Yuan Su is not surprised at all about the development trend of public opinion in Henan Province, because many of these things were arranged by him. The people do have some enthusiasm. For example, the petition in Shangqiu was completely out of curiosity.
Regarding the situation in Kaifeng, Zhengzhou, Xuchang and other places, although there are many people who sympathize with and support the Third Brigade, this sentiment is far from being enough to risk going to the local government to petition.
He did not spend money to hire a group of people to go to Kaifeng and other places to petition. He just arranged for some people to go to Shangqiu to do some propaganda. The series of policies formulated by Shangqiu after the war not only protected the interests of local people,
At the same time, it also provided living space for many refugees from other places. Therefore, in less than a month, Shangqiu had settled in more than 100,000 people from other places.
It is precisely because of the help of these immigrants that petitions have appeared in Kaifeng, Xuchang, Zhengzhou and other places. Even though these immigrants are displaced, they will more or less have some relatives and friends, or they may be able to lead the villagers back first
Participate in the petition in your place of origin. Whether it is for future livelihood or just for the benefit of a few dollars, these refugees naturally do not think too much.
From Yuan Su's point of view, things should not be overdone. Once they are overdone, there will be obvious traces of deliberateness. He did not instigate large-scale demonstrations. As long as hundreds of people stood at the gate of Zhengfu for a few hours, it would be enough.
It has become a reason and an excuse. Therefore, on March 18th, while still ordering the Third Brigade to pack up, he sent another telegram to Bei Jing. This telegram did not describe the current public opinion in Henan.
Instead, he asked for a departure fee to return to Huaibei.
The Beiyang Army has had a very bad habit since its establishment, that is, whenever it takes any action, even if it is not a military action but just a change of garrison area, it must first pay the evacuation fee. Just as the Qing government wanted to suppress the Wuchang Uprising before, the first
The Second Town had been delaying the move on the grounds of the departure fee. In the end, Empress Dowager Longyu came up with 150,000 private funds, and then reluctantly insisted on moving the Second Town.
When Yuan Su asked for the departure fee, he didn't really care about the money. He just wanted to show Bei Jing that he was really leaving this time. Although he was not sure whether the public opinion he had created during this period could change Zhong Yang.
It means that even if Bei Jing still insists on targeting the third brigade, he will not hesitate and will leave immediately after taking the money.
He does not want to abandon Shangqiu, but needs to create a more serious storm to make both Henan and Bei Jing aware of the consequences of the departure of the Third Brigade. This more serious storm is the second one he is about to get out of.
Chess moves.
Also on the afternoon of March 18th, the Fourteenth Division sent a division staff officer named Xu Ji and led a team of cavalry all the way to Shangqiu. After entering the city, they couldn't even get a sip of water.
Not bothering to drink, he hurriedly came to the Civil Affairs Office and asked to see Yuan Su. After some briefings, Yuan Su met Xu Ji and his party in the small hall on the side of the Civil Affairs Office.
Yuan Su has had contact with the liaison officer sent by the 14th Division in the past few days, but they have not discussed any actual matters. He does not know why the 14th Division suddenly sent a staff officer. In the small hall
After meeting, he and Xu Ji exchanged pleasantries, and then they both sat down.
"Mr. Xu came from Xiayi in the morning. It's a long way and I still don't know why?" Yuan Su asked in a calm tone without showing much curiosity.
"That's right, the division headquarters received the message from bei jing last night. I dare not neglect it and set off early this morning to come to Shangqiu." Xu Ji nodded and said, his voice a little hoarse when he spoke.
"Oh, it must be for the handover of Shangqiu, right? Haha, Mr. Xu, there is no need to be so anxious. In the morning, I just sent a telegram to bei jing. I have already planned the departure date, and I am just waiting.
The Ministry of War will remit the departure fee. It will probably not be delayed until the 22nd. At that time, your army can move into the city and take over Shangqiu." Yuan Su said lukewarmly. Although he felt that Xu Ji should not
Coming here in such a hurry because of the handover, after all, the Fourteenth Division had sent a liaison officer before, and then sent a staff officer to urge this matter, it seemed like they were trying to drive people away. But since it was a message from bei jing,
I'm afraid that nine out of ten will still be related to this matter.
"Master Yuan has misunderstood. I am not here to take over Shangqiu, but to persuade Master Yuan not to return to Huaibei for the time being." Xu Ji said quickly.
"Really? Haha, if I don't return to Huaibei, I'm afraid that Kaifeng and Bei Jing, as well as your Fourteenth Division, won't be at ease." Yuan Su couldn't help but smile, but the smile was a bit teasing.
.
He was a little surprised. He didn't know why Xu Ji actually asked him to stay. Perhaps Bei Jing felt the pressure of public opinion in Henan Province recently, so it was inconvenient for the third brigade to leave immediately.
.If this is the case, then it will achieve the effect he expected. Not only will he not stay, but he will go even more resolutely.
"Master Yuan is really joking. The civil unrest in Henan has not subsided yet. Even if it has improved, it is still a long way to go for us soldiers. The message sent to our ministry yesterday was from the Ministry of War. The ministry hopes that Yuan
Your Excellency can continue to stay in Henan and send troops to southern Henan to join He Fenglin and His Majesty's troops to assist He's troops in annihilating the militia active in the southwestern mountainous area and completely eliminate the hidden dangers in southern Henan." Xu Ji naturally heard what Yuan said.
Su was dissatisfied, but he still patiently introduced the matter and handed the order from the Ministry of War to Yuan Su's hand.
"It's strange. Zhong Yang previously told our troops to stay put in Shangqiu and not to launch any military operations without authorization. Why did the Ministry of War suddenly give such an order? Furthermore, even if it was an order from the Ministry of War, why did it have to be sent to you, the Fourteenth
The division will send someone all the way to deliver it to me, why not just send it directly to me?" Yuan Su took the message, and he was not in a hurry to read the content of the message. Anyway, Xu Ji had already explained the content.
He shook the message in his hand with interest, stared at Xu Ji and asked.
"This..." Xu Ji was embarrassed for a moment, but soon regained his composure. He sighed slightly and said bluntly, "To be honest, this order was drawn up by Commander Duan himself, and was handed over to our division commander, Mr. Qu, to the 14th
The division's former enemy headquarters. Commander Duan felt deeply regretful when he heard that the President wanted to stop all operations of the Third Brigade. For this reason, he met with the President to directly remonstrate with him on the matter. Commander Duan believed that the civil unrest in Henan was at a critical moment, and the Third Brigade
The results will be seen soon after entering Henan. We should take advantage of the victory to pursue it and put down the chaos in the whole province in one go. How can we ignore the enemy because of some trivial matters and cause internal strife in the Beiyang tribes on the front line?"
Yuan Su was slightly startled. He really didn't expect that this was what Duan Qirui meant.
Historically, the Bailang Uprising lasted for more than a year. First, Zhang Zhenfang failed to preside over the suppression and was dismissed from the post of governor of Henan. Then Lu Jianzhang of Shaanxi was immediately replaced to supervise the quelling of the rebellion. However, in the end, the results were still minimal. Duan Qi was called in as a last resort.
Rui took action, and Duan Qirui personally supervised Henan and suppressed it in different areas. Finally, he was able to quell this massive and far-reaching peasant uprising.
But now it seems that because history has gone astray, it is clear that Zhang Zhenfang will not be removed from office anytime soon.
However, Duan Qirui is still so concerned about the situation in Henan Province, which is enough to show that he is sincerely devoted to the post of Chief of the Army. Not only that, but this order alone can also confirm that Duan Qirui not only
He did not want Yuan Su to leave Huaibei, and even hoped to transfer the third brigade to the mountainous areas of southern Henan where the situation was the worst.
"It turns out that it was President Duan's intention. Mr. Xu, you are really making things difficult for me. President Duan has said that there must be no civil strife among the tribes in Beiyang. But on the one hand, it is the president's intention, and on the other hand, it is Commander Duan's wish."
I mean, tell me, who should I listen to?" After a brief thought, Yuan Su said deliberately to make things difficult.
In terms of righteousness, he admired Duan Qirui very much. Although Duan Qirui was a bit old-school in his thinking, he was not disloyal to the country, to Beiyang, or to the position of Chief of the Army. In calming down the people of Henan
When it comes to chaos, it is obvious that the overall situation should be given priority, rather than political intrigues.
"Master Yuan, your words have put me in a very difficult position. Alas, before I left, Deputy Commander Chen repeatedly told me not to tell anything about Commander Duan. I was afraid that Master Yuan would ask questions like this. Be more clear.
, We warriors naturally need a place to use our skills. Now that Henan is in turmoil, it is time for ordinary people to take responsibility. We should put aside all kinds of prejudices and focus on the overall situation first." Xu Ji said with a sigh.
"What you said is nice. It's just that you, Deputy Commander Chen, know what my situation is now. Doesn't Commander Duan also don't know? I shot eighteen officers of the 17th Division before. Because of this incident, I
My uncle and cousin are very dissatisfied with me. Speaking of this, I am also very angry. If such violations of laws and disciplines are not severely punished, what will happen in the future? It’s just that people have to bow their heads under the eaves. If I accept Mr. Duan’s advice now
Order, how can I explain it to my uncle in the future?" Yuan Su simply tore open the window paper without following Xu Ji's detours and said.
"This..." Xu Ji was dumbfounded and didn't know how to answer for a moment.
Yuan Su's words were too straightforward. There were indeed many internal conflicts in Beiyang, but as a Beiyang soldier, how could he say these words without any concealment? However, in any case, Yuan Su did tell some truths. At present,
Under such circumstances, it would be extremely difficult for Yuan Su to refuse to obey the orders of the Presidential Palace and instead obey the orders of the War Department.
After a pause, Yuan Su sighed and said: "Mr. Xu, there is nothing I can do about this matter. But if Commander Duan is really determined to completely solve the civil unrest in Henan, he can send more troops to Henan. My third brigade also
There are just so many people, one more is not too much, one less is not too much."
Xu Ji quickly said: "Master Yuan's words are too outrageous. As the saying goes, soldiers are cheap and there are more soldiers than elites. Master Yuan's third brigade is the elite of our Beiyang elites. Naturally, it cannot be compared with our miscellaneous troops.
."
Yuan Su laughed noncommittally for a while, then changed the subject and said: "If there is nothing else, please forgive Yuan for excuse me. There are too many official duties to be handled at the moment, and I am really busy. As for what Mr. Xu just said
Regarding the matter, Yuan still means the same thing, so I can’t help but obey.”
Xu Ji seemed a little anxious, and quickly stood up and said: "Actually, before I set out to come here, I discussed this matter with Deputy Commander Chen, and I had expected that Mr. Yuan would not agree. But even so, there is one more thing that needs to be done.
Tell Mr. Yuan that because of Commander Duan’s orders, our Commander Qu will not accept the post of Shangqiu garrison, and our 14th Division will not be stationed in Shangqiu during this period. There is no other intention, even if Mr. Yuan cannot accept Commander Duan
I also hope that Mr. Yuan can continue to stay in Shangqiu."
Yuan Su looked at Xu Ji in confusion. There was nothing suspicious about Duan Qirui's order, because Duan Qirui was a business-oriented person. But how could Xu Ji and the officers of the 14th Division do this?
So kind-hearted, just obey bei jing's order and give up the fat in front of you? As the saying goes, you will not accept the emperor's orders. What's more, this time, the Presidential Palace issued an order for the 14th Division to take over Shangqiu. Deputy Commander Chen is so capable.
high?
"Master Xu, do you really think your Fourteenth Division will not be stationed in Shangqiu?" Yuan Su asked in confusion.
"To be honest, on the one hand, Shangqiu is in a mess now. The people here are now turning to you, Mr. Yuan, and we are also very worried about what accidents will happen; on the other hand, the Fourteenth Division is in Xiayi and Haozhou has been stationed for a long time.
Over a period of time, all aspects of the relationship have been managed clearly, and we have become more familiar with each other. So..." Xu Ji knew that Yuan Su had doubts in his heart, so he also revealed some of the real situation.
"That's it. But I can't answer you for the time being. After all, my third brigade has almost packed up these days. Moreover, I held a special press conference a few days ago. Now that I don't leave suddenly, I'm afraid there will be a fuss.
What a joke." Yuan Su nodded and said speciously.
"If Mr. Yuan insists on leaving, of course we can't persuade him. I just hope that Mr. Yuan can think it over carefully. No matter what the result is, we can only report it to the Army Ministry truthfully." Xu Ji sighed.
, said with a bit of regret in his tone.
"Don't worry, I will think it over carefully." Yuan Su said quietly.
----
【Recently, I need to exercise more to resist bird flu! 】