Zhang Jian smiled awkwardly and paused for a moment, trying to ease the current atmosphere. Then he continued: "Young Master Yuan, I will not joke about such an important matter at my age. Of course, I have to
The occasion for this conversation may be a bit inappropriate, but I have to emphasize again that the matter has indeed reached a very important juncture. Young Master Yuan’s mentality must be expressed as soon as possible. Even if Young Master Yuan really wants to remain indifferent to politics, there is nothing wrong with it.
, I just hope you can understand what is the real big picture.”
Yuan Su glanced at Zhang Jian and said calmly: "Mr. Fourth, I am very surprised. Where did you get this information? Why are you so sure that I have contact with the southern revolutionaries?"
Zhang Jian smiled and said: "I really don't want to talk in circles. There is no airtight wall in this world. To be honest, the person who told me this news was none other than Hu Yisheng, a member of the Chinese Revolutionary Party who had met Mr. Yuan before.
"
Hearing this, Yuan Su knew that there was no way to pretend anymore. He deliberately made his face serious and wanted to say something, but in the end he hesitated. Not only could he now be sure that Zhang Jian was an anti-Yuan force within Beiyang
People, it is even more certain that the anti-Yuan forces within Beiyang are even colluding with the southern revolutionaries. It can be seen that this war to protect the country is just a high-sounding show, nothing more than a conspiracy in the power arena.
After being silent for a while, Zhang Jian then spoke again: "To be honest, I admire Mr. Yuan's conduct very much. He first took charge of disaster relief at Shanhaiguan, then recruited the militia to surrender in Henan, and even set an example in Liaodong to defend China's sovereignty and interests.
Young Master Yuan was originally a great man. If Xiang Cheng could reuse you, we in Beiyang would not be so worried both internally and externally. This is enough to prove that Xiang Cheng is too narrow-minded. Even if we accept the constitutional monarchy, Xiang Cheng is by no means a
A suitable candidate for king."
Yuan Su took a deep breath and said in a calm voice: "Since the fourth gentleman already knows, I, Yuan Su, will naturally not cover it up with disdain. The outside world may judge me this way. The reason why I have secret contacts with the southern revolutionaries
, just because I was dissatisfied with my uncle’s unfair treatment and wanted to take revenge.”
Zhang Jian said quickly: "I don't think so..."
Yuan Su interrupted Zhang Jian and said: "Mr. Four may not think so, but there is nothing anyone can do if three people become tigers. However, to be honest, if I, Yuan Su, really care about this false reputation, I will never be reduced to such a situation now.
"
Zhang Jian seemed to understand what Yuan Su meant, and couldn't help but said happily: "Young Master Yuan naturally puts justice first. Now that Young Master Yuan has been honest, the next conversation will be much easier."
Yuan Su asked seriously: "Yes, I still don't know what your intentions are, Mr. Fourth. You are talking to me about these things for no reason, and you obviously won't go to my uncle to tell the truth. Really?"
It’s hard to understand.”
Zhang Jian said calmly: "The purpose of my coming here has been revealed more or less before. However, in order to let Young Master Yuan understand it more clearly, I am not afraid to explain the matter in more detail.
In view of the increasingly unstable situation in the country, I believe it is time for us to end the farce of the imperial system."
Yuan Su pondered for a while and asked slowly: "I'm afraid this won't be easy..."
Zhang Jian nodded and responded: "It is indeed not easy, but it is not as difficult as imagined. I once said before that I am not the only one in the Beiyang government who has this idea. Moreover, our plan has been around for a long time, and now it is basically
It will happen naturally, and although I can’t say with 100% certainty, nine times out of ten I can still say something.”
Yuan Su raised his eyebrows and said, "Really? Apart from Mr. Fourth, are there others? I would like to ask who is involved?"
At this time, Zhang Jian still maintained some caution. He pretended to be mysterious and said with a smile: "I don't think it is necessary to go into too much detail about other people's matters. It's not that I'm trying to show off, but I'm just worried that something might go wrong."
As for implicating Mr. Yuan, that's all."
Even if Zhang Jian didn't say anything, Yuan Su actually knew in his heart that although he was idle in Tianjin, it didn't mean that he didn't have eyes and ears outside. Nodding slightly, he said: "In that case, that's fine. So what does Mr. Fourth want me to do?
?”
Zhang Jian said solemnly: "I naturally hope that Young Master Yuan can stand on our side and stop superstitiously believing that a constitutional monarchy can promote centralization of power, and don't ignore the real overall situation because of temporary gains and losses. To put it simply, it is very
There will be some big changes within the Beiyang government soon, and it would be best if Mr. Yuan can stand up and support us. If you are in trouble because of your concerns, it doesn't matter, just make sure to stay out of it."
Yuan Su felt relieved. He naturally did not think it was a bad thing for Zhang Jian to come to him. At least he could get some clues about Beiyang's internal activities from this meeting. He pretended to hesitate and thought for a while, and then nodded slowly and said: "
I understand. I can't make any promises to Mr. Fourth easily now, but it obviously won't be that difficult to deal with this matter. In short, Mr. Fourth, please rest assured."
Zhang Jian said comfortingly: "Young Master Yuan is so generous, I am extremely grateful."
Yuan Su immediately changed the subject and said: "Oh, it's getting late. We have to send Mr. Fourth to the check-in first, and then we go to the hotel together, I'm afraid everyone is still waiting."
Zhang Jian smiled and said: "It's true, it's true, I'm disturbing Mr. Yuan's time."
Later, Yuan Su personally accompanied Zhang Jian on the carriage and went to a nearby official guest house to arrange a place for Zhang Jian to stay.
With Zhang Jian's status and reputation, he could definitely live in a private mansion in Tianjin. However, Zhang Jian's purpose of this trip was not pure after all, and he did not want to make it too high-profile. Anyway, he only planned to stay for a maximum of two days before setting off back to Beijing.
After simply settling in the guest house, Yuan Su and Zhang Jian immediately set off for the banquet site. It was almost twelve o'clock when they arrived at the banquet hotel, and the guests had naturally already taken their seats. Most of them were bored and waiting for the protagonist of this banquet to arrive. Although
I felt bored and a little unhappy, but no one dared to show their emotions on their faces. On the contrary, when Yuan Su entered the banquet hall, everyone had to show enthusiasm and joy.
All the parts that should have been complained about ended at the opening ceremony. There was not much delay in the banquet, except that Yuan Su invited Zhang Jian to the podium to make an introduction, and then directly announced the opening of the banquet. Naturally, there was a lot of laughter during the banquet.
, everyone pushed the glasses, drank and chatted, celebrating the completion of China's first automobile company.
The entire luncheon lasted about an hour. Anyway, the gentlemen present were used to eating and drinking, so they didn't care about this meal.
After the banquet, the car company also arranged an afternoon activity, which was to set up a card game on the second floor of the hotel or other private rooms to provide a variety of gaming entertainment. This has almost become an inevitable tradition at banquets in the Republic of China.
link.
Although Yuan Su is not good at this skill, he is more or less accustomed to it after living in Tianjin for so long, and he spends his time chatting.
However, when he was arranging the card table for several important guests, his adjutant Du Yu walked over through the hall and whispered beside him: "Excuse me, sir. There is a guest waiting in the living room. He said that he hopes to be there no matter what."
I will meet you, sir, immediately. He is from Beijing. You will know who he is when you go, sir."
Du Yu deliberately did not say too much, because he felt that both the left and right were military and political figures, and he was afraid that it would cause unnecessary trouble.
Yuan Su knew very well that Du Yu was much more flexible in his work now. He didn't ask any questions, but he didn't rush to leave immediately. He still had the patience to arrange the card tables for all the guests before quietly heading to the big hotel.
A private reception room specially prepared for distinguished guests.
There were several guards waiting at the door of the living room. These guards were naturally not the people brought by Yuan Su. Therefore, he had already guessed the identity of the other party before entering the door.
Walking into the living room, I saw that the visitor was none other than Fu Liangzuo, the acting deputy chief of the Ministry of War. Fu Liangzuo was a little helpless. He could not get rid of the title of "acting" deputy chief. However, since Duan Qirui, Yuan Su, and Xu Shuzheng all
After leaving the Central Committee, the situation in the Army Department was different. Fu Liangzuo finally had some say.