Chapter 192 Yingtai Sunset (3-2)

The Japanese army's plan to appease the red beard had already become a reality with Yuan Shikai's support. As early as April, Banxi organized the three battalions of the "Justice Army" under the command of Feng Linge, Jin Shoushan, and Du Lishan in Chaoyang.While Yuan Shikai sent a telegram to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he ordered Feng Yukun, who was stationed in western Liaoning to maintain neutrality, to provide secret support. Therefore, the identity of the "righteous army" was very subtle. They were both mercenaries of the Japanese army and side branches of the official army.

In fact, the Japanese army crossing the Yalu River from Uiju, North Korea, and entering Fengtian through Andong, has as many as ten divisions. The Guards Division was successively organized into four armies. The first army was organized into the First Army, and the commander Heimu was Zhen, and they were distributed in Jiulian City and Phoenix City. The Second Army, led by Army General Ao Baogong, landed at Piziwo, a non-freezing port in the northeast of Lushun, divided the troops into two groups, and occupied Pulandian all the way to the west. In the back road of Lushun and Dalian. The commander of the third army was named Naimu Xidian, who specialized in Lushun.Don't send Lieutenant General Yejin Daoguan to land on Gushan at the mouth of Shaozi River, west of Dadonggou, march northward along the main road, overcome Xiuyan, and join hands with the First Army to capture Ximu City in the southeast of Haicheng.However, Ao Baogong defended Jinzhou with the first division, and counterattacked with the second and fourth divisions along the South Manchuria Railway, entered Xiongyue, broke Gaiping, and defeated the Russian army at Dashiqiao. Can no longer keep.The entire Liaodong Peninsula is roughly under the control of the Japanese army.

It was at this time that the Manchuria General Headquarters was established. Planned by Kodama, the First Army was the right wing and went out to the northeast of Liaoyang; the Fourth Army was the left wing and the west and northwest of Liaoyang; , more than 17,000 Japanese soldiers died. However, this victory was not entirely due to the Japanese themselves, and the "Justice Army" also contributed to containment.However, although the Russian army was defeated, its strength was not damaged. The commander of the Russian Far East Army, Krubatkin, estimated that Liaoyang would be difficult to defend. Out of the southeast of Liaoyang, a legion is the reserve team.Among them, the move to the southeast of Liaoyang was the most ruthless. The attempt was to block the return of the Japanese army and surround them.

As a result, the Japanese army must do its best.Therefore, Banxi discussed with Yuan Shikai and asked for extra support.Yuan Shikai sent Duan Zhizhi, the chief of staff of the Zhili Supervisory Office, to accompany Banxi to Liaoyang to deal with it. At the same time, Feng Yukun also received a secret order to assist the Japanese army as much as possible in secret. When they arrived in Liaoyang, they agreed to send Feng Yukun's team officers to act as spies for the Japanese army and spy on the military situation. Meng Enyuan, Wang Huaiqing, Liu Menglan, etc. were selected. About a dozen people were selected. Going to see the situation of the horse, infantry, artillery, and labor battalions of the Russian army, you will not be ignorant.It's just that no one can pick up what's written in the pen. If you get something out of spying, if you can't write a report back, what's the point?

It happened that Duan Zhigui's father, Duan Youheng, the governor of the battalion, went from Xinmin, west of Shenyang, to Liaoyang to see his son who was out of customs on business. He is from Penglai, Shandong, and he was born as a scholar. He is very suitable for this job." It turns out that Wu Peifu, named Ziyu, was from Penglai, Shandong.The family was poor and had great ambitions. At the age of fourteen, he joined the Dengzhou Prefecture Navy Camp as a student soldier. In his spare time, he studied hard. The twenty-seven students who entered the school are the "prime minister root seedlings" scholars.

I don't want to cause trouble at home in the second year, offend the local gentry, not only get dismissed as a scholar, but also be wanted.As a last resort, he sailed to Tianjin and joined Nie Shicheng in the Wuwei Qianjun Army. Because his physique was too weak, he only added the name of a handyman.Soon, the Gengzi rebellion broke out, Nie Shicheng was martyred, and the entire Wuwei army was disbanded. Wu Peifu moved to Kaiping and was admitted to the Wubei Academy. After that, the Wubei Academy moved to Baoding. The little instructor scolded, feeling embarrassed. Therefore, Wu Peifu joined Duan Youheng's subordinates and served as a Ma Bian.Duan Youheng always takes it as a matter of pride to have such a talented scholar to support him, and because Wu Peifu is proficient in literature and ink, it is convenient to go there, so he goes in and out with him and gradually becomes a confidant.

With such a relationship, he can be trusted, and Duan Zhigui is also happy to honor his relatives, promote him, and send him to the staff office with a monthly salary of 50 yuan. So Wu Peifu, together with Meng Enda and others, either carried burdens on their shoulders, pretended to be peddlers, or led monkeys and sheep, pretended to be tricksters, and approached the Russian army's camps and positions separately to inquire about the movement. Before long, written reports poured in.Everyone worked hard, and one person wrote. Fukushima, the staff officer of the Japanese Manchuria Army General Headquarters, and Banxi, who were in charge of this part of the liaison work, only knew the name of Wu Peifu. Seeing his report in detail and occasionally attaching a map, it was quite essential. Promoted this person.

※ ※ ※ When Duan Zhigui returned to Tianjin from Liaoyang, the first thing he did was, of course, go to see Yuan Shikai and report on his trip. Xingyuan, Li Hongzhang's Beiyang Minister, was destroyed by the Gengzi Rebellion. The new site was originally intended to be the palace for the emperor's military parade. However, the coup d'etat of 1898, the military parade ceremony was not held. Yuan Shikai estimated that the emperor would never come to Tianjin again, so please change it to Beiyang Minister Xing Yuan.The Yuwu in the east, as the supervisor's office, is full of stars, but few people can see Yuan Shikai. Even Duan Zhigui has to be notified before he can enter Yuan Shikai's signing room.

The houses in the west area are full of flowers and trees. It is the seat of the shogunate. The grand occasion is not far from the time when Li Hongzhang opened the mansion.In addition to Yu Shimei, an old man from Beiyang, there are also Fu Zengxiang and Yan Xiu in Hanlin, and there are also many students who were "born as imperial scholars". There are more than 20 people in total. As for Yuan Shikai's most trusted aide, he is the lowest in seniority. He is a Suzhou native named Zhang Yilin. , Send Shuxiu sixty taels of silver a month. The status of the shogunate is usually equal to that of the host, so the shogunate in Beiyang often doesn't even pay attention to the secretary.Only Zhang Yilin was different. He finished his duties every day, locked himself in the study and studied hard. The books he read were eclectic, mostly practical.For several months, I had never met Yuan Shikai in private once, let alone asked for anything, so when mentioning Beiyang's "Master Zhang", they all looked in awe.Gradually Yuan Shikai also found out that he trusted Zhang Yilin most of the articles of association and memorials for organizing the New Deal.

On this day Duan Zhigui came to visit, Yuan Shikai had already ordered, "Please come in"!But since Zhang Yilin happened to be invited, he took care of him and waited until he finished talking with Zhang Yilin. "Zhong Ren," Yuan Shikai said, calling him by his nickname, "I have something to ask you today. I know you are very busy, so I shouldn't bother you any more. Think about it, and ask for a big pen." "Yes." Zhang Yilin asked: "I don't know what kind of entertainment it is." "Zhang Xiangshuai's 70th birthday, it's time to send a birthday screen, and I want to ask you to do an article on 'Four Six'."

Zhang Yilin looked troubled.Like the identities of Yuan Shikai and Zhang Zhidong, this longevity screen should be written in sixteen pieces, with two to three thousand characters of "Four Six", even if it is completed by the sacrifice, it will take several days.It was difficult for him to spare a whole day, let alone several days. "Zhongren, you are reluctant!" Hearing what the palace master said, Zhang Yilin had no choice but to answer: "I will do my best." "Please, please!" Yuan Shikai said: "After you finish the manuscript, you don't have to send it to me. I don't understand it. Please hand it over to Zhang Xunzhi to write it!" Zhang Xunzhi is the general office of the Zhili Official Newspaper Bureau, and he is known as a good book. Zhang Yilin nodded and said, "Yes!" "Zhong Ren, please sit down for a while, and take care of something." Yuan Shikai said to the servant: "Please Mr. He." This Director He is He Zonglian, the general manager of the coaching office of the Supervisory Training Office, whose name is Chunjiang, from Pingyin County, Shandong Province, and a top student of Tianjin Wubei Academy, but not long after he arrived, he did not know Zhang Yilin.It's just that He Zonglian felt that being able to sit comfortably in the governor's signing room must have a lot of background, so after saluting Yuan Shikai, she also nodded to Zhang Yilin to show respect. "What do you say about this infantry drill?" Yuan Shikai asked as he took out a thick manuscript from his desk with many uneven labels inside. "Returning to the Commander-in-Chief, after careful scrutiny, there is nothing wrong with this exercise manual after it was translated from Japanese. The original signature was a bit picky, so we had to reject it one by one." "You martial arts masters, what do you know about literature and ink!" Yuan Shikai said with a downcast face, "Do you know who the original signer is? This is Mr. Zhang Zhongren!" Embarrassed, He Zonglian hurriedly turned around and cupped her hands, shouting repeatedly: "Old Master, Old Master!" The guilt was beyond words. "Don't dare, dare not!" Zhang Yilin also stood up and returned the salute, "This manuscript was ordered by the commander-in-chief, and I have to do it. However, although there are corrections, they are nothing but embellishments on the text, and there is no difference in the original meaning. I dare not force it. I don’t know what I don’t know.” "Did you hear that? Mr. Zhang won the first and second place in the Special Section of Economics, and you are still not convinced?" Yuan Shikai said unceremoniously: "The more ink in the belly, the more humble a person is. Only half a bottle of vinegar is available. Only then will it sway. Take the manuscript back, read it carefully, and ask Mr. Zhang for advice." "Yes! Yes!" He Zonglian took over the manuscript with both hands, tapped the heel of her leather boots, then turned around and asked Zhang Yilin, "I wonder when the old master will be free?" "That's hard to say. However, I don't go out very often. Please come over anytime and we can talk." "Yes! I'm going to visit the old master in the afternoon." "Okay, I'll wait." So He Zonglian turned around and asked, "What else does the commander-in-chief have to say?" "I think the new army should hold a big exercise. You might as well plan it first." "yes!" After a pause, Yuan Shikai had no more words, and He Zonglian withdrew the manuscript of the Infantry Exercise Code.Zhang Yilin waited for his back to disappear, and persuaded Yuan Shikai: "The commander-in-chief's words seem to be too harsh." "There is no way! You can't pretend to use words for this generation. Especially you can't let Wu overwhelm Wen. Otherwise, there will be a day when you will hurt yourself." "Wu can't overwhelm Wen", this sentence inspired Zhang Yilin deeply, and he felt that Yuan Shikai's success may be due to this. ※ ※ ※ Yuan Shikai asked in great detail about the battle situation between Japan and Russia in the three eastern provinces. Of course, he was most concerned about the outcome of the battle. Whether Japan won or Russia had the upper hand, or whether it was undefeated or undefeated, it all came down to a draw. "As far as the army is concerned, Japan's victory is roughly certain." Duan Zhigui said: "The Russian army counterattacked Liaoyang and lost 40,000 people. The Japanese army was also exhausted. Now the two armies are resting across the Hun River. The overall situation depends on whether the Russian army in Lushun can support it or not." "What do you think?" "It's hard to say. Lushun's fortifications are very good. The land is dangerous and the soldiers are excellent. The Japanese Third Army has launched three general attacks. The death squads came one after another. Nogi Nogi's son was inside, but it was in vain." "Oh," Yuan Shikai asked very attentively, "Nagi's son is also a death squad?" "yes." "The results of it?" "Of course he died." Yuan Shikai nodded, his expression somber, "In my opinion, Nogi will be able to capture Lushun." He asked, "How far is the Japanese army from Lushun?" "The position closest to Lushun, five or six miles away, is now attacking Laohugou. According to the Japanese, if Tiger Valley can be captured, the situation will change. " Hearing this, Yuan Shikai got up to look at the "Fortress of Lushun Fortress Map" hanging on the wall, found Laohugou, and saw the words "203 Highland" bet, and then he understood. "That's right! The Japanese army is attacking from their backs, 'the top stone mortar is a show, and it's thankless'. If they can occupy the 203 highland and have a bird's-eye view of the harbor, the remaining warships of the Russian army will be useless." Yuan Shikai He paused and asked, "Is there anything we can do for him?" "Hit Lushun, I can't help you." "What about the army?" "It also depends on the opportunity. Anyway, attacking Shenyang, there is always something that can help them." Yuan Shikai nodded and returned to his seat, staring intently at the map of the three eastern provinces, and after a while he began to say, "I didn't advocate neutrality at the beginning, and I should help Japan fight Russia. If you listened to me, the situation will be very different now. " "Please..." Duan Zhigui said, "Please teach me, Commander." "It's the same as gambling. Japan is the banker. How many shares we take in it, we can now calculate how to pay dividends. Now we help Japan, like a gangster in a casino, watching the banker's hand, playing a fan next to him, handing over Towel handle, say a few funny words. When the dealer stands up and grabs a handful of money to give you a lot of money, you have to thank him. If you are a dealer in partnership, of course sit down and count the winnings. This is a big situation different." "Yes! After hearing the general's example, I fully understand it." Duan Zhigui said again: "A while ago, it wasn't that Zhang Xiangshuai had a book, advocating Western Union and Eastern Union Day, which seems to be a remedy." "It's too late! It's useless." Yuan Shikai said: "I only hope that Japan can defeat Russia and return the three eastern provinces to China. It will be auspicious." Hearing this, Duan Zhigui took two steps, and asked in a low voice: "I heard that the three eastern provinces are going to set up a governor, and it has already been decided, Commander, do you have such a statement?" Yuan Shikai knew that there was a saying that Zhao Erxun, the governor of Hunan, was the candidate for the future governor of the three eastern provinces.This was Qu Hongji's plan, because they had no decent talents in the first place in Xinwei in the tenth year of Tongzhi, but there were quite a few outstanding people in the next branch of Jiaxu, the dead ones were like Zhao Shuqiao, and the existing ones were like officials. Zhang Baixi, Minister of the Ministry, Lin Shaonian, Governor of Yunnan, Xiliang, Governor of Sichuan, Hu Tanfen, Minister of the Ministry of War, and others all performed well. Zhao Erxun from the Zhenglan Banner of the Han Army was also one of them, and his political reputation in Hunan was not bad, so Qu Hongji wanted to give him a hand.After the internal call, he first sent the Secretary of the Household Department to discuss all matters concerning the establishment of governors in the three eastern provinces, and often sent Zhao Erxun to participate in it, and made a book for his future source. Yuan Shikai felt that there was no need to tell Duan Zhigui about these situations, so he just asked, "Who did you listen to?" "I heard about it from the bannerman in the three eastern provinces." Duan Zhigui said, "If there is such a thing, the commander-in-chief must pay attention to it." "Oh!" Yuan Shikai looked up, waiting for him to speak. "The three eastern provinces are vast in land and rich in resources and rich in resources. I didn't know until I visited this time. If the governors and governors are their own people, it will be much more convenient to raise salaries in the future." Hearing this, Yuan Shikai made waves, but on the surface he said calmly, "I know." He said in a warning tone: "You don't have to talk to others about this! It's still early, don't worry! " It means, take it easy.Duan Zhigui also had a thought in his mind, but for a while he couldn't tell whether his own thought was a delusion or not?He only replied excitedly: "Yes, yes! I know the seriousness of the matter." ※ ※ ※ The 700,000th birthday of Empress Dowager Cixi passed away quietly.The war between China and France in the 50s, the war between China and Japan in the 60s, and the two grand celebrations that were planned, were abandoned at the last minute. I thought I could have a good time at the age of 70, but who knew there would be a war between Japan and Russia!Fortunately, the war happened early, and an edict was issued in April to stop the celebration. If everything is ready and a warning letter is sent suddenly, it will be even more disappointing. "Probably I won't have to think about my whole birthday in my life!" Empress Dowager Cixi said to Princess Rongshou: "There are really such coincidences in the world." "This is probably God's special arrangement to save this excitement until the 800,000th birthday." "Eighty?" Empress Dowager Cixi was a little sad, "If you live to that age, your eyes will be blurry, your teeth will fall out, and you will talk incoherently. It's no fun to be a human being." "Lafayette doesn't look old at all! It's just..." Princess Rongshou stopped suddenly, she wanted to compare with the emperor, but she realized something was wrong when she reached the point of her mouth, so she stopped it. This statement aroused the thoughts of Empress Dowager Cixi.On the way back to Luan, when "Big Elder Brother" Fu Jun was expelled from the palace in Kaifeng, she had been thinking about the ownership of the reserve.Now that Zaifeng has become Ronglu's son-in-law, he has hope, but it has been two years since the marriage, and there is no happy news. Isn't it worrying? " Thinking of this, he couldn't help asking: "Zaifeng's daughter-in-law, isn't she sick? Princess Rongshou couldn't answer this sudden question, so after thinking about it, she could only answer bluntly: "I haven't heard of it." "Why is there no news at all until now, I should find a good gynecologist to show her." It turned out to be concerned about why Chun Wang Fujin is still infertile?Princess Rongshou immediately replied: "The servant also asked her, and she said that the fortune tellers said that her heir was very late." "When will it be late?" Princess Rongshou can understand her state of mind, the desire for Zaifeng to have a son is much more ardent than the desire of an ordinary old lady to embrace her grandson.So he comforted her and said: "It will never be too late. The young couple are both in good health, there should be no good news." "That's what I said!" Empress Dowager Cixi said, "I think there is some truth in it, and I should ask a few more doctors to have a look." "Yes! The servant passed the decree to her." Princess Rongshou thought for a while, and said casually: "The emperor's spirit seems to be worse than before. Li Deli's ability is limited, and it seems useless to obey his prescription. " "You mean, you should also find a doctor outside?" Princess Rongshou didn't give a direct answer, but said: "It would be nice to have someone like Xue Fuchen." Xue Fuchen cured the Empress Dowager Cixi from severe bone steaming. He was originally an alternate Taoist priest in Zhili. Because of Li Hongzhang's exclusive recommendation, the Empress Dowager Cixi said hesitantly: "If you order the provinces to recommend famous doctors, you don't know what will happen outside." Rumor?" "Yes!" Princess Rongshou saw that she did not object to calling a doctor outside the palace, so she immediately said: "Why don't Laofoshu ask the military aircraft?" "Yes!" Empress Dowager Cixi nodded, "I see." A few days later, when the Empress Dowager Cixi summoned Yikuang alone, she suddenly thought of this matter and brought it up. Yikuang replied: "I was seriously ill the year before last. Yuan Shikai recommended a western doctor to see him." "Oh!" Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "What's this person's name, and where is he now?" "This western doctor is called Qu Yongqiu. He is from Cantonese. He came from the Tianjin Medical Center. He is very good at medicine. However, the medicines used in western medicine are different from those in traditional Chinese medicine." Yikuang replied, "This Qu Yongqiu is now the medical officer at Yuan Shikai's." "Chinese and Western medicine are the same. As long as the disease can be cured, he is a good doctor. You tell Yuan Shikai to let that surnamed Qu come and see for the emperor." Yikuang didn't dare to neglect, so he personally informed Yuan Shikai by telegram that day.He didn't speak in detail, but only said that Qu Yongqiu should be sent to Beijing as soon as possible to diagnose the emperor's pulse.When Yuan Shikai asked him, how about it?But Yikuang replied that it was just mental fatigue, and there was no obvious symptom. This is strange!Yuan Shikai was full of suspicion, wondering why Yikuang had such a sudden notice?Since the emperor had no obvious signs of illness, why did he suddenly call for a doctor, and the one he called was a western doctor?I thought it would be better to find someone to come to counsel me. In the Beiyang shogunate, there are a lot of talents, each with their own strengths, but accidents like this need to be studied by people with scheming skills.Think about it, there is a person. This person is called Yang Shiqi, whose name is Xingcheng. He is Yang Shixiang's younger brother and the future relatives of Yuan Shikai's sons and daughters.He went north on business and stayed in Tianjin Xiaozuo. This person is known as a think tank, and it is time to ask for advice. After hearing the reason, Yang Shiqi said: "Fourth brother, have you heard that there are three doctors who do not recommend?" "I haven't heard of it." No one has heard of it, it was fabricated by Yang Shiqi on the spur of the moment.As he thought about it, he said: "I don't recommend doctors who are not good enough; I don't recommend people who don't have enough friendship; I don't recommend patients who are insignificant." Yuan Shikai thought for a while and asked: "The above two recommendations are easy to understand. Why do you say that the patient is insignificant and not recommended?" "Patients are insignificant. Whether they die or live, no one cares about them. They recommend a doctor, but they don't seem to be taken seriously, so why bother? Besides, a disease that lasts for seven years can be cured for three years. Only the sick person takes it seriously. A patient will be very careful when taking medicine, but if it is an insignificant patient, if he cooks medicine and nurses carelessly, even if he has a famous doctor, how can he be successful?" "Ah! Ah! Xingcheng, you see clearly!" "Fourth Brother," Yang Shiqi lowered his voice and said, "Last time at the Grand Ceremony in the Southern Suburbs, I had a deacon, and I was on duty at the Temple of Heaven. The Emperor went up to the altar on foot. I could see clearly that even his boots were broken. Thinking about it, When a prescription is written, if there are valuable medicines in it, who can guarantee that the imperial pharmacy will follow the prescription and catch it correctly?" "It's hard to say." "That's it! Although Western medicine and Chinese medicine are different, the principle is the same. If you tamper with it and don't follow the prescription, can Qu Yongqiu take the responsibility?" "Is there any need to say?" Yuan Shikai frowned, "It seems that it is better to thank you." "Yes." Yang Shiqi said again: "This thing must never be done! The old lady is not happy if the doctor is successful, but the doctor is useless, and even a 'big event' happened. Fourth brother, you will not be able to clean up by jumping into the Yellow River Already!" Hearing the last sentence, Yuan Shikai suddenly realized, and was terrified!With the indelible past of the 1898 whistleblower, everyone knew that he was a disloyal minister of the emperor. If the emperor's illness changed due to Qu Yongqiu's diagnosis and treatment, everyone would suspect that he had a retrograde regicide.It's really a suspicion that jumping into the Yellow River can't be cleared up. "Brilliant!" Yuan Shikai had made up his mind, but it was not a matter of saying a word to dismiss this matter. "Xingcheng," he said, "Prince Qing was entrusted by Yi's decree. No matter what the role is, I have to find a high-sounding reason to refuse. Please think for me again, what should I say?" "It can't be said that Qu Yongqiu's medical skills are not as good as the rumors from the outside world. This has become a signboard to smash him. It's not as good as Qu Yongqiu himself is sick." "Okay! Let's do it!" Therefore, Yuan Shikai brought Qu Yongqiu here, told him about it personally, and asked him what he thought. Qu Yongqiu was really eager to try it, and he replied: "Commander, please give me instructions." But the excitement on his face couldn't be concealed. "This is a good thing. With your medical skills, you will not only gain fame and fortune, but also the embassies of various countries will pay attention to the emperor's illness. Therefore, if you cure the emperor's illness, you will definitely become famous all over the world, and you will also be well-known. My face is also very glorious. However, I treat you as one of my own, and I have a harsh piece of advice, I wonder if you would like to hear it or not?" "The commander-in-chief is serious!" The excitement on Qu Yongqiu's face was completely swept away. "Things in the palace are very difficult, especially when the emperor is involved, and it is even more thankless. Your medical skills are excellent, not bad. However, eunuchs do not understand the rules of western medicine. If they take their temperature on time, I am afraid that they will not even have a thermometer. I can’t even read the degrees on it.” Yuan Shikai asked suddenly: “Tinggui, do you know how to drink champagne in the palace?” "Tinggui" is Qu Yongqiu's nickname, he shook his head and said, "I don't know how to drink it, but I always drink it iced." "That's so particular," Yuan Shikai said, "It's the eunuch who doesn't know how to be so particular! All the champagne in the palace is made by the eunuch in advance with an awl to drill holes in the cork." "Isn't that discouraged?" "There's that kind of discouragement. It's because when the champagne cork is opened, there is a loud noise, the bubbles surge, and it makes a mess. It's a serious crime to be disrespectful in front of the imperial court. The eunuch wants to keep himself safe. What's the matter?" You can do it all. You can’t stay in front of the imperial court to take care of it all the time, how can you cure the emperor’s illness?” "Yes, yes!" Qu Yongqiu felt relieved, "Thanks to the guidance of the commander-in-chief, I can't take this job!" "It was my superiors who told me that I can't teach you not to take up this job." Yuan Shikai pondered for a while, "Ting Gui, there is only one way for you not to take up this job. From today onwards, you will pretend to be sick and ask for leave. Pretend to be , go out less, let alone talk about it with people." Qu Yongqiu naturally followed his words.Yuan Shikai first sent a telegram to reply to Yikuang, saying that Qu Yongqiu had taken sick leave, and he was on duty due to his illness. However, he was sick and lacked energy, so he might not be able to "ask for the pulse", so he pleaded again and again.In addition, he signaled to Yikuang that he wanted to talk about everything in Beijing, and asked Yikuang to find a reason to let him go to Beijing. This reason is not difficult to find. In the name of the military training office planning to reorganize the provincial defense forces and other military systems, Yuan Shikai must be called to discuss business, and Yuan Shikai was easily allowed to enter the capital. When I arrived in Beijing, I greeted you at the gate of the palace. It was originally a story, and you can do what you want by handing over a greeting book, but it was very unexpected, and you actually sent an order to summon you immediately. This time, Yuan Shikai was a little bit blind.The first is the luggage he wears, unless he is on tour, he cannot be seen by the luggage. It is quite troublesome to temporarily find a suit that suits his short, short and fat body.This is still in the second place, and the most disturbing thing is, I don't know why the Empress Dowager Cixi made an exception to summon her?Presumably there must be a special reason, but I don't know what the special reason is. Therefore, when Yuan Shikai entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Yuan Shikai was extra careful. After entering the hall and performing the ceremony, the Empress Dowager Cixi asked leisurely as usual whether the weather was normal, whether the people were still peaceful, and what good officials and other related officials were there. if.Then the topic changed, and it was natural to talk about the topic. "You know Zhang Jian very well, don't you?" Yuan Shikai didn't know why the Empress Dowager Cixi mentioned this person suddenly?Then he replied very cautiously: "I was in Wu Changqing's camp before, and Zhang Jian was Wu Changqing's copywriter. Because he is very good at writing, I often ask him for advice. Since the 12th or 3rd year of Guangxu, I have had little contact with him. " "Do you rarely see each other? Or do you rarely exchange letters?" When asked about this sentence, Yuan Shikai knew that there was a reason for it, so he thought about it for a while and replied: "The official business is relatively complicated, so I seldom write to him. Zhang Jian always writes to me two or three times a year." "What did you say?" "Zhang Jian started a business in Nantong Prefecture, and sometimes he asked his ministers to help. I think that the business Zhang Jian runs is beneficial to the national economy and the people's livelihood, so I do what I can." Yuan Shikai said with emphasis: "As for the matter that has nothing to do with the national economy and the people's livelihood, it is a personal request. , I dare not show favoritism, and always politely refuse." "Recently?" The Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "Is there a letter for you?" Not recently, but one in June.Yuan Shikai thought of Zhang Jian's letter, and his heart moved, knowing that Empress Dowager Cixi was paying attention to this matter, and she would never hide it.So he answered truthfully: "Zhang Jian wrote a letter to my minister in the summer, talking about the establishment of a constitution, and the minister never replied to him." "Oh!" Empress Dowager Cixi finally asked, "What about that letter?" Yuan Shikai remembers the content of that letter very clearly. It said, "Your Majesty is taking over the world's heavy troops and shouldering the world's heavy responsibilities! It is advisable to have a life and death friendship with the country. Knowing that the country is in danger, it is not like the husband Jiawu or Gengzi. ?It’s useless to fix the government without changing the regime! Before the overall situation of Japan and Russia is settled, it’s not as good as the tricky plan of seeking to change the regime and save and burn.” He also said: “The victory and defeat of Japan and Russia, The victory or defeat of constitutional autocracy! Who is the complete autocratic country in the world today? Is it fortunate that an autocracy made a constitution in public?” He also said: “Ito Itagaki and others in Japan have jointly created a constitution, and they have become a great achievement of autocracy protecting the people. , Special orders, good ears! How can the public’s talent be inferior to others, even if you go down and ask yourself, you will definitely not be inferior to others!” How can all these discussions be played directly?Yuan Shikai thought that there was absolutely no possibility of leaking the secret documents sealed in the safe in his signing room.So I decided to hide half and tell half. It can be said that Zhang Jian advocated constitutionalism and was very ambitious. What he wanted to conceal was Zhang Jian's expectations of him and his criticism of autocracy.The idea is made up, but the wording has yet to be considered. After thinking about it again, no matter what you say, it is not what the Empress Dowager Cixi likes to hear, so it is better to express it in one word, so she replied in a contemptuous tone: "It's nothing more than a scholar's opinion." Sure enough, the Empress Dowager Cixi stopped asking, and talked to someone else: "It is said that Zhang Zhidong and Wei Guangtao also support the constitution. Have you heard of it?" Hearing these words, Yuan Shikai suddenly realized that this moment is a good opportunity to express his love. "I've heard about it too." He replied unequivocally, "The governors Zhang Zhidong and Wei Guangtao intend to compose a memorial for the establishment of the constitution, because the minister lives in Jifu and wants to invite the minister to present the memorial. Let me tell you, the minister He has been turned down!" In fact, this is the reason why Zhang Jian, who had not heard from Yuan Shikai for 20 years, suddenly wrote a letter of hope, and Zhang Jian did not really date the celebrities who promoted the establishment of the Constitution after the Meiji Restoration in Japan, but Zhang Zhidong was in view of the Southeast Mutual Protection in the past. According to the past events, he believed that to propose a great revolution to the court, the powerful governors and governors must unite and unanimously, so he strongly urged Zhang Jian to make this statement. Of course, such an answer will definitely be praised. The Empress Dowager Cixi asked kindly: "Yuan Shikai, I know you understand very well. In your opinion, can China have a constitution?" "No!" Yuan Shikai simply answered. "Why? Let me tell you the truth." "The common people in China are immature and immature. That's why it is said in the biblical sages that 'the people can be taught to do what they want, but they cannot be taught to know what they are. , there will be all kinds of fraud.” He said on this side, but the Empress Dowager Cixi kept nodding on her side, and the conversation quickly changed to ask about the Russo-Japanese War. "Yuan Shikai, you have always been good at training and leading troops. When do you think the battle between Japan and Russia will end?" "Russia's defeat has been accomplished. In the battle of Shenyang, Russia suffered a disastrous defeat. Lushun has sunk several Japanese warships and blocked the port. The Japanese Third Army is fighting south from Jinzhou, only a few miles away from Lushun Lu. I heard that the Russian commander in Lushun was going to surrender in the summer, but his generals refused to agree, so they delayed again.” "According to what you say, the war will end soon?" "Yes!" Yuan Shikai continued, "I'm afraid that the Russian emperor will not admit defeat. I have a report that the Russian fleet in the Baltic Sea has been transferred to the east. I'm afraid there will be another fierce battle." "They are ruthless on the sea, but it's okay. The army is fighting on our Chinese territory. It's really 'the city gate is on fire, and the fish in the pond' is really useless." "Empress Dowager, the emperor's lesson! "Yuan Shikai said: "Although the people outside the pass have endured hardships, they have gained a lot of benefits. If Russia is defeated in the future, they will naturally have to retreat if they don't retreat. This will benefit China greatly." "Look," the Empress Dowager Cixi was very concerned, "would the wolf be rejected at the front door and the tiger at the back door, the Russians gone, and the Japanese occupying our place again?" "The Empress Dowager's thoughts are extremely serious! The minister is afraid that the Japanese will not leave in the future, so he has worked hard to help the Japanese secretly. Now that I give him my friendship, it is to use face to hold them back, and teach him in the future. Don't say anything unreasonable." "Well, well! That's good! However, you have to take care of our neutral identity and don't get angry." "Yes!" Yuan Shikai replied, "That's why it's most important to work hard to strengthen yourself! Only if you have enough troops to defend western Liaoning, not only the Russians dare not come, but the Japanese also dare not underestimate China." "Hmm, um!" Empress Dowager Cixi nodded deeply, "The new army already has three towns, is it enough?" "Given the size of China, three towns are not enough to guard the north." Yuan Shikai said: "The minister intends to organize another town." "That's the Fourth Town?" "The designation has not yet been decided, and I will request an order after I discuss it with Prince Qing." "Oh!" The Empress Dowager Cixi asked, "Is there already a town soldier?" "Yes! I plan to use the Wuwei Youjun to form the fourth town." "Wuwei Youjun isn't the team you led before?" "yes!" "Who do you plan to appoint as the commander?" "The minister intends to recommend Duan Qirui as the commander. He studied artillery in Germany. He is brave and deep, with excellent integrity. He is a rare general!" "The conduct of a military commander is the most important thing. Otherwise, the soldiers cannot be restrained. If the discipline is broken, the people will be afraid when they see it, and there can be victory there. In the year of Gengzi, I went all the way to Shanxi and then to Shaanxi. I have never seen a disciplined team. In the past, Ronglu always said that you can train troops and pay attention to discipline, so I let you do it. The new army is not only to practice formation and martial arts well, but also to corrupt the stagnation of the banner camp, green camp, Hunan army, and Huai army. , really sweep it!" "Yes! The empress dowager has fully illuminated the problems of the old Chinese army. I have been cultivated by the empress dowager and the emperor. I am inexplicably grateful for the kindness of heaven and earth. Now that the New Deal is being implemented and I am angry, I must do my best to repay it." With that, Yuan Shikai bumped his head twice "Dong, Dong". "What does the emperor want to ask Yuan Shikai?" The emperor was in a better spirit that day, so he thought of something to ask, so as to make up for the lack of inquiries from the Empress Dowager Cixi. "Is there Yan Xiu in your shogunate?" "Yes!" Yuan Shikai replied, "The Office of Academic Affairs is headquartered in the Chen Yamen." "How is this person?" Yan Xiu, courtesy name Fansun, was born in Tianjin. He was a Hanlin in the ninth year of Guangxu, and he was also a Chinese-style student of the Special Economics Department. He was always the most enthusiastic about education. He was Yuan Shikai's right-hand man who thought he could rival Zhang Zhidong when he ran a school in Zhili. Plus bragging, saying that his character and knowledge are first-rate. "There are many schools in Zhili. However, I heard that the students are not enthusiastic. You have to tell Yan Xiu that you have to find a way to persuade them to learn." Hearing this, Yuan Shikai's itching was touched, and he thought about what he was going to say, thinking that it would not violate the will of Empress Dowager Cixi, but would be a favorite of the emperor, so it was okay to say it. Thinking of stopping, he replied unequivocally: "The imperial examination is not abolished, and the school is not prosperous. I secretly think that the most effective way to encourage learning is to abolish the imperial examination." "What you said," the emperor was slightly surprised, "doesn't match what you said before!" Last year, when Yuan Shikai, together with Zhang Zhidong, Zhang Baixi, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, and Rongqing, Minister of the Ministry of Households, made a memorial to establish the school system, he proposed to reduce the division of subjects and abolish the imperial examination.Starting from the Bingwu Ke Township Examination in the 32nd year of Guangxu, the middle amount was reduced by one-third until the 38th year of Guangxu's Renzike was completely reduced.In the past nine years, all provinces have opened schools to cultivate talents, which should be effective. Since the imperial examination has been suspended, scholars can only seek their background from the schools, so both the preparation of funds and the application of students must be enthusiastic. Zhang Zhidong deeply agreed with this gradual method of decreasing subjects, so Yuan Shikai asked him to lead the concert.In fact, only Zhang Zhidong, who is in the first place in Tanhua, is qualified to say this.Yuan Shikai is not even a scholar. If he dared to risk the dissatisfaction of the world and said that the imperial examinations should be abolished, he would surely attract countless laughing and cursing ridicules and become self-inflicted humiliation. In this way, it still encountered great resistance.First of all, Wang Wenshao, when it comes to abolishing the imperial examinations, he thinks that he will lose the hearts of scholars in the world, and will inevitably bury real talents, so he cried bitterly and fought hard.The second is Qu Hongji, who also disagrees with this move.Reluctant to lose the hope at home, Zhang Zhidong, as the leader of scholars, strongly advocated, but in the end he issued the Ming Dynasty "in the light of flexibility".Just for fear of arousing resentment, not only strengthened the tone of consolation in the edict, but also left many accommodations in the measures.And because of this, everyone still has a wait-and-see attitude, thinking that stereotyped writing can be abolished, and imperial examinations must never be abolished. Now hearing the emperor's accusations, Yuan Shikai himself has something to argue: "The original melody of the minister said, 'The imperial examination will never be abolished, the school will not flourish, and scholars will never have real knowledge'. As for the division of subjects, It was a last resort. Since the imperial edict was issued in November last year, it took nearly a year. The minister observed with an open mind, and knew that the imperial examinations continued all day long. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor are self-determined, issued an edict, resolutely abolished the imperial examination, and the country will have the hope of prosperity." The emperor was quite moved by this generous statement, but he couldn't make the decision, so he kept silent and let the Empress Dowager Cixi make the verdict. "The stereotype is abolished, I am in favor of it, and the imperial examination is to be abolished, I also agree. Talents must be obtained through the imperial examination, but the imperial examination is not a good way to cultivate talents. Even if some people win the first prize, like Chongqi, they are still not very serious. I understand, I can’t take on big things. However, the system that has been passed down for hundreds of years has also encouraged people who are ambitious and willing to make progress. Said tactfully: "I have to take it easy, take a look, and discuss it slowly." "Yes!" Yuan Shikai said very wisely, "This minister is also a temporary opinion, and may not be completely right. The Empress Dowager is afraid that the abolition of the imperial examination will affect the morale of the people, so I should carefully examine it and report it later." "That's right! On the one hand, you should do more research, and on the other hand, discuss it with Zhang Zhidong and the others." "yes!" After waiting for a while, the Empress Dowager Cixi had nothing else to say, so the emperor said, "Yuan Shikai, kneel down!"