Chapter 10 Chapter Nine: Show Your Prestige for Mount Tai

In mid-autumn, the Great Plains of Hebei looked a little desolate, and the lotus ponds in Baiyangdian were left with a bunch of leaves and stalks. All the crops in the fields had entered the villages, and the land was vast. A few westerly winds, the weather is also cold. On the village road, several Taiping carts dragged reeds from the lake depression, walking unsteadily towards the village.There is no sound of yelling or whipping, and the driver seems to just want to enjoy this leisure. Duan Qirui, the new Commander of the Sixth Town of the Army, rode on a tall horse and hurried from Baoding, the defense line, towards Tianjin City; behind him were several guards, who were also raising their whips and urging the horses.

Due to frequent transfers, Duan Qirui's life seemed anxious and restless, and his mood was in turmoil.While serving in Six Towns, his heart has always been in Three Towns.There is his foundation, soldiers and generals are all cultivated by him, he can't leave them, and they can't leave him.Any warlord understands: It is impossible to have no soldiers, the more soldiers the better; but it must be his own soldiers, his own soldiers, father and son soldiers is better.Duan Qirui understands that although the source of soldiers in the six towns includes the Wuwei Youjun, most of them are the Nanyang Self-Strengthening Army.After the town was compiled and trained, Wang Shizhen was the first commander.Wang Shizhen is also a member of the Beiyang team, the head of the "Three Heroes", Yuan Shikai should be at ease with him, why did he have to be transferred? Duan Qirui knows Wang Shizhen and knows that he is loyal to Yuan Shikai, but he is quite unique in his life: he does not show his style , don’t make enemies, never speak harshly when things happen, and don’t have the prestige of a general. “Could it be because of this that he can’t be in control?” Duan Qirui wanted to nod and shake his head.

Duan Qirui got off his horse outside the governor's office and walked in alone.Yuan Shikai was sitting in a small living room waiting for him. Yuan Shikai's mood was very low, his face was covered with frost, and his eyes were a little dull.When Duan Qirui came in, he seemed a little surprised, as if Duan Qirui was not called by him, but Duan had something urgent to report to him. "You're here!?" Yuan Shikai's voice was low. Duan Qirui nodded and replied, "I know that your lord is looking for me, so I came here in a hurry." "Okay, okay." Only then did Yuan Shikai regain his composure. "I have something to do, something to do."

Duan Qirui sat down beside him, concentrated his attention, and waited for his instruction.However, Yuan Shikai shook his head and said nonchalantly: "Since Xian and Tong in my dynasty, the army has developed and grown from the local area first. You probably know this situation. The earliest Hunan army, and later the Huai army , It’s all like this. Mr. Zeng Guofan, Mr. Zuo Zongtang, Mr. Zuo, and your noble fellow Zhongtang Li Hongzhang, Mr. Li, all once dominated the army..." Duan Qirui interjected: "Because of the mastery of these masters, the Chinese army now looks like an army, like a strong army."

Yuan Shikai smiled coldly. "How did you know that this is where the disaster comes from?" "Disaster?" Duan Qirui was puzzled. "What trouble?" "They are all Han Chinese!" Duan Qirui was startled. "How about the Han people?" Don't talk about the past.Yuan Shikai said: "In the past few years, we have paid attention to grasping the army. Don't we want to train and build an army that can strengthen the country for the court? There are also opinions on this." "What objection?" We have not been in Tianjin for two years, and some people say that our governor's office is China's second government.Are you saying it's scary?"

What's so scary about this?" Duan Qirui said, "Arrest the army, be open and aboveboard..." "It's not that simple. Yuan Shikai said: "When the rumor reaches the capital, it becomes a big problem. "Can't we take some measures?" Duan Qirui felt that he had an army in his hands, and the power of the army was huge, so why should he be afraid. "If it doesn't work, just show them some color. "To whom?" Yuan Shikai smiled. "The Eight-Power Allied Forces? The Boxers? Bandits? They are all tangible enemies. Choose a good target and attack. This is impossible, the fearsome people say, and they are invisible. I have suffered a lot, and I don't know where they are under the hands of the gods. ?', paused, and said: "You probably haven't noticed yet, there is a trend of striving for a constitutional monarchy in the court, and the Manchu relatives think that it is the Han people who want to seize power.In fact, it was the Manchus who wanted to seize power from the Han.A while ago I heard rumors, rumors in the palace, saying: "The Han people are fat and full of people, isn't this a signal!"

"Your Excellency asked me to come, didn't you..." Duan Qirui seemed to understand. Yuan Shikai shook his hand vigorously. "These things are nothing more than letting you know, and you don't need to do anything." "Then..." Duan Qirui was a little confused.He felt that this matter was only for him to know, and Yuan Shikai would not bring him to Tianjin.I'm here, there must be something important. After Yuan Shikai explained the general situation he was facing, he felt that it was time to hand in the task.Then he said: "Because of this incident, there are two terrible facts. Some people say that our new army has the potential to seize power, and some people say that our new army is no different from the old army. Crowd. The imperial court has decided to hold a parade of the South and North armies in the Hewen area recently. I came here for this matter."

du8.com copyright Duan Qirui understood that what is meant by "big parade" is not a big contest between the Southern Army and the Northern Army! What he also understood was: the Northern Army is actually the six towns of the army formed by Yuan Shikai's Beiyang New Army. The Southern Army, of course, It's another army.Duan Qirui is as familiar with the Six Towns New Army as Yuan Shikai.Almost all of them are trained by Xiaozhan.He said without hesitation: "Master Yuan, let's do the big drills, I don't believe our army won't be able to enter the big battlefield!

Yuan Shikai laughed. "Don't be careless! And don't be complacent! Do you know which two troops are called out to practice?" Duan Qirui shook his head. "Who is the Southern Army? I don't know." Yuan Shikai said: "The northern army is your three army towns, and the southern army is the newly formed army eight towns under the command of Zhang Biao." "Zhang Biao, Bazhen?" Duan Qirui said, "It's him, Yuci Zhang Huchen." "Yes, it's him." Isn't that the uncle who became a Chinese military officer and caught thieves sitting on the stage!" Duan Qirui looked down on him a bit.

Don't underestimate the enemy! Yuan Shikai said: "In addition to controlling the 21st Mixed Association, he still has a road guard battalion, a patrol battalion, and a Jiangfang Chu character fleet. Also, he is the governor of Huguang, and he will be transferred to Beijing. Dong, Zhang Xiaoda's generals." "My lord is not only the governor, but also the minister of Beiyang." "This is a troublesome matter." Yuan Shikai said: "Two powerful armies will parade, and the imperial court decided to send Tie Liang, Minister of the Army, and I as ministers for the military parade. It shows how much they attach importance to it!" He added: "This time the parade will be held. , I decided that you will command the Northern Army, and you must win the championship. Now, you still go back to the three towns and hurry up to practice."

Duan Qirui agreed and withdrew from the Governor's Mansion. At this time, Duan Qirui already had a residence in Tianjin, and most of the cronies he had cultivated over the past few years were also in Tianjin.Therefore, apart from military affairs, Duan always had to stay at home in Tianjin for a few days.No, as soon as he got home this time, he suddenly remembered something about Xu Shuzheng—— After finishing his work at home, Duan Qirui went to his living room to sit down. After taking a breath, he ordered someone to "bring Secretary Xu here and tell me that I have something to do." A servant agreed and withdrew. ——Xu Shuzheng has been by Duan Qirui's side for four years.This fledgling young man had contributed quite sharp strategies for him and Yuan Shikai, which made the two people think highly of him.Let's talk about whether Yuan Shikai will go to be the governor of Zhili, Xu Shuzheng's opinion surprised them! According to Yuan Shikai's original aspirations, he wanted to live in this peaceful place in Shandong for another two years in order to develop and strengthen his team; although the Lishang court intended to let him go north, he still ordered him to "act".Therefore, he wanted to submit a memorial, and then he went to Zhili.Duan Qirui agreed with Yuan Shikai's opinion.However, when Yuan Shikai inadvertently asked Xu Shuzheng to express his opinion, Xu Shuzheng shook his head severely. Yuan Shikai asked in surprise: "Is this wrong?" Xu Shuzheng said, "It's very wrong!" Yuan Shikai suddenly remembered the "Regulations on State Affairs" that Xu Shuzheng had given him back then. He knew that this young man had a brain.He said, "Please speak clearly." Xu Shuzheng saw that Yuan Shikai listened to his opinions sincerely, so he said calmly: "Shandong has not experienced any major wars, and foreigners have not been involved heavily. Master Yuan has a large force here and has a high prestige. If it continues to develop, Shandong will naturally It can become a place to stand on. However, as far as the students see, Shandong is only a corner of China after all. It is not easy to affect the overall situation with a corner. The imperial court has both the governor Zhili and the Beiyang Minister. Although the situation is difficult, it can be achieved. The left and right centers. Control Shandong and go far away from the world, hold the center and return the world! If adults only want to be the leader of Qilu, it is also a way to occupy Shandong. But can long-term stability? Zhan Lingyun: According to the Zhili Superintendent’s Office, the Beiyang military aircraft will be controlled, 'will be the top of the mountain, and see all the mountains and small ones'! By then, Qilu will still be the foundation of adults!" These words convinced Yuan Shikai, and he decided to go north to Zhili immediately to take office.Yuan Shikai took office as governor of Zhili and minister of Beiyang, and Duan Qirui followed him to the north.Soon, he became the commander of the three towns of the army.What about Xu Shuzheng? A rising tide lifts all boats, and he was promoted to the first-class clerk of the town department.That is, the current job. Xu Shuzheng is a person who is not content to depend on others, he wants to start his own business.However, he knew that his foundation was weak and he did not have a prominent status.At that time, China was in the midst of a gilding craze for studying abroad, and many people were keen on Japan's non-commissioned officer schools.Xu Shuzheng also wanted to go there for gilding. However, apart from the official school, you can't go to that place in Japan without a lot of money.Xu Shuzheng thought about it, although Yuan and Duan had a good impression of him, but after all, he had no merits, and the possibility of counting on the officialdom was extremely small.It is also very difficult to raise funds by yourself.Right now, his wife Xia Hongjun has come from her hometown in Xiao County, and her daily life is a bit difficult. Helpless, Xu Shuzheng used the name of Duan Qirui to write to a colleague of Duan named Wu Fengling, saying, "The family wants to buy land, but there is still a shortage of hundreds of silver dollars." He borrowed from Wu temporarily.Wu Fengling is a close friend of Duan Qirui and a fellow villager with Xu Shuzheng. Since he had no doubts, he transferred 500 silver dollars.Xu Shuzheng wanted to write to Duan Qirui after arriving in Japan.Unexpectedly, before the trip took place, Duan and Wu inadvertently explained the matter at a banquet in Zhili Fantai.Duan Qirui was stunned and dissatisfied. "He can borrow money in my name today, but he can borrow soldiers in my name tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, he got so angry that his nose was crooked. Therefore, he wanted to find Xu Shuzheng, ask him about this matter, and then criticize him for a few days. du8.com copyright As soon as Duan Qirui got home, he ordered Xu Shuzheng to be called, and Xu Shuzheng felt that "things are not good".He already knew that Duan and Wu had met recently, and they might talk about borrowing money.He also understands that although Duan is usually frivolous about money, it is mostly to win people's hearts and gain fame.Now, borrowing money under the guise of his name will not benefit him and damage his reputation, so I am afraid he will not be so generous.Thinking of this, Xu Shuzheng also made a decision to take a step back: "Okay, if he asks about this and accepts responsibility when we meet, I'll tell you straight up and repay the money as soon as possible. After that, go away. Leave his surname Duan, always It’s not like I can’t find a place to live!” Xu Shuzheng is no longer the Xu Shuzheng he was when he was selling letters on the streets of Jinan, he felt that he had somewhere to go, and he could even go to Yuan Shikai’s.When he heard that someone was coming to invite him, he hurriedly followed. While sitting down and waiting for Xu Shuzheng, Duan Qirui's forehead suddenly calmed down: "This matter cannot be impulsive, Xu Shuzheng is a cautious person, he can do this, he must have no choice but to dare to borrow money in my name, it means He felt that he had a close relationship with me. Isn’t it just 500 silver dollars? It’s worth keeping a friend with 500 silver dollars. Not to mention a counselor, a talent! Thinking of this, his mood calmed down. He talked and asked about the situation. " When Xu Shuzheng came in, Duan Qirui was leisurely smoking a cigarette.As soon as they met, Duan said, "Shuzheng, sit down quickly, sit down quickly!" Xu Shuzheng sat down, looked sideways, and found it strange: Duan Qirui was very calm, his nose was not crooked, and he was not angry. "Isn't it for borrowing money?" He also said calmly: "Come back, there have been a lot of things these days?" "A lot. There are too many things!" Duan Qirui said: "I haven't seen you for a while, and my heart is empty. I want to discuss several things with you. So, I want to see you as soon as I come back." Said the shit again. "How do you think this can be done?" Xu Shuzheng felt that since the matter of borrowing money was already a fact, why bother to keep it a secret, it would be better to explain it earlier.Therefore, after expressing his opinion on the parade, he took the initiative to tell about the loan: "Some time ago, my wife Xia Hongyun wanted to go east to study, and I was short of money for a while, so I used the name of an adult to control Mr. Wu Fengling in the name of an adult. There is a temporary loan of 500 yuan for emergency. My wife has been entangled in trivial matters and has not been able to make the trip. I just want to ask my lord to return the money to Mr. Wu. It is inappropriate to use the name of my lord without Bing Ming in advance. Please return Forgive me, my lord." Duan Qirui smiled. "Oh, 500 oceans, isn't it just a loan of 500 oceans? I'm afraid Wu Fengling has forgotten it long ago. If you want to pay it back, you don't need to pay for it. I just pay with a check. Since you need it urgently, you can stay in it." Use it by your side. If you don't mind, I will support Hongyun's tuition. How about it? As for Mr. Wu, don't mention this matter in the future. Although Xu Shuzheng was surprised by what Duan Qirui said, he was still very grateful. "Thanks to your love, on behalf of my wife, I would like to express my deep gratitude to you!" After saying that, he bowed deeply. "As for the loan, I'm fine.,, When Duan Qirui saw Xu Shuzheng offering a big gift, he hurriedly said, "Youzheng, haven't you been out of touch? It must not be done." After giving the favor, Duan Qirui thought, "It's better to give the favor to the end! He knew in his heart: What is it that his wife went to study in Dongdu? It wasn't that he wanted to go out for gilding! So he smiled and said, "Youzheng, I'm too busy these days, and I don't have time to discuss with you when I think of something. I'm free today. Let's talk. " "My lord, please give me instructions." "It's not an order," Duan Qirui said, "I want you to do it." "Then ask your lord to give you an order." "I want you to study in Tokyo, Japan." Duan Qirui said very sincerely: "The non-commissioned officer academy in Tokyo is a famous military academy today. I think you should go there for further studies. If you go there, I will naturally apply for an officer for you." fee." Xu Shuzheng was a little overwhelmed by favor, he originally thought that there would be a "fight" with Duan Qirui this time.The matter of the loan disappeared, and he was already very grateful. He didn't want Duan Qirui to give him another chance to study abroad with government funding. He felt that the matter came too suddenly.Suddenly there was no time to think.He hesitated, panicked, and didn't even know how to say a word of gratitude. Duan Qirui stood up calmly, walked in front of Xu Shuzheng, looked at him seriously, and said with a sad tone: "Youzheng, in all honesty, I don't want you to leave me for a moment. With you here, I feel solid in my heart no matter what I do, I sleep soundly, eat delicious food, and don’t panic when encountering anything. If you really leave, what will happen to me?” He said deeply Sighing, he said, "I really don't want you to go!" He looked at Xu Shuzheng and nodded to him.He also said: "Youzheng, I have to let you go. People should have foresight. Xiangcheng (Yuan Shikai) will take on important tasks in China's future affairs, and you and I should do our best to help. However, the reality is that It is inevitable to discuss seniority. What is even more disgusting is that admiration of foreign countries and foreign countries has become a common practice, and it has to be respected. Therefore, I must send you to Japan! You have to understand my heart! You can make a big splash after studying in Japan for a few years Chi, do something! Are you right? Don’t hesitate, let’s get ready.” Although Xu Shuzheng understood that Duan Qirui bought him at a high price, he also felt that this kind of self "selling" was worthwhile. "Only in this way can I harden my wings first and do something!" He arched his hands to Duan Qirui, bowed respectfully to him! .From now on, as long as you are alive, it is time to serve the adults!" du8.com copyright Duan Qirui hurried to stop him: "Why is this so, why is this so." Soon, Xu Shuzheng went to Tokyo... This trip lasted for 5 years. Five years later, Xu Shuzheng really spread his wings. He was loyal to Duan Qirui. He became Duan's "little fan military adviser" and the "Hefei (Duan Qirui) soul" written into history! In other words, without going into details, the Qing Army General Assembly was held on a boundless wasteland, bounded by a natural east-west river.Duan Qirui's Northern Army was in Hebei, and Zhang Biao's Southern Army was in Henan. The positions of both sides temporarily set up some bunkers and targets, and arranged some fake villages and hills.At one end of the river, a parade stand was erected high. On the day of the parade, the autumn was crisp and the sky was clear, and the dragon flag was planted high on the parade platform, indicating that the move was an imperial order.The dragon flag is surrounded by colorful flags.Temporary barracks were set up under the parade platform for the lodging of military parade officials, temporary meetings and rest.The parade ministers Tie Liang and Yuan Shikai came to the camp early; at the same time, Wang Shizhen, the presiding judge of the Central Parade, Liang Bi, the presiding judge of the Northern Army, Feng Guozhang, the presiding judge of the Southern Army, and representatives sent by the governors of various provinces came to watch the parade. On the morning when the parade began, Duan Qirui hurried to Yuan Shikai's barracks and reported the preparations to him.Before he could speak, Yuan Shikai waved his hand to stop him. "Let's not talk about the preparations. I don't understand the situation of the army I have trained? The problem now is not the strength of the army..." Duan Qirui was startled: "The two armies will practice, which is a contest between the strong and the weak. Why is it not about the strong and the weak?" He was a little puzzled.He frowned. Yuan Shikai sighed, and said, "There are four ministers for the military parade and the presiding judges from the north and the south. Have you seen it clearly? There are half and half bannermen." "I see clearly." Duan Qirui said nonchalantly, "What's the big deal?" Yuan Shikai was still shaking his head and sighing: "How did you know, there are articles here, and you will understand later." Yuan Shikai originally wanted to explain to him that Tie Liang and Liang Bi, ministers of the Banner Clan, were his deadly enemies and had great influence in the court. , Anti-Yuan is also the strongest.However, the words stopped when they reached his lips.In the end, all he said was, "I hope your team wins. Maybe we'll have an easier time by then." Duan Qirui wanted to ask something more, Yuan Shikai waved his hand and said, "Don't say anything, and strive to win the parade!" Duan Qirui withdrew from Yuan's barracks and hurried back to his own camp. He called his subordinates Xietong, Biaotong, and Guandai to him, and gave a final lecture, telling them to "be sure to treat the exercises as actual combat." To deal with it, officers and assistants must go to the front line; pay attention to cooperation and standard cooperation, seize the right time to face the battle, and attack fiercely! Only win, not lose!" The parade lasted for a week, and Duan Qirui's northern army was far superior to the southern army in terms of equipment and combat effectiveness. He won the overall victory in the parade! Duan Qirui won the parade of the Northern Army, but not long after the parade, a censor from the court proposed to participate in the performance against Yuan Shikai.Yuan Shikai knew that this was an attempt to seize his military power, and he couldn't resist.He had to surrender part of his military power.Therefore, before the imperial court issued a decree, Yuan Shikai had no choice but to hand over the troops of four of the six army towns he carefully organized to the Ministry of the Army directly under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Army, including the third town commanded by Duan Qirui, which won the parade.This was Yuan Shikai's first setback since he was promoted to the governorship, and it was also the first victory for the banner family to seize military power from the Han ministers! Duan Qirui's life is correspondingly difficult...