Beiyang 1917

Early the next morning, Wang Geng got up and was groomed by Chunni Xiacao and had just finished breakfast. The two maids already knew that the master had given themselves to Wang Geng, so they served them with even more dedication. The drama of being in bed has not yet been staged.

Just after breakfast, Duan Qirui sent someone to invite him in a short while. When they arrived in the study, Xu Shuzheng and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Xia Yiting were there, and a secret message was placed on the desk of the Prime Minister.

Wang Geng greeted the Prime Minister and said hello to the Undersecretary of the Army and the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs. Duan Qirui patted the secret phone on the table excitedly,

"Wang Geng, this is the secret message sent by Gu Weijun, the Minister to the United States, in the early hours of this morning. It contains the full text of President Wilson's speech to Congress on April 4. We have read it just now. The President of the United States is indeed determined to declare war on Germany. Gu Weijun It is said in the telegram that the speech has aroused strong repercussions in the parliament, and it is estimated that it will definitely be passed in the parliament within a week!"

"Congratulations Prime Minister, Brother Youzheng, Deputy Chief Xia, with the United States declaring war before us, we will have a greater barrier and background in promoting China's participation in the war!" Wang Geng was delighted, obviously the butterfly's wings did not deviate too far , the United States has declared war after all.

Then the Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs successively introduced the reactions of the United Kingdom, France and other Allies and Germany after the speech of the US President to Congress. Germany has issued a protest note!Britain and France are cheering that the United States is finally about to make the greatest decision!

"Youzheng, hurry up and do what you discussed yesterday, we can't afford to delay this matter! Wang Geng, you have to hurry up with your business!" Duan Qirui waved Xu Shuzheng and Wang Geng away, leaving a diplomatic time. Long to continue the conversation.

Wang Geng and Xu Shuzheng left the study room, Xu Shuzheng squeezed the fan in his hand and said with a smile,

"Wang Geng, you have made your first contribution. Mr. Quan said that you informed the United States of declaring war the day before yesterday. Why, you, a New York hero from the West Point Military Academy, have such a great influence on Washington? Listen Said that Gu Weijun has a good personal relationship with you?"

"Brother Youzheng, Gu Weijun is my elder brother, but our political views may not be the same. I said that politics must have a position, but he wants to be a professional and neutral diplomat, so you see that he neither follows his father-in-law. Go, and don't reveal your heart to the Prime Minister, acting like a businessman."

Wang Geng smiled as he walked, and Xu Shuzheng stopped him anxiously, "Hey, where are you going? I didn't come here so early to read the speeches of the President of the United States. I came here to send you a letter of commission and a military uniform. The house has been selected for you, so don't delay when we move!"

Speaking of which, the two had already descended from the second floor to the entrance of the main hall. Sure enough, a brand new black car was parked under the steps, and there was another one that was probably new behind. A guard stood in front of the car.

Xia Shan was holding a new set of major general's woolen military uniform in his hand, and the general star on his shoulder shone brightly in the April sun.

Seeing the two people coming out, everyone stood at attention and saluted.

Xu Shuzheng smiled and took a break, then turned to Wang Geng and said, how is it, capable enough?Old Duan's marksmanship-kung fu is top-notch in the guards of the Prime Minister's Palace. Although my family Xia Shan is young, he is not far behind. From now on, you will be their master. The house allocated by the Ministry of Army has been prepared for you. Today I personally I will accompany you to see the house. "

Wang Geng took a look at the two leaders and four guards he was going to come, and they were indeed quite majestic, and he could see that they had a good foundation in kung fu, so this guy was very happy in his heart, but he said,

"Brother Youzheng, it seems that if I don't move out of the Prime Minister's Office, you won't be able to sleep at night?"

Xu Shuzheng laughed and said, "Well, I'm afraid that it will be inconvenient for you to live in the Duan Mansion and communicate with others. The prime minister's staid temperament, you have to avoid him even if you are romantic. I dare say that the little maid is here to keep you warm. I'm worried about being under the covers, it's better to have a house by myself, and it's easier for me to come to you to drink flower wine, isn't it?"

"Well, I owe you a favor. The house you prepared for me won't be too far away? It's too far away or too small. I like spacious and bright halls!" Wang Geng said with a laugh.

"It's not far, but it's not close either. You'll know when you go. I'll wait for you in the car, Duan. You take two people to accompany Supervisor Wang to carry your luggage. Chunni Xiacao should pack her bags by now." Already?" Xu Shuzheng said with a smile.

Xu Shuzheng's own mansion is in the Prince's Mansion of Shuncheng County in Xicheng, but what he prepared for Wang Geng is the King's Mansion of Keqin County in the southwest corner of Xidan, located on Consort Street. It is a small and medium-sized palace that is exquisite but not luxurious. In the previous life.

It turns out that this palace has been well preserved by later generations. In Wang Geng's era, it served as a hostel for the armed police and a hotel for foreign affairs practice.

And to the east of this King's Mansion in Keqin County is the Beijing Women's Normal College. Thinking that his house will live next to the Women's Normal University, Wang Xiaodi's untimely impulse made Wang Gengti realize the existence of this kid again.

"How about it? Although the decent building of Daqing County Prince's Mansion is not too big, it is well preserved. It turned out that the General's Mansion was used to house a certain prestigious general. The man thought it was too small and said it was too big. He refused to live there, but Xiong Xiling lived there for a while when he was Prime Minister, and after he resigned, he took it back to the Ministry of War.

In fact, Xu Shuzheng packed up this house and originally wanted to use this place as his own courtyard to accommodate the two newly married concubines, but his wife Xia Hong refused to agree. He would rather let him marry the two concubines and live together, and he would not allow him. Hidden in the golden house outside.

As a result, the house was vacant. Now that Wang Geng came, this fellow thought of allocating this house to Wang Geng as a residence. It was better than Wang Geng living in Duan Qirui's mansion to make him feel at ease. What's more, this fellow Now he is vaguely fantasizing about whether he can win Wang Geng into his team.

Xu Shuzheng led Wang Geng around the palace. It looked small from the outside, but it was really big inside. The big courtyard with three entrances and a small garden was much bigger than the ordinary courtyard in Beijing. , Wang Geng nodded and said yes with a smile on his face.

Xu Shuzheng patted this fellow on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Wang Geng, if we two brothers can really work together, there is great hope for the Prime Minister and the Anhui Department. I hope this house can always witness our cooperation and friendship!"

Wang Geng nodded, and said with a smile, "So, I, Wang Geng, am not a pedantic person. In such a big China, the only ones I can confide in now are the Prime Minister and Brother Youzheng. It's better to say it than to do it. From now on, brother Only the prime minister and the deputy minister will follow suit!"

Xu Shuzheng smiled slightly when he heard the words, patted his palm with the fan in his hand and said, "Then the Prime Minister and I will wait and see! But most people's desire and ambition will grow with the change of status!"

Wang Geng grinned, and said in a low voice, "Brother Youzheng, I'm not afraid to tell you that your palace is much smaller than Prince Zhuang's. I think the market price of [-] yuan is too much. My property in the United States, buy this palace for [-] yuan." I don’t even blink, I came back to China because of my ideals and struggles! You and the Prime Minister are the ones I choose, if we two brothers can work together, let’s see who in the world can be the enemy!"

Although Wang Geng's voice was low, it exuded a domineering sincerity and self-confidence. Xu Shuzheng squinted his eyes and looked at Wang Geng without saying a word for a long time, as if to discern whether what Wang Geng said was true or not. Patted Wang Geng on the shoulder and said,

"The prime minister treats you like a national, as long as you live up to the prime minister, then that's fine!"

After speaking, Xu Shuzheng took out a bill of exchange from his pocket, stuffed it into Wang Geng's hand, laughed and said goodbye, looking at him from the back in general uniform, he really looked like a Confucian general!

When Wang Geng looked down, it turned out to be a bank draft of 160 million yuan, stamped with the seal of the Ministry of War and signed by Xu Shuzheng himself.

It seemed that it was the first fund that Xu Shuzheng had prepared for his war preparation office that he said yesterday. It turned out that Xu Shuzheng had prepared it early this morning. tight.

It seems that I have obtained his approval and support for the time being. This house and the arrears and funds that are readily allocated at least mean that after the initial confrontation, the two may start a period of honeymoon-like cooperation.

The Yanwang Mansion that Wang Gengxin moved into is not only a large courtyard with three entrances, but also a slightly smaller courtyard connected to the corner gates in the middle. There are all kinds of pools and rockeries in the courtyard. The corner door leads to the back garden. In the early April weather, the garden is already full of greenery and bursting with vitality.

Duan Tiezhu and Xia Shan, the two guard leaders and four guards, lived in the wing room of the first courtyard. On both sides of the first courtyard, there are also small courtyards, one looks like the former stables and carriages and sedan chairs. The other is connected to the back door of the kitchen, which seems to be the place where firewood is piled up.

When Wang Geng turned around and came out, he found that the head behind the second door entered the yard, and there was another middle-aged man and woman waiting with a bag, and Duan Tiezhu, a major in his early thirties, came up next to him. a salute,

"Report to the supervisor. The old Duan Mansion even sent a cook, Mr. and Mrs. Wu, to help out temporarily, saying that we will let them go back when we find a suitable cook."

"Hehe, that's fine! We don't have a housekeeper in Tie Zhu's house. You can discuss things outside with Xia Shan. If you have something to do in the house, you can go to Chunni first. Everyone can treat this as their own home, and we can count it in Beijing. It's home!" Wang Geng said with a smile.