Chapter 37 Section thirty-seven

When Zai Zhen was intoxicated in the gentle township, Yuan Shikai and Xu Shichang talked in depth for days and decided on several important matters.Xu Shichang told Yuan Shikai that the wealth accumulated in Fengtian's official treasury was beyond anyone's imagination, and the total amount was no less than ten million.It's just that Shengjing's official system is special. There are six ministries and generals, and they are not under the control of each other. Although the six ministries are abolished, the power of affairs does not belong to the generals, and the official treasury is scattered. No one knows how much public funds the three northeastern provinces have.This time, Xu Shichang checked one by one and counted secretly, so as to find out the truth.He originally intended to serve as the first governor of the three eastern provinces, but since then he has become more determined, and he frankly asked Yuan Shikai to make it happen.

"Of course, the three eastern provinces have so much money, which has nothing to do with my surname Xu. I just think that the three eastern provinces have huge land and resources, and they have great potential. However, capital must be invested first for development. Since there are ready-made financial resources, why not make good use of them?" Xu Shichang added: "Beiyang is closely related to the three eastern provinces. As long as the three eastern provinces have a way, first of all, there is no need to worry about Beiyang's co-payment." "I'm in Beiyang, I'm afraid it won't be long." Yuan Shikai said, "I should serve you no matter whether it's public or private. Ju people, except for Qu Zijiu's pass, which you have to figure out yourself, everything else is my responsibility."

"You have this sentence, my business is a foregone conclusion." Xu Shichang paused and said, "I want to take advantage of Tang Shaochuan and protect him as the governor of Fengtian. First, Russia and Japan are eyeing each other. This diplomacy cannot be done without Tang Shaochuan; Second, Tang Shaochuan is also an expert on the Daxing Railway in the three eastern provinces in the future, so it will be easier to get things together." "Tang Shaochuan is not an expert on railways, but Liang Yansun is an expert, so let's not talk about it. Juren, I would like to ask, besides Fengtian, do you have anyone in your pocket?"

"No." Xu Shichang said: "If you have no one to comfort the court, I want to leave these two vacancies to the eldest brother and Qu Zijiu." "Qu Zijiu won't recommend someone to you. Now you are not perfunctory, maybe you can't even keep the governor. If you are perfunctory, he will not recommend a governor to control your elbow. You have to recognize this point, Juren. .” Xu Shichang nodded and said, "I know. The governor of the three eastern provinces is either me or Cen San." "By the way! Let's talk about Cen San's matter later. Let's talk about Ji and Hei." Yuan Shikai paused and said, "Can you leave a vacancy for Zhen Beizi?" Xu Shichang couldn't help but think about it. After a while, he said: "I was thinking that when the official system was reformed in the three eastern provinces at the beginning of the reform, there must be very beautiful candidates to refresh their eyes and ears and create momentum. If the characters in Zhen Beizi's pocket are too unqualified.... At this point, Xu Shichang suddenly stopped, and then made a desperate expression, "Hey, forget it, I will follow orders."

This is to sell love to Yuan Shikai, knowing that Duan Zhigui has won Yuan Shikai's support, so this is artificial.Seeing this situation, of course Yuan Shikai wanted to express his appreciation. "To tell you the truth, Duan Xiangyan has some unreasonable thoughts." He said, "If you do him a favor, it's considered a favor to me." "Heavy words, serious words!" Xu Shichang reminded Yuan Shikai: "I'm helping Xiangyan, I have to start with you." Then the topic turned to Cen Chunxuan, in the name of Jing Bandit, transferring him from Guangdong, Guangxi to Yunnan and Guizhou was a very ruthless move, which has been generally used by officials in power and officials in frontiers.As long as the emperor can be coerced, all the princes bow their heads and obey orders, dare to be angry but dare not speak out, except Cen Chunxuan.

Of course, he still didn't dare to openly resist the order, but he just excused his illness to seek medical treatment, and stayed in Shanghai for more than two months, with no sign of taking up his post, which made Yuan Shikai more and more uneasy. "It is very clear that Cen San refuses to take office." Yuan Shikai said: "He dared to do this. He relied on his own family and Qu Zijiu backed him. Where do you want to live? Chrysanthemum, have you thought about it?" Of course Xu Shichang thought about it.Apart from Zhao Erxun, Cen Chunxuan is qualified to be the governor of the three eastern provinces. Zhao Erxun's public opinion is not in harmony, so it is difficult to choose him. Only Cen Chunxuan is a strong opponent.However, he looked on coldly, thinking that Cen Chunxuan's ambition was in Zhili, and that he had no choice but to go to Dongsansheng.

On the other hand, if Yuan Shikai can't attack, and Cen Chunxuan's governor can't, he will shift his target to Dongsanyu. From this point of view, he and Yuan Shikai are closely related, and only when Cen Chunxuan is subdued can everyone feel at ease.As for the way to subdue Cen Chunxuan, he has repeatedly considered, and always believes that the only way to subdue the tiger is the best strategy. "The superiors also know that Cen San doesn't want to go to Yunnan Guizhou. If he is only urged to take up the post on a full leave, unless there is a strict order, the superiors will not agree. I was wondering, can we find another place for him?"

Yuan Shikai nodded, "I think so too." He said, "This matter will have to be done as soon as you return to Beijing, and it will be bad for you if you delay it for a long time." This is a very frank statement. Once the restructuring of the three eastern provinces is delayed, the chances of Cen Chunxuan becoming the governor of the three eastern provinces are much greater than Xu Shichang. This is the so-called "disadvantage".However, the fact is that it cannot be delayed that long. "He has renewed his leave twice, which lasted for three months." Xu Shichang said: "Jiang Chen has never asked for leave for such a long time, and besides, he is in Shanghai, and there is almost no time for socializing, and it doesn't look like he is going to the doctor to recuperate. Therefore, " Xu Shichang said with emphasis: "As long as he finds a place, I'm not afraid that he won't go to the post."

"I thought of a place. You go back to Beijing to discuss with the boss. If you want to find an opportunity, you'd better be as quick as a spark. If you want him to rush to the post, then you don't even need to ask for training!" "Okay!" Xu Shichang understood, "He must not be allowed to come to Beijing for training." On the third day of the first lunar month, the kings of Baylor, relatives and relatives of close relatives, entered the palace to celebrate the new year.For family ceremonies other than formal court congratulations, only the royal family of Xuanzong had to participate in the ceremony. The feast of tea and fruit bestowed.

"This year is different from previous years." Yikuang said calmly while chatting about family life: "Depending on the blessings of the empress dowager and the emperor, the overall situation has been settled. The country has turned from weakness to strength. It's just a matter of care. The slave is thinking, the emperor The Empress Dowager has worked hard for many years, and she will live a long life this year, so she should have a good time." As soon as this remark came out, Jin Wang Zaifeng first echoed: "Should, should!" Although the others did not respond, they all looked at the emperor who was sitting next to the Empress Dowager Cixi. He turned his face a little embarrassed and said, "Prince Qing and Prince Jin have played very well. My son asks for a decree. Can you issue an edict to prepare for the celebration?"

"There is no such reason!" Empress Dowager Cixi said: "It's not a full birthday, and it's still early." This means that there is no objection to "having a good time", but that the upper edict will not be issued.Yikuang looked up to his will, and immediately said: "Slaves, go discuss the preparations first, and then ask Zhiming to issue an edict." "Okay, okay!" The emperor couldn't help showing a very enthusiastic look, "Go and make preparations, what should you do, please feel free to ask for an order." "It's really unnecessary." The Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Material resources are scarce, so why waste it?" "The emperor takes care of the Holy Mother with the four seas, and the empress dowager cares about the people's livelihood, and tries her best to refrain from wasting money. The ministers must obey Yi's decree." Yikuang went on to say: "In the whole world, everyone depends on the protection of the empress dowager. Ministers and workers, big and small, are eager to have This is an opportunity to serve you. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor are requested to entrust this important matter to the servants. The servants will give the Empress Dowager a dignified birthday under the two principles of keeping money from the treasury and not tiring the local area.” "If this is possible, why would I not do it?" The Empress Dowager Cixi replied with a smile, but then turned to ask, "What does the emperor think?" The emperor, who was accustomed to being silent, had cultivated himself a set of obedient skills, and knew that the most important sentence in Yikuang's high-sounding speech was: "All ministers and workers, big and small, are eager for the opportunity to repay." , the place is not tired, but instructing officials big and small to pay for their services is to use the treasury money indirectly, and the local government will be tired, and they will be rewarded for their performance, which may open the door to donations and donations.And I really want to find something to wake up Yikuang, don't use this excuse to enrich yourself, but it's difficult to speak because it hinders the Empress Dowager Cixi.Just as he was pondering, he deprived himself of the opportunity to say a word. "As long as the money in the treasury is not moved and the place is not tired, the emperor will naturally have nothing to hate. However," Empress Dowager Cixi hesitated again, "look at the situation! In short, don't force it."