Chongtu
After Kang Youwei took charge of the Political Department, he wrote twice to set up the Bureau in 1898 (1898). Emperor Guangxu asked the Prime Minister's yamen how to deal with this matter, and the Prime Minister's yamen replied directly: "It seems that there is no need to open another bureau and set up a waiting office." Guangxu was very dissatisfied with this response: "The yamen will discuss it separately and play it separately." On the basis of Guangxu imperial edict, it is the only time to overturn the reconsideration memorial like this.
The emperor wants to do it, but the ministers below are unwilling to do it. What should I do? Traditional China's power operation has matured: procrastination!
At this time, Wang Zhao, the alternate director of the Ministry of Rites, handed a book to Emperor Guangxu: "The book said that the emperor was invited to visit Japan on behalf of the Empress Dowager to understand the reasons for Japan's rise, and then he would inform his subjects to change the atmosphere on behalf of the Empress Dowager." Wang Zhao certainly saw the dual structure of Qing politics and tried to break the deadlock by adjusting the mother-child relationship in Guangxu. Later, Wang Zhao recalled: "This photo means to make peace with the two palaces and repay the Queen Mother with honor, so that it will disappear and become lovely." Interestingly, Wang Zhao's understanding of the relationship between political reform and power was different from that of the "reformists" and "conservatives" who were diametrically opposed at that time. In a more specific political reality, Wang Zhao once analyzed Kang Youwei: "If the queen mother has a good name, if the emperor tries his best to respect it, the kindness will be repaid." Although the gap between families is not big, why can it not be affected? " However, this choice was rejected by Kang Youwei. The cruelty of politics involves two sides of the same coin. Losers are often called winners, but this is not necessarily the case. Later, the reform failed, and Wang Zhao also went into exile in Japan. He even insisted on his previous judgment: "Since Weng Tonghe's rebellion, all ministers who resisted the decree relied on the Queen Mother; However, Empress Dowager Cixi was keen on the political reform of the previous year. At this time, she is not allowed to engage in politics, and it is only natural to provoke the old and stubborn. " According to this logic, transferring the name of political reform to Cixi may break the deadlock.
However, this idea is intolerable to Kang Youwei, let alone the opposition.
Wang Zhao is not qualified to write directly to the emperor, but can only be played by the Ministry of Rites. However, this accordion full of harmony was suppressed by the ritual department 1 1 day. Wang Zhao, of course, was in a hurry and wrote to impeach officials of the Ministry of Justice. Personnel is one of the contents of politics, but personnel disputes are the key to most political conflicts. According to Wang Zhao's later recollection, it was not all manners that hindered him, but Xu Yingkun. His reason is: "Please take a trip abroad and you will know that you have no ulterior motives. If I presume to work for you, in case something happens to me one day, will Wang be full? " -Xu Yingxun's theory is really mean. Guangxu was extremely angry and responded to this statement: "I have my own balance in my heart, so ministers don't have to worry too much." On July 19, Guangxu was furious and dismissed all six officials of the Department of Rites. This is the most intense political action during the reform period. But there is a more important detail in this matter: Guangxu did not ask Cixi about this recall.
One of the important measures of the Reform Movement of 1898 was to encourage secretaries and scholars to write books. After this order was issued, not many people wrote letters, which is normal. According to the government's behavior pattern, that is, like the official Wang Zhao wrote a letter, there are still people who obstruct it, not to mention the government and the people. However, after six officials of the Ministry of Rites were stopped for obstructing the petition, the most obvious reaction was the sharp increase in the number of petitioners. In the past month, there was only one more book. On July 19 alone, eleven people wrote thirteen books. Since then, this number has increased. Traditionally, people who fold books need enough identity and qualifications, but in addition to these normal books, there are still many books that the past institutions can't handle. After recalling six officials of does, the next day, Guangxu ordered Yang Rui, Liu Guangdi, Tan Sitong and Xu Lin to be appointed as military aircraft Zhang Jing to "participate in the New Deal". Its main job is to deal with letters from staff and people.
What does Zhang Jing's four new military aircraft mean to the reform movement in 1898? Xiao Yishan judged in his General History of Qing Dynasty: "The New Party began to formally participate in politics." -Before that, although almost all the policies of political reform came from reformists, this faction did not have any actual power in government agencies.
Like the recall of six officials of the Ministry of Rites, this new appointment was not asked by Cixi. Therefore, in fact, in the relationship structure of power checks and balances, Taiwan Province scholar Lin Wenren's analysis is that "the imperial party finally reached the top of the party".
Improve the situation
Encouraged by this possible power space in the future, Kang Youwei and his reformists proposed to reopen the "Qinzheng Hall" at this time without any actual progress in the Institutional Bureau. Liang Qichao's definition is: "Select dozens of talented people from all over the country, and hire political experts from the East and the West to discuss the system, coordinate everything that should be advocated and reformed, set down detailed rules, and then implement them." -Continue the idea of "institutional bureau", increase "recruiting political experts from the East and the West" and rebuild the power system with a new name. Japan's Ito Bowen and Britain's Timothy Richard belong to East and West political experts, so it's just the right time for them to come to Beijing.
The reopening of Mao Qin Concert Hall is a major move. Although Guangxu agreed, he needed to ask Cixi for instructions and did not dare to be arbitrary. On July 29th, Guangxu went to the Summer Palace to ask Cixi for instructions. At this time, Cixi had been in power for thirty-eight years, and how proficient she was in politics. Of course, she saw through the original meaning of opening the refined hall at a glance. Mao Haijian analyzed the meeting in Textual Research on the History of the Reform Movement of 1898: "When Emperor Guangxu directly raised the issue of opening the Qin Temple with Empress Dowager Cixi, Cixi, who was very sensitive to power and politically sophisticated, certainly knew what the final outcome would be. The basic feature of the deliberative body proposed by Kang Youwei and his followers is that its personnel are not limited by rank, and they are located in the palace and directly responsible to the emperor. On the surface, it is a political advisory body, but in fact it will be a political decision-making body. The original institutions responsible for consultation and deliberation, such as the military department and the Prime Minister's office, will become simple executive bodies. This is a challenge to the existing political system and her own power. If we agree to open the Maoqin Hall, it will greatly modify the political power relationship between it and Emperor Guangxu, which will be a substantial modification. In other words, Emperor Guangxu 10 days ago "arbitrarily" demolished the Sixth Hall of the Rite, which was a denial of his power. At this time, Emperor Guangxu proposed to open the Qin Hall, which would shake her power base. From her point of view, Emperor Guangxu has launched two' coups'. "
Since then, the reform movement has taken a sharp turn. The next day, Guangxu's secret letter to Yang Rui clearly expressed his situation:
Recently, I looked up at the imperial edict of Empress Dowager Cixi and didn't want to abolish the law. I didn't want to oust this generation of old and stupid ministers, but I used knowledgeable and brave people to let them discuss politics (that is, set up a diligent office), thinking that I was afraid of losing people's hearts. Although I have repeatedly issued decrees to rectify and remonstrate several times at any time, the imperial edict is firm and it will be of no help. Is as the 19th Zhu Yu (that is, does six officials), the queen mother has felt too heavy, so it is really difficult to find out recently. I don't know that the weakness of China is caused by the mistakes of this generation, but if I want to make a painful decree and try my best to change the old law, my strength is not enough. If so, I can't even keep my position, let alone others. Today, I ask you, can you have a good plan to completely change the old law, oust the absurd and fatuous veteran, let the heroes who can discuss politics enter, and let China turn the corner, turn the weak into the strong, and not be tempted by the imperial edict? Erqi, Xu Lin, Liu Guangdi, Tan Sitong and other comrades meeting, make mudra as soon as possible, and hand it over to the Minister of Military Affairs. I'll think it over before I deal with it. I'm really looking forward to it. Special instructions.
Yang Rui was one of the "six gentlemen" who were later executed by Cixi. His son hid the secret imperial edict. After Cixi's death, Xuantong gave it to Duchayuan in the second year (19 10), and finally let the world know what it was like to see Cixi that day. -Mao Haijian said: "According to the tips of the above secret imperial edict, we can imagine the scene of a dispute between Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi on July 29, and we can draw three conclusions: First, Emperor Guangxu proposed to Empress Dowager Cixi to set up a deliberative body, and it is also possible to suggest that Kang Youwei and his followers should participate in or preside over this deliberative body, while Empress Dowager Cixi proposed to dismiss six members of the ritual department; Second, the political power of Emperor Guangxu was not enough to establish a deliberative body, reuse Kang Youwei and party member, and recall ministers. This regime belongs to Empress Dowager Cixi. Third, Empress Dowager Cixi warned Emperor Guangxu that if he exceeded his authority, his throne would be' not guaranteed'. "
On the second day of August, Guangxu, who was worried about Kang Youwei's situation, immediately issued a decree and ordered Kang Youwei to "set up an official newspaper office in Shanghai without delay."
The third day of August
The proposal of Yang Chongyi's play "Empress Dowager Xu Ken speaks politics today" was sent to Cixi on the third day of August. Relevant files show that this kind of folding performance was not recorded in the military department's manual file and morning file. "It can be seen that Yang Chongyi's performance was presented to Empress Dowager Cixi, probably by the Qing Prince Yi Kuang."
On the surface, the day seems calm. Slightly changed, the military aviation department said in a video to Cixi: "... all the methods were signed and all were put forward in good faith. Once issued, it must be reprocessed. " In other words, after this, before the decree was issued, it had to go through Empress Dowager Cixi, and the original afterwards reporting system became a prior request system. This is obviously aimed at the power monitoring of military aircraft silk jingjing. Besides, Cixi and Guangxu in the Summer Palace are both watching the play and living in peace.
On the first day of August, Guangxu issued a decree granting Yuan Shikai an alternate assistant minister. At this time, Yuan Shikai came to Beijing from Tianjin, and prepared to meet Guangxu in the fifth day. Also recommended Yuan Shikai, please use Guangxu abnormality, it is Xu Zhijing's Kang Ma. On the evening of the third day of August, Tan Sitong met with Yuan Shikai and had a private conversation.
Tan Sitong's meeting with Yuan Shikai was recorded in detail in Yuan Shikai 1898 Diary:
(Tan Sitong) Because of a bill of exchange, such as a business card, it is a big mistake to open Arong to seek the abolition of regicide. If it is not cleared quickly, the upper position cannot be guaranteed, that is, life cannot be guaranteed. On the fifth day of May, Yuan Shikai asked for training, asking him to take his troops to Tianjin, see honor, study and immediately enforce the law. That is to say, instead of Zhili, Yuan sent a letter to his subordinates and posted a notice announcing that Rong had committed a big crime, that is, blocked the railway of the Electric Power Bureau, quickly carried one of Yuan's soldiers to Beijing, and sent half of them around the Summer Palace and half of them stayed in the palace. Big things can be decided. If they don't carry out the policy, they will die in various languages. (Yuan Shikai) Yan Yi: "What do you want to do around the Summer Palace?" Tan Yun: "If you don't get rid of this old era, the country can't be guaranteed. This matter is mine, you don't have to ask. I have hired dozens of warriors, and I have called Hunan to gather many people. I will arrive in a few days, just for my old age, so I don't need public office. But there are two things to do, to punish honor and surround the Summer Palace. " ...... "There must be Zhu Yu on the fifth day, so I will give it to the public."
According to Yuan Shikai's memory, this was a fairly complete coup plan. In this way, it is urgent for Kang Youwei and the Reform Party to solve political disputes by violent means.
According to Liang Qichao's records, Yuan Shikai told Tan Sitong that "it was a dog's ear to kill Rong Hong"-although it was so easy, Yuan refused the plan. "However, my battalion officers are old people, and bullets and gunpowder are in Rong Lu. Moreover, the small station went to Beijing for more than 200 miles, and I was worried by the railway. " As a maneuver, Yuan suggested that "if you come to our camp during the Tianjin military parade, you can make thieves and ministers punish them."
About the time when Yuan Shikai and Tan Sitong plotted, Cixi began to watch the memorial written by Yang Chongyi after watching the play. "Wu Ke (7 pm to 9 pm)" decided to return to Beijing from the Summer Palace on impulse. Historians have come to a consistent conclusion that the description in Yang Chongyi's memorial that Guangxu might invite Ito as a political adviser was the key factor that triggered Cixi's return to the city. Obviously, Cixi decided to go back to the city to plot with Yuan Shikai and Tan Sitong, and the time was almost up, so there was no possibility of operation. Therefore, Yuan Shikai's whistle-blowing prompted Cixi to come back and launch a coup, and the "dramatic" turning point of the failure of the Reform Movement of 1898 was impossible.
But is Yuan Shikai really innocent?
Yuan Shikai's Thirty Hours
Cixi's return to Beijing is not exactly "back to the palace" because Guangxu has been leading the government. She came back to live in Xiyuan, which is today's Beihai and Zhongnanhai. It is located on the west side of the palace, so it is called Xiyuan. Generally speaking, there is no special reason why Cixi does not return to Xiyuan.
On the fourth day of August, the magazine of the Qing internal affairs office recorded Cixi's itinerary: The Virgin Mary finished her breakfast at the Leshou Hall, and the two managers invited the Queen Mother to take a boat from Shui Mu's pro-pier to Guangyuan Gate West Pier, disembark and take a sedan chair to Manjuji to burn incense. After that, she walked to the Imperial Palace, took a sedan chair to Guangyuan Gate East Pier, got off the sedan chair and took a boat to Hongyi Hall, and took a sedan chair to Xizhimen and Xi 'anmen. -at this time, it is "Schenk (3 pm to 5 pm)". When Emperor Guangxu heard the news, he hurried to meet Cixi outside Yingxiu Garden. Compared with Cixi's return to Xiyuan from the Summer Palace, this trip back to the city is still leisurely, and it doesn't seem like anything big is going to happen. When Cixi decided to return to Xiyuan, she also set the time for her return: the sixth day to the Summer Palace.
However, it was only one day after she returned to Xiyuan. On the fifth day of May, Cixi changed her mind and decided to postpone her return to the Summer Palace until the tenth day. She also took Guangxu back to the Summer Palace. Then, on the sixth day, a coup took place under the decree of Cixi.
What happened on the fifth day of August? This day is far more important than the decision to return to Xiyuan, and it is a crucial day.
On this day, before meeting Ito Bowen, Guangxu met Yuan Shikai alone. In the Diary of the Reform Movement of 1898, Yuan Shikai recorded his political reform thoughts at that time: "It is not easy to change politics in ancient and modern countries, and there are foreign invasion. Please be patient and step by step. If you act too hastily, it will inevitably lead to abuses. Those who are particularly good at political reform must have a truly wise and prudent person, such as Zhang Zhidong, to praise the presiding officer in order to answer the imperial edict; For the new ministers, there are many smart and brave people, but they are too shallow to be cautious. If there is a mistake, it will affect the emperor, and the relationship is extremely heavy ... "Obviously, Yuan Shikai did not vote for Kang Youwei in this interview; At the same time, because he rejected Tan Sitong's uprising plan, Kang Youwei didn't send a secret letter to Guangxu, and of course there would be no secret letter from Guangxu to punish Rong Lu. At this point, everything is still normal.
All the doubts, that is, the core factor that prompted Cixi to make up her mind to give lectures and go into politics, can only be the coup of "enclosing and banning the Summer Palace". Yuan Shikai is still talking about whether or not. Corresponding to this suspicion, Yuan Shikai's Diary of the Reform Movement of 1898 is almost true, but there is a gap of 30 hours from seeing Tan Sitong on the third night to seeing Guangxu on the fifth morning. If Yuan Shikai is unlikely to urge Cixi to return to Xiyuan from the Summer Palace because of the overlap of time, what is the driving factor for Cixi to make a real comeback decision on the fifth day of May of the fifth year? How to understand the blank time of thirty hours? That's the point.
There is no doubt that Yuan Shikai told the whole story about the coup plans of Kang Youwei and others. In the Diary of the Reform Movement of 1898, Yuan described that after seeing Guangxu, he "retired, that is, went to the station ... and arrived in Tianjin, that is, it was already sunset, that is, he simply described the inside story and said that the emperor was filial, but he didn't mean it. However, a group of summary parties incited and sought a dangerous clan society. In fact, the emperor must be saved to protect the world. ..... The glory of the second morning was ignored, and the details were prepared, and the glory was eclipsed. " According to this record, after Yuan Shikai returned to Tianjin, he told Rong Lu Kang Youwei's plan to reform the party and government, and then passed it on from Rong Lu to Cixi.
If Yuan Shikai's statement is true, he only returned to Tianjin after the coup and reported Kang Youwei's plan to "encircle" the Summer Palace. Then, according to this logic, Guangxu was abolished, and the responsibility for the failure of the political reform certainly had nothing to do with him, at least with limited relevance. For a long time, both people at that time and later researchers thought that Yuan Shikai's Diary of the Reform Movement of 1898 was false and basically did not believe his statement.
The analysis of the factors in the early stage of the coup d' é tat of 1898 mainly focused on the issue that Yuan Shikai personally informed Rong Lu or sent Xu Shichang after learning about Tan Sitong's plan. Cixi was furious with this plot and decided to give a warning. According to various popular details at that time, the plot pieced together by later researchers was one of the more popular: Yuan Shikai sent someone back to Tianjin to tell Rong Lu on the night when he knew the plan, and Rong Lu sneaked back to Beijing on the fourth day of August to report the news to Cixi. However, according to this plot, it was not easy to correspond to the traffic and system at that time-Yuan Shikai knew that the coup plan was already late at night on the third day, and the city gate was closed at this time. The quickest way is to let a messenger from Rong Lu bring an urgent letter back to Tianjin in the early morning of the fourth day. The messenger can arrive in Tianjin at noon by train or by horse. And if Rong Lu comes to Beijing as quickly as possible, he can arrive in Beijing at night. It seems that this is a version that seems to be comparable in time. But Cixi decided to return to Xiyuan from the Summer Palace on the third night. Neither Yuan Shikai in Beijing nor Rong Lu in Tianjin could know that Cixi was in Beijing at this time. Therefore, even if Rong Lu arrives in Beijing at night, he should be prepared to spend enough time reporting this matter to the Summer Palace. Even if there is enough time, it is doubtful whether Cixi has slept. So, is it possible for Rong Lu to report to Cixi on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month? On this day, Yuan Shikai has returned to Tianjin and found Rong Lu to report. It is impossible and seems unnecessary for him to go back to Beijing in such a hurry for nothing.
Historian Huang Zhangjian independently made a classic judgment in 1970, that is, the coup did not happen because of Yuan Shikai's informer, but informer increased the severity of the coup. This is a deduction of the statement in Yuan Shikai's diary. On the fifth day, Yuan Shikai tipped off Rong Lu. On the seventh day, Rong Lu was brought back to Beijing by Yang Chongyi. On the eighth day, Cixi was beaten. On the ninth day, Zhang and other seven people were arrested. The most powerful part of this judgment is that it can correspond to the arrest process of specific reformers, and it can win the plot of the above-mentioned researchers using Qing notes in historical facts. Later, due to the appearance of new materials, Yuan Shikai's Diary of the Reform Movement of 1898 was tended to be regarded as true by historical researchers, rather than pure forgery. As a result, Yuan did not launch a coup, but only intensified the coup, which became a trend.
But the deeper problems during this period are: as Yuan Shikai said in his abdication, he was just a "report after the coup"; Then, it took Yuan so long to report such an important and life-threatening event as the "Summer Palace besieged city" three days later. Cixi wanted to come afterwards. How to judge? If so, then Yuan Shikai's promotion may enter the fast lane?
What Yuan Shikai did in thirty hours is still a mystery.