Chapter 8 Chapter 8 I think we will wait and see for a few more days

du8.com copyright In Xuzhou City in the middle of winter, one snowfall has not disappeared, and another heavy snowfall has fallen.The temperature is always below zero, and the wind blowing from the northwest along the ancient Yellow River, like countless needles wrapped in needles pricking someone's face, it hurts like a scorching fire.Zhang Xun, who grew up in the lower reaches of the Ganjiang River, could not bear the cold and dared not leave the house for many days.This place in Xuzhou is also very strange. Although it belongs to the frigid zone of the Yellow River Basin, people in both urban and rural areas have never had the habit of burning kang. When it is cold, country people burn a pile of rotten firewood in their houses, and city people burn an extra coal. Stove, just shut the doors and windows tightly.Here, the house was full of smoky smoke and the air was so thin that Zhang Xun felt suffocated and unbearable.Therefore, for the past few days, he has always walked around the room in a restless manner, with his brows furrowed and his face full of sorrow, and he doesn't say a word to anyone.

One night, the newly installed electric light went out, and a thatched hut in the yamen was burned.Flames scattered and crackled.The soldiers on guard at night didn't know where the fire came from, so they shouted and shouted: "No, there's a fire! The fire is coming!" Due to the anxiety for many days, Zhang Xun was in a trance.In the middle of the night, I heard people shouting, and mistakenly thought that the Revolutionary Party had invaded, so I quickly got up, dragged Xinna's concubine Wang Keqin and ran outside.Hurriedly, he got into the Kuaizai Pavilion, still panting heavily—after a moment of composure, he realized that he and Wang Keqin were both wearing thin pajamas, with bare feet, and even their hair was disheveled.

Kuaizai Pavilion is an elegant and leisurely place in Xuzhou.It was originally the "Yangchun Pavilion" of Xue Neng, the governor of Xuzhou in the Tang Dynasty, which was abandoned early.In the Song Dynasty, Li Bangchi rebuilt Xuzhou, and Su Shi was a good friend of Li. When he knew Xuzhou, he inscribed the forehead of "Kuaizai Pavilion" and wrote a couplet: qShaanzai Kuaizai, it is indeed Kuaizai! It became a good place for people to do morning exercises. Zhang Xun brought it The concubine threw herself into the Kuaizai Pavilion at night, and some people suspected that she was a mediocre person. The crowd shouted and beat them, making noise for half a day. When the sun rose in the east, it was known that Marshal Braid had taken refuge here. Therefore, people widely circulated: "Zhang Xun killed Zhou Xiangjun, Zhou Xiangjun became the land god, and he came here to set fire to him. "For a while, the city was full of wind and rain.

What made Zhang Xun particularly disturbing was the news from Beijing that Yuan Shikai had really ascended the throne and proclaimed himself emperor—— Beijing. Jurentang in Zhongnanhai was originally an unremarkable place. At its most glorious, it was just a banquet hall for concubines and a casino for eunuchs. In the last few days of 1915, Ju Ren Tang was extremely romantic: in the middle of the hall, there was a dragon table and a dragon seat, but there were no guards of honor on both sides, only a few guards who were close to Yuan Shikai on weekdays.In the hall, civil and military officials who wanted to compete for power in front of the new emperor came early and gathered together.Some of them are dressed in court dress and gauze caps, some are dressed in robes and jackets, some are well-armed, some are in suits and leather shoes, and some are casually dressed and bald.They are going to hold an "unrivaled grand ceremony" here-to enthroned Yuan Shikai as emperor.

After nine o'clock in the morning, Yuan Shikai came to the hall. Yuan Shikai did not wear a dragon robe and a crown as usual for emperors of all dynasties, but wore a marshal uniform, but with a bare head—Yuan Shikai had a marshal hat, which was a very elegant and stylish hat: the top was decorated with Stacked feathers are much taller than the earliest Hualing Dingzi.It's just that, according to his close friends, the color of this hat is wrong, and the green color is heavier, so he doesn't wear it. Yuan Shikai stood firmly in the hall, his eyes were dull, he had no expression on anyone, just stood there like a wooden sculpture.

Duan Zhigui, the "Emperor's righteous son", served as the official of the grand ceremony.He walked towards the middle of the hall, stood upright, glanced at the crowd, and then declared loudly: "The emperor has ordered that the ceremony should be kept simple, just bow three times, and everything will be avoided." I don't know whether it was because people were flustered or the official's "announcement" was vague, but the hall suddenly became chaotic. Some people kneeled three times and kowtowed nine times. Put your hands together; the person in the suit hits the head of the person in the court dress, and the person in the mandarin jacket steps on the feet of the person in the casual clothes; Dignity, screamed "Ouch, Ouch--".Although Yuan Shikai had the determination and preparation to be an emperor, he lacked the practice of being an emperor.When he was pushed onto the dragon seat in front of the dragon case, he felt very unnatural.He has a short figure, straight and not straight, bent and not bent, his eyes are a little vacillating, his face looks very nervous, and his whole body shakes from time to time.Usually, Yuan Shikai has one thing that never leaves his body-a cane, made of rattan, with an iron head, which he uses for decoration, sometimes for self-defense, or for signs (people hear " (Bang, bang, bang) you know that Yuan Shikai has arrived).Today, the cane disappeared. I wonder if he forgot it in his busy schedule or he was afraid of losing the dignity of the emperor?

Yuan Shikai was anxious for a long time, forced himself to look around the crowd, and suddenly felt that something was missing.What was missing? He thought about it, and understood: "Why didn't they shout long live?" When he took the oath as the interim president, some people shouted "Long live!" Taking the oath. He hurriedly took out the imperial edict drafted by the old copywriter Ruan Zhongshu from his pocket, which was first called "Decree to the World" and later changed to "Command Order to the World". He straightened his chest, cleared his throat, and read aloud:

The constitutional monarchy is the unanimous request of the people...to inherit the throne and change the Yuan Hongxian! After the "communication" was over, the people standing in the hall panicked for a moment: "Should I shout long live for such a nondescript circular, or should I applaud it?" . Yuan Shikai's emperor was not out of place because of etiquette.It's done, it's done.Zhang Xun did not go to Ju Ren Tang in Zhongnanhai, Beijing.However, he knew about this "farce" in Ju Ren Tang that night.Know in detail.He just slumped on the chair listlessly, sighed for a long time, but didn't say a word——

Yuan Shikai wanted to be emperor, but Zhang Xun strongly disapproved.For example, think that he is "not a dragon species".There is an authentic dragon species there, whoever becomes the emperor is a rebel.However, Yuan Shikai has really become the emperor now, has sworn an oath, changed his Yuan, and ascended the throne.But Zhang Xun hesitated again: "Yuan Shikai is an influential figure in China after all. Even Lafayette and the emperor depended on him a lot and entrusted him with great responsibility; besides, the emperor is young and does not care about political affairs. Let Mr. Yuan..." Zhang Xun was not a mediocre minister of the Qing Dynasty. Although he had something to admire about Yuan Shikai, he could not accept Yuan Shikai to usurp the throne. "You, Yuan Shikai, can be the regent. Are you not in charge of the big government? Why do you have to be the emperor yourself? Keep an emperor, and you will be the prime minister of the responsible cabinet. If one person is less than ten thousand, you will respond to everyone! "

The question now is: Yuan Shikai became emperor, does Zhang Xun support him or oppose him? He couldn't make up his mind for a while. Late at night.A northwest wind blew.The wind rolled the snow particles, and the snow particles sprinkled on the ground and on the roof, making a "rustling" sound. The winter night in Xuzhou City is very quiet; I don’t know whether it is the snow pressure or the terror of the braided army, even the old cake seller who is so rotten that he can hardly walk and only goes on the market late at night is weak. The cries of selling also disappeared.Zhang Xun pushed the door and walked out, stood in the courtyard, looked up at the sky, the sky was clear.The sky looked extraordinarily blue, the stars looked very bright, but the air was so cold that one dared not stretch one's neck.When he was a child, he heard scholars say that military strategists often judge good or bad luck based on astronomical phenomena; politicians judge success or failure based on astronomical phenomena.He wanted to look at the sky and see if he could figure out something from the strangeness of the sky.He looked up at the sky for a long time, and felt that the stars were the same as in the past, scattered all over the sky, and the sky had no edge. What is good and what is bad? He doesn't understand.He doesn't even know any constellations, so what can he understand? He still thinks it will be like a violent storm on the ground: coming, vigorous, going, still vigorous.He sighed disappointedly, "What changes in the sky?" He shook his head and turned back to the house.Suddenly he came out again.He remembered that people say that the emperor is a king and a landlord, and he has a seat in the sky.When a new emperor appears, a particularly bright star will appear in the sky. "Maybe Yuan Shikai is the real Dragon Emperor, and there will be a bright star in the sky." He raised his head and looked at the sky again—but, there are so many stars in the sky, big and small, bright and dark, which one is the original? Some bright stars, which one is the new bright star? He couldn't tell the difference.He has no ability to discern.He had to go back to the house.

Wan Shengji rushed in.As soon as he entered the door, he said anxiously: "Marshal, Marshal, do you know what happened in Beijing? It was too unexpected." Zhang Xun asked him to sit down and handed him a cup of tea. "Got it, I'm looking for you." Wan Shengji was recently changed from the chief of staff to the secretary-general. Zhang Xun intends to make his Dingwu army "cultural" and change the notoriety of the Nanjing robbery. He felt that Wansheng tax was a bit educated, resourceful, and strategic, so he wouldn't be able to do nothing about it.Wan Shengzhang also wanted to change the door, so as to make a not ugly image.Therefore, I took the initiative to offer some "ideas" to Zhang Xun.Wan Shengzhang sat down and said, "Xiang Cheng has finally shown his true colors. I don't think we need to..." Wan Shengzhang felt that he knew Zhang Xun very well, and knew that his mind was full of "restoration".As soon as it was said that Yuan Shikai became emperor, he would be furious and attack immediately.However, when he explained his words and took a peek at Zhang Xun's expression, Zhang Xun looked calm.Wan Shengzhang's heart sank: "Did the commander change his mind?" Wan Shengzhang is very familiar with the officialdom. Some people swear on "there" occasions, but they will make a 180-degree turn on "this" occasions; today is Jinlan Brothers, tomorrow Vow not to stand on both sides.Now that Yuan Shikai has become emperor, will Zhang Xun rely on him as a big pillar? Wan Shengzhang retracted the words from his lips, and he watched Zhang Xun's face, waiting for him to speak. Zhang Xun smiled lightly and said: "Xiangcheng's actions are definitely unpopular. The revolutionary party in the south will not agree to it first, and they will go north again under excuses; the provincial capitals in the southwest will add fuel to the flames, and they will become independent soon, and they may have to launch A large-scale anti-Yuan movement. In this way, South China will be lost. Those who support him in Beijing will not give up. He will kill himself." Zhang Xun talked for a long time, but he didn't talk about himself.Wan Shengshui understood: Zhang Xun was trying to preserve his power.Fishermen profit by looking for opportunities! "Commander," the secretary-general said, "No matter how the situation changes in the future, Xuzhou will bear the brunt of it. We should have a countermeasure so as not to be passive." Zhang Xun nodded and said, "That's what I want to find you. Please use your brain more, and look farther away, and observe other activities." "You are talking about..." Wan Shengshi Didn't understand who the "other" was referring to? Zhang Xun said: "For example, Hefei in the north (Duan Qirui is from Hefei, so he is called Hefei), Cao Laosan (Cao Kun is the third child, so he is called the third child), and Feng Huafu (Feng Guozhang, named Huafu) in the south. What do you think? Let’s discuss it later.” Wan Shengji didn't say much anymore, he came in a hurry, and left in a hurry. After the secretary-general left, Zhang Xun fell into anxiety: "What should I do? What should I do in this situation?" When Yuan Shikai ascended the throne in Beijing and proclaimed himself emperor, Fengxin, Jiangxi was hit by a flood that had not happened in a century. Hundreds of miles of barren land were devoured, more than half of the houses collapsed, and many people were homeless.When the news reached Xuzhou, Zhang Xun suddenly felt a little sad.He immediately sent an urgent telegram to his cousin Zhang Zhishan, "come to Xuzhou quickly".The cousin thought that he had "discovered" in Xuzhou, so he came to him non-stop. "My hometown was flooded?" Zhang Xun asked. "Flooded." Zhang Zhishan replied. "Why don't you send someone to talk about it?" "This..." Zhang Zhishan couldn't answer. ——Zhang Zhishan is the agent of the family entrusted by Zhang Xun, and he is responsible for doing charity and public welfare affairs in his hometown; Zhang Xun bought a large piece of land in his hometown, and built a manor ten kilometers south of the county seat, with a total of 1,000 Zhang Zhishan is in charge of all the five hundred acres of land.The rivers, ports, bridges, and road repairs and new constructions in my hometown are all paid from the income of the manor.When she was unable to make ends meet, Zhang Zhishan reported to Tianjin, and his wife Cao Qin would remit money at any time to solve the problem.Zhang Xun is willing to contribute money and try his best to do some public welfare work in the local area, so Zhang Zhishan is not willing to do it.In addition to the praise of the 13 monuments, the villagers also built a "Baode Temple" for him in the south of Fengxin City to express their gratitude to Zhang Xun.Fengxin Dashui, Zhang Zhishan did not report in time, firstly, there was still some income from the manor, which could be used for entertainment; secondly, Zhang Zhishan knew that Zhang Xun was in a bad mood recently, and the situation in Xuzhou was not stable, so she was afraid of worrying him.Now that Zhang Xun explained his words, Zhang Zhishan said: "Second brother, your affairs are not chaotic enough. There is a chaotic party in Xuzhou, and President Yuan has become emperor again. I heard that you still want to go back to Beijing... The family can't help you." You are distracted, I am already uneasy, how dare I report the flood to you again." Zhang Xun listened, and felt that this cousin was quite good at handling affairs and caring, and he was very satisfied.But he still said: "No matter how many major issues there are, what should be done? If the villagers are in disaster, they should be taken care of." He also said: "The crops are not harvested, and the farmers are helpless. What do you do?" "I have already opened the warehouse from the manor to put some grain "how did you put it?" "Everyone who comes has a share, ten days at a time." "Inappropriate." Zhang Xun said: "Why did you forget that some peasants are tough guys, and if they don't come to the door, they will starve to death at Yingfeng Station! They won't give him rations if they don't come to the door? Why are they only given for ten days? Isn't it better to harvest wheat next year!" "There is not so much food at the moment." That's your fault. Zhang Xun glanced at his cousin and said, "Why didn't you tell me about the lack of food? Why didn't you ask Tianjin for it?" This... Zhang Zhishan hesitated.He didn't do enough about this, so he just nodded and admitted his mistake. Go to Nanjing as soon as possible.I will ask Vice President Feng Guozhang to send you a car to Jiangxi.As I said, the rations are enough. "Okay, I'll go right away." " And Zhang Xun thought for a while, and said: "The crops are in short supply. Not only is there no rations, but there are no rice seeds. How can I farm without seeds? You must buy some good seeds in Jiangsu. Both Wuxi and Suzhou produce Where there is good rice, buy more seeds there. The seeds can be divided according to the number of acres of the field, as long as there is enough to plant. If you give less, it is not enough, and if you give too much, you can’t use it up. Can you remember?” “Yes, yes. Second brother Don't worry, I'll take care of it." Zhang Xun took out a silver ticket, and took some silver dollars to pay his cousin the travel expenses.Said: "Don't stop in Xuzhou, hurry to Jiangnan to buy grain. I'll write you another letter here, and you go to see Feng Guozhang after you arrive in Nanjing." Zhang Zhishan only stayed in Xuzhou for one night, then hurried to Nanjing.Zhang Xun sent his cousin away and let out a sigh of relief. On the third day of Yuan Shikai's ascension to the throne, there was already a vigorous anti-tide in China, especially in Yunnan and Guizhou, which gradually spread to the whole country.At this time, Yuan Shikai suddenly received a letter sent by Zhang Xun.He thought it was a "Xiaozhong" letter.When I disassembled it, it turned out that it was a "remonstration letter" that I dared not say! It was written impressively: First, indulge the eldest son and seek to restore the monarchy. How can secret telegrams put an end to chaos? The foundation of the country is shaken by this, and I can't bear it. Second, after the chaos in Jiangxi and Ningxia, the vitality was lost, there was no open and honest governance, the fledgling attempts to avoid treachery, the greed for honor, and the devotion to the country, could not bear the second. Three, the unrest in Yunnan, the brothers crossing the wall, the wife of the widow, the son of the lonely, the souls are reduced to ashes, the place is reduced to ashes, the country raises soldiers, but self-harm, I can't bear the three. Fourth, the title of Xuantong still exists, forgetting to be respectful, ashamed of Longyu, despised by the world, and punished by "Spring and Autumn", I can't bear it. This book is really hot enough! However, Yuan Shikai ignored Zhang Xun's accusation, and ordered the hero and old copywriter Ruan Zhongshu to make a special trip to Xuzhou with the title and gifts. As soon as Zhang Xun saw Ruan coming, he said to his face, "Dou Gong, what are you doing here?" Ruan Zhongshu smiled and said, "Come congratulate the commander in chief." "What am I happy about?" "The handsome Xinna Mingshu didn't even say hello, but fortunately I'm deaf. Now, why don't you come!" "I'm afraid you won't have that kind of leisure PE?" Zhang Xun said: "The big event in the capital is shocking, and you will come to Xuzhou to drink a glass of wedding wine with me in a hurry? Is it the PE who came to pass the decree?" Ruan Zhongshu then gave Zhang Xun the title of "first-class duke" granted by Yuan Shikai to Zhang Xun, and a set of porcelain with the year name "Hong Xian" specially made in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province, to Zhang Xun. He also said a lot about Zhang Xun for Yuan Shikai. , "comfort and" words, and then said: "Thanks to the deterrence of the commander in chief, the Yangtze River area is peaceful today." Zhang Xun knew that this lobbyist was going to "enter Hong Kong", so he also said straightforwardly: "The area around the Yangtze River was originally peaceful. However, there are revolutionaries outside and Yuan Xiangcheng proclaiming emperor inside. How can the Yangtze River be in chaos inside and outside?" Can it be peaceful?" "Xiang Cheng is also dedicated to governing the country and seeking the safety of the country and the people!" Ruan Zhongshu wanted to do his best as a lobbyist. "Don't mention the matter of Yuan Xiangcheng wanting the country to be peaceful and the people safe." Zhang Xun shook his head and said, "He is an important minister who is deeply favored by the Qing Dynasty. He was able to join the Revolutionary Party, support the republic, and force the old emperor to abdicate. This is already a big mistake; this time It is even more embarrassing to reintroduce the monarchy. The ready-made Emperor Xuantong is in the palace, why not invite him to come out and sit in the Dragon Court again? He actually became the emperor himself." Ruan Zhongshu said emphatically: "This is also public opinion, Xiang Cheng cannot resign. Besides, the commander-in-chief was once elected." "Why did I ever recommend him to be emperor?" Zhang Xun was anxious. "At the beginning, Xiangcheng sealed the telegram and asked me to remember my old feelings and support him in power; and people around me persuaded me many times, but I only sent a telegram to 'support' him in power. I did not express my support for him. Monarchy." Seeing that Ruan Zhongshu was a little surprised, he said, "I have submitted the 'Four Unbearables' to let Xiangcheng reflect on himself. I will not say anything else, and I will never accept his title; Please also ask Dou Gong to bring back the gift as a gift." Ruan Zhongshu still had tasks: Yunnan and Guizhou were in dire straits, and Yuan Shikai wanted to mobilize troops from Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and Hunan to march south, and Zhang Xun was of course among them.Therefore, the lobbyist still said: "Yungui changes, the commander-in-chief can't stand by and watch?" "They changed theirs. I will organize my army and protect my place. The rest is none of my business." "What should I do about Yungui?" "I only care about my Xuzhou," Zhang Xun said, "The matter of Yungui belongs to Xiangcheng, what should we do? Xiangcheng makes up his mind." When Ruan Zhongshu saw that Zhang Xun was getting more energetic, he knew that the matter was difficult, so he wanted to use "blackmail" to knock him down. "Commander, Xiang Cheng's original intention is not to have to transfer your army, he has come up with another strategy. I'm afraid that if that happens, it will not be good for the commander." "Let him go." Zhang Xun gave him an indifferent attitude. "Everyone sweeps the snow in front of each person's door." "Xiangcheng wants to set up a tour envoy on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. What's your opinion, Commander-in-Chief?" Zhang Xun was shocked.But he still pretended to be okay. "Dougong, if you feel that you have finished talking, I will not keep you. You go to report to Xiangcheng, the patrol envoy on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, he wants to set up, let him set up, I will not talk too much. , I also ask you to return to the Ming Dynasty, my soldiers have never obeyed the restraint of others, and if they are transferred to other places, they may find it difficult to obey." Only then did Ruan Zhongshu realize that it was really the end of the mountain, and after chatting for a while, he finally left. ——It is said that after Ruan Zhongshu returned to Beijing, Yuan Shikai finally organized an army of 100,000 people to send to Sichuan and Hunan.Just because the battle line is too long, the troops are scattered, and the army of Yun and Gui is brave, and it is useless to stop them, let alone wipe them out. After sending Ruan Zhongshu away, Zhang Xun was still in a state of confusion: After all, another emperor appeared in China.The dynasty has changed, the emperor has changed, the emperor and the courtiers, father and son brothers will fight to the death for power, let alone the same party.Zhang Xun can't help but think about his whereabouts Zhang Xun has 70 battalions of braided soldiers in the Xuhai area, about 20,000 people.Putting these soldiers in one place can be called a deterrent; comparing these soldiers with the armed forces of the whole country, they are just a drop in the bucket, and there will be no chaos.Obeying Yuan Shikai and changing the Dingwu Army to the Yulin Army, Zhang Xun is naturally the pillar of the country, and Yuan Shikai gave him a lot of rewards—a first-class public—.However, that was not Zhang Xun's volition. What Zhang Xun insisted on was the word "loyalty" to the Qing Dynasty, which was "one minister cannot protect two masters"! Sure enough, if he persisted, he would definitely become the enemy of Emperor Yuan, and Emperor Yuan really went down , Can he accommodate him? Can he promise to turn Xuzhou into an independent Zhang Kingdom, and let Zhang Xun sit down in Xuzhou in peace? Zhang Xun understands that it is a dream, and it is absolutely impossible. Zhang Xun retreated into the secret room. He didn't even care about Yan Er's newlyweds, so he had to think alone, and he had to come up with a decision, a clear plan to follow... "Should I proclaim the emperor with Yuan or against Yuan?" For several days, Zhang Xun asked himself repeatedly like a maniac, but he couldn't decide. The relationship between Zhang Xun and Yuan Shikai is too unusual. Since Yuan Dulian recruited Zhang Xun as the first-class vanguard officer in the new army, for more than 20 years, Zhang Xun has relied on Yuan's help in every step of his life: Shandong suppressed the Boxer Regiment, temperance co-organized various Blocked and built the embankment of the Yellow River, greeted the second palace Xixing to return to Luan, followed the entourage to pay respects to the Dongling Tomb, suppressed the northern horse bandits, went to receive the ground after the Japanese-Russian War, accompanied the Empress Zigong to Fengan and guarded the mausoleum, and later met The defense of the Yangtze River, quasi-specialist performances, etc., are almost all Yuan Shikai's efforts. "Without the power of Duke Yuan, how could I, Zhang, be here today!" He could not oppose Yuan, nor should he, dare not oppose Yuan! However, Zhang Xun was an official of the Qing Dynasty after all, only "the emperor's kindness is mighty", and even Yuan Shikai was granted the title of the emperor.Zhang Xun also felt that he should serve the court instead of Yuan Shikai.Now, Yuan Shikai rebelled against the imperial court, he is a rebel of the imperial court, Zhang Xun should oppose Yuan Shikai! ... In addition to being foolish and loyal, Zhang Xun really lacks foresight, decisiveness and courage in making decisions. He brought Zhang Wensheng in front of him, and he wanted to hear his opinion. "Today, let's close the door and have a heart-to-heart talk," Zhang Xun said. Zhang Wensheng saw Zhang Xun's sincerity, felt Zhang Xun's difficulties, and also realized that this difficulty was related to the fate of the Dingwu Army.As Zhang Xun's most capable general, Zhang Wensheng should express his opinion without hesitation—is he to support Yuan or oppose Yuan? However, Zhang Wensheng's thoughts at the moment were even more chaotic than Zhang Xun's. He only looked at Zhang Xun helplessly, sighed softly, then lowered his head helplessly, and became silent. Zhang Xun is the commander-in-chief of the Dingwu Army, and his official name is "Marshal Zhang"; Zhang Wensheng is the commander-in-chief of the Dingwu Army, leading the army.And Zhang Wensheng is the "Xuhai Guard Envoy" appointed by the imperial court, who is in charge of the administrative districts of 12 counties in the Xu (zhou) Hai (zhou) area, and he can be regarded as the military and political commander.All of these official positions were appointed by Yuan Shikai.Zhang Wensheng was very kind to Yuan Shikai.He is a warrior, he knows that the more soldiers he has, the better, and the bigger the officials, the better.Whoever satisfies him, he will follow and serve whomever he is loyal to.What kind of republic, what kind of monarchy? He couldn't even think about it carefully! "The fate of the country is the emperor's and the president's business. The soldiers of any system have the same task: to defend the territory!" Seeing that Zhang Wensheng kept quiet and kept silent, Zhang Xun became a little anxious. "Oh, you want to talk about your own opinion! Are you bored?" Zhang Wensheng raised his face, hesitating. "Marshal, what do you say?" "I want you to say it!" "Me?" "Ok." "Let me think about it." "What do you think? I won't convict you or kill you." "How about Xuzhou and Wujun?" "Oh, why are you so unhappy? Don't say it, don't say it, forget it, let's go." "Marshal, it's not that I don't say it, it's hard to say..." "It's not hard to say that I'm still looking for you!" "I see, let's wait and see for a few more days." Zhang Wensheng explained his point after all. "If all the provinces in the country follow Yun and Gui to make a fuss and become one, and the anti-Yuan forces are unstoppable, Xiangcheng can't deal with it, and he will abdicate. At that time, let's go again. If Yun and Gui can't become a climate, Emperor Hong Xian sat down. We did not openly oppose him, and we will not be punished if we are punished. At that time, we will have room to advance or retreat based on our military army. Besides, Xiangcheng has a different relationship with the general. You see Woolen cloth? Zhang Xun kept silent—what did he say? Zhang Wensheng's words revealed his inner thoughts, and when will he find a smoother route? "The cunning rabbit still has three caves", so I have to leave a way out for myself! Yuan Shikai was born in 1859 in the Chinese zodiac monkey.When the emperor must have no Hongxian, it was 1915, which was the year of the rabbit.Someone said, "Yuan Shikai should do a divination for himself in advance, and calculate whether his 'monkey' will be auspicious or inauspicious in the year of the 'rabbit'? No, once the emperor becomes an emperor, China will be in chaos, which is not auspicious. After Yuan Shikai ascended the throne, China was in great chaos: Yunnan and Guizhou were the first to rebel, and they denounced it outside, and sent transcripts to Beijing; then, from south to north, starting from Guangdong and Guangxi, Lianghu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Sichuan successively declared independence.A country that was intact was shattered in the blink of an eye.However, it is not true to say that Yuan Shikai forgot to "ask divination" before ascending the throne.Not only did he ask, but he also invited a well-known Bu family in the capital.This Bu family rested in Zhongnanhai for a few days, chose a good date, set up an incense table, rinsed his mouth and hands, knelt down and begged God, and unexpectedly came up with a seven-character quatrain: Advise you not to cherish the golden thread clothes, Advise you to cherish the time to take less! Blossoms can be folded straight to be folded, Don't wait for no flowers and broken branches The Bu family held both hands and said with a smile on their faces: "Congratulations to the great master, congratulations to the great master!" "What do I like? Yuan Shikai asked quietly. "This is not what Xiaomin can say clearly." The divination said: "Xiaomin just ask the old man to remember one sentence; if you want to do something, you must do it decisively, 'Don't wait for no flowers to break branches! After that, he got up and said goodbye. Yuan Shikai pondered for a long time in the room, and finally nodded his head and said to himself: "Yes, 'the flower blooms can be broken, and it must be broken'. It's time for me to be the emperor. If I don't, I will bear God." Now, the flowers are broken. The world is also in chaos, and Yuan Shikai is worried—— Yuan Shikai became the emperor, and the opposition from the people of the country has caused him to burn out; in his palace, a fire was also ignited, and his sons were fighting for succession, wives and concubines were fighting for titles, daughters were fighting for property, noisy, and there was no peace... ... Yuan Shikai had no choice but to invite his old friend Xu Shichang for advice. "Old friend, you are here!" Yuan Shikai said: "Brother Juren (Xu Shichang's word Juren), you and I are old friends in adversity. It is a testament to our kindness that you can come today. Now, only you can think of me There’s a way.” Then, he repeated the current situation. Xu Shichang disapproved of Yuan Shikai's becoming emperor.Therefore, he has long since hid in Tianjin for leisure.Yuan Shikai sent the eldest son to invite him here, he didn't want to make irresponsible remarks, but now seeing Yuan in such a mess, he felt sympathy.Then he said: "What the world has seen, it seems that we can put it aside for a while, but I would like to ask a question. Since the situation is so fierce, you have to have an opinion. Should we still maintain the imperial system or abolish it?" Yuan Shikai thought for a while and said, "As long as the world is peaceful, I have nothing to do." "If the president follows his fate, it doesn't seem difficult to put an end to the chaos. But one must be invited." "Who?" Yuan Shikai asked. "Duan Zhiquan." Xu Shichang said: "He is the leader of the Beiyang warriors. He has influence, even if he is suppressed, he can be suppressed." "You mean Duan Qirui?" Yuan Shikai shook his head. "I sent someone to look for him in Tianjin, but he won't give me an interview." ——Duan Qirui also did not advocate Yuan Shikai's proclaiming himself emperor, so he hid in Tianjin and did not go out.Xu Shichang said: "I know him well. He doesn't agree with the imperial system so he doesn't come forward to ask questions. If the imperial system is abolished, I think he will change." Yuan Shikai hurriedly said: "I have to ask my old friend to do it for me. I trouble my old friend to go back to Tianjin and say that I will leave it to him." After Xu Shichang left, Yuan Shikai sighed helplessly: "Come on, let's go, let's go, the monarchy is no longer popular, so I will abolish the monarchy." Yuan Shikai was willing to abolish the imperial system, and Duan Qirui was naturally willing to come out again.He followed Xu.Shichang came to Beijing.After some discussions and preparations, finally on March 22, 1916, an order to abolish the imperial system was issued, the Hongxian reign was abolished, and it was renamed the five years of the Republic of China. Yuan Shikai's dream of an eighty-three-day imperial system turned into a bubble after a flash in the pan. Yuan Shikai is no longer the emperor, but he still wants to keep the position of president.He appointed Xu Shichang as Secretary of State and Duan Qirui as Chief of Staff, with one article and one military, and the situation of governance disorder began.First of all, in the name of reconciling North-South relations, they first united with Vice President Li Yuanhong, and then sent sincere words to Cai E, Tang Jiyao, and Lu Rongting, announcing that "the imperial system will be abolished, and Wu Wanggong and others will fight first to make a better future." When the news of the abolition of the imperial system reached Xuzhou, Zhang Xun was indecisive. He didn't know whether to be happy or worried. He didn't know whether he should send a reply to Xu Shichang and Duan Qirui? What kind of telegram should he reply? He hurriedly called Zhang Wensheng and Wan Shengzhang to discuss a decision together. "Now that Yuan Xiangcheng has announced that he is not the emperor, Xu Juren and Duan Hefei have all been reactivated. They propose to fight against each other and deal with the aftermath. What should we do? Let's talk about it." Zhang Wensheng looked at Wan Shengzhi, but said nothing.Wan Shengxi looked at Zhang Wensheng, but did not speak.Zhang Xun looked at them and stopped talking. In fact, these three people all tacitly agreed: they did not approve of Yuan Shikai being the emperor; they also did not approve of Yuan Shikai not being the emperor.This army is headed by Zhang Xun. Zhang Xun and his troops don't cut their braids, which shows what they are going to do? Zhang Xun wants to restore the Qing emperor! "Can we take advantage of Yuan Xiangcheng's abdication and drive into Beijing?" Zhang Wensheng said tentatively. Zhang Xun puffed out his chest, as if he was about to issue an order to march.However, he turned his face to Wan Shengzhang—this was the highest-level meeting of the Dingwu Army.For a long time, this army has Zhang Xun as the core, Zhang and Wan as the deputy, and there is another person next to these two, which is Baibaoshan.He is the commander of the fourth route of the Dingwu Army, and he has just been appointed as the guardian envoy of Haizhou (known as the "King of Haizhou") and is guarding the east gate of Xuzhou - Haizhou.This commander had been Zhang Xun's guard and had been guarding Zhang Xun's private house in Beijing for many years. Zhang Xun took him out when he was in Nanjing when all the Jiang defense armies came to Nanjing.Treat Zhang Xun like a father and obey his words.Therefore, Zhang Xun only needs to discuss major issues with Zhang and Wan, and then he can make a decision, and he doesn't need to look for Baibaoshan anymore. Wan Shengzhang knew that Zhang Wensheng's words did not come from his heart, so he shook his head frankly. "I'm afraid it's too early." Zhang Xun blinked and nodded in agreement. "Yuan Xiangcheng just abdicated," said Wan Shengzhang, "his military and political arrogance has not been damaged. To go to Beijing, you have to defeat him, which is not easy. What's more, when he abdicated, he only said 'abolish the imperial system'. president." "Chinese people will not agree to him sitting in a high position again." Zhang Wensheng said. "That's something we should understand." Wan Shengzhang said, "What I mean is, let's wait and see for another period to see what changes happen." Zhang Xun had no choice but to sigh and said: "That's fine, so I don't make a mistake by acting in a hurry."... After Yuan Shikai became emperor, Zhang Xun didn't seem to know it in Xuzhou, or it seemed that he had nothing to do with him. du8.com copyright In late spring, the beautiful Yunlong Mountain in Xuzhou has already put on its green makeup.However, the number of tourists is still scarce——Xuzhou is impoverished due to the turmoil of soldiers and horses; people are anxious to make ends meet, and no one has the heart to travel to the mountains. One day, when the morning sun cast the first rays of golden light on the winding stone steps of the mountain path, two men in plain clothes in green clothes slowly climbed up from the east slope of Yunlong Mountain.They stopped at the "guild hall" on the mountainside, turned around, and looked down the mountain.Probably because the old course of the Yellow River and the huts and huts beside the old course were too desolate, the two of them only glanced at - IIlman, then looked away, turned and continued to climb. After circling, they finally came to a simple mountain gate on the edge of a cliff.The slender man stood down, looked up, saw the words "Xinghua Zen Temple" written on the moon gate, and said softly, "Here we are." Another older man who was quite lucky Looking up, they repeated "Here we are." Then, they stepped on the stone steps and leaned on the stone railings, walked into the double-eaves painted courtyard, and came to the majestic and majestic Daxiong Palace.Slimming Tiao bought two pillars of rosin, lit them on the candlestick in front of the hall, then walked into the hall with the slightly older man, put the incense into the burner, stood back and stood still, gave a deep bow, and then knelt on the futon... This is a strange hall. The bust of Sakyamuni is enshrined on the front. It is about twelve meters high, with big ears on the side, smiling with closed eyes, and sitting with hands clasped. It is kind and dignified. It is a unique style. Buddha Hall.On the cliffs on both sides of the stone Buddha, there are many small Buddhas of different shapes carved; on the back of the stone Buddha, there are peaks carved against the mountains.Waterfalls, caves, niches and mountains form the universe, the peaks are cut to form phases, the walls are steep, and the nature is interesting. Aluo and Tianlongnv are scattered among the rock sinuses.It is a unique hall.Due to the lack of incense recently, the inside and outside of the main hall was quiet and deserted, only an old monk with pale temples was sitting in meditation in front of the stone Buddha.When the two pilgrims came, the old monk only glanced out of the corners of his eyes, suddenly startled in his heart: "Ah—" and then closed his eyes again. After kneeling and worshiping, the two stood up, walked in front of the monk, put 20 silver dollars on the incense case, and wrote the words "Amituo Buddha" on a roll of yellow paper.Then, the thin man opened his mouth: "Just ask the elder, we want to ask for a lottery, is it okay?" The monk's eyes were still closed, and he replied softly: "The Buddhist gate is empty, and there is nothing to give." "We just want to ask for good or bad luck, and we have nothing to ask for." "Good and bad, good and evil, are self-made. Ask yourself and you will know best." The thin man is getting impatient. “既然都是自为，宝刹何必设签预呢?”和尚淡淡一笑。 “那只是为碌碌平民解忧指路，像二位……”“你怎么知道我们不是'碌碌平民，呢?” “先生果然要卜，贫僧自然不拦阻。只怕问不出如意的结果。”和尚说着，便将一个竹签筒拿过来，双手捧着，在面前轻轻地转动一下，放在案上，说：“先生，请。” 瘦个儿对年岁略长者视了一眼，又往后退了半步；年岁略长者伸出手，在签筒上先合了合十，然后虔诚的抽出一只，双手捧着，交给和尚。 和尚接过签，对二人打量一下，然后轻轻地揭开，连看也不看一眼，便交给年岁长的求签人。“请先生自己过目。” 那人接在手中，认真一瞧，原来是这样两句话： 下国卧龙空寝主，中原得鹿不因人。他心里一惊，“这两句话好像在什么地方看见过。”在什么地方?他 Can not remember.什么意思?他也记不清了。 “请长老给批解一下如何?” “先生能自解的，不必贫僧多嘴。”“我实不自解，请长老……” “到时候，先生自会明白。”说罢，和尚便闭目坐下，双手合十，再不说话。 徐州的云龙山兴化寺，是一座有悠久历史的寺院了，大殿内的坐佛头像为北魏石刻，唐玄宗开元年间已有关于该寺的文字记载。千多年来，废兴几度，香火总算延续不断，声誉也大振天下。如今的，主持僧叫妙悟，就是坐殿的那位白胡子，90多岁，是个饱经沧桑的僧人。他静坐大殿参禅时，忽见有二人进来，令他惊讶的是，来人不仅气宇颇不俗，尤为特殊的是脑后均拖了一条长长的辫子。他知道这是张勋定武军的人士。老僧想：“辫子军到我禅院来何事?难道黎民中已被劫光，现在到禅院打劫来了?” 当他又见二人进大殿、上香拜佛，他知道不是打劫，而是来寻签问卜的。“难道此人是辫帅张勋?”妙悟没见过张勋，不认识他。可是，从那求出的签上，他感到了“是!” 果然不错：那位年长者便是辫帅张勋，瘦身条者是他的秘书长万绳税——万公雨。 张勋心神不定了许多天，他决定到兴化寺求卜问问。但得签之后，对签语又迷惑不解，不知所云，而且曾似相识，和尚又闭口不答。他们只好悻悻走出大殿。在院中，张勋问万绳杖：“公雨，这和尚怎么这样阴阳怪气的?” “也许他修成正果了，失去人情味。” “那签上的两句话是什么意思?”张勋纳闷。“好像很面熟，又记不得在哪里见过了。” “好像是两句古诗，一时记不清是谁的了。至于是什么意思?只怕单从字面上无法解释清楚。回去查查看。”顿了片刻，又说：“大帅不常读诗，怎么会对此两句眼熟呢?” “是眼熟。让我想想。我能想起来。”张勋坐在一片石台上，陷入了沉思。 张勋尚未想出，万绳杖却恍然大悟。 张大帅，我想起来了，这两句诗我见过，是你拿给我看的。想起来了，想起来了。 " “快说，在什么地方?张勋急着问。 “还记得当年大帅在兖州患病那回事吧，有人从曲阜请来一位圣医，那位圣医为你开的处方便是这两句话。” “对对对，一点不错。”张勋恍然大悟，一拍巴掌，抖身站起。“我记起来了，那个老东西叫孔祥吾。他若不是圣人的后代，当时我真想一刀就宰了他。” “什么意思呢?”万绳械锁起眉。“为什么今天和尚的签里又出来这两句话?” “当时我就问你是甚意思?你说用点龙骨，鹿茸之类药物'，我就觉得是胡说。让你查查，以后你也忘了。” “是的，我也忘了。”万绳杖说：“匆忙南下，南下又北上；再加上大帅的病并不重，就丢到脑后去了。” “这次回去查清楚。别再忘了。”张勋还是锁着眉：“药方和签为啥能一样?一个兖州、一个徐州，怎么会巧合得一模一样?” 二人沉默了半天，张勋说：“走，咱们回大殿，还得问问那个老家伙。说不好就杀了他!” “问可以问，千万不能杀和尚。”万绳杖说：“说不定他真的了知些天机，只是咱们凡胎，说不出玄妙罢了。” 二人走回大殿，妙悟仍在闭目诵经。张勋先开口“老和尚，我们20块大洋求你的签，你总得把签文告诉我们。你只管明说，死活都不怕。” 和尚毫无表情，仿佛他根本就没有听见，依然诵他的经。万绳杖换了口气，谦和地说： “长老，今日来到宝刹，我们是怀着十分虔诚的心的，并且确有心事，恳求长老指点迷津。” “签语已明，何须老僧赘述。” “长老，”万绳杖说：“不瞒你说，这两句话我们曾经见过，只是悟不明其意。故恳请长老……” “既然言者谆谆，更当闻者足戒!” 万绳杭再问，老和尚业已入静发出轻微的鼻鼾声。 张勋是怀着一个大大的谜团登上云龙山走进兴化寺的，老方丈没有为他指点迷津，并且又背上一个重重的包袱。他只得叹着气怒冲冲地出来。 大殿侧拾级而上，抵山巅，便是招鹤亭、放鹤亭——这是当年苏轼为徐州太守时十分欣赏的地方，他的好友逸民张天翼在此养鹤，朝放暮招，怡然自乐，苏轼为他的亭子题额，并且认乎其真地写了篇宏文《放鹤亭记》。从此，此处成了云龙山上最佳景观之一。张勋和万绳杖来到招鹤亭，在石栏上坐下，尚未收怒，便听得坡下朗朗有声： ……春夏之交，草木际天，秋冬雪月，千里一色；风雨晦明之间，俯仰百变。山人有二鹤，甚训而善飞。旦则望西山之缺而放焉，纵其所如，或立于陂田，或翔于云表，暮则素东山而归…… 声韵清嘹，字字入耳。张勋觉得颇有些像当年在许府听老先生刘毓贤朗书之声。他问万绳杖：“这是什么文章? “大约是苏东坡的《放鹤亭记》吧。”万绳杭说：“徐州人十分尊敬苏东坡。” “苏东坡什么人?” “宋朝的一位徐州太守。” “宋朝的太守，现代人还不忘?!” “那是一位好太守。”万绳杖说：“好官老百姓会永记。”“咱们也做好官。” du8.com copyright 张勋走下招鹤亭，来到山坡，却见一个龙钟老态的人，仰面朝天，四肢伸展正在晒太阳。这老人衣着褴褛，身下铺一件烂棉袍，露出的棉絮成团成团在乱石间随风滚动。张勋叹声气，驻足不前了。万绳械举目望望，四周无人。知道刚刚那朗诵声是老汉发出的，便凑上去问：“你是做什么的?” “我是做官的。”老人依然是音韵有节。“做官的?什么官?” “大帅!” “什么大帅?” “领兵大帅!”老人抖身坐起，乐哈哈地说：“你知道吗?t但使龙城飞将在，不教胡马度阴山'。我就是那个'不教胡马度阴山，的t龙城飞将'!哈哈，哈哈!” 万绳杖见他疯疯癫癫，便不再答话，转身回来。那老汉重新躺下身子，又朗朗诵道： 繁华事散逐香尘， 流水无情草自春。 蒜东风怨啼鸟， 落花犹是坠楼人。 张勋十分扫兴，他本来想偷闲寻点愉悦，那知处处都是云雾弥漫：和尚的两句签已经够烦恼的了，这个疯癫老汉的胡吟乱道又使他心神恍乱。他匆匆从山巅走下，发誓“再不上云龙山”。 du8.com copyright 正是张勋在徐州进退维谷、郁郁发闷之际，广东南海人康有为突然来到徐州，像一针强心剂，立刻焕发了张勋的精神，他激动地抱住他的双肩、眼中含着泪花，连声呼唤：“南海先生，南海先生!”59岁的康有为，虽然还是第一次见到张勋，但他觉得神交已久，相知甚深。他拉着他的双手臂，连声叫“绍帅，绍帅!” 张勋把康有为安排在徐州最高级的住处——花园饭店，并且立即加岗添哨，几乎把这个地方封锁起来，而他自己也搬过来，“一定要同南海先生好好谈谈。” 康有为，中国近代史上一个颇有声名的人物，进士出身，授工部主事。目睹日本帝国主义对中国的侵略和因朝政多弊，曾七次上'书光绪皇帝，要求变法。最有影响的，要算是l895年的第二次的上书，他竟能联络赴京会试的l300余名举人署名，要求政府拒签和约。这便是有名的。同时，康有为不遗余力地组织强学会、圣学会、保国会；办报纸，极力宣扬改良主义。终于打动了光绪皇帝，于l898年发动了变法维新运动。由于策略失当，触恼太后，慈禧先下手为强，变法被镇压下去了，康有为逃往海外。结果造成了他个人“维新百日，出亡十六年，遍游四洲，经三十一国，行六十万里”的悲惨结局。后来，又因组织保皇党而出名。 维新变法也好，保皇党也好，康有为可以说是一位清王朝的大忠臣，时刻不忘巩固皇权，不忘皇恩雨露。对民主革命恨之入骨。然而，民主毕竟是世界潮流，无论这位康“勇士”早期如何强调“变——是天道”，是“物之理”，如何提倡“托古改革”。但他的自我吹捧思想——即“一姓能顺天时时自变，则一姓虽万世存可也”的思想，最终只不过把皇权保下来。如果说当初还有1300名举子附和他，到他坚定了“庸俗进化论”之后，连他的学生、同党梁启超也和他分道扬镳了。 中国出现了共和，出现了总统，出现了孙中山、袁世凯，使康有为一度极为悲观。他真想与他所保的“皇”共亡。可是，那个昙花一现的幼主却并没有因为“国破”而身亡，人还在，总存在希望。当他获悉中国这片地大物博、文明悠久的土地上还有人不剪辫子，而且是一支强大有力的军队，康有为兴奋了，他看到希望，找到同志，不再孤独了。他要找张勋棚5怕在天涯海斛…… 张勋对于康有为，虽然缺乏了解，更不曾研究过他的什么思想。但是，有一点，张勋对康有为却是佩服得五体投地，那就是他是保皇党的首领，他要保皇。“康有为若能同我共同复辟，复辟便会必然成功。”张勋曾经派人寻找过康有为。没有找到。而今，康有为亲自来了，张勋的愿望实现了，他更加坚定了复辟的信心。 康有为到徐州的这一天，张勋把徐州最高级的厨师请到，做了一桌最丰盛的宴席为他接风。 宴会之前，万绳杖插个空儿把张勋拉到一间密室，心神不安地说：“大帅，康南海此番来徐州，你知道他的目的吗?” 张勋不假思索地说：“那还用问，和咱一个心眼。”“不见得吧?” "how do you know?" “康南海这些年冷于政治了。”万绳杖说：“这几年，他一直精心组织孔教会，到处游说，定孔教为国教。说不定他只会对咱们讲几句'子日'而已。” “不一定吧?他是著名的保皇党，难道说他不同意复辟?”张勋相信康有为。相信他是他的同党。“不必疑心，康南海不是只会空口说白话的人。” “我看，不先探探他的口气。不能对他推心置腹。”“放心吧，我明白。” 欢迎康有为的宴会十分隆重，张勋即席说尽了敬仰的词语，然后频频把盏敬酒，康有为欣喜兴奋，每每干杯以谢。酒过三巡，万绳杖以主人身份先说了话：“南海先生乃中国文圣，识多见广，思绪敏捷，且又遍游世界，何不为我们谈谈救国大计。” “雨公过奖了。”康有为起身点头，然后说：“这也是多年常谈的话题了。当初，敝人组织'保国会'时，曾说过这样一段话：人人有亡天下之责，人人有救天下之权。救亡之法无他，只有发愤图强而已'；'苟吾四万万人皆发愤，洋人岂敢正视。话虽然这样说了，却极难这样做!” “我赞成南海先生的话。”张勋说：“中国的图强，必须全中国人都发愤。” “救亡图存，是全中国老百姓的事。”康有为又说：“但是，中国的救亡图存，又必须坚持君主立宪这个本纲。否则……” 有人急忙插话说：“现在，清帝被推翻了，人人均在谈革命，谈共和，不知南海先生意见如何?” 康有为对提话人点头微笑，而后说：“我国民智未开，骤行共和，必致内争。墨西哥之90年内乱，法兰西83年内争，是皆前车之鉴。国已凋敝如再割据内讧，其如生民何?当今急务，不在政体之君宪抑共和，而在救亡图存，避免内争，休养生息，徐致富强，以防列强之瓜分耳。”张勋愣了。心想：“你这个保皇党，刚刚还说：'君主立宪'才能'救亡图存'，怎么又说'不在政体之君宪抑共和'呢?这算什么话?”张勋是个武人，喜欢直来直去。这么想了，马上把一副不耐烦的目光投给康有为。 康有为笑了。他接下去又说：“中国的君主政体是有悠久历史的，有极宝贵的经验，但也有不足处，需要革新。我早年说过：一路哭何如一家哭，欲保生民于水火，于内乱、于流血，莫若变政维新'。把不完备的君主制完备起来，用完备的政治救亡图存，国富民强，岂不更好!” 张勋的谜团解除了，他兴奋起来，趁着康有为的话题，他大谈自己的想法。“……到今天，革命党也好，袁总统袁皇帝也好，除了争战、除了流血，除了给黎民百姓带来灾难，谁看见什么好处了?君主制、皇上有什么不好?正如南海先生说的，君主制有点小毛病，改改就行了。把那么悠久的君主制废掉，换新的，谁能保证新的就是好的?我看不一定好。我们还是老话，就是不剪辫子，不背朝廷!还得扶，扶起朝廷……” 盛宴散了，张勋、万绳杖陪着康有为走进一个小客厅，他们又谈起复辟的事。 康有为没有留辫子，脑袋光光，胡子浓浓，皙白的脸膛，细高的身条，着一件长衫，一副十足的学者派头。和张勋坐在一起，反差尤为明显。不过，从神情到谈吐，他们二人却又那样情投意合。张勋对他说：“我是个粗人，可是我看得明白：治理中国这样大的一个国家，除了皇上，还没能谁有这样大的本领!”他提到孙中山，提到袁世凯，提到段祺瑞、冯国璋、黎元洪，他都淡淡笑着摇头。“都是人臣，而不是人主!”4 坐在一旁的康有为，听着张勋的肺腑之言，不住地点头称是。但却并不插话。万绳杖很焦急，他主要想听康有为对当前形势的看法。谈话间，万拿出早年康的一首七律“请教”。这诗的全文是：圣统已为刘秀纂， 政家并受李斯殃，大同道隐礼经在，未济占成易说亡。良史莫如两司马传经只有一公羊，群龙无首谁知吉?自有乾元大统长。“想请南海先生能明示一二。”万绳杭说。康有为接诗看了看，已经记不得是什么时候写的了，但诗意他 是记忆犹新的。他还是淡淡地一笑，说：“诗固然言志，但也有即兴之作。一时突发激情，信口吟来，却并不都是言志。”他望望万绳杭，似乎想看看他的回应。 万绳杖只应酬般地点点头。 “这首诗还是可以算'言志'了的。“康有为说：“从到光绪帝接受变法，中国应该说是'君以风气闭塞，大夫则不通世事，。连中国的礼法也多束之高阁了。变法是失败了，但变法的精神却引起许多有识之士的器重，这便是变法的成功……” “别把话说这么远了。”张勋不想探讨学问，他只想同这个著名的保皇党谈谈复辟的事情。“我想请教一下南海先生，复辟这事，该不该做?” 康有为没有立即回答，他说：“绍帅，这些年，我略探讨了易卜之书，你先来占一占如何?” 一听说占卜，张勋便想起了兴化寺那个扫兴的求签。忙说：“罢哩，罢哩!那都是瞎胡弄人的事，不可信。” “不可不信。”康有为说：“凡能有长久生命力的东西，都有它的可贵处。否则，不是早已灭亡了吗。” 张勋一听也有道理。便说：“咱们身边也没有占卜的东西呀!”“我这里有。”康有为说着，便从身上拿出一个布包包。摊开来，里边有许多纸团团。“你随便摸一个吧。”