155 Hankou not far from the war

Hankou, the president of the Beiyang First Army, Liu's Garden.

With the loud sound of the three cannon-raising ceremony of grandly sending off guests, the Western band temporarily recruited by Feng Guozhang also played the bronze trumpet and beat the small drum. At the dance appreciation platform, Liu Yuan's romantic banquet dispersed overnight. The whole city is hungry, and there are frozen bones on the road. There are still flowers and songs at night.

The footsteps sounded, and Feng Guozhang sent a group of foreign adults out with a smile on his face.

It deserves to be given by Feng Guozhang. Naturally, he is not an ordinary person. British consul Ge Fu, the newly appointed British captain, the head of the British Civil Corps, the consul of the eleven countries resident in Hankou, as well as Pan En, the president of the International Chamber of Commerce, the British Chamber of Commerce, the German Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the French Chamber of Commerce Council and other foreign business circles are also present. There are many contradictions between foreign merchants, foreign consuls and foreign military groups in Hankou, and the interests of various countries are even more entangled. It is rare to gather together like this. A group of foreigners were wearing formal dresses with hard collars standing tall. He talked and laughed and went out with Feng Guozhang. When they arrived at the door, they all bowed goodbye to Feng Guozhang. They were a little friends and pulled their hands.

Feng Guozhang had been looking at the back of the foreigner disappearing in the place where the dim yellow street lights could not shine. His smiling face slowly sank down, and the cold wind blew on his face, as if it was cold and hung a layer of frost. Real Madrid's coats were flying around, and he just shook his head slightly in meditation.

Zhang Lianfen and Chen Zisheng walked over quietly and exchanged eyes. Finally, Chen Zisheng came forward helplessly and whispered, "Military unification, what is the attitude of this country?"

"What else!" Feng Guozhang turned around and strode towards the garden. His voice was low and deep: "Nanjing was occupied by the party, and the rapid development of China's revolutionary situation made the great powers feel afraid. Therefore, the discussion in Minxiang in the eastern suburbs of Beijing is no longer the issue of maintaining the Manchu dynasty, but the issue of changing the imperial system. Although the republic is not favored by the British, they are convinced that the fullness of the Democratic Party is unstoppable. It is not as good as pretending to be "neutral" and secretly support Lord Yuan as the agent of the Eastern and Western powers. It is more beneficial for the director to defeat the Qing government and eliminate the revolutionary party with one hand. The matter of peace, the matter of Lord Yuan, foreigners are more anxious than anyone else. If there are foreigners negotiating in the middle, even Sun Cannon has to think twice. Next is a war of words on the negotiation table.

Zhang Lianfen looked puzzled: "The British sphere of influence is concentrated in the Yangtze River and southern China. The bandit army in Wuchang, 1911, has suddenly emerged. Although our Beiyang army won a little in Yangxia, the British government's assistance to the Qing court has given up. In order to maintain business, the British Overseas Chinese in Shanghai have expressed "goodwill" to the Democratic Party, which has been transformed into British foreign policy. The Western powers felt that it was not easy or more beneficial to help the imperial court directly by force. Therefore, after several days of hesitation, they immediately admitted that the revolutionary army was a 'war regiment' and declared 'strict neutrality'. In Japan, since the beginning of the Wuchang Rebellion, some people have advocated intervention. Later, I heard that the British side had warned Wen, and the Japanese side felt that it had failed to act alone. However, Japan is willing to give up this opportunity to expand its power on the Asian continent?

Feng Guozhang always had a trace of worry in his heart. He smiled bitterly and said, "When the Anglo-Japanese Alliance Treaty was concluded in the summer of Gengxu, most of the British overseas Chinese in East Asia felt their shackles when they saw that Japan's policies were not consistent with Britain' own interests. When the Qing court used Lord Yuan, the Japanese government proposed to Britain and the United States to jointly intervene, and the great powers guaranteed the establishment of a righteous Qing court regime. Japan advocates the proposal of international co-mand of China, but the United Kingdom and the United States will not adopt it! Therefore, Japan took a step back and proposed that China should be painted as two, while the Qing court was still maintained in the north, and the republic was limited to the south of the Yangtze River, but the British government did not agree. Dou Nale, the British envoy to Japan, has been ordered to prevent Japan's non-neutral action against Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs three times, and for the first time, he protested against the Japanese minister to China, Ijiyuan, to maintain the Qing court's statement. The second protest against Japan's plan to lend money to the Qing court. The third protest against Japan's intervention by force. Britain and the United States still prefer Lord Yuan. Most foreigners believe that if the Chinese war continues, it will endanger the interests and security of outsiders.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yasuya Uchida informed the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Braian, and said, "If the behavior against the enemy continues, the Japanese government believes that it is necessary to consider interfering." The Japan Agency in the United States also wrote to the U.S. Secretary of State, saying: "The situation in China is getting worse, and the power of the Qing court is equal to zero. The revolutionary party also has different factions and no real leader. If it continues to develop, it will not only affect business, but also its outbreak of xenophobic actions similar to boxing chaos in Hankou. Li Xiang's move may be imitated. In addition, this year's flood disaster, the hungry people collapsed, and the people were in chaos. In this case, the Revolutionary Party is absolutely unable to maintain the occupied area. Today, China is rightly choosing the imperial system or the wrong path of republic. According to the opinion of the Japanese government, it is extremely difficult to adopt the republican system. Even if it is implemented, it is hard to believe that the Chinese can use it. On the other hand, the Qing court is incompetent and there is no taboo. It is practically impossible to restore its authority and rule the country as the old system. Therefore, the best way to adapt to the current situation in China is to establish a Chinese rule under the Yishang Qing court regime. On the one hand, it respects the rights of the Chinese people, and on the other hand, it restricts the dictatorial rights of the Qing Dynasty. And eliminate republican fantasy and formulate a constitution, which the emperor vows to abide by. In this way, the government thought that it should advise the two sides and set conditions. One side made the Qing court accept the proposed principle and recognized it as a good strategy to maintain the regime. On the other hand, it made the revolutionary party understand that the construction of a republic was unrealistic and endangered China's survival and the people's own welfare. It must maintain the current court, respect the status of the people, and be guaranteed by the major powers. . "

Dou Nale tried to talk about the British government's opinion on the British Bole, and said, "The Japanese authorities think that the Chinese revolution is a simple local matter, while the British are convinced that the Chinese revolution is developing and is a revolutionary movement. Such a movement has to become a flood, while Japan regards it as a dripping water and is easy to curb." It can be seen that the aggressive strategies of Britain and Japan are different, so their observation of China is also very different.

And the United States extends its power in the Far East, which is more independent than the great powers, so it advocates territorial preservation, open doors and equal opportunities for China. Seeing that the Russian rental brigade is based on the three eastern provinces, he is deeply jealous of it. Therefore, the Russo-Japanese War favored Japan with the help of a huge amount of money. After Japan's victory, it succeeded Russia and monopolized the southern parts of the three eastern provinces, calling for the United States to be disgusted. Therefore, in 1909, Knox Manchukuo was neutral and proposed to borrow from Britain, the United States, France, Russia, Germany and Japan to buy the South Manchuria and Middle East Railways, which were managed by international commissioners, while political rights completely belonged to China. Although it failed due to the joint opposition of Japan and Russia, the United States also cooperated with Britain, France and Germany to organize a four-nation banking group to invest together. Break the monopoly between Japan and Russia. In the following year of 1911, Germany heard that Japan would send troops to Manchuria and intervene militarily in China's internal affairs. The interests in China are the same as those of the United States, and the United States is urged to issue a declaration stating that "respect China's sovereignty, preserve territory, open the door, and have all interests". Yu Li wanted to bombard the combined fleet of the five countries. Germany first asked the United States' attitude towards the current situation in East Asia with an official document. The United States' reply was published at the same time in Berlin, Washington, saying: ... Since the launch of the Chinese revolution, our government has always had the opportunity to exchange views with the great powers, especially France, Britain, Italy, Japan, Russia and your governments to discuss how to protect each other. Interests all advocate concerted action, and have learned from the newspapers of various countries that the great powers have exchanged opinions. Therefore, our government understands China's current situation, cooperates with each other, not only acts alone and interferes in China's internal affairs, and is consistent with the words of the peace treaty respecting China's sovereignty and preserving territory. Now in China, the Qing royal family and the revolutionary party protect the lives and property of outsiders. Li Xiang and other counterfeit revolutionary bandits also have to be punished to expel Hankou and restore the order of the Hankou Concession. If it is not due to external interference, there will be no need to interfere in the future. If it violates all expectations in the future and has no choice but to interfere, my government is convinced that the great powers will negotiate first and then act together. Firmly maintain its policy, sweep away all misunderstandings by yourself... In addition, my government has found that Chinese loans are not easy to give lightly, which is the natural conclusion of strict neutrality. Unless the loan is legitimate to be guaranteed by both parties to the war. I also think that now is the time to especially adapt to the principles held by the borrowing government. Anyone who invests in China by its citizens and does not agree with the coordination policies of the governments of their own countries should be prevented. This statement is tantamount to interfering with Japan's intervention in China. Japan not only opposed the United Kingdom, but also fiercely opposed the latter. Therefore, it was originally scheduled to "after the overthrow of the Qing court, there was a riot in Hankou, that is, to actively march on the predicate of harming the interests of the aliens of the concession." The policy has to be temporarily stopped and used as a secret in the name of joint action.

The public opinion of various imperialist countries may be disappointed in the Qing court, or place expectations on Yuan Shikai, and the large rate is to expose the weaknesses of the Chinese revolutionaries, saying that capitalists take control of China and take advantage of the opportunity to make profits. How can Feng Guozhang not know this at this moment? And how can Yuan Shikai in Beijing not know?

"Military unification, why are you worried about it?" Looking at Feng Guozhang, who looked like iron, Chen Zisheng asked worriedly.

"It's useless for me to worry about state affairs like this." Feng Guozhang sighed, "Foreigners are wolves, and we are sheep."

Chen Zisheng and Zhang Lianfen looked at each other with a wry smile. They are afraid of foreigners from the bottom of their hearts.

However, something uneasy happened to them. The councilor of the Secret Office rushed in, "Lord Juntong, Beijing urgent call."

Feng Guozhang grabbed it and hurriedly unfolded it. It wrote: "The Shangyang Business Group to the Cabinet and Yizai Fengdian "E", the Shanghai Business Group to the Cabinet and the Qingchun Prince discussed seven articles, as follows: The first paragraph: Now in the central and southwestern provinces, the power of the Qing court has become invalid; and most of China, the Qing court should follow Those who protect the lives and property of outsiders contained in the treaty have lost this status and cannot fulfill their duty of protection. Paragraph 2: Even if the provincial division has not been shown to violate the order of the Qing court, the representatives sent to Shanghai also claim to have the right to support the republican regime. Paragraph 3: Now the chaos has been prolonged, Chinese and foreign businessmen have been affected, and business has been hindered. All contracts of Huayang merchants are invalid, and Huayang's life and property cannot be protected. It has been repeatedly found in various cases of robbery. Because the lack of considerable local protection, bandits and non-legal persons cannot be disciplined. It is necessary for the constitutional monarchy and the Republican parties to convene a parliamentary referendum. The political system is so far away from each other that it is not always able to explain the current dispute. Paragraph 5: Unless we discuss with each other and set up a temporary government, we cannot calm the war. Paragraph 6: This interim government, according to the current ideas of most of the people of the country, aims at republicanism, and has declared its opposition to an authoritarian regime, it must always be able to do its best. Paragraph 7: The directors of the Port Chamber of Commerce will invite Prince Qing and the former regent with opinions, quickly convey to the court and the royal families, and immediately try to follow the public opinion, so that the local government can gradually restore order, and wait for the Congress to convene and decide the political system to ensure public security. And telegram to the leaders of the civilian army, observe peace and discuss everything, with the greatest goal of the future to ensure China's complete public security. At that time, I hope that our army will stick to the defensive ground and do not act rashly, so as not to misunderstand. This order, Prime Minister's government.

"Uh? In this way, the foreign business group can no longer sit still and provokes foreigners. The court should soon have an order. The regent Zaifeng is also going to return to the mansion, and the Democratic Party will also sit down and talk, right? Zhang Lianfen took a long breath and began to discuss. There was still a tense and dull atmosphere just now, but now it seems that the clouds suddenly disperse and suddenly become relaxed and warm. As long as you can avoid the intervention of Japanese and Russian troops, there is nothing to be afraid of. What foreigners want is nothing more than interests, and they will not destroy our country.

Feng Guozhang, who had been standing aside worriedly and repeatedly measuring the pros and cons, felt the pleasure of unloading a thousand pounds of weight. As the highest official of the Beiyang First Army in Hankou, he is the most concerned about the development of the situation at this time, but he is also the one who is about to leave. As soon as the situation turned to calm down, he put on the proper posture as the owner of the place and blurted out, "Alas, these foreigners really can't help it. It's midnight. Shall we have a rest and eat something? I'm really not used to the barbecue steak prepared for foreigners at the banquet..."

Unexpectedly, before the voice fell, a burst of rapid telephone bell shattered the dreams of these Beiyang generals.

"Feng Juntong, I'm Lu Jianzhang. Now the Beijing-Han line is in a mess. All my information is disconnected, and no spy can be contacted, and Duan Juntong's Xiaogan camp can't be contacted. Can you connect with Duan Juntong? Ask him to contact me as soon as possible. Something must have happened to the Jinghan line!"

Putting down the phone, Feng Guozhang was silent. Then he called Xiaogan and heard Duan Qirui roaring at the other end of the phone: "The Jinghan Railway is being attacked by Li Xiang's bandits everywhere..." After saying a word, the busy sound of "dudu" sounded on the phone.

Feng Guozhang's heart sank completely, and this phone call made it clear that Li Xiang really did it. Has this outlaw blocked his life for the so-called "revolution"?

The whole room was silent.

On the day the armistice agreement between the warring parties in Wuhan came into effect, Nanjing was captured by the revolutionary army. However, the newly established Nanjing Provisional Government, from the central government to the local government, from factions to the military and political circles, is almost all sitting south to north, believing that it is only beneficial to use Yuan Shikai to overthrow the Qing government in the revolution. For example, Zhang Jian, Tang Shouqian, Cheng Dequan and other constitutionalists all took the lead. They have a reputation in the south of the Yangtze River, especially Zhang Jian, who is promoted by all walks of life as the leader of the Qing Dynasty. It turned out that in order to win over all parties, Huang Xing pulled them into the provisional government. They were all Yuan Shikai's sympathizers. Zhang Jian and Yuan Shikai had a teacher-and- student relationship in Wu Changqing's army! Even from the situation of the provinces, after the loss of Li Yuanhong and Hanyang, Wuchang was in danger. At this time, Yuan Shikai proposed a truce between the two sides through the British consul of Hankou. In Yuan Shikai, there was his conspiracy, but Li Yuanhong thought that Yuan Shikai intended to defend him, and the truth was that Yuan Shikai and foreigners pointed out that he was the object of negotiation, so that his position was not lost because of the escape from the battle, but more consolidated. Li Yuanhong was naturally grateful to Yuan. The governors of other provinces, such as Tan Yankai, Zhuang Yunkuan, Lu Rongting, Sun Daoren, etc., are not the great bureaucratic local gentlemen of the Qing Dynasty. In the depths of their thoughts, of course, they feel that it is better to support Yuan Shikai than to support those revolutionaries who do not know each other. Of course, Yuan Shikai and Beiyang know these situations more clearly, so they are not afraid of peace.

However, when the whole Southern People's Party stopped, Li Xiang suddenly rampaged away and made a big event. He was really scared up and down the Beiyang. After all, if the north and the south want to make peace, the north and the south must first have a truce! What's more, Li Xiang of the Democratic Party's action is completely a kind of "down-down" style of "down-up" action, and this person has always been unruly. No one in Nanjing or Wuchang can control him. He has a crazy attack, and he dares to fight with foreigners! Even if the Beiyang army is in an absolutely dominant position now, how can it end once it rises up and fights back? The peace agreement that Lord Yang and Lord Yuan are looking forward to is completely yellow. At least there is no need to think about peace for the time being.

What's more terrible is that Li thought that if he rolled up the trend of "conturing the revolution to the end" again, he didn't know how many changes he would add? In fact, the most reliable backer of this peace agreement is the support of the British and American powers. However, if the revolutionary trend continues to rise, the peace agreement will become far away. The expectations of the great powers for a "stable and peaceful China" have failed, and some wavering positions are likely to fall to the Democratic Party camp, or as advocated by Japan and Russia. In that case, send troops directly to interfere. Then Beiyang's advantages in international politics will be gone, and there is also the danger of being beaten by foreigners...

Feng Guozhang thought about it, and the cold sweat slid down. Li Xiang, Li Xiang! Can such a small leader of the civilian army really use such a deep mind?

But Li thinks that he is so bold that he can really cover the sky! He is actually taking a big risk with little chance of winning! As a result, things changed overwhelmingly. What Feng Guozhang and others never expected was that Li Xiang also gave up his name and ignored his future!

This time, I don't know what tricks Li Xiang used on the Jinghan line, which made Duan Qirui in a hurry. But now the Beiyang army is in an absolute position. Once he fights back, Li Xiang will not be crushed! He risked his life to make a little family business in Wuchang. In Hankou, he would rather hide in the countryside to be the king of the bandit mountain than be annexed. How could he be willing to say the slogan "Keither the revolution to the end" to dissipate? Although Li wanted to do something bold, this killing decision really has the madness of the Democratic Party!

For these people in power in China, the only important thing is the attitude of foreigners. But this madman Li is not the attitude of a foreigner.

The three of them sat opposite each other, and their faces were heavy.

Feng Guozhang was the first to react: "As long as the fundamental place of Hankou and Xiaogan is still in our hands, the madman Li will not make much trouble for the time being!" However, it's just to bombard Wuchang and scare Li's timidity. I'm afraid that the peace talks can't be reached... After all, it's not the worst!"

Zhang Lianfen also moved for a moment and muttered, "At the beginning, I shouldn't have underestimated Li Madman's mind. In Dawu, I should send troops to destroy this boy and save today's trouble."

Chen Zisheng said lightly, "At the beginning, Lord Yuan was eager to go south to fight against Huang Daring's two lakes allied forces, asking for credit from the court, and demonstrating to the Wuchang party members... It is not enough to seize Hankou, not enough to seize the spirit of the revolution, not to lose Nanjing, not enough to chill the courage of the Qing court... That's not the case, and the peace will not be so quickly."

Feng Guozhang pondered for a long time. He smiled bitterly and said, "This time, when we fight, there is no peace to talk about. If we don't fight, the madman Li is still happy, and there is no way to talk about peace..."

"Military unification, why do you have to worry about this trouble?" Suddenly, Chen Zisheng knocked on the table.

"What's the reason?" Feng Guozhang was puzzled.

Chen Zisheng said calmly, "Lord Yuan did not send a telegram in Beijing: it was not for us to start a war, but to transfer the army to leave Wuchang and transfer to Chahar. In addition, Duan Jun was appointed to be the governor of Huguang. Now the beginning and end of this matter are all in Duan Juntong. Why should we mind our own business? Think about it, we don't need to step on this stinky shit.

Speaking of this transfer, Feng Guozhang only felt that his mouth was sour and astringent, and he couldn't say what it was like. For a moment, he even hoped that the Jinghan line would be controlled by Li Madman. Duan Qirui waited to bear Yuan Shikai's anger.

He calmed down his fluctuating mood and said coldly, "Aren't you afraid that the crazy man in Hubei will really turn over the sky in Hubei?"

Chen Zisheng also replied coldly: "The 30,000 elite troops in Beiyang are in Hubei, and it will also turn the crowd of Li Kuangzi upside down!"

Feng Guozhang touched his beard and his eyes turned, but he didn't say anything.

Chen Zisheng continued to follow his own thoughts and said, "Now in this place, several forces are mixed in one place, which is the most difficult to do, and it is also the focus of foreigners. Let's see what Duan Juntong can toss. Now it's completely a hot potato, and it's nothing to hand it over. He has tossed around. Isn't he the benefit of the army? It's so tossed, and it has no to do with us. If Lord Yuan asks, I think it's best to pretend to be confused at this time. Duan Juntong may be unlucky. Anyway, let's try our best to get rid of this matter. Let's see what Lord Yuan has to think first. Humph, what a disaster!"

Feng Guozhang wanted to compete with Duan Qirui in this position at the beginning, but he had already lost it. He couldn't help smiling.

Zhang Lianfen nodded Chen Zisheng and said with a smile, "Your mind is not just pushing Duan Jun to unify the stinky shit, right?"

Chen Zisheng smiled and said, "Maybe the military will have the opportunity to re-supervise Huguang. It depends on Li Xiang's ability that the Monkey King doesn't have the ability to make trouble in the Heavenly Palace.

Feng Guozhang endured and endured, and finally had a good time. Slap the table: "Yes! Let's go back to Beijing! Immediately urge Duan Qirui to come to Hankou and hand over the matter. Li Xiang, Li Xiang, you have helped me..."