Chai Dongliang crossed his legs on the mahogany desk, holding a thin booklet in his hand and reading it with relish, the Lu'an melon slices he had just brewed were already cold, and the adjutant quietly walked in to pour out the herbal tea and refill him with hot water.

This "Draft of the Education of Chinese Officials", written in English, was a gift from Goodnow to Chai Dongliang.

After a detailed investigation of many places in China, Goodnow believes that the cultivation of new administrative talents in China should completely change the literati tradition of old-style education that is too detached from the reality of people's livelihood, and should focus on learning administrative knowledge that is practically related to real people's livelihood problems, and should pay attention to the cultivation of administrative ability, and should be supplemented by internships and experiments in addition to classroom learning. He suggested that the administrative school should implement a three-year academic system, and the subjects could be divided into diplomatic courses, financial courses, and general administrative courses. Goodnow suggested that administrative schools should be set up in China, and outsiders should be hired to teach and train administrative talents, which would be more effective than sending students to study abroad. Because foreign students have been educated by the West for a long time, they are ignorant of the beauty of Chinese culture, and often ignore the differences between China and the West, and try to copy foreign experiences and systems.

As a foreigner, he has no sense of cultural superiority and can take into account the feelings and cultural differences of Chinese, which makes Chai Dongliang a little awe-inspiring to him, worthy of being the world's top constitutional expert! Compared with those foreign-overseas elites who are bound to call Rome and Greece, who are eager to bleach their skins and abandon traditional Chinese culture, Goodnow's research results are undoubtedly in-depth and concrete, and those who cling to the immutability of the laws of their ancestors are even less worthy of mention.

Chai Dongliang's biggest headache is the lack of local administrative talents. In fact, this is not only the case in Anhui, Jiangxi and other places, but also other provinces almost accepted the Manchu officials, and added a few foreign students who returned from abroad.

These people either don't know anything about the operation of the new political axe, or they copy the operation mode of the Western political axe and do not know how to change it. Goodnow's article, on the other hand, hits the nail on the head.

"Governor, Dr. Goodnow is here!" The adjutant walked in from the outside and reminded in a low voice.

Chai Dongliang hurriedly put his feet off the table, then dressed up, and said, "Please!" ”

After a few moments, Goodnow walked in, and Chai Dongliang almost squirted out a mouthful of hot tea.

Goodno wore a poplin robe with square sleeves, a brightly colored Baturu horse coat on the outside, a small black six-petal melon skin hat, a piece of impure white jade inlaid with mixed colors, a pair of cloth shoes with mille-feuille soles on his feet, and a Chinese jade head hanging on his waist.

"Your Excellency General, do you think I look like a Chinese?" Goodnow said elatedly.

Chai Dongliang couldn't help but smile: "Like! ”

"I just took a picture, I'm going to take it back to show my wife and children!" Goodnow was clearly very pleased with the outfit.

Chai Dongliang beckoned him to sit down, the adjutant gave him Dutch water, Goodnow shook his head and said, "Please give me Chinese tea, it is hot, and give me a plate of ice cubes, thank you!" ”

The adjutant looked at a foreigner with a high nose and blue eyes, dressed in the clothes of a rich man in the countryside, and he couldn't help but be happy, and he didn't dare to laugh out loud, and his stomach hurt.

"Doctor, I want to hire you as a senior advisor to the Anqing Military Advisory Office, is that okay?" Chai Dongliang went straight to the road with a single knife.

Goodnow smiled: "Unfortunately, I just received an offer from Hopkins University, they are going to hire me as president, and I am going back to China." ”

Chai Dongliang was a little disappointed, but still refused to give up: "Then can you serve as my advisor?" The remuneration will surely satisfy you. ”

Goodnow nodded: "Of course this is no problem, we can exchange views on the Chinese issue through letters and telegrams, and I can return to China every summer." ”

Although it did not achieve the expected goal, it is not without a little gain, even if it is a letter exchange, it is undoubtedly of great help to Chai Dongliang's growth to get the guidance of such a well-known politician in the world.

Goodnow took a sip of hot tea and grinned, stuck out his tongue and took a few breaths of cool air, and then threw the ice cubes into the teacup: "Drinking Chinese tea must be piping hot, how about it, I still know about Chinese habits, right?" ”

Chai Dongliang couldn't figure out where he learned the Chinese rules, so he had to smile and say, "The doctor knows China very well. ”

Goodnow suddenly said, "Your Excellency, what do you think is the most suitable political system for China?" ”

Chai Dongliang said without thinking: "The best way should be a constitutional monarchy, but unfortunately the opportunity has been missed, the Republic of China has been established, and it is no longer possible to go back." ”

Goodnow laughed: "If you really think that China is the most suitable for a constitutional monarchy, then we have a common language!" But I would like to correct your view, why is a constitutional monarchy a way back? Do you also think that a republic is higher than a monarchy? ”

Chai Dongliang asked rhetorically: "Don't you think so?" The United States is a republic. ”

Goodnow shook his head and said: "The United States is an irresponsible special case, and it is not advisable to copy the United States in its entirety!" The United States is bordered by the vast Pacific Ocean to the east, the vast Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mexico to the south, and Canada to the north. Before the Puritans entered North America, there were only a handful of Indians and countless bison! The United States does not have a [***] tradition, and the British parliamentary system has been introduced before the founding of the country, and the United States can gradually grow into a great power in an environment where there are no strong enemies??? Excuse me, is it okay for China? You must know that to the north of China is greedy Russia, and to the east is the ambitious Zoben. The United States can grow up like a baby, while China must become strong in the shortest possible time. ”

Chai Dongliang asked: "It is impossible for Junxian to be established in China, and apart from the first time, how do you think China can be made strong quickly?" ”

Goodnow smiled and said: "When I was younger, I didn't like America a lot, I liked France. The United States is a very boring country, and every time it makes progress through lengthy arguments in the courtroom, and every time it makes very little progress. France is different, the Revolution of Iron and Blood, the first night you are an unknown little person, but in your sleep you understand a theory, and the next day you may become a Jesus-like figure leading the country forward??? Of course, it's more likely that he was beheaded on the third day!

France went back and forth from imperial to republican and from republican to imperial. The French Revolution was the most liberal and therefore the most violent, with the heads of not only the kings, the nobles, the high priests, but also the heads of the revolutionary leaders. In the end, there was no way to cut it, and everyone was disgusted with this chaos of the open republic, and as a result, Napoleon was born and crowned emperor under the martial arts of Xuanhe. However, the Napoleonic Empire, based on military foundations, was equally unstable, and later France also oscillated between empire and republic for a hundred years after the Revolution. If we take France as a reference, we can see that China's road to republican will not be easy??? It is worth mentioning that the French republic did not bring strength to France. The most powerful period of France was precisely Napoleon's imperialism! ”

Goodnow said eloquently: "As for the Latin American countries, they are simply the scum of the open-boiled republic, and they are simply through!" Those countries that got rid of the colonial rule of Spain and Portugal, such as Mexico, Argentina, Peru, and Brazil, under the influence of the United States and France, have also adopted the open boiled republican system, but because they seriously lack the social, economic, cultural, educational and other conditions necessary for the republican form of government, the result is that the tiger does not become an anti-dog, and the republican form of government has also become an oligarchic talent-reading regime??? In a country with underdeveloped society, in a country where industrialization and urbanization have not reached a certain scale, copying the open-boiled republic system must be a disaster??? It is a pity that the elites of your country do not realize this, but blindly believe that a republic is superior to a monarchy, and worse, you are still practicing a parliamentary system that is less suitable than a presidential system! ”

Chai Dongliang had to admit that what he said made sense, isn't that the current Republic of China! The unlimited expansion of the power of the Senate has not only compressed the power of the president to the limit, but also encroached on the judicial power!

Goodnow continued: "Forgive me for my bluntness, the current parliamentary system in your country will certainly not last long, and the final result will be the formation of oligarchs, and there is nothing worse for the people! ”

Seeing that Chai Dongliang's expression was a little uncertain, Goodnow gave an example to prove his remarks: "Mexico is a good example. The republican Mexico eventually became an oligarchy, and during the more than 30 years that the scholar Dias ruled Mexico, he was initially peaceful, but after Díaz became old and deaf, because he had no legal heir, the result was a group of strife, and the country would not be a country. Therefore, Professor Gu pointed out that instead of engaging in an oligarchic regime of individual scholars, it is better to directly implement the imperial dictatorship, because the imperial system still has a legal system to continue, unlike the oligarchic regime of individuals, once the old oligarchs die, many small oligarchs must fight to take over. Therefore, it is better to engage in a monarch [***] in a fake republic, so that the chances of national peace and security are greater. ”

Immeasurable skulls and immeasurable blood, pitiful to buy a pseudo-republic!

In another time and space, the same thing happened in China and Mexico, where the warlords fought and the devastated livelihood of China withered and all industries were depressed. The common people chanted: "The Republic of China is not as good as the Qing Dynasty." ”

Chai Dongliang smiled bitterly: "Now that the opportunity for China to implement a constitutional monarchy has been missed, once the national system is determined, it cannot be easily changed!" ”

Goodnow nodded: "You are very right, it is already difficult to return to the monarchy now, and the only way is to strengthen the power of the political axe and guide the progress of society with force." The best solution is to have a talented reader, followed by a presidential system. ”

"Reading talents?" Chai Dongliang's eyes widened, he didn't believe that these words would come out of Goodno's mouth.

Goodnow took a sip of tea cooled by ice cubes, and then said slowly, "Is there anything wrong with reading?" For the current China, only reading is the fastest way to become a strong country, you must know that the Russians and themselves will not give you time! In addition, isn't your rule in Anhui and Jiangxi a scholar? Compared to your relaxed governing environment, my God, Yuan Shikai is really a poor guy, look at what he has become like when he is bullied by the Senate??? Of course, a constitutional monarchy is a better way than a strong leader, but it is difficult for China to accept another monarch at present! ”

Chai Dongliang hesitated: "Didn't you think of the harm that reading will do to society?" ”

Goodeno laughed and said: "My dear general, this kind of reading is different from the [***] monarch reading in the history of your country, the power of the reader must be restricted by the Constitution, simply put, it is a presidential system with huge power, and the power of the reader is greater than that of the President of the United States, but no matter how huge it is, there must be a boundary, and this boundary is the Constitution!" The constitution sets the power of the talented reader and the power of the people, but it only magnifies the power of the talented reader and compresses the power of the people! ”

Chai Dongliang suddenly realized, he asked with a smile: "This seems to be no different from the real monarchy constitution of Germany and the Ben!" ”

Goodnow shook his head and said: "Of course it is different, there is still an unsolvable problem for those who read talents under the constitution, that is, the problem of responsibility. The monarchy stipulates that all power belongs to the king, and any act of destroying the state can be regarded as an infringement of the king's property rights??? However, under the constitution, there is the problem of unclear property rights, and it is difficult to determine the heir, so everyone theoretically has the opportunity to become a scholar, which will cause social turmoil. ”

Chai Dongliang was also helpless, the Manchu Qing Dynasty had a chance, but the cabinet made a royal cabinet, and the constitution made a distant preparatory constitution, and when the world was full of smoke, the Qing Dynasty panicked. The hasty introduction of a "Nineteen Articles of Faith of the Great Qing Dynasty" similar to the British hypocrite constitution was too late, not only the revolutionary party would not agree, but even Yuan Shikai's Beiyang would not give the Manchus a chance to correct their mistakes.

In the final analysis, because of foreign rule, these people have never regarded themselves as Chinese, and they directly tore their faces and accused the restorationists: "Protecting China does not protect the Qing Dynasty." ”

This sentence pitted the Manchu court against China nakedly, and completely tore off the painting skin of the Manchu lord of China.

However, Song Jiaoren and other revolutionaries were too radical in copying the French-style parliamentary open boiling, and regarded Yuan Shikai and Beiyang as nothing, didn't this force them to abolish the parliamentary overthrow the open cooking system? Moreover, the practice of a republic in a country where more than 90 percent of the population is agricultural, is undoubtedly fueling the seedlings.

Goodnow advocated a parliament under the monarchy, but this parliament was not a parliament with unlimited powers, like the Senate of the Yenching Axe, but a body that advised the Axe and the monarch, and the real supreme authority was the courts, especially the Constitutional Court.

Both the monarch and the prime minister must be bound by the constitution and must not go beyond the thunder pool.

This is in stark contrast to China's current practice of unlimited power in the Senate and almost all courts.

Seeing Chai Dongliang's gloomy expression, Goodnow smiled and said: "The opportunity is not impossible, China still has a chance to return to the constitutional monarchy!" ”

Chai Dongliang's eyes lit up: "Oh, please speak!" ”

Goodnow took another sip of tea, felt that the water was still a little hot, frowned and added two pieces of ice, and then said: "I once exchanged opinions with Mr. Liang Qichao of your country, and I found that he is really a smart guy, and I will give you a few words from him??? If China wants to return to the imperial government, there are only two ways, one is that after the president cultivates the internal governance, all kinds of waste will be restored, the family will give people enough, the whole army will be economical and military, taste the courage and lie on the salary, and when there is an opportunity to fight and dominate, the merit will be towering, and the billions of trillions will be compelled to receive the great treasure and pass it on to the descendants; The second is that after the second great turmoil, the whole country is boiling, and the heroes are divided, and after being cut off, it is set to be one. ”

Listening to Goodnow's retelling of Liang Qichao's remarks in absurd Chinese, Chai Dongliang suddenly felt a wave of hope rise in his heart.

Liang Qichao believes that there are only two ways for China to move from the current nondescript republic to a mature constitutional monarchy, the first is that the president leads the country to prosperity and strength, and then participates in an international war, so as to make China dominate the world in one fell swoop, establish immortal feats, and become the emperor with the support of all the people. The second is simply that the Chinese civil war was broken, and the common people were completely disappointed in the Republic of China, and everyone hoped that an extremely strong figure would emerge to end the war, and this strong leader eliminated the separatist forces of the whole country in a short period of time, restored the unification of the country, and then ascended to the throne of the emperor with unmatched force in the country.

"If the current political system does not undergo major changes and the power of the Senate is allowed to swell, then a large-scale civil war will be inevitable!" Your Excellency, dear general, the United States needs a stable ally, and not a devastated China! If China is truly divided, I am sure that the United States will abandon China and seek other countries to counterbalance it. ”

Chai Dongliang asked: "In the Far East, there is only Russia that can check and balance the country, so will the United States cooperate with Russia?" ”

Goodnow sneered: "Politicians can cooperate with the devil if necessary??? Now we are friends, and when China completely collapses, the United States may be the United States who will bite China's wounds! ”

Chai Dongliang stood up with a flick of his sleeves and said word by word: "This kind of thing is absolutely impossible to happen, I will never allow it!" ”

Goodnow smiled and said, "I believe in your abilities, my dear general!" ”

"Quick, call the governor out, something is wrong!" Gao Chuguan's eager voice came from outside.

"Doctor, you wait, I'll come back later!" Chai Dongliang didn't wait for the adjutant to report, and rushed out in a few arrow steps.

As soon as I arrived at the door, I saw Gao Chuguan sweating profusely: "Mr. Xiang Yuan, what's wrong?" ”

"Governor, something is wrong! Duan Qirui was appointed governor of Hubei, and Li Yuanhong was placed under house arrest! The four divisions in Hubei are all under the control of Duan Qirui, plus the 20,000 Beiyang Army that entered Wuchang in the early stage, Duan Qirui already has 70,000 troops in Hubei! ”

Chai Dongliang was suddenly shocked, and it took a long time to come back to his senses, and he gasped and said, "What a powerful Yuan Shikai!" ”

(To be continued)