Chapter 99 98. Li Yuanhong succeeds the President

When Yuan died, except for the four ministers who accepted Gu's order, other dignitaries of the Yuan family in Beijing rushed to hear the news, but did not participate in the meeting to discuss the successor.After the list of the Golden Chamber Stone House was announced, the four Gu Ming ministers discussed the issue of successors and unanimously asked Xu to express his opinion. Xu Donghai is a famous crystal fox. He said: "Now that the South is independent, it is extremely difficult to clean up the current situation. In my humble opinion, according to the "Contract Law", the vice president should be promoted." The tone is the same, and there is no distinction between the old and the new of the "Tafa", but this is not because of his insanity, but because of his brilliance.The first place in the Golden Chamber and Stone House is Li. According to the new "Convention Law", Li is also the first place; if according to the old "Convention Law", the vice president is promoted to the president. , which is legal.As for the situation, the situation before Yuan's death was a mess, how can Yuan deal with it after his death?Supporting Li to make the transition, the National Defense Army will agree, and avoid letting the Beiyang faction be on top of the furnace. Li has reputation but no strength, and is a political prisoner of the Beiyang faction. Said it was the best plan.

Although Xu is an important minister of the Beiyang faction, in Beijing, the real power of Beiyang is in the hands of Duan Qirui. Xu is afraid that Duan will have the will of the president for himself, and that his own ideas will block Duan's way out of wanting to be president. He glanced at Duan and added: "This is just my personal opinion. What to do is up to the Prime Minister!" Everyone looked at Duan in unison, waiting for him to speak, but he remained silent, and the room was completely silent. All I could hear was crying from the backyard.After going on like this for a quarter of an hour, Duan said very simply: "Very well, I agree with Xiangguo." After saying this, the situation was settled.

Yuan's body was buried in Chunouzhai in front of Jurentang. Xu, Duan and others ordered to notify the heads of various ministries and people who had special relations with Yuan. After a while, more than 20 people arrived. Cao Rulin proposed to pay homage to the coffin first, so incense candles were set up For offering sacrifices, everyone bowed three times to Yuan's body.Among the saluting crowd, Duan saw Zhang Guogan, immediately grabbed his hand and said, "Qan Ruo, come with me, let's go see the vice president." people to contact.Duan grabbed Zhang and got into his car, and only said one word to the driver: "Dongchang Hutong." As if in a fog, he didn't attend the meeting of the four giants just now, and he didn't know the word "covenant" that Yuan Duanqi said before, let alone the list of the Golden Chamber Stone House, so he couldn't figure out why Duan dragged him to see Li Yuanhong. What is the real meaning?

Duan was in a complicated mood, so he didn't speak like a mute.In all honesty, he looked down on Li the most.In the late Qing Dynasty, his official rank was much higher than that of Li, and he was also one of the best figures below Yuan in the Beiyang faction. Now after Yuan's death, he is asked to support Li as president from the Beiyang faction. He is stronger than a human being, and in the current situation, he must embrace Li, so his expression is very dignified. Duan Qirui and Zhang Guogan's car arrived at the door of Li's apartment in Dongchang Hutong. Zhang rushed into the inner courtyard and reported to Li: "The Prime Minister is here." Then he said hastily and panting: "The President has passed."

Li knew that Yuan had passed away, and when he heard that Duan was coming, he rushed out. The scene of the two of them in Li's living room was very dramatic. There was a rectangular nanmu table in the living room, and Li walked into the living room like a puppet. Duan and Zhang sat on the main seat, Duan bowed to Li San, Li also bowed to salute, Duan didn't speak, Li didn't speak, and Zhang didn't dare to speak.This dumb scene lasted for 40 minutes, Duan stood up and bowed to Li Ban to leave, and Li Mangran stood up to see off the guests.Before leaving, Duan confessed to Zhang, "Please say hello to the Vice President's business!" Then Zhang rushed to ask, "What about the State Council's business?" Duan replied, "There is me." , the car started.

On the afternoon of the 6th, at the same time that Yuan's will was announced, the State Council issued a communiqué: "President Yuan died of uremia at 10:40 am this morning, and his coffin rested in Rentang. According to Article 29 of the Treaty, he declared that the vice president will perform the functions and powers of the Republic of China." The day of June 6 was tense and chaotic in Beijing.In the middle of the night, Jiang Zuobin, the deputy chief of the army from Li's hometown in Hubei, called Li: "The situation outside is not good."To be honest, no one can predict how the Beiyang soldiers will change. The most important issue at this time is the issue of successors. After thinking about it, Li was very disturbed. He called Zhang Guogan and asked him to make a phone call.Zhang called Duan, and the person who answered the phone was Duan's adjutant, who said, "The prime minister doesn't have time to answer the phone." Li stood by the phone very anxiously, and urged Zhang, "You said there was something important. "After Zhang said this, the adjutant ran to report, waited for a while, and replied, "If it's an urgent matter, the Prime Minister said that I would like you to talk about it in person." Li hurriedly said to Zhang: "Go, go, you Hurry up and tell him that I don’t want to be president.” Zhang drove to the State Council and went straight to the Prime Minister’s Office. Although it was already midnight, the State Council was brightly lit, especially the Prime Minister’s Office was crowded with people, all of whom were wearing feather dusters and wearing clothes. Senior warrior in military uniform.Duan was so busy that he couldn't breathe. When he saw Zhang, he left the people surrounding him and dragged Zhang to another small room.Zhang said: "The vice president asked me to come here and ask about the situation here." Duan said firmly and arrogantly: "My surname Duan advocates that the surname Li Gan, I will not change what I say, no matter what big things happen, I will The one surnamed Duan can bear it all by himself, and it has nothing to do with the one surnamed Li." Zhang wanted to know more about the situation, but before he could speak, he saw Duan clenching his fist and hitting the table, and said fiercely: "He wants to take care of it. Let him handle it." Who is he?Zhang was at a loss.After Duan finished speaking, he hurried back to the overcrowded prime minister's office.

Zhang Guogan was rushed back from the State Council to Li's apartment in Dongchang Hutong. Li Zheng was as anxious as an ant in a hot pot. Zhang said Duan's firm support for Li as president, but he didn't say the second half.Li still felt that the situation was not good, so he said to Zhang: "Gan Ruo, this situation is not good, let's just lie on the sofa overnight!" At this time, Li had only one adjutant, Tang Bingru. Early the next morning, Li urged Zhang to go to the State Council, and only then did he know what happened last night. It turned out that those senior Beiyang officers with feather brooms on their hats and military uniforms surrounded Duan. Rui is the president, and they firmly oppose people outside the Beiyang faction, especially those from the south.Fortunately, Duan's attitude was very firm, and it was only then that the storm of the day was blown away.

After seeing Zhang, Duan showed Zhang the telegram that he had already drawn up. Zhang saw that the telegram read: "Mr. Li is indecisive and surrounded by small groups. Donghai (referring to Xu Shichang) is quite popular, but the "Yuefa" stipulates that When the president is vacant, the vice president should succeed him." Duan's telegram was of course to appease the Beiyang faction, but Zhang Guogan said to Duan: "Why bother! To be a favor, you should simply do it to the end. The president has given it away. Why let the favor be accepted?" It’s not fun for the people who are here.” Duan thought for a while, then picked up a pen to delete this ugly sentence.

From the perspective of Yuan and Duan, Zhang Guogan was a clue to Lian Li, but from Li's point of view, it was a clue to Lian Yuan or Duan. He repeatedly wanted to leave, and both sides struggled to keep him.He once criticized Feng Guozhang for "neither left nor right", but it was difficult for him to deal with Li and the leaders of the Beiyang faction. On June 7, Li held an inauguration ceremony at his private residence in Dongchang Hutong.On the day of his inauguration, Le issued three orders: The first order said: "Yuan Hong took office as President on the 7th of this month. Since he was weak in virtue, he used it cautiously. Only abide by the law, consolidate the republic, and form a country ruled by law. Officials, officials, and common people should respect their community. , work together, and we can't catch what we can't catch, so we have high hopes!"

The second order said: "The current situation is dangerous, and the president of this country has suddenly taken on important tasks. All government affairs, endowments, and assistants, all civil and military officials outside Beijing should still serve, and help each other in difficult times. Don't pass the buck. Here make!" The third order says: "The Republic of China prospered. Due to the Battle of 1911, the former President favored the republic, established the overall situation, planned painstakingly, Xin Xi worked hard, and the days were not holidays. He passed away for a long time. Reminiscing about the first achievement, Bo Hai shares the sorrow. The president of this country is in adversity, and he is deeply saddened. All funeral ceremonies should be ordered by the State Council to be handled by personnel who have considered Chinese and foreign laws and regulations, and made detailed proposals.

Although Li Yuanhong has become the president, he has no real power. He is neither a member of the Beiyang faction nor a real Kuomintang. In the eyes of the Beiyang commanders, Li is not worthy of their support; The Kuomintang, who took refuge in Yuan to protect itself, is not a true revolutionary.But there are also his excellent conditions. He has no competition with others, and he is known as a good man. He has taken advantage of this in terms of life. At the same time, he is the current vice president, and the successor to the president is close to success. After Li took office, he returned to the same situation as he was elected as the governor of the Hubei Army in the year of 1911. He had no decision-making power on any issues. He only signed and stamped official documents and became a political puppet of Duan and the Beiyang faction. Although Li took up his post, one issue aroused controversy, that is, there are two "covenant laws". Is it the new "covenant law"?Or the old Covenant?The old "Convention Law" is from the first year of the Republic of China, and the new "Convention Law" is from the third year of the Republic of China. On June 10, Tang Jiyao, commander of Fujun of the Southwest Military Affairs Council, proposed four major conditions: (1) Ask President Li Da to declare immediately to restore the "Interim Constitution" promulgated in the first year of the Republic of China; (2) Please convene the National Assembly that was dissolved in the second year of the Republic of China, by-election of the vice president according to law, and ask for the approval of the appointment of state ministers, and organize the official State Council; (3) Please punish thirteen people including Yang Du, Sun Yuyun, Yan Fu, Liu Shipei, Li Xiehe, Hu Ying, Zhu Qiqian, Duan Zhigui, Zhou Ziqi, Liang Shiyi, Zhang Zhenfang, Lei Zhenchun, Yuan Naikuan and other culprits of the imperial system; (4) Please order to convene a special military meeting, which will be held in Shanghai by the governors of various provinces or representatives of the generals to discuss all military issues in the aftermath. Cen Chunxuan, deputy commander of the Southwest Military Affairs Academy, also claimed that these four conditions were unanimously advocated by the National Defense Army. If Beijing agrees to accept them, the Fujun Academy will immediately revoke them.Tang Shaoyi, Liang Qichao, Wu Tingfang, etc. in Shanghai jointly sent out telegrams after Tang and Cen's telegrams were sent out.Members of Congress Gu Zhongxiu and Sun Hongyi published newspapers in Shanghai to convene a self-assessment with the goal of supporting the rule of law and maintaining the new "Convention Law". Duan Qirui did not approve of the restoration of the old "Convention Law". On June 22, he telegraphed the provinces and said: "Huang Pi succeeds, and the head of state wins. For half a month, the whole country has debated the "Contract Law". However, as far as the "Contract Law" is concerned, many people advocate obeying the "Contract Law" of the first year. The government has no prejudices at first. But Many people would like to order this method to be announced quickly, but the government thinks that it is impossible. Gai orders to change the law, which is not tolerated by various schools of law. If it is done rashly, the consequences will be unspeakable; Go along with it too. In other words, the three-year "Contract Law" cannot be discussed as a law. Even if it is abolished by order, it is not enough to discuss. This is impossible!The three-year "Convention Law" has been implemented for a long time, and it has been based on it. It is regarded as the standard of administration. If it is erased, all laws and regulations in China will be shaken. It will be impossible to overturn the previous case, and why not? Or it is also said that the three-year "Yuefa" came from the "Yuefa" meeting; the "Yuefa meeting" came from the political meeting, and the people who discussed it were sent by government orders, which are different from the public meetings. It is impossible to change the theory of law, and this is impossible.The three-year "covenant law", so those who are not satisfied with people's expectations, say that the foundation of the law is rooted in the command ear!And why is it that the "Yuefa" in the first year does not bother to repeat it with orders?Moreover, the three-year "Yuefa" has been criticized by the world, because it is unreasonable and unreasonable at the beginning of its creation of the law.However, after a few consultations and a few turning points, we began to discuss revisions.Now those who are looking forward to the government, why do you want it to make a resolute order to revise the previous laws?Since this matter was wrong before, how can it be wrong now?If you know it's not possible, you should follow it, but you really don't know it's possible.If it is said that the law might as well be restored by order, then it might as well be abolished by order!Today's order is restored, and tomorrow's order is abolished. What is the law waiting for?And if Mr. A ordered it to be restored, why couldn't Mrs. B order it to be abolished?What can be applied to the contract, why can't it be applied to the constitution?If this is the case, every time the head of state changes, the law will change accordingly. How will the people follow it? Or it can be said that the people of the country wished to see the sincerity of the "Contract Law" in the first year, and it was almost not the whole day, so the order was announced as soon as possible.Do you know whether the law is good or not? If you don't fight for delay, the law is good. What's the harm if you delay?If the law is not good, the faster it is, the less likely it will be able to tie the hearts of the world, and the world will flock to discuss what will happen next!Even if people are eager to govern and have nothing to say, they still have to worry about the source of conflict in future generations, or if the dance is a traitor, give me a capital as a precedent, which will last forever. It will add a sweat mark to the history of the country, and it is definitely not the government. out also.In short, in the first year of the revival of the "Yuefa", the government has no prejudices at the beginning, and those who are judged are the methods of revival!What are the good strategies of the gentlemen, and I still pray that you will not be stingy in teaching, so that you can test yourself. " Tang Shaoyi, Liang Qichao, Wu Tingfang, etc. sent a telegram to refute, and the meaning of the words was firm, briefly saying: "This time, our president will succeed in accordance with the law, and the government has repeatedly declared internally and externally. What law is it based on? Isn't it based on the presidential election law derived from the procedures stipulated in the first year's "Convention Law"? Let the three-year "Convention Law" be the law Also, one law does not allow two, so the "Presidential Election Law" abolished by this law is definitely illegal, so how can it be followed? Goer, why not open the so-called stone chamber on June 9 to not seek the head of state Husband, my president is in office, and there is no one else who respects it legally at home and abroad. The three-year "Convention Law" has not become law. Another example is that the agency that my public is currently in charge of is the State Council. The State Council, the first year " The organs mentioned in the Covenant Law are unprecedented in the Three-Year Covenant Law. If the three-year Covenant Law is legal, and the first year Covenant Law is illegal, why is the court established by the director of the public office? There is no other legal one, and the three-year "Contract Law" is not a law. If all the legal principles are the same, and the facts are the same, then the illegality of the Three-Year "Contract Law" is indeed an iron case." Since the Beiyang faction is unwilling to restore the old "Convention Law", it proposes to revise a new covenant law in the same way as the Convention Conference. On June 25, the Shanghai Navy suddenly declared independence. Li Dingxin, Commander-in-Chief of the Shanghai Navy, Lin Baoyi, Commander of the First Fleet, and Zeng Zhaolin, Commander of the Training Fleet, issued a joint declaration, declaring independence because they supported the old "Convention Law". The telegram said: "Since the founding of Xinhai, the sea soldiers have supported the republic, and the world has seen it together. The battle of Gui Chou, based on the foundation of the Republic of China, was unshakable, so he decided to support the central government. However, the sincerity of the republic is still the same. It is also the same as the world. Forgiveness. Ever since the imperial system took place, the first uprising in southern Yunnan, the shady scene of raising security, once revealed, the world will know, but the so-called public opinions are all forged, and the so-called proponents are all forced by the power. The people are angry, the whole country is disturbed, the north and the south There is no day to resolve the stalemate. The disaster of war is imminent, and the country is on the brink of peril. The generals and soldiers at sea, because of this sudden change, should not stick to the common law, but only obey the good name. It is useless to the overall situation. Action, hoping to save the crisis. It is in progress, and the Yuan family has died. Although President Li has taken office today, the Beijing government still announces it in a will according to the "Contract Law" that Yuan's tampered with. How can it win the trust of the world and satisfy the hearts of the people? It is held hostage by the imperialist party. It goes without saying that our president is isolated and cannot express his opinions freely. This can be deduced from this. If this is the case, it will be a disaster. Joining the National Defense Army, with the purpose of supporting the current president and safeguarding the republic, will not accept orders from the Ministry of the Navy in Beijing until the first year of the "Contract" is restored, the Congress meets, and the official cabinet is established. It is a once-and-for-all plan. Let us forgive the misfortune of cultivating traitors, and the family of the concubines will be honest with each other, abide by the law, and follow the right track to achieve law and order." The independence of the Shanghai Navy made Duan feel that the situation was serious and that he was isolated.At that time, the Chinese Navy had three fleets, and the First Fleet was the main force of the navy.This blatant independence not only seriously threatens the coastal provinces and regions under the influence of the Beiyang faction, but also helps the National Defense Army transport troops northward. Only then did Duan Qirui realize that the problem was serious, and he no longer insisted on implementing the new "Convention Law". At the same time, because of Lin Changmin and Zhang Guogan's efforts, Li Yuanhong formally issued an order on June 29, and still complied with the "Interim Contract Law" announced in the first year of the Republic of China. ", the decree is as follows: "The system of the republic, the first priority is public opinion. The public opinion is the only one, but the constitution. The completion of the constitution depends on the Congress. Since the National Congress of the Republic of China was suspended on January 10, three years, it has been more and more two years. As a result, the constitution for the first five years of the founding of the country has not been finalized, the main foundation has not been established, and common government has no way to proceed. It is urgent to convene the National Assembly to formulate the constitution quickly, so as to consolidate the country's foundation by coordinating the will of the people. Before the constitution is finalized, it still follows the first year of the Republic of China The "Provisional Constitution" promulgated on March 11 will last until the establishment of the Constitution. The "Presidential Election Law" promulgated on October 5 of the following year is part of the Constitution and should remain in force." It also decreed: "According to Article 53 of the "Provisional Constitution", the Congress will continue to be convened, and the meeting will continue from August 1 of this year. All the laws and regulations of the Legislative Yuan and the National Assembly of the Yuan Dynasty should be revoked immediately and replaced. The Senate is abolished, and Duan Qirui is specially appointed as the Premier of the State Council and the heads of various ministries." Thus, the controversial issue of legal system came to an end. On July 14, Li Yuanhong ordered the punishment of Yang Du, Sun Yuyun, Gu Ao, Liang Shiyi, Xia Shoutian, Zhu Qiqian, Zhou Ziqi, Xue Dake and other eight people who were the culprits of the imperial system.The Southwest Military Affairs Council agreed with Fu's wishes based on the conditions proposed, so on the same day, Tang Jiyao, Cen Chunxuan, Liang Qichao, Liu Xianshi, Lu Rongting, Chen Bingkun, Lu Gongwang, Cai E, Li Liejun, Dai Kan, Liu Cunhou, Luo Peijin, Li Dingxin, etc. jointly rescinded the proposal. , declare all government affairs of the country, and listen to the leadership of the head of state, the government and the Congress. Hong Xian collapsed, Yuan Shikai passed away, and Liang Qichao and Cai E, teachers and students, became popular at that time.After Li Yuanhong became the polished president, he desperately hoped to win over the power to protect the country and rely on it for support, so someone suggested to Li that Liang Qichao should be hired as the secretary-general of the presidential palace. The strength of the military is enough to contain Duan Qirui.Li thought so, so he called Liang Qichao on July 1, and the telegram said: "Repeatedly inherit the training, consider the future and think deeply, seek the heart of the country, and be faithful at home. Taishan Beidou, admiration is the work. I also know that when I read the ceremony, I dare not use the cabinet members to ask each other, but I treat it like a mess. , humiliating mediocrity, Dingzi endangers the situation, setting up the old tripod to be overthrown, and the Xuxu to be destroyed, which is not only against the people's desire to govern, but also against the husband's wish to save the time. There is no suspicion of seizing love, and it can be used to discuss the Tao. Mr. is an example of human relations, and ten thousand people look up to the mirror. If you are willing to miss the country, you should not bear the sound of gold and jade. Dare to show your heart, and embrace your life." Liang Qichao is a smart man.Why don't you know that this is a thankless job, so thank you politely.Li Yuanhong then wrote several times to send people to invite Liang to Beijing, to support everything, and ordered the income and expenditure office of the government to give a monthly allowance of 2,000 yuan starting from July. His letter to Liang said briefly: "Since disobedience to the dust religion, Qiu Ge has changed. The mountains, trees, rivers and clouds are thousands of miles away. Although there are many scales and scorpions, and the post and telecommunications are often connected, but the arms of the enterprise are not enough. Xu Junfosu came to Beijing and inquired about it. Su Lu is peaceful, travel is clean and comfortable, and the joy is indescribable. The country is full of troubles, and disasters can be found in disguise. Thanks to the merits of the deacon's advocacy, and the strength of his husband's mediation and mediation, fortunately, the stripping was recovered and the crisis was turned into safety. Yuan Hong was not talented, After being followed by the gentlemen, we shared the great hardships, all the measures, and the guidance of equal funds. Jiayou Weilue, Bo Hai and Qin, this solid republic has no borders, not just a personal luck! Now that the National Assembly is about to open, the hearts of the people Roughly determined, but the future is boundless, the future will be difficult, and all construction problems require a talented and insightful person like a deacon, who can sit calmly and discuss things, consult with each other, and walk long nights. Going to Gaoxuan, Shi Deacon seems to be in the midst of worry and obedience. The mourning is too great, and it is not convenient to ask for it. However, the footsteps are heard, and the shade is as old as a year. The period of the ritual is a hundred days, to win the love of the country, and the hope of all the people. Seeing this dangerous situation, I would rather endure it. The Fuqitai came from the north, and I was ordered to drive it every day. It comforted my hunger and thirst, and showed me that I would travel around nine times. Please, fortunately, don’t give up, and learn from this little enthusiasm.” On Double Tenth Day in the fifth year of the Republic of China, Li Yuanhong rebuilt the republic and issued a large number of honor orders as a code of reward.Sun Yat-sen was the first to be awarded the Grand Honor; Cai E, Tang Jiyao, Lu Rongting, Liang Qichao, Huang Xing, and Cen Chunxuan were awarded one honor; Duan Qirui, Wang Shizhen, and Feng Guozhang were awarded the first-class Grand Ribbon Baoguang Jiahe Medal.These medals were awarded too many times. For example, the generals of the anti-imperialist faction in the Southwest and those who possessed military power in the imperialist faction of Beiyang, and even Shixu, Zai Tao, Shaoying, etc. of the imperial family of the Qing Dynasty were also awarded.So fish and dragons were mixed together, and there was a rain of medals.