The appointment of the Ministry of National Defense was quickly implemented.
People who actively opposed it at the beginning have now changed their opinions and are willing to stay in the Ministry of National Defense. After the news came out, Zeng Guofan was quite happy. He had already understood the role of the National Defense Commissioner and knew that the Commissioner of the Ministry of National Defense could be said to be a gold-plated person. If you stay in a certain place for a period of time, you will have to be released sooner or later to take up a post, so you strongly opposed Guo Songtao and Liu Kunyi.
The structure of the Ministry of National Defense has been established, and Li Zhen's mission has been completed.
The improvement and development of the Ministry of National Defense is no longer Li Zhen's main concern, but a problem for Peng Yulin and others. It depends on how Peng Yulin, Li Hongzhang, Zhang Zhidong and others perform.
…
At the Prime Minister's Office, Zeng Guoquan took the initiative to ask for an audience.
Zeng Guoquan has been officially appointed as the commander of the Jinan Military Region. He can be regarded as one of the most authoritative people in the center of national power. He came to Zeng Guofan's house, visited Zeng Guofan and his wife, chatted with his sister-in-law and nephew at home, and waited for lunch. , just talked about business with Zeng Guofan.
In the study, Zeng Guoquan's face was full of sorrow.
Zeng Guofan said: "What happened, why are you so worried?"
In fact, during the meal, Zeng Guofan had already noticed that something was wrong with Zeng Guoquan's state, but did not mention it. Now that the two of them were in the study, Zeng Guofan took the initiative to mention it.
Zeng Guoquan sighed softly and said: "To be honest, brother, I am very happy to be appointed as the commander of the Jinan Military Region this time, but I am also scared and worried, lest I betray the trust of the president. Think about it, the Jinan Military Region is a Being empty-handed and without any soldiers is equivalent to me falling from the sky. After arriving in Jinan, I still have to face the local garrison in Jinan."
He sighed and said: "I get a headache when I think about the Jinan Military Region. Originally, I planned to ask the president about the situation, but after thinking about it, I asked my brother first to see if he had any good suggestions."
Zeng Guofan looked very calm and said calmly: "Ninth brother, when I and the President, Zuo Zongtang, Zhao Liewen and others were arranging candidates for the Ministry of National Defense, did you know that you had been recommended for a position?"
Zeng Guoquan shook his head, expressing his ignorance.
Zeng Guofan said in a deep voice: "Shi Dakai recommends you to take over as Minister of National Defense."
"ah,."
Zeng Guoquan's eyes widened with an incredulous expression.
Zeng Guofan said unhurriedly: "Shi Dakai recommended it, but I rejected Shi Dakai's kindness on the spot. Although Shi Dakai had good intentions, it is not a good thing for you. Even a commander of a large military region doesn't know where to start. What's more, I'm a minister. Ninth brother, when the president appointed me as prime minister, I had nothing. I was just a bare prime minister with no one under me. I could only learn from foreign methods and gradually build the structure of the prime minister. Subordinates level by level set it up."
"You serve as the commander of the Jinan Military Region. Although you don't have a direct army, it's much better."
"With the support of the president and the backing of the country, what are you afraid of?"
"In fact, whether you preside over a large military region or serve as the governor of a province, in the final analysis you are an official. As long as you can be an official, you can cultivate your own direct lineage, gain a foothold in Jinan, gain a foothold in Shandong, and follow the rules. The President requested the establishment of the Jinan Military Region. Although this is difficult, once you complete the Jinan Military Region, your vision and structure will undergo earth-shaking changes, and your own capabilities will also be greatly improved."
Zeng Guofan looked serious and said slowly: "Remember one thing, the commander of a military region is also an officer. He does not just fight and kill. If you are a good officer, you will definitely be able to get things done. I can give you only so much advice. The rest depends on You figure it out yourself."
After listening, Zeng Guoquan fell into silence.
Zeng Guofan did not disturb Zeng Guoquan and quietly withdrew. His younger brother was talented and learned, but could not handle himself well in the officialdom. He hoped that he could help Zeng Guoquan this time.
…
Shi Dakaifu, study room.
Shi Dakai and Li Xiucheng sat opposite each other. Li Xiucheng's appointment had been issued and he was about to leave Beijing for Shenyang, so Li Xiucheng came to visit Shi Dakai before leaving. He sat opposite Shi Dakai and said respectfully: "Prime Minister, I have been appointed this time. Commander of the Shenyang Military Region, but there is no army in Shenyang, how should I get it after I go there?"
Shi Dakai stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Although Shenyang does not have an army, Heilongjiang is also under the Shenyang Military Region. Why not start with the army left by Peng Yulin? Just draw this army over and cultivate your own direct lineage. , the establishment of the Shenyang Military Region is a piece of cake. Before leaving, I will visit the Minister of Defense Peng Yulin. I believe Peng Yulin will not let it go."
Li Xiucheng slapped his forehead and said, "Yes, why didn't I think of that?"
He smiled, with a happy face on his face.
Shi Dakai continued: "Go to Shenyang and work hard and do more practical things. Especially Shenyang is close to the border with Tsarist Russia and is a place where it is easy to make achievements. Work hard in Shenyang for a few years. When the opportunity comes, I will try to transfer you back to the national defense. I will serve as a deputy minister and take charge of the Central Committee. In addition to you, Chen Yucheng will also stay on the Hong Kong Garrison side. You have all developed, and I feel more relieved."
Li Xiucheng said seriously: "Prime Minister, please rest assured that I will definitely live up to the Prime Minister's high expectations."
…
Presidential Palace, drawing room.
Li Zhen sat in the main seat, and below him sat Lu Shaochuan, Liu Jintang, Yang Banhou, and Qi Zhenhai. Liu Jintang had already paid a visit to Zuo Zongtang. He looked at Li Zhen and said proudly: "President, this time I will serve as Commander of the Chengdu Military Region, I will never embarrass you. After I go to Chengdu, I will definitely build up a huge army as quickly as possible. When the president targets Tibet, I, the Chengdu Military Region, will definitely be at the forefront. "
Li Zhen smiled and said, "You're the only one who's good at it."
But Li Zhen was very satisfied in his eyes. Liu Jintang thought of Tibet, which was in line with Li Zhen's arrangement.
Lu Shaochuan curled his lips and shouted: "President, Qi Zhenhai is in Guangzhou and Liu Jintang is in Chengdu. Both of them have armies. Yang Banhou and I are on each side, but they are empty frames and there is no ready-made army. After we go there It’s not easy to do things.”
Li Zhen snorted and said with a stern look: "If it's not easy, just write a letter of resignation. I'll replace you with someone else. With the support of the country, the presence of the Chengdu Military Region and the Guangzhou Military Region, what are you afraid of? You should win over If you can't win over and suppress what should be suppressed, if you can't do it under such conditions, don't come back to see me. I can't afford to lose this person."
Lu Shaochuan laughed and waved his hands quickly: "It's just talk. Don't worry, Lu Shaochuan will definitely complete the task."
…
On September 16, the commanders of the seven military regions left Beijing. Li Zhen personally saw off the commanders of the major military regions before returning to the presidential palace. So far, the seven military regions have also been temporarily set up. Although they have just started, as long as they are willing to go If you do it, you will be able to continuously improve it.