Chapter 57 Chapter 54: Throwing Bombs to Frighten the Bravery of Traitors

When Wang Zhankui was elated to take Hanyang, he suddenly saw a secret telegram from the central government ordering to stop the attack and not allow Wuchang to be taken again. He was surprised and angry.Surprised that Wuhan is succeeding, how could there be such an accident; angry because I spent a lot of effort and took a lot of dangers, and I really hope that when the victory comes to Beijing, there must be a special purpose to come back, leapfrog and rise, in order to reward him for his victory and capture labor.Unexpectedly, not only did he not raise the reward, but he also restrained him from attacking. This really has ulterior motives, but he refused to announce it clearly. Wouldn't it kill people's popularity?What's more, a few days ago, there was a clear call to capture Guishan within a limited time. If it cannot be obtained after the deadline, Lian Juntong will bear a lot of test results.Now, within the time limit, I got it at hand, it seems such a great achievement, but I didn't mention a word, as if there was no such thing.The inconsistency is really puzzling.The more Zhan Kui thought about it, the more sad he became. On the second day, he went to find Feng Guohua in person and asked for instructions in person on what was going on.Guohua just smiled with his beard and didn't give a real answer.Just say General Wang, you have to be patient, wait for a few days, you will naturally know the next time it will be broken down, and it is inconvenient to explain it now.All in all, Gong Bao is not a person who does not know how to fight, let alone a person who is afraid of the enemy.Just because there is a wonderful function in it, you have to take a step back and wait slowly. In the future, rewards for merit and deeds will satisfy you and your subordinates, so don't worry about it now.After Zhankui heard this, he didn't want to ask further questions, but he still refused to accept it.I had no choice but to return in dismay, and tried my best to comfort a few battalion officers under my command, saying that the military command has an order, and there will be special rewards in the future. .There is a battalion officer in the seat, named Li Peiji, he has the most qualifications, and he really hopes that he will be promoted to Biaotong immediately if he succeeds this time.Now not only is there no information, but he is also told to stop the attack, how can he bear it in his heart.Then he sternly said to Zhankui: "Are you serious about what the commander said? The last general thinks that Xiang Gongbao is by no means a shrinking person, and he must never send such a telegram. Could it be that Feng Juntong was bribed by the enemy and deliberately faked it?" Telegram, to relax the morale of the army, so that the enemy can spare time to make various preparations. If this is the case, even the commander who speaks for him will be in a suspicious position." Li Peiji's words made Zhan Kui angry from his seat He jumped up so high, and said repeatedly: "It's unreasonable, it's unreasonable! Why do you even regard me as a traitor? If my surname is Wang, if I accept a penny bribe from the enemy, I will ask Paozier to follow me, and I will die without burial." Land." Li Peiji said: "Who still takes oaths as a serious thing these days. To be unsuspecting, there must be a real performance before it counts!" Zhan Kuiyi became anxious, and said how to call it a real performance , my surname is Wang, I can do it all.Pei Ji said: "In this case, the general will follow the commander to the Guishan Fortress. Please shoot the first shot to hit the lobby of the Wuchang General Administration. The last general will also fire a cannon to hit the head of Snake Mountain. If the commander can do it , the final general is willing to take the blame and ask the commander to be his teacher. From now on, he will never dare to slander others." Zhankui laughed loudly and said, "What's the problem, I can let you go right away." Peiji clapped his hands and said "Okay." There was a chief of staff named Zhang Lide in the seat, and he hurriedly stopped him: "This is impossible, and the palace guards sent an order to stop the attack, so why go back and fire the cannons? If you do this recklessly, the palace will be destroyed in the future." Bao knows, even Feng Juntong can’t afford it. The commander and Li Yingguan have to think twice.” Hearing this, Zhankui was a little hesitant, and he didn’t express what he meant when he saw Li Peiji take out a pistol from his arms , and sternly shouted at Zhang Lide: "Do you dare to obstruct it? Whoever talks too much will take a pistol from me first." Lide was so frightened that he backed away again and again, saying, General Li, you can do whatever you please, and I don't care anymore.Zhan Kui hurriedly persuaded: "My own people, why bother to engage in such a fight. It is also good for him to persuade us. If you don't agree, let's go to Guishan, and there is no need to play with pistols." Peiji picked up the pistol, He said with a smile, "Let's go together, commander." The two of them got on their horses together when they left the government office.The battalion commander guarding the fort, etc., saw that the commander had arrived, and they all greeted him and saluted.Zhan Kui and Pei Ji went to the fort, and asked the company commander of the artillery, was there any live ammunition in it?Sun Zhifang said: "It's all shot, I don't know where the commander is going to fire?" Zhankui ignored him, but asked Peiji, "You fired first, or I fired first?" Peiji said: "The last general How dare you assume the command first, please go ahead." Zhankui was not polite, finished his clothes, first looked at the city of Wuchang with a binoculars, and then set up the mida, and then stretched out his hand to turn on the machine. .There was only a loud sound, and the shells flew out of the air.Immediately after taking a look with clairvoyance, Zhan Kui laughed and said, "After all, the veteran is not weak, he really showed his face. If you don't believe me, come and see, it is impartial, and it just exposed the lobby of the governor's yamen." Peiji took the clairvoyance, and carefully After taking a photo, he nodded unconsciously and said: "The commander is really worthy of being a master of firing cannons. I am afraid that the last general does not have such a unique skill as you." After that, he took another photo, twisted the mechanism, and shot at the top of Snake Mountain.The cannon didn't hit the head, but it went over the head by more than a zhang.Zhankui smiled and said, "It's hard for you." At this moment, Peiji was convinced, and he kowtowed to Zhankui to apologize.He also repeatedly said that the teacher is on the top, and the disciples are really convinced from now on. They are willing to be under your command, and they are also willing to lead the horse and fall into the stirrups.Zhan Kui hurriedly helped him up with his hands and said with a smile, "Why should you be like this, brother Yu? I really admire your loyalty and bravery. Let's go back to the Yamen."Zhifang Nuonuo kept saying that after sending the two of them away, he couldn't figure out what was going on.I thought to myself that these two people were probably insane, they rashly ran over and fired two cannonballs, then kowtowed to the teacher, what was going on?It's really puzzling.

Not to mention that Sun Zhifang was wondering next to the fort, but he said that Li Tianhong in Wuchang City, because Hanyang fell and Hua Ziqiang ran back, he himself refused to admit his mistake, insisting that Tianhong did not send people to respond, which is why he lost.Tianhong felt very unhappy, and said: "That day when our Hubei army was defending the city in Hanyang, you sent all of them back without reason and replaced them with student soldiers. Now the student soldiers are useless and have been killed by others and occupied the city. I don't blame you for taking the fort, that's all. You blame me instead. Where does this come from? Besides, once the fort is lost at Guishan, the city of Wuchang will be very dangerous. It's lucky they didn't fire. If the cannons are fired, this Wuchang city will be reduced to dust in half a day, is it just a joke?" Hearing this, Ziqiang still refused to accept it, and kept on quibbling.Tian Hong was originally a loyal person, so he had to swallow his anger.Hua Ziqiang didn't understand that he was letting him go, and thought he was afraid of him, so he simply made things difficult for Tianhong, meaning that he wanted to overwhelm Tianhong and push Tianhong away. He is the leader of Yiyu in Wuchang.Unexpectedly, although Tianhong didn't care about him, the civilian and military generals under his command, such as Zhang Xingwen, Xun Wen, Jiang Zanwen, Cai Dayou, etc., were full of complaints, thinking that Hanyang was the gateway to Wuchang. If you can't go, you will be ruined by Hua Ziqiang.According to military law, he should be detained and await trial.Now that he is lenient and doesn't investigate, he is complacent and opposes my commander in everything. Is this kind of person still available?Everyone discussed and prepared to expel Hua Ziqiang.At this moment, Guishan's shells suddenly shot into Wuchang City.Everyone was discussing matters in the back garden of the Superintendent's Office, and suddenly there was a loud bang. The roof of the lobby was blown away by shells, and everyone turned pale with fright.Tianhong said that the house is too dangerous, let's go to the back of the rockery and hide for a while, so as not to lose our lives in vain.After all, he ran to the back of the rock first, and all the people followed him to hide.Just at this time, another cannon rang, but it hit the front of Snake Mountain.Fortunately, after two shots, it stopped, and no more shots were fired, and everyone was in shock.The first one, Xun Wen, complained to Hua Ziqiang and said: "Mr. Hua, it's all for your benefit. If you don't give Guishan to others, how can they fire at the supervisory office!" His face flushed with shame.He refused to be convinced, so he contradicted Xun Wen, saying that victory or defeat is a common thing for military strategists. If you want to defend Hanyang, will you be sure not to be taken away by others?Xun Wen sneered and said, "I'm not going to boast to Mr. Hua. If our Hubei army guards Hanyang, he will never think of going overboard. At worst, he will have to fight with him for three days and three nights before he can give up Guishan. He won't come out. It’s a considerable price, and I’m afraid I can’t get it for nothing. This is because I met your husband, so if I don’t say anything, it’s Wang Zhankui’s temper.” How could Ziqiang bear this kind of confession in person, so he immediately opened his eyes and went Want to fight with Xun Wen.Xun Wen said with a smile: "Forget it. If you are brave enough to fight privately and timidly fight in public, you are not a hero. Don't make jokes."In the end, Tianhong was still loyal. Seeing that Ziqiang could not step down, he took his hand and said, let's go to the side and stop fighting with their young people.Then he pulled Ziqiang into a bedroom, and Ziqiang complained repeatedly.Tianhong said: "Why are you being so stupid. They are a group of students who have just graduated, what do you know? I advise you, it is better to go to Shanghai. I heard that Chen Qimei has become independent, and it is indeed the old Democratic Party. Where you go, It can show your talent. Living in Hubei is dangerous on the one hand, and useless on the other. How can you mobilize these armies, and they will be angry all day long? How can you move to a good place?" Tianhong said. , was breaking into the heart of self-improvement, and hurriedly replied: "Brother Cheng helped me, brother, I am really grateful. But I fled from Hanyang, I had no money in my hand, and I boarded a boat to cross the river. If I was captured by soldiers, how could I I didn’t lose my life in vain. I planned this matter early on, it’s a dilemma, and I have to ask my elder brother for help.” Tian Hong said: “You don’t have to worry about these two things, I’ve already raised 50,000 yuan for you. The 1 yuan is all foreign bank notes. You bring it with you. When you come to Shanghai in the future, you can help Chen Jun with everything. As for the matter of crossing the river, I will entrust the American consul in Hankou to pick it up at the pier temporarily. You will definitely not be able to bear it. It’s a little dangerous. You’re in Hankou, don’t delay, take a boat to Shanghai quickly, lest the Qing soldiers pay attention.” Hearing this, Ziqiang was so happy that he bowed again and again.When my younger brother arrives in Shanghai, he must make a report to President Sun, please appoint you as the generalissimo.Tianhong said: "I can't take on such a big responsibility. It's better for you to be the marshal. It's not too late. I'll send a telegram to the American consul. The money will be handed over to you immediately. You must keep it Alright." After finishing speaking, he opened the iron cabinet in the secret room and took out five stacks of banknotes.A stack of 10,000, 20 sheets of 500 yuan each, asked Ziqiang to check.He also gave him a small leather pouch and a box pistol for self-defense.Then go to the telegraph office and send a telegram to the American Consul in Hankou.It just happened to be a coincidence that there was an American businessman who took a boat from Wuchang to Hankou, and Tianhong completely entrusted his self-improvement to him.The two sat in the same cabin and arrived in Hankou safely.Although there were inspectors and Qing soldiers, but the American consul came to welcome them, so everyone stopped questioning.Ziqiang lived in the consulate that night, and the next day, he still followed the American businessman and took the river to Shanghai. He never suffered a little panic and arrived in Shanghai safely.At this time, Chen Qimei has become independent, and all the members of the Shanghai Qinghong Gang have become revolutionary troops.Chen Qimei claimed to be the governor of Shanghai. When Hua Ziqiang arrived, he immediately showed great momentum.Everyone pushed him to be the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition, and Hua Ziqiang did not doubt it.On the one hand, he called Nanjing to blame the Hubei army for the fall of Hanyang. He said that Wuchang might not be able to defend for a long time, so he came to Shanghai to help Chen Qimei organize the Northern Expedition.Sun Wen, the interim president, formally appointed him as the commander-in-chief of the Northern Expedition Army. From then on, Ziqiang recruited troops in Shanghai.

But in Beijing, since Xiang Zicheng became the prime minister of the state, all the government affairs of the central government have been in charge of him alone.That group of relatives and nobles, although they harbored hatred in their hearts, they couldn't subdue him.On this day, the news from Hubei came to Beijing, saying that Hanyang had been restored by Wang Zhankui, and that Wuchang was just around the corner.Following the telegram, Xiang Zicheng immediately convened a military meeting in his house, and all civil servants and generals were present.Zicheng took out the telegram and showed it to everyone.When everyone saw it, they praised it unanimously, saying that it was Kung Pao who took the lead and the soldiers worked hard, so they were able to succeed immediately.Now that Hanyang has been conquered, that corner of Wuchang is like a wandering soul at the bottom of a pot. It will definitely be fully recovered within ten days.Just invite Gong Bao, and hurry up to send a telegram to commend him. Wang Zhankui must be promoted even more, so as to inspire the courage of the three armies.Xiang Zicheng nodded and said: "You are very right. This Prime Minister has to think carefully. Because the provinces are becoming independent at present, it is not a matter of Wuhan. It must be planned as a whole and not focused on one side." Everyone followed along again. The accent said: "Gongbao is very thoughtful and thoughtful, and he is very human. We all have to follow orders." Zicheng ordered to leave the meeting, but he had a private discussion with Zhao Bingheng in the secret room, and then he personally drafted the electronic draft and handed it over. At the telegraph office, I sent a photo to Feng Guohua in Hankou, and asked Guohua to stand still, and never take Wuchang again.The secret telegram was sent out, but on the surface it was congratulated on the victory.Zicheng first wrote a memorial, describing the situation of the recovery of Hanyang, and asked the empress dowager and the emperor to be lenient and don't worry, the revolutionaries will soon be peaceful.The empress dowager was very happy when she saw her, and she said to her left and right: "After all, it is Xiangzi City. It is worthy of being the pillar of the country. After a few days in Beijing, it actually conquered Hanyang. From this point of view, the Revolutionary Party is definitely not his opponent. But Since he has made such a great contribution, the imperial court must have special rewards to encourage his loyalty. I am not in a position to make decisions on this matter myself." Then I ordered Zhang Delu to summon a group of relatives and nobles to hold a meeting in the Palace of Compassionate Ning , decide how to reward Xiangzi City.Delu was ordered to go out of the palace, and he himself only went to the two mansions of Chunen and Enen, and he sent someone to inform him of the rest.At four o'clock in the afternoon that day, all relatives and nobles arrived, only Wang Zaifeng, who was not angry, said that he was sick and couldn't get out of bed.The remaining princes, county kings, Baylor, Beizi, Zhen Guogong, Fu Guogong, Zhen Guo General, Fu Guo General, a total of sixty or seventy people arrived.The empress dowager specially ordered everyone to stand on both sides of the main hall.Because King En is an elder, and he is too old, he gave him a special kindness, gave him a low stool, and ordered him to sit beside him and listen to the order.King En thanked him again and again, saying that although the old minister was old and his feet were not weak, how dare he sit and talk in front of the empress dowager.This matter is related to court etiquette, and the veterans dare not obey the imperial edict.Seeing that he insisted on refusing, the Empress Dowager ordered the seats to be arranged by herself. When you can't stand up, just sit down yourself. I will definitely not blame you.King En thanked him for his kindness, and then everyone stood in line to listen to the Queen Mother's will.The queen mother said to everyone: "Today there is a special report in Xiangzi City, saying that Hanyang has been restored. I think you should know." Everyone echoed in unison, saying that I have known it a long time ago. This is the great blessing of Shengqing. Qi Tian, ​​the empress dowager is wise and thorough, so she can succeed immediately.The Empress Dowager said: "Although that is what I said, if Xiangzicheng hadn't come to Beijing, I'm afraid I couldn't be so fast. I called you all here today to discuss how to reward you. I think the imperial court has to deal with Xiangzicheng. There must be a big reward, so as to encourage his heart, clear up the civil strife in Hubei early, and save the hearts of the provinces. You can discuss, what kind of title should be rewarded, which is in line with the meaning of the ancestors to reward meritorious service?" After the Queen Mother finished speaking, only one person from Zuoban replied, saying that according to Chen's humble opinion, it is not a great achievement to conquer Hanyang.At that time, brother Zeng Guofan, together with Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, etc., even counted provinces, but they were paid by Hou Bo.With Xiangzicheng's merits, rewarding him with a first-class captain of the Qing army is quite worthy of him.Everyone saw that it was Belle Yulang.King En shook his head and said: "What you said is different from the current situation. When did Zeng and Li make meritorious service? How can it be used as a ratio? Besides, Zeng and Li Zhigong should have been named kings, but they were only named marquises that day. It is a kind of selfishness of the royal family to suppress the Han people. Now that the Han people are fully enlightened, if they use the methods of the day, they will inevitably force out resentment, which will be detrimental to the country's affairs. At present, we must take advantage of Xiangzi City's opportunity and use some unconventional means. It is the right way to buy the hearts of the Han people, how can we stick to the old practice." The Empress Dowager nodded and said: "After all, you are mature and sophisticated, which is very suitable for me. According to your opinion, what kind of title does Xiang Zicheng confer? Is it suitable?" Before King En could answer, he saw a young man in the crowd rushing to say, "It's not a big deal to make him a Viscount." When everyone looked at it, it was Prince Gong Puwei.He is very young, but he is very rich in thinking against Han, and he is usually very dissatisfied with Xiangzicheng.But he is not loyal to the royal family, he has another plan in his stomach.Because he was a member of the close sect, Dezong died that day. According to the order of the clan, Pu Lun was the grandson of the fourth master, and he should have inherited the Datong.Since Pu Lun cannot be chosen, the second one belongs to him.Because of the old fifth Lord Dunwang's branch, when the Gengzi Boxers rebelled, Duan Wang Langong and others contributed to the flames, almost ruining the Qing Dynasty and the society.Afterwards, Duan Lan's title was rectified and he was convicted, and Duan Lan's title was also abolished, along with Pu Jun, the elder brother of the alternate emperor.The branch of the fifth master, like the King of Guangling in the Han Dynasty, is beyond dispute. Naturally, the branch of the sixth master, King Gong, should be the support of the succession, which is in line with the laws of nature and humanity.However, the Empress Dowager Cixi and the Emperor Guangxu had another kind of selfishness, and they were still supported by the old Qiye King Chun to succeed Puyi, and the two branches of Mumu and De were the emperor.This made Prince Gong Puwei very angry, secretly gnashing his teeth, hating Cixi's injustice, but in terms of face, there is nothing he can do about raw rice for cooked rice.His ambition was still alive, and he wished that there would be civil strife immediately. When he had the opportunity, Xuantong could still be overthrown, so he would stand up and become emperor.This kind of intention has not been a day.He is not willing to put down the affairs of Wuhan as soon as possible, so he always tries to suppress the title of Xiangzi City, so that Zicheng can't be satisfied, so naturally he refuses to contribute much, and this revolutionary chaos can therefore be avoided. extended.This was originally his selfish intention, so he rushed to speak, please seal the city as a Viscount.In his thinking, Yulang Xu Yiqing is the captain of the army, and now I propose the viscount, who is two ranks higher than him, of course the Queen Mother can allow it.Unexpectedly, the empress dowager just shook her head, looking very disapproving.Old En Wang also said to him: "You young people, you can't get rid of your prejudices. Under the current situation, does Xiang Zicheng still value the Viscount? As far as I think, it's best to give him a big seal. A prince will be hereditary without succession. Although this is an extraordinary method, it is for the sake of the country of the Qing Dynasty, and it is not enough to capture his heart." Before King En finished speaking, he only heard a wow from the class, as if singing Leopard in general.It turned out that it was Baylor Zaixun who forgot why and shouted out this sentence that he had just learned from Yang Xiaolou, which startled the Empress Dowager.Seeing it was him, he became furious, pointed and cursed: "I take you bastard, where is this place, what are you discussing today, how dare you be so presumptuous in the court, it's not worth it!" What a shame! Eunuchs, tie him up first, and hand him over to the Punishment Division of the Clan Mansion for severe punishment." The eunuchs agreed, and rushed up like a swarm, trying to tie him up.When the princes and princes Baylor saw the empress dowager, they all knelt on the Dan Chi and kowtowed in unison.Quan said that Zai Xun was young and ignorant, he shocked the sage, and begged Lafayette to show him extrajudicial grace, to allow him this time, and if he behaved like this again in the future, he must be dealt with strictly by the clan government.The empress dowager had no choice but to agree because she was in the way of everyone's face.Poor Zai Xun only learned this sentence, but because he sang it in a wrong place, he almost sent Baylor away, and had to kneel in front of the empress dowager and kowtow to confess his guilt.The queen mother ignored him and continued to discuss.Let me ask you, King En said just now that Xiangzicheng must be crowned king in order to capture his heart. If you all agree with this proposal, you may as well say it clearly.The timid one among the crowd, seeing that Zai Xun had run into a wall, dared not speak again.But although Shanfu was young and had a small number of generations, he thought that his knowledge and knowledge were higher than that of this group of clans, so he stood up and said: "There is indeed a part of the reason for what King En said just now. The reward for breaking the rules can never capture Xiangzicheng's heart. But it is too bizarre to be so breaking the rules. Don't say that when Hanzhou became the ruler of Zhongxia, the three kings Wu, Geng, and Shang launched an attack on that day. , Even in the Liu Han era in ancient times, it was said that the same surname is not the king, and the meritorious service is not the same. It can be seen that the matter of being a king is not something that can be done normally. Moreover, even if Xiangzi City has merit, it is not to re-establish the country and lay the foundation for the world. Sudden conferring the title of king would shock the whole country. This is absolutely impossible." Shanfu took the lead and said, and there were more than a dozen people who rose up and agreed.The empress dowager said: "I thought it was a bit too much to confer the title of king, but now he is only conferred as a first-class marquis, and he is not replaced by hereditary, which is quite right." Well, to put it bluntly, Lafayette thought carefully and considered it properly, and it couldn't be better to do it like this.Seeing that everyone agreed, the queen mother took a pen and paper, and wrote a decree in person. It was Xiang Zicheng, the prime minister of the cabinet, who wrote it as a first-class loyal marquis.Then he delivered the decree to Belle Yulang and told him to read it face-to-face at his home in Xiangzicheng.Everyone also left the palace.Yulang held this decree, excitedly, and went straight to Xiang Zhai to seal it.

But he said that the news from the palace had already been communicated to Xiangzicheng.What Zicheng meant was that he really hoped that the court would be able to make an exception to the title of king, so he reformed his policy and still copied the old method of coercing the emperor to order the princes, and he didn't want to be president anymore.Later, when I heard that I was only a Marquis, I didn't feel interested.He said to Zhao Bingheng: "Since he refuses to break the rules, we will break the rules once. There is nothing we can't do." The two were discussing, and the messenger replied back and forth, saying that Lord Lambert, according to the Queen Mother's order, has come to the front court. Please Gong Bao hurry to receive the order.Zicheng didn't dare to be negligent, and quickly put on his crown and belt, came to the front hall, and knelt down to listen to Lambert's reading of the imperial edict.After reading it, Zicheng refused to thank him, and said to Baylor: "I have no merits in Xiang Zicheng, and I dare not ask for rewards. Please, Lord Baylor, return the original decree and face it for me. Playing the empress dowager, once the situation is settled in the future, it is not too late to discuss meritorious deeds and rewards, and there is no need for it now." Yulang said: "Xiang Gongbao, you are wrong. Since the empress dowager has been granted the title, there is no way to take it back. You have to be thankful and accept it no matter what. How dare I do it if I hand over the original decree?" Hearing this, Zicheng had to stand up and said that since Lord Baylor dared not hand over the decree, Zicheng just resigned face to face. .Yulang said: "That's very good, let's ask Gongbao to go by himself." After saying that, he said goodbye and went out.After Zicheng sent him away, he went back to the secret room and discussed with Zhao Bingheng: Now the decree of the Marquis is still in the front hall, what should I do?Zhao Bingheng smiled and said: "What's the difficulty in this matter? Gong Bao might as well meet the Empress Dowager, and just say that the current revolutionary party is very fierce, and the provinces are becoming independent. It is not a matter of Hubei alone. Dare to accept this high rank? The Marquis will clean up all the troubles in the provinces in the future, and then reward them for meritorious deeds. No matter what kindness the court has, the minister will never refuse. Saying like this is not only decent, but also scares the empress dowager. It's also good for the future. Gongbao, do you think it's possible?" Zicheng applauded it when he heard it, and immediately ordered a car to go into Donghua Gate and wait for the summons.

Every time Zicheng goes out, there are twenty-four horse teams, all armed with guns and knives, and they all choose the Beiyang strong team.In addition, there is a captain who is the rank of general and third-rank Dingdai, and he will be the top horse in front of him.Behind the carriage, there are two horses and horses, one with literature is the alternate magistrate, and the other with martial arts is the alternate capital.The team officer in front is named Zheng and Ercheng.The next two officials, Wen's name is Wu Xitai, and Wu's name is Wang Degong. They are all old people who have followed him for many years.As usual, they always go out with them, and there is absolutely no mistake.But on this day, Wang Degong had a cold, increased cold and strong fever, headache and upset, took medicine, and sweated in bed.At this moment, Gong Bao wanted to go out, and he was so anxious that he broke out in sweat, struggling to get up, change his clothes, and go out with him.Fang Changsheng, the companion, couldn't bear it, and said, Brother Wang, you can just lie down and raise him, why don't I run for you?Wang Degong said: "Brother, do it for me, that's what I wish for, but if you are tired out of thin air, brother Yu always feels a little uneasy." Fang Changsheng smiled and said: "Brother, what is there to be uneasy. I haven't ridden a horse for many days. Let’s practice this today.” Degong thanked him again and again.Chang Sheng stopped to tie his knots, and when he was young, Gong Bao went out to get on the carriage, and everyone got on the horse together.Only the horse that Fang Changsheng was riding was a curly green, extremely tall horse, but it jumped up and down, not allowing Changsheng to get on it, and even neighed long and loud, as if I would never carry you.Changsheng hated him so much that he beat him several times with the whip, and Fang jumped on him.The horse was still not reined in, and reluctantly took a few steps forward.

Speeding fast, he entered the Inner Donghua Gate in a blink of an eye, and first went to the manager's office to register for duty.Zhang Delu saw that it was Gong Bao who came by himself, and there must be something important, so he dared to neglect him, and immediately welcomed him in and treated him hospitablely.He also congratulated Zicheng, saying that Gong Bao had conferred the title of Lord Marquis, we should have congratulated him immediately, but we didn't expect Gong Bao to come first.Zicheng hurriedly stopped him and said, "Don't dare to do it, I have sincerely resigned from the matter of conferring a title." Delu was surprised and said: "This matter of conferring a marquis is not easy to see. I can’t dream of it, but why did Kung Pao resign? Didn’t you just stay away?” Zicheng said, “It’s hard to explain. Seriously, who has any grudges against Gao Juehoulu? But looking at the current situation, all provinces have declared independence On the one hand, Hubei has not been completely cleared up. I am not sure what will happen in the future. I am a bit ashamed to be suddenly knighted by the court. I ask myself. So I sincerely say that it is out of necessity. Master Zhang, you are in the palace all day, how do you know what's going on outside?" When Delu heard this, he turned pale with fright, and quickly asked: "Is the enemy situation in other provinces so serious? I don't even have a shadow I know, then no wonder you resigned. I'll go up and play, so you can see the empress dowager, report everything in person, and think of a way to save it early." Zicheng said: "Okay, I will trouble Master Zhang, you Hurry up and go back." Delu left the general manager's office, abandoned the Cining Palace, met the Empress Dowager, and told the Empress Dowager Xiang Zicheng's request for an interview and what he said.The queen mother was so frightened that she was overwhelmed, and immediately ordered Xiang Zicheng to enter the palace to see her.Delu hurriedly ran out again, led Xiangzicheng into the palace for the second time, and met the empress dowager.When the Empress Dowager saw him, she asked, "Isn't Hankou already recovered? Why is the situation in other provinces even more troublesome?" Recovering has nothing to do with the overall situation. The reason why I put it in the memorial is just to comfort the hearts of the people. As for the situation in the provinces, it is really unspeakable. If you don't want to play, but you are afraid that troubles will come to Beijing in the future. I also have to bear the charge of deception. I have to report the truth, and I am afraid that the empress dowager will be shocked. I am in a dilemma, and I have no choice but to ask the empress dowager to follow it." The empress dowager listened to this time. He became more and more puzzled, and asked anxiously: "What's the situation outside, the Qing family might as well report the facts, so as to save me from worrying all day long. Could it be that the Revolutionary Party has already spread all over the country?" Zicheng kowtowed Zou said: "Although the current situation has not yet spread across the country, the banner of revolution has been erected in the Dajiang River Basin. Even the provinces adjoining Shandong and Shanxi are all unstable. As for Sichuan, Guangxi, Yun, and Guizhou, they have already It has been lost for a long time. Poor brother Rui Fang, who died in Sichuan, the situation is extremely tragic, and I have not dared to play." The empress dowager said in amazement: "Why did Rui Fang die? How did he die? Why did Sichuan Song Erying, the governor, didn't make a special report? You should know the whole story and the root cause of this matter, and you can tell the Ai family in detail." Xiang Zicheng said: "This matter cannot be explained in a few words. Now that Sichuan has become independent, even Song Erying was killed by the local rebels, how can he be a part of it. Poor Rui Fang died in Zizhou, and his body was not found. It was his military attache named Li Huchen Yes, I stole his head from Sichuan and came to Beijing yesterday. I haven't met him yet. The Empress Dowager wants to know the details, and I will ask him face-to-face when I wait for the minister to tell you about Rui Fang's death. I would like to ask the imperial court to give you a sympathy code." The queen mother nodded and sighed: "I didn't expect that Ruifang would never return! The imperial court used him, but he was harmed. You just said what is the situation in the provinces at present? Why are Shandong and Shanxi Will there be a revolution in the land of Gyeonggi? Could it be that the governors of the two provinces, the same group of civil and military officials, just watch and ignore it?" Zicheng said: "The holy lesson of the empress dowager. The officials of the two provinces are dead. , run away, who dares to take charge." Hearing this, the queen mother was really surprised.Because Sichuan is far away from Beijing, even if it is reversed, it will never reach the capital for a while.As for Shandong and Shanxi, the distance from Beijing can range from one thousand to several hundred.Now that something is wrong, wouldn't it be possible to come to Beijing in a blink of an eye.So the more I thought about it, the more frightened I became, and I was so anxious that I almost cried.He hurriedly asked Zicheng: "How good is it like this? The Qing family must also have a precaution in advance. Don't wait for them to kill Beijing. Can't my monarch and ministers just wait for capture?" Zicheng said: "I will do this too. I tried my best to save it. But the hearts of the people have changed, and they all turned to the revolution. A group of officers and soldiers, eight out of ten, are like this. What can I do to save it?" The Queen Mother heard this, and only sighed. , I can't tell why.In the end, it was Xiang Zicheng who came up with the idea, saying that the minister came up with a way when he had no idea, but he didn't dare to be self-sufficient, so he had to ask the empress dowager for instructions.The Empress Dowager said: "As long as you have a way to keep the country and the country of the Qing Dynasty, I have nothing to disagree with." Zicheng said: "Looking at the current situation, it is absolutely impossible to wipe out all the revolutionary parties. We can only Use the method of drawing salaries from the bottom of the pot, but ask them to be the leaders, to relax a little bit, so that they can calmly negotiate, this matter will be easy to handle. I think that now that our army has won the battle in Hanyang, the arrogance of the Revolutionary Party will naturally be slightly lower. Kill a little. Take this opportunity, we have a truce with him to negotiate a peace, which can save the people from suffering, and save the war from prolonging. Choose a moderate location from the north and the south, and send representatives to discuss the terms of the peace. The first thing is to keep my throne in the Qing Dynasty The rest of the conditions are all negotiable. Those leaders of the revolutionary party are just getting rich for promotion. As long as they are rewarded to other officials afterwards, they can be used for me. Please think about it, Queen Mother, can this method work? "The empress dowager said: "The reasoning is that the imperial court should not discuss with the rebellious party; but if the war is prolonged, it is inevitable that people will die. Now, for the sake of loving the people, I condescend to honor the people. After thousands of years, I will have my own public opinion I will follow the Qing family's idea, and it is not impossible." Zicheng kowtowed and said: "The empress dowager will be grateful to God when she thinks of kindness. The minister must respect his morality and will never let the royal family be affected by it. As for the plenipotentiary representative of Yihe, I have already found someone. This person has received great kindness from the state, and he will be able to live up to the entrustment." The empress dowager hurriedly asked who it was.Zicheng said: "It was Tang Shaoyi who was the governor of Fengtian in the past. When the minister was in Beiyang, he was Tang Shaoyi. He was selected by Li Hongzhang when he sent students to study in Britain and the United States. When the minister was stationed in North Korea, he was used as a The translator is indeed well-versed in both Chinese and Western cultures, and his talent is quick. If this person is used as the plenipotentiary representative, he will surely be able to serve the country and put an end to civil strife." The Empress Dowager said: "In this case, you should send him there as soon as possible." Xiang Zicheng Assented, he retreated, did not dare to delay at the manager's office, immediately took the carriage, and hurried back to the house.

After leaving the Donghua Gate, we walked to East Chang'an Avenue. Along the street, all the merchants wanted to pay their respects to Xiang Gongbao's color.The police, armed with batons, drove out idlers.There are so many helpless people, and there is no way to expel them all at once.The carriage had just reached the middle of the street, when suddenly a young man among the crowd took out something from his arms, pointed it at Xiang Gongbao's carriage, and threw it vigorously, but there was a loud bang, like the sky collapsing, and black smoke immediately In all directions, the streets are full of dust.The police panicked for a moment, only to blow their sirens loudly.Immediately, hundreds of policemen and battalion soldiers from the North Yamen came, surrounded an East Chang'an Avenue, and captured all the people walking on the street.At this moment, Gongbao's carriage and his attendants had already gone far away.Only one person and one horse were killed, and this person was Xiang Gongbao's and Ma Fangmou.It's a pity that he doesn't do such a job in his normal life, but because Wang Degong is sick, he came out to take a trip instead, but he encountered this unexpected disaster.It can be regarded as his destiny, to be the scapegoat of Wang Degong and Xiang Zicheng, and even a big green horse suffered a lot.All the soldiers and police captured all the people in the street, tied them up with ropes, and dragged them to the yamen of the infantry commander.At this time, the commander of the infantry was still Wu Jin.听说有人在东长安街放炸弹，要炸项宫保，早已吓得魂不附体，立时骑上马，带了数十名营兵箭手，亲自赶上来捕贼。行至半路，见军警蜂拥着许多犯人，向自己衙门解去。他见了，心里如一块石头落地，知道放炸弹的人不曾跑脱，自己的营兵将他获住，可以减少了本人的考成。这一喜非同小可，忙从马上跳下来，抱拳含笑，向军警说道：“有劳众位弟兄，把罪犯获着，快快解送到北衙门，我必重重犒赏。”众军警齐说：“谢大人。”随同着一同回至衙署。乌谨不敢怠慢，即刻升堂审讯，到底哪一个是正凶。乌压压地跪满了一堂，内中只有两个少年，立而不跪。乌谨便在他二人身上注意，说你们这些人，谁是放炸弹的正凶，快快招上来，免得拖累旁人。跪着的众人哭哭啼啼的，全说青天大人，我们全是过路的来往行人，也有小商贩，活该遇着了这样逆事，凭空被军警捕了来。我们还不知是怎么一回事，只求大人高抬贵手，早早把我们开释了吧。这些人说完，只见立着的那两个少年，哈哈大笑说：“乌谨你不要残害善良，快快把这些人开释了。所有炸弹的事，我二人便一一招承。你要不放他们，我们也不招。”乌谨一听这话，知是真凶是有了，乐得顺水推舟，做现成人情，立刻叫跪着的人，各觅铺保，一律开释。然后和颜悦色，向两个少年问道：“你二人贵姓大名？原籍是哪里人？为什么要炸项宫保？是有人主使，还是发于自动呢？”内中一个少年，朗朗地答道：“在下姓章，名光培。我这同伴姓韩，名德基。我们全是湖南人，在东洋留学多年。这一次回国，是奉铁血团同盟会会长孙先生的使命，专为炸满清亲贵。我们在北京已经住了两个多月，仔细调查这一班亲贵，全是些酒囊饭袋，无用的东西，就是炸死他们，还不够一个炸弹的代价呢。因此改变方针，想要炸项子城。但是据我们党中人说，项子城并不忠于满洲一家一姓，留着他将来还有用处。所以炸他的政策，纯粹出于我两人的意思，并非受党中指使。今天既未炸死他，总算他命不当绝。我们既束手被擒，只有一死，你也不必问长问短，尽管啰唆了。”

作小说的叙至此处，只得折回笔来，再将这两人的来踪去路，略表一番。原来这章光培、韩德基，全是当日张文襄送往东洋的留学生。他们一到日本，便入了同盟会，竭力地提倡排满革命，也无暇再求学问。后来被张文襄知道了，便知会驻日公使，将他们的官费一律革除。这些人是艰苦卓绝，虽然革了官费，却仍然不肯回国，照旧在东洋联络同志，进行革命事业。并且加入铁血团要暗杀满清亲贵。三番五次回祖国来，只是不得下手。这一回湖北起了革命，他们大家在东京也开了一次会议，彼此讨论。有乐意到湖北投效的；有乐意回原籍鼓吹革命的。唯独章光培、韩德基，还有一个姓彭的少年，名叫国珍，他三人却别有思想，一定要往北京惊天动地地做一种事业。大家见他们志向坚定，便由党中替他们筹了一千二百块钱做盘费，另外带了三枚炸弹。这三枚炸弹，全由德国造来的，能炸五六丈见方，乃是西洋一种特别的利器，全安放在皮包的下一层。其形如鸭蛋式的白铜墨盒一般无二，要是生人见了，绝料不到是炸弹。三人结束停当，便乘船先到上海。在上海不曾耽搁，又乘船到天津，由天津到北京，住在煤市街万隆店内。他们头上戴的全是假辫子，冒充是湘绣客人，要在北京招揽生意。店家见这三人规规矩矩，想是初到北京的生客，倒也不起疑心。他们无事，轻易也不出来。在店中住了有一个月，明察暗访，知道满清已将政权，完全送与项子城。这一般亲贵，仍然是恒舞酣歌，各自寻他们的乐境，早把国事忘到九霄云外。三人在室中私议，说看这神气，胡运已终，那些无知的亲贵，实在不值一个炸弹。我们这一趟，岂不是白来了吗？彭国珍道：“二位仁兄，你但知其一，不知其二。如今满清亲贵中，只有一个人，是铁中铮铮，佣中佼佼。此人不除，满清的基业决然推不倒，就是项子城有意下手，亦怕不容易呢。”二人忙问国珍，此人是谁？国珍叹道：“要论此人，还是我的拜盟兄长。当初留学的时候，我二人是形影不离，并且对天鸣誓，不愿同年同月同日生，但愿同年同月同日死。论我们当日的交情，真可比桃园结义。当年他亦在铁血团同盟会，后来他回国的时候，还指天誓曰：不扫除满清，决不与我相会。我彼时还认他是汉族的男儿，哪知回国以后，他就现了原形。原来他正是爱新觉罗的子孙，他父亲同他的伯父，全是清室的镇国公爵。他的本名原叫善辅，在'善'字上加了一个'赵'字，便冒充我们汉族中人。在日本留学七年，什么陆军学校、士官学校，全卒过业，并且实地见习，日本将官特授他为陆军中尉。这实是因为他的成绩特别优良，要不然，我们在日本留学陆军，照例士官卒业后，只能授为少尉，从没有授过中尉的，他算是留学中一个特色了。只可惜他是满人，要是一个汉人，必能为本党增光生色。到底他还有一件好处，是从来不残害本党的人。他回国以后，我方才知道他的历史，也曾去信骂过他一回，我说他不应当欺骗我。他回来的信，倒是深自引过，只说上天生他为满人，为四周环境所迫，实在是无可奈何，立誓此后决不残害同党。他倒是言而有信，尚不愧为好汉。只可惜这近一二年来，他忽然变了态度，公然帮助满清，出种种的法子，同我们民党作对。并且他部下的禁卫军，专门挑选旗人，想要练成一支劲旅，以便平灭民党。这个人反复无常，太可恨了。我这一次到北京来，专为对付他一个人。大概同日同死的话，就要应验在我们两个身上了。”章、韩二人，听他滔滔地说了这一大篇话，也很动感慨。说人生在世，本来如一场大梦，只要搏一个身后之名，不至与草木同腐，这一世就算不曾白来。至于朋友之间，因宗旨不同，凶终隙末，也是很平常的事。不过照着彭兄同善辅这样死生不二之交，一旦间竟自成了不能并立的仇敌，也就实在出人意料之外了。三人谈了一阵，各自安息。

这天吃过早饭，韩德基提倡，要到文明茶园去看戏，说今天有李鑫甫贴的《一门忠烈》，形容我们汉族好男儿，不可不去看看。彭国珍问道：“《一门忠烈》到底是什么戏呢？”章光培抢着答道：“《一门忠烈》便是《别母乱箭》，周遇吉守宁武关的故事。你怎么不知道呢？”国珍道：“《别母乱箭》不是昆曲的《铁冠图》吗？”韩德基道：“正是正是，《一门忠烈》乃是此戏的别名。”国珍道：“这样我们可去看看。”三人到了戏园子，寻个座儿坐下，直等四五点，李鑫甫方才上场。他去的是周遇吉，他哥哥李寿峰去周母，他二哥李寿山去李虎，这一出戏算是他三个弟兄分着唱了。果然义烈之处，有声有色，连听戏的人，无不大动感情。彭、章、韩三人正在听得入神，忽然座旁一个人叹息道：“天下事真巧极了，今天文明园演唱宁武关失守，恰恰陕西今天宣告独立，听说巡抚鲁中屹也殉难死了，还带累他的大公子一同尽节。这同宁武关的周遇吉，还有什么分别？”三人一听这话，也不愿看戏了，立刻凝神定志，接续着听他们到底谈些什么。只听有一个答道：“各省纷纷独立，只怕克复了汉阳，也未必能挽回厄运吧。”那一个又叹道：“克复汉阳，不过是项宫保先声夺人，究竟以后怎样，只怕他一个人也未必济得什么事。”这一个问道：“外边全说项宫保并非忠于大清，这话未必靠得住吧？”那一个郑重地答道：“你快不要胡说。项宫保真是忠心耿耿，竭死力地报效皇家。外边人不知底细，信口胡云，还听得吗？这事瞒了旁人，瞒不了我们内扇的朋友。就以克复汉口这件事说吧，项宫保得到捷报，马上就具折入奏，安慰皇太后、皇上的心。若非精忠保国，焉能如此。由这上看起来，可见外边的话，全是无根之谈，千万信不得的。或者革命党故意造的一种空气，所为摇惑听闻，也许有的。”那一个又问道：“照你这样说，似乎大清的江山社稷，也许不至有什么危险吧？”这一个又答道：“要据我看，只要项宫保在京一日，革命党决然不能得志，大清的天下，也决然丢不了的。”二人谈到这里，戏台上一阵锣鼓乱敲，正是周遇吉大战一只虎，鞭打虎臂，热腾腾的，杀得难解难分。那两个人，也顾不得谈话了，直瞪着眼向台上看。此时章、韩两人，似乎有点心事，人家看戏，他两人却一定要走。彭国珍道：“看完了再走，忙的是什么呢？”章光培道：“你乐意看，请随便吧，恕我们不陪，回头在店里见好了。”说罢两人便扬长而去。彭国珍心里虽不乐意，面子上也不好说什么，便独自在园里看戏。及至歇台后，一个人信步游行，走到大李纱帽胡同东海居，进里面寻了一个雅座，随意要了两样酒菜。他的酒量是很大，又兼一个人闷闷无聊，便放开了量，尽兴喝了一回，足足喝了四斤女贞陈绍。意思还想再喝一斤，堂倌劝道：“先生你喝的不为少了。我们家的南酒，向例是隔年的，后力很大，这四斤足可抵他家六斤。请先生不要再喝了。”彭国珍笑道：“难得你这样好心，不替柜上多多卖酒，倒替我们喝酒的打算。”堂倌道：“先生你不要多心，我确是一番好意。你如果一定要喝，我这就给你温酒去，不要屈了尊量。”国珍道：“不用了，我吃一点饭，就要走了。”堂倌给他上了一碗三鲜汤，盛了两碗饭。国珍只吃了一碗，便开付饭钱，回至万隆店内。自己的门户仍然锁着，心中很诧异，怎么章、韩两人还不曾回来吗？店伙开了房门，国珍问他，章、韩两位先生不曾回来吗？店伙道：“不曾回来，你三位不是一处看戏吗？怎么你老回来了？”国珍道：“他们两位因有同乡的客人，约了去看货，说少时就回来，因此我一个人去吃饭，没想到他们这时还不曾回来。”国珍进到屋里，叫店伙沏了一壶热茶，自己慢慢喝着等候章、韩两人。直等到夜间三更，仍不见他两人回来，此时酒也醒了，不免有些着急。心想这两个人，到底跑到哪里去了？他们从来不曾住在外边，也不曾听他们说外边有什么朋友，怎么会不回来呢？国珍一个人辗转反侧，一宵也不曾合眼。章、韩两人，却真的一宵不曾回来，难道两个活条条的人，还会丢了不成？

原来他们自从在戏园中听了那太监的一套话，便信以为实，出了戏园门口，先寻一个小饭馆，草草吃了一顿饭。章光培说：“今天咱们须寻一个秘密地方商量大事，我看连彭国珍也要背他一点才好。一者万隆店内人多耳杂；再者国珍同咱们不是一个宗旨。咱们商议的事，倘然不赞成，便有些难办了，你以为怎么样呢？”韩德基点头道：“你说得很是。但是机密地方，向何处去寻呢？”章光培笑道：“你是初次到北京，所以东西南北全认不清。我在八年前曾来过一次，前门外的地方，没有不认得的，要寻机密地方，你只可随着我走。”德基道：“好好，就是这样。”光培在前引路，从煤市街进了大李纱帽胡同，拐至火神庙，又溜入青风巷，从清风巷折出来，又奔留守卫，来至一家二等茶室。看看灯上的字号，却是宝和。章光培缓步进来，德基在后面随着。才进门就听喊了一声，韩德基生平不曾到过花界，骤然听见一喊，不觉吓了一跳。忙拉住章光培问道：“这一家姓什么，同你是亲戚还是朋友呢？”光培听这一问，又是生气，又是好笑，忙拦道：“你不要多说话。”随后见一个四十多岁的胖妇人打起帘子来，笑着说：“请二位老爷里面坐。”光培在前，德基在后，进了这屋子。却见耀眼争光，四壁全糊洋花纸，用电灯一照，格外好看。再看铁床上悬着湖色洋绉帐幔，紧靠床边是一架很大的穿衣镜，穿衣镜旁边，便是梳妆台。德基见了，不觉愕然问道：“这是人家小姐的绣房，咱们随便跑进来，可使得吗？”这两句话说完，屋中人全招得哈哈大笑。光培禁不住也笑了，说你少言语罢。紧跟着见有七八个花枝招展的女子，全跑到屋门前，挨着班次一站。那个胖大妇人在旁边报号数，这个排六，那个排五，这个排四，那个排一。她报全这个，这个便走了，又唤那一个，一连唤了七八个。然后笑向光培道：“全齐了，老爷招呼哪一个？”光培道：“谁是这本屋子的人？”胖妇道：“就是第三个那排一的，老爷招呼她吗？”光培道：“好好，我们这位韩老爷招呼她。”德基到此时方才恍然大悟，忙推光培一把道：“胡闹胡闹，我从来不干这事。咱们好好的朋友，你为何拉我下水呢？”光培道：“逢场作戏，这有什么？你屈尊一回，回头我有要紧的事对你说呢。”德基虽然不乐意，却又不好说什么，只得勉强应了。少时排一的过来，问贵姓，张罗茶水，极力周旋。可怜德基生平没到过这种地方，总觉得局促不安，左右皆无所可。少时排一的又出去见客，屋中只剩了章、韩两人。德基很埋怨光培，不应当到这种地方来。光培叹道：“老弟你但知其一，不知其二。这种地方虽然极乱杂，却是极机密。咱们策划大事，只得暂借她这屋子一用。明天便是我两人的生死关头，难道还有心来寻花问柳吗？”德基道：“大哥说的虽然很是，但据我看，她这屋子，出来进去不断的人，恐怕不能谈机密话吧。”光培道：“不要紧。咱们多坐一会儿，到时候你只装作疝气痛，躺在床上不动，我便有话对她们说了。”德基点头会意。两人坐了一个多钟头，光培对排一的说：“我们多坐一刻，回头喊四个铺，决不叫你吃亏。”排一的听说给她喊四个铺，不觉笑逐颜开，忙说二位老爷赏脸，自请坐着，多喊少喊的有什么关系呢？原来北京茶室的规矩，是五吊大钱一铺。寻常客全是喊一铺，少阔的喊双铺，再阔的四铺、八铺、十六铺，越多越好。光培说这话，是为稳住了她，省得下逐客令。果然排一的同姨娘们听了这话，格外欢迎。二人坐到快一点钟了，德基忽然啊呀一声，说不好，我的疝气病犯了。光培一听，假作惊惶失色，说这个可怎么好呢？排一的忙问是怎么一回事？光培道：“你不知道，这位韩老爷，他生平有疝气痛的病根，一动便有性命之忧。只要躺在床上，有人看着他，也许一天半夜就好。今天却在这里犯病，这是从哪里说起呢？”排一的踌躇道：“照章老爷这样说，是一步也挪动不得了。”光培道：“谁说不是呢，他这一挪动就有危险，不挪动，到了时候自然会好的。”排一的道：“啊呀！这样说，我这屋子，今天不能再让旁人了。”光培道：“没有法子，只好屈尊一点，将这屋子让给我们两人。我们多花几块，算不得什么，但求他这病平平安安地好了，比什么全强。”排一的尚未答言，那姨娘尤嫂，先赶着说道：“谁还乐意生病，这是赶上了，可有什么法子。依我劝姑娘你，只当留下韩老爷在这里住一宵，也没有什么使不得的。”排一的皱眉道：“我们留客原是应当的事，没有什么稀奇，况且照韩老爷这样体面人，我们留还留不到呢。难道说他病了，我们好意思一定叫他走吗？不过有一件难事，今天白日，水二爷就定好了，晚间在这里住，两点一准来。我要再留下客，他来了岂不要打吵子。”章光培听到这里，忙接口道：“这事却倒不妨。我们不过占这间屋子，并非是一定叫你陪着。你有客自请随便，不妨再寻一间房头，我们在这屋里忍半宵，他哪时好了，我们哪时就可以走。至于一切花钱的规矩，我们不但不少花一个，还要加着倍地开付，你看不好吗？”尤嫂同排一的一听，这真是财神上门，还有什么不乐意的，立时慨然允许。光培掏出小皮夹来，照着小班子的规矩，开了八元。尤嫂等欢天喜地喊下去，又好好地沏了一壶热茶，备了四碟点心，表示优待之意。

屋中只剩了章、韩二人，这才低声开起谈判来。光培道：“咱们今天在戏园中所听的那些话，大有研究的价值。据我看，项子城这个人实在靠不住。他到底还是忠于满清，咱们党中人，也受他愚弄了。若不先将此人除掉，恐怕革命没有成功的那一天。你想我这话可是吗？”德基道：“你的话诚然不错，但是要除掉他，也不是一件容易事。如果打草惊蛇，白送了自己性命，那就犯不着了。”光培道：“虽然说不容易，到底也要看机会。如果有下手的机会，还不是举手之力吗？”德基道：“机会哪有现成的，只好慢慢去等。知道什么时候才能等得到，这又是一个难题了。假如三天、五天之内，要没有机会，咱们是回店呢，还是老在这里住着呢？”光培笑道：“你又说呆话了，这是什么地方，岂有久住之理。你纵然乐意住，也不见得人家天天留你啊。”德基听这话，很不高兴地答道：“我何尝乐意在这里住，不是你诱我来的吗，怎么到如今反倒讥笑起我来？”光培见他急了，忙安慰道：“贤弟你快不要生气，愚兄不过说着玩。你要知道，我们除非到这地方，不能畅所欲言，连彭国珍全要避讳的，你想今天怎好回店。我们是将大计决定了，然后再等机会。哪时有机会，哪时伸手便能做。因为这件事，是牺牲性命的事，不能再叫第三人知道。只要咱两人通过了，便一言为定，以后随时随地，全好去做。所以这个两头会议，必须在这种地方来开。虽然于老弟的操守道德上，似乎欠缺一点，到底为临机应变，也就顾不得了。”光培开诚布公地说了这一套话，德基也只好点头称是。又问光培道：“这样说，你的意思是决定了？”光培道：“我想非走这一条路不可，但不知你赞成不赞成？”德基道：“我有什么不赞成的。我们三人从东京来时，原是拼着一死，好成就党中的大事。原意本想炸满清亲贵，如今仔细一调查，那些亲贵并没有挨炸的价值。除善辅一个人，算得是角色，其余连摄政王全是酒囊饭袋，我们炸他有什么用处。如今善辅已经有了对头，不是我们责任以内的事了。我们要寻一位主顾，那项子城自然是再好没有的了。我们能将他炸死，从今以后，满清失去了这根柱子，用不到几天，便须倒塌。将来革命史上，我两人总要算第一功。这样好机会，是轻易遇不着的，难道还游移不成吗？”光培见他志向决定，心中非常欢喜。说这样我们也就不必议了。明天先到项宅左右，探一探消息。大概要混入他府门，是很不容易的，只能够等他出门，在半路上邀而击之，万无一失。德基道：“只好如此。我们却不可露一点形迹，最好咱们二人分开走，不可在一路谈话，免得叫人注意。”光培道：“你我吃过早饭，先到隆福寺。那里离项宅不远，我一个人去采访，你只在隆福寺小茶馆坐着。我得着什么消息，再回来寻你。咱们喝着茶，只用手指蘸水，在桌上画字，便可以传递消息，切不可开口，免得被人听见。这是机密勾当，千万不可大意了。”德基道：“这是自然的，少一大意，牺牲了自己性命原算不得什么，若因此误了大事，岂不叫同党人笑话，说我们身死无名。”光培点头称是。二人计议已定，便在床上睡了有两个钟头。天光已亮，爬起来想要净面漱口，无奈这种地方，最早也得正午时分才有姨娘等出来伺候，再早是没有人应接的。光培知道此中情形，只得自己到院中，在缸里淘了一盆冷水，二人将脸洗一洗。又从暖壶中倒了两碗尚有余热的水，随便噙了两口漱一漱，然后一同出来，把看门的叫醒，开开大门。 二人走到街上