Chapter 7 Chapter VIII Grand Ceremony and Long Burial

In the reception room downstairs of his Jurentang office, Yuan Shikai had a long private conversation with Zhang Zuolin, who came from the northeast, and was a little excited.However, as soon as Zhang Zuolin left, he became troubled.Annoyed and a little angry, "How can I meet him in the living room?" He asked himself. Since the Qing royal family gave up Zhongnanhai.After Yuan Shikai moved in from his old residence, Iron Lion Alley, as the interim president, the upstairs of Ju Ren Tang became his living room, and the downstairs was his office and reception room.However, this reception room is not for ordinary guests, but distinguished guests and close friends; there is also a reception room in the front yard of Ju Ren Tang, called "Dayuan Jingzhong", which is for ordinary guests.Zhang Zuolin's military position at that time was only a division commander, and when he was seen in the "big circle mirror", he was already a "enjoyment". Yuan Shikai made an exception and invited him to the reception room of Ju Ren Tang.It can be seen that Zhang Zuolin's "preferential treatment" is over.Zhang Zuolin is not satisfied with this "excellent treatment".During the conversation, his eyes were always fixed on the antique objects in Doborg; among the playthings was a woolen box, in which were four spring gold watches, each with a round bead around it, and enamel burners on the back. characters.Zhang Zuolin seemed to be fascinated, his eyes fixed on him and he couldn't leave.Seeing this situation, Yuan Shikai was very unhappy. "Zhang Yuting really has never seen the world!" But then he thought again: "I'm about to become a big man. I have to win people's hearts. What is a plaything? Give it to him!" Yuan Shikai took out the wool box and gave it to him. Zhang Zuolin.When Zhang Zuolin left Jurentang with that toy, Yuan Shikai suddenly felt distressed: "A person like Zhang Yuting, who sees wealth and fame, won't fight for the world when he gains power?"

Just when Yuan Shikai was worried about Zhang Zuolin, someone came to report: "The ladies in the backyard are making a scene again. Please go and have a look!" Yuan Shikai's brows added several layers of wrinkles. For those who are personally sealed, when the time comes, an edict will be announced, which will be a great gift.Unexpectedly, the seal of this family did not go well.First of all, this "Prince" is difficult to seal.Yuan Keding is the eldest son, so the "Prince" should belong to him.However, Yuan Keding played with leather when he was a child, and once broke his leg while riding a horse in Zhangde; he often wore a glove on his left hand because he did not have thick leather.Yuan Shikai said that he "is not complete in six senses" and cannot "go down to heaven".Going to decide on one of the third or fifth.This matter is not over, and there is another issue of concubine concubine and concubine concubine.In addition to one official wife, Yu Shi, Yuan Shikai also had nine concubines, although the fourth and seventh concubines were dead at this time.After all, there are seven more.No one dares to fight for Yu's title as "the empress of the palace". Yuan Shikai wanted to designate the first, second, third, and fifth as "concubines" for the seven, and the sixth, eighth, and ninth as "concubines".Unexpectedly, because of this incident, they made a big fuss.First, the Sixth Aunt took the lead, and she publicly declared: "If I don't become a concubine, I will take the child to Zhangde and never enter the palace!" Gao, why are they allowed to be concubines? We just want to be concubines? Don’t want this concubine, and go to become a nun together with Sixth Sister!”

When Yuan Shikai arrived at the inner house, the wives were making a fuss.The fifth concubine Yang Shi from Yangliuqing, Tianjin, who is known as a talented housekeeper and is very popular with Yuan Shikai, wanted to use her prestige as a "peacemaker". , you are all concubines, you can call me whatever you like. Is that okay?" Sixth Aunt Tai usually refused to accept Yang's anger, curled her mouth, and said, "Fifth Sister, don't speak sarcasticly. You have a child who doesn't cry in your arms. Who doesn't understand that one day, the eldest one will lie down. The seat is not yours yet. What are we? What can we do? Where will we go if we don't return to Zhangde?"

Yuan Shikai was furious.Standing among his concubines, he said loudly, "Shut up all of you! You all have to go back to Zhangde, and wait to send my coffin back together!" This family strife has finally settled down for the time being. After all, Yuan Shikai is Yuan Shikai, no matter what wind blows in China, no matter how the struggle in Zhongnanhai, no matter Duan Qirui, Feng Guozhang and others betrayed relatives, the determination to be emperor is determined, and he decided to hold the ascension ceremony on December 13, 1915. ceremony. The city of Beijing is boiling again.The depressed streets and alleys gradually became lively.The most obvious ones are pawnshops and consignment shops. Whether they are located in the bustling downtown or in the remote alleys, almost every family is thriving and their business is booming.Many people have a strong interest in court clothes and crown belts, and a rush to buy them quietly rises.After the little emperor was ousted from power, the Republic of China was established and the republic prospered. No one missed the boa robes, jade belts and black hats anymore.Who would have thought that President Yuan was going to become Emperor Yuan, and those rags came at the right time! There is still a way for the elderly who are expected to clean up the house, the old clothes are still there, just dig out of the box, bounce the dust, and bask in the sun That's enough; those Beiyang old people, the upstarts voted by the Revolutionary Party, and some sentient beings who have a hunch that they are qualified to "join the cabinet" are so distressed that they can't go on a "pilgrimage" in suits and shoes.It was too late to do it, so I had to go to the pawn shop to find clothes for valuation.Some people who "have nowhere to borrow and have nowhere to go" even go to the theater troupe for help.

Yuan Shikai was too tired.In the past two years since he took office as interim president, he has racked his brains for power, status, and everything for himself. Can he not be tired?! Less than a month after he took office as president, he was busy ordering the dissolution of the Kuomintang and the expulsion of revolutionaries among members of parliament.Although he was the founder of the Beiyang Army, and the leaders of the Beiyang Army were all his confidantes, he did not trust these people, and set up the Office of the Generalissimo of the Army and Navy with himself as the commander... Stakes, pieces, nothing to worry about! Especially busy recently: what should the emperor do if he wants to be the emperor? It's not difficult, the ancestors have left a wealth of experience, and you can use it from any dynasty or generation .It's just that when Yuan Shikai came, so many people in China were not interested in the ruling party. Not only did they not regard it as "Supreme", they were even unwilling to have him exist.Finally, when a young emperor Xuantong stepped down, it was said that firecrackers were set off for three days and three nights in Beijing alone.Yuan Shikai cried in front of the ancestral tablet one night: "Since I was given the body of an emperor, why didn't I be born two hundred years earlier? One hundred or fifty years is fine. I was born today when the people are against the emperor." I was not born at the right time, and my ancestors will suffer from it in the future. I can’t say that I am incompetent!” That is to say, the dream of the emperor is still immortal. Now, it is about to come true. Although Yuan Shikai is tired, let alone be happy.

It's night. Winter nights in Beijing are cold, and few people walk in the streets and alleys.There were no idlers, not even the sound of hawking.The whole city was quiet and silent. Yuan Shikai paced slowly in the room, his mind was in a mess.First of all, it's family affairs. The concubine's conferment is still pending, and the aunts and wives are making a fuss.Although he suppressed it, something went wrong with the establishment of the crown prince.The eldest son, Yuan Keding, heard that his father did not want to appoint him but wanted to choose one of the second or fifth younger brothers. He immediately said: "If the uncle (Yuan Keding does not call Yuan Shikai "father", change his name to "uncle", that is, uncle. It is said that changing the name can make Yuan Shikai grow up. If you want to make a second brother, I will kill the second brother; if you want to make a fifth brother, I will kill the fifth brother!" So much so that the empress Yu came to him and said, "Our family is going to have blood! , Yuan Shikai didn't believe it, he scolded his wife "nonsense!" But his heart was half cold: "It is possible to cause blood drops.There is no shortage of people and things in this dynasty, and Yongzheng's seizure of the throne is a fact. "

The room was too stuffy, so Yuan Shikai stepped out and looked up at the sky in the courtyard.The sky was covered with thick clouds, and he felt his heart sink.Astrology told him that when the emperors of all dynasties came to power, it was better to have a clear sky, with no clouds in the sky, bright stars, and a prosperous scene.Today, not a single star is visible in the sky.Bad omen! He stood for a long time, half-believing in the resemblance of the stars. "Let it go, I can't leave it to fate, I have to make my own decisions." He puffed out his chest and let out a sigh of relief, and hurried back into the room, before he could sit still, he called "Come on!"

A guard walked in quickly.Before standing on his feet, he first shouted "Master!" and hurriedly changed his voice to "Long live!" Yuan Shikai glanced at him impatiently, and cursed secretly: "Stupid thing! The chief is what I was called when I was transitioning from the president to the emperor. Now, I am going to ascend to the throne and take the high position, why do you still call me the chief?" "He turned his back and said in a muffled voice: "Master Ruan Zhongshu, the envoy and supervisor of the biography." "Internal Envoy Prison?" The guard was confused. He didn't know when an "Internal Envoy Prison" was added to the presidential palace?

It turns out that the "Internal Envoy Prison" was renamed by the President's Office of Secretary.The name change and appointment were determined by Yuan Shikai himself, and have not yet been made public, so the guards do not know.Seeing him in a daze, Yuan Shikai understood.Then he said, "It's that Mr. Ruan who just came from Tianjin." The guard responded with a "Yes!" and withdrew. When Ruan Zhongshu came, he was a little flustered.Standing in front of Yuan Shikai, he didn't even know what to do with a big gift, and he didn't know what to call it.After a long time, he knelt down first, and then shouted: "Your Majesty..." He wanted to say "Long Live", but Yuan Shikai had already said, "You and I have a deep friendship, so there is no need to use this great gift. Fight Your Majesty, do you know what will happen tomorrow? Once the ceremony is over, it will naturally be announced to the whole country. I want to consult with you about the draft of the imperial edict." "Your Majesty," Ruan Zhongshu said confidently, "I have already drafted the draft , only to be reviewed by His Majesty Lombok."

Yuan Shikai smiled: "It's an old copywriter after all!" Then he said: "I know, you are competent. Just read it to me." Ruan Zhongshu cleared his throat, put on his goggles, and read aloud: "By God, the Emperor... "There's no need to start like this." Yuan Shikai shook his hand hastily. "This... this..." Ruan Zhongshu panicked: "The emperor issued an edict, what does it not need to use in accordance with Tiancheng? It has been like this in all dynasties, and this is stipulated by Gang Chang." Incapable of "going beyond" the rules.

"There is no need to pay attention to the form." Yuan Shikai said: "It should be more practical. After all, China has experienced a revolution. We--" he originally wanted to say "our empire today should be different from the empire of the previous dynasty." However, Even he himself can't tell what is the difference between the current empire and the previous empire? Ruan Zhongshu understood his intentions and wanted to evade the past, so he continued to read:... The establishment of a constitutional monarchy is the unanimous request of the people, and the emperor of the Chinese Empire After being selected, there will inevitably be traitors who violate public opinion and do mischief.Here is an edict to the whole country, if anyone dares to oppose Emperor Hongxian, he will be severely punished! Yuan Shikai squinted his eyes, listened, thought about it, and thought it was "appropriate".However, after Ruan Zhongshu finished reading, he still said: "That's it. It's just, um, is it possible to change the imperial edict to the whole country? It can be regarded as adapting to the trend." "Yes, Your Majesty." While Yuan Shikai in Beijing was in full swing preparing to ascend to the throne, Xu Shuzheng was a little upset in Shanghai.Poetry and wine every day, singing and dancing every day, I am also a little tired.He wanted to go out for a walk, where should he go? He hesitated again.There are places to go, but he feels that there is no purpose, and he is afraid that Yuan Shikai will "scheme" him.Yesterday, he got excited and wanted to write.When the four treasures of the study were all ready, he stood up again, paced for a long time, and then hastily recorded a song from that year's "Ode to Begonias in Jinan": Is it morning make-up lazy and black eyebrows, My son's family hates Sonnen; the west wind is not with the crowd, and when it is haggard and speechless, it is alone.After finishing writing, he left it on the case without signature or seal.Paradoxically, he is Facing concubine Shen Dinglan's cursive script, this caused a little "misunderstanding"--Dinglan woke up from a nap, rubbed her sleepy eyes, walked from the bedroom to the desk, and suddenly found her ink was still wet. She also thought vaguely: "Ah, I just wrote? Is it writing, is it when I was with my friends?" She hurriedly shouted: "Shu Zheng, Shu Zheng! Come here." Xu Shuzheng was lazily standing on the corridor outside the room, he heard the call, and answered "what's the matter" first.Then turned around and walked inside. "Come on, how about my handwriting?" "Your?!" Xu Shuzheng was secretly surprised. "When was it written? Why don't I know." "I wrote it while you were taking a nap." "You were also in a dream when I took a nap. Is it a dream?" Ding Lan thought about it, no, she got into the bedroom after leaving the dining table.Just woke up from a beautiful dream, He Zeng wrote.Dinglan frowned.After looking at it for a long time, I understand.She threw herself into Shuzheng's arms and patted him coquettishly: "You are bad, you are so bad! Why did you come to my body? You are so bad that I can't even recognize you. You are bad..." Xu Shuzheng patted him on the back and said, "It's not bad, it's called Mo Ruofu, my wife! I know all about the temperament, charm, and composition of your characters, and I can tell the real from the fake. You see, it's called a tacit understanding." It's easy to understand. You don't want to understand? If you don't want to understand, go back to Beijing..." Shen Dinglan stopped talking, she gently smoothed her messy black hair with an ivory comb, her eyes hesitated - obviously she fell into a kind of deep thought. This is a very caring woman, with grace and talent.She threw herself into Xu Shuzheng's arms and made up her mind to help him with his career.She felt that her wit would be of use to him.However, two years have passed, and the unpredictable political situation in China has made her feel disheartened, and she really wants to take her husband to retire together and live a peaceful life without disputes with the world.Like Xu Shuzheng, she was a person with great ambitions, and after a few days of "calmness", she couldn't calm down anymore.Seeing Xu Shuzheng's handwriting today, while admiring her husband's ever-changing calligraphy, it also aroused her meditation on poetry: "Shuzheng is unwilling to be lonely again. He wants to take advantage of morning makeup to draw eyebrows, and wants to stand against the west wind and be with Qunfang. As a company, I don't want to be looked down upon because of being alone." Dinglan sighed softly, and said, "Shuzheng, I think you've been restless since November 11. Isn't that right?" "Really?" Xu Shuzheng smiled faintly, and said, "I'm numb to everything. It's better to be numb." "Sure enough, it's a good thing to be numb. I'm afraid you're not really numb." After a pause, Shen Dinglan said again: "Don't wrong yourself. Open your mind and be free." After the thoughts blended, Xu Shuzheng said frankly: "Actually, it's not a grievance. If you take everything lightly, you can live comfortably in the small world. For example, there is a beauty like you in this small building." Being by your side is considered a fairy life. However, there is one breath that can't be swallowed: Yuan Xiangcheng's generation, Feng Huafu's generation, and Li Songqing's generation are all incompetent and stupid, but they are superior and fool Wanmin. I have no choice but to accept it. This is the injustice of the world and the misfortune of the nation. If you don't get rid of this generation, you will always feel uneasy." "I knew you were not willing to be quiet." Shen Dinglan said, "Why do you have to be hard on yourself, go out of Shanghai..." "You think so too?!" Xu Shuzheng stood up in surprise, holding Dinglan's shoulders tightly with both hands, "Thank you very much for your kindness." "You're talking nonsense again." Shen Dinglan broke free from Xu Shuzheng, and turned her back: "You treat me like this, what kind of person am I?" "Okay, no thanks, you are my good helper!" Inspired by Shen Dinglan, Xu Shuzheng became restless. "I can't let Yuan Xiangcheng be so rampant." He decided to meet Duan Qirui.Duan Qirui still stayed in Shanghai... This meeting stirred up a lonely and quiet village-- Ten days later. Xu Shuzheng's hometown - Liquan Village in Huangzangyu, Xiaoxian County, with tall white sails and plain lanterns, Xu Shuzheng's surname, men, women, old and young, all dressed in linen and filial piety. Grandmother who died two years ago and father who died nine years ago held a grand funeral ceremony. In Liquan Village, the disasters caused by hail and locusts have long since disappeared.Now there are rows of new houses, lush green trees, and the village has expanded by one or two times compared to the past.The Xu family is a big family and has become a high-ranking official. Over the years, a "Xu Family Courtyard" has naturally formed: a courtyard with five entrances and five exits, a tall square building, a corner lintel painted with black paint, and a courtyard. There are tall sycamore trees growing in the middle; polders are built around the courtyard wall, there is water in the moat all the year round, and the outside of the moat is shaded by trees.The Xu Family Courtyard occupies half of the village.It is an extremely gloomy and mysterious place.Surrounding the Xu Family Courtyard are small courtyards with uneven arrangement, uneven heights, and grass tiles. Some people say, "This is the layout of stars holding the moon". The monks from Huangzangyu also came to save him.The leader is Miaokong, the master's apprentice who was eaten by wolves.Probably, Master Miaokong also wanted to use the prestige of the Xu family to save his mentor, so all the rituals were done very seriously.The wooden fish is clear and loud, and the sutra sound is solemn and stirring, adding a sense of sadness. The Xu family mourning hall is located in the main hall of the last hall of the fifth entrance courtyard. Black gauze is hung, and on the long table are the wooden spirit tablets of Xu Shuzheng's grandmother and father. "; on both sides of the black gauze hangs a huge elegiac scroll signed by Duan Qirui, and the elegiac couplet is: On the left and right walls of the mourning hall, the sound of weeping pine echoes the mourning spring, and the mourning hall is where the prime ministers, heads of ministries, and provinces are located. The banners of the governor, the warlord, down to the general office of the barracks, the general manager, the government, and the heads of the county government.Bamboo curtains are hung at the main entrance of the mourning hall, and a mourning shed is set up outside the gate. Ropes are stretched vertically and horizontally in the courtyard, and strings of white paper balls and lanterns are hung from above.An atmosphere of mourning and desolation. The first one, two courtyards and two courtyards of the fifth entry courtyard were converted into reception halls, with bright and clean windows and smoke from tea and cigarettes.The waiting room in the second entrance courtyard is dedicated to receiving officials, and the right wing of the main hall is the temporary bedroom and reception room of Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng.Outside the gate is patrolled day and night by two personal guards in filial piety.As soon as you enter the courtyard, all the houses are mourning halls. From morning to dusk, the long banquet will not be withdrawn! The local tabloids at the time were surprised to say that Xu's burial "broke the history of funerals in the eight counties of Xu's family!" Xu Shuzheng chose to have a big funeral at this time, in fact, "the drunkard's intention is not to drink".In Shanghai, he negotiated with Duan Qirui "in the name of the funeral, contact the military and political leaders of various factions in the Yangtze River Basin to oppose Yuan." A total of more than 20 military governors, governors, or representatives from China, Shanghai, Fujian, Hubei, Hunan, and Guangdong and Guangxi, and the three northeastern provinces, southwest Yunnan, Guizhou, and northwestern Shaanxi-Gansu provinces all sent condolence messages.Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng were overjoyed. They received support and saw their influence and lineup.Therefore, throwing down the ancestral spirit card, I chatted with dignitaries from all over the world day and night, or tea or cigarettes, or gambling or drinking.Finally, they reached an agreement with the military and political leaders of some provinces: jointly oppose Yuan Shikai's proclaiming emperor and respond to Yunnan.Waiting for an opportunity to carry out the movement to protect the country. Xu Shuzheng returned to Shanghai, and Duan Qirui also went to Beijing, and they still went to live their "hermit" life.Yuan Shikai in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, has the heart of proclaiming the emperor, and he is firm day by day. Seeing that the grand ceremony is about to be held, Xu Shuzheng also feels that the matter is serious.After all, he "served Yuan Shikai for a long time and received great kindness", he did not want to "avoid the punishment of the axe, keep his mouth of loyalty and remonstrance, and violate the righteousness of loyalty and bravery", so he wrote Yuan Shikai again as a member of the army. "Loyal advice" letter.However, Yuan Shikai's ascension to greatness is imminent.Remembering the previous letter, he didn't open the envelope, but just used the ink circle to write the name on the envelope, and sent someone to return it to him.so far.It was Xu Shuzheng who really made up his mind to oppose Yuan. Yuan Shikai's ascension ceremony was held in the hall of Ju Ren Tang in Zhongnanhai. Jurentang in Zhongnanhai has never been a solemn place. Some people say it is neither fish nor fowl.In the past, it was used as a banquet hall for concubines, a living room, and a casino for eunuchs.The most glorious, of course, is today, where Emperor Yuan will hold a grand ascension ceremony.In the hall of Jurentang, there is a dragon case and a dragon seat at the top.The dragon seat was set in front of the dragon case, but there were no guards of honor on both sides, only a few guards who were close to Emperor Yuan usually lined up behind the seat.Those civil and military officials who wanted to compete for favor in front of His Majesty Yuan's imperial court came early and together.These people, some are dressed in court dresses, some gowns and jackets, some are well-armed, some are in suits and leather shoes, and some are in casual clothes. They are of all shapes and sizes, just like a group of good men and women who have crowded into the Daxiong Baobai! Who would believe that, These are the people who are holding a "Grand Ceremony" here! At this time, in the corner of the hall, a few humble figures were chirping: "Is this considered a change of dynasty?" "Why don't you count it?! Forget it. There is a dragon case and a dragon seat." "Why don't you see Huangpi? You don't see Hefei either?" "Feng Huafu wasn't there either." "Don't these people approve of Xiangcheng being emperor?" "God knows?" "So, there's a good show to watch..." Nine o'clock passed before Yuan Shikai came to the hall. As soon as Emperor Yuan appeared, everyone in the hall was surprised—— Yuan Shikai did not wear dragon robes and crowns according to the emperors of the past dynasties, but wore the clothes of Dayuan.However, he was bareheaded.People are guilty of suspicion.Yuan Shikai's marshal's hat is decorated with stacked feathers on the top, which is very majestic. H Ding is.He never wears them.Some people compared it and felt that this marshal hat is much more noble than the Hualing hat given to him by the Qing emperor.Why didn't he wear it? According to his guards, the marshal's hat was the wrong color.Green is quite heavy, so he doesn't wear it. Yuan Shikai stood firmly in the hall, his eyes were dull, and he showed no expression to anyone, standing there like a wooden sculpture. Duan Zhigui was in charge of the Grand Ceremony.He walked toward the middle of the hall.Standing upright, his eyes scanned the scattered crowd.Then he proclaimed loudly: "The emperor has an order, and the gift is simple. Just bow three times, and everything will be avoided!" I don't know if it was because people were flustered, or because the official's "Xuanzhao" was vague, the hall suddenly became chaotic: some people kneeled three times and kowtowed nine times, some bowed deeply with their buttocks kicked up, and some bowed deeply on their chests. Front hemaste.The man in the suit bumped against the head of the man in court clothes, and the man in the mandarin jacket stepped on the feet of the man in casual clothes; the man in the court coat had knocked off his gauze cap before the man in court dress had pulled up his robe; Ouch--" He yelled and cursed. Yuan Shikai was still drunk.He stood in front of the dragon table, smiling with his eyes half closed, holding the armrest of the dragon seat with his left hand, raising his right hand with the palm facing up, nodding to the saluting person constantly, and pretending to support the elders from time to time... .. Probably Yuan Shikai had the determination and preparation to be an emperor, but he lacked the practice of being an emperor. Once he ascended the throne, he would feel unnatural. Living for a long time, in the past, whether standing or sitting, he always straightened his waist and looked straight at the eyes.Now, before the dragon case, on the dragon seat, he looked very reserved.Someone said, "It's quite like the early years when Puyi was carried on the dragon seat, and his expression was tense." Everyone knows.Yuan Shikai has one thing that cannot be separated from him, and that is a rattan walking stick with an iron head on the lower end in his hand.He didn't use this cane to support his body, his body was fine and didn't need support; he used it for self-defense.Whether it is day or night, as long as people hear the sound of "bang bang bang..." knocking on him, they will know it is him.He knocked on it to walk, and he held it up beside him when he sat down.Now, the cane is also gone-is it true that the emperor is not allowed to carry a cane, or will the cane affect the dignity of the emperor? After being cautious for a long time, Yuan Shikai suddenly felt something was wrong.He glanced at the various faces floating in front of him, and felt that something was missing? What was missing? He thought for a while, and a little annoyed: "Why is there no one in the hall shouting long live?" At the beginning (October 10, 1913), when he won the President from the Revolutionary Party, he made a "solemn" oath.He swore an oath to the speaker, also in Zhongnanhai.Yuan Shikai remembered clearly: he, wearing a general uniform, stood upright, recited a piece of oath loudly I swear to be sincere, abide by the Constitution, and perform the duties of the President of the Republic of China. After reading the oath, civil and military officials shouted "Long live!" He thought: "At that time, you all shouted long live." Why don't you say it again today? Change the monarchy and support a constitutional monarchy. If it passed, why didn't you accept it today?" Yuan Shikai wanted to get angry and scold these civil and military ministers.However, he didn't swear, he couldn't swear.How the 1993 national representatives agreed with him from the president to the emperor, he knew best in his heart-because each of them "gifted" five hundred oceans from his treasury.He was afraid that someone would tell the truth on the spot. He was secretly annoyed for a long time, and he blamed himself a bit: "People shouted long live, we have to wait for you to swear an oath—no, after the edict is announced! You have never said that you are ugly, and the ceremony is only announced by the ceremonial officer. How can people cheer What?!J Yuan Shikai hurriedly took out the imperial edict that Ruan Zhongshu had written earlier for him from the pocket of the marshal's uniform, which was changed from "declaring the whole country" to "commanding the whole country". ...a constitutional monarchy is the unanimous desire of the people... The silence of the venue was very quiet, but few people listened.They whispered, whispered, or nodded, or sneered, or surprised, or silent.Everyone knows that the trend of the "National Protection Movement" first started in Yunnan has spread to the whole country, and Yuan Shikai climbed to the throne amidst the whole country's denunciation.Even if you climb up, how long can you stay? People have to think: think about the emperor, but also think about yourself. Yuan Shikai did not observe people's faces and emotions, he wanted to read the "edict" quickly.Even if there are hundreds of important things to do, we have to wait until later. Yuan Shikai's voice in reading the "edict" has not been very loud.Ruan Zhonggou, the drafter of the "edict" standing in the corner, also felt that he was "poor and weak", and he couldn't even make a coherent sentence, and his pronunciation was not accurate. After reading the "edict", he lowered his hands and straightened his chest again, announcing in thick Henan dialect: Take over the throne and change Yuan Hongxian! He stood, waiting for the tsunami of "Long live" in the hall.But, in the end, he slumped down on the Dragon Throne in disappointment.