Chapter 11 Chapter 11 The Emperor and Prime Minister Are All Short-lived Ghosts

Yuan Shikai did not listen to the dissuasion of all parties, let alone the opposition of the world, and finally issued an order to recognize the throne on December 12, 1915. On the 13th, he received congratulations from all officials at Ju Ren Tang in Zhongnanhai, and was scheduled to ascend the throne on New Year's Day, 1916. Another emperor appeared in China - Hong Xian.Xu Shichang is ill. Xu Shichang has not been a member of the political affairs hall for many days.He said that he suffered from a very nasty disease: general malaise, fatigue and weakness, low-grade fever every evening and night, sweating on the bed, sometimes clothes soaked, and a sense of exhaustion, which has worsened recently, and coughing more than.Also cough up mucus sputum.Yesterday morning, after coughing for a while, the spit up sputum was still bloodshot. I asked the doctor to have a look and said he was suffering from tuberculosis.

Xu Shichang suffered from lung disease, so he handed Yuan Shikai a resignation letter, explaining his condition, "Please allow me to resign for treatment." When Yuan Shikai was employing people, and Xu Shichang had an unusual relationship with him, how could he let him go.So, he sent a senior official to visit the doctor, and at the same time returned the "resignation letter", telling him to "take a good rest and treat the disease with peace of mind". Yuan Shikai's son Yuan Keding knew about Yuan Shikai's retention of Xu Shichang.For many days, Yuan Keding felt a little bit annoyed at Xu because he did not support the imperial system, so he hurried to his father and said, "My lord, since Uncle Xu has decided to be a courtier, you can fulfill him, why force others to make things difficult for him! "

Yuan Shikai glared at his son, and wanted to reprimand him loudly, "You know what!" But he didn't say it, and just waved him to go.Yuan Shikai understood that winning Xu Shichang's support for his imperial system and being able to serve the imperial system is equivalent to conquering thousands of troops! Only when Xu Shichang, who is worth thousands of troops, can serve for him, can his throne be imprisoned! Just when Yuan Shikai tried his best to keep Xu Shichang, rumors suddenly spread in the capital, saying, "Duan Qirui will raise the flag of rebellion and crusade against the monarchy." He also said, "The mastermind of the Duan family is Yuan Shikai's prime minister Xu Shichang!" Rumors, "Duan Zhiquan (Duan Qirui's name Zhiquan) and Xu Ju have been close friends of mine for many years. How could they rise up against me? If they have opinions, they will talk to them in good faith." However, he thought again: "The rumors are true. Reasonably, when all the officials of Jurentang in Zhongnanhai came to congratulate, not only Xu Shichang did not arrive, but Duan Qirui also did not arrive. Duan Qirui did not come to congratulate, which means that he does not recognize or support the monarchy, and if he does not support it, he will oppose it. Oppose-- Raise troops to attack..." Yuan Shikai was a little startled: "If Duan and Xu conspire against me, they are more powerful than any other enemy, and I will definitely not be able to defeat them. Besides, it is impossible to defend against my own people, so I can't sit still. I want..." What should I do? He couldn't think of a countermeasure for a while.Regardless of Duan Qirui or Xu Shichang, they are Yuan Shikai's most trusted people for many years, and they have always obeyed their words. Only on the issue of the imperial system, these two people are extremely opposed.Yuan Shikai asked for Duan Qirui's opinion, Duan Qirui not only did not agree, he even stopped going to the class of the Ministry of Army, and simply hid; ?" Xu Shichang knew it clearly, but shook his head again and again.Yuan Shikai said angrily: "The publicity outside has been going on for a long time, how can you not know?" Xu Shichang did not show weakness, and retorted loudly: "Knowing what you know is knowing, what you don't know is not knowing." Yuan Shikai asked his son to test again, and he said I said "listen to the gentlemen and do it for yourself", now it's good, I want to recuperate and resign from office.Yuan Shikai suddenly felt that the rumor that "Duan Xu united against the imperial system" was not groundless.His heart was beating and he was afraid, "You can't let the tiger lie beside you!" Yuan Shikai finally agreed to Xu Shichang's "resignation" and sent someone to comfort him. I can ask for advice if I have something, and secondly, I will not be plotted by the party members."

Xu Shichang left the Zhengshitang, but he did not take away the plaque of "Hou Letang" written by him. However, he did not listen to Yuan Shikai's persuasion to return to Tianjin, but only returned to his Beijing home in Dongsi Wutiao Blacksmith Camp. Yuan Shikai became the emperor of the Chinese Empire, and his reign name was changed to "Hong Xian".This year, Yuan Shikai was 58 years old. Yuan Shikai, who was dressed in a yellow robe, was proud of his spring breeze and became dizzy, becoming the real dragon emperor who is said to be lonely and widowed.After being in a daze for a few days, I suddenly missed Xu Shichang, an old friend.We have known each other for a long time, and we have helped each other a lot. I have become the Ninth Five-Year Lord. How should I arrange the position of my friend? Let him be an official of "Hongxian", he will definitely not do it; let him be a subject of "Hongxian", Yuan Shikai will I can't justify it.Sitting in the Rentang for a long time, I always felt that I should give this "commoner Kundi" some kind of crown, otherwise, wouldn't people say that he was too unjust? What to give? After deliberation, I decided to give Xu Shichang and three other "elders of the two dynasties" Zhao Erxun, Li Jingyi and Zhang Jian were named "Four Friends of Songshan".What kind of treatment is this? There are different opinions: Yuan Shikai said in the seal decree: "Since ancient times, the master of entrepreneurship has always cherished nostalgia for the past, and it is slightly divided into romance. The joy of the commoner and the queen is the performance of a guest star." , seems to indicate that it is "a metaphor for my heart".Zhao, Li, and Zhang remained silent, but they did not receive titles, let alone "thank you"; Xu Shichang said to others indifferently: "The so-called Four Friends of Songshan means never to use them." Therefore, he Thank you too.Probably because Yuan Shikai felt that the "reward" was too low. I'm sorry for my friend. After the seal was issued, the Zhengshitang promulgated various rules of preferential etiquette to prevent the "Four Friends of Songshan" from bowing down. When the emperor came to the court, the four friends had to set up a low table to sit in the Qinzheng and other halls; each was given an annual salary of 20,000 yuan; various court clothes were rewarded, and so on.Xu Shichang was indifferent to everything, and thanked him unchanged. When he returned to the blacksmith camp, he inscribed a plaque "Talking about Fengyue Hall" and hung it in his study.

Xu Shichang's Dongsi Wutiao blacksmith's private house was purchased by Tang Shaoyi at a high price and presented to Xu Shichang after being decorated gorgeously. As a courtesy to this ally, this is a top-notch Beijing courtyard house.Xu Shichang hung up the plaque of "Talking about Fengyue Pavilion" to warn the world: I only talk about romance here, like-minded people are welcome, and politicians are not accepted! Xu Shichang has always regarded himself as a "literati". In addition to his fame, he has always been embellished with elegant poetry.His handwriting is not bad. He was the first to write in Guange style, and he wrote Suhuang in his middle age. He hated stele style the most in his life and never copied it. He wanted to learn painting, but he never got started.He likes to buy magnetic Tibetan inkstones very much, and especially likes to collect Duan inkstones. In addition, he often recites poems and essays with his friends, and has a large group of poetry and essays friends.Speaking of Xu's knowledge, if you taste it carefully, it is also mediocre.People at the time commented on him that he only learned a little bit of vulgar studies, but he didn't study deeply about the Confucianism of the Confucian classics. In order to congratulate Diao Jianqi, he entered the Imperial Academy and began to study some ancient and modern ritual poems.He has a so-called poet friend named Xu Huanong, from Hangzhou.When talking about Xu's poems and essays to others, he only used five words: "clumsy and vulgar is not worth mentioning".He has been in the Hanlin Academy for nearly ten years, and he has never been famous for his poetry.People at that time classified the editors of the Hanlin Academy into eight reds and eight blacks (the red ones have talents and learning, and the black ones are clumsy and vulgar), and Xu Shichang is one of the eight blacks.When I became the governor of Fengtian, all the Zhangshu documents were written by my staff members. Occasionally, I used couplets with literary friends and poems, most of which were mediocre and only able to rhyme.

Xu Shichang didn't wait for literary friends to talk to him in his "Talking about Fengyue Pavilion". The first person to visit was Duan Qirui, the leader of the generals.Duan Qirui was obedient and obedient, and when he knocked on the gate of Xu's house in the blacksmith camp, he was stopped by his servants; when Xu Shichang had to go out to meet him, he didn't know him. "Zhiquan, why do you look like this?" Duan Qirui said: "Ju Shuai's impression of Zhiquan is a warrior. Now, without soldiers, he has become a commoner, and he doesn't even know his old friends."

The two smiled at each other. Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui were called Yuan Shikai's "civil and military arms" by the people at that time.However, when the imperial system started, these two people were separated from Yuan: Duan Qirui let the chief of the army quit and went to Xishan to "rest", and Xu Shichang dismissed the secretary of state because of "pulmonary disease". In the wild".It was probably because of the "connected spirit" that the chief of the army in the opposition rushed to visit the secretary of state in the political affairs hall in the opposition.The two sat opposite each other and socialized with fragrant tea. They seemed to have a lot to say, but they didn't open their mouths. Since he served as the commander of the artillery team of the Xinjian Army and the supervisor of the battalion school, he has formed a bond of life and death with Yuan Shikai, and with Yuan's "water rising" in the "ship high", he is known as the "three dragons and tiger dogs" under Yuan Shikai's subordinates. "Jie" in "Tiger" Jie.Yuan recommended him, and he made great contributions to Yuan Li. Not to mention, after the righteousness of Wuchang, he made great contributions to Yuan's comeback and seizing the throne.During the Wuchang Uprising, he was transferred back to Beijing by the imperial court from Jiangpu Jiangbei Admiral Jiashilang, Jiangsu, and served as the commander of the Second Army, the governor of Huguang and the commander of the First Army and the frontline troops in Hubei. He was asked to quell the "Wuchang Rebellion".But he, for Yuan Shikai's comeback, just stood still, which made Yuan the prime minister of the cabinet; Duan Qirui was also the vanguard for Yuan Shikai in suppressing the "Second Revolution", and Yuan Shikai did not forget him. After the "Second Revolution", he was appointed to act The governor of Hubei and the governor of Henan; in June 1914, he was awarded the general of Jianwei in the general's mansion and in charge of the affairs of the general's mansion.At this moment, Yuan Shikai woke up like a dream. He felt that Duan's military power was too great and he would not be able to control it. Therefore, outside the general's mansion, Yuan Shikai set up another "Office of the Commander of the Navy and Army" headed by himself to take over the power of the army. into their own hands.Duan Qirui fell out of favor. He was just a clerk in Yuan's "Marshal of the Navy and Army Command Office", and he felt cold.Yuan Shikai's wanton activity of the monarchy made Duan Qirui, who had lost military power, very disgusted. Therefore, he ignored the military under the pretext of being "sick". His situation was very similar to Xu Shichang's.

"Zhiquan," Xu Shichang spoke first as the host. "Is your body okay at this stage?" "The second body is light, and all diseases are gone." Duan Qirui smiled. "Xishan is a good place, and I also want to live there." Xu Shichang picked up his tea but didn't drink it, and suddenly wanted to describe the beauty of Xishan. "It is said that it is surrounded by green peaks on three sides, and open to the plain on the south side, with dense forests, fragrant weeds, strange rocks and creeks, clear spring water, and eight ancient temples distributed among the three mountains of Cuiwei, Pingpo and Lushi. It is really attractive. The place!"

Duan Qirui smiled, "Most famous mountain monks in the world! All monks will enjoy the blessings, and I want to be a monk too." "I'm afraid that your fate is not over yet, and you still need to enjoy the blessings in the officialdom for a few days." "I have left the emperor, and I don't want to shout long live to anyone anymore!" Xu Shichang knew that the "article" had entered the "topic" , and the two are "same disease" Lian", he said without hesitation: "Xiang Cheng refused to listen to dissuasion and was determined to be an emperor. He made a wrong move. I think he will suffer a complete defeat because of this.So, I would rather follow in your footsteps...""Ju Shuai, you are the prime minister of Xiangcheng, one person is under one man and over ten thousand people, and you are the only one who influences my generation, how can you follow in my footsteps?"

"What are you afraid of? The worst thing is that you will never use it." Xu Shichang said: "I have learned the lesson. Enfeng is the Four Friends of Songshan, and the annual reward is 20,000! According to this, it seems that you will not be implicated in any major events." "I don't want any high-ranking officials and rich salary, and I still have a little life left. I'm not afraid anymore." As he spoke, he looked up and smiled.After laughing, he said: "Master Chrysanthemum, I came to see you because I have something on my mind..." "Say it straight, please."

"I'm not worried about myself, I'm worried about Xiangcheng." Duan Qirui is very frank, "Imperialism is impossible, no matter the world trend, no matter what the people of the country want, the imperial system is against the current. After all, we have been with Yuan Xiangcheng for many years Best friend, you can avoid it for a while, but you can't avoid the fundamental problem." "What do you mean..." "I still have to persuade you to come in." "Is it useful?" Xu Shichang said: "It has become a fact, and it is impossible to restore it." "I'm afraid there will be more bad luck than good luck." "It's your own fault!" "This is also the heartache." Duan Qirui said: "We can't just watch him go on like this." Naturally, Xu Shichang couldn't forget his support and care in the past, and he couldn't forget the deep affection in the past.He nodded and said, "Maybe one day he will wake up so suddenly that he can hear kind words." "I think so too. By that day, we'll still be friends, and we'll still have to rely on each other!" Xu Shichang nodded slightly.Duan Qirui sat down for a while, then took his leave, Xu Shichang sent him to the door, nodded and parted. --Duan Qirui's sudden visit was not sudden. He and Xu Shichang left Yuan Shikai one after another. In fact, they were all just pretending.Duan Qirui was dissatisfied with Yuan because his military power was cut, so he resisted the monarchy and hid in Xishan.This time he took the initiative to come to Xu's mansion, but his original intention was to unite with Xu to continue to resist Yuan, and let Yuan know that "it is not easy for him to be a loner." Walking on the road, he was shaken again, and he felt that Yuan Shikai treated him better than other people. Hou, so, he made a sharp turn, showing that he continued to support Yuan. Xu Shichang and Yuan Shikai had no entanglement with cutting power.Xu's resignation from the Secretary of State was entirely out of fear of the influence of the imperial system.Duan Qirui's arrival and his attitude startled Xu Xin at first, he thought he was here to ask him to fight against the emperor and Yuan, so he would politely decline, and when he heard Duan's confession, he was shocked again, Duan was still the same. Paul Yuan. "People's hearts are not going well in the imperial system. I'm afraid that if we work hard but fail, we will be notorious for half a lifetime."He wanted to decline, but it was too embarrassing, so he had to say "one day too".After Duan Qirui left, Xu Shichang was still thinking: "Could it be that Duan Hefei came here to care about Yuan's future? What is he doing for it? Military power, political power..." Xu Shichang couldn't open his eyebrows, and on the spot Walking around.After a long time, I finally let go of this matter: "There will be a poetry meeting in Tan Fengyue Pavilion tomorrow, I'd better prepare chapters and sentences!" Yuan Shikai, who became Emperor Hongxian, could not use his totalitarian power to issue orders in the country.Moreover, the anti-imperialism and anti-Yuan protection movement across the country became a major trend overnight; at the same time, Yuan Shikai believed that his own people were reliable forces, such as Sichuan Governor Chen Huan, Hunan Governor Tang Xiangming, etc., declared independence, and also "Discuss Yuan Tongdian" was issued.Before the tree fell, the hozens would disperse! Yuan Shikai knew that the monarchy was no longer possible, so he hastily announced the "abolishment of the monarchy", and he also became his president—Yuan Shikai only served as Emperor Hongxian for 83 days, and then he died on his own.This was March 22, 1916. The city of Beijing was at the time when winter was gone and spring was coming, but Beijingers felt that winter was gone and spring was coming! The eighty-three days of the emperor's dream made Yuan Shikai's mind suddenly sober. He felt that Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui were the ones who really cared for him.Therefore, on the day when the abolition of the imperial system was announced, Xu Shichang's post as Secretary of State and Duan Qirui's post as Chief of the Army were restored. Xu Shichang left the position of Secretary of State because he "disagreed with the imperial system". Now that Yuan Shikai has abolished the imperial system, Xu Shichang naturally no longer "talked about the wind and the moon" in the blacksmith camp. Braided, and the first to wear a tuxedo, a leather stick, and even the banquet guests eat Western food and play Western music, as if he regarded himself as a new party. When the old bureaucrats saw him, they thought he was a new party! -- Returning to political affairs in a hurry Tang, went to busy with his "state affairs". Xu Shichang did not participate in the imperial system, and ended up with a clean body and a good reputation. Therefore, resuming the post of Secretary of State is also the most qualified and natural thing.At this moment, Yuan Shikai was no longer the emperor, but the movement to protect the country continued to climax. Xu Shichang wanted to use his identity and prestige to mediate. How did he know that not only the Beiyang factions did not support him, but also the anti-Yuan forces opposed him.Xu Shichang realized at this moment, "It is more difficult to be the Secretary of State today than the Secretary of State in the past." He sat in the political affairs hall and became anxious.Just when he was anxious and restless, Zhang Jian, who had a close relationship with him and was also one of the "Four Friends of Songshan", sent him a telegram from his hometown of Nantong, pointing out the crux of his anxiety: When the emperor's theory was booming, he retired cleanly, and when he saw the current situation was in danger, he came out of the mountain with great emotion, abolished the imperial system and made himself the most important person. His friendship is outstanding, and no one would admire him.Huan is old in the sea today, the relationship is the longest, and the trust is deep, so the love of the husband is also the most sincere since the next. The imperial system was abolished, but the movement to protect the country and oppose Yuan was still raging, and the wind of independence became more and more fierce.Yuan Shikai was worried. He was bored in Jurentang, silent all day long, thinking angrily in his heart: "Don't you agree with the monarchy? I abolished the monarchy. You elected the president. You still want to protect the country. What kind of country are you protecting?" Xu Shichang was also worried, and he was also silent all day long in the Zhengshitang.A month ago, Chinese people compared him to Yan Guang in the Eastern Han Dynasty, saying that he would rather not be an "advising doctor" but hide in "Fuchun Mountain".Now, isn't he back again? He is still Yuan Shikai's pillar, and Chinese people naturally have other comments.Xu Shichang is not afraid of commenting, he is afraid that all parties and things will not be properly handled, and he is afraid that there will be trouble again.Xu Shichang still wants to serve Yuan's world, and he wants to hold on to his strength to deal with the crisis. The first person Xu Shichang thought of was Duan Qirui, and he nodded reassuringly.The conversation in Duan Qirui's blacksmith camp showed his unswerving loyalty to Yuan. Now, Yuan Shikai has returned the Ministry of War to him, so he can rest assured.The second person he thought of was Feng Guozhang.Although he can only be regarded as a dog among the "Three Heroes of Beiyang", he is still indispensable for guarding the household. Besides, he is currently the governor of Jiangsu, and he has a strong team under him. He was the one who regained Nanjing lost by Zhang Xun the year before last. .Xu Shichang thought, "If this person can be as loyal to Yuan as Duan, he will not be afraid of chaos in the world." So, on the day Xu Shichang was reinstated, he sent an urgent telegram to Feng Guozhang: The head of state (referring to Yuan Shikai) abolished the monarchy in order to calm things down and put people at ease. If anyone does not understand this and seeks independence, he will kill himself and should be punished.And my comrades should also work hard to defend the Central Committee together. Although Xu Shichang tried his best, the world of the Yuan family was still in chaos: the Cai E uprising in Yunnan was already a prairie source; the independence of Sichuan and Hunan by Chen Huan and Tang Xiangming affected the entire Southwest; Liu Cunhou also rebelled.Beijing dispatched Cao Kun, Zhang Jingyao, Feng Yuxiang, etc. to conquer, and the results were mixed, with little effect; Lu Rongting asked for orders to fight against Yunnan, but in the end he turned against Yuan Shikai's Long Jinguang... The current situation is full of troubles, Xu Shichang There was nothing I could do.He had to rush to Jurentang in Zhongnanhai, met Yuan Shikai, and said tearfully: "Wei Ting, please forgive my elder brother for his incompetence. I really have no way to calm down the current chaos, but please dismiss me." Yuan Shikai also saw the seriousness of the current situation, and originally planned to lead his own troops to march south, but he was afraid that he would lose sight of the other.Now, "Xiangguo" is about to resign again. What can we do in such a chaotic situation? He frowned for a long time before saying, "The situation is like this. You can all go away. What about me? Where am I going?" Looking at Yuan Shikai With that sad and desolate look, Xu Shichang softened his heart: "Yes, everyone has left, what should Yuan Weiting do?" After a moment of silence, he said: "I don't want to just leave, it is really incapable of command and dispatch. Generals, most of them belong to Zhiquan's subordinates, I think, if Zhiquan can form a cabinet with the head of the land, it will not be embarrassing." Yuan Shikai thought for a while, and there was no other way, so he nodded, "That's the only way." So Xu Shichang resigned as Secretary of State after only 30 days. However, although Yuan Shikai announced that Duan Qirui would form a cabinet, Duan Qirui did not take office. He was afraid that Yuan Shikai would set another trap, leaving him with no way out.Another night, he went to the blacksmith camp again.Seeing that Duan Qirui was different from the previous time, Xu Shichang knew the influence of Yuan Shikai's repeated clouds and rains on his heart, so he said: "The current situation should be cleaned up urgently, and there is no other intention to comfort the court. Zhiquan should take office as soon as possible, and try to save him." Difficult times." Duan Qirui said: "Ju Shuai handed over the big job to Zhiquan, Zhiquan should be a confidant. However, Zhiquan also hopes that Ju Shuai will stay in the cabinet, so that I can listen to him at any time." Xu Shichang shook his head and said: "If you are not in your position, you will not seek your own government. What's more, with your Zhiquan talent, why worry about the situation not being able to calm down. I am by your side, but it is a handicap. In addition to being sick, I also want to Take a good rest." After a short pause, he added: "When Zhiquan takes office as the cabinet this time, we must bear in mind that the Beiyang group must not be dismantled. The strength of the Beiyang group can guarantee the court's prestige and relieve the long-held suspicion of the Democratic Party! Once Beiyang is split , Wei Ting and we will all be embarrassed." "Ju Shuai's teaching, Zhiquan has memorized it." Duan Qirui said, "I will come to learn in time if I encounter difficulties in the future." Xu Shichang didn't say yes or no, but thought in his heart: "I will leave Beijing quickly, and I will never be found again." Sure enough, after the position of Secretary of State was handed over to Duan Qirui, Xu Shichang's blacksmith's private house no longer opened the door. Xu Shichang thanked Ren again and returned home. He really wanted to never become an official and stick to his hometown.The officialdom is already cold, and he himself has no special hobbies. He never even cares about food and drink, and he pays more attention to abstinence.Because he had no son, he had taken two concubines, but he still had no heirs. When his family tried to persuade him to take a concubine, he shook his head and refused.When he returned home this time, he wanted to spend his old age peacefully with his family. On the night of returning home, Xu Shichang had dinner with his family—this was a reunion that he hadn’t seen in many years. Because he was busy with work, he always ate alone—he especially left his wife, concubine and daughter behind, and said to them: "Today's weather is very pleasant, and the moon is also fine. Let's talk about homework, shall we?" They don't even eat together often, and of course the family members have less time to talk freely, and they seem to be emotionally estranged. Of course, everyone is happy to have this opportunity to get together.First, the aunt Shen Rong slapped her hands and responded, "Okay, okay! A family must live happily and keep silent all day long, as if someone owes someone two hundred dollars. My stomach is full!" Mrs. Chen is a virtuous oriental woman. She usually speaks little, but seeing her husband relaxed and happy, she also said: "Master is no longer an eunuch, and there will be more days of heart-to-heart talks in the future. Let's talk about what you have kept in your stomach. Lest you become ill in the future." Xu Hui, a ten-year-old daughter, clapped her little hands and said, "It's great to watch the moon every day and talk to each other every day!" Xu Shichang was a quiet man all his life, he never said anything abruptly, he didn't even like to say a joke, his face was serious all day long, his eyes were deep and slow, as if he had a lot of worries on his heart, even if his family members and followers did something wrong He never scolded anything.Now, he was the one who offered to watch the moon and have a heart-to-heart talk with his family, so naturally he had to change his attitude.So, he smiled and said: "Family reunion, heart-to-heart talk is to talk about what is happy in your heart, but not as a way to vent your anger. If you are angry, you can choose another place to talk. I will not be the overlord, so I can talk about anything." Everyone said Nod and smile. Family members who haven't met for a long time to talk heart-to-heart, once they get together, they are not used to talking heart-to-heart. Besides, where to start? No one knows.After a few words, the gathered family members were silent. The moonlight is like frost, the breeze is gentle; the treetops are shaking, the bamboo shadows are shaking, the courtyard is quiet, the small restaurant is quiet, the silence is disturbing.Only now did Xu Shichang realize that happiness in the family is not so easy to find.He also felt suffocated and irritated.So, he smiled and said: "I have lived in silence for a long time, and it is not so easy to break it all at once. Let's change it slowly in the future." The head of the family put on an attitude of "stop fighting and stop fighting", and everyone felt very uncomfortable.What a rare opportunity, why did it go without saying a word, how can we get together again in the future?It was Shen Rong who had the courage to speak up. "It's a pity not to appreciate such a beautiful moonlight! The whole family is gathered together, how can we have nothing to say? Let me ask you a question first, and ask everyone to make a fuss, so it will be active." "Create a question, make a fuss?" Xu Shichang shook his hand, "That's all, that's all. What are you doing in such a Confucian atmosphere?" "Before my questions came out, the master said that the Confucianism is heavy, how do you know that I have a Confucianism question?" Shen Rong said unconvinced. After Shen Rong married into Xu's family, she opened a private school with another aunt and hired a famous Confucianist. Now, she is also proficient in many poems and articles.Xu Shichang thought that she wanted to take the opportunity to show off her talents, but when she heard her rebuttal, he said again: "Okay, I'm going to learn about your unruly subject." Shen Rong straightened her bangs hanging on her forehead, and said, "My first question is: What is the biggest and most important thing we should do in Xu Residence? Please tell us." This is a problem that seems so big and boundless that even Xu Shichang is a little dumbfounded.Everyone pondered for a while, and spoke one after another. Some said they would return to their hometown after Xie Guan, some said they would hire people to do business in Beijing, some said they would go to Qingdao on the seaside for the elderly, some said they would go to Hui County to raise cattle, and some said that the whole family would travel to the mountains and rivers. … Shen Rong shook her head and denied each one. Xu Shichang smiled, "The chief examiner asked a wrong question, and all the students couldn't answer, so they were willing to leave the stage. Do you want the chief examiner to reveal one or two answers?" Shen Rong smiled, "That's not a side question, everyone has it in their hearts, but they just don't want to say it clearly." "What did you say!" "It's very simple." Shen Rong stood up, cleared her throat, and said, "The biggest problem in our house right now is the loss of a son! What should we do? Everyone can think of a way." When this matter was mentioned, the whole family fell silent.Yes, Xu Shichang's one wife and two concubines only gave birth to two daughters, and he has no successors, which is not the biggest thing in the family.However, Xu Shichang was lonely by nature and was tired of taking concubines. Although he was mentioned earlier, he refused repeatedly.Now, this concubine brought it up again, and he waved his hand immediately as before. "That's it, that's it! Xiaorong's painstaking efforts, I accept it, thank you. Don't mention it anymore, there is no need to mention it. Now, the whole world is in a democratic republic, women The status will be improved at the same time, and soon men and women will have the same power, I think, all my daughters will be promising. Talk about other topics, and go back to your room to rest if there are no other topics." A rare family reunion ended hastily like this, but there was a stone on everyone's heart.After all, China is China. "There are three ways to be unfilial, and there are no descendants to be great" covering tens of thousands of families - including the royal family, clan relatives, and civil and military officials. It's not that Xu Shichang doesn't want to, but many things that are bigger than family matters weigh on him. , so that he has no time to do this. The matter of taking concubines and having children was put aside, but Xu Shichang decided on another matter: he led the whole family to leave Beijing and move to Hui County, Henan. he wants to be a dove of peace Returning to Xu Shichang in Huixian County, Henan Province, he received a telegram from Yuan Shikai before he opened his luggage: "Deadly, come to Beijing quickly!" Yuan Shikai was ill.The failure of the imperial system made him sick from grief and anger, and he couldn't afford to get sick. A commoner Kundi confessed his funeral.Chang returned to Beijing overnight and went straight to Jurentang.Ju Ren Tang in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, was quiet, and the guards seemed to be like clay sculptures and wood carvings, and the trees, flowers and plants were not moving at all. Xu Shichang walked upstairs with heavy steps, towards Yuan Shikai's bedroom.Several doctors were diagnosing Yuan Shikai, and the family members and officials accompanying him stood with their heads bowed.When Xu Shichang came in, everyone turned their attention and shouted "Ju Shuai!" Xu Shichang approached the hospital bed, leaned down, and softly called: "Comfort." Yuan Shikai opened his tired eyes and saw that it was Xu Shichang. Shocked and wanted to sit up, Xu Shichang hurriedly supported him with his hands. "Don't move!" Yuan Shikai sighed deeply and closed his eyes slightly. After a while, he opened his eyes again, and then he stretched out his hand and waved at the crowd, signaling them to go out! The family members and officials all withdrew, and finally , the doctor also withdrew.Yuan Shikai stretched out his hands and held Xu Shichang's hand tightly, shaking it without saying a word, Xu Shichang also held his hand tightly. From the corners of Yuan Shikai's eyebrows, two lines of tears flowed out.Xu Shichang also felt the corners of his eyes moist. After a long time, Yuan Shikai opened his tearful eyes and said out of breath: "If you don't listen to brother's words, you will have today." Knowing that Yuan Shikai's illness was serious, Xu Shichang asked while consoling him, "Wei Ting, we are the only two brothers here. If you have anything to say, please speak up. I believe the elder brother will handle it well." Yuan Shikai nodded slightly.Jing Jingshen said: "Brother Ju, please do more. Song Qing (Li Yuanhong's word Song Qing) and Zhiquan are in charge of state affairs, but family affairs. I am afraid that my son will be mistreated, so I dare to entrust my brother and ask my brother to take care of me." Preside over my funeral." After saying that, he closed his eyes again, tears streaming down his face.Xu Shichang held Yuan Shikai's hand and just nodded -- the relationship between Xu Shichang and Yuan Shikai was too unusual. Don't look at him usually speaking harshly to his family and friends, but he solemnly taught Yuan Shikai's sons, and he was serious; Yuan Keding and others Although the juniors all behave arrogantly and recklessly, they are very respectful to Xu Shichang.Yuan's family had no details, so he often asked Shichang for advice, and Xu Shichang always knew everything.Last year, Yuan Shikai's second son, Kewen, traveled to the south and spent nearly 600,000 yuan on one visit.Xu Shichang was so angry that he tapped his shin with his stick, and Yuan Kewen had to honestly confess his guilt on his knees.Therefore, when Yuan Shikai was dying, he competed to "Tuogu" to him, Xu Shichang agreed to Yuan Shikai, Yuan Shikai nodded in relief, closed his eyes and said nothing. The anti-Yuan movement came one after another, independent provinces, from south to north.Although Yuan Shikai's condition worsened day by day, all kinds of bad news came one after another.When he heard that his cronies Chen Huan, Chen Yushi and Tang Xiangming had also carried him away, they were heartbroken, screamed loudly, vomited blood and died.It was 6 am on June 6, 1916, and Yuan Shikai was 58 years old. Yuan Shikai's funeral was presided over by Xu Shichang. At this time, Li Yuanhong succeeded as President and Duan Qirui as Premier of the State Council.The State Council allocated 500,000 silver dollars for the funeral expenses. According to the Emperor’s Funeral Ceremony Order, the civil and military organs will fly at half-staff for 27 days. Civil and military officials and the army will wear mourning (black gauze around the arm), and the banquet will be suspended for 27 days, and folk music and performances will be suspended for 7 days. .Finally, he was buried in Huan Shang Village, Zhangde, Henan. After Yuan Shikai's funeral was over, Xu Shichang didn't want to go to Beijing anymore. He thought it was a particularly "severely cold" area. "A person like Yuan Weiting who calls the wind and rain will die in the wind and rain in the end, so what can we do?" He returned to Hui County.Back to the village with bamboo and water at the foot of Baiquan Mountain, where "Wei Shi looks at Qi'ao, Xiao Zhuyi, sings about the prosperity of water and bamboo, but they are all good at it".There, he moved canals, cleared water, built bridges and ponds, built houses and houses, named his village "Shuizhu Village", wrote his nickname "Shuizhu Village People", and engraved a blue jade stamp with the inscription: "Silver shoes and cloth socks from now on" means that they will be ordinary people in this field forever.At this time, Xu Shichang was 61 years old.