Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 457 Confiscation of military power
Yuan Shikai's eyes widened, and he said angrily to Li Zhen: "Your Ministry of Finance is too unreasonable. On the one hand, you want me to guarantee the quality of the project, but on the other hand, you don't give me the full amount of money. It's hard for a smart woman to cook without rice. Such a large sum How can I, Yuan Shikai, raise the money, it is really unreasonable!"

Li Zhen has always been known for his uprightness, and he has never had a good impression of Yuan Shikai. Now that Yuan Shikai dared to yell in front of the emperor, he clearly did not take the emperor seriously, so he couldn't hold back any longer. He couldn't help but raise his eyebrows, pointing to Yuan Shikai and said: "Yuan Shikai, let's make it clear in front of the emperor, is it because the Ministry of Finance has given less money, or you have increased a lot of unnecessary expenses on your own initiative, could it be you Is it possible for the Ministry of Finance to guarantee the food, clothing, housing and transportation of the Governor’s Mansion in Singapore? I said that the imperial court’s money is sufficient, but you say it is not enough. I am afraid that some people have selfish intentions and acted on their own initiative. Whoever did it knows who it is. Chu. If I, Li Zhen, do something unconscionable, the emperor will push me out of the Meridian Gate and behead me right now!"

Yuan Shikai suddenly raised his head, and suddenly two cold lights shot out from his naked eyes, "Li Zhen, don't be fooled by your rumors in front of the emperor, you are blatantly slandering the ministers appointed by the imperial court. In the Governor's Mansion, every expense is clearly and clearly remembered, and you can send someone to check it at any time. If I, Yuan Shikai, have the slightest suspicion of fraud, I will end my account without the emperor's decree. life!"

The two second-rank officials of the current dynasty, the most important figures in the empire, are now quarreling in the court hall, and their faces are flushed, and the glazed tiles on the top are about to be lifted.

"Presumptuous!" Guan Xuqing yelled angrily in a low voice, and the two of them didn't dare to continue arguing. Guan Xuqing looked at Yuan Shikai, then at Li Zhen, and said, "Look at your current appearance, is there anything wrong with you?" What is the difference between the official appointment of the court officials and the shrews in the market, and how decent it is! Do you still take me seriously?"

When the two heard this, they quickly knelt down: "I am guilty."

Guan Xuqing calmed down and waved his hands, "Get up. We'll discuss the project payment later, and we have our own opinions. Today is the work report at the comfort booth, and with the joy of the Chinese New Year, it should be easier. Why make a noise here because of a trivial matter, disturbing the court."

"Cha. It is the emperor's instruction."

Guan Xuqing calmed down, and said to Yuan Shikai: "Weiting, Singapore was originally a British colony, but it was taken over by the empire. After the war, the people's livelihood and the economy there were poor, and more importantly, there were still many people who wanted to be British. I am at odds with the empire. At the beginning, I thought over and over again, looking for an official with a good reputation and courage to govern Singapore well, so I sent you there. Since you took office, you have been waiting for prosperity. It's really hard work to manage everything in an orderly manner, and it's worth all my painstaking efforts."

What the emperor said was very sympathetic, Yuan Shikai pretended to be grateful, and cupped his hands and said: "With the emperor's sympathy, I will not hesitate to do it even if I am so heartbroken."

Guan Xuqing saw Yuan Shikai's arrogance and domineering just now, and he felt a bit hostile in his heart. Now that he saw Yuan Shikai's arrogance and respect, he knew that he was good at acting, and it was even harder for him to expose it in person. On the surface, he still looked very appreciative, and continued Said: "I heard that since you took office, in order to maintain social order, you have also established a public security bureau and trained a security team to make the people live and work in peace and contentment. This is also a kind deed."

Yuan Shikai's heart skipped a beat, and the fat on his face twitched a few times. He thought that the establishment of a public security bureau was true, but it was just a cover. Since the establishment of the Public Security Bureau, it has been secretly recruiting members, patrolling during the day and conducting strict militarized training at night. In just two years, the Public Security Bureau has expanded to tens of thousands of people. The army is directly under the orders of Governor Yuan Shikai.Since Yuan Shikai came to Singapore, he has been divided with the imperial court. This man is very witty, but his biggest problem is that he is too suspicious. He is always worried that one day the emperor will kick him away as a stumbling block, so he vigorously cultivates his cronies. , Establish an army independent of the Ministry of War, once there is a change, it can be used by itself.The Public Security Bureau established at the beginning did not report to the imperial court at all. Yuan Shikai knew that the emperor would know about this matter sooner or later, but this bureau was made up for the reason of maintaining local public security. Turning one eye and closing one eye is equivalent to acquiescing.Unexpectedly, now that the emperor suddenly mentioned the matter of the Public Security Bureau, Yuan Shikai was guilty of being a thief, so naturally he was a little worried.

Yuan Shikai paused for a moment and said, "Your Majesty has praised you. Since the establishment of the Public Security Bureau, the local social order has indeed been greatly improved. This is all thanks to the cooperation of the Emperor's blessing and the people of Singapore."

Guan Xuqing also said: "This is one of them. In addition, Singapore's trade development in recent years is also very gratifying. It has established a tax inspection station in the Strait of Malacca to conduct routine inspections and taxation of passing merchant ships. Its commercial value has also been unearthed, which is really a pioneering work.”

Yuan Shikai was shocked again, this time sweat began to drip from his forehead.Taxation departments in various places were under the direct jurisdiction of the Imperial Ministry of Finance, but Yuan Shikai was ambitious. Just in case, he set up an inspection station at the mouth of the Strait of Malacca, a golden waterway, and collected taxes from passing domestic and foreign merchant ships privately. The matter was not reported to the imperial court, so all the taxes collected were filled into Yuan Shikai's personal pockets. Yuan Shikai's more important purpose was to think that if the imperial court dared to move him in the future, he would immediately turn these inspection stations into military control stations. , Blocking the entrance and exit of the Strait of Malacca, in order to gain political capital for himself to bargain with the imperial court.

Yuan Shikai thought that this matter was kept secret, but he did not expect that the emperor already knew about the inspection station. I wonder if the emperor has seen his deeper intentions?The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. Even though he had always been very deep in the capital, it was difficult for him to control his mind in front of this insightful emperor. After a while, his face was covered with oily sweat. "My Majesty, this matter is out of consideration for Singapore's education. With this tax, I have vigorously built schools and hired teachers. Today, the local enrollment rate in Singapore has changed from less than 3% three years ago. 9, it has grown to [-]% now, I think this can be regarded as a blessing for the people of Singapore on behalf of the emperor. I don't know what the emperor wants?"

"Haha, well, it takes ten years to grow trees, and a hundred years to cultivate people. Establishing education is really a good thing for the country and the people, but it is difficult to prosper due to funding problems. Your move to comfort the pavilion can be said to set an example for officials everywhere."

The more the emperor praised him so much, the more uncomfortable Yuan Shikai felt, as if the emperor's words had hidden wit.Yuan Shikai said a few more words of modesty, feeling more and more uncomfortable.

"Wei Ting, I heard that you have been vigorously attracting American businessmen recently, are you planning to negotiate a big deal?"

It doesn't matter if you say this sentence, Yuan Shikai shivered all over his body, and his hands and feet became cold all at once.Could it be that the emperor already knew about his secret arms deal with DuPont?This is the crime of ransacking the house and destroying the family.But Yuan Shikai is worthy of being an old stick in the officialdom. Without knowing how much the emperor really knows, he must not show his feet first, so he coughed dryly and calmed down, and then said: "The emperor sees Wanli, I heard that Americans are experts in finance, so I have been in contact with American bankers recently, and I want to introduce several large foreign banking companies to develop financial business in Singapore, which will also help promote the development of Singapore's trade .”

Guan Xuqing nodded and said: "Yes, this idea is very good. I also intend to build Singapore into a region with developed finance and trade in the future. I will issue an order to the Imperial Investment Bank to inject capital into Singapore and contact foreign banks. Leave it to the investment banker."

Yuan Shikai secretly wiped the cold sweat off his brow, his heart pounding, not knowing what shocking words the emperor would say.

After a while, Guan Xuqing said, "Weiting, there is something I want to hear from you first."

"When the emperor inquired, the subject naturally knew everything."

"Since Singapore has established a public security bureau, it is enough for them to guarantee social security. The Singapore garrison is mainly responsible for defense. Therefore, I plan to hand over Singapore's army and navy directly to the Ministry of War and Navy. Singapore will calm down. Concentrate on doing local administrative affairs well for me. In this way, you can save a lot of labor in comforting the pavilion. Otherwise, if you are exhausted, who will I rely on? What do you think?" Guan Xuqing asked Said the tone.

Seize power?Deprive yourself of military power?This idea immediately came to Yuan Shikai's mind, what a powerful emperor!On the surface, he is calm, he can't stop praising himself, and his attitude is extremely kind, but there is a blade hidden in every sentence, which makes people hard to guard against. Up to now, he clearly wants to seize military power, but he keeps saying that he wants to let himself It's less labor, and it's better to listen than to be able to sing.What should I do?refute?That will inevitably lead to the emperor's suspicion. From the conversation just now, it can be seen that the emperor has doubts about himself, and the last question may be to test his own reaction. Up to now, he has no choice but to follow the emperor's opinion. The meaning is coming.

After thinking about it, Yuan Shikai bowed and said: "The emperor is a benevolent king, and I will never forget my compassion for my ministers. As long as the emperor gives an order, I will naturally obey everything."

"Okay, since Wei Ting can relieve my worries, I'm naturally happy, so let's do as I said just now."

"twitter."

Guan Xuqing made an exception, stepped down from the throne and came in front of Yuan Shikai, saying, "Wei Ting, I have always valued you very much. After returning to Singapore, you will continue to work hard. At this time next year, I am looking forward to hearing good news from you."

"The minister obeys the order."

(End of this chapter)