Not only were Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu and others released, but Zhang Xueliang, Shitou and others also walked out of the Japanese Concession. This round of demonstrations against Cao Kun ended with a complete victory for the students. Under the oppression of the national situation, Cao Kun also
Retired from the position of president. Another warlord Duan Qirui officially entered the stage of history.
Presumably, Cao Kun and Duan Qirui became more vigorous and resolute once they ascended to the throne of the president. They successively punished the "traitors" that Cao Rulin and other students strongly opposed. The attitude towards the Japanese also made a 180-degree turn.
Yuan Shikai and Cao Kun had been trying to please the Japanese, but now they were alienating and even expelling the Japanese.
Zhang Xueliang let out a long breath, and Ma Xingkong and others were waiting outside the Japanese Concession. Everyone said some polite words and stepped into the car. Ma Xingkong asked: "Second brother, isn't it difficult for the Japanese to do business?"
Zhang Xueliang smiled slightly: "Although the business was not completed, it allowed me to see clearly the face of the Japanese. This time I narrowly escaped death. Forget it, go back to the Northeast!"
Returning to the leather goods shop, Han Xiaomo finally settled down. He hurriedly sent someone to prepare a banquet to calm Zhang Xueliang and others. At the same time, he sent someone to deliver a letter to Zhang Zuolin, reporting what happened in the capital. Just when everyone was drinking happily, someone outside the door
The clerk ran in and said that a soldier was looking for the young marshal.
Zhang Xueliang was stunned. He had no friends in the military circles in the capital, so who could he be? It was not long, and the soldier was called in. This man was not old, and he spoke politely. He only explained his intention after he arrived.
: "My subordinates sent a letter to the young marshal on the order of the president. At the same time, the president has hosted a banquet at the presidential palace and invited the young marshal and Mr. Ma Xingkong to go with him. I don't know..."
"Duan Qirui wants to invite me?" Ma Xingkong smiled: "I don't know him!"
The man smiled and said: "Mr. Ma is a well-known figure in the capital. Everyone knows about it. The president has wanted to discuss the strategy of saving the country with him for a long time, but he has no time. I would like to ask you to honor me this time!"
Ma Xingkong looked at the soldier: "You can talk! Second brother, what should I do? If you want to go, I will go!"
Zhang Xueliang also smiled: "Brother, if you are brave, I will definitely accompany you!"
"Yes, yes!" the soldier said hurriedly: "A car has been prepared outside the door, arranged by the president himself! Please!"
Duan Qirui's presidential palace is still located in Zhongnanhai, but it is not the small building used by Yuan Shikai. It is a Chinese-style building on the east coast of Zhongnanhai. Duan Qirui has advocated middle school throughout his life, and pursues the creed of seeking others rather than seeking oneself.
Everything he said was straightforward. In fact, before Duan Qirui came to power, Sun Yat-sen had already sent people to meet with Duan Qirui to seek a path to republicanism. However, in front of Cao Kun, he was very ungrateful in doing things, so he kept putting them on hold.
, until Cao Kun stepped down and the Beiyang generals were in danger, Duan Qirui finally waited for the presidential throne.
In order to fulfill his ambition to unify China, Duan Qirui immediately set out to start his ideal unification project. In current China, the provincial governors are self-reliant, and only by recruiting enough people can the unification project be started. Zhang Xueliang happened to be in the capital, so Duan Qirui
Qirui immediately sent someone to find Zhang Xueliang.
As for Ma Xingkong, Duan Qirui did not underestimate him. This man did not belong to any faction, but with his status as Qinggang Wu, he had an indelible influence in the underworld in the capital. If there was another big parade
, I am afraid that as a great president, I will soon follow in the footsteps of Cao Kun.
Duan Qirui was not tall or burly, and did not have the beard that was most popular at the time. He wore a gray cloth gown and a dark purple vest, with his hands behind his back, like a kind old man. When Zhang Xueliang and Ma Xingkong got out of the car,
Duan Qirui was waiting at the door.
Speaking of Duan Qirui, Ma Xingkong was his savior. If Ma Xingkong hadn't fired in advance at the Beijing station, he might have been killed by an assassin's gun arranged by Yuan Shikai. The two sides looked at each other, Ma Xingkong
Xingkong had a good impression of Duan Qirui, and there was no intrigue in his eyes.
Walking into Duan Qirui's living room, the traditional Taishi chairs were arranged in an orderly manner. There were no antique vases, celebrity calligraphy and paintings around, and some common flowers and plants were placed aside. Someone served tea, and Duan Qirui made a gesture of invitation: "
Please! I am so arrogant and have the temerity to invite you two. It is really for the sake of important events for China. I have no choice but to forgive you!"
Zhang Xueliang said: "The President is too polite. If the President has anything to say, you might as well say it directly!"
"Hahaha!" Duan Qirui smiled: "Okay, now that I have said that, I will not beat around the bush anymore. If Mr. Zhang returns to the Northeast, please take me to tell Marshal Zhang that Mr. Sun Wen from Nanjing has sent someone to contact me.
I hope that the people will be able to rest and recuperate, and I also hope that Marshal Zhang will also quit his army early. If it is appropriate for Marshal Zhang to come to Beijing, I am willing to give up the position of president!"
Zhang Xueliang and Ma Xingkong looked at each other. Zhang Xueliang said: "Why is this?"
Duan Qirui said: "The current situation is turbulent, and only brave people cannot withstand it. My hometown is far away in Anhui, and it is not easy to start a fight in the capital. But it is not the case with Marshal Zhang. From Rehe to the capital, it is only a hundred miles away, and it will arrive in the morning and in the evening."
, if Marshal Zhang is determined to join China, it is not impossible!"
Duan Qirui's words just touched Zhang Zuolin's heart. Ever since he occupied the Northeast, Zhang Zuolin always wanted to lead his troops south. Zhang Xueliang knew his father very well. Regardless of whether Duan Qirui was sincere or not, his words made him
Zhang Zuolin had an excuse to lead his troops south.
"Don't worry, President, I will definitely convey the President's wishes to my father!" Zhang Xueliang replied vaguely.
Duan Qirui nodded and glanced at Ma Xingkong: "I wonder if Mr. Ma is interested in serving in the government? The position of Director of the Police Department is currently vacant. If Mr. Ma can serve as Director of the Police Department, I believe that the security of the capital will be in order.
!”
"I am an idle person and cannot be an official!" Although Ma Xingkong has never gone to school and has never seen much of the world, he still has the ability to listen to people. Duan Qirui first used his position as president to secure his position.
Zhang Xueliang lives in Zhang Xueliang, and now he uses his position as police chief to win over himself. He is not that stupid.
Duan Qirui shook his head and sighed: "What a pity, what a pity! It's such a pity that a talent like Mr. Ru Ma is unwilling to contribute to the country!"
Ma Xingkong said: "The President is ridiculous. I am a little person, but I can't be called a talent. As long as the President thinks highly of me and finds me useful, I, Ma Xingkong, will definitely help him!"
Duan Qirui's banquet was held in the living room. It was a banquet, but it was just a casual meal. Ma Xingkong, Zhang Xueliang and Duan Qirui were not very talented people, and the wine was not good. In addition, Duan Qirui did not
Good wine, but ended up hastily after drinking two glasses. The sky was bright when we left Zhongnanhai.
"Brother! Let's go back tomorrow!" Zhang Xueliang suddenly said: "It's no longer interesting to stay here. It's better to go back as soon as possible, tell the father about the situation here and the Japanese ambitions, and release him as soon as possible!"