Chapter 14 Section 7 Minutes of Confidential Meetings

Next, Zhu Erdian and Yuan Shikai continued to set up a battle, and called Cai Tinggan, Yuan Shikai's English secretary, and asked him to record it on the spot. After processing and embellishing this record, it was distributed in secret to leading cadres above the county regiment level, and leaders at all levels were required to study it carefully and understand it carefully.Today, this secret document has become a big porcelain bowl for historians to eat, and it is necessary to bring it up for everyone to see. The meeting minutes are as follows: Zhu Erdian: Hello, President. You are in good health. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Yuan Shikai: Hello, old friend. I have always been in good health. How is your minister? Zhu Erdian: Well, quite well, good health is a blessing.President Yuan, I heard that the issue of your country's state system can be resolved in the near future, and it will be changed to a constitutional monarchy. Is it true? Yuan Shikai: Yes, local military and political chiefs reacted strongly, either in person or by telegram, saying that a non-constitutional monarchy would not be able to consolidate the foundation of the country and maintain the overall situation.In particular, everyone has seen that the republic of Mexico has led to national turmoil, and they all believe that a forced republic is not a permanent strategy.I personally think that it is not the time to implement a constitutional monarchy now!

Zhu Erdian: If there is no civil strife in China, it can be implemented at any time, because this is China's internal affairs and foreign countries cannot interfere. Yuan Shikai: In terms of civil strife, we can guarantee that there will be no problems. I am more assured that even if there are some minor problems, they will not affect the overall situation.My biggest concern is the diplomatic aspect. Zhu Erdian: The UK welcomes this matter very much.The responsibility you are taking on now is really too great. The president will leave in the future, and no one can take on your responsibility. The republic that your country is currently practicing is a political system that does not exist in the world. It is neither a republic nor an autocracy. Non-constitutional monarchy, this kind of special political system, may not be able to last for too long. It is better to implement a constitutional monarchy system as early as possible.Therefore, Britain not only welcomes it, but has absolutely no intention of opposing it; and not only Britain welcomes it, but all the countries in the British alliance also welcome it.

Yuan Shikai: Thank you, Mr. Minister, for your country's support for me.What I am most worried about is Japan, which is next door to the east, and I don't know what it will do recently.Public security is guaranteed in all provinces, but it is hard to predict the three eastern provinces and Mongolia.There are many Japanese people there, and there are frequent conflicts. If any Japanese are killed, no matter the reason, they will take the opportunity to make trouble. What I am worried about is here. Zhu Erdian: I haven't heard that Japan has the slightest intention to oppose it, or take advantage of the opportunity to harm China.

Yuan Shikai: Shigenobu Okuma once told my ambassador to Japan that President Yuan should rest assured to do the constitutional monarchy. Japan is willing to provide all assistance.From this point of view, Japan seems to no longer practice the "fisherman's policy" on the surface. Zhu Erdian: Since Okuma said that, he wanted to express his kindness. Yuan Shikai: I still have something to ask. That is, when I became the official president, I swore to maintain the republic. If it becomes a constitutional monarchy, wouldn’t it be a discredit to the world? Zhu Erdian: This is also easy to solve.When the republic was voted on and you were elected president, you must of course swear to support the republic.Now the people have decided to establish a constitutional monarchy, and electing you as the emperor of the empire is another matter of public opinion, and it has nothing to do with credit.

Yuan Shikai: If it is a constitutional monarchy, it is better to invite Emperor Xuantong. Zhu Erdian: Re-electing a Manchu as emperor will be rejected by all countries.If the President is willing to take on this important task in accordance with public opinion, the UK will welcome it.President, you have a very high reputation in the UK. ... The minutes of the meeting showed in black and white that the British government supported China's transition to a constitutional monarchy and supported Yuan Shikai's appointment as emperor. The Germans, Japanese, and British are all together, and the only thing left is the Americans.

The U.S. government does not express its position on this matter, and believes that the political system is a country's internal affairs, and it can do whatever it likes.But one thing is, the American ministers are extroverted and enthusiastic. No matter which country’s ministers want to persuade China to implement a constitutional monarchy, if they gather a number of people to call the American ministers, the American ministers will follow, and they are very cooperative. In addition, Yuan Shikai's constitutional adviser, Goodnow, was an American. He was very dissatisfied with China's constitution at that time. He believed that the draft constitution left the president in a powerless position, and the authority of the president was not suitable for today's China.To put it bluntly, just one sentence: China is not suitable for a republic, and it is more appropriate to change to a constitutional monarchy.

Amidst all the noise, Wang Kai, a master of Chinese studies, came to Beijing to create chaos.