(1) This false display of humility, characterized by multiple (often three) refusals before accepting power, traces all the way back to antiquity. It can also be found in the tales of all manner of usurpers, including for example Wang Mang, Cao Pi, Sima Yan, and Yang Jian. However, the normal process is not this blatantly bogus. There’s usually some delay between each attempt, and the throne is not offered to increasingly ridiculous candidates.
So this scene is not authentic, but it does combine some historical facts and legends. It is said Yuan Shikai planned to make a show of refusing the advisory council’s petition until the third time, but did not go through with it. Later on, as emperor, Yuan Shikai did honor as prince the living descendant of Confucius. This was in keeping with the tradition of past dynasties.
(2) Yuan Shikai’s two most prominent sons were Yuan Keding and Yuan Kewen. As the eldest son, Keding was fervently in favor of crowning his father. Kewen, on the other hand, was against it. As someone uninvolved in politics, Kewen had long resided in the circles of poets and writers. He eventually fled to Shanghai to escape association with his father’s empire.
(3) It is generally accepted that Yuan Shikai was deluded by his own closest kin and advisors into believing there was more general support for the Empire of China than there really was. This then extends into the tale of the forged newspapers by Yuan Keding, which is itself a popular urban legend. I do not put much stock in this. But if Yuan Shikai really could be so easily and crassly deceived, it can only mean he was truly desperate to be emperor.
Chinese Shows Translated 