Travel through the Qing Dynasty and become emperor

Chapter 484 Imprisoning Duan Feng
Of course Yuan Shikai knew that Feng Guozhang was not exaggerating, and he clicked his tongue while reading it, "I have visited many collectors but could not find this painting. I didn't expect Guozhang to get it. It doesn’t take much effort. Guozhang, how much money did you spend on this painting, I will give you double.”

When Feng Guozhang heard this, his face became sullen and he said: "Mr. Yuan, you are too out of touch. No matter how much money you spend, it is Guozhang's respect to you. As long as you like it, Guozhang will appreciate it." Happy."

"Yes, yes, it's rare for you to show your kindness, so I will accept it, ha ha." Yuan Shikai ordered people to keep the four scrolls properly, and he was naturally happy for a while.

At this time, Duan Qirui also stood up, and said to Yuan Shikai: "Yuan Gong, since Feng Gong presented you with treasures, of course I, Duan Qirui, will not come empty-handed, come!" The two attendants brought by Qi Rui also brought in a brocade box. Yuan Shikai thought it was also a precious painting, but when he opened it, his eyes sparkled!
It turned out to be the original work of "Sage of Calligraphy" Wang Xizhi "Quick Snow and Sunny Post"

Duan Qirui shook his head and said: "Many people think that "Quick Snow and Sunshine Tie" is another masterpiece of running script next to his "Lanting Preface", the first running script in the world. Zhao Mengfu, Liu Geng, Hudu Daer , Liu Chengxi, Wang Zhideng, Wen Zhenheng, Wu Ting, Liang Shizheng and others expressed their admiration and admiration in their postscripts. Qianlong loved calligraphy all his life, and deliberately searched for famous calligraphy works of all dynasties. Get the essence. He cherishes the "Quick Snow and Sunshine Post" very much. Before the post, he wrote eight small characters of "Unparalleled in the world, ancient and modern" and four big characters of "Miraculous skills". The whole book is 28 characters, The words are pearls, known as the '28 Lizhu'. Qianlong hid this post, Wang Xun's "Boyuan Tie" and Wang Xianzhi's "Mid-Autumn Tie" in the Jin Dynasty in the West Nuan Pavilion of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The "Sanxi Hall" is regarded as a rare treasure. Wang Xizhi's "Quick Snow and Sunny Post" was regarded by Emperor Qianlong as the first of the Sanxi. Please look at Yuan Gong. , hooks, picks, waves, and casts do not reveal the sharpness, and the brushwork from horizontal to vertical is mostly round, with an even and stable structure, showing a calm and leisurely mood, neither rushing nor slowing down."

"A peerless post, a peerless post! There are many authentic handwritten works of Wang Xizhi's life, but only a handful of them remain in the world, and most of the rest are Tang Dynasty imitations. This fast snow and sunny post can be called The representative work of the sage of calligraphy, in some respects, even surpassed the world's first running script "Lanting Preface", and it is also recognized as the authentic work of Wang Xizhi in ancient and modern times. Haha." Yuan Shikai was very happy, and said to Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang: "But the two of you are like this. Yuan Mou is really ashamed for giving me such a precious item with such kindness."

Duan and Feng waved their hands and said: "No, Mr. Yuan is too modest. Since ancient times, swords are given to martyrs, and red powder is given to beauties. Mr. Yuan is a world-class hero. It is understandable that he should enjoy such gifts."

"If you say that, I, Yuan, will be greedy for ink, ha ha." Yuan Shikai immediately ordered people to hide these two treasures in a proper place and keep them strictly.

The three sat down and continued drinking.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Yuan Shikai said: "You two have come from a long way, and you will definitely stay in my house for a few days. If you don't enjoy yourself, no one can leave."

Duan Qirui said with a smile: "Wan Sheng has long wanted to see Yuan Gong, but Malaysia's affairs are complicated, so I'm afraid we can only go back quickly."

"No, you have to stay here for a few more days, or you don't pay attention to me, Yuan Shikai. I have prepared for you. Tan Xinpei, Yang Yuelou, Wang Guifen and other well-known bosses are all in my house. Tomorrow Let's go to the theater together, to tell you the truth, besides arty, my favorite is this Beijing rhyme. Haha"

The three drank for a while, Yuan Shikai changed the subject, and suddenly said in a serious manner: "Do you two know that a big event happened in the officialdom in Beijing a while ago?"

Duan Qirui frowned and said, "Is Mr. Yuan talking about Wang Zhixin?"

"good."

Feng Guozhang curled his lips and said, "Wang Zhixin deserves to die."

Both Yuan Shikai and Duan Qirui were taken aback when he said a word. Duan Qirui thought, this Feng Guozhang is good in everything, but sometimes he is too straightforward. The face of the public said such words, where is his face.

"What does Guozhang say?" Yuan Shikai smiled calmly. The reason why he brought up this matter was to see how Duan and Feng would react.

Feng Guozhang said: "Forgive me, Wang Zhixin is too presumptuous to be an official in the capital. I have heard that he bribed the officials in Beijing wantonly, and bullied the officials under him, making the officialdom in the capital a mess. And his son , I heard that the common people call him the South Batian of the capital, and there are no less than 20 murder cases in his hands alone, Wang Zhixin, this is his own death."

Yuan Shikai suppressed his smile, stared at Feng Guozhang and said in a deep voice: "Guozhang, but I think this matter should be looked at from both sides. For the case of Wang Zhixin, the emperor even punished more than 50 officials involved in the case in Beijing. Capital punishment, how is this method different from that of Qin Shihuang back then?"

Feng Guozhang and Duan Qirui's expressions changed immediately, and they seemed to have heard the meaning behind Yuan Shikai's words. Duan Qirui said calmly, "What does Mr. Yuan say? Could it be that you also have an opinion on the emperor?"

Yuan Shikai didn't answer the other party's words, but suddenly changed the subject and said: "At the end of the new year, I applied to the emperor in Beijing. The emperor once told me one thing. I wonder if you two heard about it?"

Duan and Feng asked with concern: "What's the matter?"

Yuan Shikai said slowly and deliberately: "The emperor thinks that the military power and political power of our three provinces in the South China Sea are confused, and he wants to issue a clear order to put the military power under the jurisdiction of the military command. From now on, we will be bare commanders without soldiers or generals." At that time, if the emperor wants to deal with us, wouldn't it be easy?"

The two of them already understood what Yuan Shikai meant when they heard this. He was clearly instigating the relationship between the monarch and his ministers. Feng Guozhang's temper was relatively irritable, and he couldn't hold back when he heard this: "Mr. Since the emperor wants to take back the military power, there must be his old man's consideration, as officials, we should obey the emperor's orders."

"Guozhang, even though that's the case, the emperor is obviously worried about us. There are so many provinces in Southeast Asia. Why do you want to take back the military power of our three provinces? Haven't you considered this?"

Duan Qirui was full of displeasure, and said to Yuan Shikai: "What does Mr. Yuan mean?"

Yuan Shikai sneered for a while and said: "As the saying goes, the emperor's life will not be accepted. If the emperor wants to take it back, can we let him take it back happily? Now the north is suffering from a flood that has never happened in a century, and the court is devastated by this matter. Where is it?" I don't care about discussing our affairs. In my opinion, we might as well unite the three provinces and seize the military power before the imperial edict is issued. Once we have mastered the military power, even the emperor will have to be afraid of us. Let us What the governor did is even more legitimate."

Duan Qirui frowned and said: "So, Yuan Gong and the current imperial court are already in the same situation?"

"It's just that fire and water are incompatible. I think this way not only for myself, Yuan Shikai, but also for you. Once we have the military power in our hands, we will be the emperors of one side. We can do whatever we want, even the emperor can't do anything about it." we."

Duan Qirui sneered and said: "I'm afraid you, Mr. Yuan, are doing it for yourself. Wang Zhixin is your confidant. You are naturally displeased when the emperor kills you. In addition, scandals like your arms reselling and opium smuggling have already spread all over the city." , His Majesty’s actions are mainly aimed at you, and I’m afraid he will treat you like Wang Zhixin.”

"That's right! I, Yuan Shikai, think so. I have worked so hard for the court for so many years, but in the end I will end up like Wang Zhixin. How can I be willing." Yuan Shikai said angrily.

Feng Guozhang jumped up against the case and said angrily: "Yuan Gong, I, Feng Guozhang, have always respected you and thought that you are the pillar of the country and the pillar of the court, but your current idea is clearly to rebel! I don't care about others, anyway, the emperor is kind to me It’s as heavy as a mountain, I don’t want to do this kind of thing, let alone dare to do it!”

Duan Qirui also got up abruptly, the veins on his neck bulging, and said: "I and Feng Gong have the same thoughts. Although you are kind to us, I can't do such a thing against the sky. Since So, I don't think there is any need for us to continue talking, Duan will leave first, and I hope Mr. Yuan will take care of himself!"

While talking, the two got up and were about to say goodbye.

Yuan Shikai suddenly turned his head up and laughed loudly, and then his face was covered with a cloud, and he said in a single word: "Duan Qirui, Feng Guozhang, thanks to me, Yuan, who valued you in every possible way at the beginning, I didn't expect that all of you have become popular now. Don't take me seriously anymore, I was blind at the beginning! Since you are not willing to do this, don't even think about leaving Singapore easily."

Duan and Feng said angrily together: "What do you want to do?"

"What are you doing? We haven't seen each other for so many years. It's so easy for you to come to my mansion. Whatever you say, I will do my best to entertain you as a landlord and ask you to stay in Singapore for a few more days." Yuan Shikai's words were exhausted. It is very clear that the two are to be put under house arrest.

"Yuan Shikai! You dare to imprison high officials of the country without permission. Do you really want to rebel?"

"Haha, you can't do it against others, and I, Yuan Shikai, just want to do it. Come here, arrest them, and wait for disposal!" Duan and Feng originally wanted to fight back with their guns, but they didn't expect the three young girls behind them to make such a move. Electricity knocked the two of them to the ground in twos and twos, and at the same time a large group of soldiers poured in from outside and tied the two of them together.

The two yelled: "Yuan Shikai, you dare to do such an unnatural thing, you will die! If the emperor finds out, he will definitely not let you go!"

Yuan Shikai said sadly: "Your Majesty? What can the Emperor do to me, Yuan Shikai? I've had enough of his manipulations. I don't think that if I go to Beijing in the future, I will be the emperor of the Chinese Empire." !"

(End of this chapter)