Zhao Bingjun

Zhao Binjun (赵秉钧) (1859-1914) was the third premier of the Republic of China from 25 September 1912 to 1 May 1913. Zhao was previously a public security official during the Qing dynasty and became minister of the interior during the republic before becoming premier. He was directly implicated in the assassination of Song Jiaoren, the man most likely to be his successor. The murder was most likely ordered by the provisional president, Yuan Shikai, who was angry that Song wanted to fill the cabinet with Nationalists that will obstruct Yuan's policies. Zhao protested his and Yuan's innocence but resigned to protect Yuan's government. He was made governor of Zhili. Zhao was mysteriously poisoned in 1914, most likely by Yuan to prevent him from leaking more details of Song's death to the press.