As a time traveler from later generations, I naturally understand this humiliating history.

Therefore, I must do what I can to change some historical trajectories, and try to avoid warlord melees, wars, etc. in the next few decades, even if it can maintain partial peace.

At this stage, China needs a strong, enlightened, and practical leader, who can even be a dictator, not an ideologue.

Chen Tianhua believed that Zhang Zhidong was suitable for becoming a strong leader in all aspects, and besides, he himself had this intention.

Chen Tianhua opened the window and spoke out loud, which really surprised everyone present, but did not make them lose their temper.

Because this topic was raised as early as five years ago, but I felt that the time was not yet mature in all aspects. The key is that the thinking is not unified, and there are too many worries and swings.

Five years have passed, and all aspects of strength have been strengthened. The key is that Zhang Zhidong's age has increased by five years, and now he has reached the 66-year-old mark. Time waits for no man.

Everyone turned their attention to Zhang Zhidong, who was sitting at the top, to see what their lord would say.

Zhang Zhidong was secretly surprised.

It turned out that the design was a test of Chen Tianhua, but the test gradually turned into a political discussion.

Now it has developed into persuading him to establish Jiangnan autonomy.

What surprised him the most was that this young man was really full of knowledge.

Whether it is knowledge, vision, or analysis and judgment of the current situation, they are thorough, clear-cut, and can hit the nail on the head.

It seems that he is truly a once-in-a-century genius, not a puppet manipulated by others.

Heaven has given great responsibilities to this people.

If you have this person's help, I might as well give it a try.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhidong's half-closed eyes suddenly opened and he said loudly to Chen Tianhua:

"What a great Jiangnan autonomy. I'm thinking about your proposal and might as well give it a try. But one thing is, Zhejiang is a rich place. If there is Jiangnan autonomy, I would like to bring it, but I have never taken care of anything in Zhejiang Province.

"

His words seemed to be a temptation, but also pointed.

Chen Tianhua naturally understood what Zhang Zhidong was referring to. He stood up and cupped his hands and said:

"Shuai Xiang, the grassroots people certainly hope that Zhejiang can keep up with the pace of Huguang and Liangjiang. In terms of the military and political aspects of Zhejiang Province, the grassroots people think that the New Army is the key, and the new army co-president is the father-in-law of the grassroots. I can guarantee to persuade him to join Shunxiang.

Handsome to you."

His words actually gave Zhang Zhidong reassurance.

If the Zhejiang New Army comes to surrender, then his Jiangnan New Army will suddenly increase by 5,000 elites, reaching more than 32,000 troops. It must be expanded to 50,000 troops, with five reinforcements, which will be stronger than the current Beiyang New Army.

, this will give us more confidence in autonomy.

"Before Li Zhongtang passed away, he merged the entire Huai Army into the Beiyang Army and unified it under the command of Yuan Shikai. Your father-in-law's New Army and other associations also used the local finance of Zhejiang Province to support military pay. How can he independently respond to Xiang Shuai?" Gu Hongming immediately asked.

Confuse.

"As we all know, the control of the army depends on military pay, and weapons and equipment are an important symbol of the army's combat effectiveness. Although the Zhejiang New Army is called the Beiyang Army, it has not received even half a copper plate of Beiyang Army pay and supplies. In the past, it relied entirely on

Finance and taxation in various parts of Zhejiang Province have severely limited the development of the New Army."

"My father-in-law Li Cunzhi understands in his heart that if the New Army of Zhejiang Province wants to get rid of the Beiyang Army system and the constraints of local officials, he must achieve financial freedom for the army. To put it bluntly, it means having its own financial resources."

"There are also grand plans to set up private banks, open coal mines, etc. to make the Zhejiang New Army financially free, but this has nothing to do with Yuan Shikai. The Li family does not owe the Yuan family any favors."

Chen Tianhua answered loudly.

At this time, he had calmed down, and narrated the key points clearly without changing his face or heart.

It was as if the words were not spoken from his heart, but were paraphrasing the words of another person.

Zhang Zhidong was speechless. He looked at each other with Gu Hongming and other senior staff, and then looked at Chen Tianhua to make sure that the other party was not crazy, but was talking.

Zhejiang's annual fiscal and tax revenue is not much higher than that of Jiangsu, and the region's prosperity is a land of plenty.

When the new army surrendered to itself, the governors, chief envoys and other yamen lost their support for force, just like a tiger without teeth and could only obey orders.

In this way, the entire Jiangnan region, consisting of Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces, plus the Shanghai area, a total of six provinces and one district, accounting for two-thirds of the fiscal and tax revenue of the Qing Dynasty, would be able to achieve regional autonomy and become strong and prosperous.

Zhang Zhidong had never thought about, nor dared to think about, completely overthrowing the Qing Dynasty. Although he was conceited and ambitious, he had never dared to talk about self-government and independence before.

"Young Master, do you know that this governor is right in front of you? There is no joke before you. How dare you pat your chest on such a big matter without asking your father-in-law's consent? You must know that if something goes wrong, it will be a disaster.

." Zhang Zhidong said gloomily.

"There are no jokes before you, young master, you have to think carefully." Zhao Fengchang was also worried about Chen Tianhua.

Everyone else's eyes all turned to this young man.

Chen Tianhua smiled and thanked Zhao Fengchang and other senior staff, left the dining table, knelt down in front of Zhang Zhidong in the open space, and kowtowed:

"Shuai Xiang, the common people will never speak freely and dare to issue military orders. Others cannot guarantee it. Father-in-law Li Cunzhi wants the new army to be independent and self-sufficient in military expenses. He has long had the idea, and he made it clear to Wansheng personally, Ruoxiang

Commander-in-Chief can promise to hand over Zhejiang province to my father-in-law's control after self-government in the future. The common people are willing to put their heads on their necks as guarantees for the surrender."

These words killed two birds with one stone. They not only negotiated the terms of surrender for the father-in-law, but also gave a clear reply.

When Chen Tianhua knelt down, not only Zhang Zhidong was surprised, but also Gu Hongming, Zhao Fengchang and others were horrified and moved.

This kind of thing cannot be said casually. Once the military order is issued, no one has any way out and can only advance but not retreat. Otherwise, his body and reputation will be ruined, and he may even end up being executed in the future.

Even if Zhang Zhidong still had some pity in the end, could those aides spare Chen Tianhua?

If Jiangnan can be granted autonomy first, and after a few decades, Jiangnan can achieve a strong country and a prosperous people, then the unification of China and the rise of the Chinese nation will be just around the corner.

By then, he will also become the most accomplished Han Chinese in modern Chinese history for hundreds of years, with great achievements comparable to those of the founding emperors of the Qin, Han, Tang and Ming dynasties in history.

"Very well, young master, would you like to serve in the governor's yamen or the staff office?"

Zhang Zhidong slapped the food table excitedly, stood up suddenly, and stared at Shi Feng with bright eyes.

In the future, we will pursue self-government and there will be many affairs in various aspects. If Chen Tianhua can join the cabinet, it will of course be even more powerful.

"Shuai Xiang, Wansheng is willing to join the Cabinet Staff Office and participate in the discussion of major affairs, but I cannot serve you for a long time. Wansheng cannot abandon my physical enterprise. There are many people there who want to eat." Chen Tianhua answered loudly without hesitation.
Chapter completed!