The weather in the capital city in December was unbearably cold, and the entire city was shrouded in ice. Not only that, but the streets and alleys were filled with a strong sense of sadness. The Mongols, Manchus, and those who were "loyal in heart"
The elders and survivors are all worried about the current situation in the country. There are also some young and powerful nobles in the court who keep clamoring all day long, but no one has seen them do anything practical.
Whether it is a Japanese newspaper, a British newspaper or a Chinese newspaper, the overwhelming headlines are filled with words like uprising, revolution, and du li. Even though the articles in the newspapers do not explicitly mention the crisis of the Qing court
, but even illiterate women and children could guess that the Qing Dynasty was already in danger.
It is in such a desolate atmosphere that Iron Lion Hutong located in Dongzhimen still presents a lively scene. More than a hundred people come and go from here every day. The data set up specially for Iron Lion Hutong
Telegraph lines and telephone lines are transmitting information almost all the time. Even in the midst of the busy schedule, there are servants who are twisting red lanterns and red scarves at the gate to decorate for the upcoming new spring festival.
After Yuan Shikai took over the position of Prime Minister of the Cabinet, he chose the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yamen in Tieshizi Hutong. Not long after, even the door plaque of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yamen was changed to the words "Cabinet Prime Minister Yamen". In fact, from that day on,
The political core of the Qing court has gradually moved here from the Forbidden City.
In the past, the ministers of the court would go to the Forbidden City to go through the motions as a symbol, but now, no matter whether it is government time or not, as long as there is no call from the emperor, no one will enter the palace anymore, even those young and powerful nobles.
There is nothing they can do. On all major national issues that need to be decided, ministers will only come to the Prime Minister's Office for discussion. Because of this, this dead end becomes more and more lively. Feng Deyi. But he did not know that it was this person who was in the limelight.
The prosperous big shot has been hesitating about one thing during this time. On the one hand, he is nostalgic for the Qing Dynasty, and on the other hand, he is worried that the Qing Dynasty will make trouble for him, just like four years ago.
Although he already has a very clear answer in his heart, Lafayette is no longer here, and today's Qing Dynasty is no longer the Qing Dynasty before. If he loses his life, how can he talk about being loyal to the emperor and serving the country? However, he has the answer in his heart.
It's one thing, but when it comes to making a decision, it's difficult.
When dealing with major military and political affairs, he rarely shows such indecision, but this issue is indeed a knot for him. Three generations of the Yuan family have been loyal to the Qing court. After taking this step, he will bear multiple psychological burdens.
It's a burden, I'm afraid outsiders won't understand the difficulties involved.
Even though the imperial guards had been transferred to Shanxi to suppress the revolution, even though the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty relied on him, and even though foreigners from all over the world voiced their support, Yuan Shikai still often had a sense of crisis. For many people, the most terrifying thing was
It is not the shadow of a snake in a cup, but precisely not the shadow of a snake in a cup.
He didn't want to follow in the footsteps of Li Zhongtang. Once he failed at this step, he would be as doomed as Li Zhongtang, and he would even be saddled with endless scapegoats. Therefore, before he set off from Anyang to the north, he had secretly
The trustee bought a manor in London and deposited two million francs in the Bank of France, so that if things went wrong, he would have a way out.
In the early morning of this day, Yuan Shikai got up very early as usual. He not only had to deal with the national affairs of the conflict between the north and the south, but also cleaned up the mess for the dignitaries in the Forbidden City.
If you can hold on, this city of Beijing has already reached a state of chaos.
Walking into the large room in the south courtyard of the government office with somewhat staggering steps, Yuan Shikai turned around quietly and asked the staff following him: "What day is it today?"
Zhang Yiqi, who was holding a pile of documents in his hands, answered first: "It is already the twelfth day of the winter lunar month, which is also the thirty-first day of the Western calendar."
Yuan Shikai nodded slowly. He was about to say something, but he felt that the words were not important, so he hesitated. He turned around and continued to walk into the room, sitting down behind the mahogany table near the floor-to-ceiling window.
Yang Du and Zhao Bingjun, who were standing behind Zhang Yiyi, looked at each other. Then Yang Du stepped forward and said quietly: "Sir, there is news from Nanjing. Representatives from the seventeen southern provinces just arrived the day before yesterday.
Conclude the congressional election and confirm that Sun Wen will serve as the interim president of the Republic of China."
Yuan Shikai smiled speciously and said teasingly: "Sun Wen really has the courage to sit in this position."
Yang Du saw that Yuan Shikai didn't seem nervous about this matter at all, and couldn't help but feel worried. He hurriedly added: "I have been in contact with Nanjing in the past few days, Mr. Zhang Si, Mr. Tang and the 11th Provincial Councilor
The chief representative has made his attitude clear. As long as the ceasefire in Wuhan can be confirmed first, everything can be discussed later."
Yuan Shikai's face gradually became gloomy, and he said coldly: "Can we discuss everything again? Can the national sports affairs also be discussed again?"
Yang Du was speechless for a moment, then sighed deeply and stepped back. He knew very well that Mr. Gongbao still had too many things in his heart that he couldn't put down.
Zhao Bingjun then stepped forward and said earnestly: "Master Gongbao, even if we sit back and ignore the situation in Nanjing, this matter cannot be delayed for too long. Huafu is still waiting for news from you.
The foreigners are also urging each other very hard. If this continues, sooner or later there will be trouble."
Yuan Shikai said calmly: "Whether they are from the south or foreigners, it is expected that they are anxious now. I think they are not anxious enough, but you are anxious first. Zhi'an, Xizi, what's in your heart
I understand all the calculations, but you should also understand that politics and diplomacy are like doing business. The tighter you stock the goods, the higher the price will be on the market. We must be able to afford it."
Zhao Bingjun still looked worried and sighed: "I'm afraid that the long nights will lead to many dreams."
Yuan Shikai stared at Zhao Bingjun and said slowly: "I have my own sense of control over these matters. I will discuss these matters after I meet with Lang Zhai and Yan Sun in the afternoon."
Zhao Bingjun nodded helplessly, but fortunately Yuan Gongbao finally took action, which made him feel a little relieved.
Yuan Shikai turned to Zhao Bingjun, who had been silent all this time, looked at the thick stack of documents in his hand, sighed secretly and asked: "My lord, what documents are we going to deal with today?"
Although he has to deal with a lot of documents day after day, which would be boring for anyone, but he knows Zhang Yiyi's ability to do things very well. He has been following him for so many years, and he handles the priorities very appropriately.
The documents he personally reviewed must be very important documents. Therefore, even if he was bored, he still had to handle them carefully.
Zhang Yichen said in an orderly manner: "Part of it is the local military affairs, the situation in Shanxi, Rehe and Mongolia that were just sent yesterday, and the other part is the old messages accumulated in the past few days. I guess Lord Gongbao should still make a reply.
That’s it.”
Yuan Shikai nodded slowly, and then said to Zhao Bingjun and Yang Du: "You should go to Prince Qing's Mansion early in the morning and finish the things I told you the day before yesterday. You both go and speak more politely.
, don’t make it seem like I’m repaying kindness with revenge.”
Yang Du and Zhao Bingjun nodded in agreement, then turned and left the big room.
At this time, Zhang Yichen placed the documents on the case in front of Yuan Shikai in the arranged order, but he also picked up an additional document that was originally at the bottom and handed it to Yuan Shikai.