Chapter 164: The Tree Falls and the Hozen Scatteres
While Yuan Shikai and his advisers were discussing countermeasures, the public opinion in the south was in an uproar. It turned out that the members of the Guangfu Society had deep feelings for Tao Chengzhang, and since he died so miserably, they naturally couldn't bear it anymore and stepped forward one after another.
Demand the government to thoroughly investigate the case and avenge Tao Chengzhang.
Moreover, the theory that Yuan Shikai was the mastermind behind the scenes was so rampant that young officers in the Liberation Army even wanted to make a second revolution to defeat Yuan Shikai. At this time, people from the already declining Tongmenghui group also jumped out, including Li Liejun, Hu Hanmin, etc.
Local officials are also constantly making small moves.
The whole south was in a state of imminent storm. Zhang Taiyan frequently invited old people from the original Guangfu Society. He directly pointed the finger at Sun Wen's group, thinking that they were the ones responsible. However, because the assassin had not been caught for a long time,
There is no solid evidence, and Zhang Taiyan's own lack of ability makes him unable to turn the overall situation around, leaving him in dire straits.
After several discussions, Lao Yuan decided to appoint Song Jiaoren as the commissioner of the Tao case. He was fully responsible for the handling of the Tao case. At the same time, he mobilized Feng Guozhang to lead the army south and directly stationed in Nanjing to stabilize the situation. Logically speaking, Lao Yuan's approach is understandable, but it is just that.
Because of the use of the army, people from all walks of life in the south were jumping up and down and yelling. Lao Yuan had a bad intention and wanted to cleanse the power of the Revolutionary Party.
Since Lao Yuan has bad intentions now, it proves that he is a bad guy. Since he is a bad guy, he was the one who killed Tao Chengzhang. Under this strong logic, various newspapers in the south published articles accusing Lao Yuan, and many students even left
Demonstrations were held on the streets, and in addition, the troops in the South who had been preparing to be disbanded took up their guns again.
Zhang Zhenwu and others who were captured by Tao Chengzhang also rushed out, looking like the north and the south were going to war again. After Lao Yuan got the report, he became more and more depressed. He was too cowardly as the president, and foreigners were bullying him.
That's all. Those ordinary people dare to run into the street and curse themselves. How can they have any decency? I have appointed Song Jiaoren to investigate the case. He is a member of your revolutionary party. Are you still not satisfied? Do you still want to do this?
Let Sun Huang investigate the case? That's not what he did or what he did.
At this time, Lao Yuan could not help but flash through the majestic scene of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. After all, the great president is not as good as the great emperor!
The south was in chaos, and Lao Yuan was increasingly short of money. Now he could only pray to the British for more loans. Lao Yuan invited Zhu Erdian to Zhongnanhai.
However, at this time, Zhu Erdian was no longer as polite as before and looked arrogant. He had already received the news that Luo Changchun had organized a trial meeting and sentenced Gongjue Jiebu to death by hanging. At the same time, he severely punished a large number of rebels.
All the captured rebels were used as hard labor to build the road between Sichuan and Tibet.
In addition, the Sichuan Army general Liu Xiang led his army to launch several attacks and defeated all the rebel strongholds around Lhasa. Now only Shigatse is still under the control of the rebels, but it is still shaky. The originally bustling Tibet has fallen so far.
In this situation, where should the British Empire put its face? Will the upper class of Tibetan aristocrats still believe in the British Empire in the future? Therefore, Zhu Erdian actually came to President Yuan with anger.
"Your Excellency, there has been another riot in the south of your country, which has seriously affected the commercial interests of the British Empire in the Far East. I hope your country can resolve it as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary disputes!"
"Mr. Minister, it's not that I don't want to safeguard the interests of the British Empire. It's just that the rebels in the south have been slandering and spreading rumors and causing trouble. Yuan's ability is limited and he really can't control them!"
Zhu Erdian had dealt with these bureaucrats in China during the Qing Dynasty and was familiar with their character. Old Yuan was playing Tai Chi with himself again and wanted to kick the ball outside. Zhu Erdian smiled slightly and said: "Your Excellency, President, for the unrest elements,
Not only your country, but also the imperial government is extremely disgusted. The empire is willing to support you in taking decisive measures to restore order in the south, and even let the Yangtze River Fleet provide you with some necessary help!"….
When Lao Yuan heard this, his face immediately showed joy. If you want to enter Nanjing, you must cross the Yangtze River, and the Yangtze River is in the hands of the British. Now that the British are willing to provide support, that is the best thing.
, but Lao Yuan has long known that there is no free lunch. The British have been plotting against Tibet for a while, and compared with this time, they also demand Tibet's interests.
"Thank you, Mr. Minister, for your generosity. Yuan is deeply grateful!"
"The president doesn't need to be grateful to me. I just hope that the president can agree to withdraw all Sichuan troops to Sichuan, grant autonomy to the Shigatse region, and allow British businessmen to do business in Shigatse!"
Zhu Erdian put forward his own conditions. Lao Yuan thought repeatedly in his heart. The British had great ambitions to swallow up the entire Tibet in one fell swoop. Now with the Sichuan Army's successive victories, the British's conditions have become much more pragmatic. But
Asking for the Shigatse area, but selling an inch of territory is also betraying the country. Old Yuan had to consider the risks involved. After a long while, Old Yuan let out a long sigh.
"Mr. Minister, the sovereignty of Tibet belongs to China. There must be a garrison, otherwise I won't be able to explain it to the people, but the number must be controlled!"
When Zhu Erdian saw that he had indeed reached Lao Yuan's bottom line, it was hard to continue to push him, so Zhu Erdian nodded and agreed, and the two parties reached an agreement. Lao Yuan immediately sent a message to Qiao Yu to ask him to withdraw his troops and return to Sichuan, and at the same time sent a message to Chen Huan.
, and asked him not to confront Qiao Yu again, so as not to cause turmoil in the southwest.
Qiao Yu had already begun to long for the withdrawal of troops from Sichuan, but the road to Tibet was too difficult. They marched quickly when they entered Tibet, but it took them nearly two months, and they were still fully prepared. Otherwise, it would have been a waste of time
The time was even more amazing. After a trip, Qiao Yu became more determined to build a road to Tibet. The main purpose was to expand it according to the original Tea Horse Road. The minimum requirement was to be able to send ammunition supplies up, otherwise
The conditions for the troops stationed in Tibet are too difficult and it is impossible to maintain a large-scale garrison.
When he received the telegram from Lao Yuan, Qiao Yu had not yet arrived in Qamdo, but news from the south had already come in one after another. The Beiyang Group had indeed inherited the incompetent roots left by the Manchu Qing Dynasty. It actually failed completely at the propaganda station. The southern capital would
The Tao case pointed its finger at Lao Yuan, which Qiao Yu did not expect.
At the same time, what makes Qiao Yu even more disappointed is that the United Party has fallen into a split following Tao Chengzhang's death. Facts have proved that this party cannot withstand any storms. On the day Tao Chengzhang was killed, Hunan Governor Tan Yankai announced his withdrawal.
The United Party, followed closely by Li Yuanhong, Cheng Dequan and others. With the withdrawal of these people, most of the powerful United Party was suddenly reduced to half.
Zhang Taiyan focused all his energy on revenge and had no energy to take into account the internal problems of the United Party. The original members of the Tongmenghui quit the United Party again. The cruel fact made Qiao Yu completely lose confidence in the road to constitutionalism. This
The ancient country has too many remnants. How can a bunch of old-style bureaucrats trained by the Manchus really support the cause of democracy? They are just trying to gain greater benefits under the banner of the banner.
Now that Tao Chengzhang died, they all felt chilled. Regardless of whether it was Yuan Shikai who was behind it or not, they all chose to protect themselves wisely, and the prosperous United Party was instantly defeated.
