Chapter 14 14. Restoration of Zhang Xun

In mid-June 1917, under the guidance of the emperor's teachers Chen Baochen and Liang Dingfen, Zhang Xun entered the palace to have a kowtow to Puyi, the former Qing Xun emperor.According to Pu Yi’s recollection, when he first saw Zhang Xun, he was “somewhat disappointed.” He was “wearing a gauze gown, with a black red face, heavy eyebrows, and chubby.” “His braid did have one, It's white."Zhang Xun didn't stay in the palace for a long time this time, he only saw Puyi for about five or six minutes, and then left. Half a month later, on July 1st, three of Puyi's masters, Chen Baochen, Liang Dingfen, and Zhu Yifan, came in to look for Puyi together. Their faces were very solemn, as if something terrible was about to happen.Then, Chen Baochen spoke first:

"Zhang Xun came early in the morning..." "Oh, he came to say hello again?" "It's not about asking for peace, but everything is ready and everything is in order. Come and support the emperor's return to listen to the government, and the restoration of the Qing Dynasty!" Thirteen-year-old Puyi was still ignorant, Master Chen hurriedly said to him: "The emperor must agree to Zhang Xun, this is a plea for the people, heaven and man will return..." Only then did Puyi realize that he was going to be the emperor again! Chen Baochen also confessed: "At that time, you don't need to say much to Zhang Xun, just promise him. However, don't agree immediately, but you should decline first, and finally say: 'Since this is the case, just refrain from doing it!'"

Puyi then arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Not long after, Zhang Xun led a group of people in, including Wang Shizhen, Jiang Chaozong, Zhang Zhenfang, Lei Zhenchun, Kang Youwei and others.After seeing Puyi, Zhang Xun knelt down first, took out a memorial and said: "The Empress Dowager Longyu couldn't bear to let the people suffer for the dignity of the same name, so she issued an edict to establish a republic. Who knew that the people would not be able to live... A republic is not in line with our national conditions, only when the emperor is restored can the people be saved..."

After Zhang Xun finished reading, Puyi declined according to what his master had taught him: "I am too young, without talent and virtue, to be such a big job." Repeatedly. Puyi said: "What about the big president? Give him preferential treatment or something?" Zhang Xun smiled and said: "Li Yuanhong please let him abdicate himself, and the emperor will approve his request." Having said that, Puyi no longer refuses: "In this case, I will reluctantly do it!" Since Puyi agreed, Zhang Xun led a group of elders to kneel down and kowtow, shouting long live, and then took out the resetting imperial edict drafted by Kang Youwei, and asked Puyi to "review" it and stamp it.Ever since, the sixth year of the Republic of China became the ninth year of Xuantong.

Things came a little abruptly, so I have to rewind them. After Yuan Shikai's death in 1916, Li Yuanhong succeeded as the President, and soon there was a "controversial dispute" with Prime Minister Duan Qirui.Duan Qirui is not a soft persimmon who can be bullied casually. He then instigated the governors of the Beiyang faction to oppose Li Yuanhong and then declared the independence of the provinces, so that Li Yuanhong voluntarily resigned after he could not continue. When Li Yuanhong was in a state of desperation, Zhang Xun, who claimed to be the "Lord of the Overseer Army", suddenly sent a telegram and expressed his willingness to go to Beijing for mediation.Li Yuanhong was overjoyed when he heard this, as if he had grasped a life-saving straw, he immediately replied to invite Zhang Xun to Beijing, and sent a special car to Xuzhou to meet him.

On June 7, under the banner of "defending the capital and mediating state affairs", Zhang Xun personally led a total of ten battalions of braided troops (about 5,000 people) of infantry, horses, and artillery from Xuzhou to the north along Jinpu Road. Beijing.After the braided army entered Beijing, the old and young from all walks of life were inexplicably excited, and immediately dispatched one after another, quietly entering Beijing. On June 28, an old man dressed as a farmer quietly walked out of the Beijing Railway Station. His face was covered with a cattail fan, and his movements were surreptitious. At first glance, he was not conspicuous at all.But as soon as he stepped out of the station, four braided soldiers came up to meet him, respectfully picked up the old man into the car, and then galloped away.

Who is this old man?Speaking of which, Kang Youwei, the former director of the Ministry of Industry and the protagonist of the Reform Movement of 1898, is famous.Don't underestimate Mr. Kang, he is coming to Beijing this time for a big event, and in his pocket, isn't he hiding the restoration proclamation to be released and several pre-planned edicts? On the issue of restoration, Zhang Xun's chief of staff, Wan Shengshi, was very congenial with Kang Youwei, and had introduced Kang Youwei to Zhang Xun before.After Zhang Xun met Kang Youwei, they talked very happily, and regretted seeing each other so late.Of these two people, one respects literature and the other respects martial arts, and they like to talk about each other, so there is a saying in the elderly community that there are "two sages of civil and martial arts".

After Kang Youwei arrived in Beijing, he was taken to Zhang Xun's house immediately, and a group of restoration figures had already gathered together, including Wan Shengshi, Zhang Zhenfang, Lei Zhenchun, Shen Zengzhi, Hu Siyuan, Lao Naixuan, Ruan Zhongshu, Gu Yuan, etc.This group of people held a meeting overnight and prepared the restoration matters as quickly as possible, such as edicts, edicts, official appointments, etc., and only waited for Zhang Xun's order to change the dynasty and revisit the old dream. On June 30th, the Jiangxi Guild Hall held a church meeting, and Zhang Xun, Zhang Xun, a master among the folks, was also invited to attend.Zhang Xun is a fan of theater, and this time Mei Lanfang was on stage again, so he took advantage of the excitement and left.In the evening, Zhang Xun returned to his mansion after the night banquet. Seeing that the house was brightly lit and crowded with people, he was in a daze. As soon as he entered the door, he was surrounded by Wan Shengshi and others and presented him with an elegant document.Zhang Xun took a few glances, was slightly taken aback, and asked, "Are you going to do it tonight?" Wan Shengshi said, "The commander-in-chief's ambition to restore the restoration has not lasted for a day, and now is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. when?"

Zhang Xun was still reeking of alcohol, and after listening to Wan Shengshi's encouragement, his heart became excited. He rolled up his sleeves and said loudly: "It's right, it's right! My old Zhang will do this!" After saying that, Zhang Xun ordered people to go separately to invite several famous officials in the capital, such as Wang Shizhen, the army chief, Jiang Chaozong, the infantry commander, Wu Bingxiang, the police chief, and Chen Guangyuan, the commander of the 20th division stationed in Gyeonggi.After everyone came together, Zhang Xun jumped up the steps and loudly announced the great cause of restoration.When someone suggested that the matter was too hasty, Zhang Xun glared and said: "If you want to do it, do it, don't want mothers-in-law! If this matter fails, I, Lao Zhang, will take care of it. If anyone doesn't cooperate today, don't blame my ruthless subordinates!"

That night, Zhang Xun ordered Wang Shizhen and Wu Bingxiang to put the braided army into the city. When the cock crowed and the sky was getting brighter, Zhang Dashuai invited everyone to have a hearty meal, and then asked everyone present to change into the robes of the previous court.At this time, Zhang Xun's subordinate commander came over and reported that our army had occupied the key points inside and outside the city, and everything was properly arranged. After hearing this, Zhang Xun jumped up and said loudly: "Okay, I will enter the palace now, please restore Emperor Xuantong That's it!"

Under the escort of the braided army, Zhang Xun and his party came to the Qing Palace.Since there was no negotiation before, people in the Qing palace were scared by these people and ran away. Those inside went to report to Concubine Jin and Concubine Yu, and those outside hurriedly reported to Qing Taibao Shixu.When the two concubines and Shixu arrived and asked why they came, Zhang Xun said: "Today the restoration, please young master to go to the palace." After hearing this, Shi Xu was so frightened that he almost fell off his chair. He asked in a trembling voice, "Who claims this?" Zhang Xun took a step forward and said with a sinister smile, "I, Old Zhang, are in charge, what are you afraid of?" After Shixu heard this, he kowtowed and bled, and shouted that he couldn't do it. Seeing Shixu like this, the two concubines were also very frightened, and said: "General, if this fails, won't it harm my whole family?" Zhang Xun was annoyed when he heard this: "With the veteran here, don't worry!" Shixu was still there kowtowing to object, Zhang Xun couldn't bear it, and said sharply: "Do you want to restore the restoration?!" Shi Xu saw that this kind of reckless man was blindly reckless, if he didn't follow his words, maybe something else would happen, so he had to go to the palace with the two concubines to invite the little emperor Xuantong, and thus the above scene happened. After Zhang Xun announced the restoration, he sent a telegram to the whole country immediately, and in the telegram denounced all kinds of chaos in the early years of the Republic of China, saying that "it is called the Republic of China, but it does not know that there are people; The foundation of the country will inevitably be shaken"; and if we look into the reason, it is because of the "bad constitution of the country" and the implementation of the republic. According to the understanding of conservatives such as Zhang Xun, the so-called republican system, "a president who changes every five years, will cause a big chaos; a prime minister who changes every year or a few months, there will be a little chaos." .Therefore, on behalf of the common people, Zhang Xun said indignantly: "How innocent are the ordinary people, who are tortured! How far is the distance between those who regard the monarch as the world and enjoy the happiness of hundreds or decades!" According to Zhang Xun's logic, in the early years of the Republic of China, the president and prime minister changed like a revolving door, and it was always impossible to get it right. In the end, we still had to return to autocracy... If this is the case, why not introduce the traditional emperor?This is more stable! In the next few days, the Forbidden City, which had been deserted since the Qing emperor abdicated, immediately became noisy and lively again.First of all, the elders and the former Qing officials, these people came to see the reinstated emperor one after another, greeted the emperor, thanked them for their kindness, and wished to be reinstated immediately; then, after the fall of the Qing Dynasty, they fled to Qingdao The Manchu relatives and dignitaries in Tianjin, Tianjin and other places have also returned. They thought their good life was about to begin again! It's not just in the imperial palace that is lively, Beijing City also needs to have a new atmosphere of restoration.It was early in the morning on the day when the restoration was announced, the police went door-to-door to notify: Lord Xuantong has been restored, and the dragon flag will be hoisted immediately!When the good news came, the adherents of the people, as if they had won the Mark Six lottery, hurriedly dug out the Qianqing robes and coats that had been treasured for many years and pressed in the deepest part of the closet, put them on, and walked happily all over the street. Well, those old gowns and gowns that were originally outdated and unsalable on the market immediately became the most sought-after commodities at that time.Before it was time for lunch, these clothes from the previous court had already been snapped up.The elders who couldn't buy it racked their brains, some went to the theater troupe to buy the costumes of the former dynasty for singing at a high price, and some even went to the shroud shop... because the shroud shop also has the clothes of the former dynasty. This is good, the streets of Beijing are like a group of demons dancing wildly, and all kinds of people have come out. The robes and gowns of the previous dynasty were easy to handle, but the dragon flag was more troublesome. Therefore, it has been nearly six years since the fall of the Qing Dynasty, and the dragon flag has long been lost.Being forced to do nothing, the guys in those shops pasted up a pennant with paper, drew a small dragon, painted it yellow and hung it up.The most amusing thing is that some people's painting skills are not up to standard, and the little yellow dragon is painted like a dead snake, which is really a disgrace.But no matter what, the rows of paper flags fluttering in the wind in the streets and alleys are really a new look, really changing the world. During the restoration period, there was one thing that is quite commendable, that is, whether the Manchu relatives had braids or not, Zhang Xun completely abandoned them.For example, Beizi Pulun, who cut off his braids after the abdication of the Qing emperor and participated in the politics of the Republic of China, was seen by Zhang Xun when he participated in the pilgrimage, and was scolded as the unworthy son of Aixinjueluo.Pu Lun argued: "Emperor Xuantong had already issued an edict to cut braids before he abdicated." Lao Zhang said: "Even so, you have violated the orders of your ancestors. I am a Han, and I know to abide by the emperor's legacy. !" Pu Lun sarcastically said: "Yes, it's a pity that you are not a descendant of the Qing family!" Zhang Xun was furious after hearing this, and scolded sharply: "I am a minister, a minister is a son!" Can retreat silently. Pu Lun was just robbed by Zhang Xun, and Prince Gong Pu Wei even hit the muzzle of the gun.According to the notebook "The Shady Story of Restoration", Pu Wei was originally one of the leaders of the Clan Socialist Party. He traveled to and from Tianjin, Shanghai and other places all the year round, working hard for the great cause of restoration.This time Zhang Xun was restored, but he was not notified. Pu Wei was very angry, so he went to Zhang Xun to question and denounce him as a crime of monopoly. After Zhang Xun heard this, he retorted and said: "Since ancient times, those who have made great achievements have to be the first to go first. Who asked you to come today and want to get a good position. How can there be such a cheap thing in the world?" After hearing this, Pu Wei scolded Zhang Xun forgot his roots, and Lao Zhang became angry when he heard it, and suddenly got up and slapped Pu Wei several times.Pu Wei was the hereditary Prince Gong (grandson of Prince Gong Yixin) from the previous dynasty. He was suddenly slapped by Zhang Xun, and it took him a long time to react: "Did you actually beat your relatives?!" Zhang Xun said with a grinning grin: " Now besides the emperor, I am the biggest, even if I hit you, there is nothing rare!" The princes, Baylor, and Beizi of the original clan social party were very angry about Zhang Xun and others' behavior of crowding out the Manchu relatives.When the imperial teacher Chen Baochen heard about it, he hurriedly told Pu Yi, "This dynasty handed over the country in 1911, and it was the princes and nobles who interfered in the government. Now they are going to make troubles. I am really confused! The emperor must not agree to them!" Fortunately, the grievances of the princes and nobles have not yet finished, and the rebel army has already hit Beijing.Ever since, this group of people ran away like they did back then. In the prosperous scene after the restoration, the most discordant is the presidential palace that still hangs the five-color flag and the great president Li Yuanhong who refuses to resign.After the news of the restoration came, Li Yuanhong regretted and hated at the same time, and now he knew the result of rushing to the doctor in a hurry.Soon, Liang Dingfen, Jiang Chaozong and Wang Shizhen came to the presidential palace under the order of Zhang Xun, asking Li Yuanhong to resign immediately and accept the title of "first class public". Both Liang Dingfen and Li Yuanhong had worked together under Zhang Zhidong before, thinking that this would be an instant success, and Li Yuanhong would be able to step down as president and receive the title smoothly.But what he didn't expect was that Li Yuanhong was quite firm on the issue of republicanism. Before that, he had rejected Yuan Shikai's title of "Prince Wuyi" when he proclaimed himself emperor, and this time was no exception.When Liang Dingfen took out the document of "returning the state affairs" that had been drawn up and handed it to Li Yuanhong for sealing, Li Yuanhong refused: "The Republic of China is a public property of the people. I am entrusted by the people to be the president. How can public opinion be decided by individuals?" Liang Dingfen sneered and said: "The government of the Republic is based on the old things of the first dynasty, and it should be returned to the emperor. Restoration is God's will, and the people's hearts are like this. Marshal Zhang just followed the sky and responded to others, so he did this move. You have also been dismissed before, and the 1911 coup d'etat , and it is not the general will, now that the great government is returned, and the heavenly wealth is enjoyed in peace, it is neither a burden to the Qing family nor to the Republic of China, isn't it a good thing that kills two birds with one stone?" After hearing this, Li Yuanhong didn't say a word, and once again took out the magic weapon of the clay bodhisattva, despite Liang Dingfen's repeated urging and persuasion with Wang Shizhen and Jiang Chaozong, he ignored it.Liang Dingfen and others had no choice but to report back to Zhang Xun, saying that Li Yuanhong refused to abdicate.After Zhang Xun heard this, he snorted and said, "You all step back first, I have a solution." After Liang Dingfen returned to the palace, the more he thought about it, the more angry he became. He invited two masters, Chen Baochen and Zhu Yifan, to come in to find Puyi and demanded that Li Yuanhong be severely punished.According to Puyi's recollection, Chen Baochen's face was ashen at that time, and the smile he used to have before was completely gone. The old master almost lost control and said to Puyi: "Li Yuanhong dared to refuse, refused to accept the order, please let the emperor order him to commit suicide immediately!" Puyi was taken aback, and said: "As soon as I was restored, Li Yuanhong was given death. It's outrageous... Didn't the Republic of China treat me preferentially?" The government will not go away. How can the rebellious ministers and thieves speak with the emperor?" In the end, it was Zhang Xun's gun that played a role.After the braided army forcibly took over the guards of the presidential palace, Li Yuanhong saw that the situation was over, so he had to leave quietly with a few servants through the small gate, took refuge in the French Hospital in Dongjiaominxiang, and finally hid in the Japanese embassy. After Li Yuanhong escaped from the presidential palace, Zhang Xun happily scolded: "The Revolutionary Party revolutionized the Qing Dynasty back then, and I, Lao Zhang, also revolutionized the Republic of China today; should Sun Yat-sen, Huang Xing and other chaotic parties be allowed to be great revolutionary men?" , won’t I, Old Zhang, be allowed to be a great restoration man?” It seems that "restoration" is an out-and-out derogatory term now, but in the eyes of Zhang Xun and the survivors, it is as sacred as the revolutionary party treats "revolution". Before Li Yuanhong left the presidential palace, he secretly signed two orders. The first was to remove Li Jingxi from the position of prime minister; the second was to reappoint Duan Qirui as prime minister, and sent someone to Tianjin secretly.After receiving the order, Duan Qirui immediately convened a meeting with his student Fu Liangzuo and his confidant Duan Zhigui, and decided to raise troops immediately to fight rebellion. After a simple plan, Duan Qirui decided to contact the Eighth Division of Zhumachang, because the division commander Li Changtai was also a soldier from Xiaozhan, and his artillery regiment commander Ran Fanrui and his brother Ran Fanmin (then infantry battalion commander) ) have worked for Lao Duan for many years, and were promoted by Lao Duan.Therefore, Duan Qirui felt that he had a certain degree of confidence in commanding this force. After the plan was decided, Duan Qirui sent people to contact each other separately. At this time, Zhu Jiabao, governor of Zhili Province, had ordered Tianjin merchants to hang a dragon flag to express his response after learning that he had been appointed by Zhang Xun as Minister of Civil Affairs.In the evening of the same day, the people who went to contact the Eighth Division rushed back to Duan Qirui's mansion and reported to Duan Qirui that the division commander Li Changtai was willing to follow the rebellion, and hoped that he would go to command in person. Duan Qirui was very happy after hearing this, and then decided to leave for the horse farm immediately.At eleven o'clock that night, Duan Qirui boarded the train with Duan Zhigui, Fu Liangzuo and their entourage. Amidst the long whistle, the train roared towards the horse factory and disappeared into the vast night.A few days later, Duan Qirui established the "General Command of the Rebel Army" in Machang and ordered the Eighth Division to march towards Beijing. During this period, Liang Qichao, a great writer, also rushed to the horse factory. After Duan Qirui saw it, he was overjoyed and said: "Mr. Ren is here to boost the military power!" The little secretary is here!" With Liang Qichao's pen as large as a rafter, the power of the proclamation against the rebels was greatly increased.Liang Qichao is indeed well-deserved of his reputation. After a short rest, he immediately drafted a call for rebellion. Ambition, in the name of mediating the current situation, marching troops to govern the country, overthrowing the state system... And in today's world where people's wisdom is flourishing and civil rights are prospering, but if you want to tame billions of trillions with the majesty of one name, it is absolutely unreasonable... " After Zhang Xun's restoration, there was an uproar all over the country. Except Zhu Jiabao, Governor of Zhili Province, and Meng Enyuan, Governor of Jilin Province, who publicly expressed their support, there were very few responders.First, Feng Guozhang issued a telegram, enumerating the eight major crimes of Zhang Xun's restoration, followed by Tan Yankai, the governor of Hunan, Wang Zhanyuan, the governor of Hubei, Yang Shande, the governor of Zhejiang, Cao Kun, the governor of Zhili, Cheng Biguang, the former chief of the navy, and Lu Yongxiang, the guardian of Songhu, and others. objected. Ni Sichong, the governor of Anhui, expressed his approval at first, and ordered Anqing, Wuhu and other places to hang the dragon flag and use "Xuantong Zhengshuo" instead.Li Houji, the governor of Fujian, also sent a telegram to thank him at first, and called himself "the governor of Fujian". After Zhang Xun learned that the governors of all provinces opposed the restoration, he was so angry that his braids stood on end and his beard ran wildly. He cursed: "These damned bastards have spoken well before, but now they are all revolutionaries!" It seems that the one without braids is unreliable after all!" Especially Ni Sichong, the governor of Anhui, he and Zhang Xun are relatives of sons and daughters, and they also opposed restoration this time. Even Old Ni doesn't know me anymore!" Scolding is scolding, you have to be serious when fighting a war, this is no joke.Within a few days, the rebel forces from all walks of life have completed their attack on Beijing.What's funny is that when his subordinates sent over the captured flag of the "Rebel Army", Zhang Xun was furious when he saw it, and dug out the word "Discussion" on the flag, thus turning it into "Rebel Army"! Zhang Xun originally had fifty battalions of braided troops (about 500 people in each battalion), but this time he only brought ten battalions of 5,000 people into Beijing. The fighting really started, and the strength of the army was naturally tight.It is said that when Zhang Xun went north from Xuzhou, he once told his subordinate Zhang Wensheng: "You take good care of your home in Xuzhou. After the restoration, I will send a telegram 'Express transport forty pots of flowers to Beijing', and you will immediately transfer the forty battalions. The troops are going to Beijing." After hearing this, Zhang Wensheng agreed with all his heart, and said that he would definitely do it without delay. When Duan Qirui announced the rebellion, Zhang Xun hurriedly sent a telegram to Xuzhou, asking Zhang Wensheng to quickly lead the 40 battalions of braided troops to the north for rescue. Unexpectedly, after waiting for two days, people from Xuzhou sent forty pots of various flowers When Zhang Xun saw it, he was so angry that he fell off the grand master's chair, and said repeatedly: "It's broken! It's broken! Even Zhang Wensheng kicked my ladder!" On July 6, the rebellious army on the East Road approached Fengtai, and there was a fierce exchange of fire with the braided army. On July 8, the peripheral battles basically ended. The rebellious army approached the city of Beijing, while the braided army retreated into the city of Beijing in an attempt to resist. After the defeat, Zhang Xun had no choice but to ask for a vacancy, and sent a telegram indignantly, saying that since the Republic of China, there have been many wars, and the country is poor and the people are poor. This is all caused by the establishment of the Republic. Following the destiny and the will of the people, returning the government to the Qing Dynasty, and wanting to implement a constitutional monarchy, it is sincere and sincere, not for personal interests; fortunately, my way is not alone, and all the provinces (referring to the governors of the provinces) that I am in the same ranks, I have more plans, Donghai (that is, Xu Shichang) , Hejian (i.e. Feng Guozhang), especially applauded, and there is evidence to prove that the messengers returned.Well now, everyone turns their faces and denies anyone, and treats my old Zhang as a fool. Anyway, I don't have any demands, so I don't want to make me anxious! After the Acting President Feng Guozhang heard the telegram, he ordered Zhang Xun's old positions such as "Yangtze River Patrol Envoy" to be dismissed, and he was labeled as a criminal; Xun disarmed and surrendered on the spot.When the news came, Zhang Xun was so angry that one Buddha was born and two Buddhas ascended to heaven. Immediately, he showed his arrogant temper and collected the remnants and defeated soldiers who had retreated into the city. Deploy heavy troops and set up artillery positions, and they will definitely turn the capital, a good area, into a life and death field for a decisive battle with the rebel army. After Zhang Xun's desperate posture was put in place, the capital was shaken, and the common people fled out of the city with their families and families. Even the diplomatic missions in Beijing protested again and again, and mediated and reconciled among the braided army and the rebellious army, so as not to prevent the city gate from being destroyed. If there is a fire, the fish in the pond will be affected.At the request of all parties, Duan Qirui ordered the rebel army to temporarily stop attacking, and sent someone to persuade Zhang Xun to surrender immediately, so as not to destroy the ruins of the ancient city of Beijing and hurt innocent people. Zhang Xun's temper is well known to everyone. When the visitor told Duan Qirui's words to him, he said angrily: "It was Li Yuanhong who invited me to Beijing at that time. Now I can go if you want me, but I have to." I want Li Yuanhong to send me back to Xuzhou!" The envoys also came to persuade him, and Zhang Xun said: "I will not leave the soldiers, and the soldiers will not leave the weapons; where did I come from, and where are I going. I heard that the surname Li ran to you There, I will find him to judge!" Seeing that Zhang Xun was unmoved and insisted on going back to be his patrol envoy on the Yangtze River, people from all walks of life asked the old people to persuade Zhang Xun.The elders were helpless and asked Zhang Xun what to do now.Zhang Xun shouted: "What are you afraid of! This matter has nothing to do with you, and it has nothing to do with the Qing court. It was done by me, Lao Zhang, so there is nothing to be afraid of!" On July 11, seeing that Zhang Xun refused to disarm and surrender, Duan Qirui had no choice but to order a general attack.However, at the request of the ministers of various countries, the rebellious army agreed not to use too many live ammunition bombardments.After the battle began, most of the braided army was defeated and voluntarily laid down their weapons, cut off their braids, and received reorganization or demobilization.Only the braided army near Zhang Xun's private house resisted stubbornly, and the battle was very fierce.When the rebellious army asked Duan Qirui for instructions to bombard Zhang's house, Duan Qirui agreed that only one live ammunition could be used, and the others could only be threatened with false artillery.That night, the rebellious army shot Zhang's house with a cannonball, and in the flames, the old people with long braids fled from the house one after another. At this time, Zhang Xun still refused to give in, until Wu Bingxiang, chief police officer of Beijing Normal University, contacted the Dutch embassy to send a car to pick him up, but Lao Zhang still stubbornly refused to get in the car, until several strong Dutchmen and his subordinates pushed him repeatedly. Take him into the car and send him to the embassy area, and the battle against rebellion is over. Zhang Xun's play is over, but the affairs of the parties are not over yet. For example, Emperor Xuantong Puyi, how should we deal with it?Are the preferential conditions cancelled?This frightened the royal family quite a bit, because although the restoration was coerced, they could not escape the crime of restoration after all. Fortunately, these issues are all decided by the new power holders. In the eyes of the big bosses of the Beiyang faction, since Pu Yi was forced to reset during this restoration, they did not want to pursue it. In the end, the Taibao Shi continued to issue a The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that this incident was the result of "Zhang Xun is entrenched, and there is nothing he can do about it", thus lightly erasing responsibility. It is said that Puyi originally wanted to issue another edict of abdication, but was stopped by Xu Shichang. He changed the original edict of abdication into a statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which means that Puyi has nothing to do with this restoration, and this statement It has also been approved by President Feng Guozhang and Prime Minister Duan Qirui.As a result, Puyi can continue to be his closed emperor in the palace, the preferential treatment conditions of the Qing Dynasty can also be preserved, and everything has returned to its original state. The only ones who were completely eliminated were the big braided Marshal Zhang and his braided army.All the braided soldiers who accompanied Zhang Xun to Beijing disappeared, and the braided soldiers who stayed behind in Xuzhou cut off all their braids. Zhang Xun's former generals Zhang Wensheng and Bai Baoshan were in charge as usual, but they were controlled by Anhui Governor Ni Sichong. After Duan Qirui returned to the capital, he issued an order to arrest Zhang Xun, Kang Youwei, Liang Dunyan and others who were important criminals of the restoration.Needless to say, these people have long since disappeared.Maybe it was because they were wary of rats, or because they felt ashamed in their hearts. Some warlords who were named by Zhang Xun, such as Zhang Huaizhi, Hubei Warlord Wang Zhanyuan, etc., called or wrote to Duan Qirui to plead for Zhang Xun. He wrote to Duan Qirui many times, requesting that Zhang Xun be punished lightly. Don't look at the monk's face and look at the Buddha's face. Chinese people always care about human feelings and face.Xu Shichang also said to Duan Qirui before he entered Beijing: "This restoration was not originally intended to clean up the house. Fortunately, don't use it to add crimes to clean up the house. Although Zhang Xun was the culprit, he was originally a reckless man, and he still needs to be punished." For the sake of the affection of the former comrades, don't force it too much." After hearing this, Duan Qirui said: "Preferential treatment for room clearance, naturally try to keep it, even Shaoxuan (Zhang Xun's word) may not be arrested. You just don't want to Say, I don't have the heart to do harm." With the support of old friends, Zhang Xun naturally has no scruples.When the old man was recuperating at the Dutch embassy, ​​some detectives were ordered to investigate, and Lao Zhang was annoyed. He jumped out of the door, holding a quick gun in his left hand, and a pack of letters in his right hand, roaring angrily: "During the Xuzhou meeting, these people were in favor of the restoration, and signed their signatures. These handwritings are all under my control. He is a traitor, and I will declare to the people of the country that I will die with him at that time. Don't blame me, Lao Zhang, for being ruthless!" Speaking of which, Lao Zhang always claims that he has the signatures or letters of other warlords in favor of the restoration. Is there or is it not?It is said that Zhang Xun compiled these signatures, letters and telegrams into a book later, and made a book of the restoration record, but no one has seen this book.It is said that it was burned down because of a fire, so there is no evidence for this matter. Only Lao Zhang and the person concerned know what happened. Zhang Xun once told people in private that among these old friends, Duan Qirui persuaded him not to do it and said that if he wanted to restore the restoration, he would beat him. He was convinced.As for the other warlords, they are all duplicitous guys, they promised well before doing this, and betrayed their friends when the wind direction is wrong, hehe, none of them are clean! From the bottom of his heart, Xu Shichang agrees with the imperial system, but he has always been scheming and prudent, and he will not act rashly if the time is not ripe.He once said to Zhang Xun: "I have no objection to the restoration, but the time is not yet ripe. If you ignore the timing and do such a big thing, it will be disloyal to the Qing Dynasty and suicide to yourself." Yan Fu, the patriarch of the restoration period, also said something plain: "Who is Zhang Xun? Who is Kang You? You only use those who love the clean house to kill the clean house!" After the restoration failed, Zhang Xun fled to the Dutch embassy. When a friend came to visit and mentioned the restoration, he said: "Whether the restoration is suitable for the national conditions, we don't need to talk about it now. If you announce the constitution as soon as possible to reassure people, even if you fail, it will be enough to ridicule. Why? You didn't do it at the time?" Zhang Xun sighed: "I didn't know this kind of stuff, I was fooling around with Gongyu (Wansheng wiped the characters) and others. However, if you blame me for this, I won't be angry. It's what I want." On October 10, 1918, after Xu Shichang took office as the President of the Republic of China, he immediately ordered Zhang Xun to be pardoned and returned his property.In his later years, Zhang Xun stayed away from politics, "picked chrysanthemums outside the eastern fence, and switched to doing business." It is said that the return on investment in the financial industry was quite good.At this time, when someone asked about his great achievements in restoration, this indifferent and uncontested man, he no longer had the same rhetoric as before, and at most kept silent for a few words.After all, the era that belonged to him has passed, and it is getting further and further away, and it will never come back. On September 12, 1923, Zhang Xun died of illness in Tianjin at the age of seventy.At the funeral, there was a pair of elegiac couplets that stood out: "On the husband's day, hold back the spirits of the Nine Temples. His aspirations are mournful, and his stupidity is beyond compare. There is a six-foot solitary, and there is no soil. The Sri Lankan is dead, and whoever will do it again" It was drafted by Duan Qirui's "Little Fan Military Plane" Xu Shuzheng.In August of the following year, Zhang Xun's coffin was shipped back to his hometown, and was buried under Taoxianling, Chitian Township, Fengxin County at the end of November of that year.After Zhang Xun's death, Puyi gave him the posthumous title "Zhongwu".