Fengxian Jiangshan

Since the death of Lao Yuan, Beiyang has been completely torn apart. The open and secret struggle between President Li Yuanhong and Prime Minister Duan Qirui has become more and more obvious. Especially around the issue of participating in the war, the contradictions between the two sides are very sharp. Pai, especially Lao Zhang, who defeated the Russians and was in the limelight, was the top priority.

In exchange for Lao Zhang’s support, Xu Shuzheng had no choice but to offer an olive branch: “Soldiers are also members of the country, and they should express their views on politics. Yu Shuai took back the Middle East Road, which is a rare feat since the Republic of China. Participating in the war has nothing to do with it.” The prime minister urgently needs Yushuai's understanding, and the three northeastern provinces have great responsibilities for border defense, and they also need to increase their military strength, so we both should work together."

Xu Shuzheng couldn't understand what he said. As long as Lao Zhang can support Duan Qirui, Lao Duan will allow Fengjun to expand its armaments. Being able to justify the name, there are still many benefits.

The leaders of the Feng army were also thinking about it, and Zhang Jinghui also asked: "Secretary General, after joining the war, does China need to send troops? ?”

Zhang Jinghui is usually confused, but at this time the problem is indeed very important, and it is what the big guys are concerned about. In fact, the big guy will never agree to the fact of cutting down the feudal clan.

"The Prime Minister has already negotiated with the big powers. China does not need to send troops to participate in the war. It only needs to send some laborers. It will get the status of a victorious country without firing a single shot. This is a very cost-effective thing."

"Secretary-General Xu. Since there is no need to send troops, I don't think there is any need to participate in the war with great fanfare." Zhang Tinglan said with a smile from the side: "Germany is a powerful country in the European continent. Even if they are defeated, their science and technology are still leading in Europe. It is also very influential in the world, and we don’t have to offend the Germans. Therefore, I suggest that the provinces jointly form a labor export company, and we will provide as much labor as the big powers need, so that we can have the best of both worlds, what do you think of this idea?”

Zhang Tinglan's words came out of his mouth.Lao Zhang knew the elegant meaning from listening to the string song, and immediately said with a smile: "Zhuoyan's suggestion is very safe. It is really unwise to offend Germany. I think it's better not to declare war!"

How shrewd is Lao Zhang, after Zhang Tinglan finished speaking.There was a strange look in Xu Shuzheng's eyes, and Lao Zhang quickly caught it.My mind became clear in an instant.Lao Duan is still planning to use the opportunity of participating in the war to expand his armaments. In fact, the reason is obvious, there is no benefit, and Lao Duan will rush to join the war.

Feng Jun is now a party of princes, of course he doesn't want Lao Duan to become bigger, so Zhang Zuolin deliberately followed Zhang Tinglan's words.It is to force Xu Shuzheng to the corner.

Xu Shuzheng's expression changed when he heard this. After pondering for a while, he said, "Shuai Yu. There is still a big difference between participating in the war and not participating in the war. After the declaration of war, we will be an upright victorious country, able to recover the lost sovereignty, and There are too many advantages in abolishing treaties and restrictions, which will be lost if you don't go to war."

"Secretary-General Xu has the best opinion. If the country's sovereignty can be regained, participating in the war is also a good thing." Zhang Tinglan continued: "Then I don't know how the negotiations with the big powers are going, whether an agreement has been signed, and what privileges they plan to use in exchange for our participation in the war." Is it the tariff, or the concession, the railway, or the garrison? If the South-Manchuria Railway can really be taken back, I think all Fengjun soldiers will be willing to obey the Prime Minister’s orders. !"

What Zhang Tinglan said was awe-inspiring. Zhang Zuolin also mentioned similar things last time. The matter of taking back sovereignty must be implemented in the treaty. Otherwise, empty words will be meaningless.

This point hit Xu Shuzheng's life again. The theory of taking back sovereignty was just Beiyang's wishful thinking. Britain, France and other countries did not agree at all. Xiao Xu's heart was also churning. Other warlords are all invincible.

As soon as the big guy heard that he could take back his sovereignty without sending his own troops, he nodded without hesitation. The governors of the northern provinces even formed a regiment of governors to wave the flag for Lao Duan.But when he got to Fengtian, the loophole was firmly grasped, and Lao Zhang was not fooled at all.

Xiao Xu seemed a little passive, and Yang Yuting on the side suddenly smiled and said: "Marshal, you have just arrived in Fengtian, let's clean up the dust first, and talk about big things tomorrow!"

Both Yang Yuting and Xu Shuzheng were students of the Japanese Non-commissioned Officer Academy, and they could be regarded as classmates. One of the two was reused by the Prime Minister, and the other was trusted by the Northeast King. Instead of talking about official business, he threw a big banquet to entertain Xu Shuzheng.

After the banquet was over, Yang Yuting took the initiative to find Zhang Tinglan, and said coldly as soon as they met: "Zhuoyan, I think participating in the war will benefit the country a lot. I don't understand why you are hostile to Youzheng?"

"Linge, you only know one thing and don't know the other, you haven't figured this out yet!"

Yang Yuting said with a puzzled face: "Humble words, Germany's defeat is a foregone conclusion. You also said this. Let's beat the dog in the water and pick up a bargain. Even if the tariffs cannot be recovered, at least Germany's privileges in China will be abolished. It is also equivalent to untying a shackle, no matter how I look at it, it is a good deal."

"Ling Ge, you only talked about the one shackle that was untied, but you didn't count the other chain that might be added."

As soon as Zhang Tinglan said this, Yang Yuting immediately frowned, and said, "Humble words, how do you say that?"

"Although Xiao Xu said that he would not send troops to participate in the war, I dare say that Lao Duan will definitely take the opportunity to expand his armaments. He may not dare to accept the power of the provinces, but it is inevitable to train another army."

Yang Yuting lowered his head and thought for a while, then nodded. As the saying goes, it's too early to get ahead if there is no profit. Duan Qirui is so eager to join the battle, probably because of this consideration.

"Zhuoyan, are you worried that Beiyang's expansion will threaten the interests of Fengjun, so you object to sending troops?" Yang Yuting said: "Although I am from Fengjun, I still think about the good of this country in my heart. Now is a great opportunity from God, don’t let it go!”

Yang Yuting's words are actually a bit out of line. He is obviously accusing Zhang Tinglan of disregarding the interests of the country for the sake of serving the army's self-interest. won't say that.

"Lingge, you misunderstood me. I'm not so petty, especially in the face of national interests, and I won't be confused, but there is one thing that you need to think about. The old Duan wants to expand the armament. Did it come out of thin air? Why did he get it?"

Zhang Tinglan's continuous rhetorical questions made Yang Yuting feel shocked, and his mind opened up instantly, and he also understood Zhang Tinglan's concerns.Since the expansion of the army requires weapons and military salaries, and the introduction of foreign instructors, the cost of funds is quite staggering, so how to get funds?

The Beiyang government must not be able to get it out, so it can only borrow from the big powers. Thinking about the loans since the late Qing Dynasty, what else Yang Yuting can't figure out, it must be exchanged for more economic and military interests.

When Xu Shuzheng lobbied Fengjun, he only said that he could take back his sovereignty, but he didn't say how much sovereignty he would lose as a result. The balance between the two is worth it.

"Niger, at first it was the United States who encouraged Beiyang to join the war. Obviously, the Americans also saw this move. As long as they encouraged Beiyang to join the war, they could use the two chains of loans and armaments to lock Beiyang. As a result, the Japanese also saw this move. , They turned to support Beiyang. At this time, the Americans broke their words and opposed China's participation in the war. How many small calculations are behind this, Lin Ge, haven't you figured it out yet?"

Yang Yuting only woke up now like a dream. He only saw one step, while Zhang Tinglan had already seen three or five steps away. The question of joining the battle was indeed not that simple.The Japanese are instigating behind the scenes, and the little devil has always set his sights on the three eastern provinces. Will Lao Duan sell the interests of the three eastern provinces in exchange for Japan's support!

Now it seems that Fengjun is not disregarding national sovereignty for his own self-interest, but that Lao Duan may betray the three eastern provinces for his own benefit.

The historical facts are also true. The funds for Duan Qirui’s training of the participating troops were obtained by selling the railways and mines in the Northeast. It was the famous Nishihara loan in history, which paved the way for the Japanese to further get involved in the three eastern provinces. It can be described as a disaster. .

Relying on Zhang Tinglan's little understanding of history, coupled with the facts of the current understanding, after explaining the truth to Yang Yuting, Yang Yuting also woke up like a dream, and only then did he understand the hidden crisis.

He originally cared about his classmate friendship with Xu Shuzheng, and wanted to help Xu Shuzheng speak, but now he saw that it was a pit of fire. Yang Yuting stood up and saluted Zhang Tinglan respectfully.

"Zhuoyan, if you hadn't woken up, I would have made a mistake!" Yang Yuting said, "According to Zhuoyan, we are going to oppose joining the war?"

Zhang Tinglan shook his head again, and said with a smile: "With the current strength of Fengjun, we should pursue our own line, and we don't have to follow Beiyang and act as a follower. If Fengjun doesn't come out to oppose, it is the greatest support for Lao Duan , it is worth the price he paid, otherwise our army will go south directly to support Li Yuanhong, then Bodhisattva Li will have the title of President and the support of the military, so we will not be afraid of the old man!"

There was a sneer on Zhang Tinglan's face: "Ning Ge, you leak the news to your old classmates. Lao Duan must recognize the border guards, and at the same time agree to expand the two divisions of the Fengjun Army. The Fengjun Army will remain neutral and fight as much as they want. , otherwise we have the ability to bring down the old Duan." (To be continued...)