The Governor's Office of Zhili in Baoding received the telegram from Luanzhou exactly one hour after Yuan Su sent the telegram.
Although it was already late, the communications room of the Governor's Mansion still sent the telegram to Zhang Zhenfang. The content of this telegram was drafted after Yuan Su specially considered it, and the words and descriptions were naturally not too serious. Therefore, Zhang Zhenfang briefly
I read the telegram, but did not take it to heart: Since Yuan Su wants to stay in Luanzhou to consolidate local security, this is a good thing. There was an incident in Luanzhou a while ago, so defense should be strengthened.
Besides, with Yuan Su's status and background in handling this matter, whether he really wants to find out the truth, or just wants to fish in troubled waters, or he wants three minutes of enthusiasm, the Zhili Governor's Mansion can give him a smooth flow of enthusiasm.
As for the message in the telegram that the commissioner would send a letter of petition and a letter of petition from Luanzhou tomorrow, Zhang Zhenfang regarded it as just a formality, but still gave special instructions to entertain the commissioner from Luanzhou tomorrow.
.
The next morning, the commissioner sent by 79 Biao went to the Governor's Mansion and handed over Yuan Su's handwritten petition and a packet of petition letters to Zhang Zhenfang. Zhang Zhenfang took the time to meet with the commissioner who delivered the letter and asked about it.
Of course, the commissioner didn't say anything about this matter. He just said something about the enthusiasm of the people in Luanzhou and Yuan Su's popularity among the people.
After hearing these words, Zhang Zhenfang complimented him a few words casually, and then asked the commissioner to take the message back in an elder's tone: "When you get back, tell Zi Jing and ask him to do a good job. As a cousin, I will do it."
If you have high hopes for him, don't let him down. When everything is settled in Luanzhou, and I ask him to send a telegram to briefly explain the situation, I will definitely guarantee him a decent job title.
"
The commissioner repeatedly promised and thanked him, and was secretly happy. With Zhang Zhenfang's words, why worry about the big thing? From now on, he will follow Mr. Yuan carefully, and the day when he will become famous is not far away.
Although the Governor of Zhili did not have any serious problems here, and on the contrary received verbal support from Zhang Zhenfang, when the head of the Twenty Towns reported the situation in Luanzhou to the capital, things did not go so smoothly.
The telegram sent from Tangshan to Beijing was sorted out the next morning, but the telegram was not immediately delivered to Yuan Shikai's desk. Now, as the President of the Republic of China, Yuan Shikai has to deal with countless official affairs every day, like this
If this type of message is not an urgent matter, it may even be ignored.
When officials from the Communications Office of the Foreign Affairs Office in Tieshizi Hutong read the telegram, they felt that the contents of the telegram did not describe a major event. However, since it involved military affairs in Kinki, they still had to pass it to the secret office for another pass. The secret office reviewed it.
After the telegram, I also felt that it was not an important matter, so I kept it for several days before handing it over to the secretary general, Zhang Yichen.
After Zhang Yichen saw that the person involved in the telegram was "Yuan Su", he always felt that this matter was big or small. He was the one who encouraged President Yuan to recognize this nephew, but it was obvious that "this nephew" was too big.
He was restless. He had been urging him to return to Baoding Army Preparatory College before, but the other party kept delaying it. Now he was bringing up the matter of mutiny. He was really becoming more and more courageous.
You must know that President Yuan has just been sworn in as the interim president, and he must set an example first no matter what. What's more, Luanzhou is a place in Kinki. Where can he act recklessly under the banner of "President Yuan's nephew"? Not only does it make the president lose face
I can't get through, and I really can't figure out this young man's mind. Who knows if he will have greater ambitions in the future?
With this in mind, he immediately sorted out the official documents to be handled today, put the telegram folder in it, and then hurried to his room in the west courtyard to meet with Yuan Shikai.
As early as March 10th, Yuan Shikai was officially sworn in as the interim president of the Republic of China at the Yamen of the Foreign Affairs Office. During this period, he still stayed at the Yamen of the Foreign Affairs Office as an agent, negotiating loans with foreigners, and negotiating with Nanjing
He is very comprehensive and even strives to locate the presidential palace in Beijing.
Since he was sworn in, he has not left Iron Lion Alley until today. He can never read the documents piled up on his desk, and he has to hand over countless orders every day. I have to sigh with emotion, after experiencing the great changes of dynasties,
Power is not so easy to grasp.
When Zhang Yiji pushed the door open, Yuan Shikai was meeting with Feng Guozhang, Chen Huan and Lu Zhengxiang.
Feng Guozhang had just returned to Beijing from Wuchang. He had been busy with the military supplies work of various departments of the Beiyang Army recently, so he came to ask for Yuan Shikai's instructions from time to time. Lu Zhengxiang also just returned from the Netherlands and was invited by Yuan Shikai to serve as the director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He had been here for three consecutive days.
Met with Yuan Shikai to discuss the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The appearance of Zhang Yichen did not interrupt the conversation between the four of them. Yuan Shikai told Lu Zhengxiang some matters that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needed to pay attention to in the recent period. As for the personnel arrangements, it was fully decided by Lu Zhengxiang. Feng Guozhang and Chen Huan nodded to Zhang Yichen
After signaling, Yuan Shikai and Lu Zhengxiang turned their attention.
"Mr. Fu, put the document on the table first. I'll look at it later." Yuan Shikai said.
"Yes." Zhang Yichen responded, and then came to Yuan Shikai's desk. After putting down the documents, he started to sort out the old documents on the desk as usual.
After Yuan Shikai and Lu Zhengxiang finished speaking, Lu Zhengxiang stood up and first said hello to Zhang Yiqi, then said goodbye to Feng Guozhang and Chen Huan, and then turned around and exited the room.
After Lu Zhengxiang closed the door of the room, Yuan Shikai waved to Feng Guozhang to sit in front of him.
Feng Guozhang first explained the latest logistics and military affairs reports from the four provinces of Zhili, Shanxi, Henan, and Rehe, and then talked about the preparations for the establishment of the Fifth Route Reserve Army.
Yuan Shikai did not interrupt Feng Guozhang's words, and listened carefully to the introduction. He nodded when he should nod, and pondered when he should think deeply. After Feng Guozhang finished speaking, he began to explain one by one, which orders should be carried out, which orders should be implemented to the end, and military pay.
, supplies, summer clothes, ordnance, etc., any missing parts are provided with pointers.
"I understand, then let's do it according to the president's wishes."
"The matter of the Fifth Route Reserve Army can be slowed down for a while. Although the Republic has been established, our Beijing government has not settled down yet. Now is the most expensive time. Recruiting the reserve army will cost a lot of money. I'm afraid
It will miss other things. Let's weigh it first and wait until the foreigners have settled the negotiations." Yuan Shikai said in a serious tone.
"I know, I will tell it to the ministry later. Well, in addition, regarding the transfer of Twenty Towns back to outside the customs, they are pressing for travel expenses. It is not a big deal, but it has become a trouble.
matter, so we have to ask the president to make a decision." Feng Guozhang calmly changed the subject.
"Isn't the Ministry of War in charge of this matter? Just give them as much as you need." Yuan Shikai said in a deep voice.
"Originally, the itinerary plan for the departure of Twenty Towns was drawn up by the Ministry, but for some reason, Twenty Towns drew up another plan, which was not consistent with the Ministry's plan, and the budget was also somewhat exceeded, so
Zhiquan has been unable to approve it." Feng Guozhang further explained.
Yuan Shikai sensed Feng Guozhang's intention very keenly. The commander-in-chief of the Army Department was Duan Qirui, and Feng Guozhang deliberately brought up this matter in front of him, just to point the finger at Duan Qirui.
In the past few years, the struggle between political factions within Beiyang has intensified. Ever since Wang Shizhen became emotionally reclusive and secluded himself at home, the tigers and dogs of the three heroes of Beiyang have been fighting secretly, always trying to obtain the top position under him.
As the founder of the Beiyang New Army, the last thing he wanted to see was the intrigues among his subordinates. You must know that Li Zhongtang's defeat in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1898 was exactly due to internal fighting.
"Hua Fu, do you need me to decide on such a small matter? Since it is a money issue, it is the easiest problem to solve. Zhiquan is not a three-year-old boy. He will figure it out on his own." He did not lose his temper.
On the contrary, he said in a gentle tone that Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang are both figures he relies on, and the conflicts between the two naturally need to be reconciled slowly.
"That being said, this matter has been dragging on for a few days, and I'm just worried that something unexpected will happen in Twenty Towns." Feng Guozhang's tone was not serious, he just looked businesslike.
"Okay, I know about this. I will inform Zhiquan later." Yuan Shikai deliberately showed a bit of impatience.
At this time, Zhang Yichen saw that Yuan Shikai and Feng Guozhang had finished talking. Since they had already talked about the twenty towns, they simply followed this topic to deal with Yuan Su's problem. So he sent the twenty towns.
He took the message in his hand and walked towards the small living room where the conversation was taking place.
Yuan Shikai glanced at Zhang Yiqi, and before the other party came closer, he asked: "What, Gong Fu, is it something important?"
Zhang Yichen said calmly: "It's not an important matter. I just heard Mr. Feng mention the matter of Twenty Towns. There happens to be a telegram here also talking about the matter of Twenty Towns. I was detained for several days before, so
It’s better to let the president take care of it first.”
Yuan Shikai asked: "Oh, what is it about?"
Zhang Yiqi came to Yuan Shikai, handed over the telegram first, and then said as a reminder: "It has something to do with Yuan Su."
Yuan Shikai didn't react for a while. After a while, he remembered the name and said in a nonchalant tone: "Really? Is it related to him? Let me read the message first."
Feng Guozhang on the side was about to stand up and resign, but after hearing Zhang Yichen mention the words "Twenty Towns" and "Yuan Su", he suddenly thought of something. He did not disturb Yuan Shikai from reading the telegram, and just chatted with him.
Zhang Yichen asked: "Mr. Zhang, is the Yuan Su you are talking about the president's nephew?"
Zhang Yichen said curiously: "Exactly, how did Mr. Feng know this name?"