Chapter 129 128. Duan's Resignation and the Tianjin Conference

Duan Qirui's crusade against the south, the policy of unification by force was not feasible, and he was opposed by the direct line, and the situation in Hunan changed suddenly, so he had no choice but to resign.Before his resignation was submitted, Li Chun, the governor of Jiangsu, called again to suggest that the prime minister should not serve as the chief of the army, dissolve the temporary senate, appoint Tang Shaoyi as the general representative of the northern peace conference, and quickly convene the north-south peace conference. On November 16, Duan was forced to submit his resignation. At the same time, he sent out a "secret" telegram to discuss the necessity of the unity of the Beiyang faction and why he had to resign. The telegram said:

"Since Qirui's resignation in May, he has been tired of personnel affairs for a long time, thanking guests behind closed doors, and the country changed again, which is contrary to his original intention. Since he took office, he has relied on the efforts of all gentlemen to help each other in difficulties. He privately hopes to use the strength of my Beiyang comrades to unify The country is built in Ningyu, and the common people can be safe and secure, and the rule of law can be used. This battle in the southwest... has been discussed and consulted repeatedly, and it is neither selfish nor militant. Comrade. (Referring to Comrade Beiyang)...It is the instigation of traitors, the army has no fighting spirit, and the Japanese Wang Ruxian, Fan Guozhang, etc. sent it by telegram. As far as this is concerned...Today in China, thieves are prospering, traitors are rampant, rules and regulations are getting worse, customs are getting worse, and the so-called protection of the law and the country is in name only, and it is only a tool for fraudsters to tell lies....Looking around the country, Only the strength of our northern soldiers can protect the law and protect the country. If we can be united in one mind, no country will succeed, no force will fail. During the period of Xinhai and Kuichou, the number of our northern soldiers was less than one-third of today's, and the geographical advantage was not as good as one-third of today's. Therefore, those who can unify the country have a mind that is not clear. Recently, the southern party members also know that our northern soldiers have a righteous purpose and a deep foundation. They cannot be merged with other southwestern forces. Divorce, the third is bait, and Changyan opposes those who are his deep hatred. Even if he deals with him, he pretends to be a good friend; it is nothing more than starting a dispute between us and the fisherman, and taking advantage of the fisherman. First attack the north from the north, and then attack the south Attacking the north will eventually destroy the country and destroy the species. Wang Ruxian is a slave to the tiger. He is willing to drink poison and reminisce about the past. It is a trap. Wang Ruxian and others do not understand the righteousness. It is not a pity. I can't bear to use Wang Ruxian's reason to cause the same room to fight against each other. The hatred is accumulating. When the strength is broken, the unity is ineffective, and the influence affects the country. Our northern soldiers are divided, that is, China The harbinger of the split, the demise of our northern power is the omen of China's demise. Qirui loves the country, regardless of power, and the gentlemen of Jiuhe know that for the sake of the country, the power of the north is the first. She Qirui resigns, there is nothing else The law that can be preserved is determined to lead far away, and it was submitted yesterday to beg for rest. It is neither going away in anger, nor is it fearful of difficulties. The general trend is a long-term view. If I can achieve my sincerity, the strength of the north will be consolidated. In difficult times, If it can be redeemed, Qirui's resignation today is an unavoidable move....Since the north, I wish all gentlemen...Always take the strength of the north, that is, the strength of the country, to be united and strong, and not to fall into the conspiracy of other generations In order to maintain the country, this is what Qirui gills and gills are praying for. The parting gift, fortunately, it will be preserved. Duan Qirui. Printed."

Duan believes that the Beiyang warlords are the orthodox forces in China, so there would be no China without the Beiyang warlords.He said that "the northern soldiers have a righteous purpose", forgetting that he himself instigated the warlords to rebel in order to restore their own power, which is extremely unfair; "Reaping the benefits of the fisherman", forgetting his own hypocrisy to control the inside from the outside world, is "reading the wall", and Japan is the "fisherman"; After the country dies, it will be quick."He forgot that he himself first attacked the southwest from the southwest, and then attacked the southwest from the north.He slandered the Southwest for using divisive tactics to destroy the Beiyang group. In fact, Beiyang fought for its own interests, so there was no need to be divorced if it split up on its own.While blaming Wang Ruxian, he still wanted to unite the Beiyang warlords into one force and serve as a pillar to support China.But this pillar has become a dilapidated waste, which is difficult to repair.

After Duan's secret telegram was sent, Xu Shuzheng sent another secret telegram, asking all the warlords of the Anhui clique to send back telegrams to support Duan.Feng Guozhang then also sent a secret telegram, the original text is as follows: "National affairs are endangered, people's hearts are fluctuating, rifts are created, and the whole country is shaken. I will announce the situation of the past few days and the pity of the missed opportunities: since the restoration was abolished and the republic was rebuilt, the soldiers have really made the most of the contribution. From then on, the military groups, namely As the center of the country, life and death have a great relationship. This is not only republican by the people of the country, but also recognized by the diplomatic corps. This time the government is established and the policies it implements are aimed at improving the fundamental law of the Republic of China, so there is no rush to convene a new Congress , and for the establishment of the Senate first, although there are slight differences in law, there are no selfish intentions in it. The two or three provinces in the Southwest rose up to oppose and made unreasonable demands, and the central government repeatedly accommodated them. The use of troops is only to achieve the purpose, not the ambition of oppression by force at the beginning. Although the military affairs have started, the victory or defeat has not been decided, but the Sichuan affairs have been quite successful by the central government. The soldiers of Guizhou and Yunnan in Sichuan are not in sight. Withdrew from the Sichuan border. In Guangdong, although Lu, Chen, and Tan had soldiers to aid Hunan, because Long, Li, and Mo were leaning towards the central government and secretly restraining them, they could not make a big move. It is also time for the war in Hunan. The soldiers of our Northern Army are a little excited , maintain the inherent power, and the central government can achieve a perfect result. Unexpectedly, the most famous athlete in the Northern Army suffered a narrow escape from death, misunderstood the words of others, and lost his ambition. The defeated people conspired to stop the war, and asked the chief to beg for peace through telegrams, regardless of shame. Although there were unavoidable difficulties in it, the central government completely canceled the successful plan. You can hear it, can you spare it! Can it not hurt? Alas! Especially the telegram to seek peace, the host said, if you want to achieve the purpose, you must be able to fight and then make peace. If you occupy the power, win one step, announce mediation, go further, ask for consent, leave room for the central government, and protect the government. Majesty, the reputation of our soldiers is huge, and the happiness of the people of the country depends on it. How can we be happy. If we don’t do this, we just beg for it. Even if we achieve the goal of peace, our soldiers will lose their face. Guozhang is also a member of the soldiers. If you behave like this, there is no room for ending. If you are not ashamed to die, you will also die of anger. You are all patriotic husbands. What are your opinions? Victory means that although a big mistake has been made, it can still be remedied with one heart. Guozhang is ashamed to assume the position of authority! If the country does not survive, how will the body be attached? First my soldiers, shame on you. Declare the truth, eager for an answer!"

On November 18, Cao Kun, Governor of Zhili, Governor of Zhili, Governor of Hubei, Wang Zhanyuan, Governor of Jiangsu, Li Chun, and Governor of Jiangxi, Chen Guangyuan, issued a joint telegram calling for an armistice.The three governors of the Yangtze River suddenly became the four governors of the direct line, and the momentum was huge, which was a fatal injury to Duan.The four governors of the direct line are connected as follows: "Since the coup took place and the republic was revived, when all the politics were waiting to be dealt with, there was a sudden dispute between the same family, and the reason was traced back to the fact that the political opinions of all parties were different, and the situation was estranged, which led to initial discord and continued suspicion. Two or three self-interested people intend to steal the society and rely on the city, the way is to take advantage of the organization to provoke, and the faction fights for trees. Because of the technique that can be used, it is a strategy of provocation, the ambition of looting, and the private anger of revenge. Political opinions are actually opinions, which are called saving the country, but in fact they are disasters for the country, so they boiled beans on the wall, and it was hard to get it back. Kun waited for several months, wandering in the middle of the night, worrying about death, worrying about death, breaking eggs and sharing sorrow, blood Filled with worries and sorrows. Because of our country's diplomatic status, it is undeniable that the war in Europe is coming to an end, and our misfortune will begin. Now we can remedy it, but we are still afraid of the future. To financial difficulties, Yoda's extreme, poisoned wine to quench thirst, leaking dried meat Healing hunger is better than self-mutilation, and you can be embarrassed all day long? Disasters in the Northeast, wars in the Southwest, people displaced, business stagnation, and all kinds of dangers, it is even more difficult. The building will collapse, and there will be endless internal strife. If you are willing to sacrifice, every time you think, you will shudder, your heart will be filled with anger, and there will be no tears to sway. Soldiers are like fire, and they will burn themselves if they don’t fight. Just like Xiangcheng’s mistakes, the same species can kill each other. Would you rather be brave? Idiocy is wisdom? Even if you are victorious after many battles, you are already laughing at the country. If you lose, you will lose both, and you will end up together. Today, the north is leaning on Hunan and Hunan cannot be relied on, and the south is Shu and Shu is not possible. A benevolent gentleman can bear to be deceived again. Brothers and fathers in the ice and snow in the rain of guns and bullets? And if the battle is prolonged for one day, it will hurt one more day, and if one area is stretched, it will cause one more pain. Blessings are closed, and we have a clear understanding of the fire. Controversy starts from politics, and compassion has sympathy. Kun waits for incompetence, embraces the heart of calming people, and has the ambition to solve problems, running around crying, screaming bitterly, and being honest Weifu, who will never be effective in the end, who is ashamed and ashamed, has no place to be ashamed. Whoever hopes for it has never been slack. Therefore, since the political struggle, I have silently observed the real public opinion, looked up to the unbearable heart of the head of state, and endured humiliation. Seek to achieve the goal of peace, to save the country from danger, and to consolidate the grand foundation of unity. I invite you to forgive me for my stupidity. Now that the situation is critical and everything is difficult, I have to reiterate what I said before. For the 400 trillion people, please Before the public and others. I would like to read the tragedy of the subjugated country and the pain of the soul. Immediately cease the war, each guarding the area, no more conflicts, so as to get a good business plan and quickly resolve disputes. Lu Zhonglian's post, Kun and others are willing to take it. I also wish to be open and honest, and disclose everything. Since it belongs to the family, but on the premise of the country, there is nothing that cannot be negotiated and resolved. If the mutual concealment is not fully disclosed, can the situation of peace be restored? The position of the public is expected, the Chinese and the foreign have a vision, the public opinion is momentary, and the history is forever, right and wrong, it has its own special return, and it turns around, and only the public is right. It is critical to save the country and the people. The call is urgent and I don’t know what to say.”

At the time when the telegram was sent, Duan Qirui was ordered to be relieved of his position as chief of the army, and Wang Shizhen succeeded him. Although Cao Kun belonged to the direct lineage, he had not joined the Zhuhe Group of the Three Governors of the Yangtze River before, and had always maintained a good relationship with the Anhui faction.Both the Zhi and Anhui factions tried their best to win over Cao Kun, but he never showed favoritism. He was the most powerful in the Beiyang faction at that time, and he was the minister of Beiyang in the Qing Dynasty. His every move had a serious impact on Beijing.

Cao Kun originally remained neutral in the open and secret struggle between the Zhili and Anhui factions, but suddenly united with the three governors of the Zhili lineage of the Yangtze River to demand an end to the Civil War, which was a huge blow to Duan. He once went to Tianjin to lobby Cao, asking Cao to stand on the side of the Anhui faction. In the future, when the Anhui faction convenes a new congress to elect the vice president, Cao will be elected as the vice president.He said to Cao: "The three governors of the Yangtze River are headed by Li Chun. If peace between the North and the South is realized, Li Chun, who is a peacemaker, will inevitably improve his political status, and Cao Kun will definitely have nothing to gain."Xu Shuzheng's words are very powerful. Of course, Cao knows that the new congress in the future must be controlled by the Anhui faction. If he helps the Anhui faction at this time, there will be no problem for the Anhui faction to elect him as vice president.At the same time, both Li Yuanhong and Feng Guozhang were supported by the vice president, so Xu's words moved Cao. On the 21st, Cao Kun confessed to Duan in a long-distance phone call from Tianjin, saying that he did not participate in any action without his consent.His phone call made Duan Da feel relieved.

Whether Cao Kun participated in the listing or not is also a politically delicate matter. It turns out that Li Chun once asked Cao Kun that everyone jointly submit a telegram to promote peace between the North and the South. Cao Kun's answer was noncommittal.Li Chun thought that Cao had acquiesced, and he sent the Qiaodian from Nanjing, led by Cao Kun. Cao Kun saw that the Qiaodian was too serious, and was afraid that the grudge with Duan would be too deep, so he denied it. Kun is self-defeating. So Cao Kun, under the direction of Xu Shuzheng, published a separate horse report on the 21st: he advocated that the withdrawal of the Southern Army from Changsha should be the condition for the peace talks between the North and the South.On the surface, it seems that there is still a main battle, or a compromise between the main battle and the main battle, but it is actually not good for the southern army.

Before and after the publication of Cao Kun’s horse report, Anhui warlords such as Ni Sichong, Governor of Anhui, Zhang Zuolin, Governor of Fengtian, Yang Shande, Governor of Zhejiang, and other warlords: Lu Yongxiang, Zhang Huaizhi, Zhang Jingyao, Li Houji, etc. responded to Duan’s call and advocated continuing to fight against the south. For a while, the main combat faction gained momentum. The Anhui lineage called war, and the Zhi line called peace, and the two sides made a big fuss about this debate.The Anhui Department said: You can only make peace when you can fight, and you should use war to force peace.The direct line says: peace is used to show sincerity, and peace is used as a means. If the goal cannot be achieved, only by fighting again can we be strong.In fact, the peace faction is dealing with Duan, and the war faction is dealing with Feng.It's not really about peace, or war.

The Beiyang faction had already split when Yuan proclaimed himself emperor, but the split at that time was only against Yuan, or Yuan's betrayal.After the restoration of Zhang Xun, the split of the Beiyang faction became superficial. After the restoration of Zhang Xun, Duan Qirui vowed to crusade against each other, but it was not a real split. For Feng Guozhang, since Yuan Shikai's death, he began to dream of the Xinhua Palace. However, when his wish came true, he gradually realized that the title of the magnificent government and the president is not an ideal fairyland on earth. The pain he suffered was exactly what Li had suffered in the past.Like Li, he is the stamping machine of the Duan cabinet.

When he approved the resignation of Xu Shuzheng, Duan's think tank, as the Deputy Minister of the Army on November 20, Xu made troubles in Tianjin and pulled Cao Kun out of the direct four governors' clever telegram to deny it.Zhang Zuolin's organization of the so-called Qin, Jin, Anhui, and Feng Great Alliance was also said to be Xu Shuzheng's plan. This Grand Warlord's Alliance seems to be a reprint of the Warlord's Legion. At the same time, it is said that the Japanese envoy came to see Feng and said in a threatening tone: "The situation in China is facing great difficulties. The cabinet cannot be changed. If there is a change, there will be big trouble." However, Feng was still determined to remove Duan. It was difficult for him to find a prime minister, so he went to Wang Shizhen, earnestly begged Wang Gunian for many years of friendship, and reluctantly left the mountain. More euphemistically, he said that he and Duan have been friends for decades, so how could he betray his friend?Not only did he refuse to accept the post of prime minister, he even refused to take up the post of army chief because he was sick. In desperation, Feng Guozhang went to find Xiong Xiling, Tian Wenlie, Lu Zhengxiang and others. Of course, these people also refused, because they all knew that this was a short-lived prime minister, so why bother to make sandwich biscuits between Feng and Duan. Everything is a replica of Li Yuanhong's era. Li found the old-fashioned Wu Tingfang at that time, and then he was able to save Duan's prime minister. Feng finally found the sick Wang Daxie. Conditions: Only be the prime minister for a few days, and only sign two official documents.Feng also wanted to find a transition, as long as someone transitioned, Feng could invite Wang Shizhen again, so Feng agreed to Wang's conditions. Of course Duan knew about Feng's situation, so he went to the Presidential Palace to ask for his resignation. On November 22, Feng ordered Zhun Duan to resign and appointed Wang Daxie to act as the Prime Minister. On the 23rd, Feng Tongdian explained the process of Zhun Duan's resignation, saying: "Given the importance of the relationship between the Prime Minister and the Republic of China, I and the Prime Minister know each other deeply, and I cannot bear to let him go on like this. However, the Prime Minister insisted on resting his shoulders, and he was forced to be removed from his post on the 22nd. After that, the cabinet was reshuffled. , I still hope that Duan Gong will give his knowledge so that Guozhang can take advantage of it. Although Prime Minister Duan has temporarily resigned, Guozhang relies heavily on Yin, and Duan Gong's support is the same as in the past." Since Feng Guozhang removed Duan Qirui from the position of prime minister, he wanted to seize the opportunity to complete the monopoly of the president. Therefore, the first step was to restore the Generalissimo Command Office in Yuan Shikai's era, but the name was changed slightly, and it was called the Military Office. In the Li Yuanhong era, it was called the Military Staff Office.Li Youxin was powerless and did not complete the plan, and Feng could not realize it, because the Anhui soldiers had called to oppose it, so the signboard of the Military Office was only hung for two days, then it was taken down, and the old signboard of the Military Office was still restored.