300 Mi Tian Da Yong on

300 Great Brave (Part I)

At the beginning of the lantern, Li Xiang, Tang Hualong and Li Yuanhong went to the next banquet - a small banquet hurriedly held by Yuan Shikai in Jurentang, Zhongnanhai.

Marshal Li relied on his familiarity with the palace when he was in Beijing, and did not want to be sent by others. He drove a BMW in his own office and went straight to Jingyunmen. He also inquired that in the pre-Qing Dynasty, foreign officials usually entered the palace through this door.

When the car came to Jingyun Gate, I saw the two palace doors closed tightly. It turned out that this door had been sealed, so I had to find another door. It was not easy to find a gate. There were several green sedan chairs parked at the door, and several soldiers with guns stood there.

Li wanted to throw his business card to the guards, so he crossed his legs, tasted tea carefully, and chatted with Li Yuanhong and Tang Hualong.

After about a few minutes, Yuan Keding dragged a lame leg and strode out, and asked the big soldier loudly, "Where's General Li?"

When the big soldier saw the old man coming out to pick him up in person, he knew that he was a heavyweight guest invited by the president, and it was the legendary southern commander who almost frightened the Northern Army. He hurriedly walked into the porter's room, gave a military salute to Li Xiang and said, "Just now, please forgive me."

At this time, Yuan Keding also came in and said, "Marshal Li, why did you come here by yourself? My father also sent the guard of the presidential palace to pick you up."

Yuan Keding greeted Li Yuanhong, Tang Hualong and Tang Yuewan warmly.

Entering Zhongnanhai, Tang Yuewan was a girl, and she felt novel about everything in front of her. She kept touching the corners of Li Xiang's clothes, pointing out and asking this and that. Li imagined to tell her tirelessly like a tour guide. Yuan Keding, Li Yuanhong and Tang Hualong didn't understand. How did Li think he know so clearly, as if he were coming to a palace.

Both of them are very interested in answering questions, like wandering around the mountains and rivers, and they don't pay attention to the solemnity of the presidential palace at all. The officials passing by looked at them doubtfully and whispered at them from afar.

Yuan Keding saw it in his eyes. Although he felt that he was not decent, he had no choice.

Enter Jurentang and drink tea in the tea room first.

After a while, Yuan Shikai came in wearing a German-style tweed military casual suit and a pair of black cowhide long horse boots.

Yuan Keding, Li Yuanhong, Tang Hualong and Tang Yuewan all stood up to greet them. Li wanted to sit leisurely. It was not until Yuan Shikai was about to walk in front of everyone that he slowly stood up.

This is the first time that Li Xiang has observed such a historical "Xiangxiong" so closely. In reality, Yuan Shikai is far less vibly than in the photo of his seven-faced face. Looking at it, Li Xiang's fox tail was revealed.

Yuan Shikai also looked at the young general in front of him. It's not surprising that he can be a general in his twenties in China. As long as he has jurisdiction over a place and a 7,000 or 8,000 brothers, it's not difficult to be a major general. It's just that he started from his own like Li Xiang, a miracle-like explosive household, and a big landlord with half a river and mountains is absolutely absolute. Unique.

Yuan Keding came over and introduced to Yuan Shikai, "Father, this is Marshal Li Xiangli from Wuhan."

"Oh, oh." Yuan Shikai smiled, stretched out his hands, and said politely, "Li Shuai, you have worked hard all the way. Please forgive Yuan for not coming to the station to greet him."

Li Xiang and Yuan Shikai held hands and said politely, "I dare not do it, I dare not do it."

Although Yuan Shikai had a feeling of "gift" when he sent an invitation to Li Xiang, and also generously publicly stated that he would "treat Li Xiang with sincerity", at the moment he met Li Xiang, he still felt a strong humiliation: - In the past two years, he has been saying that he must treat the "trostriult" nationals. The party was killed... -- How can everything like yesterday correspond to today's toasting scene? Who can obey his government if the "bandit leader" who has been fighting against him for a long time is not punished? Can the country he leads be called a dignified country?

Yuan Shikai smiled and said, "Shuanhal Li, there are a few more heroes than the photos. He is really a young hero."

"But President Yuan doesn't have the brilliance in the photo. It seems that he has been ill for a long time, and the old hero is late."

Yuan Keding listened in his ear as if he had been pricked by a needle. He only felt that this madman Li was more rampant than madman Zhang and harder than Cai E's waist.

Yuan Shikai laughed and said, "What an old hero. Don't be so polite. Just find a seat. Ke Ding, let the cook prepare it. I'm going to have a few drinks with Li Shuai.

Yuan Keding found that the old man was very interested today and wanted to have two drinks. He looked at Li and smiled at the corners of his mouth and felt that something big was going to happen.

Li Xiang felt that this person was mysterious to Yuan Shikai. His eyes seemed to see everything. People like to call him a revolutionary. The revolutionaries in the south even juxtaposed him with Sun Yat-sen, but he could see that he was like himself in his youth, more mature and immature than him.

"Li Shuai, please sit down," Yuan Shikai said to the crowd again, "Everyone sit down!"

Li Xiang was not polite. He sat down to the top. Tang Yuewan sat down next to him, and several other people also sat down after modesty.

Dishes are served one after another, mostly famous dishes in Henan, such as the Yellow River red carp, Funiu Mountain Monkey Head, Songshan Weicai, Zhumadian pheasant, etc.

Li thought that this was the imperial banquet and could not be easily let go, so he ate desperately and chewed it, but he didn't feel any special taste.

Yuan Shikai coughed softly and asked, "What I want to know most is what made you suddenly decide to come to Beijing to see me. You should know that this surprised me and made me puzzled at the same time. Haven't you think about the consequences at all?"

"The consequence is that the future will not be worse than the present. The earth will always turn around. The future is meaningless. We should seize the times and consider the present."

Li wants to touch the oil on his mouth.

After dinner, they chatted for nearly 20 minutes. Just as Yuan Keding was about to find an excuse to go out, they finally got to the point.

"Let's all order it directly and tell me what you want." Yuan Shikai can't figure out what Li Xiang is thinking, which is very dangerous.

Li Xianglang replied: "The north and the south unite to curb Japan's expansion in China. The war broke out in Europe, and Germany, France, Britain, Russia and other powers entered the war one after another. The breadth of the war zone and the harshness and fierceness of the battle are unprecedented. Because the two European powers are fighting for life and death, it is increasingly difficult to take into account Asian affairs. Although the United States does not immediately participate in the war, it pays more and more attention to the development of the European war situation, and it is unable to compete with Japan for China. In such a situation, the balance of power in the Far East, which was maintained by the empire and secret agreements in the past, was broken, and Japan became the only powerful force in Asia, and was able to let go of the invasion of China without or less restraint..."

Yuan Shikai glanced at Yuan Keding, but he didn't make a sound for a long time.

Li Xiang also felt that the righteousness of the country could not impress Yuan Shikai. He changed his words and said, "I will fully support Mr. Yuan as the next president."

Yuan Keding kept looking at his father uneasily. Over the years, in order to make him take over, the old man has good intentions. He is also serious, but it is useless to be serious. The old man can sit firmly. If he can fall down, he can get up again and rely on the support of the military. Without the military support, it is useless for you to call yourself "emperor".

Yuan Shikai leaned on the sofa extremely deeply, squinting his eyes and frowning deeply. He didn't believe what Li thought.

Yuan Shikai half closed his eyes and said, "The European War broke out: on the one hand, I also know that it is obviously very beneficial for Japan to take the opportunity to expand its invasion of China; however, on the other hand, the struggle of the empire in China is complex, and it is possible to involve China in the belligerent countries at any time. Go in the conflict. Britain, Germany, France, Russia and other countries occupy leased land in China, where fortifications are built and troops are stationed. For example, Jiaozhou Bay is stationed with 3,500 German regular troops. It is also the base of the German Far East Fleet composed of two armored cruisers, three light cruisers and several transport ships. Naturally, it is a very flammable place for war. In order to use the conflict between the United States and Japan to contain Japan and avoid getting involved in the disputes between the warring countries, I asked the U.S. government to advise the participating countries not to carry out hostile military activities in Chinese territory and nearby waters, including leased land. At the same time, China's neutrality was declared and Article 24 of the External Neutrality Regulations was promulgated.

Yuan Shikai is nominally the president of the Republic of China. In fact, he is no different from the authoritarian emperor. He regards the temporary contract law as a model, monopolizing power, being rebellious, eliminating dissidents, being arbitrary and violent to the outside world, and trying to use the contradictions between them to strengthen the rule and maintain power. The outbreak of the European war made Yuan Shikai's government, which has been fighting with the great powers for a lifetime, panicked and suppressed Japan. He has been adhering to Li Hongzhang's manor - to suppress the barbarians. I really didn't think about getting a gun on the horse.

After receiving the declaration of war from various countries, Yuan Shikai invited Xu Shichang, Liang Shiyi, Sun Baoqi and others to discuss the strategy, and decided to take a neutral position and publish the "Outside Neutrality Regulations". He also assigned Liang Shiyi, Sun Baoqi, Liang Dunyan and Li Shengduo to draft neutral rules. With the establishment of a neutral office, all countries also recognize China's neutrality. Liang, Sun and others have formulated a number of neutral rules and submitted them to Yuan Shikai for approval, roughly as:

(1) The neutral office is sent by three people from the Political Affairs Hall, two from the army, navy and transportation departments, one person from the General Affairs Office and the General Affairs Department, and one person from the General Staff Headquarters, and the Bureau sends three main agents to Changchuan to work.

(II) Set up a neutral inspection office to investigate in accordance with Article 24 of the Neutrality Ordinance. After the promulgation of martial law, it is advisable to inspect the goods imported and transported by various countries in detail. If they are forbidden in wartime, they will be detained. The Ministry of Communications and the tax office shall set up a neutral inspection branch office in all major railway stations and coastal customs clearances to perform this function.

(3) Pay attention to coastal defense, and divide the governors of Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Feng and Shandong provinces. In Hong Kong, Qingdao, Weihaiwei and other places, Britain, Germany and Russia have declared martial law. I am afraid that there will be inevitable war in the future. We should plan to calm the places, strictly prevent bandits, and order the six provinces to discuss joint defense plans.

(4) The naval fleet is reconfigured, and the fleet under the navy is divided into three teams: the first team, Haiqi, Hairong and other 15 ships, and Xiamen, Makou, Shanghai, Yantai and other places are assigned to coastal defense. The second team, Jian'an, Jianwei and other 23 ships, were assigned to Pukou, Wuchang, Shanghai, Jiujiang, Fuzhou, Xindi, Wuhu, Yueyang, Jiangyin, Changsha, Yichang, Taipingfu and other places for Jiangfang. The third team is to practice the fleet Zhaohe, Ying Rui and others to guard Majiang and Huangpu. Guangdong is responsible for Guangdong's coastal defense.

(V) Train envoys stationed abroad. Overseas Chinese in all countries in the diaspora should be discussed and protected by various countries at any time. Since China has declared neutrality in this war, embassies and consulates should be calm and silent, and should not comment lightly. International regulations should be observed with caution. About the news of the war, call the report day by day. China will send personnel to watch the battle in the future, which should be announced to the countries in advance.

(6) It is forbidden to send password telegrams and check outsiders' correspondence.

(VII) Stop issuing travel passports.

(8) The 10th Army Division was transferred to Shandong.

At the same time, Yuan, in the name of the President, asked the U.S. government to convey to the countries participating in the war that they should not conduct combat on Chinese territory. The United States did not have a definite answer to this. Xiaofan, Japan's agency in China, protested that the Chinese government should not make this request to the United States. At the same time, the German agency in China, Maldives, referred to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and asked to prohibit soldiers from belligerent countries from passing through Chinese territory.

"Since the Opium War, China has been bullied by the great powers. It is not only competitive, but the great powers have gained an inch. Although Li Hongzhang's means of barbarians and barbarians are not satisfactory, weak countries have no diplomacy. It is a way to control barbarians." Yuan Shikai finally said so. The situation is chaotic. What does Li Shuai think?

"I don't think so..."

Yuan Shikai seemed to be very surprised. Qu Ran opened his eyes, waved his hand and said, "Say, go on..."

"To be honest, what does these Westerners have to do with us? Is it possible that they also take us to share the results, but the Shandong problem should be properly solved. After the outbreak of the European war, it is a great opportunity for China to take advantage of the great powers, try to be self-reliant and drive the strong force out of China..."

Li wanted to talk, but Yuan Shikai listened and closed his eyes. Li wanted to know that Yuan Shikai couldn't listen, or didn't want to listen, so he didn't say anything.

When Yuan Shikai heard that Li wanted to move, he opened his eyes lazily and looked at the clock. "It's almost nine o'clock now. Li Shuai is working hard on the road. Let's have a rest."

"President, then I'll go down first."

"Keding, it's not easy to go to the house at night. You can send it."

"Yes, father."

After sending Li Xiang away, he turned around and came to the study. Yuan Shikai sat there and kept rubbing his calf. Yuan Keding came to the side and put down the abduction.

"Father, do you want to call the doctor?"

"It's late, no need."

"Then I'll knead it for you."

Yuan Shikai half leaned on the sofa like this, enjoying Yuan Keding's unskilled touching technique. He frowned from time to time and moved his lips gently for ten minutes.

"Let's sit down. Let's talk back."

"Yes, father."

After Yuan Keding sat down, Yuan Shikai asked, "How about Li Xiang?"

"It's not enough to believe it. It will be a big trouble to keep him. Why not..." He looked at his father and continued, "I can arrange this matter to make him look like an accident."

"You're tired, too. That's all for today. Go back to the hospital and have a rest."

Yuan Keding knew that he was wrong. He had long seen that the old man admired the boy a little. It seemed that the old man had a love for talent. "Then you might as well leave him in Beijing..."

"Let's go back to the hospital and have a rest."

"Then father, you..."

"I'll sit here alone."

Yuan Keding left. When he went out of the courtyard door and heard a "bang" sound, he was shocked and accelerated his foot to walk to his yard.

Yuan Shikai has a lot of children, but only Yuan Keding and Yuan Kewen can be used, and the two of them complement each other. However, only Yuan Keding can inherit his position among the two sons, but Yuan Keding is not a qualified heir. His disability is on the one hand, and the personality problems caused by disability are actually even greater. For so many years around him, he has not learned anything about the spirit of domineering, the skill of power, the ability to know people, and the amount of using people. He was really worried that this thousand miles of land was handed over to such a successor. He was worried that Yuan Keding would eventually fall to the point where the last Qing Emperor in the Forbidden City was not as good as him.