Jiang Baili was a proud man, so he was naturally very happy when he heard Yuan Su's high praise. He also knew that Yuan Su was very different from other Yuan family members. He was the only one in the Yuan family besides Yuan Shikai who could
The talented people in charge of the army can not only control the army, but also provide the same suggestions as the military reform plan, which shows that they are like-minded people.
He doesn't have many friends in Bei Jing, and there are few people he can really talk to except Cai E. Now he feels that Yuan Su, as a leader among the Yuan family's children, also has the ideal of reforming the national defense industry.
People who are worthy of praise are also people who are worthy of deep friendship.
Immediately, he said with a smile: "Young Master Yuan, please don't say that. I am just doing my duty. What's more, even if I am addicted to the military spirit, it is a pity that it can only be regarded as a recreational activity now.
It’s useless.”
Yuan Su immediately said: "Brother Jiang, please don't say that. To be honest, I am also very dissatisfied with some of the bureaucracy in the central government, but even so, I will never give up easily. As the saying goes, the bounden duty of a soldier is
It is to protect the homeland and the country, and the character of a soldier should be perseverance. Even if there are difficulties and obstacles, we soldiers should grit our teeth and use perseverance to defend the bounden duty of soldiers."
Jiang Baili thought deeply about Yuan Su's words, and he could already understand what Yuan Su meant. He nodded in agreement and said with emotion: "Young Master Yuan is young and has such emotion and determination.
It’s really admirable.”
Yuan Su continued: "I know very well that the stubborn forces in the government are like Guo Jia's cancer, but if we rush to remove the cancer at this time, it will inevitably cause internal bleeding and damage our own vitality. Therefore, when dealing with the cancer, we should assess the situation carefully, but
Use gentle methods to first relieve the poisonous blood around you and reduce the chronic diseases, and then gradually prescribe the right medicine."
Jiang Baili couldn't help but become serious when he heard Yuan Su's metaphor, and said with deep approval: "It seems that Young Master Yuan has a comprehensive plan?"
Yuan Su said unhurriedly: "I don't have any comprehensive plan, it's just my personal opinion. Since I can't show my strength here in the government, why not try it in a nearby place. Stay away from the political center.
, use partial reforms of local military affairs to promote overall reforms step by step. Although doing so is very time-consuming and laborious, and advancing bit by bit, reforming bit by bit may not really play the role of condensing military power.
.But frankly speaking, partial improvements are better than no improvements at all.”
Jiang Baili asked: "You mean doing a little bit is better than not doing anything at all, right?"
Yuan Su nodded and said, "That's exactly what I mean."
Jiang Baili took a deep breath and said helplessly: "Nowadays, there is discord between the north and the south of the country. It seems unified, but in fact, it is difficult for each province to support its troops and respect itself. The purpose of this military reform is to weaken local power.
If it is too heavy, it will encourage the central government to strengthen the control of military power. If we follow what Mr. Yuan said and strengthen local reforms, if it fails, it will lead to the strengthening of local military power, which will not be conducive to the centralization of power in the end."
Yuan Su said: "Brother Jiang's words are wrong. Since the purpose of military reform is to strengthen the central government's centralization, the purpose of implementing military reform in local areas first is to eliminate the element of self-respect in the local area. It is nothing more than a slow implementation process.
, the implementation area has been reduced, but in the end, the disadvantages of this part have been eliminated. Isn’t it?”
Jiang Baili was slightly startled. He knew that Yuan Su's words made sense, but he also knew very well that many things could not be as simple as talking on paper. Sometimes the expectations were good, but the real results were unexpected.
Just like the concept put forward by Yuan Su, it is literally impossible to refute it. However, once local reforms expand regional military power, it is impossible to eliminate the impact of local military support as expected.
But even if he knew it in his heart, unfortunately he couldn't refute it literally for a while.
Of course, Yuan Su said this on purpose. His purpose was to remove people like Jiang Baili from the power of the die-hards. There would be no use for these talents in the central government. It would be better to go to the local level and show their strength.
Before Jiang Baili could continue to refute, Yuan Su said in a sincere and sincere tone: "Brother Jiang, the situation in the central government at this time is just like that during the Reform Movement of 1898. The reformers were begging for reform to save the country. Brother Jiang and General Cai
They also earnestly hope to implement military reforms in order to promote the centralization of power and national unification as soon as possible. However, history has proven that when the stubborn old-school forces are too serious, blindly fighting head-on will not produce good results. On the contrary, it is more appropriate to retreat at this time.
The second most important thing is to know how to preserve and accumulate strength. As long as we, the new-school people, have grown stronger and then carry out reforms, we will be ready to take action."
Jiang Baili fell into deep thought and didn't speak for a while. He felt from the bottom of his heart that what Yuan Su said contained great truth, but at the same time, he felt that Yuan Su was not as wise as he thought.
Wisdom is better said to be a kind of sophistry and speculation. But no matter what, the direction advocated by Yuan Su is still feasible.
After a pause, Yuan Su continued: "Nowadays, there are not many like-minded people in Beiyang, which is why there are so many opposition forces. To be honest, I, Yuan Su, very much support this military reform.
, I even believe that the president also believes that this military reform is necessary. But the bad thing is the thinking of the old-school bureaucrats. These old-schoolers can speak with one voice, but our voices are thin; the old-schoolers can unanimously agree, but we
They will fall apart as soon as they encounter obstacles. If we really want to realize the ideal of reform, we should unite now and establish a group belonging to our new school of thought, accumulate strength step by step, and then launch a counterattack against those die-hards."
At the end of his speech, his tone could not help but be excited.
Although Jiang Baili felt that Yuan Su's words were a bit off-topic, he was impressed by Yuan Su's other idea - "establishing a new group". Doesn't it mean that after the second revolution, the concept of party politics has been promoted to a certain extent?
Let’s just say that bureaucrats and politicians who have been in the temples throughout the ages have all relied on cliques to consolidate and expand their political interests.
Although it is just a military reform now, the military community also needs to form cliques and establish mutual camps, not only to unite forces, but also because of the need for political demands.
"What you said makes sense, but I think this matter should be discussed in the long term." Jiang Baili said meaningfully.
"This is natural. I have heard that when Brother Jiang just took office as the principal of the Baoding Army Military Academy two years ago, he suddenly shot himself during a lecture to all the staff. Please forgive me for being presumptuous. I didn't mention this on purpose, but
I have to say that someone who shoots himself must have great courage, and Brother Jiang has such courage, which is enough to prove that Brother Jiang is different. As for the reason for shooting himself, no matter what the truth is, I believe it is the same.
A determination that comes from the heart." Yuan Su said solemnly.
"That incident... there are many unspeakable secrets, but Mr. Yuan, the heartfelt determination you mentioned is indeed true. If we cannot do something earth-shattering for the country and the people, we will really be ashamed of the world." Jiang Baili.
He smiled bitterly for a while, and then said in a very slow tone.
"That being the case, I hope that today I can discuss in detail with you, Brother Jiang, what I have said before. Instead of fighting alone, it is better to form an alliance and work together. The affairs of the country and the nation are not the affairs of one person. You and I should all bear it to the best of our ability." Yuan Su
He said confidently.
"Let me encourage you." Jiang Baili said with the same enthusiasm.
After that, Yuan Su and Jiang Baili came to Cai E's side again, but Cai E was really drunk. They didn't say anything more, but took advantage of Cai E's drunkenness and continued to drink a few more drinks with him until the banquet.
When it was about to end, Jiang Baili proposed to send Cai E back to rest first, so Yuan Su and Jiang Baili helped Cai E out together.
After sending Cai E back to his residence, Yuan Su followed Jiang Baili out. The two of them did not take a carriage, but walked to Beihai.
Along the way, the two continued to discuss some topics about accumulating strength and local reforms. Yuan Su timely proposed the establishment of a military and political force of the Beiyang Young Forces. He could first use a club as a superficial cover, and then widely absorb the Beiyang Army.
Young and middle-aged officers who are promising and have a positive spirit of innovation. For example, Baoding Army Officer School, Army University, Beijing Military Academy, etc., can become a gathering place for young people to spread their ideas.
Jiang Baili became more and more interested as he listened to the general ideas introduced by Yuan Su. In fact, he, like Cai E, believed that China would need a strong military and political force in order to unify, rather than relying on those idealistic "revolutionary
"Party", it is better to support the Beiyang government to realize the desire of national reunification, and then carry out reforms from within Beiyang bit by bit, so that Beiyang can transition towards institutionalization and legalization.
After all, the Beiyang Group is a group that has developed over the years. It has sufficient strength and international diplomatic status, and is now an upright legal government. He is not looking down on the revolutionary forces, nor is he slandering or slandering the revolutionary spirit. It is just the foundation of Sun Yat-sen's faction.
It is too shallow. Relying on these people to complete national reunification will only take ten, twenty or even more years. China cannot afford to wait that long.
Although I am disappointed with the Beiyang core group, this is what was expected. If you are frustrated here, you will completely stop moving forward. Yuan Su said that soldiers must have perseverance, so they should not give up easily.
Yuan Su also proposed to promote reforms locally, and while reforming, he would accumulate strength and gradually absorb, integrate and develop into the Beiyang Young Sect group. He had to admit that this was not an option.
He knew that Yuan Su's core idea was to use fresh blood to integrate into the Beiyang group and dilute the old blood, thereby establishing a new Beiyang regime from the inside out.
However, because the time was too short, the two only talked about a few general topics, but they both showed great interest in each other.
Before leaving, Jiang Baili said that he would make a special trip to ask Yuan Su to continue discussing these matters in his spare time in the first month. As long as the big framework is determined, detailed discussions can be started at any time. Yuan Su enthusiastically agreed and said that even if
If Jiang Baili didn't come to find him, he would take the time to go find him.dd