138 nights are over

The scenery of the north, thousands of miles of ice, thousands of miles of snow.

Under the dark night sky, Beijing was dressed in a plain suit of snow, and the big waves of the Baigou River suddenly became surging.

The cold wind is like a sword, and the snowflakes are like brocade all over Scylla Hutongs. The gorgeous Yuan's mansion is wrapped in silver, and the jade of Qionglou is like a fairyland.

Above the tall building, a bearded fat man looked brightly out of the glass window. The red palace wall and yellow glazed tiles of the Forbidden City were covered by ice and snow. The dark sky seems to be quiet and contains a crisis. He took a heavy breath and asked Yang Du, who was standing next to him, "The war in the three towns of Wuhan has stopped?"

Yang Du woke up from the beautiful scenery in front of him, his eyebrows relaxed, and said with a smile, "Foreigners have come forward to mediate."

Wu Luzhen was assassinated and Zhang Shaozeng was removed. The situation in the north was stable. The senior government in Beijing held a meeting and officially elected him as the prime minister. Yuan Shikai handed over the military command to his cronies Feng Guozhang, Duan Qirui and others. He led the guard to the north and arrived in Beijing on November 3 to organize a responsible cabinet.

The office of the new cabinet, after his request to the imperial court, moved out of the palace and was changed to be located in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building of Dongcheng Shi Dong Hutong. Except as a last resort, he didn't go to the palace. He didn't want to go there and was a little afraid to go there. The performance of martial arts in Kangxi Palace is as famous as the five rats in Tokyo in the teahouse in the capital. It is impossible for him not to know. You should know that in the capital, the influence of the seven chivalrous and five righteousness is no less than that of the four books and five classics.

In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, he seldom goes to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because of foot disease. He mainly works in his private residence, Scylla Hutong. The current Yuan's mansion in Xira Hutong is really full of cars and horses every day. Officials from various ministries and representatives from various provinces came here to ask for instructions, and there was an endless stream of problems to solve the problem. There are many major events, and the case can be finaled here. This has become another center in Beijing. The "royal father" regent Zaifeng has no real power, and the whole center of the Qing court has been overtaken by him.

Shortly after entering Beijing, there was a saying that the national body should change. Attracting important people in Beijing, social celebrities came to ask the Prime Minister.

"Where, where." After re-entering Beijing, the heart that suddenly warmed and cold made Yuan Shikai extremely heavy. His city is as deep as day by day. He always answered everyone like this, and then continued, "But the southern provinces have become chaotic one after another. The military strength I have at hand is only suppressing, stroking, and using it together!" But to make peace, their tone is also very resolute, and they must implement a republic. I want to be favored by the court, and I can only be loyal and patriotic. In the sake of the court, can I follow them and carry the court? Now the Southern People's Party is very rampant. We just want to think of a plan to ensure the integrity of society.

"So, in the opinion of the Prime Minister, what kind of national body should we implement?" Some people are so serious that they have to make a more specific answer by this important person.

"Alas! --" Yuan Shikai sighed for a long time, "The monarchy system can never be changed. I have received the favor of the country in the world. Unfortunately, the situation is like this. I should sacrifice my life to repay it. I can only maintain the monarch's constitution to the end. I don't know anything else."

The constitutional monarchy, Zai Feng, had issued an edict of "effectively preparing for constitutional government" three years ago. Yuan Shikai, an old treacherous man, carried him out as a mantra to publicly answer general public opinion, which was neither excessive nor conservative. In fact, he has other plans in his mind.

From the beginning, Yuan Shikai himself had a good understanding of the revolutionary army in Wuchang and had no desire to kill and exterminate at all. When he was still in Changde, he had sent his subordinate Liu Cheng'en to get close to Li Yuanhong as a fellow villager in Hubei. After conquering Hankou, while pressing with a gun, Yuan Shikai sent people to persuade him to surrender, which was clearly rejected by the revolutionaries. Later, Liu Chengen was instructed by him to send secret agent Wang Hongsheng to meet Li Yuanhong with a secret letter. There was a very intriguing conversation, and there was a tendency to hook up and become a traitor.

Later, it was Li Xiang who raised the morale of the Democratic Party. Seeing this situation, not only did Li Yuanhong's attitude become tough, but Huang Xing also changed his previous attitude of persuasion, refuted Liu Chengen's constitutional monarchy, and told the military and civilians in Wuhan not to be moved by Yuan Shikai and expose his bad intentions.

Therefore, he stepped up the deployment of the attack of Feng Guozhang and others and sent troops to capture Hanyang. If it is not frustrated, there is no hope for peace, and the rest of his prestige will also be in the end!" Yuan Shikai wrote in his book to his brother Yuan Shitong.

Feng Jun's victory over Huang Xing in Xiaogan was encouraged by the imperial court's title of "baron", and the foundation for the victory seemed to be a little dizzy. Duan Qirui sent him a secret telegram. Feng took down Yangxia without stopping, and immediately bombarded Wuchang in Guishan to capture the three towns of Wuhan.

This made Yuan Shikai very anxious. From the first time he arrived in Beijing, he repeatedly asked Feng Guozhang from the side to stop the war in Wuhan. There were seven emergency calls a day, and there was a tendency for the twelve tokens to stop Grandpa Yue.

For Yuan Shikai, he retained Wuchang and left a territory for the revolutionary army. In addition to showing his tolerant attitude to the outside world, the most important thing is to retain the opponent of the peace talks, proving that the strength of the revolutionary army cannot be underestimated, so that he can continue to squeeze the Qing court, so as not to break through Wuchang and others.

Feng Guozhang was greedy and almost ruined Yuan Shikai's good deeds. At the same time, Lao Yuan was ready to negotiate with Li Yuanhong. Between the two camps of "revolution" and "counter-revolution", step on the steel wire and hold it moderately to maximize their own interests and finally complete the great cause of stealing the country.

All this, there is a question in front of Yuan Shikai and an answer behind Yang Du. Because of Duan Qirui's short report, Yuan Shikai was scared.

At this moment, it has been updated. Yuan Shikai looked at the changes of the Forbidden City, all of which were under his control. At the beginning, from North Korea to Zhili, Yuan Shikai did his best for the Qing Dynasty. But what did he get in the end? I almost got a head-killing steel knife. However, from now on, your destiny is completely under your control. Soon, the fate of this country and this nation will also be controlled by him.

"Your Excellency?" Tonight, Yang Du changed from the elegant long shirt he used to live in, wearing a straight black suit, and the leather shoes under his feet were polished. A pinch of small musters on the white face shows the temperament of wind and jade, and the dark eyes are as dark as paint with faint light, and they are also excited about Yuan Shikai's heroic hegemony. Learn the art of dragon slaughter and assist the Lord of Destiny.

As you know, the war in Wuhan has stopped. Feng Juntong just sent a telegram that Hankou and Wuchang were truce for three days. The old British consul of Minxiang in the eastern suburbs also sent a letter confirming that Ge Fu, the British consul of Hankou, came forward and signed a three-day armistice agreement. The opportunity is right in front of us. Well, the opportunity is fair and cruel to anyone. The South is still in chaos, and immediately organizes personnel to negotiate with the South to expand the results of the alliance under the city. Yang Du talked and was proud of the spring breeze.

Beijing is full of snow, and the interior is as warm as spring.

Yuan Shikai didn't wear a hat, revealing his oily bald forehead. He listened quietly and said thoughtfully for a long time: "Now there are two problems in front of him. First, there is chaos in the south. There is no strong leader. Wuchang and Shanghai are fighting for the head of a provisional central government. Who should we talk to and who can we negotiate with make them all admit that it is effective? Second, the orphans and widows in the Forbidden City are still gritting their teeth, and the king's family is still holding on. The decree of the peace has not been issued, and I always lack a name.

Yang Du calmly waited for him to finish his words and stared and thought about it. Yuan Shikai was rolling in Dor, a student. Suddenly, he smiled and said, "Two problems are difficult to say, and it's easy to say. It's also a problem to say two problems. The people in the Democratic Party are most open and aboveboard, focusing on the interests of the country and the people. There is no idea of selfish rights, but seeking the establishment of a republic, even if they abandon the armor and return to the field, it is okay to say that they are famous. It is from Jin Yunpeng, these scholars, running up and down, taking the interests of the country and the national righteousness to entangle with the Democratic Party and the theory of the Beiyang generals, as long as the eldest son holds the rudder to create a big trend. Finally, the general trend of people's hearts, such as the Yangtze River**, will collapse with a little restraint. Xiang Cheng is on the brunt of it. Don't you want to turn this tide and return to the bottom?"

Speaking of this, Yuan Shikai actually picked up the wine snuggled on the red stove in person. While giving Yang Du a glass of wine, he smiled at him and said, "To build momentum! At that time, Manting needs me to protect the world of the Aixinjueluo family, and the Democratic Party expects me to change the life of the Aixinjueluo family anyway. There are requests for me on both sides, and I can't ask for it. Well, I will ask the minister Juldian of the old British government for help to make it bigger. The Democratic Party and Man Ting are most afraid of foreign adults. For half a century, Chinese people have been really scared by foreigners.

"Thank you, my lord." Yang Du bowed his head in shock and returned the salute. He picked up the glass with both hands and drank it in one breath. He cleared his throat and said, "In addition to creating a big trend, there are several other things that go hand in hand, and the big things will be done."

Yuan Shikai smiled and said, "Take your time, I'll listen. Stay up all night tonight and discuss it slowly.

Yang Du and Western-style shrugged their shoulders and said, "The main battle of Hankou affairs is dominated by Feng Juntong and Duan Juntong. The purpose, first is that the Hankou burning case is shocked at home and abroad. We and I show peace and sincerity, and we must give such an explanation to the public. Second, Feng Juntong once led the imperial guard. In exchange for him returning to Beijing to take charge of the imperial guard, there is no one in Beiyang who is more suitable for holding the guard than him. Third, Feng Juntong's intention to serve is too eager. I'm really afraid that his impulse will ruin the north and south. One more thing, in the name of the front-line army raising the money, he distributed military money to the royal palaces of the major clans. These princes and nobles are short-sighted. Just like at the end of the Ming Dynasty, they would rather watch Man Ting fall than pay their pockets. They will definitely escape from Beijing for refuge, or even exile abroad. At that time, there will be no one in the Beijing clan, and then the eldest prince will take the lead to contact a general in Beiyang and make a name! Put some pressure on the orphans and widows. At this time, there are only two orphans and widows left in Beijing, and there is not even a negotiable person. Who else can they rely on except adults?

Yang Du said it quickly and heavily. It was really rebellious. Yuan Shikai couldn't help shivering. After all, he was a slave to the Aixinjue Luo family for a lifetime, and he had some mental obstacles.

Half a sound, a difficult silence, Yuan Shikai finally sighed and said, "I just follow you."

If you want to plan a big deal, you must have such courage and fierceness. A smile flashed in Yang Du's eyes.

Yang Du turned around and said, "Jiang Ning and Zhang Xun sent urgent telegrams tonight. How should we respond? The Jiangsu and Zhejiang People's Army formed an alliance and has launched an attack on Tianbao City. Jiangning is in critical condition!"

Tianbao City is located halfway up the mountain of Zhongshan outside the east gate of Nanjing City. Zhongshan Mountain is high and condescending, overlooking the whole city of Nanjing. A fortress was built on Tianbao City, which is both high and steep. The terrain of Tianbao City is suffocating, undulating, the mountain road is rugged, and the sheep's intestines are curved, which is conducive to defense rather than attack. Tianbao City is the key point of capturing Nanjing. In the past, there has always been such a military proverb in Nanjing: "If you want to get Nanjing City, fight Tianbao City first."

If Tianbao City is broken, Nanjing can no longer stick to it.

Now that Nanjing is in danger, Zhang Xun desperately sends out for help every day. The day before yesterday, after the allied forces occupied the shogunate mountain, they bombarded the Arctic Pavilion Liangjiang Governor's Mansion, the Manqi General's Mansion and the Zhang Xun's Admiral's Mansion in the city, and the sound of artillery was shocking. A shell hit the Arctic Pavilion and exploded in the temple where Governor Zhang Renjun, General Manqi Tieliang and Admiral Zhang Xun lived, destroying two small cannons. The three Qing ministers were frightened and fled to the nearby Japanese consulate in panic. This shows the danger of Nanjing.

Hearing Yang Du's words, Yuan Shikai smiled gloomily and said, "If you don't want Hanyang, it's not enough to seize the revolutionary spirit; if you don't lose Nanjing, it's not enough for the courage of the Qing court. To achieve this step, just do it... Leave it in the middle and don't send it. Let him live and die."

This is what Yang Du wants, otherwise he won't say it until the end.

He said quietly, "Yes."

Yuan Shikai smiled and pushed open the glass window. A cold wind blew over, and the rolled up snowflakes poured in. It was painful to hit his face, and Yang Du shivered.

Tonight, there is no starless moon, thick snow and white, and some hazy light prints the surrounding scenery, such as dream bubbles. The snow fell from the sky, and it was so auspicious that it no longer belonged to Manting. Naturally, it belonged to him, Yuan Shikai.

How about the night? In the middle of the night.