On May 22, 1915, as the sky gradually became brighter, the morning market opened, and the shops opened earlier. There were more and more people on the street. The rickshaw driver who only did the morning work wore short clothes and pulled the rickshaw through the crowd.

Middle. There are rich people wearing long robes and mandarin jackets sitting in the car. Regardless of whether they are rich or poor, their clothes are no different from those in the Manchu and Qing Dynasties. It’s just that you rarely see people with braids on the streets, and they no longer have the taste of the Manchu and Qing Dynasties.

He Rui walked on the road to the Ministry of War. Looking at the street scene, he sighed for a moment. Even though the Manchu Qing Dynasty existed for 296 years, it was only 4 years after the fall of this dynasty. The biggest feature of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, wearing pigtails, has disappeared.

.When the trend of the times surges, all the old things will disappear.

However, many contradictions that overwhelmed the old era still exist. If the new era cannot solve these problems, it will collapse and be replaced by a newer era. The cycle will continue until these contradictions are resolved.

At eight o'clock in the morning, the shift changed in the army department room. When the guard who was jogging to complete the handover stopped, He Rui handed the letter of introduction to the lieutenant officer guarding the door. The lieutenant picked up the letter and saw that it was from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He couldn't help but express surprise.

look.

After reading the letter, the lieutenant said respectfully: "Major He, please wait a moment. I will report it now."

Not long after, He Rui was led to an office in the Army Department. A chubby lieutenant colonel stood up and took the initiative to shake hands with He Rui. The lieutenant colonel said cordially: "Brother He came very quickly. My surname is Lu.

Lu from Marco Polo Bridge, read what is written in the letter, it was only four days after your graduation that you rushed back to the capital from Japan."

"Mr. Duan has a destiny, and of course he works day and night in his humble position. But I don't know what makes Mr. Duan anxious about it?"

Lieutenant Colonel Lu asked He Rui to sit down and told the whole story.

Two months ago, on March 18, 1915, General Zhang Xiluan of Fengtian Town telegraphed to the Beijing government that 300 Japanese troops had entered Fengtian City and another 1,500 were stationed along the South Manchuria Railway. March 20

The Japanese planted flags in Changchun to recruit volunteers, preparing to go to Europe to participate in the war. This caused panic in the Chinese government, fearing that Chinese would be recruited, which would affect China's "neutral" attitude. While negotiating with the Japanese consul to stop recruiting, they "secretly prohibited Chinese from recruiting."

After telling what happened, Lieutenant Colonel Lu asked: "Brother He, who in your family serves in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?"

He Rui didn't know what happened specifically, so he asked: "Brother Lu, I wonder who from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs mentioned it?"

Lieutenant Colonel Lu chuckled, "If Brother He doesn't know it, how can I know it? I just heard that when General Duan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were discussing, they wanted to find someone who was not afraid of the Japanese and knew how to deal with the Japanese. So.

I'm thinking of you. Brother He, it's a hard job to deal with the Japanese outside the customs, are you worried?"

He Rui didn't expect to be asked this question and was amused, "Haha, Brother Lu, the Japanese garrison are just ordinary soldiers, not green-faced and fanged monsters. What's there to be afraid of?"

Lieutenant Colonel Lu slapped the table and praised: "He is indeed my brother from Beiyang, he is brave. Since Brother He is working so hard day and night, when will he be able to see Mr. Duan?"

"You can do it now." He Rui replied cheerfully.

Although He Rui was prepared to see Duan Qirui at any time, he still waited until after two o'clock in the afternoon before following Lieutenant Colonel Lu into the flower hall of Duan Qirui's office.

The decoration of the flower hall is very simple and plain. Behind the desk, an old man in Beiyang military uniform was giving instructions on the documents handed to him by the officer next to him. The staff led Lieutenant Colonel Lu into the room, and the man behind the desk stopped writing and said a few words, "Lu Zhong

The principal quickly came out and ordered in a low voice: "Brother He, come with me quickly and go in to see the chief."

The person in the hall was none other than Duan Qirui, one of the Three Great Heroes of Beiyang. Duan Qirui didn't have a particularly outstanding appearance, but his demeanor was heroic and focused. However, he seemed to be worried at this moment, with worry on his brows.

Lieutenant Colonel Lu stood still and saluted, and then said: "Report to the Chief, I have brought He Rui here to report."

He Rui stepped forward and saluted, "He Rui, a humble official, comes to report to the commander-in-chief."

Duan Qirui looked the tall He Rui up and down and asked, "Brother He, do you know what happened?"

"Reporting to the commander-in-chief, Lieutenant Colonel Lu informed me that the Japanese army entered Fengtian and recruited volunteers to fight in Europe without authorization. The plan is evil. Also, the commander-in-chief, please call the subordinate He Rui by his name."

Duan Qirui was in a bad mood and said in a cold tone, "He Rui, what is Japan going to do?"

He Rui stood at attention and said loudly: "Please give me some advice, Chief."

"Don't you have any ideas?"

"Reporting to the Chief. Judging from the news I heard from my humble position, this matter should be an unauthorized act by Japanese military officers stationed outside the customs. If we can be forced to make concessions, these officers will elaborate on our concession and report it to the Japanese Army Staff Headquarters.

Even if they have merit, these officers who act on their own will have hope for promotion."

"You said these Japanese officers acted on their own? Wasn't it ordered by the Japanese superiors?"

"Report to the Chief. The Japanese army's excuse this time is to recruit volunteers to fight in Europe. The people in Northeast China have not received military training, let alone marching and fighting, and they don't even know how to use rifles. The British and French troops are more elite than the Japanese army, and their weapons are better than those of Japan.

Too many. If Japan does not send troops and does not fulfill its Allied obligations, the Allied Powers of Britain and France will still think that Japan is trying to raise prices. If such volunteers are sent to Europe, European countries will think that the Japanese upper class is deliberately humiliating the Allied Powers. Chief, although the Japanese upper class is bad,

But they are not stupid. They will not do such a thing that is not worth the gain."

Duan Qirui's eyes became brighter. At this time, the staff brought the officer to the door. Duan Qirui waved, and the staff quickly walked to Duan Qirui and whispered a few words in his ear. Duan Qirui ordered

He said: "Let Zhang Zuolin wait first." Then he turned his head and said, "He Rui, please continue."

"General Reporter. I have also gotten to know some people in Japan's military and political circles in the past few years. From my point of view, Japan's top leaders are focusing on forcing China to fully accept the Twenty-One Articles, and there is no intention of invading China in the short term."

Plan. According to the promotion regulations for Japanese military officers, if a cadet who graduates from the Army University wants to become a colonel, it is said that it will take 10 years, but in fact it will take longer. As for those who graduate from the non-commissioned officer school, I am afraid it will take 30 years. The Japanese troops outside the border are far away from the mainland of Japan, and the promotion speed is faster.

Slow. If you can do something that is in line with Japan's high-level policies, even if it is a small contribution, it will be of great help to your promotion."

Duan Qirui felt that his idea was clear at this time. He did not think that Japan's campaign in Northeast China and the volunteer troops sent to Europe were a big deal. It was only now that Japan was eager to force Beiyang to sign the "Twenty-One Articles" that Duan Qirui discussed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

After hearing various concerns from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about this matter, Duan Qirui was unable to make an immediate judgment.

He Rui's explanation was clear and in line with Duan Qirui's thoughts. Especially the explanation of the unauthorized actions of Japanese military officers stationed outside the customs cleared Duan Qirui's doubts. Duan Qirui asked: "He Rui, you
Chapter completed!