The Queen

Zhang Yiao, who was standing beside him, also wanted to speak, but in the end he just sighed.

Yuan Shikai looked at the expressions of his staff, and finally asked Zhang Yiao: "Zhongren, do you have anything to say?"

Zhang Yiao was a little embarrassed and said without comment: "The President, the conditions proposed by Guangdong are now a waste of money compared to the conditions required by our Beiyang. Wu Shaoting elected two guards, one guard commander and the other general. It is indeed a large number of them, but these four people are small forces in the south that cannot become climate-friendly forces. The ones who hold the most soldiers are Liu Zhenhuan and Liu Guxiang, and there are only three or four thousand people in total."

Duan Qirui interrupted Zhang Yiao's words. He only thought that Zhang Yiao was a civilian secretary and did not know the basics of military and national affairs. So he sneered and said, "Brother Zhong Ren, military affairs are not just about who has more soldiers. Lu Rongting has so many soldiers, but he is still defeated. Isn't it that he will cede land and negotiate peace? Wu Shaoting clearly wanted to win over these small figures and restrain the Yang army stationed in northern Guangdong, and he will recover his wings in the future. He is not sure that he will use them to retake northern Guangdong."

Zhang Yiao was not discouraged. He continued: "As General Director Duan said, Wu Shaoting clearly just wanted to restrain us. What does this mean? This shows that Wu Shaoting was afraid of the army stationed in northern Guangdong. Shaoguan became a municipality directly under the central government, and the hinterland of South Guangdong was opened. Guangzhou was in danger. No one could sit down. Wu Shaoting did this just to protect himself."

Duan Qirui was stunned, but unexpectedly, his words were made to borrow from a civilian secretary, and he felt very unhappy.

However, before Duan Qirui could defend himself again, Yuan Shikai had already nodded slowly and said, "Zhongren's words are not without reason. But I don't understand, Zhongren, are you talking good things for Wu Shaoting?"

Zhang Yi'ao's expression moved, and the President actually doubted himself. He said earnestly: "President, the cause of the northern Guangdong war has been in trouble for more than half a year, and it has been a waste of money and people are uneasy. Since the war started, our Beiyang Army has been attacking the side, and the losses must be far more than the Guangdong Army. If the President had not maintained the situation with the whole country, this battle would be hard to say. Now that Wu Shaoting is willing to accept the conditions for the ceasefire, why not take this opportunity to show the grand style of the President and tell the President of the world that is not a domineering and warlike person, and he also has a gentle face, wouldn't it be better?"

Duan Qirui sneered in his heart: This person named Zhang actually dares to directly touch the President's pain point. I don't want to live anymore, this is it!

Everyone present knew that the president’s most taboo thing is to compare the Beiyang army with the Guangdong army. Zhang Yiao actually publicly said, “If the president had not maintained the battle with the whole country’s strength,” which was clearly saying that the Beiyang army could not compare with the Guangdong army, and even suggested that the president’s national strength could only be tied! Such sensitive words clearly would not give way downstairs.

Just as everyone on the side was waiting to see Zhang Yiao look ugly, Yuan Shikai suddenly laughed: "Zhongren, you are really a person who cares about the world! Very good, very good. You are right. Take this opportunity to show the mind of my Beiyang government. To be able to fight and be able to be harmonious, this is the way to overlords. Since Wu Shaoting likes names so much, he can give him more names."

Duan Qirui was a little dumbfounded and hurriedly said, "President, this..."

Yuan Shikai stretched out his hand to stop Duan Qirui's words and continued: "The Guangdong incident should be that Wu Shaoting was bewitched by the rebel party, thinking of returning to his lost path, and caring about the national sovereignty. The central government recorded the great achievements of Guangzhou's first righteousness and granted Wu Shaotingxun a first-class Wenhu Medal, and was appointed as the General Rongwu."

Duan Qirui and others were surprised. The Beiyang Army had just fought with Guangdong. Even if there was a truce, the president would not reward the enemy with medals and honors. Wouldn't it be laughable if this spreads out?

Xu Shuzheng couldn't help but asked hurriedly: "President, is this appropriate? Where can I award military merits to the enemy? Isn't this encouraging the sluts to resist the might of our central government?"

Duan Qirui also wanted to say a few words, but his reaction was much faster than Xu Shuzheng. He had a flash of inspiration in his mind and immediately knew the purpose of the President's move. Among the President's words, the subsequent series of medals, military ranks, and honors were all false words. The real key was in the first sentence. In other words, the President hoped to win and appease Wu Shaoting by adding official positions to Wu Shaoting, while the other hand was to separate Wu Shaoting from the revolutionary camp, completely weakening Wu Shaoting's influence and appeal in the south. He sighed secretly that the President's scheming was indeed extraordinary.

"The President," he said quickly, "In my opinion, this award ceremony should be presided over by the President himself, so that Wu Shaoting can go north to receive the medal."

Xu Shuzheng was stunned for a moment and couldn't react.

Yuan Shikai laughed loudly, pointed at Duan Qirui, and said, "Zhiquan, it seems that you finally figured it out."

Xu Shuzheng was still puzzled, and he asked: "But, what is this plan..."

Duan Qirui interrupted Xu Shuzheng and said to him: "The President did not grant merits to combat, but was just concerned about Wu Shaoting's great achievements in Guangzhou's first righteousness and the great righteousness of safeguarding national sovereignty. This was originally last year, but unfortunately it was not done last year, but a war was done."

Xu Shuzheng's face became awkward. He sighed and said nothing more.

Yuan Shikai looked at Zhang Yiao on the side and asked the Secretary General: "Zhongren, have you remembered it?"

Zhang Yiao nodded, and didn't know when there was an extra notebook in his hand. He was writing quickly. He said, "The President, have all recorded it. Are these things announced after the agreement is agreed?"

Yuan Shikai thought for a while and said, "It will be officially announced at the beginning of next month, but let the news be released in the next few days. I want to see what Wu Shaoting and Sun Yat-sen react."

Zhang Yiao just recorded it mechanically and didn't say anything more.

The continuous spring rain in the south has passed, the spring breeze blows, everything revives, and the warm spring sunshine finally spreads on the land of Guangdong. The war for half a year has caused an indescribable disaster for Guangdong. The only thing that is fortunate is that the people can have a bite of food. Even people who are displaced due to the war can also find an errand in the Guangdong Army Logistics Transportation Team, and it is no problem to have a few steamed buns. The common people who are just starting to have a civilian wisdom do not understand military and national affairs. As long as they don’t starve or get cold, that is the hope for a lifetime. They don’t know why Governor Wu wants to fight, but they follow the crowd and say Governor Wu is good, so they have to follow along.

Now that the war is about to end, it is a good thing for all parties and classes in Guangdong. At this time, some people say that Governor Wu cherishes the people's sentiments and has the national justice, so they are willing to make peace with grievances. So the people praised Governor Wu as kind and righteous. Of course, they hope that Governor Wu can promulgate some more people-friendly policies after the war, which will bring people a serious and peaceful life.

Starting from March 15, the Beiyang Army in the north of Shaoguan received orders and began to pack and deliver gifts one after another, and prioritize the transfer of heavy weapons, preparing to retreat from various positions. Of course, the formal order for retreat will not be issued until the *** Agreement and the official signing, but now for the Beiyang Army soldiers, they can completely relax.

The Guangdong military positions outside the city of Shaoguan City are also beginning to organize military affairs, but officers at all levels have only received two formal orders, one is to remove all mines in each minefield, and the other is to transfer the wounded to the rear as soon as possible.

Before the peace came, the First Division and the Third Division were also busy, responding to telegrams requested by various departments, coordinating various combat units to count the damage and collecting military supplies, which was almost no worse than fighting a big battle.
Chapter completed!