Song Biao's appointment as governor of the three eastern provinces was weird from top to bottom, and it was extremely weird.
In the history of the Qing Dynasty, it was very common for a governor to not go to the capital to see the emperor to receive his holy grace before taking office. However, it was almost impossible for a governor to do so, because he was a feudal official who controlled the military and political power of the provinces, and he was a local emperor on both sides.
The Empress Dowager Cixi also wanted to summon Song Biao and let him live in the capital for a period of time, and then make a decision after careful observation, but it was just a matter of thought.
The situation in the Northeast is urgent. The local refugees must settle down as soon as possible to avoid civil unrest. Negotiations with the Russians must also be stepped up to prevent the Russians from continuing to occupy the Northeast indefinitely. If Song Biao is allowed to come to the capital and stay for half a month
, it would take two months at the earliest, which would definitely be too late.
In addition, if Song Biao felt that the court wanted to invite the emperor to be trapped in a urn, capture the thieves first, and was disrespectful in resisting the order, and refused to come to the capital to see him, then where would Cixi's face be?
Song Biao's Northeastern New Army was a serious problem for the Empress Dowager Cixi and the Manchu and Qing court. It didn't matter if the Northeast was lost. The court at least still had its borders. But if Song Biao led the Northeastern New Army to rebel, could the Manchu and Qing court still be able to stop it?
On this matter, what Zhang Zhidong and Yuan Shikai said was straight to the point.
After receiving the telegram from the Qing government, Song Biao thought that the official uniform and official seal would not be delivered to him until at least November. The result was very unexpected. Just as Song Biao set about setting up a temporary building near the Dongling Guards Camp,
When he arrived at the Governor's Yamen, he suddenly received news that Prince Yikuang, the Minister of Military Aircraft, as the imperial envoy appointed by the Empress Dowager Cixi, personally went to Fengtian Mansion to recruit people. And he had already arrived in Liaoyang.
This surprised Song Biao. He didn't know how Yi Kuang came so quickly. It was only two days ago that he received the telegram.
Because the other party had arrived in Liaoyang at noon yesterday and would arrive at Donglingwei in Shenyang this evening, Song Biao had specially arranged people to be responsible for welcoming him since the morning, and at least the superficial work had to be done enough.
Yi Kuang arrived so quickly that Song Biao was caught off guard. Moreover, he had not retired from the Russian army yet. For the sake of grandeur, he was wearing a blue-black military uniform of a senior Russian general and brown thin leather gloves. The cost was not high.
Fei's deerskin military boots are bright and distinguishable.
On behalf of Tsar Nicholas II, Grand Duke Hayil presented Song Biao with a gold-plated St. George's saber inlaid with a white enamel cross, symbolizing "the most noble bravery" and replacing the original Kuropatkin Commander-in-Chief's Saber.
The brass-handled Santa Ana saber presented by Your Excellency.
Because there are still many things to deal with at hand. Song Biao has been waiting for Yi Kuang's arrival in another carriage at Donglingwei Railway Station, and used this time to discuss the demutualization of the Far East Coal and Iron Company with Shu Fangxin, who arrived in Shenyang yesterday.
problem.
At the predetermined time of 5:30 in the evening, the whistle of the train was finally heard in the distance. Song Biao suspended his discussion with Shu Fangxin and walked out of the carriage with many officers from the Northeast New Army Staff Headquarters.
It was no coincidence that Yi Kuang arrived in such a hurry, because most of Song Biao's headquarters were participating in the bandit suppression battle in Liaozhong County. Four infantry regiments separately wiped out more than 20 bandit armed forces. The scale of the battle almost involved the entire Liaozhong County.
.
Therefore, Song Biao could only arrange for Russian officers from the First Staff Office to attend the welcoming ceremony. The newly promoted Brigadier General Alexeyevich Brusilov, Colonel Martos, and Colonel Pakilov were also invited to attend.
While lining up in front of the train station platform, Song Biao subconsciously glanced at the watch on his wrist and realized that this would be a moment recorded in the history of his life. Soon, he would officially become the king of Northeast China and become the king of Northeast China.
Co-owner recognized by all parties.
Before the Qing government, Russia, Japan, France and the United Kingdom had all acknowledged this in different ways. The Qing government was the last to react and realized that it had absolutely no other rivals in the Northeast.
The train slowly stopped in front of Song Biao and others, and they waited for about a few minutes. The aging Prince Yikuan, who was wearing the official uniform of a first-class official in the Qing Dynasty, stepped out of the carriage with the help of others, trembling step by step.
Walking out of the house, the old prince already had a sparse silver beard, his face was mottled with old age spots, and his eyes were cloudy and dim.
Yikuang, who looked like he was about to die, was walking out of the carriage. The moment he saw the lineup in front of him clearly, his whole body was completely shocked. His eyes were full of fear, and he seemed to have not realized that Song was there until this moment.
What a powerful person Biao is.
Looking at Song Biao who is wearing a general uniform, he is so young and cold. There are so many senior Russian generals standing around him. There are as many medals as stars on his chest. The saber looks like it is forged from pure gold. The craftsmanship is exquisite and dazzling... At this moment, Yi
Kuang's heart felt like it had been stabbed with a knife. He was so frightened that he wanted to hide in the car, unwilling to face this reality.
The reality is cruel. The Song general standing in front of him is already recognized as the tyrant of the three eastern provinces.
The Qing government may not want the Northeast, but all countries hope to have a Northeast that can be stabilized and ensure that the interests of all parties are effectively protected. The person who can achieve this obviously cannot come from the Qing government. There is no other suitable person except General Song.
candidate.
Yikuang was still too hasty to arrive. If he had arrived a month later, Song Biao would have received a specially customized military uniform from the French, representing his special authority as the supreme commander of the Northeast New Army.
Unless he was going to Beijing, Song Biao basically had no plans to wear the official uniform of the Qing Dynasty. He only planned to wear military uniforms in the Northeast, and even in his life, and from these few months on, he would always wear his own uniform.
Personally designed military uniforms.
Regardless of his figure, appearance, dress, temperament, age, authority... Song Biao shocked Prince Qing Yikuang in every aspect and made him tremble, making him feel ashamed. In good conscience, Song Biao is the most effective spokesperson for China at this time.
, at least compared with later Yuan Shikai, Duan Qirui, Wu Peifu and others, even from a European and American aesthetic point of view, he can be regarded as a tall, handsome and healthy model.
After staring at Song Biao in confusion for almost ten seconds, Yikuang did not move a step. It was not until the people around him reminded him in a low voice that Yikuang seemed to suddenly wake up and was about to step forward to take out the imperial edict.
I don't know whether I should issue an edict in front of so many Russian generals.
This made him very embarrassed. He originally thought that he could announce the decree in front of Song Biao with great dignity, and then on behalf of the Queen Mother Lafayette, he would reward Song Biao with a flower feather on his head.
Song Biao raised his eyes and glanced at Yikuang coldly, then stepped forward and stretched out his hand to shake Yikuang's hand, saying: "Your Excellency Prince Qing, welcome to visit the garrison camp of the Northeast New Army. I am Song Biao, Northeast New Army's garrison."
The supreme commander of the army."
After introducing himself, Song Biao personally introduced many senior Russian generals to Yikuang, and then said: "Your Excellency, Prince Qing, we have prepared a carriage and a welcome dinner for you. Please come with me to the military camp.
"
Yikuang was stunned and didn't know how to answer. He was a little at a loss in front of a large formation of thousands of strong soldiers.
Before he could answer, Song Biao gave him a high five and arranged for Shu Fangde to drive the prepared carriage over. He invited Yikuang to get on the carriage and ride the black carriage with him to the camp office.
From the beginning to the end, the entire itinerary was completely controlled by Song Biao. Yikuang didn't even have a chance to say "no". How could he drag his old body and fear to follow Song Biao's various arrangements.
Song Biao specially arranged a Western-style welcome dinner, but only prepared a very special "Beef Fillet Rice with Sichuan Peppercorn Rice" as a treat for Yi Kuang. The banquet lasted for more than two hours before it ended, leaving Yi Kuang with a headache.
Dizzy.
After the Russian generals took their leave one after another, Song Biao continued to invite Yikuang to the Xihua Hall for talks.
Until then, Yi Kuang seemed to have regained consciousness from being tired and dizzy. Finally he took a breath and felt that Song Biao was still very polite and the arrangements were very thoughtful, which gave him enough face, at least the pomp before and after.
It was very grand, but it made him exhausted.
After sitting down, he finally took a cup of Longjing tea from Shu Fangde and others. Yikuang sat on the short couch and took a sip of tea. Then he sighed with Song Biao who was sitting on the left: "The world's people
It is said that the general is a young hero in the world today, with unparalleled power. I have really opened my eyes today, and it is true. It is really not easy for General Song to have such achievements at such a young age, and I admire him very much.
"
Song Biao accompanied him to drink tea, and replied with a nonchalant expression: "Your Majesty, this is really an honor. In the Qing Dynasty, I, Song Biao, was still just a commoner!"
Yi Kuang said hurriedly: "General Song, don't worry. I came here just because of the order of the Empress Dowager Lafayette, and went to deliver the decree in person. There were foreigners here, so it was not convenient for me to announce the decree. General, since there are no outsiders now, then...
Come forward and listen to the order to receive the reward!"
After saying this, he took out a yellow silk satin scroll from his sleeve, which was the imperial edict of the Qing Dynasty.
Song Biao actually hated this matter, but he could only step forward and obey his leader's orders.
Yi Kuang slowly opened the imperial edict and read it out. After reading it, he realized that it was the edict of Empress Dowager Cixi. Because Guangxu was under house arrest, her edict was the same as the imperial edict. Cixi was generous and rewarded Song Biao with six thousand taels of silver and a special gift of two
Dianhua Ling and Chaozhu, a first-grade Taibao who is the same as a bachelor.
There are one hundred and eight beads in total. The larger the diameter and length of the beads, the more noble they are. The size of the string of beads awarded to Song Biao by Cixi was already the limit for Han officials, and Eryan Hualing was also the most famous in the entire history of the Qing Dynasty.
Only twenty ministers were granted the title, and these were such high-level rewards. It can be seen that Cixi was also very careful in appeasing Song Biao.
After personally entrusting all these imperial gifts to Song Biao, Yi Kuang gave the imperial edict to Song Biao, helped Song Biao up and said: "General Song, from now on, you will be the leader of our Qing Dynasty.
The Governor-General of the three provinces, bestowed upon you with two dazzling eyes
Ling, with the title of Shangshu, is the governor of the three eastern provinces and other places, and is also in charge of the general of the three provinces, and the governor of the three provinces. This is an unprecedented grace of this dynasty. I hope the general can understand the affection of the Queen Mother and Lafayette for you, and support you.
The meaning of reuse.”
Song Biao stood up and said to Yi Kuang: "Of course I understand this truth. I also asked the prince to report to Lafayette for me, saying that I am a sensible person and have always been loyal and patriotic. As long as I am in the Northeast for a day, there will be no country."
Dare to invade the Northeast. If they dare to come, Weichen will definitely make sure they never come back. If not, Weichen will have no face to live in this world, and will be unworthy of the grace of the Queen Mother Lafayette!"
"good!"
Yikuang finally calmed down. This was an atmosphere and environment he was familiar with, allowing him to handle it freely.
Song Biao expressed his position, and then took the initiative to ask Yikuang to sit down with him, and then changed the topic with Yikuang and asked: "I am curious, I only received the telegram a few days ago, why did the prince arrive today?
Fengtian?”
Yi Kuan smiled and said: "This matter has been decided long ago. I set out secretly half a month ago. Because the Queen Mother urged me hard, I rushed over at night. The telegram was sent late because the court wanted General Shengjing to withdraw.
There is still much debate over the matter,
Now of course everyone knows that Mr. Zhao is also a veteran of the court, and he was originally intended to be the governor of the three eastern provinces. In order to appease him, the Queen Mother specially mentioned him as the co-organizer, so that he could safely assist Mr. Song in managing the northeastern border defense."
Song Biao nodded slightly and said: "That's it."
Yi Kuang immediately changed the topic back and said: "Sir Song, the reason why I came here urgently is to ask you a few truthful questions on behalf of Lafayette. In your opinion, can you talk to the Russians?
Negotiate conditions so that the Russians can withdraw their troops as soon as possible?"
Song Biao replied: "This matter should not be difficult. When I was awarded the title of Lieutenant General of the Russian Infantry, I had discussions with Grand Duke Mikhail. This man was the younger brother of Russian Tsar Nicholas II. He and I
After talking for a while, I feel that Russia can still be persuaded to withdraw its troops. Therefore, it is only a matter of time. What I am striving for now is to try my best to get Russia to withdraw its troops within half a year."
Yikuang was overjoyed and said: "If we can withdraw our troops within half a year, Mr. Song has already made outstanding contributions to the court, but I wonder if the Russians want other harsh conditions?"
Song Biao said: "It's not clear yet. I have had a lot of contacts with senior Russian officials during this period, but in some overly sensitive areas, I try to avoid having too deep conversations with them. Now that I am the governor of the three eastern provinces, I have to negotiate.
, we will naturally make every effort to negotiate with Russia."
Yi Kuang sighed: "The Russians are arrogant and unreasonable. Only Lord Song's divine power can control them. Therefore, at this time, we can only rely on Lord Song's dealings. If we can get Russia to withdraw without making excessive demands. Then.
This is Lord Song's best reward and contribution to the imperial court."
Song Biao calmly took a sip of tea and said: "I understand in my heart, Prince, don't worry, I don't think my request is too excessive at the moment. The most excessive is to cede land again, the second is to rent land. The third is to pay compensation, I
We will try our best to avoid these three points."
Yikuang was simply overjoyed and said: "That is a great achievement. Master Song, if you can surrender Russia without fighting and make them withdraw their troops and return, the imperial court will definitely reward you greatly."
Song Biao smiled and said: "The reward has been very heavy. Now is the time for me to serve the imperial court and the country. Please rest assured, Your Majesty and the imperial court. As long as I can still win, I will do my best. Russia has gone through this.
The war resulted in heavy losses and constant civil unrest in the country.
As long as it can be understood with reason and emotion, Russia will definitely withdraw its troops, but this is just a temporary measure. When Russia regains its strength in three to five years, it will definitely continue to invade the Northeast, and 300,000 Russian troops will enter the Northeast again.
, I wonder how the imperial court will stop it then?"
"this……?"
Yikuang didn't know how to answer for a moment, and after a moment he comforted himself: "Russia must not be like this, right?"
Song Biao gave a strange hum and said: "Since the prince thinks so and the court thinks so, just pretend that I didn't say anything. I only want to say one thing. If the Russian army sends 300,000 troops southward again, I will
I would rather resign my official position than take charge of this battle. I will never fight a battle that I cannot win."
Yi Kuang was quite dissatisfied and asked in shock: "Why did Mr. Song say this? Mr. Song is the master of military affairs in our court today. If you don't defend Liaodong for the court, what use will the court do to you?"
Song Biao said: "The imperial court has no long-term strategy. It just drags it out day by day. It just sits back and watches Guandong being occupied by the Russians. What's the point of me being the governor?"
Yikuang defended: "Sir, what you said is wrong. Guandong is the foundation of this dynasty, so there is no room for loss. If Master Song has a good plan to deal with it, please speak up!"
Song Biao said: "First, we must step up the implementation of the New Deal, deploy officials to enrich all prefectures, states, and counties, and implement effective management; second, set up a reclamation bureau, and deploy common people from Zhili, Shandong and other places to reclaim Guandong, so as to greatly increase the population; third
Let me raise my own military pay in Guandong and train a new army of 100,000 men within three years. With these three points, the Northeast can be saved."
Yi Kuang praised: "What Mr. Song said is just to cherish the people's strength. One hundred thousand new troops in the three provinces is probably too much. The government's finances are empty, and there must not be much money available. If the Northeast New Army can raise fifty to sixty thousand,
, that’s about it. If the three provinces are really in danger, the imperial court can send new troops from other provinces to come to support."
He thought to himself that if you were to train 100,000 new troops in the three eastern provinces, I might not even be able to protect the Qing Dynasty.
Song Biao didn't mind, and said: "Fifty or sixty thousand is fine, just keep Shenyang and wait for support from the provinces! However, when it comes to the New Deal, I don't think Mr. Zhao is the one who runs the New Deal. Please ask the court to replace him with someone else."
Secondly, the garrison generals of the three provinces should be abolished and replaced with governors. Otherwise, the conflict between me, the governor, and the garrison generals of the three provinces will be very serious. Everyone is fighting for power internally, and no one can do practical things. I'm afraid it will not be good.
."
Yikuang was in a dilemma for a while. He had indeed talked about replacing the governors of the three provinces, but who could really trust Song Biao? Keeping the garrison generals of the three provinces was just to hold back Song Biao. In the words of the Empress Dowager Lafayette, the three provinces were at fault.
It's a physical problem, but if Song Biao's new army in northern Song Dynasty becomes stronger, it will be a personal problem.
Yikuang thought for a moment and replied: "Let me discuss this matter with other ministers after I go back and report it to the Queen Mother before making a decision."
When Song Biao heard these words, he felt that it was impossible. He sneered in his heart. To put it harshly, the Manchus would rather lose their foundation in Northeast China than let him dominate Guandong.
Song Biao was too lazy to negotiate any more. He just wanted a few years of buffering time. When he was firmly established, he had the final say on what to do with the three eastern provinces. He didn't care about the Qing court's weak strength.
Woolen cloth!
He was always arrogant, so he immediately said to Yi Kuang: "It's up to the court to do whatever they want. I've always lived one day at a time, and when I was the governor, I didn't care about anything. The prince didn't care. What else do I care about?"
Where’s the strength?”
Yi Kuang's face was very embarrassed, and he was worried, happy, and hurt at the same time. What worried him was that Song Biao really didn't know much about the classics and history, and had no idea of serving the country and being loyal to the emperor. He was happy that he didn't have much revenge or ambition, and he was sad.
It seems that this person has no intention of protecting the three provinces of East China.
He thought that if the Russians marched south one day and Song Biao really couldn't defeat him, he would most likely just follow the Russians and he would never be as loyal and dedicated as other officials.
This premonition made Yikuang very discouraged and didn’t know what to do.!~!
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