At this time, Xia Shoukang came over from the military staff room next door and saw Yuan Shikai sitting by the window with a look of annoyance on his face. He somewhat guessed something about the situation. He had followed Yuan Shikai for so long, and he had been the President of Xinhuamen since
When he arrived at the Emperor's Secretariat in Xinhua Palace, it was not difficult to guess what Yuan Shikai was thinking. In addition, Duan Qirui had just sent away Duan Qirui, and Duan Qirui came to Yuan Shikai at this time. Naturally, what he was doing was about abdication and restructuring.
this project.
After sighing slightly, Xia Shoukang walked up to Yuan Shikai and said: "Your Majesty, no matter what Premier Duan just said, you still need to take care of yourself right now. Don't worry too much about other trivial matters.
."
Yuan Shikai let out a long sigh and did not immediately take over Xia Shoukang's words. He was silent for a while.
Just when Xia Shoukang thought that Yuan Shikai didn't want to talk much and was about to turn around and leave, Yuan Shikai said in a very slow tone: "How can you not keep some things in mind? I thought that everything was under my control.
, or at least it won’t become as bad as it is now. In the end, I found out that all this was a mistake from the beginning. Everything changed so quickly, so fast, alas, you won’t understand.”
Of course, it was impossible for Xia Shoukang not to understand what Yuan Shikai meant. He followed Yuan Shikai's tone and said: "At this point, it is useless for Your Majesty to worry about this. It is better to think about the bright side. Even if you cannot be the great emperor, as long as you are the emperor of Hubei
As long as the traitor Cao Kun can be captured, His Majesty can still continue to serve as the president. What's more, at this time, it is really necessary to calm down the excitement among the people as soon as possible and not let the public opinion situation get worse. Especially, we must start from Beiyang.
Starting internally, we must give those detained bureaucrats in Yingtai a step to step down."
As soon as Yuan Shikai heard "public opinion" and "Yingtai", his face suddenly became more and more ugly. His hand on crutches couldn't help but use more force, but his body that had been tortured by illness did not have that much strength at all. The more force he used, the harder it became.
He was shaking so much that his whole body was shaking a bit.
"I can't believe that even Liang Shiyi..." Arousing old hatred in his heart, Yuan Shikai always felt that he could not calm down this anger. If it were more than ten years ago when his physical condition was not so bad, he would definitely take tougher or even tougher measures.
What is the most terrible way to teach these ungrateful bastards and "quell their dissatisfaction? Humph, it's really ridiculous. Without me, these people are nothing at all. If they are really eating what's in the bowl and thinking about what's in the pot, their hearts are not enough, their hearts are empty."
It’s not enough!”
For so many bureaucrats in Beiyang to jointly oppose the imperial system, this may be the heaviest blow to Yuan Shikai's heart. Compared with Cao Kun, the National Protector Army and the like, nothing is the betrayal of his cronies around him.
This reflects the seriousness of the situation. Yuan Shikai is not a stupid person, and Xia Shoukang can also see the clues. If these people really oppose the imperial system, they should stand up in groups to oppose it before the imperial system is implemented.
But in fact? Zhu Qiling is the main official of the Imperial Preparatory Office. Zhang Jian did not make any remarks or statements beforehand. Liang Shiyi even guided it front and back, and showed his firm support for the imperial system. However, after the implementation of the imperial system, these talents were like
, they all stood up to oppose it as an afterthought.
If it is because of the incident of the National Protectorate, these people realized that the imperial system was a failed political reform, and it was impossible to realize real democracy or the political interests of these people. Obviously this is just a
It's just an excuse, because everyone knows that the initial momentum of the National Protective Army was not serious at all, and even very few people in Guangdong and Guangxi supported the National Protective Movement. It was entirely because of the subsequent internal conflicts in Beiyang that the National Protective Army was
It was able to take a breather and develop to this day.
Even today, the National Defense Army is still second to Hankou in terms of momentum and has not achieved success at all.
Because of this, Yuan Shikai realized that people like Liang Shiyi, Zhang Jian, and Zhu Qiling had a premeditated plan from the beginning, and this premeditated intention was to overthrow him with the intention of repaying kindness with enmity, so as to obtain more political benefits. This kind of letting cronies and confidants in
How could the feeling of being stabbed in the back not be heartbreaking?
Seeing Yuan Shikai's mood swings becoming more and more intense, Xia Shoukang was worried about affecting Yuan Shikai's physical condition, so he quickly dissuaded him and said: "Why should your majesty get so angry over these scoundrels? It's not worth it. Now Xinhua Palace has taken over the Bank of Communications and
Liang Shiyi owns all the public property, and after this matter has completely calmed down, it will not be too late to settle accounts in the future."
Yuan Shikai suddenly changed the subject, looking very serious and urgent. He looked at Xia Shoukang and said: "Now our Xinhua Palace still controls the treasury and the resources of the northern provinces. Why, why can't we use an imperial attitude to solve the current domestic problems?
Unrest? Duan Zhiquan keeps saying that he will help me, but what about now? The soldiers fighting on the front line are all my soldiers, and the people leading the troops are also my people. What can he, Duan Zhiquan, do to help me?"
Xia Shoukang has long known that Yuan Shikai must have such thoughts in his heart. As a relatively important and reliable person around Yuan Shikai, he naturally hopes to support Yuan Shikai to continue to follow the imperial system. In this way, he can still improve and improve himself.
Political status. It was precisely because of this thought that after hearing what Yuan Shikai said, he sighed slightly and said: "Your Majesty, there is a lot of helplessness nowadays. If you can't give way to Duan at this moment,
Sir, if you stand on our side, it will inevitably make Sir Duan stand on Cao Kun's side, and it will be even more disadvantageous then."
Yuan Shikai had naturally been deceived by the imperial system before, so he had such unobjective thoughts. Now when he heard what Xia Shoukang said, he suddenly fell into a wave of annoyance and disappointment.
"You're right, maybe this is called luring the wolf into the house."
Although he understands Duan Qirui's character, this old subordinate will not do things too much. But there are some things that cannot be said. After all, if Duan Qirui is disappointed again and again, he is not sure that Duan Qirui will be disappointed.
What has become of Qi Rui? The situation is already very bad at this time. If I really make this wrong step, I'm afraid I will definitely regret it.
"However, if His Majesty really wants to maintain the monarchy, there may be no other way." After a brief pause, Xia Shoukang slowly spoke again.
For Yuan Shikai, these words were like seeing a ray of light suddenly in the darkness. His face suddenly regained some energy, he looked up at Xia Shoukang, and asked in an impatient tone: "Is there any way?
"
Xia Shoukang said calmly: "To be honest, this method cannot be regarded as a solution, because there are too many uncertainties. The key still depends on the fighting situation in Hubei, and what will happen to the National Guard Army in the south.
Next steps.”
Yuan Shikai was a little confused and asked: "What does it mean? No matter what method it is, as long as there is a chance to preserve the monarchy, it is a hope."
At this time, Xia Shoukang had some regrets. In order to comfort Yuan Shikai, he said that there was hope to preserve the monarchy. However, after he calmed down, he felt that his ideas were too unrealistic and unreliable.
.More importantly, even if this possibility really exists, I am afraid that more prices will have to be paid. In the end, Yuan Shikai will only get a blank check in the name of imperialism.
But now that Yuan Shikai was asking so eagerly, he felt that there was no way out, so he could only say: "Well, there are actually a lot of things that need to be considered in my idea. From what I see, the most urgent thing is that your Majesty can delay the announcement of abdication first.
, and then gather more resources to fight the Hubei War. As long as the war in Hubei can be controlled to end within a month, there will be remaining strength to deal with the National Protector Army."
Hearing what Xia Shoukang said, Yuan Shikai seemed to understand somewhat, and he said: "What you mean is to start with the military. As long as the Central Guards is strong, it will be enough to safeguard the imperial power of the Chinese Empire, right?
"
Xia Shoukang nodded and said: "That's right. But as I said before, there are many uncertainties in this matter. The Central Guards did have a certain advantage in the war in Hubei, and these days
The messages sent up are all good news, but this is just the beginning. Whether it is the Guards or those of us civil servants sitting in the rear, almost everyone believes that this will inevitably be a lose-lose war. Even according to the current form, the recent
It is very likely that the Guards will successfully suppress the Hankou rebels, but what happens after that?"
He didn't finish what he said, he just let out a long sigh.
Even Yuan Shikai himself knew very well that even though the Central Guards were the best in Beiyang and had the support of all the resources in Beiyang, they still had to face a high-consumption war. This battle was fought with great intensity within Beiyang.
consumption, on the contrary, the National Protection Army stationed in Changsha had assumed the posture of sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight half a year ago. On the one hand, it was consumption, and on the other hand, it was developing extremely rapidly, especially in the period of the National Protection Army.
Propaganda and mobilization carried out in various parts of the country during this time caused the popular phenomena across the country that were originally supportive of the imperial system to suddenly turn against the imperial system.
"Anyway, this is a hope after all, isn't it?" Yuan Shikai still said with hope. Although he knew very well that this was a very unreliable hope, but hope is hope, and something is better than nothing.
"Well, Your Majesty, if you really want to take this step, I will definitely be willing to go to pieces." Xia Shoukang said solemnly. He actually knew very well that once this thought was ignited in Yuan Shikai's heart, the other party would definitely spare no effort to try.
A year ago, Yuan Shikai would definitely not be so irrational, but now Yuan Shikai has lost too much and experienced too much, not to mention that he has a barefoot style and is not afraid of wearing shoes.
Yuan Shikai pondered for a while, and then said in a very determined tone: "Why not take this step? Are there many choices left for me? The imperial system is not because I am greedy for the throne. I am already like this. There is not much time left for me to covet this imperial power. I just want to leave a name for my descendants. As for any power, I can ignore it. There is nothing wrong with the monarch's constitution as long as it is the monarch's constitution. Can."
Xia Shoukang nodded slowly, indicating that he understood Yuan Shikai's current situation. He said: "I understand. If this is the case, the most important thing at the moment is to ensure Yuan Zhaolie's intention. Only by entrusting the important matter to Yuan Zhaolie, this matter Only then can there be hope for things to continue.”
Yuan Shikai suddenly felt a sudden awakening, as if a flash of inspiration suddenly flashed in his silent mind.
Over the years, it is not that he has not thought about cultivating Yuan Su into a true core general of Beiyang, and at the same time leaving a direct force that the Yuan family can rely on. However, after various considerations and frictions, there are always too many things that are difficult to solve. Prediction, it is precisely because of this that my attitude towards Yuan Su often changes. Now, I have truly experienced what it means to have good fortune, but in the end, I still have to rely on Yuan Su. It is really ironic.
"You are right, but... this matter cannot be rushed after all, it must be done step by step. The key is that at this time, it is not clear what Yuan Keli is thinking. Maybe he supported the monarchy before, but after all, I took him away The military power allowed him to live in Tianjin for a whole year. Now that the Beiyang catastrophe is approaching, reactivating him already makes me feel a little uneasy. Now I still ask him to maintain the monarchy, alas..." Yuan Shikai said deeply.
"After all, blood is thicker than water. I believe Yuan Zhaolie will be able to see clearly what is right and wrong, what is good and what is harmful. As the saying goes, if you lose power, Your Majesty, the forces that oppose you will not let Yuan Zhaolie go. Since ancient times, liquidation will be done overnight. , Yuan Zhaolie must be well aware of this truth. Furthermore, if he really harbors hatred towards His Majesty, he will not choose to come out at this time. In the final analysis, Yuan Zhaolie has the intention to do great things, and he is young and promising. The backbone of the country." Xia Shoukang said with a double entendre. On the surface, he was praising Yuan Su, but in fact, he was making Yuan Shikai mentally prepared. If he really relies on Yuan Su, he must rely on him to the end. From now on, It is very likely that Yuan Su will have to take over the power.
"You are right. If Yuan Su is really dissatisfied, he would have already made his position clear when the chaos broke out in Zhengzhou. It can only be said that he does have the intention to gain more power. What about the Young Boys, what about the Beiyang Officers Club, all this It all shows that his thoughts are not simple. I know that my incompetent son will definitely not be able to control the overall situation. I only hope that Yuan Su can preserve the name of my Yuan family's royal family. For everything else, let's just go with the flow." Yuan Shikai said deeply.