Chapter 15 Chapter Fifteen The Emperor's Life Is Short, Only Eighty-Two Days

Those who win the hearts of the people win the world, and those who lose the hearts of the people lose the world.In the eyes of the Chinese people, the emperor has already become a devil and a disaster. Yuan Shikai dreamed of being an emperor for eighty-two days.Because it was against the hearts of 400 million Chinese people, I woke up from the dream.He became a "lonely man". one Yuan Shikai didn't read newspapers for a long time. He felt that all newspapers were dark, cancerous tumors, and bacteria, and they would kill if they touched them.Today, he suddenly had another whim and ordered people to buy all the daily newspapers, not less than one copy!

A reliable piece of news is that Liang Qichao wrote a long article, which was published in the newspaper, talking about the issue of the state system.What newspaper, what title? I don't know.Yuan Shikai guessed himself, he felt that Liang Qichao would say a few words of support for him when the people of the country scolded the monarchy, and said that he would definitely stand up and express his "support" attitude.Yuan Shikai was not mean to Liang Qichao! Regardless of the past suspicions of the "1898 Movement", he invited him back to China as soon as he became the president.He was also appointed Deputy Minister of Justice.Yes, Liang Qichao did not approve of the monarchy, but he did not curse the monarchy in public.A few days earlier, when Yuan Shikai learned that Liang Wen was in his 70th birthday, he sent someone to Tianjin to give 100,000 yuan as a birthday gift, and another 100,000 yuan to Liang for overseas travel expenses.Yuan wanted Liang Yuan to go overseas, so as not to gossip with others.The good thing is that Liang Qichao accepted the two sums of money, which gave Yuan Shikai a "peace of mind".At this moment, Liang Qichao's public publication of the article, will it be a reward of 200,000 yuan to Yuan Shikai? This is also human nature.Therefore, Yuan Shikai couldn't wait to see what kind of attitude this Liang Rengong, who once caused a sensation in China by initiating the "Commitment to Public Vehicles", published "General Discussions on Reform" and edited "Two Politics Series", treated the state system? Yuan Shikai thought : "Sure enough, he is in favor of the imperial system and is willing to help, so I can no longer postpone my ascension to the throne, but change the yuan on schedule."

After buying the newspapers, Yuan Shikai looked through them one by one. He finally found the article signed by Liang Qichao, which took up more than half of the page. .Yuan Shikai didn't read it. He watched it from beginning to end, and his lungs exploded. "This Liang Qichao actually followed a bunch of bastards and scolded me. Didn't you also support the restructuring issue? Why did you change your face today?" Yuan Shikai found Liang Shiyi, patted the newspaper and said, "Let's take a look, take a look, your noble family is also shirtless." Liang Shiyi unfolded the newspaper and read it carefully, then said with a smile, "What Mr. Ren said seems to have merit."

"What's the merit?" Yuan Shikai said: "It's reformed into a heinous one, and it's still advisable." "Look at this passage," Liang Shiyi pointed to a corner of the newspaper. Yuan Shikai shook his head, but didn't look at it. Liang Shiyi didn't know whether it was out of forgiveness for his master, or out of relief for his fellow clansmen, so he read loudly: After the current President's internal governance has been improved, a hundred wastes have been prospered, the family has enough, the army has been trained in the military, and the courage has been paid. When there is an opportunity, he won the first battle with the outside world. It has been passed on to the infinite...Strong neighbors coerce and threaten, when swallowing the sound and making an alliance, the fruit is picked before it is ripe, and it is destroyed before it is fully pregnant.

"Ren Gong does not oppose the imperial system, but opposes being emperor before the conditions are ripe." Liang Shiyi explained it this way. Yuan Shikai was sensitive. He understood that Liang Qichao's article was not what Liang Shiyi explained, it was anti-imperial and had a great influence. "No, I need to immediately find a famous person who is comparable to Liang Qichao to write an article to refute him." Liang Shiyi had no choice but to obey. "Whom to ask?" he asked. "It's better to be Zhang Jian, or Wang Minyun." Yuan Shikai nodded.But he knew that the two of them were not in Beijing, and even if they were, he might not be willing to write such articles.

Liang Shiyi also shook his head. "Either let Zhang Taiyan go." Yuan Shikai thought of another person. As soon as Zhang Taiyan was mentioned, Liang Shiyi's heart jumped: "Now you think of him. In the past, you treated him so hard that you didn't execute him." Liang said: "I have to let the eldest son come forward about this matter. He and Zhang still have an unusual relationship. contact." Yuan Shikai nodded. " Liang Qichao participated in political activities in Beijing as a progressive party member.He originally supported Yuan Shikai and was willing to pay for his power.Ever since Yuan Shikai wanted to implement the imperial system, because of the internal division of Beiyang brought about by the implementation of the imperial system, and the resurgence of foreigners and the Kuomintang members led by Sun Yat-sen, Liang Qichao saw that it was imperative to challenge Yuan and oppose Yuan, and he would Affect the whole country.The Progressive Party he belongs to is incapable of carrying this banner and cannot be the banner bearer.Liang thought: If someone else becomes the flag-bearer and I am the Queen, how can I survive? It would be better to raise the flag first.Therefore, Liang Qichao began to write "The Problem of the So-Called National System".After the article was finished, he went to find his close friends, Tang Juedun and Jian Nianyi, both members of the Progressive Party.After reading the article, Tang and Jian felt that it would be disadvantageous to publish Liu Dang in their own name without the Progressive Party. At the same time, they also felt that it was too embarrassing for Yuan.So he persuaded: "The article is about the key point. But, if you want to publish it, should you leave some room and change the tone more moderately." In this way, Liang Qichao added the above paragraph to the original manuscript.

Before the publication of "The So-Called National System Issue", Liang Qichao suddenly thought of Yang Du.In terms of personal friendship and caring, Yang Du has done his utmost to Liang.He knew that Yang Du would not agree with him and rise up against the emperor and Yuan.So he wrote a letter to Yang, saying: "We have different political views, and we will do our own things in the future. We dare not abolish the public with private interests, and we don't have to use the public to harm private interests." Yang Du knew that Liang was going to rebel against Yuan, so he asked Liang's student Cai E in Beijing to dissuade him.Cai said: "Everyone has his own aspirations, and they cannot compete with each other." He refused the invitation accordingly.Soon, Liang Wen came out.

Zhang Taiyan, who was imprisoned in Longquan Temple, had long hated Yuan Shikai.He felt that it was a disgrace in his life to live in the same era as Yuan Shikai. Instead of watching Yuan Shikai go against the law with his eyes wide open, it would be better to close his eyes forever and leave this turbid world.He went on a hunger strike to protest, and went on a hunger strike to find his old place.His new wife, Ms. Tang Guoli, did not. She felt that her husband should be free first, and then fight resolutely against him. Ms. Tang changed her tone and wrote a "Chen Qing Form" to Yuan Shikai, expressing that "from now on we will stay away from politics and only live a life of idle clouds and wild cranes in the mountains and forests", begging Yuan Shikai to let go.Yuan Shikai only smiled faintly, and discarded a corner of the "Chen Qing Form".Later, because many celebrities wrote letters, Yuan Shikai was afraid of arousing public anger, so he sent someone to rent a house in Qianliang Hutong, moved Zhang to the place, and sent police to monitor the living expenses.

Since the "Shunwu Times" incident, Yuan Keding's status has dropped, and he has naturally become estranged from his father.Now, for Liang Qichao's article, his father asked him to come forward to beg Zhang Taiyan, but he was not willing to do it.He was afraid that Zhang Taiyan would not write such an article, and he himself did not want to show that kindness to his father.So, he only found his friends Sun Wu, Li Xie and the two to go to Qianliang Hutong in Dongcheng City to ask for chapters for him. Sun and Li came to Qianliang Hutong, and Zhang Taiyan thanked the guests.After finally seeing him, Zhang kept silent again.Sun and Li Po spent some time talking, but Zhang Taiyan only said one sentence: "If you decide to die, righteousness will not be humiliated."Sun and Li were rejected.

Yuan Shikai wanted to move Yan Fu out again, but Yan refused.In the end, Sun Yuyun and Liu Shipei, two self-proclaimed members of the "Six Gentlemen of Chou'an", wrote "Refuting Ren Gong's Comments on the National Style" and "On the National Style" respectively.These self-proclaimed articles were met with sighs. two Kunming in the early winter is still full of spring: Xishan Longmen is full of tourists; in the Daguan Tower, there are clusters of flowers; on the banks of Dianchi Lake, willows are green and poplars are emerald.This land of perennial spring is always alive and inspiring!

On December 19, General Cai E returned to Kunming from Japan after several twists and turns.He also came to Kunming with his close friends, comrades Dai Kan, Yin Chengtan and Liu Yunfeng.Tang Jiyao, governor of Yunnan, held a feast in Wuhua to welcome them. Cai E, 34 years old, looks tired and old due to long-distance turbulence and long-term wandering, and even his big round eyes are a little absent-minded.He was dressed in casual clothes, and treated everything in silence—— He has been away from Kunming for 3 years.Kunming is his base. Twelve years ago (that is, 131904) he came here to train the new army. In 1911, he was promoted to the 37th Association of Yunnan. The Wuchang Uprising broke out. Governor. In 913, when Yuan Shikai was dreaming of being an emperor, he was transferred to Beijing to be monitored.He gradually recognized Yuan Shikai's face, decided to leave Yuan Shikai, and opposed him proclaiming emperor.Together with his teacher Liang Qichao, he planned an anti-Yuan plan.Now he went around to Japan and returned to Kunming. "Mr. Po (Cai E's name is Songpo), you have been to Beijing for three years. Your friend Xizi treated you very well." Tang Jiyao said jokingly. "It was an excellent funny show." Cai E said, "I have played both positive and negative roles, and they are very similar." Tang Jiyao smiled.He knew that what Cai E was talking about was his attitude towards Emperor Yuan Shikai's affairs.At the beginning, Yang Du asked him to sign the "Preparatory Security Meeting", but he declined on the grounds that "soldiers don't care about politics". When he was in Beijing, the Yunnan Guild Hall held a party for generals and schools, and someone proposed to support the monarchy, so he signed it again .Tang said: "You, one of the three famous Chinese heroes in the Japanese non-commissioned officer academy, will naturally follow the trend. I heard that you were able to leave Beijing this time thanks to a confidante. This person is Xiaofengxian Bar?" Cai E smiled and nodded. Because of this matter, Madam was greatly hurt. "Tang said: "It can be called a bitter trick!" Everyone laughed at each other. It turns out that Cai E's private life is very serious.When he arrived in Beijing, he found that he was imprisoned, and there was no way to escape, so he turned to Hualiu and met a confidant like Xiaofengxian. This caused the husband and wife to turn against each other, and made the old mother go back to her hometown in Hunan in anger, and the wife also left Beijing with her mother-in-law.This matter actually paralyzed Yuan Shikai, so Cai Cai had to escape, leaving Japan and returning to Yunnan. When Cai E returned to Yunnan, he wanted to launch an anti-Yuan movement, which achieved results.In the early days, although a call to action against Yuan was issued and the troops were divided into actions, it was not effective.Now, he wants to personally command and expand the anti-Yuan front. Just when Yunnan Songluo Migu planned to fight against Yuan, Yuan Shikai's Beiyang family went into trouble.Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang, two arm-like generals under Yuan Shikai, suddenly became active recently, and even joined forces with the generals of Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Shandong, and Hunan to send a telegram to "abolish the imperial system and punish the culprits". Duan Qirui fell out of favor in front of Yuan Shikai long ago, because he could not obediently obey Yuan Shikai's orders.His military power was taken away, and he went to the West Scenic Area for leisure.Feng Guozhang, who had long been out of Yuan's imperial system, stood by and watched everything that happened in Beijing—Yuan Shikai once wanted to "reuse" him and transfer him to Beijing.But he would rather guard that little Jiang Li in the stone city: the governor, he just won't go to Beijing.Yuan Shikai felt that these two men had gone out of the game, so he was relieved, thinking that they were the first to initiate trouble among the Beiyang generals.Yuan Shikai was so angry that his eyes were blurred, and he patted the table driver and scolded: "They are making trouble too, and they are making trouble too! I, Mr. Yuan, is at the end of my rope, and I am going to make trouble like this?!" Yuan Shikai should really be angry, sir. Their friendship is so strong, they shouldn't! Yuan Yuan treats them like brawns from the beginning of training in Xiaozhan, delivering heavy responsibilities, plentiful land, and trusting them to an unbelievable level. "Raise a soldier for a thousand days, use it for a while! Today, my general will turn against me first!" In terms of personal friendship, Yuan Shikai treated them special: he married his cousin and niece to Duan Qirui, and married his school teacher to Duan Qirui. Feng Guozhang is gone. "With such an in-law relationship, you still have the heart to oppose me?" The electricity was sent out, but it was reversed.Although it is only against the imperial system and not against Yuan's other things, but the imperial system is no longer "ruled", wouldn't everything be over for Yuan Shikai.At this point, Yuan Shikai felt that "the imperial system is so unpopular!" Just when Tang Jiyao was welcoming Cai E and others at the Wuhua banquet, an urgent telegram from the "Nanjing Xuanwu General's Office" and Qing "General Tang to General Cai" was sent to Kunming.General Tang passed it on to General Cai, who opened it and saw that it was sent by his teacher Liang Qichao.In addition to repeating his anti-Yuan views in his article "The So-Called Problem of the National System", the telegram also revealed to Cai a new plot of Yuan Shikai's, saying: "Yuan Shikai decided to send Zhou Ziqi as a special envoy to present honors, and he will go to Japan. The terms of treason were exchanged for the Japanese government to recognize Yuan Shikai's monarchy, and I hope that Songpo will take more active actions." Cai E handed the telegram to Tang Jiyao, saying: "General Feng is against the monarchy, it seems that there is no doubt. Otherwise, such a telegram, he would not Sent on behalf of someone else." Tang Jiyao was not very active in fighting against Yuan's anti-emperor. He was afraid that his own power would not be able to match the Yuan family.Seeing that Feng Guozhang, Duan Qirui and others have all challenged Yuan against the emperor, they made up their minds.Therefore, not long after Cai arrived in Kunming, the telegrams such as "National Electricity", "Oath to Worship Heaven" and "Discussion on Yuan Xiwen" occurred one after another from Yunnan as we mentioned above. Yunnan power-up was sent out, and soon, the troops were sent in separate directions; at the same time, Cai E also arrested two cronies in Kunming who Yuan Shikai sent to Yunnan to monitor Cai, Tang and others. One owl. Yuan Shikai only wanted to suspend the publication of the newspaper, and did not want to abolish the imperial system.Therefore, how could he accept the power supply in Yunnan, not to mention that it was issued in the name of the "Military Government of the National Defense Army of the Republic of China".Yuan Shikai reprimanded: "Is it possible to seal your military government that protects the country? Who recognized your military government that protects the country?" Yuan Shikai is not forgiving, so he took a series of measures against Yunnan: Send a dissuading telegram to Tang Jiyao, saying that "political opinions are different, you can discuss it as much as you want. If you are a tiger, a wise man will not do it. Since the whole country approves of the monarch constitution, Yunnan also expresses its approval. But it is a child's play." Later, Yuan issued an order to Cai E, asking him, "Why did you sneak to Yunnan to threaten Tang and Ren when you asked for leave to go to Japan for medical treatment?" On December 29, Yuan Shikai ordered Tang Jiyao's Yunnan General and Ren Cheng to be deprived of their positions as Yunnan patrol envoys, commanded Zhang Zizhen, commander of the First Division of the Yunnan Army, to act as Yunnan General, and Liu Zuwu, commander of the Second Division, to act as Yunnan patrol envoys, and ordered them to "escort Cai, Tang and others came to Beijing to punish the crime." Yuan Shikai hates Cai E so much that he grits his teeth! There are many anti-imperialists in China, and they are just talking.Only Cai E denounced and cursed, and formed another government and sent troops to crusade.Removing Cai from his post and calling him "poems are illusions" will not relieve his hatred.If Cai E is caught, he will kill his head, dig out his heart, and smash his body.It's a pity that Cai Yuan is far away, and he is beyond his reach.On January 5, 916, Yuan Shikai was so angry that he couldn't dispel his anger. He used the tone of a shrew to scold the street, and issued an order, scolding Cai Yitong severely, saying: "The king who is born for the people, makes Si Mu the king. To raise the contempt of tens of millions of people, to raise the life and property of tens of millions of people, rely on one person to protect it; to raise the knowledge and ability of tens of millions of people, to rely on one person to develop it, the responsibility is so great. Yu callosum. Today, it is a hundred times more difficult to be a king than in ancient times." He also said: "In the past, when I was raising a disease, I had no intention of coming out to the world, and I supported it for four years. I have worked hard and tasted it. I really don't know what honor there is in honor? For example, the people look up to him very much, and they blame him very much. They are also citizens, and they dare to relax." After he advertised himself, he said: "There are Cai E's disciples, who are motivated by power and spread rumors. Giving thin virtue is not only respected by the people. Push Dai, why dare to wander around again, and cause harm to the whole country." I tried to curse again, but I couldn't find any words to relieve my hatred. I was so angry that I called Lu Zhengxiang, the Secretary of State, and said with saliva, "You immediately use the name of Zhengshitang. , notify the deployments in Beijing that all personnel related to Cai E will be removed from their posts. The Yunnan personnel of the civil and military organs of the provinces and those related to Cai cannot be reused. You can tell the Hunan patrol envoy Shen Jinjian to immediately search Cai E in Hunan. The industry of origin..." A big move to destroy Cai was launched in Beijing, Hunan, and Yunnan, and there was a tendency to never let the nine clans of Cai come to annihilate. However, things are subtle: Yuan Shikai raised a butcher knife to Cai E, intending to destroy his nine clans; at the same time, he held flowers to welcome him back-he invited Cai's old friend Xiong Xiling, and asked him to "recruit Cai" after the feast Come and surrender"; he sent a mink coat to Cai's old boss, Li Jingxi, and asked him to persuade Cai to "repent and surrender"...Yuan Shikai also knew that Cai E could not be destroyed! three Yuan Shikai was ill.heavy sick. In Ju Ren Tang's living room, apart from the fifth concubine Yang, there is only Ruan Zhongshu, his copywriter and supervisor of internal history.Mrs. Yang took care of his daily life, and the Internal History Supervisor took care of the paperwork for him—although Ruan Zhongshu was close to 60 years old, he never wanted to do things according to his own will, let alone do what Yuan Shikai asked him to do. thing.In front of Yuan Shikai, he could only say "OK!"The generosity of giving money and helping each other on the Shanghai road back then has long since disappeared. The relationship between him and Yuan Shikai is a clear master-servant relationship. "Dougong," Yuan Shikai still humbly called him by his nickname. "The movement in Yunnan, do you think it will form a big climate?" Obviously, the actions of Cai E and others to protect the country have already made Yuan Shikai dizzy, and he felt the pressure.Ruan Zhongshu was also anxious about it.After the issuance of the Yunnan Proclamation, the whole of Beijing was in a situation where "the tree fell and the monkeys scattered". Just like Yuan Shikai's "forced palace" in the early years, people in the officialdom had different plans: resignation, resignation, leave to go out and go out.The Zhengshitang issued an order strictly prohibiting officials from asking for leave; if they really need to ask for leave, there must be more than three people who are connected to protect the environment; for officials with a senior official position or above, all officials will be sent to "protect" them.Ruan Zhongshu is used to playing with the pen, so he can't understand martial arts.I always think: "Is it worth mobilizing so many teachers? Yunnan is far away from Beijing." But.He was just thinking about it secretly, and said he didn't dare to say it.Now, when Yuan Shikai asked him his opinion on the situation in Yunnan, he still said in the same old way: "Please rest assured, my lord, the situation in Yunnan will not affect the whole country. Cai Songpo will naturally disappear after a while." Yuan Shikai only smiled lightly, and thought to himself: "Literati, the situation is as simple as you think." He changed the subject and said, "How is the arrangement for the temporary military affairs office in Yunnan?" "Everything is ready." Ruan Zhongshu said: "Now we are making preparations to mobilize the army. In a few days, the troops can be divided up and conquered. " "Well--" Yuan Shikai agreed, and then said: "There are two urgent matters, you can see who you can do with them, the sooner the better. One is, I want to invite Xu Shuzheng out and let him be the general's mansion Director of the Military Affairs Department; then he will come forward and invite Zhiquan (Duan Qirui) to come out to help in times of difficulty. One more thing is: another order to appoint Feng Huafu as the chief of staff and ask him to come to Beijing to serve as soon as possible." "Yes, yes," Ruan Zhongshu replied, and was about to withdraw when Yuan said, "Xu Shuzheng is an arrogant young man. But everyone knows that he is the soul of Zhiquan. For Zhiquan's sake, don't forget that little Xu." attitude. Do you know?" Ruan Zhongshu replied "Yes, yes," and then went out. Ruan Zhongshu walked out of Juren Hall and hurried towards the Political Affairs Hall.He is going to find Secretary of State Lu Zhengxiang, only he can accomplish the above two things.However, while he was walking, he thought: "Now when the eyebrows are burning, I think of Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang. At the beginning, they had some opinions on you, so you couldn't tolerate them and put them in the cold palace. Now you have to use them again." People, are people willing?" Sure enough, when Yuan Shikai's messenger found Xu Shuzheng, this man, who was hailed as a "little fan military adviser" by the time, thanked the guests behind closed doors; Yuan said the same reason, and Duan said "I have not recovered from a chronic illness" and refused to go out of the mountain--didn't you, Yuan Shikai, let me retire to recuperate? How can I do things before I recover? There is no way. Feng Guozhang's answer was even better: he would like to take the post of chief of staff from afar with Jiangsu general instead of going to Beijing to take up the post.Yuan Shikai became angry: "It's time to employ people, and no one will stand out. Are you all watching me die?" Yuan Dikai was furious, and issued another order, asking Feng Guozhang to serve as the chief of staff and the commander-in-chief of the Yunnan Army, and come immediately Beijing took office. Feng Guozhang was also polite. On the one hand, he submitted a "sick leave" report, and on the other hand, he sent Wang Tingzhen, the guard envoy of Jiangning, to act as the general. He did not ask about military and political affairs.Not only that, but Feng Guozhang, along with Zhang Xun and Jiangsu patrol envoy Qi Yaolin, jointly sent a telegram to the Zhengshitang, clearly expressing "disapproval" of the imperial system. Yuan Shikai's "illness" got worse, and he went crazy: "Okay, I want to see what kind of disease this Feng Huafu is suffering from, will he die soon?" He immediately sent a person named Jiang Yanxing to Nanjing To "explore" Feng's illness. When Jiang Yan traveled to Nanjing, he saw Feng Lizhang, and Feng Guozhang was not sick. Jiang was puzzled.Feng Guozhang held Jiang Yanxing's hand and said: "I have been with the president all my life, and I will do whatever the president wants me to do. I don't know why, but now the president doesn't regard me as one of his own! He told me that he would never be an emperor, and he was forced to do so." When he was in a hurry, he went to a foreign country to work as an apartment. The words were still in his ears, but he really became the emperor. As a result, the public resentment boiled over, and the Yunnan incident broke out. How can I accept this stall? " said Then, Jing shed tears. Jiang Yanxing secretly reported Feng Guozhang's situation to Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai frowned and thought for a while, but couldn't think of a good way, so he had to inform Jiang Yanxing on the one hand, asking him to win over Wang Tingzhen to rebel against Feng and replace him; Feng was removed from his post.Unexpectedly, these two actions were all miscalculations: Wang Tingzhen not only did not rebel against Feng, but also informed Feng, which increased Feng's estrangement from Yuan; , Jiangxi General Li Chun co-signed a telegram, "Please leave Feng to sit in the southeast, and do not transfer lightly, so as not to affect the overall situation." Yuan Shikai had to shake his head and accept it helplessly.But Feng was very annoyed. He decided not to attach himself to Yuan, but to stand on the top of the Beiyang faction, and secretly sent a glance to the anti-Yuan faction in the south. The national defense army marched northward in two directions, plundering land and seizing cities, and propagandizing anti-Yuan.The anti-imperialist movement in southern China was surging one wave after another. Emergency information flew to Beijing like a snowflake, and Yuan Shikai was anxious like an ant on a hot pot.With no food to choose from, he brought Ruan Zhongshu in front of him again, and said beggingly: "Dougong, this is the only thing I can do now, go to Xuzhou in person and see Zhang Jinxuan (Zhang Xunzi) Shaoxuan), tell him the current situation, and ask him to transfer 10 battalions of troops to organize the second batch of conscripts from Yunnan for emergency use." Ruan Zhongshu had gone to Xuzhou, and he had to go—as expected, the big tree Yuan Shikai fell, and his hozen, Ruan Zhongshu, would definitely disperse.He had to try to keep this big tree so that Ruan Zhongshu wouldn't disperse. Zhang Xun stationed troops in Xuzhou, accumulating energy and energy, but he didn't want to work hard for Yuan Shikai.What does he want to do? Just look at the braids of this army from the soldiers to the back of the officials' heads. He does not forget the emperor's favor, he wants to help the emperor, but it is not the emperor Yuan Shikai, but the "true dragon emperor" Aixinjue Roche.When Ruan Zhongshu came to Xuzhou, Zhang Xun knew what he was doing without opening his mouth.He and Ruan Zhongshu are old friends, among friends, there was a lot of pleasantries, Zhang Xun came to pre-emptively said: "Dougong, I have been looking forward to your coming. If you don't come today, tomorrow I will go to Beijing to find you. " "Shao Shuai," Ruan Zhongshu always respected Zhang Xun very much. "What do you need from me?" "Yes, yes, yes." "Speaking." "Dou Gong has been in the mansion for a long time, and I haven't kept anything from you. The situation in the whole country is tense!" Zhang Xun worried about the country and the people. "Xuzhou is a battleground for military strategists. Xuzhou's gains and losses will affect the whole country. I think over and over again, and feel that there are not enough troops. Please tell the president that Dou Gong allows me to recruit 10 battalions so that we can hold this important position." His tone and mood were so earnest. Ruan Zhongshu looked at Zhang Xun and felt troubled: "I was ordered to transfer him 10 battalions, and he asked the President for 10 battalions first. This is not only closing the door, but also beating him up." He is not good When I opened my mouth, I had to look around, ramble, and then turn around and go back to Beijing.After hearing Ruan Zhongshu's report, Yuan Shikai was furious again: "This braid, he attacked me first! Why have I raised you for these years?" He turned to Ruan Zhongshu and said, "Immediately give an order to send Ma Long Biao went to Xuzhou and cooperated with Zhang Xun to take over the military power in the name of military affairs assistant." What is coordinated military power? It is obviously monitoring Zhang Xun.Zhang Xun thought to himself: "Okay, I'll wait for this assistant to arrive." Ma Longbiao came to Xuzhou as an "imperial envoy", but Zhang Xun did not meet him.Someone sent Ma's official letter of appointment, and Zhang Xun said: "I don't need an assistant to handle military affairs here, what I want is a commander. His horse assistant can go back and exchange for a general's appointment order, and I will just step aside. Otherwise , please tell him: Where did he come from and go back there, Xuzhou does not welcome him!" Ma Longbiao was blocked back.Yuan Shikai was angry again.Just when he really wanted to seize Zhang Xun's military power, Yang Du poured cold water on him. "The chaos in Yunnan is on the rise, and there should be no more disagreements within Beiyang. Please, the President, put the overall situation first. It is best to send someone to appease the kings of the side like Feng Huafu and Zhang Shaoxuan. If they are forced to the top, the future will be even worse." Yuan Shikai had no choice but to agree, and then sent Yinchang, Tian Zhongyu, Ruan Zhongshu and others to Xuzhou and Jinling south. Four By the time Yuan Shikai made the transition from the president to the emperor, his main force was basically divided into three branches, and his "trunk" was supported by these three branches.These three branches are: the Anhui Group headed by Duan Qirui, the Zhili Group headed by Feng Guozhang, and the Feng Family Group headed by Zhang Zuolin.Now, Duan Qirui lives in seclusion in Xishan, and his generals Lu Yongxiang, Ni Sichong and others are in the front, and they still listen to Duan, and the "little fan military adviser" Xu Shuzheng in the upper section originally looked down on Yuan Shikai.Therefore, this army has been far away from Yuan.Feng Guozhang was in Nanjing, and Nanjing had already made it clear that he disapproved of the monarchy. His generals, Cao Kun and Wu Peifu, one was in Baoding and the other was in Luoyang, and Feng was right.Now, there is only Zhang Zuolin, the follow-up of the Beiyang family-- Thinking of Zhang Zuolin, Yuan Shikai shook his head a little.This probably started from the four gold watches with enamel.At that time, Zhang Zuolin saw the President for the first time, and all the national treasures in the Juren Hall were full of eyes, but because he didn't know it, he only focused on the four gold watches that could start.Yuan Shikai gave it to him.But Yuan Shikai has since decided that Dong, who was born with a red beard, is not a hero, but "has never seen the world" and is petty.It is equivalent to selling four gold watches to sell most of Zhang Zuolin's personality.Therefore, when Emperor Yuan wanted to confer titles, he only gave Zhang Zuolin the title of "second-class son", which laid a hidden danger... The Northeast is the world of old coach Zhang Xiluan, and Zhang Xiluan can be regarded as Zhang Zuolin's mentor who corrected evil and returned to righteousness.Unexpectedly, Zhang Zuolin had too many soldiers, and he actually deceived the Lord.It was also at this time that Wang Zhanyuan, the commander of the second division in Hubei, had a conflict with his immediate superior, Duan Zhigui, the governor of Hubei.In order to stabilize the army, Yuan Shikai decided to swap Zhang Xiluan and Duan Zhigui: let Zhang Xiluan supervise Hubei and Duan Zhigui supervise Fengtian. The purpose of Wang Zhanzhi's discord with Duan Zhigui was not to change his immediate boss, but to replace him.Duan Zhigui was called out, but Zhang Xiluan was about to come. Wang Zhanyuan was the first to let the wind go, saying: "When the new general arrives in Hubei, I will be discharged and return to the field."Disarmament is tantamount to agreeing to his rebellion.Yuan Shikai could not allow him to resign, so he had to give Zhang an empty title of "General Zhenwei" and let him retire (the 70-year-old Zhang Xiluan should also retire), and let Wang Zhanzhi act as the governor of Hubei.It wasn't until the incident in Yunnan that Yuan Shikai wanted to cherish Hubei, so he formally appointed Wang as General Xiangwu to supervise Hubei's military affairs.Although the king was very dissatisfied with this appointment (the word "上" was missing from the general's head), he had no choice but to do so. Zhang Zuolin has made great contributions to Yuan's imperial system. When Fengtian held the so-called National Congress to vote on the state system, Zhang Zuolin personally led a brigade to monitor the vote, resulting in a unanimous vote in favor of the monarchy.Zhang Zuolin claimed to have made great achievements for Yuan's "founding of the country".After being knighted, Zhang Zuolin was complacent about having a "second-class son" and felt that he was among the nine ministers.Who knows, when he asked Yuan Jinkai, his chief of staff and military adviser, what kind of quality this "son" is, Yuan told him, "There are five ranks of titles, namely, Duke, Marquis, Bo, Zi, and male. Zi is five." The fourth among the nobles." Zhang Zuolin blinked his eyes and thought for a moment, then said: "So, the Duke is Yuan Shikai's son, Hou is Yuan Shikai's grandson, Bo is Yuan Shikai's great-grandson, then I am Yuan Shikai's great-grandson A grandson? Or a second-class child, a great-grandson's grandson!?" Zhang Zuolin became angry, he raised his palm and slapped the table, and with a "pop--" sound, the tea bowl and tea lid jumped up together. "Damn it, Yuan Shikai regards me as a person of Littlefinger's generation, I don't want to do it! I want to be his ancestor of Yuan Shikai! Throwing that title out and throwing it into the latrine, I don't care, I made it myself bigger........." Yuan Jinkai smiled. "Why should the general be so angry? Now we are not begging Yuan Shikai for a reward, but Yuan Shikai has to beg us. The National Defense Army has been formed in Yunnan, and the National Defense Army wants his life. He has to ask us to protect his life." "I will not protect him. I will send a telegram to Yunnan, and I will also protect the country. I will send troops from the northeast!" Yuan Jinkai hurriedly dissuaded: "General, don't be angry, we have to protect ourselves." Zhang Zuolin nodded helplessly.Still muttering in my heart: "Is Yuan Shikai worth protecting?" Zhang Zuolin asked for "sick" leave, and he no longer manages the army. Yuan Shikai asked the general Duan Zhigui to visit his doctor, but Zhang Zuolin stopped him; Yuan Shikai planned to promote him to the capital of Suiyuan, and Zhang Zuolin sent word before the order arrived. "Never leave Fengtian!" Yuan Shikai had no choice, because he still had to be used, and it was not easy to deal with his violation of orders, and he had to follow him.So he summoned Zhang Zuolin to Beijing again, not talking about any unpleasant things, only talking about the country's situation, and said in a pleading tone: "When you face difficulties, you will see loyal ministers and good generals. General Yuting (Zhang Zuolin's word Yuting) is the pillar of the country." , the people of the country depend on a lot. The titles of marquis and duke should be granted to Yuting." After flattering him, he turned to the topic. "There is an incident in Yunnan, and Sichuan and Hunan are in danger. Only a strong force can turn the crisis into peace. I want the general to lead the army to Hunan to turn the tide." Zhang Zuolin has details in roughness: Yuan Shikai was in a hurry to use troops, and Zhang Zuolin happened to take advantage of the fire to loot. "You transfer my soldiers, I need your money." So he said "sincerely": "Yuting obeyed the order and rushed to Hunan as scheduled. It's just..." "If you have any difficulties, just talk about it." Yuan Shikai was very happy to see that the red beard agreed to send troops, and felt that Zhang Zuolin was more obedient than his direct descendant Beiyang.Then he said: "Maybe there is something wrong with your salary. I'm not afraid of it. I've prepared it for you. Tell me about other difficulties." When Zhang Zuolin heard what he was thinking, Yuan Shikai agreed, and said with a smile, "My The army has never been on an expedition, only in this white mountain and black water.Besides, there have been few wars in the Northeast these years, and the economy has been relatively difficult, so we have not been able to equip them.If the President can replenish a batch of salaries, Yu Ting will rush to Hunan without any worries. "After that, he bluntly raised a request number, and Yuan Shikai also felt that a higher price should be paid, and it would be cost-effective to consider a strong team. So, in addition to Zhang Zuolin's request, an increase of 10% was added. Zhang Zuolin was so happy that he almost Kowtow to thank you. Yuan Shikai has calculated big and small in his life, and there are so many people up and down, almost all of them are winners.Unexpectedly, this time he miscalculated and fell into the hands of a big bandit. When he delivered all the salaries and equipment to Feng Zhang as scheduled, what he expected was not Zhang Zuolin's dispatch to Hunan, but Fengtian's workers and peasants. The telegrams issued by the government, business, academic groups, and social celebrities all tried to persuade Zhang Zuolin to stay: "Stay in Fengtian, maintain order in the three eastern provinces, and please do not transfer outside." Refuse to send troops.At this point, Yuan Shikai suddenly realized: "This living bandit has blackmailed me, and I can't spare you!" Just as Yuan Shikai was still angry and unable to act, Zhang Zuolin sent another confidential telegram, exposing the newly appointed governor and general Duan Zhigui for "taking millions of yuan from Fengtian's public funds." account".At the same time, Zhang Zuolin made a fuss in the Northeast. He had asked Yuan Jinkai to draft the "Rules of the Fengtian Security Association, which will be promulgated and implemented soon."Yuan Shikai had eyes and ears in the northeast, and the news quickly spread to Beijing.Yuan Shikai understood what Zhang Zuolin wanted to do, and he thought: "It's easy to transfer Duan Zhigui away. After the transfer, the Northeast is still a heart trouble." He clearly remembered that after the Battle of 1911, Fengtian once organized a security committee.What kind of security association is actually independent of Fengtian. "Today, it's a critical moment again. Does this red beard want to be independent again?" Yuan Shikai's "serious illness" in Yunnan has no cure, so he is naturally unable to take care of Fengtian.At this point, he knew Zhang Zuolin: "This is a thing that only recognizes its mother but not its mother. I shouldn't send Duan Zhigui to the Northeast. Zhang Zuolin can't even tolerate his mentor Zhang Xiluan. How can he tolerate Duan Zhigui." But what should I do? What? Yuan Shikai was besieged on all sides, and he had to endure it.Otherwise, no matter how chaotic Fengtian is, there will be no one surnamed "Yuan" in the whole of China. Enduring the pain and anger, Yuan Shikai finally gave Zhang Zuolin the title of "General Shengjing" and ordered him to "supervise Fengtian military affairs." Yuan Shikai never thought that he would give Zhang Zuolin the best development for himself by doing so. Given the opportunity, he desperately expanded his army.Soon, there was a Feng army that could compete with Wan Duan Feng Zhi.Since then, it has planted the bane of the three-legged confrontation of Anhui, Zhi, and Feng, which has caused China's internal chaos for more than ten years. Fives The climate in Jurentang was much colder after a winter snowfall.草坪是白皑皑的，房顶是白皑皑的，黎明时的一场大雾把高高下下的树木也披上一层白纱；北方吹来的风，挂着哨响朝窗缝里钻。连日来生活失度的袁世凯，今夜又不曾合眼。他不想思索什么事了，但他脑际聚积的事多得令他尾打不掉；他究竟又思索了什么?他自己也不知道。因为他什么事也没有思索成功。黎明时，风紧了；风裹着雪粒，打得门窗"吵啦啦"响。袁世凯思绪更乱了，他轻轻地推开门，走到长廊上，想透透空气，舒舒胸闷。可是，当他刚伸出头来，那呼啸着的北风，竟像一把刀子刺向他的脑门，他陡然打了个寒颤，头也觉得晕了一下。他急忙缩回来，把门闭上。 对于自己面临的形势，袁世凯一直想不通，他觉得都是不应该发生的；发生了，是形势误解了他，伤害了他，对他太不公平。而站起来反对他的人，又都是些别有用心的野心家，阴谋家；是一些权利熏心的家伙作祟。袁世凯想争得一个机会表明自己的心迹，解除别人的误解；对于那些别有用心的分子，他要铲除他们，消灭影响。可是，怎么可能呢?哪里有这样的机会呢? 天亮的时候，阮忠枢匆匆走来。他有急务，他想向他汇报说明一下一夜之间天下发生的大事。袁世凯如此器重他，他得替袁世凯分忧：患难时才见知己，国家形势这么荡乱，忠臣得湿示自己的忠!他站在往日站惯了的固定的位置上，从长衫袋中拿出；记录情况的纸笔，刚想开，袁世凯却有点厌烦地摇摇头。"斗公，今天不谈这些事，天下大乱让它乱去。大不了乱到京城乱到中南海，把咱们赶出去。赶就赶吧，也许天不遂愿，该咱如此。" "大总统......"阮忠枢想说几句吉利的话，以解袁世凯的纳闷。可是，一时又想不出词。 "咱们谈点别的。"袁世凯说："让我谈你听。听了你记住，也许日后会有一天，你，只有你，方能为我正名。到那一日，我感激你，我会瞑目的。" "大总统，你的事业正在兴旺，"阮忠枢说："云南之事，能算得了什么呢?成不了气候。你得振作精神，你是中国的中流砥柱，你不能消沉......" "这些也别谈。"袁世凯还是摇头。"我想问你几件事，你坐下，静静地听。"说着，他把自己的太师椅往前挪了挪，靠阮忠枢近些；又把茶杯往阮面前推推，这才一本正经地说下去。"你说说看，我这一生是不是最坎坷的人，被人误解最多的人。今天，一点正常的事也招来非议，这是有根源的......" "没有这么严重吧?"阮忠枢想缓和气氛。 "你不必劝解，我一中有数。只是觉得时候不到，我不想说。"袁世凯似乎到了忍无可忍的地步了。"这一次帝制不帝制暂且丢下，在这之前，有三件大事我蒙冤了--" 阮跺构心里一惊："大总统也蒙冤了?" 袁世凯说："一言难尽呀"日本人的二十一条是我接受的。我有什么办法?中国国体之弱，是前清留下的，靠什么跟日本人对抗?这事轮到孙中山又如何?轮到溥仪又会怎么样?" 阮忠枢忙说："这事已经如此了，大风吹倒梧桐树--长短自有人去量!人多口杂，历史是公的。相信历史吧。" 袁世凯叹息一声，摇摇头。说："还有两件事：一是关于辛亥革命及国民大权问题；一是戊戌变法。辛亥革命，说是我纂夺了总统大权；戊戌变法，说是我出卖了维新派。天晓得是什么状况!?"阮忠枢听了头脑有点发懵。心想："袁世凯呀!这两件事国人无不在骂你呀!骂你是窃国大盗，骂你是投靠顽固派的坏人。你今天怎么忽然提起这两件事了?提出又如何?"阮忠枢只会唯唯诺诺做人，只会做点文字上的工夫，他心中无度，生怕惹是生非。袁世凯冷笑着，摇摇头。"骂我的人，不一定都是我的政敌；骂我的人，我敢说大多数是不了解真情。他们站在局外，局内的风风火火，局内的曲曲折折，他们是不了解的。再加上某些人趋于某种形势压迫，只会顺风转舵，而不敢正源清本，说明真假......" 阮忠枢原本想听之任之，而后还是根据"上谕"去做该做的事。现在，听袁世凯话音，与他瓜葛最大的两大"史案"还有隐情，他到是想听个"其祥"。 "大总统，这么说，那两大历史公案其中还有隐情?" "有。"袁世凯说："大得很!" "斗胆愿洗耳恭听。"阮中枢说："若是与史差之较远，斗胆不怕肝脑涂地，也要在史书上勘一下误，留一个公公正正。" "但愿斗公有些肝胆。"袁世凯说："先说戊戌维新吧。自起，大多有识之士无不拍手称快。他停顿了一下，说："对于慈禧，国中人多不了解她，只知道她是一个保守派，是一个骄奢淫逸，只会按祖宗成法办事的人。却看不到她在她的政治权威，骄奢淫逸生活与祖宗成法不能相一时，她会两害相权取其轻的一面。说远一点吧，她政变夺权之后，那是861年吧，面临太平军的挑战，她便不顾祖宗成法，在内心疑忌汉人的情况下，提拔重用了竹国藩，左宗棠和李鸿章。结果，消灭了太平军，挽救了大清江山，电保住了慈禧的权位。甲午一战，大清面临家破人亡危机中，慈禧不能不思变法图强。戊戌变法时，慈禧虽然归政于光绪帝了，但大权仍在她手中，倘若她真的顽固守旧，遵从祖法，反对维新，从《明定国是昭》起，那一大堆关于变法的昭书是不能颁布出来的。光绪帝办不到。昭书均在，有凭有据。 " 阮忠枢心动了，他仿佛记起了当时的许多昭书，还有皇上的御批。好像他还记得太后还命总署五位大臣详询变法条理，并对皇帝说："变法乃素志，同治初即纳曾国藩议。句可治富强者，儿自为之，吾不内制也。"是的，若无慈禧的首肯，光绪无自主权发昭书的，何况一大堆。但阮忠枢不明白，慈禧支持变法，为什么又对变法的人动杀机、扑灭变法呢?他问袁世凯。 袁世凯叹息着，又在摇头。"康有为太激进了，他想及早推翻慈禧而扶起光绪，让光绪主持变法。他忘了，慈禧是握有实权的，康没有那个力量灭她，反而被慈禧发觉了，才有一场杀机。若是康有为会用慈禧，变法也不至失败。"到这里，袁世凯停了一一下，望望阮忠枢，又说："是，如果康有为有本领爽快的杀了慈禧，变法也会有成。"袁世凯说得头头是道，但有一点他回避了，康有为要杀慈禧未动手便被慈禧发觉了，慈禧怎么发觉的?是不是因他袁世凯告密而"发觉的"?他没有说。阮忠枢想问，但又不敢，只得听着，点着头。 由于"告密"一事早器尘上，他又无法避开，还是说："有人怀疑是我告密。其实天大的冤枉，我到天津见荣禄时，训政之电(即消灭康党)业己自内先发。试想康拟调兵围剿颐和园之大事，能密不外露吗?"袁世凯为自己解脱了。阮忠枢才如释重负。 关f辛亥革命事，袁世凯说："我手里有孙中山、黄兴等革命党人的众多信函，推翻清朝，建立民国、该由谁来当大总统?件件事说得明明白白。武昌之役后怎么样?我指挥着大清几十万军队，我若阻拦，孙中山北伐究竟能扣到哪里?不是实行南北议和， 清帝会退位?孙中山是打不进故宫的!他那个驱逐鞑掳的目标达不到呀!至于说大总统这个位，我是不想当的。是孙中山再三再四、再五举我出来当的。为什么?孙中山自明。这些铁证如山的事实，有一天会清楚的，那怕我袁某人死后......"袁世凯说了这么多话，累了。他欠欠身，打了个哈欠，又仰在太师椅上。 阮忠枢心单一惊，知道谈话该停止了。忙说："大总统，你累了，你休息吧，我走了。" 袁世凯站起身，踱了两步，说："走吧。有些事也不是一下子能谈明白的，以后再慢慢说吧。" 阮忠枢走了，他带着满脑子"?"走了--大总统把这些陈谷子，烂芝麻翻出来干什么呀?这些事与当前何补? 阮忠枢说不清的事，袁世凯是能说清的。要不，他云里雾里说这干啥! 中国最难谋得的，莫过于皇帝这个宝座。袁世凯假若不是想当皇帝，而只安分地当他的大总统，无论是文治还是武治，都会过得比今天平静。其实，真那样的话，袁世凯就不是袁世凯了!不是袁世凯是准?是准怕都会如此--古往今来，那个英雄豪杰，那个妖孽魔王、士寇流氓，不想当皇帝?一旦到厂势大无边时谁都想当皇帝，谁不能当皇帝呢?刘邦怎么样?赵匡胤怎么样?朱元璋怎么样?难道都是龙种?人家袁世凯才是真龙呢，有人亲眼目睹的么!还有，袁氏项城祖坟茔里就出土了石碑，那上边明白刻着"天命攸归"4个字，还不是天意!? 自从袁世凯决定当皇帝起，日子便再也不平静了，直到今天，云南独立了，云南出了护国军，护国军开始了讨伐性的北征。 护国军兵分两路北上，一路由蔡锷新率，自昭通直趋叙州；一路由毕节直趋泸州。袁世凯也组织"王师"征讨"叛逆"，他兵分三路南下：曹锟为第路、第二二路军总司令，第一路由马继增率领开赴湖南西部，第一路由张敬尧率领开赴四川南部；第三路军由东振武上将军龙济光为总司令，假道广西进攻滇南。 两军对峙，大战爆发。 袁世凯想川武力扭转残局，但是，他忘了他手下的武力已远非当年了。"王杰"、已离了厂他，皖直搴三家均无"保驾"之决心，用去"讨伐"滇事的路大军本身也缺乏必胜信心，困中形势江河F{下-- 派往四川把守西南入门的陈宦，既洋嫡系，又觉得是受了袁世凯一张空头支票(袁许诺陈人川后由他一手办理川滇黔三省军务，结果，不仪=三省未到手，他到后不久袁世凯便派亲信刘一清作他的参谋长。实际是监督陈宦了)。此刻，他想起了昔日同蔡锷的交情，想起蔡锷其人的道德品质，他便不把蔡当敌人了。 贵州是云南的近邻，云南独立了，贵州省督军刘显世，巡按使龙建章便扣起了小算盘。 刘显世是地力军阀，袁世恺一直轻视他，只给他个护军使的衔。到形势紧张之后才勉强给个"督理贵州军务"的头衔，且只封给一个子爵。比起别省封公封侯的，刘皿世自觉低人一等。龙建章亦非嫡系。贵州见云南独市，先是以"调解人"面目致电袁世凯，劝其取消帝制。袁世凯下令凋离龙建章，撤消其男爵、交高等文官惩戍委员会惩戒。龙逃之天天。刘娃世在贵州人民代表大会促使下宣布独立，被选为护国军贵州都督。 正是袁世凯焦急不安的时候，北京城里发生了...一件不大不小的事情：一西提督，宁武将军陆荣廷把自己在京任着公府武官的儿陆裕勋召回广西去，连袁世凯一个招呼也不曾扣。袁世凯惊觉了--原来，袁世凯怕各省将军／服指挥，便把他们的儿子都弄到北京来，给每人．个"公府武官"的名称，实际是作为人质拘在北京。袁吐凯一听陆荣廷把儿子送回去了，知道心有异变，十分气怒，便派人赶，卜汉把陆裕勋给薄死。袁世凯以为解了胸中之情，准知很久。陆荣廷便在柳州行。圬发出通电，宣布广西独立，自任广玎都督兼护旧军两广总司令，任命梁启超为参谋总长...... 袁世凯闷仆居仁常沉思许久，陡然问便"清醒"了，他对自己说："袁慰庭呀袭慰庭，你别做璺帝，中国人不喜欢皇帝，皇帝太招风了。做下去，还不如爱新觉岁氏的下场好呢!"并不是袁世凯更聪明，也小是什么高人给了他工拔，内内外外的形势都在逼他呀："困使刚已经表明了坚决的态岌，他们不同意中国帝制，不同意袁壮凯、与皇帝；他们的意见可以表明啦界主要国家的态度。国内，护国军在天火增多，从边远到内地的省份，逐渐独立起来。北洋家族又众叛亲离......袁世凯到了四面楚歌，八方受敌的时局，他不想退王得退，不退便走向绝路了。 相会时难别亦难!忙碌了很久的帝制，一旦退下来，不干了，袁廿凯竟拿不回退"的良策了。时至今日，他猛然问感到身边可用的人太少了，紧急时能够为自己拿出一招一式的人尤少："我真的成孤家寡人!"他想起了青年时的老友徐肚昌："只有他了。当初我不该辞去他国务卿位。"他忙派人到天津把在那里做寓公的徐世昌找来。 徐昌是对帝制略有微词才被陆征祥顶替为国务卿的。已经62岁的人，决心在天津了此一生，但是，却又经不起老友的盛情，也想助老友．臂所以，他还足刮北京来了。徐世昌一进居仁堂，刚见袁世凯便想行大礼隘得袁世凯赶紧起身阻拦。"老友这是咋呼?快快请唑。"人挽袁又说："你在天津享清福，我在北京受大罪。把你请来，务必为我想个脱身的法儿才行呀!" 徐世昌明白了：袁皇帝内外交困，当不下去了。不过，他还是说："不瞒总统说，世昌老了，才已尽，权不想，早已无心问世了。今天到来，一是老友盛情，再则，我也掂记你的身体，乘便探望。若为政局起见，世昌不敢与闻，但请转询他人。" 袁世凯那里肯放过，微笑着说："你我患难故交，今日惠然肯来，足见盛情。我想，你不会不拉我一把的。"袁世凯又说了些内外情况，然后才说明自己进退维谷的困境。 徐世昌毕竟做了一段局外人，对大局看得明白；今见袁世凯确在难中，态度也还真诚，便也推心置腹地说："世昌有一言相问，究竟总统是仍行帝制呢，还是取消帝制?" 袁世凯沉默片刻，说："但能天下太平，我亦无可无不可了。" "这么说来，乎乱想亦容易。"徐世昌说："不过，有一个人必须请出来。" "谁?"袁世凯忙问。 "段芝泉。"徐世昌说："他是北洋武人的领袖，或还能镇压得住。" 袁世凯摇摇头，说："段祺瑞?!只怕他不肯出山。" "段芝泉不出山，是他不同意帝制。"徐世昌说："大总统若决定把帝制取消了，我想芝泉绝不会全然无情。" "那就只得请菊人你劳劳大驾了。""我且走一趟看看。" 徐世昌到西山见了段祺瑞，段祺瑞只说一句话："袁必表明撤销帝制，我才肯去。"徐又告诉袁，袁世凯这才沉着脸说："罢哩，罢哩!我取消帝制就是了。" 段祺瑞随着徐世昌来到中南海居仁堂，并未说多少话，事情也就定了。徐世昌说："大总统知过即改，必为众所仰，余事便好商量了。" 袁世凯面有惋色，但还是说："菊人，芝泉都是我好友，往事不记，此后仍须借助大力，共挽时艰。" 段祺瑞态度也转变了，他说："大总统尚肯转圜，祺瑞何敢固执。善后事宜，惟力是视便了。" 袁世凯也不得不再说几句有悔的言语，然后便命人草拟撤销帝制的命令。 公元1916年3月23日，袁世凯向天下发布命令，从3月22日起取消帝制，恢复共和。可是，这道命令却用了相当多的文字表明自己是被"人民"推举到皇帝位上去的，自己不能悖了民意，并且说中国历代帝王子孙都是以祸罪身的，"予独何心，贪恋高位?乃国民代表，既不谅其辞让之诚，而一部分人民又疑为权力思想，性情隔阂，酿为厉阶"。最后，才说： ......着将上年12月11日承认帝位之案，即行撤销，由政事堂将各省区推戴书，一律发还参政院代行立法院，转发销毁。所有筹备事宜，立即停止，庶希古人罪已之诚，以洽上天好生之德，洗心涤虑，息事宁人。盖在主张帝制者，本图巩固国基，然爱国非其道，转足以害国；其反对帝制者，亦为发抒政见，然断不至矫枉过正，害及国家。务各激发天良，捐除意见，同心协办，共济事艰，使我神州华胄，免同室操戈之祸，化乖戾为祥和。总之，万方有罪，在予一人。今承认之案，业已撤销，如有扰乱地方，自贻口实，则祸福皆由自召，本大总统本有统治全国之责，亦不能坐视沦胥而不顾也。方今闾问困苦，纲纪凌夷，吏治不修，真才未进，言念及此，终夜以兴。长此因循，将何以国?嗣后文武百官，务当痛除积习，黾勉图功，凡应兴应革诸大端，各尽职守，实力进行，毋托空言，毋存私见。予惟以综核名实，信赏必罚，为制治之大纲。我将吏军民，尚其共体兹意! 在中国，存在了82天(1916年1月1日到3月22日)的"洪宪"年号，终于消失了!袁世凯的皇帝梦醒了。这是一场恶梦。袁世凯的"恶梦"醒来会不会是"早晨"?天知道?