime, so he stopped himself.

Gu Hongming changed his tack, "The Emperor is wise, and the court also has the power to reform. At such a time when talents are needed, it's an opportunity to make great achievements and fulfill ambitions. Why not return to serve the court? With your full effort, you'll surely be honored with the title of 'Jinshi' next year."

Lu Shi remained silent, but he inwardly sneered at Gu Hongming's lack of clarity.

Gu Hongming's mental faculties were obviously failing.

On the surface, he was prepared to lecture Lu Shi, but now he was acting like a primary school student, asking, "Do you support constitutional monarchy, Mr. Lu?"

Lu Shi glanced at him. "Mr. Gu, you aren't a supporter of constitutional monarchy, are you?"

Gu Hongming, embarrassed, rubbed his beard, unsure of how to respond.

Lu Shi continued, "For constitutional monarchy, first, you need a 'monarch', and second, you need a 'constitution'. Which of these does China have now?"

Gu Hongming frowned. "The current Emperor is in his prime. Why would you say such disrespectful words, Mr. Lu?"

Lu Shi coldly snorted. "The Eight-Nation Alliance is approaching Beijing, and Guangxu has been forced to flee to Xi'an. When he returns to the capital, Cixi will surely have him sit on the throne and pretend to rule. With such a Guangxu, can he even be called a 'monarch'?"

Gu Hongming was stunned.

Cixi following the court?

This idea seemed too absurd.

Before Lu Shi brought up this point, Gu Hongming had never considered such a possibility. But for some reason, he felt that things were highly likely to develop in the direction predicted by Lu Shi.

Had Cixi not done enough dirty deeds?

Gu Hongming's complexion grew increasingly unsightly, and tiny beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He subconsciously grasped the armrest of the chair beside him, slowly sat down, as if all the strength had been drained from his body.

Lu Shi coldly said, "Does Gu Xiansheng want me to pledge allegiance to the Qing government? It's laughable!"

This sentence hit Gu Hongming like a heavy hammer, and his vision darkened as he fainted away.