Penang is located in the north of Malaysia, at the mouth of the North Strait of Malacca, and Penang is the capital of Penang. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 infoThe Straits Settlements began their historic period of British rule with the cession of Penang to the British in 1786, the British invasion of Singapore in 1819, and the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824, when Malacca was handed over to the British. The long-term colonial rule has deeply influenced the local people with Western ideology and culture, and has also influenced the overseas Chinese living there.

Since the opening of Penang in 1786, overseas Chinese have actively participated in the development and construction of the island. With the prosperity and development of Penang, the number of overseas Chinese increased, and in 1902, there were more than 240,000 Chinese household surveys. Due to the increase in the population of overseas Chinese, various overseas Chinese associations such as Jiaying Association, Guangdong and Tingzhou Association, Tingzhou Association, Qiongzhou Association, Pingzhang Association (Fujian-Guangdong Chinese Federation) and other associations have been established one after another. Various clan organizations such as the ancestral ancestral temples of Qiu, Xie, Lin, Chen, Wang, Wu, Liang and other surnames, as well as Chinese schools such as "Wufu Academy" and "Nanhua Academy" were also set up at the same time.

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, there were eight steamship companies, eight machine powder factories, 76 grocery stores, and 50 retail tobacco, liquor, and foreign goods. The vigorous development of overseas Chinese society laid the mass and economic foundation for Chen Wenqiang's plan to propagate revolutionary ideas and launch a revolution in Penang.

As soon as the "Revolutionary Army" came out, it shouted out with high revolutionary enthusiasm the class hatred and national hatred that had long been stored in the hearts of the masses of the people, and it had no scruples about shouting out, and it took a clear-cut stand and boldly and violently "persuaded the world to rebel." Like a spring thunder, it exploded the land of China, which was not only widely welcomed in China, but also very fond of overseas Chinese, and it was very effective in enlightening the atmosphere of overseas Chinese.

As soon as Zou Rong, the author of "The Revolutionary Army," arrived in Penang, the news spread rapidly, and many overseas Chinese rushed to the newly launched "Guanghua Daily" newspaper office to get a glimpse of this pawn of the revolutionary army.

Among them, Wu Shirong and Huang Jinqing, Fujian businessmen from Penang, were the most enthusiastic, and sincerely invited Zou Rong to give a speech at the Xiaolanting Club. Zou Rong's provocative and infectious speech deeply moved Wu Shirong, Huang Jinqing and the members Chen Xinzheng and Qiu Mingchang who were present.

As early as 1896, local overseas Chinese Lim Hua Qian and Huang Jinqing founded the Penang New Newspaper, most of which promoted the idea of royalist constitutionalism. Huang Jinqing also opened a "Restoration Bookstore", which means the Restoration. After Zou Rong arrived in Penang to propagate the democratic revolution, Huang Jinqing changed his course and urged the Penang New Newspaper to change its royalist stance and propagate the ideas of democracy and national revolution, but when it was unsuccessful, he angrily withdrew from the newspaper and negotiated with Zou Rong and others to inject capital into Guanghua Bao.

At that time, the power of the Kangliang royalists was still very large, and of course, this was also related to the psychology of overseas Chinese. The royalists not only portrayed Guangxu as a famous monarch through the ages, but also confused reform with revolution. What's even more tempting is that they also wore robes, boots and hats worn by many Qing Dynasty officials, and sold official titles among overseas Chinese.

They have the right to bestow titles below the rank of third-rank official. The size of the rank is determined by the amount of your donation. Many of the upper echelons of overseas Chinese joined the royalist party, and they paid for two purposes: one was to hope that one day, the royalist party would seize great power in the Qing Dynasty and be able to get an official position; One is that when you return to China to visit relatives in the future, you can wear an official robe and show off your hometown.

Moreover, although some overseas Chinese did not oppose the proposition of the Renaissance Association, they had ideological concerns and did not dare to come out to support it, feeling that although the corruption of the Qing Dynasty should be overthrown, the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty was always a great rebellion and a "rebellion." If the Qing Dynasty could not be defeated, it would inevitably be necessary to worry about their lives when they returned to the motherland in the future.

Compared with the worries of the upper strata of overseas Chinese, the lower strata of overseas Chinese have no scruples, and their own suffering experience makes them more urgent to change the status quo. Young people, in particular, are more radical in their thinking and are more inclined to revolution.

For the sake of convenience, although the "Guanghua Pao" propagated and advocated the revolutionary theories and ideas of the Renaissance Society, it did not show them to the people in the form of an organ newspaper, but was commercial and neutral, and did not immediately start recruiting members within the first month. However, the Penang Reading Newspaper was established to attract more and more like-minded people and was also strengthened as a peripheral organization of the Renaissance Society.

"In Singapore, some overseas Chinese businessmen wore Manchu official uniforms and took photos proudly!" Huang Jinqing shook his head with some disdain.

"That's why we have to propagate the revolution widely, because the press is the 'mother of public opinion', and the crowd has those who are foresighted and those who are late. The seer must tuck in the latter and move forward together. Zou Rong pondered for a moment and said: "Although there were many reformist newspapers and magazines at that time, and sometimes they were also generous and eloquent, they could not cut to the point of the times, and if they did not have far-sighted vision and outstanding insight, sooner or later people would see through their true colors. ”

After a period of reading and research, in-depth thinking, and then a letter exchange with Chen Wenqiang, Zou Rong, who became a revival association, was much calmer than before, although in order to infect the audience during the speech, the mood was passionate, but when considering the problem, there was a lot less impulse and anger.

Wu Shirong was a little angry, snorted, and said: "This group of servile things that are difficult to change have bewitched many people. There are still illusions about the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and they don't care about their own net worth. ”

As the third generation of Chinese in Penang, Wu Shirong is originally from Haicheng, Fujian. When he was about twenty-one years old, he inherited a large inheritance from his father, and he was similar in temperament to Huang Jinqing, and was very chivalrous and praised for helping the needy. Zou Rong was young, passionate, and very infectious in his speeches, and Goh Sai Rong was deeply pleased with him, and under the influence of his revolutionary doctrine, he not only used his prestige to take the initiative to become the president of the Penang Reading Book and Newspaper Agency, but also expressed his willingness to use his family wealth to solve problems for the revolutionary cause.

"There are still fewer rich people like Mr. Wu and Mr. Huang who are worried about the country and the people, and are willing to destroy their families to relieve their difficulties." Zou Rong sighed: "It was the generous support of some ordinary people that moved Yu even more. ”

"You're talking about Lin Zhenzheng!" Huang Jinqing nodded and said, "This person is straightforward and bold, and the nine cows can't pull back the things he recognizes." ”

"There are many overseas Chinese like him." Zou Rong nodded and said, "I am not rich myself, but I have repeatedly said that I will donate my hard-earned money to support the revolution." In order not to frustrate their enthusiasm and to enable Mr. Wu and Mr. Huang to be more purposeful and justifiably campaign for the revolution, I asked my superiors for instructions. ”

Superior? Huang Jinqing and Wu Shirong's faces were straight, although they had a hunch that Zou Rong and others had financial and theoretical support behind them, but Zou Rong never said it, and it was difficult for the two of them to ask. Now, Zou Rong wants to make his words clear, obviously he really trusts them.

"That's right, it's the Renaissance Society." Zou Rong arched his hand to Wu and Huang, and said apologetically: "The organization's plan and regulations stipulate that I can't easily leak it, but I don't trust the two. I have great admiration for the revolutionary enthusiasm of both of them. ”

"There are family laws in the family, and there are rules in the door. The fact that the revival will be so prudent shows that it is more tightly organized than the average group. Huang Jinqing waved his hand disapprerovingly, "Brother Zou doesn't need to be sorry. ”

"yes!" Wu Shirong nodded and said, "I have seen people's hearts for a long time, and it is an organizational regulation, so how can we complain." ”

Zou Rong smiled and nodded, and then Zhengrong said: "There should be no problem with the approval of the superiors, the first branch of the Nanyang Revival Association will be established in Penang, and members will be recruited to gather strength." At the same time, it also makes the goals clearer, the work more concrete, and everyone's enthusiasm will be higher. ”

"If it's right, it's even better." Wu Shirong was a little excited, and his eyes shone brightly, "Starting from Penang, expand to various ports in Malaya, and then develop to the entire South Seas, and compete with those royalists. ”

"Although it is not easy, Zhang Mingqi and then trying to develop have indeed avoided the confusion in the minds of overseas Chinese." Huang Jinqing also agreed, "Many overseas Chinese are committed to revolution, but there is no decent revolutionary group to organize and guide them, which is really a drawback. ”

"In my report to my superiors, I have recommended two to serve as the president and vice president of the Penang Revival Association." Zou Rong said: "In terms of the prestige and reputation of this place, I can't pick out a more suitable one than the two, and I hope that the two of them will not shirk." ”

"Brother Huang is positive, and I am willing to be the deputy." Wu Shirong preemptively said: "In addition, my Ruifuguo villa can be donated to the organization as a gathering and meeting place. ”

"Brother Wu should be right." Huang Jinqing humbly resigned, "I am weak and weak, and it is really difficult to be the chairman." ”

"The two gentlemen don't have to fight." Zou Rong said with a smile: "The two of you are so humble, I think it is a small matter who is right and who is the right, and the two of you will definitely be able to unite sincerely so that the revival of Penang will develop rapidly." In addition......"

Someone came in to report and interrupted Zou Rong's words, which also made him a little puzzled. Xu Zhuangshi, a very unfamiliar name, doesn't know what to do here.

………………