The first time I read a novel by Li Ao was his second novel, titled "Up the Mountain, Up the Mountain, Love." At that time, I was still in junior high school. I know many readers have reached the age of parenthood; I just want to say, the books you have on your shelf will indeed be read by children, and they will truly understand....

Of course, it is a very impressive novel, so I immediately liked Li Ao, and I began to look for his first novel, which I quickly found on the shelf: "Beijing Fayuan Temple."

"Beijing Fayuan Temple" is a novel conceived by Li Ao while he was in prison. He utilized the most traditional writing methods in China, using historical metaphors for the present. He infused many complex feelings about the Nationalist Party of that time into this novel, introducing the stories of figures such as Liang Qichao, Tan Sitong, and Kang Youwei who attempted reforms during the late Qing Dynasty. It covers Kang Youwei's dedicated efforts for change in his youth to his later years when he turned against revolution. It also tells the story of Liang Qichao following Kang Youwei, focusing particularly on the process of Tan Sitong's generous death. A new character, Dadao Wang Wu, is depicted, leading to new speculation about whom "to stay or leave" really refers to.

Clearly, Li Ao placed himself in the position of these revolutionaries, exploring the difficulties and obstacles of striving for change on Chinese soil. Since the novel was conceived in prison, Li Ao’s feelings towards Tan Sitong are more profound. Although he also knows he might be more similar to Kang Youwei's character.

If you look at his second novel, "Up the Mountain, Up the Mountain, Love," you will realize that Li Ao is definitely more like Kang Youwei.

Li Ao did not attempt to hide his viewpoints. His views are clearly written in the book; he thinks Chiang Kai-shek is like the Empress Dowager, and that reform has no future, only revolution can overthrow the Qing government.

A few days ago, I re-read this book on an airplane, and after twenty years, the feelings about it are entirely different.

I thought about the rise of the AfD today, the rise of the DSA, and the political polarization in many countries and regions, as well as the gradual decline of the establishment. I feel this process is irreversible, at least in the short term, because just like the Qing Dynasty from Ronglu to Kang Youwei, it wasn’t that no one tried to reform, but everyone ultimately failed. Li Ao is right; reforms mostly have no future. But the reason reforms have no future is that this process is destined to be repetitive. You will encounter many cycles of back and forth, because you are reforming within the system, you must take into account the interests of both supporters and opponents.

This is the reason for the gradual decline of the establishment in today’s America, Germany, and many Western countries. Just like Kang Youwei or Yuan Chonghuan, the Qing Dynasty felt Kang Youwei was too radical, while the Republic felt he was too conservative. Most of the time, reformists are caught between the two sides.

So first, reformists must have patience, means, and support. If the Empress Dowager does not support, it’s useless even if Guangxu supports. The reform and opening up of the 1980s seemed bumpy but actually turned out to be a smooth path. Sometimes, it is necessary to make progress and then retreat.

Secondly, the external environment is also very important. When I was young, I read many reports from the reform and opening up period, and I never forgot one prerequisite: the mainstream of the world was peace and development. When I was 10, 20, I couldn’t really grasp the weight of this statement; by the time I was 30, I realized how painful this understanding was.

At that time, the external threats to the Qing Dynasty did not allow for slow reforms; many things had to be done urgently.

Returning to today’s AfD in Germany and DSA in America, I think I will spend more time discussing these issues. Because when I closed my phone on the airplane, what I thought was

- Whether it's Weidel or the mayor of New York City, they are more like innovators rather than reformers. Many of their views may have a point, but you cannot expect them to collaborate with the establishment. In fact, to some extent, they cannot collaborate with the establishment because their support base is not solid enough, and collaborating with the establishment would weaken their support.

- The external environment does not allow them to slowly reform; whether in Europe or America, there are pressing issues, and there is no time to assign tasks to reformists.

In Chinese history, most successful reforms were quietly carried out, like the two-tax system in the Tang Dynasty. Most failed reforms have become historical cases recorded. I feel that according to the current situation we see, today’s world is tumultuous and does not really seem like a time for gentle reform.

For investments, more volatility and oscillation can happen; an economic cycle every few years in the 1970s is quite possible.

On a personal level, I found it very interesting. Before Zeng Guofan, Hunan people rarely stepped onto the political stage. In the late Qing, many students from Hunan had a very strong desire to make big news, like Tan Sitong and Chen Tianhua. But honestly, this choice didn't help much in substance. I respect it, but have no interest in imitation.

As time went on, the batch of students from Hunan born in the 1890s were much more rational; they were more passionate about reform but also more diplomatic, knowing when to advance and retreat according to the changes of the times. Their ideals may not have changed, but their methods could be very variable. I also thought of Premier Zhu, who recently passed away. To some extent, this man from Hunan born in the 1920s shared the characteristics of that batch of Hunan people: determined yet diplomatic, using the patience of reform to engage in the business of change.

In the end, Li Ao lived a satisfying life. To say I don't envy him would definitely be false; he can certainly be counted as a revolutionary, at least a revolutionary in the cultural field. But sometimes I feel his indulgence at the end was a release after disappointment. The most steadfast can easily break; sometimes those who seem to have the most faith become indifferent after their faith is shattered. In Tan Sitong’s poem, “to stay or leave, kidney and gallbladder two Kunlun,” the story of the Zhao orphans seems to be right before my eyes. What is truly difficult is the long-term endeavor.

Many friends sometimes ask me how to view their choices in this very chaotic era, witnessing increasing political polarization. I previously always felt there wasn’t a good answer. Perhaps there still isn’t, but I think it should be understood as a two-phase process. In the first phase, the establishment and the past order will be broken. At this stage, it is necessary to have the courage to believe in a new world and it is not necessary to trust the original establishment. In the second phase, order will be reestablished, and the previously scorned practices of the establishment should be reconsidered. I believe this might be a major historical turning point that our generation will definitely experience.

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