20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 356 The opening scene

At the beginning of the night, the scattered protests against the imperial system on the streets gradually came to an end.

Outside the small west gate, there is the Oriental Consulate in Fengtian.

The windows in the auditorium were closed, and a small banquet was going on in a low-key manner.

There were no outside waiters, no bands to entertain, no consuls or journalists from other countries invited, and not even much food and drinks, but everyone in the gathering was filled with joy.

There were about twenty Oriental people, holding goblets, either champagne or red wine, scattered everywhere in small groups.

Except for the non-commissioned officers of the garrison who were wearing military uniforms, the rest of the people were all in suits and ties, but they were from different factions.

Embassy, ​​consulate, General Staff Headquarters, Kanto Governor's Office, Nantetsu Co., Ltd., the four major chaebols, Black Dragon Society Ronin...

The heads of various forces either attended the meeting in person or sent representatives to each other to gather in Fengtian.

Although everyone has their own factions, they are not clearly divided.

"cheers!"

The minister to China took over and said: "The war in Europe is becoming more and more anxious, and the great powers have no time to take care of the Far East. We must not let China take this opportunity to breathe. We must let this country fall into never-ending revolution and provoke civil strife. Create divisions and slow down their development process.”

After finishing speaking, a middle-aged ronin in the corner stood up and said: "The cabinet does not want Manchuria to fall into turmoil."

Hearing this, the representative of the General Staff Headquarters looked disdainful.

The so-called unexplained conspiracy means knowing clearly that it is poisonous wine, but you have to drink it.

However, the harmonious atmosphere did not last long.

He raised his glass and said with a triumphant smile: "To the cause of the empire, everyone cheers!"

Ryuji Miyata of the Investigation Department of Nantetsu Co., Ltd. said: "Helping the Qing Dynasty to restore the country will not necessarily cause turmoil. I can responsibly say that the people here do not really care about the so-called national system. Relying on the Qing Dynasty With the prestige of the Ting Royal Family, everything can be calmed down quickly."

Having said that, these few chaebol representatives alone could not achieve unity.

However, it is an indisputable fact that this move is exactly what the Westerners want.

General Songpa's efforts to re-establish the republic are certainly beyond reproach.

Several chaebol representatives responded: "We have many investment projects here. If we fall into a chaotic situation like the one in the South, it may cause us huge economic losses."

In short, those who benefit more want stability, while those who benefit less crave turmoil.

Deputy Chief of Staff Nishikawa of the Kanto Governor's Office stood up and said: "The Southern Kingdom has fallen into turmoil, so when will the Manchurian plan start?"

Everyone laughed and echoed, and the glasses clinked together.

He spoke in an ups and downs Japanese dialect——

But different paths lead to the same goal. The ambition of the empire is the long-cherished wish of everyone present.

"Everyone, there is a piece of information that everyone must have known for a long time. But please allow me to formally explain that General Cai has sent a message to the whole country to declare independence. According to reliable information, General Cai will soon issue a 'Call for Fang' in the New Year, calling for There is an uprising in the South. Everything is going in the direction we want."

Halfway through the banquet, Consul General Yata, as the “host”, walked up to the stage, the joy on his face was beyond words.

Many people hold multiple positions, and it is not necessarily one or the other. In fact, there is me in you, and you in me. It is really difficult to distinguish.

Everyone nodded.

"The royal family of the Qing court has long lost their prestige. They just rely on the power of the empire."

Consul General Yata nodded and said: "The group of bandits recruited by the Zongshe Party are no match for Zhang Yuting. Rather than relying on that group of bandits, it would be safer to try to instigate Zhang Yuting's 27th Division."

Staff officer Nishikawa of the Kanto Governor's Office immediately frowned, but said: "Yada-kun, you seem to think too highly of Zhang Yuting. Don't forget, he is also a bandit. No matter what, the Zongshe Party is also from a royal family. Cooperate with a bandit like Zhang Yuting , do you want to shame His Majesty the Emperor?"

"Nonsense! I'm just talking about the facts! You don't have to say these pretentious words. In the final analysis, you support the Zongshe Party because they have close ties with your Kanto Governor's Mansion!"

"Everyone is the same. You support Zhang Yuting, isn't it the same?"

The Ronin of the Black Dragon Society said: "If the empire can send troops to support, then the 27th Division stationed in Fengtian will have no chance of winning."

"Are you kidding!" the minister's representative retorted, "After the leakage of the Twenty-One Articles, the empire's diplomacy has been in a difficult situation, and it is now trying its best to ease its relations with the great powers. If we send troops at this time, once the war in Europe is over, we will become the public enemy of the great powers!"

The non-commissioned officers from the Nantie garrison and the Kanto Governor's Office snorted coldly and muttered: "Civil officials are harming the country!"

Although everyone scorned each other's methods, their goals were exactly the same——

If you want to conquer the world, you must first conquer China; if you want to conquer China, you must first conquer Manchuria and Mongolia.

As the debate continued to deepen, the people attending the banquet gradually divided into two camps.

One group, headed by consuls and civil servants, disdained the Clan Society Party and advocated winning over Zhang Laogeda.

One faction was headed by the military attache of the Kwantung Governor's Office, who believed that Zhang Laoge was the biggest obstacle to the empire in Manchuria and strongly supported the Zongshe Party. The Ronin advisors of the Black Dragon Society are mixed with both sides, like the shadows behind each faction.

Finally, the Nishikawa representative from the Kanto Governor's Office concluded: "Zhang Yuting is cunning, fickle, and capricious. Civil servants like you are the easiest to be deceived! Have you forgotten that in the first year of Taisho, he once betrayed us? Did the plan to help the Qing Dynasty recover fail?"

Not to be outdone, Consul General Yata said: "The restoration of the Qing court is just their wishful thinking. Without the support of the empire, those pigtails are nothing! At this moment, at the next moment, Zhang Yuting is the real power in Fengtian. Cooperating with him is the only way. The safest way out!”

During this tit-for-tat confrontation, a discordant voice suddenly emerged from the corner of the auditorium.

"Everyone, what if Feng Delin wins in the end? His 28th Division is as strong as Zhang Yuting."

In an instant, the entire banquet fell silent.

Everyone looked at each other and couldn't help but frown.

"It seems that everyone is already a little drunk."

"Yes, yes, please go back and rest early!"

"See you later, see you later!"

"Nishikawa-kun, stay here. Are you on the train tonight? Let's go along the way!"

……

……

"Viscount! Viscount! I fucked his grandma, and she's a second-class fucking viscount!"

The next morning, the Zhang family residence.

A high-pitched scolding broke the winter tranquility. The snow on the trees fell rustlingly, and groups of sparrows flew away in fright.

Regardless of the dissuasion of his brothers and concubines, Zhang Laoge threw Hong Xian's imperial uniform to the ground. He still didn't understand his hatred and was about to stomp on it with his military boots.

"Is that melon seed in Fang Datou's head filled with rice porridge or something? I, Lao Zhang, have been riding for him in the past few years, supporting him as emperor and cooperating with him to hold a referendum. What else do you want? What the hell do you want? Just make me a second-class viscount, Duan Zhigui is three ranks higher than me, and he’s still a fucking first-class one!”

For the commander of the First Division, it was already a favor to be given the title of second-class viscount; but Zhang Laogao felt that as a powerful man from Fengtian, his title was still low. So, as soon as he finished taking the photo, he couldn't help but cursed loudly, causing everyone to hurriedly stop him.

"Yuting, Yuting, don't be impulsive! Now is not the time to curse!"

"Fart! If I don't scold you now, when will you scold me?"

Brother Zhang Fuchen quickly advised: "The president has restored the monarchy, and now the whole country is condemning it. If his old buddies don't help him, I'm afraid it will be over soon. Do you still have time to scold the streets here? You have to get rid of yourself quickly. Take it out of this matter!"

Zhang Laoge was startled when he heard this.

His temper has always been easy to control, and his face can change faster than turning the page in a book. After a moment of thought, there is no longer any sullen look on his face. He immediately waved away all the aunts and wives, leaving behind a few long-time brothers, and locked up in the room. Door, let’s discuss secretly.

At the beginning, in order to please the president in order to exchange for high-ranking officials and expand the army, Zhang Laogao was really busy and showed his loyalty.

Helpless, Fang Datou is not an ordinary person. In his early years, he was the emperor of Goryeo. In his middle age, he acted like a bear under the noses of Li Zhongtang and Lafayette. In his later years, he worked as a mediator between the Qing court and the revolution. He can be said to have read countless people and is very scheming.

As for the collateral branch of Zhang Laogeda, on the one hand, they wanted to use him, but on the other hand, they did not dare to trust him easily. Sometimes they tried to divert the tiger away from the mountain, and sometimes they tried to replace Tao Zong.

Zhang Laogao kept forbearing for a long time, but he was finally completely disappointed when he saw the second-class viscount in front of him.

However, what was done previously is a done deal and cannot be changed.

Now if we want to get rid of the reputation of "supporting the monarchy", we will inevitably have to find a scapegoat.

The brothers briefly discussed and finally selected Duan Zhigui without any doubt.

After all, General Zhen'an, who supervises the military affairs of the three eastern provinces and serves as the envoy to the Tianxun, is the real local official in name.

Zhang Laogeda made up his mind and immediately ordered all the brothers to return to their headquarters, instigating the military camp and the major offices in Fengtian to divert the public's attention in the name of "punishing the culprits of the restoration."

Killing two birds with one stone, he must take the opportunity to expel Duan Zhigui and seize power.

The brothers followed the order and left. Zhang Laoda was still worried and paced back and forth in the room for a long time. Suddenly he opened the door, called the captain of the guard, and ordered: "Do you know Xiao Jiang? Send someone over and ask him immediately. Come see me, you have to make a big noise! ​​Go quickly!"

Captain Lin hurried away in response, walked to the entrance of the courtyard, and shouted: "Zhao Zhengbei!"

"Yes!" Zhao Zhengbei frowned, it sounded like that.

"Do you know where the Jiang family is?"

"Ah?" Zhao Zhengbei frowned and said, "I know, I know. I go there often when I have nothing to do."

Captain Lin glared and cursed: "If you know, you know! What nonsense! Go to Jiang's house immediately and find Jiang Lianheng. Mr. Zhang has something important to discuss with us!"

(End of this chapter)