Chapter 243 Yuanfu

Nanjing Pingkang Road is a branch of Zhongshan Road. The name of Nanjing Road imitates the Tang Dynasty, and the name of the natural road area imitates the name of Chang'an in the Tang Dynasty. There is a house on Pinggeng Road, which is not very famous in Nanjing. This house used to be a private house of Jianghuai Yan Road, but now it is the private residence of the vice chairman, and most officials rely on political axes. Renting a house is different. Before Yuan Shikai arrived in Nanjing, he participated in the "counterfeit auction" to set up this large house.

Although the current "Yuan House" is not as good as the Zhili Governor's Office in Baoding and the Beiyang Minister Xingyuan in Tianjin, even so, Yuan Shikaiyi still retains the private shogunate in the name of "West Seat". Although many of his staff are hired by accepting the ruling axe as senior civil servants of the central government axe, there are some scenes. The guest stayed in Yuan's mansion, which can be said to be the most spacious "enment" in Yuan's mansion.

In the past, when he was in Tianjin and Baoding, Yuan Shikai trusted the most. He was the lowest-class man. He was from Suzhou. His name was Zhang Yilin. He was the second-class member of Manqing Economic Special. He was sent to Zhili and used to Zhixian County. Later, Yuan Shikailuo entered the curtain and sent sixty taels of silver per month.

Although Zhang Yilin works in the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, he still often goes to Yuanfu. In the past, when he was in Tianjin, as long as people mentioned "Master Zhang" in Beiyang, they were in awe. Moreover, Yuan Shikai also has a lot of trust in him. Many of the articles of association and memorials of the New Deal have been entrusted to Zhang Yilin.

Although in Nanjing, Zhang Yilin withdrew from the Yuan shogunate because he did not have a second job as a civil servant, but Yuan Shikai often invited him to the government to discuss the political affairs of farming and business, and to teach agriculture and business. In the eyes of others, Yuan Shikai's move seemed to be intended to withdraw from the military committee, and he intended to enter the ruling axe like Zhang Zhidong and others. Zheng, it seems that he really accepts the reality. At least his performance made the outside world a little relieved. At this time, the vice-chairman is always aware of the general situation and current affairs.

After returning to Nanjing from Liaodong, Duan Qirui's first thing, of course, was to go to the staff to perform. After making a written and oral report, he left the staff. In the evening, Duan Qirui changed into casual clothes and went to Yuan's house on Pingkang Road.

To pay homage to the old generals of Beiyang, Yuan Shikai had already ordered "please come in"! However, Zhang Yilin happened to be invited, so he took care of it and waited until he finished talking with Zhang Yilin.

"Zhong Ren,"

Yuan Shikai called his nickname and said.

"I have something to entrust you today. I know you're very busy. There is an invitation. You shouldn't bother your god anymore. Think about it, it's better to ask for a big pen.

"Yes."

Zhang Yilin was stunned.

"I don't know how to ask for the text."

Yuan Shikai touched his head, and his bright head reflected some reflection under the incandescent lamp.

"No, now, except for Mongolia, the northeast, the whole country has decided. I think it's time to prepare for a national referendum. I wonder if I should submit an invitation to the ruling or consultation office, please hold a referendum."

Listening to this one, he really doesn't want to participate in this pool of water. As the undersecretary of agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, most of his energy is now tyed by the national land survey. Compared with government affairs, he is more willing to do "business". After all, Minister Liu implicitly intends to promote the land after the land survey is over. The new policy is the beginning of the new policy of the whole country. That's why he is even more reluctant to go through this pool. If there is any trouble because of this... "Zhong Ren, you can't do it!"

Yuan Shikai's square face squeezed out some smiles and clenched his fists to make invitation words.

Hearing Yuan Shikai's words, Zhang Yilin had to answer.

"Hey! I tried my best to go there.

"Please, please!"

Yuan Shikai held his fist and invited him.

"After getting out of the manuscript, you don't have to send it to me, and I don't understand after reading it. Please give it directly to Zhang Xunzhi to polish the color!"

Zhang Xunzhi is the head office of the former Zhili Official Newspaper Bureau. Now he is the director of the Telegraph Department of the Post Office, known as a good book. Zhang Yilin nodded and said.

"Allied!"

After saying that, he waited for a while. Before Yuan Shikai could speak, he waited to leave. When he went out, he still shook his head helplessly. The vice-chairman's house was really not good. He didn't know what trouble he would be in that day. Now the consultation office did not mention the preparation of official affairs, and the government also did not mention it. Weiting drank again today. That's right out.

"People are scattered!"

After Zhang Yilin came out of the house, Yuan Shikai couldn't help sighing. The difficult look on Zhang Yilin's face made him more or less understand that most of his staff are now like him and have turned to the axe of power.

After a sip of tea, Yuan Shikai remembered Duan Qirui, who had been waiting for him, and told the messenger.

"General Duan, please."

There are always people who miss the old one. When Duan Qirui got off the boat in Nanjing, he wanted to come to his house first, but he was not as good as other staff. Yuan Shikai in Nanjing naturally understood that now he is working with his tail between his tail, but his attitude towards these old generals in Beiyang has always been the most difficult place for Yuan Shikai.

I don't see it, and the rule will only be doubtful.

If you see it, how can you feel at ease when you govern?

After thinking about it, Yuan Shikai sent someone to let Duan Qirui perform his official duties first. After finishing his official duties, he came back to his house. And he had to come openly, and even deliberately asked the messenger to ask if Duan Qirui had brought local products from Liaodong.

"Vice Chairman, Qi Rui returned to Beijing from the Northeast and specially brought some local products. I hope the Vice Chairman will not refuse!"

Duan Qirui, who entered the room, was carrying a box in his hand. Inside the box was a pair of newly sawed deer antlers. The commander-in-chief sent a few words in the morning had already expressed the commander-in-chief's worry.

"Zhiquan!"

Yuan Shikai narrowed his eyes.

"This... As civil servants of the ruling axe, we must remember not to accept the courtesy of others. Although you and I are old friends, I still have to report to the ruling axe. I hope you can understand!"

"It's really Zhiquantang! It involves the name of the vice chairman!"

After a simple polite talk, the two began to talk about the Northeast. Yuan Shikai has always been very concerned about the war situation between Russia in the northeast. Naturally, he also asked in detail. Of course, what he is most concerned about is the outcome of the war. Whether it is the original victory or Russia has the upper hand, or invincibility, which is due to the peace.

And Duan Qirui also returned from the northeast front. Naturally, he knew the situation better than those newspapers.

"In terms of the army, it is roughly the grasp of the original victory."

Duan Qirui, who was sitting, said.

"When Qirui returned to Beijing from the northeast, the Japanese army was planning to attack Liaoyang. However, the Russian army has built a large fortress position in Liaoyang in the past few months. If it is defeated, I am afraid that the Japanese army will not only fight hard, but also suffer heavy losses. But even if Liaoyang wins, I'm afraid the overall situation depends on whether the Russian army in Lushun can I can hold on."

"What do you think?"

"It's hard to say. Lushun's fortifications are complete, and the land is dangerous and the soldiers are elite. When I came, the Third Army had launched a general attack. The death squad was one after another, but the Lushun fortress was strong and silky, and the casualties of the army were very heavy. It was estimated that there was no two or three months of hard battle. Lushun was not clear, and the victory or defeat of the army was still in the fifth.

Yuan Shikai nodded with a gloomy face.

"In my opinion, Naimu can definitely capture Lushun."

"How far is the Japanese army from Lushun now?"

"The closest position to Lushun, five or six miles, is now attacking the Tiger Ditch. According to myself, if the tiger ditch can be taken down, the situation will change.

Hearing this, Yuan Shikai got up to look at the "Lushun Fortress Soldier's Want Map" hanging on the wall. Now he is still the vice chairman of the Military Committee after all. Although the deputy chairman is only a false position, it is also a matter of his duty to care about the military affairs. He found the tiger ditch on the map and saw the words "Hangt 203" betting. Fang Shi understood that this place was the highest point of the whole Lushunkou.

"Yes! The Japanese army is attacking up, 'top stone mortar to play, thankless'. If it can occupy the high ground of 203, it will become a bird's eye view of the harbor, and the remaining warships of the Russian army will have no effect.

Yuan Shikai stopped and turned his head and asked.

"Can we help him?"

"It can't help to beat Lushun, and the ruling side may not agree to take the elite of the Guangfu Army to fill Lushun."

"What about the army?"

"It also depends on the opportunity. There is always a place to help them, but recently, the offensive of the Volunteer Army in the east of the Liaohe River seems to have weakened. I think the Volunteer Army is trying to reduce the losses.

Yuan Shikai nodded back to his seat, stared at the map of the northeast, and began to speak after a while.

"Before Russia's war, I did not advocate neutrality. I should help Japan fight Russia. If... now we still have a chance, if the government can give up neutrality and jointly attack Russia with Japan, the situation will be very different now."

"Please... please ask the vice chairman for guidance."

"War, to put it bluntly, is gambling. Just like gambling, as a banker, how many stocks we put in it, we can now calculate how to pay dividends. Whether it is the loyal and righteous army we made in those years or the ruling righteous army, we are all helping the Japanese. Now we are like the gangsters in the casino, watching the banker's hand is smooth, playing fans next to us, handing over the towel handle, and saying a few interesting words. When the banker wins, stand up and grab a handful of money to give us red, we have to thank him, but let the banker eat it after all. If you are a partner as a banker, of course, you can sit down and win the account. This situation is very different.

"Yes! Listening to the general's metaphor, I completely understand.

Although he knew this, Duan Qirui nodded and flattered him.

"A while ago, it was not Zhang Xiangshuai who had a fold. He advocated that Western Union and Eastern Union said that it could be remedied. And when I reported to the General Staff today, the General Staff also intended to participate in it!"

"It's too late! It's useless, not to mention the "Lecitrone" incident in Yantai, you can also see the ruling attitude, can't you?

Yuan Shikai waved his hand and said.

"We are just involved now, but we don't treat each other. The overall situation of this family is about to be settled. I just hope that it will be a good thing to defeat Russia and return the Northeast to China."

Hearing this, Duan Qirui stepped on two steps and whispered.

"In fact, it's not true. After all, the Japanese army does not have an advantage now. If an agreement was reached with the Japanese before the start of the Liaoyang Campaign, I think the Japanese army would have accepted it. After all, the Japanese army is also beating in the heart now! Can you beat Liaoyang? Dashanyan himself has no confidence.

"That's what I'm saying, but you don't wait for me!"

(to be continued)