Even though Chongqing is not yet known as a big furnace like it was in later generations, as an important town along the Yangtze River, there is still an unavoidable heat in the midsummer weather. On the Chongqing official wharf, many people welcomed it early in the morning.
Of course, these people were not tourists. After all, this was an official wharf. All those present were the main officials from various counties in Chongqing, as well as some staff members of the Chongqing Governor's Office. The scene seemed very large-scale and pompous.
Li Dian really didn't expect that when the local officials in Chongqing accompanied him to visit the mountains and rivers the day before yesterday, they had never seen such a large party. They were only accompanied by a few staff members of the garrison office and two or three local officials.
.On the contrary, when I was leaving Chongqing today, so many people came to see me off.
However, he could vaguely understand something from it, but he never showed it.
Yuan Su naturally sent him to Chongqing in the hope of finding out what Chen Huan's attitude was. When Cao Kun was still strong, Chen Huan would definitely have someone to rely on. If he came to see Chen Huan at that time, he might still be there again.
Force Chen Huanzhen to go to Cao Kun.
However, things are completely different now. The situation in Hubei seems to have a clear trend. This is the right time for Chen Huan to reconsider the development trend of the entire situation in Beiyang.[
Of course, Li Dian was really not in a hurry and Chen Huan responded immediately. Yuan Su had specifically given instructions before he left. The most important purpose of arranging the special envoy's visit to Chongqing was not to give Chen Huan a warning, but to deliberately make a move.
, the warlords in the surrounding provinces of Hubei Province have a preconceived idea, that is, Yuan Su has now begun to deal with the situation in the surrounding provinces.
Hankou is already a foregone conclusion, and now we need to make plans for longer-term goals.
For the Central Guards, the most important task they shoulder is not only to suppress Cao Kun's rebel army, but more importantly, to eliminate all hidden dangers for the entire Beiyang government and consolidate the rule of the Beiyang government.
Of course, the most important thing is that Yuan Su decided to continue to support the monarchy, so he will face more difficulties and obstacles in the future.
Chen Huan did not rush to the dock immediately. Li Dian chatted with the officials who were seeing him off in the waiting hall.
Li Xianfang found an opportunity and handed the beautifully packaged gifts to Li Dian. Naturally, Li Dian did not open them immediately and look at them. Li Xianfang did not tell Li Dian what they were, but repeatedly emphasized that this was Mr. Chen's apology to him.
He also said that Mr. Chen is really too busy with official duties these days. Even if he promised to come to see him off today, he would have to wait a little longer. I hope Li Dian can understand.
Of course, Li Dian had nothing to "disappoint" with, he agreed politely, and even said some nice words.
After waiting at the pier for half an hour, Li Dian didn't feel very chatty during the whole process. After all, there were so many people accompanying him, but he was still a little suspicious of Chen Huan's intentions.
If I didn't come to meet him, maybe the next thing would be easier to handle. But to come to see him off before he left, and even to create such a big pomp, is really a bit abrupt.
However, no matter what Chen Huan planned, for Li Dian, it was just a chance to obtain some new information. As for the real purpose of his trip, it was not a big deal.
After Chen Huan arrived at the dock in a carriage, he still pretended to be in a hurry. From getting off the carriage to almost jogging to the waiting room, the whole process was in a hurry, and he even had sweat dripping on his forehead.
After beating around the bush, I finally met with Li Dian. As soon as they met, he looked full of apologies and apologized to Li Dian for several wrongdoings.
"Director Chen is so polite. I have known earlier that the situation in Sichuan is very complicated. Governor Chen is in Chongqing and has to deal with various accidents in the province. He is really busy. I really shouldn't come to bother you at this time, but my family Yuan
The commander must ask me to come to Chongqing as soon as possible, so I have no choice but to interrupt you." Although Li Dian was surprised by Chen Huan's polite and delicate attitude, he still responded very politely.
.
"No, no, it's because I didn't entertain you well. In fact, I had already arranged my schedule, and planned to invite Mr. Li to come for a meeting early tomorrow morning to keep in touch with each other, but I didn't expect that Mr. Li would leave in such a hurry, and now I'm here.
How many days are there in Chongqing? Two days? It's just two days, so why bother? Mr. Li might as well stay a little longer so that I can fulfill my duty as a landlord." Chen Huan said matter-of-factly.
"I don't want to disturb you any more. I came at the wrong time. Besides, there is really nothing important. My Commander Yuan is just thinking about Governor Chen's defense in Chongqing. Now the Central Guards are about to wipe out the remnants of Hankou.
Naturally, we will go south to Jingnan to suppress those gangsters who take the opportunity to cause trouble. So I want to say hello to Governor Chen in advance so that we can find a time to discuss the combat arrangements for the southward journey to Jingnan." Li Dian said lightly.
"Oh, so it's for this matter." Chen Huan nodded thoughtfully. He had basically guessed Yuan Su's intention of sending people here at this time, but he was so dissatisfied with Li Dian.
He was very puzzled by his unhappy attitude. What exactly did Yuan Su want to express? Could it be that the so-called "understatement" was really a different kind of warning.
"Anyway, this matter depends on whether it is sooner or later. Hankou has not come to an end yet, so the next military action can only be made in advance. That's all. I believe it will take a few days.
On that day, Commander Yuan will definitely invite Governor Chen to discuss the matter more formally." Li Dian added.
Chen Huan frowned slightly, but quickly covered it up.
At first, he felt that what Li Dian said was too presumptuous. Yuan Su actually planned to formally invite him to discuss the use of troops to the south. A fool should know that this was an invitation to bury the king? For him, at present, he
Already completely tied up with the army and Chongqing, whether it is the Beiyang "government", whether it is the National Guard, or the Hankou Beiyang Military Reform Commission, if it were not for the people in Chongqing, let alone say that they have no value at all.
They will also be killed directly by the party who doesn't like it.
But if you think about it carefully, why did Yuan Su arrange it like this since he knew this was an impossible idea? Is it just that Li Dian made a mistake? But looking at Li Dian's attitude, he seemed relaxed and composed from beginning to end.
, it is obvious that what he said was carefully arranged. In other words, it was Yuan Su who did this on purpose. So, is it possible that Yuan Su is a fool? Obviously this is impossible.
So gradually, he felt that he could not figure out Yuan Su more and more, unless Yuan Su really did not treat him as an outsider from beginning to end. However, would Yuan Su really think so? Why would he think so? Why should he think so?
What good does he have? Even if Yuan Su really has such hopes, he will never buy it easily. Even if Yuan Su is still very young, the other party can rise from an unknown little officer to Yuan Shikai's nephew
, and became the last hope for the orthodoxy of the Beiyang "government", which shows that he is not a brainless person. It can be said that Yuan Su doesn't even trust his uncle Yuan Shikai, how can he trust himself?
"Really? Haha, as long as it is ordered by Commander-in-Chief Yuan, I will do my best to cooperate. No matter what, Mr. Li should really stay for a few more days, whether it is to discuss business, or even to visit the local customs, it will be good.
The ship hasn't arrived yet, so let's just make this decision. I will accompany Mr. Li well in the next few days." After thinking deeply, Chen Huan continued to persuade him enthusiastically. [
At this time, he was not being polite to Li Dian, but after hearing what Li Dian said just now, he really hoped that Li Dian could continue to stay so that he could have more time to "find out" who Yuan Su was.
What an idea.
"Director Chen is so kind. I really don't have much time this time. To be honest, I have to go to Nanchang to visit General Li after I leave. So I really have no choice but to say goodbye to Governor Chen's hospitality. Really.
Sorry." Li Dian said.
/
"Oh? Mr. Li actually wants to go to Jiangxi?" Chen Huan raised his eyebrows and looked very interested.
He was not surprised that Yuan Su began to contact local warlords extensively at this time, but if Yuan Su sent people to contact him first, and then contacted Jiangxi and Shaanxi, it would be a bit strange.
From a geographical point of view or from the connection with the war in Hubei, Yuan Su should go to Jiangxi first and then come to Chongqing. Why did he do the opposite at this time? Chongqing has little to do with the war in Hubei, but Jiangxi has been secretly providing assistance
The trend in Hankou, even if you want to win over, you should first go to Li Chuncai.
"Yes, we have made an appointment with General Li earlier, so we can no longer stay in Chongqing." Li Dian said straightforwardly, while carefully observing the changes in Chen Huan's expression.
"In this case, it's really a coincidence. But next time Mr. Li comes to Chongqing, I promise to provide you with considerate hospitality. Even if it's me, Mr. Li must not be offended." Chen Huan did not continue to persuade.