Chapter 12 Chapter 12 The President Never Forgets the Former Qing Dynasty, and the Prime Minister Still Joins the Cabinet

There are old things that should be forgotten, and forgetting means betrayal; some old things should be forgotten.Don't forget it's retro. There are many things to forget.President Yuan never forgot, so, except for Bianzi.Beijing is retro again.result...... one Yingtai in Zhongnanhai. The setting sun in late spring is still on the side of the west mountain, and the place is already brightly lit; the hall that was deserted in the past is suddenly furnished with tables and chairs for a feast: the lights are feasting and the dishes are fragrant.The senior officials who were invited to accompany them were lined up, laughing and cheering, and circling the courtyard: Vice President Li Yuanhong, a person who seldom shows up in the capital, is also full of spring today, holding the hand of the acting Prime Minister Sun Baoyi, as if There are endless military and state affairs; after Li Jingxi, the chairman of the Political Council, exchanged greetings with Sun Yuyun, the chairman of the Law Council, he sat silently in a corner: after Li Jingxi sat down, he found that Yang Du was sitting alone and silent, so he went over to talk to him He chatted: The busiest and most uncertain is Liang Shiyi, Secretary-General of the Presidential Office.Obviously, he was entertaining all parties as a host.Just as night fell, President Yuan Shikai walked in accompanied by a man who was slightly older than him.All present rose to welcome.This person is Xu Shichang, whom Yuan Shikai intends to appoint as Secretary of State.

Xu Shichang, who has just reached his sixtieth year, is obviously old. His not tall body is a bit hunched, his temples are also silvery, and his eyes are a bit sunken; the short beard around his lips is neatly groomed.He didn't feel lost because of the "Republic of China". He walked lightly, smiled, and frequently greeted people with fists, asking or greeting people.Naturally, those eyes turned around him. "Everyone, take your seats, take your seats!" Liang Shiyi shouted loudly. At the Eight Immortals table in the middle, Yuan Shikai took the main seat, Xu Shichang took the guest seat, everyone sat down in turn, and the feast just started.

Yuan Shikai raised his glass, smiled at everyone, and said: "Everyone, everyone! Today we gather to clean up the dust for our old Prime Minister Xu Buwu. Bu Wu worked hard and came to the capital from Qingdao on the coast of the East China Sea to meet everyone. Let's catch up. Let's raise our glasses!" Everyone stood up, toasted together, and shouted: "Hello, old Prime Minister!" Xu Shichang was an assistant minister of the former Qing cabinet, so he was called Xiangguo.He and Yuan Shikai have been friends for more than 30 years. After the Revolution of 1911, with the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the emperor's cabinet assistant minister lived in seclusion in Qingdao, adhering to the "three noes" doctrine of not being an official of the Republic of China, not cutting his pigtails, and not being honored by the Republic of China. In December 1913, Beijing held a ceremony to enshrine the tomb of Empress Dezong.Xu Shichang also hurried to Beijing to participate in the "national funeral" without "country".Someone asked him: "Old Prime Minister, your old friend was elected as the official president, and he was awarded a honor on the day of his inauguration. This is the highest honor in the Republic of China! Are you here to receive the honor?" Xu Shichang smiled lightly and shook his head. "I have the doctrine of the three no's. This trip is to participate in the ceremony of the late emperor's spirit transfer. Maybe I will visit my old friend and congratulate him." At that time, Xu Shichang left without even looking at his old friend.

In the early days, President Yuan was going to change the State Council to be the Secretary of State, and he thought of this old friend again.He also sent his student Wang Yitang to Qingdao to persuade him to drive, so this feast in Yingtai came about. After drinking for a few rounds, Yuan Shikai picked up the wine glass, left his seat, came to Xu Shichang, and said Xu's nickname, which was only used by his friends in the literary society back then, and said: "Brother Ju, let us join hands again and fight hard in the future." How about a rope?" Xu Shichang picked up his cup, still smiling slightly. "Chrysanthemum is old and has failed everyone's expectations." "Old and strong! The country and the people are looking forward to you."

"Want me?" Xu Shichang shook his head. "I... the Jade Tower and the Golden Tower will go home lazily, and I will drunk Luoyang with plum blossoms. Go on, go on. These years, I am used to everything. There are thousands of poems and thousands of glasses of wine. How many times have I looked at the prince? Everyone, drink, drink!" Yang Du, who had been silent for a long time, felt a sudden movement in his heart. "Ah? Does this moldy old Xiangguo really want to learn from Zhu Xizhen's love of mountains and rivers? Sure enough, it's a smart move." At today's banquet, Yang Du was relatively depressed. He made up his mind, just like Xu Shu entered Cao Ying back then, without saying a word.Is there anything to say? After the Republic of China, Yang Du thought that everything was not going to be restored. He turned his heart to Yuan Xiangcheng and devoted all his efforts to realize a new world.He has no intention of being equal to Yuan, he is only determined to be a good "internal assistant" to assist Yuan--to be a "prime minister" who can do something, but does not show his strength.For a long time, he did not regard himself as a prime minister in Zhongnanhai.I don't want to, after Yuan Shikai became the official president, the prime minister did not favor him for this lack, but entrusted him with three invitations and four invitations to the cabinet assistant ministers of the Qing Dynasty.Yang Du was disheartened.If he hadn't been very selfish, he really wouldn't have come to such a banquet.He originally thought that the result of this banquet would be: Yuan Shikai dragged Xu Shichang out in public, and he had to be pushed to the seat of "Secretary of State"; and Xu Shichang must have pushed halfway, creating an unchangeable fact .Now, Yuan Shikai did not change his original intention and begged again and again, but that Xu Buwu really didn't want to go out.Especially after he clearly recited Zhu Dunru's "Partridge Heaven and West Capital".A heavy stone in his heart finally fell to the ground.Zhu Dunru, courtesy name Xizhen, was a Jinshi in Shaoxing in the Southern Song Dynasty.After the Jingkang crisis, he left the officialdom and lived a life of seclusion, never to be an official again.Xu Shichang borrowed his words, which obviously means effective law.Yang Du finally picked up his cup, came to Xu Shichang, and respectfully toasted him.

Li Jingxi, the speaker of the political conference, has the same illness as Yang Du.The former governor of Yunnan and Guizhou, who once led the request for the constitution of the imperial court and convened the Congress, made up his mind to seize the position of "Prime Minister" this time as the speaker of the political conference.Li Jingxi's political conference has indeed made great contributions to President Yuan's legislation.Just when Li was waiting for the phase, he also discovered that Yuan Shikai's favor was not him, but Xu Shichang... After Yang Du finished his toast, Li Jingxi walked towards Xu Shichang with a smile on his face.

Everything in the world is wonderful, and the good intentions of Yang and Li cannot achieve good results.Because they didn't see the President's good intentions -- The British Zhu Erdian's "persuasion from the bottom of his heart" and the maid Qiu Yan's "witnessing" have greatly shaken Yuan Shikai's "republican" heart.Just when he was holding the "Republic" in one hand and the "Monarch" in the other, Han Cheng, the keeper of his ancestral grave in Xiangcheng, Henan Province, came to him.An old farmer, carrying a rectangular stone slab, said it was for "giving treasure".The old man was led to Yuan Shikai, knelt down on his knees, and kept saying "good news!" Yuan Shikai hurriedly pulled him up.Said: "It's okay for the old man, I've come all the way, how are your bones?"

"Okay, okay," the old man got up and said, "Thanks to the ancestors of the Yuan family, it's all right!" "It's such a long way, the old man still carries a stone slab..." The old man said energetically, "That's why I came here specially. To tell you the truth, my master, only you, my master, can explain this matter. No one else has the ability." "What's the matter? Look at the old man's god." "God, god!" Han Cheng pulled up his sleeves, rubbed the sweat from the corner of his forehead, and said, "Master Dong, you said that miracles are not miracles. A wisteria tree grew next to the old master's fairy house. It’s just as tall as ten feet. It’s so strange that it looks like a coiled dragon from top to bottom, with a head like a dragon’s head and a tail like a dragon’s tail. It doesn’t look like that even if it’s made artificially! Don’t tell me it’s amazing!”

"Really?" Yuan Shikai was surprised and delighted. "What's more," said Han Cheng, "the old man's tomb is often full of red light. One day, I was awakened by the red light. I got up and looked around. Hey! The red light is like a big broom, straight up Spraying flowers, bright red for a long time. The more I thought about it, the more strange it became. The next day, I searched carefully by the tomb, and found a cracked ground wire. Digging down along the seam, it was even more surprising... .... "How is it?" Yuan Shikai asked anxiously. "No, it turns out that there is an ancient object deep in the soil. I was afraid that it would lose Fengshui, so I was busy and sent it to the capital."

Yuan Shikai couldn't wait, and hurriedly removed the cloth covering the stones, but saw a thick stone corroded, which he used to wipe off the dust on his face, revealing four vigorous and powerful characters in regular script: "The Destiny Returns" !Yuan Shikai suspected that his eyes were dazzled, so he stroked it with his hands again, and it was really good. ...the destiny is at stake...the destiny..." He understood: "My ancestral tomb, my ancestral tomb..." From that day on, Yuan Shikai was not satisfied Be the official president. It was because he was unwilling to be the president that Yuan Shikai thought of Xu Shichang. "Aside from him, who else is more familiar with the court?!"

At the banquet, Xu Shichang repeatedly stated that he just wanted to "drunk Luoyang with plum blossoms."However, he repeatedly expressed his gratitude to Yuan Shikai for his "warm hospitality". two Xu Shichang left Yingtai, Zhongnanhai, but he did not leave Beijing.Although Yuan Shikai was disappointed by the indifference at the banquet, he did not despair.His friend from his youth circled around Beijing, which shows that there is still a possibility of him coming out of the mountain.So, on the second day of the banquet, he sent Acting Premier Sun Baoqi of the State Council and Chief of the Army Duan Qirui to Xu Shichang's residence to continue to persuade him to drive. When Xu Shichang saw the president's representative this time, he not only stopped talking about "drunk Luoyang with plum blossoms", but also said some heartfelt words about the current situation.This made the presidential representative smile. It turned out that the former prime minister of the Qing Dynasty, Zhongnanhai, came back and prayed devoutly to Lu Zu, and Lu Zu pointed out the maze for him-- Xu Shichang believed in Lu Zu for more than 30 years. 30 years as a day.Just like he eats, sleeps, puts on and undresses every day, he is never negligent.He firmly believes that Lu Zu will "tell" his ups and downs of honor and disgrace.When he was 27 years old, he and his younger brother Xu Shiguang went to Beijing to take the exam together, and when he heard that Liulichang Luzu Temple was very efficacious, he went to ask for a lottery.As a result, I got a sign that said: "Light ahead, rich in back, prosperous in the gate". As a result of the test, my younger brother won the 95th Juren, and he won the 125th Juren. After 4 years, that is, the 12th year of Guangxu, he was admitted, and he responded to the notice of "Chang Dae Court".From then on, Xu Shichang came to enshrine his Lu Zu. He painted a portrait of Lu Zu manually. No matter where he went, he would set up a quiet house, hang it in the center, set up altars, set up incense candles, Then pray sincerely.Now, even though Lu Zuxiang is located in Qingdao, he can still pray for him from a distance.When Zhongnanhai came back, it was already deep, so Xu Shilu still took Lu Zu's divine card—a piece of yellow paper with only Lu Zu's name written on it—washed his hands, prayed silently, and actually asked for a "good opportunity not to be missed." "The sign.Xu Shichang frowned and thought for a while, then smiled. "Since the old prime minister has insight into state affairs, he naturally has a good plan for governing the country. The great trust of the president seems to be really discerning." Sun Baoqi flattered Xu Shichang. Duan Qirui also said: "Shanggong is a man and a government, and the government and the public are well-known. The people of the country are all eagerly waiting for your Excellency to come out of the mountain." Xu Shichang smiled. "So, I still have something for the country. Oxygen?" "It's not just a point, it's a pillar!" "Okay, I'll come out temporarily to help my old friend." Xu Shichang stood up and smiled at Sun and Duan.He also said: "However, there are two things that must be made clear first: first, I will never accept the official salary of poor people; second: I am in transition, and he must be cleared to find a replacement at any time." "Everything is obeyed by the old Xiangguo!" Sun and Duan finally returned with satisfaction. Xu Shichang accepted the Secretary of State and was willing to come out of the mountain. Yuan Shikai was very happy, and immediately arranged an office for him in the most secluded place in the presidential palace - Xiazhu Building, and repeatedly told all the staff in the presidential palace to respect Xu as "Xiangguo", and he often came to Xia Zhulou listened humbly.As soon as Xu Shichang settled down, Yuan Shikai sent 4,000 yuan to Dayang as a gift from an old friend. "for pocket use".Because it was not a salary, Xu Shichang accepted it calmly. Xu Shichang was not only worthy of the important minister of the former Qing Dynasty, but also lived up to the trust of his friends. After becoming the Secretary of State of the Yuan government, he really helped him do a series of earth-shattering events.For example: If the State Council is really replaced by the Political Affairs Hall, besides the Secretary of State, there will be two Prime Ministers on the Left and Right; Shi; the "audience ceremony" in the government was also changed to "audience ceremony", each civil affairs chief was changed to patrol history, observation history was changed to Dao Yin, and governor was changed to general; civil officials were divided into nine ranks, and honors were awarded five Jue, even the non-official titles "Mr" and "Jun" that are popular throughout the country are restored to "Adult" and "Master".Everything has returned to the former Qing Dynasty! On the day of the Duanyang Festival, Xu Shichang also changed into a set of court clothes, put on a red-topped flower feather, and took a shoulder to the Qing Palace. The feast of the Qing Dynasty was held.What does Xu Shichang want to help Yuan Shikai? Isn't it clear at a glance! Yuan Shikai was very satisfied with Xu Shichang's actions, and he firmly believed that people used them correctly. "Other than Xu Buwu, no one has such a great influence, and no one has such a well-known method!" He is particularly satisfied that the measures taken by Xu Shichang have been implemented calmly, without twists and turns, and no one opposes them. "The Chinese still like the imperial system and are nostalgic for the imperial system. Zhu Erdian is right, imperial power is total power. Total power will never die!" After all, Yuan Shikai was an old hand in the officialdom. He had suffered all the ups and downs, ups and downs, and he understood his own hardships.He often grabbed the arm in the sleeve and asked "is it true or not".He was very satisfied with what Xu Shichang had done for him, but he was still worried. Ruan Zhongshu, who was newly hired as an internal historian, came over in a panic. He called out "President", and then got a little flustered. He didn't know whether he should bow or kneel down? Did he call "President"? , do you want to continue with "Long live, long live"? This copywriter, knife and pen, which is a few years older than Yuan Shikai, has also been ups and downs in recent years: Originally, he was Yuan Shikai's No. 1 pen holder, and all Yuan's writing was written by him. degree.After the founding of the Republic of China, the format and words of the writing changed, and he suddenly became inferior, almost becoming an idler. Yuan Shikai also planned to give him a few pensions to let him go back to his original place.Now, he suddenly became popular again, and immediately jumped to the throne of the internal historian.Officially, he had to be a cabinet minister, and he was a little alarmed.He can't tell why the President loves him so much? "Dougong (Ruan Zhongshu's word is bold), I'm looking for you, and I want to discuss something with you." "President, you order." Ruan Zhongshu respectfully. "It's not an order, it's a discussion." Yuan Shikai said, "Tell me, do the old rites of offering sacrifices to heaven and Confucius have to be abolished?" Ruan Zhongshu was used to looking at Yuan Shikai's eyes and doing things, and he understood his voice as soon as he heard it.He hurriedly said: "Yes, yes. The 5,000-year history of civilization in China is accumulated from one dynasty to another, from generation to generation, and the painstaking efforts of several generations, tens of hundreds of generations! It's all abolished. It's not that there is no culture, no ancestors Is it? No. Some things can't be done." "You just talk about worshiping heaven and Confucius." Yuan Shikai felt that he had gone too far. "It cannot be abolished, it should not be abolished." Ruan Zhongshu said: "The way of heaven cannot be violated. The teachings of the saints are shocking, and one part is immortal in the world. Who can compare with it!? If you have to worship the sky, you must worship Confucius. These two events Cannot be discarded!" Yuan Shikai smiled comfortably. Within a few days, a "Presidential Order" was issued: The chapter on special sacrifices is written in Dai Ji; the system of the round mound is identified in Zhou officials.Qinruo Haotian, Pavilion poisons all things, Yueji ancient teachings, sacrifices to Kong Zhao.Since the reform, there have been many lawsuits, saying that respecting the sky is a result of the monarchy, and that suburban worship is not suitable for the Republic of China.Tell Shuo to feed the sheep, and forget the ceremony, it is the decree of the earth, and forget the sincerity of God's visit to you.Because it is suspected that the ancestor worship is the private relative of the king, it is the morality of the crowd to turn around and repay the ignorance, so that the sex is impenetrable and the altar is empty.Moreover, the sky worships the people, and the sky listens to the people, and what the people want, the sky will obey.In ancient times, the lotus people were ruled by heaven, and they used the magnificence of surveillance to show the selflessness of temporary protection, especially in harmony with the spirit of the Republic of China.According to the resolution of the political meeting, the ceremony for offering sacrifices to heaven will be drafted by the Institute of Rituals, which has been promulgated and implemented.According to the statement of the Ministry of Internal Affairs: December 23 this year is the Winter-to-day Festival, and a sacrifice ceremony should be held.The president of this university will lead a hundred officials to salute in person on behalf of the Republic of China.On behalf of the local people, the chief executives of each locality made sacrifices in their governance, and responded to Hongxiu with the extension of the ancient meaning. It’s plausible and justifiable! This order stunned the 400 million people in China! Sure enough, on that day 7 days before 1915, from dawn, from Xinhua Gate to the Temple of Heaven, all roads along the way will be paved with loess.As early as 3 days ago, relatives and friends were not allowed to stay in front of the street, and every household was required to have a cross-cut knot; vendors at Zhengyangmen and Tianqiao were all driven away, and the Temple of Heaven was surrounded by police and soldiers with live ammunition. The bell rang three times, Yuan Shikai left the presidential palace in an armored car, and changed to Liyu outside the Nantan Gate, which was a Zhujin car with two sets of horses, with necklaces hanging around it; The sedan chair goes to the altar. Yuan Shikai got off the palanquin, walked up the steps slowly with the support of Yin Chang, Lu Jin and other senior officers, to perform the sacrificial ceremony. Yuan Shikai wore a Juebian on his head, a two-piece tuxedo dress, and a purple satin skirt with thousands of water patterns printed on his bottom. He appeared in the Temple of Heaven with an emperor's style, and even the Tianzhu plate was also the style used by Qing emperors.The only new trick is that the word "Zichen" used by the emperor on the wish board has been replaced with the words "Yuan Shikai, a national of the Republic of China".Because Beijingers have "lost" this kind of scene for a long time, although they are heavily guarded, they still stand far away from the sea of ​​people.This made Yuan Shikai very excited. "The people of the Li people still support the emperor from the bottom of their hearts!" three The sky is unpredictable, and people have misfortunes and blessings. Just as Yuan Shikai's "Emperor's Dream" started snoring, things happened both inside and outside of China that gave him great headaches.The White Wolf Riot that broke out in his hometown of Henan made Yuan Shikai restless, and he made up his mind to eliminate him.At first, he appointed Zhao Ti, the wing chief of the Yi army, as the "supervisor of bandit suppression", and offered a reward of 5,000 yuan for the capture of the white wolf.As a result, Zhao Ti was defeated.Later, Yuan ordered Henan and Hubei to suppress the capitals.Still invincible.Later, he sent people to Zijingguan to dig the ancestral grave of the white wolf, replaced the governor of Henan Province Zhang Zhenfang, and reassigned Duan Qirui, the chief of the army department, to sit in Xinyang. The bigger the rise, the influence not only in Henan, but gradually in Hubei, Shaanxi, and Gansu.In April 1914, the White Wolf Army rushed to the northwest in a storm, passing through Yongshou, Changwu, and Pingliang to enter Gansu; occupied Qinzhou (Tianshui) in May, and detoured to Lixian County and Jiezhou (Wudu) in June. And soon forced back to Xi'an, Yuan Shikai panicked, not only sent Beiyang general Lu Jianzhang to supervise Shaanxi, but also mobilized the governors of five provinces to jointly suppress Bai.The white wolf army of 10,000 people made a group of Beiyang generals such as Duan Qirui, Zhang Zhenfang, Zhao Ti, Wang Zhanyuan, Lu Jianzhang, Zhang Jingyao, Ni Sichong, and 100,000 soldiers panic. It became the largest movement of the Beiyang government to suppress farmers since the Republic of China. , is the largest sub-peasant movement.However, the White Wolf Army finally failed due to being outnumbered. It was the time when Yuan Shikai and Yuan Xiqing were fighting for the "victory" of the white wolf, and the First World War broke out in July 2813, 914.The world is in chaos: first, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia; on August 1 and 3, Germany successively declared war on Russia and France; Turkey, Bulgaria, Japan, Italy, Romania, Greece, and the United States were all involved in this war. Regarding this European-centered war, Yuan Shikai's government expressed an attitude of "strictly observing the ceremony".However, can China be neutral? In China, Sha can't. On August 15, the Japanese government issued an ultimatum to Germany under the pretext of the Anglo-Japanese alliance and "ensuring peace in East Asia", demanding that Germany disarm the warships in the waters of China and Japan, and hand over the leased land of Jiaozhou Bay to Japan unconditionally for future return China. Germany replied: It can consider returning Qingdao to China, but Japan should also return Taiwan to China. On August 23, Japan and Japan declared war on Germany; on August 27, the Japanese Second Fleet publicly announced the blockade of Jiaozhou Bay. On September 2, 20,000 Japanese invading troops, in cooperation with a small number of British troops, landed near Longkou and Laizhou in Shandong in the name of declaring war on Germany, and occupied Huang County and Laizhou that day. Jimo was occupied on September 12, Tan County on September 25, Qingzhou Station on October 5, Jinan Station on June, and Boshan Coal Mine on the 10th... The flames of the World War have not yet spread to China, and Japan The invaders have occupied the East China Sea and almost the entire province of Shandong. In the face of Japan's large-scale invasion, the Foreign Ministry of Yuan Shikai's government only protested against "the Japanese army's issuance of banknotes in Shandong, damage to rice fields and abuse of the people"; AIA "primary school textbook.The clouds of war are filled, and the territory is invaded.As the great president, Yuan Shikai, what should he do? What can he do? Yuan Shikai, although he is very good at "governing people and grasping power", he is very mediocre in diplomacy.He only learned one secret from Li Hongzhang, a teacher whom he admired so much, that is, "use barbarians to control barbarians".The difference is: his teacher used the Russian system of days, but he used the British system of days.He believes that the most powerful country in the world is Britain. If Britain can help China, other countries will not dare to invade China. Yuan Shikai invited his old friend, British Minister Zhu Erdian, to the presidential palace. "Mr. Minister, the war in Europe has already affected China." Yuan Shikai said with five kisses of complaints and mourning: "The Japanese army invaded me on a large scale, most of Shandong was occupied, and the sovereignty of Jiaozhou Bay has been taken away. We look forward to The British Empire can justly intervene in this matter." Zhu Erdian understood that Yuan Shikai was asking them for help.He picked up the teacup, blinked his eyes, first expressed a helpless posture, smiled faintly, and said: "We understand and sympathize with the president's intentions. However, I also tell you frankly: Japan has joined the Allied Powers. Stand on our side. You are still neutral. We have no reason to help two neutral countries against our allies." "So, there is nothing you can do about it?" Yuan Shikai was a little anxious.There is absolutely no way. "Zhu Erdian sold a "guanzi". "What way?" Yuan Shikai had another glimmer of hope. "If China also joins the Allied Powers," Zhu Erdian said proudly. "The situation is completely different. Then, China is also our ally, and Japan's ally. We can't watch our allies bully our allies. Are you right?" Yuan Shikai nodded. "Besides, since they are all allies, Japan has no reason to bully its partners." "It is okay for China to join the Allied Powers. However, China has no strength to send troops to Oufen!" Yuan Shikai understood his own national strength and military strength. The British shook his head and said: "It doesn't matter whether we send troops or not. As long as the Chinese support us as much as possible in spirit and material, it can be considered as fulfilling the obligations of the allies." Yuan Shikai thought about it for a while, and felt that this was a beneficial and harmless thing: Internationally, he could seek the protection of the allies from being invaded; domestically, he could expand the army in the name of participating in the war.Therefore, Yuan Shikai wholeheartedly agreed to join the Allied Powers, and put forward three conditions for joining the Alliance, namely: the Allied Powers advance money to rectify the Chinese arsenal; the Allied Powers are not allowed to sign treaties related to China; the Chinese concessions are not allowed to shelter Chinese political prisoners. Britain, France, and Russia all agreed to these three conditions, but the Japanese government disagreed, and said strongly: "In the future, any issues related to China must be negotiated with Japan first. Otherwise, Japan cannot consider it effective." The British were dumbfounded.Yuan Shikai was also dumbfounded, but the Japanese pushed forward and invaded wantonly. On the 11th and 7th, Shangji Island was distorted.On the 1st, before the end of the Japanese cabinet’s Tianjin storage in Europe, Pujiao, Qingdao and Shandong’s combat areas were all under military control.During the period of military control, Chinese people need to obtain Japanese military permits to enter and leave Qingdao, and the Chinese road guards on Jiaoji Road have to withdraw... Yuan Shikai's policy of "using barbarians to control barbarians" learned from Li Hongzhang has completely failed. The British barbarians in the country did not have the strength to subdue the Japanese barbarians who invaded him.He pretended to protest and issued a statement.The spirit of coercion wants to maintain "sovereignty", but he always embraces the principle of non-resistance-he is powerless to resist. Yuan Shikai thought too much about personal matters and too little about Chinese affairs.What will happen to the world war? He has a lot on his mind; what do the Japanese want to do in China? He has not a lot on his mind-- The Japanese declared war on Germany, and the Japanese attacked China's Shandong. They didn't just think about Jiaozhou Bay, nor did they just want to think about Shandong Province. Realize its wild day of dominating Asia.The Japanese are very smart. When the Western imperialists had quite special rights in China, the Japanese did not dare to stretch their hands too far into the hinterland of China. They could only focus on the Manchurian and Mongolian areas in the northeast.The world war broke out, and the western countries fought to the death in the European battlefield, and no one cared about the east. The opportunity came for the Japanese. They wanted to turn their ambition of eradicating China from the world map into a reality. After the flames of war ignited in Jiaozhou Bay, Yuan Shikai couldn't sleep well.One day, he approached Ju Rentang with his native consultant Yuga Nagao, and asked him: "What is the attitude of the Japanese government towards China?" Nagao Ariga smiled and said something off topic: "Your Excellency, President, if China changes to a constitutional monarchy, the political systems of the two countries will be the same, which will be conducive to the cooperation between the two countries." Yuan Shikai frowned, feeling that the words sounded familiar.He remembered that a few days earlier, when he asked Lu Zongyu, the Chinese ambassador to his country, to protest to Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Shigenobu Okuma once said to Lu: "If China changes to a constitutional monarchy, Japan is willing to assist." Japan Ri Zhiyi, the minister in China, also suggested to Yuan, "China's current democratic republic is not suitable for the circle, and China still needs an emperor." Yuan Shikai thought about this, and he was both surprised and happy: he was surprised that the Japanese were smart and could see through the mysteries in his heart; he was happy that the Japanese sympathized with him, and he had the hope of turning the crisis into peace.He nodded and smiled at Changxiong Yuga, and said, "Let me think about your opinion again." After all, He Changxiong was only Yuan Shikai's adviser, so he didn't have to give an official reply.However, the Japanese Minister Hikimashi is the representative of the Japanese government, and dealing with him is not just talking. On January 18, 1915, this day, Masaki handed over an important official document to President Yuan Shikai, and told Yuan Shikai clearly. "This is an important official document to resolve the pending case between China and Japan," and requested that "during the direct negotiations between the two countries, please ask the President to keep it secret." It is already strange for foreign ministers and businessmen to hand over documents to the president of the country they are stationed in.Yuan Shikai was very surprised after reading a few lines. It turned out that this was an "aggression plan" including conditions on the 5th and 21st.He didn't know how to answer for a moment, thought for a while, and said: "This is a diplomatic dispute, please ask your minister to negotiate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." Four As an ironclad proof of Japan's invasion of China, and as an eternal history of shame for the Chinese people, the "Twenty-One" submitted by the Japanese envoy to Yuan Shikai's government on January 18, 915 will be forever recorded in the annals of history. The "Twenty-One" can be summed up in five major contents: 1. Recognize that Japan has inherited and expanded all the rights enjoyed by Germany in Shandong; 2. Extend the lease period of Lushun and Dalian and the period of Nanman and Anfeng railways to 99 years, and recognize Japan's privileges in "South Manchuria" and eastern Inner Mongolia; 3. The Hanyeping Company was changed to a Sino-Japanese joint venture, and the nearby mines were not allowed to be mined by people other than the company; 4. China's coastal harbors and islands shall not be leased or ceded to other countries; 5. The Chinese government must hire Japanese as political, financial, and military advisers. China’s police administration and arsenal are jointly run by China and Japan. Japan has the right to build railways between Wuchang, Jiujiang, and Nanchang, as well as between Nanchang, Hangzhou, and Chaozhou, and invests in Fujian. Priority for road building and mining. Yuan Shikai frowned. He paced slowly in his house, thinking about what accepting the "Twenty-One" would bring to China? What would it bring if it was blocked? What for himself? He couldn't help but think hard.Yuan Shikai could not come up with a decision. His envoy to Japan, Lu Zongyu, sent him a secret report from Japan, saying, "Japanese Foreign Minister Kato made it clear: If the Chinese government does not recognize the conditions proposed by the Japanese government, the Japanese government will secretly help the Kuomintang people to carry out the counter-(Yuan) government activities; on the contrary, if this condition is accepted, the Japanese government will assist the Chinese government." Minister Lu also said: "The Japanese foreign minister said that the President had quite anti-Japanese sentiments during the Joseon period. If he wants to change the state system in the future, he must first obtain Japanese Government support. Only by accepting the conditions of the Japanese government will the Japanese government feel good about it." Lu Zongyu was one of the "Four Diamonds" under Yuan Shikai who handled diplomacy with Japan. Sexual statements, the attitude of the Japanese must be worse.This increased the pressure on Yuan Shikai. The Japanese came to the door, and they were so aggressive that it was impossible to ignore them.Yuan Shikai called his chief of foreign affairs, chief of army and secretary of state together and held a secret meeting. Foreign Minister Sun Baoqi explained the "21" one by one, and everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, but no one said anything.The small room was eerily silent for a while.Yes, the situation is very serious, and it cannot be ruled out. Accepting it means subjugating the country and destroying the people. Who will bear this eternal crime? Secretary of State Xu Shichang thinks that he is a "transitional" official, and he is a facade of entertainment. Yuan Minguo's difficulties are up to you, Yuan Minguo Just take the idea, I will let it go; the foreign minister feels that he is a "liaison officer" in international relations. After the "21" has been communicated and the responsibility has been fulfilled, what should I do? That is the business of the president and the secretary of state, and he will let it go Duan Qirui, chief of the Ministry of Army, waited to accept orders with the quality of a soldier, holding the tenet of "obedience to orders is his bounden duty", so he also remained silent.In this way, there will be nothing but "death" in the small room.Yuan Shikai couldn't bear to be silent, the Japanese would not allow him to be silent, he had to make a clear advance and retreat.He looked at the three people who looked like wooden sculptures and clay sculptures in front of him, and he felt a little angry: "You are my right and left arms, my assistant ministers, why do you all become mouthless gourds at the moment of life and death? Don't you think so? Is it not as good as an ordinary man? Everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the country. What should I do? You have to talk!" Duan Qirui stood up first, and he said to Sun Baoqi: "The Japanese are too rampant. We must not accept these conditions. Return these things to the Japanese government to avoid nagging." Yuan Shikai glared at Duan Qirui, and thought a little angrily: "Childish! You still need to mention it if you can?" He just gave Duan Qirui such an angry look, or said: "We are very weak. If we return the original copy, one Failure to do so will result in a breakdown in diplomatic relations and war. What should we do?" While speaking, he had already cast his gaze on Xu Shichang, hoping that the Secretary of State would give him support or suggest a good plan. Xu Shichang is gentle, he understands the connotation and importance of Yuan Shikai's gaze.He turned his face and gave this "affection" to Sun Baoqi.He said: "It's the diplomacy's responsibility to break the deal. President Sun should go to the Japanese envoy to explain this matter politely, expressing the embarrassment, and asking them to change the treaty so that both sides can accept it." Sun Baoqi is reluctant to take the position of foreign minister.He knew that this chair should be one of Lu Zongyu, Cao Rulin, Zhang Zongxiang or Wang Rongzhi.Especially Cao Rulin, who is proficient in Japanese and was an early student studying in Japan. In the former Qing Dynasty, he was promoted from the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He is even more reasonable as the Minister of Foreign Affairs.Therefore, when the Secretary of State called his name, he said calmly: "Baoqi is not talented, and I am afraid that he will not be competent. Please choose another talented person from the president. Baoqi is willing to resign." When Yuan Shikai heard this, he became angry.He thought to himself: "In the face of a national crisis, as an important minister of the country, you can't do your best to solve the country's difficulties, but run away before the battle. What kind of loyal minister and good general are you?"However, he was secretly angry for a while, and swallowed it, only saying: "If you resign, who will you replace?" Sun Baoqi said: "There is no one better than Lu Zixin." "Lu Zhengxiang?" Yuan Shikai repeated. "It's Lu Zhengxiang." Sun Baoqi said, "He's an expert on Japan." Yuan Shikai sighed helplessly, and turned his face to Xu Shichang. "How about letting Lu Zixin block the rush?" Xu Shichang closed his eyes and said nothing.Duan Qirui said impatiently: "Since President Sun thinks that Lu Zixin is more suitable than him, the President must of course use a more suitable person to negotiate with the Japanese." The wrong person should take the seat." But he still didn't say it.He looked at Yuan Shikai, and said: "When the etiquette is exhausted, we have to consider the use of troops." Yuan Shikai knew that Duan Qirui also had objections to Sun Baoqi, so he went on to say: "Yes, yes. When dealing with invaders, one should not forget to resist." Lu Zhengxiang was summoned to the presidential palace, and on the surface he declined. Yuan Shikai encouraged him with warm words, so he had no choice but to agree. 陆征祥接任外交总长之后，即同总统、国务卿商量同日本进行谈判，并即日照会日本公使，约定谈判日期。 一场中日之间的艰难谈判开始了。一家是以强欺弱，横行霸道，拟把别国领土纳入自己的版图；一家是屈膝求荣，步步后退，想以乞怜之姿换取敌人的"慈悲"。 就"二十一条"的中日谈判，是从1915年2月13日正式开始，到4月17日，两个半月之中，共举行25次会谈。会谈，一直是在讨价还价之中。袁世凯的代表只敢对"二十一条"提出修正，而3本代表，始终坚持一成不变。到了5月26日进入第26次会谈时，日本政府竟自行提出了修改方案。中国代表兴奋了一阵子，但修改文本到手之后，他们又傻了眼睛，日本人不仅对自己的侵略条件一丝不改，而在形式上又耍了个花招，把"二卜一条"第四号部分日本的侵略要求改成"是袁世凯政府自动提出而不是日本政府强加的"；又把第五号部分涉及其他国关系条文抽出作悬案处理，其目的不过是缓和西方国家干涉而已。中国代表把日本人的"修改条约"交给袁世凯，袁世凯叹息着摇摇头。 谈判，只是日本人侵略的方式之一，那不是全部。早在3月8日中日第7次会谈时，日本公使日置益就明白地对中国代表曹汝霖说："如果数日内谈判仍无满意之进展，恐将发生意外。"袁世凯吓坏了，怕日本人真采取"意外"。于是，在第8次会谈中便对旅顺，大连的租借期及南满、安奉两路期限等条款作了很大让步。让步归让步，日本人还是采取了"意外"行动： 3月14日，日本向中国的东北、天津、山东等地增兵3万人．以示示威； 3月18日，日军一部公然开入沈阳。 日本外交官、武官到中国各地到处收集情报，化装资本家、学者、旅行团偷盗中国机密；5月7日，突向袁政府提出"最后通牒"，"限于5月9日下午6时以前，对日本修正案为全体承认之答复。否则，帝国政府将执行必要之手段。"这就是说，48小时之内，中国政府必须对"二一十一条"作出或可或否的明确答复。 外交部把这个通牒送到袁世凯面前，陆征祥只站着轻声地喊了"总统"二字，便转身退出去，而袁世凯也并未留他再谈什么。5月的北京还是一派温和气候的，一年一度的花又盛开在中南海。袁世凯感到他的房间里很冷，冷得他总想加衣服。日本人的通牒无论从内涵还是从时间，都没有退步了。要么全盘接受下来；要么原封退了回去。袁世凯在自己面前握出两只拳头，他反复掂量，那一只比那一只更重还是更轻?他衡量不准。在他面前，还有几片纸头，是由江苏将军冯国璋领衔、联络19省将军发来的电报。这个电报他已经看过好几遍，现在，他把握紧的拳头又舒展开来，重新展开这张电报： 日本发生，亡国预兆。国家既处如此危险之地位，国璋等对于中华民国同膺捍卫之责，义不容袖手旁观，一任神州之陆沉，且天下兴亡，匹夫有责，国璋等分属军人，必尽其军人救国之天职。凡欲破坏吾国领土之完全者，吾辈军人必以死力拒之。中国虽弱，但其国民尚能投袂奋起，以身殉国。所望大总统与政府，群起严词峻拒，勿稍畏葸，我军民等当始终为后盾也。乞鉴察! 看着这份电报，他又想到了长江巡阅使张勋的电报，想到广东惠州镇守使龙觐光的电报，都是决请政府拒约的。昨天，陆军总长段祺瑞还当面向他表示主战的决心......"中国人心里愤怒呀!"袁世凯有些发愁! Fives 在中国近代史上，日本人强加给中国人的"二十一条"，是中国人永远不可忘记的耻辱事件，是中国人民心灵上永远永远烙下的一块伤疤。 作为普通的中国人民，袁世凯是不会接受那个耻辱性的"二十一条"的，在他给冯国璋等军人的复电中便曾明白表示："立国于此风云变态无常之世界，必具有一种自立不挫之精神，有自立不挫之精神，人虽谋我，焉能亡我?"但是，作为梦想着要做中国皇帝的袁世凯，他想得更多的，是他现在的"宝座"能不能坐得牢?他走向"太和殿"这条道是否"顺"?所以，在隔了几日之后，在他又给军人们的电报中便变了脸，说什么"惟该将军既属军职，自应专致力干军事，越俎代谋，实非所宜。"最后，命令似的对将军们说"......不必兼顾外交。如有造谣生事者，仰该将军协同地方禁止，至要勿误。"一夜之间，判若两人。国人对袁世凯惊讶了，"这是一个什么总统?国难当头，他一时要人们具有一种自立不挫之精神，一时又报怨人们越俎代谋，实非所宜。究竟怎么才好?" 无论如何对待国人(军人)，日本人的"最后通牒"是发出了，48小时是个界限，袁世凯必须有个态度--不管可否。5月8 日，袁世凯把副总统、国务卿、各部总长通通找到中南海的春藕斋举行会议，希望由大家拿出办法，至少是作出决定。并希望立即召开一个参政院全体会议，由参政院--袁世凯把参政院看重了，他要参政院作他的挡箭牌子--作出最后决定。 上午的会开得很冷清，除了决定"下午开参政院全体会"外，没有任何一个人对"通蝶"表示可否。连那些平时气愤不已的军人也怕因"越俎代谋"而敛口。 下午，在去纯一斋出席参政院全体会议前，陆征祥慌慌张张地跑到居仁堂，愁眉苦脸地去见袁世凯。袁世凯一见外交总长眉脸，便问："怎么，有急事?" 陆征祥说："英国公使到我家去了。" "谈什么?"袁世凯有点吃惊。他不知这位老朋友为何避开他而去会外交总长了。 "关于日本的通牒事。""他什么意见?" "很糟糕。" "说!" "朱尔典说，中国已面临最危险的时候了。我在中国40年，跟大总统有30年交情，今天不能不过来讲几句极诚挚的话。日本的最后通牒，只能回答可或否，没有讨价还价的余地。现在欧洲各国无暇东顾，中国如果与日本开战，将自陷于万劫不复之地，我们虽然同情，却是爱莫能助。中国政府除接受本全部条件而外，别无自全之道......" "接受全部条件?!"袁世凯皱了皱眉，背过身去。 "朱尔典还说，中闭暂日，忍辱负重，从此整军经武，埋头十年，或者有与日本抬头相见的灭......大总统......" 袁世凯转过身，等待他的外交总长说出最关键地言语。 "英国公使让我把这些话全盘告诉你。"陆征祥说!"他还逼着我必须同意他的意见，必须毫无条件的接受日本的条件。" 袁世凯又背过身去，K箭地思索着英国人的意见。 陆征祥又说："美国公使芮恩施也找我了，他们提出了与英国相同的劝告。" 5月，正是燕赵的fq,春天气，中南海的居仁堂，却又显得暑气蒸人。外交总长在不断揉着额角的汗渍，大总统也在揉着额角的汗渍。 "没有余地了!"袁世凯暗暗自想。不接受日本人的条件么?明显，一场恶战立即会叫两国之间展开。"中国有战胜日本的可能吗?"袁世凯是经武出身，中国现有的军队都是他培植起来的，有多大战力他清清楚楚。"果然一战，中国人的英雄豪气到是扣出来了，但是，中国也将从此灭三了。中国灭亡了，大总统也不叮避免地是亡国之君，是日本人的奴隶。再高的理恕，通通化为乌有了。"袁世凯流汗的额角，猛可问添了一层冷冰，他通身寒颤起来。"接受二十一条，"他退：一步想："那样，固然有失中国人的品德，但是，中国毕竟是失去了部分主权，并没有亡困。"袁世凯没忘他的"大业"，做人总统也好，将来当皇帝也好，都得有个主权国家，占为王还得有一片呢．，"只要中国不亡：，我就有旧旋的余地。"袁世凯想起朱尔典的话，"整军经武，埋头十年"。"是的，埋头十年我就不相信没有与本人抬头相见的日子!"想到这里，袁世凯陡然感到轻松了，房子里的窄气也凉爽宜人了。袁世凯问陆征祥："你是怎么想的?说说看。""我看朱公使的意见有道理。我们,"...硬拼。""参政会议的议员会怎么样呢?" "把利害摆明白，争取他们理解政府吧。"袁世凯不再说活。 8月日下午2时半，参政院会议在中南海纯一斋召开。为"二十一条"召开的参政院会议，先由外交部总长作了"引导"的发言，他在说明了中国所处的形势之后说："日本已撤回了条件中的第5号部分，此外，凡属自居优越感以及侵犯中国主权的各项条件，经过我们力争，也都得到修正，比起原案来，我们挽回不少。""二十一条"竞变成了"侵犯中国主权的各项，都得到修正"。那就是说这个条件已经不存在侵略中国主权了。 袁世凯在陆征祥说完之后也上了台，他的脸色非常阴沉。他对着鸦雀无声的会场观看了好一阵，才以"沉痛无比"之前说了一段中国面临的"沉痛无比"的形势。最后，才表明自己的态度。袁世凯说："我们的力量不如人呀，不能跟人家对打。英国朋友关心我们，朱尔典公使关怀我们，其情町感。我们应该记住朱公使的话：埋头十年，卧薪尝胆，将来或者还有抬头的一天。否则，亡国之祸必不可免!"大总统的话说得具情具理，谁还敢再说什么呢?参政院，本来是袁氏家族中的一群食客，他们都是看着袁世凯的脸色办事的，当然对于袁世凯业经默认的"二十一条"只得全体通过不敢作任何异议。 现在，就是由外交部履行手续了。距离日本政府的"通牒"最后期限还有7个小时，负责中日谈判的中国代表、外交次长曹汝霖又一次走进总统府，把那份将要公开发表的承认"二十一条"的公文文本送到袁世凯面前，请他签发。袁世凯接过文本细看，觉得与昨天下午看的文本不一样，便问是怎回事。曹汝霖吞吐着说："文本草稿经日本公使过目，他们有异议。" "什么异议?"袁世凯业经看明白了，便说："那就一定要在第5号条款下加日后另外协商6字?" 曹汝霖只微微点头。其实，刚刚日本公使那里就为此几字他已吃了不少白眼。原稿上只说"第5号与此次交涉脱离"，日本人大发雷霆说："此项回文与原议不符，本公使未便接受。" 曹不得已只好加上"日后另外协商"几字。 袁世凯大怒了。"你太胆大妄为了，这么大的事情为什么不请示我?你作得了主吗?" "是，是。"曹汝霖惊恐着，说："我再去找日本人谈判。" 袁世凯压着文本的手却没有松开，怒发完了之后却默默地低下头，轻轻地叹着气。大约是感到"回天无力"了，他还是对着外交次长摇摇头，然后，一字不改地签上自己的名字，批准了这个将要公开发表的文本。曹汝霖于通牒期限前两小时送达日本公使馆。5月13日，中国外交部向各国公使宣布中日(关于"二十一条")交涉始末。 5月25日，袁世凯政府同日本侵略者正式签定了那个"二十一条"的丧权辱国条约。 six 袁世凯接受那个丧权辱国的"二十一条"，在全体中国人民的心灵上打上一块羞耻的烙印。羞耻激起人们的仇恨，激起人们的愤怒，激起人行动起来，做出他们能够做得到的反抗行动。以抵制日货作为突破口的爱国反日运动，一瞬间便在全国范围内荡起：不用日货，不坐日船，不跟日本人来往，处罚贩卖日货的奸商，成了爱国人民的行动公约。 青年华侨自愿回国抗日。 海外留学生组织回国请愿团，请愿抗日救亡。上海人民发起救国储金运动...... 善良的中国人民，竟忽略了这天大的羞辱还是因为自己的政府、自己的总统卖国投敌所造成的，应该着力反袁，反卖国政府。人民没有激起反袁怒潮，袁却再三再四下令压抑人民的反日救亡运动。接受"二十一条"之次，袁世凯便向全国发出"密谕"，把日本人说成"三头六臂"，为自己不抵抗政策作辩护；不久，又以政事堂国务卿名义再发"密谕"，仍然为自己的罪责解脱。欲盖弥彰，袁世凯这样做了，反而引起了国人的注目。于是，一股"不承认二十一条...、"日兵收复山东"、"诛卖国贼以谢国人"的呼声震撼全国。袁世凯惊慌了。他挖空心思，想让外交总长作他的替罪羊。陆征祥无可奈何，只得通电辞职。陆不想承担全责，在自己的"辞职通电中写入"曹次长误签"条约几字，曹汝霖发了怒，他也在辞职通电上毫不掩饰地为自己辩护说："此案和平了结，大总统之独断，一出于各部总长之公意。日使要求第5项尤力，经用电话请陆总长向主座请示后，方敢加注容日协商。"这话一经公开，袁世凯恼羞成怒，怕着桌子大骂曹汝霖："混账，混账!还不曾亡国。就把自己的主子出卖了。"一怒之下，把他已经决定授给曹汝霖勋三位以奖其签约之功的命令也取消了。 曹汝霖毕竟是为袁总统卖了力的，怒归怒，骂归骂，袁总统还是不忘他的"贡献"和忠心，袁世凯不仅不批准他辞职，反而还给了曹"仪同特任"，享受总长的待遇。以后，中国在一个漫长的岁月里．一方面是人民的反日情绪与日俱增，一方面是袁政府对爱国人民镇压的升级。爱国有罪，成为中国人民最痛心无不皱眉的现状。 "二十一条"接受下来了，卖国已成为事实。乍听这个词，袁世凯还有点冷嗖嗖地颤抖。听得多了，耳朵大约是适应了，并不感到刺激了。他只想把这件事先丢下，去办那些该办的事情。 什么事情该办?什么事情最急呢?紧紧张张渡过了许多天的袁世凯，仿佛觉得没有太急的事可做了。"二十一条"虽然蒙受莫大的耻辱，但毕竟没有亡国，而袁世凯还是名正言顺的中华民国大总统。是大总统他便执掌着治理这个国家的一切大权。无论"二十一条"把多大主权丢掉了。割地了，赔款了，划出租界了，任他去，中国的版图还得是中围的版图!这么思索着，袁世凯该一Ff一么自然由他了。 中华民国快到她的四岁生日了，袁世凯的复出也怏到四周年了。当因为"二十一条"而遭到的咒骂声渐渐离他耳朵远了的时候，他舒了一口气，想心平气和地回顾一下这四年。往内外交困，烽火狼烟，他顾不及。现在，仿佛温和了，也该回顾了。 事情也真够多的，当他想从冗杂的项目中找一二个"头等"的时候，又仿佛都是头等、都不是头等。 正是袁世凯心神不定的时候，人传"有一个河南同窗一定求见"。袁世凯问了姓氏，却毫无记忆了。便说："大约是一．位老乡在北京受困了，给他送点银钱，就说我很忙，无暇见他。" 侍从却说："他说他不缺钱，是来给你送比钱还贵重的东西的。已经等待你好多天。" "什么东西?" "他不告知，说只当面交给你。"袁世凯眨眨眼，说："让他进来吧。"一个清瘦的儒生被领进居仁堂，约50岁上下，衣着朴素，满面带笑，操着标准的河南音向袁世凯问好，但只鞠了个躬。 "请，请坐吧。"袁世凯还在打量他。"从河南来，有何见教?" "大总统不认识我?"那人淡淡一笑。"我是唐天喜将军家的塾师，叫任芝铭的，见过大总统的面。大总统还欣赏过我的诗呢!" 袁世凯望了望他，毫无印象，便蜕："噢。你有什么事吗?请讲。" "我刚从河南来，河南老乡都惦记你呢!"这位自称任芝铭的人说："你有个表弟叫长镇芳的，是吗?是沾了你的光做了河南都督。很为河南人办了儿件难忘的事。" "是吗?"袁世凯心里高兴。 任芝铭说："这回，夫总统把国民党火你的表弟便在河南犬肆屠杀命党还在开封口门外为革命党招魂、开追悼会。结果，竟把骗去)会的：万人全杀了。小的写了一首诗，读给大总统听听。"说着，从衣兜里取出一片纸，平仄有韵的念道： 帝乡人命贱如麻， 冤血三年浸碧沙。 我欲招魂魂不至， 腥风吹赤半天霞。 "大总统见笑了，见笑了。" 袁世凯眯着眼睛，慢慢思索起来--屠杀革命党，那是他部署的；张镇芳在河南杀人，他也知道。唐天磐的塾师写诗骂张镇芳，他觉得不可能。因而，他再次打量那个来人．"你......你是任芝铭?" "是的．大总统。" "这涛是你的心里话?" "是的，大总统。"任芝铭说："不只这一首，还有。" "还有?什么诗?" "刚家经济困难，国家又须用钱。"任芝铭说："别的省份闹独立捐税不好收，河南是你的原籍，所以，一年竟收两次人丁税。河南人真高兴。小的也写了一首诗。"说着，又从衣兜里拿出一张纸，念道： 豫民生计本无聊， 丰沛恩泽愧汉高。 翻使渥承优待处， 岁输段亩助新朝。 "怎么样，还可以吧?" "你......你......你什么人?敢来本总统面前戏弄?来人!"袁世凯发怒了。 几个侍从闯进来。 "把这个疯子给我捆下去!"来人七手八脚，抓起那人。"我不是任芝铭，也不是河南人。可那事却千真万确；那诗，也千真万确是任芝