Chapter 26 Chapter 5 Chongqing before and after anyway

As soon as Huang Lansheng stepped into the threshold of the small living room, he happily shouted: "Welcome! Welcome! When did you arrive in the province?" Just waiting to make a bow, he saw Wang Wenbing standing up from the wicker chair and stretching out his right hand to him. He quickly grasped it with both hands and said while shaking, "It's been a long time! Haven't you been in the province for a while? It must be in a foreign prefecture or county." Run around. Is the person all right?" A burst of polite and friendly greetings, really like an old friend reunited after a long absence.In fact, Huang Lansheng didn't know this middle school student for a long time, only a few times before and after.

Wang Wenbing asked, "Mr. Lansheng, does he know when Chu Yong will return to the province?" "Hey, hey, it's hard to say! When he left, he said that he would go back to the province before the leave was over. However, the big event of marriage... according to the new term, it's called a honeymoon. Hey, hey, honeymooner Tianya, in the sweet days..." Chrysanthemum sent Gaiwancha out. "Gao Jinshan, why don't you ask him to bring it out?" "Didn't the master send him into the city to call Luo Erye?" "Gao Jinshan?" Wang Wenbing continued to ask, "Is it another person, or the little worker in our school?"

"It's the little worker in your school." "How did you transfer to the mansion?" "Because Luo Sheng was ill and couldn't get out of bed urgently, I was planning to hire an extra servant. It just so happened that you supervisor Tu paid Gao Jinshan." "Did you make any mistake?" "I don't know. According to Gao Jinshan, it's just because your Supervisor Tu has become more and more tempered, and you didn't agree with one sentence, not to mention Xiaogong..." Before he could finish speaking, Wang Wenbing straightened his back angrily; behind his nickel-rimmed glasses, he bulged his eyes round and shouted loudly: "Tu Zhiping still dares to be so authoritarian and overbearing? Uh! How unreasonable... Uh It’s a pity that I’m going to go out of the province again in a few days. Otherwise, I’ll insist on gathering my classmates and take care of him.”

He fished a pack of Bandit cigarettes from his pocket.He took one out and held it on his finger. Huang Lansheng blew on the paper in his hand, handed it over, and asked, "What do you mean, didn't they graduate because you didn't follow me?" Wang Wenbing smiled nonchalantly and said: "Graduation! Graduation is just a qualification! Seeing that the revolution is about to succeed, the revolution is successful, and it is another world. What do you want to do with such a mere qualification for corruption? What's more, I am currently running for revolution, revolution It's a big deal, and I don't have time to consider this qualification."

Although Chu Yong was more than a year older than Wang Wenbing, in Huang Lansheng's eyes and heart, he was always regarded as a big boy, at most an unsophisticated young man who had just grown up.Only for Wang Wenbing, from the first meeting, Huang Lansheng didn't know why, but he immediately paid attention to him.Think this is not an ordinary middle school student.This man is learned, sophisticated, and his future is unpredictable.Therefore, whenever he talked about his classmates with Chu Yong, he always told Chu Yong to get closer to Wang Wenbing, to take Wang Wenbing as an example, and to learn from his young and mature appearance.When Chu Yong mentioned that Wang Wenbing was in the school, not only the head of their class, but even the whole school classmates admired him; not only the students, even the teacher was also polite to him.It was because of these that he became a thorn in Tu Zhiping's side and a thorn in his flesh. Even though he was uncomfortable, he couldn't be pulled out.Huang Lansheng then respected Wang Wenbing even more, leveled him, raised him up, and thought he was indeed a friend worth paying for.

At the moment, he said in awe: "Oh! It turns out that what you are running is the revolution! I thought you were only running for the comrades' association!" "Mr. Lansheng is right. I changed my purpose after I escaped from the railway company over the wall on July 15th. I feel that Sheng Xuanhuai, Duanfang, Li Jixun, Zhao Erfeng and others can't do anything with power. Is there any justice in the world? There is really no other way but to take drastic measures. Coincidentally, on the road, I met a few friends from the Tongmenghui who were going to the Rong, Wei, Zi, and Gong areas for revolutionary movements. After talking, they agreed with each other. , so I threw myself into the revolutionary trend..."

"Hey, hey, it's a trend, it's just a trend! That's why someone as honest as Chu Zicai can shed blood for the revolution!" Wang Wenbing asked in amazement: "Chu Yong shed blood for the revolution?" "Yes! Don't you know?" Huang Lansheng then narrated to the best of his knowledge that Chu Yong joined the student army and was injured in the battle at Xipu. Wang Wenbing couldn't help but said with emotion: "Unexpectedly, this guy Chu Yong was the first to be whipped, so I said that I went to the province to explain and drag him to the revolution... But why did he go back to ask for a wife at this critical time? Don't you want to do it yourself? Lost the heroic ambition? Alas! Chu Yong is such a person without purpose!"

Huang Lansheng didn't want to talk about Chu Yong anymore (because he didn't approve of Chu Yong's revolution in his heart, and he also criticized Chu Yong for shedding blood for the revolution; he also encouraged Chu Yong to return to Xinjin to get married), so he deliberately diverted the conversation : "I don't want to ask you, you are making revolution outside the province, but you also know that the world is in chaos today?" Wang Wenbing laughed and said: "There is no reason why you don't know! I'm afraid that some of you who are in the provincial capital may not know about some news. Mr. Lan Sheng, it's not that you don't know your eyes and ears, it's because your eyes and ears have been completely covered by Zhao Erfeng. Blinded."

"Not necessarily," Huang Lansheng shook his head and denied vigorously, "We still have a lot of news here. For example, the Revolutionary Party has launched an incident in Wuchang, and several provinces have responded, and the commander of the Dragon Boat Festival has arrived in Chongqing. There is no official document published, but word of mouth, everyone knows it. However, rumors are also very serious, and they are different every day. As long as you are willing to listen, your ears will not be empty. The rumor last month was that the Comrade Army will press the city It's so fierce, it's almost settled down to the day and time. Now, it's changed again, it's about..."

Luo Sheng coughed outside the door.Without waiting for the master to ask, he opened the door curtain and came in.Flicking his two long sleeves, panting slightly, he said, "Is the master calling me?" Huang Lansheng's face darkened immediately, and he put on an air of authority, and shouted: "You must call someone to invite you before you come back! Hmph..." But Luo Sheng said eloquently, "Master said, we have to wait for Mr. Kui's reply!" "What about the reply?" "It's just that when Gao Jinshan came to call me, he still didn't reply."

"You haven't changed like this, can't you go and find out yourself?" "I have inquired..." "How is it? Did all the flag soldiers leave the team? Did Kui Dutong himself sit on the tower of Xiaodongmen? Did the cannons be set up on several gate towers? Did all the Han people in the city watch it? Driven away..." Huang Lansheng's mouth was as hard as that of Dujiangyan who had just broken the bark. The torrential flow of words, without even having time to add a punctuation mark, hit Luo Sheng who was still pale and weak.Although it didn't knock him down, it knocked him dizzy, opened his mouth wide, and didn't know which sentence to answer. "...Hey! How's it going? Didn't you find out anything?... Uh! Uh... What a fool of your mother!" Angrily, he blew on the paper twirl in his hand (the paper twirl also pissed off with him, and never ignited), almost forgetting that there was a distant guest sitting beside him. Wang Wenbing narrowed his eyes and said with a smile: "Mr. Lansheng, why did you ask these questions? Are you still in such a hurry?" "Ah! Don't you know yet? In the past few days, the whole city has spread the word, even the people in the Taiwan government office are saying that the regent has transferred hundreds of thousands of soldiers from the Eight Banners in the three eastern provinces to Shanhaiguan. Marshal Zhao has been stamped as the Generalissimo of the World's Soldiers and Horses; the first move is to kill all the Han Chinese in Beijing..." Wang Wenbing laughed and said, "It's really nonsense!" "I also thought it was nonsense at first. Then I thought about it carefully, but it is also reasonable. Why? Because when it comes to revolution, even with the full line, I heard that Wuchang took the knife on the night of anyway. The garrison bannermen in Jingzhou were almost wiped out. The Han people are full, and the Manchus will of course exclude the Han. The news in Beijing may not be reliable, but the things in Jingzhou and Wuchang are all false?..." "That's why the Chengdu Garrison Banners were the first to act first, and they did not wait for the revolution, so they lined up the Han. But this, Mr. Lansheng?" Huang Lan shook his head suspiciously and said: "There are many people who say this, and even our friend, Ge Huanzhong, who is known as Zhuge Gong, thinks that things must happen, and it makes sense. There are rented houses all over the city, so let’s move them out as soon as possible.” "So Mr. Lansheng plans to move to Mancheng?" Luo Sheng suddenly raised his lips and said: "I am about to go back to the master. Aunt Su found me and begged me with tears in my eyes to beg the master and wife to show her kindness to the end and not to return her house. Aunt Su said that if the master and wife no longer rent her She and her son could only die of poverty and starvation. Since July, the general has not given them any extra rations for the poor. Thanks to the fact that the master and wife rented her house, their mother, son, mother and son are counted. She has money to take medicine, and the disease is gradually getting out of her body. Mrs. Su said that why the banner people exclude Han people and why Han people are not allowed to enter the city are all rumors made by hooligans. Sister-in-law Su said, how can they live without the Han people? Compared with herself, if it weren’t for the grace of the old lady, would the people under their banner be able to rent those broken houses? Sister-in-law Su said..." Huang Lansheng stopped him and said, "I never said I would return her house. Could it be that Gao Jinshan missed something?" "No. Mrs. Su begged me to go first. She turned around and Gao Jinshan went." "So, where did this remark come from?" "I also asked her. Mrs. Su said that because she heard that the old ladies, aunts, aunts, adults, and gentlemen who moved in in several places believed the rumors and were checking out the house. Some people didn't even say hello, even The door was not locked, so they left separately. That's why she came to find me specially, and said those words were all rumors, please don't believe me, Mrs. and Mrs. " "Is it really all rumors? What I just asked..." "Yes, I'm about to go back to the master. The alleys are still so quiet, and there are no flag soldiers patrolling. I haven't checked the other city gates. I don't know if there are guns or not. Our Xiyu On the tower of the east gate of Jiexiao, it was still the same as before. There were only a few flag soldiers stationed, not to mention that there were no guns, and they didn’t even have guns. They were all empty-handed. It seems that Lord Dutong was not on the tower ...Ah! There is one more thing to go back to the master. When I delivered the letter to Kui's house, Mr. Kui was not there. His old lady called me into the main room specially to tell me that they heard many people say that a large group of revolutionaries had already He rushed into the city ahead of the imperial envoy Duan, contacted the new army of Phoenix Mountain, and planned to force Zhao Zhitai to respond to the revolutionary party in Hubei Province, and raised the anti-flag to oppose the emperor. He also said that if Zhao Zhitai did not agree, they would They want to go into the whole city, kill everyone, and ask Zhao Zhitai to take care of the bloody relationship. Mrs. Kui said that she knew that this was probably a lie. But she thought about it, there is no wave without wind, maybe there is really a revolution in the big city The party is plotting to revolt. She said that Mr. Kui is in the academic world and cannot hear any real news. Thinking about it, the master is working in the Taitai Yamen, and his eyes and eyes need to be longer. Make up your mind early with her son." "Wonderful! Wonderful...that's why rumors are flying all over the sky!" Huang Lansheng waved at Luo Sheng with his hand holding a paper twirl, "Go in, tell your wife these words...wait for me, take your time and rest for a while Son, I have something to tell you." When Luo Sheng exited the small living room, he turned to Wang Wenbing and sighed, "I think the fortunes of the Qing Dynasty have come to an end. If there is no revolution, this country will change hands! Recently, there has been an incident in the provincial capital. This is an extremely important matter, and it is by no means comparable to the nonsense just mentioned. I am afraid that you may not know the details of the revolution in other prefectures and counties, right?" "There are other important matters that I don't know about?" Wang Wenbing said with considerable attention, "I want to ask for advice." "Of course I have to tell you. That's the quarrel between Zhao Jishuai and Minister Duan, which has reached a fever pitch..." Wang Wenbing jumped up and said: "Yes! Yes! The purpose of my visit this time is to find out how the two of them are fighting each other. Since Mr. Lansheng knows the details, please talk about it quickly." Gao Jinshan walked in, before he could greet Wang Wenbing, he reported directly to his master, "Master Hao is here." Then, Hao Yousan opened the curtain and called out loudly: "Mr. Lansheng, Mr. Lansheng, I am here to pay you a special visit. Things have turned around..." He raised his eyes and saw Wang Wenbing standing there, so he stretched out his hand and said with a smile: "So it's you, Mr. Wang... Let me just say, anyone who can live in this place is definitely not a stranger." Huang Lansheng waited until they greeted each other and sat down, and then hurriedly asked: "The so-called turning point, could it be that Zhao Jishuai let go of his mouth?" "Hey, hey, it's not just about letting go..." In the past few days, Zhao Erfeng has calmed down a lot instead, he is no longer prone to losing his temper and swearing at others like in the past few days. A group of people who protect him, starting from the pockmarks flying on the grass, are relieved, thinking that "no matter how the world changes, we are handsome and lucky, and we can't fall down." But those who are by his side and who serve him personally are worried. Mrs. Li quietly asked the big girl Lai Long: "Did your lord sleep well last night?" Lai Long frowned tightly, shook his head and sighed, "It's the same as the night before, I can hear him writhing anytime." "How about early today?" "I haven't finished eating a soup bowl of bird's nest." Mrs. Li said very anxiously: "If you can't eat like this, you can't sleep, what should I do?" Not bad, how about it?What's more, the old man is already sixty years old, not to mention that after handing over the governor of Sichuan, he has to go back to the ice and snow outside the Dajian furnace to eat buttered dumplings and deal with the barbarians! On August 23, the decree to grant Cen Chunxuan the governor-general of Sichuan was the first blow to Zhao Erfeng's head—bang!What a heavy stick!Thanks to the following, "Before Cen Chunxuan took office, he was still acting as Zhao Erfeng, and he will explain it after Cen Chunxuan arrives."So after he lost his temper for a while, hope remained.The revolutionary party's uprising in Wuchang was tantamount to insuring him.He expected that since Third Master Cen had fled back to Shanghai, he would have to recuperate his illness in Shanghai, and if he wanted to come to Sichuan to take over his affairs, at least he would have to wait until the Yangtze River passed through. "However, it is not easy to pass the Yangtze River!" Zhao Erfeng was the border minister of the Qing Dynasty, and of course he did not want the revolution to succeed.However, as far as personal interests are concerned, the revolutionary party is temporarily rampant, but it is also "secretly happy".To be honest, although this blow was not light, it was not a fatal blow. On the third day of September, the Beijing Academy of Senior Citizens resumed its meeting.The first bill was to impeach Sheng Xuanhuai for illegal infringement and to cause chaos.The strange thing is that the court was too obedient this time, without going through the usual delaying procedures such as various ministries, cabinet meetings, imperial meetings, etc., it actually issued an imperial edict on the same day that the Zizhengyuan rectified its participation. : "The railway is state-owned. It is a policy of the imperial court to be sympathetic to the business and the people. It is Sheng Xuanhuai who can't stand up to his morality and handle many things badly. Sheng Xuanhuai, who received the state's kindness, dared to violate the law and delay the overall situation. It is Gu En's dereliction of duty. Minister of Post and Communications Sheng Xuanhuai will be dismissed immediately, and will never be reappointed." Not only was Sheng Xuanhuai dismissed easily, but the same edict also said: "Cabinet Prime Minister Prince Qing Yikuang, Associate Ministers University Scholars Natong and Xu Shichang, when Sheng Xuanhuai played together , lead the line to sign, there is also a disagreement. Submit it to the yamen for discussion." For Zhao Erfeng, although it was not a direct blow, it was also an indirect blow, hitting the head, not—bang!It's—boom!Because first, the chaos in Sichuan started with a wave of fighting for roads, that is, Sheng Xuanhuai's obsessive state-owned policy, needless to say.He, Zhao Erfeng, is able to stand still today, even though there are many people who oppose him.Although his second elder brother, Zhao Erxun, the governor of the three eastern provinces, is not small, but inside, it all depends on Sheng Xuanhuai's support and protection.Now that the iceberg has suddenly fallen, who will he turn to?The second is that the imperial court obeyed the public opinion too quickly. I have searched through the records of various dynasties in the Qing Dynasty, and I have never found such an example.Thinking about it, it must be because the current situation is getting worse and the situation is getting tighter. The court has lost people's hearts in order to clean up, so it can no longer stick to grammar, so it came to "responsive to requests".Then, the rumors in the outside world that the army of the Revolutionary Party has gone north along the Beijing-Hanzhou Railway to the suburbs of Beijing, and that the Beiyang force will change without defeat, is true.If the imperial court is really overthrown, or if the destiny still exists, it will only be like Emperor Xianfeng's Beishou Rehe, Empress Dowager Cixi, and Emperor Guangxu's Xishou Xi'an (in Zhao Erfeng’s belief, of course, there can only be the latter, not the former) , in short, it is not good for him.One thing that disturbed him in particular was the proof that since North China was not peaceful, how could the 3,000 soldiers he secretly recruited from Fengtian and Zhili move quickly? However, the heavier blow, which made Zhao Erfeng's eyes sparkle, was Duanfang Jieshen's electric performance.Although the imperial decree has not yet punished him, but Tian Zhengkui, Wang Yan, and Rao Fengzao, the two confidantes, are dismissed from their posts and demoted from their posts. This is not only hitting Mei Xiang and making the girl ugly; it must be killing a dog. In the front, hurt people in the back.In the past, he hoped that Duanfang would investigate his name, perhaps because he had the same interests (he believed more that Duanfang was the culprit of the Sichuan incident, and Sichuan people hated Duanfang a hundred times as much as he hated himself), so he would be able to cooperate with him to deal with these problems in Sichuan. bandits.He also heard that several gentlemen from Chengdu and Chongqing welcomed him to Wanxian, and of course he was somewhat dissatisfied and complained about him.He didn't take it seriously, thinking that the investigating minister must follow the established rules, and he had to discuss with him first before making a decision about what to do.Who knew that Duan Fang was more cunning than him. On the one hand, he was perfunctory, and he was consulted with him by telegram every day for unimportant matters, and even sent his entourage to the province to report business in person.On the other hand, according to the established plan that he had agreed with Duan Jin and other confidants when he set off in Yichang, he tried to win over the gentleman as soon as he entered Sichuan, and when he arrived in Chongqing, he did it himself.Needless to say, Duanfang intends to show that he is not here to investigate Sichuan affairs, but to seize Zhao Erfeng's high position!So when he withstood the stick, he was furious and had a terrible temper. He would scold Duan Lao Si for nothing; even in front of Yin Liang.It can be seen that he is scolding this fourth child through that fourth child; at the same time, he wants this fourth child to pass on his meaning to that fourth child. It just so happened that Zhou Shanpei, who had been wronged and could not really be counted as a member of the Zhao party, could not accept this tone, and first wrote a letter to Zhao Erfeng, urging that since the incident happened, he, Zhou Shanpei, had always advocated a peaceful settlement. , he did not foresee.But when I heard that Duanfang was gathering rumors in Chongqing, he actually used him as the mastermind and wanted to participate in him. He said: "The current situation is now, and there is nothing to cherish for an official. The only thing that matters is the right and wrong, and there is a way to go." He asked Zhao Erfeng "to send seven What happened on the 15th day of the month should be decided by Xiantai? Who should be the informer or the mastermind? Telephone the minister to avoid misunderstanding."Then his "Letter from the Minister at the Top" with a length of several thousand words was ready.Take the manuscript first and ask for instructions.Zhao Erfeng sighed after reading it, although he pretended to persuade him: "Why bother to come here, brother, right and wrong can be judged for oneself!" In the end, he still acquiesced to take it to the official newspaper and bookstore, printed 100,000 copies with No. 4 type, and sent forty people to Specially sent to 142 states and counties for posting.And within a few days, Zhao Erfeng himself thought that it was necessary to argue with Duan Fang.At the same time, he also expressed to the court that "his capable people will not be slaughtered arbitrarily without his consent."Secondly, it is tantamount to telling Duanfang indirectly: "Your power is not worthy of dominating me!" Thirdly, it is to make his subordinates not to be discouraged, "There is me in everything, as long as you stick close to me, even if you collapse today, you will still be defeated." I, a tall man, hold on. You will not suffer any loss under my hood!" He took advantage of the expected punishment, and sent out such a telegram "to the cabinet" first: Erfeng treated crimes in Sichuan and Xinjiang. Unfortunately, because of road accidents, he discovered a conspiracy, and the chaos started, and then spread.In the past two months, the force has been vigorously pursued. Fortunately, the soldiers are loyal, and the soldiers use their lives to guard this rocky border for the court, but there is no fall.Within ten days, I heard that Hunan and Jiangxi were not in peace. Yesterday I received a call from Guizhou Fu, and I also knew that Yunnan was declared independent. Bad news spread frequently, and Fang was deeply saddened!Unexpectedly, the supervisor of the Minister of Railways, Duanfang, was treacherous and repeated, hoping to see better than the people of Sichuan, falsely believed in falsehoods, ignored the facts, disregarded the loyalty of the soldiers to save the chaos, and presumptuously favored the partiality and threats of the people of Sichuan, Luo Zhi participated in the general department There are many Taoists, and the main criminals are released and advocated for chaos.Unfortunately, the imperial decree has passed on the manuscript to the gentry and the people, and made a big announcement on the other hand.As the wind spreads, the hearts of the people who have been fixed are in turmoil again; the generals are in danger and everyone is in danger, and the soldiers are all disintegrated;Conspiracy and idioms, the situation is unpredictable.On the 16th of this month, a team of the army was stationed in Longquanyi, and suddenly rebelled.Erfeng has already ordered the general of the army to appease him quickly.But things have changed so far, what will happen in the future?It is beyond Erfeng's wisdom and consideration, nor is it beyond Erfeng's ability.It is rumored that the Yichang Revolutionary Party has fled to Kui's mansion, and Duanfang will take his Hubei army to retreat to the provincial capital soon.There are rumors outside that if you want to rectify the public in the name of welcoming Duanfang, you will immediately ask for the release of Pu and Luo.What is the change?Not yet known.We can only pray for God's grace, quickly urge Cen Chunxuan to set off on a certain day, and send soldiers to follow up; please send Erfeng's previous telegrams to the Dali Yuan for declaration.If there is any further delay, there will be unimaginable potential!As for Duanfang, who was ordered to supervise the Sichuan Road, he wandered around Hubei Province at the beginning, but Erfeng was forced to suppress the Sichuan people by telegram, and he also persuaded Pian to punish the chief.When the governor's troops entered Shu, bandits from the prefectures and counties near the provincial capital swarmed up, eager for reinforcements, and they were repeatedly ordered to come to the province quickly to negotiate with Erfeng, and Erfeng also repeatedly urged them; He was willing to enter the province from Xiaochuan North Road to do business, and went to Chongqing by detour, where he stayed for more than a month; when he heard that Wuhan and Yichang had fallen, there was no way out, and he was in a panic, so he disregarded the interests of the country and only considered his own safety, so he acted against the law. !The Sichuan incident has been wrong again and again, and it is out of control.On the day when Duanfang arrived in the province, when the people of Sichuan were about to become independent, Erfeng was in trouble, but he knew that he would be loyal, so he had to make an urgent announcement in order to ask the sage to see him!In terms of military affairs in Sichuan Province, since Duanfang lived far away in Chongqing, he refused to come to the provincial capital to negotiate with him. Every time Erfeng had consultations and dispatches, he was restrained. One army and two commanders felt at a loss what to do.Tian Zhengkui, the general manager of the battalion office, is now a senior member of the army. In the past two months, he has worked hard to do the king's work, and his subordinates have not killed any important meritorious deeds.In addition, there are many incidents in various provinces, all of which are caused by internal changes in the army.Today, the army in Sichuan Province has not rewarded the meritorious service, but the officers who train the troops first investigate and deal with it.Please be kind to God, give Zhaoxue quickly; warmly encourage and comfort the land defense army; and grant Cen Chunxuan the military affairs of Sichuan Province before he takes office, and Erfeng will be responsible for it alone. .Is it right? Wait for the Holy Judgment!I kindly ask you to play on behalf of me. Zhao Erfeng, together with the fourth, ninth, and several confidantes, drafted this tough and threatening telegram.He thought that when the court was in turmoil, in order to stabilize the western frontier, he would definitely give in to him; at least, he would no longer allow Duan Fang to interfere in his affairs. He absolutely did not expect that the final and fatal blow would be hit on the head.This blow stunned Zhao Erfeng, but it also woke him up. On September 16th, the decree was issued: "Order Duanfang, the minister of the Sichuan-Han Railway and the Cantonese-Han Railway, and the alternate servant, to act as the governor of Sichuan temporarily before Cen Chunxuan takes office. Zhao Erfeng does not need to act. I respect this, and respect it!" Zhao Erfeng never recorded this telegram and sent it to the mail room for publication.But it doesn't matter what he announced, Duanfang came to Chengdu along the Dongda Road after all! Duanfang left Chongqing for Chengdu on September 15th.September 15th—the same day they raised the revolutionary flag and rang the Liberty Bell at Longquan Station in the summer.However, Duanfang left Chongqing in the morning, and the uprising in the evening during Xiazhi; Duanfang traveled from east to west, and from west to east in Xiazhi; The most important is Xiaochuan North Road, which not only has no official station to press, but also deliberately backs between the hills and valleys.Duan Fang walked through Yongchuan County, and Fang received urgent information from the direction of Chengdu that a detachment guarded at Longquanyi had mutinied.Checking his whereabouts, it seems that he is disturbing Dongdalu, "to stop the traffic".Xi Xun ordered the front team to go to Zizhou to intercept it, just in case. In view of Duanfang, Wuchang is mainly due to the mutiny of the army anyway.Moreover, it was a few battalions of the army that actually caused the independence of several provinces along the Yangtze River.Therefore, he paid more attention to the incident at Longquanyi than Zhao Erfeng.Except for the first battalion of Fei Ling, who rushed to Zizhou to intercept him, and posted notices along the way, and sent letters to relevant prefectures, prefectures and counties, and hung rewards: those who rebelled against Bian Laiyuan at the time of Xia Zhi will be rewarded with three thousand taels of silver. ; Cut off the head of the first level, and if it is verified that it is true, a thousand taels of silver will be rewarded. Duan Fang absolutely did not expect Xia Zhishi's revolutionary army to expand from more than 300 people to more than 800 people in just a few days (if counting non-combatants, there are more than 1,400 people); and When Duanfang commanded the army and arrived in Zizhou on September 22nd, Xia Zhishi and others got the help of Anyue Wang Menglan, and finally decided to kill his important defender Chongqing to serve as a fuse. Duan Fang believes that his arrangement in Chongqing is safe.The Hubei army of the rear team has gradually concentrated from Kuifu, Wanxian, Zhongzhou, and Fuzhou to Chongqing. Although the team is not large, it is stronger than any place here.The local military force, the newly recruited Patrol Battalion, the East Sichuan Police Corps, and the Water Patrol are all in the hands of Niu Chuanshan, the prefect of Chongqing.This person is not as cowardly as Chuandong Daoist Zhu Youji, but very capable and shrewd. With this person, there will be no accidents in the local area.What's more, in the newly established city defense battalion, Li Zhanyang, who he especially transferred from Guangdong and whom he trusted the most, was training and commanding.The caravans organized by the Chongqing Chamber of Commerce and the militias organized by Chongqing gentlemen were used to maintain local order and guard against bandits. Both were reliable.After much calculation, even if this place is not as safe as Mount Tai, it is indeed solid as a rock. It is hard to imagine that the Revolutionary Party will make trouble here! Of course, there was also the Baolu Comrades' Association in Chongqing, and before Duanfang came, it was also very lively.However, since the Wuchang Revolution, the nature of road protection has changed; then Sheng Xuanhuai lost his official position, and the state-owned policy was virtually eliminated.Since the beginning of September, although the name of the Comrade Association still exists, no one has paid attention to it; all the impassioned actions such as speeches at meetings, slapping tables, etc., have of course become a thing of the past.Therefore, when Duanfang first heard that the Zizhengyuan had joined Sheng Xuanhuai, he felt very nervous, for fear of affecting his future; when he saw that the knife had not been cut on his head, he was not only relieved, but also because of the railway. The incident was no longer mentioned, which saved him a lot of talking and scheming. Instead, he felt an indescribable sense of relief.What's more, he has invited a group of decent and powerful gentlemen in the comrades' association to come for an interview.For example, I heard that Zhu Zhihong, the shareholder representative who had the most heated quarrel at the extraordinary shareholders meeting in Chengdu, since meeting and chatting in Wanxian County, he felt that Zhu Zhihong's attitude had changed from fierce to moderate.When I met him again in Chongqing, it changed even more. Not only did he respect him, but he also said that as long as he can obey the public opinion and adopt the ideas, the purpose of the comrades' association in the future will also be changed.How to change?Although Representative Zhu didn't say it clearly, according to Chuan Gentleman Shi Jiyun's speculation, there is a great possibility that he will turn to support him and give him wings.Alas, alas!This is even more "a blessing in disguise", which is unexpected! Gentlemen, well connected.In the business world, not to mention, because Li Zhanyang himself is the boss of Tianshunxiang Bank, the most powerful business in Chongqing. Duan Fang is also at ease in the academic world that loves to make trouble the most.Because Niu Chuanshan, the prefect of Chongqing, reported that there are only a few happy teenagers in the Fuzhong School who are suspicious.Yang Shukan, the superintendent of the Fuzhong School, named Cangbai, is a scholar who doesn't care much about local affairs.Although he is a new school, he is well versed in Western affairs and understands English. He once worked as a supervisor in Xuyongting Middle School and taught English in some middle school in Chengdu. It seems that he was a little suspicious.However, since he became the supervisor of the middle school in this government last year, he has been tame and cautious, and he has not seen any bad deeds.It's just that in the past two months, I heard that there are frequent gatherings in this school, staying up late at night, and the categories of entry and exit are also very complicated.He had sent people to investigate several times, but only found out that Zhang Peijue, the supervisor of the school, and several teachers had gathered for secret talks.But once, Yang Shukan seemed to sense that someone was investigating them, so he went to the magistrate's office to question Niu Chuanshan.Niu Chuanshan described their question and answer as follows: Yang Shukan: "Last night at three o'clock, I came back from the school after work, and saw three people following me. I have made a clear investigation today. It is said that they are the investigators of the Taizun Sect. They have been circling outside the door of our school for many nights. Is it true? Please tell me clearly." Niu Chuanshan: "There is such a thing." Yang Shukan: "Then, may I ask the Grand Master, why?" Niu Chuanshan: "It is rumored that there are complex molecules hidden in the school, and they are often gathered together; when the current situation is unstable, it should be investigated." Yang Shukan: "Tai Zun, do you think that there are revolutionaries hidden in our school? The so-called complex elements are synonymous with revolutionaries." Niu Chuanshan: "As your supervisor said." Yang Shukan: "If so, Taizun will take me into custody and take care of it!" Niu Chuanshan: "Why did your supervisor make such a statement?" Yang Shukan: "Because there is no revolutionary party in our school. There is a great respect, and only I am worthy of it... I once remembered that in the first year of Xuantong, Chengdu held a provincial school sports meeting. The conflict between the students and the police caused the students to bleed. I am with you. The late Mr. Liu Shizhi paid a visit to Marshal Zhao to appeal for the students. At that time, Marshal Zhao suspected that I was a member of the Revolutionary Party. Since the name is on the record, why should I decline..." Therefore, Niu Chuanshan dared to assert to Duanfang: "In the academic world, there is generally nothing to pay attention to." And his aide Liu Shipei also told Duanfang: "Yang Shukan is a pure literati. I heard that he can write articles, poems, calligraphy, and run schools. But I don't know if he has joined the Tongmenghui? Because when he was in Tokyo, he didn't know that there was a This person. As for the fierce speeches on weekdays, it is just the trend of the times, so there is nothing to worry about." Even Zhu Shan, the representative of the comrades' association newly recruited into the curtain, also said: "In Chengdu, among the well-known scholars in the academic circle, there is almost no one who does not participate in the Baolu comrades' association. , or cry bitterly, or write poems; at worst, you must put a name at the end of the report or notice to show that you are a member of patriotism and love for Sichuan. Only the comrades in Chongqing, gentry and business circles Participation was very active, and those in the academic circles had many students but few teachers. As for the people who ran the school, such as Yang Cangbai, the leader of the group, he refused to even reveal his name from the beginning to the end. From this point of view, Yang Cangbai——is not the only one. However——he is very indifferent to state affairs, and seems to stay out of them, like the people of Qin and Yue regard him as fat and barren. Such a person with no ambition has a false name and has no effect, so he should not pay attention to it!" The situation is so good, of course Duanfang can leave with confidence. But later facts showed that Yang Shukan was not only a member of the Revolutionary Party, but also a person in charge of the Sichuan branch of the Tongmenghui.When the road dispute started, he was indeed very indifferent. Many people outside talked about him, saying that he had lost his ambition.His allies were also suspicious of him, asking why he did this?At first, he just smiled.Afterwards, the Comrade Association was full of turmoil, and more and more people participated in it. A group of comrades in the Tongmenghui believed that the opening of the people's hearts was a good opportunity to take advantage of.He was just smoking a cigarette—he was so addicted to cigarettes that he held a burning cigarette in his hand almost all the time, so that the index finger and middle finger of his right hand were yellowed by the smoke, and a row of front teeth were also scorched. Said: "The timing is the timing, but if you still follow the constitutionalists' ass, just making a fuss about abolishing the contract to protect the road is not the fundamental plan after all." "What should we do?" asked several high-status and senior allies.Among them is Zhu Zhihong, the president of the Chongqing Education Association and the supervisor of the Eastern Sichuan Normal School. He has established a second-class elementary school and a girls' school in Guixiangge, and he is the supervisor of both schools; Zhu Yunzhang: In the 33rd year of Guangxu’s failed attempt to revolutionize Chengdu, he fled to Shaanxi to start an industrial company. This year, he sneaked back to Chongqing and taught Chinese at Guixiangge Women’s School. He abolished the wanted name of Xie Yushou and changed his name to Xie Chihao. This person in Huisheng includes Yang Lin, the supervisor of the Eastern Sichuan Normal School; Zhang Peijue, the supervisor of the Fuzhong School; and Huang Shengxiang, Xiang Chu, who are the teachers of the Fuzhong School. "It's best to use the spirit of the people to inject revolutionary ideas into everyone's minds and honestly make the trend bigger. Even if the goal of fighting for the road is achieved, everyone will still make troubles and make troubles endlessly. On the one hand, we must quietly disappear and communicate secretly. Comrade, do your best to prepare, wait until the time is ripe, and then unveil the revolution, overthrow the Manchu Qing, establish the Republic of China, and realize the great ambition of Mr. Sun Yat-sen." Everyone said together: "Yes! The theory of respect is very reasonable!" Therefore, when Zhu Zhihong sowed the seeds of revolution at the Chengdu Shareholders' Meeting and returned to Chongqing, they started to organize in the Chongqing office.In addition to flying letters to various prefectures, prefectures and counties, and inviting responsible and powerful allies in various places to gather in Chongqing to discuss major plans, they also divided work: Yang Shukan was in charge of solving doubts and plans, planning finances, recruiting comrades, and working with地方官吏周旋；张培爵担任的是交通、联络，征集武器，运输武器，规划发难时候纲要，并且指导各地同志的行动；朱之洪是铁路股东代表，便担任联络官绅，交通主客军队，往来各地，以通广声息；文字上的工作，交与向楚等几个教国文的先生；谢持不便露面，只好帮助杨庶勘统筹全局。 上下川东的革命党人（绅、商、学各界以及哥老会的大爷都有），都前前后后来到重庆。安岳县的王孟兰也来了。只有隆昌县的曾省斋不来。但是他却提出一个建议，非常重要。他写的回信上说：“诸公雄才大略，发难定然有成，重庆地当冲要，影响亦必甚大。唯是发难必须倚赖民兵，而民兵多系仓猝召募之众，纵有利器，恐难敌清廷训练之师。区区之意，以为重庆暂勿发难，而令诸同志分赴外县，同时揭竿起义，既足以张大声威，又足以牵制清兵，分其势而杀其力。俟重庆空虚无备，而后振臂一呼，庶几费力小而成功大……” 曾省斋不只在书面上说说而已，他本身首先实行起来。他纠集了百十人一个队伍，凭借几支明火枪和一些刀叉梭镖，就趁垫江县不备，夺取了县城，获得了不少洋枪现款。一月之间，纵横川北两府数县，不但牵制住上十营的巡防军、盐防军和小部分陆军，而且在十月初一日，还在广安州召开了民众大会，组成蜀北军政府，被举为当时四川境内第一个都督。 杨庶勘等采纳了曾省斋的建议，分遣盟友各回原籍举事（果然，在重庆独立之前，下川东，尤其沿长江的州县，大都起了义，并且都组织起了民兵，都组织起了政府，都接受了重庆同盟会机关部的命令和指示）。一方面，朱之洪、张培爵他们还趁李湛阳招募城防营，商会招募商队，城内外招募团练，把盟友、学生和比较接近的人，尽量介绍进去，高的当到中队长，至不济，也要抓个上士。学生队伍也非常隐秘地组织起来。学生队伍名叫敢死军，武器是自己用铁壳和化学药品制造的、据说威力大得惊人的炸弹，因此又叫作炸弹队。 他们的机关部设在炮台街重庆府中学堂监学室。但是他们秘密集会的地方却不在这里，而在距中学堂不远的一条更僻静的街道上和在通远门旁边、打枪坝后面的桂香阁。所以老奸巨猾的纽传善只管疑心府中学堂里有不轨之徒，聚而密谋，只管派遣侦探在学堂四周窥伺，到底查不出什么行迹，遭杨庶勘一番硬顶，也只好罢了。 但是在端方未离开重庆之前，他们虽然派遣几个加入过同盟会的学生，用各种方法，和鄂军中间少数几个革命党人联络上了。一则由于革命的系统不同，二则由于彼此境地不同，都不敢深说，并且不敢把关系扯得过宽。因此，重庆机关部的人多所顾虑，不敢大肆活动。一直等到端方走后，听见云南、贵州两省都已独立，人心非常不安，于是杨庶勘才向张培爵说道：“列五，看来时机已到，你的部署如何？是不是可以发动了？” 比他年纪轻，比他精力旺，比他兴趣好，甚至比他身材高大（其实也只是一个中等身材）的张培爵，搓着两手，嘻着笑脸说道：“正待告诉沧白先生。安岳县的王休——就是那个大胡子表字孟兰的，打发他一个学生兼程赶来报称，有一个我们的盟友，统率了一支革命大军，正由安岳取道向重庆来，大约不多几天便到达。我的意思，等到这支人马到达，联络好了，再谋发动不迟。” “这个盟友叫什么？” “据说叫夏之时，进过日本东斌学堂。” “嗯！” 长江各省纷纷独立，谣传北方几省也不稳。邻近四川的云南、贵州，据闻也前后反正。重庆人心不安，绅商界尤其惶恐，趁着端方没离开，一递一递地跑去见端方，要他拿主意。 端方老是态度悠然，拈着颊髯微笑道：“不要紧啊！无论乱党如何猖獗，纵然半个中国都独立了，我敢断言，乱党还是会被扑灭的……” 他的理由，倒不像有些腐败头脑所说的“天命未漓，国运永庥”，而是当时一班洋务派的通见，认为列强是不允许中国革命的。洋务派引的例证是，打倒太平天国军队的，是英、美、法各国帮助清朝训练的常胜军的力量，而扑灭不可一世的义和团、红灯教邪匪，更是八国联军的功劳。但是列强为什么要帮助清朝，消灭革命？洋务派只能说，因为太平天国、义和团（当然也包括现在孙逸仙所倡导的革命党，和国内一些秘密的革命团体在内）都是反对洋人的缘故。但是端方到东西洋去考察过宪政，不仅住过道道地地的洋房，吃过道道地地的大菜，还亲眼看过、亲耳听过道道地地的外洋社会上的情伪，他自以为所见较高。他的见解是，东西洋列强都是文明国家，文明国家的人民最赞成的是人道主义，最反对的是野蛮流血；而革命恰恰要流血，恰恰是野蛮行为，所以文明国家的人民都反对革命。其次，现在的中国，已经不是闭关时代可比。闭关时代，不说别的，就是造反作乱，尚可自由自主。而今哩，中国大陆已为列强划为各自的势力圈，每一处地方的安危定乱，无一不与列强的利益有关。列强要在中国经营商务，办理实业，乃至开矿筑路，都是不能容许暴乱分子来破坏，甚至扰乱秩序。现在革党暴动，即令朝廷能够宽容，暂时得逞，但是到了损害列强利益时，他们岂能袖手旁观，而不出头干涉吗？对于庚子年义和团的往事，应该从这上头去研究，对于目前革党骚扰，更应该从这上头去着眼。何况革命排满，乱杀无辜，争城以战，血流漂杵，还是一种最不人道的举动。 端方说这番话，并不是光为了安定人心，的确也出于他的信念。他并且仗恃手下有四营精练的鄂军，可以为之效命。使他唯一关心的事情，就是把重庆这个后卫布置妥帖之后，率兵到成都，把四川总督的关防抓到手上。那时，做骆文忠公也得，不做骆文忠公也得。 但是，到他启程西上以后，时世日非，谣言日盛，就是最为信服他说话的绅商两界人士，也因为重庆四周和沿江各州县纷纷起义反正，而朱有基、纽传善这班擅作威福的官吏，不特毫无办法，还一天几次电报打到成都，向赵尔丰辞职，恳求“迅委能员，肩兹重任，以遏乱萌，而靖地方”！因此，都恐慌起来。 这人对那人说：“事到而今，身家性命要紧！走又不能走，躲又无处躲，怎么办呢？” 那人向这人说：“有啥办法！只好求菩萨保佑。我看，万寿宫的罗天大醮，还是早点打的好。” “你这是迷信。革命党人讲维新，要打破迷信，神道奈何他们不得。” “那么，只求革命党快点起事，重庆反了正，就天下太平了。” “你希望革命吗？听说革命要流血，要闹到杀人如麻！” “杀人当然有的。或者也只杀那些做官为宦、不肯投降的人。你我收租吃饭，将本求利，平日安分守己，革命党人来了，赶先挂顺民旗，要银子献银子，要东西献东西，这样百依百顺，难道革命党真是张献忠不成？” “果然如你所说，能够保全身家，顾得了性命，我也希望早点反正。不过，听说革命党都是红头发、绿眼睛，翻了脸连娘老子都不认，恐怕比张献忠还凶。所以才有人说，革命党像洪水！像猛兽！” “如此说来，那还是早打罗天大醮，求菩萨保佑的好啰……” 到九月二十九日，消息传来，有一支上万人的革命大军，从东安县乘船，循着涪江顺流而下，不日就要抵达重庆！简直天降祸害！没有人能够吃得下饭，睡得稳觉，多数人是由于恐惧，少数人是由于喜欢。也有一部分人不恐惧，不喜欢，莫名其妙，例如一般耳目不够长的小市民，和一般目不识丁、只看别人嘴巴扭的、专凭自己手艺与气力吃饭的人。这类人就不少。 第二天是九月三十日，重庆城的绅商两界的恐慌，以那个时候的语汇言之，就是“达到极点”。同时，同盟会机关部和一班富有革命性的学生，又都欢天喜地，那情况，用那时的语汇来说，就叫作“达于沸点”。 “达于沸点”的这部分人当然不舍昼夜地在做准备；并且也已商量定了反正之后，如何组织，某些人担任某项工作，某项工作应如何进行。但这是破天荒的第一次，除了代替黄龙旗的十八个小圆圈围绕一个大圆圈的国旗由一个盟友把样式从上海秘密带来，有所依据外，即如政府名称，就众议纷纭；后来虽确定为“中华民国军政府蜀军都督府”，还是有些人咬文嚼字地訾议说：“不好吧？一个名称里头，就有两个军字，两个府字。”因而有的人攒眉蹙眼说：“那就把军政府三字删掉，只用中华民国蜀军都督府也行。”但有人挥拳攘臂不同意说：“军政府三个字万不能删！这是同盟会总部确定，而且《民报》上也使用过的。要删，只能删都督府三字。”可是“中华民国军政府蜀军”又不成词。研究了几天几夜，结果，一字未删，一字未改。到底妥当不妥当？谁也不敢肯定。即此一端，可以推想创业确是不容易啊！ “达到极点”的那部分人却糟糕透顶！他们连日麇集在陕西街重庆总商会内，你说过去，我讲过来，话说了几箩筐，不但没有说出一个所以然，反而越说越乱。他们也有一个共同目的，就是使重庆丝毫不受革命潮流的冲击；要找一个方法，能够把这个山城弄来同外面无论什么地方隔开，永远维持像目前的情势。大家叹息道：“听说汉口的英国租界就好。隔一条不到五丈宽的歆生路，管你革命党不革命党，都不许过界。尽管这边在闹革命，在杀人，在抢人，在奸淫妇女；可那边，依然歌舞升平，金吾不禁，做生意的仍旧打开铺子做生意，搞工厂的仍旧放汽哨上工、放汽哨下工。我们重庆，怎么能一下变成外国人的租界，那便好啰！”因此，有人深为感慨上年所划的日本租界，为什么不让人家划在重庆城内，却偏偏主张划在南岸下游王家沱？ 没法把重庆一下变成租界，也没法打一道上齐三十三天、下抵十八层地狱的大围墙，把重庆包围起来。那么，逼到眼面前的这一关，总得要过。到十月初一日，终于被他们想出两种办法：一是硬着头皮去与已经走到江北黄桷树、正在舍舟登岸的革命大军办交涉，送他们一笔像样的款子（有人主张送十万元。有人说少了，不行，加十万，凑成二十万元。最后有人主张慷慨一点，只求兵不进城，大家不受损失，再加一倍，送四十万元也不为多），要求夏之时改道他去，不要进城来“骚扰”。一是知道潮流之来，只可顺应，而不能逆阻。顺应了，尚可于中取利；逆阻之，将会倒灶背时。他们因而研究出，与其听外人钻进来闹独立，不若就找自己人出头闹反正。自己人同心同德，无论如何总会听自己人的话，顾盼自己人的。而且这样一来，也可应付外来人了，既可以使夏之时没有理由不改道他去，也可堵死别一些革命党再来生事的漏洞。虽然这些想法没人公开讲出，但大家一听到“开端”，不期然而然也便料到“结果”。因此，大家遂热烈拍掌大呼：“好绝了！好绝了！用不着再研究，我们一致赞成，就这么办！” 但找谁去与夏之时办交涉？绅商两界的人，平日同官府周旋，在什么境地中，取什么态度，在什么时间里，说什么话，他们都熟习，而且掌握得住分寸；对于军界，已经感到生疏，何况夏之时这支队伍，更不同于一般军界；这次交涉，也不同于平日的周旋。举眼一看，只有专门讲维新的学界中人，可以克当此任，而参加会议的朱之洪更其合适。 有些人略一思索，就推举了朱之洪当代表。有些人还逗了一下耳朵，才喊出赞成。学界中不论是否同盟会分子，当然早一致认为再好也没有了。 朱之洪抓住机会，一面摆出义不容辞的样子，一面却也提出了退步。他正颜厉色问大家：“承蒙各位推举兄弟当绅商学各界联合会的代表，去与外来队伍办理交涉。兄弟不才，当然要竭尽绵薄，把交涉办好，以副各位盛意。不过有话在先，设或外来队伍不一定是革命军，而果如有人说的是同志军，那么，阻止他们不要进城，送他们一些钱，请他们向别处去，兄弟倒有把握。万一这支队伍不是同志军，而真是革命军，他们不要钱，不要别的什么，坚决要进城来，兄弟无法阻止，那又怎么办呢？” 众人好似没有想到这一层，一下都呆住了。学界中的人纷纷接上说：“那就欢迎他们进城嘛！” “不行！不行！……万万不行！”很多人反对。 朱之洪笑道：“既不欢迎，又不能阻止，这交涉就不好办了。兄弟是不是可以不去？” “怎能不去？非先生你去不可！非先生你去不可啊！” “那么……” 于是几个可以负责任的人挺起胸膛，非常认真地说：“朱先生，你只管代表去，到那时候，我们再商量好啰！” 办交涉的人决定后，接着来的就是找什么人出头来闹反正。这是一个非常重要的角色，要有资格，要有地位，特别重要的还要是自己人！有人提出杨沧白。但立刻被几张嘴巴顶了回去说：“那咋个对啊！这个担子，不是他们学界老酸们担得起的！” 不知是谁提出了李湛阳。 哗一下，整个会场都喧闹开了。声音嘈杂得使糊在窗棂上的粉对方纸，都战战作响。几个主持会议的人呆住了，颇为骇然，不知道出了什么乱子。再注意一听，原来闹嚷的，才是：“这不就好了嘛！李道台能出来，还有啥说的！一他是我们自己人，又有钱，又有势，现又担任着城防，不找他，还找哪个？” 其中还有一个专做出入口生意的大老板卫胖子，更是嘻开阔大的、上下唇都很肥厚的嘴巴，挥起两手大叫道：“听我说！听我说……李大人还是端大臣的红人，如其将来革党打败，端大臣或是什么统兵大员带起官兵杀回来的时候……嘿，嘿……那时节，那时节，我们颠过屁股，取消反正，也好说话呀……” 虽然没有人公开出头来附和卫胖子，可是好多人都你瞅着我、我瞄着你，发出一种会心微笑。 也有人提出异议，不主张找李湛阳，说他是油滑的巧宦，不配革命。但说这话的人，大概是学界中的斯文一派，声势不大，没有被大绅粮、大老板们瞅睬，只好默尔而息。 一阵声震四壁的巴掌，作为全体通过。当时就推出三个代表，赶到李湛阳公馆去劝驾。 在一间光线不足，但是设备尚相当华丽，在中国式的木炕桌椅之间，居然摆了几件由上海运来的弹簧软椅和沙发之类的家具的大客厅中，李湛阳和三个代表见了面。 不等送茶，不等代表陈述来意，甚至不等寒暄，李湛阳先就惊惊张张地向三个人说道：“各位先生可知道不？刻下革命党人遍布城内外，听说都已安排就绪，只待外军一到，即行宣布独立，情势已经迫在眼面前了！” 三个代表也来不及就座，几乎一齐在发话：“所以各界联合会才及时召开……” “有结果吗？” 一个代表赶快说：“有。” 另一个代表接上说：“因此推举我们来……” 第三个代表抢着说：“要求你李大人出来担任什么叫作都督的这个官位。” 李湛阳蹙起眉头，连连挥手道：“这怎么使得！这怎么使得！首先，我还有老母在堂，我又不是革命党人……” “呶！对啰！正因为你李大人不是革命党，大家才要求你李大人出来，大家也才放心。”第二个代表说时，不但笑容可掬，还作揖打拱。 第一个代表是学界，跟着说道：“希望观察垂念桑梓，挺身而出，抱牺牲小己精神，为父老昆弟造福，观察不出，如地方何！”几乎每一句都加了一个感叹符号。 “你李大人手上有兵，难道还压不住那些革命党吗？”这是第三个商界代表说的话，说得那么理直气壮。 李湛阳摊着两手，做了个莫可奈何的样子，慨叹道：“各位先生难道真不晓得我那城防营业已被革命党人运动过去，变成他们的武力了？再告诉你们，连警察总队，连永道巡警，连巡防军，也完全变向革命党那面。适才纽元白纽太尊跑来向我说，他简直没有料到重庆革命党的手段会如此玄妙，不知什么时候，竟把他手下的军警勾通；他现在不特对军警指挥不灵，反而感到行动都不大自由。他问我，下一步如何自处？我答复他，只有等到革命党宣布反正时候，他同朱道台、段知县一班有守土之责的官员，赶快缴印投降。我说，好在学界人士不比那些只晓得丢炸弹、耍手枪的暴烈分子。何况乎平日你与他们都有往来，人熟了，他们绝对不会不顾一点香火之情的……” 没等他说完，那个商界代表很为惊讶地打岔道：“莫忙，莫忙，你大人说学界人士不比那些暴烈分子，这话，是怎么说起的？” “怎么？你们连什么人在重庆搞革命、闹独立，都不晓得吗？” 那个学界代表微笑道：“不然！他们