20 years of the Republic of China

Chapter 358 Seizing Power
In the inner city of Fengtian, in the Zhang family's residence, the shadows of the trees in the courtyard slowly shifted, covering the sparrows roosting in the snow.

The meeting had lasted for a long time, and finally a burst of hearty laughter came from the room.

The guard captain hurried through the small courtyard, came to the door, and called softly: "Mr. Zhang, Consul General Yata would like to see you."

"I know, bring him in and I'll be ready right away."

The guard captain left in response, and then the door opened wide.

Zhang Laoge put his hand on Jiang Lianheng's shoulder and said with a smile: "Xiao Jiang, you don't give me this for free! Work hard. If there is any news from the Zongshe Party, please report to me at any time."

Jiang Lianheng said in a low voice: "The commander is too polite. This little information is really nothing."

Lier is such a liar, but those who use the military will never dislike complex information.

But Zhang Laogeda said: "Xiaojiang, you don't have to be too modest. Lushun and Luda are no different from other places. They are the concessions of the Oriental people, and they are a 'country within a country'. It is not that easy to collect information."

While he was talking, the guard captain of Zhang Mansion was leading a short man in a suit and leather shoes towards this side.

Arriving at the door of the house, he suddenly stopped in front of Zhao Zhengbei.

"Beifeng." Jiang Lian raised his chin in the courtyard and asked, "Is the one who went in just now the Japs' consul general in Fengtian?"

If there are more military contacts, it can be concluded that the Zongshe Party is just one of the choices of the devils.

Zhao Zhengbei nodded and said, "That's right! It seems his surname is Yada, not Ishida."

"Is there anyone in military uniform?"

Inside the room, Mr. Zhang invited Consul General Yata to his seat and poured tea for him with a smile.

……

Jiang Lianheng was stunned for a moment when he heard this.

Zhao Zhengbei saw that Brother Dao had not said anything for a long time, so he asked curiously: "Brother, you just went in and stayed for a long time, what did you say to Mr. Zhang?"

"You can remember it by paying attention!" Jiang Lianheng scolded in a low voice, "Are there many Japs coming recently?"

"It doesn't matter what I say to you. Just be a soldier now and don't get involved in family affairs." Jiang Lianheng patted him on the shoulder, "Do it well. You are very important now. How will our family decide in the future? , I still have to rely on your information!”

Jiang Lianheng said goodbye knowingly: "The commander-in-chief has guests to meet, so I'll leave first."

"Of course there are. Majors, lieutenants, young and old."

Zhao Zhengbei immediately said seriously: "That's necessary! Brother, please walk slowly and give me and my sister-in-law a voice!"

Jiang Lianheng bowed again, then turned around and walked out of the yard, meeting the little man in a suit and leather shoes, and nodding to each other.

"Hehe... Brother, don't worry, I'll start memorizing it from today!" Zhao Zhengbei said with an apologetic smile, "The key is that there have been quite a few Japs here in the past two days, sometimes as ministers, sometimes as consuls, and I don't even know their names. I scanned them one by one and couldn’t tell the difference clearly.”

"It's my blessing to be able to share my worries with the commander-in-chief. I will go back and take care of things now."

"Tsk! Your kid stands guard in front of Lao Zhang's house every day, and no one can remember it. Are you just here to sell idiots?"

"Let's go!" Zhang Laoge reminded, "By the way, the errand given to you just now must be done carefully. Don't think it is a small matter, but it is also related to the overall situation of Fengtian. In short, it is still the same sentence. There are some things Son, it’s not that I, Lao Zhang, can’t do it, it’s just that it’s inconvenient to do it.”

"There are so many, basically every day."

The dignified Oriental Consul General in Fengtian did not go to see the local officials and envoys, but came to Zhang's house to visit a mere division commander, which is enough to illustrate the attitude of the Japanese toward Zhang Laogao.

"Mr. Yata, why do you have time to come to me today? I am a small division commander, and I always go past my superiors to meet you. It is not good to spread the word. Then others will say that I ignored Duan Zhigui!"

"Mr. Zhang, there is no need to be too modest. Everyone knows that you hold the real power in Fengtian."

Old Zhang quickly waved his hands and laughed loudly: "Hey! At this critical moment, if you say so, isn't that putting me, Old Zhang, on the fire to roast!"

Consul Yata said with a serious smile: "The president of your country has restored the monarchy, and the war to protect the country has begun. What are Mr. Zhang's plans?"

"What plans can I have? I have already promised the president to help him send troops to quell the chaos. As soon as the arms arrive, I, Lao Zhang, will immediately send troops to enter the border!"

"Master Zhang's words are not candid enough." Consul Yata sneered, "The imperial system is unpopular. Even if the armaments from the capital arrive, I don't think you will send troops."

The teacup that Zhang Laoga held up was hanging in the air, his gaze crossed the rim of the cup, he was quiet for a moment, and then suddenly burst into laughter.

"Mr. Yata, you seem to know me, Lao Zhang, quite well?"

"Sending troops will not end well. It is not in your interest, nor is it in the interest of Manchuria."

"Oh...then according to your opinion, what should I do?"

"It's very simple. We should be like General Cai, declare independence, close the border and govern ourselves."

"Is this the same?" Zhang Laogao put down his tea cup and his eyes became cunning.

Consul Yata knew that the nature of the period was completely different, but he still said firmly: "Of course it is the same." Zhang Laogao waved his hand and said: "Oops! Mr. Yata, you have found the wrong person. I am the twenty-seventh division. Commander, I am not the only one who has the final say outside the customs, so how can I be qualified to declare independence?"

Consul Yata smiled knowingly, but said: "Mr. Zhang, as long as you agree, the empire's support is your qualification."

"How can I support it with my mouth? The president has given me a batch of arms after all!"

"Mr. Zhang, as long as you agree to autonomy, we will find a way to bring the Qing Emperor to Fengtian for restoration, and then issue an invitation in his name. The imperial army can legitimately enter Manchuria and help you dominate the Northeast."

"Oh, use your army to help me dominate the Northeast, and then put an emperor on my head?"

"This is just a preliminary idea. We can further discuss the specific implementation plan. If you are worried about us sending troops, we can also support you in other ways, such as arms, instructors, loans, etc."

Zhang Laoda suddenly laughed.

He discovered that the Japanese did not really understand him, and seemed unable to understand the deep-rooted obsession and ambition of a native and reckless warlord in his pursuit of the Central Plains.

"Mr. Yata, what you said is quite good, but the question is, are you good at what you say? I have heard that the Qin Wangjun of the Zongshe Party also has the support of you Japanese people. I can't even sit in my position. How can I follow Are you sure?"

"Commander Zhang, don't worry. Our embassy and Deputy Minister Tanaka are working in the cabinet, trying every means to stop the plan to assist King Qin's army."

Zhang Laogao quickly stood up, held the other party's hand, and said: "Oh, that's great! Thank you for your help!"

"You're welcome. So - what do you think of the proposal I just made?"

"Proposal? What proposal?"

……

On the other side, Jiang Lian returned to his home in the north of the city in a hurry.

As soon as he entered the room, he immediately called the three wind outlets in the southeast and west to the living room.

"Dongfeng, do you know who the current president of the Fengtian Chamber of Commerce is? Yes, it's Shopkeeper Liu from the dyeing shop. Go and inform him. He is not allowed to issue any announcements in the name of the president of the Chamber of Commerce until the Jiang family makes a sound."

Zhang Zhengdong nodded and said nothing else.

Jiang Lian turned his head and continued to give instructions: "Nanfeng, take some money and go to the major newspapers in Fengtian immediately and ask them to reserve a few pages in the next few days."

"Do you need the "Shengjing Times" run by the Japanese?" Wang Zhengnan asked.

"Use it! As long as it's a newspaper, just look for it." Jiang Lian turned his head and continued, "Xifeng, go get Chuang Hu and Trumpet Mouth for me."

"Talking mouth?" Li Zhengxi was a little surprised. It had been a long time since he asked this boy for help.

"You heard me right, he is the one we are looking for!" Jiang Lianheng said, "After you find these two, you can contact our subordinates and ask them to gather the workers. After the New Year is over, I Use them to cause trouble."

"I know, let's do it."

"By the way, Nanfeng." Jiang Lianheng suddenly remembered something, "The second young lady of the old Wei family in Tutai Village, if she has written a good article, and Liu Yansheng, he is also very literate, let them write it, if It’s better to have teachers in school.”

Wang Zhengnan frowned and asked, "Brother Dao, what are you writing?"

Jiang Lianheng thought for a while and said: "To throw dirty water, you can write anything, as long as it is about burying Duan Zhigui! Then write...'Punishing the culprits of the restoration and rebuilding the Republic of China'. Anyway, that's what it is. How about you?" Let’s see if that’s okay?”

The three of them gave a thumbs up.

"Brother, you are so righteous. You can't find fault anywhere!"

Jiang Lianheng smiled and said: "First publish an article in the newspaper to warm up the situation, then lead the chamber of commerce and workers to cause trouble, and finally threaten Duan Zhigui."

Wang Zhengnan asked curiously: "Brother Dao, what do you mean, does Zhang Laoge want to oust him from power?"

"Not only is it important to get him to step down, but the most important thing is to distract Zhang from the infamy of supporting the president's proclaiming himself emperor."

"Brother Dao, but... if Na Min and the others find out that we are helping Zhang Lao Da, won't they be unhappy?" Wang Zhengnan asked with some concern.

Li Zhengxi snorted coldly: "Do they like it or not? What else can they do if they don't like it? Are they going to fight with us in Fengtianhuo?"

"No, no, no, that's not what I meant." Wang Zhengnan explained, "The key is, it's easy to dodge overt guns, but hard to guard against hidden arrows. We don't know what Master Rong's plan is yet!"

"Second brother, you just think too much. Think twice before giving up."

"How can you say this is cowardice? Be careful and sail the ship for thousands of years!"

"Okay, okay, stop arguing." Jiang Lianheng interrupted the argument between the two, "The Zongshe Party has no chance, I have exposed all its roots, and Zhang Laoda is also in contact with the Japanese people. As I say It’s done!”

As he spoke, he took out his gilt pocket watch and played with it in his hand.

"Zhang Laogeda is determined to force the palace to seize power. This is his personal order. All government offices and military camps will cooperate with the action. Even if there is a falling out, it will be fine.

"As soon as this page turns, we are entering the era of 'serving others and governing others' outside the customs."

(End of this chapter)