Republic of China: Guandong Ginseng King

Chapter 493 Uprising (Part )

After the Wuchang Uprising, the new armies in Hunan and Shaanxi took the lead in responding and declared independence, and the chain reaction quickly spread.

At this time, Zaifeng finally couldn't sit still anymore.

On the sixth day of September, Zaifeng appointed Yuan Shao as the imperial commissioner to command the naval and land forces to suppress the rebellion.

The imperial court did not control the situation remotely, and allocated one million taels of silver for military expenses.

Three days later, Yuan Shikai left Henan and led his former Beiyang New Army south to quell the rebellion.

Old Yuan was Old Yuan after all. A few days later, he led his general Feng Huafu to capture Hankou, giving the Wuchang Uprising a warning.

But what Lao Yuan was most worried about was not the front line in Hubei, but the rear.

Three years ago, after the imperial court ordered Yuan Shikai to return home to recuperate, Zaifeng did not give up, but continued to eliminate Yuan Shikai's influence in the Beiyang New Army.

In order to squeeze out Yuan Shikai's direct line, Zaifeng promoted a large number of military academy students who had returned from studying in Japan as leaders of the new army.

For example, Wu Luzhen, Zhang Shaozeng and Lan Tianwei, who are known as the three outstanding non-commissioned officers.

At this time, Wu Luzhen was appointed as the commander of the Sixth Regiment stationed in Baoding, Zhang Shaozeng was appointed as the commander of the 20th Regiment stationed in Luanzhou, and Lan Tianwei was appointed as the commander of the Second Mixed Brigade stationed in Fengtian.

These people are all returned from studying abroad. They are not part of Lao Yuan’s team, so naturally they will not be loyal to Lao Yuan.

Just as Lao Yuan rushed to the Hubei front, Zhang Shaozeng and Lan Tianwei took the first step.

They contacted a group of generals and jointly sent a telegram to the court, demanding that real constitutional reforms be used to quell the independence movement that was about to spread across the country.

This incident is known as the Luanzhou Military Remonstrance.

On the same day, Yan Xishan launched a mutiny of the New Army in Taiyuan, declared Shanxi independent, and appointed himself the governor of the Shanxi Military Government.

One can imagine the shock that Shanxi's independence had on the imperial court. One must know that it was only half a day's railway ride away from the city, which meant it was right under the court's nose.

So, the next day Zaifeng issued several imperial edicts, announcing the abolition of the imperial cabinet from that day on.

Appoint Lao Yuan as Prime Minister, organize a responsible cabinet, and promote constitutional government.

In order to deal with Yan Xishan who was seeking independence in Shanxi, Zaifeng appointed Wu Luzhen as acting governor of Shanxi and ordered him to lead the new army to Shanxi to quell the rebellion.

At this time, Wu Luzhen had nothing to worry about. He intercepted the court's arms being transported to the Hubei front and had a secret meeting with Yan Xishan.

They discussed a plan to unite with Zhang Shaozeng, Lan Tianwei and other troops to besiege the capital from Baoding, Luanzhou and Fengtian and seize the Qing government.

On the other hand, revolutionaries in the provincial capital of Fengtian set up a secret revolutionary agency outside Xiguan, in the concession of the South Manchuria Railway Station.

Lan Tianwei, the commander of the Second Mixed Brigade of the New Army stationed in Beidaying, was nominated as the Grand Commander of the Revolutionary Army outside the Great Wall, Zhang Rong as the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Fengtian Province, and Wu Jinglian as the Civil Affairs Director of Fengtian Province.

On September 16, Lan Tianwei, Zhang Rong, Xu Jingxin, Shang Zhen and others held a secret meeting in Beidaying to discuss launching the Fengtian independence movement.

Since Japan had more than 30,000 troops stationed in the southern part of Fengtian, the participants were worried that launching an uprising would lead to direct intervention from Japan, so they agreed to a peaceful revolution.

That is, in late September and early October, the Second Mixed Brigade commanded by Lan Tianwei, in the name of maintaining public order, guarded the main government offices and the Ordnance Bureau, expelled Governor Zhao Erxun, and declared Fengtian independent.

Unexpectedly, this plan of peaceful uprising was discovered by Li Hexiang, the battalion commander of Lan Tianwei's unit, who reported it to Zhao Erxun that night.

Zhao Erxun was extremely anxious when he heard the news. Although he was the governor of three provinces, he had no reliable troops and could not deal with the mutiny.

Zhao Erxun originally wanted to contact Chen Yunhan, the commander of the new army of Fengtian Province and assistant military affairs officer, to discuss the matter.

But ever since the news of the Wuchang Uprising came, Chen Yunhan has been claiming to be ill and has refused to go out, refusing to see visitors and interacting with anyone. No one can mobilize the soldiers under his command.

Therefore, Zhao Erxun conspired with Yuan Jinkai, deputy director of the Advisory Council, and urgently dispatched Zhang Yuting, the commander of the front patrol battalion stationed in Taonan, to lead 2,500 troops into the provincial capital to monitor the new army with the patrol battalion.

As soon as Zhang Yuting and his troops arrived, Zhao Erxun felt much more at ease and appointed Zhang as the general manager of the provincial camp affairs office.

Subsequently, Zhao Erxun submitted a memorial to the court, requesting the removal of Lan Tianwei from his post.

On September 21, after secret planning by Lan Tianwei, Zhang Rong, Wu Jinglian and others, the Fengtian Provincial Advisory Council convened a representative meeting of various agricultural, industrial, commercial and academic groups.

It was decided to establish the Fengtian Security Council to force Zhao Erxun to enter the pass and realize Fengtian's independence, and it was agreed to continue the meeting the next day.

However, that evening, Lan Tianwei was placed under surveillance by people sent by Zhang Yuting.

At the meeting the next day, Zhao Erxun arrived with his men and preached to the emperor, hoping that the elders of the province would live and work in peace and watch how the situation evolved.

Revolutionary Zhao Zhonghu loudly refuted and demanded that Zhao Erxun immediately declare the independence of the three northeastern provinces and respond to the Wuchang Uprising.

Zhang Yuting had already deployed patrol camps around the Advisory Council. At this time, he jumped onto the stage, placed a pistol in front of him, and threatened everyone.

"As a soldier, I only know how to follow orders and protect Marshal Zhao.

Although I, Zhang, am good at making friends, the gun in my hand does not make friends. "

Seeing that the situation was not good, the participants had to quietly leave the venue.

Then, under the organization of Yuan Jinkai, the Fengtian National Security Association was established, with Zhao Erxun as president, Wu Xiangzhen and Wu Jinglian as vice presidents, and Yuan Jinkai as the senate president.

On September 24, the imperial court praised Zhao Erxun for organizing the Fengtian Provincial Security Association, saying, "The governor has always been impartial and loyal, and is a man who can be trusted."

At the same time, the court agreed to remove Lan Tianwei from his position as assistant commander of the new army.

So, Zhao Erxun summoned Lan Tianwei and formally announced the court's will to dismiss him from his post as commander of the Mixed Army.

Nie Ruqing, a commander under Lan Tianwei's unit, acted as the commander, and the informer Li Hexiang was promoted to be the commander.

A few days before this, Wu Luzhen was assassinated at Shijiazhuang Station by his bodyguard Ma Huitian.

Zhang Shaozeng was also deprived of his military power by the imperial court and was sent to the Yangtze River area in the name of a minister of pacification.

Lan Tianwei was dismissed from his post and had no choice but to flee to Shanghai via Dalian. The democratic revolutionary forces inside and outside Fengtian were greatly weakened.

On September 26, Zhao Erxun telegraphed Qu Shaoyang and Chen Yunzhe, asking them to follow the example of Fengtian Province and convene a meeting of representatives from all walks of life in the provincial capital to organize a security council for Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces.

After receiving the telegram, Qu Shaoyang only agreed superficially, and then used the student strikes in Jilin and Changchun schools as an excuse to postpone the meeting.

Chen Yunzhe also used the same method, saying that the flood a while ago was too severe, and the people in various counties and prefectures were currently suffering from famine and resisting taxes and donations.

It is important to stabilize the local area first, and then hold the meeting after the local area is stable.

Zhao Erxun was quite angry when he heard the news. He knew very well that the prestige of the imperial court was declining and his words as the governor of the three northeastern provinces were not as effective as before.

Just when Zhao Erxun wanted to submit a petition to the court to dismiss the governors of Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, Zhang Rong, Zhang Genren, Xu Jingxin and others established the Fengtian United Radical Society.

Afterwards, Zhang Rong secretly sent Shang Zhen, Cheng Qilu and others to Liaoyang, and Sun Xiangfu, Yang Dashi and others to Kaiyuan.

Shi Jufu and Zhang Shouren went to Changtu, Song Shaoxia and Fang Huaiyuan went to Faku and other places to organize uprisings in various places.

On September 30, the leaders of the Fuzhou Lianzhuang Association, Gu Renyi and Gu Renbang, joined forces with the leader of the Zhuanghe anti-tax movement, Pan Laosi and others, used Gujialing in Fuzhou as a base, recruited militia and launched an uprising.

On the same day, Gu Renyi and others led the military and civilians to attack the Qing army patrol team stationed in Lijia Wolong. The first battle was a success, and it fired the first shot in the Northeast's response to the Wuchang Uprising.

People from all over the country responded, and the uprising army grew rapidly, quickly growing to nearly 10,000 people. Soon after, people in Liaoyang, Haicheng, Changtu and other places responded, rose up and attacked the patrol team.

Although Zhao Erxun had the support of Zhang Yuting and his brothers-in-law Ma Tengxi and Feng Linge, he still dismissed Lan Tianwei from his post.

However, faced with the uprisings that sprang up in various places, he was unable to take care of both and was overwhelmed.

The most crucial thing is that although Lan Tianwei was removed from the New Army Mixed Brigade, the acting leader Nie Ruqing was unable to command the army at all and no one listened to him.

Zhao Erxun had no choice but to go to Chen Mansion in person to ask Chen Yunhan to come out of retirement.

At this point, Chen Yunhan was too embarrassed to continue being ill, so he agreed to lead his troops to wipe out the rebel forces in various places.

Just at this time, Jilin Governor Qu Shaoyang called and said that there were uprising armies in Fenghuang Hall, Andong, Xingjing and other places.

Qu Shaoyang planned to send troops to clear out the rebels, hoping to unite with Feng Province to jointly wipe out the rebel forces in various places.

Everyone knew that the Jilin Province Dingbian Army was well-equipped, brave and good at fighting. Zhao Erxun was overjoyed when he heard this and immediately agreed.

In this way, Qu Shaoyang personally led the Dingbian Army, and Zheng Tiezhu led the new army, setting out from Jilin Province to Andong and Fenghuang Hall.

Chen Yunhan led the Fengtian New Army and the Mixed Brigade to Liaoyang and Haicheng.

In name, they were there to wipe out the rebels, but in reality, they went directly to join forces with the local rebels to expand their ranks.

On October 16, Qu Shaoyang and Chen Yunhan met in Liaoyang City.

There were 30,000 border-defending troops, 20,000 new troops, plus patrol teams, forest patrol teams, and local uprising forces, totaling nearly 100,000 soldiers and horses.

It was in Liaoyang that Qu Shaoyang renamed his 100,000-strong army as the National Revolutionary Army and raised the flag against the Qing Dynasty.

Immediately, an army of one hundred thousand attacked Fengtian and surrounded the city.

At this time, Ma Tengxi was suppressing a rebellion in Changtu and Feng Linge was suppressing a rebellion in Zhuanghe.

The only troops left in Fengtian City were Zhang Yuting's front and middle patrol battalions, some new troops, as well as city defenders and patrol police, totaling barely 10,000.

Faced with an army of 100,000 besieging the city, Zhao Erxun, Zhang Yuting and others were dumbfounded.

No one would have thought that the governor of Jilin, who had remained silent before, would actually raise the flag of rebellion at this time.

What was even more unexpected to them was that Qu Shaoyang was able to gather 100,000 troops in such a short period of time. This was too terrifying.

Only then did Zhao Erxun remember Chen Yunhan's family, so he immediately sent people to arrest them.

When they arrived at Chen's house, they found that Chen Yunhan's parents, wife and children had disappeared long ago.

After asking carefully, I found out that during the days when Chen Yunhan stayed indoors, he had secretly sent his parents, wife and children out of the city.

In desperation, Zhao Erxun discussed countermeasures with Zhang Yuting, Yuan Jinkai and others, while sending people to the Japanese Consulate in Fengtian.

They hoped that Japan would mobilize its troops stationed in southern Liaoning to help quell the rebellion.

When Xiaochi Zhangzao learned that Qu Shaoyang's 100,000 troops were besieging the city, how could he dare to agree to send troops to help?
However, for the sake of the Manchurian Railway and the Japanese in the city, Koike Zhangzo agreed to come forward to coordinate.

See what conditions Qu Shaoyang and his men have, and try to negotiate.

Zhao Erxun didn't have any rules at this time. It was good that Xiaochi Zhangzao was willing to come forward to help with the peace talks, so he quickly agreed.

In this way, Xiaochi Zhangzao went out of the city and asked to see Qu Shaoyang.

"Master Xiaochi, are you here to lobby for Zhao Erxun?

I'm very busy. If you have anything to say, just say it directly and leave immediately after you've said it.

But if you want to persuade me to give up the uprising, then forget it, you don’t have the face to do that.”

As soon as the two met, Qu Shaoyang spoke directly.

Xiao Chi felt a little embarrassed by Qu Shaoyang's impoliteness, but he still stated his purpose.

"Your Excellency, I came here this time on behalf of Mr. Zhao, the Governor-General of the Three Eastern Provinces of the Qing Dynasty, to inquire about the conditions for your withdrawal.

Sir, please feel free to state any conditions you have, and I will be responsible for conveying the message back.

As for whether the peace talks will be successful, I only hope that you will not harm our people in the city and will not affect the operation of the South Manchuria Railway.

Otherwise, it will inevitably affect the relationship between the two sides. Forced by the situation, we can only mobilize the troops stationed in Luda."

Koike's words were clearly telling Qu Shaoyang that they would never stand idly by if Japan's interests were harmed.

"Lord Xiaochi, I led my troops here this time only to drive out the Tartars and restore China, not to cause trouble for your country.

Lord Xiaochi might as well tell Zhao Erxun that as long as he leaves Fengtian and enters the Pass and gives up the post of Governor-General of the Three Northeastern Provinces, I will not make things difficult for him.

Otherwise, I cannot guarantee what the consequences will be if the army enters the city."

Qu Shaoyang was too lazy to beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

When Xiaochi heard this, he felt a little embarrassed. How could it be possible to let Zhao Erxun leave Fengtian and no longer serve as governor?

"Is there no other way?"

"No. Lord Xiaochi, if you have nothing to do, please go back." Qu Shaoyang ordered him to leave without any hesitation.

Xiao Chi had no choice but to leave and return to Fengtian City to inform Zhao Erxun of the attitude of his rebel army.

When Zhao Erxun heard that he was asked to leave Fengtian and return to the capital, and no longer serve as the governor-general of the three provinces, he became furious.

They scolded Qu Shaoyang for being ungrateful to the emperor, saying that he was born a rebel and would never have a good ending.

Zhao Erxun was unwilling to withdraw from Fengtian City like this, so he called Zhang Yuting and others to discuss countermeasures together.

But there are only so many soldiers in the city. What can these people do facing an army of 100,000?
Zhang Yuting risked his life to send someone to deliver a letter to contact his sworn brothers Ma Tengxi and Feng Linge, asking them to contact other sworn brothers in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces as soon as possible and find a way to lead their troops to Fengtian City to rescue it.

However, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst, and this hurdle is difficult to overcome.

So, everyone gave Zhao Erxun advice, asking him to talk to Qu Shaoyang first, try to delay time and wait for the court to send reinforcements.

But no one expected that something happened in Fengtian City on the second night after Qu Shaoyang's troops besieged Fengtian.

Qu Zhenwu, Han Xiutang, Lin Shusheng, Lin Shuqi and other student soldiers who graduated from the Military Academy and the troops they had recruited in the past six months joined forces with the new army that stayed in the city, launched a mutiny and seized the East Gate.

Qu Zhenwu had been training in the patrol camp for more than half a year and had grown rapidly. When the mutiny occurred, he was the first to rush towards the East City Gate.

He fired several shots on horseback, killing several soldiers guarding the city.

Immediately afterwards, everyone rushed to the city gate and fought fiercely with the soldiers guarding the city while struggling to open the east gate.

Outside the city, Qu Shaoyang was waiting with his army. When he saw the city gate was open, he immediately led his troops to rush in.

(End of this chapter)