清末东三省改制与首任总督人选问题研究

On the Selection of the First Governor of Northeast China in Late Qing Dynasty

关于清末东三省改制中总督人选问题,清政府先是属意政声颇著的汉军旗人赵尔巽并授职盛京将军。施政艰窘、官场倾轧、与直隶总督袁世凯生隙诸多因素导致赵氏不安其位。清政府觅人接替不果后派载振、徐世昌赴东三省调查,以为他日改制张本。赵尔巽因钦使“不啻参劾”的奏闻、载振因杨翠喜事,二人失去竞争力,在中日东三省善后谈判中力维主权且正于中央官制改革中受挫的袁世凯进入清政府视野。袁世凯对总督东三省无抵触,然慈禧以直隶重要而不愿其远离的表态则更使他“闻之大悦”。清政府继以连遭瞿鸿排挤的徐世昌为东督人选,此中既有徐氏谋求出路、奕助举荐的因素,也有清政府期冀直隶、东三省“一气相生”的考量,而徐氏使政府陷于两难的邀权举动则映射出其时复杂政情形势。徐世昌成为首任东三省总督的过程,呈现北洋系在被动中寻求转圜的曲折性,并打破东三省主官向由旗人充任的惯例。

In the selection of the first governor for northeast China,the Qing government initially favored Zhao Erxun,a Han official known for his political integrity.However,upon his appointment as Shengjing General,Zhao encountered challenges due to the complex bureaucracy and strained relations with Yuan Shikai,then the Zhili Governor.After several unsuccessful attempts to find a suitable successor to Zhao,the Qing government dispatched Zaizhen and Xu Shichang to investigate conditions in northeast China,preparing for potential reforms.Zhao faced rumors of impeachment,while Zaizhen's candidacy was hindered by the Yang Cuixi incident.Ultimately,Yuan Shikai emerged as a formidable candidate due to his efforts in safeguarding China's sovereignty during negotiations with Japan over northeast China.At the time,Yuan just experienced political setbacks in the central government reforms.Although Yuan was willing to accept the govermorship,Empress Dowager Cixi insisted he should continue as the Zhili Governor,considering it more strategically vital.The Qing government then appointed Xu Shichang as governor,despite political challenges he faced from figures like Qu Hongji.Xu's appointment reflected his political ambitions,endorsement by Yikuang,and Qing government's preference for aligning leadership of Zhili and northeast China under"like-minded"officials.Xu's attempt to assert more authority mirrored the intricate political landscape.His appointment marked a shift,ending the tradition of only appointing Manchu officials as governors of the northeast provinces.This decision highlighted the political maneuvering of the Beiyang Faction during a pivotal period in Qing history.