"Retreat of the Yangtai (Part 1, Part 2)"

Author: Gao Yang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-03-01
Features: With this, Zhang Zhidong could finally breathe a sigh of relief. After securing this massive loan, he could at least cover the deficit. Once construction began, Chen Kuilong could then shift funds from other public loans to gradually make up the difference, ensuring no further trouble. However, just as the contract was initially signed and sent to the Foreign Office for review, and a date was set for signing and disbursing the funds, an unexpected issue arose. The American envoy submitted a note, stating that the Foreign Office had previously promised that the Sichuan-Hunan Railway could borrow from American funds, requesting permission to join the loan. This was a misunderstanding, and a reasoned rebuttal could have resolved the matter. Yet, American bankers in London had already reached an agreement with the financial consortium formed by Britain, France, and Germany, changing the Sichuan-Hunan Railway loan into a joint borrowing arrangement among the four nations. They also demanded that the Guanghan Railway loan be handled similarly. Just as negotiations were underway, Russia cited the tea trade in Hankou, claiming it affected Russian interests, and demanded a share of the loan. Empress Dowager Cixi’s original intention was to keep matters general, and she nodded in satisfaction. Zhang Zhidong then continued: "Last year, the imperial edict proclaiming the preparation for constitutional reform was issued, and this year, the term for preparing for constitutional reform was announced. With countless state affairs to attend to, my energy has been exhausted. Fortunately, my physique is strong, and I can still endure it. However, since last summer and autumn, I have occasionally felt unwell.,，，，，。 On the twenty-first of this month, I was bereaved by the passing of the late Emperor. Grief overwhelmed me, and I could not restrain myself, leading to a worsening of my condition and eventual collapse. The young heir is still too young and in need of guidance. The Regent and the ministers both within and outside the court should cooperate to support and stabilize our nation’s foundation. The young heir should prioritize the state over personal grief, diligently study and learn, and one day realize the grand vision of his predecessors, for which we hold great hope! The mourning period will last twenty-seven days, after which it will be announced to the world, and all should be made aware."
Partly because Yuan Shikai believed it was better to let minor issues become major ones and major ones become minor ones, and partly because Zhao Bingjun and Yang Yide realized the revolutionaries were not afraid to die and that provoking them could lead to retaliation, the plot to bomb the five ministers was dropped, and Zhang Rong was imprisoned, effectively ending the matter. The investigation into political affairs continued as usual, but Shao Ying was so frightened that she took leave of absence on illness and refused to go abroad. Xu Shichang was also in the same situation, but his methods were more refined. He used the opportunity to establish the Ministry of Public Security to campaign for Yiheng to appoint him as Minister. Once the imperial decree was issued, Yiheng then presented a face-to-face report: "The establishment of the Ministry of Public Security requires the revision of its regulations and procedures."
Additionally, the imperial examination system had been abolished as per Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong’s requests, starting from the Bingwu examination. Previously, scholars and candidates would need to find alternative paths forward. Furthermore, the Russo-Japanese peace talks had concluded, requiring China to negotiate with Japan to establish a treaty for the transfer of the Liaodong Peninsula. The Bureau of Military Affairs was extremely busy, and Xu Shichang was not suitable for a long absence. As a result, he was exempted from the mission to study abroad.
The Treaty of Portsmouth was signed, causing great uproar in Japan. In Tokyo, even riots broke out, making Sh?ichirō Okamura the target of public anger. Under strict protection, he returned to Japan shortly after and was soon dispatched back to China to negotiate the transfer of the Liaodong Peninsula. Japan’s delegation consisted of two members, Sh?ichirō Okamura and Kōzai Naitō, the Japanese envoy in China. China’s delegation included Yiheng, the Prince of Qing, Qu Hongji, a member of the Military Affairs Office, and Yuan Shikai, the Governor of Beiyang, with Tang Shaoyi appointed as an advisor to speak at the meeting.
At the meeting, both sides exchanged credentials, and Sh?ichirō Okamura and Yuan Shikai delivered opening remarks. Yiheng then stood up and said: "I am old and have too many affairs to attend to, so I cannot be present at all times."