"I have also read the news in the past few days, and by the way, I also inquired at the Ministry of War. It seems that there is civil unrest in Henan and Shaanxi. The lawless people took the opportunity to make trouble, and the trouble became bigger and bigger. Because of this, Uncle Zhang was very embarrassed.
, right?" Yuan Su mentioned this matter casually. He could naturally see that Zhang Boju was unwilling to talk about this matter. The reason why he still wanted to drink some pot but not to mention it was because he saw something in it.
Some places that can be used.
Zhang Boju's face was a bit embarrassed, but he saw that Yuan Su's attitude and tone did not seem to be deliberately picking on this problem, so he could finally get over this hurdle. He reluctantly laughed twice,
Then he nodded and said: "That's true, but there are many reasons for this, and I can't say much. In short, the chaos among the people must be because of the chaos among the people, alas."
Yuan Su was slightly surprised. He never expected that Zhang Boju would actually sympathize with Bai Lang's uprising. As Zhang Zhenfang's son, it was really rare for him to have such a heart. He nodded slowly and thoughtfully,
Then he said in a serious tone: "There are indeed many complications in this matter. I was also preparing to send troops into Henan to help Uncle Zhang. After the New Year, I will send a special telegram to Kaifeng to communicate with Zhang.
Uncle, let’s discuss this matter.”
Zhang Boju didn't know much about military matters. He just thought that Yuan Su was willing to help his father, and he immediately said happily: "Ke Li is really thoughtful. If Ke Li helps me, I believe that my father will be able to do things better. Speaking of which, this time the civil war
The key to chaos is not to suppress it, but to channel it. Those who serve as officials must plead for the people. It is the suffering of the people that causes chaos. Therefore, this time in Henan and Shaanxi, we must deal with the root cause."
Yuan Su smiled and said: "My cousin's words make sense, I will definitely bear them in mind."
Zhang Boju then said: "If Keli is really determined to mobilize troops to assist my father, I will send the message tomorrow so that my father can arrange for someone to contact you Keli."
Yuan Su nodded and said: "This is the best. Speaking of which, I intend to send troops to help this time. On the one hand, I want to repay Uncle Zhang for his promotion in the past. On the other hand... Haha, I still hope to be able to meet Zhang San.
See you, Miss."
Hearing this, everyone present understood it. Zhang Boju laughed and said: "I see, if so, I will also mention this matter in the telegram tomorrow."
Yuan Su glanced at Yuan Kewen subconsciously. After all, Miss Zhang San's matter was related to Yuan Fourth Young Master Ke Duan. He mentioned it so blatantly. Even if Yuan Ke Duan was not present, Yuan Kewen, as his elder brother, was not there.
You must sit back and ignore it.
Yuan Kewen on the side noticed Yuan Su's gaze. Although he was not very old, he was also a sweetheart. He then chuckled and said: "Ke Li is so heroic, and a brother will naturally support him. You find that this matter is between you and me."
Of course we outsiders won’t talk too much about what’s going on between her. Haha, isn’t it?”
Yuan Su looked relieved and said with a smile: "I am really grateful for my cousin's words. Then I would like to inform my cousin first, and later I will arrange a special message to Kaifeng for detailed consultation."
."
Zhang Boju nodded and said, "That's it."
The idea of telling troops to help Zhang Zhenfang did not come for a long time, but Yuan Su had a whim in the past few days. It happened that Zhang Boju was present today, so he simply borrowed Zhang Boju's hand to let the news out. The reason why he wanted to bring
Naturally, when the troops entered Henan, they did not wholeheartedly assist Zhang Zhenfang in the encirclement and suppression of Bai Lang.
At this stage, what he wants to do most is to expand his sphere of influence as much as possible. The war of the Second Revolution allowed him to occupy Huai'an and Huaibei, and now he is worried that there will be no other opportunities to expand.
Power. The Governor of Henan is now Zhang Zhenfang, who can be regarded as one of his own within the system. After his troops enter Henan, they can firstly help Zhang Zhenfang, and secondly, they can also occupy a base in Henan with Zhang Zhenfang's help.
Analyzing from a large strategic map, the strategic value of Henan is far less important than that of Huguang. However, the expansion of power cannot be achieved in one step. First establish a foothold in Henan and then try to gain access to Huguang.
Furthermore, he wanted to take this opportunity to pull out the troops of the Huaibei Third Brigade for a test. It would be the best thing to train this newly established troops through actual combat.
After chatting for a while in the small living room, an attendant soon came to inform the master that everyone should go to the banquet hall to sit down.
Led by Yuan Kewen, a group of people got up and walked out one after another. The children of the younger generation were laughing and joking, running back and forth to catch them. After a while, they met some female relatives of the younger generation in the corridor, Yuan Keding, Yuan Kewen and
The wives and concubines of Zhang Boju and others were all present. The female family members would more or less take care of some of the children, persuading and scolding them. But the whole scene was already very lively.
Everyone arrived at the banquet hall, which had already been decorated with bright lights. A total of two long tables were arranged. Each long table could seat about forty people, but those sitting at the end and those at the head were
Obviously there needs to be some distance between each other.
Yuan Shikai has not arrived yet, only the eldest aunt and the second aunt are here to say hello. Yuan Su stepped forward to greet these aunts. The aunts all knew that Yuan Su was different now than in the past, just from the gifts he brought this year.
As you can see, everyone seemed more enthusiastic and polite.
Before it was time for the banquet to start, Yuan Kewen invited everyone to sit down and drink tea and chat.
Not long after he sat down, Yuan Keding walked in quickly with staggering steps. He greeted some relatives with a smile, and then saw Yuan Su and Yuan Kewen sitting together, so he turned around and walked over, choosing carelessly.
He found a seat and sat down. As soon as he sat down, his mouth opened like a flood, and he spoke many words with great energy.
It turned out that Yuan Keding had just come from Yuan Shikai's study, where Yuan Shikai was discussing matters with several specially invited guests tonight, including Cai E, Yan Xishan, Liang Shiyi, and Wang Shizhen.
"Ke Li, where is the person? Oh, you are here, I am looking for you." Yuan Keding looked around excitedly, and then leaned towards Yuan Su.
"Brother, what's the matter?" Yuan Su asked.
"Just now my father and Cai Songpo were discussing the new rifle. Liang Yansun gave an estimate at that time. If the standard rifle plan is successfully passed, the Ministry of Finance can spend 5 million at a time to produce the new rifle.
Well, this is good news." Yuan Keding's smile was quite proud.
"Of course this is good news. I have sent a message back to Luanzhou a few days ago, asking Luanzhou to hurry up and test the gun, and then send it to beijing. I really hope that this matter can be implemented as soon as possible to help me build Beiyang
Make a weapon for national defense." Yuan Su said with emotion. Of course he only pretended to be like this to cater to Yuan Su. Whether the new rifle can become the standard rifle of the Beiyang government is obviously not something Yuan Keding can say.
Furthermore, Cai E's current conflict with the Beiyang Group may also affect the promotion of standard rifles.
"Well, in the study just now, I found that Cai Songpo was becoming more and more disrespectful. My father asked him to draw up some more detailed military reform plans, and said that he no longer needed to submit them to the Ministry of War, but would be reviewed directly by the Presidential Palace.
This gives Cai Songpo enough face, and my father has made it clear that the War Department will not be involved in this matter. Do you think Cai Songpo responded like this?" Yuan Keding talked about another matter lukewarmly.
"Oh? What did General Songpo say?" Yuan Su became slightly interested and asked Yuan Keding.
"Then Cai Songpo actually said that military reform should be handled by the Ministry of War. It would be lucky if he could help from the side. He wouldn't dare to mess with the squad. Look, it's really shameless." Yuan Keding was a little disgusted.
said.
"Could this be the humble and polite words of General Songpo?" Yuan Su tried to argue. But he knew very well in his heart that this was obviously a harbinger of Cai E's disappointment with the Beiyang government.
He believed that the Army Department meeting he had attended before was just a microcosm. He guessed that Bei Jing had been there for some time. Perhaps before Bei Jing came to Bei Jing, someone within the Beiyang Group had already created obstacles after the news came out.
In the past few days, there must have been more incidents against Cai E, and these were all hitting Cai E bit by bit.
"That's not true. You haven't seen the tone and expression that Cai E just said. Alas, it's just a shame. I don't know why, but I still respected and respected my father before, and he was polite and courteous. Today
But he suddenly became so unkind and even more annoying. Sigh." Yuan Keding shook his head and sighed.
Yuan Su remained silent. It wasn't that he didn't know how to answer, but he just didn't want to discuss the matter rashly.
When it was almost six o'clock, the sky had darkened, and there was a sound of footsteps from the side door of the banquet hall. Surrounded by several guests, Yuan Shikai slowly walked into the banquet hall. Yuan Shikai's face was not very good, but
He didn't look too embarrassed, but it was obvious at a glance that he was worried. The few guests following him were exactly what Yuan Keding mentioned just now, Yan Xishan, Liang Shiyi, Shizhen and others. Cai E walked at the back,
His expression seemed a bit dull.
Everyone in the banquet hall saw Yuan Shikai arriving and stood up to greet him.
Yuan Shikai came to the head of the chairman's table and managed a smile to greet all his relatives.
What impressed Yuan Su was that even though Yuan Shikai was in a high position, even though there were many relatives present, and even though there were many irrelevant people among these many relatives, he could still remember everyone's name and communicate with them.
Try to say hello to everyone, including Yuan Su himself.
After some prelude, Yuan Shikai signaled everyone to sit down and rest first, and then ordered a waiter to go to the kitchen to notify that the dishes that should be cooked should be cooked immediately, and the cold dishes that should be served first should be brought out.
At six o'clock, the servants brought some dishes one after another, and Yuan Shikai, as the master, greeted everyone to the table. Because there were so many people, and the seats were arranged in order, Yuan Shikai himself was only responsible for greeting some important guests.
For example, four people, including Yan Xishan and Cai E, were placed directly at the front of the chairman's table. Brothers Yuan Keding and Yuan Kewen, as well as the aunt and others, were responsible for greeting other guests.
Yuan Keding first arranged for Yuan Su to sit next to him, and then asked other relatives to sit down one after another.
It took more than ten minutes to allocate seats, and within this ten minutes, the dishes on the menu were exactly the same.
After everyone sat down, Yuan Shikai raised his wine glass and said a toast to open the banquet, and then everyone raised their wine glasses and drank it all in one gulp. The banquet officially began. Yuan Su originally planned to take the opportunity of the banquet to talk to Cai E, but he didn't know.
The two of them were seated three people apart, so it was really inconvenient for them to talk, so they had no choice but to give up.
The dishes at the banquet were still very rich, and the atmosphere was warm and happy.
Yuan Keding always wants others to toast, but the toasters are also the same ones, one is Yan Xishan, the other is Liang Shiyi, and the third is Yuan Su. He drank several glasses with Yuan Su alone. Fortunately, today's wine is
Good rice wine is strong, but it won't hit you immediately.
The people around Yuan Su were not very familiar with each other. Apart from drinking for Yuan Keding, Yuan Kewen and Zhang Boju, the most they could do was stand up and toast Yuan Shikai with a glass of wine from a distance. But while he was in the mood, he also
Cai E drank two glasses of wine. During the whole banquet, he noticed that Cai E was pouring and drinking by himself most of the time. Even if someone toasted him, he would drink it without saying a word.
At eight o'clock, the banquet was completely dispersed. Guests left one after another in the middle. Some went to other rooms to drink tea, some chatted next to the banquet hall, and some couldn't help but get together with itchy hands.
Went to play mahjong together.
After the banquet, Cai E was basically unconscious. Yuan Shikai sent three attendants to carry and hold him back. Yuan Keding also drank a lot and stumbled back to his room to rest. Yuan Kewen, Zhang Boju
The two of them were relatively restrained and did not want to drink openly like Yuan Keding.
There are still some entertainment activities arranged in the evening, such as playing cards and gambling, or chatting.
Zhang Boju was very interested in finding Yuan Su and inviting him to go out to play. Yuan Su still didn't know what other entertainment activities there were in Beijing at night in this era, and what he could do when going out? Fortunately, Zhang Boju immediately said that tonight was the New Year's Eve, and Shen Yuequan was here specially
It is a rare opportunity to hold a box-sealing performance in Guangde Building.
Hearing this, Yuan Su realized what he was going out to do so late. Yuan Kewen and Zhang Boju had always been experienced fans, so they would not miss such a rare opportunity tonight. Although he himself did not know much about traditional Chinese opera culture,
I wasn’t really interested, but since Zhang Boju invited me so kindly and I didn’t have anything to do in the evening, I naturally decided to go.
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[Transportation Department: In 1905, Liang Shiyi was appointed as the chief copywriter of the Beijing-Hankong and Shanghai-Nanjing Railways. Later he served as the postal and communication department's assistant manager of the Beijing-Hankong, Shanghai-Nanjing, Zhengtai, Bianluo, and Daoqing fifth roads and the Bank of Communications
, because he placed party members everywhere and cultivated his own power, he formed a transportation system, which grew rapidly in the process of expanding the railway industry. Its important figures include Zhou Ziqi, Ye Gongchuo, Wang Youling, Zhu Qiqian, etc. The transportation department is famous in China with Yuan Shikai
As a refuge from the political power of the British and Japanese imperialism abroad, it controlled the leadership of railways, shipping, telephones and telegraphs, postal services and other undertakings. It also controlled the Bank of Communications, Jincheng Bank, China Huiye Bank, Salt Bank, etc.
Bank of China, Zhengfeng Coal Mine, Zhongxing Coal Mine, Beipiao Coal Mine, Liuhegou Coal Mine, Longyan Iron Mine, Wutong Navigation Company and other large banks and large enterprises. He was prominent during the rule of the Beiyang Warlords. Liang Shiyi was also known as the "Five Roads"
"The God of Wealth", also served as the Secretary-General of Yuan Shikai's presidential office, and was known as the "Second President". The transportation department and the Beiyang Army's civil and military combination became the two pillars of the Beiyang warlords' rule. After Yuan Shikai's death in 1916, Liang was wanted and fled."
The old transportation system "also lost ground." dd