No matter how unhappy Li Yuanhong was, and no matter how much Huang Xing resisted going north, in the end they still came to Beijing at the end of August and the beginning of September to participate in the "Big Five Meeting" convened by Yuan Shikai and Sun Yat-sen. Free eBook Download //

On the evening of the second day after the Big Five gathered in Beijing, Yuan Shikai held a grand banquet at the Grand Presidential Palace to welcome Sun Yat-sen, Li Yuanhong, and his entourage, and invited ministers of the State Council, senior generals in Beijing, principal members of the Senate, principal leaders of various political parties, and the princes of Manchu and Mongolia to accompany him. At the banquet, the guests and hosts were staggered and smiling, and they couldn't see the slightest mustard, but it was difficult to guess what they were thinking in their hearts.

Sun Yuanqi, as one of the participants, had previously accompanied Yuan Shikai to welcome Sun Yat-sen, Huang Xing, Li Yuanhong and other three people into Beijing with the highest courtesy, and now he was in the last seat of the chief, but he was too lazy to think about the thoughts of those people, because his main task this time was to accompany the prince to study.

During the banquet, Yuan Shikai first delivered a welcome speech: "Mr. Zhongshan initiated the revolution, traveled overseas for more than 20 years, and has profound and unique views on national liberation, democracy and republicanism, and people's livelihood development. Mr. Keqiang worked hard to practice, actively led the uprising, was born and died, and never turned back, and was the hero who founded the Republic of China; Vice President Song Qing is well known among the gentry and army in Hubei, and Wuchang is the first to make great contributions. These three are all big heroes and heroes that Yuan has been longing for a long time and are rare to see.

Prior to this, there were rumors in the society that there were various opinions between the north and the south, and there were various contradictions between Yuan and Mr. Zhongshan, Mr. Keqiang, Vice President Song Qing, and President Baixi. Today, we are waiting here to gather together and talk about the country's affairs. There is no barrier, and all kinds of rumors in the past are self-defeating. Zeng Wenzhenggong said in a letter to his family: 'If you are in a family. The brother has a word and the brother obeys, the brother has the brother to invite the brother, and the family is not prosperous. 'From home to country, now that we are working together in the same boat, why worry about the country not prospering?

"The invitation to Mr. Zhongshan, Mr. Keqiang, Vice President Song Qing and Chief Baixi in Beijing to hold talks, in addition to Yuan wants to see your honorable faces, but also because the current situation at home and abroad is complicated. Internally, there are endless wars, Tibetan and Mongolian independence, inconsistent government decrees, and lack of finances; Externally, there are constant reparations, high debts, diplomatic isolation, and weak national defense. The people of the Republic of China are so struggling to make a living, and the country is in danger. Yuan Mouxi is the interim president, and he can't eat and sleep every day, so he wants to ask the four leaders and all the virtuous people here for advice, which can save the country and the people from fire and water.

"Yuan now would like to extend a warm welcome to Mr. Zhongshan, Mr. Keqiang, and Vice President Song Qing with thin wine! I wish everyone here a longevity like pines and cypresses, and like Nanshan. Such as the blessing of the East China Sea! I also ask you to put national affairs first, give away suspicions, give advice, benefit national politics, and benefit people's livelihood! Yuan is shallow. I hope you can teach me. Yuan has nothing to thank, only to do it first as a respect! With that, he drank the wine from his glass.

Huang Xing, Li Yuanhong, Sun Yuanqi and others all recommended Sun Yat-sen as a representative to give a speech of thanks. Sun Yat-sen, who was sitting in the chief, did not give much, and then got up and said: "Today, thanks to the special banquet of the President for his hospitality, and his words are extremely commendable, Wen and the others are deeply grateful in their shame and landlessness!" We may have lived overseas for a long time and do not have a detailed understanding of the domestic situation; Or focus on a corner, and know little about military and political affairs, but as long as there are people who are quick to burn their backs and beautiful celery, they will definitely make a contribution and hope to make up for national affairs. The president has been good at military training for decades, and is especially rich in political experience. I believe that the Republic of China, under the leadership of President Yuan Da, will definitely achieve great rejuvenation! Long live President Yuan! Long live the Republic of China! Long live the five nations! ”

It can be seen from this that the contents of the talks were very extensive, ranging from the international political situation, military dynamics, and diplomatic tactics to the reorganization of the armed forces, economic development, the elimination of party disputes, the promotion of people's livelihood, the composition of the cabinet, and the election of the National Assembly. But the immediate task is to coordinate the views of the various parties and first elect a prime minister, who has been vacant for more than 10 days. During this time, the ministers had to block the door of the presidential palace every day to ask for instructions, which made Yuan Shikai very annoying.

Who will be the prime minister?

After the banquet, the five of them took advantage of the tea break for a short consultation. Yuan Shikai took the lead in saying: "Yixian, Keqiang, Song Qing, Baixi, Tang Shaochuan resigned as prime minister of the cabinet due to illness a few days ago, and I think I have already learned about the matter of going to Shanghai to recuperate, right?" ”

Sun Yat-sen and the others all put down the teacup, nodded, and waited for Yuan Shikai's words.

Yuan Shikai continued: "Since the founding of the Republic of China, the prime minister has been running north and south, serving the country and the people; Later, when he became prime minister, he actively started to run the painting, and the hardships and hardships were indescribable. Unfortunately, he became ill from overwork and had to resign and go to Shanghai to recuperate. It is a pity that the Republic of China lost this arm not long after its founding! However, the prime minister was indeed seriously ill, and the state had no choice but to accept his request and remove him from the post of prime minister so that he could take care of his health with peace of mind.

However, since the Republic of China moved to the north, it has implemented a responsible cabinet system, and the affairs of the country depend on the prime minister, and the prime minister of the cabinet is indispensable for a day. It has been more than 10 days since Tang Shaochuan resigned from the post of premier of the cabinet, and now the State Council is basically in a state of stagnation, with various affairs piling up, and there is an urgent need to elect a premier. I wonder if you have a suitable candidate? ”

Although Yuan Shikai hoped in his heart that Zhao Bingjun would be brave enough to take on the heavy responsibility, he remained quiet on the surface, but first consulted Sun Yat-sen, Huang Xing and others. Sun Yat-sen was a little unsure of what Yuan Shikai meant, so he thought for a moment and had to ask: "I don't know if there is a suitable candidate for the president?" ”

Yuan Shikai smiled slightly: "Why bother to search Yuanshao? The so-called 'Vakovake, it is not far away', Yuan Mou feels that Keqiang and Baixi are both suitable candidates for the prime minister! ”

Huang Xing hurriedly waved his hand and refused: "Huang Mou has been overwhelmed by the post of staying in Nanjing before, let alone the prime minister of the cabinet?" Huang is only willing to respond to Mr. Zhongshan's call to implement people's livelihood for the rest of his life, and concentrate on the development of industry. ”

Sun Yuanqi also said: "Sun only knows how to compile and teach books in his life, and he doesn't know anything about military and political affairs. As the prime minister, please ask the president to choose another high-ranking minister! ”

Yuan Shikai was not reluctant, turned his head and asked Li Yuanhong again: "Song Qing, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?" ”

Li Yuanhong said humbly: "Li has no other opinions, everything is subject to the president's arrangement." ”

Yuan Shikai pondered for a moment and said, "Everyone, what do you think of Song Dunchu becoming the prime minister of the cabinet?" ”

This trick is called "If you want to take it, you must first use it", which is similar to Li Yuanhong's strategy of "retreating as advance", but Yuan Shikai's political skills are far from being comparable to Li Yuanhong's, and he will never be self-defeating. This will also be proven by the facts.

Serving as the prime minister of the responsible cabinet is not only the lifelong pursuit of Song Jiaoren, but also the goal of the League. Hearing Yuan Shikai's suggestion, Sun Yat-sen was immediately overjoyed: "If there is no other suitable candidate, it is also excellent for the prime minister to be appointed by Dunchu." The essence of learning, arrogance, and courage to do things can be regarded as the best choice of the prime minister. It's just that he has just passed the year of his establishment, and his qualifications are still young, and he suddenly becomes an important post of prime minister in the cabinet, which I am afraid will attract criticism from some old and pedantic people. ”

Yuan Shikai frowned and said, "Where are there so many bad habits? At the beginning of the Republic of China, when everything was renewed, there should be a founding atmosphere and the use of talents in an eclectic manner. If he is ranked according to seniority, then Yuan Mou can't be the 'Minister of Commerce and Trade Affairs of the Prime Minister stationed in the DPRK' at the age of 26? I remember that when Baek-hee was famous in the scientific community of Taixi, he was only in his twenties, right?

"The so-called age and qualifications can only be used to restrain those ordinary people, but they cannot be used to regulate heroes and heroes. Like the first emperor Yingzheng when he was twenty or thirty years old, he was already in charge of national affairs and swept the six countries; Zhuge Kongming was only in his twenties when he assisted Emperor Zhaolie of the Han Dynasty, and he was able to strategize and win a decisive victory, and finally had one of the three points in the world. Therefore, age and qualifications are not an issue. Although Mr. Zhongshan is assured, as long as Song Dunchu is willing to serve as the prime minister of the cabinet, Yuan will clearly express his support! ”

As long as Song Dunchu is willing? That means that Song Dunchu is very likely to be unwilling? Why did Song Dunchu disagree? As early as the establishment of the Nanjing Provisional Government, Song Dunchu strongly advocated the adoption of the French-style responsible cabinet system and opposed the American-style presidential system. After he took charge of the Beijing headquarters of the League, he actively united with other political parties to reorganize the League in an attempt to win the parliamentary elections in one fell swoop, and his ambition to become prime minister was even more obvious.

But why is Yuan Shikai still worried that Song Dunchu will not agree?

Thinking of this, Sun Yat-sen didn't dare to say too much, and replied vaguely at the moment: "Since the president has this sincerity, Sun will visit Song Dunchu when he goes back tonight to see what he thinks." ”

Huang Xing has always been quite wary of Yuan Shikai, and this time he saw Yuan Shikai praising Song Jiaoren so much, he was shocked in his heart, but he couldn't guess what medicine he was selling in his gourd. However, he and Song Jiaoren had the same political views and a close relationship, and he was afraid that Song Jiaoren would be deceived by listening to Sun Yat-sen's words, so he took the initiative to ask Ying: "Huang is willing to work with Mr. Sun Yat-sen to persuade Song Dunchu to take up the post of prime minister." ”

Yuan Shikai nodded: "It's okay." I believe that Keqiang and Yatsen will work together to succeed! ”

Later that day, Sun Yat-sen and Huang Xing jointly met with Song Jiaoren, who was busy reorganizing the League, and explained the purpose of the visit. As soon as the words fell, Song Jiaoren resolutely refused: "I am not the prime minister of the cabinet!" (To be continued.) If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the starting point (qidian.) to vote for recommendation, monthly pass, your support, is my biggest motivation. For mobile phone users, please go to m.qidian. )

PS: Resume the update from now on! Thank you for your attention. Uncle He was polite.