Beiyang 1917

"Brother Ting Zhai, I know that you are a general of the Constitutional Government Research Association. Constitutionalism is the only way to establish a democracy and a republic, and it is also the ultimate goal of a democratic country. But in today's China, is constitutionalism useful? It is a troubled time. King of the Heads, speaking through the barrel of a gun, the era when someone's fist is bigger!" Wang Geng looked into Xia Yiting's eyes and said seriously.

Xia Yiting was silent when he heard the words. He didn't expect that Wang Geng had only been back to the country for a few days, and he was familiar with his own background. Wang Geng said it well. The world is not progressing but regressing. Soldiers and warlords have become the mainstream politics in the past two years.

"Whether it's dictatorship or power politics, what China urgently needs now is to build after reunification, not to wrestle with each other for power and profit. Only when there is an opportunity, can China rise, and if you miss this opportunity, you and I will become sinners of the nation!"

Wang Geng's tone was sincere and his face was sincere. Xia Yiting, a bureaucrat who was born as an intellectual, was almost a clean stream. He washed his brains and cleaned himself up to be a professional diplomat, but in fact he was just a fool, and there was absolutely no way out in the future!

"Although Prime Minister Duan is in full swing, there are the president and the parliament above the cabinet, and even the vice president who holds real power in the local area. Brother Wang, it may not be a wise choice to put all your eggs in one basket. I have always wanted to ask brother Wang, since you are from Jiangsu Why don’t you vote for Feng Guozhang when you return home and serve your hometown? He is the governor of Jiangsu and the vice president! His prestige in Beiyang is not much less than that of Prime Minister Duan.”

Although Xia Yiting felt that what Wang Geng said was reasonable, he couldn't be led by the nose by Wang Geng, so he couldn't help asking in a low voice.

"Do you want to know the reason? Brother Ting Zhai, because Feng Guozhang's desire for money and power surpasses Premier Duan's, so he is destined not to become a great politician, and he will not become the hope that the nation can pin on!" Wang Geng said softly .

"How do you say this? The old saying is good, isn't it for money to be an official for thousands of miles? It's understandable for Feng Guozhang to accumulate money like this!" Xia Yiting asked deliberately. People have selfish desires, and he was very curious about Wang Geng's ambition. Is it really only for the country and the nation?

"Wrong, brother Ting Zhai, although you are born in Gongsheng, but you have been an envoy in Europe and the United States for so long, you should know that the political leaders of Western developed countries or the so-called big powers such as the United States, Britain, Japan and France have already surpassed personal The stage of pursuing wealth, of course, does not mean that they are all poor, many of them are nobles and rich people, but they only want to assume the responsibility of politicians for their own country and nation when they have wealth!"

"It's not like we used to be an official with a hundred thousand snowflakes of silver in Qing Dynasty in the past three years. The realm is completely different. This is the only way out for politicians in a big country and a powerful country. , there is no other more suitable candidate. China needs a leader, and my choice is Premier Duan! Brother Ting Zhai, what is your choice?"

Unknowingly, Wang Geng pushed Xia Yiting to the edge of the cliff where there was no way out.

"Brother Wang, brother, thank you for your heartfelt words. Let me think about it. There is absolutely no problem with Prime Minister Duan's personality charm, but Xu Shuzheng is too domineering, and his arrogance usually puts too much pressure on people. He can't be killed. Humiliation, I'm afraid I'll be humiliated by him and want to die!"

Xia Yiting said half a word of his heart, but he watched Wang Geng's reaction. Back then, under the leadership of Tang Hualong, the Constitutional Research Society supported Yuan Shikai and had a close relationship with the Japanese political circles.

"Brother Ting Zhai, Xu Youzheng is a sharp sword with sharp edges. It can make great things happen, but it can also ruin great things. If Prime Minister Duan only has Xu Shuzheng under his command, if you don't believe him, you can only trust him. If you don't use him, you can only use him. But you Have you ever thought about why Prime Minister Duan is willing to use me?" Wang Geng patiently enlightened him.

"Brother Wang, you are indeed a great talent, just because of your ability to pack up the 16 mixed brigade in three days, obediently and obediently set off from Langfang to Nanyuan, just because of your ability to do a job with ease in front of the envoys of the four countries just now. Fan Er, my brother admires Prime Minister Duan's vision, you are probably the second Xu Youzheng under the Prime Minister's command!"

Xia Yiting gave Wang Geng a high hat with half truth and half falsehood.

"Wrong! Brother Tingzhai, Prime Minister Duan wants to use me because he can see that I will not become the second Xu Youzheng. I may not be better than a prodigy in terms of administration and writing, but in terms of military affairs and diplomacy, I Still have enough self-confidence!

The prime minister wants to use me. Firstly, I came back from studying in the United States and still have a little friendship with President Wilson. Secondly, I graduated from West Point. If China wants to enter the war, it is necessary to deal with the US military.

Furthermore, everyone knows that whether our Prime Minister Duan or Xu Shuzheng, the big powers behind the Anhui Clique led by them are Japan. Because of their interests in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, Britain and the United States used to be very close to Li Yuanhong and Feng Guozhang. The Prime Minister used me , I want me to build a bridge between Anhui and the United States! "Wang Geng stared at Xia Yiting's eyes seriously.

"That's what I'm worried about. You also know that Premier Duan and Xu Shuzheng got a lot of loans and benefits from Japan. If we embrace the thick legs of the United States in a blink of an eye, will the little devil agree? The United States is far away from the ocean. At that time, Japan will fight us with swords and guns, and the United States will be beyond our reach!"

At this level of conversation, Xia Yiting expressed his worries without hiding it.

"Brother Ting Zhai, that's why I said that the European War and the participation of China and the United States in the war are the best opportunities. Japan has only a small population and a big place. Brother, I'm not just bragging for you. Give me five years, and I can help the Prime Minister unify the country. In my 10 years, I can drive all the old Maozi and the little devil out of China!

Brother Ting Zhai, we have to let the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Russia know that a modern China that is friendly, friendly, equal and mutually beneficial among the great powers is more valuable to the world and contributes more to peace than a fragmented and backward China ruled by warlords !

The European war will inevitably weaken Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Russia. If we do not participate in the war, the only winners will be the United States and Japan. Because of our geographical relationship and their ambition to invade China, there will be a war sooner or later!We can no longer sit on the fence and wait to see who wins and who loses!We have to quickly choose a direction and start working! "

Wang Geng's bewitching words echoed in Xia Yiting's ears. As the backbone of the Constitutional Policy Research Association and the most trusted general of the House Speaker Tang Hualong, Xia Yiting is a seasoned diplomat but not a mature politician. He can only be regarded as a link between the past and the future. Wang Geng's fresh words raised the curtains that had been covered all along before his eyes, and the scenery outside the window seemed to be really beautiful, waiting for people to appreciate it.

Wang Geng knew that Tang Hualong, the boss of Xia Yiting in his previous life, defected to Duan Qirui after the National Assembly was dismissed by Li Yuanhong. Obviously, the old Duan had worked hard on Tang Hualong before, and now he took Xia Yiting away for the old Duan. Yes, it is also a good thing for the beauty of adults to hug grass and beat rabbits.

"Brother Wang, you are so confiding with me. If I vote for someone other than the Prime Minister, are you afraid that I will expose it to you in the future? How will you explain to Prime Minister Duan then?" Xia Yiting had made up his mind, but instead asked with a smile road.

"Brother Tingzhai, what you said is out of line. What I told you just now, I said the same in front of Li Yuanhong and Feng Guozhang. Of course, we have to take it easy in front of the old Maozi and the little devil. In fact, everyone is well aware that Tsarist Russia has the largest share of the Boxer indemnity that weighs down China?" Wang Geng asked.

"Well... Tsarist Russia has the largest share in Boxer indemnities, accounting for 28.9%, other German 20.02%, French 15.75%, British 11.25%, Japanese 7.73%, American 7.32%, Italian 5.91%, and 1.89%"Xin Chou Treaty and Gengzi's indemnity is a pain for all Chinese people, and Xia Yiting is no exception. When Wang Geng asked, the guy reported the specific data casually!