Chapter 33 Section ten

The powerful blow to break the dream of Emperor Yuan Shikai and declare the bankruptcy of his "public opinion" finally came: on December 25, 1915, Cai E, Tang Jiyao and others telegraphed the whole country, announcing the independence of Yunnan, and established the National Defense Army to crusade against the national traitor Yuan Shikai! Cai E, a name that Yuan Shikai loves and fears.Like Song Jiaoren, he is a genius. During his study in Changsha Current Affairs School, he was deeply appreciated by Liang Qichao, who was the head teacher of the school at that time; Chongjiu Uprising, regained Yunnan, served as the governor of Yunnan, and had great influence in the entire southwest region.

During his tenure as the governor of Yunnan, Cai E did not amass money, did not seek personal gain, and his ambition was not small.Yuan Shikai appreciated him very much, and transferred him to Beijing in 1913. He wanted to reuse him, but he was deeply concerned that he might not be of the same mind with him, so he kept on guard while wooing him.After Yuan Shikai started proclaiming himself emperor, he closely observed Cai E's reaction. Cai E and this modern first hero launched a battle of wits without gunpowder but exciting.At the "Yunnan Guild Hall Generals and Schools Gala" held in Beijing, Cai E was the first to sign a "petition" to change his career to the monarchy without saying a word.Then, he plunged headlong into Bada Hutong, where there are many brothels, and was submerged in the boundless wind and moon.

Yuan Shikai was not stupid enough to feel at ease when he saw his signature. He didn't expect Cai E's support. He analyzed Cai E's attitude: the signature support was just to show that he would not oppose himself in proclaiming himself emperor, and indulging in brothels was an expression of his respect for himself. disappointment.Well, as long as you don't get in the way! Proclaiming the emperor gradually entered a climax, Cai E asked for leave to see a doctor at the Japanese Republic Hospital in Tianjin, and when Yuan Shikai became nervous, Cai E returned to Beijing to sell the leave; Get on the train at the train station and go to Tianjin; because he didn't ask for leave this time, Yuan Shikai immediately sent someone to "visit", but Cai E calmly took out the doctor's medical certificate he had prepared and showed it, and proposed to go to Japan for medical treatment.

He did suffer from severe throat disease, and Yuan Shikai did not doubt his condition; after several observations, he also felt that it was unlikely that he would jump out to fight against him, so he sent Cai E to Japan. The tiger escaped from the cage. After arriving in Japan, Cai E wrote several postcards and asked someone to send one to Yuan Shikai after a while, indicating that he was in Japan.At this time, Cai E had secretly boarded the ship, first arrived in Hong Kong, and then traveled day and night to Yunnan via Vietnam. On December 19, Cai E arrived in Kunming, where he had a solid foundation, and was warmly welcomed by Tang Jiyao, the governor of Yunnan, and others.

On the night of December 22, civil and military officials from all over Yunnan Province formed an alliance with blood, and the first shot against Yuan proclaiming himself emperor was about to be fired.Cai E said impassionedly: Launching the uprising to protect the country is "struggling for the personality of 400 million people!" Fortunately, Cai E made such a voice at this time!A country that has achieved a republic has to go back to the feudal era. If there is no resistance to the uprising to protect the country, and no rise to maintain the republic, it can only prove that this is an authentic slave state!

The launch of the uprising to protect the country sounded the death knell of Yuan Shikai's monarchy. The morale of the National Defense Army was high, and they went north with high songs. In Sichuan, three mixed brigades of the Beiyang Army led by Chen Huan and two divisions of the Sichuan Army exchanged fire, and the National Defense Army won a big victory.Then, Guizhou also declared independence.Just when the Beiyang Army gradually succeeded, Lu Rongting of Guangxi declared Guangxi's independence again and strongly supported the National Defense Army.Next, under the hints of Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang, Chen Bing of the Beiyang Army did not move forward.

The national defense uprising and the national defense army led the tide of opposition to the imperial system all over the country, and won the final victory. This is the great contribution made by Yunnan, a remote and poor province, to China.In the War to Protect the Nation, over 10,000 officers and soldiers were killed or injured in Yunnan; Yunnan’s education funds were used as military expenses, and 50,000 to 60,000 mules and horses in the territory were requisitioned, and the people shouldered a heavy burden. Can't recover.