Because of Zeng Guofan's Xiang army, Wang Qing lived for decades. After Zeng Guofan, the generals of Hunan Department became the provincial governors of the Qing court, and the scenery remained the same. However, during the Republic of China, the warlords in Hunan were much inferior to those in Guangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan. Why can't Hunan, where Hunan is located, stand out in the warlord regime, and can only rely on Guangxi in the south and Beiyang in the north from time to time?

This issue of "Military Times in Deep History" returns to Hunan in the early years of the Republic of China to see why Hunan was not a general of the New Army at that time, but a spokesman Tan Yan. And then what? Tan Yan, who is in charge of Hunan? What did you do, but in Hunan, which is famous for its ability to fight in modern China, you can only be a swing and hold it back and forth?

Figure 1, Jiao Dafeng

After the Revolution of 1911, among the seven provinces of Juyi 17, Hunan declared independence the earliest, only 12 days later than Wuchang, Hubei Province, which fired the first shot of the revolution. Revolutionary Jiao Dafeng successfully led the Hunan Uprising. The revolution in Hunan was exceptionally smooth and there was no fierce confrontation. Shortly after the new army uprising, the governors and officials in Hunan fled. Therefore, Changsha after the recovery of Hunan described it this way: "The chickens and dogs are not surprised, and the people trade as usual." There are some remote alleys, I don't know the letter. Such a peaceful revolution is really rare at all times and in all countries. "

Although the process of Hunan's declaration of independence was easy, the turmoil in Hunan during the Revolution of 1911 was no less than that in other provinces. Unlike other provinces, Jiao Dafeng, who successfully led the uprising, was not a general of the new army or an official of the Qing court, but an out-and-out revolutionary and a member of the League. Although he was also from Hunan, his influence in Hunan officialdom was limited to the revolutionary party, when he was only 24 years old.

Figure 2. the Chen Dynasty

Although the Hunan military government was established late, Jiao Da Feng was successfully elected as the governor of Hunan, and his deputy Chen was elected as the vice governor. However, after the establishment of the military government, the Hunan Constitutionalists formulated a set of "Rules for the Participation of the Governor's Office in Hunan Province of the Republic of China", which clearly stipulated that "the participation in planning the overall situation of the people's army and all administrative affairs" made the participation above the Governor's Office. Jiao Dafeng, who has little political experience, agreed to this provision under the coercion of a group of constitutional elders in Hunan, and established the Senate, Tan Yan? Elected as the speaker of the Senate, the Senate strongly constrained the viceroy of Jiao Dafeng.

Jiao Dafeng, these young people who are engaged in uprisings and revolts, are indeed newborn calves who are not afraid of tigers, but when playing politics, they are really no match for these officialdom operatives in Hunan. Although they became the deputy commander-in-chief of Hunan's military government, the actual power in Hunan was entirely in Tan Yan's hands? Led by the constitutionalists.

Figure 3. Tan Yan?

In Jiao Dafeng, these old guys were fooled around by the constitutionalists and needed the consent of the Senate to send a telegram and seal it. Tan Renfeng, a veteran of the League, chairman of the Central Committee and a native of Hunan, returned to Hunan after hearing about the success of the Hunan Revolution. Compared with Jiao Dafeng, Tan Renfeng, who was born in 1860, is not so easy to deal with. Seeing that the League was nominally the commander-in-chief and deputy commander-in-chief of the Xiang military government, in fact, it had no power. Tan Renfeng argued for the abolition of the Senate and the Ministry of Military and Political Affairs, and passed it by an absolute majority at the Advisory Council meeting on October 30, 65438/KLOC-0, to recover all rights from the commander-in-chief of the military government.

Figure 4, Tan Renfeng

However, in 10 and 3 1, there was a mutiny against Jiao Dafeng and Chen, led by veteran Mei Xin. Jiao Dafeng and Chen were killed successively. The next day, the advisory committee led by the Constitution elected Tan Yan? He is the commander-in-chief of the Hunan military government. So Tan Yan, a scholar? , when the Hunan viceroy. In just ten days, the Hunan military government led by the League fell into the hands of the constitutionalists.

Let's take a look at Tan Yan, the newly elected commander-in-chief of the Hunan military government. He has been in charge of Hunan for three times. Resume before he first took charge of Hunan. Tan Yan? He is from Chaling, Hunan, and his father Tan is the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi. Tan Yan? It can be regarded as the children of serious provincial and ministerial officials. 1880 was born, 1893 was admitted to the scholar. Do you know Tan Yan? What a prodigy; Tan Yan 1904? In the last imperial examination in Qing Dynasty, he became a scholar again. Tan Yan? In the imperial examination, at an early age, he made achievements that ordinary literati dreamed of. Unfortunately, he was born in the late Qing Dynasty. However, this is not important. After the high school Jinshi returned to Hunan, Tan Yan? Participated in the violent political reform in the late Qing dynasty and was elected as the speaker of the Hunan Provincial Consultation Bureau. Although the constitutional reform in the late Qing Dynasty ended in failure, Tan Yan? He accumulated real prestige and contacts in Hunan and became the leader of Hunan Constitutionalism School.

Figure 5, Tan

Tan Yan, who stepped on the blood of revolutionaries and became the commander-in-chief of Hunan military government? The relationship with the revolutionary party is even more difficult, isn't it? But what about Tan Yan? His superb political skills enabled him to strike a balance among revolutionaries, constitutionalists and Beiyang school headed by Yuan Shikai.

Let's see how he handles the league. After he was elected viceroy, he made a big fuss about the funerals of Jiao Dafeng and Chen, and performed a series of performances, such as reburial, memorial meeting, memorial bronze statue and so on. This makes people in the League who sympathize with Jiao Dafeng speechless. Tan Renfeng and Tan Yan, veterans of Hunan Revolutionary Party? More politely, let Tan Renfeng have nothing to say to him. At the same time, he actively contacted Huang Xing, who was fighting against Beiyang Army in Hubei at that time, and sent Hunan New Army to support Huang Xing, which made Huang Xing have a heartfelt recognition of the new governor of Hunan. At the same time, with the help of Hubei, he will also be biased against himself, sympathizing with Jiao Dafeng's 49 th bid of Hunan New Army, and all of them will be transferred from Hunan.

Figure 6. Jiaodafeng tomb

Not only is he good at dealing with the affairs of the League, but Tan Yan is also good at dealing with the internal affairs of Hunan? There's another set. First of all, he United and suppressed various factions in Hunan, and quickly pacified the turbulent Hunan after the Revolution of 1911. Secondly, he encouraged people from all walks of life to initiate the establishment of companies, and even personally initiated organizations. Under his leadership, a large number of Hunan industrial enterprises were established at that time, and he built banks and roads at the same time. During his first administration in Hunan, Hunan's economy advanced by leaps and bounds. Thirdly, on issues involving farmers' interests, he abolished the "grain-based" system and promulgated a "new chapter on land tax" to promote the reform of the whole country. Fourth, in education, press and publication, Tan Yan? During his reign, the Hunan government also invested heavily in setting up various schools, sending students to study abroad and running new newspapers. Fifth, in Hunan, we will implement various measures to eliminate disadvantages, such as shaving our hair, putting our feet on, and banning smoking.

Figure 7. Tan Yan?

As we mentioned earlier, the first thing Yuan Shikai did after he became the interim president was to ask the southern provinces to abolish the newly established army during the Revolution of 1911. On the issue of abolishing the army, Tan Yan? Hunan, in charge, cooperated most actively. The commander-in-chief with a constitutional background is a military layman. He may feel from the bottom of his heart that after the revolution, the army can be put aside. Moreover, these soldiers are always making trouble, and if factions are formed again, Hunan will be more difficult to manage; And you have to pay so much to support you, otherwise it will be ruined. Maybe it's because of Tan Yan, a scholar and a constitutionalist? Being in charge of Hunan prevented Hunan from forming a big warlord faction like the surrounding provinces. This issue of "Military Times in the Deep of History" ends here. In the next issue, we will go to Sichuan, where the relationship is more complicated.

In the military era deep in history, I will work with you to interpret China's modern military politicians.