Beiyang 1917

At the beginning of September 1917, the dispute between the acting president Feng Guozhang and the state premier Duan Qirui reached the first showdown. In fact, the Bazhou Qiucao army overwhelmingly defeated the Beiyang First Division, the Third Division and the The results of the No.9 Division, together with Cao Kun, the Governor of Zhili, and the Prime Minister reached an agreement to be transferred from Zhili to the Governor of Henan.

Acting President Feng Guozhang lost his biggest support in Gyeonggi. Although Cao Kun, the Third Beiyang Division, never considered himself a direct descendant of Feng Guozhang, but the Third Division of the Army was in Zhili and not in Zhili. From a psychological point of view, it is also very different.

The 16st Division of the Beiyang Army stationed in the Xishan Camp and the No.[-] Division of the Beiyang Army stationed in the Tongzhou Camp were no match for the participating troops. Zhang Zuolin, the Fengtian Warlord outside the pass, could not be counted on. The Eighth Division of the Jilin Governor Li Changtai was far away in Changchun. In the north, there is Zhang Shuyuan, the Heilongjiang governor of the Anhui Department who has just led the Fifth Division of the Army to his post.

When Feng Guozhang went from Nanjing to Beijing to take office as the acting president, during his inauguration telegram, he especially emphasized that only "integration of the government and the courtyard, and the unity of the inside and outside" can realize the unification of the country.In his view, unity within the Beiyang government is undoubtedly a prerequisite for peaceful reunification.

The problem is that this guy's ideas and practices run counter to each other. After Duan Qirui and Xu Shuzheng had Wang Geng, a powerful general who descended from the sky, they were unknowingly influenced and promoted by Wang Geng in all aspects of governance and affairs. Great achievements have been made in terms of the conditions for participating in the war, and great progress has been made in the currency reform of the old Beijing banknote arrangement and the new Zhongyuan issuance.

The Prime Minister and his cabinet are less domineering and more domineering than when they were fighting with Li Yuanhong's government earlier. Of course, this is because of the support of the big powers, financial affluence, and the continuous expansion and arming of the participating troops. under the background.

After the fifth division of the participating army was established and Cao Kun was transferred to the governor of Henan, it was time for a showdown between the acting president and the prime minister. Otherwise, both of them would feel awkward. At the beginning, it was gradually incorporated into the training and equipment system of the model army participating in the war.

If Zhiwan is to be united, it is necessary to break the ice of the division of the Zhiwan area. If Beiyang wants to restore the unity of President Yuan, it is imperative to carry out the reorganization of the model army for participating in the war!

Feng Guozhang's worries are actually the worries of all the local warlords except the warlords and the Anhui faction. They all know that the army is the capital of the warlords.Do you listen to Duan Qirui?That's not nationalization, that's big fish eating small fish, and the model army that participated in the war has become the Anhui army that you Duan Qirui's family said!

"President! National reunification is the common wish of you and me. If the army cannot be nationalized and the warlords are separated, when will the reunification come? Just like Zhao Ti in Henan, he is simply a local snake, and he regards Henan as his private land. The people are in dire straits, and the common people have no way to live, can they not go to the place where bandits scourge? The whole disgusting cycle!"

This is the first time for State Premier Duan Qirui to call Feng Guozhang the President in person, and his attitude is not too low.

"I'm a big president who begs for hair, and I can't get rid of the word agent. I can see through it. The guys in the parliament are the masters of the wall, and they will listen to whoever gives the money!" Feng Guozhang's heart moved, However, he was complaining. The last time Duan Qirui came to his presidential palace was when he first arrived in Beijing to take office in May.

Because of financial affluence, the Ministry of Finance added a special allowance of 1917 yuan per person per month to members of Congress in the budget for the second half of 300!This move also further improved the reputation of the cabinet and the prime minister among members of parliament.

In fact, the biggest difference between Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui in the previous life was the beginning of the war to protect the law. After Southwest declared independence, Duan Qirui wanted to unify by force, while Feng Guozhang sought peaceful reunification. Now because of the appearance of the butterfly Wang Geng, the restoration is gone. , the National Congress has always been operating normally, and the war to protect the law that Dapao Sun sought in the south is out of the question, so the relationship between Lao Feng and Lao Duan's Zhiwan is far from being as tense as it was in the previous life!

"Brother Huafu, I know that you have always pursued peaceful reunification. If it can be achieved, why would I, Duan Zhiquan, not do it? But there is one thing, whoever dares to call for independence is a public enemy of the country. Would you disagree with this?" The Prime Minister's voice became a little louder!

"That's...that's...!" Feng Guozhang smiled a little awkwardly. He knew Duan Qirui's ability, especially Xu Shuzheng's, and he couldn't find a talent like Xu Shuzheng under his command, let alone Xu Shuzheng. The new war supervisor, Wang Geng, is simply a moth that fell from the sky!

"Brother Huafu, we have witnessed the change of a new and an old dynasty. China, which has been weak for a long time, must proudly build a democracy and a republic. The road is long and dangerous. Now that child Wang Geng has finally fallen from the sky, we have one more person to share the responsibility for us. Young guy, the changes in China in the past four months can be seen by everyone. Everyone can see the role played by the Zhanzhan Army and Wang Geng. This good situation must not be ruined just because of your own selfishness. ! President, what do you say!"

The Prime Minister's tone was quite sincere, but also firm.

Feng Guozhang's face was pale and pale, and he pondered for a long time. No matter how he thought about it, he felt that the situation was stronger than others. After Wang Geng, Duan Qirui has been developing in a good direction in domestic affairs, foreign affairs and military affairs in the past six months. After getting up, why bother to continue to mix in it?The guy finally slapped his thigh and said,

"Brother Zhiquan, since you and I are dedicated to the country, we will not mention the ups and downs in the past. As long as you can promise me that you insist on peaceful reunification, the process of reorganizing the army must be gradual, and the Beiyang family does not favor one another. I will never discriminate against the direct line, I, Feng Guozhang, the acting president, is willing to abdicate to let the virtuous, you come to be the president, and I will go back to Hejian to farm!" attitude!

"Where did you start talking about abdicating the throne and letting the virtuous? Brother Huafu, if you don't think I'm working hard as the prime minister, you can give it a try. If the president is willing to let go of the past, I, Duan Qirui, are willing to cooperate with the president to resolve this matter in China. Let's do our best to manage it well! When the Congress re-elects the president next year, I, Duan Qirui, will fully support Brother Hua Fu to become the official president!" Duan Qirui held Feng Guozhang's hand, and there was a glint in his eyes. Eager to come!

"You're not going to be the president? Can Xu Shuzheng and Wang Geng agree?" Feng Guozhang looked at Duan Qirui in disbelief.

"Ha, brother Huafu, I, Duan Qirui, don't buy property and don't use private individuals. I am loyal only for the country. I will be the prime minister, and you will still be the righteous president. And they are fumbling together in the Senate to draft a new one. When the constitution comes out, a few military advisers from your presidential palace can also go to help with the details. The provisional agreement was a bit nondescript in order to restrain President Yuan.

Wang Geng told me that in the process of establishing a democracy and a republic, there is often a period of dictatorship and civil war. I have figured it out. Although the peaceful reunification you have always advocated is more difficult, it will take time. It will take a little longer, but when the army of our central government and the country grows stronger, and various legal systems are perfected, Jiangnan may not be unable to do it in the future! "

"Brother Zhiquan, with your words, I see the hope of Beiyang unity and national unity. I have nothing to say. I agree with your army plan, starting with the 16st Division and No.[-] Division stationed in Gyeonggi! "Feng Guozhang decided to gamble or not. He had to agree first. Without the support of the big powers behind him, the local government would never be able to resist the central government with international support. today.

On September 1917, 9, when the Kornilov Mutiny broke out in Russia, in China, after the acting president Feng Guozhang sealed and approved it, the Ministry of the Army officially issued the National Army Reorganization Notice, in order to better fulfill the commitment of the Allied Powers to participate in the war The divisions and mixed brigades under the official establishment of the Ministry of the Army will be reorganized according to the establishment and training of the model army participating in the war.

The reorganization will be carried out step by step from Gyeonggi to the localities. This move is also to streamline the troop establishment, improve the treatment of the troops, improve the equipment of the troops, and enhance the combat capabilities of the troops!And prepare for the official establishment of the organization to go to Europe to participate in the war as soon as possible!