Instalment 47 (1912)

Scene 1: Nanjing; at the provisional parliament

Once the special emissaries have returned from Beijing, the provisional parliament is convened. During the assembly, it is decided that the capital is to be relocated from Nanjing to Beijing in order to guarantee China’s stability and unity. Sun is enraged and criticises the representatives for being opportunistic. He believes that the Republicans only possess three strongholds: 1. Nanjing as the capital, 2. the provisional constitution, and 3. the provisional parliament. Only with these three, he holds, may a restoration and autocracy be prevented. However, the Republicans have already lost the first move against Yuan Shikai. Now, Sun places all his hopes on the provisional constitution. He hopes it will provide a shield against any power abuse of the rulers.

Scene 2:Beijing; at Yuan Shikai’s residence

Yang Du is very angered by the staged mutiny and the arson of the emissaries’ lodgings. He criticises Yuan for being unscrupulous. Even though Yuan accuses Cao Kun and his son of being the principal actors, he nonetheless tells Yang that this is a “family matter among the members of the Beiyang”, i.e. he, Yang Du, is not involved in this affair anyway and does not have to bother about it.

Scene 3: Yuan Shikai’s inauguration ceremony

After the inauguration ceremony, Yuan Shikai only says one thing: even though he is now officially President of the Republic, there is still another President in Nanjing: Sun Yatsen. Who should be followed? Thus he pressurised Sun to quickly step down. In reaction to Yuan’s question, Sun holds a press conference in Nanjing. He explains that the constitution stipulates what the President of the Republic is allowed to do and what not. He, Sun, will only step down, once the provisional constitution has been ratified by the provisional parliament. Moreover, he explains that the new “cabinet system” (neigezhi) which is laid down by this provisional constitution is not aimed specifically at Yuan Shikai, but rather at the President of the Republic in general. It is not to be understood as a version of „Kan die xia cai“ (看碟下菜) (i.e. a dish prepared to suit the individual person), but rather, it follows the concept of „Tianxia wei gong“ (天下为公), i.e. the world belongs to all. (Thus he counters the objection that the previous concept of a presidential system in which power is vested with the President has been changed now to a cabinet system in which power has been transferred to the cabinet, only because Yuan has accepted the post.)

Luo Wen and Tian Mo are buying a plate. They have it engraved with the four characters „Tianxia wei gong“ 天下为公: the world belongs to all.

Sun Yatsen, Song Jiaoren and other “Tongmenghui” members are discussing the cabinet members whom Yuan Shikai has proposed as well as the cabinet members which they intend to propose. Yuan Shikai has named his Beiyang men to be appointed to all important posts. But all the “Tongmenghui” members who Sun wants to appoint refuse to work for Yuan Shikai, the new president.

Yuan’s appointed Prime Minister, Tang Shaoyi (a compromise figure between the two sides), arrives in Nanjing with Yuan’s cut off queue, to form the first cabinet of the Republic together with the “Tongmenghui”. The queue is a symbol for the monarchy and Yuan had it chopped off to show his approval of the new system. Sun now officially steps down at the assembly of the Provisional Parliament. He sends Yuan the plate with the characters „Tianxia wei gong“ 天下为公 expressing his hope that Yuan will lead China into the Republic.

Accompanied by Zhao Bingjun, Yuan Shikai visits the new presidential seat. But the magnificent presidential seat does not interest Yuan. All the time, he is playing around with the plate given to him by Sun Yatsen. Occasionally he uses it as a fan, then again he comments on Sun’s handwriting. One time, the plate even drops out of his hands. But “it hasn’t broken after all”. Finally, he arrives at the conclusion that it will not be possible for him to have a meal on that plate, but that it would be better to use the “Tianxia wei gong“ plate as a decorative item! Then he puts it aside. (Evidently, he does not support the new system in China.)

The Prime Minister reminds the provisional parliament, now convening in Beijing, that the new Republic is in grave financial difficulties. Therefore it is necessary to borrow money. But the five large banks from Russia, Germany, England, France and Japan have reached an agreement. According to this agreement, the Republic has to borrow money from all the five banks on the conditions they dictate. It will not be possible to borrow money from only one of the banks. The cabinet therefore decides to borrow money from Belgium, since Belgium is not a part of the cartel. However, it offers a far lower credit limit.

The five banks will only lend money to the Republic if they are allowed to control the use of the money, but Yuan reject these conditions. After the representatives of the banks have left, Tang wants Yuan Shikai to sign the plans for taking up a loan from Belgium which the cabinet has drafted. But due to the minimal sum involved, Yuan wants to consider this decision, even though he is supposed to only sign in accordance with the provisional constitution. But Yuan does not wish to be merely granted the position of an official seal, i.e. he wants to do more than merely give his signatures. Moreover, he wants to clarify two points: 1. how much power he, as the President of the Republic, really possesses; and 2. how loyal Prime Minister Tang Shaoyi, his former associate since Yuan’s time in Korea, but now a member of the “Tongmenghui”, still is. Tang is angered by Yuan’s hesitations to sign the document. Evidently, problems between the President and the Prime Minister of the Republic are obstructing a successful team work.

At Yuan Shikai’s residence, many people are waiting in the courtyard. Yuan, now being China’s President, in the eyes of many petty citizens equals an emperor. Thus, there are floods of visitors who all pretend to be his co-villagers and who desire something or other from him. Yuan’s sons are fed up with having to bother about all these “co-villagers” and complain about it to Yuan. Yuan takes this as an opportunity to reprimand Tang Shaoyi, who is also present, indirectly. He claims that one should honour and respect those by whom one was once nourished (implying that Tang Shaoyi would have never been appointed Prime Minister without his help)! Thus, the “co-villagers” should be cared for.
Afterwards another argument erupts between Tang and Yuan, since Tang criticises Yuan’s continuing disrespect of his role as Prime Minister. When Tang threatens to step down from his office, to his surprise Yuan has already prepared his letter of resignation! Evidently, Tang has fallen into Yuan’s trap intended to get rid of him and instead appoint someone “more obedient” as Prime Minister.

All other “Tongmenghui” members have resigned together with Tang Shaoyi. The first cabinet of the Republic has therefore been dissolved – a surprising development considering the young age of the Republic! People from all walks of life curiously buy the newspapers filled with the unexpected news.

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