Chapter 104 Determined to reform Yuan Shikai

A complete constitution mainly involves three aspects: first, administrative reform, including judicial reform and educational reform; second, the establishment of a parliament; third, the implementation of local self-government. Naturally, the preparation work for such a complicated movement is very difficult, and it cannot be achieved overnight.Therefore, the government should carry out preparatory constitutional work step by step.But where does the first step start? Fortunately, there is a ready-made rule that can be used: "Political reform starts with administrative reform." After some debate, Empress Dowager Cixi made a final decision: Let's start with the reform of the official system.

The reform of the official system, that is, the reform of the cadre and personnel system. Cixi ordered Zaize, the Duke of the Town, to preside over the reform of the cadre system.Not only because Zaize's "three benefits" moved her, but also because Zaize is the royal family member of Genzheng Miaohong and her niece and son-in-law. However, Zaize is qualified for chanting slogans and giving reports, but he is not good for doing business. The reformer Yuan Shikai has to do such things as doing practical work and seeking practical results. In terms of strength, Yuan Shikai held the elite soldiers of the six towns of Beiyang, and also held eight important positions: Governor of Zhili and Minister of Beiyang, Minister of Political Affairs, Minister of Supervising Shanhaiguan Internal and External Railways, Minister of Supervising Government Affairs, Minister of Tianjin-Zhenjiang Railway, Minister of Commerce, Supervising Minister of Posts and Military Training.

In terms of reputation, based on Yuan Shikai's achievements in reform over the years and Yuan Shikai's efforts to promote the establishment of a constitution, there is no one better in the world! Therefore, the powerful and prestigious Yuan Shikai has a large number of followers, and these followers are all rare talents who have learned both Chinese and Western.Now, these talents such as Zhang Yiling and Jin Bangping are important work assistants of Zaize. More importantly, thanks to Prince Qing's consistent support for Yuan Shikai's work, Yuan Shikai successfully transferred Comrade Yang Shiqi to Zaize's subordinates for promotion, which is roughly equivalent to today's Secretary-General.

Having said so much, I just want to tell everyone: Yuan Shikai is the real host of the reform of the official system. With the assistance of a group of capable men, Yuan Shikai, after nearly a month of hard work, came up with a preliminary plan for a comprehensive reform of the official system-"New Official System Reform Case".The content of the program is complicated, so I won't go into details here.A brief description is as follows: 1. Cancel the Military Aircraft Department, set up a responsible cabinet, and limit the power of the monarch; 2. Establish the Senior Council as the primary version of the National Assembly. Before the National Assembly is established, the Senior Advisory Council will replace the National Assembly as the legislature;

3. Changing Dali Temple into an independent Dali Yuan, as a national higher judicial organ, separated from administrative power, and administrative officials are not allowed to interfere; 4. Establish the Administrative Tribunal to replace the Metropolitan Procuratorate as the highest litigation organ for people across the country to complain about the government; 5. Cancel redundant institutions such as the Ministry of Rites, the Imperial Academy, and the Clan Mansion. In a word, Yuan Shikai wanted to limit the monarchy and initially establish a constitutional system of separation of legislative, administrative, and judicial powers.

It can be foreseen that after the reform, the power of the nobles in the Qing Dynasty will be greatly weakened, the political situation of Manchu dictatorship will be broken, and redundant officials will go home to be baby daddies.Although it is a bit drastic, it is understandable to prescribe strong medicine for serious illness, not to mention the voice of the people cheering for reform is thunderous! As a very sober political figure, Yuan Shikai could of course foresee the difficulties and risks he would face after the announcement of this plan. But he is not afraid. Not only because after more than 20 years of intrigues and ups and downs in the officialdom, Yuan Shikai still maintains one thing—ideal; but also because Yuan Shikai has made sufficient psychological preparations for this, and he has thought very thoroughly: although reform is a matter It is a risky thing, but in the final analysis, it is still because of two words-profit.He believes that the Manchu ministers are not monolithic and can be divided and conquered to defeat them one by one.So he lured him into favor and supported Yikuang as the prime minister of the cabinet; so he moved with emotion and talked with Duanfang from time to time about his dream of establishing a constitutional and powerful country... He believes that these people are his good allies to eliminate opposing voices!

Therefore, Yuan Shikai began to look forward to the upcoming official system reform discussion meeting. The symposium was held as scheduled, and Yuan Shikai really encountered the fierce opposition he expected. The first person who jumped out to object was called Zaifeng.Please remember this guy. If you want to talk about China after 1906, this man is a figure that has to be mentioned. Zaifeng, Guangxu's younger brother, is 22 years old and has always held a grudge against Yuan Shikai's betrayal of his brother Guangxu during the 1898 coup.Six months ago, he had a precious son, who is also known as the last emperor Puyi.

Before Yuan Shikai finished introducing the reform plan, Zaifeng was so angry that Yuan Shikai wanted to weaken the monarchy, and flew into a rage: The plan is not as good as bullshit, it is too arrogant, do you still have a master in your eyes! But Yuan Shikai still treated each other with courtesy, explaining neither humble nor overbearing: I know that the action is a little too big, but if we don’t do this, if we don’t hurry up and seriously prepare for the constitution, and if we still follow the rules, the power of the country will decline day by day, the sovereignty will decline day by day, and the border will day by day. Wow, the country is bound to be inferior to today's North Korea!

In short, Yuan Shikai believes that since everyone has reached a consensus on the reform of the official system, they should take advantage of this rare opportunity to complete it in one step. When Zaifeng heard that Yuan Shikai dared to talk back to him, he became even more furious. He drew his pistol and pointed it at Yuan Shikai's chest, shouting: You are so domineering. Strong words rebuttal, unstoppable, and immediately draw a pistol, intending to shoot at Yu (Yuan Shikai)——Guo Jianlin "A Brief History of the Beiyang Government")! At the critical moment, Yikuang stood up as a peacemaker and prevented a shooting case from happening.

In addition to Zaifeng who ran away, Tie Liang, Minister of Military Aircraft, was also firmly opposed.He opposed "dismantling the military aircraft department and replacing it with the cabinet", because the cabinet ministers could not hold part-time jobs like the military aircraft minister.And Tie Liang, as a young man among the Manchu aristocrats, will definitely serve as a cabinet minister, so he will lose both financial power (the Minister of the Household Department) and military power (the military training office will handle it), which is unacceptable to him. Tie Liang's objection was not a big deal in Yuan Shikai's eyes.Because Yuan Shikai is good at using interests to defeat interests, as long as he is given a little time, he will be able to find a bargaining chip that satisfies Tie Liang.

However, before Yuan Shikai had time to conquer Tieliang, he was cornered by an unexpected opponent.Because Yuan Shikai, who had been shrewd all his life, finally missed it, and his opponents were not just Manchu relatives.