Although the title of President had been with Yuan Shikai for several years, it now sounded awkward and harsh. However, he remained calm and allowed Yin Chang to come in.
"Wulu, what's going on?"
"Director Duan is asking for an audience in the front hall."
"Oh? Really? I haven't seen any movement from Zhiquan these days, but today he came to see me. Anyway, there is always an explanation that should be made. Go and invite him in." Yuan Shikai muttered for a while, and then stopped.
He ordered quickly.
"President, Mr. Duan seems to be in a bad mood today. You'd better say goodbye." Yinchang did not leave in a hurry, but reminded him with a serious and thoughtful tone.[
"Oh, come on, Zhiquan is not from another family, so there is nothing to avoid. You go and bring him over." Yuan Shikai's expression changed slightly, but he still insisted on what he said before. He had to admit that what made him feel the most now was
The trouble was not with the revolutionary parties in the south, but with his close confidants. He was not even sure that these people could still be regarded as his close confidants.
"Yes." Yin Changnai turned around and exited the study.
A few minutes later, Yinchang came back again and took Duan Qirui into Yuan Shikai's study.
Because the backyard study is considered a private residence, outsiders are generally not allowed to come in and out at will. Even close confidants like Duan Qirui try not to choose to meet here on weekdays.
Duan Qirui had just entered the door, and there was an air of coldness in the study. He had a gloomy face. He was not wearing a formal dress, but an old casual suit. His thin body stood there quite clearly.
It's a bit shabby, but the soldier's perseverance still lingers.
Yuan Shikai stood up staggeringly, motioned to Yinchang to step aside first, and then he enthusiastically stepped forward to greet Duan Qirui in person.
"Zhiquan, I asked you to go to Yingtai this morning and you didn't go. Why are you willing to come see me, an old man, now?"
"Today Xiangcheng has accepted the persuasion, and he will ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor some day. My old friend is going to kneel down to pay his respects." Duan Qirui's face did not change, and he said with a hint of ridicule.
"Hey, look at what you said. What kind of relationship do you and I have? Man said that I haven't ascended the throne yet. Even if I ascend the throne in the future, I will definitely abolish the old rules of the feudal period. Come on, come and sit first." Yuan Shikai
Hearing what Duan Qirui said, he already guessed the purpose of the other party's visit. Although he was unhappy, he still pretended to be enthusiastic and pulled Duan Qirui to sit down at the desk.
"Xiang Cheng, why do you have such crooked thoughts? Now that you are the president, you are respected by thousands of people. Even if you change the term of the president to ten years, twenty years, or even thirty years, or four
It doesn't matter if it's ten years, but you are too confused about becoming the emperor." Duan Qirui is a very nostalgic person, and he also has an old-fashioned loyalty in his heart. In the past, he had a close friendship with Yuan Shikai, and he always felt the kindness of knowing him.
, even though he has slightly different political views now, he has not changed his stance towards Yuan Shikai. Seeing that Yuan Shikai was still enthusiastic about him, he gradually put away his black face and gave serious and sincere advice.
Yuan Shikai let out a deep breath, his face gradually showed displeasure, but he had no intention of arguing with Duan Qirui.
Duan Qirui has opposed the imperial system for more than a day or two, and he has persisted in his stance on this matter for two or three years. Now that the emperor's career is complete, how can he give up because of Duan Qirui's opposition?
"Perhaps there are some voices in the country now, which makes you think that big things can be done, Xiang Cheng, but do you know that the country is in need of stable development now, and the implementation of the imperial system will only make the current situation more unbearable and only increase the risk of accidents. Those outside
Others don't know what they are advocating, but I, Duan Qirui, know very well that changing the state system can speed up national reunification, promote centralization, and make China progress and develop. These are all nonsense. The southwestern provinces have long been
You are ready to make a move, and now you are entangled with Sun Wen's party. The country will change, all because of your selfish desires, Xiang Cheng!"
Duan Qirui exerted all his energy and expressed a lot of opinions solemnly.
Yuan Shikai's brows gradually furrowed and he said in a cold voice: "You have too many concerns. Don't you think that the monarchy is what the people want? Besides, the small-minded people in the southwestern provinces have nothing to fear. I just want to take advantage of their intention to cause trouble this time.
On this occasion, we sent our troops south to eliminate these hidden dangers in one fell swoop."
Duan Qirui slowly shook his head and said with almost sadness and indignation: "Is this how you view the domestic situation? Not to mention that the threats from the southwestern provinces should not be underestimated, but that there is already trouble in our industry in Beiyang. Li Yuanhong, Liang Shiyi
, Yang Du and these people all want to kill you, Xiang Cheng, but you still don’t know it!"
Yuan Shikai said angrily: "Zhiquan, look what you said! What do you mean by putting me to death? It's just nonsense."
Duan Qirui clenched his fists and gritted his teeth and said: "A good person doesn't do anything but wants to be a ghost. What kind of ghost is this? Xiang Cheng, you have to be the emperor. Since ancient times, loyal words have been offensive to the ears. I, Duan Qirui, said it in a bad way.
But unlike those sycophants who only care about Xiang Cheng for a while and ignore your eternal reputation. Today I will say bluntly that the Chinese Revolutionary Party and the Southwest Warlords are just the trigger, and our Beiyang will really be destroyed by Xiao Qiang!"
These words are very serious and have touched Yuan Shikai's bottom line.[
Yuan Shikai was originally in a very depressed mood, but his words, "If a good person doesn't do anything, he will become a ghost" suddenly evoked his most taboo curse: "The Yuan family's life span is not more than sixty", and suddenly there were three thoughts in his heart.
His father-in-law was furious. He did not give Duan Qirui a good look anymore, and directly said without hiding his anger: "Even if I become this ghost, I still have to wear a dragon robe. Now that the emperor's career has been decided, Zhiquan, you don't need to persuade me anymore. If you do this in the future,
If you bother me about this matter, I still have the same attitude, it would be better if you just don't see him."
Duan Qirui became excited. He jumped up and shouted at the short Yuan Shikai: "Since the president insists on this, I, Duan Qirui, can't continue to persuade you. It's better to just disappear. I, Duan Qirui, will resign from the Army."
If you hold the position of chief, you will be in cahoots with some chaotic people."
The "miscellaneous people" in his words originally meant Li Yuanhong, Yang Du and others, but Yuan Shikai thought he was talking about himself, and at that time he became even more angry.
Thinking of Duan Qirui's frequent arrogance in recent years, Yuan Shikai had long-standing grievances, but it was only because of old friendships and external opinions that he did not openly fall out with Duan Qirui. Now that it was Duan Qirui who made the request to resign on his own, he
There happened to be a step to go down, so he put on a nonchalant look and said coldly: "Zhiquan, you are also very old, and you should really take care of yourself. In this case, I will approve your resignation.
In the future, I will ask the Ministry of Finance to allocate 50,000 yuan to you every month for your retirement."
Duan Qirui's chest heaved violently, and his eyes were full of disappointment and dissatisfaction. He originally had a lot of venting words in his stomach, but now there was no need to say any more. In the end, he bowed to Yuan Shikai with the old gift.
He handed over his hand and said: "President, take care." Then he strode out of the door and disappeared around the corner of the corridor without looking back.
When the study room was empty, Yuan Shikai calmed down again. Looking at the place where Duan Qirui left, he felt a little bit of loss in his heart. Many scenes from the military training at the small station quickly came to mind in his mind. Compared with the people at the moment,
Going to the empty building was indeed a bit more desolate. He was confident that he knew Duan Qirui's character very well, so he felt a little regretful.
How can a person who has achieved great things be so sentimental! After muttering to himself, Yuan Shikai finally regained his stern expression and no longer worried about Duan Qirui's resignation.