Chapter 18 Chapter 17 An Old Letter

Beijing.West Hills. This is a very quiet place, located between Cuiwei, Pingpo, and Lushi Mountains in the western suburbs of Beijing, surrounded by green peaks on the east, west, and north sides, and open to the south, with lush forests, fragrant weeds, jagged rocks, and gurgling springs; eight temples Distributed in the arms of three mountains, it is an excellent place to be pampered. In order to show that he came here for "rehabilitation" and leisure, Duan Qirui's civil and military assistant did not bring any one, but only led Laishun, Yi Jingxi, Zhang Guoying, Liu Youbi and other chess players up the mountain.Laishun, an old country man, has been playing chess with Duan Qirui. He is Duan's old opponent. Because of his mediocre chess skills, he has not been at the table for several years. The players who play chess with Duan are masters such as Yi Jingxi.However, that country old man is very good at serving. Every time the game starts, the chessboard, chess pieces, tables, and chairs are arranged very neatly, which is very satisfactory to Duan. Therefore, he is still Duan's close chess friend.Duan Qirui's chess players are all paid by the Ministry of the Army, ranging from three to forty yuan a month to hundreds of yuan a month.In addition to chess friends, he also brought two poet friends Cao Xiangheng and Liang Hongzhi.Because I was in a bad mood, I stopped writing poems. I just wanted to write a poem to avoid Yuan Shikai's eyes and ears.

Duan Qirui gets up early every day and takes a walk on the hillside; after breakfast, he plays chess with his chess friends.It seems to be quiet, but in fact, he is still thinking about everything that happened in Beijing—— Xu Shuzheng's deputy chief was dismissed, and Duan Qirui didn't eat or play chess all day. "Yuan Xiangcheng is serious. He killed the chicken to show the monkey. Well, I want to see how you move in the next move?" When Duan Qirui lived in seclusion in Xishan, an uninvited guest came to the door and said, "I must see President Duan." Duan Qirui greeted this person outside the door of a small living room, but he saw that he was a middle-aged man in casual clothes; after careful inspection, he recognized him.Go up and say welcome. "Deputy Chief Chen is on military affairs, why did he come to Xishan at this time?"

"There is an urgent task to report to the chief." Chen Huan followed Duan Qirui into the living room and said. "People in the field, there are no urgent tasks, not even delays." Duan Qirui shook his head, ordering someone to offer tea, while thinking—— Chen Huan was the deputy chief of the staff department. Since Li Yuanhong, the chief of staff, was not in office, Chen Huan was in charge of all ministry affairs.This person must be considered close to Yuan Shikai.Today I came to Xishan to meet Duan, but Duan couldn't tell why he came.So, he received him with caution.

After sitting down, Chen Huan said straight to the point: "I'm going on an expedition, and I'm here to say goodbye to the chief." "Where are we going?" Duan Qirui asked. "Go to Sichuan." Chen Huan said: "The President gave me three brigades of troops and asked me to go to the Sichuan Military Affairs Council." "Good thing, I wish you a promotion!" "Chief, I'm here to say goodbye. I'm in a hurry, so I won't turn around and talk. We are all people who are called the president's close friends. I know that the president's monarchy is very firm. It is useless for me to stop it. This time I entered Sichuan. , I seem to be on a special mission..." Chen Huan looked at Duan Qirui, Duan Qirui was only thinking, not speaking.Chen also said: "Yesterday I went to have an audience with the President, but the President confessed to a trivial matter."

"What's the matter?" Duan Qirui asked. "The president said: 'Sichuan has been known as the Land of Abundance since ancient times, and the former site of the palace of the vassal kings in the Ming Dynasty still exists. You can go here and renovate it well.' He also said, 'Maybe Yuntai (Yuan Keding's name Yuntai) will go to Chengdu in the future. You Go talk to Yuntai, treat them as your own brothers, maybe I will ask you to take on greater responsibilities in the future.’ I can’t figure out what greater responsibilities are? I’m here to discuss with the chief.”

Duan Qirui understood that this was a step in Yuan Shikai's imperial system.Ever since he planned to realize the monarchy, he has often worried about the Southwest, fearing that some people in the Southwest will not support him and will firmly oppose him.Chen Huan was sent to guard the door for him.So he asked in a tentative tone: "General Chen, what do you think about this matter?" Chen Huan did not answer directly, but raised another matter. "I went to see Yuan Keding. His eyes were on his forehead, and he looked down on me at all. Later, an old man came to pass a message, saying, "The president sent a message to ask the uncle to exchange notes with Mr. Chen to make a sworn brother." At this time, Yuan Keding changed his mind. Rong called out, "Second brother. "

Duan Qirui smiled.I thought: "Yuan Shikai will use this method to win people over. He also knows in his heart that Yuan Keding is a man, he is not a thing! What Duan Qirui remembers most clearly is that after Yuan Shikai became the president, he restored the Qing Dynasty in the court. Duan Qirui is most opposed to this kind of etiquette. He doesn't want to kneel and worship at the presidential palace. Feng Guozhang persuaded him for a long time, and it was just in time for the Spring Festival, so he walked over. Seeing him kneeling, Yuan Shikai said hypocritically "Don't dare to do it, don't dare to do it! Please, please, please!" Duan Qirui had no choice but to go to see Yuan Keding, and when he saluted Yuan Keding, the guy only waved his hand. Duan Qirui's nose was crooked at that time. Thinking of it now This incident made me angry from the bottom of my heart. Duan Qirui asked Chen Huan: "Since you are already sworn brothers, do you have to do your best for him?"

Chen Huan thought for a while, and said: "Chief, the outside world knows that you don't support the imperial system. The current situation may have something to do with it. Sure enough, when that day comes, I will be on the side of the chief.", "You...?" Duan Qirui was surprised. du8.com copyright "I can also tell the chief that there is another person who supports you." "Who?" "Cai Songpo." "Cai E?!" "It's him." Chen Huan said: "The Chinese people have suffered too much from the imperial system, and all people of insight hate it. We can't go back to the past."

Duan Qirui was shocked, he has a comrade.He personally held up the teacup and said to Chen Huan: "What the general sees, Zhiquan agrees with it very much. This time when I entered Sichuan, according to Zhiquan's opinion, if it is a country, the general can do his best; if it is an imperial system, he should think twice. You must not fall into the ranks of sinners through the ages! Please transfer General Songpo on your behalf, someone in my section respects him." Chen Huan left, and Duan Qirui was restless in Xishan.He felt that although Xishan was quiet, it was not a place to live for a long time after all.Duan Qirui was not reconciled to his defeat. He believed that he was right, and he would still dominate in China.

He decided to return to Fuxue Hutong. The Duan's mansion in Beijing's Fuxue Hutong was still full of feasting and feasting. Although there were fewer officials who came to thank and ask questions, the group of family members, servants, carriages and horses were still very lively.When Duan Qirui came back, the originally relaxed atmosphere in the mansion became stiff and tense. The regular visitors to Duan's mansion, besides Xu Shuzheng who went to Shanghai for a leisurely stay after being dismissed as the Deputy Minister of the Army, were Jin Yunpeng, Qu Tongfeng and Fu Liangzuo. These three people were always by Duan's side, hiding in the secret room, No one knew what they talked about—Xu, Jin, Qu, and Fu were called the "Four King Kongs" around Duan Qirui by people at that time, and they were all old men of the Beiyang School.Although Jin Yunpeng was officially appointed as the governor of Shandong, he still came to Beijing every now and then, and went to the Duan mansion if he had nothing to do.

On this day, when Duan Qirui was talking with Jin Yunpeng about Shu Chang, someone suddenly reported: "The president sent someone to bring ginseng soup to the chief!" Both of them were shocked. Duan Qirui looked at Jin Yunpeng, doubting He said thoughtfully: "I just came back from Xishan, how did the President know?" Jin Yunpeng smiled. Duan Qirui sneered and said, "Thank you, the President, for not forgetting us." He turned to the visitor and said, "Please meet the person sent by the President in the living room." The person who came was a servant in charge of the internal affairs of the Presidential Palace. He brought a small suitcase used in the Imperial Dining Hall and came to Duan Qirui, put down the suitcase, bowed deeply, and said: "The President misses the chief For the body, I asked my little kitchen to make a ginseng soup for the chief, and ordered the villain to send it, and asked the chief to replenish his body." "Thank you, President, for your concern." Duan Qirui said: "President is busy with everything, and he is still thinking about a patient who is free. Please report to President: Qi Rui, thank you very much. I will go to the President's Palace when I feel better someday." Thanks." "The villain knows." The man withdrew, and then said: "The president also told the villain that from now on, the villain will deliver chicken soup and ginseng soup every day." "The great president is so loving, Qi Rui dare not be." He said to the visitor: "I also want to thank you. Thank you for sending soup." The soup delivery man withdrew.Duan Qirui opened the carrying case, and saw a golden porcelain jar in the carrying case, opened the lid, and saw a stream of hot air coming out, milky white soup, sending a tangy fragrance.He really wanted to pick it up and drink it up greedily! However, he only moved the soup can out of the carrying case, put it on the table, covered it casually, and turned his back.lost in thought— "Yuan Shikai is different from others after all. He hasn't forgotten me. I don't want to do things. I pretend to be sick and ask for leave. He gives sick leave, medicine, and silver. I just returned, and he sent someone to bring supplements. The relationship between father and son and mother and daughter has changed. What can I do? Yuan Shikai treated me well! Thinking of this, he looked at the soup pot again, and felt that the smell and color were full of affection and care!" You did something stupid, Yuan Shikai became the president and raised you high enough, you have to be satisfied.After drinking this pot of soup, you have to go to the Ministry to do business! You are still the Chief of the War Department, and it is shameful not to do business. "Duan Qirui picked up the soup pot and raised his face... However, Duan Qirui lowered his raised head again, and slowly put the soup pot to his lips on the table.He suddenly frowned——Duan Qirui became suspicious: "Yuan Shikai should know about my illness. Could it be that I can't even afford a bowl of chicken broth and ginseng soup here, so he insists on making a maddened meal from the presidential palace?" Send it over here!?" At this moment, Duan Qirui suddenly remembered the death of Zhao Bingjun: "A dignified prime minister died for no reason. Isn't this person more loyal to the president than me, Duan?" At that time, Duan Qirui heard rumors that Zhao Bingjun died after Yuan Shikai bestowed chicken juice soup and ginseng soup.Zhao Bingjun had done a lot for Yuan Shikai. He was the one who assassinated Song Jiaoren, and instead of giving the promised reward, he killed him instead. Zhao Bingjun just said something heartbreaking, and even lost the Prime Minister and his life.Duan Qirui's heart skipped a beat when he thought of this person. "I will not be Zhao Bingjun's second. Zhao Bingjun has made contributions to his murder. I did not support him as emperor, and I am not willing to hand over all the military power to him. I also clearly refused to let his son be the head of the model regiment. I am right He has committed a crime, Yuan Shikai bears the grudge! The fact that he himself and the model leader is aimed at me." Thinking of this, he really felt that Yuan Shikai was a tiger, a tiger with a big mouth open and blue-faced fangs. And the pot of soup in front of him contains poison, it is extremely poisonous, if he swallows it, he will die immediately!" Duan Qirui's hands trembled, and clouds appeared in front of him. du8.com copyright "Come on!" he yelled. A squire came by. "Adults, villains are here." Duan Qirui pointed to the steaming soup can in front of him and said, "Take it." Yes. The attendant held the box in his hand, but looked at the soup pot in confusion. Duan Qirui waved his hand and said, "Take it down, pour it out!" The attendant took out the soup and poured it out.After that, Yuan Shikai also sent people to deliver soup many times.Duan Qirui never touches his lips, and pours them all out.Yuan Shikai probably found that Duan Qirui was still living comfortably and was healthy, and soon he stopped sending him "replenishing" soup. The relationship between the Duan Mansion and the Presidential Palace is obviously far away, and even his wife Zhang Peiheng seldom goes to her "natal home".I heard that in the old days, people came and went all day long;Now, the phone calls have also stopped, and Mrs. Zhang seldom calls the presidential palace anymore. No matter how great changes have taken place in the world, Yuan Shikai's determination to become emperor is firm. After the "Three Heroes of Beiyang" were "arranged", the middle school was able to compete with him effectively There were not many people there, and a group of stalking guys followed suit, so on August 14, 1915, China launched an organization "to raise the security of the country"—the Preparatory Committee, which was in full swing to prepare for Yuan Shikai's ascension ceremony. .This was done by Yang Du, Sun Minyun, Yan Fu, Liu Shipei, Li Xiehe, and Hu Ying, who also called themselves the "Six Gentlemen of Chiu'an". When Yang Du waited for "Chou'an", the tigers and dogs of the "Three Heroes of Beiyang" also had their own calculations: Duan Qirui, a native of Hefei, Anhui, was organizing his own Anhui faction no matter whether he was in Xishan or in Fuxue Hutong Once the time is right, he will do his own thing; Feng Guozhang, a native of Zhili Hejian, is also actively organizing his own direct forces no matter in Hebei or Jiangsu, and one day he will do his own thing; Zhang Zuolin is also organizing a force - the Feng Faction, and it has gradually become popular.The "safety of a country" situation that Yang Du and others prepared for Yuan Shikai actually fell apart a long time ago, and there is no sense of security. On August 14, as soon as the joint declaration of the "Six Gentlemen of Chou'an" was sent out on the airwaves, a Chou'an Association was established in Shifuma Street, Beijing. Indicates membership. Yuan Shikai was looking forward to a proposal from the "Preparation Committee", and if the whole country responded, he would be able to ascend to the Golden Palace.Unexpectedly, things were in trouble. Cai E first telegraphed to declare independence, and said that Yuan Shikai was "a disaster for China, and the head of state conspired against him." "Under the banner, he organized the First Army of the Republic of China to protect the country with himself as the commander-in-chief, and launched a huge anti-Yuan protect the country movement.Yuan Shikai couldn't sit still anymore, he had to get up and conquer... At this moment, Zeng Yujun, Yuan Shikai's senior adviser, came to Duan's mansion in Fuxue Hutong.As soon as I saw Duan in the living room, I said, "Old Zhi (Zeng Yujun is also Duan's aide, we have known each other very early and have known each other for a long time), you left the Army Department to recuperate, and everyone is thinking about you. You have been sick all this time. Are you all right?" Duan Qirui smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, your body is still the same." "Does Xiangcheng miss you?" Zeng Yujun spoke on behalf of Yuan Shikai in a personal way, neither the emperor, the president, nor the adults, but only "Xiangcheng". "Old Zhi, you should be aware of the current situation in middle school, it's very bad!" "Zhiquan only cares about recuperating, and has no time for others." Duan Qirui said indifferently. "Don't Mr. Zhi want to come out to be a director?" Zeng Yujun said: "It's time, Xishan can't stay for long!" "The old illness is not cured, so it is difficult to dispatch." "Old Zhi," Zeng Yujun became emotional, and even his voice trembled a little. "The situation is so chaotic now that Xiang Chengye is already looking forward to seeing you through. He asked me to tell you, please don't just sit back and watch his white-haired man be bullied!" Zeng Yujun sighed and almost shed tears. Duan Qirui is familiar with Yuan Shikai's tricks.In the past, he had helped him do such a thing, deceived many people, and received the expected results.Today, it was used to treat him, and he couldn't help but sneer.Duan Qirui is not only clear in his heart, but the news is also good. He also got reliable news yesterday that Yuan Keding, who calls himself the "Crown Prince", spoke ill of Duan Qirui in front of Lao Tzu, and even wanted to get rid of him as a thorn in his side. To show his attitude, the son dared not do it yet.Suddenly one day I nodded, and he, Duan Qirui, was destined to die! "The situation is tight today, there is an incident in Yunnan, he misses me, and wants to use me." Duan Qirui shook his head helplessly at Zeng Yujun, Said: "I understand his situation, but I can't help him. If he can understand me, he cares about my body; if he can't understand me, I have to wait to be criticized by all parties." du8.com copyright When Zeng Yujun saw that Duan Qirui was determined not to turn his head, his heart trembled coldly, he frowned, sighed, and took out an old envelope from his underwear pocket.While handing it to Duan Qirui, he said: "Mr. Zhi, Xiang Cheng has always treated you with sincerity, and there are some small things that don't go well, but they are really forgivable. Don't let him think about it." .In this case, Xiang Cheng also sincerely entrusted me. He asked me to forward a letter to you. After you read it, everything will be relieved." Duan Qirui took the letter and saw that it was written by Feng Guozhang to Yuan Shikai. He quickly folded it and returned it, saying: "This letter is not for me, you made a mistake." "That's right." Zeng Yujun said, "It is precisely because it is Feng Huafu's letter that Xiang Cheng frankly handed it over to you to express his heart." Duan Qirui was startled, hurriedly obtained the letter again, and read it carefully. ——It has been explained in the previous article that among the Beiyang families, the forces have been divided as early as, and Wanduan, Zhifeng, and Fengzhang have their own hills.Among the three families, only the Anhui and Zhi families are successful.At first, Yuan Shikai believed in and relied on Feng Guozhang, his direct lineman, and felt that he was stronger; later, Duan Qirui made great contributions to Yuan, and Feng fell out of favor.From falling out of favor to jealousy, from jealousy to provocation.Therefore, not long after Yuan Shikai became president, Feng Guozhang wrote a secret letter, saying all the bad things about Duan Qirui, and submitted it to Yuan Shikai.In order to give himself a step back, he only stated at the end of the letter that Duan Qirui was instigated by Xu Shuzheng, so he did many bad things, which made Yuan tend to restrain Duan.When Yuan Shikai received this letter, it was like a treasure. On the one hand, it strengthened his determination to organize a model regiment and build an army and navy general command office. On the other hand, he restricted Duan Qirui's power and removed Xu Shuzheng from the post of deputy chief.The matter has come to this day, there is an incident in Yunnan, and even the soldiers sent to conquer can't be selected, so I think of Duan Qirui again.However, with Duan Qirui "will" to such a point.He knew that it would not be easy for Duan Qirui to belong to him again.Yuan Shikai thought again and again, so he had to sell his "dog" (Feng was called the dog among the "Three Heroes of Beiyang") to win over his "tiger".Therefore, Yuan Shikai's letter from Feng Guozhang was sent to Duan Qirui with one stroke of Zeng Yujun's hand. Duan Qirui frowned even more after reading the letter, but he didn't know what to say.Zeng Yujun was clever, and hurriedly said: "Xiang Cheng also asked me to tell you that he has already decided to re-appoint Xu Shuzheng and let him return to the board of directors. Everything is still up to you." Duan Qirui was in a panic: Yuan Shikai beat and dragged like this, it's too chilling.However, he thought again that it would be better to regain power than to live idle in Xishan; especially when Xu Shuzheng was used, he felt a little relaxed.However, he would not do it immediately if he had to express a yes or no attitude to Zeng Yujun, for he was afraid of being fooled by Yuan Shikai again.He only said vaguely: "Who can not worry about the situation of the country. Of course, it is the luck of the people of the country that the old man can come to his senses. As for me personally, it is really insignificant. Let me think about what I talked about today. Go to see the President.” ——What is going to see the President, but to consult with the “Military Advisor” first. Seeing that Duan Qirui had wavered, Zeng Yujun also felt that things were turning around, so he left and returned to his job.