Chapter 13 Chapter 12 Let's Play the Banner of Democracy

The revolution launched in October of 1911, after all, temporarily stagnated because the revolutionary army was weak and failed to make rapid and greater progress.It has stagnated in the situation where the bombardment has turned into peace negotiations between the North and the South. In the south, the revolutionaries also saw their own shortcomings and saw the strength of the enemy, and it was not easy to win by force.One of their goals was to "drive out the Tartars". There were so many Han Chinese in the Qing court, whether they were in politics or in the army, they were not "Tartars".As long as they are willing to join forces with the Revolutionary Party to overthrow the Qing Dynasty, peace talks will be held.Revolution is everyone's business, and Sun Yat-sen is willing to "struggle together!" with all those who are determined to overthrow the feudal dynasty

In the north, Yuan Shikai's ups and downs, he has already seen clearly that the Qing Dynasty is not his backer, and he has no "coolness" to take advantage of under this big tree.A group of dignitaries from the Banner clan regarded him as a thorn in their side.The experience of "returning to his hometown to recuperate illness" is not to kick him out! Yuan Shikai has to thank the Revolutionary Party. If it weren't for Wuchang Yiyi, he would not have been squatting in Zhangde in obscurity.Yuan Shikai once lamented helplessly in Zhangde: "Looking back on how many things happened in the Central Plains, I will just smile and rest!" I still feel shallow, where can I ask Jiangcun?" and the vow of "opening Xuanping Beidou, turning over to feel too low"! The revolutionary army has risen, and Yuan Shikai has come out from the shallow Zhang River. He really wants to be with the revolutionary army. Break into the Forbidden City and wipe out all those arrogant royals and powerful Eight Banners darlings! However, Yuan Shikai doesn't want to do that yet.Everything he had was given to him by the Qing Dynasty. If he did that immediately, he would bear the historical responsibility of Duan Qirui, the Tiger of Beiyang, and be infamous forever! But he couldn't help but be grateful to the Revolutionary Party.Therefore, he has no intention of destroying the revolutionary party, and his army is only on the Yangtze River, and instead enters into peace talks! "The revolutionary party is nothing to worry about. Let me see how your court will deal with it."

After becoming the prime minister of the cabinet, Yuan Shikai felt that his foundation was deeper. He raised high standards in the peace talks, and he also released all kinds of threatening words to Beijing.He is like a fisherman watching a snipe and a clam fight, trying to benefit from both parties. The internal troubles in the north have been calmed down, Wu Luzhen and Zhang Shao once died and left, and the forces of the six towns and the twenty towns still belong to the Beiyang faction.Duan Qirui saw that there was no problem in the north, and his team from the three towns returned to the suburbs of Beijing. He simply led the second army to Hubei - justified, he was appointed by the imperial court to "governor of Huguang to handle the matter of suppressing appeasement", so naturally he should Go to Huguang.As soon as his soldiers reached the edge of Hubei, they stopped and didn't go away-there was no need to advance, and peace was being negotiated right now.

When Duan Qirui went to Hubei, he knew that Yuan Shikai had gone back to Beijing.Yuan Shikai is the prime minister of the state, and the prime minister has to take care of national affairs, and the center of the country is in Beijing, so he naturally takes Beijing as the center.After Duan Qirui arranged the army, he approached Xu Shuzheng, who was once the chief of staff, to talk about the current major issues. In the northern part of Hubei, gunshots have long since ceased to be heard, and even the artillery fire in Wuchang has subsided.The North and the South were negotiating peace, and Sun Yat-sen was presiding over a meeting of representatives of various provinces, preparing to set up a provisional central government, and issued a resounding statement that as long as Yuan Shikai could find a way to oust the Qing emperor, "Today the Qing emperor will abdicate, and tomorrow he will embrace the Duke as president." The Tongmenghui also didn't want to "seize power by force", and only hoped that Yuan Shikai could make up his mind.The armed struggle has turned into a political struggle, so naturally no gunshots can be heard.

It was the beginning of Renzi (1912), when the north wind was cold and the wilderness was desolate. The people famine caused by the war squirmed in the streets and alleys of the village, interspersed with the scattered soldiers, but there was no incompatibility.Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng, who were quite proud of themselves, frowned tightly after sitting down opposite each other. "Yezheng," Duan Qirui said absent-mindedly, holding a teacup in his hand, "I want to ask you, Mr. Yuan led his troops in Nanjing. He could have gone all out to win the victory, but why didn't he stand still and talk about peace?"

Xu Shuzheng smiled slightly, and said, "Master Yuan has plans for Mr. Yuan, and sometimes we can't figure it out." "The revolutionary army is coming, just meet the enemy, what other plans do you have?" "I guess he has." "What can there be?" Duan Qirui shook his head. "Did you forget that a few days ago, he asked us to unite with some generals to send a telegram, 'Swear to the death to support the constitutional monarchy and resolutely oppose the republic! The ink is still wet, but the words are still in my ears, will there be changes?"

Xu Shuzheng knew about this, and the North-South peace talks went on for a while, but the talks were not closed.The South originally agreed to the success of the peace talks, and Yuan Shikai came out to be the interim president.During the peace talks, the South established a provisional government and elected Sun Yat-sen as its president.Tang Shaoyi, the general representative Yuan Shikai sent to negotiate in the south, told Yuan Shikai the news, and Yuan Shikai almost went crazy.Immediately, they complained: "This is a scam! It's a scam! If you want to use me to overthrow the Qing emperor, you can sit back and enjoy it. I won't be fooled by this. I won't do it!" Tang Shaoyi had no choice but to resign.Yuan Shikai approved his resignation.Later, 18 Beiyang generals including Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang jointly issued a statement, "supporting the monarchy and opposing the republic."This electrification was initiated by Xu Shuzheng, how could he forget it? Therefore, Duan Qirui was confused and doubtful, and Xu Shuzheng only said 8 words: "This time is also, that time is also!"

du8.com copyright Duan Qirui was puzzled. "The telegram against the republic was sent out, and Da Zhang's determination to attack was also made. The empress dowager also proposed 80,000 taels of gold from the internal treasury for the front military use. Why is there still no war?" Xu Shuzheng said, "I think it's better not to fight." "Why?" Duan Qirui believes in force, and he believes that only war is the foundation.Win the first battle and everything will be fine. "There are a few things that Mr. Duan probably overlooked." "Which things?"

"Your Excellency, remember that after Sun Yat-sen was elected as the interim president, the election committee made a decision that if Yuan Junshikai returned anyway, the interim president-elect should give way to Yuan, in order to fulfill the promise of this meeting." "This is a scam!" "It's not a scam." Xu Shuzheng said: "Sun Yat-sen and the Revolutionary Party are sincere about abdication." Duan Qirui frowned, not believing it. "After Sun Yat-sen was elected interim president, he sent an urgent telegram to Mr. Yuan before he went to Nanjing to take office. He still said that he was only 'temporarily lacking' and 'waited for' him, Yuan Shikai, a 'sage'!"

"Why doesn't Mr. Yuan become the interim president?" "The premise has not been fulfilled..." Duan Qirui understood that Xu Shuzheng's "premise has not been fulfilled" means that the Qing emperor has not abdicated! This is what he said first. Yuan Shikai promised to "make the Qing emperor abdicate", and Sun Yat-sen and the Revolutionary Party agreed to give him the presidency .Now, the former has not been realized, and the latter certainly cannot be fulfilled.Duan Qirui stopped talking—what else can I say? Yuan Shikai also has his difficulties...

Just when the two of them were having a good time talking, someone sent a "Beijing Urgent Telegram".Xu Shuzheng took it and saw that it was from Yuan Shikai, the new Prime Minister of the Cabinet. "Master Yuan wants us to go to Beijing immediately to discuss matters." Duan Qirui took the telegram, read it, and thought, "What's the hurry? Do you have to let Shuzheng go with you?" He put down the telegram and said, "Okay, go north immediately!" Yuan Shikai sat in the prime minister's office, feeling very anxious: Sun Yat-sen was elected president, the Qing emperor was still firmly seated in the Forbidden City, his "ascension" plan was still uncertain, and he lacked a way to make progress, so he thought of Duan Qi Rui, thinking of Xu Shuzheng at the same time. Yuan Shikai was in a state of "poor donkey skills", and it was the last resort to find Duan Xu.He once used the method of "retreating as an attack" to resign from the position of prime minister of the cabinet. As a result, he only defrauded the Empress Dowager Longyu of 80,000 taels of gold; After the abdication, the title of emperor was not abolished and a huge annual fee was given, but the Qing court never agreed; for this matter, Yuan Shikai also hinted that Jiang Guiti, a veteran of the Huai army, sent a telegram in the name of all the generals in Beiyang, requesting the emperor to quickly order all the dignitaries in the palace " Donate private wealth, destroy the family to relieve difficulties, and help each other in times of difficulty"; afterward, he went to the palace to talk about how the revolutionaries were unstoppable.When none of these worked, he went into battle shirtless, walked up to the Empress Dowager Longyu, threatened, and coaxed him to say: "Since ancient times, there has been no country that has never been destroyed, and the king of the country has been slaughtered. Examination. Today the emperor of the Qing Dynasty abdicated and was able to fight to maintain his honorary title and enjoy annual fees. This piece of speech was frightening, but he was not intimidated, and finally said: "Everyone has a long-term plan, let's talk about this matter in the imperial meeting later. " Duan Qirui led Xu Shuzheng straight into the Prime Minister's Office without a report.After stepping into the gate, I was startled: this place where state affairs are held is so deserted and silent, even the door of the living room is half-opened; the attendants for entertainment and reception are gone, and the mobile guards are also gone. "How is this going?" Duan Qirui followed the habit of the two previous visits to the Prime Minister's Office, he first walked into the small living room, and wanted to let the people there tell the news.However, when he walked into the small living room, he saw Yuan Shikai sitting there with his eyes closed. "My lord, hello!" Duan Qirui called out softly after standing still. Yuan Shikai blinked his eyes, stood up slowly, collected himself, and said, "You guys are here, sit down." Duan Qirui saluted him as a son-in-law, while looking at him attentively.He felt that after a few days of absence, Yuan Shikai had lost weight and tiredness, his eyes had become dark, and even his voice seemed low and weak. "Master Yuan is very busy!" Xu Shuzheng handed over the last "Wanyu" post, asked "Hello!" and sat down with Duan Qirui. Yuan Shikai probably figured it out, and he invited these two, so he said: "The two of you are invited to have a chat with you, and also to discuss some troublesome things. So, I hurriedly sent telegraph." On behalf of the frontline soldiers, Duan Qirui asked Yuan Shikai "OK" and wanted to talk about the situation, but Yuan Yaoshou stopped him. "There is no major event ahead. I understand it in my heart." After a pause, he added: "For some reason these two days, my mood has always been restless, as if I have entered a cloud and mist, and I am confused. That's why I invite you two Come here, I want you to help me think of a way to escape. Zhiquan, the current situation has reached an extremely urgent moment, and things are so complicated..." du8.com copyright Duan Qirui was taken aback, as far as Yuan Shikai's attitude was concerned, he felt that it was quite different from the past.In the past, I always regarded myself as an old man, without the word "please", and without the tone of "discussion".Today, there must be difficulties, and I want to find a way.Duan Qirui thought about it, and said: "My lord, no matter whether it is state affairs or family affairs, Qirui and your lord are one, both honored and humiliated. If your lord has something to worry about, just use Qirui with all your heart and soul. Do your best!" I understand, I understand!" Yuan Shikai nodded and said, "The reason why I called you here is because of something important. He stopped talking, paced on the spot, turned around, and then said: The matter of foreigners is fine. Whether it is the Eight Kingdoms or the Nine Kingdoms, it is over. The trouble is the South. 'Negotiating peace' has been discussed for a few days, but it still can't come down..." What kind of peace should we discuss?" Duan Qirui said without hesitation: "Chinese people have to talk about fists with Chinese people.How about a peace negotiation? Sign another "Xin Chou Treaty" with Sun Yat-sen, ceding land and paying compensation? The whole world, could it be the king's land! According to our earlier telegrams, we will swear to support the constitutional monarchy, and we will use troops if we need to, and it will be over!" Yuan Shikai's face remained the same, but he was sneering in his heart. "You know how to use force. How do you understand what I'm thinking? The use of force is very enjoyable. Sun Yat-sen and Huang Xing were beaten away, and they were sent to Tokyo, Japan, to restore the whole country to the court. Then what about us? Remain ministers ? Let them be driven out of Beijing to 'return to their hometowns to recuperate their illness'? How can that be done?" Yuan Shikai has experienced the feeling of being dependent on others and losing power.What he thinks now is not to defend the kingdom, but how to get the president. "Send troops, can I not know how to send troops?" He can mobilize soldiers from all over the country, and he has more than 90,000 personal soldiers under him, and battles can be won.It's just that the purpose is not to win.Yuan Shikai looked sideways at Xu Shuzheng. Xu Shuzheng seemed to be an outsider: he clasped the teacup in his hand, tapped his finger on the wall of the cup lightly, closed his eyes slightly, and smiled half-smile, as if he was enjoying a piece of beautiful music.Yuan Shikai's heart moved, "People say that Xu Shuzheng is a genius, does he have a good opinion on the current situation?" Yuan Shikai remembered the "Regulations on State Affairs" that Xu Shuzheng gave him when he was in Jinan, and thought of those far-sighted opinions. High regards.Then he collected himself and asked Xu Shuzheng: "Youzheng, there is an urgent matter now, what do you think should be done?" Xu Shuzheng looked at Yuan Shikai, then at Duan Qirui, but did not answer. "Don't worry about it." Yuan Shikai said: "You are a very insightful person, I know. I heard that you still have a nickname, called Zelin. Xu Zelin—Lin Zexu! Your intention is clear at a glance. Since you call yourself Lin Zexu, you You should think about state affairs and care about state affairs like Lin Zexu... Xu Shuzheng was a little impulsive. His "Zelin" trumpet was indeed created by himself. It meant that he wanted to be a Chinese like Lin Zexu.After leaving the mountain, I realized that I was too arrogant, so I stopped mentioning it.I only talk about it occasionally, but I don't want Yuan Shikai to know about it.He thought Yuan Shikai was a careful person.Yuan Shikai called him to Beijing from the front line together with Duan Qirui. He also knew Yuan's impression of him. Along the way, he thought that Yuan Shikai must have something important to ask him.He thought about how to answer—— Several years of studying in Japan made Xu Shuzheng understand that in the big world outside of China, the lifespan of the feudal dynasty is numbered, and it will be replaced by democracy and republic.Human beings are bound to move forward, it's just a matter of pace.In China, he thought Sun Yat-sen was a visionary, but he didn't think Sun Yat-sen would win.Yuan Shikai is no better than Sun Yat-sen.However, Yuan Shikai had a strength that Sun Yat-sen could not compare to. What Yuan Shikai wanted to do would succeed, even if it was only a short-term success.However, Yuan Shikai, like Duan Qirui, is too superstitious that force can do everything.This cannot but be said to be a kind of sadness! Seeing Xu Shuzheng's slow silence, Duan Qirui thought that he was worried or he couldn't say anything good.So, he said encouragingly, "Youzheng, this is not a foreign place. If you have any ideas, just say it. It doesn't matter if your opinion is immature, let's discuss it together." Only then did Xu Shuzheng put down the teacup, straightened his chest, and said, "Since the two adults love Shuzheng so much, I have no choice but to express my opinion frankly." "That's good," Yuan Shikai said: "You can say what you think, this is called helping each other in the same boat!" Yuan Shikai said that he and Xu Shuzheng would "help each other in the same boat", and Xu Shuzheng was a little flattered.Therefore, I decided to express my views directly. "According to Shuzheng, in the current situation, there is no need to launch a southern expedition; the peace talks can still be maintained and cannot be suspended; although many parties have fought for the court, but the results have been minimal. In this regard, I think we should go further..." "How to get in?" Yuan Shikai stood up abruptly. "Take a bigger step to shock the court!" "Why shock?" "Change the old memorandum to an admonition!" "Admonition—? What is an admonition?" "Please establish a republic!" "How to say..." Yuan Shikai was a little panicked. "Li Gonghe..." Duan Qirui was also a little panicked.In the living room, the originally calm atmosphere suddenly changed, tense and surprised, as if the world had also darkened.Admonishment is undoubtedly forcing the palace! Please establish a republic, which is tantamount to overthrowing the imperial court! Yuan Shikai dared not do this, nor did he dare to think so; Duan Qirui did not dare to do this, nor did he dare to think this way.When Sun Yat-sen overthrew the Qing Dynasty, Yuan Duan would take it back from him, and he could establish any country, but they took it from the court and established a republic after taking the country. They always felt that this was an act of treason and injustice! After panicking for a while, Yuan Shikai seemed to have calmed down a little. He sat down slowly and held the teacup with his hands. His hands trembled, and the water splashed out. Duan Qirui didn't sit down, he turned around like a hungry leopard. It took a long time to say: "Establish a republic, what kind of republic should we establish? What are the benefits of establishing a republic? Well! Let's talk about it, we still had electricity a few days ago..." Yuan Shikai waved his hand to stop Duan Qirui. "It's better to let Shuzheng explain what he said clearly, and then we will study it." "No need to worry," Xu Shuzheng said confidently, "Shuzheng has its own reasons." "Speak!" Duan Qirui calmed down. "It is of course better if the 'negotiation' can be successful. The position of the president may not necessarily fall under Mr. Yuan; if the Qing court does not abdicate, the peace negotiation is meaningless. The world trend is republicanism, the revolutionary party shouts republicanism, and republicanism is sincere The direction. Go with the trend, you can buffer the situation if you are near, and you can realize the big plan if you are far. My lord..." Yuan Shikai was tempted again, he felt that there was finally a gap in the wall in front of him, and a ray of light came through.However, when he thought that he was the prime minister of the imperial court and went to the court to admonish the court to realize the republic, would it be possible? So he fell silent again. Xu Shuzheng saw through Yuan Shikai's heart. He wanted not to offend the imperial court, but also wanted to be the president.After all, his high position as Prime Minister of the Cabinet was given by the court, and he did not want to be charged with betraying the court.Xu Shuzheng thought for a while and said, "Sir, you don't have to worry about this matter. Since Shuzheng has figured it out, he has a proper way to do it, so you can sit back and relax!" Yuan Shikai didn't nod or shake his head, but just stared blankly. Duan Qirui said impatiently: "Shuzheng, please be more specific, this is a very important matter." Xu Shuzheng was very calm and his tone softened.He said: "Admonish for the establishment of a republic. Naturally, you must avoid the cabinet and the prime minister. The current situation is caused by the revolutionary army. Why not admonish the court in the name of front-line officers. Success—the war is over, the people are safe, Then the two lords should take the lead; the defeat - because of the remonstrance of the soldiers, is nothing more than "disobeying the emperor and offending a few soldiers. At that time, the Prime Minister will have a wider room for maneuver in advance and retreat." Could it be that the imperial court will not listen to the Prime Minister!?" He looked at Yuan Shikai, and said: "Didn't Master Yuan have more capital to negotiate peace with the South?" Xu Shuzheng's words were like a hurricane blowing away the clouds and mist that had shrouded Yuan Shikai's heart.Xu Shuzheng's few relaxed words completely resolved his anxiety these days.Advising in the name of a former front-line officer, there is no risk to bear, and there is great profit to be made. He admires Xu Shuzheng's genius.He smiled, easily.He stood up and shook off the horseshoe-sleeved court dress given to him by the court, really wanting to give Xu Shuzheng a big gift! Duan Qirui also suddenly realized.At this moment, he felt that Xu Shuzheng had taken his credit, and he wanted to show his loyalty to Yuan Shikai.He said: "Shuzheng's opinion is welcome. Master Yuan, don't worry about this matter. I will take the lead. I will contact generals from all over the world and sign together. I will bear the great responsibility in the future. He looked at Xu Shuzheng and smiled." Zheng, good.Let's admonish, please establish a republic!" Yuan Shikai is used to capricious people, but he is afraid that others will also be capricious: Xu Shuzheng came up with a good idea, Duan Qirui is willing to take the lead, he is afraid that they will change their minds, say it and then withdraw it So, he couldn't wait to say: "Youzheng, you are here to draft the telegram with Zhiquan, so we can think about it.Don't go, eat here.After the manuscript is finalized, we have to discuss who should co-sign? Send them a telegram immediately. " While agreeing, Duan Qirui said: "I will take the lead, I will take the lead! I will take care of the big things. Let's make a big statement: please establish a republic!"