 In cracking down on corrupt officials, he offended Prince Qing, who supported the corrupt officials.He was also drawn into a political struggle when he allied with Qu Hongji, a Grand Councillor, against Prince Qing and Yuan Shikai.In 1906, using a rebellion in Pianma (片馬; in present-day Lushui County), Yunnan as an excuse, Prince Qing had Cen removed from his position as Viceroy of Guangdong and Guangxi and transferred to that of Viceroy of Yunnan and Guizhou.