Regardless of how Duanfang, Deng Chengba, Zeng Guangda, Dong Zuoquan, and Zhu Yuebin, the magistrate of Zizhou, step up their defenses and deceive their eyes and ears, the Hubei Army with him knows the news of the Wuchang Uprising and the response of various provinces. Be clear.
Someone later said that it was one thing to know, and if two students from the Eastern Sichuan Normal School hadn’t brought the three secret letters sent by the Hubei army’s rear team to Zizhou, the bomb that resounded across Sichuan might not have exploded in time.It seems that these three letters played the role of the fuse.
And that is indeed the case.
When Duanfang was temporarily stationed in the Chongqing Jiangnan Pavilion, there was a small tea shop not far from the Jiangnan Pavilion.Because it is on the city wall, looking out from the Niuliba window at the back, you can see the vast river rushing in front of your eyes, so the signboard of the tea shop is inscribed with the words "Wangjiang Tower".Some junior officers and non-commissioned officers in the Hubei Army love to come here to drink a bowl of Sichuan maocha, see the scenery of Jiangcheng, and chat with the locals when they are on vacation.
Among the people chatting, several are students of East Sichuan Normal School.They were all members of the League, and they were all sent to do their jobs.Although Duan had just entered Hong Kong, it was convenient for Duan to lead the team westward, but a thin line was finally connected.Therefore, one day in late September, Zhang Peijue, one of the leaders of the Tongmenghui in Chongqing, greeted a student surnamed Yi and a student surnamed Liu, saying: "There is a dangerous thing that you need to do, do you have the courage to do it?" ?”
There was no movement on the dull faces of the two young men (both adults over the age of twenty).There are only two pairs of piercing eyes, showing an air of not caring about anything.
The shrewd and capable person in charge scrutinized the two students wearing the same gray cotton gown and the same blue satin jacket with small sleeves, and said with confidence, "Okay! I know you are not afraid of taking risks, so I just discussed with your supervisor, Mr. Zhu Shuchi, and specially sent you to take this trip."
Zhang Liewu took out three letters from the unlocked drawer and waved them before their eyes.
I can see clearly that they are all sealed ordinary envelopes.The envelope is not big.Three recipients' names were written on each of the two covers, and four names were written on one cover.There is only one character below, and there is no title on it.On the upper right corner of the envelope are written the words "Respectfully Ask for Your Advice", and on the lower left corner are the words "Name Inside Details".
"This is not an ordinary letter," Zhang Liewu handed the three letters to Liu Zida, carefully tapped the envelope with his finger, and said while staring into the eyes of the two, "This is Comrade Hubei Army from Wuchang. Bring Duanfang an urgent letter from Comrade Hubei Army in Sichuan. The letter is sealed, but I can tell you the gist of it..."
Not to mention, the two students Liu Zida and Yi Yucang fully understood that they were nothing more than reporting on the revolutionary situation outside, and hoped that Comrade Rusichuan would organize these important words as soon as possible.
"...This letter was brought by one of our comrades from below at the risk of great danger. I didn't want to be a few days late, so that the Hubei army accompanied Duanfang to the west. And because that comrade had nothing to do with the Hubei army, the person who received the letter He doesn't know him either, so it's inconvenient to ask him to go again. After all, you are better than that comrade. How many people do you know? As long as you are willing to take risks, this letter can undoubtedly be delivered to the recipient. Pay attention, if something happens..."
Liu Zida puffed out his chest, stopped short with confidence, and said, "Mr. Zhang, don't worry, nothing will happen. Yi Yucang and I are not ignorant youngsters. This letter is guaranteed to be delivered to the receiver." It’s all in hand. We’ll go back to school now to ask for leave, pack up and leave tomorrow morning.”
Zhang Liewu said with a smile on his face: "It would be great to do this! Besides, don't live in the station building along the way. Go to Yongchuan County to find Mr. Du Xiangqiao. If you go to Rongchang County, Mr. Du will introduce you. In this way, It is more appropriate to introduce a county from one county to another." After a pause, he continued: "There is news here that Duanfang may not necessarily go to Chengdu, or there is a possibility that he will go north instead. In short, no matter where he goes , you all have to follow up and try to deliver the letter. And it must be delivered to the recipient, not to anyone else. Can you do it?"
The two young men responded in unison: "I promise to do it!" Then they accepted thirty Sichuan-style Long Yang and left.
The two young men pretended to go to Chengdu to attend a school.After thinking about it, where are the three urgent letters packed so that they won't be found by checkpoints on the road?In the baggage on the back, of course not.Put it in a close-fitting pocket, or a bellyband, or a string bag?
Liu Zi Dalian even shook his head and said: "It's not good either! I heard that the inspection at the checkpoint will first ask you to untie your clothes and let him touch them."
What if it is placed in the crotch?That's right, I've never heard of someone called to take off their pants to search.But unless there is a special pocket in the crotch.I am not a tailor, so asking someone to do the needle and thread will arouse the suspicion of others (Zhang Liewu, Zhu Shuchi and even the three gentlemen who participated in this matter, Xie Huisheng, have repeatedly asked to act secretly, and no one can be aware of it. It is the source of people's awareness), and there is not enough time, so I have to make a trip at this moment, so that I can rush to Yongchuan County tomorrow to find someone.From Chongqing to Yongchuan are two official stations, not short!
The two students thought and thought, and finally Yi Yucang thought of it, put it in the shoe, the shoe will not be called off for inspection.
"No way! After walking for a few days, wouldn't the letter be trampled down?"
"Then, put it in the hem of the sock, and tie it with a chicken sausage outside... Hey, hey, yes! The shoes are not checked, and the socks are of course not called off for inspection."
Liu Zida clapped his hands together and said: "Yes! For the convenience of walking, we can also use two foot wraps to tie up the trouser legs. It is not noticeable, and it is very firm. Just do it like this, wonderful! Wonderful! "
In fact, it is not as they imagined.Checkpoints on the road are just a cross-examination: Where are you coming from?where to goDoes it contain anything that should be likin?No body search was performed.And every time I go to a county, there are comrades to take care of me.So the two of them only took six and a half days to arrive in Zizhou safely.It was when they arrived in Zizhou that they felt some difficulties.
The first difficulty is finding a place to stay.The brilliant notice of Zhu Yuebin in the main hall of Zizhou Prefecture was posted on the wall of the waist shop ten miles away from Zizhou.It is said that it was ordered by the minister of investigation and handling: no matter whether it is an official business establishment or a traveling station, no one who passes by with unknown origin and details is not allowed to stay;If there are comrades or acquaintances in Zizhou, of course it doesn't matter.But the line in Chongqing was cut off as soon as it crossed the Neijiang River.How to do it?
The closer the two students got to Zhoucheng, the more disturbed they felt.
"Could it be that you go back and find a country farm to live in, or go a little further and settle down in the front?"
"Not good. Don't say it's far away, it's hard to find someone, if you stay for two more days, it's easy to show your feet, but it's a big place, there are many people coming and going, so it's better to cover up."
The two unsophisticated students, at first, only found out in the relatively remote streets outside the city, looking for the low-grade station room close to the chicken feather shop, where "stay before it is too late, and watch the sky early when the cock crows".Seven or eight companies before and after were all rejected by the cabinet, saying that they were "full of numbers".
As dusk approaches and night falls in a blink of an eye, if you can't find your destination, then there is a way to move forward without retreating.
Liu Zi said: "Fuck it, Ge Laozi goes to the city to try!"
Not far from the east gate is the platform of the investigating minister.The original test shed had a very grand appearance.At this time, the lights were already brilliant, and there were two big red gauze lanterns on the gate hanging on the gate, and on both sides of the door there was a pair of umbrella lanterns bigger than the big bucket, with red and black Song script written on them.
There are many people coming in and out.There are more people in military uniform than ordinary clothes.
The two students walked around looking around, past Zizhou Middle School, Chenghuang Temple, Yuwang Palace, Longevity Palace, Tiantian Palace, and the lively Shizikou. Saw a station house.I saw the troops stationed in the big temples, and the troops walking on the streets.With so many troops, it seems that there are more people than when they were stationed in the Jiangnan Pavilion in Chongqing.
Yi Yucang scooped Liu Zida off with his elbow, and said in a low voice, "Old Liu, I'm afraid it won't be easy for Mr. Zhang to explain to us!"
"Why did you think of this?"
"Look, there are so many people, who knows who is the recipient? We don't have any reason, so how can we ask? Sigh! There is a number and position, so it's easy to find!"
Liu Zida propped up his small eyes, and snorted, "Tell me an ass! The only thing I'm worried about right now is to find the boss!"
His voice was a little louder, causing the two leading soldiers to look back at them.
Yi Yucang couldn't help shouting: "That's not..."
The two soldiers also turned around happily and said, "You two, why..."
"We went to the province to study," Yi Yucang quickly explained the purpose of coming, "passing by here. Hey, hey, I never expected..."
Liu Zida took the lead and said: "I never thought that I would not find a place to stay here!"
These are the two sergeants they dealt with in the Wangjianglou tea shop in Chongqing.This kind of unexpected encounter not only solved the accommodation problem for them that night - two sergeants sent them to a medium-sized hotel in charge of food and tea. Ask Master Yao to send the bedding to a room with a double bed in the upper east wing.He also told them that four of the ten people they questioned were the leaders of the first team of the third battalion of the 31st Standard, and that this team had all gone to Ziliujing, not in Zizhou.Of the six people in Zizhou, three of them are sergeants in the third battalion of the 31st Biao, stationed in Dongyue Temple outside the north gate.There are only two sergeants from the 1st Battalion of the 32nd Biao, and one of them is stationed in the platform of the investigating minister with Duan Fang's guards, and cannot go out when he is not on vacation; As long as he is not on duty, he can move freely; there is another one named Chen Zhengfan, who is a trainee in their battalion and stays with them in the Heavenly Palace.
Liu Zida didn't wait for the two sergeants to finish speaking, he jumped up happily and said, "We just want to meet these guys. Please take us there for a while, okay?"
Both sergeants smiled and said: "Now we are not as casual as in Chongqing. The camp rules are very strict. It is not the right time to meet people."
"What should I do?"
"If you really want to meet people, you'll have to stay here for a day or two. Tomorrow, we will definitely introduce you. It's not easy to sit and sit in the hotel, and the Qingquan Tea House on South Street is still quiet. We will be there around ten o'clock tomorrow morning. Will."
Although only a few people received the letter at the Qingquan Tea House, it took less than three days. All those who had participated in the revolutionary organization in the Hubei Army knew that the comrades in Hubei had received a letter, and hoped that the comrades in Sichuan would organize it as soon as possible.Anyway, in the end, while helping Sichuan to become independent, they returned to Hubei as a team to participate in the grand Northern Expedition.
And within two days, even those junior officers and soldiers who had not participated in the revolutionary organization knew that such a letter was brought from their hometown.When it comes to returning to Hubei as a team, almost no one disagrees with it, although there is still disagreement about the Northern Expedition.
But how to realize the desire to return to Hubei in a team?We discussed several times in secret. The revolutionaries advocated contacting the revolutionary party in Sichuan, first in Zizhou, or in other places, such as in Neijiang County, where water and land are convenient. Go straight to Chongqing and help the Chongqing revolutionaries to become independent (this is from the mouth of the messenger, knowing that Chongqing is already brewing for independence, and the reason why it has not achieved independence is probably because there is no military force to back it), and then travels eastward.In this way, it not only conformed to the hope of comrades in Hubei, but also strengthened the momentum of the revolution.It can be regarded as living up to the hard work of coming to Sichuan once!Non-revolutionaries disapprove of this, saying it is a good idea, but it will inevitably delay time.They advocate walking as long as they want, non-stop; passing through places, as long as they are not hindered, they will never negotiate with others.
The two opinions were not yet unified, and rumors spread that more than 10,000 Comrade Zhou Xingwu, who Duanfang had sent to Weiyuan County to appease, had already marched towards Zizhou.
comrade army?It is a kind of revolutionary rebel army worthy of sympathy, but if it is connected with it, it is a kind of strength.
But judging from the panic and fear of the local people, it seems that this kind of comrade army is not as popular as it is said in the legend, but why?
All the people who were asked—whether they were householders, merchants, or local gentry—all said in unison: "Hi! Zhou Xingwu is not a real comrade-in-arms. He is a well-known Uncle Pao, and it’s Muddy Pao! On weekdays, he dragged many sheds and sent his brothers to rob them in four directions. When he was mentioned, everyone was afraid. After July 15th, he suddenly raised the banner of the Comrade Army. Everyone because he has brothers With knives, knives, guns, and guns, there is no one who does not hope that he can change his ways and come out honestly against Zhao Erfeng, dragging his team to Chengdu Province to fight with Zhao Butcher. If he wants money, everyone will pay; if he wants rice, everyone will pay Rice grain; if you want people, everyone will send them out. But after a few months of quarrel, his team grew bigger, he had more money, and he couldn't finish the rice grain, so he just refused to go to Chengdu! He just refused to join the patrol army. Fight! Still eating shit can’t cut off that road, and even more blatantly doing his old business of robbing houses and being unreasonable. Such a fake comrade-in-arms is awesome. If the Lord Duan sends a team to get rid of him We don't understand why Master Duan returned his official position? Recruited him to Zizhou? Our Zizhou is a rich place, and it has been peaceful for many years. Since Lan Dashun's rebellion, there has been no swordsmanship. The place is usually quiet, and there are no bandits. If Zhou Xingwu's indiscriminate troops come, then our Zizhou will be defeated! Alas! Alas! What is the hatred between Duan and our Zizhou? Why do you want to harm people like this? !"
"If Zhou Xingwu is really such a gangster, when he comes, we will kill him and eliminate harm for the people!"
"Hey! To put it bluntly, eat a piece of lamp grass! Can you let the person whom your lord recruited be free to deal with?"
"You can't speak the law that way. It also depends on whether what Master Duan is doing is right? If it is wrong, why can't we dispose of it freely?"
But the speaker blinked his eyes a few times, made an ugly grimace on his face, and said, "Don't take yourselves too seriously! There are more than ten thousand people in Zhou Xingwu, and most of them are three or five. Such a crooked person, if he enters Zizhou City, you can win him? I'm afraid that one ah, you will step down! You also said that you will kill him and eliminate harm for the people!"
Some people not only talk, but also show in action.That is to carry boxes and cages, drag children and daughters to towns and villages, and implement the ancient motto of living in cities in small chaos and living in villages in big chaos.
This of course raises suspicions among some teams.Doubt that Master Duan recruited Zhou Xingwu to Zizhou to deal with them?Therefore, in the secret talks between the revolutionaries and the non-revolutionaries, a new proposition that has not been mentioned before was raised, that is, when the organization is going against the law, what kind of means will be adopted against this old man?
The army is so disturbed, and the people are so disturbed. According to himself, Duan Fang, who is like sitting on a stove, and his staff and subordinates, do they feel something?Of course there are, and more often than not!Otherwise, he would not be busy reconciling with Zhao Erfeng. If he wanted to rush to get rid of the Hubei army that he thought was his "dry city" before, he would be easy to escape from the net he had set - Zizhou City.
The next morning when Duan Fang sent his brother Duan Jin, chief copywriter Xia Shoutian, promotion Dong Zuoquan, and interpreter Guan Dangzhi, along with his autographed letters and several valuable gifts, to Chengdu as representatives of the reconciliation, he suddenly thought He came up with a plan, and planned to try it out when everyone was unprepared, to see if he could slip away?
He pondered for a moment.This matter cannot be discussed with anyone, let alone walk in a sedan chair.It is necessary to walk out of Zizhou City alone and with one's own feet without anyone noticing, go to a considerable distance, and then hire a means of transportation to fly far away.But walking like this, I have never experienced it in my life, what is it like?I can only think about it from Wu Zixu in Beijing opera: In order to escape from Zhaoguan, Wu Zixu's beard and hair turned white overnight, which shows that it is not easy to escape in disguise.What's more, Wu Zixu still owes Donggao a lot of help to him. If there is no Donggao, it is still uncertain whether Wu Zixu will be able to hide from the eyes and ears of the guards.But he Duanfang, today lacks such a Duke of Donggao, which is extremely disadvantageous.He shook his head, thinking of the two words that Zhuge Liang sighed when he was burning the rattan armor soldiers.However, he reversed the sentence and said to himself: "It is up to God to make things happen, and it is up to people to plan things. No matter what the result is, I will try it!"
He called his inseparable little attendant, and helped him change into a not very bright lynx mantle robe and a small fur jacket, an ordinary melon cap with no hat flower, and a pair of cloud-toed thick-soled lady shoes.After that, he asked the little follower to fetch one hundred Long Yang from the master in the accounting room.Long Yang made a package sealed with parchment paper.Take it by hand. "Oh! It's so heavy!" Originally, I planned to put this letter in Long Yang's pocket, so I made a temporary change, opened the parchment paper seal, and took a small half of it, about 30 yuan, and asked the little follower to carry the rest. up.I thought to myself, it is inconvenient to walk alone. For example, I have to buy tea when I am thirsty, and I have to buy food when I am hungry, especially when I am tired from walking, I have to hire transportation.For all these important activities, I have never done it myself, so I don't know how to pay, or even how to open my mouth.Although the little follower grew up in the yamen, he came from a humble background. He is better at these things than himself, "Yes! Tell Fu An to follow!"
He didn't say anything to Fu'an.He only ordered in a pleasant manner: "Follow me out for a walk! Don't disturb the crowd, just go quietly!"
There have been two or three times when I took off my body and went for a walk outside the platform.But before going back to the stage, the adults always have to call the guards to wait on them.As usual, Dong Zuoquan would send ten or twenty burly men, dressed in casual clothes and batting around, with pistols and sharp blades hidden by his side, to follow behind him for protection.Today—and in the early morning, the adults didn't call to serve, but just carried Fu'an, and walked out of the stage. Everyone was very surprised, but it was inconvenient to ask for instructions.
Duanfang walked on the platform, still walking eastward according to the previous two walking routes, and he arrived at the east gate not too far away.Outside the east gate was the villa of a wealthy family in Zizhou that he had been to. It was a fake bungalow in a strange form, surrounded by trees and flower beds, named Xiangyuan.
He didn't want to go to Xiangyuan today.Before approaching the east gate, he hurriedly walked along a remote alley beside the city wall.The footsteps were fast, and the thick soles stepped on the hard mud, much like a monk in a temple knocking on a wooden fish.
There were no pedestrians in the alley, only a few long-haired thin dogs playing around.Duan Fang was afraid of dogs all his life, but he didn't have anything in his hands, so he stopped when he was two zhang away from the dog, so he could breathe a sigh of relief.
Fuan put his arms around his heavy belly (wrong, it wasn't the belly, but the silver yuan in his arms fell down, the belt couldn't be fastened, and the silver yuan fell to the stomach; what he hugged was the silver yuan, not the belly), and chased Duanfang The side called: "My lord! Where are we going?"
"What kind of adult and villain!" Duan Fang hurriedly glanced around, and shouted in a low voice, "I've already told you, my surname is Tao! Tao...Tao Yuanming's Tao..."
"Hey! Hey! Master Tao! Where are we going?" Fu'an looked up at him inexplicably, with a rough breath in his mouth.
"Where is this alley going?"
"have no idea."
"Can you go outside the city?"
"have no idea."
"Hey! You people, what are you doing in your daily life!" Duan Fang said this very unhappy, compared to his usual attitude of calling people "bad bastards" when he opened his mouth, his attitude was much gentler.
At the moment, call Fu'an to go ahead and yell the dog away.Turning a big bend, unexpectedly, it was still Dongjie Street, and a group of people in military uniforms just came to meet them.
A man who looked like a leader turned around and shouted: "My lord is here! Hurry up and notify those teams, don't look for it!"
Duan Fang couldn't help frowning his brows together, coughed lightly and said, "I'm just going out for a walk, and you are so busy looking for it, why bother!"
Worrying things come one after another.
Zhao Erfeng refused to let the gentlemen come to Zizhou to discuss important matters, and the telegram came first.
"Here! I already knew Zhao Laosi would do this!"
Although it was expected, after reading the telegram, I was as sad as if I drank a bowl of spicy water.This is because since Zhu Shan, Liu Shipei, and Bi Liang went to Chengdu to campaign for gentlemen, according to the secret telegram of the three, the gentlemen have no freedom to express their attitudes because they are under the evil influence of Zhao Erfeng.They suggested: "It would be best if the gentry were invited by the public telegram to come and do business, and the gentry would be able to get what they wanted."
He once said to his staff at that time: "How can gentlemen have freedom of action if they have no freedom of speech?"
Liu Jingyi said: "But there is no need to send the telegram."
"That's not the case. The telegram should still be sent." He thought for a while, then raised his hope, and said, "If the gentlemen intend to overthrow Zhao Jihe's oppression, they can try to sneak into Zizhou. Let's go, Zhao Jihe may not dare to stop it openly at this time of year. The only concern is that this telegram may not be able to reach the ears of the gentlemen!"
Then came the independence of Chongqing.
It is also a shocking event, because there is no way to retreat.But it's not a very big deal, because in the original plan, this way of retreat was not considered very important.Therefore, on the night of the fifth day of October, Duanfang once again invited all his staff members to discuss the final solution—that is, how to leave Sichuan and return to Beijing to return to his command?Everyone still feels that it is much safer to take the northern Sichuan route!
Why did Duanfang and the others decide to leave Sichuan instead of fighting Zhao Erfeng?
First of all, within two days of the third and fourth grades of junior high school, I received several confidential telegrams from brothers Yin Liang and Bi Liang, reporting to him that Zhao Erfeng had listened to Wu Zhongrong and Zhou Shanpei's temptations, suddenly changed his policy, and wanted to hand over power to the councilors. The chairman of the bureau, Pu Dianjun; and the officials and gentry held a meeting, and the conditions were agreed upon. Within a day or two, Sichuan would declare independence, and at the same time, I advised him not to plan to come to Chengdu again.Although the telegram didn't clearly say how disadvantageous it is for him to go to Chengdu, it can be imagined that Chengdu is not a good place for him.
Secondly, the representative sent to Chengdu to do reconciliation work had just traveled 140 miles to Ziyang County. Hearing that there had been changes in Chengdu, he felt that it was useless to go, so he still returned to Zizhou.There were four people when we went there, and only three people returned to Zizhou in the afternoon of the fifth day of the lunar new year.
Before Duanjin and Xia Shoutian could finish speaking dejectedly, Duanfang raised his eyes to look behind Guan Dangzhi, who was standing behind, and said, "Where's Hainan?"
Duan Jin immediately snorted and said, "Don't mention this man!"
"Why?" Duan Fang was taken aback, "Did something happen?"
Xia Shoutian then frowned and said, "Nothing happened. It's just that Dong Titiao didn't want to come back to Zizhou to share our adversity, life and death—he went back to Chengdu to visit his relatives..."
Duan Jin shouted angrily: "I asked him to come with me, and explained to my brother before leaving. But he never agreed, insisting that my brother doesn't need him here, but rushed back to Chengdu to find him." Discuss with Liu Wen's and Zhu Wen's case to see if there is any other way to save it? In fact, they are all excuses, but as Director Xia said, he doesn't want to live and die with us, and share weal and woe! At that time, if we It wasn't Mr. Xia who stopped me, I really want to give him two slaps, tell him to go back to his Chengdu kennel, and he won't be ashamed to see anyone!"
But his elder brother didn't appreciate his indignation, instead he shook his head and sighed: "Oh! Dong Hainan doesn't have a deep relationship with me, let alone has a family to return to. At this time, he didn't betray me, but just left quietly, which is already rare. Why, you still ask for it as a righteous man? If I were to change places with you, not only would I not want to slap him, but I would also give him the gift that I arranged for Zhao Jihe directly! "
Duan Jin and Xia Shoutian understood what he meant.They couldn't help but nodded and blamed themselves: "We are so shallow! I never thought that this would buy a person's heart to death!"
Duan Fang waved his bear-like big hand and said: "You have been working hard for several days, go down and rest! At night, invite everyone to come and discuss what to do next? Since Zhao Jihe First, let me take the Sichuan gentleman into my hands, and Chongqing and Luzhou have become independent. When we are in a dilemma, we have to discuss a solution. Is it impossible to stay in this Zizhou forever?"
In this discussion, only two issues were raised: stay and go.
Stay, of course not!Zhou Xingwu's comrades who just care about it will reach Zizhou in a few days.He has more than 10,000 people, most of them are outlaws who are not afraid of death. With this force, it seems that they can temporarily wait and see.But everyone felt that this was the most dubious and dangerous plan.First of all, this group of comrades was appeased, because it explained that there was a cash reward of 100,000 yuan, and there was one president, four commanders, and twenty official positions.It doesn't matter if you issue some official licenses and wooden stamps. At present, it is difficult to raise 100,000 yuan in cash.The money, grain and land in several counties have already been withdrawn. If they are not withdrawn from the Chengdu Fan Treasury, the 100,000 yuan will not be available.Furthermore, the arrival of Zhou Xingwu's team not only aroused the fear of the common people, but also definitely aroused the uneasiness of the Hubei army.When the host and guest army are in the same city, there will inevitably be no friction. At that time, no matter how the superior mediates and handles the situation, those who are in the position of the guest army must think that the superior will use the host to restrain the guest, and have ulterior motives.The morale of the army has been weakened. Wouldn't this cause even more disaster?If Zhou Xingwu hadn't arrived and left Zizhou in time, it would not only avoid the pain of fulfilling the treaty, but also avoid the aftermath of the conflict between the host and guest armies.Therefore, almost everyone is against staying, so, needless to say, the only option is to leave!
It's OK to go.The question is only which way to go.A few days ago, there were people who objected to taking this road in northern Sichuan.Now that Chongqing has become independent, it is impossible to go east. In addition to going north to Hanzhong in Shaanxi, is it possible to cross the dangerous Daba Mountain and go to Fangshan and Zhuxian in Hubei?Therefore, it was unanimously decided to take the north of Xiaochuan, and then go to the north of Dachuan. It is estimated that only the Jianmen Pass in the middle is more steep, and the rest of the journey is not difficult.
It is confirmed to go, but there is another problem, that is, how to deal with the four battalions of the Hubei army?Logically speaking, the four battalions of elite Hubei troops were brought into Sichuan by Mr. Duan. Of course, Mr. Duan should have brought them out of Sichuan. There is no way Mr. Duan left alone, leaving the Hubei army in Sichuan and letting them live and die on their own. .Even if there is such a reason, but judging from the current situation, the Hubei Army will not allow Master Duan to do this.Obviously, Mr. Duan only took Fu An out for a walk the day before yesterday, which has aroused the suspicion of the troops, although Mr. Duan's intentions have not been clarified yet (because what Duan told Fu An was just for a walk. The only thing that made people suspicious was a hundred yuan cents One thing I carry on my body. It is indeed strange that I have to take a hundred yuan for a walk, and I don’t want to walk on the street, but to go into an alley where no one walks), but I have stepped up my precautions since then.Inside and outside the platform, apart from the original guards, Lord Duan did not order them to dispatch them, but the first team of the 1st Battalion of the 31st Biao was automatically transferred from the Heavenly Palace.Biaotong Zeng Guangda found out about the situation and asked the dispatcher to investigate. When he came back, he said that he had no other intentions, just to strengthen protection.well!God knows what happened!
It was decided to go, but the only problem was that we had to explain clearly to the army the reasons why we had to go, and why we had to go through Shaanxi Province, and then we had to obtain their consent.Today, it is no longer just the time when the old man gives orders, and when he calls east, he goes east, and when he calls west, he goes west!
Deng Chengba and Zeng Guangda reported this situation, and all the people attending the meeting fell silent.
Xia Shoutian asked Duanfang for instructions: "What do Commander Wu think?"
Duan Jin muttered softly: "Wouldn't it be Tai Ah's backlash?"
Duan Fang just frowned.Then he took a pinch of snuff, took the hot towel from Fu'an, covered his nostrils for a while, and then asked Deng Chengba, "Do you want me to speak to them in person?"
"Then there is no need to work on your lord. Only Zeng Biaotong will call the officers above the platoon officer to hold an army meeting. After the meeting, Zeng Biaotong will report the results to your lord."
"You guess, they should have no objection?"
Deng Chengba thought about it, and Fang Chi said hesitantly, "Perhaps there is no objection...it depends on Zeng Biaotong's eloquence."
"Then, this meeting will be held tomorrow... Zeng Biaotong, I trust you completely!" Passing the Gu Yuexuan inner-painted Beijing material snuff bottle to Zeng Guangda's hand, he said with a smile, "I know you like it too This way, this thing is for you!"
On the morning of the 6th day of October, the meeting of officers of the Hubei army held in Xiangyuan outside the east gate of Zizhou did not go well.
Can not blame Zeng Guangda's bad eloquence.He exhausted his ability to speak in his life, saying everything over and over again.At the beginning, when it comes to Lord Duan’s adoption of the accusations made by the gentry and people in Sichuan, not only officials with bad records and unpopularity, such as Zhou Shanpei, Wang Wei, Tian Zhengkui, Rao Fengzao, etc., were all involved; Pu Dianjun, Luo Lun and other Sichuan gentry in the prison were released and returned home.After all, Master Duan's mission to investigate Sichuan affairs has been completed.It was originally arranged to stay in Chengdu for a while, and then return to Beijing to return to life.Now hearing that the situation in Chengdu is not good, Mr. Duan decided not to go to Chengdu again, so he led his team out of Sichuan.He asked whether everyone agrees or not?
Not only did they shout out their approval, but countless arms were raised high like a forest.
But when it came to the main topic of passing through the Hanzhong Mansion in Shaanxi Province, disagreements immediately appeared in the venue: the four management leaders and a few team officials agreed, while the vast majority of team officials and platoon officials remained silent. A word, let alone a show of hands.The few people who agreed were also wavered, saying that their expressions were not counted, and asked Zeng Guangda to vote again.
Zeng Guangda spread his hands in frustration and said: "Why vote! Don't you already understand what you mean? But you don't agree to go to Shaanxi, you should always point out a way to go, you can't say Willing to stay in Sichuan!"
One of the platoon officials replied aloud: "Compared with Brother Quanbiao, we are still in the minority. Which way is the best way to go out of Sichuan? Of course, we must first ask the brothers for their opinions. It is only for us to vote. In case the brothers I don't agree..."
"That's right! That's right!" The noisy voice responded, "This is the era of the Republic, and the minority should obey the majority..."
A little hope aroused in Zeng Guangda's heart, he couldn't help but frowned, and asked: "Then, what should we do? Shall we gather the soldiers..."
Before he could finish speaking, the platoon officer rushed to say again: "You don't need to assemble, we will split up."
Sure enough, on the night of the sixth day of the lunar new year, the junior officers and soldiers got busy: Those stationed in Yuwang Palace walked towards the Longevity Palace; those stationed in Dongyue Temple walked towards Tianshang Palace.Although you come and go frequently, but what they are talking about, not only the higher-ranking Zeng Guangda and Deng Chengba are unknown, but also the lower-ranking management leaders, team supervisors, and a few team members. Officials were all isolated far away, unable to find out any news.
On normal days, after the second watch, the whole city fell asleep.There are only some unattended wild dogs running around on the street, and sometimes they even fight in groups.Of course the gates of the city were closed, and ordinary people could not come in and out without opening the gates unless there was an emergency.But the night of the sixth day of October was different. The gates of the city were never closed, and anyone could come in and out at will.However, ordinary people feel that the atmosphere in the city is not good after midnight, and the dogs bark violently. The troops stationed inside and outside the city come in one group and go out in one group. The rapid gallop on the stone slabs and hard mud was enough to arouse everyone's terror; some people suspected that Zhou Xingwu's indiscriminate troops had gathered, and the Hubei army was really going to fight them.Generally, people who have made arrangements in advance will help the old and the young, like shadows, slip out of the east gate and north gate in the not very dark night, and go not far away after midnight. hide in the countryside.Of course, it also brought some panic and some rumors.
It was the same in the hallway. On normal days, after the bell of the third watch rang, the front door was locked and the lights of the whole courtyard were turned off. Only the guard room on duty had a rain lantern lit with kerosene, which gave off a dazzling light in the dark night.On the night of the sixth day, the lights inside and outside were also brilliant.Not to mention the place where the troops are stationed outside the hall, neither the officers nor the soldiers slept.And as if facing a big enemy, guard posts were set up everywhere.Only brothers who know the same standard can come in and out, and can be called into the room and certain corners to whisper in their ears.If he is not a brother he knows, for example, a small follower like Fu An, not only is he not allowed to enter the front door, he is even not allowed to go out the front door.标统曾广大几次要到天上宫去问探他们商议的结果,都被部下劝阻说:“标统还是莫去的好!在商议没有定局之前,你去了,也枉然。说不定于你标统本身,还有不便地方!”
情形越来越不像样。曾广大先找着邓成拔说道:“看样子,军队就要哗变了。我们好不好禀请大人设法避一避?”
邓成拔搓着两手叹道:“只好如此了!”
大厅后面的正房两厢,也和大厅以外情形一样,上人没有安息,一些服侍上人的底下人也惊惊惶惶地睡不熟。
端方的面容,从灯光里看去,显然比前两天消瘦了好些,两边鬓角和面颊都下陷了。原来是一个圆盘大脸,现在好像变成一个长方脸形。当然,颜色也不红润,而是有点苍白。眼睑上,还隐隐带了些晦色。不过眼神尚足,比起在房间里坐立不安的端锦来,他的态度还安详如故。
邓成拔、曾广大掀开门帘进来时,端方精神一振,从太师椅上把胸膛一挺,先开口问道:“他们商议好了吗?”
两个人一时都不作声,并且勾下头,牢牢看着自己的皮鞋尖。
“哦!一定还在商议,”端方强勉笑了笑,“真所谓筑室道谋了!”
倒是夏寿田看出了端倪,把眉头一皱道:“恐怕有什么意外吧?”
邓成拔道:“曾标统可以禀报。”
曾广大举眼看着端方,说道:“部下的意思,趁这时候,大人最好避一避!”他因为太疲累,太紧张,声音已有点嘶哑。
全房间的人都震惊了,七嘴八舌地问:“怎么样?莫非发生了什么非常事故了?”
端方还是那样镇静地说,虽然脸色已由苍白而渐渐转成了青白:“诸君稍安勿躁,且静听曾标统的下文好啦!”
曾广大遂把他被兵士阻拦,不要他到天上宫去的经过讲了一遍,道:“兵士们目无官长到了这步田地,军纪是说不上的了,据部下推测,恐怕……”
端方接过话头道:“结果当然哗变!”
“……所以部下意思,趁他们密谋未定之时,大人最好避一避。”
众人正欲说话,端方已经开了口:“怎么避呢?你且说一说!”
邓成拔道:“出城去。”
端锦道:“不如到州衙门去。”
夏寿田道:“那不好,能够找个绅士家住一住,比较稳妥。”
好些人都在出主意。
端方猛地从太师椅上站起来,背负着双手,在房间的空地上踱了几步。然后站在当中,把众人环顾了一遍,徐徐说道:“诸公为我安全设想,要我在此刻避一避,用意甚善。但是诸公却未想到,别人可避,如邓协统、曾标统你们二位,因为是直接统率士兵的将领,平日难免没有一些恩怨,如果士兵真个发生异动,确乎有些危险。你二位及时避一避凶锋,倒很必要。其他朋友,避也可,免受无谓惊恐;不避也可,以与士兵无直接关系故也。至于我本人,则万不可避。首先,士兵是否即有异动?尚未确定。我先避之,是示士兵以弱,本来没有异动的,这样一来,倒引起了他们的念头,此其一。再哩,纵令他们果有异动,那也不过骚扰一番,哗然溃散而已,于我本人,不见得便有如何不利之处。我何故要如此说呢?诸公当然知道,湖北武备学堂是我在巡抚任内创办的。现在军中许多中下级军官,大抵都是我所招考训练而成就,不说师生关系,多少总有点香火因缘吧?何况第三十一、三十二标各营,还是在我手上扩充的……”
他越朝这方面说,越觉得对于他个人的危险,并不似众人所想象得那样大。同时自己的心也愈益安定。
“……或许诸公还将如此测度:武昌之事,由于鄂军革命所致,足见革命思想遍于鄂军,我们这里要是兵变,亦必出于革命手段。不错!他们准定会革命的。但是革命有政治革命,有种族革命。武昌之事,并非种族革命,而是政治革命。我们这里倘若只是政治革命,更不足虑。万一种族革命,我看,也不至于闹到流血。何以呢?我们这里都是汉人,而并无满人故也。”他看见大家都有些惊异之色,遂眯起眼睛笑道,“诸公怀疑我这句话吗?殊不知我的家谱载明,我家并非出自满洲,而实实在在是奉天省的汉人。因我上代祖宗被满人掳去为奴,不得已才改了籍贯。我的祖宗,本来姓陶,陶渊明的陶,出自大尧陶唐氏。因为在清朝恶势力压迫之下,我们不便复姓,为了不忘根本,所以我才以陶斋为号。这是一种秘密,平常不便说出,现在当然要宣布了。要是诸公不信,可以问我这个兄弟。”他掉头向端锦说道:“你可以给诸公证明一下,看我们是否姓陶的汉人?”
端锦连忙接口道:“是,是,我哥前几天就说过,我们是汉人,姓陶,陶渊明的陶!”
众人看见他说得这样稀松寡淡,当然不好再说什么。
端方把金壳怀表摸出一看,道:“哦!一点过钟了!还无消息,想来他们一定等到天明才有所表现的啦!管他们密谋结果如何,等他们表现出来,再应付之可也!”他又向大家环顾一遍,“大家安息了吧!养足精神,明天再谋应付之方好啰!”
邓成拔退出房间,就找着曾广大和几个平日比较亲密一些的朋友,悄悄说道:“据我揣测,部队十有八九要闹革命。革命,当然要流血。流什么人的血?当然流我们的血。午帅的打算对不对?我不敢保险。总之,留在他身边,凶多吉少,倒是听他的话,趁这时节,设法避一避。要是出了事,我们逃走也容易;不出事,再回来伺候他老人家。你们看如何?”
那还待说!差不多上上下下十几二十个人,都悄悄密密收收拾拾,改了装,拴上包袱,从花厅侧一道短墙上翻出,混在百姓堆中,走到城外,赌咒也不回头向资州多看一眼!
这一夜,在资州的鄂军,全部人都没有睡觉。他们很兴奋,很忙。他们做了不少事情,包括做旗子,包括剪发辫,包括罢免队官以上的全部军官、排官以上部分军官,包括推举见习陈正藩为司令,推举其他一些有能力的军士和小兵接任各级军官,也包括一些应该准备的杂七杂八的事情在内。
查办大臣行台内,除部队外,一些人跑了,一些人尽管和衣躺在床上,还是心惊胆战地不能阖眼。
端方睡得很熟。后来小跟班福安向人说,自他睡下之后,便未再唤他起来递夜壶,“往夜嘛,不管他睡得多晏,总要递几次夜壶的。”
到十月初七日(就是成都宣布独立的同一天),东方刚刚露出鱼肚白色时候,几十个身强力大的徒手兵士气势汹汹地拥进查办大臣的卧室。端方才恍然一惊,从湖绉帐子内伸出头来,大声问道:“你们要做什么?”
有两个兵士上前,从从容容把帐门挂上铜钩,把盖在他身上的丝棉被掀开,把他扶了起来,带笑说道:“我们来请大人到天上宫营部去开会的。”
从微弱的灯光中,看不清房间里来了多少人,更看不清来人的面目和徽章。只感到是一些没规没矩的陌生人。端方一面穿衣裳,一面说道:“你们到外面去等候着。等我穿好衣服,洗了脸再走。”
于是一片吆喝声嚷了起来:“大家等着你在,别那样闹官派了!”
what!不是好兆头!端方连忙弓身从床脚边拉出一口扁箱,喘吁吁地对众人说道:“我知道你们都很辛苦。这箱内,有一些值钱的东西,也有一些银圆。你们拿去分了吧,也表一表我姓陶的,并不似那些不懂革命道理的满洲人……”
“少卖些狗皮膏药,走啰!”一众兵士丝毫不理睬那口扁箱和他的话。几只有力的手,有的抓住膀膊,有的撑住胳肢窝,有的拊在背上,又推又拉,把端方攘出房门。
就这时,同样一群人,用一样办法,把端锦从对面房间里揪了出来。
端锦哭声哭气地喊了声:“哥……”
立刻啪啪两响。必然是手掌与脸巴在冲突!同时,几种愤怒声音在吼骂:“没骨气的东西……”
一大群兵士拖着两个半死不活的革命目的物到天上宫时,天色刚刚微明。走到大殿台阶下面,众人把端方、端锦扶来站定。陈正藩坐在大殿檐前一张木椅上,正待启齿问询,突然从人丛中跳出一条大汉,刺刀一举,只听端方大叫一声,胸膛上涌出鲜血。
“你们真要杀我吗?……”这是端方最后一句话。
大殿下面的院坝内,站满了撕去徽章的兵士。有几个人急忙拿过两只盛有石灰的大木匣,把鲜血淋淋的才从两张木凳上斫下的人头,分别放在木匣内,用钉子钉好。又有几个人拖过两具连夜赶工做好的长木匣,从染了血的木凳上,把两个体温犹存,只是没有头的尸体,塞在长木匣内,也用钉子钉好。
然后,陈正藩站起来,举起右手,领头大呼道:“我们大汉国民军万岁!革命成功万岁!在川鄂军万岁……”
上千人雄壮的呼声,像怒涛一样,从天上宫传遍全资州城。
天色大明。东方起了红霞,又是一个好天气。
天上宫里呼声方歇,资州马上宣布反正。州正堂朱岳宾就在端方被拖出行台时候,带起家眷僚友,不知逃向哪里而去。亏他有良心,没像安岳县知县那样把一颗无足轻重的铜印带走,而是连同点锡印泥盒一道,将其端端正正放在大堂的公案上,以便要使用它的人去接收。
绅士们立刻被陈正藩请出来,组织一个州政维持会,推举一个姓李的绅士做会长。
李会长与一众绅士会商之下,当天就做了两件要紧事。
第一件,叫衙门差役到每条街去,督令各住户、各铺店赶制一面三角白布旗,旗上一定要用朱红写“大汉国民”四个字。
第二件,因为鄂军翌日清晨便将整队出发回湖北。为了酬劳,不能不送一点盘费,不能不备办几百桌筵席(实在不能算正经筵席,只能称之为肉八碗,即是每桌八个大碗内,全是用猪肉或是猪身上的东西,做的各式各样的可口的菜而已)送行。虽然本州的正经税款已被端方提尽,但三费局和别几个理财地方,到底还有一些余款,搜罗搜罗,也有上千数的银两、银圆和制钱。
两件要紧事,居然在下午都弄得齐齐楚楚。全城悬出了白布写红字的三角旗,开夜饭时,三营多鄂军都吃上了丰盛的肉八碗,而且每桌还配备了几斤本地有名的用高粱烧的陈色酒。
恰好鄂军后队里那个革命党人田智亮也从重庆赶到。
田智亮在重庆参加独立典礼的当天,便由蜀军政府的帮助,起身向资州赶来。蜀军政府要求他来运动前队反正。为了加强力量,除了给以作运动使用的五千元外,还派了三百名新兵由他率领西上,因为枪支太少,发了自造的炸弹八十枚作为武器。这支人马却也厉害,八个官站的路程,他们仅费了四天半便赶到了。
陈正藩非常高兴地握住田智亮的双手,说道:“你来得恰好!我们正不知道重庆这条路,走得通,走不通?”
田智亮也说:“没有料到你们行动会这样迅速!可惜我来迟了半天,未曾亲眼看见端贼斩首时的快事!”
当天下午,他们便发了一个电报到重庆,报告鄂军在资州反正情形。所以距离资州较远的重庆,倒先得到端方、端锦授首的消息,而成都反而在三天以后,才晓得。军政府把这消息交报馆用二号铅字在报纸上一披露,那天报纸便多卖了几百份。全省城的人民,有一小半抚手称快;有一大半莫名其妙,只觉得不是一件小事。还有很小一部分人却吓着了:“我说革命不是好玩的,你们看啊,硬是流了血了!而且杀的还是那么大的一个人物!唉!唉!大人物都弄到如此下场,要是临到我们头上,那还能苟免吗?革命真可怕!革命真可怕!”
就是被端方奏参过的周孝怀、王寅伯等,也觉得其人固然可恶,但是这样杀了,总不对,总是革命的罪过。
赵尔丰向着老四、老九叹道:“端四爷聪明一世,何以一进四川,便糊涂到这步田地?他若是不勾留在资州,搞那些狡狯,而一直上省来与我商量,即令不如意,但也断断不会闹到这样的结果啊!”
十月初八日的清晨,在资州的全部湖北陆军,果然吹起洋号,打起洋鼓,整队向内江出发。队伍中间,有四名长夫抬了两只木匣。每个木匣上插有一面小白布旗,一面上,写着满贼端方首级;一面上,写着满贼端锦首级。
队伍最前头,有人擎着一面大的红绸旗,用浓墨写了一行大字:大汉国民军鄂军司令陈。
军队开拔之前,各城门和十字街口,都贴出了一张没有盖印,没有过朱的告示:
大汉国民军鄂军司令陈示:
满人酷待汉族,业已二百余龄,今日人心思汉,全国革命功成,满赋端方兄弟,俱予明正典刑,我军长驱回鄂,勿得骚扰人民。