109 years ago today, on March 22, 1916 (February 19, 1916 in the lunar calendar), Yuan Shikai announced the abolition of the imperial system. Yuan Shikai dressed in the newly designed military uniform of Emperor Hong Xianhou. On March 10, 1912, Yuan Shikai became the interim president of the Republic of China in Beijing. Yuan Shikai, a loyal representative of imperialism and feudalism, stole the results of the Revolution of 1911 and began the reactionary rule of the Beiyang warlords. In October 1913, Yuan Shikai became the official president. He stole the power of rule over the country and began to dream of an "emperor". Yuan Shikai ordered the dissolution of the Kuomintang and revoked the membership of Kuomintang members. Later, Congress was simply ordered to dissolve, and a new "Covenant" was concocted, stipulating that the president's term of office was 10 years and could be re-elected without restriction. The presidential successor would be recommended by the current president. Yuan Shikai's ambition to turn the Republic into a home and world was exposed. In order to promote imperial system, Yuan Shikai did not hesitate to betray national sovereignty in exchange for imperialist support. In January 1915, in order to intensify its aggression against China, Japanese imperialism put forward 21 conditions to China to achieve its goal of monopolizing China. At the same time, he hinted: "As long as the president recognizes these 21 articles, the Japanese government hopes that the president will be promoted one step further. The news that Yuan Shikai accepted the "21 Articles" aroused the anger of the people across the country. Under the pressure of the people, the "21 Articles" were not implemented. Although Yuan Shikai wanted to be an emperor, he was not eager to appear on the stage. He even said: "I don't even want to be a president. Why would I want to be an emperor?" He said this verbally, but secretly he stepped up efforts to create public opinion on restoring the monarchy. He wanted to paint the imperial system with a layer of "public opinion". So some political opportunists and Yuan Shikai's minions organized the "National Petition Federation" to wave the flag and shout for Yuan Shikai to become emperor. In October 1915, another so-called "national representatives" meeting was held. The "representatives" of various provinces presented a "recommendation letter" to Yuan Shikai saying: "With the common will of the people, we recommend the current President Yuan Shikai to be the emperor of the Chinese Empire." Yuan Shikai pretended and returned the "Book of Push and Wear", expressing his desire to "promote the Republic." When the "Book of Push Dai" was presented for the second time, Yuan Shikai no longer refused. On December 12, 1915, Yuan Shikai announced his acceptance of the throne and changed the name of the country to "Chinese Empire." Then, he ordered the fifth year of the Republic of China to be changed to the "first year of Hong Xian", preparing to officially ascend to the throne on New Year's Day in 1916. Unfortunately, the dream didn't last long. The people who had been baptized by the Revolution of 1911 would never allow the restoration of the monarchy, and the anti-Yuan and anti-Japanese patriotic movements rose rapidly. The Chinese Revolutionary Party led by Sun Yat-sen publicly called on people to "take advantage of the times and rise up" to carry out the anti-Yuan struggle to the end. The Progressive Party, which had always supported Yuan Shikai, also embarked on the anti-Yuan path. Even within the Beiyang Warlord Group, it was clearly divided. Before Yuan Shikai's yellow robe could be replaced, Cai E of Yunnan launched a nation-protection movement and organized the National Protectorate Army to attack Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai had no choice but to announce the abolition of the imperial system on March 22, 1916, despite the fact that his relatives were defected and separated, but he still regarded himself as the president. However, armed uprisings were organized across the country, hoisted the banner of the National Guard Army, and demanded that Yuan Shikai be punished. Yuan Shikai became sick from anger and shame, and died on June 6, 1916 amid the cursing of the people across the country.