Chapter 100 1. The Japanese Minister enters Jurentang at night

Not long after Cai E and Wang Kaiyun entered Beijing, a war broke out in Europe that lasted four years and had a profound impact on the world. Historians call it the First World War.One side of the war was the Allied Powers formed by Germany and Austria-Hungary, and the other was the Entente Powers formed by Russia, France, and Great Britain. After the outbreak of the war, Yuan Shikai did not want to offend his admired Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany, nor Britain, the world's most powerful country, and his long-time friend Minister Zhu Erdian. He declared that the government of the Republic of China remained neutral on the European War.The Japanese government saw a great opportunity when the Western powers were fighting civil wars in Europe and had no time to take care of Asia, so they decided to take advantage of the fire, exclude Western countries, and regard China as their exclusive colony.

In the autumn of this year, Japan dispatched more than 20,000 troops on land and sea, together with a small number of British troops, to form an Anglo-Japanese coalition force and declare war on Germany.This coalition army did not go to Germany or other European countries, but attacked the German army that had occupied Jiaozhou Bay in China.Two months later, the Japanese army captured Qingdao and captured more than 2,000 German troops. German Governor Wardeck was imprisoned in Honganji Temple in Tokyo. land.In the plan of the Japanese militaristic government, this is only the first step. They will use this to push forward step by step, and finally achieve the goal of annexing the whole of China.

Japanese Minister Hikiichi found out Yuan Keding's political secrets and reported to Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma.Okuma instructed the Minister to make full use of this opportunity to make great contributions to the Great Japanese Empire.Nichii revealed to Yuan Keding through private channels: China should have an emperor, just like Japan should have an emperor. If China restores the imperial system, Japan will definitely support it. Yuan Keding was very excited after receiving the news, and asked someone to tell Ri Zhiyi that he would be invited to meet the President later. Over the past few months, Yuan Keding has made a lot of efforts to realize his grand ideal, and has also received a lot of practical results.Except for Yang Du, he has gathered a large number of think tanks around him.They either advise him, create imperial public opinion for him, or raise funds for him.In the provinces, he also has the support of some chief executives.What is especially important is to win over a group of powerful figures in the military, such as General Tang Xiangming from Hunan, General Lu Jianzhang from Shaanxi, General Yan Xishan from Shanxi, and Fengtian Commander Zhang Zuolin all expressed their firm loyalty to Prince Yuan.

Taking advantage of Yuan Shikai's repeated anger at Duan Qirui, Feng Guozhang and others, as well as a large number of former Beiyang generals, Yuan Keding, with the help of think tanks, promptly put forward a proposal to establish a model group, which Yuan Shikai accepted.Yuan Shikai also wanted to use this to cultivate a group of influence for his son, so he deliberately arranged Yuan Keding to be the head of the model group.When he asked for Duan Qirui's opinion, Duan denied it outright, which made him unable to step down, so he had to serve concurrently. Chen Guangyuan, the guard envoy of Chifeng, was appointed as the deputy head of the regiment, and Wang Shizhen and Yuan Keding were appointed as clerks.This matter made Yuan Keding hate Duan Qirui even more.

Of course, Yuan Shikai was using his name, and Chen Guangyuan and Wang Shizhen also knew about it, so they basically stayed out of it. The model regiment actually became Yuan Keding's army.Yuan Keding deliberately left aside the Tianjin Armed Forces Academy controlled by Duan Qirui, and selected outstanding graduates from the Baoding Military Academy and the Army Accelerated School as officers of the model regiment, and selected a group of middle and lower-level officers from various divisions of the Beiyang Army to serve as models Regimental officers and soldiers.On the first day of joining the regiment, all officers and soldiers swore an oath to Yuan Shikai's portrait: "Obey orders, serve the country faithfully, defend the people with sincerity, respect superiors, risk their lives, be faithful in words and deeds, practice hard work, and not join the party committee."

Yuan Keding plans to run five phases.Graduation every half a year, each person will be given a saber upon graduation, and will be upgraded to a higher level to return to the original army.In the first phase, 1,000 people were trained, and in the fifth phase, 5,000 people were trained, which could equip ten divisions with officers at all levels.Yuan Keding calculated: In this way, he will have the strength of ten divisions in his hands, and then he will be the real Li Shimin.Of course, to be Li Shimin, the most critical step is to have your father be Li Yuan first.In several chats, Yuan Keding intentionally disclosed the intention of the imperial system for self-reliance, and Yuan Shikai obviously showed great interest in this.However, Yuan Keding, who was good at figuring out his father's mind, also saw from it that his father still had two concerns: one was fear of disapproval from foreign powers, and the other was fear of domestic opposition.Now the largest power in Asia and the closest relationship with China, Imperial Japan, has expressed support for China's restoration of the imperial system, which is of great benefit to allaying the first concern.

That night, Yuan Keding accompanied Japanese Minister Hiki Yi into Zhongnanhai Jurentang. Masayoshi Hiki was in his early fifties, thin and small, with a beard under his dry pointed nose, and a pair of gold-rimmed tortoiseshell lenses covering his two small eyes that often turned quickly.This talented student who graduated from the Law Department of Tokyo Imperial University is a language genius. He is proficient in English, German, and French. He has been influenced by his family since he was a child. He is not only fluent in Chinese, but also has a lot of research on Sinology.His talent was quickly appreciated by the government, and he was sent as an envoy to Chile, Argentina and other countries.In the year of Gengzi, he came to Beijing and served as the first-class counselor of the Japanese embassy in China.The first major event of his counselor was the suppression of the Boxer Regiment by the Eight-Power Allied Forces.Niichi Masaki has lived in China for 14 years, and he is familiar with China's national conditions, and has dealt with Yuan Shikai many times, and he also knows this powerful minister of the Qing Dynasty and the president of the Republic of China very well.

"Hello, Mr. Minister!" Yuan Shikai stepped into the reception room and extended his hand to Ri Zhiyi.Because Germany and Japan were in an enemy state, Yuan Shikai took off the German-style military casual clothes he usually wears and changed into a black Chinese-style robe. "Good night, Mr. President!" Wearing a light gray suit and a tie with a blue ground and white pattern, Masayoshi Hiki stood up quickly, first bent his hands vertically, bowed deeply, and then stretched out his right hand to hold it with Yuan Shikai.In front of the briquette-like Chinese president, the Japanese envoy looks like an imported cigarette.

"Please sit down, please sit down!" Yuan Shikai pointed to the sofa with a smile on his face, and personally took out a cigar from the small iron box on the coffee table, and invited Ri Zhiyi to smoke it.Hikima politely declined.Yuan Shikai turned his face to his son standing beside him and said, "Keding, go and make a cup of good tea for Mr. Minister yourself." "Don't dare, don't dare." Hijimashi showed a humble professional smile on his face. "The President has been busy for a day, and I'm sorry to disturb you again." "Where, where." Yuan Shikai smoked a cigar by himself. "We have been old friends for many years. I am very happy to meet you. Tonight we are chatting among friends. In the words of your country, chatting with friends is the best rest."

Masayoshi Hiki smiled and said, "Yes, yes, it is a great honor to be able to chat casually with the President." "Mr. Minister has been in China for more than ten years." Yuan Shikai exhaled a puff of cigarettes, and casually opened the conversation. "It's been fourteen years." Hiki Masaki blinked his eyes and recalled. "When I came to your country, there was a riot in Boxer Boxing. At that time, the President was serving as the governor of Shandong. Your determination to suppress the rioters is still admirable to this day." "The boxing of Yihe is for fooling the people. It is not surprising that the foolish people come up with some gods and ghosts. What is strange is that there were a group of ministers who supported the country around Lafayette back then. It is absurd!" Yuan Shikai put on a look of foresight. Come on. "I have asked Lafayette many times to suppress the Boxers, not condone them. I will never show mercy to them in Shandong, so there is no chaos in Shandong."

Rizhi Masuke complimented: "I still remember that Mr. Li Hongzhang made a memorial that year, saying that the situation at that time was that the situation was quiet and cloudy, and Qilu was calm. He praised the calm social order in Shandong. Because of this, the next year Mr. Li On the eve of his death, he sent a letter to the imperial court, saying that there was no one who was better than the President, and suggested that the President should succeed him as the Governor of Zhili. Mr. Li is a man who knows heroes with his eyes. After him, the world of the Qing Dynasty really depends on the support of the President. " Yuan Shikai was very happy when he heard this, but said modestly: "Minister is serious. Zhang Xiang is handsome and highly respected. He is the pillar of the country." "Of course, Mr. Zhang Zhidong was also a cadre of your country, but he was old and sick at that time. He had more energy than energy, and the burden of the country was actually on you alone, President." Hiki Seeing that the heat had come, he deliberately brought the topic into the established track. "I am fortunate to have been living in Beijing during the period of your country's upheaval, and witnessed this great change with my own eyes. In the past three or four years, I have congratulated that your country has finally recognized the president as the leader of the country after a period of chaos. All factions unanimously support the President, but I have observed it calmly for many years, and I am deeply worried about the future of your country." Yuan Shikai took off the cigar in his mouth and asked seriously: "Mr. Minister, what are you worried about?" "I am worried that the disasters in your country have not stopped." Hiji Masayoshi looked at Yuan Shikai and said with a very sincere attitude, "The president is young and powerful, and he has still been in power for a long time. It is not appropriate to talk about the funeral. But we are old Friends, there is no need to be taboo about these things, there will always be a day, not to mention that the president is the head of the country, discussing this matter is not disrespectful to the president himself, but responsible to the country." Yuan Shikai smiled frankly: "I don't shy away from this matter, so you can speak up with confidence!" "The President deserves to be a true hero!" Hiji Masayoshi said with a serious expression while adjusting his glasses habitually, "The root cause of this disaster is precisely the presidential system currently in place in your country. A successor is chosen from among the people, but it is not reliable." Hijimasaki was referring to the revised presidential election law that was just announced.The main contents of the new election law are: the ten-year term of the president, can be re-elected.Before the election, the President recommended three candidates, which were written on the Jiahe Golden Slips, sealed with the National Seal, and hidden in the Golden Chamber Stone Room. The President holds the key to open the Golden Chamber. , The Secretary of State is divided into one.Yuan Shikai believes that this method is feasible, and it can ensure that the chosen successor must be the person he chooses.He even thought that his son's name could be written on all three candidates, for example, Yuan Keding, Yuan Kewen, and Yuan Keliang, so no matter who is elected, his son will be the president.The Japanese envoy expressed a different opinion.He valued the difference in the foreigner's eyes. "Mr. Minister, please explain in detail." Yuan Shikai looked modest and amiable. "Mr. President, in addition to the President, there are also the President of the Senate and the Secretary of State who are in charge of the key to the Golden Chamber and Stone Chamber. If they tamper with the Golden Harvest Slip after the death of the President, wouldn't they easily change the name of the successor? ?” One sentence woke up Yuan Shikai.Yes, how can things be preserved after death? There are countless examples of tampering with wills in the past dynasties.Can the Golden Chamber and Stone Chamber guarantee absolute secrecy? "Everyone wants to fight for the throne of the President, which will inevitably lead to war, which will be very detrimental to the country and the people. This is one of them." Ri Zhi stared at Yuan Shikai's fat black face through the tortoiseshell film with increasingly cold eyes.Seeing Yuan Shikai's serious expression, he emphasized his tone. "Secondly, it is also very detrimental to the President himself. There is an old saying in your country: People live in government, but people die in government. The cause that the President has worked so hard to start, is expected to be inherited and carried forward. The great achievements that the President has made for the country in his life are also I hope that future generations will remember the gratitude. But as a hero, the President will naturally offend many people. If the successor is the President's opponent, once he takes office, he will overthrow all the systems set by the President. The president himself will do his best to slander and slander. Maybe the president will not be a hero in your country's history in the future, but a sinner." The weather was already cold, but Yuan Shikai felt chills down his spine after hearing Hijimashi's words.Although Yuan Shikai is not very good at reading books, he was born in a scholarly family after all, and he has read a lot of the Twenty-Four Histories. If you want to find examples in Chinese history, you would be humble picked up. "Mr. Minister, do you have any good ideas to improve China's presidential system?" Yuan Shikai asked.In fact, he had thought about this aspect for a long time.He has never been in favor of the democratic republic system, but the situation in 1911 forced him to change direction. Now that he has become the official president of the Republic of China, he has no choice but to maintain it.Over the past few years, he has worked hard to reduce the elements of the democratic republic while increasing the elements of autocracy.Measures such as dissolving the parliament, changing the State Council into a government affairs hall, abolishing provinces and establishing roads, etc., were all taken for this goal. "There is no good way to improve your country's current system. The president has adopted everything that should be taken. But with all due respect, none of these measures is a policy for long-term stability." Ri Zhiyi picked up his teacup, very educated He took a deep breath, paused for a while and said, "There are many reasons for this, the most important one is what the President mentioned at the beginning, the people of your country are still in ignorance, not only the common people, but also the senior officials, Geng What happened in Zi Nian is an excellent proof. Please forgive me, the President. I definitely did not maliciously attack your country. The people and officials of our country are equally ignorant. Therefore, if our country wants to be rich and strong, we cannot implement the Western presidential system, but only the effective emperor system.” Yuan Shikai agreed with Rizhiyi's words from the bottom of his heart.State affairs can only be ruled by a sage king. If the king is not a sage, he will be ruled by a virtuous minister. If he is not a virtuous one, he will be replaced.So the way to be a king is to choose a prime minister carefully.It has never been used to deal with state affairs in the way of holding a general meeting and talking about it.These congressmen since the Republic of China thought they were honest gentlemen who were knowledgeable, strategic, and caring about the country's dignity. In fact, most of them were hypocrites and cowards who could be bought with a lot of money and frightened with a gun.Yuan Shikai had already seen through their souls and despised these members of parliament.The common people call them "Piggy Members". Yuan Shikai fully agrees with them, so he wants to dissolve the Congress.In order to perfunctory the situation, another Senate had to be established.This is really just a deception. He never puts the Senate in his eyes.He already knew the purpose of Hijimasu's visit tonight, so he might as well clarify this idea hidden in his heart and find out Japan's attitude towards this matter. He took out another cigar from the tin box, struck a match, and said in a casual manner: "Mr. Minister, according to your opinion, it is best for China to restore the imperial system instead of the presidential system, just like your country. " "Exactly!" Ri Zhiyi immediately affirmed clearly. "Our government very much hopes that your country will have a national system similar to ours as soon as possible, and I hope that the President will be able to ascend to the throne of emperor according to the will of God. I have been ordered to express to the President: As long as the future Chinese Empire and the Japanese Empire maintain the same With friendly and friendly relations, the Empire of Japan will do its best to support all the actions of Mr. President." It turned out that the Japanese envoy came to express this important attitude. To Yuan Shikai, who was yearning for the throne of the emperor, it was like rain on a dry day. He really wanted to stand up and hug Hikiichi, and express his heartfelt thanks to him, and through him to the Japanese government , It also needs to be explained that with the support of Japan, he will definitely transform the state system quickly, and then hope to get greater support. But the fifty-five-year-old President of the Republic of China, although his blood is burning fiercely, his mind is still calm.He knew that if he expressed his attitude to Japan, he would undoubtedly announce to the whole world the attempt of the imperial system to act on its own.I once declared that I will always defend the democratic republic system, how can I slap myself in the face?This matter needs to be considered in the long term. Yuan Shikai suppressed the joy in his heart, and said calmly: "China has implemented a presidential system for three or four years, and the old imperial system cannot be restored, and I am getting old, and I have no idea of ​​becoming an emperor. Thank you, Mr. the goodwill of the Chinese government.” Yuan Keding, who was sitting next to him and kept silent, knew his father well. Acting in front of others was his specialty. It was rare for him to speak the truth to his subordinates who had followed him for many years, let alone a foreign minister?On behalf of the Japanese government, Hiki Masaki expressed this attitude to him in person, and the purpose of this trip has been achieved, and there is no need to wait for his attitude immediately. Yuan Keding smiled and said to Ri Zhiyi: "Mr. Minister's friendly attitude makes us very grateful. China should learn a lot from your country. My father will seriously consider the proposal just made by the Minister." Ri Zhiyi understood the meaning of Yuan Keding's words, so he stood up and said goodbye. After seeing off the Japanese minister, Yuan's father and son had a heart-to-heart talk. Yuan Shikai confessed to his son: "It is impossible for China to implement a republic. It must implement a monarchy. I understand this in my heart. But now the republic has been implemented for three or four years, and many people have benefited from it. If the state system is changed, there will be a lot of problems. Incur their opposition. In addition, we have a big enemy, that is the Kuomintang. Now Sun Wen, Huang Xing and others are abroad, and they will wait for an opportunity to retaliate at any time. Don't underestimate the Revolutionary Party, they are very powerful. Foreigners, I have dealt with them for decades, and I know that their every move is for their own interests. Words such as friendship are fake and bait. You can’t believe all the words of the Japanese envoy. Besides, there are British, German , France and other countries, I don’t know what their attitude is. Do you know what the attitude of all walks of life in the country is?” Yuan Keding replied: "After a rough test, the vast majority of people in the military and political circles hope that my father will soon be in power." Yuan Shikai thought for a long time with his cigar in his mouth, and said, "There are two points, I want to make it clear to you." Yuan Keding straightened his chest and said, "Which two points? Please enlighten my father." "First, there is no rush." ​​Yuan Shikai took a deep breath on his cigar, and then let it out slowly. "Create the atmosphere first." Yuan Keding nodded and said: "Father's instruction is correct. Dr. Nagao Ariga is the most famous constitutional expert in Japan. His article "On the Emperor's System" was published in "Tokyo Daily". The imperial system is of great help. I am going to have someone translate it and publish it in several important newspapers in the country." "Oh, yes." Yuan Shikai patted the sofa lightly with his left hand. "Also, Dr. Goodnow, a famous American political scientist, will come to China next month. He advocates the monarchy. I asked him to write a special paper on this aspect, which will also be published in the newspaper." "Good!" Yuan Shikai patted on the sofa again. "Gudnow is an American, and writing this kind of article is more convincing than the Japanese. However, it is not good for foreigners, and we have to rely on our own people to do it." With his father's approval, the eldest son's interest increased greatly: "I think this matter should be done by Yang Xizi." "Yang Du is too bookish, not to mention that he has changed his past constitutional views, and now he is going back. I don't know if he is willing to do it." "He is willing to do it." Yuan Keding said excitedly, "Yang Xizi's bookishness is heavy, but his official addiction is even stronger. I joked with him that the imperial system was successful and let him be the prime minister. Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui are self-proclaimed, as if they have already been slaughtered." Yuan Shikai smiled and said: "Yang Du is smart, but a little too smart. His mood fluctuates easily. When he is in a good mood, it is so hot that he can boil a pot of water; when he is not in a good mood, it is so cold that he can freeze into a piece of ice. Last time I asked him Living in Chunyi Zhai, he thought he was going to be the Secretary of State, and gave me a report every day. Later, Juren became the Secretary of State, and it is said that he closed the door to welcome guests for more than a month. Yang Du can use it, but he can’t be a prime minister. He is not a big The material of the equipment." "Father is right. There are so many people like Yang Xizi, so it is impossible to let him be prime minister." Yuan Keding said, "What is the second point that father just said?" "Second point, I won't come forward, this matter is up to you. Until everything is ready, I will not publicly announce that I accept the monarchy, and I have to always deny the idea that the monarchy is for itself. Do you understand this?" Yuan Shikai stared at his son and asked. Yuan Keding didn't have his father's talent for making maneuvers and hard-working habits, but he learned his father's ingenious and deceitful means of turning clouds and rain. He understood his father's second point, and hurriedly said: "Father is thinking about it. Father should not come forward at all in this matter." , let the son instruct Yang Xizi, Liang Yansun and the others to do it. At that time, the father only needs to board the dragon chair and accept the congratulations of civil and military officials." The father and son talked heart-to-heart for most of the night, drawing a beautiful blueprint for the future Yuan Dynasty.