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卷25 本紀二十五 宣统皇帝本紀

Volume 25 Annals 25: Xuantong Emperor Annals

Chapter 25 of 清史稿 · Draft History of Qing
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Emperor Xuantong, named Puyi, was Xuanzong's great-grandson, Prince Yixuan's grandson, Regent Zaifeng's son, and Dezong's biological nephew. His mother was Regent Zaifeng's principal consort, a Suwan Guwalgiya woman. He was born at the Pure Prince's house on day 14 of spring, month 1, Guangxu year 32. Guangxu year 34, winter, month 10, renshen day: Dezong fell critically ill and the Grand Empress Dowager had Puyi brought up inside the palace. On guiyou day Dezong died; by the Grand Empress Dowager's order Puyi took the throne as successor for Muzong and the late emperor's line, aged three. Regent Zaifeng governed the realm by the Grand Empress Dowager's order. War, government, and all memorials went to the Regent Prince as edicts; major matters also needed the Empress Dowager's approval. The court proclaimed three years of mourning. On jiaxu day Cixi became Grand Empress Dowager and the empress who carried both lines became Empress Dowager. The Grand Empress Dowager had been ill as well. That same day she died. On yihai day palace security was tightened. On dingyou day several late emperors' consorts received higher noble consort ranks. On wuyin day tribute goods from the provinces were halted. On jimao day officials were warned by edict: military and state affairs belong to the Regent Prince, as the late Grand Empress Dowager ordered. From the throne downward, all must obey. Any prince or official who defies orders, breaks ritual, or confuses policy will be punished at once, to honor the late Grand Empress Dowager's trust and the people's hopes. The edict closed. On gengchen day the late emperor's final edict was issued. An Anqing mutiny was put down. In month 11, yiyou day, the late Grand Empress Dowager's death rescript was issued. Sacrifice boards were ordered to name Prince Yixuan and his principal consort as Puyi's biological forebears. Hunan's Lizhou flood victims were fed. On wuzi day the Empress Dowager moved the emperor's birthday rites to the 13th of month 1 after mourning ended. On gengyin day the court announced sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, temples, Confucius, and the late rulers' mourning couches before enthronement. On xinmao day Puyi was enthroned in the Hall of Supreme Harmony and the next year became Xuantong 1. A realm-wide amnesty forgave all but the gravest crimes. By the late Grand Empress Dowager's plan, a constitution would be issued in year 9 (Xuantong 8) and delegates summoned. Xuantong coins were minted. On jihai day the "Central Harmony and Nurturing Growth" plaque went to the Confucian temple. On renyin day the Regent Prince's ritual code was submitted and promulgated. Gate-guard rules were set and Zaitao, Yulang, and Tie Liang were put in charge of inspection. Kun Yuan was made vice commander over Chahar herds. Grand Council lead clerks became third-rank posts and assistants fourth-rank. Forty thousand taels relieved flood victims in Fujian's Longxi and Nanjing counties. On yisi day governors were told to rate their subordinates fairly. Magistrates who ignored public suffering faced harsh punishment. A banner-reform office was set up under Pulun, Zaize, Natong, Baoxi, Xiyan, and Dashou. The court urged frugality and warned against extravagance. On bingwu day sacrifices were sent to Qufu, imperial tombs, the Five Peaks, and the Four Rivers. On wushen day the Empress Dowager ended Summer Palace visits. Yikuang became a perpetual hereditary prince; Zaixun and Zaitao gained acting grand-prince titles; Guixiang got double pay; officials were rewarded by rank. On xinhai, winter solstice, Zaigong sacrificed to Heaven at the Circular Mound; major rites were henceforth performed by proxy. Month 12, renzi new moon: posthumous titles were added for Muzong and several empresses. The Xuantong 1 calendar was issued. On jiayin day the Forbidden Guards were founded under Zaitao, Yulang, and Tie Liang. Hunan military posts at Zhenxi and Qianzhou were cut and garrison troops reduced. Yu, concubine of the martyred Ma Yugun of Zhili, was honored. Floods in Heilongjiang, Mergen, Buteha, Heishui, and Dazhai were relieved. Grain tax was forgiven in eight flooded Hejian counties, Zhili. On dingsi day the court prayed for snow. Zhang Zhidong was also put in charge of the Sichuan-Hankou Railway. On gengshen day Wang Wenshao died in retirement and was posthumously made Grand Guardian. The late Zhang Liangji of Yunnan-Guizhou received a posthumous title. The Civil Affairs Ministry filed census survey forms. On renxu day Yuan Shikai was removed and Natong joined the Grand Council. On guihai day Liang Dunyan became foreign minister and joint minister. Natong left the Metropolitan Garrison command and Yulang took over. On yichou day Dezong's tomb was fixed at Golden Dragon Valley, Western Mausoleum, as Chongling. On dingmao day the court again prayed for snow. On jisi day the Revenue Ministry filed finance cleanup rules. On renshen day Zhang Xun's Huai Army stayed in Manchuria for pacification duty. On guiyou day fifty thousand taels aided Italy's earthquake victims. The constitutional office said capital-banner elections should go to Shuntian Prefecture. On yihai day provinces were told to end tax-clearance abuses. On dingchou day the court prayed for snow again. Snow fell that day. Shaanxi's Guangxu 32 tax arrears were forgiven. On wuyin day it snowed again. Local self-government and election drafts were reviewed and promulgated. Merit stars were first created for the foreign minister, joint ministers, and envoys. On gengchen day Fengtian got graded trial courts and procuratorates. On xinsi day Jiangxi cut its grain circuit and added patrol and industry circuits. Xuantong 1, spring, month 1, renwu new moon: with the late emperor in mourning, New Year levees were canceled. On guiwei day Jiangsu wasteland and transport dues in twenty-eight districts were forgiven. On wuzi day frontier guard posts were set on the Hulunbuir border. On gengyin day Xu Shichang's sick leave as Manchuria governor was denied. On xinmao, the Empress Dowager's birthday, feasts and congratulations were canceled. On jiawu day Yunnan's Ami disaster arrears were forgiven. On yiwei day the Revenue Ministry asked further debate on currency reform. The Government Affairs Office was told to review it. Guangxi's Fuchuan tin mines were opened. On dingyou day buying and selling slaves was banned. On wuxu day new offices were told to cut staff and funds after real audits, not open-ended growth. The U.S. opened an international opium conference at Shanghai; Duan Fang attended. On yihai day Chen Bi was impeached out and Xu Shichang became post minister. Xi Liang became Manchuria governor-special commissioner and oversaw the three generals. Li Jingxi became Yunnan-Guizhou governor. On renyin day Gao Erqian of Yunnan went to Macao to survey the border. The Civil Affairs Ministry filed revised Beijing police districts. On guimao day the late Grand Empress Dowager's posthumous title was set and promulgated next day. On wushen day provinces were ordered to meet every constitutional deadline this year. The new criminal code would be issued next year. Su Yuanchun regained his old Guangxi command post. Fujian's Xiamen swift tribute ended. On jiyou day Dezong's posthumous title and temple name were set and announced next day. On gengxu day the navy was reorganized under Shanqi, Zaize, Tie Liang, and Sa Zhenbing, with Yikuang inspecting. Tie Liang left exclusive command of Forbidden Guards training. Month 2, renzi day: Dezong's Veritable Records were revised. On guichou day courts were told to clear cases and end abuses. On wuwu day the ministry asked for a nationality law as the Netherlands planned new laws for overseas Chinese. Legal revision ministers were told to meet with foreign affairs on it. On gengshen day Zhejiang salt-field taxes in Renhe and elsewhere were forgiven. On yichou day the court proclaimed constitutional prep: 「The national course is set and must be finished on time. Every official at court and in the provinces must share that aim and help the new order. Censors should speak plainly on what each new policy gains or costs. The edict closed. On dingmao day a roster of tutors was ordered to lecture on rotation. Sun Jianai and Zhang Zhidong would approve lecture texts. On gengwu day the constitutional office filed statistical forms. On jiaxu day the opium ban was renewed. On bingzi day Xuanwei's flooded villages were forgiven tax grain and silver. Leap month 2, jiashen: the throne warned ministries and governors not to stall constitutional prep. Henceforth Manchu and Han officials alike must leave office for full parent mourning. Chen Baochen was made head of the Ritual Studies Hall. Zhejiang wasteland taxes and transport dues in thirty-two counties were forgiven. On bingxu day Natong's mother died; he was ordered to keep working through mourning with acting rank after a hundred days. On wuzi day Urga got judicial commissioners. Guangdong's new-mine wellhead tax was cut. Anhui artillery commander Chen Changyong, killed on duty, received posthumous honors. On xinmao day the Regent Prince received officials at Wenhua Hall. A consul-general was added at Vladivostok. The Revenue Ministry's stamp tax took effect. Each province got a fiscal supervisor. On bingshen day many Hubei military posts from Huangzhou to De'an were abolished. Wu Tingfang finished the U.S. arbitration treaty. On dingyou day Chongling tomb work began. On wuxu day the Aristocratic School of Political Law opened under Prince Yulang. On yisi day centenarian Li Shengchao of Gansu received an imperial plaque. On jiyou day mourning canceled the annual New Year visits of frontier nobles and lamas. Month 3, xinhai day: Zhejiang added patrol and industry circuits. On jiayin day Li Henian regained his old Henan governorship. On gengshen day the Empress Dowager ended the Revenue Ministry's annual 280,000-tael holiday payment. On xinyou day Dezong's coffin went to Lianggezhuang at the Western Mausoleum. On jiazi day the Merchants Steamship Bureau moved to the post ministry. On yichou day Fengtian's patrol circuit was cut again. New defense circuits were added in Manchuria and elsewhere. Fengtian customs and eastern circuits were renamed defense circuits. Xingjing Department became Xingjing Prefecture. On bingyin day counties on the coffin route got tax cuts and silver for ruined wheat fields. On jisi day the martyred 1900 ministers were restored and given posthumous titles. Wu Luzhen was put in charge of Jilin frontier affairs. Shanxi's Yanping circuit was abolished. On xinwei day Yang Shu became minister to Belgium. Yadong, Gyantse, and Gartok opened as customs ports. On bingzi day Huinan Direct Prefecture was added in Fengtian. On wuyin day Zhao Erxun and Zhao Erfeng were praised for school donations. Zhao Erxun's clan support won an imperial "Deep kinship duty" plaque. Month 4, gengchen: Zaizhen went to Japan and Dai Hongci to Russia to thank condolence missions; other states used resident ministers. On jiashen day a currency bureau was set up and silver coin minted. On yiyou day tax arrears from Guangxu 14–33 were broadly forgiven. On guisi day five Jilin deputy commanders were abolished. Hunchun and Sanxing got defense circuits. Many Jilin prefectures, departments, and counties were created or upgraded. Shulan, Acheng, Boli, and Raohe counties were soon restored. On jiawu day offices were told to plan Dezong's ancestral temple elevation. On yiwei day the court prayed for rain. On bingshen day sixty thousand taels relieved Gansu disasters. On renyin day Fengtian councillors and two offices were cut. On jiachen day the court prayed for rain again. On wushen day opium commissioners were told to enforce the ban without favoritism. Governors and generals were to enforce bans in provincial official schools. Month 5, jiyou new moon: a solar eclipse occurred. On xinhai day 120 returned-student jinshi including Huang Dezhang passed the palace exam and received ranks. On renzi day Yu Shimei said provincial assembly rules diverged from Prussia's. The constitutional office was told to review it. On guichou day Chen Qitai died and Rui Cheng became Jiangsu governor. Zhejiang gentry were allowed West Lake shrines to the 1900 martyred ministers. On jiayin day the court prayed for rain again. Sheng Yun was removed as Shaanxi-Gansu governor for his constitutional memorial; Chang Geng replaced him. On yimao day Guangfu acted as Ili general. On dingsi day Lianyu and Wen Zongyao reported on Tibetan troops and schools. On jiwei day Shixu acted as joint foreign minister. Yang Shixiang died; Duan Fang took Zhili, Zhang Renjun took Liangjiang, Sun Baoqi acted in Shandong. On xinyou day Chaya was put under the frontier commissioner as former Sichuan territory. On jiazi day provinces were urged to expand agriculture, forestry, and industry. On yichou day the court prayed for rain again. Rain fell that day. On wuchen day Weng Tonghe regained his old rank. On jisi day Tang Shaoyi left Fengtian governorship for vice-minister reserve. On xinwei day the Office for Study in America was founded. On guiyou day Henan reorganized its camps. On jiaxu day Yunnan's Nanning earthquake victims were fed. On bingzi day the General Staff was founded under Prince Yulang. The Regent Prince commanded land and sea forces; Zaitao and Sa Zhenbing planned the navy. Hunan's Lizhou flood victims were relieved. On dingchou day Zaitao managed General Staff affairs. Month 6, jiashen: Yikuang left Army Ministry management. Hubei flood victims in Hanyang and elsewhere were fed. On yiyou day Ili began drilling a land army. On bingxu day Cheng Detuan, Chen Zhaochang, and Zhou Shumo became the three Manchuria governors. On dinghai day Gansu canal work employed flood victims. On jichou day Yunnan earthquake victims in Mile and Xier were fed. Taihe's disaster grain tax was forgiven. On gengyin day Mao Hongbin regained his old Liang-Guang post. Yue Chang, killed fighting bandits, got a shrine in Changzhou. Andong flood victims in Fengtian were fed. On jiawu day Lv Haihuan left office; Xu Shichang headed the Tianjin-Pukou Railway with Shen Yunpei as deputy. Fengtian's Jinzhou circuit was renamed the Jinzhou-Yingkou defense sub-circuit. On yiwei day sixty thousand taels relieved Jilin's great flood. Hunan floods from Lizhou to Yuezhou were relieved. On dingyou day Hubei's Jingzhou and Hanyang floods got sixty thousand taels plus orders to raise two hundred thousand more. On xinchou day Rehe barracks land rent was forgiven. On renyin day Zhejiang floods in Qiantang and ten counties were relieved. On guimao day Zhang Xun left Manchuria for Gansu commander. On jiachen day Wu Tingfang and Qian Xun were recalled; Zhang Yintang went to the Americas and Wu Zonglian to Italy. Zhao Erxun reported pacifying shallow-water Lolo in Sichuan's Ningyuan. On yisi day the capital poor got winter-clothing silver, later annual. On bingwu day Li Zhun became Guangdong naval commander. Month 7, wushen new moon: Hunan cut many garrisons and staff posts. On guichou day the Liao River was dredged. On bingchen day navy insignia drafts and General Staff rules were filed. Jiangxi's Pingxiang flood victims were fed. On dingsi day autumn executions were halted. The Law Ministry filed high-court trial rules and provincial court outlines. Sichuan's Chongqing Jiangbei Dragon King Cave mines opened. On wuwu day Ludian and Zhenxiong disaster taxes were forgiven. On jiashen day Zhang Renjun chaired a southern industry fair with tax-free exhibits. On xinyou day Dezong's coffin went to the tomb with route tax relief and seed silver. On jiazi day Henan cut its grain-salt circuit and added patrol and industry circuits. On wuchen day provinces were told to refill granaries. Yong Lin, who died remonstrating at the Summer Palace, was posthumously honored. On gengwu day southern-island consuls were added. On renshen day the Education Ministry opened a capital library. Hong River rebel Yao Qishan was executed. On bingzi day Hubei sold grain at fair price. Month 8, dingchou new moon: Li Jiaju filed studies including Japan's judiciary. On xinsi day Heilongjiang's Mergen Gan River coal mines opened. On jiashen day Jilin circuits were renamed northwest, southwest, northeast, and southeast defense posts. On yiyou day Fujian wind and Rehe floods were relieved. On bingxu day Zhao Erfeng pacified Tibetan unrest. Li Jiaju was told to assist the Political Consultative Pavilion. On wuzi day the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway opened. Zhenhai's ruined canal fields were forgiven tax. On jichou day Hunan opened Pingjiang gold, Xinhua antimony, and Changning lead mines. On gengyin day filial martyr Chen Hongwei of Huangpi was recorded in the histories. On dingyou day Sun Jianai and Zhang Zhidong both sought sick retirement. An edict asked them to stay. On wuxu day the ministry trialed industry-promotion bonds. On jihai day Zhang Zhidong died and was made Grand Guardian with temple honors. Dai Hongci was told to learn on the Grand Council. Ting Jie became law minister and Ge Baohua rites minister. On gengzi day Cheng Xun took Rehe and Pu Liang Chahar. On guimao day capital porridge kitchens fed the poor with 2,500+ shi yearly thereafter. On yisi day the revised penal code went to the constitutional office. On bingwu day the ninth month's first day was fixed for provincial assemblies to open. The throne said: 「Assembly delegates must speak frankly on local good and harm and plan carefully. They must not serve private ends, break rules in anger, speak rashly, or exceed legal bounds. Governors must heed them and act so court and provinces move together toward order. Once assemblies meet, governors must supervise so decisions stay within law and authority. Serve loyally for national strength — the throne expects much. The instruction closed. That month Zaitao and Sa Zhenbing inspected navies abroad. Month 9, dingwei new moon: nobility insignia were first issued. On xinhai day the Hague Convention was signed and ratified. On guichou day Zhao Erxun also acted as Chengdu general. On yimao day the Grand Secretariat reported Dezong's temple elevation rites. An edict placed Muzong and Dezong as co-eternal temples by left-right zhao-mu, not by rank. Dezong would enter the central Grand Temple hall in the western fifth mu chamber. A western-facing mu seat was set before the hall beside Wenzong. The Hall of Ancestors followed the same rule. The arrangement became permanent law. On dingsi day army academy graduates including Zicheng Quan became guards with graded promotion. On jiwei day the Political Consultative Pavilion filed election rules. On renxu day Yunnan Yi killed a German traveler; the killers were caught and executed. On jiazi day the Henan Yellow River ran clear. Guangdong floods in Guangzhou and Nanhai were relieved. On yichou day thirty thousand taels aided Xilin Gol league disasters. Yunnan floods in Zhenxiong and elsewhere were relieved. On bingyin day the Yellow River ran clear. Lu Chuanlin became a grand secretary; Lu Runxiang joint grand secretary. Returned students including Xiang Xiang became juren. On xinwei day Hanlin ranks were raised. Java overseas Chinese school plaques were issued. On guiyou day the southern Yellow River ran clear. That month Korean An Jung-geun killed Ito Hirobumi at Harbin. Month 10, dingchou new moon: Sichuan Yi rebels at Erbangfang were crushed. Ma Liang, Chengdu general, died. On gengchen day the late empress dowager was buried at Putuo Valley with route tax relief. On yiyou day her tablet entered the Grand Temple and was announced next day. On bingxu day the Chengdu general no longer commanded Songpan and Jianchang. Yu Kun became Chengdu general. On dinghai day Duan Fang lost Zhili for breaking rules. Chen Qilong took Zhili, Rui Cheng acted in Huguang, Bao Fen took Jiangsu. Sun Baoqi became Shandong governor and Ding Baochen Shanxi governor. On jichou day constitutional prep was audited and slack officials could be impeached. On gengyin day provincial chief-procurator rules were finalized. Urga's Harag Langang gold mines opened. Yan Zhi left for illness; Sanduo acted as Urga commissioner. On xinmao day thirty thousand taels relieved Jiangsu county disasters. On guisi day the ministry's poor-relief rice plan was approved. Yunnan floods in Dayao and Wenshan were relieved. On jiawu day Sun Jianai died with Grand Tutor honors and funeral silver. Wang Zongyi, classical scholar, was ordered recorded in the histories. Bannermen, orphans, and troops got annual stipend grants. On dingyou day Yuanjiang flood taxes were forgiven. On gengzi day the Dongming Yellow River ran clear. On guimao day Guangdong capture bonuses ended; taking them became bribery. Li Duanfen regained his old rites post. On jiachen day Jilin's pearl tribute was canceled this year. On yisi day Shuntian was allowed shrines to Lishan and Lian Yuan. Month 11, wushen: Zhili tax and banner rent were cut in eleven districts and three counties. On jiyou day the dual-line empress dowager received the title Longyu and it was announced next day. On guichou day Civil Affairs sent up fu-ting-zhou-xian self-government election rules. On guihai day Zhang Zhaodong regained his former Fujian governor post. Twenty Aihui border guard posts were set from the Ergun to the Xun estuary. On yichou day a salt superintendent was created under Zaize; producing provinces' governors co-supervised and distributing provinces' governors took concurrent titles. On bingyin day Lu Runxiang became Tiren Hall grand secretary and Dai Hongci associate grand secretary. On xinwei day Prince Yulang took the Metropolitan Garrison. On guiyou day the Censorate sent up mutual-election rules. On yihai day Education sent up women's-school dress regulations. Hua Hengfang, Shifang, and Xu Shou—masters of abstruse learning—were ordered entered in the histories. In month 12, jimao, the throne called for blunt counsel. On xinsi day Fengtian gained Antu and Fusong counties. On renwu day Zhan Tianyou and other returned students received engineering, letters, and law jinshi and science juren. On guiwei day grain tax was remitted for eighty-nine Shandong counties and salt-field districts. On yiyou day Emperor Dezong's tablet was enshrined in the Ancestral Hall. Zhecheng's Zhang Liu and Tongxu's Tian Li—each bearing triplets—received grain and cloth. Thirteen Guangdong departments and counties including Foshan received disaster relief. On bingxu day the Medical Academy superintendent became fourth rank. On wuzi day descendants of Xianfeng-Tongzhi pacification merit received graded offices. Hunchun barracks' occupation rent on banner land was remitted. On gengyin day Zhao Erfeng reported Sichuan Dege's Duogeshengji submitting territory for direct rule and rewarded the hereditary company commander. On renchen day Yikuang left the Army Nobles' Academy and Zairun replaced him. On guisi day Rehe gained Longhua county. On yiwei day the Constitutional Research Bureau's anti-opium rules were promulgated. Former Hunan governor Chen Baozhen was posthumously restored. On bingshen day the Constitutional Research Bureau sent up anti-trafficking articles. On wuxu day Justice sent up judge-discipline regulations. On jihai day the Constitutional Research Bureau sent up capital local-election rules. On gengzi day the Medical Academy's vice-superintendents rose to fifth rank. On renyin day the Constitutional Research Bureau sent up local self-government and council-election rules. On guimao day the Constitutional Research Bureau sent up court organization and provisional judicial rules. Xuantong 2, spring 1, bingwu new moon: levee congratulations were not held. On jiyou day Guangzhou's new army mutinied and training troops put it down. On xinhai day the throne, citing unrest and secret-society infiltration of the army, ordered strict inspection and banned soldiers' mass meetings and speeches. Jilin's Datong was moved south of the Songhua and renamed Fangzheng. On yimao day Guangdong revolutionaries including Wang Zhankui were executed. On dingsi day the Dalai Lama fled, fearing Sichuan troops. Lian Yu was told still to send escorts to bring him back to Tibet. On xinyou day the Dalai Lama's title was stripped. The Salt Administration sent up trial salt-superintendent regulations. On guihai day Dai Hongci died and received posthumous Junior Guardian rank and funeral silver. Lu Haihuan sent up Chinese Red Cross rules and Sheng Xuanhuai became president. Censor Jiang Chunlin, who attacked Yikuang for harming the state, was sent back to his yamen. Xu Shichang became associate grand secretary and Wu Yusheng studied under the Grand Council. On jiazi day General Staff Prince Zaitao asked to inspect armies in eight countries. On xinwei day Britain held a penal-reform congress and Justice sent Procurator Xu Qian. On jiaxu day the throne said: 「Preparing constitutional rule means dissolving prejudice and erasing difference. Henceforth all Manchu and Han officials shall address themselves uniformly as chen, for one standard and great harmony. 」Month 2, yihai new moon: Lian Yu asked the new Kaletan Poolba Luobuzangdanba to act for former Tibet. On bingzi day foreign merchants were banned from buying Hunan rice. On xinsi day Tie Liang left for illness; Yin Chang became army minister and Liang Dunyi tax co-superintendent. Xuantong 1 arrears for desolate Zhejiang and Jiangsu salt pans were remitted. On renwu day Yulin and three other Shaanxi counties' arrears and granary dues were remitted. On yiyou day Liang Cheng became envoy to Germany. On dinghai day Civil Affairs sent revised press law to the Constitutional Research Bureau. On jichou day another thirty thousand taels went to Anhui disaster relief. On renchen day Jilin Wuchang and Huadian's Xuantong 1 tax arrears were remitted. On jiawu day Lian Yu reported Lhasa clergy and laity and Gongbo Tibetans submitting. On bingshen day Ge Baohua died; Rong Qing became rites minister and Tang Jingchong education minister. On jihai day late Hubei commander Xia Yuxiu received preferential posthumous treatment. On guimao day the Constitutional Research Bureau sent up an administrative outline. Naval affairs superintendent memorialized department titles and duties. Month 3, yisi new moon: Wang Shizhen left for illness and Lei Zhenchun acted as Jiangbei commander. On jiyou day Yunnan Weining heterodox bandits raided Zhaocheng; troops killed them and chief Li Laomo was executed. On xinhai day Hunan famine victims rioted; the throne ordered ringleaders seized and followers dispersed. On renzi day Cen Chunmian left Hunan and Yang Wendian acted as governor. Yang Shiqi went to Nanyang as chief industrial-exposition examiner. On dingsi day the court prayed for rain. On gengshen day rain fell. Late naval commander Ding Ruchang was posthumously restored. Autumn review and reassessment were abolished. Yangtze governors-general were told to sell grain at fair price. Wu Chongxi left Henan and Bao Fen replaced him. Cheng Dequan became Jiangsu governor. On renxu day a Wuhu shrine was ordered for late Yuan Chong, beloved in death. On guihai day the Fengtian governorship was abolished. Guangfu became Ili general. On jiazi day Wang Mingji, Huang Fusheng, and Luo Shixun plotted to bomb the Prince Regent, were caught, and jailed by Justice. On gengwu day Kong Lingbao's widow Pan of Qufu, who died with her husband, was honored for the histories. Month 4, jiaxu new moon: the Advisory Council would open ninth month 1; eighty-eight imperially chosen members were summoned early. On bingzi day Fujian lost its grain intendant and gained police and industrial circuits. On dingchou day Prince Zaitao became special envoy to Britain for mourning. On wuyin day returned students including Wu Kuangshi received engineering jinshi and law juren. On gengchen day the Constitutional Research Bureau's current penal code was ordered promulgated. The throne said: 「This code prepares adoption of new law. Court and provincial criminal offices must study it and judge by law. They must not act arbitrarily and warp justice. 」On guiwei day the throne said: 「Provincial police and industrial circuits were meant to guard order and revive enterprise. Governors must examine appointees; if unfit they must memorialize replacements without favor. 」On yiyou day Lian Yu asked commissioners for six Tibetan districts and closure of Tibetan gun and coin factories. Former Italy envoy Qian Xun presented translated peace-treaty articles. On dinghai day Jiangbei salt smugglers and secret societies were ordered suppressed by Lei Zhenchun. On jichou day Revenue sent up currency exchange rules. The throne said: 「The national currency unit is called yuan. For now silver is standard; one main yuan weighs seven mace two candareens kuping. Half-, quarter-, and one-dime silver and nickel and copper subsidiary coins were added. Yuan, dime, cent, and mil advance by tens as fixed regulation. 」Lian Fang became Jingzhou general. On gengyin day ten top continued-tax payers were fixed as councilors. On xinmao day Wang Daxie became envoy to Japan. On guisi day Liang Dunyi left for illness and Zou Jialai acted as foreign minister and co-superintendent. Shishou's Wenyi Isle rent and reed tax were remitted. On bingshen day Cen Chunmian was stripped of the Hunan governorship. Month 5, bingchen: Sichuan Ningyuan's Alasuo inspector became salt-front pacification commissioner. On wuwu day twenty thousand taels went to flood-stricken Changde, Hunan. Li Jingxi reported Yunnan Zhenkang native rule converted to direct administration and Yongkang added. Yunnan Luliang drought taxes were remitted. On xinyou day northern Jiangsu flood victims including Haizhou were relieved. On guihai day the Censorate forwarded Sun Hongyi and provincial banner representatives' petition for a swift parliament. The throne still waited for nine-year preparation before fixing parliament's date and proclaimed it. On jiazi day Hunan Miao tenants' rent arrears and seven districts' garrison grain arrears were remitted. On jisi day Hubei disaster victims were relieved. On xinwei day Fengtian's Tongjiang river-defense subprefect was abolished. Month 6, renwu: twenty thousand taels went to Heilongjiang disaster relief. On yiyou day Wang Daxie presented books on British constitutional compilation. On jichou day naval superintendent Prince Zaixun joined government affairs. On renchen day Hu Weide became tax co-superintendent. On bingshen day the throne said: 「Governors labor at rule and fund-raising yet neglect inspecting officials. Without sound officials, exhausting the people breeds disorder and new policies cannot proceed. Each must pick honest magistrates and fit men to places—the supreme plan for peace. 」On wuxu day ministries and governors were ordered to impeach corrupt officials and nobles and ministers to rectify conduct. On jihai day Zaize and Shou Xun with A Mu'erlinggui and Zairun were to fix Vanguard and Interior Guard rules. That month Laizhou gentry feuded, Qu Siwen led ten thousand to besiege towns and kill troops, and Haiyang rose over taxes; both were pacified. Month 7, jiachen: Fujian lost its grain intendant and gained an industrial circuit. Rui Xing left and Zhirui became Hangzhou general. On yisi day Rui Cheng and Yang Wendian proposed Hunan village pacification as bandits spread; approved. On wushen day Agriculture, Industry, and Commerce with governors were told to survey minerals and plan mines. On gengxu day governors were urged to map waste land and climate, promote crafts, and report to Agriculture. On renzi day Agriculture opened a weights-and-measures factory. On guichou day Zaitao reported foreign armies try soldiers only in military courts, not civil ones. The throne ordered it carried out. On jiayin day Shixu and Wu Yusheng left the Grand Council; Yulang and Xu Shichang joined it. Tang Shaoyi acted as postal minister. Yulang left the Metropolitan Garrison and sole Imperial Guard training. Wu Zhen concurrently acted as Metropolitan Garrison commander. Each province gained a foreign-affairs commissioner. Xinjiang camp officer Tian Xi was executed for unauthorized killing that sparked mutiny. On bingchen day forty thousand taels went to flooded southern Anhui. On dingsi day Justice sent up autumn-review articles. On gengshen day Tang Shouqian lost office for attacking Sheng Xuanhuai over the Jiangsu-Zhejiang railway. On xinyou day northern Anhui famine victims were relieved. Zhong Rui became Kobdo commissioner. Lian Kui left Xinjiang and He Yansheng replaced him. Provincial surveillance commissioners became judicial commissioners. On jiazi day Lu Chuanlin died and received posthumous Grand Tutor rank, eminent-statesmen shrine, and funeral silver. On yichou day Shen Ruilin became envoy to Austria and Liu Yulin commissioner to the Dutch anti-opium congress. On wuchen day Fengtian's Huludao port opened. On jisi day Heilongjiang gained a Nehe direct subprefect. That month Zaixun and Sa Zhenbing again inspected navies in America and Japan. Month 8, jiaxu: Fengtian gained Zhendong county. On yihai day Qing Rui left and Tie Liang became Jiangning general. On guiwei day Shen Jiaben became Advisory Council vice-president. On jiashen day Liu Yulin became envoy to Britain. On dinghai day Colonial Affairs relaxed frontier-cultivation, marriage, clerk, document, and naming bans for Mongolia; approved. Sichuan gained Zhaojue county. On jichou day Lian Fang left and Feng Shan became Jingzhou general. Yin Chang concurrently trained metropolitan-area divisions. On jiazi day metropolitan land divisions came under the Army Ministry. The metropolitan training office was abolished. Fengtian gained a salt transport commissioner. Sichuan's salt-tea circuit became salt transport and tea went to the industrial circuit. On yiwei day eight provinces' cosmetic anti-opium reports drew council review and a renewed planting ban. On bingwu day Xu Shichang became Tiren grand secretary and Li Dianlin associate grand secretary. On dingyou day the Gorkha king was commended for refusing Tibet troops. On gengzi day Shaanxi Hua and Weinan flood victims were relieved. Month 9, xinchou new moon: the Advisory Council opened; the Prince Regent attended and lectured. On renyin day four hundred fifty-nine returned students received graded jinshi and juren. On guimao day nine Gansu districts' last-year disaster land taxes were remitted. On bingwu day Revenue was told to fund northern Jiangsu rain-flood relief. On yisi day acting Suiyuan general Xin Qin left for illness and Kun Xiu replaced him. Kui Fang became Urga general. On wushen day Revenue issued another twenty thousand taels to northern Anhui. On renzi day Zhang Renjun's Shanghai crisis loan and five hundred thousand taels transport were approved. On guichou day the Yongding ran clear. Sichuan flood victims in Zizhu and other districts were relieved. On jiayin day the Hailong hunting-ground superintendent was abolished. On bingchen day provinces were told to recommend eminent men under strict selection. On jiwei day Wu Xun of Tangyi, who begged to fund schools, entered the histories. Hunan lost Changde's subprefect and Baoding's Chang'an garrison subprefect. On guihai day Suiyuan reclamation officials were placed under the reclamation superintendent. On bingyin day Yang Shu left for illness and Li Guojie became envoy to Belgium. Heilongjiang flood victims were relieved. On dingmao day Yuan Shuxun left for illness and Zhang Mingqi acted as two-Guangs governor-general. Shen Bingkan became Yunnan governor. On wuchen day Guizhou brigade through major posts were abolished. Eleven Xinjiang districts' popular tax and seed arrears were remitted. Month 10, guiyou: parliament was moved to Xuantong 5 after governors and Zhili representatives pressed for earlier opening. On jiaxu day Pulun and Zaize drafted the constitution. On yihai day the Yellow River ran clear. On dingchou day Guangxi Cenxi bandits were suppressed and chief Chen Rong'an executed. Cheng Wenbing died; Cheng Yunhe became Yangtze naval commander and Zhang Xun took Jiangnan Pukou camps. Gansu Lingzhou flood silver and grain were remitted. On gengchen day Zeng Yun reported Zhejiang's Green Standard abolished and reorganized as navy. On xinsi day the throne, having moved parliament to Xuantong 5, charged ministries to plan essentials and secondaries in detail. Governors were admonished to act earnestly and not miss the deadline. On renwu day He Yansheng died and Yuan Dahua became Xinjiang governor. On wuxu day late Zhang Zhidong received a Jiangning shrine. Month 11, guimao: army minister, vice minister, directors, and counsellors were abolished for one minister and one vice minister. A Navy Ministry was created with one minister and one vice minister. Yin Chang became army minister and Shou Xun vice minister. Prince Zaixun became navy minister and Tan Xueheng vice minister. On yisi day Sa Zhenbing took the cruiser and Yangtze fleets. On bingwu day Dayao, Yunnan, rioters raided the prison; troops suppressed them and chiefs Chen Wenpei and Deng Liangchen were executed. On jiyou day former Anhui governor Feng Xu became Jiangsu-Anhui relief commissioner. On renzi day Agriculture presented an edited cotton treatise. On dingsi day the Advisory Council asked for a responsible cabinet, citing unclear Grand Council duties. The throne said the court held its own balance, rebuked the council for overstepping. Lei Zhenchun left and Duan Qirui acted as Jiangbei commander. On gengshen day Chen Kuilong reported Shuntian's next-year parliament petition; the throne said preparation already strained further change. They were sternly told not to demand or memorialize again. The Universal Relief Bureau gained sixty shi monthly in perpetuity. On xinyou day provincial high courts and procuratorates were set; Hunan's was deferred. On guihai day three eastern provinces' parliament petitioners came to the capital. The Grand Council reported. Civil Affairs and the Metropolitan Garrison were told to send petitioners home and punish further gatherings. On jiazi day the Constitutional Research Bureau was urged to draft the preparatory checklist and cabinet organization. Late Zhang Zhidong received a Hubei shrine. On yichou day Yikuang asked to leave the Grand Council and Foreign Ministry; the throne urged him to stay. On jisi day the Advisory Council asked for an edict on queue-cutting and dress reform. Month 12, renshen: provinces were told to forbid students' political interference and mass demands. On bingzi day Tang Shaoyi left for illness and Sheng Xuanhuai became postal minister. On dingchou day ten thousand taels went to Chakhar's four right-wing banners. On jimao day Zhirui asked to abolish the old banner register flexibly. On xinsi day Zeng Qi was summoned and Fu Qi acted as Guangzhou general. On renwu day Zhao Erfen was summoned. On guiwei day the opium ban was reaffirmed and Civil Affairs and Revenue were to assess officials. Governors-general with Constitutional Research princes were to revise provincial organization. On yiyou day Jiangsu merged counties and set trial offices. Jiangning merged into Shangyuan, Suzhou's paired counties into Wu, and eight other Jiangsu county pairs were merged likewise. On dinghai day the Constitutional Research Bureau sent a revised annual preparatory checklist. Jilin naval camp clerks and soldiers were abolished. On wuzi day Sichuan bandits held Qianjiang; troops drove them off and recovered the city. On jichou day Li Jiaju presented Japanese tax and accounting studies. On guisi day Sichuan chief Wen Chaozhong was captured in Hubei Xianfeng and executed. On yiwei day Zaizhen became chief envoy to the British coronation. The Advisory Council's new penal code general and particular provisions were promulgated. On bingshen day sixty-four Shaanxi districts' Guangxu 33 arrears and Guangyou granary dues were remitted. On dingyou day the Advisory Council sent a unified national-treasury charter. On wuxu day the Advisory Council memorialized Xuantong 3's resolved budget. Ting Jie died and Shaochang became justice minister. On jihai day Gansu lost its Lanzhou circuit and gained an industrial circuit. That month Jianghuai famine drove people to cannibalism. Plague struck the three eastern provinces. Xuantong 3, spring 1, gengzi new moon: Chen Kuilong and Xi Liang were told to settle provincial workers beyond Shanhaiguan for epidemic prevention. On bingwu day Feng Xu reported inspecting Xuzhou-Huai disaster. On jiyou day forty Jiangsu districts' field taxes were remitted. On gengxu day six Jiangsu counties' flood victims were relieved. On jiayin day Revenue sent up national budget regulations. On bingchen day mourning garments were laid aside. Censor Hu Sijing attacked the Constitutional Research Bureau for reckless new offices and abolishing all old ones; drafting needs upright men and promulgation needs public discussion. his memorial went to the Government Affairs Office. On gengshen day Zhirui became Ili general and Guangfu Hangzhou general. On yichou day corporal punishment short of death was abolished. Exile and lesser crimes could not be tortured. Justice memorialized dismissed Suiyuan general Yi Gu condemned to death. The throne changed it to Xinjiang banishment for redeeming guilt. On yisi day Zhou Shumo surveyed the Sino-Russian boundary. That month plague struck Zhili and Shandong commoners. Month 2, gengwu new moon: late Wang Wenshao received a Hunan shrine. Feng Xu asked to dredge the Sui River. Civil Affairs sent up a compiled household-registration law. On renshen day epidemic offices were forbidden harassment and told to protect livelihood. On yihai day Sichuan's Dege, Chunke, and Gaori chieftains became direct rule with new circuit, prefecture, departments, and counties. Xinjiang courier-station convicts were instead sent to Ba and Zang. On bingzi day three Yunnan districts' disaster land taxes were remitted. On dingchou day thirty Zhejiang waste-land taxes and garrison tribute were remitted. On wuyin day army and navy ministers became chief and deputy commanders; Yin Chang, Shou Xun, Zaixun, and Tan Xueheng stayed. Britain occupied Pianma. On guiwei day Li Jiaju was ordered to draft rotating lectures. On bingxu day Tibet's assistant resident was abolished for left and right councillors. On dinghai day Zhejiang's Huixing Girls' School received a 「Steadfast Heart and Stalwart Resolve」 plaque. On jichou day Foreign Affairs sent up order-and-reward regulations. Chen Bangrui, Li Jiaju, and Wang Rongbao were ordered to assist compiling the constitution. Cheng Xun became Guangzhou general and Pu Huang Rehe governor-general. Prince Pulun headed Agriculture; Shixu chaired the Advisory Council with Li Jiaju vice-chair; Liu Ruoceng revised law. On renchen day foreign salt import was forbidden. British Penang's consul became chief consul. Month 3, gengzi: Liu Ruiheng became Yunnan commander. The inspection office was abolished for a camp-management office; Three-Banner Guard stayed under Interior. The Army Ministry reported Jiao Dian executed for selling secret survey maps. On xinchou day Fengtian abolished Chengde and Jin counties. On renyin day Sichuan's northern and Chongqing regional commanders were abolished. On guimao day six soldier injunctions—loyalty, ritual, valor, faith, plain living, shame—were promulgated. On dingwei day He Zonglian, Li Kuiyuan, and other commanders received graded deputy ranks. On wushen day Jilin opened the Tumen River to the sea. On jiyou day Italy envoy Wu Zonglian became special envoy to Italy's founding celebration. On gengxu day revolutionaries bombed acting Guangzhou general Fu Qi to death. On renzi day Sa Zhenbing became navy deputy commander-in-chief. Zhao Erfeng reported pacifying Sanyan tribes and converting Kongsa and Mashu to direct rule. On jiayin day Zhang Mingqi became two-Guangs governor-general. On yimao day Zaize concluded a loan with British, American, German, and French banks. On bingchen day Ili General Zhirui received ministerial rank and command over Ili officials. Thirty-seven Zhejiang districts' Xuantong 2 field taxes were remitted. On wuwu day Feng Xu joined three provinces' governors in spring relief for Jiangsu, Anhui, and Henan. On jiwei day Liang Cheng went to the Hague Dutch anti-opium congress. Kobdo Zakhachin nomads received disaster relief. On gengshen day Xi Liang left for illness; Zhao Erfen became three-eastern-province governor-general and imperial commissioner over generals. Zhili's Rehe judicial commissioner gained an additional title. On xinyou day Zhao Erfeng acted as Sichuan governor and Wang Renwen took border affairs. Late Zhejiang governor Nie Jigui, who died mourning a parent, entered the histories. On guihai day Zhao Qi and Liu Yin entered the Confucian temple. Overseas Chinese opened Datong School in Yokohama and received a 「Cultivate Talent and Broaden Learning」 plaque. On dingmao day Huang Xing's revolutionaries burned the Guangzhou governor-general's office and routed him. In summer month 4, xinwei, Yang Wending asked to slow Hunan Green Standard and defense cuts. On jiaxu day overseas graduates Zhong Shiming, Wang Yizhi, and others received law jinshi, juren, and engineering juren ranks. On bingzi day Zhao Erxun won discretionary appointment power. On dingchou day Shandong Green Standard provincial and garrison posts were abolished. On wuyin day the throne ordered a responsible cabinet. Cabinet regulations were issued. Prince Qing Yikuang became cabinet prime minister; Natong and Xu Shichang became associate prime ministers. Liang Dunyan took foreign affairs, Shanqi civil affairs, Zaize revenue, Tang Jingchong education, Yin Chang army, Zaixun navy, Shaochang justice, Pulun agriculture and industry, Sheng Xuanhuai posts, and Shouqi dependencies. Cabinet prime and associate ministers also became state ministers and constitutional drafting ministers; Yikuang still ran foreign affairs. The Privy Council was set up under Lu Runxiang with Rongqing as deputy. The old cabinet, Grand Council, and government affairs conference were abolished. Grand and associate grand secretaries still ranked below the Hanlin. Cabinet academicians and subordinate posts were abolished. The General Staff was created with Princes Zaitao and Yulang as ministers and told to draft its regulations. Zhao Erxun met Chen Ailong, Zhang Renjun, Ruicheng, Li Jingxi, and drafting ministers to revise provincial government. On jimao day Yikuang, Natong, and Xu Shichang tried to quit the cabinet and were refused and ordered to serve. Opium prohibition was reaffirmed and civil affairs, revenue, and every province told to end it on schedule. The throne nationalized trunk railways. Earlier Censor Shi Changxin said merchant railway companies were corrupting the realm; trunk lines should be state-owned and branches left to gentry stock; the court agreed and sent it to posts. The ministry said: 「China is vast and remote—trunk lines must run in every direction before rule and the center hold firm. Old planning was bad—trunk and branch were confused, the people's strength ignored, and every petition became a merchant line. Guangdong raised barely half its shares and built little. Sichuan debts ballooned beyond recovery. Hunan and Hubei companies sat for years and only burned money. If this went on, years would pass, burdens deepen, and court and country both suffer. Trunk lines should be nationalized and branches left to private effort. Provincial trunk companies formed before Xuantong year 3 must be bought back by the state. Build at once and void every earlier approval.」 Hence the edict. On xinwei day Jilin fire relief received 40,000 taels. On guiwei day Acting Guangzhou General Fuqi was posthumously honored. On dinghai day the assembly asked to debate budgets and loans and was refused. On wuzi day Duanfang returned as vice minister and took the Guang-Han and Chuan-Han railways. Abolished-post personnel awaiting appointment were barred from memorializing. Autumn maneuvers at Yongping were ordered for the guard and nearby Zhili garrisons. On jichou day Prince Gong Puwei quit the opium post for illness and Prince Shuncheng Nelehe replaced him. On gengyin day Sheng Xuanhuai finished railway loans with British, German, French, and American banks. On xinmao day Pang Hongshu left office and Shen Yuqing became Guizhou governor. On renchen day provinces were told railways were state-run and Sichuan-Hunan levies must stop from the edict date. Collections before Xuantong year 3 month 4 must be reported by posts, the railway chief, and provincial governors. Officials who hid receipts would be punished. Yang Wending said Hunan panicked after the nationalization edict, with uproar and handbills that might incite trouble. The court ordered a crackdown—rebels who stirred crowds were to be killed on sight under the rebel statute. Zhu Jiabao said the Jiang-Huai border bred bandits and famine years had made robbery fiercer. He asked for Hubei-Sichuan secret-society rules and military-law punishment. On bingshen day customs postal service went to posts and communications. Kunming official-field land tax was forgiven. On dingyou day Shandong's Teng and Yi counties were fed. In month 5, gengzi, Beijing official Wang Shiqi ended Hunan's railway house tax and rice-salt levies. On xinyou day Yang Wending relayed Hunan's refusal to borrow for its railway and was sharply rebuked. Silver was sent for Chinese killed in Mexico. On renyin day Guangxi Green Standard brigade and defender posts and troops were cut. On guimao day Shandong's Yan, Yi, Cao, and Jining received 30,000 taels. Sichuan's assembly asked to delay takeover and stop printing the edict after nationalization; Wang Renwen relayed it. Wang Renwen reported it; the court rebuked them but still ordered the edict printed and preached. On yisi day poor Hunchun bannermen owed no wasteland fees. On wushen day returned-student jinshi Jiang Guhuai and others were examined and posted. On yimao day Sun Baoqi said princes should not meddle in politics and was rebuked. On renzi day Natong returned as Wenyuan grand secretary. On bingchen day Guangdong refused government notes over railway recovery and demanded silver. Zhang Mingqi was told to guard against it. On dingsi day the assembly revised stenography academy rules. On wuwu day revenue and posts reported how to recover Sichuan, Guangdong, and Hankou trunk railways. They asked to swap Guangdong, Sichuan, Hunan, and Hubei stock for state railway bonds. Guangdong would get sixty percent. Hunan and Hubei would be repaid at par. Sichuan's four million spent at Yichang would become state bonds; seven million on hand could stay invested or enter industry. Duanfang was told to hurry to the three provinces and enforce the plan with each governor. Ding Baochen quit for illness and Chen Baochen became Shanxi governor. On gengshen day Yu Shimei took the College of Rites. On jiazi day the cabinet issued subordinate and legislative bureau regulations. A cabinet dispatch office and edict, appointment, statistics, and seal bureaus were set up. Chancellors, directors, and bureau chiefs were named. A cabinet legislative bureau president was appointed. Drafting, personnel, secretariat, rescript investigation, and drafting offices were abolished and merged into the cabinet. The Translation Office went under the Hanlin. The army ministry simplified provincial training-office advisers. On yichou day the Hanlin presented Zhang Jie's Kangxi Political Essentials. In month 6, dingmao, the assembly was told to revise its charter with the cabinet. Hunan's Wuling, Longyang, and Yiyang flood victims were fed. Baoding ordnance and Second Division powder magazines burned. On gengchen day Anhui flooded and Wuwei dikes broke at Wuli Tablet and Jiulian. On xinsi day Rongqing headed the Privy Council and Zou Jialai deputized. Lu Runxiang left the opium post; Chen Baochen left Shanxi and went on vice-minister reserve. Yiketan left the censorate and went on vice commander reserve. The concurrent Shuntian prefect post was cut. On renwu day Lu Zhongqi became Shanxi governor. On guiwei day Zhao Erfeng said Batang's Derong paid tax and a thousand Langzhuang monks were allowed to leave the robe. He also said Linka Rock households submitted to Sanba subprefecture. On yiyou day Ike Zhaoleague's Sanjimidub banner received 10,000 taels. On bingxu day Dangar and Xining bandits rose, troops scattered them, and Li Wang, Li Tongchun, and Li Guanbo were executed. On xinmao day the College of Rites was set up with chief, deputy, academician, and direct academician posts. Li Dianlin headed the College of Rites and Guo Cengxin deputized. On renchen day 2,400 Sichuan gentry led by Luo Lun said nationalization and Sheng Xuanhuai's harsh methods were unfair and asked for review. Wang Renwen relayed it; the court rebuked repeated disrespect. Consuls were added for the Dutch East Indies, Surabaya, and Sumatra. On jiawu day Hunan's Changde flooded its counties and received 60,000 taels. On bingshen day Britain renewed opium terms, the ban was reaffirmed, and all were told to enforce it. In intercalary month 6, jihai, Baoxi became opium prohibition minister. On gengzi day Enshou quit for illness and Yu Chengge became Shaanxi governor. On guimao day Anhui's Yangtze flood counties received 50,000 taels. On gengxu day Yu Chengge went to Hunan and Yang Wending to Shaanxi. On renzi day Yongping maneuvers were ordered with Prince Zaitao overseeing for the regent. On guichou day Princes Pulun and Zaize joined the clan court to draft the imperial code. On yimao day revolutionaries bombed Guangdong naval commander Li Zhun, who survived wounded. Former Jilin General Ming'an died. On bingchen day Zai Zhen, Lu Runxiang, and others became privy advisers; Yikuang, Natong, Xu Shichang, and other state ministers also advised the privy council. On dingsi day Shanqi took dependencies and Gui Chun acted for civil affairs. Fengshan became Guangzhou general and Shouqi Jingzhou general. Sichuan railway shareholders impeached posts through Zhao Erfeng and got no answer. On xinyou day provincial chief counties were cut and local courts set up. On yichou day the cabinet asked to revise regulations. In month 7, renshen, Zhao Erfeng said Sichuan still misunderstood nationalization and pressed demands. Posts and the railway chief were told to settle shares and explain the plan. On jiaxu day Ruicheng, Zhang Mingqi, Zhao Erfeng, and Yu Chengge were told to handle railways in their provinces. Duanfang was sent to Sichuan to investigate railways. On dingchou day Tian Zhenbang was told to hold his troops and Duanfang to hurry to Sichuan with soldiers. Zhao Erfeng and Yukun asked the assembly to restore merchant railways; the court refused and ordered suppression. On jimao day Jiangsu floods broke dikes and received 40,000 taels. The Yongding River burst. Duanfang entered Sichuan with all land and water forces at his call. Lu Zhengxiang went to Russia and Liu Jingren to the Netherlands. On xinsi day Zhongrui left office and Guifang became Kobdo commissioner. Puyi left Kobdo and Sayintu became deputy commissioner. On renwu day Sichuan rose; Zhao Erfeng arrested Pu Dianjun, Luo Lun, Deng Xiaoke, Yan Kai, Zhang Lan, and five others. Soon the league besieged the governor's office and was driven off by force. Zhejiang's Hang, Jia, Hu, and Shao prefectures were fed. On guiwei day the Emperor began study under Lu Runxiang, Chen Baochen, and Yiketan for Manchu. Hubei flood victims were fed. On jiashen day Guangdong's Chenghai dikes broke and received 40,000 taels. Sichuan residents in Beijing petitioned the assembly over the railway fight. Representative Liu Shengyuan was arrested and sent home. Education was told to keep students out of politics and mass meetings were banned. On dinghai day Shandong and the Yellow River upstream flooded and received 50,000 taels. Fujian flood victims were fed. On wuzi day Cen Chunxuan was sent to Sichuan with Zhao Erfeng to pacify and suppress. On jichou day the Prince Regent reviewed the guard. On guisi day Zhao Erfeng was told to scatter Sichuan rebels, spare the coerced, and punish ringleaders. On jiawu day Bomi tribes submitted. In month 8, bingshen, Inspector General Hart died and received Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent rank. Former Chengdu and Ili General Ma Liang received a temple at Ili. On renyin day Prince Qing Yikuang tried again to quit the cabinet and foreign affairs and was refused. On jiachen day Zhili provincial, brigade, and garrison posts and troops were cut but brigade commanders kept. On bingwu day Liu Guangcai quit, Zhang Xun took Jiangnan, and Zhang Huaizhi took Gansu. On dingwei day state music was set. On gengxu day the Salt Administration Bureau replaced the Salt Affairs Office. Zaize also took salt administration. On guichou day Duanfang and Ruicheng nationalized Guang-Han and Chuan-Han lines in Hubei and were praised. On jiazi day a Wuchang plot was uncovered, thirty-two arrested, and Liu Ru'ao and three executed. Ruicheng reported it; the court praised early suppression and ordered harsh interrogation and pursuit. On yimao day Wuchang's new army mutinied, Ruicheng fled, and the city fell. Ruicheng lost his post but stayed as acting governor to redeem himself. Yin Chang was sent to suppress Wuchang with Hubei forces, Sa Zhenbing's fleet, and Cheng Yunhe's navy. On bingchen day Zhang Biao fled a mutiny, lost Hubei command, but still had to fight bandits. Yongping maneuvers were canceled. Shanxi and Henan grain transport bans were lifted. Wuchang made Li Yuanhong of the Twenty-first Mixed Brigade governor and founded a military government. Then provinces seized troops, declared independence, and called their leaders governors. Revolutionaries took Hanyang, seized the arsenal and ironworks, and held Hankou. On dingsi day Yuan Shikai became Huguang governor-general and Cen Chunxuan Sichuan governor-general for suppression. Prince Zaitao was told to hold the guard and nearby armies around the capital. On wuwu day Wang Renwen left and Zhao Erfeng returned to Sichuan-Yunnan border affairs. Fengtian tribute was suspended for the year. On jiwei day Cen Chunxuan tried to refuse Sichuan and was refused. Liang Dunyan was summoned to Beijing. Beijing sold grain at fair price. On renxu day all Yangtze land and water forces went to Yuan Shikai. Sichuan and Huguang coerced men who defected would be spared; those who served or captured rebels would be rewarded. Rebel registers were to be burned and kin left alone. War-torn districts in both provinces were to be comforted. Provincial Green Standard and patrol cuts were canceled. Shouqi left office and Lian Kui became Jingzhou general. On guihai day the empress dowager sent 200,000 taels for Hubei war victims. Fujian's Longxi and Nanjing floods received 20,000 taels. Shandong and Shanxi were told to buy grain for the Hubei army. On jiazi day Wang Shizhen was sent to assist Hubei military affairs. On month 9's yichou new moon the sun was eclipsed. The assembly's second session opened under an exhorting edict. Hunan's new army mutinied; Yu Chengge fled to a ship and Huang Zhonghao was killed. On bingyin day Shaanxi mutinied; Qian Nengxun fled to Tong Pass and Wen Rui, Cheng Yan, and Keming'e died. On dingmao day the empress dowager sent 240,000 taels for eight provinces' famine and founded a relief society. On wuchen day Zhang Yintang left and Shi Zhaoji went to Italy, Mexico, and Peru. Revolutionaries bombed and killed Guangzhou General Fengshan. On jisi day the empress dowager gave to the relief society. The assembly impeached Sheng Xuanhuai as the ruin of the state and he was dismissed. Duanfang said Sichuan's trouble came from official-people strife and won release for Pu Dianjun, Deng Xiaoke, and eight others plus Xiao Xiang. Tang Shaoyi became posts minister. Chen Bangrui took Jiang-Anhui relief. On gengwu day the empress dowager sent one million taels to the Hubei army. Yin Chang returned; Yuan Shikai became imperial commissioner for Hubei with full army command. Feng Guozhang took the First Army and Duan Qirui the Second, both under Yuan Shikai. Chunlu became Guangzhou general. Slain Guangzhou General Fengshan was posthumously honored. Feng Guozhang fought at Zhangkou and land-water forces retook Hankou. On renshen day Ruicheng was arrested for abandoning Wuchang and fleeing on a warship. On guiyou day the throne confessed fault. Pulun and Zaize were told to draft the constitution quickly. Assembly President Shiro quit for illness; Li Jiaju replaced him with Dashou as deputy. Gui Chun went back to grain transport and Zhao Bingjun acted for civil affairs. Yu Chengge lost Hunan governorship but still acted there. Shanxi mutinied and Governor Lu Zhongqi was killed. Yunnan mutinied; Li Jingxi fled and Shizeng, Zhong Lintong, Wang Zhenji, and Fan Zhongyue died. Tang Shouqian took Zhejiang militia training. Party bans were lifted. 1898 victims, revolution suspects, and coerced returners were all pardoned. The assembly said the cabinet must be fully responsible, without kinsmen, under new rules. The court approved. Shuntian sold grain at fair price. On jiaxu day Jiangxi mutinied; Feng Rukui fled to Jiujiang and poisoned himself. Anhui's new army struck the capital and was driven off. On yihai day Yuan Shikai became prime minister and was told to form a responsible cabinet. Prince Qing Yikuang left the cabinet and headed the Privy Council. Natong and Xu Shichang left the cabinet and joined Rongqing as privy advisers. Shanqi, Zaize, Tang Jingchong, Yin Chang, Pulun, Tang Shaoyi, Shouqi, and other state ministers were dismissed. Zaitao left the General Staff and Yin Chang replaced him. Wei Guangtao returned as Huguang governor-general and was rushed to Hubei. Land, sea, and Yangtze forces stayed under Yuan Shikai. On bingzi day Yuan Shikai was summoned to Beijing. Wang Shizhen acted as Huguang governor-general. On Zhang Shaozeng's advice the assembly was told to draft the constitution. On dingchou day the assembly proposed constitutional monarchy and nineteen great articles. Sichuan war victims received 100,000 inner-treasury taels. On wuyin day commanders were told the court sought renewal with the people and would not rush to arms. Commanders were told to keep discipline and spare civilians. Wu Luzhen of the Sixth Division acted as Shanxi governor. Yuan Shikai tried to refuse the premiership and was warmly pressed to accept. Martyr Shanxi Governor Lu Zhongqi was posthumously honored. Guizhou declared independence, chose a governor, and Shen Yuqing fled. Revolutionaries seized Shanghai. Yuan Shikai halted the advance. Soon Liu Chengen and Cai Tinggan failed to persuade Li Yuanhong to disarm. On jimao day revolutionaries were allowed lawful political parties. The assembly said Hankou troops had slaughtered civilians and asked for a ceasefire. Yuan Shikai was told to punish officers and pay merchant losses. Wu Luzhen asked to parley, halt attacks, and comfort rebels at Xiangzikou and was praised. Guangdong's diplomatic commissioner was cut. Jiangsu's Cheng Desheng joined the revolution at Suzhou as governor. Zhejiang mutinied; Governor Zengyun was seized then released. On gengchen day Zhang Shaozeng of the Twentieth Division received vice-minister rank to pacify the Yangtze. Zhang Shaozeng pleaded illness and stayed. Zhang Xun also took Southern Seas military affairs. Zhao Erfeng left and Duanfang acted as Sichuan governor-general. Yuan Shikai was urged to Beijing. Wang Zhaoming, Huang Fusheng, and Luo Shixun were freed. On xinsi day Guangxi's Shen Bingcheng declared himself governor. The cabinet appointments bureau burned. On renwu day Xu Shaozhen mutinied at Jiangning while Tie Liang, Zhang Renjun, and Zhang Xun held the city. Zhenjiang fell and Vice Commander Zaimu was killed. Anhui mutinied and made Zhu Jiabao governor. On guiwei day Yuan Shikai was specially appointed prime minister. The assembly's constitutional articles of faith led to the appointment. Lu Haihuan asked to run relief on Red Cross lines and was approved. Guangdong declared independence and Zhang Mingqi fled. Fujian mutinied; Pu Shou and Songshou were killed. On jiashen day the empress dowager dismissed Jilu and recalled Shiro to the household department. Xiliang was summoned to court. Commanders were told the court made no Manchu-Han distinction. On yiyou day Shandong's Sun Baoqi declared independence. Shuntian set up a temporary capital Red Cross society. Prince Yulang left the General Staff and Xu Shichang replaced him. On bingxu day Jiangning's defenders were rewarded. Lu Haihuan headed the Chinese Red Cross and relief work. Manchuria's assembly and new army sought independence; Zhao Erxun refused and ordered persuasion. On dinghai day nearby garrisons, route armies, and Jiang Guiyi's troops went to Yuan Shikai. On wuzi day commissioners were sent to war provinces to hear the people. Each governor was told to send representatives to Beijing. Zhao Erxun tried to resign over Sichuan and was refused. Wu Luzhen reached Shijiazhuang and was killed by his men. Censor Wen Su impeached Wu Luzhen for treason. Chen Ailong was told to investigate. Wang Shizhen quit for illness and Duan Zhigui acted for Huguang. The Yongding River was closed. Yuan Shikai reached Beijing. On jichou day Zhang Xiluan became Shanxi governor. Puying left Rehe and Xiliang became governor-general. On gengyin day Yuan Shikai named his cabinet. Yuan Shikai's cabinet: Liang Dunyan foreign affairs, Zhao Bingjun civil affairs, Yan Xiu revenue, Tang Jingchong education, Wang Shizhen army, Sa Zhenbing navy, Shen Jiaben justice, Zhang Jian agriculture and industry, Yang Shiqi posts, Dashou dependencies. Yu Shimei and Baoxi revised the legal code. Shaochang, Lin Shaonian, Chen Bangrui, Wang Qi, Wu Yusheng, and Enshun became privy advisers. On xinmao day Duan Qirui acted as Huguang governor-general. Sheng Yun returned to act as Shaanxi governor with military charge. On renchen day Zhejiang's Zengyun was dismissed for abandoning his post. On guisi day Zhang Xun received hereditary Second Class Light Chariot Commandant for Moling Pass. On jiawu day the assembly's revised charter was issued. In winter month 10, bingshen, the cabinet suspended memorial audiences under constitutional rule. The privy council and General Staff were restricted too. Old yamen daily-duty rules were abolished. Shiro again became Wenyuan grand secretary. On wuxu day Wu Tingfang, Zhang Jian, Tang Wenzi, and Wen Zongyao urged the regent toward republic. On gengzi day the nineteen constitutional articles were sworn at the ancestral temple by the regent for the emperor. Lao Naixuan took the Imperial University. Puliang left Chahar and Huang Maocheng of Xuanhua acted there. On xinchou day Zhang Huaizhi of Gansu helped Zhili defense. Chengdu declared independence and chose a governor. On renyin day Duanfang was killed by his men at Zizhou on the march into Sichuan. His brother Duan Jin, who followed him, was also killed. Feng Guozhang received Second Class Baron for retaking Hanyang. Horqin Prince Almuerging was sent to Fengtian to plan Mongol affairs with Zhao Erxun. Rebel troops struck Jinling and Deputy Commander Wang Youhong was killed. On jiachen day Sun Baoqi gave up independence and impeached himself to await sentence. He was pardoned and Shandong officials and merchants who stayed loyal were rewarded. Treasury silver was sent to reward Zhang Xun's troops. Liang Dingfen received third-rank capital status and was told to help Li Zhun retake Guangdong. On bingwu day revolutionaries seized Jiangning; Tieliang and Zhang Renjun fled to Shanghai while Zhang Xun fell back to Xuzhou with what remained. Yuan Shikai and the revolutionaries signed a temporary truce and stopped fighting for three days. The truce was extended repeatedly until the national polity was settled. Xu Shichang was made the minister in charge of drilling the Imperial Guard. On dingwei day Bao Fang was removed and Qi Yaolin became Henan governor. Shou Xun was told to handle military affairs with Yuan Shikai and Xu Shichang. On wushen day the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu declared independence and drove out Urga commissioner San Duo. San Duo was dismissed by edict. On jiyou day Jiangxi Governor Feng Ruqi, killed in service, received posthumous honors. On gengxu day Regent Prince Zai Feng memorialized the empress dowager, gave back the regent seal, and went home to his princedom. The empress dowager made Shi Xu and Xu Shichang grand tutors to guard the emperor. Duan Qirui was told to crush bandits along the Dangyang and Tianmen lines. On xinhai day Yuan Shikai was made plenipotentiary minister with authority to send envoys south on the great settlement. Feng Guozhang became Chahar governor-general. The Advisory Council sought the solar calendar and free queue-cutting; both were approved. On renzi day the Imperial Guard training minister became guard president under Feng Guozhang. Liang Bi was appointed General Staff military advisory commissioner. Fujian-Zhejiang Governor-General Song Shou, killed in service, received posthumous honors. On bingchen day Heilongjiang's Taiping Mountain Chahan Aolai coal mine was opened. On dingsi day revolutionaries reached Jingzhou and Acting Left Deputy Commander Hengling was killed. On wuwu day the cabinet floated patriotic bonds. On xinyou day Sun Baoqi was removed and Hu Jianchu became Shandong governor. In month 11, jiazi new moon, Yuan Shikai sought an end to sealed official memorials. On yichou day ex-acting Hubei legal commissioner Shi Jiyun and ex-Guanglu vice minister Chen Zhong were told to run Sichuan militia. On bingyin day Yin Changheng and Luo Lun's Comrade Army seized Zhao Erfeng in the governor's yamen and killed him when he refused to submit. On wuchen day Chaozhou commander Zhao Guoxian, killed in service, received posthumous honors. On renshen day the empress dowager ordered a provisional congress to decide the republican constitutional polity by public vote. Earlier Yuan Shikai had sent Tang Shaoyi to negotiate in Shanghai with Wu Tingfang; Wu held out for abolishing the throne and a republic, Tang could not prevail, and he returned to seek the court's ruling. Yuan Shikai asked for a princes-and-ministers audience conference and the court at last agreed. A national conference was then scheduled at Shanghai to decide the polity. On jiaxu day seventeen provincial delegates at Shanghai elected a provisional president, set up government at Nanjing, and named the state the Republic of China. On wuyin day princes and nobles were urged to donate funds for the armies. Chief justice Ding Cheng was removed and Liu Ruoceng took his place. On jimao day Yang Shiqi was removed and Liang Shiyi became acting posts minister. On xinsi day Duan Fang, acting Sichuan governor and railway commissioner, and his brother Duan Jin received posthumous honors for dying in service. The Salt Administration Bureau was cut. A Luanzhou mutiny was pacified. Ili New Army acting commander Yang Zuanxu mutinied and General Zhirui was killed. On dinghai day the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu was admonished by edict and given former-dynasty treasures. On gengyin day Acting Jingzhou Left Deputy Commander Hengling received posthumous honors for dying in service. On xinmao day a bomb was thrown at Yuan Shikai on the road and missed. On renchen day Zhang Huaiyi was also told to help handle Shandong defense. On guisi day officials were ordered to protect foreign lives and property. Shu Qinga was told to help with Hubei defense. Wu Zhen became metropolitan garrison commander and Beijing was put under martial law. In month 12, jiawu new moon, Zhang Huaiyi received acting governor rank. On jiwei day Lu Zhongqi received a second hereditary light-chariot commandancy; his son Lu Guangxi, killed with him, was posthumously made third-rank capital officer with title and honors for Lady Tang. On dingyou day Zhang Renjun was removed and Zhang Xun was told to act as Liangjiang governor-general. Hu Jianchu was removed; Zhang Guangjian became acting Shandong governor and Wu Dingyuan helped on Shandong defense. On jihai day Ili General Zhirui, killed in service, received posthumous honors. On xinchou day the empress dowager enfeoffed Yuan Shikai as first-class marquis for loyal public service. Elerhun became acting Ili general and Wen Qi took Tarbagatai councillor affairs. Li Jiaju was removed and Xu Dingsen became Advisory Council president. Revolutionaries bombed Liang Bi in the thigh; he died two days later. On renyin day Yuan Shikai refused the marquisate until repeated urging made him accept. On guimao day Tong Pass's recovery brought ten thousand taels to reward the troops. On jiachen day Zhang Biao was restored to provincial commander for Hanyang merit. On yisi day Zhang Huaiyi became Anhui governor. Fuzhou General Pu Shou, killed in service, received posthumous honors. On dingwei day Zhang Xiluan went to Fengtian on defense; Li Shengduo became acting Shanxi governor and Lu Yongxiang helped Shanxi command. General Staff commissioner Liang Bi, assassinated, received posthumous honors. On wushen day Wang Geng became General Staff military advisory commissioner. On jiyou day the empress dowager gave Yuan Shikai full power to negotiate with the revolutionaries and report up. Cen Chunxuan, Yuan Shukun, Lu Zhengxiang, Duan Qirui, and others then urged a swift republic to spare the people; without waiting for congress the court decided to yield power. On gengxu day Kun Yuan was told to help with Rehe defense. On xinhai day Song Xiaolian became acting Heilongjiang governor. On renzi day Xu Shichang left the military advisory post; Gansu commissioner Shi Zeng, killed in Yunnan service, received posthumous honors. On yimao day Xi Liang was removed and Kun Yuan became acting Rehe governor-general. On dingsi day unpaid Xuzhou land tax and transport grain were forgiven. On wuwu day Yuan Shikai reported agreement with Wu Tingfang on a republic plus nineteen articles on the throne, the clan, and Manchu-Mongol-Muslim-Tibetan treatment. The empress dowager told Yuan Shikai to form a provisional republican government and negotiate unity with the revolutionaries. Yuan Shikai then proclaimed the empress dowager's edict at home and abroad: 「Earlier the revolutionary army rose, the provinces followed, the realm boiled nine summers long, and the people burned in war. The throne had ordered Yuan Shikai to send envoys south, open a congress, and let the polity be decided by vote. Two months passed with no settled plan. North and south were estranged and locked in stalemate. Trade stopped on the roads and scholars slept in the open fields. One day without a settled polity meant one more day without peace for the people. Now the whole nation's heart leaned toward republic. The south had risen first; northern generals had followed. Where hearts turn, Heaven's mandate is plain. How could We cling to one clan's honor against the will of the myriad people? Reading the great trend abroad and public feeling within, We yield the emperor's ruling power to the nation and fix a constitutional republic. It will ease the empire's hunger for peace now and match the sages' teaching that all under Heaven belongs to all. Yuan Shikai, already chosen prime minister by the Advisory Council, should bridge old and new and unite north and south. Let Yuan Shikai, with full power, form a provisional republican government and negotiate unity with the revolutionaries. The aim is peace for the people, order for the realm, and one Republic of China embracing Manchu, Mongol, Han, Muslim, and Tibetan lands entire. The emperor and We may then retire in ease, enjoy the nation's courtesy, and see perfect order achieved—what glory could exceed it! 」It also said: 「Ancient rulers held the realm to preserve life and would not harm the people to feed power. The new polity is meant first to end great disorder and secure lasting peace. Defy the majority and war without end will shatter the settlement, slaughter breed slaughter, and racial catastrophe follow. The ancestral temples will shake, the myriad people suffer—later disaster beggars words. Between two harms, choose the lighter. This is the court reading the times, watching change, and weighing the people's pain. Officials and people everywhere must grasp this intent, weigh the whole situation, and not let pride or reckless words harm state and people alike. The Ministry of Civil Affairs, the metropolitan garrison, Jiang Guiti, Feng Guozhang, and others were ordered to guard strictly and instruct earnestly. So all would see the court answering Heaven and the people with great impartiality. Offices and duties exist to serve as the people's pole— cabinets and ministries within, governors and commissioners without—all to comfort the people, not one man or one house. Capital and provincial officials alike should feel the hard times and keep their posts carefully. Each chief should admonish his men not to neglect duty, fulfilling Our long intent to cherish the people. 」It also said: 「Earlier, with the realm on the brink and the people in distress, We ordered the cabinet to negotiate preferential terms for the imperial house with the revolutionaries in hope of peace. The returned memorial reported that the revolutionaries' courteous terms—perpetual temple and tomb rites and maintenance of former tomb rules—were all accepted. The emperor yields ruling power but keeps his honored title. Eight articles on the imperial house, four on the clan, and seven on Manchu, Mongol, Muslim, and Tibetan treatment were also fixed. The memorial was judged thorough. The throne proclaimed to the clan and to Manchus, Mongols, Muslims, and Tibetans: dissolve old boundaries, keep the peace together, see the world made tranquil, and share republican happiness—on this We set great hope. With that, the abdication was carried out. The historiographer says: The emperor came to the throne as a child; a regent ruled; military and civil affairs all passed through him, and great matters were reported to the empress dowager. When great change broke out he yielded power at once; all under Heaven was for the public and preferential treatment was preserved—a wonder without precedent. Like Yu's guest on the throne, ritual and culture were still renewed. When judgment is finally rendered, historians always find it hard. Yet Confucius compiling the Spring and Autumn Annals wrote what should be written and cut what should be cut. The age he saw is set down more fully than the age he heard of; how can a single reign's record be left blank? May later ages under Heaven judge it together as well? Chapter 25
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