In a quiet courtyard deep in Anfu Hutong in Beijing, there is a cold fragrance. Several plum trees are in full bloom in the snow. The red plums on the branches are like rouge. The red plums reflect the color of the snow, and they look particularly energetic and match the cold

The fragrance only makes people feel refreshed, and there are a few sparrows looking for food in the snow. The melodious sound of silk and bamboo can be heard in the small study, and the flowing clouds and flowing water interweave in a long and graceful way.

This is Xu Zhai in Beijing.

Xu Shuzheng, who was dismissed as the deputy secretary of the Ministry of War and became the commander of the First Army of the Central Army, was currently wearing a long gown, gold-rimmed glasses clasped in his hands, a cup of hot tea in front of him, his eyes half closed, leaning back on the rocking chair, and then

He rocked the chair back and forth, listening attentively to the concubine singing there.

For Xu Shuzheng, who has been promoted to the "No. 1 General of the Republic of China", it has only been three days since he returned to Beijing to report on his duties. However, in the past three days, there have been banquets at the Presidential Palace, banquets at the Ministry of War, and banquets for the military attachés of various embassies in Beijing.

Celebration parties and banquets have long made Xu Shuzheng impatient. No, he just turned down a business banquet in the name of being a little healthy and stayed in his study, enjoying the rare comfort.

However, this time Xu Shuzheng returned to Beijing to report on his duties, but it was not for leisure and comfort. He was a person who couldn't take time off. Leaving the Army Ministry and taking charge of the First Army once put him in an extreme state of excitement. He enjoyed that

A life full of smoke and murderous intent. Even when Yuan Shikai tentatively asked his boss whether it was unreasonable for the Under Secretary of the Army to concurrently serve as the Commander of the First Army, he resigned from the post of Under Secretary of the Army without hesitation.

Of course, there was the idea of ​​defending an army for his boss, but more importantly, he enjoyed a real military career. That kind of life was by no means comparable to that of the Army Department, especially the achievements during it.

Deep down in his heart, Xu Shuzheng has his own ambitions and dreams. Especially after the Battle of Lanshan, his mind also underwent subtle changes. At this time, he closed his eyes and relived the smoke and air that hit his face during the Battle of Lanshan.

The faint sound of gunfire and the tense and suffocating air are all so fascinating.

What's more important is that for the first time, Xu Shuzheng truly experienced the joy of "national victory". He closed his eyes and saw in front of his eyes the condolences of condolence groups from all over the frontline after the victory, as well as the hundreds of thousands of people who participated.

The memorial ceremony for the fallen officers and soldiers in Lanshan, when he returned to Beijing to report on his duties, and the condolence groups at the stations along the way, all of which caused subtle changes in his mind.

In short, in Xu Shuzheng's heart, a strong wind of war was blowing at this time.

A few months ago, facing the most powerful country in Asia, which can be called the strong, China, which was regarded as the weak, took the initiative to challenge. In the eyes of the Chinese people, there was no chance of winning this time. It was in Xu Shuzheng's case.

It seems that there is really no other way but to fight desperately, but after rushing over to fight, they actually win every time.

This not only allowed Xu Shuzheng to taste the joy of victory, but also allowed the Chinese people to experience unprecedented national excitement for the first time. How could it not be like this?

The Chinese people had never had the experience of "citizens" before the Republic of China. There was no concept of country in their lives. They were just residents of a village or a certain government or a certain province at most. If the Revolution of 1911 had any achievements, it was through that

This revolution formed national consciousness in people's hearts.

In the past ten years, countless benevolent people have worked hard to instill in the Chinese people the concepts of country and citizens. Therefore, they wanted to cultivate Chinese citizens. However, this indoctrination did not achieve much results. It was not until the "Jiao'ao Incident" that

, through the victory of the war. Through the national excitement of cheering for victory, it showed the Chinese people in a physical form what the concept of the country and its citizens is.

The officers who committed suicide and the people who committed suicide were all an awakening of national consciousness, but they were not the only ones who were awakened. Even Xu Shuzheng also had a consciousness awakening in his heart, or it could be said that victory contributed to the change in his mentality.

"Train a strong army to ensure China's everlasting peace!"

Perhaps it was this kind of thinking that made him no longer resist the European War as much as he did at the beginning. In his view, participating in the European War might even be an opportunity to build a strong army.

At this moment, Duan Qirui walked directly into Xu Shuzheng's study without being informed. After greeting him, the concubine quickly stepped back, while Xu Shuzheng looked at the boss in surprise.

"Boss, why are you here?"

"I heard that Youzheng is slightly ginger, how could I not come?"

Duan Qirui walked into the study carelessly, sat down and said.

“Prevent those unreasonable people from making false accusations and spreading rumors to cause trouble!”

Duan Qirui's words meant something, referring to the relationship between Duan and Xu. Xu Shuzheng's first army was actually Lao Duan's back-up force. If it had been someone else, he might not have been in a hurry to hide, but it was unexpected.

The person responsible for this incident is Duan Qirui, who doesn't even look down upon the president, let alone anyone else!

"The pure will defile themselves!"

While ordering his servants to make tea, Xu Shuzheng handed over a cigarette and said.

"I guess I'll be back in the army in a few days!"

"It's okay to go back, things in the capital are too chaotic, especially these days!"

After a moment of pause, Duan Qirui continued.

"Youzheng, we haven't had a good chat together since you came back!"

Xu Shuzheng smiled faintly, and then took a closer look at Duan Qirui. He saw that he had grown a mustache like the Asians, but was wearing a long gown, a top hat, and cloth-soled loafers made in his hometown in Hefei. He was actually holding a

Wearing a cane painted a shiny copper color, his appearance seemed to be richer than when he left Beijing, so he asked.

"Boss, how are you these days?"

But Duan Qirui said something different than what was asked.

"What a shame! Now that you're gone, I won't even have anyone around me who can give me advice. It's going to be really hard for me!"

Shaking his head, Xu Shuzheng said.

"Boss, if anything happens, just send a telegram!"

When Xu Shuzheng took office as the commander of the First Army, he left a code book for Duan Qirui. Although they were thousands of miles apart, the two people exchanged telegrams continuously, ranging from a few to more than ten telegrams a day.

contacts.

"How have you considered that matter?"

Although Duan Qirui didn't say it clearly, Xu Shuzheng also knew what he was referring to.

"I'm afraid I can't stop Li Zhiyuan from coming to Beijing!"

If the president had not threatened Xu Shichang to resign on his own initiative, Xu Shuzheng would still have carried out a campaign as planned, but his campaign would not have been in Beijing, but in Lianyun. He would have used Longhai's support for Li Zhiyuan to keep him there.

Longhai. But now, after the President's shock, the matter is a foregone conclusion.

"Yes, the president's thoughts are really hard to guess!"

Before the president took advantage of the opportunity to beat Xu Shichang, Duan Qirui never expected that Yuan Shikai would be so firm on this issue. Even Lao Feng also expressed support for the president's arrangement. Coupled with Wang Shizhen's support, it can be said that

, there is no suspense about Li Zhiyuan becoming the Prime Minister. The only remaining thing is how the president will lobby Li Zhiyuan.

"It's easy to guess what the President is thinking. In today's China, Li Zhiyuan is second only to the President in terms of reputation and military power. If he is left in Longhai, it will undoubtedly be a thorn in the President's heart. In any case, the President

The president would invite him to come to Beijing. Unlike Sun Wen, he set up a railway general office and spent hundreds of thousands of yuan a month on it. The same was true for Cai Songpo, who had no ambitions. The Bureau of Economic and Border Affairs

The supervisor can also arrange it, but Li Zhiyuan is different."

With a sigh, Xu Shuzheng took a sip of tea, then half-closed his eyes, thinking about how to evaluate him, Li Zhiyuan.

"Everyone in the country now knows that due to Li Zhiyuan's talent and ability, the entire Longhai line was completed by the end of the year. Today, the industrial output value along the line exceeds that of the country several times. In Lianyun alone, there are many large-scale factories in the Far East, and branch factories are connected to each other along the line.

, even outsiders are amazed by his ability to regulate industry, which can be said to be unparalleled in the country."

"In setting up industry, Li Zhiyuan has a big article in mind!"

Duan Qirui nodded first. He was convinced of this point. Chinese people have been clamoring for industrial development for so many years, but only Li Zhiyuan managed it without making a fuss.

"The success of Jiao'ao is the result of industry!"

Xu Shuzheng followed up by spitting out eight more words.

"In this battle, both the First Army and the Jiangsu Army were supplemented by Longhai. Although the outside world has criticized Lianyun for being good at manufacturing ordnance, without the ordnance provided by the Longhai factory, this battle would have been difficult to succeed. And if there is another

Only with the financial support of Longhai did Jiao'ao become possible..."

Duan Qirui nodded. The outside world was far more knowledgeable about the situation on the battlefield than he, the army chief. There were telegrams from the front line, plus information about the "staff field trip" from the staff of the Army Department and instructors from the mainland.

The report reflected the situation on the frontline very clearly, "The success of the Jiangsu Army has no tactical merit, only firepower!" This is by no means a derogation, but a compliment. Without Longhai's industry,

, and there is no use for the firepower of the Soviet Army.

"Boss, if Li Zhiyuan comes to Beijing and takes office as prime minister, the power struggle between Yuan and Li will not be terrible, but the merger between Yuan and Li will be terrible!"

After Xu Shuzheng expressed his worries, he looked at Duan Qirui and continued.

"The power struggle between Yuan and Li, whether it is a battle between the government or the court, will only benefit us and not harm us. But if Yuan and Li join forces, then..."

Before he finished speaking, he saw Duan Qirui take out an envelope from his underwear pocket, hand it to Xu Shuzheng, and said.

"Shu Zheng, there is a letter here, take a look!"

"who?"

“You’ll know just by looking at it!”

Xu Shuzheng unfolded the letter, first looked at the top and bottom, and saw that it was written by Feng Guozhang to the President. He just smiled softly, folded it again, returned it to Duan Qirui, and said.

"Feng Huafu is not a decent person. Don't let his dirty words stain my eyes. I won't read them!"

"dont see?"

Duan Qiqi threw the letter to Xu Shuzheng again and said in a reproachful tone: "Why don't you read it? We all appreciate the wonderful articles, not to mention that this letter has a great relationship with you and me, and even Li Zhiyuan!"

"oh?"

There was a letter involving three people. What was Feng Huafu's idea? Xu Shuzheng was startled, so he picked up the letter again and looked at it seriously.

Inviting Gu Weijun to his home, Liang Shiyi put fragrant tea in the small living room, and then drank with Gu Weijun. Gu Weijun was not aware of Liang Shiyi's thoughts. As the Sino-Japanese negotiations came to an end, the re-establishment of the State Council had been decided.

When it comes to the agenda, although there is no definite news yet, Gu Weijun knows that reestablishing the State Council will, to a certain extent, pave the way for the strategic envoys to enter Beijing.

Whenever he thinks that after the Minister of Economic Affairs comes to Beijing, he may be the Prime Minister, Gu Weijun feels a surge of emotion deep in his heart. He clearly knows what this means. As a person as the Minister of Economic Affairs, once he accepts this

If he has a position, then he will definitely make a big difference in this position, and will never be idle and willing to be driven by others.

"When the Republic of China was first established, the most pressing issue was finance. Even if the national treasury was empty, it would be a waste. Now after two years of reorganization, the national treasury now has more than 28 million taels left! Among them, the great president's contribution is unparalleled.
To be continued...