After thinking about it, Yuan Shikai figured out one thing. Why did the Qing court value itself so much? He was counting on himself to take the Beiyang Army to exterminate the revolutionary party.

Isn't there a saying? It is called raising the enemy and respecting himself. Let's not talk about whether this revolutionary party can be exterminated? Even if this revolutionary party is easy to exterminate, it cannot be easily exterminated, and it is necessary to keep them to deal with the Qing court.

And why was Huang Xing, the head of the revolutionary party, willing to exchange the status of Napoleon and Wastington for himself and them? Isn't it also because of his own presence that it is difficult for the Qing Dynasty to overthrow? Isn't this also the case of "self-respect for the enemy"?

If the Qing Dynasty is overthrown, won't it lose its usable value? Obviously, this Qing dynasty cannot be overthrown at will.

Although, at this time, Yuan Shikai still didn't know what he should do? What can be done? But one thing, he is clear. Between the revolutionary party and the Qing dynasty, he wanted to take advantage of both the Qing dynasty and the revolutionary party.

What he has to do is to find a way to make good use of these two forces to maximize his own interests and achieve his own goals.

In this way, there is no need for him to appease these rebellious parties. What needs to be done will also depend on how the situation develops. And at the moment, what needs to be done urgently is his justifiable cabinet president. Minister of Justice, returned to Beijing to take office, reorganized the cabinet.

Before leaving, it is indispensable to give face-to-face instruction to Feng Guozhang, who is about to be entrusted with an important task.

Although Feng Guozhang is his cronies and a person who can definitely be trusted, Yuan Shikai still has reservations about him. It is still necessary to put on some of his practices and ideas, put on a good-looking coat, and dress them up.

Because, what he really thinks is not tellable.

Since it is necessary to "raise the enemy and respect itself", since the Qing Dynasty cannot be overthrown at will, and the revolutionary party cannot be easily exterminated, before leaving, Yuan Shikai still wants to temporarily truce and buy some time for his further schemes.

On the 11th, he sent official representatives Liu Chengen and Cai Tinggan to cross the river with his handwritten letter to negotiate peace with the Wuchang side.

The main meaning of Yuan Shikai's letter was: "If the constitutional monarchy can be recognized, the two armies can stop fighting, otherwise, they will still settle the matter by force." ”

Li Yuanhong and Junzheng. The principal person in charge of the government met with Liu Chengen and Cai Tinggan.

Liu Chengen and Cai Tinggan confessed according to Yuan Shikai, and when they met, they emphasized that the Qing government. The government has taken the oath of constitution, and the goal of the revolution has been achieved. If the war is prolonged, it will only be the destruction of the human life. At present, the great powers are eyeing each other, and the endless wars and chaos can only give the great powers an opportunity to take advantage of it, and they may cause the disaster of China's partition. It is hoped that the military will be suspended for a while, and the deputies will be elected to Beijing, and a new cabinet will be organized to jointly govern the country and the great cause of security.

Li Yuanhong first refuted Yuan Shikai's theory that the revolution had led to the division of the country.

It is pointed out that due to the corruption and incompetence of the Qing Dynasty, the country has been and is being carved up. The revolution that was now underway to overthrow the Qing Dynasty was precisely to save the country from partition. The Qing court's current constitution was nothing more than a means of paralyzing the people and maintaining its rule. Since the beginning of the Wuxu Reform, how many years has the constitution been called, and when has it been truly implemented.

Without the turmoil of revolution in various places, there could have been no so-called constitution in the Qing court, and once everyone laid down their arms, the old forces would surely return. The blood of the revolutionary aspirants has been shed enough to go on endlessly.

The goal of the revolution was a republic, and the current revolutionary situation was so good that the rule of the Qing dynasty was about to collapse. The so-called irreversible will of the people, why do you have to go back and engage in a constitutional monarchy?

In the end, Li Yuanhong advised Yuan Shikai to have a clear understanding of the situation, not to stubbornly become enemies of the people, and not to move against the tide of history. The right choice is to lead the Beiyang Army to the republic and lead his brothers to the bright road.

Listening to Li Yuanhong's words, I can feel that he has been assimilated by the revolutionary party at this time.

Other responsible persons of the military ** also spoke one after another, advising Yuan Shikai not to be stubborn and continue to be the enemy of the people. Don't think that if you have a Beiyang Army in your hand, you can be a mercenary. There are only two roads in front of Yuan Shikai, one is to revolt and throw himself into the people, and the other is to be wiped out by the people's army.

These people are righteous and strict, but Liu Chengen and Cai Tinggan are speechless.

When sending Liu Chengen away, Li Yuanhong whispered to him and asked Yuan Shikai to think about Commander-in-Chief Huang's letter and not miss the opportunity. The implication is that if Yuan Shikai turns to the republic, he also supports Yuan Shikai to become China's Napoleon and Huashengton.

Liu Chengen said that he would definitely bring the words of the governor of Li Du.

Yuan Shikai actually didn't have a lot of interest in the constitutional monarchy at this time, but because of his identity. He is the Cabinet Chief. The Minister of State can only stand in the Cabinet General. The Minister of State speaks from the standpoint.

I didn't have much hope for peace, but I mainly wanted to get to the bottom of these revolutionaries and see what their attitude was towards them.

He loved to listen to the words that Li Yuanhong said to Liu Chengen individually, and he was also impressed.

However, the arrogance of the other party still angered him. On the other hand, the long-term immobility of the troops could not be explained to the Qing court.

Previously, his request to Feng Guozhang was to maintain a confrontation with the other party and not attack for the time being. Now, he changed his mind and arranged Feng Guozhang before leaving, making the necessary preparations to conquer Hanyang in one fell swoop.

It is to give these revolutionary parties another heavy blow and make them more sober.

Feng Guozhang was making meritorious service and happily accepted the order.

The Qing court sent another urgent telegram urging Yuan Shikai, the head of the cabinet. Minister Li has returned to his position, and Yuan Shikai can no longer shirk. He completely handed over the military affairs of the front line to Feng Guozhang, and led the guards of the brigade to the north; Arrived in the capital on the 13th.

The next day, Empress Dowager Longyu and Zaifeng summoned Yuan Shikai and encouraged him; He also earnestly hoped and asked him not to live up to the great trust of the imperial court.

Yuan Shikai was sincerely afraid: "Shikai worships this great life, takes on this great responsibility, thinks hard day and night, and doesn't know how to calm the holy worries and eliminate the suffering of the people." Resolutely said: "Kill yourself and become benevolent, with the heart of the ancient sages as your heart,...... Swore to protect the society for the Qing court. ”

Empress Longyu is a kind-hearted person, and when she saw Yuan Shikai's sincere appearance, she was very moved, and asked about Yuan Shikai's foot disease with concern?

Yuan Shikai replied movingly: It's no big deal.

Zaifeng asked in detail about the battle situation on the front line. Yuan Shikai said: The rebels' headquarters is located in Hanyang, and he has already arranged the operation to recover Hanyang before he leaves.

After hearing this, Zaifeng and the Empress Dowager Longyu were very happy and encouraged.

Judging from their expressions, they should be rejoicing in the person they have entrusted with their competence.

If they knew what Yuan Shikai was thinking, they didn't know how they would feel.

On the 16th, Yuan Shikai's cabinet members were released, and the list is as follows: Minister of Foreign Affairs Liang Dunyan (temporarily signed by Hu Weide before taking office), Vice Minister Hu Weide (temporarily signed by Cao Rulin). Minister of Civil Affairs Zhao Bingjun, Vice Minister Wu Zhen. Minister Yan Xiu (temporarily signed by Shao Ying before his arrival), Vice Minister Chen Jin. Tao. Minister of Education Tang Jingchong, Vice Minister Yang Du. Minister of War Wang Shizhen, (temporarily signed by Shouxun before his arrival), Vice Minister Tian Wenlie. Minister of the Navy Sa Zhenbing (tentatively signed by Tan Xueheng before his arrival), Vice Minister Tan Xueheng. Minister of Justice Shen Jiamu, Vice Minister Liang Qichao. Minister of Agriculture and Industry Zhang Jian (Xiyan temporarily signed), Vice Minister Xiyan (Zhu Yingyuan temporarily signed). Minister of Posts and Communications Yang Shiqi, Vice Minister Yang Ruhao (Liang Shiyi temporary signature). Minister Tatsuju of the Imperial Domain, and Honorary Vice-Chancellor. Most of these people are Yuan Shikai's people, especially the important position in his eyes. There are only a few people such as Zhang Jian and Liang Qichao, who are regarded as outsiders of Yuan Shikai and have no special relationship with Yuan Shikai.

Zhang Jian, a man who was loyal to his pursuits, and now that he had moved from constitutionalist to republican, he resolutely refused to accept the official position offered by Yuan Shikai.

Is Liang Qichao worried about the change of law? Anyway, it's a strong argument.

Yuan Shikai considered that they had a celebrity effect and repeatedly retained them. In the past, he had deep contradictions with Liang Qichao. He has scolded Liang Qichao more than once as the culprit of "plotting to disrupt the government", and now he is vigorously touting it.

He personally drafted a telegram to Liang Qichao: "The public embraces the talents of the world, bears the hopes of the world, and the life is simple, and China and foreign countries are jubilant." Pray for the sinking of the land of China and the misery of the living souls,...... I implore you to go north on the same day, agree on a big plan, and support Zongbang together. ”

After Liang Qichao categorically refused, Yuan Shikai wrote to Liang Qichao unrelentingly: "For more than ten years, the deacon (Liang Qichao's honorific title) has been loyal and devotive, running overseas, holding patriotic thoughts, and having the painstaking heart of the world. …… The deacon is enthusiastic about the room, and the thousands of streams are looking up in the mirror, and when the state affairs are boiling, and the people's livelihood is ruined, he will not bear to be alone, go far away, do not think about the danger of the same boat, and sit back and watch the building fall. ”

Ruan Zhongshu was on the side, seeing Liang Qichao's refusal again and again, Yuan Shikai took great pains to invite again and again.

couldn't help but say more: "People have their own ambitions, and they can't be forced, so why should we?" ”

Yuan Shikai just wanted to say something, but when he saw that there were other people next to him, he said: "Back then, in order to invite Zhuge Kongming to come out of the mountain, the three brothers Liu Bei worked hard and looked at the thatched house. We don't even have to go out of the door, what is it to call a few telegrams and write a few letters? ”

"Could it be that Mr. Liang is really as important to adults as Zhuge Kongming is to Liu Bei?"

Ruan Zhongshu was very puzzled, because he often heard Yuan Shikai talk about Liang Qichao in private, and what he often said was: useless is a scholar.

Yuan Shikai smiled mysteriously after hearing this.

At this time, the person next to him had already left, and Yuan Shikai whispered to Ruan Zhongshu: "Brother Zhongshu, you have been with me for so long, why can't you guess my thoughts." People like Liang Qichao and Zhang Jian have a lot of things, there are one or two in the cabinet, and they can bear it, but if there are too many, nothing can be discussed. The more such people don't come, the more they have to be invited, and they want others to see it. ”