Chapter 29 28. The "Closed Emperor" died in shame and indignation

When Yuan Shikai's old subordinates rebelled one after another, even his family members didn't give him face.Two days after the opening of the Hongxian Dynasty, Yuan Shikai's younger brother Yuan Shitong and younger sister Yuan Shuzhen actually published a newspaper statement declaring that they had separated from their sibling relationship with Emperor Yuan, which made Yuan Shikai dumbfounded. Yuan Shitong is Yuan Shikai's sixth younger brother. Although he has been doing housework in his hometown and has never been an official, this younger brother is very concerned about politics. He writes to his brother from time to time, accusing him of being wrong or unreasonable.This time the old man is going to be the emperor, Yuan Shitong is not only not happy, but instead scolds Yuan Shikai as "a rebellious minister of the Qing Dynasty and an unfilial descendant of the Yuan family".

Not only that, Yuan Shitong also pulled up a "discussing Yuan army" of about 20 people at home, known as the king of Qin, and wanted to attack Yuan Shikai, a traitorous minister, for the Qing Dynasty.After Emperor Yuan heard the news, he naturally couldn't let him mess around, and then ordered the local police station to suppress them. As for Yuan Shuzhen, she was married to the son of Zhang Rumei, the former governor of Shandong Province, and she had a good relationship with Yuan Shikai.This time, because Yuan Shikai wanted to restore the monarchy, Yuan Shuzhen wrote to his elder brother, saying: "Yuan and Zhang have two surnames, and the world has received Qing En. My elder brother Dai Qing is the president of the Republic of China, which can also be called democracy. Now he wants to proclaim himself emperor. What will happen then?" Going to see the underground Queen Mother Longyu? Although you pretend to be popular, but you treat her as a younger sister, you are actually rebellious!"

Even Yuan Shikai's own family did not have a peaceful life.After the fake "Shuntian Times" revealed his secrets, the prince Yuan Keding always felt that his father no longer trusted him and planned to make another younger brother, so he also wanted to have a "Xuanwumen change" to make his imaginary enemies second and sixth Kill them together; and those aunts and wives in the Xinhua Palace are still arguing there all day long for the title of "concubine" and "concubine", which made Lao Yuan furious (it is said that the harem was arranged in this way at the beginning, and the wife of the main room, Mrs. Yu, Naturally, the queen has nothing to say, and the concubines who have children are named "concubine" and those who have no children are named "concubine".

Before announcing his abdication, Yuan Shikai first sent someone to tell his old friends Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui his thoughts, and appointed Xu Shichang as Secretary of State and Duan Qirui as Chief of Staff to help him out of the predicament.Yuan Shikai thought that he had abolished the imperial system and invited his old friends out to maintain the situation. It should be possible to get over it, but the southwestern provinces still refused to let him go. From "you must go to Yuan" in the late Qing Dynasty to "you must go to Yuan" today, it is only a few years, and it is already a world of difference.Tang Shaoyi, the first prime minister of the cabinet and a former subordinate of Yuan Shikai who followed Yuan Shikai in North Korea, reprimanded in the telegram: "The decree of the imperial system is revoked, but the position of the president is still in the position. In the opinion of the deacon (that is, Yuan Shikai), he thinks it can be perfunctory. People all over the world regard it as a shame, which is nothing in the history of China and foreign countries." Kang Youwei, who has many years of exile experience, suggested that Yuan Shikai "take his family and travel overseas quickly." One day"; Cai E, Tang Jiyao, Liang Qichao and others also demanded that Yuan Shikai retire cleanly.

So far, as long as Yuan Shikai can't occupy the position of president, letters and telegrams of "persuading, forcing, begging, and even repelling" from all over the country will continue to pour in day and night, which is even larger than the original scale when he embraced the emperor. several times. As for the minions of the imperial faction, the so-called "Six Gentlemen" and the "Thirteen Taibao", most of them are things that are not on the table, and now they are slipping, running, and those who have not left have long been silent. , only Yuan Shikai was left as a loner, sick and disabled, lingering on his last breath.Under such circumstances, Xu Shichang, who originally thought that he could save the crisis with his senior qualifications, was also devastated, and finally had no choice but to retreat in spite of the difficulties and leave with the crown.

On April 22, Duan Qirui succeeded Xu Shichang as Prime Minister (the Government Affairs Hall was canceled and the original State Council was replaced), and a new cabinet was formed.After Duan Qirui regained power, the situation is a bit similar to Yuan Shikai's forcing the palace back then, except that Yuan Shikai back then has been replaced by Duan Qirui today.When Duan Qirui was about to appoint his confidant Xu Shuzheng as the Secretary-General of the State Council, Yuan Shikai objected that "the prime minister is a soldier, and the secretary-general should no longer be a soldier." Afterwards, Duan Qirui was very angry, and he smashed his pipe on the table , snapped: "It's still the same today!"

As for the other general, Feng Guozhang, he was not idle at this time. He also made a tailor-made one for Lao Yuan, imitating the preferential treatment conditions given by the Qing emperor when he abdicated: 1. Do not chase after the past; 2. Do not deprive public power; Confiscation; 4. Freedom of residence; 5. The people of the whole country should be respected; 6. The government of the Republic of China will give an annual fee of 100,000 yuan.This preferential treatment basically represents the opinion of the Beiyang Department. After all, Yuan Shikai is their old leader, and he is too good at doing things well. The Chinese still value human feelings!

It is said that after Yuan Shikai saw this preferential treatment, although he felt very uncomfortable, he still accepted it.According to later historical experience, if Yuan Shikai really resigned under this preferential treatment condition, there may not be no chance of a comeback.After all, Yuan Shikai stepped down, who can really replace Yuan Shikai's position?Duan Qirui, Feng Guozhang or Li Yuanhong? No one can replace it!The subsequent warlord melee proved this point.On the contrary, if Yuan Shikai can survive, it is not impossible to come out again. Didn’t many warlord leaders go down and come back again and again?Taking retreat as an advance is sometimes a good strategy.

But it's a pity that Yuan Shikai's own body couldn't bear it in the end, and proclaiming himself king and emperor not only didn't help him break the family curse, but accelerated his death.According to Yuan Shikai’s third daughter, Yuan Jingxue, during the Lantern Festival in 1916, when the whole family gathered around to eat the Lantern Festival, the sixth, eighth, and ninth concubines shouted loudly in front of Yuan Shikai for the title of “concubine” and “concubine”. quarrel.Seeing this, Yuan Shikai sighed and said, "Don't make trouble anymore! You all have to go back to Zhangde and wait to send my coffin back with me!"

After speaking, Yuan Shikai got up and went back to the office.At that time, the War to Protect the Country had already broken out, and Yuan Shikai was worried and depressed all day long. After being disturbed by his family, Yuan Shikai began to eat less from that day, and gradually became sick. Amidst the voices of all parties demanding the president's abdication, Yuan Shikai was in a state of confusion, unwilling to abdicate, and then went to war but was unable to do so. In the end, he was exhausted physically and mentally, and his body collapsed.In the last few days of May, Yuan Shikai was unable to work; on June 5, Yuan Shikai went into a coma for a while; until 6 a.m. on June 6, Yuan Shikai finally gave up his struggle against fate and died.

Yuan Shikai suffered from soft foot disease in the late Qing Dynasty, which was also the reason why the then regent Zaifeng fired him.Later, after the outbreak of the Revolution of 1911, Yuan Shikai came back and needed the help of servants when he entered the palace.But this time, Yuan Shikai's disease was bladder stones that caused uremia to infect the whole body. Originally, this disease would not lead to life-threatening, but Yuan Shikai was quite stubborn, and he always refused to see Western medicine or undergo surgery (probably because of the disease) He is in a special position, ashamed to speak), coupled with various unsatisfactory conditions after the divine system, and the rush to heart, aggravated his condition.After Yuan Keding's insistence, Yuan Shikai asked the French doctor Béchier to come for diagnosis and treatment after his condition deteriorated sharply and he had trouble urinating, but it was too late.Bei Xiye suggested that Yuan Shikai go to the hospital for surgery, maybe there is still a glimmer of life, but Yuan Shikai refused.Under such circumstances, Beshiye had no choice but to catheterize Yuan Shikai's urine in his bedroom, but at this time all the urine was hematuria.Yuan Shikai knew that he couldn't afford it, so he hurriedly asked Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui to find him, and handed over the presidential seal to Xu Shichang, saying: "The president should belong to Li Songqing (Li Yuanhong's name), so I will be fine. I'm also planning to go back to Zhangde." It is said that after Yuan Shikai fainted and regained consciousness in the early morning of the 6th, he whispered to his old friend Xu Shichang who was at his side: "Yang Du Yang Du, you misunderstood me and me"; Killed me!" Who really killed Yuan Shikai, whether it was Yang Du, Yuan Keding or himself, with Yuan Shikai kicking his legs like this, who knows? In fact, after several years of governance by Yuan Shikai, the development of the Republic of China has been on track, and the central finance has also made great improvements. From the debts in the early years of the Republic of China to the annual inventory of 20 million yuan, this is already It's not easy anymore.It's a pity that Yuan Shikai chose to be an emperor. With such a toss about the Hongxian monarchy, the governance achievements of the past few years were wiped out and wiped out. Not to mention, China after Yuan Shikai's death fell into a chaotic era of warlord separatism. The people are innocent and suffer this crime? Ladies and gentlemen, what do you think is the advantage of being an emperor?Think about Yuan Shikai, Emperor Yuan, from the acceptance of support on December 12, 1915 to the abolition of the monarchy on March 23, 1916, the Hongxian Dynasty lasted only 83 days.During these eighty-three days, Yuan Shikai neither held a grand enthronement ceremony nor wore a crown or dragon robe. His reputation has been ruined, and there is a flood of eternal infamy in the history books, why bother? Emperor, emperor, since ancient times, the most difficult thing to do is to be an emperor. If you do well, everyone admires you, and you will be an emperor through the ages;Therefore, behind the emperor, his name is also called Du Fu Min Thief.Instead of being a real emperor, it would be better to be a merry and merry Tu Emperor, because Tu Huang has no name, so he has no responsibility and morality, and he doesn’t want to pass on to his descendants... If you are drunk today, let him die After the flood! If you put aside political disputes and look at Yuan Shikai from the eyes of ordinary people, this person is still reasonable.Yuan Shikai was born in a farming and studying official family, and several generations lived together. This traditional family attaches the most importance to the word "loyalty and filial piety" (this is also the reason why Yuan Shikai's younger brother Yuan Shitong and younger sister Yuan Shuzhen severed relations with him), so Yuan Shikai is persecuting When the Qing emperor abdicated, he repeatedly used public opinion as an excuse, and he did not show up until the critical time, just to avoid the infamy of "forced palace" and "disloyalty".Later, in order to become the president and emperor, Yuan Shikai also carried out "elections", "recommendations", and "referendums", which at least appeared to be reasonable and legal in form. On the issue of filial piety, Yuan Shikai is also beyond reproach.His heir, Mrs. Niu Tai, and his biological mother, Mrs. Liu Tai, as long as conditions permit, Yuan Shikai will be calm and able to please the old lady (this is probably one of the reasons why Yuan Shikai can be favored by the Empress Dowager Cixi).According to Yuan Shikai's son-in-law Xue Guanlan, Yuan Shikai was extremely filial to his stepmother. He had a sister who was not married but his son-in-law died of illness, so he never married. After becoming president, every time I greet my sister, I dare not sit down.When Xue Guanlan commented on Yuan Shikai, he said that he "observes etiquette very strictly, has a filial nature, and has no personal virtues." In the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, wealthy families generally had wives and concubines in groups, and Yuan Shikai was no exception (of course, from the current point of view, it is of course decayed and extremely reactionary).Yuan Shikai had one wife, nine concubines, and thirty-two children in his life. Such a big family would definitely have many conflicts, but at least during Yuan Shikai's lifetime, he was the only follower in the whole family, and the family basically maintained a harmonious state (not to mention after his death). Yuan Shikai was also very strict in the discipline of his children. He set up a private school in his home, which was divided into men's hall and women's hall (the men's hall was taught by Yan Xiu, and the women's hall also hired many talented women, such as Feng Guozhang's stepmother, Ms. Zhou), Not only the children have to go to school, but even the young concubine has to go to the women's hall to study.Although Yuan Shikai believed in "a filial son is born under the stick", he often beat his son (even after he got married, it was inevitable), but he still had a deep affection for his children.According to the article "Recalling My Father Yuan Shikai" written by Yuan Jingxue in her later years, Yuan Shikai often told them stories, and sometimes deliberately put silver dollars in places that were not easy to find for them to find, and whoever found them first would reward them; Sometimes they couldn't find it, so Yuan Shikai reminded them and finally helped them find it. On the issue of children's marriage, Yuan Shikai also paid attention to "the orders of the parents and the words of the matchmaker", and he often asked for the right marriage.At that time, most of the Yuan family were married to high-ranking officials and wealthy families in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China. For example, the eldest son Yuan Keding married the daughter of Hunan Governor Wu Dachen, the eldest daughter Yuan Bozhen married the son of Liangjiang Governor Zhang Renjun, and the fifth son Yuan Kequan married the daughter of Liangjiang Governor Duanfang. Other relatives include Sun Baoqi (Cabinet Prime Minister), Lu Jianzhang (Shaanxi Governor), Zhang Baixi (Ministry of the Ministry of Postal Communications), Yang Shixiang (Governor of Zhili), Xue Fucheng (Ambassador to Foreign Countries), Yin Chang (Minister of War), Chen Qitai (Governor of Jiangsu), Zhou Xuexi ( Chief Financial Officer), Na Tong (Minister of Military Aircraft), Li Yuanhong, Cao Kun, etc.In a sense, the marriage of children is also a way for Yuan Shikai to expand his power. Although Yuan Shikai never showed emotion or anger when dealing with people, he had a kind face and piercing eyes. He respected people and listened carefully to what people said.Yuan Shikai's stature was not tall, but the temperament he had cultivated in his military career for many years made people feel that although he looked kind, he was not angry but mighty. Yan Xishan once said that he met Yuan Shikai twice, but he didn't know what Yuan Shikai looked like, because Yan Xishan respected and feared him during the interview, and dared not look directly at him.Whether Yuan Shikai was standing or sitting, he always kept his back straight. Even when he was sitting on the sofa and talking to people, he would always lean on the back of the sofa straight, never crooked, let alone sink into it.What's interesting is that every time Yuan Shikai sat down, he always made a sound of "um" from his nose, and then sat down slowly while stroking his beard.Due to the relatively short legs, Yuan Shikai usually sat with his feet spread apart and his legs vertical, as if "riding a horse and squatting in the crotch", and he never crossed his legs. As for Yuan Shikai's diet and daily life, it basically remained the same all year round, which was very rigid.His daily routine is generally arranged like this: wake up at 6 in the morning, breakfast at 6:30 (always a big bowl of chicken shredded noodle soup), go downstairs to meet customers at 7:00, lunch at 11:30 (the dishes are mostly the same) , his favorite steamed duck is a must); take an hour break after lunch, continue to work and meet guests from 2 to 5 pm, then take the family for a walk around Zhongnanhai, have dinner at 7 pm, and go to bed at 9 pm, Very regular. Yuan Shikai's attire is also very simple, and he never pays attention to it. Except for court robes and gowns when going to court, he generally only wears short uniforms at home (a habit during military training).Yuan Shikai generally did not drink alcohol, and only drank some Shaoxing wine when the whole family had dinner during the New Year. Except for cigars, he did not smoke other cigarettes, such as water pipes, dry tobacco, or cigarettes. He hated opium even more. Since Yuan Shikai was still the incumbent president when he died, Li Yuanhong treated his funeral as the incumbent head of state after he succeeded the president.At that time, in addition to allocating 500,000 yuan in public funds for funeral expenses, the central government also ordered civil and military organs to lower their flags at half-staff, stop banquets for 27 days, and stop folk entertainment for seven days; all civil and military officials and troops stationed in Beijing should wear black gauze; Funeral Office", Cao Rulin, Wang Yitang, and Zhou Ziqi will undertake the funeral ceremony, and Li Yuanhong, Xu Shichang, and Duan Qirui will be in charge. After Yuan Shikai's death, those who betrayed him overtly and secretly in the war to protect the country also "dissolved their suspicions" one after another, and either personally or sent their entourages to Beijing to mourn the old leader, so Yuan Shikai's funeral was also held in a splendid manner. mourning.The most deplorable thing is Yu Ganer and Fengtian General Duan Zhigui. After he learned of Yuan Shikai's death, he hurriedly came from outside the pass. His dear father (what a filial son!). Yuan Shikai's mourning hall was set up in Huairen Hall in Zhongnanhai. From June 6th to 27th, he stayed for 21 days.During this period, the civil and military officials in the capital came to offer sacrifices and salutes according to shifts every day, and the troops stationed in Beijing also came in batches to raise their guns in mourning.Outside the mourning hall, several archways were built, and eminent monks, famous Taoists and lamas from inside and outside the capital also came to chant scriptures and praise the Buddha to save the soul of the president. On June 28, Yuan Shikai’s coffin was transported from Beijing to Zhangde, Henan. At that time, the wooden coffin covers of the coffin were all used in royal specifications. Inside the Xinhua Gate, there were 32 small bars. After leaving the Xinhua Gate, it was changed to eight. The road was paved with loess for ten people, and the road was cleared by the police, a regiment of the army guard of honor, a company of the navy guard of honor, plus hundreds of civil and military officials, relatives and friends, a total of 2,000 people came to see him off.As for the crowd who came to watch, it was even more crowded and the occasion was unprecedented, much more lively than the funeral of Empress Dowager Cixi. At the back of the coffin, Yuan Keding and his younger brothers walked with mourning sticks in their hands, while their wives, concubines, daughter and daughter-in-law followed in plain sedan chairs.Yuan Kewen ran away from Tianjin in a rage because of a dispute with his elder brother Yuan Keding over the cemetery where he was to be buried. After the coffin was carried on the prepared special train (Beijing-Hanzhou Railway Passenger Transport was suspended for one day), general officials were also sent to the station, and another special train transported Yuan Shikai's old friends (such as Xu Shichang, Yan Xiu, Duan Zhigui, etc.), Funeral staff, escort troops and their belongings to Zhangde.After the train started, the station fired 101 cannons to bid farewell to the late president.When passing through Baoding and Handan, local officials also held a grand road sacrifice.After arriving in Zhangde, Yuan Shikai was buried in the cemetery one mile north of Huanshang Village, his former residence. The entire cemetery covers an area of ​​more than 200 mu and was designed and constructed by German engineers.At that time, the cemetery was full of pines and cypresses, and the local people called it "Yuan Gonglin" (it is said that the locals still have the habit of folding the pines and cypresses here to ward off evil spirits). Because Yuan Shikai's funeral was too extravagant, at the final settlement, it was found that he could not make ends meet, and the special funds allocated by the government were not enough to build the cemetery after deducting the funeral expenses.For this reason, eight people, including Xu Shichang, Duan Qirui, and Wang Shizhen, jointly launched a public announcement, asking people from all walks of life to donate money, and finally raised 250,000 yuan to finally end Yuan Shikai's funeral. Yuan Shikai was an official for many years before his death. According to the standard of "clearing the magistrate for three years and 100,000 snowflakes and silver", Yuan Shikai should have owned a lot of money. His reputation is still recognized (there are more rich subordinates than him).After Yuan Shikai's death, Xu Shichang was entrusted by an old friend to distribute the inheritance to the Yuan family. He converted the land stock cash accumulated by Yuan Shikai into 30 shares, one for the son and one for the childless concubine, and two for the unmarried daughter. One copy, more than 80,000 yuan each, totaling more than 2 million yuan. As Yuan Shikai expected, the eldest son Yuan Keding and the second son Yuan Kewen squandered all the family wealth they had received.After liberation, Yuan Keding lived on the government's relief of 20 yuan per month. Although Yuan Kewen lived a romantic life, he did not leave a single penny after his death.These sons and gentlemen, how can they be emperors.Among Yuan Shikai's descendants, except Yuan Kewen's second son Yuan Jialiu and his wife Wu Jianxiong who became well-known scientists, most of them are unknown.Life is like a dream, but every tree is one autumn. What's interesting is that the family curse that Yuan Shikai often chanted in his later years was basically ineffective among his descendants. Not only did most of the descendants of the Yuan family live past the threshold of sixty years old, but there were also many long-lived people. For example, Yuan Keding lived Although Yuan Kewen lived to be 80 years old, although Yuan Kewen only lived to be 43 years old (supposedly related to his long-term bohemian life), his son Yuan Jialiu was 91 years old and did not die until recent years (2003).If Yuan Shikai knew it, would he smile wryly at his decision to proclaim himself emperor?