Chapter 32 Section IX

When Yuan Shikai, who was wise for the first time, was stepping towards the throne step by step through all means, under the illusion of "thousands of people", the activities against the imperial system began to be in full swing. After all, China's history has developed to a new stage of abandoning feudal imperial power, openly challenging the tide of the times, and will only be swept away by the mighty tide of the world. After Yang Du published "On the Salvation of the Nation by the Constitution of the Monarch", Liang Qichao wrote "The So-called Problem of the National System" to refute it.Liang Qichao's article was brilliant in theory and sharp in writing. Yuan Shikai wanted to buy it for 200,000 yuan and not publish it publicly, but Liang Qichao refused; Yan Fu was also unmoved.

Some people in the upper echelons of Yuan Shikai's government also clearly opposed Yuan Shikai's attempt to proclaim himself emperor.Zhang Jian spoke earnestly to Yuan Shikai, "Chen Shikai talked about his interests for two hours", and advised him to be China's Washington instead of learning from the guillotine's Louis XVI. The generals of the Beiyang Army have always been driven by Yuan Shikai, except this time.One is that Yuan Shikai's proclaiming emperor is for the benefit of his Yuan family's descendants, but it is not good for Beiyang generals. The son; the second Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang are clear-headed and understand very well what it is to go back to the feudal monarchy now.

Duan Qirui was cultivated by Yuan Shikai and was loyal to Yuan Shikai, but this very individual general was loyal to Yuan Shikai but firmly opposed the restoration of the monarchy.Out of loyalty, he persuaded Yuan Shikai twice.Seeing Yuan Shikai's disapproval, Duan Qirui said emotionally: "President, Qirui has followed the president for more than 20 years. Qirui will never forget the president's kindness. Now the country is in critical condition. If there is any change, the consequences will be disastrous. Qirui is ignorant and sincere. It can be learned, please think twice, the President!"

That Feng Guozhang was really skeptical about whether the "Old Marshal" was in a daze and wanted to be the emperor, so he asked in an interview: "It is said that the president wants to change the imperial system, please give a secret notice in advance so that we can start to arrange it locally." At that time, the "persuasion" was popular, and Yuan Shikai's performance of "Rejection" was in full swing, so his neck became red all of a sudden, and he said angrily, "Why do you say that when outsiders say that? Don't you know me? Isn’t being an emperor just for the sake of descendants, and my elder son is disabled (Yuan Keding was seriously injured when he fell on a horse and couldn’t walk), the second son is a literati prodigal son, and the other sons don’t have this talent. Who should I pass on as emperor? Besides, since ancient times There are a few happy endings in the Emperor's House! I have a son who is studying in London, and I let him buy some property there. If you force me again, I will go abroad!"

Feng Guozhang was very pleased that "the old man is not confused", and when he heard other people's comments about Yuan Shikai's desire to become emperor, he immediately sternly refuted them.Unexpectedly, Yuan Shikai's imperialism was exposed step by step, and Feng Guozhang realized that he had been deceived. He was angry and chilled. From then on, he only watched Yuan's imperial activities from the sidelines. Celebrities in society, Yuan Shikai failed to win over Liang Qichao, so he suggested Zhang Binglin. If this founding father-level figure who has always been at odds with Sun Yat-sen, has a paranoid personality, has no authority, and is known as "Crazy Zhang" declares his support for the imperial system, what a call it would be force.Yuan Shikai invited Zhang Binglin to Beijing, but when Lao Zhang heard Yuan's intentions, he immediately cursed.If the Lazhang failed, Yuan Shikai put him under house arrest at Longquan Temple.Zhang Binglin first said to Yuan Kewen, the second son of Yuan Shikai who gave him the quilt, "I tell your father, don't dream of being an emperor!" the wall.

Indeed, Yuan Shikai was a thief: to the Qing Dynasty, he stole the Qing Dynasty; to the people, he stole the Republic of China. Yuan Shikai, who was determined to go all the way to the black, turned a deaf ear to the voices of opposition. He renamed the presidential palace as Xinhua Palace, declared 1916 as the first year of "Hongxian", and made intensive preparations for the enthronement ceremony on New Year's Day in 1916.