Chapter 21 Chapter 20 Yuan Shikai was a short-lived emperor

Beijing, Zhongnanhai. Hongxian Xinxing did not add luster to the orderly arrangement of palaces and pavilions in the royal garden; the spring breeze of melting rain did not make this "big inner" forbidden garden look new; Xiao Shu. Why do people lose their spirits when they have happy events?! Since Yuan Shikai ascended the pole, he has not "woke up" a day. He is obviously exhausted physically and mentally, and he is too lazy to speak.That day, after he sent Duan Zhigui to "invite" Duan Qirui, he seemed to have taken some "stimulant", but, like a cloud, it disappeared as soon as it floated.

Yuan Shikai couldn't be excited, a "secret telegram of the five generals" made him want to die.He held it in his hand, but it weighed heavily on his heart, and it was very difficult to even breathe—— It was March 19th. Zhili patrol envoy Zhu Jiabao secretly ran into Zhongnanhai, knelt at Emperor Yuan's knees, and presented this "secret telegram".Yuan Shikai thought it was a "letter of loyalty", but when he took it, it turned out that it was a "compelling letter" asking him to "abolish the imperial system, punish the culprits, stop military operations, and hold a peace conference between the North and the South".His mind swelled in an instant.After a long time, he looked at the signature, and saw that it was Feng Guozhang, the general in charge of Jiangsu military affairs, Jin Yunpeng, general in Tai'an, in charge of military affairs in Shandong Province, Li Chun, general in charge of Changwu military affairs, and Li Chun, general Xingwu, in charge of military affairs in Jiangxi Province. Zhu Rui, General Jingwu of Zhejiang Army, and Tang Xiangming, the supervisor of Hunan Army, yelled: "Reverse, rebellious! These are the Beiyang generals I have cultivated with all my heart!" After scolding for a while, they asked Zhu Jiabao: "How did this electrification get into your hands? Has it been released publicly?"

Zhu Jiabao shook his head first, and then said: "It hasn't been issued yet. Feng Huafu felt that the joint name of the five people was not very powerful, so he used the name of the five people to inform the generals of the provinces to fight for the joint name." Yuan Shikai understood, he felt that the most loyal minister at the moment was Zhu Jiabao. "This general who was the first to profess to be a minister has always been loyal. It's really rare!" He hurriedly helped Zhu Jiabao up, "Sit down, sit down! Sit down and talk." After Duan Zhigui sent back the "verification" telegram from Nanjing, Yuan Shikai fully understood that "all the relatives and relatives have been separated", and he cried. "The two generations of my ancestors did not live to be 59 years old. I am 58 years old this year, and I am afraid that I will not live to be 59 years old."

When a person is about to die, his words are good! Only then did Yuan Shikai remember Duan Qirui who was afraid of competing with him for military power, so he asked Duan Zhigui to invite Duan Qirui to Zhongnanhai, and finally came to Yuan Shikai. It was a very delicate and embarrassing meeting. On that day, the weather was quite pleasant, the breeze was blowing the young willows, the surface of the pool was rippling with light waves, small flowers shyly bloomed among the fresh green lawns, and the birdsong rang out from the branches. In the small reception room of Ju Ren Tang, Yuan Shikai was still in the same black uniform, but his head was bare. Although his forehead was still broad, he was obviously haggard, his eyes were dull, and his spirit was exhausted.Seeing Duan Qirui, he only called out "Zhiquan!" affectionately and rather sadly, and signaled to give up his seat.Duan Qirui is dressed casually in a long gown and a black top hat.When he saw Yuan, he put his top hat in his hand, bowed respectfully, and then asked, "Your health is good!" and sat aside.This situation is like Yuan Shikai's mourning for his concubine when he first passed away, which is extremely sad.

Duan Zhigui, who was present at the moment, seemed quite unrestrained and at ease - he is His Highness Gan, and he often regards himself as a "junior" in front of Duan, and it is the person who pierced the needle in this meeting, so he actually acts as the host and the guest Walk between the two. "You, Weng and your son-in-law, have been through the wind and rain together for decades. You have no time to talk calmly and calmly. Today is a rare opportunity. Let's have a good talk. I'll go prepare the banquet." Yuan Shikai shook his hand at him, as if he wanted to rush away.

After Duan Zhigui walked out, Duan Qirui spoke first. "Recently, Zhiquan is always suffering from illnesses and disasters, and he can't cheer up, so don't come to say hello." "I know, I know." Yuan Shikai said, "I don't blame you. I'm also busy with work, you know. I should see you, just thinking about it." After a few words of entertainment, Duan Qirui was afraid that the matter would go astray, and that Yuan Shikai would backtrack—Yuan Shikai was a man who did not keep his word, and Duan Qirui understood him—so he cut to the chase and said with emotion: "Xiangyan recently I went to see me and told me everything. At that time, I was very difficult: first, I was afraid of disappointing my lord (he didn't call him majesty or president, but called me lord, to show that the relationship was abnormal), and I had a great trust in my cultivation and hope; Second, I'm lazy in politics, intending to retire, and don't want to do anything anymore; third... but I'm afraid that the adults will mistakenly think that Zhiquan has also betrayed you. So, I still agreed. Now, I'm afraid I won't be able to win Big Ren."

Yuan Shikai shook his hands and said, "Don't say these things, who are you? I don't understand. You can do whatever you want. Now, the difficulties are coming, and there are only a few people who can share weal and woe. You can understand, you can Support me." Yuan Shikai sighed sadly, and said: "Who else can there be except you?!" After finishing speaking, Yuan Shikai took out his handkerchief and gently rubbed his eyes—he seemed to be crying . du8.com copyright When Duan Qirui saw that Yuan was sad, his heart suddenly became a little confused. He felt sympathetic: "Xiang Cheng is not easy, I have to support him, after all he has created a great career!"

He recalled the past friendship again: "Yuan Xiangcheng is very ambitious and dictatorial, I have to beware of him." After thinking about it for a while, I said: "My lord, according to what Zhiquan has seen, everything is not going well today, and it is still due to the reform-he doesn't talk about the monarchy, but the reform-the tide of the republic is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people! If you can do it according to the situation, Think everything will work out.” Yuan Shikai has a headache - he is most taboo about people talking about the monarchy.Although Duan Qirui changed his tone, he still proposed the monarchy.He sighed, and wanted to say something after he sighed, but before he could speak, Duan Zhigui came in.He understood everything and said: "What Mr. Zhi talked about is naturally also a matter of concern to the President. Yesterday the President also said that he should seek the opinions of all parties again before making a decision."

When Duan Zhigui spoke, Yuan Shikai nodded a few times, and Duan Qirui understood that what Duan Zhigui said, Yuan Shikai acquiesced.So, he said: "As long as this matter is resolved, everything will go smoothly." He originally wanted to join the army again.Asking about it, but I was afraid that if I was too hasty, I would not be able to achieve my goal, so I changed the subject and said: "My lord just said that there is no one available at the moment. I have someone beside me, and I just want to recommend it to my lord." As soon as Yuan Shikai heard it, he knew it was Xu Shuzheng. Although he didn't like it, he still said: "I have thought about the matter of Youzheng. Of course, I will not let him idle. Let me think about where to go, and then tell you."

When Duan Qirui heard Yuan Shikai's procrastination, he was not happy.I really want to do it again without going out of the mountain.But he still said softly: "I want Youzheng to be my secretary-general. I believe that this person will handle things properly. Since the Lord has not yet decided, I will leave it for now. Youzheng Now in Beijing, I will send someone to send him away when I go back, so that there will be no troubles." Yuan Shikai heard that Duan Qirui was going to have a showdown again, and hurriedly said: "Zhiquan, how can you think like that? You don't have to do that. You still I don't know, when I was in Jinan Mansion, I trusted Shuzheng extremely; after coming to Beijing, I still favored him; I had no choice but to dismiss Shuzheng from his position. Pain! Now, I have learned from the pain, Shuzheng is your arm, of course it is up to you to arrange it. If you think he is suitable to be the secretary-general, of course it will not be a problem." Yuan Shikai said to Duan Zhigui again: "Xiangyan, go back and tell Zhang Guogan (Zhang Guogan, Secretary-General of the Presidential Palace. Although the President has been changed to the emperor, the names of some of the institutions of the Presidential Palace remain, and the people have not been moved, and the Secretary-General of the Presidential Palace is still temporarily in charge of the executive power), let him handle the appointment of Shuzheng as soon as possible." He turned around and said He said to Duan Qirui: "Zhiquan, can this work? Let Shuzheng take the post of deputy secretary-general temporarily. However, there will be no more appointments for the post of secretary-general."

"Everything is subject to the arrangement of the adults." Duan Qirui was appointed Secretary of State, and Xu Shuzheng was appointed Deputy Secretary-General of the State Council, acting as Secretary-General. The weather in Beijing has always been gloomy. There was no sun for a few days, and there was no rain for a few days.Because the winter drought is followed by the spring drought, when the wind blows, it is always covered with sand, the wind is strong and the sand is large, and the wind is light and the sand is small; the streets and alleys are misty all day long. Beijingers are afraid of such a spring drought; they are even more afraid of the summer drought after spring. Duan Qirui took over the post of Secretary of State from Xu Shichang on April 22.That year, he was 52 years old, strong and full of energy. It was a good opportunity for him to display his talents, and he wanted to do a good job in his career.On the second day of taking office, that is, on April 23, he began to adjust the chiefs of several major ministries, making Lu Zhengxiang the chief of foreign affairs, Wang Yitang as the chief of the interior, Sun Baoqi as the chief of finance, Liu Guanxiong as the chief of the navy, and Zhang Zongxiang as the chief of justice. Zhang Guogan is the director of education, Jin Bangping is the director of agriculture and commerce, and Cao Rulin is the director of transportation.In May of last year, he went to Xishan to recuperate due to "illness". Yuan Shikai promised him that "if there are important military affairs, he can still come to the internal meeting at any time", and only let Wang Shizhen be the chief of the army. Now he is not recovering from illness, and As the Secretary of State and the Chief of the Army, it is natural to return it to him. Duan Qirui lost his military power for nearly a year and regained it. After all, Duan Qirui had fallen in the duel field before, so he walked cautiously.After making some superficial arrangements, he remained half hidden, saying that "Xu Shuzheng will handle the daily affairs." Xu Shuzheng is also half-dependent and half-employee, leaving late every day and returning early, sometimes not going to the palace. It turned out that they were waiting for the implementation of one thing-that is, Yuan Shikai abolished the imperial system.Neither Duan Qirui nor Xu Shuzheng wanted to bear the notoriety of "being an official of Emperor Hongxian".One night, Duan Qirui invited Xu Shuzheng to Fuxue Hutong and asked him, "What are you doing these days?" Duan Qirui smiled. "Some people say that you are working hard to remove the word 'Deputy' from 'Deputy Secretary-General'. It turns out that there is no such thing." "You're wrong." Xu Shuzheng said, "It's true. It's just not today." "When?" Duan Qirui asked. "Wait slowly, let's talk about it for now." Xu Shuzheng said: "When the time comes, Bu Zheng will come." "Are you not anxious?" Xu Shuzheng shook his head.Said: "The national conditions are very clear. Once the building collapses, the monarchy will have to settle the account. It can be concluded that the more things you do for Yuan today, the greater the crime will be on your head tomorrow." "We shouldn't be fighting over that Secretary of State." "These are two different things." Xu Shuzheng hurriedly explained: "For the Secretary of State, Yuan Xiangcheng violated the previous order. He admitted his mistake, and we can go on the next move. But he will never make it according to his imperial system." "I invite you to come For this matter." Duan Qirui said: "Abolish the imperial system, I told Xiang Cheng face to face. He is not reconciled, but there is nothing he can do. It's just that no action has been taken yet, and I'm afraid he won't take our opinions seriously. .” "No, very serious." Xu Shuzheng sent a message.Therefore, he introduced the movements in Yuan's palace to Duan one by one. Yuan Shikai calmed down for a few days, feeling that the monarchy could no longer protect itself, so he decided to take a step back: announcing the abolition of the monarchy, Cai E had to strike, and then maintain his status as president. However, the anti-Yuan and anti-imperialist fury was too great after all. Yuan Shikai also knew how the people of the country liked and disliked him. He was worried that the monarchy would be abolished, and the president would not be able to keep it. Each wrote a long letter, asking them to come out as centrists who disapprove of the monarchy, and to achieve their goals.Duan Qirui's letter was withheld by Xu Shuzheng.Therefore, Xu Shuzheng said with certainty that Yuan Shikai was "very serious" about abolishing the monarchy. "I suppressed the letter. It's not that I don't want you to read it, it's that I don't want you to intervene." Xu Shuzheng said: "This matter was caused by the 'Six Gentlemen of Chou'an', and Xiang Cheng can let them come forward to deal with it. " "Let them come forward?!" Duan Qirui shook his head. "Even the secret telegrams from Feng Huafu and others demanded to 'punish the culprit'. Who is the culprit? Can the six gentlemen escape?" "So, the boss is willing to intervene?" Duan Qirui still shook his head. "That's good." Xu Shuzheng said: "All dealings must be put after the abolition of the monarchy. Otherwise, our efforts will be in vain." Duan Qirui nodded again and again. Xu Shuzheng took out Yuan Shikai's handwriting and handed it to Duan Qirui.He also said: "Xiang Cheng hopes that you will attend the emergency meeting held at the government office on the afternoon of March 21." Duan Qirui received the letter and asked, "Are you going?" "Go!" Xu Shuzheng said: "The sender still has a message saying, 'I have something to say, please read my old friendship for many years, and you must come to the meeting.' Why don't you go? Go back, and your attitude can't be changed." Duan Qirui came to Zhongnanhai on time to attend the meeting hosted by Yuan Shikai, which was the same as the imperial meeting hosted by Empress Dowager Longyu to discuss abdication. It was overcast. The entire Zhongnanhai was gloomy. Everyone in the meeting was sombre. It seems as if a thunderstorm is about to ring, and a heavy rain falls! The venue was dead silent, only the heads were seen but not the faces.It was as if the party here was a group of animals without long faces. Yuan Shikai spoke first with a kind of anger and a kind of helplessness, said an official word about abdication that was almost like memorizing a manuscript, and confessed how he had a heart for the nation and serving the country. Then, sighing, he said weakly: "The imperial system Canceled, their goal has been achieved, shouldn't they stop fighting? If they don't stop fighting, he will justify the music. At that time, everyone should understand that I will use troops." The situation is like this, but we can’t forget the militarism! The officials who bowed their heads laughed to themselves. "There are soldiers available, why not keep the throne you have earned through hard work?" No one responded, and that piece of head seemed to be frozen. Yuan Shikai cast his eyes on Xu Shichang.Xu Shichang couldn't evade it, and said hastily: "Yes, yes, the imperial system has been abolished, and it's time to strike..." Yuan Shikai still wanted to hear the "next words", but Xu Shichang restrained himself.While closing his mouth, he also turned his face away. Yuan Shikai cast his eyes on Duan Qirui.Duan Qirui didn't evade, nor did he speak hastily, but he repeated Xu Shichang's words word for word: "Yes, yes, the imperial system has been abolished, it's time to strike..." Yuan Shikai straightened his chest, almost cursing.However, he only glared at Duan Qirui, but soon turned his attention to Li Yuanhong again. After 1911, because Li Yuanhong was in an intermediate position, he seemed to be smiling to everyone; the same was true for Yuan Shikai.When he was the emperor, he acquiesced; if he was not the emperor, he also acquiesced; when Yunnan raised troops, he remained calm, and when he sent troops to conquer, he remained calm.Based on this point, Yuan Shikai has a good impression of him, unlike Duan Qirui who demolished him.Now that the situation is tight, Yuan Shikai hopes so much that Li Yuanhong will no longer be silent, and can clearly express his support for him, so as to change his feeling of loneliness. Li Yuanhong disappointed him, and when he cast his eyes on him, he only responded with a dumb smile, which was expressionless. du8.com copyright Yuan Shikai looked disappointedly at the meeting place, which was still deserted. Looking closer, besides a group of old people, most of the six gentlemen and the thirteen Taibao who usually danced around were gone. "It's all over!" Yuan Shikai shook his head and sighed. Xu Shichang finally spoke again: "The president is not stingy with his mistakes, and everyone admires him. It seems that there is no doubt about it. Let's do it like this." Yuan Shikai said in a hoarse voice: "Juren (Xu Shichang) and Zhiquan are my old friends. Let's not talk about the past. In the future, we still need to make great efforts to save the time together." Duan Qirui also came over and said: "The president is still willing to change things around, how dare Qirui be stubborn, and deal with the aftermath, we can only do what we can." On March 22, 1916, Yuan Shikai issued a decree announcing the abolition of the imperial system.This decree said a lot of reasons why he had no choice but to become emperor, and now the situation forced him to revoke the imperial system, but he finally expressed his heart: All parties are guilty, but one person.Now the case of recognition (monarchy) has been revoked. If there is any disturbance to the local area, it will be self-inflicted, and disasters and fortunes will be brought about by itself. The president of this country has the responsibility to rule the whole country, and he cannot sit idly by and ignore it.He finally showed that he was no longer the emperor, and he was still the "big president".Woohoo, it took Yuan Shikai a total of 83 days from acknowledging the throne to revoking the acknowledgment of the throne.The emperor's dream only lasted 83 days, which is short! Yuan Shikai is no longer the emperor. This is only a step towards solving the problem. There are still many specific things to be done. For the imperial system, Yuan Shikai has already transferred 60 million oceans from the treasury, 20 million for the preparation of the grand ceremony, and 30 million for miscellaneous items. Ten million is ready to ascend to the top and reward the army.Now except for the 10 million that has not been used to reward the army, the remaining 50 million is basically used up.Except for the Bank of China and the Bank of Communications, this huge amount of money is basically borrowed from domestic and foreign debts.The reimbursement of this sum of money, of course, fell to Duan Qirui, the Secretary of State.Where does the silver come from? Duan Qirui can't help worrying. Yuan Shikai was no longer the emperor, and the war to protect the country in the southwest could naturally be stopped, but the important task of negotiating a truce also fell to the Duan cabinet.Duan Qirui discussed with Xu Shichang and drew up six conditions to negotiate a settlement with the South.These six are: 1. The three provinces of Yunnan, Guizhou and Guangxi shall cancel their independence; Second, order the three provinces to maintain law and order; 3. The new recruits in the three provinces will all be disbanded; 4. All soldiers in the battlefields of the three provinces shall retreat to their original station; Fifth, from now on, soldiers from the three provinces are not allowed to fight with officers and soldiers; Sixth, one representative from each of the three provinces came to Beijing to discuss the aftermath.The South responded in a timely manner, saying that "if peace is desired, the central government should recognize six major conditions." These are also six: First, Yuan Shikai could die on loan within a certain period of time, but he must be deported abroad; 2. According to the requirements of the Yunnan Uprising, thirteen people including Yang Du and Duan Zhigui who were rebels were killed to thank the world; 3. About 60 million Yuan Shikai and the family property of the thirteen people attached to the rebellion should be confiscated for the preparation and military expenses of the imperial system of about 60 million yuan; Fourth, the descendants of Yuan Shikai, the third deprived of public rights; Fifth, after Yuan Shikai abdicated, according to the agreement, Li Vice President Yuan Hong succeeded him; Sixth, civil and military officials, except for state servants, will still serve their posts, but the place where the army is stationed must follow the orders of the governor of the National Guard. Go six, come six, equal trade! How can two six be merged into one? Duan Qirui is worried.Thus, a marathon peace negotiation began... Negotiations have made no progress, and the provinces have continued to become independent; since May, Chen Huan has become independent in Sichuan, Chen Shufan has become independent in Shaanxi, Tang Xiangming has also followed his brother Tang Hualong in Hunan, and even Yuan Shikai's most beloved "Xi'er"—— Tang Tianxi was also bought by Zhao Hengti, a tyrant in Hunan, with 300,000 silver. He counterattacked and wiped out Yuan's Sixth Division and killed the division commander Ma Jizeng... Bad news came several times a day that Yuan Shikai fell ill and couldn't get up again.When Yuan Shikai was dying, he moaned and called Duan Qirui and Xu Shichang to him.He wanted to confess something important, but he didn't have the spirit anymore, he just held the hands of the two of them tightly and didn't let go for a long time.Finally, he entrusted the seal of the great president to Xu Shichang, and said weakly, "The president should belong to Li Songqing. Even if I'm done, I'm going to go back to Zhangde." After speaking, he closed his eyes.Yuan Shikai is dead! It was June 6, 1916, and he was fifty-eight years old.