Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Hand to Arms

Peng Lancun, director of the board of directors of the Sichuan-Han Railway Company, played his usual tone of lectures to the students, and after finishing the opening speech with a three-pointed eye, he quickly turned around, turned to the side of the official seat, and shook his hand. Gong, and shouted loudly: "Grandpa Zhao, the Dubutang, please give a speech!" The eyes of the more than 600 seats in the conference hall opened wide at once; the ears of the more than 600 seats also stood up; the fans stopped shaking, only the coughing of some elderly people could not be completely subdued.

The official seats were also filled with Zhengyin officials today. From Yin Liangqi, the chief envoy, to Shi Jiulong, Chengdu County, people who would never be seen in the railway company on weekdays were all dressed in long robes and short coats, and wearing boots and top hats. face. There was a heavy rain yesterday, and today it is sunny. After all, it is the hottest time—June 11th, it is still not cool. In the heat of summer, gowns and gowns are not required to be worn in officialdom as usual.But today Zhao Erfeng is still wearing a blue gauze gown on top of the gauze floral dress, and still has court beads hanging;Wearing the crown shows that he attaches great importance to the special shareholders meeting held on the first day.

The rectangular face is indeed older than it was three years ago, and the mustache is getting grayer. There are only a pair of round eyes and it doesn't look like a 60-year-old man. Looking forward, it really looks like Wu Fengwu said, with a murderous look. When he stood up from the seat and walked to the entrance of the platform in a few steps, his steps were still light and brisk. The two horseshoe sleeves flicked down, neither bowed nor nodded, just glanced at the venue, and then spoke in a gloomy voice: "Today's meeting..." Zhao Erfeng did not arrive in Chengdu until the eighth day of the sixth lunar month.Civil and military officials from all over the city gathered at the Wuhou Temple to welcome them, and they flocked to the Zhitai Yamen in a majestic manner.The seal was received on the same day, and the civil and military officials of the whole city were heard on the same day. Although the ceremony was simple, it had eliminated a lot of red tape in the past; The manuscript was introduced to the Dahua Hall, and after three bows, each of them had a few words of entertainment and served tea to see off the guests, but it took a lot of time.

Entering the signing and deposit room, just after taking off the official uniform, the attendant who held the post handed over a large stack of manuscripts. Zhao Erfeng squinted his eyes and saw that the teeny scripts written on Mei Hongquan were the staff members of the governor's courtyard.For example, Daolou Liran, alternate counselor of agriculture, industry and commerce, Xu Mao, candidate for counselor of law, and Sun Qiang, magistrate of county, are all copywriter masters and famous criminal masters in the governor's yamen of Sichuan.Since Xiliang was the governor of Sichuan, he has been an official from the shackles, acting as a staff member of the governor's court, and he is a well-known figure in the current officialdom, so he is still an old subordinate and should be interviewed.What's more, the second elder brother Zhao Erxun especially appreciates them, and thinks that they are worthy of great use. Dao Yu Dahong, an alternate counselor of the Duzhi Division, Li Kechang, an alternate counselor of the Army Division, and Rao Fengzao, an alternate counselor of the Civil Affairs Division, are planning to rely more heavily on them. Damn, how can you not meet me?Fortunately, the signing of the house is private, so I don't need to wear official clothes, so I ordered to go out: "Please come in in casual clothes, gentlemen and lords!"

I spent two days meeting with guests, and two days I also talked about the current railway affairs.Judging from the opinions among the official circles, it is not as simple as what I heard on the road, and it turns out to be very complicated.I used to think that Sichuan gentlemen were easy to deal with, and that Hu Yulan was dead, so how could there be a tough guy like him?Unexpectedly, on the 10th day of the lunar new year, after interviewing the Prime Minister Zeng Duzhai and Peng Lancun, the director of the board of directors of the railway company, it dawned on him that in the past three years, the world has become more serious. up!Then, the method agreed with nephew Lao Si and son Lao Jiu during the journey may have to be formulated separately.

According to Penglan village, when they met with him and told Pu Boying and the others, they even complained that Zeng Duzhai's words were too weak. They went to report that day for two purposes. One was to find out what his attitude was, and the other was to ask him to attend the first shareholder meeting and give a speech. After bowing, the two first congratulated him on his appointment.Peng Lancun then said with a smile on his face: "When it comes to the Sichuan-Han Railway, the people of Sichuan are really grateful for the kindness of the commander-in-chief. Therefore, the people of Sichuan look forward to the arrival of the commander-in-chief, just like they are looking forward to Yunni in a severe drought."

"How did you talk about it?" Zhao Erfeng was a little surprised. "Oh! Commander, have you forgotten? The board of directors of the Sichuan-Han Railway Company was established by the commander-in-chief when he was nursing the hospital last time! Since the establishment of the board of directors, the company's general affairs have been organized, and it is no longer like Shi Shi. It is a matter of millions of taels of money to transfer railway funds to private banks as arbitrarily as in the ordinance. Especially the year before last, overriding public opinion and adopting Li Jixun Jingqing’s proposal, it was decided to build the Yiyu section first, starting with dangerous workers. Now Surprisingly, more than 100 miles of roadbed have been built, and the Sichuan-Han Railway is expected to be successful. The people of Sichuan attribute this to the board of directors, and they all know that the board of directors was founded by the general, and the charter of the board of directors was hand-written by the general. Ender?"

Zhao Erfeng couldn't help raising the tip of his beard with a smile and said, "Yes, I really worked a little hard to set up the board of directors of the railway company. If people in Sichuan can remember this matter, that's great!..." The beginning was good, and both sides deliberately stayed out of the battle itself for the time being.Penglan village took advantage of the situation to explain that the special shareholders' meeting was held, the rules of procedure were agreed, and the chairman and vice chairman were elected. He must be invited to give a speech.Zhao Erfeng said: "I heard outside the customs that the shareholders held a meeting in the provincial capital. It probably started in mid-April? Counting May, June, and June, it has been more than 100 days, and the days are not too long. , Why can’t there be a result? Now a special shareholders’ meeting is being held. I want to ask first, what’s the reason for this?”

Peng Lancun still said with a smile: "The commander-in-chief doesn't know. According to the business law established by the former emperor—Emperor De Zongjing, any changes to the company's property and transfer of equity must be approved by the general shareholders' meeting. Although several meetings have been held in the past three months, they are all interim shareholders' meetings assembled by the provincial shareholders without formal convening by the board of directors. It cannot represent the wishes of all shareholders, and they can only listen to what happened, but they cannot resolve important matters. Therefore, according to the commercial law, the previous emperor—Emperor De Zongjing’s imperial commercial law, the board of directors decided to hold a special shareholders’ meeting in May. The special shareholders’ meeting is held outside the annual general meeting of shareholders. Its authority is equal to that of all shareholders General meeting, any change of company property, transfer of shareholders' rights..."

"No need to say more. Let me ask again, why didn't the special shareholders' meeting start sooner, and it has been postponed until now?" "Marshal Mingjian, why don't the professional gentry want to open earlier, but it's too late! One is that Sichuan is vast, with a distance of one or two thousand miles from east to west, north to south, and official documents are exchanged without delay, and it will take a month. Furthermore, There are so many shareholders, how can everyone come to the province, and representatives must be elected. How to introduce representatives, how to determine the number of representatives, and how to determine the qualifications of representatives, this has already been negotiated back and forth, and what opinions and opinions do shareholders have on the matters at the meeting , we have to hold a separate meeting to come up with an outline and hand it over to the representatives, which will take some time. Therefore, the board of directors officially issued a document in May, and it has only been more than two months since the meeting was held on June 11th. Not too long."

Zhao Erfeng looked a little impatient, he couldn't bear what he didn't intend to say here: "It's one thing to hold a shareholders' meeting, and it's another thing for the court to ask the company to hand over the road. You can hold the meeting after you have handed over the road, or you can hold the meeting while making the road. Wouldn't it be convenient for both public and private to do this? The court will no longer blame you. You refuse to follow the edict and push it to the shareholder meeting to resolve it, isn't it unreasonable?" "No! Whether or not the right of way is handed over is to determine the change of company property and the transfer of shareholders' rights as mentioned in the imperial business law. It can only be decided after the general meeting of shareholders. The company and the board of directors do not have this kind of power. If it does not go through The shareholders' meeting decides, but the company and the board of directors actually make the decision on their own behalf, even if it violates the imperial business law, the official gentry can't bear this kind of relationship!" "These are just rumors, and I understand that you don't mean it at all. Do you know that I am also a shareholder of Sichuan-Han Railway? I have bought several shares. Based on my shareholder qualifications, I agree with you Hurry up and hand over the road. Because after all you are people who work for the imperial court, you must not only have shareholders in your mind, and there will be no imperial court. What's more, shareholders are also imperial court officials. If the imperial court can hand over the railway to the courtiers to repair, the imperial court can also take back the railway. Go. I think there must be a lot of shareholders who understand the general situation and understand the righteousness. You just need to explain the truth that the court respects the suffering of the people in Sichuan. How can the shareholders insist on not following it? And you have the right to everything, and you are in vain. If you know the scriptures but don't understand the power, you will hinder the country's major affairs, so it can't be said that it has nothing to do with it." A crooked piece of reasoning made Mao Jiao of Penglan Village very angry, and was thinking about how to refute him, but Zhao Erfeng misunderstood him, thinking that he had persuaded this somewhat rebellious old sour.I was happy for a while, so I casually criticized a group of gentlemen from the Advisory Bureau and Comrade Association, saying that these people were a little bit restless and making trouble for no reason. Penglan Village waited for him to stop and said quickly: "You can't say that! The Sichuan gentlemen opposed the nationalization of the railway because the Sichuan people suffered too much. The people in Sichuan saved more than ten million taels of silver to repair it. The road is not an easy task. Now the imperial court does not say red or white, but only forces the people to hand over the road without saying a word to repay the money. This behavior is no different from robbers who rob people! ..." "! What are you talking about? Do you dare to slander the court as a bandit?" Zhao Erfeng immediately downcast, as if making an excuse. Zeng Duzhai was older, had worked in prefectures and counties, and also served as a Beijing official, so he was able to handle the temper of adults and gentlemen.Yincai went on to say: "How dare Peng Shen slander the imperial court? It was because of his indiscretion and slipped his words. I know that what Peng Shen wants to say is only Minister Sheng of the Postal Department, and I have to pray to Grandpa Xiantai." Be careful! . . . " Then Zeng Duzhai continued euphemistically.What it said was: the emperor is still very young now, in addition to the regent taking charge of major national affairs, all ministers must be loyal to the country and perform their duties.Only in this way can the government of the country be properly managed; in this way, the imperial foundation can be established forever and the mandate of heaven can last forever.However, Minister Sheng presided over the road administration, but he didn't think of this.There are six sentences here, which precisely express the actions of Minister Sheng. Resentment.What Sichuan people are dissatisfied with Minister Sheng is not entirely because of the state-owned railway policy, and what is fiercely opposed to him is not purely because of the traitorous loan treaty.In essence, it comes only because of the treatment of injustice.Because the roads are also built with the money of the people, since they are all brought back to the country, why are there differences in the treatment of private stocks?The private shares in Guangdong and Hunan were all repaid, but the private shares in Hubei and Sichuan were not repaid.Hubei Road has more than three million taels of taels, and the private shares are only one-third. Even if the penny is not repaid, the people will not suffer much.The Sichuan road fund is 15,600,000 taels, and more than 19 is leased shares, which means that the money above 19 is the hard-earned money of the people of Sichuan.Among them, several million taels have been spent on the construction of the Three Gorges Project, and the roadbed has been built for more than 100 miles. Once the road is taken away, there will be no money for miles.How can the people of Sichuan be convinced by such unfair treatment!It would be unbeautiful if there were no collective appeals!There is a saying in the ancients: If a person is poor, he will call on the sky.He also said: When a person is poor, he calls his parents. Parents, Yier, can they just sit back and watch and not give a helping hand?The old grandpa served in Sichuan for a long time, and his kindness reached out to the people as early as, and now he is honored to be in the frontier. Zhao Erfeng's face became brighter, and he said with a smile: "That's the truth! I've read the telegrams handed over by Wang Caichen. Minister Sheng and Minister Duan had telegrams about refunding the stock payment. It seems that the postal The Ministry of Communications and the Du Branch are not non-refundable for the Sichuan money, but the method has not been agreed. This point, my brother can tell the shareholders, so that everyone can rest assured that I must speak for the people of Sichuan." Although Penglan Village had no backbone in discussing Zeng Duzhai's words afterwards, he was very happy to hear Zhao Erfeng's last words at that time, and when he was about to leave, he said: "The meeting will be held on the 11th, and I hope the commander-in-chief will come to the company! " "At today's meeting, we need to discuss the rules of procedure and the election of the chairman and vice president. This is of course important. But we have to study the purpose of the meeting and its purpose carefully... Sichuan people have established the Sichuan-Han Railway for some years. A lot of money was used. It is said that more than 4 million taels were spent on the section of roadbed above Yichang alone; plus the 3 million taels that Shi Dianzhang put down, it accounted for almost half of the money raised in the past few years. Money What is the reason for spending so much and still not getting any results?...Naturally, there are some reasons why the company is not well managed, and the biggest reason is the lack of engineering talents in our country; secondly, it is also because of the weak financial resources of our province..." When Zhao Erfeng said this, he repeatedly talked about the responsibilities of the people in Sichuan.What he meant was obvious, the people in Sichuan were too poor, and it would not be easy to raise enough travel funds of 70 million taels of silver in one go.The road funds cannot be raised, and the existing funds are used up in an instant. So, what will we do in the future?He said a few more words about the importance of the railway project, and then said: "After careful consideration, the imperial court firstly wanted to reduce the burden on the people in Sichuan, and secondly, it did not want the railway project to stop due to lack of funds, so it borrowed money from outsiders to build roads. As for the state-owned people, in my opinion, it is not There is no need to argue. The only thing to worry about is whether after the road is completed, whether it will be heard by outsiders as Director Peng said just now. So I mean, it is okay to study the loan agreement signed by Minister Sheng. It doesn’t have to be broken and abandoned. Because breaking the contract and abolishing the contract is not only related to the country’s diplomatic reputation, it is difficult to do it. Even if it is fulfilled, where will the huge sum of money for road construction come from? Our people have run out of money, how can we bear it? Let’s knock the bones and extract the marrow again? This is a big matter, and we should study it carefully!…” Then, Zhao Erfeng said that when he was outside the customs, he heard different words, and even said that there was a riot in Chengdu because of the road war.He didn't believe it at the time. He had been in Sichuan for many years, and he knew that most of the Sichuan gentry were loyal to the emperor and patriotic, so they would never commit any act of rebellion.He came to the meeting today and saw that the meeting place was in order, which fulfilled his wish, so he was very happy. Finally, when it comes to the topic, his words are: "If Yu Yun of the railway court still returns to Sichuan people for self-cultivation, I think it will be bad for Sichuan people. Why? It is too difficult to raise funds! If Sichuan people have money Road construction is completed within a short period of time. Why should the imperial court borrow money? For the current plan, it is unwise to just call for road protection and revocation of the contract. The most important point is to raise funds. But the promise is self-defeating. The general meeting of shareholders has already been held, so everyone must calm down and study more. Ben Dubutang is also a member of the shareholders, although he can't attend the meeting often, but he will announce to the public when he sees it." After he finished speaking, the audience was still silent, no one was noisy, but no one clapped their hands. Pu Boying elbowed Luo Ziqing who was sitting beside him, and said in a low voice, "Get up and refute him! How about..." Someone had already run up to the podium, and it was Yan Yishi, who slapped the table before he could speak. "...Why is he going to give a speech? No! This attitude is not good!" Pu Boying pushed Luo Ziqing anxiously, "You should go!..." Yan Yishi finished without saying a few words.Maybe he didn't speak well, and no one below applauded.Just as Luo Ziqing was about to stand up, she didn't want to be preempted by another person, Luo Yishi. As soon as Luo Yishi came to the stage, the venue became a little restless, even among the officials, many people could be seen laughing.Fantai Yin Liang sat behind Zhao Erfeng, and saw him bowing his back and whispering a few words in Zhao Erfeng's ear. Luo Yishi squinted his eyes and looked around. Pu Boying was very angry.Looking back, Penglan Village was whispering to Ye Bingcheng.He could be heard saying: "Yin Xingwu promises to ridicule us that there is a ghost in the venue today, and King Yama has appeared again..." "Who asked the two of them to give a speech?" Pu Boying asked angrily. "Who called him? It's not that they have gone crazy. They regard today's meeting as a normal meeting." Ye Bingcheng's whistle-like voice could not be lowered. Fortunately, there were many people talking in the venue, and no one noticed what he said, "Just want to show off!..." Although Yan Yishi's attitude was a little rough and his words were not good, he still said that it was the general will of Sichuan people to fight for roads and abolish the contract.Luo Yishi's attitude was better, because his voice was a little softer, and seeing everyone whispering to him, he was a little flustered, and his words were even more disorganized.In the end, he slipped off the stage without a problem. Luo Ziqing quickly stood up.But Zhang Biaofang has already rushed to the stage. Pu Boying hurriedly pulled Luo Ziqing: "It's better for him to talk. We're going to cheer him on!" There is no need for Pu Boying to say hello.Zhang Biaofang's voice was originally loud, but today he prepared a bit and spoke slowly, instead of stuttering, his words seemed clear and powerful.As soon as he opened his mouth, he caught the attention of the whole audience. Zhang Biaofang stood on the left side of the table covered with white cloth, diagonally opposite was the official seat, his eyes were looking at the congregation, and he did not turn there for a moment from the beginning to the end.He put his right hand on the edge of the table and said: "Just now, Marshal Zhao gave a speech, roughly speaking like this, because the Sichuan people have difficulty in raising funds and the burden is too heavy, so the court borrowed foreign debts to repair the railway. . . . If you get the money to build Chuan Road, then the road will be saved, and there is no need to talk about rescinding the contract. We shareholders understand and are very grateful for what Marshal Zhao said... But we shareholders still don't understand what Marshal Zhao said. For example, as long as the people in Sichuan can raise funds to build the Sichuan Road, the road will be insurable and the contract will be repealed, so we don’t have to talk about rescinding the contract. Let us shareholders now ask, what is the boundary of the so-called Sichuan Road? According to the 29th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu, the roads built by people originally started from Yichang and went to Chengdu....The roads that are to be nationalized in the Shangyu now only refer to the roads below Yichang, in the territory of Hubei One section. Why did Sheng Xuanhuai, when signing the treaty, designate the six-hundred-mile road in Xiangyang, Hubei as a branch road, and snatch the hundreds of miles below our Kui Mansion out of thin air to compensate the Bank of the Four Kingdoms?...The so-called Sichuan people raised funds to repair Sichuan Road, if it only builds the road from Kui Mansion to Chengdu, can this be regarded as a complete Sichuan Road built by the quasi-returners? If it is to be built according to the original Sichuan Road, then the section from Kui Mansion to Yichang was stolen and sold by Sheng Xuanhuai Went with the Bank of the Four Kingdoms, and the treaty was clearly stipulated. If we want to protect the road, we must not say that the contract is abolished!..." All of a sudden, the whole venue clapped their hands, as if they had made an appointment in advance. Pu Boying was very happy, and turned around to see that Hao Dasan, Deng Mulu, and Wang Youxin were all nodding their heads. "It is also said that due to the difficulties in private fundraising, foreign debts were borrowed to build the railway. This time, in order to nationalize the railway, the foreign debt was borrowed, and in order to obtain the debt, a method of checking accounts with people's money to verify that all rights were fully owned was established. A treaty with outsiders... On the side of the imperial court, it cannot be said that there is no deep thought and painstaking effort. ... It seems to be a pity for the people to stop renting shares and borrowing foreign debts, but let us ask, the imperial court took People in Sichuan, such as year-round donations, such as meat and wine donations, such as oil donations and sugar donations, and there are many, many donations, which are added every year, so why don’t they care about the hardships of the people?…” This burst of applause was even louder, almost shaking the roof tiles.In fact, there are several more words in Zhang Biaofang's words: "Why is it that renting stocks is the only item that can relieve the hardships of the people?..." The question was more incisive, so just this sentence almost caused the tiles on the roof to shake again. Zhang Biaofang also seemed to feel that he had to refute him vigorously when he mentioned this, and it would be meaningless to relax, so he repeated two sentences: "Obviously it is to seize the rights of our Sichuan people, but it is said to be sympathetic to the hardships of our Sichuan people. Whoever is deceiving, deceiving the sky!..." There was another clap. Pu Boying quietly said to Luo Ziqing: "That's right. It's just a little too spicy, maybe some people can't stand it?" Sure enough, Zhao Erfeng's face turned green and then pale, and then turned green again.I saw Fan Tai Yin Liang bowed his back again, chatting in Zhao Erfeng's ear.Of course, if it was adding fuel to the fire, Zhao Erfeng's beard was raised up.Zhou Shanpei, a native of Taiwan, just frowned, and looked a little disapproving. Zhang Biaofang started his general discussion again.He said: "When it comes to the policy of handing over the right to check accounts and verify the money used by the road construction employers to foreigners, I remember I once heard a few grand masters say something. He said that if we want to implement a new policy today, we must borrow foreign debts." Why? Because most of the Chinese officials and gentry are private and forget about public affairs. For public funds, they are either eroded or emptied. By borrowing foreign debts, it is possible to hand over the right to check the accounts and verify the money used by the employer. It is almost impossible to avoid erosion. All kinds of disadvantages. Unexpectedly, these words were actually carried out today!... Among us Chinese officials and gentry, there are indeed many bad behaviors that erode vanity. But let us ask, a city of ten houses must have loyalty and trust, and the court uses the power of the people, Why don't you seek talents and use your abilities, but fight against bribery and public conduct to incite greed?..." Although it is a general theory, it also has implications.And everyone knows that a certain giant is mentioned by Duan Fang and Zheng Xiaoxu.This time I borrowed money from the Bank of the Four Kingdoms and re-examined Zhang Zhidong's old case. Both Zheng Xiaoxu and Duan Fang have contributed a lot, so Zheng Xiaoxu was awarded the Hunan Fantai by opening up a vacant Taoist priest, and Duan Fang was able to be appointed as the governor. Kaifu was appointed as the supervisory minister of the Sichuan-Han and Guangdong-Han railways.Hao Dasan, Huang Lansheng and others have already spread the anecdote that Ge Huanzhong got from Beijing to him, and almost everyone in the official and gentry circles knows it.So I clapped my hands for a while. Then he added: "Now I don't believe in the Chinese, but I believe in foreigners!..." I also interrupted the conversation for a long time clapping. Zhang Biaofang changed his posture for the third time, that is, his left hand was bent behind his back, and his right hand was stretched forward, so that he could smile and say a metaphor: "For example, there is a piece of meat here, and a tiger is hired to guard it to prevent rats from stealing it. May I ask, is there any reason for this piece of meat to exist?..." This is a very simple but very accurate metaphor.No wonder the audience not only burst into applause, but also caused a burst of laughter. Pu Boying noticed that even some of the officials were laughing; it was a smile covering their mouths, a forced smile that didn't smile.Zhao Erfeng's face was always gloomy, as if indifferent.Fantai Yin Liang still bowed his back from time to time, chirping in his ear. Zhang Biaofang waved his arm without waiting for the applause to rest, and said with emotion: "Such a failed treaty like this, we are still told not to talk about it. If our shareholders become Koreans by next year, it will be like the one signed between North Korea and Japan." That kind of treaty, can we all be greedy and endure humiliation and not talk about it?..." His voice was so desolate, and what he was citing was precisely the tragedy of the East Asian world at that time, a tragedy of national subjugation that shocked the Chinese people.Therefore, as soon as his words settled down, they caused a lot of wailing.Old people cry harder.Wu Songsheng, who is in his eighties, was an editor of the Imperial Academy in Beijing in the last years of Xianfeng. He witnessed the tragic scene of the British and French allied forces looting Beijing and burning the Old Summer Palace. As a subjugated slave, although his tears had dried up, he could only cry out, but he cried out even more sadly; others were crying and clapping, but he sat in the front row without clapping. The feet of the satin boots repeatedly paused on the brick floor. Zhang Biaofang didn't cry himself, only a big knot was tied between his eyebrows, and he kept stroking his mustache with both hands, waiting for the venue to calm down, and continued: "As for the difficulty in raising funds for Sichuan people, this sentence is especially wrong. For example, the Hubei Road Fund has exhausted the efforts of the people of Hubei, and it has only raised one million taels in the past few years. There are many times as many as in Hubei. An Neng said it is difficult?...Moreover, we Sichuanese are not without money, not without money. Please...please use an ordinary thing...to explain: we Sichuan government departments People in prefectures and counties, once they have a lawsuit, want to go to court with someone, even the poorest family will spend thirty or forty strings or sixty or seventy strings of money. For many miles, it’s always about a thousand taels, and the common people can’t afford a penny. This kind of thing is counted in the whole of Sichuan. I don’t know how many cases there are in a day, and they say that we Sichuan people have no money! They also say that we Sichuan people don’t have money!  … ..." Another clap that almost shook the roof tiles. "In short, it is not difficult for us in Sichuan to raise funds. As long as the imperial court treats the people with sincerity, as long as..." It was interrupted by applause again. "A group of officials no longer suppress the people..." Of course it deserves applause. "As long as our company's prime minister is worthy..." This burst of warmer applause made the current Prime Minister Zeng Duzhai very sad. "Credit can be established..." This sentence should not be clapped, probably everyone has become a habit, feel that the previous sentence has been clapped, and the next sentence should also be clapped. "Then, not to mention the current 70 million taels, even if you double the amount and raise another 70 million taels, you won't be unable to raise it!..." This is to save face for Sichuan people, of course everyone will applaud in favor of it. The agitated emotions seemed to calm down a bit.Zhang Biaofang returned to the original posture, holding the edge of the table with one hand, and said slowly: "But now someone is saying that, Sichuan people can raise funds, can Sichuan people guarantee that they will not repay the money? ... I said I don’t know how to say this! This time the government wants to estimate the way to force us to take us in. Of course they use the repayment as our crime, but they don’t know that Chuanlu’s repayment is because the prime minister is unpopular.... The prime minister is as elected by our shareholders. Our shareholders are of course to blame for the repayment. But the Prime Minister Shi Dianzhang who repaid the repayment was sent by the governor of Sichuan, so we should be blamed on us Sichuanese?..." Everyone felt that they should really clap their hands, because this is an important joint to draw the line between right and wrong.Although it was Xiliang who sent Shi Dianzhang to be the first prime minister of the company, but when Zhao Erfeng took care of the governor, he clarified the matter and indirectly blamed Zhao Erfeng.Therefore, Pu Boying nodded repeatedly, patted Luo Ziqing with his hand, and said softly: "That's right! The cousin can really talk!" Zhang Biaofang was going deeper and said: "Moreover, the harm of repaying the loan is compared with the harm of Sheng Xuanhuai's signing of the loan treaty that lost the state power. Let's see which aspect is the most harmful! ... Now the crime of repaying the loan is imposed on Sichuan. People, then, who is the crime of losing national rights?..." Amid the warm applause, many people shouted: "Sheng Xuanhuai, the traitor!" as if answering his question. "All in all, our shareholders only know that the road is insured and the contract is void. Even if unfortunately the road payment suffers another loss in the future, our shareholders in Sichuan would rather grit their teeth and suffer another big loss, and never... never... definitely can't Go along with the traitorous post office and the traitorous servant Sheng Xuanhuai, and come to suffer the suffering of the subjugated people!..." Zhang Biaofang spoke with excitement and sweat profusely.The whole assembly hall also shouted, clapped their hands, and stomped their feet.The sound of "Sheng Xuanhuai, a traitor!" caused Zhao Erfeng, who had expressed deep feelings, to change his face again.Dozens of soldiers with tall heads, narrow arms, guns and knives scattered outside the venue all squeezed to the window to watch the movement. Zhang Biaofang thought for a while, and it seemed that he had almost said what he wanted to say, so he clasped his hands again and said the last words: "We Sichuan shareholders, we Sichuan people, do you understand what Marshal Zhao said?... The ancients said that there is nothing more sorrowful than death, and they also said that Chen Shubao has no heart. Dear heart, then, you can go home and take care of the children and the children... enjoy the happiness of the family! Don't come to the meeting!... If the shareholders in Sichuan have not given up their hearts and have hearts, then all of us must Fight together!...Fight!...Fight! We must cry out to protect the road!...Repeal the contract!" Zhang Biaofang stepped down from the stage for a long time, the audience was still clapping and shouting wildly, until Luo Ziqing came to the stage to announce the election of the chairman and vice president, the applause and shouts in the venue were like firecrackers that never went out. After this day's meeting, everyone was very happy, and many people said: "That's all right, Zhao Erfeng's god is shining on our Vice President Zhang and he has retired. From now on, who dares to interfere with our road protection!" Even Pu Boying, who is known as a wise man, couldn't help but smiled with his leaf tobacco: "Biao Fang really deserves to be an athlete of our party. These few slaps are indeed crisp and sharp. If the flag is won, the future battles will be bold." gone." On the contrary, Ge Huanzhong, who was more on the sidelines, had a different opinion.He came to Hao Dasan's house especially for this matter and said some unpleasant things. He said: "Do you think that the quarrel between Zhang Biao and Fang frightened Zhao Jishuai? If you think so, you would have underestimated Zhao Jishuai. In my humble opinion, the quarrel between Biao and Fang is not the only one. It didn’t frighten Ji Shuai, but aroused his anger. You can put yourself in his shoes and think about it. At worst, he is a governor’s office, and he is an official sent by the emperor to govern the officials and people in Sichuan Province. You have a meeting , he came to give a speech without putting on an official air. Isn’t this better than Wang Caichen? You always compliment Wang Caichen for being approachable and respectful of public opinion, but I haven’t heard anyone say that he has been to your meeting venue since I returned to Sichuan. Zhao Jishuai answered It's only been a few days, and he came after your first meeting, which shows that he values ​​you and wants to be nice to you. In this way, even if something is inappropriate during the speech, you should just listen to it. Why is it so disrespectful? Contradicting him? I heard that all the shareholders in the audience cheered and cheered for the outside party. The trouble was so bad that it almost made Ji Shuai unable to step down. This is simply a deliberate move. Using this to treat ordinary people, It’s unavoidable to hurt honesty, please think, if you use this to treat a governor’s department who holds the power of life and death, wouldn’t you be causing yourself trouble? Why bother!” After finishing speaking, he also sighed. Hao Dasan is very obedient to Ge Huanzhong's remarks on weekdays, and always thinks that Ge Huanzhong is knowledgeable, insightful, sophisticated, experienced, and no matter what he talks about, he is better than himself.Today is different.When listening to Ge Huanzhong's words, although he was also holding a hookah, crossing his legs and listening sincerely, a smile flashed in his eyes from time to time.Obviously, he also had a different opinion on what Ge Huanzhong said. Of course, Ge Huanzhong also saw it.When he was puffing his cigar again, he smiled and said, "Brother, are my words harsh?... I also understand that you have to say: Zhao Jishuai's speech is more solid, and it seems that you should stop yelling for protection." To cancel the contract, it seems that the two ministers Zhao Jishuai, Tong Sheng and Duan have vented their anger in one nostril. If you don't turn it over to him, wouldn't your shareholders back down? Wouldn't it make the past few months dark and dark? Donate all your merits? Wouldn’t you be ridiculed by the world that you are anticlimactic? When you meet the benevolent Wang Caichen, you are as hard as a rock, and when you meet the strong Zhao Jihe, you become Ciba? The reason why you want to turn him around Go, there is really a last resort for you. Alas! If you think like this, it is simply a whim! It is simply a whim that does not count on the merits!" "How can it be seen that it is not counting merit?" "Brother, are you asking the question knowingly? Or, like Boying, Ziqing, and Mulu, are you really smart and confused for a while? The ancients said that a little intolerance can lead to a big conspiracy. You should know this truth! Just like that day Can you bear with it... Even if you think that some things must be clarified, isn't it the same to talk about it in the lounge after the meeting? Even if you can't help but want to appeal on the spot, you should say it in a tactful way, so that people suffer Come on, it shouldn't be like how Fang Fang beat people with bricks and tiles. You only want to be happy for a while, but you don't know that Ji Shuai's temper is soft and not hard. If you really turn your face, What good does it do for you to protect your future if the officials and the gentry back away from each other?" Hao Dasan also pondered and said: "Your words are not bad, but the boat has already disembarked!" "Is it still possible to turn around?" Hao Dasan shook his head and said, "It's difficult!" It's really not easy to turn around.The situation has been created and will of course evolve into what will happen in the next few days: Leap June 13th—the third day of Zhang Biaofang's and Zhao Erfeng's quarrel, the special shareholders' meeting continued, and the day when the inspectors of all provinces and departments in the province were voted, Zhao Erfeng did not come for an excuse.On that day, Chacha received a call from Li Jixun who transferred from Yichang to Duanfang on the 9th day of June to insult the gentlemen in Sichuan.There are a few sentences in the telegram: "The current state of Sichuan is arrogant. Shareholders held a meeting. I heard that some people with local happy events participated in the agitation. In fact, the fair and honest directors did not think so. This move is not only a hindrance to the overall situation, but it is also not good for Sichuan people. ”又说，“已有严旨交川督，除股东开会外，如有借他项名目聚众开会事情，即行禁止。倘敢违抗，即将倡首之人严拿惩办。”当然，端方的意思：股东可以开会，却不许有什么异议；而且保路同志会更不许存在，提倡办保路同志会的人，都该拿办。股东当然要大吵大闹。据说，吵闹得连主持会议的会长颜楷也没有办法。结果，由重庆来的股东代表朱叔痴临场把端方痛骂了一顿，又照样拟了一通回骂如仪的电文，经会众通过，请在场的劝业道胡嗣芬、巡警道徐樾送到督院，回说赵大帅答应代转出去，才散了会。 闰六月十四日，是正式大会之期。要会议川汉铁路收归国有的事件。这是特别股东大会召开的主要议题。大家的态度，即是说股东们奉不奉诏，遵不遵旨，都要在这一天切切实实表示出来。遵奉诏旨的办法怎样？能不能听从邮传、度支两部的部令，静候查账核实，把现款附入国家股额，将来只是领取像昭信股票一样有名无实的息金？抑或有什么修改？如其不遵奉诏旨，那么，不用说了，几个月以来的运动早已说明。不过到底取什么方针呢？是一味硬到底，还是有点商量的余地？固然，在十一日那天，由于副会长张澜的顶撞，现出了一些征兆，不过据熟悉四川人情性而在这次风潮中又和咨议局议绅更其接近的署理提法使周善培推测起来，似乎也只是很少数人在附和张澜；说是大多数人都想着适可而止，像公司总理曾培在院上那天所说，只要股款有着，他们便可收帆转舵。赵尔丰为了顾全国家威信与自己面子，曾和侄儿老四、儿子老九、幕僚中一班可与商量大事的人，甚至连有智囊绰号、也是二哥极为赏识的盐运使杨嘉绅，都叫到签押房，仔细研究之后，因才故示宽大，又统率起全城正印文官，来到会场。本意要趁机再讲一讲违抗诏旨的害处，以及如何商量一个可以收场的好处的，却没有料到议题才由会长颜楷一宣布，全会场登时就变成了黄蜂窝：有骂的，有说的，有吵的，有嚷的，甚至有拍桌打掌又哭又叫的。其中闹得顶凶的，仔细考察起来，倒不是前天和他斗口的那一伙咨议局议绅，却另是一班从外地来的股东代表们。有一个，几乎把声音都叫哑了的，就是那个什么朱叔痴。看起来，真是一群暴乱分子，何尝有一丁点善良绅士的气度啊！赵尔丰正自失悔不该再到这样地方来时，据说，全会场已经把朱叔痴所提出的议案付了表决。议案是三点：第一，质问邮传部；第二，吁恳总督代奏誓遵先皇帝谕旨，四川境内的川汉铁路仍归商办；第三，从速提回存在上海、宜昌各处的款子。并且据说群情愤激，赵尔丰也撑不住了，只好答应代奏才脱了身的。 闰六月十五日继续开大会时，赵尔丰遂不再来了。不唯从此不再和会众见面，而且拒绝代奏，即是说，明白表示所见不同，也从这天开的端。 闰六月十五日这天会议，的确是个重要关节。赵尔丰之不再去，除了怕像头一天当场打麻烦外，确也有一点报复十一日受气的仇恨。不然，为什么他在开会之前，把一通刚收到的、尚未证实的邮传部电报，急急忙忙地不经商量就送与颜楷，叫他当场公布？当然啰，像这样一通电报——就是饬令川汉铁路宜昌公司总理李稷勋，把所有存在四川省外的，四川人民所筹集的，尚有七百多万两纹银路款全部接收，继续修路的部令。这和头一天议决案的第三点正好针锋相对。也正好说明，官民两方闹斗了几个月，到目前，才都看清楚了事情的要点，还是在钱。谁先下手把钱抓住，谁就有力量。股东会迟了一步，怎能不算是一个非常打击？据说，赵尔丰采纳了杨嘉绅、饶凤藻等共同研究好的这一撒手锏后，算定股东会吵闹哭骂之余，必然要来找他代奏揭参。到此，他便要摆点样子给那班东西看了。 果不其然，还没到正午十二点钟，派去监督会场的劝业道胡嗣芬、巡警道徐樾的手本，就由戈什哈传到执帖二爷手上来了。赵尔丰摸着胡子微微一笑，便向那执帖跟班说道：“去给胡、徐两位大人说，要说的话我大概知道了。天气正热，请两位大人回府去休息个把时辰，吃了午点，再到我这儿来，我有话说。” 接着他又吩咐另一个跟班打电话，问一问提法使周大人是否还在臬台衙门，请他在下午一点钟后来，有话商量。 赵尔丰布置之后，身心颇觉泰然。靠在紫檀藤心太师椅上，居然有点朦胧，直到那个十八岁的来龙丫头端着凉点心走来，他才清醒了。 制台衙门是如此悠闲，如此静谧，正可对照铁路公司那种尴尬情形：一个并不算怎么宏敞的会场挤了六百多人，盛暑时节，够热够闷了吧？而且又从早晨八点钟后就开了会，太阳越晒越大，一直晒到下午两点钟，一阵阵像蒸笼内的热气从屋顶上、从窗户上直逼进来，逼得人不仅头昏脑涨，眼睛也花了，耳朵也鸣了，如其能走动走动，找个凉快地方，把长袍短褂解开，让汗气发挥发挥也好呀！但是两位道台大人走了这一会，原说立即回来回话，众人当时义愤填膺，又都喊出了口说：“若果赵大帅不答应代奏揭参，我们就死也不离开会场一步！”君子一言既出，驷马难追，当然再热再闷，而且还有点饿了，也应当忍住。还应当端坐在各人的座位上，连话也不多说——其实是不想说，一开口更烦恼。 一直到下午两点快一刻钟的时候，老年人已经靠着硬木椅背睡够了一觉，年轻一些的人也已等得心焦意乱，才听见二门上一阵人夫轿子吆喝而来的声音。大家精神一振，连忙从窗户上望去，果然是胡嗣芬、徐樾回来了。但奇怪的是，走在两个道台前头的，还有一个很熟悉的官员——周孝怀。 官员们刚进会场，不及和会长副会长周旋，便登台宣布说，赵大帅实在碍难为诸君代奏。 忍热忍饿等了两三点钟，而结果是不答应，会场的愤激情形，那是可以想得出。几个老年人的火性好像比年轻人还大，都站了起来吵说：“他不答应代奏么！那么，我们就一同上院去，跪着哀求，看他答不答应？” 这中间就有那个八十多岁、常常倚老卖老的伍崧生翰林。 周孝怀连忙挥着两手说道：“老先生！老先生！众位股东先生！少安毋躁，听我一言奉告，好不好？……” 两个会长和蒲伯英、罗梓青一干人，也帮着摇手出声气说：“大家雅静一点，听周大人说几句！……” 周孝怀拿眼睛把会场一扫，立刻感到今天确实不比往常。每一张汗脸上都摆出一种不好惹的神气，心里先就有几分怯。寻思：赵季和特特要他同着胡、徐二人前来，原来是有预见的。看起来，今天这个差使并不是什么好当的差使。要是栽了筋斗，岂不落得叫人笑话？ 他毕竟能够镇定。想了想，还是使出他急脉缓受的手段来： “唉！众位先生，赵季帅还不是和大家一样，对于邮传部这种不待股东大会决议，就越权提取路款，也非常愤慨的。因为邮传部之越权，眼目中固然没有我们四川股东，然而事前并未和地方官吏商洽一下，他的眼目中更没有负一省之责的大臣。……赵季帅说来，像这样可有可无的四川总督，他实在不愿再负虚名而受实害的了。赵季帅决意要辞官告退！……” 他再把会场扫一眼，所有的汗脸上依然是那样气愤愤地，简直找不到一丁点他所希冀的惊愕神情。 他怔了怔，才待再说几句动人的话，不料那个成都府学老教官蒙裁成已经叫喊起来： “赵大帅既然要辞官告退，那么，他正好无所顾忌！他正好为我们代奏出去！而且揭参盛宣怀欺君罔上，卖国压民呀！” “对呀！蒙老先生的话真对！”一片声音喊了起来，“我们一定要求他揭参盛宣怀！要求他代奏！……” 中间还有人在这样喊叫：“赵大帅辞官不辞官，我们不管，我们只求还我们的路权！还我们的路款！……” 周孝怀这时也满脸是汗，又挥着两手说道：“众位先生，少安毋躁！……赵大人说过，辞官告退容易，要他代奏揭参，却不能够。……听我说完嘛！众位何必如此性急呢？……因为揭参一个人，必得想一想，拜折出去，能否生效？如其无效，不如不参。何况这等大事，也断非立时立刻便可决定。孔夫子也说过，再思可也……” “那么，要想多久？”众声嘈杂中，有人这样在提问。 “不久，不久，两三天的光景。难道短短的两三天，众位都不能等待吗？” 大家仿佛静了一静。 朱叔痴一下跳到台上大声喊道：“诸君，也听我说两句！……周大人劝我们宽待两三天，我说，只要能够做到把路权路款还给我们股东，莫说两三天，就叫我们等候二三十天，我们股东也可等待。现在，我要请问周大人，还有胡大人、徐大人，你们有什么方法，能够担保把路权路款原封原样还给我们股东？如其你们不能担保，我说，不如恳求赵大帅发驾到这里来，向我们股东当面交代，岂不比你们间接传话好得多！” 全场都拍起巴掌来，闹得比适才还厉害。 一伙老头子又参参差差站起来吼道：“他不会来的！还是照我们说的，我们几百人都到院上去跪着哀求好了！” 胡嗣芬、徐樾二人赶快分别走到会长和伍崧生几个老年人跟前去打拱劝告说：“到院上去，使不得。……再作商量！……再作商量！……” 周孝怀也有些心慌，一面寻思“要栽筋斗”，一面就半耍赖半求情地说道：“众位先生，安静，安静。姑且看在我周善培的份儿上，莫恁地着急。……想我周善培自从在四川开办警察，最近几年又承乏商务局、劝业道，多多少少也为四川做了一些事情。比如川江水上交通，何等不便，我才定制了蜀通轮船。大家晓得，为了这条蜀通，我曾冒过多少险，费过多少力！又如四川蚕桑，要不是我提倡改良，把湖州的桑秧运来，把日本的蚕种买来，这几年的丝业，能够如此蓬勃吗？……” 他本来还要表白一些成绩的，因为看见大家的脸色似乎有点不对，尤其一伙老头子的缺齿脱牙的嘴唇都在动弹了，他才连忙掉转话头，书归正传地说：“一言蔽之，我对四川总有点小补吧？那么，看在人情上，你们就不能答应我稍缓两三天吗？……” 他的话还没有落脚，会场里早就一片不大好听的声音，像煮稀粥样，沸沸腾腾地爆响起来： “好啰！好啰！你周大人对我们四川功德无量，别的不说，光是娼、厂、唱、场，就够你名垂千古啦！不过今天的事情，是关乎四川全省七千万人的生死，那倒不能拿来和你周大人一个人的德政混为一谈。而且你周大人一个人的功劳，也抵偿不得我们全省七千万人的损失啊！假使你周大人还想使我们四川人永远记住你的丰功伟绩，那么，便请你周大人同我们一道来保路。川路一天存在，你周大人的功德就一天不会泯灭，不然的话，哼！……” 吵吵闹闹了好一会，太阳已经偏西，大家实在又疲倦、又渴、又饿了，因才答应仍由周善培、胡嗣芬、徐樾三人，再去恭请赵大帅发驾到会场上来当面交代。 三个人坐轿走后，会长遂说：“看来还有些时候。大家都饿了，又不能散会，公司没有开火食，从外面买饭也来不及了，怎么办？” 彭兰村道：“只好将就了，叫人去买一些鸡蛋糕和锅块来吧！” 老年人牙齿不行，胃口不好，只能吃鸡蛋糕。年轻一点的人倒很喜欢白面锅块。有几个平日讲究口腹的人，如像郝达三，一面强勉咬着干锅块，一面在想：“要是有一碟家常胡豆瓣来蘸着吃，倒不坏！” 下半天的时间过得好像快一些。大家在会场上的情绪，也没有在吃鸡蛋糕和锅块之前那么高亢。蒲伯英、罗梓青、邓慕鲁、张表方、颜雍耆、彭兰村几个人便挤到一处，商量今天这个局面应该如何结束。 颜雍耆蹙着两眉说：“到这时候，赵季和还不来，似乎不会来的了。” 蒲伯英道：“断乎不会来的。起初周孝怀来转圜时，就不应该再坚持要赵季和来，这一下，倒弄僵了。” 彭兰村说：“那时，若果伯英或者梓青出来提一提就好啰！我们那时，真没想到会闹僵。” 邓慕鲁道：“也还不十分僵……” 蒲伯英问道：“何以见之？” “赵季和不来，周、胡、徐三人总要来回信。他们还是害怕我们拥到院上去，他们脱不了责任。等他们来回信，再看情况。要是赵季和答应代奏，就不说揭参的话，在我们说来，也算要求得遂。那时，大家起来安顿安顿，雍耆就宣布散会，拟稿。这样结束，满下得去了……” 颜雍耆赶快说道：“设若赵季和仍然不答应哩？这怎么下台？依我看，十之九是不答应的。” 张表方说道：“有啥……啥难下台！我们就老……老……实实拥到院……院上去，看……看他……” 蒲伯英打断他的话路道：“那就更僵了，不能这样搞啊。君子见机而为，到不得已时，梓青该站出来说几句话，不能再让朱叔痴去鼓动了。我看今天会场上，要没有他，是很能掌握，绝不至于弄成这种僵局。” 几个人回想了一下，果然感到今天会场是朱叔痴几个人在那里操纵。大家又重新作了一次商量，决计及时把会场气氛转变一下，绝不允许再由朱叔痴把持。不然的话，将来定会闹糟的。 因此，到黄昏时候，只有徐樾一个人匆匆回来，宣称：“赵大帅刚刚拜会将军、都统回院，实在累坏了，不能来。最好请大家散了吧，明天见面时再议。” 众人正气势汹汹吵着要上院去时，罗梓青果就挺身而出，极力劝说去了没有好处。设若赵大帅仍旧拒不接见，难道几百人都睡在土地上吗？“我们争路争款固然要紧，我们也该顾到一班老年股东，一整天没休息，一整天没吃饭，这已经难堪了，怎能还要他们去受累？这件事本来是大事，今天办不了，明天后天还是可以办，倒也不一定就限死在今天办妥。总之，只要我们一心一德，坚持下去，倒不怕他盛宣怀不让步。赵大帅是维护我们绅士的，他之所以不立刻答应，说不定也有他的苦衷。我们如其好好和他商量，他怎能不俯允我们所请？如其我们大家都去了，即令他能接见我们，试想人多嘴杂，又怎能把我们要说的话说得伸抖？不如大家姑且散会，稍停一宵，到明天再请赵大帅来商量。好在赵大帅已经答应了明天来。” “不行！不行！我们不散会！”“妈哟！闹他妈的一整天，就这么松松活活叫我们走开吗！”“我们才不散会哩！到底啷个搞起的嘛！没名没堂，个老子硬不走！” 只管有不多一些股东坚持着不肯散，坚持着要立时立刻一齐到制台衙门去请愿，坚持着要把会开个通宵，开到明天，等赵尔丰来答应了大家的要求再说下文。但也有多数的人不愿意这样做。他们挥着各种各样的扇子，睁着饥疲不堪的眼睛，有的沉默着不说一句话，有的说：“还是明天再议的好，今天也闹够了。何况天也快黑啦，夜不成公事！”差不多一半的人，连同一些老年人在内，都站了起来要走。 朱叔痴还在大声叫喊说：“大家当真不能坚持到底吗？那不真正只有五分钟的热度了！唉！同胞们，我们莫要上当呀！劝我们散会的人，是别有用心的凉血动物！……” 登时就有几个声音很粗鲁地叫道：“你才是凉血动物！你不吃饭睡觉，你就一个人留下来开会！” 但也有更多的声音吵着说：“劝我们让步，本来不对嘛！你们还显得有理，是不是？” 大家都在吵，会场里已听不清楚会长颜楷站在台子上说些什么。只是一片声喊道：“对，对，我们就赞成你们八个人代表我们上院去！……那么，散会！散会！明天再来！”