Chapter 66 Chapter 63: Being in a Cage, Willingly Seeking Protection, Conducting Secret Plans, and Beginning Peace Negotiations

What Sheng Yuan hated most in his life was to slander the Manchus and betray the monarch.He was originally a bannerman of the Tianhuang faction. In this kind of place, his purpose should be regarded as pure, and he must not be said to be bad.He happened to meet this lawless Guan Tianxia, ​​who was also a banner man, but he wanted to revolutionize the Qing Dynasty. Zhangkou Mindang and Sheng Yuan became enemies.As for himself, he didn't pay attention to Sheng Yuan's behavior, and he recognized him as an alcoholic. Since he was high on his position, how could he put alcoholic in his eyes.Unexpectedly, the drunkard went crazy, and offered him bowl after bowl, a bowl of stewed mutton, which was completely buttoned up on his body, a plate of fried pork slices, which was completely swept off the mandarin jacket, and the rented clothes were all dirty. Counting, he was pushed on his back, riding on his body and fighting.Originally, he was swollen dozens of mouths in the palace, but the swelling has not subsided, and now the swelling is getting worse, how can he not scream?Wen Boquan came to persuade him, but was scolded by Sheng Yuan head on, and he was too frightened to persuade him any more.It's not the other way around, he's drinking mad, if he gets his clothes dirty again, he can't afford to pay for one set, can he afford to add another one?But Sheng Yuan fought more and more fiercely, if he beat Guan Tianxia to death, he would have to accompany him in the lawsuit, is this just a joke?I wanted to call the police, but I was a little afraid, because the two lunatics were talking nonsense, and if the police heard them, the matter would become more and more troublesome.Bo Quan was in a dilemma when he suddenly saw a person coming in from outside.He didn't look at You Ke, and he was even more shocked when he saw it!Who are you talking about?It turned out to be Shen Lin, the right-wing general of the admiral's office.This person originally started by searching for the Democratic Party, and he is a well-known member of the bannermen. It has been mentioned in the previous article of this book, not once.That day when Wang Dujuan failed to bomb the Regent, it was Shen Lin who uncovered it. Therefore, everyone in Ninetowns knew Shen Lin's name.When he was not making a fortune, he and Wen Boquan were allied brothers.Later, when he got rich, Boquan used his banner to bluff and deceive outside, doing everything.Shen Lin was very displeased with his behavior, and the two of them broke up invisibly.But today I ran into him by accident, so Boquan had no choice but to say hello: "Second brother, what a coincidence! Brother Yu is about to go to the house to greet you, but he didn't expect to meet him here, please sit inside!" Lin Dao: "Brother, why did you fight? Who are those two people rolling around?" Bo Quan said: "Don't mention it! These are two famous people among the bannermen, don't you recognize them? "Shen Lin quickly went over to pull the two of them up, laughed loudly, and said, "Who am I? It turns out that Madman Sheng is in charge of the second child. What are you two fighting? I think the yellow soup has been poured into the dog's belly again." "The two of them didn't dare to fight when they saw that it was Shen Lin who came to persuade them.But Sheng Yuan said loudly: "Second Master Shen, quickly lock up this chaotic party without a father and no king, and don't let him run away!" Guan Tianxia stared and said, "I was sent by the Jade Emperor. Lead 130,000 heavenly soldiers and heavenly generals to arrest you big-headed ghost. Your Erlang Lord is here, you quickly release the dog to bite him, don't let him escape!" After saying that, he grabbed Shen Lin's lapel sleeves and told him to let the dog go .Shen Lin said to Boquan, "Why are you so drunk? You don't separate them." Taking this opportunity, Boquan called for two rickshaws, put Guan Tianxia on them, got into the car himself, and went to the car. Shen Lin arched his hands, said goodbye, and left at a gallop.Only Shen Lin and Sheng Yuan were left here, and Sheng Yuan stomped his feet and complained: "Why let him go? He is really a rebellious party, sent by Sun Wen, and wants to kill Old En Wang!" Shen Lin said: "Forget it, Don't be crazy about drinking, find a place to sleep as soon as possible, can't you drink all night?" Sheng Yuan was swaying, and just about to go out, the waiter grabbed him and said: "Go slowly! You only saved two yuan on the cabinet. You roasted the duck and sold it for seven or eight times. Even the wine and vegetables cost more than four yuan. You also smashed two plates, a large bowl, did you just stand up and leave? " Sheng Yuan stared at him and said, "Why do you ask me for money for the two of them to eat?" The waiter said: "That's unreasonable! You are eating at the same table, and when he leaves, you should give the money. "Sheng Yuan said: "Okay, write it down first, and pay it back to you tomorrow." The waiter can't say, we don't pay on credit here.Sheng Yuan said: "If you don't pay on credit, I still have no money." The waiter said: "If you don't have money, I won't let you go!" Sheng Yuan laughed loudly and said: "I am worried about having no place to live. Living here with you, a hot room, is much better than a chicken feather store." Sheng Yuan's nonsense made the waiter helpless.Later, Shen Lin couldn't see it, so he took out three yuan and gave it to Wen Wen.Only then did Sheng Yuan leave the tavern in a dazed state, and went to look for a small chicken feather shop, but did not mention it for the time being.

But Wen Boquan took the management of the world, and went home all the time after being plagued.When he got off the car at the door of his house, he was grabbed by someone. He was so frightened that he shouted: "What do you do? Why do you scare people in the dark?" He only heard the other side also shouted: "You rented our clothes. I rented it for one day, but I didn't talk about it overnight. If you don't hand in the cabinet at this time, we will have to charge the rental price for two days." Boquan said: "I thought it was something important, but it turned out to be picking up clothes. Don't worry, you won't be able to escape. Rent price, we’ll take it off for you right away, and we won’t wear it for a while longer.” He took off his clothes first, then urged Guan Tianxia to take off his clothes, rolled them up, and handed them over to someone from the rental shop. .Say you take it away quickly, don't look at us cheating you.The person who rented the goods took the clothes, and if he couldn't make it, you had to make up two yuan or forty cents.Boquan said: "It's unreasonable! If you wear it for a moment, you will be charged a day's rent?" Let's go, there will be no more.The man took the money, took the clothes under his arm, and left in a fit of anger.As he walked, he muttered gossip.Bo Quan paid the fare for the car, and dragged Guan Tianxia in together.The two laughed loudly under the lamp, leaning forward and back together.Boquan's wife, Fu Shi, was watching and didn't know what they were laughing at, so she hurriedly asked: "You guys just came back at this time, and you don't even wear a big coat, aren't you afraid of the cold? Why are you laughing instead? Could it be that he is suffering from a madness?" One sentence reminded the two people, and then they each found their coats and put them on.Bo Quan said: "I really admire you! I met Shen's second child just now when I was suffering from the plague, and I was worried. I'm afraid that Madman Sheng will talk nonsense, and he really treats you as a revolutionary party. That would be bad. But I didn't expect you to pretend to be crazy, and you actually got away with it, which is rare!" Guan Tianxia said: "Forget it, you were vicious enough with the rental shop just now, and the boy must go back. Smash the rice cooker." The two were enjoying themselves, when they suddenly heard someone calling the door, like a drum beating, one after another.Fushi was about to go out to answer the door, but Boquan waved his hands and winked at her repeatedly.Fushi stopped and asked him what happened, Boquan said something about the dirty clothes.Fushi said: "If you don't go out to meet him, can this matter be over? If you want me to say, you go to meet him head-on. Since you didn't see it at the time, we have a reason to say that we can't compensate him. How about you?" When I went out to see you, I felt guilty." Bo Quan heard that the words were right, and then he heard that the door was about to be smashed outside, so he ran out and asked loudly, "Who dares to smash my door like this?" A loud voice outside replied: "Come on, open our clothes, dirty our clothes, and pretend to be stupid, what kind of person!" Bo Quan didn't open the door, but asked through the crack of the door: "Who dirty your clothes?" Clothes? You came to my house to make trouble." The outsider said loudly again: "I am from a rental shop, and I have a squirrel robe with the front completely dirty; Group. Ask around, these two clothes cost more than 200 yuan, is it over if you just put it lightly like this?" Bo Quan said: "That's unreasonable! When you took it back just now, there was not even a speck of oil and water, and it was dirty in a blink of an eye. In this way, it is obviously your excuses to lie. You don’t turn your eyes to see, is Uncle Wen being blackmailed by others?” The outsiders became more anxious when they heard this, and they simply yelled.When Boquan heard him swearing, he became more reasonable, opened the door, and slapped the man twice in the mouth.How could the man agree, and the two of them were locked together.The robes and jackets were left on the ground, turning into mud eggs.Guan Tianxia also came out to help fight, and the fight was fierce.The police came to pull them away, and the people from the rental shop had to go to the district to file a lawsuit, so the police had to take them to the office.It just so happened that the director was also a bannerman, and he knew Boquan well, so he knew that Mr. Wen was not someone to mess with.After a brief questioning, he sent a businessman to tell you that since you took the clothes back, how can you go find someone else to make trouble, which is clearly deliberate.I should have punished you severely, but you are an ignorant businessman, so you were released on bail.Poor renters, who have been wronged and wronged, have nowhere to complain, so they have to admit that they are unlucky.Wen Boquan was in charge of the world together, and returned home triumphantly, but he could no longer rent clothes.

After all, the plan of the two had to be carried out as usual, Wen Boquan had no choice but to find Heng Shifeng, borrow money and clothes from him, and discuss ways to blackmail him.Heng Shifeng blamed him very much and shouldn't provoke the lunatic Guan: "Such people can only do bad things, but they can't make things happen. Besides, we knocked out a group of brothers and bastards. You haven't figured out the temperament of these people. You must take it The Revolutionary Party frightened him, and he probably became stiff. Because they are all arrogant and ignorant children. No matter how powerful the Revolutionary Party is, he said that I have never seen it. You asked him to spend a lot of money to make peace with the Revolutionary Party. It’s irreplaceable. We have to think of other ways before we can be effective.” Boquan said with a smile, “You are really thoughtful. Tomorrow, the two of us will go there first to find out what to do. What do you think? "Shi Feng said: "You can go, but just take care of that treasure in the world, don't take him with you again." Boquan laughed and said: "You really think of me as an idiot. Can we meet again? It’s just that when we meet him tomorrow, we have to have a set of words, one to say and one to praise, and we must sing to perfection before we can hope to get money. If the cow’s hoof is in half, we can’t talk about it , wouldn’t it be worse?” Shi Feng said: “You don’t have to worry about this level, I’ve already thought about the topic. And this topic is exactly what they want, and it will be successful if you save it. According to my ideal guess Three to five hundred thousand, we can always get it in our hands. We got this money, we have to get out as soon as possible. If the news gets out and old Xiang finds out, we won’t be able to grow our heads anymore." Boquan said: "You don't need to say this, I understand it very well. It's just about their topic, you have to teach me in advance, so as not to be inconsistent temporarily." Shi Feng whispered in Boquan's ear, telling him so and so.Boquan clapped his hands and said, "This topic is really clever! Not only does it match what you like, but you can ask for a lot of money. I really admire it! Let's go for a walk after breakfast tomorrow. To catch the thief and the king, we should first It would be wonderful to go to Prince En's Mansion." Shi Feng agreed, and lent Bo Quan fifty yuan and a new set of clothes.Boquan was very happy, bid farewell to Shifeng, and went back to his Powa cold kiln.When Guan Tianxia saw that he came back wearing new clothes, he decided that he was cheating, and he must ask why, and immediately wanted to share the spoils with him.Boquan said: "Why are you so impatient? I borrowed the clothes from my friends." Guan Tianxia complained to him why he didn't borrow two sets.Boquan said: "You are so unsophisticated, and it takes a lot of trouble to borrow one set. Where can I borrow two sets?" : "You stay at home for a few days, I really can't borrow it. The two of us are accommodating. I go out and you look after the house, and you go out and I look after the house. Is it okay?" Guan Tianxia had nothing to say, so he went to sleep in a fit of anger. No longer talk to Bo Quan.

The next day Boquan had breakfast and went to find Heng Shifeng alone.The two sat in the carriage together and went to see Xing Beizi at Prince En's mansion.When we met this time, it was really different from the day before yesterday. We talked and laughed, and actually left the matter of the day before yesterday out of the blue.Bo Quan first said: "I have always been happy in the mansion, but I don't know that the southern province is already in a bad state, and even Shanghai is shaken. If you don't think about it quickly, you will be in our north in a blink of an eye." Xing Beizi stared blankly. He looked at him and said: "What's so scary about this? Now that my fourth brother Xiang is mobilizing everything in Beijing, I heard that the chaotic party in Hubei has been wiped out by the Imperial Guards. Where can Shanghai go? Why do you make such a fuss and scare people?" Bo Quan hit a wall and dared not speak anymore.However, Heng Shifeng went on to say: "Why do you believe what Lao Xiang said? In Beijing today, who doesn't know that Xiangzi City is a traitor, who is serving the court openly, but secretly colluding with the rebellious party. The disaster in Hubei was completely caused by him. Yes. If he really supported the royal family, he would have already won the victory with a force as strong as the Imperial Guards. How could it be delayed until now? Lord, don’t believe his words anymore. We have to think of ways to defend ourselves at this time. The most important thing is First weed out the chaotic party, and there will be no external troubles, which will naturally reduce internal troubles. Otherwise, we will not be able to keep the country of the Qing Dynasty if there is an attack from both inside and outside." Shi Feng's words actually moved Zaixing, and he immediately stamped his feet and began to scold. Old Xianglai: "You ungrateful thief! If the old prince hadn't saved him back then, his brains would have been long gone. Even if he is hired this year, the old prince will be responsible for it. He doesn't say he will show his conscience to serve him, but he will hook him up. Outreach. This kind of thing is really damned! When I go to see the regent tomorrow, I will decree to dismiss him first, and then declare the crime, tie him to Caishikou and give him a knife to see if he is still a traitor or not." Shi Feng After he finished speaking, he replied slowly: "The discussion I made is very enjoyable. It's just a bit of wishful thinking, I'm afraid it can't be done." Zaixing asked with a stare: "How can it be impossible?" Shi Feng said: "My lord, please think about it, does the regent have any power now? Since Lao Xiang came to Beijing, the first step is to cut off the power of the regent of Jian Guo." Zai Xing didn't wait for him to finish speaking, he jumped up , Shouted loudly: "According to what you say, is it okay? Are we just waiting to see him usurp the throne?" Shi Feng said: "Don't worry, let's think about it in the long run. There are many ways to deal with him." Xing said: "What can we do? Tell me quickly, don't talk like this, you'll suffocate people!" Shi Feng said: "If you want to stop the internal strife, you must first put down the foreign bandits. What Lao Xiang is holding hostage at this time is the provincial revolutionary parties. One after another, you are independent and I am independent, adding a lot of momentum to Xiangzi City out of thin air. It seems that these revolutionary parties, he can't deal with them, but they are all attracted by him. Without Xiangzi City, the revolutionary party will never It was so violent. If he had put down the Revolutionary Party with all his heart, he would have finished the fight in the past two months. There is no need for other soldiers. As for our Beijing Imperial Guard Division, all guns and equipment The latest German style, all the officers and soldiers are also young people from the Eight Banners, a strong force that has been trained for three years. In the battle of Hanyang that day, Hua Ziqiang was beaten to abandon his armor and drag his troops. If he attacked again, Wuhan had already recovered. Xiang Zicheng ordered Feng Guohua not to attack, and then transferred Feng Guohua back. What is his intention, people with a discerning eye can't see it? Now those officers transferred back, when they mentioned this matter, they all cursed. It can be seen that the morale of our Eight Banners is still strong. It is at a time when it is useful. It is a pity that we cannot drive to the front. If we can compete with the revolutionary army, we will throw useful soldiers into useless places." Hearing this, Zaixing quickly asked: "Why can't we drive to the front? Could it be that there is no commanding officer?" Shi Feng said: "Why is there no commanding officer? Not one is missing." Zaixing said: "Since there are commanding officers, you will send my order tomorrow to tell them to go to the front. Sweep the revolutionaries. If they can all be wiped out, I will protect himIsn't it extremely easy for them to be promoted to rank? Shi Feng said: "If you want to pass on the Lord's order and tell them to go, they will be happy."Not to mention being promoted to rank, even if they want to protect the Qing clan, they will die.The last time we organized the Clan Socialist Party, the Lord also rewarded 3,000 yuan in party fees, and the main characters in it were mostly lower-level officials of the Imperial Guard.Now that the Lord told them to go, are they still not happy? Zaixing said: "In this case, you should hurry up and deliver the order." Shi Feng shook hands and said: "No success, no success." Zaixing opened his eyes again and asked why he was unsuccessful? Shi Feng said: "The first floor doesn't have an order from Lao Xiang, so they may not be willing to move; , they still can't move.After all, there is nothing to worry about at the first level, because Lao Xiang's orders can only be carried out by the superior officers. As for the lower-level officers, if they can work together and serve the royal family, Lao Xiang has nothing to do.However, Lao Xiang only held the idea of ​​not paying the money, so they couldn't move forward.Lord, please think, what else can I do? When Zaixing heard this, he patted the table and said, "It's nothing!"The military salary and deployment fee are all arranged by me alone.If you just tell them to leave early, that is considered your number one achievement. "

Shi Feng and Bo Quan came here for the purpose of forcing him to say this.Now he finally took the bait himself, and the two of them have achieved 90% of their goals. It is really an indescribable joy.Bo Quan followed up with another sentence, saying: "This should be the patriarch of our Shengqing Guozuo. There is a young prince who destroys his family to relieve difficulties. No matter what kind of disobedience Lao Xiang has, he is not afraid of him anymore." Fengdao: "Originally, no one else can afford such a big event. Not to mention the military salary, even the start-up fee is not enough. It must be 200,000 yuan, which is not enough. According to my humble opinion, the master will raise the start-up fee first. Come out and hand it to the two of us, so we can open our mouths to talk to them. As for the military salary, it's not too late to wait until they drive to the former enemy and then remit it." Zaixing said: "Why is it worth 200,000 for a mouth? How can I have so much silver?" Shi Feng said with a smile: "Two hundred thousand is too much for others, but it is only like twenty copper coins if I want to pay it to you. I just tore off one of the bank receipts. , Approve a number, stamp a stamp, isn’t it handy?” Zaixing said: “You said it too easily! All the bank receipts are in the hands of the old prince, and the old man locked them in the box. The key is brought by Fujin, who can get it out? I promised you, and I have to discuss it with the old prince later. If the old man disagrees, he still can’t do it.” Shi Feng thought that this matter must be done. Bad.The tricks of the two of us can only deceive this child, old En Wang is so old and cunning, how can he be willing to be fooled by this?Maybe it might provoke resentment and get rid of us.Suddenly, he frowned and thought carefully, and said with a smile: "Master, this plan is wrong. It is very dangerous now, and there is no time to discuss it. In ancient times, Mr. Xinling stole the amulet to save Zhao and became the number one person in the Warring States period. Master, hereby Now I have to learn from Mr. Xinling, let's steal the money to save the country. First, I will steal the old prince's receipts, not two hundred thousand, even two million. Are you afraid that the court will not pay back the money? At that time, I will be the one who will reorganize the country and lay the foundations of the world. The throne of reasoning and Xuantong should be handed over to me. Don't think of being the second person." Every sentence of Shi Feng's words hit Zaixing's heart.Because when Emperor Dezong died that day, his father and son wanted to exercise to become emperor, but when they met Zhuang Zhishan, they first took precautions and turned the crisis into safety, so his father and son's plan could not be realized.But after these twists and turns, Zaixing's emperor's dream never woke up.Now meeting Shi Feng, their fight has aroused his old addiction again, as if he will be able to enter the Ninth Five-Year Plan soon.He said casually: "If the lonely family becomes the emperor, you will be named Hengbeile, and Boquan will be named the Duke of Zhenguo." The two quickly knelt on the ground in fear and respect, and kowtowed to thank the emperor for his kindness.On the other hand, he urged Zaixing to quickly steal the old prince's receipt.Zaixing agreed, saying that he may not be able to get it tomorrow, and if you come to the mansion the day after tomorrow afternoon, it is probably possible to do it.

Shi Feng and Boquan Nuonuo repeatedly said goodbye to Zaixing, and they left Prince En's Mansion together.As soon as I went out, I just met Guang Boping, who also came to find the second master Fu.Shi Feng grabbed him and asked him what he was doing here.Boquan said: "This is not a place to talk. The three of us go to the elegant seat of the Tonghe Building on the Sipailou. Wouldn't it be good to talk slowly?" The three went to Tonghe Building together.This Tonghe building was originally a restaurant in Shandong, with a large scale. It is located outside the entrance of Bensi Hutong, and it is one of the best large restaurants in Dongcheng.The three of them went in, found an elegant seat, asked the waiter to serve four cold dishes, and warmed two jugs of Shaojiu.Shi Feng issued an order, no one is allowed to come in.The waiter agreed to go, and he asked Boping solemnly: "You run around all day, your eyes and ears must be sharp. Is there any news recently?" Boping said, "Why did the second master ask me? Are you People in the newspaper industry, what news can I hide from you, I still have to ask the second master for advice." Shi Feng laughed loudly, and said: "You are really a ghost, and you have to play tricks on this little thing. We in the newspaper industry I know, but it's all news announced by the government, and the rest is a little bit secret, so we don't have a share in it. You have a lot of friends and a lot of friends, and what you see and hear is all valuable news, so why not treat it as a drink, What about narration? Besides, you came to the palace today, you must be reporting something. It is inconvenient for us to force you to hear it, but we are all on the same line. Tell me, we all study and study, and it seems that there is nothing wrong with it. It's ok." Shi Feng's words caught Bo Ping around, and he hurriedly said with a smile: "Second Master's mouth is so powerful, but he said that I am a ghost, and I am really wronged to kill you. If you want to inquire about the news, Let me tell you what happened just now. Didn’t you know that the key criminals who plotted to bomb the Prince Regent have been completely released?” Shi Feng hurriedly asked: “How about after release?” Bo Ping said: “Now all surrendered to the old The old Xiang took out the money, and told them to go to the south and collude with the revolution, so as to embarrass us with the Manchu Qing. Do you know about this?" Shi Feng Boquan said he didn't know, and asked him what happened. one thing.Boping told the two of them in detail what he had seen and heard in Hu's house.Shi Feng smiled at Bo Quan: "What do you think?" Bo Quan said: "They have gone south, and there will be more disputes in the future." Have you ever seen the young prince?" Shi Feng said: "The young prince is not happy, and when we met, he didn't allow us to speak, so he complained loudly, saying that we are all liars, trying to use the revolution to cheat him of money. This is really injustice and useless, maybe who cheated him of his money, but took out his anger on us two, you think it's ridiculous!" Bo Ping said: "The young prince's temper is like this, don't look at him getting angry today I can't wait to swallow him alive, and when I meet tomorrow, I will talk and laugh again, and I don't know where his anger has gone." Boquan said: "Although it is said so, it is always better to avoid it." A few days is better. So when we saw you, we hurriedly pulled you here, implying the meaning of taking care of you." Boping hurriedly cupped his hands in thanks.

After the three of them had dinner, Bo Ping went home, Shi Feng and Bo Quan went out of the city, and they had another secret meeting at Heng's house.Shi Feng said: "We have obtained good materials again. When we meet him the day after tomorrow, we will make a secret report on this matter. Don't worry if he doesn't spend hundreds of thousands of yuan for the start-up fee. Let's talk first, the money is based on You can only get 20% of the bill, and the remaining 80% is mine." Bo Quan said: "You can get a little more, but it can't be so much." Shi Feng said: "You really are I don’t know what’s good or bad, this thing is completely done by me. If I don’t come up with this method and bring you into the mansion, it will be very difficult to see Master Bei again just because you look like you are in charge of the second child. Will the money go to your head? Besides, the second achievement is 40,000 yuan in foreign currency, is it still less!" Hearing what he said, Boquan was afraid that the matter would become stagnant, and he would not get any money in the future, so he could only hold back his breath and Pulling it back again, he said, "As for our own people, how many points are there? Can I really fight?" Yes, it's nothing.Boquan bid farewell and went home, the more he thought about it, the happier he was. He got 40,000 to 50,000 yuan out of nothing.When they got home, Guan Tianxia met and still quarreled with him.The noise made Boquan impatient, so he went back to sleep in his room in a fit of anger.When I woke up the next day, I didn't even eat, and wanted to go out again, but I didn't realize that my clothes were worn by Guan Tianxia.Said that you promised me to wear the clothes upside down, and it's time for me to show off today.Bo Quan said: "Don't make haha, I still have serious business. I will let you wear it tomorrow, isn't it okay?" Guan Tianxia shook his head like a rattle, saying yes or no, I wear it today, you Wear it tomorrow.After all, he was not polite, and went out swaggeringly.Boquan called him back at the top of his voice, but he acted as if he didn't hear him, and he didn't know where he had gone.Bo Quan stomped his feet and scolded for a while, hoping that he would come back at night, but this gentleman, like a yellow crane, has gone forever.Boquan wanted to find him, but he had nowhere to look, so he had no choice but to admit that he was unlucky.In the end, it's not good to know that it's not a blessing. It's illegal for a troublemaker like him to stay at home.What's more, sooner or later there is such a large sum of money, if he is allowed to know anything, he must divide the territory equally; if he is not given, he may come up with some bad ideas.I am happy that he can get out of here at this time, so as to avoid many future troubles.It's a pity that these two clothes are all new barrels with squirrel spines, and new faces with fashionable flower satin. Calculated, they are worth two to three hundred yuan, and they were worn by him out of thin air, and they never looked back. It's a pity that I don't know where the pawn is, and I won't even return the pawn ticket.Then I thought, I have 40,000 to 50,000 yuan, how can I afford such a good leather jacket?Why bother with it.Bo Quan couldn't sleep because of all the planning all night.Just when I closed my eyes, I felt as if I had already arrived in the Tianjin Concession, rented a large house, bought a sedan-style carriage by myself, married two concubines, and had a large group of maids and maids, so happy.I also want to go to Sanwu to take a look around the small class, and shouted loudly to set up a car.As soon as he yelled this sentence, someone hit him on the forehead and cursed: "You are so poor, you don't even have any pants, and you still have a car!" Bo Quan opened his eyes in fright, and it turned out to be his wife. Fu Shi stood on the ground, wearing very thin clothes, shivering from the cold.Boquan rubbed his eyes, got up and laughed, "Don't be kidding, we are going to get rich soon! When the foreign money comes in hand, I will take you to Tianjin, live in a mansion, take a carriage, eat big dishes, listen to operas during the day and watch operas at night." Movies, you can also have fun for a few days, and make up for your suffering." Fushi spat and scolded: "Poor ghost, don't dream! You redeemed my cotton pants early and saved me from suffering for a few days." Dong, I’m content, and I’m not lucky enough to ride in a carriage.” Boquan looked at Sun Ying’er and said, “It’s amazing! I still have a date with Heng Erye, how come I didn’t wake up until now. After all, he didn't care about the cold, put on his crepe cotton robe, and hurried out.Take the rickshaw and run to Shi Feng's house.When the two met, Shi Feng asked in amazement: "Why do you look like this? Where did the leather clothes I gave you go? Could it be sent to the Longevity Store within three days? You are too ignorant Promise!" Bo Quan said: "Don't mention it, I'm really mad!" The general Guan Tian put on his clothes and left, and said it again.Shi Feng said: "I said I won't ask you to provoke him, what do you think? With such a state, how can you go to see Master Bei?" He asked his family to bring another set of sheepskins, watched him put them on, and then took a ride together. Carriage to Enwang Mansion.

The carriage stopped in front of the gate of the mansion, and the two of them got down together, raised their eyes to watch, and were taken aback for a moment!It turned out that the guards standing in front of the gate had been replaced.In the past, it was the guards and policemen of the palace, but now the guards and policemen have disappeared, but they have been replaced by four majestic Henan arch guards.As soon as Shi Feng saw this look, he knew it was not good, so he quickly winked at Bo Quan, which meant to tell him to stop and not to come to see him.But the two got out of the carriage in front of the door, and embarrassed to keep silent, they got into the carriage again and turned the horse's head.During this hesitation, an arch guard rushed up, staring and asked: "You two are looking out, what do you want to do?" Bo Quan said: "We are here to see Master Bei." The soldier said: "You two If you want to see Mr. Bei, you have to register at the gate guard first, and wait for our vice master to go up and return. It is not certain whether you will see him or not. Come on, you follow me to the gate guard first." At this time, the two had no choice but to follow him. .It turned out to be the guard's office in the past, but now it has been changed to the guard's office, and there is an officer sitting in it.It's okay to see Shi Feng, but when he saw it, he gasped.It turned out that this person was met at Long Zichun's house, and his unreasonable air was still in front of his eyes.Why did Prince En's Mansion invite him to visit the door?Thinking about it in his heart, the man had already seen Shi Feng, so he asked loudly: "Aren't you an opera singer? What are you doing in the palace today? The prince is not happy, how can I listen to your singing. You are here Alright, let me sing a few lines to my old man first." Bo Quan was listening beside him, but he couldn't figure it out, and only looked at Shi Feng with his eyes.Shi Feng had an idea, thinking that it would be better to make the mistake and make the mistake, and he would avoid a lot of right and wrong by admitting that he is an opera singer.Otherwise, let him see that he is acting suspiciously, and he will not be able to leave at that time.Thinking of this, I had no choice but to ask Daan deeply, saying that the actor is here to greet Master Bei, I don't know what play the deputy master wants to hear, I would rather serve two.The officer raised his head and thought about it, and said: "I heard Cui Lingzhi and Xue Gujiu sing "Da Deng Dian" in Sanqing Garden yesterday. It's very good. You two should sing it as usual." Here, there is really nothing we can do, so we can only turn around and say to Boquan, "You sing about Third Sister Wang, and I'll take Xue Pinggui. Let's have fun with the deputy." but.Rap is okay, but it's just my face, how can I match Wang Sanjie?Or you can sing Tsing Yi, and I can sing Beard.The officer also said: "He has a bad face, and you have a good face. If you have a good face, you should take the female role. Sing quickly, don't talk nonsense!" Shi Feng had to cover his mouth with a handkerchief, and turned his face to the wall: " Gold medals call for silver medal announcements, and here comes my palace Wang Baochuan." He was originally a fan of Erhuang, so of course he was not used to singing bangzi, let alone singing bangzi Qingyi as an old man of Erhuang, it was even more wrong.After these two lines were sung, the officer glared and said, "Go away! What are you singing about? There is Cui Lingzhi like you? Brothers, get rid of these two obsolete aunts!" Accompany me in The guards rushed up, slapped each of them twice, pushed and shoved them out of the guard's place.

The poor two rushed out, didn't even dare to snort, got into the carriage, ordered to go home quickly, and left the city in a hurry.Back home, as soon as he entered the door, Shi Feng burst into tears and said: "I have never suffered such humiliation in half my life. Where did this bad luck come from!" The windfall has caused me to be obedient and ugly!" Boquan said: "It's unreasonable! You made the idea, and I was just helping. Now that you have been humiliated, blame me. If you get 200,000 yuan, can you give me all of it? ?” Shi Feng was stopped by his question, so he had to pull back and say, “Don’t worry, we are investigating, what’s the reason.” Before Bo Quan could answer, he suddenly saw a person coming in.Shi Feng went up to him and said, "Okay, okay! We are wondering. Please sit down quickly, Second Master, and tell me why. There is a group of hungry wolves in front of the door, and we are called out of thin air. Big nail. The second master should know the details, tell us quickly, or you will be bored to death!" Who are you talking about?It turned out that it was Zaixing's side tune carving handle, also a banner man named Songnian, who had been a neighbor with Shifeng.Because Shi Feng often went to the mansion, he had to buy one or two eyes and ears, and sent him letters at any time to report the situation in the mansion. Therefore, he was very close to Songnian, and he often invited him to eat and lent him money, so Songnian was solid. Yes, I am willing to be his leg.This time he came to report everything.When Shi Feng saw him, he pulled him to ask questions as if he had found a treasure.The following is Songnian's account of the process.

It turned out that Zaixing had made up his mind to steal Lao Wang's receipt after the two lobbied.Helplessly, Old Enwang had been on guard for a long time, and he also knew that these two sons were unreliable.The annual salary of tens of thousands, and the counting office in the mansion, as usual, each person pays 3,000 yuan a month for pocket expenses, which is still not enough to spend.Throughout the year, there is no certainty how much deficit there will be, and at the end of the year, I have to pay it back on my behalf.Therefore, for these two young masters, they are always on the alert, all deposit receipts, and various real estate documents are completely packed in a gold-painted red suitcase, placed in the suite they live in, and the keys are handed over to Zan Fujin.It's not easy for Cian Fujin to leave this room. Sometimes when he comes out, Tong Hua, the maid in the room, sits and watches over him.Tonghua is the daughter of Baoyi in the mansion. She has been working in the mansion since she was twelve years old, and she is nineteen years old this year.He is really clever, able to speak with eyebrows, and looks very handsome.Brothers Zaixing and Zaifu all took a fancy to her and flattered her in every possible way, trying to win her favor.However, Tonghua didn't like the two of them, saying that I was full of work and would rather go out of the house to marry a commoner, and didn't want to be a side Fujin.Therefore, his two brothers couldn't get enough food.Zaixing wanted to steal the receipt, but he couldn't do it.知道这事白天是不成功的，只好等到夜间，相机行事。老王夫妻住在外间，桐华住在套间。载兴夜间请过晚安，抽冷子将电灯拧灭。恩王喊叫桐华快出来看看，电灯有什么毛病。桐华从套间出来，载兴便溜进去，藏在桌子底下。等桐华进来，上床安息，天已有三更多了。载兴从桌子底下爬出来，蹑足潜踪地走到红皮箱前边，掏出许多钥匙来，挨次配合。果然他寻着一把合适的钥匙，只是微然小一点，拧入锁中，用很大的力量，方才咔嚓一声将锁捅开。急急忙忙地取下锁来，将箱子盖揭开，伸手向里面摸索。空洞洞的并没有什么。探着身子向下一掏，可被他掏着了，原来箱子底下放着两个匣儿。先拿出一个来看，是福建雕漆的拜匣，外面用小金锁锁着。载兴料到票据一定在这匣中。又一转念：不妥，明明是两个匣儿，安知道不在那个匣里？倘然拿错了，岂不是劳而无功。我莫如把两个匣儿，一齐盗走，等事情办妥之后，再原物送回。倘能推倒宣统，占了皇位，我便是真龙天子，四海之内，全是我的，区区这一点东西算得什么！他心里只顾盘算着做皇帝，却忘其所以，将手中的匣儿吧嗒一声，撂在地上。因为响声很大，将桐华从梦中惊醒，睁眼一看，便大喊有贼。吓得载兴手足无措，忙朝着她跪下，连连摇手，低声唤好妹妹，千万不要声张。哪知这时候老王同侧福晋全听见了，喊道：“快叫侍卫拿贼，别放他跑了！”桐华在套间应道：“已经拿着了，请王爷快起来，自己问吧。这个是内贼，不是外贼。”老王一听，心中立刻放下，以为一定是府中的太监小厮。忙披上衣服，趿半截鞋，走进里屋。不看犹可，看了不觉又羞又气，赶上前去，先踹了载兴两脚，骂道：“不要脸的下流混账崽子！你怎么偷起亲爹来了。我已经是七十岁的人，还能活上几年？等我死了，全是你们的，何必忙在一时，却丢这个人呢！”一壁骂着，一壁叫桐华将匣儿拾起。看看外面的锁还不曾开，叫桐华仍旧放在箱中，把锁锁好，然后坐在太师椅上，正式讯问载兴。

载兴战战兢兢跪在地上，老恩王气哼哼的，问到底因为什么忽萌这盗窃之念？载兴在他父亲跟前，却倒不敢撒谎，便把石风、伯泉同他商议的事，二五一十，全对老恩王说了。老恩王气得跺脚大骂，说：“瞎了眼的奴才！你为何拿他们当好人？谁不知他们是满人中的败类，谁给钱，他们就给谁当狗。什么叫效忠皇室，不过是借此骗钱，看你是一个小孩子，拿出哄哥儿手段来，叫你自己上套。你难道就不想一想，世界上劝人家儿子偷爹，还有好东西吗？你以后千万不要再上这个当。你要明白，项老四确是好人。他始终不忘我的好处，连天派阮中书、杨志奇等，到府里来给我请安，并告诉我说，外边的风声很不好，革命党是想同咱爷儿对命，宗社党是想敲爷儿们的钱。这样看来，人家的话果然不假。那两个小子，全自命为宗社党首领，并且恒老二尤其可恶，各府门头儿全被他敲遍了。如今又想出这个题目来，要大大地敲一笔，你为什么要信他的话呢？看起来，这事还得求项老四，要不然这些邪魔外祟，实实的应付不开。前天是阮中书到府里来，昨天杨志奇又来了，他们全是代表项老四向我问安，并告诉我说，外边的风声很不好。那些革命党插圈设套，想从咱爷儿们手里敲钱。昨天长史处还接着两封匿名信，海亮拿上来给我看。一封是要借十万块钱，叫给汇到上海麦加利银行，交给一个外国字的人名儿收受。如一星期不能汇到，便放火烧王府。我不认得外国字，也没工夫考察那个人到底是谁，把信撂到一边去了。第二封信尤其离奇可笑，要的数目是五十万，叫汇到天津英国租界，交一个姓楼的收下。他自己说是孙文代表、北伐军总司令，限五天汇到。如其汇不到，北伐军一到京城，把咱爷儿们生擒活捉了去，上脑箍要银子。我看了又是生气又是好笑。诸如此类，已经闹得人头昏眼花，要再加上恒二、文大这种软敲，我们更成肉头了。据我想，你明天一早快去见见项老四，如果他没工夫，你便寻阮中书杨志奇，同他们商量一个法子，及早防备防备，省得再怄这种闲气。你快起来，睡觉去吧，我也不怪你。只要你能醒悟，以后不再上当就好了。”载兴受了他父亲一顿教训，心里也明白了许多。站起来说：“你老人家自管放心，明天一早，做儿子的一定去寻项四哥，同他商量一个妥当法子，嗣后绝不再叫你老人家怄气了。”恩王点点头，说你果能这样，我就放心了。他父子商议好了，各自去安眠。 到第二天早晨，载兴果然去访项子城，当时由阮中书代表出见。载兴将来意说知，阮中书本是胸有成竹的。他们在暗地里同项子城早有协议，以为满清这一班亲贵，必须设法叫他们寻上门来，自求保护。然后将拱卫军分布在各府里，明着保护他们，暗着却是监视他们。以后他们一举一动，全有人随时报告，不要说宗社党组织不成，就是他们想要在皇太后驾前挑拨是非，也是绝对做不到了。因此项子城才派阮中书、杨志奇一干人，终日到恩王府，明着是请安，其实骨子里边是恫吓老恩王，好叫他自己上套。就连恩王说的那两封信，也是这些人使的手法。如今见载兴来了，知道大功已经告成，便从从容容地同他谈话。载兴将这意思一说，阮中书先做出很关切的态度来，说：“项宫保为这事发愁，不是一天了。他说我生平受老王爷知遇，时刻存着图报之心，如今赶上这种时势，我很发愁。这一班革命党，总要同亲贵为难，他们的狠毒手段，真是防不胜防。倘然有一个山高水低，我怎么对得起老王爷呢？因此不时地派职员一于人，到王府问安，并随时报告外间情形。现在少王爷亲自来说，足见外边的风声是一天紧似一天，我们万不可再大意了。但不知少王爷此来的意思，究竟是打算怎么样对付？宫保因为有紧要公事，实在分不开身，要不然一定亲自出来，给少王爷请安。”载兴听阮中书说得又恳切，又委婉，早就死心塌地，承认这一番好意，剖肝沥胆地，将求项子城代为保护的意思，完全说开。并声明自己是代表老恩王而来，无论如何，求他转达项宫保，代为设法。阮中书故意做出踌躇的样子来，说：“老王爷有命，宫保当然是义不容辞。但是此中还有一点难处，因为北京各亲贵府第很多，并不止老王爷一家。如今只对老王爷府中格外尽心，其余各府一律不管，面子上未免过于偏袒。但要一律保护，又怕别家不明白此中原因，发生误会，到那时好心反倒变成歹意，岂不辜负了宫保一片热诚？据我的意见，最好是由老王爷给宫保来一封信，信中的大意，就说近来外边风声紧急，有革命党混入京城，想要刺杀亲贵，非有得力军队分驻各府，不足以资保护。请宫保上念皇室尊严，下维地方秩序，速速拨派军队分驻各府，以尽保卫之责云云。宫保得这一封信，军队现成，当天便可以办到。少王爷请想，照这样，各家亲贵全可安枕无忧，皆出于老王爷一信之力。就连宫保也从此可放心，不致再发生意外了。”载兴此时，当然是无可不可。人家说什么，他听什么。马上回府，催着他老子写了一封信，自己拿着，又跑来见阮中书。阮中书接过看了一遍，说很好很好，请少王爷先回府，今天晚上便有好音。载兴去了，项子城这里立时调兵遣将，所有北京各王府，俱派拱卫军一排驻守。其余贝子、贝勒、公侯府第，也有派一排的，也有派十个兵的，一处不遗，完全派定。当时如一窝锋似的，分往各府，将旧日的警察卫兵等，一律缴械遣散。各府王公贝勒，还不知是怎么一件事，一个个全吓得魂惊胆落。后来由派来的兵头，把公事呈上去，大家这才明白，是老恩王要求这样办的。也有赞成这样可以保险；也有大骂从此以后，受项子城无形监视，连自由全被人剥夺了。无奈事已至此，只好忍气吞声。偏偏恩王府这一排拱卫军，排长名叫赵得胜，是河南陈州府的人，同项子城近同乡，又沾一点亲戚，原是拱卫军的稽查官。他听见这个消息，便跑了来，一定指名要恩王府这份差事，情愿降为排长。拱卫军的参谋长，因为这一点小事，便完全答应了。赵得胜领着一排人，走马上任，好不威武。到了恩王府，便把从前的侍卫处占据了，把几十名侍卫一齐赶跑，十几名警察吓得自行退出。赵得胜占据了侍卫处，便作福作威地闹起来。不但到恩王府来的，非经他许可不能上去回话，甚至本府的人要想出门买点东西，也得先到他面前挂号，经他许可才能出门。要不然，出去容易，回来不许进门。他自定的每月薪水四百元，什长一百二十元，伍长八十元，一等兵四十元，二等兵三十五元，三等兵三十元，每月由王府发给。另外还得管他们早晚两餐。早晨吃面条子，还得有四盘菜；晚饭吃馍馍，是四盘六碗，外要一个火锅。老恩王账房哪敢拨回，全一一应许了。每月花好几千块，算是请了一群饿狼。可怜文伯泉、恒石风连影儿也不知道，高高兴兴地跑来碰了个大钉子，还叫人拿当像姑看待，出尽了大丑。这也是他们意想不到的事了。 却说项子城自从设成圈套，把满清一班亲贵一律监视起来，他心中安稳了许多。皇宫以内，只剩了太后一个人，项子城是口衔天语，自己想做什么便是圣旨，更无一个人敢同他违拗。这时候依着项子城的主意，索性乘这有势力的机会，痛痛快快同民党拼一下子，把他们赶的赶，杀的杀，一律逐出国外，此后挟天子以令全国，自己便是曹孟德第二，也不必做种种假惺惺了。偏巧清廷太不识机，这时候要是直截了当封项子城一个亲王，世袭罔替，这篇文章也就照作了。偏偏还要墨守成规，吝惜名器，仅仅封了项子城一个一等侯，作为酬庸。在清廷方面，还自以为破格，哪知项子城却大大不以为然。心说你们满清的社稷，已经到了土崩瓦解之时，错非有我项子城支柱其间，北伐军早就兵临城下了。我一个人的力量，敢说是重安社稷，再奠乾坤。你们就是把江山让给我，也不为过。何况区区一个王爵，还要咬文嚼字，说什么祖宗成法，不可变更。叫你们慢慢等着吧，早晚连你们祖宗的基业全要变更了。还说什么法不法呢！赌气把侯爵原封璧回，请他收回成命。一方面却派人同民党暗中接洽，许以不用兵力，共同推倒满清，第一任的大总统，却须让给项子成做。 原来汪杜鹃、白重光从北京走的时候，所带的便是这种使命。要不然，项子城为什么拿出许多钱来，还派专人护送他们到上海。其中蛛丝马迹，明眼人自能一目了然。汪白两人到了上海，早有一班民党人到码头欢迎。陈起梅代表华兴，也亲自来迎接。把两人接到都督府中，当日便大排筵宴，给他二人接风。席上不过说了些别后情景，汪杜鹃盛赞胡璧人英姿飒爽，不愧一位少年俊杰。大家全埋怨他，为什么不拉璧人同来，也给党中添一位健全分子。白重光大笑道：“人家正在燕尔新婚，哪有闲心管我们党中的事呢？”大家酒醉饭饱，各自散去。汪、白两人在都督府中，同华兴、陈起梅开了一次夜半会议，商量秘密。汪杜鹃将此来的使命，同项子城的意思，约略对华兴诸人谈了一遍。华兴很不以为然，冷笑了两声，对杜鹃道：“汪兄，你在北京住了一年多，不过是牢狱的生活，并不曾同王公贵胄接近，怎么居然也会同化了？照你这样说，直然是给项子城做说客来了。我们民党中人，千辛万苦，受了多少危险，经了多少波折，真是拿头颅性命换来的这中华民国。好容易孙先生在南京就了大总统大任，我们的根基已经稳固了，却双手让给项子城，我们这天下是白白给他打了，那犯得上吗？这件事不管旁人，我华兴活一天，便一天不能赞成！依我劝你，把这话快快收起来吧，不要招大家不痛快了。”汪杜鹃被他迎头抢白了一顿，幸亏自己有涵养，不愿做无味的争辩。只微微笑了一笑，说：“华兄你也不要误会，假如我汪杜鹃要改变心肠，当初又何必冒险炸摄政王呢？天下事总得向活里看，我们民党的根基，也说不到巩固二字，项子城的为人，你也不可过于轻视。他手下文有良平，武有绛灌，汉阳一役，华兄也曾领教过的。我们有什么把握，能够消灭他的实力，使孙先生永久称尊？这事除非华兄敢担当起来，其余的人，只怕不能赞一词了。”汪杜鹃这一套绵里裹针、软中带刺的话，把华兴说得闭口无言。大家见他两人有些僵的意味，忙用话岔开。 汪、白两人在上海只住了两日，便到南京去了。此时孙文在南京，已经做了临时大总统，总统府便设在总督衙门。这座衙门，当初原是洪天王府，规模十分阔大。孙文自做了总统，便任命民党中人，分担各部事务，只留着公府秘书长一缺，预备安置汪杜鹃。如今汪、白二人已到上海，孙文连去了两封急电，请他们即日来宁。两人到了南京，早有军警及各部民党首领前来迎接。二人略略周旋了几句，便一同乘车到总统府，由承宣官将二人引入总统办公室中。因为孙文早有传谕：如汪、白两人来了，一直请进来，不必经过种种手续。因此承宣官不敢怠慢，一面上去回话，一面把两人引进来。孙文见了，自然是非常欢喜。两人向总统行了三鞠躬礼。孙文拉着他俩的手，着实慰劳了几句，然后请他们坐下谈话。二人把当初谋炸摄政王的经过，后来怎样出狱，怎样托唐绍怡向项子城疏通，项子城怎样赠金送行，原原本本地说了一过。孙文道：“项子城本也是汉族的豪杰，他近年所做的事，全与民党不谋而合，看此人很抱着排满兴汉的大志。只可惜他所处的地位，与我们性质不同，要不然，很可以拉进我们党来，做一位同志。”汪杜鹃道：“这一次项子城的志愿，已经完全暴露了，他到北京第一步，推倒摄政王，把政权完全揽入一个人手中。就这一节上看起来，这个人的手段诚然不弱。至于他抱着排满大志，更是显而易见了。当初汉阳一役，冯国华再向前进一步，武汉地盘，早就被他夺回去了。他不先不后，偏偏要在这时候撤兵，岂不是明明表示想同民党携手吗？”孙文点点头，说：“你猜度的诚然有理。但是我们得用什么法子，才能沟通两方的意思呢？”汪杜鹃道：“这事很难说了。我们来的时候，项子城倒是间接着表示了一种意思，不过他这种意思，我们实在不好出口。在大总统这一面，确倒是没有什么，不过总统部下这一班攀龙附凤的人，实在不好说话，所以我们宁可不说，也不愿留这种痕迹。”孙文听他这话中有话，益发要追问情由。笑道：“杜鹃，你怎么拿出婆婆妈妈的态度来了？咱们是什么样的交情，难道你还有信不及我的地方吗？纵然左右人不谅解，他们也做不了我的主意，你何必以此为虑呢？再说我为革命奔走半生，并没有丝毫权利思想。果能于事有济，不要说牺牲总统地位，便是牺牲我个人生命，全是不成问题的事。杜鹃，你只管放心大胆地说一说。我这时候，最要紧是要明白项子城的真意。此事关系革命全局，你们万不可看轻了。”孙文说了这一套话，汪杜鹃没的再推脱，只得剖肝沥胆地说道：“总统真是明鉴万里。我们自己问良心，也不好再隐秘不宣了。项子城的真意，完全在总统地位上。比如这个地位能让给他，立刻便能同咱们携手；要不让这地位，他随时全可翻脸进兵，这便是握要之言。至于肯让不肯让，还在咱们。纵然退一步说，可以让给他，应当经过什么手续，有什么交换条件，也得要从长计议，不是一句话便能成功的。” 汪杜鹃说完了这几句，冷眼看孙文俯首沉吟，似乎有很费斟酌的意思。忽然走上一个人拍掌大笑，道：“好了好了！项子城掉在我们的陷阱里了！”他这一笑，大家全都愕然！举目观看，原来就是宋樵夫。樵夫随孙文在南京代理秘书长职务，凡有大议，总统总是取决于他。他这一笑，总统忙问道：“樵夫，你有什么高见，快说出来，咱们大家也好参酌。”樵夫笑道：“方才汪兄所谈，我听了真是喜出望外。我为这事，发愁不是一天了，料想咱民党的劲敌，目前只有项子城一人。他所说的地位，只有两条路好走。这两条路，一条能致民党死命，一条却能促民党成功。他虽是一个雄才大略的枭杰，但就历史上说，总近乎旧派，我算计他许有八成走第一条路。他如果走第一条路，我们的革命事业，尚难一气做到。我们这一于人，还得死力奋斗，至早还得过一二十年，方能成功。他如果走第二条路，我们不受丝毫损失，安安稳稳的便成功了。从此我们的目的，总要算完全达到。就是眼前不操政权，将来我们的事业，不愁发展。”孙文问道：“你所说的，究竟是一种什么意思呢？”宋樵夫道：“我所说的，就是赞成项子城做总统。唯恐怕他不肯做总统。他如今既自行表示出来，我正好顺水推舟，把这千斤担子，加在他的肩上。其实这是显而易见的事，说破了不值半文钱。因为咱们民党，并没有真正实力。不要看各处纷纷独立，其实不过少数投机，说真了是靠不住的。假如项子城破除情面地打我们，我们决没有制胜之力。但是他的为人，要想照着曾、胡、左、李，鞠躬尽力去拥护满清，那也是做不到的事。可是说不定他抱着曹操、刘裕的居心，先保满清，再从满清手中取天下，我们民党可就吃大亏了。如今他忽然存了做总统思想，当然把保全满清的心抛在一边去了。他既不保全满清，当然不想做曹操、刘裕，从此君主世袭这一关可以根本打破了。这便是民国万年有道之基，大家决不可轻看的。”孙文同汪杜鹃等，听樵夫滔滔滚滚，发了这一大套议论，虽然佩服他见识超卓，到底还有些怀疑。白重光首先问道：“宋先生，你说的诚然有道理，但是项子城的为人，决不可以常情推测。如今把总统让给他，他有了根基，说不定过三年两年，又想要做皇帝。到那时，我们民党手无寸铁，还不是白瞪眼睛看他造反吗？你又有什么法子可以预防呢？”大家对白重光的话，很表示同意。孙文尤其赞成，说：“白兄所虑得很是。我们凭空将总统让给他，直然是为虎附翼，说不定他将来称帝称皇，我们有什么法子能够限制他？”宋樵夫哈哈大笑道：“总统同白兄，全是但知其一，未知其二。我们对项子城，只怕他不肯走总统这一条路，决不怕他走了这路以后，再变别的花样。在项子城谋做总统，未必不看总统是将来做皇帝的一条终南捷径。但是他如果有这种算计，便是根本失败了。要知总统是民国的元首，没有民国也用不着总统。既有总统，民国便是正式成立了。既成立了民国，再想改为帝国，既做了总统，又想去做皇帝，这是绝对做不到的事。他将来如果走这一步，也用不着我们声罪致讨，讨他的人多得很呢。我们如今只需用总统作饵，把他引进这一途来，别叫他走了旁的路子，这是再要紧不过的事，其余全可以不必管他。”孙文此时，也略有觉悟，说：“樵夫既然这样主张，我对于总统地位，决不恋惜。但是推让之际，也得经过一种正当手续，不是私相授受的事。你们诸位，还得彻底研究，我民党事事得站住脚步，不要贻人口实才好。”宋樵夫道：“这是自然的，不劳总统操心。我们骨子里虽然肯让总统，到底面子上还不能不撑住了，提出种种相当的代价来，长长工夫，耐耐性儿，同他去磋商。必须事事脚踏实地，满清也消灭了，民国也告成了，我们党中的利益也有了，然后才能将这总统地位让给他。不是一句空话，便可以成功的。” 孙文同大家对于他这种主张，极端赞成。随后又商量应提的条件，宋樵夫想出八大条件来，样样全是与民党有利，而且不露痕迹。后来又说到代表的人选上了，樵夫说道：“这倒是一个难题了。我们党中人才虽多，到底说到折冲尊俎，随机应变，实在还寻不出这样一个人来。大家要知道，我们同项子城办交涉，是很不容易的。他那北洋系中，全是些老官僚，口蜜腹剑，八面玲珑。民党一班青年，岂是他们的对手？随便用一点愚弄小手段，就把我们愚弄到里边了。必须也寻一位老官僚，而且擅长外交的，才能够上代表资格。不知总统意中，可有人吗？”孙文略一思索，说我想出两个来了：一个是熊长龄，一个是伍廷芬，你看这两人怎样？樵夫道：“这两人既是民党，又做过官僚。论资格全去得，但是熊长龄还不如伍廷芬，因为长龄并不曾做过大官，而且对于外交更是门外汉。伍廷芬在满清做过侍郎，又做过驻外公使，精通好几国的语言文字，对于交涉条约非常娴熟。而且他又上几岁年纪，经验阅历，更非熊长龄所及。总统如委任他当代表，足能同项子城支柱一气。据我想，代表人选，便决定是他好了。”汪杜鹃同白重光，也一致赞成，于是南方代表便决定伍廷芬。大家已然有了成议，汪杜鹃忙修了一封书，交北京随来的护卫带回。又封了一千元的谢仪，赠给这四个人。四人谢了，然后带着信回上海，转赴北京。到了北京先到项子城府第销差，并声明有要信面呈。项子城立刻把四人叫上来，询问了几句路上的情形，然后将信拆开，仔细看了一遍，向四人一摆手，他们便退下去了。然后传请赵秉衡、阮中书、杨志