Chapter 23 Chapter 2 Duanfang is here

Looking down from the nearly 100-foot-high, steep and precipitous Laojundong Mountain, Chongqing City, built on a large rock, looks like it is at the bottom of a pot. The valley becomes the Yangtze River flowing from the north to the south, and a smaller Jialing River flows down from the west to the east and merges into the Yangtze River, which surrounds the Stone Pan City from three sides and forms a whole. A peninsula shaped like a parrot's beak.Chaotianmen is just at the tip of its mouth, which is also where the two rivers meet. Surrounded by two rivers and embraced by four mountains, the foundation is a large rock sloping from northwest to southeast. The air does not flow much. There is not a single big tree in the city, and there is not even a single grass in more places. In summer, it is very hot, becoming one of the famous hot cities in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River.And after the hot summer, there is a lot of fog, which spreads lightly across the mountainside, on the top of the city, and on the water surface. It is not uncommon to see it; Eyesight, still can only see days a few feet away, and there are only a few days in a month.Whenever the fog covers the sky and everything is white, the boats down the river are all moored at the piers on the two rivers and four banks, and even small boats across the river dare not take risks.At this time, even if you have urgent matters, you have to be patient and wait for the fog to clear before you go on your way!

But on this day—August 22nd of the Xinhai Year, a miracle happened!It is the foggy season, in a foggy place, but on this day, the sky is clear and the sun is warm and windy.Looking from Chongqing City to Laojun Cave on the other side, you can almost count the stone ladders hanging on the cliff; There are alleys, where are the temples, where are the government offices, and even at the wharfs from Chaotianmen to Caiyuanba, how many ships are about to leave, and how many ships are coming to berth, all are vividly remembered.It's clearer than looking at the lines on your own palm.Many people were quite surprised and said: "Old man, do you think it's strange? Duanfang arrived today, and the weather is so good. Could it be that Manbaer should come to Sichuan for a few days to show off his wealth?"

Speaking of richness, really richness, just looking at the attire of Chaotianmen today, it is far from being comparable to Cen Chunxuan who greeted the new Governor of Sichuan in previous years.From the gate of Chaotianmen all the way down to the wharf by the river, there are not only countless red palace lanterns and red embroidered curtains, but also a red silk curtain stretched airtightly above the head, which a group of people call it "crossing the sky and crossing the sea".People walking below, being baked by the sun, all of them turned into happy children of good fortune. Moreover, two sheds were set up to receive officials.One is in the city gate—almost on the wall, because only there can be found a small and relatively flat place; Three wide gangplanks protrude from here, connected to a pile of well-tied rafts used as a temporary storage ship.

According to the rules, there are incense tables for receiving imperial edicts in the colorful sheds.As soon as the imperial envoy enters the color shed, he should stand upright by the side of the incense table with a tense face like a zombie.The civil and military officials who are qualified to ask Shengan should respectfully kneel down three times and kowtow nine times in front of the empty incense table, as if "worshiping the gods as if they were gods". How are you?" The imperial envoy should reply: "Saint Gong! Get up!" Then the officials stood up to meet the imperial envoy, greeted the imperial envoy and offered tea, wine, and fruit along the way.The imperial envoys should all be turned away and hand over their hands to board the sedan chair.This was stated on the pre-submitted note form by the Lifang Book Office of the prefect's yamen.Because Chongqing is a mountain city, the wharf is very high and long. I don't know what the imperial envoy meant, but did he do this ceremony as soon as he got off the Shutong ship?Or do you have to go to the pier to perform this ceremony?For the convenience of imperial envoys, two colorful sheds were built, which has never been done before.

Three hours before the possible arrival of the Shutong ship—according to the telegram received from Changshou County last night, it was foggy this morning, and Shutong started to anchor very late.The next day, the water journey is only ninety miles. If there is no fog, the pavilion can be reached at noon, and so on.Therefore, at about nine o'clock in the morning, all the civil and military officials in the city, the same group of gentlemen with status, positions, and official contacts, all dressed in boots, hats, and pearls and gowns, gathered in unison at the gate of Chaotianmen. Come in the canopy.

Chuandong Daotai Zhu Youji was the highest-ranking member of Zhengyin officials in Chongqing at that time.A high official rank means big airs, and Zhu Youji is an old eunuch who follows the steps and is not busy with everything. He was invited three times by Niu Chuanshan, the prefect of Chongqing Prefecture. The sedan chair, the deacons of the whole hall (only those excessively corrupt things such as opening the gong, shouting, and the ringing of the black whip are exempted again. The rest, such as the small team, the top horse, and the red sunshade added to the umbrella, etc., are due to the importance of decency. , preserved. These are called the deacons of the whole hall) guarding and coming slowly.Although he came late, he was also in time.

Zhu Youji saw the bronze censer on the incense table (it was indeed the Xuande censer. They were specially selected by Niu Chuanshan. Since Duan Fang is a well-known antique shopper, he could not help but like him), which was already fragrant. Burning the sandalwood sticks, he asked Niu Chuanshan, who was by his side, "Are you coming soon?" Even though Niu Chuanshan's official status was not small, and he was only a step behind him, Zhu Youji still took him lightly.Therefore, when he asked questions, he didn't raise his spirits and put on a title, and he didn't want to amplify his voice a little bit, using a few more words to make the sentences more complete.

Niu Chuanshan knew his boss' temper, so he didn't care too much. He still put on his horseshoe sleeves and replied politely, "Hurry up!" A voice shouted from outside: "It's here! It's here! Black smoke is already rising from the end of the Great Buddha Tuo!" Zhu Youji's pair of phoenix eyes, which were sleepy and sleepy, opened suddenly, and shouted loudly: "Yuan Bai, let's go to the bottom of the pier to greet Mr. Duan!" Niu Chuanshan said: "Your Excellency is not busy. There are still five miles to go when the Buddha comes up. Although the ship is fast, it takes a quarter of an hour, or even half an hour, to break anchor. Wait for the humble officer to go down first to take care of it. Your Excellency can still sit here a while."

"No! You should go down earlier and be more respectful!" Zhu Youji's attitude was unmatched. Although the river has not yet fallen, the Chaotianmen Stone Stairway still has more than a hundred steps, and some sections are extremely steep. It is not comfortable to go down such a slope in a sedan chair.But what can be done?Since you have become an official, you have no right to walk. Didn't Confucius say, "After I follow the doctor, I should not walk in vain"?What's more, he was dressed all over his body, and his feet were still a pair of thick-soled square-toed official boots.Master Zhu and Master Niu had no choice but to sit in the spacious sedan chair "as if they were facing an abyss", and were carried down by several valiant class members.

Chaotianmen was originally a lively wharf.Below it is a Huishuituo, the water is deep and turbulent, unlike the turbulent water of other piers.Many large cargo ships have to berth here to load and unload their cargo.There are a lot of workers on and off the pier, and there are also a lot of bundled houses made of bamboo as materials. For the convenience of boat owners, trackers, and trackers, there are also a lot of people who specialize in doing small business with them. There are many tricks for them to dig out their pockets, hoping to get some small gains and small happiness.This pier is only a little quiet for a short time in the middle of the night, and the rest of the time is almost full of noisy human voices.Of course, carrying hundreds of catties on his shoulders, and climbing one or two hundred stone stairs, it would be impossible if he didn't take a step at a time, and if he didn't put the iron-clad stick on the stone heavily.Those who work on the ship are used to talking in a loud voice, otherwise they will not be able to suppress the noise of the wind and water; if you know this, you will not be surprised why they open their mouths as if they were arguing with someone, The blue veins on the neck and forehead are bulging, forgetting that this is the Chaotianmen Wharf, the streets are so narrow, the people are so crowded, and the obedient people stand in front of him, or sit on the same bench with him?This pier is more of a water bearer.The city of Chongqing cannot dig wells, and the water for food and use depends entirely on water bearers using two wooden barrels and a pole to carry them up from the river.Although there are many city gates and piers, not all water bearers are concentrated in Chaotianmen.But there are still many people who go to Chaotianmen to carry water.Every load of water, when passing the stone ladder, will inevitably be a little splashed.Therefore, the stone staircase of Chaotianmen also looks like it has been raining all day long, and it is difficult to find a dry place as big as a palm.

But these are all gone today.If you can’t find a porter, then of course there will be no hi-yo; if you can’t find a tracker, tracker and boatman, then you won’t have a big voice; if you can’t find a small business dealer, of course you will have no variety and all kinds of rattles; in particular, there was no water bearer. Of course, all the stone steps were not only cleaned without any scum, but also dry without any trace of water. Chaotianmen Wharf is not deserted because of this, there are still many people.First of all, there are more soldiers.From the city gate all the way to the river, the two sides are full of teams.The team in the next section is the Hubei new army brought by Duanfang. It was ordered by the front team of the 31st standard of the Army's 16th Association, which used hundreds of large wooden boats and rushed from Yichang a few days ago. The two teams of the 32nd Battalion.There were hundreds of people, all tall and tall, all wearing yellow khaki military uniforms, yellow canvas military shoes, yellow woolen leggings, yellow leather belts, braids all on the top of their heads, and yellow khaki military caps covering them comfortably. It looks like an oriental soldier without braids; the weapon in his hand is also a Japanese-made five-piece steel gun that is not yet common in Sichuan.The team in the previous section is a battalion of patrol troops under the concurrent management of the prefect of Chongqing; , are far less than the new army in Hubei. On the first day, the waterway police were ordered to drive away all the countless cargo ships moored by the docks down the river.The river bank is quite wide, and there are only 30 meters of waterway police patrol boats lined up one word at a time. The second most are official sedan chairs.Every adult has a sedan chair, and every gentleman has a sedan chair.Adults sit in four sedan chairs, but generally they are carried four times and supported by four. There are eight large classes for each sedan chair.The master sits on the three-legged crutch, and it is not limited to three people to carry it. It is often carried by five large classes, which is called Wu Tuxin; For example, Duan Rongjia, the magistrate of Baxian County, had to use nine strong bearers in order to be faster than anyone else's sedan chair so that he could show his face and talk to him everywhere.Therefore, more bearers.In addition to the bearers, there are many attendants who accompany the adults and masters, doing this and that.And Zhu Youji and Niu Chuanshan had to bring a few team members who were inseparable from each other for the sake of institutional relations.Duan Rongjia, the magistrate of Ba County, did not have any personal soldiers, but he also brought with him a dozen or twenty guards. Chaotianmen Wharf is still very lively today! Buzz...buzz-buzz...buzz!The whistle on the Shutong ship sounded, and the majestic echo resounded in all directions. Attached to the mast of the cabin ship on the left side of the machine ship, which is longer, larger, and taller than the machine ship, flutters a white cloth official title flag more than ten feet long.The flag is written in Song typeface, written in alternate red and black paint.There are only seven words, and the font is too big, too far away to read clearly. Li Zhanyang (he is the only bank in Sichuan, Yunnan, and Guizhou provinces that can compete with Shanxi's bank, and the sign is called Tianshun) Xiang's little boss), in the crowd of brilliant people, stroking a black mustache, leaned into the ear of Shi Jiyun, Fuzhou Hanlin, and said, "Tai Shigong, have you ever seen the official title flag of Marshal Wu?" Shi Jiyun squinted his dizzy old eyes, stared at the oncoming ship for a while, and said, "I saw the flag a long time ago. The words on it..." couldn't help shaking his head, "My eyes have become more and more useless in recent years! What is written? My brother has good eyesight, so he must be able to see clearly." The ship blew two long whistles, and was about to turn around when the official title flag stopped for a moment. Li Zhanyang smiled and said, "Tai Shi Gong, have you seen it clearly?" "Oh! It turns out that there are only these seven words: the imperial envoy investigates and punishes the minister." Li Zhanyang said: "Because there are only these seven characters, I would like to ask you, the well-informed Tai Shigong—why Shuai Wu didn't take out his full official title of Minister of Sichuan-Hanyuhan Railway Supervision? Is there any inconvenience?" Shi Jiyun thought about the tip of his gray beard.At that time, the ship had already hit the slow train, and the closer it was to the shore, the people on board the cabin could be distinguished even by nose and eyes.The next floor is full of soldiers, Duanfang's guards, a team of the 1st Battalion of the 32nd Standard of the Hubei Army under his command. It is composed of his students, who came from the Hubei Jiangbian Academy, and are currently in charge of the 1st Battalion. They are from Sichuan. Dong Zuoquan led it himself.In the upper cabin, of course his cronies, aides, entourage and others did not show up, only a few big attendants in mandarin jackets and red tasseled caps walked around the railing. Shi Jiyun snorted and said, "Of course there are inconveniences! Besides, Marshal Wu is here to investigate Sichuan affairs, not to repair the railway. If he shows his full official title, wouldn't it be..." Before he could continue speaking, the iron guns on the shore and on the city wall were already booming...booming!There were nine deafening beeps.The foreign horns and drums in the new army are also booming... boom boom, tick tick... tick tick, and they are playing with all their strength.The local teams lined up on the stone ladder and on the city wall also opened their lungs and yelled three times in unison: "Welcome, Your Excellency!"It is truly worthy of both unprecedented and unprecedented! The Shutong was moored, and this group of officials and gentlemen with the top feathers were waiting to step on the springboard to hand over the manuscript.Suddenly, on the upper deck of the passenger cabin, a military official in sailing clothes stood by the railing of the bow and shouted loudly to the shore: "My lord, please stay behind and don't need to get on the boat! See you on the platform later!" what!Great style! "Aren't you even interested in inviting Sheng'an's ceremonial note?" Everyone was depressed, so they could only chirp in their hearts. There is a remote street beside the inner city wall of Dongshuimen in Chongqing.On the street, the Jiangnan Pavilion and Yuwang Palace occupy quite a large area.The buildings are tall and solid.There are also a few flat yards that are not easy to find in this mountain city.Now, because these two places are used as the imperial envoy's platform, not only the two houses have been repaired splendidly, but also the two guild halls have been turned into a very decent yamen.Two advocacy platforms were temporarily set up outside the door, and the drummers stood guard on the platforms in full clothes. As soon as the imperial envoys came in and out, three cannons were fired, and the drums rang together; that is, on weekdays, they played three times in the morning, afternoon and evening.On the side of the advocacy platform, two double bucket masts were also erected. When the imperial envoy was on the platform, two large flags with surnames were fluttering in the wind;Moreover, this remote street has also changed, becoming an important thoroughfare with endless streams of sedan chairs and horses from day to night. The streets are noisy, but the Jiangnan Pavilion is still quiet when you enter the courtyard at the end. The large courtyard dam made of stone in Sifang Gorge was cleaned exceptionally clean.A row of eight large pots of autumn orchids, extremely rare, is said to have been carried from the garden of Li's family in Futuguan.In summer, the bamboo canopy that was built was not removed. Although the autumn sun was strong, the courtyard was very cool.There are five large rooms on the front with one pillar house. The middle door and the window lattices on both sides were originally exquisitely carved, but now they are even more oily and colorful.The doors and window lattices are all inlaid with glass, and there are also lake-colored thin silk hangings. The middle main room is now changed to the inner living room, which is also the meeting hall.An old-fashioned red bean wood kang bed was placed against the back wall. According to the pattern, two tiger skin mattresses were spread on both sides of the kang table with inlaid marble tops, and two red satin kangs eight inches square and two feet long were placed. pillow.There is also a long table at the back end of the Kang bed.In the middle of the table is a big chime clock, which actually runs very accurately; on both sides are two ancient bronze chime bells, which are colorful in green;Under the left and right walls are four old-style chairs and two old-style carved coffee tables, which are made of red bean wood, just like the kang bed.The chair drape, chair cushion and several skirts are all embroidered with colorful flowers on red satin.It's the layout of an old-fashioned living room.But there was a so-called large dining table at that time, covered with bleached foreign cloth, with all sides hanging down to the ground.There was no display on the table, and around the table were twelve extremely clumsy upright chairs painted in liver color.This is another popular new-style meeting room arrangement.The two arrangements are very inconsistent.Because it is so fashionable, no one can change it.Over the second door hangs a scarlet baize plywood curtain, of course the old style.A red bean wood screen carved with cloud bats beside the eaves is also an old style.On the two side walls of the inner surface, where the calligraphy and painting screens should be hung, there are now two authentic Western-style mirrors hanging horizontally.The mirror is so big that the imperial envoy sitting on the top presiding over the meeting can clearly see the faces and backs of the people sitting on both sides of the meeting with just a glance of his eyes.Just in case?Or something else?no one knows.It was the attendant sent by Duanfang to lead the station and ordered the county magistrate of Ba County to arrange it in this way.Come to think of it, the imperial envoy once traveled to the west to investigate the constitutional government, must it be a new style? At this time, in this room that combines Chinese and Western (it can also be said to be a concrete manifestation of the theory of Chinese learning as the body and Western learning as application), there is no one in the room. . Duanfang gowns, jackets, and boots are all neatly dressed, except for big hats.The hair on the top of his head was almost gone, so that the braid he had just combed was still black, but he knew it was much thinner than the previous two years. With his hands behind his back, he was still pacing up and down the room.The room is as deep as the main room.It is narrower, and there is a lot of red sandalwood furniture, leaving not much space for him to walk around.After a few steps, I walked under the rear window and glanced at the tall fire brick wall outside.Turning around, after a few steps, he walked to the red sandalwood lottery table again. The melancholy that had been covering his round and ruddy face for the past two days now became more intense.Two brows that were so pale that they could hardly be seen were frowned into a character horoscope between the brows.The eyes, which were usually so flexible, so reassuring and frightening, have also become dull; the slightly raised eye bags seem to be more swollen, and they are more blue than usual.And for several minutes, I kept looking down at the pair of blue satin single beams, long skirts, thick soles, and square toe boots; He glanced at the big hat with a flower feather inserted in it, but he didn't pay much attention.In the end, his eyes still fell on his fifth younger brother Duan Jin who was sitting at the side of the lottery table. Duanjin is his younger brother who he trusts the most and who can talk about his confidants the most.Now he is serving as his entourage with the title of third rank and the qualification of alternate magistrate of Henan Province.This person looks a bit like his fourth brother, that is to say, he also has a big round face, two eyebrows that are so pale that they can hardly be seen clearly, and a pair of flexible and cunning eyes.It's just that he is younger than his brother, and he doesn't have his brother's few yellow beards on his lips; his cheeks are bald, and he doesn't grow his beards like his brother long ago.His body is also relatively thin, especially his two hands, which are white and slender, not like his brother's big fat hands, nor like the hands of a man in his forties. "Even the telegrams from Shashi and Yichang don't work anymore." Duan Jin put his right arm on the signing table, holding several coded telegrams returned by the telegraph office between his fingers—printed on white rice paper in Zhu Sige, Wide and large telegram specially made for imperial envoys.There is no need to use Guanfang, just with this kind of special paper, the telegraph office should send it whenever it arrives - while staring at his brother, he said: "I'm afraid there has been a big change in the situation?" "Yeah!" Duan Fang stopped, looked at his fifth brother and nodded, "Why don't you say it, the Revolutionary Party must have jumped up." Duan Jin shivered and felt his vest go numb.Hastily said: "So, the world is really going to be in chaos?" "That's inevitable." "Shouldn't the imperial court..." "There will never be anything, our national fortune in the Qing Dynasty is still long!" "That's right, Changmao's rebellion occupied so many provinces, and it was suppressed by the imperial court." Duan Jin paused, and then asked, "Does it matter to us?" "Yes, and it's very big!" Duan Fang then sighed, "Oh! I've been unhappy with this for the past two days..." "Are you worried about the Hubei troops we brought?" "It's still the second... In fact, I have already prepared myself. Before Wuchang overcomes it, if I don't leak any news, I won't be afraid of any accidents. What I'm most worried about at the moment is to promise my future life inside, should I? Will it be put on hold because you are busy with the use of troops in Hubei, or will you change your mind?" "No way!" "How dare you say no?" "Hasn't our tribute already been sent?" "Hey! You idiot! Just think about it, why can't Mr. Cen go west when he arrives in Wuchang? Could it be that Mr. Cen has no filial piety at all?" "Why don't you send a telegram to your step-nephew and tell him to urge Lord Ze and Sheng Xingsun?" "However, the telegrams from Yichang and Shashi are no longer available!" Duan Fang spread his hands, and continued, "Even such an important telegram is yet to be done!" Duan Jin cast his eyes out of the window and said, "Yes, why hasn't Interpreter Guan come yet?" Coincidentally, when the embroidered curtain on the door moved, Guan Dang, Duanfang's confidant, the translator, hurried into the room. "Is there anything my lord wants to tell you?" It's a kind of southern Beijing accent. Although he was wearing a suit, but from the style of the clothes and the long tasseled jade straw hat on his head, it was obvious at a glance that he had a lot of foreign style.He had a melon-seeded face in vain, and he didn't know how many times he had to apply balm a day.Just get up early with the imperial envoy from Yichang, cross the mountains and ridges, avoid the natural danger of the Three Gorges, travel from the border of Shinan and Lichuan, and walk for 13 days by land. Even Mr. Duan, who sat in a sedan chair all day long and had never walked half a mile of mountains with his feet, was unavoidably stained a layer of ocher by the dawn wind and scorching sun; Swinging, I don't know what magical method he used, but he was able to maintain his fair skin and handsome face, neither a little bit of sweat, nor a speck of dust.If it is not a pair of very short-sighted eyes, hang a pair of deep gold toric glasses on the bridge of the nose at any time (you have to go to Thailand and see that foreigners can openly wear glasses even in temples. After returning to the country, the bad habit was abolished, and the subordinates with eye diseases were allowed not to take glasses in front of their superiors. Otherwise, this Guan Tongzhi had no choice but to stick to it.) It can make people suspect that Duan Duan specially brought it from the capital A gentleman of what class.However, even if Guan Dangzhi's eyes were not near-sighted, his face was a little more handsome, and his figure was a little more pretty, no one suspected it.Because no one knows that Mr. Duan is nicknamed Tao Zhai, and that besides being an official, his hobbies really lie in playing with antiques: Qin bricks and Han tiles, Shang Yi and Zhou Ding, Duanxi inkstones, and Wei and Jin calligraphy. , playing Song edition books, playing Song and Yuan calligraphy and paintings.When he came to Sichuan this time, he brought many Duan inkstones, inscriptions and hand scrolls from Song and Yuan dynasties. Only then did Duanfang raise his eyebrows, calmly walked to the signing table, sat down on an armchair covered with colorful velvet cushions, looked at the confidant translator and asked: "Yichang circuit is broken, what is it?" What about the time?" "I checked at the telegraph office just now. According to the staff of the bureau, the communication has been blocked since last night." "What about my urgent telegram?" "The humble job has also been investigated in the bureau. Now there are still two routes from Chongqing to the capital..." Before finishing speaking, Duan Jin stepped in from the side, and said sharply: "Okay! There are two lines! Then why didn't they send this shot, but returned it? What a bunch of bastards." Egg!" His elder brother glared at him quickly and said: "Don't swear at others, old five!" Then he turned to Guan Dangzhi who was staying beside him: "Go on." "Yes... yes." Guan Dangzhi said respectfully, "These two lines, one is a foreign submarine power line, from Annanguo to Tianjin. Although the route is short, but to send a coded official telegram, you must first communicate with foreign countries. Negotiate with the bureau; the other is a domestic line, from Yunnan to Guangxi, then to Guangdong, then to Jiangxi, and then to Nanjing. This circle is too big, and if the line is congested, there will be delays. Yuan Si didn't know which route the adults wanted to choose, so he didn't dare to specialize in it, so..." It was Duan Jin who interrupted again: "They should send a letter." "They are writing the report. It is our official who is impatient and left first." Duan Fang said: "Like this, let's not blame the bureau members... Sangzhi, I think I sent it from the Annan submarine cable. However, you should think about it. You should understand that this telegram is extremely important. Shooting in the capital city, of course it needs to be fast, but also safe." Just after I sent the translator away, I heard another sound of boots in the yard—the sound of flapping official boots, and the sound of rattling leather boots. The two looked out from the gap between the lake-colored silk curtains, and saw Dong Zuoquan, the captain of the guard in full military uniform, and the commander of the 1st Battalion of the 32nd Standard of the Hubei Army, accompanied by two people in long robes and official hats, walking through the hall from the front. walk in.A thin old man with a bright blue cap and a blue feather is the alternate magistrate of Anhui Province and Shi Jiyun of Fuzhou Hanlin.When he got up from Yichang, he sent a special telegram to Fuzhou and made an appointment to come to Chongqing to contact the Sichuan gentleman's staff.Walking beside Shi Jiyun was a fat, stout man of about forty years old, with two black beards, a light ruby ​​hat on top, and a plume behind his head. He whispered to Duanjin, "They are here." Duan Jin also asked in a low voice: "The one who wears the second rank is Li Zhanyang?" "It's him." Duan Fang took the big hat from the barrel and put it on. "It's not necessarily so powerful." "It's because he's not that capable that I asked him to lead the troops. What's more, he's a silver boss, so he can give me a cushion when I don't pick up." "Hey, if you have more money in the future, there will be a place to put it, so that you won't be exploited by Lao Xi again!" Two big attendants, one opened the plywood curtain to let the guests in, and the other entered the lottery to report. Duanfang sat under the big dining table covered with bleached foreign cloth, and said to Li Zhanyang who was sitting on the right with a smile on his face, "Brother Jinfeng, have you been back to Chongqing for a long time?" "Soon," said Li Zhanyang, Duan Fang's old subordinate.Although he is now a police patrol in Guangdong, the official is not small, but for Duanfang, he still maintains a division of subordinates, only answering questions, and dare not say more, "It's less than ten days." "It's pretty fast." "Your Excellency, call me, dare you run in the starry night!" "Brother Jianbaiyi is being generous, this time, why is he so generous that he agrees to leave his post?" Li Zhanyang said with a slight smile: "It's because of his professionalism that he played a bit cunning. He didn't tell Zhang Jianshuai that he was summoned by an adult, but he used the excuse that his mother was sick, and he asked for leave temporarily to visit his relatives. After a pause, he said solemnly again, "Although it is an excuse, in fact, Jiaci is really old and sick, and has repeatedly sent letters to the province. The reason why he is able to come back today is still due to the call from the adults. I can't thank you enough!" Duan Fang chuckled and said, "Brother Jinfeng turned his words upside down. This is the strength of the old lady, what contribution I have! However, brother Jinfeng can be filial to his relatives, and of course it can benefit the village. The matter of the city defense camp here must be You have to rely on your strength." He turned to Shi Jiyun who was sitting on the left and said, "Old Crane, have you already expressed your gratitude on my behalf?" Shi Jiyun pronounced the word Hechu, nodded, and before he was about to say anything, Li Zhanyang rushed to be humble, saying that he was just a mediocre talent, and he couldn't bear to be entrusted with the military.He also said that the holiday is only three months. I am afraid that when the period expires, Zhang Mingqi, the governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, will definitely urge him to return to his post. Facial words. But Duan Fang didn't listen to his words, but told him that the reason why he came back to him was because he could help him.At the beginning, I also said some superficial words.In the end, Wei Wei revealed a little bit of air, saying that the imperial court sent him to Sichuan not only for investigation, but also for future life.Therefore, he had to make arrangements in advance.As for three months later, "Brother Jinfeng, why do you need to return to Guangdong? I know that your hometown is from Yunnan. In the future, I will transfer you to be an official in Sichuan, and at least I will pay you back." The patrolman said, take the old lady to Chengdu and raise her, wouldn't it be convenient for both public and private use?" He actually uttered the words hidden in his heart without any scruples. In fact, if he didn't reveal it, everyone would have understood his reason for coming. Since Duanfang spent 400,000 silver yuan (some say 400,000 taels of silver) in sports expenses, he got a servant in the title of Minister of Supervision of the Sichuan-Han Yue-Han Railway.At that time, everyone knew his purpose. He was running a railway. He just used the Minister of Railway Supervision as a bridge, and wanted to restore his official rank three years ago-the governor's department.The governor of the two lakes couldn't think of winning, so he thought about it, and he was indeed not Ruicheng's opponent.For a period of time, he almost abandoned his original wish, and really planned to work honestly for a few years as a railway supervisor before seeing the opportunity.Who would have thought that God would trick people, just when he was looking at a place outside Pinghu Gate in Wuchang, and was preparing to build a supervisory minister's office, something happened in Sichuan, and he met a stupid man Zhao Erfeng. Sudden business is messed up.At first, I was a little annoyed when the Sichuan people pointed their noses and scolded me like hell.I hate Wang Humanities, I hate Zhao Erfeng, and I hate Sichuan people even more.Then he heard that the imperial court sent people to Sichuan to investigate the news, and he thought again.Thinking about it, it would be better to take advantage of this to push Ruicheng to Sichuan to investigate and deal with it, so that he could be transferred to the governor of Sichuan, and the governor of the two lakes that was vacated would of course belong to him.As for Zhao Erfeng, it's easy to handle, for his brother Zhao Erxun's sake, it is in line with his qualifications to find him a job as a governor.He thought that such a settlement was both in line with nature and in line with human feelings.Before Ruicheng and Zhao Erxun discussed the joint protection of Cen Chunxuan, he had quietly called to Beijing to move around.After Ruicheng found out about the matter, he quarreled with him very rudely.Whenever he sees people, he scolds Duan Lao Si as a sinister villain and not enough friends.Although Ruicheng is confused about big things, he is not confused about small things, and he is even more thoughtful about his own self-interest.Knowing that Duan Fang is a ghost, if he doesn't send a flower plate, but just quarrels, he will always cause trouble.Instead of taking negative precautions, it is better to use tactics and "treat him in the same way", clearly recommending him to Sichuan to investigate and deal with it, so as to expose this scourge and throw it into the fiery hell.If he is burned to death, the hatred in his heart will be eliminated; if he cannot be burned to death, it will also make him suffer a little bit.At least, he won't be plotting against him for a year or so. In order to make this villain no longer push back and go forward willingly, Rui Li also worked diligently with him for a secret deal: first, he left Wuchang with the title of investigating and handling Sichuan affairs; In the name of leaving Yichang.When he arrived in Chengdu, he issued a special decree and ordered him to act as the governor of Sichuan.This trap was originally set up by him for Rui, but now it is held by Rui Li and is set on his own head. Logically speaking, since Duan Fang is not as honest as Rui Li, and Rui Li is not willing to stretch his neck to be trapped, he How could Fang stick out his neck? But Duanfang stretched out his neck after all. One of the reasons is that he is in a different situation from Ruicheng.Ruicheng was already riding safely on a tall horse, so it was inevitable for him to find another horse for no reason.But Duanfang was wandering on the wrong road, desperately looking for a horse to ride on, and heard that the Chollima was ahead, and he only needed to run once to grab the reins.How could he refuse such a temptation? The second reason is that Rui Li's internal strength is indeed greater than his.The three-step method of Ruicheng's secret talks with him has long been approved by the inside, and the telegrams can be used as evidence, and he said that the imperial envoy's investigation will be issued soon.The situation is so compelling that it is impossible not to obey the imperial edict. If the imperial edict is obeyed, perhaps Ruicheng will understand, and with his help, the third step will not be realized.Although it is speculation, it is also a kind of temptation, how can he refuse? He also worried: "The Sichuan incident started when Sichuan people opposed the state-owned railway and the four countries borrowing money to build roads. They held meetings and gave speeches, calling me a traitor. I have become the enemy of Sichuan people. How can I still investigate? And do it? I will go to the Ruixinru movement, just to embarrass me!" He suddenly thought that Zhu Shan, the representative sent by Sichuan Baolu Association, seemed to be still in Wuchang.He hastily recruited Liu Shipei (Liu Guanghan, a revolutionary who wrote an article in "Minbao" and is as famous as Zhang Taiyan) as his aide. Since he was bought by Duanfang with money, he donated a fourth-rank Jingtang title for him, and he has been serving as Duanfang's official. The guests who entered the curtain often searched books for Duanfang, studied archaeology, and colluded with some famous people who are brilliant in literature and disregarded their conduct. They are called curtain guests, but they are actually Qingke; as expected.This fierce young man who once broke teacups and bled from his fingers at a comrades' meeting, once he arrived in Wuchang, he stayed and talked with Liu Shipei and Duanfang's chief copywriter Xia Shoutian every day, talking about poems and papers, drinking and watching flowers, dripping with joy. That night, Duan conveniently had a cordial talk with this handsome young man for a while. "What is the crux of the road war in Sichuan?" “一在查账核实，二在民款无着。” “设若既不查账，而又退还股款呢？” “民情自安，风潮自歇。” “还反不反对国有？反不反对借款合同呢？” “当不会有。” “日前赵季帅拘捕议绅一事，可知道吗？” “略有所闻，不得其详。” “是否即因路事而然？” “以理测之，必因路事。” “朝廷差我去川查办，足下以为如何？” 朱山连忙做出一种不胜惊喜样子，高拱两手道：“此国家之福，川民之幸也！山敢代表七千万父老昆弟、诸姑姊妹，高呼欢迎！欢迎！” 端方也不由拈须微笑道：“果如足下所言，庶几不负使命。” 端方因而决计伸出脖子去钻瑞澂的圈套。朱山因而得为端方的文案之一员而随之西上。 不过为了虚张声势，并为了万一之备，他接受了瑞澂建议，指调湖北陆军三十二标一营士兵，作为卫队，来保护他，并保护所带的二十多名随员，并保护所带的上百件的行李和古董。为什么他偏偏指调这一营呢？因为他知道，这一营是湖北陆军中间练得最好，服从性最强，而这营的管带叫董作泉，是他的学生，是湖北将弁学堂出身，是四川人的缘故。 他于辛亥年七月十九日登上楚裕兵轮，由武昌鼓轮西上。走了五天，于七月二十三日抵达宜昌。 不想到了宜昌，与川汉铁路驻宜昌总理、传胪出身、四品京堂、四川人李稷勋一谈之下，方知道七月十五日赵尔丰诱捕蒲殿俊、罗纶、颜楷、张澜等十三名士绅，不尽为了路事，还说为了众人要造反。已经引起四川百姓愤怒，几万民团围攻省城，军民交哄，死人如麻。四川事情，被蠢汉赵尔丰搞得如火燎原，不可收拾了！ “这样看来，我岂能睁起双眼跳岩？”他一连几封电报打到京城，自称能不足以驭众，才不足以应变，吁请另简大员，入川剿办。他的退堂鼓打得很响。几乎有不俟君命，便将率领原班人马，打道回鄂的样子。 但是不能由他了。首先，瑞澂便不能容他回到武昌。因此，瑞澂一面与赵尔巽电商，决定联名奏请加派岑春煊入川会办，一面竟严词阻止他，叫他务必静待后命。并告诉他，就由于他徘徊瞻望，迟迟不进，所以才不得不奏保岑春煊去四川会办，原来商量的第二步办法之所以变更，其责任完全在他。 同时北京方面也在催促他。并饬令瑞澂给他加派劲旅，以便他率领入川，迅解成都之围，而后会同赵尔丰，剿平川乱。瑞澂来电也说，已令湖北陆军第十六协协统邓成拔、第三十一标标统曾广大，统率一标精兵，分乘几只兵轮，星夜西上，归他调遣。如此层层逼迫，当然有进无退了。 不过使端方最后下决心，定期八月初一日取道施南、利川地界，从陆路入川（因为湖北所有兵轮，马力不大，都不能驶上三峡。而在川江唯一行驶的蜀通轮船，偏又在忠州地面搁了浅，不能及时出险。这时，秋汛尚大，三峡中水流湍激，木船行水，不但危险异常，而且也稽延时日。考虑再三，才决定他本人和十几个随员，和几十挑古玩字画，带领少数卫队起旱；其余人员、行李、军队、军需，全用木船，凭几千名纤夫拉上去），还是得亏他那在外务部当参事的儿子继先的一封密电。电文相当长，由老五端锦亲自译出。大意是，内边对于岑春煊入川会办一事，所见尚有分歧。庆亲王奕劻非常不满意岑春煊一个大钱未孝敬，就咬得这块肥肉。疑心也和铁路国有政策一样，又是载泽、盛宣怀二人得了钱，捣的鬼。已有风声漏出，岑春煊若再像从前一样，目中无人，那么，叫他在黄鹤楼住到过年好了。至于四川总督一缺，则决定易人，不管赵尔丰将来能否把川乱敉平，内边都认为人地不宜。现在就看他这位爸爸能不能赶在岑三爷前头进入四川，如其能够，而对敉平川乱又稍有把握，那么，四川总督这个肥缺，十有八九不怕人来争夺了。望他爸爸从速决定行止，勿再游移误事。 而且果然，比及八月十三日，由四川巫山县山路到达夔州府，接到瑞澂电报说，岑春煊已抵武昌，因对川事意见与内阁不合，一时尚难启节，请他不必待岑会商，只管兼程前进，勿失机会。 Wonderful!Wonderful!一则曰意见不合，再则曰勿失机会。可见继先的电告既有根据，而瑞莘儒亦确未中变原议，尽可放心了。现在剩下来的问题，就只有如何来戡定川乱这一点小事了。 在端方看来，光是戡定川乱，委实不算如何棘手的一桩大事。他在宜昌时候，曾与熟悉川情的李稷勋切实研讨过。并将几个出川不久、正在宜昌小作勾留、即将东去上海的大商，找到行台细细问过一番。虽然还未能把川事真相弄得十分明白，但凭他几十年做官经验，到底模模糊糊瞧出一点端倪。所谓民匪蜂起，围攻省城，悯不畏死，诛不胜诛，大抵都是赵尔丰故意做的文章。他向老五端锦笑说：“除非真正讲革命，讲排满的乱党分子，才可以说悯不畏死。但这类人，全中国能有好多？今年三月广州之役，死的和关起来的，也差不多了。我不信四川的民匪都是革党分子。只要将士用命，认真剿办，斫掉一些脑袋，哪里有剿不平息之理？何况四川人畏威而不怀德，三国时候，诸葛武侯治蜀以严，民到于今思之，岂不是个好例？除此之外，还找得出什么更好的定蜀方策来呢？”因此，端方最初思考的，只在如何用兵这一点。还仗恃他带来的湖北陆军，比北洋的新兵精练，远非见敌辄溃的川勇可比；而所用的器械，更是道道地地的洋货！ 但是中秋那天，上百数的精壮纤夫把他所坐的柏木四舱官船，从夔州府拉到万县，尚未登上出险后迅即开来接他的蜀通轮船时，他的定川方策，又作了修改。兵还是要用，不过用兵之外，搭了一个收买人心。配合起来，叫作剿抚兼施。 何以直到此时，他方想到收买人心这个抚字上头？原因是，到了万县，他才碰上了由成都、由重庆间关来迎的、自称各界代表的绅士们。特别是由成都而来的、绅班法政学堂监督、举人出身的邵从恩，他把四川的事情谈得稀松。据邵从恩的见解，川事搞得如此糜烂，完完全全由于赵尔丰七月十五日假传圣旨，擅捕议绅，因而引起百姓愤懑所致。以后种种，根源于此。而赵尔丰刚愎自用，怙恶饰非，不惜把所有救援蒲、罗诸绅的良民，一概目之为匪。为今之计，只须把尚未释放的绅士，礼遣回家，把民怨甚深的官吏，严办几个，而后裁减一些捐税（他举了一个例，如在成都每月发行一次的签捐彩票），革除一些稗政（他也举了一个例，如在成都开设的戏园和集中娼妓的新化街），则民心自安，民情自定。人民安定，匪徒无所假托。这时，临之以威，抚之以惠，川事不迎刃而解者，未之有也！ 端方又和颜悦色把其他几人问询一番。虽然所说都大而无当，有两点却是一致，那就是把民望所归的绅士释放了，把民怨甚深的官吏参办了，四川乱事甚至可以传檄而定。 “好轻松！”端方心里好笑。并且诧异，为什么这班人竟自挂口不提争路事情呢？难道这班人已经晓得他的政策了吗？也诧异为什么这班人既然怨毒赵尔丰至于极点，却又不彰明较著地请求揭参他，仅只笼笼统统提出一个民怨甚深的官吏？对于铁路事件，他不好自己去挑弄，他只装得很殷切地查问应予严惩的，究是哪些官吏？以及他们的劣迹？ 但是结果，众人也只指名提出了周善培、田征葵、王棪、饶风藻等几个人，始终没有人提到赵尔丰。仿佛赵尔丰倒是一个不太坏的总督，只要把这几个小官吏（其实都不算小，不过都够不上戎首资格罢了）搞掉，赵尔丰还是可以安于其位似的。这却把端方惹气了，不由心里骂道：“一群糊涂蛋！事到而今，难道尚不明白我的来意？难道还疑心我会做出官官相卫的蠢事来吗？” 只管不满意这般各界代表绅士，他毕竟采纳了他们一部分意见。 不过这时节，因为施纪云在座，这个人只能算半个心腹，有些重大关节尚不能预先使他晓得，所以他才这样向李湛阳说道：“重庆是川东重镇，下临夔、巫，上扼叙、泸，向北又控制着梁、垫，形势重要已极。当此全川纷扰之际，若没有重兵屯驻，那是不行的。然而兄弟所带鄂军不多，到齐之后，只能全部随我到川西去剿匪。川东这方面的秩序，只好靠觐枫兄大力来维持。既为桑梓尽了义务，也解除了我后顾之忧。因此，兄弟意思，城防营暂时招足一千名，由兄弟这里拨去新式快枪三百支，作为训练之用。等到头一批训练成熟，再谋扩展。这样办，觐枫兄，你看还可以吗？” 李湛阳曾经在广东统带过巡防，督练过新兵，有一些军事知识。当下想了想道：“城防营，顾名思义，那只能担任重庆城防。大人说，用来维持川东秩序，并为大人后卫，这不但不在城防范围内，抑且千人力量也嫌单薄。这一点，得请大人明察。” “那么，你们川东地方平日赖以维持秩序的是什么？” 施纪云接口道：“主要是巡防营。闻之，重庆一府是三营，夔州一府是三营，最近重庆还增募了一营。” 端方遂掉头向站在旁边的董作泉问道：“海南，你可知道？” 董作泉挺胸凹肚站得笔端。脸上绷得没一丝皱纹，两眼盯着他的上司道：“禀大帅，标下不知道。” “咹，不知道？”端方登时放下脸来。 “因为标下担任的，只在大帅身边听候差遣。” “不然，海南。”端方还是颇为不悦地说，“若只是在我身边听差，那是任何人皆可以。我之所以特别指调你，因为你是四川人，当能为我多多考察一些外面事情，最重要的，就是目前四川军事的部署。然而你却不知道！唉……” 董作泉当下连头发根子都红透了。随侍大帅将近一个月，吃这样的碰，还是第一回哩。 还是施纪云这个老头替他解了纷。因为施纪云回籍已久，经常过问地方公事，对于巡防军的部署，当然熟悉。据他说，从宣统元年以来，四川巡防，计有中路、副中路、前路、后路、左路、右路六个军。每军设一统领，下辖六营。宁远一府，因为情形特殊，添设了副左路、副右路两军，但每军只三营（他不知道这六营巡防，已由朱庆澜呈准陆军部，指派教练官叶荃前去，将其改编为陆军十七镇步兵三十三协六十六标。目前从宁远府开出，正在嘉定府会同朱敦五统率的一路巡防，与同志军罗八千岁、胡痰等你死我活地作战哩）。此外驻在川南、川北盐场地方的，有盐务巡防五营，驻在打箭炉以外、归边务大臣管辖的，有川边新防军八营，都是特别队伍，不能随便调遣。现在驻在川西和上下川南四路巡防二十四营，已由赵尔丰调集，正与同志军作战。川北一路的情形，不大清楚。川东一路，则三营分驻夔州府各州县，由夔州府知府兼任这三营的分统；三营分驻重庆府各州县，由重庆府知府兼任分统，增募的一营，也归重庆府管辖。“大概情形，就是如此了。” 端方连连向他拱手道：“好极了！足见鹤翁是留心地方庶政的。”他又掉向李湛阳，把眉头一皱说：“如此看来，川东七营巡防，是徒有其名了。为今之计，只有把分散在各州县的营头，调集到几个地方，加以训练。兄弟在德国考察过陆军，深知军队之良否，端在平日训练认真与否，若要认真训练，那就非集于一处不可。我看这件事，最好是老兄一并承担下去好啦！” 李湛阳也把眉头一皱道：“这怎么可以？” “怎么不可以？” “大人委派职道的，只是重庆城防。城防的范围……” “哦！我明白。那就委你老兄充当川东一路巡防军统领，兼重庆城防总办，如何？” 但是李湛阳两眼看着施纪云，并不立即谢委。 施纪云微微笑道：“这事，午帅似乎还得斟酌一下。” "Why?" “我想来，觐枫的意思，似乎要请午帅先向赵季和电商一下的好吧？” “正是如此。因为委派巡防军统领，到底是总督部堂的权限。” 端方不由呵呵笑道：“不错，不错，是我性急了一点。那么，目前就烦觐枫专任城防一职。不过将来保卫川东的重任，总要重劳你老兄的。” 然后施纪云又谈到今天在总商会召开的官绅商学各界会议，问端方要不要莅临演说。 他又笑了起来道：“演说嘛，兄弟倒有一日之长。不过而今在你们爱国爱乡的四川人面前，我却是小巫了，还是藏拙的好。鹤翁，你代表我去一趟吧。” “午帅且欲藏拙，老朽何敢上场，不如另委一个人去。” “什么人呢？我这里大多是外省朋友，这种场合，不甚适宜。” “朱云石如何？” “太嫩了，哪里赶得上鹤翁的老练！” “老朽到底不会说话。” “何必说话。凭他们如何商议，鹤翁总之拍掌赞成。我想，办商团，办民团，用以自保，只要他们愿意掏腰包，有何不可？我不像纽元白那样多疑多虑。其实疑虑，终属枉然。今天的舆情所至，你有好大本领，能够逆而阻之？兄弟此次来川，所抱宗旨，质言之，只有两句，就是圣人说的'民之所好好之，民之所恶恶之'，希望二位出去逢人便讲。知道兄弟宗旨的人越多，兄弟办起事来则窒碍越少。鹤翁今天到商会去，不妨就把兄弟宗旨，传播一番，好吗？” 两个客人正待恭维他，他已回头告诉董作泉，说要委派他当钦差大臣行台营务处提调，以便他有资格去干办听候差遣以外的紧要事情。 这不但使董作泉惊讶得不知所措。想不到一袋叶子烟之前，他才吃了那么大一个碰，而今又忽而突之被提拔得这么高。就是两个客人也不免心头寻思：“端午桥总是爱耍这些把戏！” 等到摸茶碗送客，端方对李湛阳说：“觐枫留一步，我还有点事同你商量。” 这时，签押房里只有两人，连随时在身边伺候的小跟班都被遣开了。虽然从穿堂外面时有传来的嘈杂声音，但也妨碍不着两人的言谈。 端方换穿了一身便装，更显得矮了些，胖了些。他把总文案所起草的一本奏折底稿，从签押桌抽屉中取出，翻了一翻，递与坐在对面的李湛阳道：“你看看，这样办法，我可对得住你们四川人了？” 李湛阳连忙接过这叠端方亲笔涂改之后，画过行，盖过私章的奏稿。翻看头一行：“奏为官吏不法，殃民致乱，谨据实纠参，请旨定夺，以平民愤，而利事机，恭折仰祈圣鉴事。” “啊！大人动了参折了！”李湛阳定睛看着端方，一脸又惊又喜的神色。 端方捋着几茎倒黄不黑的胡须，故作深沉地感慨说：“本来不想参人的，然而四川局面搞得这样糟法，若不参掉几个人来给百姓们出出气，真不容易转圜。我从万县起，就同朋友们旦夕商量了几回。有人以为把蒲、罗几人释放了也就够啦，也就可以收拾人心啦，可以不必多得罪人。也有朋友这样说，不得罪人不行。还嫌我不如岑云阶的手辣。岑云阶曾经一折子把广西省的巡抚、藩台、臬台三顶纱帽都参掉，而我现在才参了一个提法司。” “是周孝怀吗？”李湛阳稍微有点吃惊道，“此人是岑云帅一手提拔起来，在四川开办警政，开办实业，一向有能吏之称的。听说这次对于赵季和的举措，他倒没有附和。” “不然！这个人狡猾已极，最长于见风使帆，他虽没有附和赵季和，他却是王采臣的军师，若非他从中煽动，你们四川的争路风潮，如何闹到这么大？你可知道，王采臣反对国有政策，丑诋盛杏荪误国殃民的奏折，便是此人的手笔？”端方说到这上头，不觉牙龈都咬紧了。顿了顿，又叹了声道，“小人枉自为小人！他以为反对国有政策，便可讨好于川人，殊不知川绅向我控诉到他，无不以祸首目之。你说他是能吏吗？我也周咨博访过一下，其为人也，小有才。但凡一个人为政不识大体，专从小处落墨，以之贾怨则可也，以之逞能，那就不大对头。觐枫，你是在宦海中浮沉过来，当能明白我这番话，并不是完全在驳你啊！” 当其李湛阳唯唯称是之后，面不改色地把奏稿一行一行看下去时，端方忽又含着微笑，和和气气地说道：“觐枫，你毕竟是个有阅历的人。你细看看，真有不妥当地方，尽管提出来，咱们还是可以商量。” “实实不敢当。大人笔下，没有错的。” “那又不然。即以笔墨论，做奏折也有讲究。近人笔记，不是载过这么一件公案？说，有某省巡抚，被人纠参，朱批交刑部议处。部里员司都知堂官和这巡抚有宿怨，怕他投井下石。遂公议了八个字回奏。八个字是：事出有因，查无实据。想来，堂官断不能借以生事了。哪知圣旨下来，却非常严厉，这巡抚竟遭到锁押来京。于是员司们为之骇然，都去请教堂官，是否根据公议的处分回奏？堂官说，就是根据你们的公议八个大字回奏的。及至问到是怎样的？堂官说，你们公议的，岂非查无实据，事出有因吗？本等是可以脱罪的两句话，仅仅颠倒了一下，便可杀人。可见奏折文字，确应好生研究。我这奏折诚然没有这样的活套话，可是弦外之音，不知道看得出吗？” 李湛阳已经看完，便忙说道：“大可看出！大可看出！大人尽管所参的只是周善培、田征葵、王棪、饶凤藻等数人，但此数人者，皆助桀为恶之徒，不足以当罪魁。这班人且须严究不贷，则为之上者，怎能置身事外呢？这是龟玉毁于椟中，是谁之过的笔法，妙绝了！妙绝了！依职道看来，赵季和这顶纱帽，准会丢掉，大人的后命，定不在远的。” 端方忽又摇头叹道：“也不可以看得太准，事情尚在未定之天哩！” “是如何的？职道倒不解了。” “因为事出非常，所谋不能全由人耳！”看见李湛阳神色茫然，他遂两肘靠在签押桌上，把头凑过去，特别放低声气说道，“最近省外与京城的消息，你们真未有所闻吗？” 李湛阳把头两摇。 “那么，我告诉你……只能告诉你一个人……觐枫，大局不好啊！革命党在武昌起事，已经成为气候了！” “是哪天的事？”李湛阳嘴角上的肌肉微微颤抖了几下。 “八月十九夜发生的。我十九日船抵涪州，接到瑞莘帅的急电，尚说破获革党机关，首要二人业已讯明正法，叫我勿听谣言。不想二十日到长寿县，叫人到电报局拍电，就说武昌电报不通。登即拍电到沙市查问，回电说情形不明。到了这里，接到宜昌电告，方知八月十九夜，革党在武昌起事，声称独立，并将汉口、汉阳都占据了。” 李湛阳冲口而出道：“或许不太要紧。若以今年三月广州事变来说……” “不能相提并论！广州革党围攻督署，张坚白未离广州一步。有了他的镇静，又得力你们同乡李直绳调动水师，立向革党进剿。所以革党之势虽猛，到底不旋踵而灭。但这次武昌却不然，事情真相，虽尚不能尽晓，可是确实消息说，事变刚起，瑞莘儒便逃跑了。” “嗯！”李湛阳只能在鼻孔里哼了这么一声。 “因此，革党才愈猖狂起来，居然声言独立。随后沙市来电报称，革党居然成立了什么军政府，号召各省响应。” “怪啦！难道武