A Man of Science and Engineering in Troubled Times Wandering in the Late Qing Dynasty

Chapter 506 Anger

The country is now filled with smoke, and the first shot of the Wuchang Uprising hit the Mingmen of the Qing Dynasty.

The Hubei New Army compiled and trained by Zhang Zhidong can be said to be the seeds of revolution.Although Zhang Zhongtang wanted to use this army to serve the imperial court, his approach was too enlightened. The cultural level of the Hubei New Army was several levels higher than that of the Beiyang Army; and in the late Qing Dynasty, all those who studied cultural knowledge wanted to Overthrow the imperial court.

Sow beans and reap melons.

Not only has the Hubei New Army been created, but after many years of management by Zhang Zhidong, Hubei has developed very well.After the revolutionary army captured Wuchang, they found a large amount of cash in the vassal treasury, as well as a large number of weapons in the Hanyang Arsenal and Armory, enough to load and unload several divisions!

The supply of troops in Hubei was not a problem, so the revolutionary army expanded to tens of thousands in just a few days.

It can only be said that although the Wuchang Uprising had a certain degree of contingency, it was definitely inevitable among accidents. Otherwise, it might have failed like the dozens of earlier uprisings.

In addition, Li Yuanhong, "the greatest man of the Republic of China", has been half-promoted and half-decided to become the commander-in-chief of the Hubei military government. Before that, he was only an associate commander (equivalent to a brigade commander).

To explain further, the military system at this time was relatively chaotic. Generally speaking, the highest military unit was called a "town", such as the Six Beiyang Towns.The chief of the town is called Tongzhi, which can be understood as a modern division commander.

The lower level of the town is called "Xie", and the leader of the Xie is called Xie Tong.

The lower level of the association is called "Biao", and the commander is called Biaotong, which is actually the battalion commander.

Li Yuanhong suddenly became the commander-in-chief of the military government from a member of the association, which was a big leap.

But Li Yuanhong himself was unwilling. Before the Wuchang Uprising, he was ordered to arrest the revolutionary party.

However, Li Yuanhong yearned for the Republic and was not an old officer in the traditional sense, so the Revolutionary Party decided to elect him as the governor through the Consultative Bureau.

It is said that Li Yuanhong desperately wanted to distance himself from the Revolutionary Party at first, and repeatedly declined: "I am not a Revolutionary Party, and I cannot be the governor."

Then the revolutionary party put a gun directly to his head and said: "If you are not the governor, I will shoot you to death."

After the news of Li Yuanhong becoming the governor was published, it calmed the hearts of the people in Hubei to a certain extent. Everyone took a look: It turns out that Li Xietong is also a revolutionary party!
As the revolutionary army gained momentum, Li Yuanhong also strengthened his confidence and finally cut off his braids.

He no longer kept silent, but took control of the military and even squeezed out some revolutionaries.

On the other side, the Qing court did not expect Hubei to fall so quickly, and the regent Zaifeng held a meeting in a hurry.

The Prime Minister of the Cabinet, Prince Yikuang of Qing, received a lot of Yuan Shikai's money and immediately stated his position: "I think Yuan Shikai should be reactivated to suppress the Hubei revolution."

Cabinet Associate Minister Na Tong also said: "I also agree that Yuan Shikai should be recalled."

Zaifeng became furious when he heard this: "Apart from Yuan Shikai, is there no one in my court? Yinchang, can you lead the troops?"

Yinchang, the Minister of War in the cabinet, replied: "I am willing to lead the army to suppress the rebels."

Zaifeng was very satisfied and called his younger brother Zaitao over: "You also led an army to Hubei to suppress it."

Zai Feng intended for his younger brother to perform meritorious service, but Zai Tao was only 24 years old and had no experience in leading troops. He only briefly studied in a French military academy.

Zai Tao muttered: "I..."

Zaifeng saw that he was indeed inexperienced, so he said: "Don't panic, there is a third group led by Feng Guozhang."

Zaifeng somewhat wanted to take this opportunity to play power, so he still gave Feng Guozhang of the Beiyang Department a position in the three-way army. But if he had merit, he could "reward according to merit" when the time comes.

The three armies were all drawn from the six towns of Beiyang, with Yinchang as the president's leader.

The route that Zai Tao was responsible for did not go to the front line, but guarded the Gyeonggi area.

If we really want to fight, we still have to rely on Feng Guozhang.

But Zaifeng never expected that Feng Guozhang had received a secret order from Yuan Shikai, which contained only six words: "Go slowly and wait and see."

This secret order not only took effect on Feng Guozhang's route, but also was fully implemented on the route directly commanded by Yin Chang.

Therefore, Yinchang could not command the army on the first day.

At this time, the Qing army in Hubei was completely unable to hold on. Zaifeng's head was bigger than a watermelon, so he had to send Yinchang to declare the imperial edict to activate Yuan Shikai.

Xiangcheng, Henan.

Early in the morning, Yuan Shikai first read the telegram sent by Feng Guozhang and said to himself: "Li Yu's wireless telegraph machine is really a good thing. You can know the movements of the DPRK at any time in your hometown."

The fifth aunt, Mrs. Yang, called to him: "Master, the chicken shredded noodles are ready."

Yuan Shikai came to the restaurant and ate a large bowl of noodles and six boiled eggs in one go. He said with satisfaction in the Henan dialect he had spoken fluently for the past three years: "This noodle is perfect!"

Yuan Gongbao loved to eat pasta, but the noodles he ate were unusual. They were tribute noodles from the Song Dynasty. They were "as thin as silk, with strong tendons and refreshing taste, resistant to cooking and non-sticky, and the color is as clean as silver." It was the best noodle.

What's even more rare is that although the gong noodles are already very thin, each one still has micropores and the core is like a tube. The craftsmanship is very exquisite.

After eating, Yuan Shikai took a leisurely walk in the courtyard.

At this time, Yinchang came in with the imperial edict: "Master Yuan, the imperial edict has arrived."

When Yuan Shikai saw him, he chuckled and said, "Master Yin, you know that I have a bad leg. I can't kneel down."

Yinchang's face was a little ugly, but he didn't dare to offend him now, so he read the imperial edict directly: "With Yuan Shikai as the governor of Huguang, he will lead the army into Hubei and suppress the rebels without delay."

After finishing reading, Yinchang helped Yuan Shikai sit on the chair and pretended to be concerned: "In the past three years, has Gong Bao's foot condition gotten better?"

Yuan Shikai sighed and said: "My foot is too chronically ill and I really can't serve the court."

When Yuan was dismissed, Zaifeng cited foot problems as an excuse. Yuan Shikai was obviously mocking him now.

Yinchang said quickly: "Gongbao, don't worry about the past."

But Yuan Shikai knew it and asked: "General, you will definitely win with your army in attacking Wuchang this time, right?"

Yinchang smiled awkwardly and avoided the topic and said: "The former governor of Huguang, Ruicheng, ran away immediately. He is really not the material to do things! You have to rely on palace security to get out! It was I who went to the regent to intercede and let you come back as governor." of."

Yuan Shikai looked at Yinchang like a fool. Are you kidding? Now everyone knows that Hubei has been lost, but the court has made me the governor of a place that has been lost. Isn't it obvious that they want me to be a gunman?

Could it be that he wanted to play the trick that Emperor Zhou promised Fanyi's land to Qin and let them do it themselves?

But the court's approach was really clumsy. It came up with such a bad idea and really didn't want to serve.

Moreover, Ruicheng is exactly the same as some Manchu ministers who fled during the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and the Opium War.

Yuan Shikai finally figured out the details of the imperial court, so he had time to say: "Thank you so much, Mr. Yin, the emperor's kindness is so great! But look at my feet, I can't move them!"

Yinchang thought he was resenting his dismissal, so he said: "With the national crisis now, don't worry about the past. Gongbao, the soldiers only listen to you, so just go out."

Yuan Shikai thought to himself, since the imperial court knew that I was the only one who could mobilize the Beiyang Army, why was it only willing to give it to a small governor of Huguang?

At the time, he was the governor-general of Zhili and the minister of Beiyang, and he was a military officer.

He sneered and said: "Ashamed. You are so powerful as a general and you have the emperor's decree. How can the soldiers be disobedient? This is a good opportunity for you to show off!"

Yin Chang still wanted to speak, but was interrupted by Yuan Shikai: "Master Yin, please come back."

Yinchang finally left Yuan Shikai's house helplessly.

After he left, Yuan Shikai, who had been limping just now, immediately walked quickly and looked full of energy.

A national crisis?It's your national crisis in Aixinjueluo. For me, Yuan Shikai, it couldn't be better.Haha, help?It's impossible to help!
Unless, raise the price a bit.Need more money!

-

After hearing Yinchang's report, Zaifeng became even more angry, but he couldn't express it at all, so he had to ask Prince Qing Yikuang to contact Xu Shichang.

As the No. [-] figure in Beiyang, Xu Shichang certainly understood Yuan Shikai's thoughts. After hearing Prince Qing's request for Yuan Shikai to come out, he smiled and said: "I can help, but I can't convince him without something heavy."

The court had no choice but to do so, and Prince Qing said helplessly: "As long as I can provide it, I will not refuse it."

Xu Shichang smiled and said: "I know what the prince said."

Xu Shichang immediately took a train to Xiangcheng to meet Yuan Shikai: "Gong Bao, your wish is about to come true. Tell me, what do you want?"

Yuan Shikai smiled slightly: "Then you must remember it carefully."

At the court the next day, Xu Shichang, who had returned from Henan, came out to report: "To the regent, Yuan Shikai said that if he is allowed to leave the mountain, he must agree to his five demands."

Zaifeng said coldly: "It's a lot to ask for, so tell me."

Xu Shichang said: "The first item is that Yuan Shikai demands the immediate establishment of a constitution and the convening of Congress."

Zaifeng said: "With his words, I'm already sure."

This was just an appetizer. Xu Shichang continued: "The second item is that Yuan Shikai asked the emperor to issue an imperial edict to confess his guilt. Although the emperor was young and ignorant, the regent who assisted him was guilty."

The veins on Zaifeng's forehead popped out and he yelled angrily: "Nonsense! Since I took over as regent, I have been diligent and caring for the people. What crime can I commit?"

Xu Shichang, like an expressionless answering machine, continued: "Yuan Shikai's original words are that in the past three years, the imperial dignitaries have been in power and violated the ancestral system; and officials have extorted people's wealth in every possible way, but have not accomplished anything that benefits the people. ; From the imperial court to local governments, there is really no one who abides by the law among the officials!"

Yuan Shikai was not prepared to give any face to Zaifeng. At the same time, he belittled the entire royal cabinet and paved the way for him to use people from the Beiyang department.

After all, it is your Aixinjueluo family who has been in power these past three years, and it is all your fault that things got messed up.

Zaifeng was so angry that he gritted his teeth and said to Xu Shichang: "Xu Shichang, are you going to declare war on me?"

Xu Shichang remained calm and said: "Yuan Shikai said so about the regent. Moreover, there are two things I didn't mention, namely pardoning the revolutionary party, implementing freedom of speech; and...reforming the cabinet."

Yuan Shikai's five points are each more cruel than the other.

Hearing the last few words, Prince Qing Yikuang felt his heart bleed: Could it be that Yuan Shikai wanted to reshuffle the court?

But he was the one who protected the appointment of Yuan Shikai, so he said with tears: "I am willing to give up the post of Prime Minister of the Cabinet."

Even the royal cabinet spoke. Zaifeng suddenly felt like a deflated rubber ball and asked dejectedly: "Who does Yuan Shikai want to use to form the cabinet?"

Xu Shichang pulled out a piece of paper from his sleeve: "Please take a look at it, the Prince Regent."

Zaifeng snorted: "It's actually ready."

He looked at the list and almost lost his temper.

Yuan Shikai’s proposed cabinet list is:

Prime Minister of the Cabinet: Yuan Shikai
Minister of Foreign Affairs: Liang Dunyan
Minister of Civil Affairs: Zhao Bingjun
Minister of Duzhi: Yan Fansun
Minister of Academic Affairs: Tang Jingchong
Minister of War: Wang Shizhen
Lord of the Admiralty: Sa Zhenbing
Minister of Justice: Shen Jiaben
Minister of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce: Zhang Jian
Minister of Postal Communications: Yang Shiqi
Minister of Lifan: Dashou

This list is full of "Yuan content", and they are basically direct descendants of Yuan Shikai.

Except for Sa Zhenbing and the Minister of Lifan Yuan Dashou, they are all Han.

Sa Zhenbing is Mongolian, but he also belongs to the Beiyang family.

As for the Minister of Lifan, he was originally responsible for handling ethnic minority affairs. It was reasonable to find a Manchu Dashou, and besides, this person had little energy.

In short, Yuan Shikai had all the power in his own hands.

Zai Feng's younger brother Zai Xun scolded: "They are simply asking for high prices and taking advantage of the situation. Does he, Yuan Shikai, want to monopolize military and political power?!"

He guessed correctly.

Xu Shichang said calmly: "Please ask the regent to make a decision."

Zai Feng's eyes were about to spit out fire, and he said word by word: "I promise! Let him come to the capital for me as soon as possible!"

Xu Shichang lowered his head and said: "I will send a telegram now."

The next day, Yuan Shikai, who suddenly recovered from his leg disease, took all the new cabinet members to the Forbidden City.

Zaifeng looked at Yuan Shikai who was beaming with joy, and said with anger: "Yuan Shikai, I order you to lead troops to exterminate the rebels immediately!"

Yuan Shikai had been waiting for three years and was not in a hurry at all. He stood there and said: "Please abdicate the throne, Prince Regent."

As soon as these words came out, the air in the entire court instantly froze, and everyone looked at Zaifeng and Yuan Shikai in unison.

Zaifeng was stunned for a few seconds. He didn't expect that Yuan Shikai would kill him on his first day out of the mountain!
He clapped his hands, trying to ease the quiet atmosphere, and then said: "The fox's tail is finally exposed! I think you not only want me to step back, but you also want the Queen Mother to step down?!"

Yuan Shikai continued to say unhurriedly: "The Empress Dowager is the supreme master of our Qing Dynasty and the true king of a country. From now on, my new cabinet must consult the Empress Dowager for instructions on all major matters."

Yuan Shikai's political skills were much stronger than Zaifeng's, and this move of Empress Dowager Lalongyu to step on Regent Zaifeng was very lethal.

Although he knew that Yuan Shikai was trying to drive a wedge between himself and Zaifeng, Longyu was still very pleased after hearing this.

Zaifeng pointed at Yuan Shikai and cursed: "You are rebellious!"

Yuan Shikai was confident. No matter what, he had to get rid of Zaifeng, otherwise he would still be just a gun that the court could use whenever he thought of it, and he would be ruthlessly abandoned in the future.

Yuan Shikai said: "The country is so corrupt, Prince Regent, can't you see it?"

Zaifeng looked around, but no one dared to stand up and speak. The situation seemed to be completely controlled by Yuan Shikai. At this time, he finally felt like he was leading a wolf into the house.

Yuan Shikai added fuel to the fire: "My new cabinet protects our Qing Dynasty. If the regent goes out of office, our Qing Dynasty will still be there! One is the Qing Dynasty and the other is the throne. You can only have one regent, choose."

Zaifeng looked back at Longyu, who was holding Puyi on the dragon throne. She looked at the fight in the court with a lively look.

Zaifeng knew that he had completely lost, so he could only say harsh words to Yuan Shikai: "Yuan Shikai, today I, the Qing Dynasty, are only temporarily using you. One day, I will give you a good coffin!"

Yuan Shikai said: "Prince Regent, you have seen that I, Yuan Shikai, am tall, short, fat and thin. The size of the coffin given to me must be measured, and there should be no deviation. If it is too big, it is a waste of materials. It may not only contain the Prince Regent, but also the coffin." We have the Qing Dynasty!"

At this time, Yuan Shikai seemed to be a minister who was about to usurp the throne in ancient times.

Zaifeng finally couldn't bear it anymore: "I'll kill you now!"

Queen Mother Longyu was so frightened that she quickly broke up the argument: "That's enough! Zaifeng, you, the regent, are of course responsible for the country being like this. When Lafayette died, he said, you should come to me to discuss important matters, but in the past three years, you have always acted arbitrarily! I think you might as well take a break and let Yuan Shikai sort things out first."

Longyu's intention was obvious and he sided with Yuan Shikai.

She probably remembered what her aunt, the Empress Dowager Cixi, did back then. During the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, the Eight Banners could no longer be reused, so they hired Zeng Guofan and a group of Han officials to tide over the difficulties smoothly.

Now Longyu is ready to follow suit.

How wonderful!

(End of this chapter)