Chapter 34 Unprovoked Deputy Chief Xiao Xiao Xia

After the signing of the "Four People's Treaties", Yuan Shikai vowed to lead the people to work hard so that one day they could "raise their heads up" with Japan.The book "The History of the Failure of Sino-Japanese Negotiations" written under his instruction has printed 50,000 copies. At that time, he said through gritted teeth: "This time we suffered a big loss. One day we will turn over, this book can released to the public." But what Yuan Shikai had just finished speaking harshly, turned his head to do it, but it was not how to seize the time to enrich the country and strengthen the army, but how to sit on the dragon chair faster and more unhindered.

The wave of restoration did not fall but rose, and Duan Qirui was so worried about it that he decided to meet Yuan Shikai again.After Xu Shuzheng knew about it, he believed that Yuan Shikai had become obsessed with the monarchy, and that the nine-headed bull could not be brought back. If Duan Qirui tried to persuade him again, not only would there be no results, but it would further arouse Yuan Shikai's hatred. Duan Qirui also knew that if the visit was invalid, his situation would be even more unfavorable, but he believed that personal gains and losses were less important than national security, especially he could not just watch Yuan Shikai commit suicide and ignore it.

At this moment, Yuan Shikai sent someone to Duan's mansion to persuade Duan Qirui not to fight against him, so as to eliminate the unhappiness of both parties.Duan Qirui said, I don't want this either, but the establishment of a monarchy is really unpopular. The lobbyist disagreed: "Whether it's the president or the emperor, aren't they all the same thing?" "How can it be the same thing!" Duan Qirui suddenly became serious, and his tone also increased. Seeing Duan Qirui's serious face, the lobbyist hurriedly said, "Zhiquan, the old man has become emperor, what's wrong with you and me?"

"I'm not worrying about myself," Duan Qirui couldn't help expressing his feelings. "It doesn't matter what the old man treats me personally. The important thing is to restore the monarchy, and there will be big troubles! If you really want the president, you should Speak out and persuade, and don't add fuel to the flames." The lobbyist was blushed by the words, hurriedly got up and left. When meeting Yuan Shikai for the third time at the appointed time, Duan Qirui no longer had reservations like the previous two times. He recklessly stated his interests to the other party, explaining that the restoration of the imperial system was related to the national security and endangered Yuan's family and life, and he must not do it. Never do it.

Yuan Shikai's expression was tense at first, and then he became angry from embarrassment. He replied sharply to Duan Qirui: "This is a question discussed by Yuntai (Yuan Keding's word) and Yang Du. Why do you make such a fuss about it?" Duan Qirui also became more excited. He stood up and said loudly: "Qirui has received the President's decades of kindness, and he dare not refuse to offer it directly. At this time, it can be saved by reining in the precipice, otherwise the opportunity will be fleeting. It's too late to regret!" Loyalty is hard to hear, Yuan Shikai has long been impatient with this former "Gancheng Hunk", and when compared with Chen Heng, he finds Duan Qirui's appearance even more detestable.He didn't answer Duan Qirui's question directly, but only said in a caring tone: "You look bad, you think you are sick, you should rest."

Seeing that Yuan Shikai had issued an order to expel the guest, Duan Qirui had no choice but to leave a sentence, "The president can do it for himself", and then left the presidential palace. Yuan Shikai hated Duan Qirui, and he also had a share of "credit" from his imperial team. These people all wished that Duan Qirui would disappear soon—among the veteran Beiyang generals, Yuan Keding was most jealous of Duan Qirui, because Duan Qirui treated him so well. They have always been relentless, and they will never give a smile if they can give a cold face, especially when there is trouble with the monarchy, the two are even more like fire and water, completely hostile.Apart from Yuan Keding, in the eyes of Chen Heng and others, Duan Qirui has always been domineering, so they naturally wouldn't say much good things about Duan Qirui in front of Yuan Shikai.

Seeing Duan Qirui's repeated admonitions, Yuan Keding feared that the activities of the imperial system would be affected by it, so he hurriedly let the air out, saying that the reason why China wanted to surrender to Japan was because the army could not fight, and the army could not fight because there was no one in the Ministry of War. Responsibility, the chief executive does not seek his own government in his position. Duan Qirui has been acquainted with Yuan Keding since his military training at Xiaozhan, and he took good care of him. He never thought that Yuan Keding would pour such dirty water on himself and push all the responsibility for the "Four People's Treaties" on himself. Call Yuan Keding ungrateful.

At this time, Xu Shuzheng submitted a report to Yuan Shikai in the name of the Army Department, asking for instructions to increase the salary of the Army Department members.It was a normal request for instructions, but Yuan Shikai was holding a grudge against Duan Qirui, so he not only returned it, but also personally approved eight words on the report: "If you have a little support, you can't do it!" With Xu Shuzheng's strong personality, how could he bear this!He immediately went straight to Duan's mansion and handed the approval document to Duan Qirui: "If you say we are unpopular, are you scolding me or the chief?"

Reminiscing that Yuan Shikai had asked someone to talk to him recently, telling him to take more rest and pay attention to his body, Duan Qirui realized that Yuan Shikai had a deep prejudice against him. The so-called rest was just asking him to resign and move his seat.In grief and indignation, he sighed and said to Xu Shuzheng, "Forget it, quit!" On May 31, Duan Qirui complained to Yuan Shikai and resigned, and then went to Xishan without waiting for approval. Yuan Shikai wished that Duan Qirui would disappear in front of him as soon as possible, but when Duan Qirui really resigned, he had to pretend to stay.Duan Qirui did not immediately approve Duan Qirui's resignation letter, but specially approved two months of sick leave, and also presented ginseng and medical expenses.

On the day Duan Qirui resigned, Yuan Shikai ordered Wang Shizhen to act as the chief of the army.Wang Shizhen didn't want to do it, but she couldn't stand Yuan Shikai's insistence again and again, so she had to reluctantly do it. Duan Qirui left the Ministry of the Army, and Xu Shuzheng's job was naturally in danger.Soon, the Suzheng Hall impeached him. The "little braid" that Xu Shuzheng was caught was a false report of ammunition.One year, Xu Shuzheng bought a set of ordnance manufacturing equipment from the United States, the total value of which was 930,000 US dollars. The American merchant paid Xu Shuzheng a 3% handling commission.At that time, one U.S. dollar equaled three Chinese silver dollars and three cents. Calculated, Xu Shuzheng could get a commission of more than ninety thousand yuan, but he didn't put a cent in his pocket, but directly asked Duan Qirui and Yuan Shikai for instructions.

Yuan Shikai replied that since it was a commission stipulated by American businessmen, it could be accepted. If the amount was too large for private use, he might as well use it for educational undertakings.Xu Shuzheng obeyed his words and really used the funds to set up a school and a newspaper in Beijing. What Yuan Shikai disliked about Xu Shuzheng was his "domineering seizing of power" and his status as Duan Qirui's brain trust and soul, but this alone could not convict him, so he brought up this past incident, saying that Xu Shuzheng had falsely reported 400,000 yuan when ordering arms. Yuan. In June 1915, Yuan Shikai issued an order to dismiss the three deputy ministers including Xu Shuzheng (the Deputy Minister of Communications, the Deputy Minister of Finance, and the Deputy Minister of the Army) on the grounds of bribery and malpractice. It is called "Three Long Participation Cases". At this time, Yuan Shikai had changed the governors of the provinces to generals.Generals from various provinces were summoned to Beijing for a meeting, which happened to coincide with the recall case.A newspaper of the Japanese embassy in Beijing published a doggerel on this, satirizing it as "Unprovoked deputy minister Xiao Xiao, endless generals are rolling in."