"Uh..., hehehehe," even though Cao Kun claimed to know Duan Qirui's temper very well, Duan Qirui's lack of face still made him unable to step down. After he smiled perfunctorily for a while, he stopped talking.
After he stopped pretending, he sighed and said, "Oh, brother, you are the most straightforward. In that case, I, Cao Laosan, will not beat around the bush anymore, and will simply discuss with you, brother, the issue of the president proclaiming himself emperor."
When it came to Yuan Shikai proclaiming himself emperor, Duan Qirui's heart was full of anger. However, considering that Xiong Bingqi had said it was an important matter before, and Cao Kun specifically found out that he had left the capital from Majiapu Station today and came all the way to meet him, he
It is necessary to understand the other party's true intentions. Therefore, even if he is angry, he still maintains patience.
"Really? You came all the way from Hubei to attend the ceremony. What else do you want to discuss about Xiang Cheng becoming emperor?" Duan Qirui said in a cold tone.
"Although I, Cao Laosan, have been in Hubei for almost two years, I have long heard about the president's plans for an imperial system. From the beginning, I felt that this matter was quite strange. For good reasons, how could the president suddenly do this?
Are you so obsessed with it? If the president’s plan for the monarchy is really for the prosperity and revitalization of China, I can say that, and I will definitely support it without hesitation. I’m afraid... Alas, this is just the president’s selfish desire.” Cao Kun sighed.
said.[
"Really? Do you think so too?" Duan Qirui glanced at Cao Kun with a suspicious look and asked in a serious tone.
"Well, although I, Cao Laosan, usually don't have any opinions, I am not as educated and highly educated as you, brother, and I am just a rough guy, so my behavior often fails to impress you, brother. But I, Cao Laosan, are not like you.
As a soldier in Beiyang, even if you can't shout big slogans and principles about serving your country and your family, at least you know that you must take into account the overall situation of Beiyang. Did the president say hello to us in advance when he conspired to become emperor this time?
?No, then how do we know whether this imperial system will cause great disaster to Beiyang?" Cao Kun put on a worried look and said seriously.
When it comes to the overall situation of Beiyang, Duan Qirui is naturally quite emotional. Everything he has done from beginning to end is not to consolidate Beiyang's dominance. He even went to the extent of repeatedly clashing with Yuan Shikai for this purpose, causing Yuan Shikai to be suspicious and ostracized. He treated Cao Kun
Although there are personal prejudices, as Cao Kun said, everyone is a minister of Beiyang, and at this time, we must consider the overall situation of Beiyang.
"Listening to what you said, it seems that you are quite dissatisfied with the imperial system?"
"Well, it's not dissatisfaction, it's just worry. Brother, of course you don't know that you have been in Beijing in the past few years. Before, the discussions outside could only be discussed in a whisper. Ever since the president announced the implementation of the imperial system, there has been a lot of trouble in the south.
Not only that, there was a huge quarrel even in Hubei. Students and young people took to the streets all day long, causing a huge commotion. Wang Zichun came to me again and again to complain, saying that no matter how bad the situation was,
If the commotion continues, these people may smash the governor's house that day." Cao Kun said vividly, as if he was immersed in the scene.
"Really?" Duan Qirui frowned slightly and asked. To be honest, he did know that there were opposition voices in the south, but what was the scale of these voices, what was their situation, and what was their trend?
It could only give a rough estimate, and it was impossible to understand it in detail. But even so, he felt that Cao Kun's words were a bit exaggerated. If the south was really that big, he should have received the news long ago.
"Not only that, to be honest, I, Cao Laosan, am not the only one who has doubts and worries about the President's implementation of the monarchy. Not to mention the people under my command, just Brother Hua Fu, Lu Mengcheng, and Fourth Brother Zhang
There are criticisms over there. Especially Brother Huafu. A few days ago when I was preparing to leave for the north, I received a special telegram from him, saying that no matter what, he would not attend the coronation ceremony of the president. With that said.
The intention is to express dissatisfaction." Cao Kun continued with an emphasis.
"I already know Hua Fu's attitude, and Xiang Cheng doesn't know it either. It's a pity that now that the imperial system has been established, Xiang Cheng can no longer listen to the persuasion of people like us." Duan Qirui sighed with regret.
After speaking, he shook his head again.
"Isn't it? In addition, I also heard that even the president's nephew, named Yuan Su, has been secretly communicating with the Southern Revolutionary Party recently. He seems to be responding to the anti-imperialist movement in the south." Cao Kun
Subconsciously lowering his voice, he spoke to Duan Qirui cautiously.
Rumors of Yuan Su's dealings with the Southern Revolutionary Party had spread throughout the Beiyang government in the first two months. However, later Yuan Shikai invited Yuan Su's family to go north. Yuan Su's wife Zhang Hanling was pregnant, and he himself said that he would
He took good care of his wife and the child in his belly, and took time off to attend to military and political matters. In the end, these rumors were put to rest. However, although Yuan Shikai did not embarrass Yuan Su, he still sent people to the Tianjin French Concession to monitor him.
Duan Qirui was not too worried about Yuan Su. On the one hand, the young man had been deprived of military power and under surveillance. On the other hand, Yuan Su was Yuan Shikai's nephew after all. There was no reason to oppose the imperial system in terms of relatives and interests. Even though there was no practical reason now.
There are benefits to be gained, but the worst is to keep silent. After the success of the monarchy, you will gain a reputation, and failure is also important.
"The news about Yuan Su is out of date a long time ago. But no matter what, the imperial system will most likely bring trouble to Xiao Qiang this time."
"Well, now that the revolutionaries in the south are screaming fiercely, we all in Beiyang are also on guard. On the surface, the north is relatively stable, but we are not afraid of ten thousand, just in case. If something happens, who will come?
Who should bear this responsibility? Who can solve this mess? He wants to be the president despite being a good man. Doesn’t this give the South an excuse to cause chaos?” Cao Kun said matter-of-factly.
"That's right, regardless of whether Xiang Cheng's attempt to establish an imperial system will be successful or not, it is already the biggest mistake to give people evidence." Duan Qirui agreed with Cao Kun's point of view. He said with a firm expression, with a lot of melancholy and worry in his tone.
"So I stopped my brother's car today because I actually wanted to come up with a countermeasure with him. Even if there is no trouble in the country now, even if it will still be stable in the next few years or decades, this excuse has already been given to me.
Revolutionaries, this group of people will definitely not be peaceful, and something will happen sooner or later." Cao Kun looked at Duan Qirui's face and saw that the time was ripe, so he further lifted the curtain and said.
"Why, when you say that, do you seem to have some other thoughts?" Duan Qirui couldn't help but concentrate, and asked Cao Kun solemnly.
"Brother, please don't get me wrong. As the saying goes, be prepared for trouble. If things in the south really make a big fuss, even to the point where we can't deal with it, I'm afraid it will be too late to make temporary arrangements. At this time, it is naturally early.
It's better to make plans early. I also think about the overall situation of our Beiyang." Cao Kun said matter-of-factly,
Duan Qirui was silent for a moment, thinking endlessly in his mind. He didn't have much prejudice against Cao Kun, but he always felt that when the other party came to see him in this way at this time, he probably had other motives. However,
He is not too rigid. Cao Kun is thinking about how to use himself, and he can definitely use Cao Kun's plan.
Thinking of this, he asked calmly: "You found me like this today, obviously you already have an idea in your mind. Just tell me first and listen. If there is really a good way to prevent it in the future, I, Duan Zhiquan, don't have it."
Reason that is not supported.”[
Cao Kun laughed and said quickly: "Brother, you still understand the righteousness. In fact, there are many ways now. The simplest and most direct way is to persuade the president to give up the monarchy. But the bad thing is that the president is already dead-minded. Not only does he listen to
Without others' persuasion, now that it's time to put the finishing touches on it, I definitely won't give up this idea."
Duan Qirui said angrily: "I have said this before. If I can persuade Xiang Cheng, it is not your turn to come to me today to complain like this."