Chapter 2 second quarter

The next morning, he handed over the sign and summoned him at the first meeting. It was the squad led by Su Wang Shanqi. "You arrived in Beijing that day." The Empress Dowager Cixi asked. "It arrived yesterday afternoon." "How's the place?" "Thanks to the empress dowager and the emperor! There have been two snowfalls this year." "The people of Zhili suffered the most from the chaos in the year of Gengzi, so we must be more sympathetic. You are a local governor, as long as you are willing to plan for the people, there will be no hindrance to the court. If there is something that should be changed, I will not disagree Yes."

"The kindness is profound, and the common people appreciate it." Yuan Shikai thought of setting up stamp duty to replace lottery tickets, so he might as well take the opportunity to play back: "The first time the former governor Li Hongzhang came back to office was just after the Boxers made trouble. In short supply, in order to raise government expenses, a lottery has been set up. Since its inception for more than a year, the number of sales has been less than that of the last. , but not yet. Now that the country is carrying out a new policy, China and foreign countries are eager to look forward to it. It seems that there is no need to be greedy for this, so as not to leave a rumor. Can you ask for an order to stop it to show compassion for the people?"

Empress Dowager Cixi thought for a while and replied: "I'm still not sure about this matter. Sure enough, as you said, it's better to stop it. After you discuss with the Ministry of Accounts, Gu Zhezuo is ready. " "yes!" "Yuan Shikai, you have always been good at training soldiers. According to your opinion, how long will it take to train new troops to be good?" This is a difficult question to answer.Yuan Shikai thought for a while and replied: "In the use of troops, the teaching is the first. The military system of each province is different, the military law is not uniform, the rations are more or less, the firearms are new and old, the morale is good or bad, and the drills are diligent and lazy. At ordinary times, the voices and voices do not communicate with each other. When it comes to war, victory or defeat is irrelevant. Therefore, the method of training troops is to unify the military system and train the trainers. Now the training of new troops is only in Beiyang and Hubei. The idea is that firstly the provinces will send their generals to study and practice in Beiyang and Hubei, and gradually promote them. It will take three years at the earliest, and five years later, so that they can look good. However," he suddenly turned around and raised his voice, "the military science is profound, Every country regards it as the study of body, mind and life, and it is definitely not something that can be achieved in a year or two, and it needs to be combined with all kinds of hands. If there is one thing that cannot be echoed, it will be greatly affected!"

"Oh!" Empress Dowager Cixi asked very attentively: "You said you want to do everything, but what are those things?" "The first is the salary, and enough food means enough soldiers. Secondly, telegrams, ships, railways, etc., are all related to military affairs. If the dispatch is not effective, everything will be out of the question." "That's true. Military operations are expensive and fast, and telegrams are very important. Ships, trains, and troop and equipment transportation must be dispatched. Now that the railway has just started, Zhang Zhidong is also very capable. He still continues to run the business. The Telegraph Bureau was originally scheduled to take back the government-run business, and the China Merchants Bureau has already established a scale. We might as well discuss whether it should be government-run or government-supervised and commercial-run." The Empress Dowager Cixi asked again: "Are you in Shanghai this time? What did you talk about with Sheng Xuanhuai?"

"We were talking about the Telegraph Bureau and the China Merchants Bureau. He said that the telegram can be taken back to the government, and the China Merchants Bureau is a commercial stock. The implication is that they still refuse to hand it over. In fact, the so-called commercial stock is the stock of several people. After twenty years of work, they have already made a lot of money by sitting back and enjoying the benefits. Now that the country is in a difficult situation, they should also know how to repay their kindness." "Yes! I've heard about it too." The Empress Dowager Cixi pondered for a while and said, "You should discuss it with Rong Lu. The interests of the country cannot just enrich a few people."

"yes!" "One more thing. I heard that the atmosphere of the foreign students in Japan is very bad. Will the generals sent to Japan to learn from the army also make trouble with them?" "No!" Yuan Shikai replied: "This time, except for the royal family Liangbi, all the people sent to study in the Japanese non-commissioned officer school are honored ministers and famous generals. They have been honored by the country and are loyal and reliable. The Empress Dowager Cixi nodded and asked, "Is it those people?" So Yuan Shikai reported a few names as far as he could remember: it is said that he is a descendant of Yue Wumu, Yue Kaixian after the famous general Yue Zhongqi in the Yongzheng period; Luo Zewei, the successor of Luo Siju, the admiral of Guizhou; Ha Hanzhang, the successor of Ha Yuansheng, who was the admiral of Guizhou and was sent to learn to walk on the military aircraft minister during the Yongzheng period; Cheng Yaozhang, son of Admiral Cheng Wenbing; Ma Yubao, son of Yijun Commander Ma Jinxu, and so on. After reporting their names, Yuan Shikai said: "Since I have accepted the benevolent order, I should pay special attention to it and strictly control it. Come back and check. "

Next, let's talk about the visit of the two palaces to Xiling in the early spring of next year.Empress Dowager Cixi asked very carefully about the situation of the road and the palace. Yuan Shikai had a very deep impression. He originally thought that it was specially for Yeling, and he would take a tour along the way, but he was completely wrong!In fact, it is in the name of Yeling, so you have to go for a stroll. ※※※ Back at the Beiyang Office, there were already many visitors waiting. Yuan Shikai received them in turn according to his official rank and relationship, and finally left two people, one was Wu Chongxi, and the other was Tao Lanquan, who was sent by Sheng Xuanhuai in Beijing to serve Empress Dowager Cixi.His official job was to be the head of the Beijing Affairs Bureau of the Lu-Han Railway, but his part-time job was even more important. He was in charge of the electric lights in the Summer Palace.

Yuan Shikai met Tao Lanquan first, of course he knew why he came.Sheng Xuanhuai was the Minister of Supervision of the Lu-Han Railway, but Hu Tanfen was appointed to supervise the two sections of branch roads from the capital to Lugou Bridge, and from Gaobeidian to Lianggezhuang, where Xiling is located, and Beiyang set up another railway bureau to manage them. .So this time, visiting the mausoleum on a business trip on the railway has something to do with both Sheng and Yuan. Tao Lanquan must be here to discuss this business. "The float has been prepared." Tao Lanquan said, "I would like to ask the commander-in-chief, is there a float in the end, or should we change at Gaobeidian?"

Yuan Shikai thought to himself, if the floats go to the end and the scenery is all taken by Sheng Xuanhuai, he will not be left behind.However, as the leader of Jiang Chen, he could not express flattery to the Empress Dowager Cixi, so he replied: "I don't know much about this level, please connect with Director Liang." Director Liang's name is Liang Ruhao, and he is Beiyang The commissioned railway bureau chief is in charge of the two branch roads. "There is a telegram from the supervisor. Beiyang is the landlord, and I have to ask the commander in chief for instructions. In the future, the floats will be arranged properly, and the commander in person should be invited to inspect."

"Okay! I'll definitely come and see it then." Yuan Shikai said: "The last time I was in Shanghai, I went to visit Supervisor Sheng to attend the old lady's funeral. Bar?" The words "although the vacancy has not been opened" are already ironic, and it is even more intentional to block the way when asked if he cannot come to Beijing for a big business trip.Tao Lanquan understood his intentions, and also knew that Sheng Xuanhuai had made a decision to prepare for Li Lianying's decree.Zhao Sheng Xuanhuai went north, and he couldn't wear the auspicious clothes, so he couldn't enter the pilgrimage, but if he was in Baoding and other places on the way, he might as well use plain clothes to pick him up.It's just that it's inconvenient to say this, so Tao Lanquan presumed he didn't know, and said "I've never heard of it", so he just brushed it off.

So Yuan Shikai found Liang Ruhao and asked him to discuss it carefully with Tao Lanquan, and then served tea to the guests.Then I received the last visitor Wu Chongxi. This Wu Chongxi is from Haifeng, Guangdong. He was born in Hanlin and served as the magistrate of Chenzhou, Henan.Although Yuan Shikai failed in the talent examination, he was among the best in the government examination, and this "Wu Taishou" recognized him.Yuan Shikai, who is still young, is not without a sense of knowledge.Therefore, I always want to repay this "teacher". Yi belongs to the younger brother, but there are many high and low positions.Wu Chongxi is a third-rank Jingtang, there is still a long distance from the governor, and the teachers and students in the government examination are not as good as the teachers and students in the township and general examinations, so Wu Chongxi was invited for the first time and came wearing official uniforms.Yuan Shikai informed: "Mr. Wu, please change into plain clothes and meet in the living room." Not in the signing room or the flower hall, but meeting each other in casual clothes in the inner living room, it means that he does not discuss his official rank. However, Wu Chongxi has heard the story of him and "Zhang Zhuangyuan". He kept calling him "Teacher", but he still called him "Kung Pao." "The teacher is still in good health." "TOEFL, TOEFL!" Wu Chongxi arched his hands and said. "Does the teacher have many acquaintances in Shanghai?" "This..." Wu Chongxi didn't know what his intentions were, and replied honestly, "Only the fellow from Guangdong." "That's right! There are many Cantonese people in Shanghai. That's fine!" Yuan Shikai asked, "I wonder if Teacher is willing to go to Shanghai?" This is of course a errand.Wu Chongxi lifted his spirits, "Yes, yes!" He said: "If there is anything that Kung Pao can do for you, he should serve you!" "The teacher is serious! I was thinking that the teacher has worked hard all his life, and there should be a more comfortable gap. There is an opportunity in front of him. I wonder if the teacher will give in?" Wu Chongxi was overjoyed, and hurriedly replied: "Yes! Yes! Yes!" So Yuan Shikai explained this opportunity.The Telegraph Bureau took back the official office, so naturally it still belonged to Beiyang. It had been agreed in advance that Yuan Shikai was appointed as the Minister of Telegraph Supervision and Administration to preside over the reception. It was necessary to find a deputy. He planned to invite Wu Chongxi as the minister of the conference to be permanently stationed in Shanghai to "head the house". This was something he could not have wished for, but while Wu Chongxi was delighted, he couldn't help feeling anxious, fearing that he would not be an opponent when dealing with Sheng Xuanhuai.At this level, Yuan Shikai would of course think that there are other "instructions" to the "teacher". "I have someone else to handle the matter. The teacher cured him by doing nothing. However, the teacher must remember his identity. He is the senior of Hanyuan. If Sheng Xingsun is restless, you might as well teach him a lesson." "Okay, okay! I see." By the time Wu Chongxi was sent away, it was already two o'clock in the afternoon, and Prince Qing's Mansion had sent people three times to urge him, saying that "the prince is waiting for Mr. Yuan to eat."But Yuan Shikai couldn't agree to the appointment yet, because he knew that he would have to come back later, and he was afraid that Ronglu would come to him for something, so he went to make a phone call first. Rong Lu, who is on sick leave, still knows everything about military affairs and court trivialities, because among the military aircraft Zhang Jing and the eunuchs, he has set up his eyes and ears, and he will report.When I saw Yuan Shikai that day, I said: "It took a lot of time to summon, and the Queen Mother hasn't been like this for a long time." "Yes, I was summoned for three quarters of an hour." Yuan Shikai gave a brief account of what happened. "Very good!" Rong Lu nodded and asked again: "Are you from Prince Qing's Mansion?" "Haven't been there yet." "Then, I won't keep you! You should go. Let's talk tomorrow." With this sentence, Yuan Shikai could calmly go to see Qing Wang Yiqiang.When we met, I naturally apologized first, and then talked to Zai Zhen, holding hands and chattering non-stop, asking him what books he has read recently?He also advised him to run less horse races and to go overseas if he had the opportunity.That kind of caring and caring is like an older brother treating a beloved younger brother. King Qing saw it, and suddenly had an idea. He thought it was good at first, but after thinking about it again, there was no big problem, so he said it before he took the seat. "Wei Ting!" He pointed to Zai Zhen and said, "He is very naive, it's all up to you to take him with him. We know each other well, so I'll be honest, you have to treat him like your brother and sister!" "What's the use of the prince's order, I always treat Beizi as my own." "No! That's not enough." Yikuang paused for a moment and said, "Wei Ting, maybe you haven't understood what I mean. Uncle Ling and I are of the same generation, and you and Zai Zhen are brothers. Change posts! " Yuan Shikai was quite surprised, but he had to apologize verbally. "My lord, I don't dare to be that!" He said, "Bei Zi is a nobleman in heaven, how dare you climb up to me?" "What do you say is high and not high! Man-Han intermarriage is unavoidable, let alone a brother? If you talk about high, Zai Zhen has a brother like you who is the leader of the border ministers, it is really high." "My lord said that if I disobey my order again, I will not know how to praise you. However," Yuan Shikai said with a smile, "the etiquette of respect and inferiority cannot be completely abolished. It is better to have brothers and sisters instead of being called brothers. Don't change it?" Yikuang thought for a while, then nodded and said, "We banner people are divided into national and family ceremonies. We don't have to change our address in front of outsiders. It's different in private! Zai Zhen, pour your fourth brother a glass." liquor!" "Yes!" Zai Zhen filled the silver cup with wine, and held it respectfully and affectionately: "Fourth brother, you did this." "Thank you! Thank you!" In this glass of wine, Yuan Shikai and Zai Zhen made an appointment with Kunji.Because of this, Yuan Shikai refused to take the guest seat. Feng Yikuang took the seat, and he and Zai Zhenda accompanied him. Talking about the cup, let's talk about the journey first. Yuan Shikai talked about the story of Zhang Zhidong's arrogance and respect, and he did not deny the embarrassment he felt at that time.Yikuang shook his head while listening, as if he was very dissatisfied with Zhang Zhidong. "Jiang Chen is domineering, there is Zuo Jigao in the front, and Zhang Xiangtao in the back!" Yi Qiang drank a glass of wine and said, "The only way for this generation is to respect ghosts and gods and stay away." But although Zhang Zhidong is not enough to worry about, there is a person who relies on Zhang Zhidong as a backer, but it is quite difficult to provoke, and that is Sheng Xuanhuai.His Olympic aid was originally Li Hongzhang. After the Sino-Japanese War, he saw that the iceberg was about to fall, so he had to plan.Because of his flexible wrists and due to chance, he has made considerable achievements in both aspects. Not only did his original business remain unchanged, but he also monopolized the power of the Lu-Han Railway, just because Zhang Zhidong was backing him. Sheng Xuanhuai and Zhang Zhidong had no relationship at all, but Yun Zuyi and Zu Qi, the copywriting committee members of Huguang Governor's Yamen Office of Western Affairs, were acquaintances from the same hometown.At that time, the Hanyang Iron Works run by Zhang Zhidong was operating illegally and suffered a lot. Yun Zuqi suggested turning it into a commercial operation and introducing Sheng Xuanhuai to take over.The ironworks were originally set up for road construction, so it was logical to talk about taking over the ironworks and discussing the construction plan of the Lu-Han Railway.Zhang Zhidong is very happy with his achievements, while Sheng Xuanhuai started his career as a "hollow senior official". It is only natural for the host and guest to speculate in this conversation.At that time, there were four people who wanted to undertake the Lu-Han Railway, including Xu Yingqiang, the younger brother of Xu Yingtao, the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang, and Liu E, the alternate magistrate who was also known as Lao Can. He actually overturned the agreement and put Sheng Xuanhuai in charge of supervising it.Until Sheng Xuan conceived Ding You, Zhang Zhidong still asked for it. The Lu-Han Railway was about to be completed, so it was not suitable to change hands. It is conceivable how Sheng and Zhang got along well. However, what Sheng Xuanhuai didn't expect was that Hu Tanfen was originally his opponent in the struggle for power, but he didn't expect Yuan Shikai to become his opponent.This opponent is much stronger than Hu Yufen, so the Shanghai meeting handed over the telegram with great interest, but how could Yuan Shikai stop there? From Jiang Ning’s visit to Zhang Zhidong to the funeral of Sheng’s family in Shanghai, Yuan Shikai talked about his meeting with Sheng Xuanhuai, and mentioned his own feelings: “I haven’t been to the south for a long time. If it can't be like Li Wenzhong did in Japan, Beiyang can control it remotely, and I'm afraid there will be endless troubles." "Yes, yes!" Yikuang said bluntly: "Wei Ting, how can we control Sheng Xingsun? You think of a way, and I'll find an opportunity to play it face-to-face, the things he manages are all related to Westernization, I can talk." "I wanted the lord to speak." Yuan Shikai thought for a moment and replied: "Fortunately, he is not a senior official after all, so if he is not allowed to be alone, he will not be afraid of domineering power!" Yikuang thought about his words carefully, nodded and said, "I understand! It's easy, just put a little thought into the tone of the edict, and you can suppress him." "Yes!" Yuan Shikai said again: "This time in Shanghai, I also talked with Sheng Xingsun about the revision of commercial contracts with various countries. He really wants to take this opportunity to stand out. In the future, he will set up a commercial department. He will definitely follow Lianying's path. He jumped to be the Minister of the Ministry of Commerce. Please pay special attention to this matter, the Lord of the Ministry of Commerce will only set up one Minister of the Ministry of Commerce in the future, and I already have someone in my heart." "Oh," Yikuang opened his eyes wide, "Who is it?" "Here!" Yuan Shikai pointed to the opposite side: "Here!" With this finger, Zai Zhen blushed, thinking that Yuan Shikai was making fun of him, and Yikuang also felt a little weird, and asked suspiciously: "Is he okay?" "why not?" "Too young and inexperienced." "What are you afraid of when you are young? You are still the emperor at the age of four!" Yuan Shikai continued: "As for the experience, just read and go to the calendar! Next spring, there will be an expo in Osaka, Japan. Beizi might as well go and see it." Hearing this, Zai Zhen was very excited.He heard that Japanese women don't have obscene clothes, and that men and women bathe together and see each other naked, he doesn't care, he always wants to see and see.But it is not easy for relatives and nobles to travel to the capital. Now that we have this opportunity, how can we miss it?So I said very vigorously: "Fourth brother, you must protect me and let me open my eyes." Yuan Shikai nodded and didn't answer, just looked at Yikuang and listened to what he had to say. "Japan holds an exposition, and if there are invitations, it is all right to send ministers to watch the exhibition. It's just that it's inconvenient for me to play out even though it's not safe to avoid relatives. " "Let me play it." "That's right!" Zai Zhen said, "The fourth brother is the minister of commerce and the minister of the symposium. His name is justified." "Should someone go with him?" Yi Kuang asked. "Yes! I've already made up my mind to let Na Qinxuan go with Beizi." This is a very suitable person, Natong Ziqinxuan, the right servant of the household department, who once served as the special envoy to Japan for apology.And Zai Zhen is especially satisfied with this person's company.Because when Natong was an officer, he was a rich guest in Bada Hutong, a girl from "Qingyin Xiaoban", and he was nicknamed "Xiao Na" behind his back.Now, because of his eloquence, outstanding appearance, flexible wrists, and taking advantage of the surname Yehenala, he is able to take care of the court as the right servant of the household department and the minister in charge of the internal affairs office, just like Lishan back then. And the luxury of living is even better than that of Lishan.I live in Jinyu Hutong to the east of Bamiancao, with gorgeous architecture, known as "that garden".Zai Zhen has this playmate, and he really has the feeling of "this trip of a class student is no different from becoming a fairy"! Finally, when it comes to Rong Lu's illness, even Zai Zhen can't hear about it!Yikuang and Yuan Shikai had a secret conversation in the middle of the night, but no one knew what they were talking about.All I know is that the Beiyang Public Office received Yuan Shikai's order, and all the expenses of Prince Qing's Mansion will be paid by Beiyang from the public account.