Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen Yuan Shikai said that China must have an emperor

"Twenty-one" is a disgrace to the Chinese people, all Chinese people remember it deeply, and are determined to clear it up! Yuan Shikai did not remember it.What did he care about? He wanted to push himself to the highest position of power. one In a secret room in Jurentang, sitting opposite Yuan Shikai is his eldest son Yuan Keding.Both father and son were silent. In contrast, Yuan Shikai frowned even more tightly.After the "Twenty-One-One" that caused trouble was signed, the whole of China seemed to be boiling, anti-Yuan and anti-Japanese.Anti-Japanese and anti-Yuan, an angry anti-tide, spread to all classes in China: workers, farmers, students, businessmen, soldiers, even military officers, local officials, celebrities and gentlemen were also included in the papers, and overseas Chinese were even more active.Yuan Shikai became a street mouse, and he didn't even dare to go out of the cave.These days, spontaneous parades and angry slogans chanted by the ranks have surrounded Zhongnanhai like a flood that has broken its embankment, from morning to evening, from evening to late night, sometimes all night long; Unable to block the impact of the raging tide.Yuan Shikai became anxious. He didn't expect the poor and backward Chinese to have such high patriotic enthusiasm? He also didn't expect that the people of the country would rise up and scold him, and no one would come out to stop him? "People's hearts, people's hearts!?" Yuan Shikai suddenly felt He is so lonely.He thought of Duan Qirui, of Feng Guozhang, of Wang Shizhen, and of the civil servants and military generals he had drawn up one by one since he was training in the army at the station, "Oh, none of them are in the top today, they don't do anything, and they can't help me relieve my worries." Only the son, the son is still his own.

When someone called his son to him, he really wanted to guard his son and yell at the world, "The world is full of things that don't go according to his will, I have to change the world!" But he didn't scold, "Now is not the time to swear, It's not the time to hide in front of the bed and pretend to be a hero. It's how to deal with the current situation." Because he didn't have a strategy yet, he called his son.When the son came, he fell silent. Yuan Keding is not in the same mood as his father. He is worried about the "Twenty-One" and says, "China is weak right now, and you have to agree to whatever conditions they want. One day I will be stronger, and I may not accept it when he comes to pay tribute to Japan." Well!" He didn't take the anti-Yuan and anti-Japanese fury in China's land as a big deal, "Reverse it, be angry, a few crows and sparrows are making noise on the branches, and it won't affect the lush branches of the towering tree!" Yuan Keding thought Far, have a heart. "Sure enough, one day the troubles came to Zhongnanhai, and the worst would be killing and using knives. I don't believe that Chinese people are not afraid of death." Recently, when Yuan Shikai was negotiating the "21" with the Japanese, Yuan Keding concentrated his energy on His father seized military power and wanted to build a Yuan family's Imperial Forest Army to protect the Yuan family's country.

Yuan Keding is ambitious, and since he learned of the revised presidential election law under the guidance of his father, his ambition has increased.The law stipulates that a new president must be elected among the three candidates put forward by the former president.His father is the president, and one day his father will not be able to do so, and he still has the right to nominate, let alone mention three, even if he mentions one, it must be him, Yuan Keding.So, his "crown prince" is self-sufficient. "Today help Lao Tzu conquer the world, tomorrow will be my world!" He deeply understood Lao Tzu's good intentions.

When the father and son sat opposite each other, Yuan Keding understood everything from his father's low mood, and opened his mouth before his father asked a question: "Master, you don't have to worry about the current matter. According to my opinion, everything is settled when everything is settled." gone." Yuan Shikai was very confused.I originally wanted to bring my son to talk about it, but when my son came, he was so confused that he forgot.Now, the son seemed to know it, and he raised it first, but he was vague.He glared at his son and asked, "Which thing is settled, everything is settled?"

"It's still an old saying, strong stems and weak branches, catch the army." Yuan Shikai turned his back and said nothing.He knew that when his son returned from Germany in the early years, Kaiser Wilhelm II repeated to Yuan Keding what he had said to the regent of the Qing Dynasty. The same army as the "trunk".In that way, you won't be afraid of those scattered troops making trouble.Yuan Keding made two specific suggestions to his father, one is to welcome Wang Shizhen to Beijing to take charge of the army on behalf of Duan, and the other is to set up the Generalissimo Command Office in the Presidential Palace, which is the highest military institution in the country and controlled by the President.Although Yuan Shikai accepted them all, he couldn't make up his mind to seize Duan Qirui's military power.Yuan Keding thought that his father's "powerful" consciousness was not firm, so he repeated the old saying.

Yuan Shikai was silent for a long time, and said: "Isn't it being implemented step by step? How can such a major event be accomplished overnight?" Yes, Yuan Shikai made a fuss about the military issue, and it was not a small one: he first agreed to establish an army and navy command office in the presidential palace, let his son go to Zhengding to die, drag Laila, and invite Wang Tuzhen to return to Beijing. As the general of the army, he was sent to the command office.Chief of the Army Duan Qirui, Chief of the Navy Liu Guanxiong, and Chief of Staff Li Yuanhong are also clerks.Soon, it was ordered to change the provincial governors to generals in order to weaken the local military power.However, not only did Wang Shizhen lack the boldness to run the army, and he could not afford Yuan's trust, but Duan Qirui also gradually showed restraint.Duan Qirui remained indifferent to the anti-Yuan and anti-Japanese outrage caused by "two divinations and one article".This is the most unreal question in the minds of the Yuan family and his son today.

Yuan Keding said: "The Lord's attitude of seeking stability is certainly good. However, until today, there has been no change (for the army), and the situation is so bad. What should we do?" Yuan Shikai sighed, and said: "I don't understand. Most of the old people in Xiaozhan are depressed. Feng Huafu (Guozhang) only gets up at 12 o'clock every day. Duan Zhiquan (Qirui) never asks about the affairs of the Ministry. What is the Beiyang faction?" I know the appearance well? In the early days, Xizi (Yang Du) asked me to transfer Cai Songpo (E) to my side. I transferred him to Beijing and made him a clerk in the command office, but..."

Yuan Keding understood that his father wanted to use Cai E, but he felt that Cai E was not his own, so he was worried about him.Cai E has arrived in Beijing, but he has no real power to him. --Yuan Keding knows his father as well as his father knows him. He knows that he dreams of power, especially military power; he is afraid of losing power in his dreams, especially afraid of losing military power.During the transition period from the interim president to the full-fledged president, Yuan Shikai set up a model regiment headed by himself like the Imperial Guards established in the Qing Dynasty. The middle and lower-level officers who are most loyal to him are soldiers, so as to gradually expand from this regiment, and establish a Yuan family army that surpasses the Beiyang faction, so as to achieve the expected effect of strengthening Yuan's centralization.

"We still need to run the model group well." Yuan Keding said: "Master, didn't you say that the model group should be expanded, expand. Hurry up." Yuan Shikai nodded, and then changed the subject. "Ji'er (Yuan Keding's baby name), I don't want to talk about anything else, I just want to ask you one thing, please tell me your opinion." "Tell me, sir." Yuan Keding said, "What's the matter?" "Zhiquan makes people sad!" Yuan Shikai expressed his thoughts. "When negotiating on Twenty-One, people were anxious, and the Ministry of the Army actually issued a petition requesting an increase in the salaries of its members..." "Didn't the uncle reject him?" Yuan Keding said. "I heard that you approved 8 words: If you are a little bit popular, you can't be like this! It's strict enough!"

Yuan Shikai sighed, "Ah--", and said: "Things happen one after another, and in times of crisis, troubles always happen to him." "Isn't the truth about the mystery of the tea servant planting the bomb revealed?" Yuan Keding remembered an incident that happened not long ago. There was a news in the Japanese newspaper earlier that a tea servant planted a bomb in the Ministry of War and wanted to kill him. Duan Qirui, and insinuating that Yuan Shikai did it, was a political conspiracy.However, there is no real evidence to catch wind and shadow, so it will be nothing.

Although this matter has not been expanded, its impact is not small. Everyone in the country knows that Yuan and Duan's relationship has been greatly cracked. "Who talks about it today?" Yuan Shikai was unforgiving, and no one mentioned him.Of course, he would not fight back with this, but he could point fingers at Sang Huai. "That matter is over. Now, Twenty-One has caused a big commotion, and he actually didn't show up. Back then..." Yuan Shikai sighed again: "Oh--" "What's the matter? My lord." Yuan Shikai deliberately expressed a "distressed" emotion.Then he said: "Why is he so courageous?" Yuan Shikai wanted to shirk responsibility, and he called Duan Qirui, who was more active in anti-Japanese, a capitulator.Because of Duan's surrender, he did not dare to resist by force, which resulted in today's situation. When Yuan Keding heard this, he was very happy-it turned out that before this, he had already said a lot of bad things about Duan Qirui outside because of his father's crime of treason.He said to people: "When the twenty-one was tight, the old man asked Chief Duan whether he could resist by force? The chief said that there was a war, and the country could be destroyed within three days. The army is so incompetent, what is the chief responsible for?" Yuan Keding's rumor Zhan, today Jing coincides with his father, he has a "backer".So, he boldly said: "Since the uncle understands everything, it's time to make up his mind." Yuan Shikai didn't speak, just kept silent. Yuan Keding said again: "Yes, the eldest brother-in-law--Duan's successor, Mrs. Zhang, is Yuan's cousin and niece. Because of family failure, Yuan grew up with Yuan, and Yuan was in charge of continuing Duan. Duan became Yuan's son-in-law--an old man in Xiaozhan, You have worked hard and made meritorious deeds. That's just the past. Besides, you didn't treat him badly. Now that he is like this, you don't have to have any scruples." Yuan Shikai finally nodded. While Yuan was arranging Duan, Duan was also making his own plans.Yuan Duan's rift has not lasted for a day. Duan Qirui knows that the military power is too great, "the power overwhelms the master".Yuan Shikai looked forward to his great power when he was in trouble, and others would not dare to mess with him if he was so powerful. It was the same when he was demoted by the Qing court.When he was sent out of the capital to "raise disease", he once secretly said to Duan: "Whether there will be a bright future in the future depends on you, Zhiquan." Not only that, but also bought the Fuxue Hutong that he spent 300,000 yuan. The private house was presented to Duan Qirui.However, when Yuan became the interim president, his face changed; when the official president was elected, his face became even more different.The most shocking thing for Duan Qirui was that Yuan Shikai killed Zhao Bingjun.After Zhao Bingjun was poisoned to death by Yuan, not only the people of the country were surprised, but all the Beiyang faction trembled.Duan Qirui asked Feng Tongzhang, "What do you think?" Feng said, "Zhao Zhi'an's dedication to Xiangcheng is far ahead of you and me. The king of Zhi'an has this field, how can you and I rest assured?" Once, Duan Qirui asked Lu Jianzhang privately about Zhao's death, and even the murderous butcher said, "We have too much involvement in the old man's secrets. The old man will wipe out the traces one day." What disturbed Duan Qirui the most was A recent incident: After the establishment of the Command Office of the Army and Navy, the Ministry of the Army submitted a report on personnel changes, which was handled by Xu Shuzheng, the Deputy Minister of the Army.Yuan Shikai asked Duan, and Duan said: "Let me go to the Ministry to find out." Yuan Shikai angrily said: "Your report has been sent, why are you still waiting to find out?" When Duan Qirui saw Yuan Zhikai's appearance, he really wanted to say something to him: "Since there is a document to submit, you'll be done with your comments, why ask again." But he didn't dare to say it, he just kept it in his heart angrily.Next, there were Yuan Keding's rumors, Wang Shizhen's transfer to Beijing, the establishment of the army and navy command service level, and so on.Duan Qirui became discouraged, so he lived in seclusion in Xishan in the name of "recovering illness".Soon, he tendered his resignation. On May 31, 1915, Wang Shizhen was appointed acting chief of the army. two The 41-year-old Yang Du, after being depressed for a while because of the "prime minister" problem, quickly cheered up and picked up the "military state" event he had been thinking about for a long time, and wanted to make a first-class contribution to the Yuan family. Yang Du's superhuman shrewdness, his peeping of Yuan Shikai, has achieved amazing transparency: "What does Yuan want to do? I understand." Yuan Keding visited Yang Du and sent him a wet-inked article "On the Republic and the Monarch".The signature of the article is American Goodnow, but the article is in Chinese.To his surprise.This article was translated and distributed by the Legal Affairs Bureau. "In other words, the opinion of the American consultant has added the approval of the Chinese government." Yang Du smiled slightly, put down the article, and was about to discuss it with Yuan Keding, but Yuan Keding changed the subject. "Xizi, what do you think of Xu Buwu?" "Secretary of State?" Yang Du said, "Okay! If you don't eat the king's salary, you will also repay the king's kindness. Where can you find such a person?" Yuan Keding understood that he was referring to Xu Shilu's "clear aspirations" of "not being honored by the Republic of China".Then he sneered and said, "Don't talk about giving salary and gift, don't you just accept it?" "He still does his best for the old man." "Cao Cao. A typical living Cao Cao." Yuan Keding said rather angrily: "Don't talk about this person. You should read this article carefully. Do what you want. Foreigners can't take all the credit." After all, he turned around and left. Since Yang Du entered Zhongnanhai, he has been proud of his spring breeze and feels that he will flourish from now on.Unexpectedly, the fate is ill-fated, and many opportunities are just out of reach.He decided to do some research on Yuan Shikai.Who knows this research, Jing discovered the secret.Yuan Shikai turned out to be dreaming of being an emperor! This Xiangtan talent was originally a constitutional monarch, whether it was the report he drafted for the five ministers of the Qing government who went abroad to investigate the constitutional government, or the "Yu Xue Yi Bian" co-founded by him and Yang Dusheng, or his When he was the editor of the constitutional government, he unequivocally advocated a constitutional monarchy, and talked about the constitutional monarchy. Later, when he was the editor-in-chief of "China News" (monthly), he called on the Qing government to convene a parliament to realize a constitutional monarchy.As a result, his "emotion" with Yuan Shiji became closer.These days, Yang Du knew that there were two people who frequently floated in front of Yuan, one was the Japanese Nagao Ariga, and the other was the American Goodnow, both of whom were labeled as senior consultants.The Japanese and Americans try their best to advocate a constitutional monarchy, and they hate China's republic and democracy.Yang Du thought: "If this American consultant submits "The Republic and the Monarchy" for this matter, wouldn't this help me again!" Yang Du carefully read the American "On" and smiled on his back. "Americans, Americans are really well-intentioned!" Just when Yang Du was excited, Nei Shi Xia Shoutian came to visit.After the Secretary Office of the Presidential Palace was changed to the Internal History Supervisor, Ruan Zhongshu took the top position, and Xia Shoutian became Ruan's right-hand man and Yuan's mouthpiece.Yang Du knew him, and he must have something important to visit.So, hospitality. "Welcome Duke Xia, welcome Duke Xia." Yang Du offered to sit down. "Mr. Xia is here, so there must be something to see and teach." One "The President hasn't seen Mr. for many days, so he ordered me to come and visit." Xia Shoutian was more than modest. "Shun There is one thing to trust. " Yang Du understood: "By the way" is a lie, and "entrusting each other" is even more modest.So he said: "Please tell me, Mr. Xia, that Xizi has all his heart." "There are two celebrities named Ding Shiyi and Xu Fosu, who have made a statement to the President. There is a report on the issue of restructuring. The President has not expressed his approval. I would like to ask Mr. Wang to look at it first, and then..." Yang Du understood that the so-called famous scholars were just two politicians who were good at observing their faces, and the reform of the system would naturally be changed to a monarchy, so he understood everything without looking at the "introduction".He smiled and said, "You don't need to read it, I guess I have the same opinion as Mr. Goodnow. I would like to hear the President's opinion on this matter?" Both Xia Shoutian and Yang Du were pawns under Yuan Shikai's wings, and neither of them said who was right or wrong.Now that the matter has been revealed, wouldn't it be better to simply explain it.So, Xia Shoutian said straight to the point. "Of course, the President wants to ask Mr. to come up with an idea. However, the President just wants to tell Mr. a point that he hasn't thought about yet: The national system is a big issue. Would you like to ask Mr. Xu Fusu and others to organize an academic group to study the national system and contact a Criticize famous people and create public opinion. As for Mr. personally, the President’s intention is to not show up for good, so as to avoid accidents.” Yang Du smiled.I thought: Yuan Shikai finally clarified his point of view, but he left behind. "Let me be behind the scenes, and he hides even deeper. It's so hard work!" He still said, "I understand what the president means, and I will definitely follow the instructions." Xia Shoutian left, Yang Du frowned. Yang Du believes that "China is a country that must be a monarchy".No one, no matter who he is, can go beyond this fact.Yuan Shikai can be called a contemporary hero, and the new monarch must be him! Thinking of this, Yang Du has his own plan: "For such a big event, hide behind the scenes. In the future, someone else will be the founding father of the country, and he will be the jumping official. I won’t do it. I, Yang Du, should be the one to organize celebrities to set up academic groups.” So, after Xia Shoutian left, Yang Du left the American articles and started writing by himself.Yang Du is worthy of being a contemporary genius, and a big article "Saving the Country by the Constitution" was published soon. When this strange article like a heavy artillery shell was presented to Yuan Shikai, Yuan Shikai felt as if he had found a treasure. He hung up the lamp and sat at his desk eagerly, read it three times in one breath, and praised it repeatedly. "The four-character plaque was presented to Yang, and a special order was issued that "Yang Du gave the plaque to one side".Yang Du was flattered, and immediately presented the "Thank you" fold: ...... Fu Niandu is obscene with little material, wrongly participates in public opinion, Fang is ashamed of his duty, neglects the title of the lottery, and the decoration of Wei Wei is too constant, there is no place for fear.Fortunately, the President faced the difficulties alone, fought against the dangers and doubts, and lived the rest of his life in troubles, which is a wonderful occasion for enlightenment.The reputation is absurd, and there are many blames for returning to the bow; only the skin and bones remain, and the heart of serving the country is not exhausted.Thank you for all your sincere thanks, and I respectfully present to President Jun Jian. Soon, Yang Du's wonderful essay was distributed by Duan Zhigui's secret seal to the military and political chiefs of the provinces. Knowing that his "theory" was accepted by Yuan Shikai and promoted to the whole country, Yang Du was very happy, and strengthened his determination to create a great cause: he wanted to strive for the first merit and the founding father of the country.Didn't Yuan Shikai want to have a group of "big celebrities" to create public opinion for him? Well, I will form a group for him mainly composed of "big celebrities". Yang Du had charisma and a group of cronies. Soon, he invited five people including Sun Yuyun, Hu Ying, Yan Fu, Liu Shipei, and Li Xiehe to form a group to reform the imperial system. On August 14, 1915, The 6-person joint "Tianjin" was issued on the 1st, which listed a large list of Chinese and foreign situations, the advantages and disadvantages of the systems of various countries, and finally stated that their organization is an "academic group" whose purpose is "to raise the security of a country" and "to promote the national situation" The future and the interests of the republic, each expresses its own views, in order to fully discuss and learn from each other."It is hoped that "people with far-sightedness from all over the country will be willing to come and discuss with each other."Because his purpose is to "raise the security of a country", its name is naturally called "the meeting to raise security".As a result, in the modern history of China, there appeared a backward organization full of clown organizations - the Preparatory Security Association.Someone put a high hat on Yang Du and others, calling them "Six Gentlemen of the Chou Anhui". These six can also be called "gentlemen": Yang Du, who is famous, we have given him a lot of ink; A celebrity who is tossing and turning in the wind and clouds; Yan Fu, a teacher at the Beiyang Naval Academy, because the "Congress" matter was ordered by the Qing government to take over, and he comforted himself by translating books during the hiding period. Time is famous.This person has quite an unpredictable face: when Yuan Shikai became the minister of Beiyang and wanted to promote him, he said: "Yuan Shikai is good enough to be with me!" Yuan Shikai was kicked out by Zaifeng. When Changde was "cultivating illnesses", he said: "This man is the pillar of the country, how can I leave it idle!" After the Republic of China, he was hired as the supervisor of the Imperial University, and Yuan Shikai also hired him as a consultant to the presidential palace.Since the Cian'an Association is an academic group composed of "big celebrities", he is naturally indispensable--however, someone has investigated, and this person has not written any articles advocating the monarchy. Liu Shipei was a well-known person who was well-known earlier in the middle school row. He once organized the recovery meeting with Zhang Taiyan.He is the author of "Lun Lun" and "Chinese Ethnography", which are representative works advocating the elimination of Manchuria; he also wrote "Guoxue Fawei", "Academic History in the Late Qing Dynasty", "Reading Zuo Zha Ji" and so on.He once devoted himself to Duanfang, the governor of Liangjiang, and came to Sichuan at random.Duanfang was killed, and he voted for Yan Xishan in Shanxi, and then Yuan.When Yang Du published "On the Salvation of the Nation by the Constitution of the Monarch", he echoed it, published "On the National Conditions", and then published "A Letter to the Comrades of the Old League", which was very popular with Yuan. As soon as this guy's "Chouan" theory spread, people could see the judgment of "he has a lot of background".Sure enough, the generals and patrol envoys of various provinces sent representatives to Beijing one after another, expressing their willingness to join; later, civil affairs chiefs of various provinces also sent personnel to Beijing to send "eyeballs".The Six Gentlemen were happy. They formally established the Preparatory Committee in Beijing on August 23, with Yang Du as the chairman, Sun Yuyun as the vice chairman, and the other 4 members as directors.As a result, a big event to prepare for the imperial system was held in full swing. three Jiangsu governor Feng Guozhang was ordered to come to Beijing. The 58-year-old Feng Guozhang had long planned to be in this line of work.It was not a business matter, but he wanted to express his emotional gratitude to Yuan Shikai—his first wife passed away, and he was alone for several years.It was Yuan Shikai who cared for him and gave him his family's school teacher, Yongdi, a famous female talent in Tianjin, and Zhou Daoruxu, so that he had a warm family again.However, he did not go early, because he had too many things to do. He thought: If he dared to leave now, he would not come here. Yuan Shikai called him to Beijing to "report on his work." Although he didn't understand what he was going to say? But he was Must come. Zhou Teng is the school teacher of the Yuan Mansion. Two: He is very familiar with everyone. Naturally, all the wives and aunts will receive her.Of course, Feng Guozhang went to the secret room to report to Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai briefly asked about the situation in Jiangsu, and said with some melancholy: "After the eleventh article, I originally wanted to hold a larger-scale military conference. Later, I decided not to, so I changed it to a private discussion and invited you here. It's over." Yuan Shikai neither revealed why he was "holding a larger-scale meeting", nor did he explain why Gang "won't hold it".But Feng Guozhang already understood that the meeting was intended to abolish provinces, divert routes and divide military regions, and it was not held because he was afraid that the Japanese would misunderstand and cause trouble.Therefore, Yuan Shikai broke the question, and Feng Guozhang also said straight to the point: Afterwards, external troubles are no longer a big deal, and the main thing is internal troubles. ""Have you heard any rumors?" Yuan Shikai was very vigilant. In fact, he knew best what legend? It wasn't an imperial disturbance. As early as two years ago, a Shandong native named Qiu Pingzhi gave him a book, clearly proposing." A president is less dignified than a monarch. "Soon, Zhang Zhongyi, a native of Hunan, entered the "Exhortation to Correct the Emperor's Throne Table" and proposed "six reasons". An old man in Qingdao quoted classics and wrote an article "Reconciliation of the Republic" and another article "Continuation of the Reconciliation of the Republic". He said cleverly: "The term of the president must expire, and after he abdicates, it is no different from the people.In fact, the white dragon fish has no way to defend itself, it has accumulated resentment and is willing to get it, and it is inevitable that it will be unavoidable.Xiang Cheng knows better than others, so he must have considered this early. "Although Yuan Shikai strongly opposed these people's high behavior on the surface, he was very happy in his heart; he wanted to punish those who made "dangerous words", but he did not take action. Not only that, but also hired the former Qing Dynasty minister and old man Zhao Er during this period. Xun and Wang Guiyun are curators of Qing History Museum and National History Museum. Feng Guojing said: "Everyone in the south of the Yangtze River is very concerned about the current situation. As the rumors gradually spread, Hua Fu was in a state of uncertainty, and he didn't dare to say yes or no, so he was very worried." Yuan Shikai thought it was better to keep it secret, but seeing Feng Guojing made it clear, he said, "Hua Fu, you and I are on our own, don't you understand what's on my mind? I don't think the rumors are groundless. Some people have said that a republic is not suitable for the national conditions, and I have verbally expressed my willingness to return to the fields or return the government to clean up the house. Recently, the New Testament law was promulgated, and there is a provision of knighthood conferred by the president. Some people think that the national system should be changed. I have said it a long time ago Now, the powers of the five ethnic groups are all equal. Since all ethnic groups can confer kings and dukes, why not confer kings and dukes on the Han compatriots? Feng Guojing wanted to say something, but couldn't get in, and his heart was anxious. "There are so many rumors, and you don't deny it yourself, so why bother explaining it? It's over if you express your attitude." Yuan Shikai probably saw Feng Guozhang's mood, so he changed his tone and said: "I may as well tell you what is on my mind. Now my power and responsibility are no different from that of the emperor. Unless it is for purpose, I really don't need to be emperor. …" Feng Guozhang trembled coldly: "So, for the sake of your children and grandchildren, you really want to be the emperor?!" His eyes were a little out of shape, and his face was covered with dark clouds. Yuan Shikai shook his head frankly and smiled. "As for my children and grandchildren, you are all clear: the eldest son is disabled, and he was not a great talent; No; the rest are even more useless. I don’t trust them to shoulder important responsibilities of the country, nor do the people of the country!” Yuan Shikai sighed and shook his head. "Hua Fu, you and I are very clear about a piece of Chinese history. The emperor's family always has a bad end. Even if it is for the children and grandchildren, I can't bear to send them into the pit of fire. It's what Prince Chun Yisu said : Wealth is great, fortune is great, and misfortune is great later on. May I ask what is the reason for this? The children and grandchildren are courageous if they have more money, and they are not afraid of any major event. Feng Guozhang was dubious, and said: "Can the emperor pass on the virtuous but not the son?" Yuan Shikai immediately said: "The president can also pass on talents. Isn't the president the same as the emperor?" Feng Guochuang is a dog among the "Three Heroes of Beiyang".Originally, he wanted to persuade Yuan Shikai, "Don't take the step of the imperial system. The Chinese have long hated the emperor. Besides, the whole world is advocating the trend of democracy and republic, and it is impossible to drag history back." However, he Hearing what Yuan Shikai said, and saying it with emotion, even the "sincere" appearance is enough to sympathize.As a result, Feng Guozhang's topic also changed.He said: "The president speaks from the bottom of his heart, and Hua Fu understands it. However, the president's meritorious deeds are great, and the people look forward to governance. In the future, heaven will return to people. Although the president is humble, I am afraid that he will not be able to push it away." When Yuan Shikai heard this, he was a little angry. "Wah Fu, how do you say this? I will never do this kind of thing. To tell you the truth, I have a son who is studying in England. I have asked him to set up some property there. If someone forces me to leave If there is no other way, I have no choice but to go abroad." Feng Guojing then let go of the question of "Yuan Shikai wants the imperial system for himself" that had been hidden in his heart for a long time, and said: "Nanjing does not disapprove of the reform of the state system. It is just time. problem." Yuan Shikai said: "No matter when, I will not be the emperor." "Since the President judges the situation in this way, I think all parties will not be too reluctant." Feng Guozhang has to be counted as Yuan Shikai's arm.Otherwise, how could he be listed as one of the three heroes? Feng Guozhang joined the Huai Army in 1893, served as a Chinese military attache in Japan, met several Japanese military celebrities, and wrote several military books.Yuan Shikai regarded it as a treasure when he was training at the small station, and praised Feng as "there is no student in the military who surpasses the public!" General Office.Since then, he has been following Yuan Shikai's side and obeying the promotion.When Yuan Shikai Zhangde "raised disease", the regent Zaifeng wanted to pull Feng Guozhang and Yuan Beiyang's forces; after the Wuchang Uprising, the Qing government sent Feng Guozhang to organize the second army, and sent Yinchang to lead the third army to suppress it southward.Feng Jun did not act for a long time.The army was unable to advance south, which created a situation where the Qing government had to use Yuan again. Yuan Shikai finally had the opportunity to come out of the mountain again, and only then did he have today.With such a friendship, Feng Guozhang completely believed in Yuan Shikai's words.After Yuan Shikai finished discussing military issues with him, Feng Guojing hurried back to Nanjing with his new wife. Unexpectedly, after Feng Guozhang returned to Nanjing, he found out that someone in Zhongnanhai had organized a "preparation meeting" and issued a declaration, saying that Luo Migu had finished his work for Yuan's proclaiming emperor, so he could admit that he had been fooled. The mansion was angry with itself, "The old man really knows how to play tricks! Why does he still regard us, who have shared benevolence and death with him, as his own?" Four Ju Ren Tang in Zhongnanhai kept saying that the generals were ushered in day and night, and the generals were sent away. They all came to "report on their duties" to their president.Feng Guozhang was the first, Feng Guozhang left, Jin Yunpeng from Shandong came; Push your heels in.While generals from these provinces were being called in one after another, some people found that generals who were not in charge of the military affairs of a province were also called in, such as Zhang Zuolin, commander of the 27th Division in Fengtian, and Wang Zhanyuan, commander of the Second Division in Hubei.People were a little surprised: "They also entered Zhongnanhai!?" For such a large-scale "debriefing" movement, Yuan Shikai treated it as a top priority: in terms of form, he first created an unusual atmosphere, adopted the etiquette of Xinjiang officials meeting the president, set up cases and set up tables, and the etiquette followed Zhang, Yuan Shikai wore a white tasseled military cap and a blue uniform of the Generalissimo with gold thread epaulets. He sat on the presidential throne majesticly. He walked in and out with goose-shaped duck steps.However, the content of its "report" is bizarre and ridiculous: report, as the name suggests, is that people sent by Chu Chu to foreign countries or other places to perform special missions report their performance after being recalled.But Yuan Shikai didn't. When the general who reported his duties came in, he took the initiative to exchange greetings, asking about the daily life, the security in the province, and the people's conditions; without waiting for anyone to answer, he hurriedly changed the subject, saying: "We have established the Republic and established this. A few years, tell me, how has it been done?" This kind of question made some generals very panic: "What is this called? The president is the president of the republic. We can only say that you are a good president and a good republic. How dare you say anything?" So some people were dumbfounded when they were asked. .Later, one of the six gentlemen in Tiao'an was "smart" and revealed some "secrets" to the generals who were called beforehand, and these generals became calm and composed.When Yuan asked, they answered confidently: "We have really failed to achieve success in running the republic. The common people hope that the president will take more responsibility and run the affairs of the country better." Yuan Shikai smiled and nodded frequently. During the scorching hot month, in the second half of the month, on a clear afternoon, Zhang Zuolin, the commander of the 27th Division, came to Zhongnanhai on the recommendation of Lei Zhenchun, the director of the Military and Political Law Enforcement Division.When they were sitting in a small house waiting for reception downstairs in Ju Ren Tang.This teacher with a red beard was suddenly panic-stricken-- Zhang Zuolin said "I am the number one in the world" since he pulled the pole and robbed the house. Zhang Xiluan, the governor of Fengtian, transformed him from a ghost cave into a human being, reused him, and even recognized him as his adopted son. Unable to keep his feet, he finally walked away in despair.Yuan Shikai wanted to get Zhang Zuolin out of Fengtian and move him to the remote Heilongjiang, so as not to consolidate his territory and cause trouble. He sent a call back refusing to be transferred outside, and said nondescriptly: "The Battle of Xinhai and Gui Chou. The President pays attention to the south. When Jie Zuolin was stationed in the north, Yuan Shikai was so angry that he yelled: "Bandits, live bandits! Blackmail! What is the power of the north? Do you dare to rebel in the north when I am marching south?!" Now, Yuan Shikai single-handedly called He has come to Beijing, he secretly paid a price, he dare not not come, and also dare not go to the audience alone, so he dragged Lei Zhenchun along with him.Officials know that Yuan Shikai is very particular about rank when meeting his family members: those with the best relationship and high status will meet in the small reception room downstairs in Ju Ren Tang; in "meet.According to Zhang Zuolin's status, he is not inferior to the small reception room.Surprisingly, Yuan Shikai competed in the small meeting to interrogate Gadfly: "Even the director of military and political law enforcement was surprised." Yuan Dukai, still in the handsome clothes of the arrow-piercing man, was placed on the Eight Immortals table in a row, with four attendants standing behind him. , Zhang Zuosen naturally put Yuan Shikai in his eyes, but today it is different. He is a handsome man, the president, and especially Qiu Qiu's effort, and Hao Ke can kill him.Kusha Zunshi! Dian Ran put on his bodyguard, and wanted to show his prestige at the same time, but when he was alone in the capital, he immediately felt that an official like him was here, not even a small mustard; Even officials two or three steps older than him had to walk cautiously in the capital.His guards didn't dare to take him anymore, and his chest didn't dare to stand up like he used to pull willows in Erdaogou and be a teacher in Fengtian. When he came to Zhongnanhai, his heart beat and his waist was weak.When he followed Lei Zhenchun into the small reception room of Ju Ren Tang, his legs went limp before he saw Yuan Shikai; as soon as he entered the door, he saw the majesty of the person sitting behind the Eight Immortals Table, and he knew that he was Yuan Shikai. Then he knelt down on both knees and performed a three-kowtow salute, and kept shouting "President...President..."--he didn't know whether to call it "Long live" or "Long live" What should it be called? Yuan Shikai sat still, only lifted it up, and said, "Mr. Zhang, please sit down." Zhang Zuolin felt that the tone wasn't too scary, so he calmed down a little.Still knelt down and said: "Zhang Zuolin, the commander of the 27th Division, pays his respects to the President..." He almost brought out the word "Your Majesty". "Sit down and talk." Yuan Shikai said: "I have expressly abolished the great ceremony of bowing down, but everyone is not used to the new ceremony. From now on, it is enough to bow." Then, he said that he would meet other generals I started to ask Zhang Zuolin using the "set of words". The small reception room in Jurentang is decorated with famous ancient magnetic paintings and gold bells and jade boxes brought by Yuan Shikai from Da Nei. A velvet case contained four spring gold watches; each watch was surrounded by a ring of beads, and the back of the watch was a small enamelled figure, which was extremely delicate and lifelike.Although Zhang Zuolin had seen some strange antiques in the Shenyang Old Palace, compared to the ones in the Forbidden City, they were small and rustic.Therefore, his eyes were a little dazzled; especially for the four gold watches, his eyes seemed to be sucked away.袁世凯暗自好笑："这红胡子，真没见过世面。" "张师长挺喜欢那四块金表是吗?"袁世凯转脸对身后一人说："取过来，就赠给张师长吧。" 刚刚坐下的张作霖，忙又起身，连声说："不，不......!那是大内--不，是总统府上的珍宝，雨亭(张作霖号雨亭)不敢当，不豆当。" 雷震春在一旁提醒："大总统赏赐，是不能不受的!"张作霖忙又跪倒，说："谢大总统赏赐!" 就在张作霖受宠若惊，诚惶诚恐的时候，袁世凯这才把他固爿基调的问话向张作霖提出来。 张作霖早已受到高人示意，又收了袁总统的厚礼，自然要作考总统称帝的忠实走狗，忙挺着胸膛说："东三省人民渴望帝制甚殷此事不可稍停了。"又说："关以外有异议者，惟作霖一身当之；关若有反对者，作霖愿率所部以平内乱，虽刀斧加身，亦不稍怯。"袁世凯本来还对这个红胡子悬着几分心，听他如此一说，多了。但却说："如此大事，还得慎思。" 张作霖想表忠心，又搜肠刮肚说："大总统，作霖此意，绝非岁私。吾今已42岁，位至中将，子女成全，田产亦足以仰事俯蓄。置日之言，实为国计，非为希荣。若有二心，天实殛之!"他动感情了眼中仿佛也冒出了泪花。"大总统若不俯顺舆情及将士之心，诚霆天下解体，国家之祸更不堪设想!"一片代人求愿之诚，溢于言表使袁世凯也极为激动。他竞站立起来，伸出双手，连连称好："女好，好好!" 袁世凯频频召见将军的结果，收到的是各地将军的拥戴通电他们都异口同声痛论共和制度之不善，请求早日建元称尊： 8月25日，湖南将军汤芗铭通电说："伏望我大总统俯从反意，速决一尊，申数千年天泽定分之大义，慰亿万苍生一心一德之归诚。" 张作霖怕"口说无凭"，一回到东北便把他当着袁面的话用述电发出。 袁世凯的义子段芝贵更别出心裁，联合了广东龙济光、湖北王占元、陕西陆建章、河南赵倜、西阎锡山、云南唐继尧、浙江朱瑞、湖南汤芗铭、江西李纯、安徽倪嗣冲、山东靳云鹏、四川陈宦、吉林孟思远、黑龙江朱庆澜等4省将军联合上了一个"清速正大位"的密电。 袁世凯乐了，他感到现在真的到了"天与人归"的时候了，他不能不俯顺民意...... Fives 中南海字廊后边的四合院里，终日静悄得令人生畏。那里边住着失宠的大姨太沈氏、忧伤的三姨太金氏和一心作名流的二公予克文夫妇、只知享受的三公于克良夫妇，他们自称"这里是失落的部落"，是一片丛生着"细菌"的地方，被人们遗忘了。可是，一天，最受袁世凯垂爱，住在居仁堂楼上的三小姐叔祯，竞风风火火地来到四合院，并且急急匆匆走进袁克文的屋里。 克文，叔祯都是三姨太金氏所生，地地道道的中朝混血儿。由：偏爱女儿，叔祯一直在父亲身边，兄妹两人相聚时间不多。现蔗，妹妹匆匆找上门来了，哥哥有点惊讶，叫着妹的雅号说："静雪，你怎么来了?" "二哥，有件奇事，奇得不得了，才来找你。" "什么奇事?" 叔祯从袖筒里拿出一张报纸，放在克文面前，又说："二哥，你看看这张纸。" 克文看看报头的日期，笑了。"旧报纸，过时快十天了。" "旧报才有意思呢!"叔祯从袖筒里又拿出一张报纸。"这也是一张旧报纸，你辱看看。比比看。" "静雪，我不看了，你想说什么，只管说好了我听着。" "二哥，这两张旧报都是《顺天时报》，奇怪的是：同一天的报纸却是不一样的内容。一个把君主制捧上天，说中国只有君主制才能富强；一个把君主制骂个臭，说中国落后就落后在君主制上，非改君主制不能富强。这到底是咋回事?" 袁克文这才把两张报纸放在一起，仔细对比着看下去。 《顺天时报》足日本人在中国办的汉文报纸，创刊于1901年10月，初名《燕京时报》，是支持亲日派军队的报纸，是帝国主义侵华重要工具，在北京影响极大。袁世凯最爱看这张报。袁世凯做帝梦时，送进中南海的《顺天时报》版版篇篇都是赞扬声，外国人货扬，中国人赞扬，连袁世凯的敌人也在这张报上高谈阔论，说"袁世凯实行帝制，是做了一件利国利民、值得千秋歌颂的伟业!"喜得袁世凯看完了报纸总兴奋得手舞足蹈，头摇脑晃，认为自己确确实实做了一件应天顺民的大事。而今，袁叔祯却发现一张声调完全相反的《顺灭时报》，这张报上，对于袁世凯要做皇帝这件事，版版篇篇一片咒骂声，外国人骂，中国人骂，连袁世凯的属将也说三道四。"这是怎么回事?"她想不明白，便拿着去找二哥。 袁克文把两张同日的报纸对比着看了一番之后指着那张外边发行的报纸问："这张报你从那里弄来的?" "我身边一个头回家探亲，回来时为我带回一包黑皮的五香酥蚕豆。这张报纸就是包蚕豆来的。" 袁克文点头笑笑，没说话。 "二哥，"叔祯问："你说，这报纸，一天还会出两张吗?为什么内容相差那么大呢?" "三妹，同一天出两张报纸不奇怪。"袁克文说："奇怪的是，同天两个报纸竟是两个面孔、两副肚肠。" "是呀，这咋回事?" "你开到的址萁中的一张"袁克文说："这样的报纸已经出了许多天了。只是，像你包蚕豆这样面孔的报，却从来传不进中南海。" "往天你也看到过?" 袁克定点点头。"看到过。" "你为什么不告诉父亲?" "父亲看到这样的报纸，还不气死了!"袁克文说："让父亲多高兴阵子，还不是好事。何况......" "怎么样?"袁叔祯追问。 "有人愿意用这种办法让老爹高兴。你揭穿了，其不连好心人也得罪了。" "此人是谁?" "还能是谁?"袁克文说："除了我们那位宝贝兄长，还有谁干得出!" "那班筹安会的六君子，会不会也在内?" "也可能，只是没抓住证据。" 袁叔祯不说话了，她锁起眉陷入深思--这位三姑娘大约昔日受宠太多了，总把自己的家看得太清净、太崇高；把自己的父兄看得太正仁君子。虽然她对极权还衡量不出它的斤两，但她相信，中国人、外国人都是会极崇拜她的父兄和他们的事业的。许多天来，由于筹安会的唠唠叨叨，由于袁世凯的慌慌张张，改制的事情早已闹得沸沸扬扬了。可是，她却相信改制是一番天经地义的事情；是大势所趋，是人心所向，父亲是被大势和众人推向皇帝宝座的。中南海天高气爽，风和日丽，一切都令人欣喜!现在，当她从一张只能包裹黑皮五香酥蚕豆的报纸上看世界的另一面时，她一下子心灰意冷、焦灼不安了，仿佛看到了老爹业经成了千夫所指的罪人......再往下，她不敢想了。她只有沉默，她感到了恐慌。 袁克文没有妹妹那么紧张，就像他看到父兄为改制事兴奋不已时自己并不兴奋一样，平平淡淡。他猛然问看到妹妹如此惊慌失措，觉得一个小小的女孩子家也被这官场沉浮搅得神魂颠倒，有点儿担心。"何苦呢?不是女孩子该想的事呀，想它干啥?"可是，他又不想去劝妹妹，觉得此时此刻是无法劝得了的。于是便说："三妹，这件事你敢不敢对老爹去说?" 袁叔祯不含糊地说："我敢!" 袁克文笑了。"要注意方式，别把老爹气昏了。"袁叔祯点着头，把报纸收拾收拾，便走出去。这些天来，袁世凯的食欲和睡眠都特别好，心情也特别愉快， 从早到晚，总是满面带笑。无论对老伴、还是对张干李干，都是微笑。每天餐桌上上的清蒸鸭子，他都吃得差不多只剩骨架子；摆在清蒸鸭左右的肉丝炒韭黄和红烧肉，他也频频挑挑夹夹。前儿午餐，他本来业经吃得差不多了，做梦似的，硬是叫三姨太金氏给他添一盘高丽白菜，气得金氏到处找梨丝、萝卜丝和葱姜丝。 "人逢喜事精神爽"呀!袁世凯想当皇帝，他的文臣武将个个拥护，通电，密函，孝忠信雪片似的飞来，这不正是"天与人归"了吗，袁世凯得顺天意而应民愿，他不能拉着潮流倒退。那天晚上，他饱饱地吃了一顿清蒸鸭子之后，打了一阵饱嗝，忽然想起了杨度。"这个杨皙子，两天不照面了，干啥去了?"其实，杨度昨天早上还向他详细谈了"筹安"工作的进展呢，只是袁世凯心急，等不得。他望望窗外的天空，一片漆黑，连星星也似隐似现。他想让人去请杨度，问问他"筹"到几时可"安"?正是他转身的时候，三女儿竞不请自到。袁世凯趁着灯光一打量，这女儿焦急得脸膛上竞像似还有泪痕。忙问：怎么啦，这时跑来干啥?" "爸爸，你不能在高高的枕头睡大觉，天下不太平呀!"袁叔祯是老爹的宠儿，撒娇是常事，何况有正而八经的大事。 "慢慢说，蜘着急。天大的事我都听。" "我也没有天大的事，"袁叔祯把握在手中的两张报纸递到袁世凯面前。"爸爸，这是两张同一个日期的报纸，你看看，再比比，就明白是咋回事了。" 袁世凯顺手拿起一一张，展开来看了看，说："这张报我看过了，没甚稀奇。" "你再看看那一张。" 袁世凯把手中报纸放下，又拣起另一张。看了报头再看日期，"他的目光投到在报头下的那个头条标题时，他的脑门一下子"嗡--"了起来，他不相信那行大字是真的。他用手摸摸，再细瞅瞅．确认无疑。那行字是： 袁世凯想当皇帝，是自掘坟墓! "这是那坦来的一张报纸?"他大声问。"外边买东西包来的。"女儿答。 "这不是真的!" "爸，别糊涂了。"女儿有些惋惜地说："《顺天时报》北京只有一。隶，咱家的《顺天时报》是伪造的，才是假的呢。" "我不信，准敢如此大胆?" "这事在中南海也只瞒着你自己，二哥在外边也早看到了，只是他不敢对你说，怕你生气罢了。" "这是准干的?谁出的假报?" "爸爸，你先别生气。"袁叔祯到是心平气和了。"你细想想，谁亿中国的北京有这么大的胆子?谁在北京的中南海有这么大的本研?一想不就明白了吗。" 袁世凯深深地叹了一声气，又把那张真的《顺天时报》看了一遍，虽然心惊肉跳，还是平着气说："你去吧，去玩去吧。"女儿走了，袁世凯跳动着的心再也平静不下来。 six 袁克定被老爹"请"到居仁堂楼上，他心里便有些儿嘀咕不安。往日，他颠着屁股上楼时，老爹业经警告他："该办什么事自己去办好了，屁大的事也上来唠唠叨叨，不像个成事的样子。"除了有极重要事之外，老爹是不叫他的。今天，老爹不仅着人南里北里找他，还加一个"请"字，大公子--大太子感到有点儿反常。及至他走上楼来，对着老爹搭眼瞥时，他突然寒颤了一下："咋，老头子满面怒气?"他站了片刻才说："大爷，你找我?" "我那里敢找你，我得请!"袁世凯更怒了。"大爷，我做错了什么事，您......" 袁世凯把两张报纸朝儿子面前一摔，说："你自己看看吧，看明白了再说。" 袁克定一看是同一天的两张《顺天时报》，顿时寒了脸膛，他知道东窗事发-- 袁克定得算袁世凯肚里的蛔虫，他极了解他的老爹，他也曾为他老爹出谋献计，鞍前马后卖力地拼搏。父子关系，有什么好说的呢?袁世凯遇事的大刀阔斧，雷厉风行，儿子是打心艰佩服的；袁世凯的老奸巨滑、诡计多端，儿子也常常感叹产自已不及的，袁世凯当了大总统之后便做皇帝梦。这件事给儿子启发最大，中国的皇帝是世袭的。老子做了皇帝，老子死了要儿子继承，"我是长子。又是正出，天经地义我是继承人。"他巴不得老了，觉醒束就寅布登极改元。可是，袁世凯偏偏又在沽铝钓誉，抱着"共和"、"屯主"的新招牌，就是不秘极称帝，袁克定蕾急了："称帝这书，老子不完成，我是无本事的。现在，得千方百计促使老子去完成。他在太和殿里那怕只坐一天，我也就名正言顺了。"这么想着，他便搅尽脑汁地去做"促使"工作：为老爹拉选票、拉名流，促使杨度成立筹安会，活动各省将军发拥戴电，就连祖坟守墓人往北京送石碑，也是他袁克定做的戏。紧罗密鼓，快马加鞭。袁克定知道老爹崇拜洋人，又知道老爹平时最爱看日本人办的《顺天时报》，于是，便伙同筹安会的个别人一起，每天造一张假的《顺天时报》，只印几份，全拿进中南海。由于这张报权威性很大，又是天天整版整版地咋呼拥护中国帝制，拥护袁世凯改元称帝，着实对袁世凯刺激不小，他信心百倍，要在中国称帝。就在这时候，一张真的《顺天时报》放在他面前，他才恍然大悟，原来中国人是不喜欢皇帝的，不仅不喜欢，而且是深恶痛绝，口诛笔伐，打翻在地，还得再踏上一脚。你说他袁世凯能不气儿子?袁克定能不知他惹了多大祸? 袁克定没敢去拣报纸，便双膝跪在地上。"大爷，大爷!我错了，我知道错了!今后再不敢了，你饶我这一次吧!我马上把假报全都销毁......" 袁克定把假造《顺天时报》的事承认下来了，袁世凯这一气，更是冲天。他顺手摸起一条皮鞭子，抡起来，朝着跪在面前的儿子狠狠地打了过去，左一下，右一下，上一下，下一下，只听得鞭子"唰唰"响，儿子声声求饶。袁世凯那里肯饶，边打边骂："欺父误国!欺父误国!" ......从此之后，袁克定在老爹面前明显地失宠了。 自从发现《顺天时报》有假之后，袁世凯便再也不看这张报纸了。至于真《顺天时报》上对他企图称帝进行的揭露和指责，袁世凯只脑门冷了一下，对儿子打了几皮鞭，便算把这一页掀过去了。他有心胸，"骂尽管你去骂，该干什么我还得去干什么。" 不过，对于真《顺天时报》上的漫骂，袁世凯也并非无动于衷。 无动于衷行吗?毕竟国中是有那么多人反对他称帝。就在这时候，那个被称六君子的筹安全。竟不识相地发动了一场以各省"公民代表"名义的请愿运动。向参政院强烈请求改变国体。这便给那些本来对帝制抱有愤怒的人火上加油，反抗的怒潮日益高涨。袁世凯把他的"左相"杨士琦找来，要他出面去应酬这个局面。这位早在李鸿章时期便以多谋著称的人物，今日忽然技穷了，反问袁世凯"怎么做?"袁说："参政院不是要开会吗，你代表我到会上去说明情况，莫使这股(反改制)怒潮漫延。" 杨士琦锁着眉，没有理解袁世凯的心思，却问："大总统的意思是......" "解释一下么，"袁世凯说："要对他们说明，维持共和国体，为本大总统应尽之职责。近见各省国民纷纷向立法院请愿改革国体，与本大总统居之地位，似难相容。"说到这里，袁世凯停住话题，看了看杨士琦。杨士琦也正在惊讶地望着袁世凯。 杨士琦不相信这是袁世凯的话。"闹改制业已到了白热狂潮，大总统向会参政院申明坚决维持共和?!那样的话，筹安会又是谁指挥着干的呢?"杨士琦迷惑。 袁世凯只稍顿了一下，又说："不过，也得申明：本大总统现居之地位，本为国民所公举，自应仍听之国民。" 杨士琦一团迷惑，顿时释然。 "大总统果然审慎，改制势在必行。今后有人骂呢，他说过话了，我说改与我的地位不相容，你们偏偏举我，怨我吗?但又表明，我的大总统是民选的，我接受了；民选我做皇帝，我同样不能勃了民意。好一个袁世凯，进退他都主动了。杨士琦这么想着，坦然地笑了。"大总统，请放心，我会把大总统的意思向参政院转达明白的。 " 杨士琦在参政院全体会议上，把袁世凯的意思婉婉转转地表露出来。果然，蒙住了一些人的眼睛。肃政厅的那伙肃政史们，还以为袁世凯真的不想当皇帝呢，马上上了一道呈文，请袁"下命取缔筹安会"，并且大骂杨度、孙毓筠"倡此异说"，令"人民惊疑"，"应请大总统迅速下令取消，以靖人心。" 袁世凯傻眼了，本来他是做戏的，有人当真了；本来他是要一个权术，说一个能进能遐的话，有人只理解为进，忽略了扣后退。结果把他捧为维持共和的英雄了!袁世凯不想当英雄，他一声令下可以加封成群成队的英雄。他想当皇帝，千方百计也得当。袁世凯的皇帝梦是靠筹委会诸公努力的，他不能取消它。不只不取消，还得弄个理