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Chapter 104 The one hundred and first time the snipe and the clam compete for supremacy The fisherman stretches out the giant palm and the turtle swallows the bait The imperial system begins to sprout

Li Jingfen must follow Tong Leng to become a monk, but Tong Leng insisted on not taking him there, but he got really anxious later and said: "Let me think of a way for you, it is very dangerous for you to live here in Qingdao, seeing Germany and Japan The fire is about to start. Although the German army is strong, it is a bit out of reach for Qingdao. Japan is very close to Qingdao. If he sends troops, he can arrive at night. The future result must be the victory of the Japanese. This piece of land will eventually fall In the hands of the Japanese. When he occupies Qingdao in the future, he will definitely confiscate all the houses and properties of the German overseas Chinese in Qingdao. At that time, you, Mr. Li, will definitely not be able to seek justice. If you don’t think of a way at this time, it may not be easy to recover temporarily. "A few words reminded Li Jingfen, and he hurriedly asked: "Master Taoist, is there any way to prevent problems before they happen." Tong Leng whispered in his ear, saying so and so.Jingfen applauded and said, "It really is a clever plan." On the same day, Wu Yusun was invited to discuss with him and sell the house under Yusun's name.Wrote a letter to Wu Yusun to put an end to it.He still has more than 100,000 yuan in cash in Dehua Bank, and if he wants to withdraw it all at once, he will definitely not be able to withdraw it.I had no choice but to discuss with the boss, and I was willing to give him 20,000 yuan as a reward, and then I proposed all of them.The first step is that Jingfen also refits a Taoist priest, and rides in a car with Tong Leng, and first goes to Laoshan for a temporary stay.Then little by little, the family members were also transported out of Qingdao and came to Laoshan together.Laoshan has a dry road, which can lead to Jimo County.At this time, he didn't dare to take the train openly. He was afraid that he would be found out by the Germans, and if he escaped privately, he would be in danger of his life.They could only secretly go to Yantai by boat, but did not dare to stay in Yantai, and then went to Tianjin by boat.After living in Tianjin for a day or two, I came to Beijing.He didn't dare to meet Xiang Zicheng rashly, he was afraid he would forget about the previous suspicions and they would not look good to each other, so he had to go to his elder brother Li Jingxi first.As soon as Jingxi saw him, he complained loudly, saying: "If you don't want to participate in politics, you finally have ambition, but why did you become a German citizen? We are people from a big country in China, but we are willing to serve barbarians as our masters. Aren't you ashamed? I think you must have been greatly stimulated by your embarrassment this time. You might as well tell me the truth, with our family background, we can't lose this kind of person." Jingfen said But tell Jingxi about the past.Jingxi said: "They obviously set up a trap to defraud you of your money. Why did you fall for this? Fortunately, you escaped. If you don't escape, it will be even more wronged if you ask the Japanese kid to beat you up again in the future." What are your plans for coming to Beijing this time?" Jingfen said: "I am a naturalized German, but not by my real name. Now I have to use my real name to participate in politics, so as to wash away the shame of the past. But I wrote a letter to scold Xiang Zicheng, and now I am a little embarrassed to condescend to him, and I have to ask my second brother to clear it up for me first, and then go to see him, so as not to blame each other." Jing Xi He laughed loudly and said: "You are worrying too much. Based on our family status, if you are willing to bow down to him, it is a reward for him. It is too late for him to welcome him. Do you still dare to refuse? If you don't believe me, come with me." Gongfu, let's see how he treats you?" Jingfen insisted on refusing, saying: "It's better for the second brother to meet him first, I'll wait for the letter at home." The two broke up.That night, Jingxi went to the palace to ask for an audience.When Xiang Zicheng heard that he was here, he personally greeted him out of the house, greeted his second brother as soon as they met, and held Jingxi's hand to show his intimacy.Jingxi came into the room, chatted a few gossips first, and then said: "Brother Jing Fenxin came from Qingdao, and wanted to greet the President from the government. He was ashamed of himself, because he got angry at the beginning, and it was not good to write a letter." Be careful, offend the President, I really feel very sorry." Xiang Zicheng laughed and said: "Your brother has been an official for many years, why is he still angry with books? Based on the friendship between our two families, let alone writing letters, Even scolding me in person is a very common thing, is it worth keeping in mind? I am eager to know the situation in Qingdao right now, and he came just in time, so I asked my second brother to drive quickly for me, so I asked him Be sure to come tomorrow. If you don’t come, I’ll be really annoyed.” Jing Xi agreed, stopped by Jing Fen’s house, and told him Xiang Zicheng’s intentions.

In the afternoon of the next day, Jingfen went to the palace to ask for an audience in a carriage.Take the business card, and the publicity officer will come out immediately, and invite Mr. Li to meet with him in the President's Office.Not letting him go to the reception room, but letting him go to the office means that he treats him as one of his own, and he is definitely not polite at all.Zicheng waited for each other outside the house, came forward to shake hands, and said, "My brother, why is it so late? Brother Yu is really desperate." The president wants to think about it." Zicheng sat him down and said, "It's not easy to live in my brother, why do you only live in Qingdao? That dangerous place, the day the negotiations between Germany and Germany broke down, I missed you very much. It's rare that you escaped from the tiger's mouth. It's really gratifying." Jingfen said: "The Japanese-German war was really unexpected. Fortunately, Jingfen was well prepared. When he heard the bad news, he immediately went north with his family and entrusted President Hongfu, and he arrived safely. Beijing. From now on, under the president’s hat, I can often learn from you.” Zicheng smiled and said, “You still have to help Brother Yu. The situation in Qingdao is critical and international turmoil is raging. I have many things to ask you for advice. You still have to take a seat in the Senate, which will benefit both public and private." Jing Fen originally came here to participate in politics, but now that Xiang Zicheng persuades her to do so, she finally has a lot of face.He said unceremoniously: "Since the president is ordered, Jingfen will report to attend tomorrow." Xiang Zicheng said: "This is very good. When you came from Qingdao, Germany and Japan had everything to do with the war. Fully prepared. My brother has seen it with his own eyes, so of course he knows the details. Although China maintains neutrality, the area of ​​Qingdao is our Chinese territory. Although we can’t do anything about military affairs, we must always start early in terms of diplomacy. That’s good. Brother, look at the situation between the two countries. After all, the final victory belongs to one side, so we should make preparations in advance.” Jingfen said: “The president is the most wise. If Germany’s strength can really protect that piece of land, Jingfen There is no need for Fen to come to Beijing. Isn’t this the best metaphor?” Xiang Zicheng nodded and smiled and said, “Your words are very reasonable, and you can tell the truth. I have a foreign policy since then.” Jing Fen saw He was very busy and didn't want to sit for a long time. He bid farewell to Xiangzicheng, left the government office, and reported to the Senate Council on Xiangfang Street.The Senate has a Speaker and two Deputy Speakers.The speaker is Li Tianhong, and the deputy speaker is Pu Lun and Wang Dahe.Wang Dahe also came from the Li family, and Tong Jingfen is a brother, so he was very surprised to see him report.Immediately let Jingfen to the vice president's lounge, Yamato greeted him personally, laughed and said as soon as they met: "Why did you come here at this time? Brother Yu will not look forward to you one day, probably if there is no cannon fire, I can't rush you Come here." Jingfen went into the room and said to Yamato, "It's hard to explain." He briefly talked about his own affairs.Yamato said: "Your brother is too stubborn. We are from the Republic of China no matter what. Although Xiangzicheng is not good, it is the head of a country elected by the people after all, and it is not comparable to the usurpers who sought the throne in history. Why should you be alone because of him , Even the qualifications of Chinese nationals have been canceled by themselves, isn’t this asking for trouble? I advise you, bear with it in Beijing from now on, and don’t run around.” Sure enough, Jingfen listened to Yamato’s words and lived in Beijing , never dared to go to other provinces.

But it is said that Xiang Zicheng was a minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs when he was in the Qing Dynasty.His foreign policy has always been to make friends from afar and attack near, using barbarians to control barbarians.He is usually the closest to Germany, and he admires Kaiser Wilhelm II the most. He is called the greatest man in the world, and he really wants to use the Kaiser as his law.Therefore, when he was training in Beiyang, all the methods of organization and operation were based on Germany.Most of the generals in the six towns of Beiyang also came back from studying in Germany.Germans also took part of the training instructors in the towns.What he opposed most was Japan, because he had forged an indissoluble enmity with the Japanese when he was in Korea.Now that he is the president, this grudge is still indigestible.This time when Japan and Germany were fighting in Qingdao, he was full of hope that Germany would win, and he only took advantage of the defeat of Japan.Although he did not dare to help Germany blatantly, secretly, he wanted to help the Germans.Although he has never expressed this spirit clearly to others, in Japan, he has long been aware of it.At this time, the Prime Minister of Japan was Shigenobu Okuma. Okuma was eighty-four years old this year. He was really a cruel old diplomat. Why did he take Xiangzicheng seriously.This time when Japan and Germany were at war, he expected that Xiangzicheng must have a secret attempt to help Germany.So he made a plan in advance, and gave Xiaofan, the Japanese envoy in China, to follow the plan, which would not only break Xiangzicheng's attempt to help virtue, but also make Xiangzicheng turn to help Japan.After Xiaofan received the order, he followed it up step by step. First, he mobilized several trusted advisers around Xiangzi City.Sometimes when Zicheng asked what the future outcome of the Qingdao war would be, they just made a big show for Japan, saying that Germany would never support it for a long time.At the beginning, Xiang Zicheng was still a little unconvinced, but after an explanation from Li Jingfen's personal statement, the meaning of Xiang Zicheng became a little bit active.Knowing this opportunity, Xiaofan came to see Zicheng in person, first said a lot of flattering words, and made this President Xiang very satisfied, and then slowly talked about Qingdao.Xiaofan said: "In the matter of Qingdao, our country is completely helping the president. Logically speaking, since Germany went to war with Britain and France, it would no longer be able to control the military port of a neutral country in the Far East. He should have completely returned the land of Qingdao to your country. That's reasonable. Otherwise, your country's neutrality is absolutely impossible to maintain. However, considering the current situation, since your president has declared neutrality, he will never start a war with Germany. The president was in a dilemma at that time, and he was bound to be unable to deal with it. Therefore, our country spoke up and was willing to help. Fortunately, we are allies with the United Kingdom, and other countries have no excuse. In the future, Qingdao will be taken over. Our country has no ambitions at all. Return your country with both hands. The President recognizes this point, and naturally expresses sympathy for our country's military actions. Moreover, the President of our country, Okuma, is an old friend of the President for many years. If you encounter any problems, you must help the president and help to the end." He poured out a pot of rice soup like this, which made Xiangzicheng dizzy, but he regarded Japan as his closest friend. His heart actually shifted and turned into Zhuri.

Germany originally did not have much munitions in Qingdao, and it is expected that after the war, it would only be able to support it for two months at most.Heihua sent a telegram to the German Consul in Tianjin, telling him to quickly prepare four carts of munitions, but they pretended to be local products under the banner of a foreign company, and transported them from Jinpu Road to Jinan, and then transferred to Qingdao.Tianjin Deling has been fully prepared, under the guise of the name of Dali Foreign Firm, it is said that all the shipments are cattle wool.The Japanese detectives found out about this news a long time ago, and sent an urgent telegram to the envoy Xiaofan, telling him to find a way to stop it.Xiaofan immediately went to see Xiangzicheng, and said: "The Germans smuggled arms, but they used your country's railways to run them. This is obviously a violation of neutrality. Please send a telegram to the Jinan governor as soon as possible, asking him to stop it quickly and detain it completely." This is a major international issue, and the president must not be careless." Xiang Zicheng agreed, and immediately called the confidential department to send a telegram to Jinan.At this time, the governor of Jinan was Jin Yunkun, who was Xiangzicheng's confidant general.When he received this telegram, he remained calm and dispatched two battalions to secretly seize Jinpu Station.When Jinpu's car arrived, two battalion commanders, one named Wang Desheng and the other named Sun Degong, jumped on the train together and saw a row of four cars, all loaded with goods exported from Germany.Sun Degong asked who was responsible for it, and immediately two Germans came over, one was from Dali Foreign Company, named Balijin, and the other was a car follower on Jinpu Road, named Bai Kena.It turned out that because Jinpu Road had borrowed foreign money at that time, the north of Jinan was under the supervision of Germany, and the south of Jinan was under the supervision of Britain.Therefore, the Germans can use this road to smuggle arms, and send people who serve on this road to secretly protect them with their vehicles.As long as it can be transported to Jinan and then transferred to Jiaodong, there will be no obstacles.Unexpectedly, in Jinan, people have already made preparations.As soon as they drove into the station and saw that there were many Chinese soldiers on the station, they concluded that it was most likely that the agency had been leaked.But they held their breath and stopped the train without making a sound.Just as they were about to instruct the people who received the goods to carry them down the car, the two battalion commanders, Wang and Sun, jumped up early and asked what the goods were on the car.Barrykin could speak Chinese and said, "It's full of cow's wool. We got it from Tianjin and are going to ship it to the Qingdao factory." Wang Desheng said, "No matter what kind of wool it is, we have to open it and inspect it before releasing it. "Balijin said: "It's unreasonable. You two are members of the military. How can you interfere with our trade and cargo?" Wang Desheng said with a smile: "It's because we are soldiers, so we interfere; You don’t need to interfere.” Balijin said with a strong attitude: “No one can open the goods in our store on the way. Don’t say that you are a small battalion commander, it is your captain. I can’t even do it!” Sun Degong said: “Since you are a businessman in a civilized country, you should understand international law, especially international law in wartime. You are in Qingdao, fighting the Japanese army, and our country strictly maintains neutrality. No one is partial to help. You transported these many things with our Chinese cars and on our Chinese roads. How could we let you pass without inspection? For example, Japan also transported four cars in the same way. Let him go gently, your country must protest." The words made Balijin speechless.Bo Kena came over to talk again, and said, "These four carts of local goods have been inspected by us. They are indeed cattle wool, and there are no prohibited items. Please reply politely to the governor, and they can be exempted from inspection." Sun Degong shook his head again and again, and said, "This is a military order, and there is no flexibility at all." While talking, he greeted the soldiers, unpacked the package, and inspected it in person.The two of them were so anxious that they wanted to take out their pistols to fight Sun Wang.Sun Wang sent eight soldiers to monitor the two of them. Then he opened a bag and found that most of the bullets inside were covered with cow wool.One pack is like this, and the rest of the packs are of course conceivable.In a fit of anger, four carts of ammunition were confiscated.

Germany lost this batch of aid, and suffered a severe blow militarily.If all the four loads of munitions were transferred to Qingdao, even though Japan won, it would take two months longer and cost thousands of lives.Finally, they were lucky enough to get such a big help from Xiangzi City.At that time, even the British and French countries all praised President Xiang for his handling.Xiang Zicheng has gained such an unexpected reputation in the world, and he is very grateful to Xiaofan in his heart, because he is sincere to him.Unexpectedly, the Japanese were making progress. Seeing that Xiangzicheng was willing to use it for them and intercepted four German munitions, he decided that China had changed from being neutral to helping the Japanese army.Their navy and army launched a general attack on Tsingtao. They fought for a month or two, but they could not score a single cent, but sacrificed two or three thousand soldiers.This is actually because the German defense engineering is the most solid. Their forts took three years to build, and they are really iron walls.Although the Japanese navy bombarded it with cannons for many days, it could not damage it.When they led the military officers to see this look, they knew that attacking from the front would be ineffective for another three years.They have fixed our country's Longkou at a glance. If they send troops to land from Longkou, they will get twice the result with half the effort. Qingdao is not difficult to get.However, Longkou is a neutral zone, and China will never allow it to openly lie.They came to a free operation, specially used warships to carry a large number of troops, suddenly sailed to Longkou, swarmed up rashly, and first occupied our country as their military base.Xiang Zicheng was of course very dissatisfied with this news, and immediately asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to protest to the Japanese envoy Xiaofan, and quickly stopped the Japanese army from moving freely in Longkou.On the one hand, he sent a telegram to the Minister in Japan to protest to the Japanese government not to intentionally destroy my country's neutrality.The Japanese government ignored such protests.Minister Xiaofan, went to meet Lu Chengxiang, Minister of Foreign Affairs of our country.He put it even better: "The president of your country secretly has a tacit understanding with our country. He is willing to help us seize Qingdao. Of course, he will give our country various military conveniences. The matter of entering the army in Longkou is exactly the will of the president of your country, so that we can expel it early. The German army will restore your country to its homeland. The protest of your commander-in-chief is of course a superficially proper article, and we can ignore it as much as possible. During this delay, the Qingdao military can of course end. Please calm down, your commander-in-chief. " Lu Chengxiang couldn't help crying when he heard his set of words, so he had to be vague and said: "What your minister said is one-sided after all. The chief minister can't believe it or say he doesn't believe it. The president discussed it again. However, this kind of military action is too free in the territory of neighboring countries. It not only destroys neutrality, but also directly hinders our country's sovereignty. Of course, the responsibility of the chief minister cannot sit idly by. For the diplomatic relations between the two countries Plan, I advise your minister to contact your government by telegram, always abide by the public laws of all nations, and restrain yourself a little." Xiaofan laughed and said, "This minister has no right to interfere with our country's military. What does your chief mean? If there is a chance, I must convey it." After he finished speaking, he left and Lu Chengxiang became more and more angry: This is not a negotiation between the two countries, it is simply a scoundrel.In a fit of anger, he went to see Xiang Zicheng, and taught Xiaofan all kinds of unreasonable words.Xiang Zicheng shook his head and said, "It's unreasonable. He acted freely, violated our sovereignty, and said that the President of the United States is willing to do this. This is a bloody mouth! We can't listen to this, and we have to lodge a serious protest." Lu Chengxiang agreed.Before the second protest was raised, Jin Yunkun, the governor of Shandong Province, sent another 100,000 urgent telegrams, saying that the Japanese army had not only landed in Longkou, but also occupied many houses, arrested local people, and carried out various military tasks. They all escaped.Ask the President whether they can forcefully stop their actions.When Xiang Zicheng saw the telegram, although he hated it in his heart, he looked at the overall situation and dared not allow Jin Yunkun to stop it by force.Because forcibly stopping is the first step in declaring war.If our army also marched to Longkou and forced the Japanese army not to enter here, they would definitely refuse to accept it, and they would definitely clash with our army and immediately open fire on each other.In this way, Germany was virtually relieved.We, China, have become the target of Japanese attacks.Zhang Guan Li Dai, is the most uneconomical thing.How could I fall into his trap just because I couldn't hold my breath for a while.Thinking of this, he ordered the secretary's office to call Jinan immediately, strictly urging Jin Yunkun to restrain his army and not to start a quarrel with the Japanese army.Just order the governor of Huang County to deal with it properly.After this telegram was sent, within a week, the Japanese army had completely occupied Qingdao.Because the soldiers in Longkou were advancing from the side, the German army could no longer defend.The Japanese commander wrote a letter to Heihua, urging him to back down, saying that the general had been besieged in Qingdao with a single army for three months. This kind of loyalty and bravery has become famous all over the world.At present, our army has landed from Longkou and is attacking from two sides.Although the general has the courage of Ben Yu, he can't deal with it. It is best to plan for himself and retreat early.Our army will never injure a single person indiscriminately against your army, and the general can still return to the country with his entire army. Isn't it beautiful?When Heihua received this letter, he thought to himself: Resist, I am exhausted.Besides, the Japanese army attacked from both sides, and they had enough bullets, and I had already run out of ammunition, so why bother to make such a meaningless sacrifice?Moreover, the Kaiser sent a telegram that day, and the telegram did not tell him to stick to it, but it was just asking the Japanese to pay a price.During the three-month war, the Japanese army had already lost three to four thousand people and consumed several ships of munitions. The price paid was really not small.Let's stop here, we can still return to China with all the teachers, isn't this the best end?Thinking of this, Heihua wrote back a letter from the commander of the Japanese army, putting forward several conditions: first, they should not be treated as prisoners; second, German soldiers must be allowed to return to China freely; No discrimination; Fourth, all German property, except those belonging to the public, must be transferred to Japan, and the Japanese army shall not confiscate their private property; Fifth, Qingdao Customs does not belong to the Germans, but is an agency of the Republic of China. After Qingdao, it must not be occupied or controlled to protect international faith.For these five conditions, the Japanese army fully allowed the first and second, and allowed them to handle the third, fourth, and fifth at their discretion. .A few days later, Heihua led his army back to China by boat.After the Japanese army captured Qingdao, the first thing they paid attention to was the forts and docks built by the Germans. The forts had been beaten to pieces by the Japanese navy, and the docks were also destroyed by themselves.Only the admiral's building on the mountain exists majestically, without any damage.The Japanese government also sent an admiral to issue orders, as if it had become their conquest.What public and private property, all with a little German color, will be confiscated by them.Even the Chinese who used to serve the Germans were searched side by side by the Japanese.Even if it doesn't work, you have to spend a few dollars to exercise in their hands before you give up, otherwise you can't expect to have a good life.Especially when the Japanese army fought in Qingdao this time, for all the soldiers who died in battle, the government specially moved their family members to Qingdao, confiscated the houses of the Germans, and gave them all to live in.Not only do they not charge their rent, but they are also given a special right.What special rights?All the homes of the fallen soldiers are allowed to smuggle arms, opium, morphine and other poisons.This kind of trading is not allowed internationally, but people like them can be openly trafficked.Therefore, after the Japanese passed through Qingdao, there were a lot of bandits in Jiaodong in those few years, and they were all made by themselves.The only sharp weapon the bandits rely on is gun bullets.However, no one has the courage to openly sell bullets to bandits in places where the country's official power is within reach and the law is in control.Since the Japanese occupied Qingdao, it has become an open transaction.As many guns and ammunition as they want to buy, as long as they come to Qingdao, they don't need to be introduced by anyone. They can find this big company that supplies arms by following the map.Because the family members of this group of fallen soldiers all have a special sign in front of their houses, which can let people know at a glance that they are the place to sell arms.What sign?A large cannonball, more than two feet high, stands in front of the door. It is a cover for selling arms. , but in fact, it is a sign of attracting business.They have all made a fortune, and the people of Jiaodong counties have suffered. This is the benevolent government of the Japanese in Qingdao, and it has finally created many bandits for us in China.We Chinese, of course, must never forget.

Don't gossip.But he said that after the Japanese army occupied Qingdao, he even occupied the Chinese customs.For Japanese businessmen, all export and import taxes are exempted, and for European and American merchants, the export and import taxes are particularly aggravated, and the regulations of the customs are messed up casually, just for the convenience of other countries.Such an approach is not only unacceptable to China, but of course other countries are also outraged.The Beijing government immediately protested to the Japanese envoy Xiaofan, and of course the Chinese envoy in Tokyo also protested to the Japanese government.Prime Minister Okuma immediately issued a second trick up his sleeve, asking Xiaofan to proceed in this way.After receiving this order, Xiaofan went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the next day, met with Lu Chengxiang, the foreign minister, and exchanged a few pleasantries. Before Lu Chengxiang could ask him about the customs, he took out a formal letter. When the official document came, he solemnly handed it to Lu Chengxiang and said: "This official document is from our government, and the envoy is specially ordered to submit it in person, because the content of this official document is important, and there must be an official document within forty-eight hours. Answer. If there is no official answer, I'm sorry, but our army will be free to act." This speech scared Lu Chengxiang to a loss, and hurriedly drew out the official notice to watch carefully.But Xiaofan refused to wait, stood up and left.Lu Chengxiang took the ultimatum in his hand and sent him out, watching as he walked.After only reading two or three articles, he shook his head and said that this is not an international negotiation, it is simply taking advantage of the fire.If this is the case, shouldn't we give him half of the entire Republic of China?He went back to the office, read it carefully again, didn't even dare to hesitate for a moment, and immediately went to the palace to meet Xiang Zicheng, and presented the Japanese ultimatum face to face.Xiang Zicheng took it, thinking it was for the customs, and only read two or three lines when he opened it. He jumped up and said loudly: "The Japanese bullied me too much. I found out that the president will not do it. You have to fight with him!" Lu Chengxiang said: "Don't be angry with the President, please read it carefully first, and then discuss how to deal with it." Zicheng still sat down, and gave this official notice to him from the beginning. At the end, read word by word and sentence carefully.Then he said to Lu Chengxiang: "He is obviously taking advantage of the fire to loot. The European war is raging now, and the balance of power among countries has been broken. He knows that no one will help us at this time, so he can bully us as much as possible. He made a mistake. Pan Xing, although my China is cowardly, after all, we in Beiyang still have hundreds of thousands of soldiers who cannot be insulted. I simply declare war on him. If I win, I can avenge my shame. If I lose, I will risk my life and be worthy The country is worthy of the people. If I agree to his request, not only will the Democratic Party have more excuses to oppose me, but even the people of the whole country will not be willing to do so! You go ahead with this matter and ignore him. Tonight at In this government, I will first call a military meeting in the name of Generalissimo, and see what the officers and soldiers think, and then decide how to deal with it." Lu Chengxiang withdrew first.

Xiang Zicheng immediately sent an order to summon all the military leaders stationed in Beijing, such as Jiang Guiti, Cao Huchen, Duan Jixiang, Lu Chengzhang and other ministers, to the mansion.Tete raised the Japanese ultimatum and announced it to everyone, saying: "Look at this matter, how should we deal with it?" The first one was Jiang Guiti, who jumped up and cursed: "Things who don't know how to advance or retreat are bullying us again. .My Lao Jiang is almost 80 years old this year, and I still have a few days to live. I am happy to fight with these little devils. President, you can use me as the vanguard. I would rather take my 10,000 old Yijun , Go to fight the former enemy. Look at our old Huang Zhong, is he not old?" Xiang Zicheng saw that he was so courageous, he quickly comforted him with kind words: "Don't worry, old general. If we decide to use troops against Japan, we must invite The old general is on the move. But I can’t say this step yet, please don’t be impatient, old general.” Jiang Guiti pouted, angrily, and said nothing more.Wang Shizhen stood up and said: "If we talk about the unreasonable demands of the Japanese, there is really no room for our country to bear it. Even if we formally go to war with him, we also have sufficient reasons internationally. However, the ancients have a saying that if you know yourself and the enemy, you will be victorious in every battle. If we want to fight against him at this time, the first step is to know ourselves. In terms of the current strength of our country, the army can only choose 12 divisions at most, and we can go to the front enemy , fighting on the ground. The rest of the miscellaneous troops, although numerous in number, are poorly trained and equipped with insufficient armaments, making them worthless in a single battle. As for the navy, our country has a small number of troops and many old warships. Compared with the Japanese side, even The ratio of ten to ten cannot be said at all. As for the sea line is too long, the forts along the coast are mostly flattened after passing through Gengzi, and there is a danger of being destroyed by him at any time and anywhere. From this point of view, it is the word confidant, which we do not have A little bit of certainty. Let’s talk about knowing the enemy. Japan’s conscription system is practiced. Even though its active soldiers are not as many as our country’s, but when it’s time for emergency, the reserve can be mobilized. In fact, its army is several times larger than our country’s army. It is not necessary to mention the navy. This is the aspect of knowing the enemy, and we must be extra cautious. Shizhen sees this, and I ask the president to decide." Before Shizhen finished speaking, Jiang Guiti jumped up and said: " According to what you said, we have no choice but to swallow our anger when dealing with Japan, and we will obey whatever they order. I think you are the first big traitor who speaks for Japan. What is it?" Jiang Guiti relied on his qualifications to be old and old. If he is unhappy, he will open his mouth to scold others, sometimes he even scolds Xiang Zicheng.Xiang Zicheng didn't bother with him because he relied on the old to sell the old.Today, in front of everyone, he opened his mouth to curse again, so Xiang Zicheng had no choice but to use the trick of diverting the tiger away from the mountain, saying: "Yesterday, Qinghai Living Buddha, the Special Commissioner sent me a dozen horses, all of which are handsome in color and size. I know Old General Jiang loves horses the most, and you have a lot of experience with horses, so I will trouble you to find a horse for me." He said to the attendants on the left and right, and quickly took the old general to the horse for a walk. .Jiang Guiti didn't know it was a trick, so he stood up immediately and followed Cong Renzhen to the horse.Xiang Zicheng laughed and said: "This old monster can send him away. He is here yelling and cursing, how can he discuss business?" Everyone also laughed.Xiang Zicheng also said: "General Wang Cai's words about knowing oneself and knowing the enemy just now are really unpublished. But although we can't fight, we can't just accept his conditions so easily. If this is the case, we are still far from traitorous. What’s more, traitorous country can still gain personal benefits. According to this, without seeking personal benefits, the state rights are given to him in vain. Is there such an injustice in the world?” Cao Huchen said: “We replied that he can’t allow it. , while preparing for the war in secret. If he really doesn't care about face, we have no choice but to fight with him." Duan Jixiang smiled and said: "You are really an honest man who can tell the truth. Since Japan made such an unreasonable request, we can see that he is serious about the war. We have already made full preparations. As long as we refuse to accept our request, he will strike first. The first step will be to occupy our three eastern provinces; the second step will be to destroy our ports along the river. We will never be allowed to fight back. Although we If you want to prepare for war, where do you go to prepare?" Xiang Zicheng heard that Duan Wang and Duan Wang are both Beiyang generals, but their tone is like this, and most of the arrogance in their hearts has been wiped out.After discussing for a long time, a specific plan could not be reached.Probably the main fighters are young generals from the beginning. As for the group of leaders who claim to be mature and prudent, they always worry a lot. They don't say they can fight or they can't fight. , I ask President Xiang to decide for himself.The commotion made Xiangzicheng have no idea at all, so the meeting could only be declared adjourned.

In the afternoon of the second day, another group of literati advisers was called to discuss how to deal with the Japanese.There were still a large number of people present that day. Almost all the people from the intellectual class in a mansion were summoned, and no one was left behind.Xiangzicheng made another announcement as usual.Among his group of counselors, except for a few old bureaucrats, most of them are overseas students, and most of them are overseas students.Among them, Yang Xiu, Gu Yan, Jin Guoan, Lu Shaozu, Hu Jie and the like are all the oldest students from the East.The reason why Xiangzicheng summoned them was because they had been in Japan for many years and knew the internal situation of the country well.Faced with this important moment now, of course they have to say a few words of conscience.For this kind of request, whether to allow or refute it, whether to avoid the battle, but in fact, it is not enough to suffer.This is completely a tricky and cheap psychology.All his life, Xiang Zicheng has been able to take advantage of opportunities. No matter what happens, he always wants to take advantage of both sides. On his own side, he is unwilling to sacrifice at all.His mentality has lasted for more than 20 years, and it is still regarded as a traditional mantle by various dignitaries today.Don't listen to them yelling at Xiangzicheng, in fact, the clever calculations in the square inch, Zongzong's everything, will never break away from Xiangzicheng's pattern.However, if Xiang Zicheng wants to take advantage, he still has various means to help him.Later, those Beiyang warlords had the mentality to take advantage of Xiangzicheng, but they didn't have the means to take advantage of Xiangzicheng, so they were so overwhelmed that they couldn't even maintain the status quo.Xiangzicheng basically didn't want to admit Japan's unreasonable demands, but judging his own strength, he really couldn't go to war with Japan.If you start a war rashly, you will definitely fail to the end, so half of his ambition has disappeared invisibly.However, at this time, the morale of the people in Beijing was indeed extremely excited. There were actually many junior officers who joined forces and were willing to attack Japan.Especially on the people's side, it is said in the street that the Japanese bullied us too much. He put forward conditions to China, implicitly sweeping away the rights of the three eastern provinces, and also invaded our Shandong and Fujian.If our government agrees, what is the difference between this and treason?Some said: President Xiang Da has enmity with Japan, and the Japanese are deliberately making things difficult for him. No matter what, he must not allow this request. It is 80% that he has officially declared war with Japan, and even the military pay has been prepared.Otherwise, all the national salt tax was pledged to others out of thin air. What is the use of all this money?更有一班少年激烈的,说项大总统如果同日本宣战,我一定入伍当兵。这种洋洋溢溢的,轰动了九城。哪知骨子里边,人家日本早把项子城的野心大欲,全侦察明白了,特特备好了圈套,净等着引他向里钻。

原来项子城自当选正式总统之后,他时时刻刻想要再上一层,把中华民国改成中华帝国,他便随着变成皇帝陛下。别看他雄才大略,究竟未受过新潮流的淘洗,脑筋思想,依然是古式腐旧一流。他的图谋帝制,固然是为一己尊荣,及子孙帝王万世之业,然而一半也是因他那旧眼光中,看共和民主总不适宜于这数千年的专制君主国家。他以为人民这种东西,只能使他不识不知,顺帝之则,哪里说到民治民权呢?最好是实行开明专制,有一个万能的皇帝,在上面负起全责来,这一个国家,便不愁不能达到富强地位。在中国历史上,固然更仆难数,就是外国,如德皇威廉,日皇明治,俄皇尼古拉,哪一个不是以君主致强?凭我的才识魄力,自问并不在三君之下,何必一定要行这劳什子的民主制度?闹得事事掣肘,空抱强国志愿,而实际达不到呢?看起来,倒莫如趁着我正在当权得势,全国统一的时候,索性一不做二不休,效法拿破仑,由总统一跃而为皇帝,这又有什么不可的呢?他心里虽然抱着这种大志,但是面子上从来不肯向人表示,甚至对于他的夫人公子,都不曾露过一点意思。只有他随身的老家人谢大福,同他一个本家的侄儿项可忠这两人知道。因为谢大福不离他左右,他每逢高了兴,左右无人的时候,便同大福叙家常,倾心吐胆,无话不说。项可忠是他的私人买办,他想购买什么东西,要避讳他人眼目,不使外间知道,便叫项可忠去办。可忠采买好了,专等左右无人时,偷偷地交给他的叔叔,他再也不对第二人说。因此项子城对于这两个人格外表示亲密,仿佛比他的妻子还近一步。有一天批完公事,回到休息室中,谢大福给他斟过一杯参汤来,他慢慢地喝着,长叹了一口气。大福道:“老爷(按:世家的规矩,主人无论做到什么地位,家人只称爷,自称奴才),你又因为什么叹气?莫非又遇到不顺心的事吗?”子城道:“我一天到晚,哪有顺心时候。两院议员才遣散走了,国务卿又想独揽大权,什么事他都硬做主张。有时候商量都不商量,立逼着叫我盖印,你想这种气我如何能受得了呢?”大福道:“老爷不会不受吗?近年这种事,奴才也看清啦,全因为老爷事事退让,专敷衍别人的面子,因此把他们全纵起来了。甚至他们公然说,总统是人民的公仆,人民是总统的主翁,这简直是要造反啊!说白了,全是因为没有皇帝的缘故,最好老爷把总统两个字取消,你就毫不客气地做一回皇帝,倒看他们还敢怎样?我想到那时,不用压制,自然就老实了。”项子城微微一笑,说:“你这是呆话,做皇帝哪有这样容易的。国内的人还好对付,最难对付的是外国人,不用说旁的,他们不承认你,你就没有办法了。”大福道:“这是我们自己的事,与他们有什么关系呢?再说各国公使,同老爷都是多年好友,难道这一点忙都不能帮吗?”子城道:“别的国都好办,唯有日本小鬼,实在不易通融。当年我同他们结的恶感,你也是局中人,还能瞒得过吗?如今要想叫他们帮忙,那如何做得到呢?”大福笑道:“这话也不见得,日本小鬼天生的好贪小便宜,将来遇着机会,给他一点小便宜,保管他比别的国,还格外肯帮忙呢?”子城哈哈大笑,也不再说什么。

过了几天,他忽然把项可忠唤至密室,对他说:“我要置几件衣裳,还有靴子帽子,你秘密置备齐了,送进府里来,千万不要当着人交给我。等屋里没有人时,你就放在我身旁,也不必交代什么话,你明白我这意思?”可忠道:“总统的吩咐,我一定照办,决不会再叫第二个人知道。”子城便将要置的衣服冠履,略略对他说了一遍。项可忠本是久历官场的干员,对于项子城的话,真是耳入心通,举一反三,他当时便完全了解,即刻下去预备一切。他预备好了之后,果然神不知鬼不觉地,送到子城休息室中。子城接过去,便锁在铁柜中。这一具铁柜,是项子城专放机密文件的,无论何人,不敢擅开。并且铁柜的钥匙,也在他自己手中,随身带着,决不假诸他人之手。自经置备衣裳之后,项可忠心中算是彻底明白了,但是他守口如瓶,绝不敢再对第二人说。这一天项子城退到休息室中,很是高兴,把左右侍役全支出去,只留谢大福一人,却又叫他将屋门关上,将窗帘挂好。然后将锁铁柜的钥匙,交付大福手中,吩咐他将铁柜开开,把里面的衣包取出,伺候自己换在身上。大福见了这一套衣裳,欢喜得连嘴都合拢不上来,伺候他穿戴好了,赶紧跪在地上讨封。说:“我的皇上,万岁爷,你大小封奴才一个爵位,也不枉我伺候了你四十年。”项子城笑道:“太早一点,我这不过是游戏而已。”大福跪在地上不起来,闹得项子城也没有法儿了,只可随口说道:“你这人忠心不贰,我就封你为忠义侯吧。”大福忙磕了一个响头,说:“谢主隆恩。”项子城也没工夫理他,自己穿着这一套衣裳,对准了穿衣镜,照了又照,只见镜子里这位皇帝,头戴闹龙冠,身披赭黄缎子平金龙袍,腰系羊脂玉带,足登富贵无忧龙头靴,果然真有开国天子的气度。他照了多时,不觉捻髯微笑道:“大丈夫不当如是耶?”掉过头来,吩咐谢大福替他脱下来,仍然折叠好了,放在铁柜中。却至再嘱咐谢大福,千万不要对人说,连本府的太太姨太太及公子小姐等,都不许叫他们知道。大福连声答应,说奴才晓得。

到底他心里很明白这一套衣裳,一定是项可忠给买来的,当日他便寻项可忠,一见面便埋怨道:“你一个人做的好事。”可忠吓了一跳,说:“我的老大爷,你什么事又怪罪到我头上了?”大福说:“你既替皇上置办冠袍带履,为什么还瞒着皇上左右的近人,难道怕我们同你争功吗?”可忠笑道:“我当是什么大事呢,原来是为这个。实对您说吧,万岁爷有旨,不许对第二人说,我有多大胆子敢抗旨啊?”大福道:“你这话我也信,不过瞒着旁人可以,瞒着我大可不必;你就是不瞒我,万岁爷也绝不会怪罪你的。”可忠笑道:“您这话我也信,本来连万岁爷都不瞒您,我又何必瞒呢?不过我们当臣子的,不敢不谨小慎微,这事还得求老大爷格外原谅。”谢大福笑道:“我还真能怪罪你吗?大概除去你我两人之外,也决然没有第三人知道。我今天来寻你,是有紧要事同你商量,我想现在欧战正打得凶,外人无暇及此,日本最近又得了便宜去,当然不再说什么,真是天造地设的好机会。不趁此时进行,更待何时?”两人在默地里商量了一番:这事万不能由大总统亲自张口,必须有人发起,然后大家随声附和,这事才容易成功。但是领头儿说这话的人,却向哪里去寻呢?头一样大总统的心事,只有我两人知道,人家不知底的,谁敢冒昧说这种话?一张口便担了个背叛民国的罪名,这是闹着玩的吗?纵然有人敢说,要出自一个寻常人的口中,人微言轻,也决然引不起大多数的注意。必须寻几个在社会上有名的人物,先出来做一种宣传,自然慢慢地就不难成为事实。谢大福说:“有名的人物,也分几等几样,到底寻哪一门哪一类的人呢?”可忠想了想,说:“这个问题,真还有一点不好决定。凭你我的见识,实不配讨论这事,咱们先寻一个智多星,领教领教自然就容易入手了。”大福道:“谁是智多星?得在咱们圈里面去寻,可别跑到圈外边去,轻易泄漏天机,可要担很大罪过的。”可中道:“哪里用得着到圈外去寻呢?现放着阮瘦子,连大总统都称他为智多星,我们何妨先寻他去商议一番。”大福连说有理,两个人刻不容缓去寻阮中书。 中书一个人在内史处的一间密室里,正在料理文牍,一抬头见这两个人推门而入,连忙起身招待,让座让茶,拿出十二分的精神来周旋他们,本来这是御前的近臣,谁敢轻慢。说:“难得二位今天居然有工夫来到我这小去处,真要蓬荜生辉了。”谢大福说:“阮大人张口是文,合口是文,足见他肚子里的文章,真是太多了。怪不得大总统拍发文电时,总得先招呼你呢。”中书大笑,说:“你二位是口衔天语,较比我这耍笔杆的,身份高贵多了。我们空会诌几句酸文,又算得了什么呢?”可忠笑道:“这也不见得,古人说得好:宰相须用读书人。照阮先生将来,不为房杜,必为张许。太平宰相一席,非你莫属,我们怎能跟你相提并论呢?”阮中书本是一个最机警的人,他在公府住了几个月,用冷眼观察,早就看出项子城的行径,是想恢复君主,好将一顶皇冕戴在头上。不过没有机会,自己总张不开口。然而他的种种动作,早已就是变相的皇帝了。今天又听可忠这样说,触类旁通,更明白了十之八九。他便索性揭开了说道:“我阮中书确乎想做房玄龄杜如晦,只可惜当代没有唐太宗,也就没有地方可以施展我的抱负了。”可忠道:“阮先生,你说这话真该打,请问咱们的大总统,哪样儿比不起唐太宗,你怎么愣敢说没有呢?”中书长叹了一口气,说:“咱们大总统雄才大略,度量恢宏,岂止可比唐太宗,直驾乎汉高之上。只可惜这个时候太不对了,好好的君主国家,偏要改成共和民主。闹得咱们大总统,英雄无用武之地。我这个拿笔管的,还能提到话下吗?”谢大福不等可忠还言,先抢着说道:“管他民主不民主呢,比如大总统一定要做皇帝,谁还敢拦着不叫他做吗?”中书拍着巴掌说道:“着啊!不过这里面还有一种难处,在我们固然是这样想,到底总统什么意思,谁知道呢?假如总统认定了只愿做总统,不愿做皇帝,我们又有什么法子,能够叫他改变方针呢?”大福到此时,可真有一点忍不住了,便脱口而出,说:“大总统何尝不愿做皇帝,只可惜没有能帮他忙的人,他是孤掌难鸣。虽有此心,也不敢轻于出口啊!”阮中书一聆此言,立刻将左右的侍役一律屏退,又亲手将屋门关上,然后以极郑重的态度,向两人问道:“你们二位此来,一定是有什么重要问题与阮某商榷,如今出你二位之口,入阮某之耳,决无第四人知道,就请你二位直言无隐吧。”可忠笑道:“阮先生,你真是水晶肚子,玻璃心肝,怎么见景生情,就知道我两人有重要问题同你商议呢?”谢大福道:“少爷,你不要尽管说那些不相干的话啦。咱们直截了当,把心腹事对他说知,也好商量一个办法啊!”可忠点头,遂将以前种种经过,全对中书说了。中书不觉念了一声:“阿弥陀佛,幸亏你二位不耻下问,肯来同我商量,还不至撕出旁岔来。要不然,便要误了总统的大事。将来把总统的嘴封住了,不但不能成功,只怕从今以后,连皇帝两个字,都提不出来了,那才真糟糕呢。”几句话说得他两人一愣,谢大福道:“阮大人的话,我实听不懂,请你解释一番,也叫我这糊涂人开一开窍儿。”中书大笑,说:“这个哑谜,说破了不值半文钱。你们要知道,君主民主这完全是国体问题;皇帝总统,是个人地位。若不从根本上变更国体,怎么能够产生出皇帝来?况且变更国体,是极不容易的一件事,比如原来是君主,硬要改为民主,或原来是民主,硬要改为君主,这都叫作叛国。你们不信,请看满清时代,对于提倡民主的人,一律呼为革匪,罪在不赦之列。这是什么缘故呢?就因为他们的主张,是变更国体,国体一变,君主的地位,自然随之而倒,哪里还有什么皇帝呢?如今既想要扶保皇帝,第一步便须推倒民主,如不推倒民主,皇帝何从而生?我们第一步必须为变更国体的准备,只要能把这一步做到,皇帝的帽子决不能落到别人头上,这是自然而然的一种趋势。我们如今先不必谈皇帝两字,只从研究国体入手,研究些日子,是君主优于民主。经多数认定了,然后第二步再说请愿。请大总统毅然决然地取消民主,恢复君主。那时候只需用一点手法,以假民意实现真君主。等实现之后,再施行第三步。第三步是什么呢?便是上表劝进,到了上表劝进,便是大功告成,净等登极坐殿了。这三步要一步一步地去做,万不能躐等而进。照你两位这样心急,那岂不是笑话吗?”两人点头赞叹,说:“到底是智多星的见识格外高明,我们哪知道这许多呢?如今先说第一步,是怎样地筹备,讲不了,还得阮先生决策出奇。”中书想了想,说:“这事还不是咱们三个人能够决定的,只好求你二位,将我介绍到眼前总统将来皇帝的驾前,这事才好商量。因为有许多地方,得要借重金钱借重权力,咱三人决然做不到。莫如直截了当,同主座去商量,倒可以免去许多周折。”项可忠明知道有这一步,本来这是多大的事,岂能将功劳让给旁人?好在进贤受上赏,我们将他荐至总统面前,将来大事办成,饮水思源,总统也当然忘不了我们。他想到这里,便完全应许立刻去见总统回明,今日晚间必有好音,请你千万不要出离公府。中书道:“这是自然,我在这里静候。” 项子城此时进行帝制的心,急于星火,只是对左右近人,如阮中书杨志奇之类,面子上总有点不好意思揭开。正在筹划怎样召集他们公开讨论,项可忠同谢大福却跑了来,将阮中书的意思,委曲婉转,对子城说知。子城刻不容缓,叫可忠将中书陪到自己燕息室中谈话。这时候天已快掌灯了,子城叫把自己的晚膳,就开到这一间屋里,留中书一同吃饭,可忠在下首相陪。酒菜上齐,子城把左右侍从,一律支出去,非呼唤不准进来。中书一壁饮酒,一壁同总统献计,子城捻髯微笑,说:“果然是妙计,这样可以不着一点痕迹,出自外国人口中。一者无人反对,二者也格外的有斤两、有价值,但是外人全是鬼灵精,谁肯无缘无故地当这种顶门棍呢?”中书想了想,不觉大笑,说:“我已想出一个最适当的人来了,此人说话,比别国的人说话,格外有力。因为他是民主国家的人,他如果赞成君主,足见是发于良心之论,无论何国人,也不能目为偏私。再者他是一位专门政法的老博士,资望很有可观,他如果肯做一篇文章,提倡君主,比我国千百文人的话,都格外有力。我们只有寻他去吧。”项子城笑道:“你说的可是古德诺吗?”中书大笑,说:“总统真是天亶聪明,怎么一猜就对呢?”子城道:“这有什么难猜的,不过他肯做不肯做,这还是一个问题。”中书道:“他怎么不肯做?常言说得好:食人之食者,忠人之事。他既给总统当政治顾问,每月一千六百两白花花银子,不劳而获。这一点事,他还好意推脱吗?”子城道:“这可难说,我们顾问的合同中,并不曾定明有替我们做文章鼓吹君主的字样。他如果不肯做,我们还是一点法子也没有。”中书道:“这一层总统不必发愁,中书凭三寸不烂之舌,保能说得他服服帖帖,为我们执笔。不过他做了以后,还得预先埋伏下一堆应声虫,立时响应,然后才格外有力量,可以轰动全国。要不然,空空洞洞的一篇文章,怎能成得了事实呢?”项子城道:“你所虑的都很有道理,我想应声之人,第一不要武人;第二不要旧官僚;第三不要那些腐旧的学者。因为前两种人,在社会上没有信用;后一种人,在眼前新潮流中,更没有信用,决不能引起全国人的注意。最好是侧重新人物,又得平日同我没有什么密切关系,然后叫大家看着,是出于他们自动,并不是被动,然后才显着光明正大,可以闭执反对者之口。你想我这话可是吗?”中书道:“诚如总统所谕,不过一律要寻新人物,也怕没有那么许多。再说新人物中,有肯做的,有不肯做的,也不能一概而论。比如梁启超汤化龙等,这是最有名的新人物了,然而他们决不肯赞成这种事,只有求他们消极不反对,那就很好了。中书意中,已经想出几个人来,这几个人里面,新学者也有,旧学者也有,武人也有,官僚也有,可全都有个名儿,绝不是庸庸碌碌之辈。大总统自管放心,我必能叫您可心如意。不过内中还有一个重大问题,得先向总统回明。这些事发起之始,全得需用大批金钱,似乎又不便向财部支领,作正开销。请示总统,究竟有什么权宜的法子,可以暂资挹注?”项子城大笑说:“你虑在后头了,我已经全替你预备停妥。方才你不曾看见我叫谢大福出去吗?所办的就是这一件事。”正在说着,大福已经进来,把一个纸条儿交在项子城手中。子城又交给阮中书,说:“这是交通银行十万块钱的支票,你先拿了去,如不足用,可随时向本府账房支领,在十万以内,不必向我回话。过了十万之数,再禀我知道。”阮中书接过来,不觉点头叹息,说:“大总统这是以陈平待我,真不愧是汉高的风度,中书敢不竭尽所能,以报国士之知?”项子城笑道:“但愿早早成功,我必封君以曲逆十万户。”中书屈膝说道:“谢主隆恩。”彼此相视一笑,中书慢慢地退下。子城此时,真是志得意满,飘飘然仿佛做了皇帝。 要说到阮中书的本事,实在不弱。也不知他怎样同古德诺接了头,未出三天,这位老博士,居然堂哉皇哉地发表了一篇大文章,而且现身说法。他说欧美所以不能长治久安,多因为侧重民主的缘故。每有一次选举总统,必有一次捣乱,既耗国家金钱,且长人民浮嚣之气。不如君主立宪,或是虚君共和,可以免去纷争,易求国家进步。并引英吉利比利时意大利这三国做比例,这三国全行的是虚君共和制度,他们国内,永远不起风潮,人民永远过着安乐的日子。为什么不跟这三国学,而偏要跟美利坚法兰西学呢?他发了这一篇空议论,要在欧美人士眼光看去,本没有一顾的价值。也不知是怎么运动的,北京一家外国大报,居然把全文登出来。这一来可就引起中国人士注意来了,紧跟着是严复、杨修、刘师道、李致和、孙玉金、胡子英这六个人结合到一处,公然发起了一个筹安会。直截了当地,标明了是要研究国体,究竟民主君主哪一样适合于中国现势。这六个人各有各的历史,各有各的面具。那严复本是一个资格最老的海军留学生,还是当年李鸿章倡办海军,把他派到英国去的,他在英国海军学校曾考列第一名。他同日本的伊东裕亨同过学,后来伊东回国,直做到海军统帅。甲午一役,我国海军,全部被他歼灭,人家总算不负所学。我们这位严先生回国之后,清廷只赏了他一个进士,又叫他到刑部去做主事。这位先生所学非所用,赌气不做官,只在家中学习汉文。下了十五年工夫,他的汉文,居然高出一切,便以翻译英文书籍作他谋生途径。后来又指了一个道台,分省候补,始终也不曾得过差缺。直把他蹲到六十岁,偏偏又赶上了中华民国。项子城看他怪可怜的,特特聘他为大元帅统率办事处高等顾问,每月送他一千二百银子干薪。这位老先生感恩知己,便做了筹安会的发起人。那个杨修,本小说初集中曾说过他,他本是一个东洋留学生,回国之后,很受项子城的提拔,在北京外交部中署过丞参。他是湖南大名士王湘绮的学生,新旧学全有相当根柢。在时髦人物中,很负有一点声望。这次发起筹安会,他便也踊身加入其中。那个刘师道,是一个研究汉学的大师,外号叫书箱子。因为他腹笥便便,异常博洽,作出文章来,能够叫人看不懂。因为他句句字字,都有来历,都有典故,所以一班普通学者,一听说是刘师道的文章,无不望而却步。如今作文讲的是通俗,照刘师道那种手笔,真无人敢领教。当初孔子曾说过:词达而已矣。言其作文第一要诀,是得叫人看得明白,也不必拘于一定格律。只要看得明白,文言也好,语体也好,如其看不明白,文言语体全都不好。固然像刘师道那种文字,是看不明白了,可是眼前流行的新语体文字,又何尝叫人看得明白。语体总要简明流利,不失白话的精神口吻,要是引经据典,触目饤饾,再加上许多蜂腰趸尾的英文句法,叫人越看越糊涂,那还不如用浅文话,倒可以不挡眼呢。刘师道本是一个腐怪的书呆子,也不知怎么一时高兴,也加在筹安会里。李致和本是海军将士,胡子英却是陆军中人,孙玉金是一个世家公子,他们六个人,结合到一处,真有点不伦不类。但是他们这一出头,北京可就喧嚷遍了,有那不知底的,还在猜疑:怎么中华民国,竟会有人敢鼓吹君主呢?不但商民这样疑惑,甚至官府中,有那不知底而脑筋又欠一点灵敏的,也这样疑惑。 此时的步军总领,就是相沿未改的九门提督,还依然管着九城地面。那位提督军门,姓江名叫宗海,倒是一位老军伍出身,只是头脑简单,连字都不认得许多。就因为项子城在小站练兵时,他曾充过卫队哨官,子城见他忠实可靠,后来保举到总兵。这次子城做了总统,便任命他为步军统领。这位先生办事非常认真,每天早晨,他必叫秘书把当日报寻来,看一看九城内外,有什么事件,甚至商民琐细之事,都得念给他听。他听完了,凡为提督衙门权力所及的,他是刻不容缓,亲自去调查一番。果然事实相符,他便要出头干涉,以为必须如此,才算尽了他的职务。这一天早晨,秘书又拿过报来念给他听,念到北京名流发起筹安会,江宗海一听见这个题目,便觉着诧异,问秘书道:“什么叫筹安会?这个名字,我听着很新鲜。”秘书道:“军门不要
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