Chapter 53 Section fifty-two

The next day was Na Tong's banquet at his residence in Jinyu Hutong, and the guests were the governors of various provinces who came to Beijing to wish shrimp.But there were a lot of uninvited guests upon hearing the news, because there was a rare good show in the church meeting of that house that day, and it was Na Tong who personally promoted it. The title of this play is called "Yuanmen Zhanzi Picks Mu Tianwang with a Gun", and Natong nominates the characters: Yang Liulang of Tan Xinpei; She Taijun of Gong Yunfu; Eight Worthy Kings of Jia Honglin; Jiao Zan and Meng Meng of Jin Xiushan and Langdeshan Liang; Zhu Suyun's Yang Zongbao; Wang Yaoqing's Mu Guiying; even papaya is sent by Wang Changlin.It is said that if it were not for Natong's mastery, they would not be able to gather the top talents in one play.

Therefore, originally only seven tables were prepared, but in the end it was more than doubled. Zhang Zhidong and Yuan Shikai were the guests of honor at this meeting.These two people have one thing in common in their temperament, they don't like listening to operas.Others were gazing at the stage intently, but Zhang and Yuan found it extremely boring.Yuan Shikai could barely hold on, while Zhang Zhidong didn't even want to sit down, but he didn't want to spoil everyone's happiness. He wanted to take care of his master's face, so he excused himself from the table and rested in the living room.

Just after sitting down, Yuan Shikai came one after another.Zhang Zhidong was sitting in the middle of an extended red velvet easy chair, at this time he moved his body slightly to show courtesy.Yuan Shikai sat down next to him and said, "I can't keep up with Zhongtang in everything, except that I don't like Youmeng's clothes. I am similar to my predecessors." "You are young and do not learn, there is nothing you can do." Zhang Zhidong said: "If you are not born at the right time, it is not the time for singing and dancing. When encountering such an occasion, it will only add emotion!"

Yuan Shikai didn't know what he said, was he dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager Cixi's frequent dramas in the palace, and he didn't dare to talk about it in depth, so he just said: "Zhongtang is worried about the country when he is hurt, and the old man, who knows what's on his mind?" This is a kind of flattery that caters to Zhang Zhidong's tone of speech and is far-fetched.Unexpectedly, the recipient was just scratching the itchy spot, and his half-closed eyes suddenly opened wide, "After all, there are still people who can understand my painstaking efforts! Comforting court," he said seriously, "You can't say what you say, It is called a slip of the tongue; if you can speak with him but not with him, it is called a loss! Today I can speak for those who know, I don’t want to be 'Xiao Fan Laozi’, but then I became Fan Chunren!"

These two names are relatively unfamiliar to Yuan Shikai.After thinking about it very carefully, I realized that it seems to be from Xixia, calling Fan Zhongyan "Little Fan Laozi" and saying that he "has tens of thousands of armored soldiers in his chest".Zhang Zhidong fell in love with Fan Zhongyan, but turned out to be Fan Chunren, the son of Fan Zhongyan, who specialized in mediating between Liu Hou and Song Renzong.In this thick and expressive tone, he also expressed his thoughts clearly, aiming to reconcile the differences between the two palaces. This is an excellent opportunity to speak for Cai Naihuang.Before answering, Yuan Shikai put on an air of awe and respect, "Zhongtang's painstaking efforts can really challenge all ghosts and gods!"

He said: "The spirits of the emperors in heaven will definitely protect the veterans of the country!" Zhang Zhidong was so moved that he said with tears in his eyes, "Soo Ting, Comfort Ting, only you understand what's on my mind!" "As far as loyalty is concerned, it is naturally touching." Yuan Shikai turned sharply and said: "Mr. Zhi'an is also a first-class figure in the contemporary era. It is a pity that he has missed a step in this big goal!" "Oh," Zhang Zhidong looked around, tilted his head with a small white braid, and said vaguely, "I've wanted to ask for a long time! Qu Zhi'an colluded with outsiders, bought a notification office, and plotted Returning to politics, how much is true?"

"It's hard to say. But," Yuan Shikai lowered his voice, "Xilin has contacts with Kang and Liang, it's absolutely true! There is nothing wrong with Kang and Liang, but as far as loving the king is concerned, the so-called 'love is suitable enough to harm him'.Before Zhongtang arrived in Beijing, there was a secret decree to seek medical treatment for the emperor. This is a clear proof that love is suitable enough to harm him.Fortunately, there is a middle hall and a pivot, and the disaster of 1898 will never be seen again! " Zhang Zhidong nodded unconsciously, "If I had been in Shushu ten years earlier, would there be a disaster of 1898?" He thought for a while and said, "Comfort, Fang's conspiracy, your eyes and eyes are wider than mine, and you will be able to heal the disease." I won't catch it."

"Don't dare!" Yuan Shikai replied: "Anyone who has an order must do his best." Zhang Zhidong didn't answer, his eyes closed as if he was asleep, he opened his eyes after a long time and asked, "Who should be the first to eliminate the calamity?" Yuan Shikai thought for a while and replied, "Mother and son are reconciled!" This was to cater to Zhang Zhidong's statement, and the words became more opportunistic, "Which should be the first to reconcile mother and son?" He asked like a student in an examination. "Don't make the Merciful Sage suspicious!"

"How did this happen?" "It's easy, but it's also difficult." Yuan Shikai said: "Easy is that you can explain it clearly in one sentence, but it's difficult to say this sentence to everyone. Only those who entrust them to do their best according to this sentence will not be forced to do it." Compassionate and suspicious, mother and child reconcile!" "Well, well, the words are interesting! Wei Ting, try to explain it in detail." "Yes!" Yuan Shikai shifted his body and whispered to Zhang Zhidong: "Kang and Liang used the name of protecting the emperor to make publicity abroad. Kang Youwei called himself a 'sage', but he was like a thief, collecting money everywhere and pocketing it for himself. The foolishness of this generation made it to this day. However, the matter is in the past, and the Merciful Sage will not put this account on the emperor, but like Xilin, he colluded with Kang and Liang, and wanted to use the emperor to make a fool of himself. With Yun's tricks, Cisheng has to be wary of the emperor! So in the final analysis, the protector Shenggong is only restraining Xilin's reckless actions. Xilin, as an outlaw, stays in Shanghai, so he must have someone who is safe and reliable to watch him No! If there is any action that endangers the holy bow, it can be reported in secret before the deadline. At that time, please ask the central government to decide, or order to return home, or send someone to warn, and resolutely suppress the disaster will be invisible!"

"Extremely brilliant!" Zhang Zhidong said, "Even if I devise schemes, I will not be able to surpass you. It's just that it's not easy to find such a reliable person. " "There is someone ready!" "Oh!" Zhang Zhidong asked sideways, "Who?" "Cai Bohao." Yuan Shikai said: "Let Cai Bohao return to office, only the public will make a decision." Zhang Zhidong replied as if hypnotized: "Okay! Let Cai Bohao return to office."