The shock brought by Enming's death to the Qing court has, on the other hand, accelerated the pace of constitutionalism. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

Because the Qing court suddenly realized that the traditional model of encircling scholars had completely failed, the people's hearts had dispersed, and the general trend was about to go.

The dignified four-grade Taoist and the head of the Provincial Patrol Police Academy, the position grade is not only prominent, but the content of the position (New Deal) is also very fashionable, which can be described as very promising, such a grade and position can not envelop a Xu Xilin, and the frustration of the Qing court can be imagined. Obviously, the Qing court had lost its appeal to new-style intellectuals, and in response to this, the governor of Xinjiang, Liankui, said with great concern: "This is the case in Anhui Province, and other things can be seen." ”

This concern, reflected at the decision-making level, became an important bargaining chip for the reformist bureaucrats within the system to bargain with the imperial court on constitutional issues.

Yuan Shikai immediately folded and asked the imperial court to send ministers to Japan, Germany, and Britain to study the constitution; Subsequently, the governor of Liangjiang sent a letter to the imperial court to persuade the imperial court that now that the anti-Qing revolution was growing day by day, it should hurry up to "bow to the hearts of the majority of those who want to establish a constitution, and use a small number to encourage the chaotic party to be full", and quickly promulgate the constitution, so that the hearts of the people "will return to the path of constitutionalism"; Cheng Dequan, the governor of Heilongjiang, took Wu Yue's plot to blow up the five political ministers who went abroad to investigate and Xu Xilin shot Enming at the same time, and warned and advised the Qing court to quickly "implement constitutional government, integrate the Han Dynasty, and calm the heart of the world; Open the Congress, guide talents, and make a plan for relocation".

Even Zhang Zhidong, who was passive and perfunctory about the constitution, also changed his attitude and became positive. In his recital, he said that "the faster the constitution is implemented, the better it is, and the two words of preparation are really misleading the country." He also said that "as long as the constitution is implemented quickly, the trend of disorderly parties will naturally subside."

It may sound strange that revolution became the driving force for reformers within the system, but if we understand the synchronicity between "constitutionalism" and "revolution" in the last decade of the late Qing Dynasty. And it's no wonder.

Obviously, the assassination forced the Qing court to speed up the process of constitutionalization. The "Regulations for Local Autonomy in Towns and Villages" and the "Regulations for the Election of Local Autonomy in Towns and Villages" proposed by the Constitutional Council were successfully examined and approved by the Constitutional Review Hall, and the Qing court issued an edict to promulgate them, and the provinces immediately began to prepare for the Consultative Bureau, and the Consultative Bureau election was held in 1908.

As a result, all provinces and localities began to prepare for local self-government. For example, towns and towns have set up councils and boards of directors, townships have set up councils and township directors, and each has set up an autonomous office as a place to do things. The members of the council and the directors are elected, and the funds come from the local government, and the local magistrate is responsible for supervision.

The preparation of local self-government and the Consultative Bureau meant that the power was thinned, and no matter what the Qing court thought, it was a fact that the constitutionalists would be in a big way. Especially the local government. Some of the powers will have to be ceded and will even be subject to the supervision of members of the Consultative Council.

The constitutionalists were jubilant and prepared, and their enthusiasm for political participation continued to rise, and anyone with a discerning eye could see that they would not be satisfied with being a tame advisory body to the government.

Qing court, revolutionary party, constitutionalist. The situation of the three-way game has finally been revealed. The plan for Chen Wenqiang's participation in the formation and training of the new army has also been formulated.

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"Units (companies) are stationed in separate locations. suppressing chaos and banditry, where the responsibility lies; However, in normal times, the government cannot be easily mobilized, if the two provinces of Hunan and Hubei are attacked by the chaotic party. can assemble for battle......"

Zhang Zhidong's expression was not very good, obviously the annihilation of the New Army in the Southwest gave him a big blow, and the charter for the formation and training of the New Army handed over by Chen Wenqiang also made him frown.

It is very clear in the charter that money can be paid and guns and ammunition can be supplied, but the new army that has been formed and trained is not something that can be used at will by the imperial court or the government. They are only responsible for protecting the security of Hunan and Hubei provinces. The provincial finance will contribute a little, and the local government will contribute a little, and the local consultative bureau will also give some financial support after its establishment. On the contrary, the problem of the cost of training the new army has also been solved.

"It's just a local bandit to quell the chaos?" Zhang Zhidong was not very satisfied, but he was a little helpless, "Wen Qiang, are you worried that the new army of the formation will attract people's attention, and you will be transferred to the southwest or other places by the imperial court to fight against the rebellious party?" ”

Chen Wenqiang nodded very dryly, and said in a deep voice: "Huxiang children, burying your bones in a foreign country, this is not what adults want, right?" ”

Zhang Zhidong sighed and said, "Under the nest, how many eggs are there?" If the chaotic party sits on the throne, how can Hunan and Hubei be spared? ”

"Having said that, few people agree!" Chen Wenqiang pondered for a moment and said: "Wenqiang has repeatedly discussed with the members of the Constitutional Council, but they only want local stability, but they are unwilling to fund the formation of an army that can be mobilized by the imperial court at will and fight in other places. ”

"I can guess what they think." Zhang Zhidong smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid you think the same way, worried about paying money and guns, but in the end, you lost it." ”

"My lord." Chen Wenqiang did not feel embarrassed and responded calmly.

Zhang Zhidong pondered for a long time, nodded helplessly, and said, "How about the two target headquarters set up in Changsha and Hengyang?" ”

Hunan's Hui Party is relatively strong, and the new army of Yibiao is stationed around Changsha, which can play a stabilizing role; Hengyang is an important pivot in the central and southern regions, choking the passage from Guangxi to Hunan Province, and it is also an important place for soldiers. With these two new armies stationed in Hunan, and Li Yuanhong's mixed association in Hubei, as well as the rest of the troops in the eighth town, they can be safe.

"My lord." Chen Wenqiang only agreed, but did not express his opinion, in order to dispel Zhang Zhidong's last bit of doubt and concern.

"These two targets are the same—" Zhang Zhidong groaned and looked at Chen Wenqiang.

"Cai Yi, the assistant director of the Hunan Coaching Office, is good at military affairs and can be practical." Chen Wenqiang smiled and said, "Naturally, this important position still needs to be arranged by adults. ”

"Good eyesight." Zhang Zhidong also smiled and said, "The dignified non-commissioned officer Sanjie is naturally not a thing in the pool. Fortunately, the standard of stationing in Changsha was compiled by him. As for those stationed in Hengyang, the headquarters will consider the candidates. As for you, you can also serve as the assistant of the Hunan New Army Coaching Office! ”

"Your Excellency is afraid that I will be stingy, so you have to involve me with the New Army?" Chen Wenqiang smiled bitterly and said: "It's good now, the new army has to ask me for everything, but I'm going to worry to death." ”

"An idle job, I can't tire you." Zhang Zhidong laughed teasingly: "Besides, according to your running nature, can you still tie your feet?" By the way, there's one more thing you need to help with. ”

Chen Wenqiang smelled something bad and looked at Zhang Zhidong silently.

"The eighth town of the new army has been transferred to the skeleton only, and it must be replenished!" Zhang Zhidong stroked his beard. Ignoring Chen Wenqiang's nervous expression, he said slowly: "You don't need to pay this money, but this weapon and ammunition-" After a pause, he continued: "It is a temporary loan from the headquarters, and the money will be paid off slowly." ”

Chen Wenqiang grinned and nodded helplessly. "My lord's words are serious, what to borrow or not. However, Wen Qiang still has to be cheeky to ask for this policy, such as ........."

For example, the Wuchang Line and other railways that are about to be opened to traffic, Chen Wenqiang hopes to extend it for two years before paying taxes to the government; For example, in Hunan and Hubei provinces, the goods manufactured by his enterprises should be exempted, and the goods and shops of the members of the Constitutional Council should be exempted or exempted......

"Wen Qiang didn't dare to deceive the adults, and the Wuchang Line was opened to traffic. In the initial stage, the operation is likely to be loss-making, which is the conclusion of research and research. However, in the long run, the vitality of commerce and industry will begin to burst out at the railway junction, which will promote the rapid development of industry and commerce in Hunan, which is located in the hinterland......"

"Your Excellency must also know that centigold is not a good tax, but a bad tax. The local government controls the right to collect taxes, and indiscriminately sets up bureaus for taxation, and there are many types of taxation. Centric cards are everywhere, and you will encounter checkpoints every few miles and dozens of miles. Layers of exploitation, business travel is difficult to move an inch, and transportation costs have skyrocketed. Since the imperial court could not establish a tariff protection system, and it was difficult for the local government to abolish the centigold that hindered the development of industry and commerce, how could Chinese merchant products compete with foreign goods? It is difficult to revitalize the economy, so how can we talk about a rich country and a strong army? ”

Chen Wenqiang's reasons are very good. It is also very reasonable, although because of financial problems, it is impossible for Zhang Zhidong to abolish the centijin in Huguang and Guangzhou provinces, but it is still very beneficial to give him and the members of the Constitutional Council a policy tilt. In other words. Whoever responds to Zhang Zhidong's call and contributes to the formation and training of the new army will be able to reap the benefits.

"Wen Qiang, you have a long-term view, and the headquarters agreed to these requests." Zhang Zhidong bowed his head lightly and said in a low voice: "Hanyang Iron Works, Hubei Gun Factory, as well as the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway, and the formation and training of the new army, you have done your best and done a good job, and the headquarters has all remembered it." As for the imperial court, because you are skilled in foreign affairs and famous at home and abroad, they have repeatedly wanted to transfer you to the capital to serve. If you don't go, I don't want you to go. The pool of water in the capital is too deep and muddy, and if you go, I'm afraid you will be able to do anything, and you will have to offend a lot of people. So, it's best for you to do what you do locally. The main department, as well as the two Guang governors, have a good relationship with you, and will always take care of one or two. ”

"Your Excellency is very right." Chen Wenqiang nodded again and again, and said with emotion: "If it is not for your care, Wenqiang will achieve nothing." In this regard, Wen Qiang is grateful to his heart. ”

"Wen Qiang is a little humble." Zhang Zhidong said pertinently: "On business management, on handling foreign affairs, on knowledge and fame, you will always do something good, and you will inevitably be a figure who is competing with each other." It's just that your temperament, if you are in an environment of constraints everywhere, I am afraid you will not hold back. I know that you are very powerful in Shanghai, and you have a gang of Xingyitang under you to drive, and you have done a lot of shady things. It's just that there is no loss in the big festival, and it is a place where China and the West are mixed, and it is also a last resort. In this regard, the headquarters is not responsible. But in Huxiang and Liangguang, it is better to have less contact with people in the rivers and lakes. Those guys—"

"Adults' teachings, Wen Qiang remembers." Chen Wenqiang expressed his gratitude to Zhang Zhidong for his kind reminder, paused, and said with a smile: "My lord, do you have the habit of seeing Wen Qiang?" ”

"Will you show your rudeness in front of the main department?" Zhang Zhidong rolled his eyes, "Don't think that the main department doesn't know what you did in Changsha. For the sake of the overall situation of the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway, the headquarters doesn't want to pay attention to it. ”

"Hehe, the wicked still need the wicked to grind!" Chen Wenqiang smiled, "If you can't follow the rules, it's okay to use some means, right?" ”

"In the future, we should use less biased techniques." Zhang Zhidong said with some eagerness: "Since you are already a candidate for the chairman of the Guangdong Consultative Bureau, and the assistant of the Hunan New Army Coaching Office is also an idle position, the headquarters has already corresponded with that Zhang Renjun, asking him to find an official position with you in Guangdong." It's just that this official is in the Consultative Bureau, and I am afraid that it is not in accordance with the system. ”

Chen Wenqiang thought for a while and said: "Wen Qiang does not hold the position of chairman of the Advisory Bureau. As for the official position in Guangdong, Wen Qiang didn't know which one was suitable. ”

In the 32nd year of Guangxu (1906 AD), the Qing court began to reform the local official system, changing the academic administration to the academic envoy, and the provinces of Jilin, Heilongjiang, Jiangsu, and Xinjiang were also added respectively. The Department of Education is in charge of the education of a province. Subsequently, the Department of Prosecutorial Missions was changed to the Department of Judicial Missions, which was in charge of judicial administration. In addition, there are trial halls at all levels to be in charge of trial matters.

The negotiation envoy was first set up in Jilin and Fengtian provinces in the 33rd year of Guangxu (1907 AD). Later, Zhili, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Hubei, Guangdong, and Yunnan provinces also set up examples. The Division is responsible for public representations.

After 1906, the provinces successively set up patrol police and two departments to persuade the industry. The patrol police are in charge of the province's patrol police, fire protection, household registration, camp repair, and health affairs. The position of Quanye Dao is to be in charge of the province's agriculture, industry, commerce and various transportation affairs. At that time, the progress of adjustment in various provinces was different, and the reduction and establishment were relatively chaotic.

"Persuasion should be your strength; As for the patrol police, you have the title of the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway Patrol Police Office, but there are some connections. Zhang Zhidong consulted Chen Wenqiang's opinion, "It depends on what you mean." ”

"That's the Patrol Road!" Chen Wenqiang thought for a while and said: "It is also a matter of centigold, Wenqiang thinks that first, he can discuss with Governor Zhang about reduction, and secondly, it will be much more convenient to have patrol officers in his hands." ”

"That's right." Zhang Zhidong believed it and nodded with a smile, "Then it's decided." When the Guangdong-Hanzhou Railway is completed, you will be able to link your industries. There is a new army in Hunan and Hubei, there are patrol police in Guangdong, and there are railway patrol police along the road, so there will be no obstacles. ”

"This is indeed the ideal situation." Chen Wenqiang smiled and said, "Wen Qiang's careful thinking, adults can see through it at a glance. ”

"It's just that in Guangdong, you still have to invest some money." Zhang Zhidong kindly reminded: "Although the salary, equipment, daily expenses, etc. of the patrol police are not all, you also need to solve some of them." Fighting against the rebellious party, the finances of the two Guangxi provinces are afraid that it will be difficult to support, and the imperial court is also a little stretched. So—"

"Wen Qiang understands." Chen Wenqiang thought about it, shook his head with a wry smile, and said: "There are many parties in the two Guanghui committees, and the law and order are not good, and the work of patrolling the police road is not so easy to do!" ”

"You should have a way." Zhang Zhidong smiled slightly and said: "There are still several battalions of men and horses in the Qiongya Soldier Preparation Road, don't tell the headquarters that you can't call them." ”

"I don't think I need to pay for them." Chen Wenqiang pursed his lips, "Jianghu Caokou, Wenqiang is still sure to clean them up." The merchant group, it is estimated that it is enough. ”

…………… (To be continued.) )