Super dictator.

On May 5, newspapers of all sizes in Tianjin published two events. One was that China and Japan exchanged treaties in Yantai, announcing that the Shimonoseki Treaty had officially come into effect, and Taiwan, the Liaodong Peninsula and other territories were separated from China. www

Another thing is that Wei Jichen, a well-known anti-Japanese general, was refused to eat in a British restaurant. These two things were published in the same page of some newspapers at the same time.

Countless people with lofty ideals saw this news and were all very sad and indignant. They mourned the misfortune of the country, mourned the weakness of the nation, and lamented the dire situation.

The relationship between China and Japan has undergone fundamental changes since history. Japan dominated the East for the first time, and the Chinese gradually became the sick man of Asia.

In the capital, Kang Youwei heard the news of the final renewal of the contract, and united many scholars, Shang Guangxu, saying that China has reached the point of life and death, and the time must be changed to become stronger. The absolute monarchy is a constitutional monarchy, learning from Japan, and carrying out top-down reforms.

Kang Youwei's several appearances moved Guangxu greatly, and the imperial court opposed the treaty memorial like a snow mountain.

Guangxu issued an imperial edict in time, declaring that he would train troops to strengthen the country. Since the Sino-Japanese War of [-]-[-], some forces in the court had gathered around him, and Guangxu had become more and more assertive. The relationship with Cixi was inevitable. There was a rift in that, something that had never happened before.

However, the entire imperial court was forced by public opinion due to the land cut and compensation. On the one hand, it promoted Li Hongzhang as a scapegoat, and on the other hand, it had to make some changes.

In this way, the training of a new type of army began to be carried out amidst more and more voices.

Yuan Shikai's new army is just one of them, and this army is all newly recruited recruits, and it doesn't have much combat effectiveness.

In addition, the Supervising Military Affairs Office is determined to train three more recruits, stationed in Tianjin, Shanhaiguan, and Liaodong.

Under the imperial court's signal, Li Hongzhang and Wang Wenshao requested to disband the more than [-] battalions of Hunan and Huai troops assembled inside and outside Shanhaiguan, and to select elites to retrain them into several Western-style troops.

The candidates for military training were initially determined to be Nie Shicheng and Song Qing, and the last place was not yet determined. In fact, Guangxu was very fond of Wei Jichen.

But when he went to the Summer Palace to pay his respects that day, he talked about this matter with Cixi. Cixi neither agreed nor objected. He just asked Guangxu to order Wei Jichen to come to Beijing immediately for an audience, and then make a decision later.

But at this time, Wei Jichen was throwing a big banquet at home.

On that day, guests gathered, there was a din of voices, and it was a lively scene.

The banquet was held from the inside of the courtyard to the road outside the door. There were about forty or fifty people coming to the banquet, and everyone in the village was invited.

After a burst of music and gunfire, the banquet officially began.

Wei Jichen and Su Zhiniang stood at the very center of the banquet, Su Zhiniang bowed her head in embarrassment and did not speak, it was because Wei Jichen invited all the villagers to the banquet on the grounds of an engagement banquet this time.

The engagement banquet was supposed to be very complicated, but because of the death of both Wei Jichen and Su Zhiniang's parents, the procedure became much simpler. It was hosted by the respected people in the village, and many villagers came to help, and Wang Huaiqing and other personal soldiers also assisted. , so that the whole scene will not be chaotic.

Even so, Wei Jichen was too busy.

At this time, seeing that the banquet had officially started and the matter was half over, Wei Jichen couldn't help but secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

"All my uncles and folks, I am very grateful that you are free to come to my Wei Jichen's engagement banquet today. I hope that all your folks can come here and return happily." Wei Jichen clasped his fists gratefully to the surroundings and said loudly.

"It's our honor for the general to speak that way."

"That's right, that's right! Zhiniang has finally come out of her head, we are also happy to see it."

...

Everyone is from the village, and Su Zhiniang is kind and easy to get along with. At this time, everyone is happy for her and teases the two of them.

The old gentleman also stood up, and said with a smile: "It is said that a wife of dross will not go to court, Zijie, now you and Zhiniang are engaged, and Zhiniang and we all watched and grew up together, but the daughters of the whole village , you should officially become a ceremony as soon as possible, so as to give birth to a big white and fat baby, so as to continue the incense of your Wei family."

Someone next to him booed: "Sir, what do you mean, the white fat baby can be conceived first, and the marriage can be left behind."

Su Zhiniang blushed immediately after hearing this.

The old man looked around for a week, trying to see who was making the fuss, but he was too dazed to find out, so he couldn't help reprimanding: "If that brat said it was inappropriate, the old man will scold him severely if he finds out."

Turning around, he said to Wei Jichen: "Zijie, don't believe their nonsense, there is no rush to have a baby, you have to do things first."

Seeing the old man's serious look, Wei Jichen didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he replied seriously, "Sir, what you said is true."

"Come on, let's offer a toast to General Wei." The head of the village took the lead and stood up, raising the wine glass in his hand, and shouted.

Everyone immediately stood up, raised their glasses of wine, and faced Wei Jichen.

Wei Jichen also took a large bowl of wine from Wang Huaiqing, respected all around, and just drank it down. Wei Jichen was so bold that he immediately won unanimous applause from everyone.

After drinking the opening wine, Wei Jichen still had a table to pay respects to, and the person sitting in the chair was a respected old man in the village.

A personal soldier waited on him personally, and Wei Jichen and Su Zhiniang walked over together. Naturally, these old people would not embarrass Wei Jichen too much. After drinking a glass of wine and saying something promising, they let Wei Jichen leave.

Wei Jichen knew that the booing should be on the seats of the younger generation. It is said that there is no size in three days of marriage. Wei Jichen's engagement banquet was held on a large scale, which was no different from a wedding banquet.

Wei Jichen gave a slight wink, and Wang Huaiqing secretly brought a jar of special 'water wine', that is, wine mixed with a lot of water, and then began to toast table by table.

Xiaohean Village is relatively popular in martial arts, and the men in the village know a few tricks, so they are a little too bold. Even if Wei Jichen used fake wine and made a toast all the way, he was half drunk.

Wei Jichen looked up and saw that he had only drunk a third of it, and he couldn't help but screamed in his heart.

When we came to a table again, Wei Jichen saw three men who looked alike at the table, and couldn't help but flip through the little scholar's memory. However, the little scholar used to be a dude, a typical nerd, and he only had a vague impression.

It seems to be three brothers, named Huo Yuandong, Huo Yuanjia, and Huo Yuanqing.

wait, who?Fearless.

Wei Jichen's dizzy head immediately became a little sober, Huo Yuanjia, didn't he?What a coincidence?Think about it, Jinmen hero Huo Yuanjia, needless to say, is from Tianjin. As for where Tianjin is, how can I remember it in such detail.

Could it be that Huo Yuanjia is really from the same hometown as himself.

Wei Jichen looked secretly, at first glance he knew it was a Lianjiazi, but when he took a closer look, he saw that the other party was staring at his child bride-in-law Su Zhiniang intentionally or unintentionally.

Su Zhiniang, who was beside her, seemed to be aware of his gaze, pinching the corners of her clothes with her two small hands, a little nervous.

This scene fell into Wei Jichen's eyes, and he couldn't help feeling suspicious, something was wrong, it was abnormal!

Huo Yuandong beside Huo Yuanjia kicked him hard and quietly, and said in a low voice: "Second brother!"

Huo Yuanjia woke up suddenly, and quickly lowered his head to cover up his gaffe.

"All folks, Zijie is being polite here. Thank you all folks for coming to the banquet. I would like to offer you a toast." Wei Jichen said with a smile and repeated the words dozens of times.

Everyone sitting at this table stood up, smiled and said some kind words in return, Wei Jichen watched Huo Yuanjia secretly, and saw that the boy's expression was indescribably complicated.

After Wei Jichen finished paying his respects, he walked to the next table calmly, and Su Zhiniang beside him suddenly said in a low voice, "Sir, there was a time when everyone thought you were killed in battle, and Big Brother Huo came to ask for a kiss."

"And this, why don't I know." Wei Jichen nodded slightly, feeling a little uncomfortable for some reason.

"Zhiniang just thinks that there is nothing to say about this matter. Zhiniang has long regarded herself as a member of the Wei family, and has never thought otherwise, so Zhiniang thinks it is not a big deal." Su Zhiniang was a little nervous Looking at Wei Jichen, he was afraid that the man would be angry.

Seeing Su Zhiniang like this, Wei Jichen secretly blamed himself for being too stingy, and gently squeezed Su Zhiniang's soft little hand, Wei Jichen said softly: "It's not a big deal, someone has a crush on Zhiniang, it means that our Zhiniang is very attractive .”

Being held by Wei Jichen's hand in front of everyone, Su Zhiniang couldn't help being ashamed and wanted to break free, but she never thought that Wei Jichen's grip was so tight, she just blushed and let him do whatever he wanted.

Wei Jichen loosened his belt, and was about to continue, when he saw a dozen or so carriages suddenly approaching on the main road, obviously coming towards him.

He couldn't help but stop, wondering who it would be, since Wei Jichen had never sent an invitation.

As expected, more than a dozen carriages stopped in front of Wei Jichen's house one by one, and the sudden movement made the villagers sitting at the banquet look over curiously.

Seeing this, Wei Jichen had no choice but to go up to meet him himself.

After the carriage stopped, the handlebar lifted the curtain respectfully, and an old man slowly stepped down from the first carriage.

Wei Jichen took a closer look. Isn't this old man with a cane exactly Li Hongzhang and Li Zhongtang?

After Li Hongzhang got out of the car, he paused with his cane, and then two servants stepped forward to support him.

"The honored guest is coming, and the flowers are shining. I didn't expect you, Zhongtang, to come here. I hope Zhongtang will forgive me for being rude." Wei Jichen hurriedly walked forward with a happy face.

Li Hongzhang first looked around, and seeing the bustle here, he couldn't help stroking his beard and smiling.

"Well, you're so handsome, you didn't send me an invitation card for the engagement, could it be that you don't take me seriously?" Li Hongzhang joked as he walked.

Wei Jichen secretly wiped off his cold sweat, stepped forward to hold Li Hongzhang's hands, and repeatedly begged for mercy: "The words of Zhongtang make the kid feel uneasy, I don't dare to disturb your old man, it's just an engagement banquet, I dare you to come to Zhongtang .”

Wei Jichen led Li Hongzhang into the room. Because the room was too small, there was no banquet, but it had already been arranged, and it was no longer the original simple appearance.

At least the chairs and tables are refreshed.

Li Hongzhang took the first seat calmly, glanced at Su Zhiniang who was following her step by step, and asked softly, "Is this your little daughter-in-law?"

Wei Jichen originally thought that Su Zhiniang would be a little panicked, and was about to speak on his behalf, but he never thought that Su Zhiniang would step forward and salute generously: "Little girl Zhiniang has seen Li Zhongtang."

Her clear voice and graceful movements made Wei Jichen amazed for a while. He never thought that Zhiniang, who was shy and shy in front of others, had such a side.