If this time, Sichuanese are still in the stage of peaceful struggle for power for this economic dispute. However, two things happened, which helped this spark and became a prairie fire. First, Sheng Xuanhuai borrowed money from foreign powers in order to continue to raise money to build roads. When the loan contract of the four countries reached Chengdu, public opinion was in an uproar. Bao Shu directly published an article denouncing Sheng Xuanhuai as a traitor and slave. Second, he was conceited. Sheng Xuanhuai thought this was a trivial matter. Why did he directly call Li Jixun, general manager of Yichang Branch of Chuanhan Railway, and deduct 7 million cash? 7 million road construction funds have been essentially controlled by Sheng Xuanhuai in his own hands.
The people of Sichuan were completely angered. At this time, the movement to protect the railway changed from a peaceful power struggle to a protest movement. Zhao Erfeng impeached Sheng Xuanhuai and acted rashly, which caused great disaster. And the cabinet will carry out Sheng Xuanhuai's will and insist on nationalizing the railway. If there is a protest, it will be regarded as a disorderly party, and Zhao Erfeng will be severely reprimanded for calming the trend of protecting the iron. If it does not calm down, it will also be punished and investigated. In the face of severe reprimand from the central authorities, Zhao Erfeng had to aim his gun at the power-hungry people in order to keep his job. The incident escalated again. Therefore, the central government ordered Duan Fang of Hubei Province to lead the new army he trained to enter Sichuan to suppress it.
(Monument to the Road Protection Movement, which still stands on the streets of Chengdu)
When the new army entered Sichuan and Hubei was empty, the Wuchang Uprising began, and the China Revolution began vigorously. To suppress the mutiny of the end army of the road protection movement, the end was hacked to death by the new army. Then, Zhao Erfeng, who shot and crushed people to seize power in Sichuan, was also arrested and executed by the revolutionary army. Sheng Xuanhuai was dismissed and fled to Japan. Less than half a year after the road protection movement, the revolution was in full swing, and the last emperor of the Qing Dynasty announced his abdication, ending a dynasty.
As can be seen from the cause and effect of the road protection movement, Sheng Xuanhuai's arbitrariness was indeed the main reason for the escalation of the incident and the Sichuan uprising. However, the Wuchang Uprising went smoothly because of the railway protection movement, which Sheng Xuanhuai never expected and was also a difficult place in history. So, it is said that Sheng Xuanhuai perished in the Qing Dynasty? Country is wrong, evil first? It is really far-fetched. The demise of the Qing dynasty was the result of years of poverty and weakness, so it is biased to blame someone for the demise of the dynasty.
(Zhao Erxun, Editor-in-Chief of Qing History Draft)
It is worth mentioning that Zhao Erfeng, the younger brother of Zhao Erxun, editor-in-chief of the Draft of Qing History, tried to moderate his behavior at the beginning of the movement to protect the iron, and later brutally suppressed the masses, and finally died. Whether Zhao Erxun wrote a straight book or smuggled goods in the Draft of Qing History, I believe you have your own answer after reading this article.