The telegram that Yuan Shikai passed on to the crowd was important and important, but it was not important or important, because it was a telegram from the Sichuan Military Government requesting the central government in Beijing to order the Western Expedition to quell the chaos. ∑

It is said that it is not important, because the affairs of the Sichuan border areas have no impact on the overall situation of the whole country, especially on the Beiyang Group. Moreover, this so-called telegram requesting orders is just an official article, and the Sichuan side is not really asking the central government for orders, and the army of the western expedition to quell the rebellion may have already been dispatched.

It is important because everyone knows that behind the Tibetan rebellion there are British people who are agitating and plotting, and the English are the most important foreign forces supporting Yuan Shikai and the Beiyang group. Once the Sichuan army's westward conquest angered the English, it is difficult to say what serious consequences it would cause.

After everyone read the message, Yuan Shikai said: "Let's talk about it, how should we deal with this matter, and set a few strategies, so as not to rush when the matter is coming." After speaking, his eyes first turned to Yang Du and Yang Shiqi.

Seeing Yuan Shikai's gaze, Yang Shiqi was the first to speak: "President, no matter how the Sichuan army fights, the central government can't give them this name of war." If this authorization to start a war is granted, it will be tantamount to the central government taking the matter of the western expedition to quell the chaos on its back. If the Western Expedition to quell the rebellion finally angered the English, I am afraid that the first person they will look for is not the Sichuan army, but us, and then there will be a big trouble. ”

Hearing such cowering remarks, Feng Guozhang, who has always had a strong sense of national self-esteem, immediately objected loudly: "I don't agree with what Xingcun said!" Since the president is already the president of the Republic of China and has all the political powers, if he can't even protect the country's territory, how can you convince the people of the whole country to the president? According to me, it is necessary not only to authorize the Sichuan army to quell the rebellion, but also to give a certain amount of support, so as to establish the authority of the central government! ”

These words were very much in line with Yuan Shikai's appetite, and he nodded appreciatively. People in high positions naturally have to be generous and responsible.

Yang Shiqi sneered: "The most dissatisfied with the small people in the market is to say a few gossips on their lips, but if they anger the English, it will endanger our entire Beiyang group." Let's not talk about anything else, let's just talk about the aftermath of the big loan, can it be done without the support of the English people? ”

When it comes to the aftermath of the big loan, everyone seems to have been poured cold water on their heads. Yes, if you want to make a big loan for the aftermath, the attitude of the English people is crucial.

Yuan Shikai couldn't help but show a hint of surprise in his expression, the aftermath of the big loan is related to the success or failure of his series of important plans. If he fails to make a big loan for the aftermath, where will he have the money to dismiss the troops in the south, and where will he have the money to expand the Beiyang Army and rectify the ruling institutions in Beijing. Moreover, the repayment of the accumulated foreign debts and indemnities left over from the Qing government, as well as the fulfillment of the preferential conditions for the abdicated Qing royal family, which does not require a large amount of silver?

Feng Guozhang asked angrily: "Is it just for the sake of the aftermath of the big loan, do we have to watch the English divide up our territory, what is the difference between this and betraying the country?" ”

"Hua Fu, this is too much, do you mean that the president betrayed the country?" Wang Shizhen said with a frown.

Yuan Shikai waved his hand to show that he didn't care, and said: "Huafu's words are not wrong, you have to pay attention to this, otherwise those party members in the south will definitely seize this point and lash out at me, the president, for betraying the country." ”

Duan Qirui couldn't help but complain: "This eldest son of Yin will really make trouble for us, this person is a curse or a blessing if he sits in the position of the overseer of Sichuan." ”

"What do you think, tell me?" Yuan Shikai asked Yang Du, who had been silent.

"President, I thought that this authorization order must be issued by the central government, and it must be as soon as possible, preferably before the Sichuan Army's western expeditionary troops are dispatched." Yang Du replied.

Yang Shiqi's face suddenly changed, and he said: "Son, have you thought clearly, if the English turn their faces because of this, how will we deal with it?" ”

Yang Du smiled slightly: "This is easy to do, if the English are angry and let Minister Zhu come over to protest, we will immediately find an excuse in the name of the central government to order the western expeditionary troops of the Sichuan army to stop military operations." As for whether the Sichuan army is willing to cease fighting, we can't decide. As long as the posture is lowered, it is explained that this matter is the Sichuan army's own initiative, and I think that the English people will not turn against us because of this matter. ”

"Good!" Yuan Shikai was overjoyed and said with a smile, "It's still a good idea." We will not be attacked by the Kuomintang in general righteousness, and we will not be able to attack the English people, so we will do it. ”

"President, I think it's better to find a chance to clean up this eldest son Yin, otherwise he may cause some trouble next time." Duan Qirui suggested.

Yuan Shikai muttered: "This is not in a hurry, now that the Sichuan army is fighting fiercely, it turns out that Hu Jingyi, the co-commander of the Guangxi Army, sent someone to send me a secret letter, which is quite a refuge." The Sichuan army is not worried, and let Hu Jingyi and Yin Changheng fight and lose both, and we will send people into Sichuan to clean up the situation. ”

Most people echoed and agreed, and the turtle army like the Sichuan Army really didn't put it in the eyes of these Beiyang generals.

At this time, Yang Du reminded: "President, I heard that there is a revolutionary army in southern Sichuan, and its strength is extraordinary. In just a few months, it rose from the southern Sichuan region, and a few months ago captured Chongqing, an important city in Sichuan. ”

Duan Qirui laughed and said disdainfully: "Yezi, you're not joking, are you?" As for those turtles in the Sichuan army, their strength is extraordinary? I've heard that many units of the Sichuan Army can't even get a gun, and even if they do, they're all old sleeves and other garbage. Is such a team wearing straw sandals and carrying broadswords and spears also considered an army? Oh no, one or two hundred years ago, such a Sichuan army must have been considered an elite and strong army! ”

"Haha......"

The Beiyang generals present all laughed, and in their opinion, as the strongest army in China, the turtle Sichuan army nested in a poor countryside like Sichuan was indeed a joke.

Only Yang Du faintly felt that something was wrong, although it might just be a rumor, but he had heard some businessmen who traveled from south to north say that the strength of the Southern Sichuan Revolutionary Army was extraordinary, and it also had a powerful artillery unit. It's a pity that the place in Sichuan is too remote and closed, and the news is seriously lagging behind, and no one in Beiyang pays attention to the Sichuan army, so it may be difficult to figure out the specific situation.

Yuan Shikai also smiled at this time, and did not take the Sichuan army in his eyes, and said: "Okay, this is the end of the matter in Sichuan, and the matter of disbanding the southern army and the national election will be discussed next." ”

……

At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Zhao Erfeng implemented the practice of "changing the land and returning to the stream", which endangered the rule of the Tibetan upper class serf owners in Tibet and Kham area. These serf owners and aristocrats, under the instructions of the pro-British forces in Tibet, launched an armed rebellion in May 1912, taking advantage of the inability of the Republic of China to look westward. The invading Tibetan army attacked the city and plundered the land, cutting off the communication between Sichuan and Tibet, and within two months, many prefectures and counties in Kham fell into the hands of the rebels. Batang and Qamdu were besieged, and Chaya, Jiangka, Xiangcheng, Daocheng, and Litang fell one after another, and the estuary was in danger.

In June 1912, the central government in Beijing officially appointed Yin Changheng as the commander-in-chief of the Western Expeditionary Army, and led the Sichuan army into Tibet to quell the rebellion.

The purpose of the Sichuan army's entry into Tibet to quell the rebellion was to defend the integrity of the country's territory and sovereignty, so people from all walks of life in Sichuan gave full support. Many people in Chengdu crowded around the Wuhou Temple early in the morning, just to see off the troops of the Western Expedition.

Yin Changheng, dressed in military uniform, rode a war horse and led the energetic Western Expeditionary Troops, and slowly left Chengdu and rushed to the Xikang Theater under the welcome of Chengdu citizens.

After watching Yin Changheng lead the Western Expedition troops to leave, Hu Jingyi, who was in charge of staying behind in the Sichuan Military Government, breathed a sigh of relief, and then the corners of his mouth couldn't help but show a smile of excitement.

The person standing behind Hu Jingyi couldn't help but ask in a low voice at this time, "Legion Commander, since the Overseers have left, are we going to start the operation as planned?" ”

If Wang Mo was present at this time, he would recognize this person as Lu Feng's old friend. Not only Lu Feng, but also his father Lu Yongqiang was also standing behind Hu Jingyi at this time, obviously the father and son of the Lu family had taken refuge in Hu Jingyi.

Hu Jingyi looked at Lu Feng, who was a little impatient, and said lightly: "What are you anxious about, young man, you must know that you can't eat hot tofu if you are in a hurry." ”

Lu Yongqiang immediately stepped forward and said: "Forgive me, the commander of the legion, the dog is young and ignorant, and it is inevitable that he will be a little impetuous. ”

"You have been fighting with the father and son of the Wang family for so long, but you have been defeated repeatedly, haven't you found the reason? Wang Mo's kid is also young, but now he is sitting on one side, and he has pulled up a strong army of a division, so learn more from him. Hu Jingyi said, if it weren't for the fact that Lu Yongqiang had been the ruler of the salt patrol battalion in the former Qing Dynasty, and he had so many connections, he would never have taken in the Lu family's father and son.

Lu Feng was so aggrieved when he heard this, his face turned red with anger, and he lowered his head and kept silent.

Different from Lu Feng's youthful vigor, Lu Yongqiang, the old fox, naturally knew when to bow his head, and hurriedly said: "What the legion commander said, we must do our best to reflect and work hard to serve the legion leader." ”

"Well, I don't need to say anything more." Hu Jingyi waved his hand and said, "Do you have any other officers and generals you know in the various units in Chengdu, and you have been in contact with them a lot recently." If you don't have money, you can find my fulcrum, don't be stingy with money. ”

Whether the Lu family can turn over or not depends on Hu Jingyi, Lu Yongqiang naturally didn't dare to slack off in the slightest, and hurriedly said: "Rest assured, when the regiment commander was in charge of the salt patrol battalion in the former Qing Dynasty, he had a lot of connections with many leading uncles of Brother Pao, and there is absolutely no problem in contacting the officers and generals of various units through the relationship of Brother Pao!" ”

Hu Jingyi nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, as long as I win the support of all troops and help me seize the position of overseer, I will never forget the merits of your Lu family." It is not a problem to arrange a battalion commander and regiment commander for Lu Feng, I will do what I say! ”

"Then I'll thank the Legion Commander for the dog, oh no, it's the Overseer!" Lu Yongqiang bowed in thanks, and at the same time did not forget to put the Overseer's hat on Hu Jingyi's head.