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Mr. K'ang Yu-wei was born at Nan-Hai Hsien, Kuangtung province, in 1856. He became a provincial graduate in 1893 and a Metropolitan Graduate in 1895. The famous school called Wan Mu Tsao Tang at Canton was founded by Mr. K'ang and was the place where he taught a large number of Chinese scholars from all over the land. Among those who later became distinguished are Mr. Liang Chi-chiao, the late Hsu Chin and the late T'ang Chu-teng. Mr. Kang Yu-wei is a well-known reformer, having started his campaign in favor of reform in the South during the Sino-Japanese war in 1894-95 by means of leaflets and lectures. He petitioned the Imperial government advising it not to mako peace with Japan and suggesting immediate reforms. On June 14, 1898, he received an audience from the late Emperor Kwang Hsu on the recommendation of Weng T'ung-ho, the Imperial Tutu. He at once obtained strong influence over the Emperor, whose famous reform decrees of 1898 were inspired by him. A plot to prevent the Empress Dowager from actively interfering in politics laid by Kang Yu-wei and his followers was reported to the Empress Dowager by Yuan Shih-kai, then Viceroy of Chihli, who was prompted to do so through fear of losing his own power should Kang's party became predominant.