Sun Wen and Chen Jianning: A Chronological History of Historical Events

Author: Duan Yunzhang, Shen Xiaomin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: In mid-November, the independent provinces planned to organize the central government. Zongdu Tang Shouqian of Zhejiang and Zongdu Cheng Dequan of Jiangsu jointly telegraphed Chen Qimai of Shanghai Zongdu on November 11, proposing that "the system of the United States of America should serve as a model for our country in the future" and advocating the rapid establishment of a "temporary conference general agency in Shanghai to discuss methods for internal and external policies," inviting representatives from all provinces to attend the meeting. They proposed three main outlines and four methods of assembly. On the 12th, representatives from the Zongdu offices of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, such as Lei Fren and Gao Erdeng, jointly telegraphed all provinces, requesting them to send representatives to Shanghai to discuss the formation of a provisional government. On the 14th, Zongdu Cheng Dequan of Jiangsu telegraphed the Zongdu of all provinces: "The situation is roughly stable, and military and civilian affairs urgently need unification. It is proposed to jointly issue a telegraph to request Mr. Sun Zhongshan to return to China quickly to organize a provisional government to consolidate power. Mr. Sun Zhongshan is the pioneer of the revolution and is deeply trusted by people at home and abroad. Organizing a provisional government, no one is more suitable than him. I believe you, who prioritize the bigger picture, will also agree. Please reply as soon as possible." On the 15th, representatives from the Zongdu offices of Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Fujian held a meeting in Shanghai, which was named the Representative Association of Provinces' Zongdu Offices and telegraphed Li Yuanhong and Huang Xing, citing the convenience of transportation in Shanghai, requesting them to send representatives to attend the meeting. On December 2, the Jiangsu-Zhejiang captured Nanjing, shifting the revolutionary focus from Hubei to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The representatives of all provinces decided to meet in Shanghai to organize a provisional government. △ Sun Zhongshan expressed his views on the presidential candidate of the Republic and the model of national construction. In mid-November, Sun Zhongshan discussed with (Kang Deli) that: "I am not concerned about the position of the grand leader of the republican government. However, the responsibility of maintaining China's future, I can take on." He told (Lu Chi) that: "His ambition is not to rush to become the prime minister of China, but if this position is beneficial to China, he is not reluctant to accept it." He told a British journalist that: "If the people call him to organize the central government and entrust him with the position of prime minister, he will be happy to contribute his efforts." He told the《》(Minli Bao) that: "The president should naturally be elected as Li. I heard that Li has proposed to recommend Yuan, which is also appropriate." He told the《》(Binhai Zazhi) journalist that: "Whether I will become the nominal head of state of all of China or cooperate with others or Yuan Shikai, it is all the same to me." He told the《》(Paris Daily) journalist that: "China is politically unsuitable for centralization; using the North American federal system is indeed more suitable." On November 20, Zhang Taiyan opposed implementing the American federal system. Zhang Taiyan spoke at the second meeting of the Republic of China Union and said: "The federal system of the United States is particularly incompatible with China, as the states of the United States are originally colonies with their own governments, which is different from our provinces with unified administrative power for a long time. Therefore, it cannot break the unity and imitate the separation of the United States." On November 24, Sun Zhongshan left Paris and set off for China. On November 26, Chen Jiongming telegraphed all sectors, resigning from the position of deputy zongdu of Guangdong and expressing his willingness to lead his troops northward. The telegram stated: "In terms of talent, I cannot do it; in terms of ambition, I am not willing to do it. But I hope the Qing court will fall early. If I return safely, I will definitely lay down my arms and return to my hometown to take care of my parents. I hope my compatriots in Guangdong will work together to support Hu, stay in the province, and shoulder the important responsibilities. I also hope all gentlemen in all sectors to coordinate and contribute to the greater good, without holding opinions or starting private disputes. Within three days, I will personally lead the northern expedition army to the Five Rams City to shake hands with my uncles, aunts, older brothers, younger brothers, and sisters. I still need to linger for a few days to discuss the northern expedition strategy. I swear to be one of the northern expeditionists and dare not take the position of deputy zongdu. However, the situation in Guangdong has just stabilized, and many things need to be handled. There are inevitable differences in political views, it is necessary to urgently convene a temporary provincial assembly to serve as a complete legislative and supervisory administrative organ; and establish a military-national (group) association to serve as a unified military command organ. Other measures include calming down the local militias, suppressing banditry, protecting foreigners, organizing civilian and financial affairs, and preparing for the northern expedition." On November 29, Chen Jiongming led his troops into Guangzhou following the military. On December 2, Hu Hanmin, Chen Jiongming, and Huang Shilong jointly issued a notice of the scheduled convening of the temporary assembly. "We hereby set October 15 (December 5) to hold a temporary assembly in the Chamber of Commerce, to discuss the public opinion of all sectors and to seek the public security of all of Guangdong. As for the major issues of personnel and administration of the military government, Hanmin and others are unable to handle them, so they will assist; if there are shortcomings, they will correct them, so as to conform to the principles of the republic. Moreover, there is something to add: the Qing court has not fallen, and Hanmin and others have never forgotten their northern expedition ambitions. If Guangdong is well-governed, they will immediately lead the army northward to fulfill their original aspirations, and they dare not hold important positions in the military government for too long." According to intelligence from the Guangdong Customs, the temporary assembly needs to discuss the following matters: 1. How to protect public property and how to manage government affairs; 2. Determining who will lead the army to attack Beijing and who will stay in Guangzhou. On December 3, Huang Xing telegraphed Hu Hanmin, requesting the launch of the northern expedition, and said: "I heard that Brother Jingcun's army is also heading north, and I am extremely happy. Please set off quickly." On December 5, the Guangdong temporary assembly was held, and Chen Jiongming announced the political program for governing Guangdong. The Guangdong temporary assembly was held in the Chamber of Commerce, with Hu Hanmin, Chen Jiongming, and Huang Shilong attending. After Hu Hanmin spoke, Chen Jiongming said: "The affairs of Guangdong have been painstakingly managed by Hu, and now they have been recognized by foreigners. It is absolutely impossible to shake them. Hu has made great contributions to the country and is a rare talent. Even if there are shortcomings, we should assist each other. Now Guangdong is not purely a military government, and political progress must be sought first by establishing a provincial system and a systematic administrative structure for each department. It is also necessary to organize a temporary parliament, and all matters must be decided by the parliament and executed by the zongdu, so that the three organs of justice, legislation, and administration can conform to the republican system. As for unifying military and civilian affairs, it is an urgent task at the moment. It is necessary to quickly establish a military and civilian affairs bureau, but only after the military is unified and the parliament is established can we talk about leaving. I hope you can rest assured." Chen Jiongming announced the political program for governing Guangdong at the meeting: "First, establish the provincial system to divide governance: (a) Recognize the political system of Guangdong as that of the military government. Although it is temporarily named as such to align with the provinces of China, it will be corrected once the military situation is stabilized. (b) Adopt the system of three powers independence, dividing it into legislative, executive, and judicial frameworks. (c) All personnel in the legislative, executive, and judicial departments are temporarily appointed. (d) The legislative organ is led by the temporary provincial assembly, to be established within seven days. (e) (1) The executive organ is organized by the temporary government, with the following structure: one, the executive head is appointed by the zongdu. Two, it is divided into eight departments: civil affairs, foreign affairs, military affairs, finance, law enforcement, education, industry, and transportation. Eight departments jointly set up an executive council to coordinate the unification of administrative affairs in each department. Three, in addition to the eight departments, there is a general staff, a budget office, and a recruitment hall. Four, abolish the old system of prefectures and counties, with counties directly under the zongdu, each led by a county magistrate. Five, adopt the independent district system of Western countries, and divide the provincial capital and Henan districts into separate regions, directly under the zongdu office, not subordinate to Nan and Pan counties. (2) The judicial organ is headed by a court of justice. (f) The executive head is elected by the provincial assembly. The heads of the eight departments under the executive and the head of the judicial department are selected by the zongdu and approved by the provincial assembly. Second, the measures of the military government: First, organize the militia association as a liaison agency for the army, while the military affairs bureau plans to train and disband troops, and then assign them to various places for defense. Third, abolish the lijin tax. Fourth, quickly establish temporary laws. Fifth, on major issues throughout the province that can be publicly discussed, they are announced in the newspapers for public discussion. Sixth, open a rapid-track military academy: recruit high school graduates to study in the academy to reserve talent for the northern expedition." On December 6, Chen Jiongming was elected as the president of the Guangdong Corps Association. The Guangdong Corps Association held its founding meeting in the East Garden of Guangzhou, with representatives from all the corps attending. Hu Hanmin, Chen Jiongming, and Huang Shilong attended the meeting. At the meeting, Chen Jiongming was elected as the president, Zhou Zhizhen as the vice president, and Gao Jianfu, Liu Shifu, and others as secretaries, with Zheng Anfu and Yang Han Guang as clerks. From then on, the Corps Association became a tool for Chen Jiongming and Hu Hanmin to fight for power.