When Yuan Shikai passed away, the whole country mourned.

After the news came out that night, people came to the Presidential Palace to pay their respects. Except for some dignitaries who could not get back to the capital in time, almost all the prominent people in Beijing arrived. Even the ambassadors from various embassies came after hearing the news.

, to express condolences for the sudden death of Yuan Shikai.

In a solemn atmosphere, ambassadors from various countries bowed to the mourning hall that had been set up one after another. Japan's Ambassador Hioki Masuzo looked extremely gloomy among the crowd. It was not that he felt sad because of Yuan Shikai's death, but that he felt that the armistice agreement had been signed.

It's really not the right time. If I had known, Japan would

It should be delayed for a while. China's political situation will inevitably change after Yuan Shikai's death. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Japan. However, no one expected to receive this news just after the agreement was signed. Now it is too late to regret and miss this opportunity.

He was extremely upset.

Since Yuan Keding was far away overseas and could not make it back, the ceremony could only be hosted by his second son Yuan Kewen, with Fang Zida assisting him as his son-in-law. Everyone in the Yuan family was dressed in white, and everyone in the Yuan family shed tears amidst the sound of "sorrow". Except for the Yuan family

In addition, several big bosses in Beiyang in Beijing also put aside their identities and helped out. Even State Prime Minister Song Jiaoren took the initiative to serve as the chairman of the funeral committee to prepare for the state funeral.

On the second day, flags were flown at half-mast across the country to express condolences. Embassies and consulates of various countries in China also lowered flags at half-mast. All newspapers published the obituary of the death of President Yuan Shikai on the front page. Government officials, members of Congress, and officers and soldiers of the National Defense Forces

They all wore white flowers on their chests. According to Chinese customs, Yuan Shikai's body will be laid to rest at the Presidential Palace for seven days, and after the first seven days, the body will be moved to mourn.

Seven days later, the state funeral officially began. Early in the morning, the streets of the capital from the Presidential Palace to Xibianmen were filled with soldiers of the National Defense Force standing straight. The common people in the capital stood quietly on both sides of the road waiting. As the time came, the presiding officer

Song Jiaoren announced the start of the state funeral. First, as Prime Minister and Prime Minister of the Funeral Committee, he led everyone to pay their respects to the body. Then he personally delivered a eulogy and played mourning music. Then everyone came forward one by one to express condolences to the Yuan family and so on.

Amid the sound of mourning music, eight people, Song Jiaoren, Li Yuanhong, Yuan Kewen, Fang Zida, Wang Shizhen, Duan Qirui, Xu Shichang and Feng Guozhang, supported the coffin. Amidst the paper money and yellow banknotes in the sky, the black and huge coffin was slowly carried out of the president.

Mansion, slowly heading out of the city along the way...

According to Yuan Shikai's wishes during his lifetime, he hoped to return to his hometown in Henan, which is Anyang. It is a long way from the capital to Anyang. Moreover, the cemetery has not been completed yet, so Yuan Shikai's coffin can only be temporarily placed in Baiyun Temple outside Xibian Gate until an auspicious day can be chosen.

Officially buried.

The death of Yuan Shikai represents the end of an era. It also represents the disappearance of the last unerring figure in Beiyang.

After the funeral, Congress held a meeting, and Vice President Li Yuanhong took over the presidency in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, and elected Xu Shichang as vice president. Prime Minister Song Jiaoren continued to perform his duties as prime minister in accordance with the constitution, but what was different from the Yuan Shikai era was that Song Jiaoren's rights

It was much older. As Yuan Shikai persuaded Li Yuanhong to take over, the position of the president changed from actual duties to a virtual one, serving as the nominal head of state and no longer having actual administrative responsibilities. This completely began the cabinet responsibility system of the Song Jiaoren era.

Apart from this, there were not many changes in the various government ministries. Except for Fang Zida being appointed as the Minister of Finance, there was basically no adjustment in the cabinet. Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang, who originally peeped at the position of prime minister and wanted to push Song Jiaoren to the fictitious "throne" of the president,

They were all extremely disappointed because Yuan

Shikai made arrangements before his death. Before leaving, he explained the funeral arrangements to everyone one by one and suppressed their thoughts. In addition, Yuan Shikai had just passed away. Duan and Feng wanted to take care of their influence.

But for the time being, he swallowed his anger and suppressed the desire in his heart.

However, although Yuan Shikai's death made them feel sad, they also felt that their opportunity was coming. Although they could not compete with the overall situation for the time being, Duan and Feng were not fuel-efficient lamps, especially Duan Qirui. On the surface, they still held the position of

The Minister of Defense is a very important figure among the cabinet members, but secretly he has quietly started planning, trying to find an opportunity to stand at the top of his life like Yuan Shikai.

After the armistice between China and Japan, Yang Du returned to the capital with Chen Fu and attended the funeral as Yuan Shikai's former staff and friend. Chen Fu quietly left after the funeral and returned to the base to continue his military research, while Yang Du was at Fang Zida

After serving as finance minister, he also

He is also one step closer, directly serving as Assistant to the Minister of Finance and Vice President of the Central Bank. As for Yang Yongtai, Fang Zida also arranged for him the positions of Vice President of the Central Committee and Director of the Ministry of Finance, but most of the time the two of them still serve as Fang Zida

The brain trust exists.

A month later, as the impact of the state funeral quietly passed away, the Chinese government completed a stable transition on the surface, but in fact there was still an undercurrent. On this day, Yang Du hurried back from outside and entered Fang Zida's office.

Yang Yongtai happened to also tell them the news quickly.

"Anfu Club? What's going on?"

Fang Zida was a little puzzled. Although the name of this club sounded familiar, why could a small club make Yang Du so nervous? Is there some mystery in it?

"Does Zhang Ming know that Wang Yitang and Zeng Yujun did so?"

"Of course Wang Yitang knows. Isn't this person a former counselor of the Presidential Palace and a senator of Congress?" Fang Zida replied casually. He and Wang Yitang did not have a close relationship. They only met a few times. This man was once awarded the rank of general by Yuan Shikai.

The former Beiyang Association President had long since withdrawn from the military and entered politics.

But Zeng Yujun and Fang Zida were not sure. Although he seemed to have heard of his name, he couldn't remember it.

"Zeng Yujun was the former director of the Ministry of War and now serves in the Ministry of National Defense. He is Xiao Xu's employee." Yang Yongtai explained at the side.

The Xiao Xu in his mouth was Duan Qirui's right-hand man - Xu Shuzheng. Fang Zida suddenly realized after hearing this, and found the appearance of this person from the depths of his memory.

"What's wrong? What's the problem with these two people?"

"The problem is big!" Yang Du said with a serious expression: "According to the news, Wang Yitang and Zeng Yujun recently set up a club at Liang Shitang's residence in Anfu Hutong, Xuanwumen. It is called the Anfu Club to the outside world. They recruit people to join the club everywhere, and even secretly recruit people to join the club internally.

The cadre department, council, government affairs research association and other institutions and positions have been established, and now many Anhui MPs, political officials, politicians, etc. have quietly joined this club."

Fang Zida was stunned after hearing this. According to what Yang Du said, isn't this club a political party? Could it be that Wang Yitang and Zeng Yujun planned to establish a political party? But why didn't they use the name of a party instead of a club to cover it up?

"Of course there is some mystery in it!" After hearing Fang Zida's question, Yang Du immediately said: "I asked around and found that the members who join this club now are basically from Anhui or Beiyang Anhui clan, which is Duan Zhiquan's faction, and if

If my guess is correct, I'm afraid Duan Zhiquan is the real mastermind behind the scenes, and today I specially went over in person to take a look from a distance, guess who I saw?"

"Is it Xiao Xu?" Yang Yongtai asked quickly.

"That's him!" Yang Du raised his thumbs in admiration. Yang Yongtai's guess was correct. He saw Duan Qirui's right-hand man Xu Shuzheng.

At this time, Fang Zida didn't understand that he was a fool. Duan Qirui asked Xu Shuzheng to come forward, and then Wang Yitang, Zeng Yujun and others took the lead in joining forces with members of the Anhui clique to set up such a club. It was actually a private party establishment. It was probably because Yuan Shikai had just passed away, and for

In order to avoid being accused by other Beiyang bosses and taking the responsibility of dividing Beiyang, their club is actually the result of a political party, but they still use the club's banner to cover up.

Duan Qirui has such a motive! You must know that there are many parties in both houses of Congress. Although KMT is undoubtedly the largest party, overall, other parties also occupy a lot of seats, but

Those small and medium-sized parties are fighting on their own and cannot shake KMT's dominant position in the Congress.

Duan Qirui secretly formed a party under the guise of a club, and his intention was very clear. That was to use this method to draw various small and medium-sized parties that were originally scattered to his side based on regional relationships, thereby forming a new alliance to compete with KMT. If

In addition, by provoking some people within KMT who often advocate extreme freedom and democracy to sing against each other or convincing those neutrals to join their camp. Over time, it will become a powerful force within the Congress, thereby affecting the Chinese political landscape.

"What a good plan, what a good plan! I didn't expect Duan Zhiquan to have such a skill!" After understanding the cause and effect, Fang Zida couldn't help but clapped his hands and praised him. He didn't expect Duan Qirui to play this trick. Since the government now advocates constitutionalism,

Then he also uses constitutional means to obtain the rights and status he needs, which is blameless on the surface. But a good book is often misrepresented.

The monk has lost his mind. According to the consistent approach of Duan Qirui, Xu Shuzheng, Wang Yitang, Zeng Yujun and other old-school people, he is likely to use some unsavory means to achieve his goals, such as threats, inducements and even deception. Although Fang Zida is not proficient in modern times

History, but I have also heard the story of Cao Kun buying votes to become president. It is hard to guarantee that Duan Qirui would not resort to such a trick if he is hot-headed.

Democracy is a good thing, but it is also a bad thing. Certain methods that are inevitable in the ** government are simply impossible to achieve a truly transparent, efficient, clean and open democracy when the legal system is not perfect and the people's wisdom is not yet fully developed.

Possible. After laughing a few times, Fang Zida's expression gradually became serious. He lit a cigar and smoked quietly. After a long time, he asked: "What's the situation with Feng Huafu? He won't also open a club, right?

"

"That's not true. When Feng Huafu led troops and stationed in Hebei, he mainly focused on military matters. It is said that he did not have many contacts with important political figures."

"Haha, Feng Huafu is still not as good as Duan Zhiquan after all!" Fang Zida smiled slightly, stood up and said: "According to the Constitution of the Republic of China, whether it is a self-organized political party or an association, as long as it does not subvert the country, its registration is legal, not to mention what they did
Chapter completed!