"It's too much again." Yang Shuoming smiled and said, "I stepped down from the position of border superintendent, in fact, to avoid Youzheng's worries. ”

Listening to Yang Shuoming's words, a trace of doubt flashed in Xu Shuzheng's eyes, and he looked at Yang Shuoming fixedly, waiting for his next step.

Yang Shuoming smiled, raised his wine glass and drank it all, Chen Eun, Zhang Zuolin and Fu Xiaoan also raised their glasses when they saw this, and drank it all.

"I know why you Zheng said that," Yang Shuoming said, "and under power, no one is safe, and I stepped down from the position of border inspector and removed this post in order to prevent the emergence of such power that may endanger the safety of each and every one of us." ”

Xu Shuzheng listened to Yang Shuoming's words, his expression couldn't help but flutter, and his eyebrows also rose.

Chen Yan noticed the change in Xu Shuzheng's expression, and couldn't help but smile slightly, while Zhang Zuolin and Fu Xiaoan's faces were the same as Xu Shuzheng's, showing a look of concentration.

"If it is still the same as before, you sing and I appear, and everyone fights to the death around the supreme power, then officialdom and society will always be a gladiatorial arena full of gangs and kings and losers. Because in such a situation, no one can always guarantee that they are strong. ”

"Isn't there a saying in the rivers and lakes, 'If you come out to mix, you will have to pay it back sooner or later'." Zhang Zuolin added with a smile, "Although the words are a little rough, it is true." ”

"What Brother Yuting said is good, this sentence applies to everyone. What deserves sympathy is that our nation, each and every one of us, from the president to the common people, has still not been able to get out of this vicious circle. Yang Shuoming said, "And what I want to do is to break this strange circle." ”

"Even national leaders need the rule of law to have a safe social environment, let alone ordinary people. It is a pity that most of the period in our country is a typical era of violence in which the strong are not governed and the strong are king. In this, no one will really feel safe, and the person who brings someone down today is likely to be brought down by someone else tomorrow. Whoever it is will fall victim to this chaotic system. ”

"And change the rules of social operation, so that social competition is carried out in the order of good surnames, laws, and norms, so that society can change from a gladiatorial arena to a national society, and the people living in this society are safe. This is not actually a mysterious theory, but the people who have the right to make laws or social rules are either unwilling to give up because they are enjoying the taste of power, or they are limited by the habit of acquiring power, maintaining power, and competing for greater power, and the needs of their own survival and development, and cannot see or cannot jump out of the rules that exist in them to make overall changes. ”

"And I'm the first person willing to make such a change."

Yang Shuoming glanced at everyone, and finally his eyes fell on Xu Shuzheng.

"I want to know if Brother Zheng is willing to be a rule-changer like all of us."

Hearing Yang Shuoming's last words, Xu Shuzheng's body shook slightly, he looked at Yang Shuoming and nodded slowly.

"Of course I do." Maybe it was because he was in a hurry to drink, Xu Shuzheng's voice sounded a little hoarse, "You came today just to talk to me about this, right?" ”

"Yes." Yang Shuoming nodded, "Because we don't have much time now." ”

"Running out of time? Why does Hanzhi say that? Xu Shuzheng asked.

"We in China, from now on, have less than 20 years of development at most." Yang Shuoming said, "Don't look at our China territory is unprecedentedly vast, and the country is also thriving, but when we are the strongest, it is also the most dangerous time. ”

"When it's the strongest, it's also the most dangerous?" Xu Shuzheng asked puzzled.

"That's right! Now, despite the fact that our country has defeated the Japanese and occupied a large area of Central Siberia, the external troubles have been greatly reduced, but in fact, the surrounding environment of our country has deteriorated. Yang Shuoming looked at everyone and said, "At present, our country is already in the situation of being caught between Russia and China, and he said that once Russia joins forces to try to win against us, our country will be in danger." ”

After listening to Yang Shuoming's explanation, Xu Shuzheng couldn't help but gasp.

"Soviet Russia and Yuben's ideology are very different, to say that they join forces ......" Yan Shichao groaned slightly, and a sad look appeared on his face, "This possibility is actually not without ......"

"This possibility is actually very big." Chen Eun said, "Between countries, there are only interests, and there is no morality to talk about. For the sake of one's own interests, any issue is easy to discuss, let alone such an ethereal thing as ideology. ”

"Not bad......" Xu Shuzheng smiled bitterly, "If the country does not exist, will the family be?" The country is already in crisis, and I don't want to do something for the country, but it's ridiculous to suffer for my own personal gain and loss here......"

"So from now on, we must seize all the time and be fully prepared for the future crisis." Yang Shuoming said, "Are you willing to help me?" ”

"Hanzhi's mind and foresight, I can't do it." Xu Shuzheng's eyes were full of admiration, and Zhengse said, "What Hanzhi wants me to do, just tell me." ”

"The next 20 years will be the best time for the country to go all out for construction and development, and it must not be disturbed in any way. However, China has a vast territory and a large population, and if we want to avoid internal strife and mobilize the strength of the whole country to develop, we still need the joint efforts of everyone. Yang Shuoming said, looking at Xu Shuzheng with expectant eyes, "I won't talk nonsense, what I want to ask is, is Youzheng willing to guard the northwest for the country?" If I wish, I am willing to serve as the Northwest Patrol Envoy. ”

"Northwest Patrol Envoy?" Hearing Yang Shuoming's words, Xu Shuzheng's hand shook slightly.

"Yes, Northwest Patrol Envoy." Yang Shuoming said, "At that time, Yuting will serve as the Northeast Patrol Envoy, Yang Tian will serve as the South Zhili Patrol Envoy, and Xiao'an will serve as the North Zhili Patrol Envoy. ”

"No problem." Zhang Zuolin took the lead in expressing his position, Chen Yan and Fu Xiaoan also nodded in agreement, only Xu Shuzheng was still silent.

"If you feel that there is a difficulty, I have another arrangement." Yang Shuoming said in an extremely frank tone, "I returned to Beijing again, and still served as the deputy minister of the Ministry of the Army, assisting Cai Songpo in completing the construction of the 'national army'. What do you think? ”

Listening to Yang Shuoming's words, Chen Eun, Zhang Zuolin and Fu Xiao'an's faces all showed surprise.

"Why does Hanzhi care so much about the northwest?" Xu Shuzheng asked.

"Because I want to turn the northwest into another strategic base of China," Yang Shuoming smiled and said, "The land of Central Siberia that my country has obtained is rich in oil, and this Tangnu Ulianghai is the largest gold producing area in Asia." I don't think I need to say more about the importance of the strategic position here, right? ”

"And once Russia joins forces to attack us, this northwest will inevitably bear the brunt, and there must be a capable person to defend it." Chen Yan said, "Because this place must not fall into the hands of the enemy, which is why Hanzhi wants to defend this place himself." ”

"In that case, it's 'the Son of Heaven guarding the country', haha." Zhang Zuolin felt that the atmosphere of the conversation was a little dull, so he played a haha on the side.

"Hanzhi is still in Beijing to coordinate the overall situation!" At this time, Xu Shuzheng was already moved by Yang Shuoming's heart, "I, Xu Youzheng, am willing to defend this land in the northwest for my Huaxia!" ”

Hearing that Xu Shuzheng agreed, Yang Shuoming was very happy, and several people raised their glasses to drink again, accompanied by the collision of wine glasses, the decision related to China's future national fortunes was made like this.

"Who does Hanzhi plan to support in this presidential election?" Xu Shuzheng asked.

"Mr. Donghai is old and serious, and he is the Yuansu of Beiyang, and he has made great achievements in his tenure as prime minister, and now that the country is settled, it is not easy to change suddenly, so I still think it is better for Mr. Donghai to continue to be re-elected as president." Yang Shuoming said lightly, "Of course, I heard that Cao Zhongshan seems to be interested in running. ”

Hearing that Cao Kun planned to run for president, Xu Shuzheng couldn't help but sneer.

"We all have a place, what is Hanzhi's plan for himself?" Xu Shuzheng then asked, "It won't be that there are no positions, right?" ”

"I wasn't originally from a military background, and the military is not my director......" Hearing Yang Shuoming start to say this set of excuses again, Chen Huan and Fu Xiaoan just smiled slightly, while Zhang Zuolin pursed his lips disappreciatively, but didn't say anything.

"Finance is also an important matter of the country, and I have always been interested, and if possible, the Minister of Finance, I would like to try to do it." Yang Shuoming said with a smile.

"You Xiao Yang is really a good general, and you can be a good look." Xu Shuzheng said with a smile, "It's okay, if you become the Minister of Finance, it is estimated that the provinces and localities below will not dare to release money to the central government as before." ”

Listening to Xu Shuzheng's words, Yang Shuoming just smiled slightly, "Taiwan will be taken back in these days, even if it is a good sign for me to be the finance minister!" ”

On February 9, 1922, China's political axe announced to the world that Taiwan would be recovered from the hands of the People's Republic of China. ”

As early as December 7, 1921, Xu Yuanjin, the overseer of Fujian, was ordered to make preparations for the recovery of Taiwan. After Yanjing appointed Xu Yuanjin as director of the "Taiwan Investigation Committee," he immediately arranged to collect the current situation of Taiwan's political, military, economic, cultural, educational, and public health industries, and edit them by category. At the same time, various full-time training courses have been held, such as the "Taiwan Administrative Officials Training Course," the "Taiwan Police Detective Training Course," and the "Taiwan Bank Principal Training Course." The trainees are all selected from among the in-service civil servants and college and middle school students, and a considerable proportion of them are Taiwanese. The four-month training course trained more than 1,000 people, who became the backbone of the Taiwan takeover in the future. Subsequently, with the help of some scholars, Xu Yuanjin drafted the "Draft Outline of the Taiwan Reception Plan" and submitted it to Acting President Hsu Shih-chang for his review, which was approved by Hsu Shih-chang and instructed him to implement it accordingly.

On February 15, 1922, the Chinese government announced that it would return Taiwan to China, and the Chinese political axe immediately announced that the foreign bank would take over Taiwan: "On the 12th of this month, the Chinese political axe replied that China, the United States, and Britain agreed to an armistice. According to the regulations, the entire territory of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands should be returned to China, and the administrative and military officials will soon be sent to deal with it. All the people in Taiwan must live and work in peace and contentment, observe order, and not disturb and cause trouble. All the army, navy, and police officers in Taiwan should be at the mercy of the people, and must not go beyond the norm and endanger the lives and property of the people. On 26 February, Chinese Army Minister Tsai Ye announced that the chief officer of the Taiwan region was Xu Yuanjin, the overseer of Fujian, and that the place of reception was Taipei City, and that the plenipotentiary representative of the region was Taiwan's Governor Tian Kenjiro. Subsequently, the Chinese political axe sent heavy troops to Taiwan to resolutely suppress the recalcitrant rebels and "[***]" elements.

On 2 March, Chinese Admiral Cheng Biguang carried the five-color national flag and led his troops to Taiwan on the battleship "Republic." and then inspected the whole of Taiwan by plane. After decades, how can it not make people ecstatic to finally see their relatives in the motherland?

As soon as Cheng Biguang got off the plane, he ordered Kenjiro Tian, who had come to greet him, to lower the national flag from the airport and remove all the national flags that had been hoisted by the colonial institutions. Tian Kenjiro agreed to do so, saying that the national flag would soon disappear over Taipei and be replaced by the Chinese five-color national flag. When compatriots inside and outside Taipei City saw the national flag raised, they all stood solemnly and saluted, and then cheered, and some white-haired old men said to their children with tears: "We are all Chinese, and now we are back in the embrace of the motherland!" ”

At that time, there were 200,000 military and police officers in Taiwan. It is rumored that some officers and men of the Young Zhuang faction colluded with the Han Dynasty to instigate the so-called "Taiwan Autonomy Movement." When Yang Shuoming heard the news, he decided to send 6 divisions, 20 warships, and 2 flying groups to Taiwan to participate in the reception, and resolutely suppressed the recalcitrant resistors and "[***]" elements. On 17 March, under the leadership of Li Houji, the vanguard of the Chinese army, which had entered Taiwan to take over, marched into Keelung Harbor and landed at the same time. Keelung citizens gathered around the wharf to see the appearance and demeanor of the receiving troops, and many of them slept all night in order to seize the favorable terrain. On the way from Keelung to Taipei by train, countless people stood along the road and stretched until Taipei Main Station. In a few days, the receiving troops of the Chinese political axe army and navy entered Taiwan one after another, stationed in various fortresses, forts and docks.

At 9 o'clock in the morning on March 25, 1922, the five-minute surrender ceremony ended the 28-year ravages on Taiwan.

On 24 March, the news that "Xu Yuanjin set off by ship from Fuzhou and is scheduled to go to Taiwan today" appeared in the newspapers. Before he set off from Fuzhou, the Taiwan Association of Fellow Villagers in Fujian held a farewell banquet and delivered a warm farewell speech. Xu Yuanjin delivered a speech of thanks and announced the policy of governing Taiwan: earnestly develop people's livelihood in Taiwan, popularize the Chinese language, promote education, increase the welfare of Taiwanese people, and build a stable and prosperous new Taiwan.

At 2 o'clock in the afternoon of the same day, Xu Yuanjin, US Army Rear Admiral Bradley, and Navy Colonel Schneider set off from Fuzhou by ship and arrived in Keelung shortly after. At the port terminal, the national flag and colorful flags are rolled up like a tide. When Xu Yuanjin stepped down the gangway, the military music was loud, and cheers and applause rang out. After inspecting the guard of honor, Xu Yuanjin warmly hugged and shook hands with people from all walks of life in Taiwan who came to welcome him, and exchanged greetings.

In a corner a hundred meters away from the pier, there stood a lonely row of depressed-looking Yue himself, who was the head of the military and political affairs of Yuben headed by Kenjiro Ta. When he saw Xu Yuanjin coming with a victorious smile on his face, he lowered his eyebrows and lowered his head one by one, looking very embarrassed. Lin Chaochen, a celebrity in Taiwan, introduced Xu Yuanjin to the representative of the Yue Fang: "This is Lieutenant General Hsu Yuanjin, the chief receiver of Taiwan Province, the chief executive of Taiwan, and the commander-in-chief of the garrison. Tian Kenjiro stood up and saluted, and forced a smile: "Welcome General Xu." ”

After arriving in Taipei, Xu Yuanjin made a brief speech: "I came to Taiwan on the orders of China's political axe, not to be an official, but to do things, to restore Taiwan to the motherland and to seek benefits for the Taiwan compatriots. We sincerely hope that all sectors of society will cooperate closely and work together to build a new Taiwan. He also announced to the Chinese and foreign reporters gathered here: "Tomorrow at 9 a.m., the reception ceremony will be held." "On March 25, 1921, when the morning dawned, people from all walks of life in Taipei flocked to the public hall, and the reception ceremony was held here. The venue was crowded with people, all of whom wanted to witness the solemn moment of opening a new era in Taiwan.

At 8:25 a.m., the band played the victory march, and Xu Yuanjin, wearing a brand-new army lieutenant general's uniform, walked slowly into the hall, followed by Wang Kai, deputy commander-in-chief of the Taiwan garrison, Liu Deyi, chief of staff of the headquarters, Lu Mingyang, secretary general of the Chief Executive's Office, and Cheng Biguang, commander of the Second Fleet of the Navy.

The plenipotentiary of the Fang side, Tian Kenjiro, and five others had already been ordered to arrive and wait in another room to obey the summons.

The bell struck 9 times, and the exciting time arrived. Lu Mingyang announced: "The acceptance ceremony of Taiwan Province of China has begun. ”

Under the guidance of the Chinese personnel, the representatives of the Chinese side headed by Tian Kenjiro bowed their heads and stood in a row in front of the table to salute Xu Yuanjin. Xu Yuanjin invited them to sit down in front of the table. Then, Xu Yuanjin stood up and read out the receipt document in a solemn tone: "On March 25, the 11th year of the Republic of China, this official was ordered by President Xu Shichang, the supreme commander of the Chinese political axe, navy and army, to be the chief officer of Taiwan's reception, and hereby handed over to Tian Kenjilang, the former governor of Taiwan and commander of the Taiwan Army, with the first order. In accordance with this order, the entire territory of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands should be returned to China, and all the army, navy, air force, and police officers in Taiwan and the Penghu Islands should assemble in the camp to be dealt with and obey immediately. ”

Kenjiro nodded slightly. Liu Deyi, chief of staff of the Taiwan Garrison Command, handed over the letter of surrender and the "No. 1 order" to Tian Kenjiro. Kenjiro Tian bowed down to take it, and after a hurried glance, he signed his name with a brush. At this time, the cameras of Chinese and foreign reporters were invariably aimed at Kenjiro Tian, the magnesium lights flashed, and the "click" sound continued. Kenjiro Tian was nervous and humiliated, and his fingers trembled so much that it was difficult to hold the pen!

(To be continued)