The Eight-Power Allied Forces forced the Empress Dowager and the Emperor to flee to Xi'an.Signed the "Xin Chou Treaty" with a large compensation.Only calm. Yuan Shikai buried his mother: he was not allowed to enter the main cave of Yuan's ancestral grave.It turned out that the Liu family was only a concubine, and Yuan Shikai's elder brother Yuan Shidun insisted on family rules. one October 1901. Autumn is crisp and clear, with geese flying from north to south, inside and outside the Great Wall, the westerly wind has long been bleak, the leaves are falling and the grass is withering, and the fields are vast.The cold wave that rolled over the Great Wall two days ago made the world even thicker and sluggish.Yuan Shikai, the new governor of Zhili, was sitting in the governor's office, feeling very anxious: when he looked at the flying sand in the sky and the vast fog, he shivered with chills; when he looked at the official files on the table, he suddenly felt There are all kinds of opportunities, but the manpower is always uncertain, so he puts it down; what attracts his most attention is the small wall in front of the lobby, and the passages on both sides of the small wall. He came from there and told him that "the imperial chariot of Luanjia of the two palaces has arrived", and asked him to meet him as soon as possible.

Yuan Shikai hadn't seen "Holy Face" for many days.What can be done? The Eight-Power Allied Forces are pushing into Beijing, and the imperial court has no soldiers to defend against the enemy. Let's run.Went to Xi'an.Fortunately, Master Li Zhongtang and Li Hongzhang signed the "Xin Chou Treaty" with foreigners, which stabilized the chaos of the war.Yuan Shikai contacted Liu Kunyi, the governor of Liangjiang, and sent a telegram to Xi'an "respectfully invite the two palaces to return to Luan".After the telegram was sent, he eagerly looked forward to the moment of meeting him.He felt that there were many things in his heart that he had to tell Lafayette face to face, and he wanted to dedicate his loyalty to Lafayette without reservation.For many days, Yuan Shikai's daily life has been in chaos. He has neat court clothes, three meals a day in a hurry, and waits every minute for the arrival of the holy car.However, they don't know when Shengjia will arrive.

Yuan Shikai, who had just arrived in the year of "no confusion", had a prosperous official career because of this, and it was time for him to start a vigorous career.He thought so too.For Yuan Shikai, it must be regarded as the great grace of the emperor. Before he was appointed governor of Zhili and minister of Beiyang, he was just an ordinary governor of Shandong.In suppressing the Boxers, he made contributions to the imperial court, but it can only be regarded as a general contribution.The role of the governor of Zhili, who sets an example outside and protects the capital from the inside, ranks first among the border officials in all provinces. He has always been a senior official or a close friend of Lafayette. Where is it Yuan Shikai's turn? Sign the "Xin Chou" Li Hongzhang of the Treaty, probably because the treaty was too unreasonable, he died shortly after the treaty was signed, at the age of 79.Li Hongzhang died while serving as Minister of Beiyang and Governor of Zhili.As soon as he died, the court and the central government discussed the issue of successors.Some say it may be Liu Kunyi, others say it may be Zhang Zhidong.In the end, it was Yuan Shikai who published it.Everyone was taken aback.So, the discussion came again: some people said that Li Hongzhang recommended Yuan Shikai before his death; some people said that Yuan Shikai paid a big tribute when the two palaces were in distress.While there are reasons, they are not exact.The insider understands: Li Hongzhang is dead, Rong Lu is sick, the armies under the command of the Beiyang Minister have been beaten badly by the Eight-Power Allied Forces, and Beijing and Tianjin are under imperialist occupation. To deal with this situation, there must be a strong warlord Externally, he is admired by the imperialists, and internally he is able to suppress the people’s anti-imperialist patriotic movement, and Yuan Shikai is blessed by nature, and he is none other than him: Yuan Shikai has strength in his hands, Shandong is a close neighbor of Beijing and Tianjin, and he is trusted by the imperialists. .Therefore, the governor of Zhili and the minister of Beiyang fell on him.

It's a coincidence: when Yuan Shikai was promoted from Jinan, Shandong to Tianjin, Zhili, his biological mother, Liu Shi, became ill and tried all the famous doctors and medicines, but they were ineffective and passed away.According to the system of this dynasty, Yuan Shikai should resign from Ding You and return to his mother's funeral.Yuan Shikai thought about it, no. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime day. If you pass this village, you won't see this store." Therefore, he made a plan and ordered the gentry in Shandong and Zhili to call the government one after another to allow Yuan to "adapt to the situation and change his filial piety as loyalty."Although this kind of thing is rare in the Qing Dynasty's regulations, it has become a reality in terms of employing people.People from Shandong and Zhili retained Yuan Shikai, but Yuan Shikai became the governor of Zhili and was promoted to a higher level.On the day he took office, Yuan Shikai knelt in front of Liu's coffin in mourning and mourning: "Mother, it's not that the son is unfilial, it's not that the son doesn't want to send his mother back to the west early, it's that the court servants are in a hurry, and the son can't do it." Unwavering filial piety and loyalty. One day, my son will give my mother a generous gift."

Yuan Shikai couldn't bear it anymore, he didn't wait at the governor's office, he was about to go out to meet him - he found out the route back to Luan from the two palaces, so he hurried to Shunde mansion with his entourage.It was not until December 15th that the imperial chariot of Luanjia of the two palaces arrived. When Luanjia came in front of Yuan Shikai and others, the imperial chariot slowly landed, and when people flashed a passage, Yuan Shikai knelt down and shouted three times, beckoning to "Shengan"--Yuan Shikai was a little forgetful, the last time he saw him in Jinjing, he still A notorious governor of Shandong came to the front of the car after many twists and turns, and there was still a time limit for speaking; today, this time, he is the minister of Beiyang, the governor of Zhili, an important minister in front of the holy car, and one of the ministers of the provinces. First of all, the social status is naturally unusual, and the mood is also naturally unusual.He was full of gratitude to Lafayette for his words, and he rushed to his chest at once, and he was in such a barren field, not in the golden temple; What mood should the courtier be in?! Thinking about it, Yuan Shikai burst into two lines of hot tears, and the sadness couldn't be restrained. He prostrated himself beside the road and burst into tears: "Lafayette! Long live God! Oh! Yaya, Yaya!" When Yuan Shikai let out his voice like this, his entourage didn't know where to go, so they also let out their voices.Suddenly, outside the city of Shunde, there was a loud cry.

This action frightened all the accompanying ministers, and everyone's faces sank "swish" - it turns out that there is a system in this dynasty, and the princes and ministers are absolutely not allowed to cry to the emperor except for "national mourning". .If you cry, you have committed the crime of "disrespect", violated the rules of heaven, and should be beheaded.Everyone thought that Yuan Shikai was over this time, and everyone was sweating for him. Sitting in Yuzhaozhong, Cixi knew that the new Governor of Zhili and Beiyang Minister Yuan was meeting her in front of her, and was about to ask him a few insignificant "homely words", when suddenly she heard him burst into tears, and her forehead suddenly turned cold Get up: "I am not dead yet, neither is the emperor. Why do you cry when we meet? Are you not afraid of my crime?"

"Yuan Shikai", Cixi held back her holy anger and asked in a deep tone, "Why are you crying so loudly? Huh?!" After Yuan Shikai cried out, he already knew that he had committed an unpardonable crime.But it was too late.Now, Lafayette spoke again, and with great anger, he thought: The only thing that can be punished is the next sentence of Lafayette.However, Yuan Shikai was a person who had walked in front of the holy car after all, so he knew the woman's mood quite well. In addition, he had hidden officialdom tricks and knew how to respond accordingly.He raised his face up, weeping, and said: "Lafayette, Lafayette, I see that the holy face is soothed, and the pain is deep in my heart. I don't feel rude. I deserve death. I deserve death!"

Empress Dowager Cixi was in distress. When she fled the capital because of a bereaved dog, she didn’t know if there was a possibility of her coming back. Today, although she paid a considerable price, she has a treaty and she is fortunate enough to return. The merits of the ministers should be commended .In the midst of the turmoil, Yuan Shikai still had the heart, which was gratifying, so she turned her anger into joy, her eye circles were red with excitement, and she sighed and said, "Good boy, we can meet today. God blesses you, and you don't have to." Sad." Yuan Shikai thanked him, and then got up.

Cixi asked, and he said a few words, and then said to the close ministers on the left and right: "You have all seen it. Yuan Shikai is a loyal minister with the most affection and nature!" --Unexpectedly, Yuan Shikai set a precedent by doing so. People thought that when Lafayette came back from the disaster, what he liked was the teary eyes and the sound of crying.So, when the queen mother returned to Beijing and came to court again, the ministers of civil and military affairs burst into tears and snotted their noses, crying and crying, making the Jinluan Hall "no mourning and mourning", and everyone wept.The next thing is coming, everyone is laughing and laughing, making funny faces.This is a later story, so I won't mention it here.

two The Zhili Governor's Office was originally located in Tianjin. After the Eight-Power Allied Forces won the battle, they set up a "dutong yamen" in Tianjin to manage Tianjin's people's finances and affairs. Yuan Shikai's yamen was also put under control, so he had to go to Zhili Province Baoding, the capital of the province, went to live, and only set up a customs road in Tianjin, and sent Tang Shaoyi to handle the so-called withdrawal of foreign soldiers.Things continued to turmoil for a few more months, and most of the foreigners' dreams came true. In 902, the "Dutong Yamen" was abolished, and Yuan Shikai walked into Tianjin with men and women.

People have entered Tianjin, but foreigners are not allowed to station Chinese soldiers in Tianjin.Yuan Shikai was dumbfounded--soldiers are the backing of power, and power is the prestige of a person, no matter how many gauze hats are on the head, without the backing, there is no way to be majestic.Yuan Shikai is a person who has played military power for more than 20 years, and he understands this relationship deeply.Therefore, after moving back to Tianjin from Baoding, he not only felt that he was not majestic, but seemed to be imprisoned. He sat in the yamen, didn't bother to lift his head, and his eyebrows were tightly knit. Tang Shaoyi walked into the Governor's Mansion, and when she saw Yuan Shikai's appearance, she understood a little bit.He called out "Master Yuan" respectfully, and stood on one side with his head bowed. Yuan Shikai looked at him sideways, pointed to a grand master's chair, and said Tang's nickname, "Shaochuan, sit down." After Tang Shaoyi sat down, he didn't know whether he wanted to distract Yuan Shikai or for other reasons, so he talked far and far away. "Lord Yuan, the situation in the capital is quite worrying. When Lafayette came back from Xijing, everyone thought that she would work hard to clean up the mess, but she severely punished war criminals and pushed the responsibility for the war to others; In the past, the princes and ministers who advocated appeasement of the boxers, beheaded beheaded, exiled, imprisoned, and dismissed, caused panic among the people, what happened!" Yuan Shikai smiled lightly and shook his head slightly. "It is said that Lafayette is planning to launch a large-scale Qing Dynasty in various provinces. He wants to kill people and repair the Summer Palace. There are repeated wars, and the people are in dire straits..." Yuan Shikai stood up and waved his hands to stop Tang Shaoyi. "Shaochuan, Lafayette and the emperor have their own ideas about matters in the court. As courtiers, we can only take the sacred order as our own. Worrying too much is not good. I just want to discuss with you about our Zhili things about Tianjin." Tang Shaoyi stopped the topic -- in fact, why did Tang Shaoyi want to talk about these things.Yuan Shikai knew these things better than he did.What worries Yuan Shikai is the Zhili matter, and Tang Shaoyi is also aware of the Tianjin matter.Is it easy for him to be a customs road without a backer? Not easy.But what can I do? Yuan Shikai paced slowly, looking sideways from time to time at his right-hand assistant, who was only one year younger than himself, sitting there in a daze, and it took him a long time before he said, "Foreigners are too deceitful." Tang Shaoyi's heart skipped a beat: "He, would he say that too?" Yuan Shikai was the same as Cixi: he was afraid of foreigners and admired them, and he loved them and hated them.Foreigners want to take advantage of him, or give him a little favor.Tang Shaoyi knew that Yuan Shikai would not do it by posing against the foreigners.The Governor's Office moved to Tianjin, and Governor Yuan was not allowed to have soldiers. Tang Shaoyi came here for this matter. . It's just that he couldn't figure out what kind of medicine was in Yuan Shikai's gourd, so he looked around and talked about him.Seeing that Yuan also confessed his true feelings now, he boldly said, "Master Yuan, we can't be tied up by foreigners for a long time, we have to find a way." Yuan Shikai stopped, but did not speak. Yuan Shikai knew the role of military power best, and he was able to achieve what he is today because of military power.There are so many princes and ministers in the court, why can Zhili governor give him? He is not a soldier.Competing with colleagues is like this, even more so with foreigners.For many days, he hated the clause "China is not allowed to station troops in Tianjin" in the "Xin Chou Treaty", "If I sign this treaty, I will never accept this clause." Yuan Shikai only thought so in his heart, and if he really What will he do now that he has signed a contract? Now I can only talk about the present. "Shaochuan, you are right, we have to find a way." Yuan Shikai said, "I think we should do it this way, do you think it will work?" "My lord, please speak." "The treaty only stipulates that Tianjin is not allowed to garrison troops, but it does not stipulate that Tianjin is not allowed to garrison police. My Governor's Mansion is stationed in Tianjin, and I want to organize the police to maintain order." "Okay, let's do this." Tang Shaoyi couldn't help standing up and clapping his hands. Soon, Yuan Shikai selected 3,000 elite troops from his army, reorganized them into a patrol battalion, assigned Duan Zhigui to lead them, and marched into Tianjin grandly to "maintain order".Soon, the patrol battalion was expanded into several brigades and detachments, which were stationed in Tanggu, Qinhuangdao, Shanhaiguan, Beitang and other places, still using guns as their backing. Yuan Shikai hurriedly turned the army into a police force, established armed forces, and consolidated his own Tianjin. The foreigners stationed in Tianjin have already seen it clearly. "Yuan Shikai's tricks have become less clever, and the police are also armed with guns." However, the foreigners do not want to reject this armed force, and are looking for such an armed force to replace the foreign soldiers "to maintain local order in Tianjin." , Wouldn't it be better for Yuan Shikai to act as this agent at no cost.Therefore, Yuan Shikai's ingenious strategy of replacing the army with the police was realized as scheduled. Things in Beijing calmed down temporarily, things in Tianjin also calmed down for a while, and Yuan Shikai's mood also calmed down for a while.He wants to take a good rest. Although he is only in his early forties, he is also tired from being so busy day and night, and his back is sore. He doesn't want to open his eyes. He wants to close the door tightly. Lie down, sleep well, and sleep on it for a few days and nights.Yuan Shikai should sleep for a few days.In this period, he used too much scheming, and it was the Boxers, foreigners, and Yingluan. A few days ago, he was almost flattered by a big event: he and Zhang Zhidong, Governor of Huguang, and Governor of Liangjiang Liu Kun was promoted to Prince Shaobao at the same time, and he was rewarded with double-eyed feathers. From then on, he has a crown of "Gongbao" on his head.He hurried to Beijing to thank him, and he was busy entertaining the congratulations of his colleagues, so there was nothing to waste energy on.Also, the body of his biological mother Liu is still lying on the coffin, and he is even more disturbed-- It has been three months, when he learned that the imperial court made an exception and promoted him to go north to Zhili, he cried bitterly in front of his mother's coffin, and then he took off his scriptures and went north to answer his orders. I dare not forget.Whether in Beijing, Baoding, or Shunde, every day and night.They all face south.Heart Chi Tianjin.A moment of silence for his mother's body.The inexhaustible sink: gurgling tears. His mother, Liu Shi, was not his father's successor. Although she lived in a family of great gentlemen, she always lived a life that was not much better than that of a servant.According to what his mother told him, after he landed, because Liu was weak and lacked milk, he had to be fed by his aunt, Yuan Baoqing's wife, Niu.Niu also gave birth to a son at this time, but the sky was broken and he took care of the wounded son in grief.However, from then on, Yuan Shikai followed this aunt as his heir, and they were inseparable. When he was 8 years old, his stepfather Yuan Baoqing went to Shandong Houbu, and he went to Jinan with his stepparents.Later, his stepfather was transferred to Yanfa Road in the south of the Yangtze River, and Yuan Shikai followed him to Nanjing.After his stepfather died of illness in Nanjing, he followed his stepmother Niu's family back to his hometown - Xiangcheng, Henan.At that time, Yuan Shikai was already 15 years old.When he saw his biological mother Liu Shi, he was too timid to admit it, which made Liu Shi cry bitterly.Yuan Shikai was very clever. When he saw his biological mother sad, he knelt down in front of him and asked for punishment: "Mother, it is the son who is wrong. The son is not filial. The son does not know how to be polite. You can beat and scold him. My son will never dare again!" , only thinking of the unsatisfactory life of these years, wanting to be intimate with his son, but seeing his son being cold, he felt sad.Now, the son knelt in front of him and pleaded guilty, but he felt distressed.Hurriedly picked it up, and cried while saying: "My child, you are the flesh that fell from your mother. Wherever you go, your mother's heart will follow you. You also understand that mother's life is difficult! Mother often shed tears Swallow it in your stomach, only looking forward to you..." "Mother, don't talk about the factory, I understand." Yuan Shikai fell into his mother's arms, looked up at her tearful face and said, "Mother, I will never leave you from now on, and will always be by your side. If I go out to do something , I'll take my mother with me too." Mrs. Liu rubbed her teary eyes and said, "Don't talk childishly. Mother was in a hurry for a while, so she shed tears. From now on, depending on where you go, you must not forget Si Niang. It is her milk that raised you. You can't forget her, honor her." Yuan Shikai said: "Mother, don't worry, I am equally filial to my biological mother and adoptive mother. I will definitely make both mothers happy." When Yuan Shikai was thinking about his relatives, Yuan Naikan, who he sent to Xiangcheng's hometown to arrange for his mother's burial, came back. This old housekeeper who recognized Yuan Shikai's family in his old age, as soon as he returned to Tianjin, he knelt down in front of Yuan Shikai with a mournful face, and cried out mournfully. He said "Master". When Yuan Naikuan continued his family with Yuan Shikai, he was not only a few years older than Yuan Shikai, but also two generations older than Yuan Shikai.Just because Yuan Naikuan is an unknown person, he is willing to call Yuan Shikai "uncle" after three generations.Yuan Shikai has an official position and prestige, and he regards himself as a "master", and he would never pick up another "master" by his side in the middle of nowhere, what kind of dignity would that be.So he calmly admitted that the person who should have been called Ye was called Ye.I can't write two Yuans in one stroke, and I recognized my family in one day, and they were inseparable throughout my life.This Yuan Naikuan became his housekeeper with the same status as the old servant Yuan Zhenbiao.The matter of Yuan Shikai's mother's burial was naturally handled by Yuan Naikuan.Now, Yuan Naikuan came back in this appearance, and Yuan Shikai knew something was wrong, so he asked: "Shao Ming (Yuan Naikuan also named himself Shao Ming in an arty manner. But he only said to Yuan Shikai that it was his "baby name". Therefore, Yuan Shikai always likes this Call), what's the matter, things are not going well?" Yuan Naikuan nodded, sighed again, and said, "Master, Mr. Xiangcheng said that you didn't discuss with him about the old lady's funeral. What should we do? We have to wait until you go back to decide. Xiangcheng's Grandpa also said..." "What else?" Yuan Shikai asked anxiously. Yuan Naikuan raised his head, did not reply, only looked at the guard beside Yuan with his eyes.Yuan Shikai understood, he raised his hand and said, "Go down." The guards and attendants responded with a "yes" and all retreated. Yuan Naikuan rubbed his eyes, as if he was crying. "Master, Mr. Xiangcheng is very angry, he said...he said..." The "Master" Yuan Naikuan yelled was naturally aimed at Yuan Shikai, and the "Master Xiangcheng" he yelled was referring to Yuan Shikai's elder brother Yuan Shidun.There are 9 brothers and sisters of Yuan Shikai. Except for the elder Yuan Shidun who is a descendant, the other 5 brothers and 3 sisters are all descendants. He didn't approve of Yuan Shikai's conduct, and the brothers didn't have close contacts.Yuan Shikai treats this eldest brother.Also always respectful.No matter how hard you try to bury your mother today, you can't overwhelm the boss, so Yuan Naikuan was sent to "greeting" first.But he never thought that there would be something strange. I said, "Well, what's there to hesitate about." Yuan Naikuan said: "Uncle Xiang Cheng said that he doesn't care what you want to do with the old lady's funeral. However, the old lady's cemetery cannot be up to your discretion. Got...got... ..." "How are you doing?" Yuan Shikai asked anxiously. "Master Xiangcheng..." Yuan Naikuan hastily changed his words and said, "Master Xiangcheng said that it must be handled according to the ancestral system and family rules." "What ancestral system, what family rules?" Yuan Shikai patted the table and stood up. "Could it be that I'm not a descendant of the Yuan family?! Could it be that... "Master, Master Xiangcheng said, you'd better go back to Xiangcheng first, and then pick up the coffin of the old lady." "What!?" Yuan Shikai was furious. "Who do I have to discuss with the burial mother. If I don't go, you should prepare." three Yuan Shikai was leaving Tianjin, and then went to Xiangcheng to attend the funeral for his biological mother Liu.An important official of the imperial court, with a high position and a prominent figure, is the time to honor the ancestors.Yuan Shikai is going to die for his biological mother.The "news" of Xiangcheng brought by Yuan Naikuan only made his heart sink for a moment, and soon he calmed down again. "What ancestral system, what family rules? There are several governors with Yuan's surname, not to mention the head of the governors? Even the governors of the provinces are no longer in my mind. What will happen to the boss and the family?" Yuan Shikai became an official. The ancestral system can be despised.So, he didn't care about it.What he cared about was: he was about to leave office, although it had only been two months, but the situation was changing day by day, he wanted to stabilize his yamen and his position in the imperial court.He sat stuffy in the government office, analyzing Lafayette's behavior and the ups and downs in the palace, and he thought about the details of what he should do-he still didn't have more time to rest. Yuan Shikai can be regarded as a person who "has a wink" in front of Lafayette, and the things he does can generally satisfy that clever woman.Let's just talk about "wailing and crying" when we greeted Luan a few days ago. If he, Yuan Shikai, hadn't figured out Lafayette's heart and wanted to change someone else, he would not be considered a "violator of heaven" and beheaded! But he, Yuan Shikai, was able to win Cixi is happy.Yuan Shikai is shrewd, extremely shrewd.He knew that the totalitarian power of the Qing Dynasty was in the hands of the Manchu Aixinjueluo family.Now, it has been transferred to the Yehenala family, and the Yehenala family is still Manchu.Who doesn't know, the ancestors of the Aixinjueluo family had a legacy that Han people should never be allowed to be military ministers.Later, when Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang became ministers of military affairs, it was not that the ancestral system of the Qing Dynasty was changed, but the Taiping Army uprising, half of China was on fire, and the banner camp ruled by the Manchu generals was corrupted and vulnerable , In order to survive, the ancestral system was broken.Even so, the royal family still couldn't let go of their hearts, and did everything possible to send officials from the Eight Banners to monitor.Zeng Guofan saw it clearly. When he became the minister of military aircraft and established the Hunan Army, he tried his best to ensure that the Manchu Taqibu was a general of the Hunan Army, so that he could secure the military aircraft himself.Yuan Shikai did not forget the past. When he was the governor of Shandong Province, he had tried his best to ensure that the Manchu Taoist Yin Chang came to "Zanzan Rongji", which made the court feel at ease. Now that the official is the best, he can't forget the "successful experience". Shunde welcomes Luan That's a small plan, and you have to think of another bargaining chip if you want to move your mind.Yuan Shikai sent someone to bring Wang Shizhen, one of his confidantes, who had just been the supervisor of the Zhili Provincial Defense Battalion Office, to him, poured tea for him in person, and then asked him: "Pin Qing (Wang Shizhen's word Ping Qing), Let me tell you, is the current court situation any different from the past?" Wang Shizhen, a native of Zhengding, Zhili Province, was two years younger than Yuan Shikai, and met Yuan Shikai on the recommendation of Yinchang when he was in the Beiyang Armed Forces Academy.This person is very deep in the city, but he does not show his sharpness. He is obsequious and never speaks harshly when things happen.Yuan Shikai appreciates his stability.As for Wang Shizhen, she was quite loyal to Yuan Shikai and could confide in her heart.Hearing Yuan Shikai's question, he first smiled lightly, and then said: "Gongbao naturally understands the situation in the court better than I do. Why bother to ask me." "How can you say that?" Yuan Shikai showed modesty. "The situation is changeable, and people's hearts are unpredictable. People like Lafayette, you and I can see where they are." Wang Shizhen understood, he knew that Yuan Shikai was trying to figure out Cixi's mind.Wang Shizhen also knew what Yuan Shikai wanted to do.Then he said: "Lafayette returned from Xi'an this time, and he suddenly became old. His mood is also a little abnormal." "Oh?!" Yuan Shikai pretended to be surprised. "I still can't see clearly." "It's the end of life, what should be enjoyed, I don't want to let it go." "You mean building the Summer Palace, right?" "not only that." "and also......" "You didn't see that it has become an open secret to sell officials and nobles. Anyone who has money can buy an official. Those who buy more money are also big. The streets and alleys are full of singing. yarn......" This way Yuan Shikai is the best.In the world's business, the biggest profit is buying officials, which can be described as a lot of money.When the official buys it, the money spent will come back in a blink of an eye, and the profits will be boundless. "Let's not talk about these things, that's not what we should care about. Besides, selling and buying officials is a matter of willingness to suffer, and donating officials didn't start from this dynasty. I just want to know if there are any changes in personnel affairs in the court. " "Yes, it's very big." Wang Shizhen was well informed. "I heard that Lord Rong Lurong is ill." Yuan Shikai didn't want to listen to the endless chatter, and went straight to the point. "Yes, Lord Rong doesn't often go to military planes." Wang Shizhen said: "I'm afraid it's not just because of my poor health." Yuan Shikai shook his hand and said, "What about the military plane?" Before Wang Shizhen could speak, Yuan Shikai began to answer. "I know that as soon as Master Rong stepped back, Prince Qing Yixuan became the most popular royal minister beside the Queen Mother..." "Even his son, Zai Zhen, is worth a hundred times more, making the officialdom a mess..." Yuan Shikai was waving his hands again. "Look, what should we do?" Wang Shizhen's heart skipped a beat, and then she came to her senses.It turned out that what Yuan Shikai cared about was not The affairs of the DPRK and China, the affairs of the country, but his own affairs.Yixu was in charge of the military aircraft, and Yuan Shikai was naturally the first to know, why should he ask his subordinates.Wang Shizhen blamed herself in her heart, complaining that she shouldn't be nagging, but she said in her mouth: "Since Gong Bao sees everything clearly, why don't you be generous yourself, so that Prince Qing will also like it." Yuan Shikai laughed.The next day, Yuan Shikai asked his staff member Yang Shiqi to send Yi Xu a silver note of 100,000 taels.Looking at this heavy gift, Yixu was very happy, but he still said, "How can this be done? How dare I deserve such a big gift?" Yang Shiqi could speak, he said: "This is just a meeting ceremony, Gongbao said that the days of being filial to the prince will be long." Yi Xu is not a person who is not jealous of money, and one hundred thousand snowflake silver has already made his heart itchy.So, he pushed and said: "It's too difficult to comfort the court (Yuan Shikai's word comfort court). If I definitely don't accept it, he will blame me for not being friendly." Then he stuffed the silver ticket into his sleeve . One hundred thousand snowflakes of silver bought a way, and from then on, Yuan became closer to the prince, not only on New Year's Day, weddings and birthdays, but even the prince's doorkeeper often had a gift.From then on, the gate of the palace was naturally opened to Yuan Shikai at any time. The affairs of the imperial court were carefully arranged, and the affairs of his own yamen were also given orders. Only then did Yuan Shikai calm down and turn his attention to the funeral for his old lady.The dead and the land are safe, so staying in the mourning hall for a long time is not an option.Therefore, Yuan Shikai brought housekeepers Yuan Zhenbiao and Yuan Naikan, accountant Fu Dianqing, personal attendants Shen Mingshan, Shen Mingfa, He Dianxiang, and Ma Qichang, as well as medical officers Liu Doufu and Wang Zhongqin, to discuss with him how to carry out the funeral. "Dog," Yuan Shikai said, calling his big follower Shen Mingshan's pet name, "we're sending the old lady back home, and we have to do it decently. What do you think?" The shrewd and capable Shen Mingshan has thought about this matter for many days, and he has already made up his mind. "Master, leave this matter to us. When the old lady is alive, she treats us with dignity, and we must be worthy of the old lady." Yuan Shikai nodded, and said to the old servant Yuan Zhenbiao: "Old guy (the Yuan family always called the male servants "Old Guy", and the female supporters called "Qian", the Zhang family called Zhang Qian, and the Li family called Li Qian) , have you arranged the hearse for the old lady?" Yuan Zhenbiao said: "It's been arranged. It's just that it hasn't been decorated yet, and there are paper streamers and the like. It will take three days to paste them." "Didn't I tell you to hurry up, why are you so slow?" Obviously, Yuan Shikai was a little impatient. "My lord," Yuan Zhenbiao whispered a few words in Yuan Shikai's ear, and then said, "I discussed this with Nai Kuan, Ming Shan, and Dian Qing. If you think something is wrong, please tell me." --It turns out that these housekeepers and servants are very transparent about the world. How could the funeral of the governor of Zhili, the minister of Beiyang, and the prince Shaobao not alarm the world.There is a mourning hall inside the yamen, and white flags are raised outside the yamen, and no one is allowed to come to mourn.Rongzong Yaozu came again with a large sum of gold and silver.What Yuan Zhenbiao said was to set up a three-day sacrifice for the old lady in the governor's mansion, and respectfully accept the condolences of all walks of life.Yuan Shikai naturally had no difference, but said calmly: "Be sure to be frugal and simple in everything. I am still an official. I have not repaid the emperor's favor, so I dare not speak out. I just feel that the old lady's life is difficult, and I want the old man to go away." Just be more satisfied." He added: "We are raised in the hometown of Jianghuai. We are different from the north, and we can't compare with the capital. Everything is managed according to the customs of Xiangcheng, so that we will not forget our hometown." Yuan Zhenbiao agreed, and withdrew with Yuan Naikuan, Fu Dianqing and others. Sure enough, on the second day, a spiritual shed was set up in the yamen of the Governor’s Mansion. There was a sacrificial table in front of the spiritual shed, and on the sacrificial table were placed sacrifices. The sacrifices were decorated with landscape figures, birds and animals decorated with colorful materials. A dragon gate, in front of the table there are big and small A cloth filial mats; behind the sacrificial table hangs a bamboo curtain, on which is inlaid a large "Ling" character, and on both sides are partition fans; above the "Ling" character is a plaque, which reads "" There are four big characters of "Zhiqi Xingbei"; there is also a plaque hanging on the main entrance of the spirit shed, and the four big characters of "Gong Cheng Hui Diao" are written on it.Outside the yamen, white flags were raised, a mourning team of drums and music was set up, and the family members and servants who came in and out were all wrapped in white clothes... In an instant, pear blossoms bloomed in a prominent yamen, and there was a sea of ​​snow. Yuan Shikai is a very popular figure in the ruling and opposition parties. Many people want to curry favor but suffer from nowhere to go. Today, the governor’s mansion has set up a coffin and held a big funeral. Why don’t you come! So, first the official, then the group, and finally the common people, like a tide After seven days of turmoil, it was announced that "tear down the coffin shed".The accountant Mr. Fu Dianqing collected the bill, which greatly exceeded the amount of silver that Yuan Shikai paid for filial piety to Prince Qing Yixu. "Master, please have a look." Fu Dianqing put the bill in front of Yuan Shikai, and stood on one side. Yuan Shikai only glanced sideways and saw the total number of gifts received.He deliberately turned his face away, and said: "Don't read it, you can pack it up." After a pause, he said: "It's just that this gift list must be kept well. Relatives and friends, colleagues and friends, people treat the old Madam's deep affection, we should always remember it in our hearts, and we must redouble our compensation." Fu Dianqing responded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, yes." Hastily accepted the gift list, stepped back and walked out.Two days later, the hearse was loaded with Liu's coffin, and the filial son, filial wife, housekeeper, servants and guards sat in another funeral convoy, and drove out from Tianjin to Xiangcheng in Henan Province. Four Xiangcheng, a remote small county in the southeastern part of Henan Province, belongs to the Huaiyang Mountains between Henan and Anhui, and is a relatively poor area in the Huaihe River Basin.Yuan Shikai's ancestral home is Yuanzhai, but it is a relatively wealthy village and town.There is no one in the "Bao" generation of the Yuan family, only the "Shi" generation is left to support the lintel. Yuan Shikai's eldest brother, Yuan Shidun, has become the "big master" in the family. Yuan Shidun, who is over 50, is probably good at self-cultivation, and he lives a leisurely life like a wild crane, with a chubby body and a blessed appearance.This person is dull, always wearing a long jacket all year round, holding a brass hookah with a curved neck in his hand, and blowing clouds and sprays from both ends all day long.He is introverted, and he glares or nods yes or no to any question.He has read a lot of books, but he doesn't want to sell his talents to the emperor's family. He just wants to be a squire, a celebrity, a guardian of the Yuan family, and a person who promises the Yuan family.Although he and Yuan Shikai are brothers, their relationship is not good.Firstly, he regarded himself as a direct descendant, and he didn't want to be equal to those brothers, so he often treated them with arrogance; secondly, he looked down on Yuan Shikai, who he thought was ignorant, misbehaving, and extremely unkind.Therefore, in these years, no matter how vigorous Yuan Shikai was outside, he still did not leave Xiangcheng.When Liu died of illness in Tianjin, he only sent two nephews to deal with the funeral.In the early days, Yuan Naikuan came to Xiangcheng to take care of the burial of the Liu family, but he refused to meet him in person.Finally barely met. On that day, Yuan Shidun sat in the front seat of the living room with a hookah in his hand, without rolling his eyelids, and just "snoring" his cigarette.Yuan Naikuan, who stood with his head bowed, stammered about the burial of Mrs. Liu.When the words were clear, Yuan Shidun blinked his eyelids, looked at him sideways, and said, "So, a big funeral is going to be earth-shattering?" Yuan Naikuan didn't understand what he meant, so he just said "Hmm".Yuan Shidun said angrily, "Is it worth it?" Yuan Naikuan was taken aback, he didn't expect this old man to be so indifferent to the deceased, and to his illustrious younger brother.However, he didn't dare to say a word.I had to hang my drooping head further down, Yuan Shidun puffed on the cigarette for a while again, and then said: "No matter how big our Yuan family's old funeral is, it is not too much, but this time." He blew on the ashes in the pipe , and loaded with tobacco. "This time... you go back, let Shikai come back, we will discuss it later." Yuan Naikuan felt that things were not done satisfactorily, and wanted to try harder.Then he said: "My lord, when I came, my lord was still alive. Naturally, all the expenses for the funeral will be raised by him alone. There is no need for the family to spend any more money. It's just..." Yuan Shidun waved his hand to stop him from speaking, and smiled coldly. "Joke, can't the Yuan family afford a funeral?! I can hold a grand funeral without moving my muscles. I dare say that in Xiangcheng County, there is no family that dares to compete with me." "Then..." Yuan Naikuan was confused. "Funeral, he can come out as he likes." Yuan Shidun said, "I will never stop it. It's just that I can't let her occupy the cave in the ancestral grave." Yuan Naikuan understood, but he also panicked... However, Yuan Naikuan did not dare to report to Yuan Shikai so clearly.And Yuan Shikai also felt that his elder brother would not necessarily hinder him in this way. Tianjin's hearse temporarily stopped in the county.县自为他设了祭堂，要让县城乡亲为之祭悼--项城县出了总督，又是北洋大臣，太子少保，全县人民跟着沾光，能不为他老母吊丧? 县城开悼的第二天，袁世凯领着几位随身先去了袁寨。他在天津是发了狠的，他要同他的胞兄扭着劲干一场，殡怎么出，得他说了算。"难道我一个朝廷大臣葬母还会被族规阻拦?" 离开县城的时候，袁世凯没有穿总督服，御赐的双眼花翎也收藏起来了，只按照地方习俗穿上长衫马褂，戴上六片瓦的帽店，坐上县衙门为他特备的马车走进袁寨。 袁寨，是一个住着300户人家，上千口人的寨圩，中间高高的门台是袁世凯的宅院；四周便是众多佃农和其他庄稼人，村子成了园形，一堵高高的圩墙围裹着，圩墙外是一圈丈多深的壕沟，壕沟里终年不断积水，只有圩子南面留着寨门，可以通过行人车辆。寨门外的壕沟上有吊桥。太平年月，只闭寨门不放吊桥；若是战乱或匪盗兴盛时，每晚都把吊桥吊起。这样，住在寨子里的人家便与外界隔绝了。如今，虽然北方多乱，洋人开战，但在偏僻的项城，还算太平，所以，寨圩子上的吊桥一直不曾吊起。袁寨的人都知道袁世凯要还乡葬母，寨门也是天天黎明即敞开。袁世敦也有意差了家丁时刻关照。 袁世凯在寨门外下了马车，在随从的簇拥下，一路和相遇的人打着招呼，一路朝家中走去。 袁家是寨子里的主户，算得上书香门第，自然是讲究礼仪的。袁世敦派出的家丁和族中晚辈，纷纷跪迎袁世凯，然后随在身后。袁世凯走进家门，直奔客厅。 袁世敦也从坐椅上站起来，端着铜制的水烟袋立在当门表示迎接。唯其与往日不同的是：袁家从正门直至客厅、内宅，一律地挂起了黑纱，张起了白纸，袁世敦也换了一身素服，以表示全家举哀。 袁世凯见了大哥，没待说话，便泣不成声地跪倒面前，然后悲痛地大哭起来。袁世敦也放下烟袋，跪下与袁世凯同哀。兄弟们一哭，全宅男女老少都就地跪倒，放声大哭起来。一时间，袁宅悲天号地，哀声不止。 一阵悲痛哭哀之后，袁世敦收住泪，让人劝止了袁世凯，又止住家人，兄弟俩这才对面坐了一下来。这是袁世凯自从升了三品道员远去朝鲜之后和哥哥的第一次重会，屈指算算，整整17年了，兄弟俩不免相互问候一番。最后，还是把话题归到出殡上。 "日前，你让人来跟我商量老人家安葬的事。"袁世敦先开了口。"其实，无须商量，该怎么办，都有规矩。我们那片祖茔还是比较广阔的，随便那个边上都可以。你去看着定就行了。" "边上?!"袁世凯把脖子挺了挺，心里老大的不快。"是边上。"袁世敦说："世俗，族规都如此。" "不能人正穴?""不能。" "大哥，"袁世凯讲价钱了。"别管大小，我是朝廷命官，并且又领了太子少保的衔。这样葬母，官场上是会哗然的。你是不是考虑过我日后的处境?" "我不谙官场。"袁世敦崩起脸膛。"官场上该怎么办?那是你们做官人的事情。我是平民，我只知祖训。" "这么说，大哥是不顾我在朝廷上的做人了。"袁世凯拉大旗了。 "连家规、祖训都不顾的人，还谈什么在朝廷做人!"袁世敦是封建礼教的忠诚者，他要维护那个"礼仪"，他坚持刘氏不能人祖坟的正穴。 刚刚还亲亲热热的气氛陡然间就变了，这哥俩的脸膛都蒙上了冰霜，一个转向左，一个转向右；一个要母以子贵，一个要嫡庶分明。互不相让，剑拔弩张。见此情形，在客厅内外侍候的老伙，老干们，纷纷退了出去，不唤不敢再来。其余几位兄弟全是庶出，他们以为以袁世凯的身份，葬母事会有个好结果的。谁知老大就是不松口。他们也就不敢再去帮腔争取了。 袁世凯这些年的日子，一直是顺风顺水，青云直上，连老佛爷，皇上都得高看三分，不想在葬母事上让胞兄把他"卡"了。堂堂的朝廷重臣，生母葬在祖茔的地边上，自己的脸膛确实无处放。他向兄长说明了这层关系，兄长就是不体谅。若是换成别人、别事，袁世凯早动威、动权了。他现在不能，他看得很清楚，这位兄长是不会怕他的威和权的。袁世凯想即刻返京，在老佛爷面前为娘讨一个封爵，或请老佛爷颁一道圣旨，把老母葬在祖坟正穴。手中有了这两件东西之一，就不怕大哥不服，处处制肘了。他欠欠身，想就此返京。但是，他又坐了下来。"老娘已经死了，朝廷上下无人不知，死后虽有追谥的例子，但那是对盛主、功臣，一个平民妇女，朝廷能会追谥她什么?单单为一个大臣的母亲丧事如何办、葬在什么地方。朝廷也不会颁一道圣旨......"想到这些，袁世凯为难了。袁世凯毕竟是显赫天下的人物，把生母葬在袁氏祖莹的地边上，又毕竟是一件被公认为卑下的事情。果然到那一天事情如此，他率领妻妾子女和管家、侍从、佣人去安葬，他以何面目对待四方?他以何心情告慰亡灵?袁世凯不会那样做。"不，绝不会做那种丢人现眼的事。" "这么说，这件事只有按你的意思办才行了?"袁世凯没有再叫一声"大哥"。口气也有点逼人。 袁世敦也不让步。"这不是我的意思。这是礼仪。礼仪是我们祖祖辈辈都最最遵守，不能到我这世字辈，由我坏了。" "我要是不这样葬呢?"袁世凯又紧逼一步。 "那就是你作主的事了。"袁世敦说："祖坟正穴是万万人不得的。" "难道我不是袁氏子孙?"袁世凯发怒了。 "谁否认你了?"袁世敦也随着袁世凯拍案而起。"将来我死了，难道也葬在地边上娘的坟前?" "我没有说这个话。" "你不讲情，我也不讲义了。我要另立坟茔，堂堂正正地葬母!"说罢，转身出来，上了送他来的马车，匆匆返回县城。 袁世凯回到县城，在娘的灵前痛哭一场之后，把管家找来，告诉他们："立即在城外给我买一块风水宝地，我要另立坟茔，轰轰烈烈地葬母!" 袁世凯有势、有银于，买地立坟，说出来办得到。何况有地方官的尽心奉承，还不是好地拣着买，老殡大大地出! 坟地定下来了，又请了风水先生定了穴，重新扎纸幡，做了楠木棺罩，扎了纸楼、六畜。纸人，另请了几班吹鼓手，袁世凯和他兄弟、姐妹、子侄等披麻戴孝，手持哀杖，在由士兵组成的护卫队护送下，真是轰轰烈烈地出了一场大殡。 刘氏的棺椁下地之后，袁世岂仰面朝天，痛哭发誓："我--我袁世凯再不进袁寨，永不进祖坟了!" --果然，袁世凯在河南北部的彰德洹上村另安了住宅，日后自己也葬在那里。这是后事，不再详记。 Fives 炉中的熏香燃尽了，皇太后慈禧闭着眼睛闻不到了香味，有气无力地喊一声："人呢?" 两个宫女应声立在面前。 "眼呢?没有眼也没有鼻子了?"逃乱归来，慈禧便一直精神不振，性情也变了，无论王公大臣还是太监宫女，谁在她面都没有好气受，轻则责怪，重则会自己"掌嘴"。连李莲英也有意无意地避她三舍。 宫女不敢作声，匆匆忙忙又燃起了熏香，插入香炉。"袁宫保袁大人来了吗?"慈禧还是有气无力的说话。"回老佛爷，袁大人来了半天啦，见你睡着了，怕影响你休息。 他在前厅侯旨呢!""让他进来吧。""知道了!"宫女退了出去。 随着传话，袁世凯朝服齐楚走进来。跪在慈禧面前，说："臣袁世凯，恭请老佛爷圣安!" "罢了。起来吧，那边有座，坐吧。""谢老佛爷。" 袁世凯坐下之后，侧目望了望慈禧，觉得这个老婆子衰老多了。"她还不到70岁呀，不该老得这个样子。"他又想："国事太冗繁了，她是累老的。" 正在袁世凯胡思乱想之际，慈禧又开了口："早几天，你回项城葬母去了，事情都办利索了?"不待袁世凯回话，慈禧又叹着气，说："也难为你了，大孝在身，移孝作忠，我心里是有数的。" "老佛爷的仁慈，臣没齿不忘。"袁世凯又跪倒磕了个头。"回老佛爷，母葬办妥贴了，臣想朝中事多，没敢久留，便回来了。" "好孩子，难为你了。"慈禧伸手示意，让袁世凯坐下，又说："我想起了一件事，你到直隶之后，办理了一一件开滦煤矿挂旗的事，我知道了，但又忘了。是怎么回事呀?" 袁世凯回道："开滦煤矿的开采，是同英国人联合办的，那是李鸿章李大人具体经手。臣原不想再过问这件事了，按当初的联办合约办事就行了。可是，既然开滦煤矿在臣的属地，臣总是要去看看的。这一看，实在令人生气......" "英国人和中国人合办的煤矿，竟是只悬挂英国的国旗。"慈禧想起来了，当时袁世凯是有奏折报来的，慈禧也是看了奏折挺生气的，并且派人正儿八经地跟英国总领事馆作了交涉。因为八国联军围攻的事急，她便记不大清楚了。经袁世凯一提，她才想起来。"这个李鸿章......"她想责怪当初的经办人李鸿章几句，可是，却又吐了又吞--"一个已经过世的大臣，还是多爱护为宜"。她只顺着势儿问："以后事情办得如何?" 袁世凯想邀功了。他说："臣当时除了奏报之外，又派员去向英国人提抗议，要求他们要立即挂出代表我大清国威严的龙旗!""要求得对，该这样要求。要不，也太失中国人的威严了。"慈禧来劲了。她把她逃出北京城、直趋西安避难的狼狈的处境忘了。八国联军中英国人便占着极主要位置。"后来怎么样了?" "凭着老佛爷和大清王朝圣威，英国人老老实实地在英国国旗旁边又挂出了中国的龙旗。" "这才像话。你做得很有礼，很有节，做得好。"慈禧眉问呈现出笑意。 "还有件气人的事。"袁世凯说。 "德国人想依照英国人的办法在直隶和我们合办启新洋灰公司。我就想起了英国人不挂龙旗的事，便对他们堂堂正正地说："办洋灰公司，中国愿意同你们合作。但是，主权得是我们中国的，你们德国出技术，你们作公司的总技师好了。 " "说得好，说得好，这才像个中国人的样子!"慈禧夸奖了。 "德国人不甘心，又把我的老师周馥请出，前来说情。" "周馥?"慈禧眯着眼想了想说："是不是那个做过两江总督的 周馥?" "是的。"袁世凯回答。 "也是北洋的老人了，怎么也会办糊涂的事。"慈禧显然是不赞成的。 "我也是这样想。"袁世凯说："我婉言谢绝了周大人。" "洋灰公司结果怎么样?"慈禧问。 "办成了。"袁世凯说："德国人只算技术投资，我们也只给了他们个洋灰公司的总技师头衔。当然公司是不能挂德国国旗只能挂中国龙旗的!" 大约是这女人被八国洋人欺负得太厉害了，有一丝寸洋的反抗和报复，她也觉得心里舒坦。袁世凯把办洋灰公司的事说完，慈禧的眉也就完全展开了，她挺挺胸，像是想站起来。两个宫女忙过去搀扶。可她，却坐下了，遂又指着龙案上的茶杯，说："给袁大人上茶!" 宫女去倒茶，袁世凯忙又谢恩。 Cixi smiled. "我也明白了，对洋人，就不能任其作为。这方面，我们有的人骨头不硬，酿成大祸，吃了亏。往后，就得按照你对英国人、对德国人的办法。不然，我堂堂大清天朝，还有体面么!?"慈禧气壮如牛地在自己屋里说大话，她竟忘了，那"骨头不硬"的人中间头一个就是她自己，给堂堂大清天朝丢体面的第一人也是她这个老女人。如今却又打肿脸膛充胖子来了。袁世凯是明白这一点的，但他却不敢在这个女人面前拉开这层幕帐，而又献殷勤地说："臣是能理解老佛爷的苦心。昔日，臣人微言轻，只能为老佛爷叹息；老佛爷厚爱小臣，小臣一定尽最大努力，在同外国人打交道时，首先想到大清王朝的天尊，想到老佛爷的体面。" "难得你有这番心意。"慈禧觉得这些"闲事"该丢开了，她要找袁世凯来的真实意图该说明了。"西安回来，我的心情总不好，看哪哪烦，该说的话，我也懒得说了。" "这都是臣子们的不好，让老佛爷伤心了。"袁世凯忙拍马。 "你瞧瞧，你瞧瞧，"慈禧有点生气、变脸了。"八国联军的军队竞住进了宫内，什么地方都给破坏了，宫殿里的陈设，抢走的抢走了，毁坏的毁坏了。这哪里还是皇宫，还是金殿?简直是一片废墟，是一片不是人住的破瓦寒窑。我真伤透心了，若不是还有意收拾这片山河，拯救黎民百姓，我真的连活也不想活在人世了。"说着，竞扯起袖子去揉眼。 "臣子们有罪，臣子们有罪。"袁世凯没受人委托竟代表了满朝文武。他心中早已明白：皇宫烂乱成这个样子，太后伤心到这种地步，把他袁世凯找进宫里来了，鼻涕眼泪地说出了伤心事，还不是想要他筹集款项，办置物品，恢复故宫的旧模样，恢复她慈禧的体面。袁世凯微微锁眉，心中掂量：修复故宫，却不是三儿两钱可以办得到的，拿三、五十万银子洒在故宫中，怕是连个响儿也听不见；再多，哪里去拿?八国之乱，直隶重灾，正常秩序尚未恢复，怎么好张口向黎民百姓摊派泥?若是等到休养生息，那又是缓不济急。老佛爷说的，当耳旁风，听之任之，又不行。不是要我办这件事，她把我叫来干什么?故宫这么大，想诉苦哪里不能诉，何必对着我洒泪!袁世凯又想：现在，朝事危难，老佛爷危难，正是作臣子的要出力，要勤王救驾的寸候，有人想寻找这个机会还找不到呢?献忠心千载难逢之机，不要放过。 "老佛爷请放心，故宫烂成这个样子，臣已觉罪不可免，若是看着老佛爷龙体就此大伤，那更是臣的大罪。老佛爷只管放心，这件事由臣来办。我将在最快的时间内，把故宫恢复原样。到那一天，让老佛爷看了心里欢喜!" 袁世凯满口答应了修复故宫的事，慈禧悬在心上的一块石头落了地，眉眼也展开了。"难为你了，孩子。宫中有一线办法，我也不会让你去为难。咱们共渡难关吧。黑夜过去就是早晨，沉舟侧畔千帆过，病树前头万木春!日子好了，我会记住你的。谁待我怎么样，我心里都有一笔帐。你去吧，我也累了。" 袁世凯又跪请"圣安"，然后退了出去。 从北京回到天津，袁世凯的眉头一直紧紧地锁着。他在慈禧面前大话说过了，他明白，那不是戏言，他不敢把它当成戏言，事情办不成，要落欺君罪的，欺君要杀头的。他应该说到做到。怎么做到?添一片瓦，购一张桌，买一件摆设，都得钱。钱从何来?他离开宫中的时候，大太监李莲英送了他一程。他跟李莲英交往很深，他的许多重要话都是经过李莲英传到慈禧耳中的；慈禧的话也都是经过李莲英传到袁世凯耳中的。 "宫保此番进宫，意义甚大呀!"李莲英伴着袁世凯外走，一边说。 "常常劳驾公公，慰庭感激不尽。"袁世凯说："此番老佛爷把修复故宫任务交给了慰庭，是慰庭的荣幸。我知道，李公公是厚爱慰庭的。" 李莲英不想只听袁世凯的美言，他看到了修复故宫的难度。他一边递给袁世凯一张备料单，一边说："这是匡算，算得很紧。略为大方一点，还得更多银子，宫保万不可轻视这件事!" 袁世凯心里沉沉地。他明白，李莲英送行是名，其实是压任务的。便说："公公放心，我记住你的话了。还望公公在老佛爷面前多为慰庭说几句话。" "放心吧，我会做的。" 袁世凯把那个清单看明白了，不是几十万两银子办的事，而是过百万两!他心里很焦急--银子过了百万两，是什么含意，他不能不焦急。 他一回到天津，就把帐房先生符殿青找来，他想破釜沉舟、倾家荡产，也要落得慈禧喜欢。 six 直隶总督府的大客厅里，喜气洋洋。袁世凯以个人名义，邀请所属藩、皋、司、道的官儿们前来聚会。事前，他并未对他们说明来意，等到官儿们都到场了，袁世凯才捧起杯，笑着说："今天，慰庭请各位大人来，是有件私事相求。还望各位大人能够大力臂助。"藩皋司道的官儿们先后站起，也都捧起杯，说："宫保大人有话尽管吩咐，下官自当尽力，自当尽力。" "好好，请各位都坐下说话。" 人们都坐下了，袁世凯才开门见山地说："各位大人都是知道的，八国联军占领了京城之后，大兵驻进了故宫。这一驻，故宫遭了殃，房舍毁了不说，殿厅室轩的置物，几乎抢劫一空。现在，老佛爷和万岁爷都安然回到北京了，总不能让老佛爷和万岁爷住在那样破破