At the beginning of the twentieth century, the empire on which the sun never set, although it cannot be said that it is in decline, is not what it used to be compared to the heyday of the Victorian era. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

Economically, the rise of the United States has surpassed that of Britain; On the diplomatic side, Germany is not optimistic, and Germany is becoming more and more aggressive, constantly causing problems in the Balkans, North Africa, and Palestine. In the UK, Parliament is arguing over a Budget Bill to raise taxes on the wealthy......

Therefore, Britain really does not have much energy to take care of China, and it is their requirement to be able to maintain and stabilize British interests in China. In other words, the British did not want to create any trend of resistance to the British, and they lacked the means to deal with non-violent and non-cooperative struggles with non-governmental forces.

Yuan Shikai and Zhu Erdian are old friends, and their relationship can be traced back to Yuan Shikai's tenure in Korea before the First Sino-Japanese War. The meeting between Zhu Erdian and Chen Wenqiang in Shanghai was also arranged by Yuan Shikai through mediation.

But Chen Wenqiang's grasp of opium is an unavoidable problem, and it is difficult for Zhu Erdian to solve personally, which makes him very headache. Moreover, Chen Wenqiang is not only a representative of private businessmen and industrialists, but also a rising star in the constitutional trend.

Ever since the Qing court announced its intention to establish a constitution, the constitutionalists were jubilant and excited. As a group of modern businessmen, industrialists, and enlightened gentry with a certain amount of new knowledge and new ideas, most of these people who firmly believe in the monarchy's constitutional salvation theory are gentlemen who have received traditional education, have received authentic Confucian cultural education since childhood, and take it as their responsibility to save the country and help the people.

All in all, most of these people have some modern knowledge and concepts to a greater or lesser extent. More importantly, most of these people are well-to-do and well-to-do figures, and most of them are the leading figures of various localities and organizations, and they are the main social foundation and leading force in the development of the constitutional movement in China, and their support is crucial to the smooth implementation of the preparatory constitution.

But there is a point. Although they do not depart from the constitution, most of them do not know how to conduct elections. For example, in modern democracy, the delimitation of constituencies, the qualifications of electors and candidates, voter registration, voter scrutine, primary elections, etc., these things are simply unheard of by anyone except a few who are familiar with constitutionalism. As a result, Chen Wenqiang came up with something and proposed to hold a national conference of constitutional comrades in Shanghai. This gave him a guiding position and weight among the constitutionalists.

According to the "Statutes of the Provincial Consultative Bureaus" and the "Regulations for the Election of Members of the Consultative Bureaus" promulgated by the Qing court and drawn up by the Constitutional Review Office, although the Consultative Bureau and the Advisory Council are transitional bodies that practice parliamentary democracy, there is no doubt that once the Consultative Bureau is established, most of the local power will be diluted.

Especially in the south, since the year of Gengzi, after the governors of the south refused to carry out the imperial court orders and announced the "southeast mutual guarantee", the Qing court has lost half of the country. The local power is strong, and at the same time, it also creates the conditions for the Advisory Bureau to seize power.

Zhang Jian, Tang Hualong, Pu Dianjun, Tan Yanhong, Tang Shouqian, Liu Chunlin (the last champion in Chinese history, studying at Hosei University in Japan) and so on, which one is not famous and has a wide range of contacts. He was also close to Chen Wenqiang, and was the core figure of the constitutionalist faction, and he was the most active in promoting the constitutional movement.

Only after comprehensive analysis and judgment will we understand how powerful and influential Chen Wenqiang is. He is not alone, not only in his own industry, nor only in Shanghai, but more and more people are gathering around him, and there are friends and comrades in all provinces and industries who will support and respond to him.

And because of the trial of the public case, the tide of arrival in the United Kingdom. The image of Britain was greatly affected, and German capital took advantage of the situation to enter the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River with the great help of Chen Wenqiang. And this is the traditional British sphere of influence. Recently, in Guangzhou, the British warship invaded China's sovereignty over inland waterways, which caused opposition and demonstrations from the newly established chamber of commerce. Zhu Erdian had every reason to suspect that this would be the beginning of another wave of rebellion against the British, and that he would be able to expand and spread the opposition movement if Chen Wenqiang wanted to.

"With regard to opium, it is a historical issue, and a complete solution will require the cooperation of many countries." Zhu Erdian frowned and explained: "US President Franklin D. Roosevelt has proposed to initiate an international anti-smoking conference in the Far East. My country also agrees with and responds. The convening of the International Conference on Smoking Prohibition after international consultations will be able to satisfactorily resolve this issue. Moreover, the governments of your two countries are negotiating, and an agreement should be reached on the annual reduction of opium. This also shows the country's positive attitude towards the ban on smoking. ”

"I'm a businessman, and the intergovernmental agreement has nothing to do with me." Chen Wenqiang shook his head and turned his gaze to the window.

The Huangpu River is moored with foreign warships and steamers, and from time to time, small sampans and tugboats with canopies float by. A large sampan, with its sails puffed, sails past the Suzhou Creek and the Bund, heading to the confluence of the Huangpu River and the Yangtze River in the distance. The steamer's chimney spewed large clouds of smoke, which went up until it merged with the clouds in the sky.

"Perhaps there will be a ship of your country carrying opium to the shore right now." Chen Wenqiang said faintly: "When I think of this, I can't have a good impression of your country. But I will give Lord Yuan's face, because you are a friend of Lord Yuan, so I can wait for the time being, waiting for the time when you say that the opium problem will be satisfactorily solved. But if your country deceives people too much, or if something unpleasant happens suddenly, it is beyond my control. ”

It was a little vague, but Zhu Erdian still understood. Chen Wenqiang indirectly promised that he would not take the initiative and actively promote the arrival of the British, but if the British wanted to oppress Chen Wenqiang in railway investment and other aspects and affect Chen Wenqiang's business, then he would not be polite.

Does he have the strength? Zhu Erdian was a little annoyed, and looked at Chen Wenqiang seriously, thinking carefully, weighing, and judging. In order to think better, Zhu Erdian got up and paced slowly in the room.

The reception room was surrounded by large, thick furniture and silver-plated spittoons. On the shelf is a very fine porcelain vase of the Ming Dynasty. I deigned to come here, it was completely Chinese-style atmosphere, wasn't it deliberately arranged by Chen Wenqiang? Don't these ornaments show himself that he is not an idle man?

Ah, a fact, I have to admit it. Chen Wenqiang really has nothing to fear the British, so is he going to start a war? Zhu Erdian smiled bitterly, knowing in his heart that this was impossible. For China, the strategy of the British Empire was "stability over all else". There really wasn't much energy to devote to the Far East.

This point, the Manchu court, which is mediocre and ignorant of the international trend, can't see it, could it be that this Chen Wenqiang has insight into everything? Zhu Erdian stopped and looked at Chen Wenqiang, who was leisurely sipping tea, suspiciously.

………………

It's really ironic! Chen Wenqiang walked out the door and glanced back at the tall Victorian building.

The gang is supposed to be a gang of gangsters, but in a way. But it also provides protection for people. No shop, restaurant, or dance hall dared to open without their permission. The invasion of foreign powers, internal corruption and chaos have left China in shambles, and Shanghai, a country within a country, needs the power of gangs to make foreigners fearful.

Yes, as Zhu Erdian said, thousands of coolies, thousands of outlaws, let Shanghai maintain the image of China. But Chen Wenqiang does not want the coolies on the streets to find their way out tomorrow from the gangsters, or to be proud of them. Although as long as he wants. With the power of Xingyitang and the sharpness of Longxingtang, almost no one can leave him behind and do business in Shanghai alone.

This is a double-edged sword, Chen Wenqiang already knew it, but he had to use it. In this day and age, black and white doesn't work.

After walking a few streets, Chen Wenqiang entered a house. Follow the rickety staircase to the second-floor office. There was only one female secretary in the office, who politely poured tea for Chen Wenqiang.

Several large advertisements were affixed to the peeling walls. Stuttgart fans are promoted in both Chinese and English. There was nothing on the secretary's desk, and there was only a filing cabinet in the room, so it seemed that the business of electric fans was not very prosperous.

The door inside the office opened, and a tall, blonde German said it with a smile and stretched out his hand to greet Chen Wenqiang.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Mr. Chen. Rudy forced a smile on his face, and he didn't seem to know what kind of expression to use.

The two walked into the small office in the middle, although Rudy was still smiling, but his face was obviously lacking in enthusiasm, as if he was aware of Chen Wenqiang's unhappy expression. He praised Chen Wenqiang's clothes again.

"I guess you're probably ready to tell me who the customer is who placed the order, right?" Chen Wenqiang does not feel that he is arrogant, but he does not expect a foreigner to be considerate of the dignity and fairness of the Chinese.

"Yes, sir." Rudy smiled bitterly, "Mr. Chen is here today, there will definitely be good news." And if I want to have you as a customer in the future, I would be honored. ”

"Whether we can become your customer or not, we still have to discuss." Chen Wenqiang was noncommittal and stretched out his hand to Rudy.

Rudy shrugged helplessly, took out a piece of paper from the desk drawer, and handed it to Chen Wenqiang.

Rifles, pistols, all kinds of bullets. Chen Wenqiang looked at this purchase list, the quantity was not too much, and it was hard to imagine that the uprising in Anhui and Zhejiang could be successful with these weapons and ammunition.

The fan above his head buzzed, and Rudy was silent, leaning back in the swivel chair, his arms crossed behind the blonde hair. Although his skin has turned brown, in Chen Wenqiang's opinion, he still looks so white, and he is still a complete foreign devil.

The Palace Hotel, alias Deshan. Chen Wenqiang wrote down the address of the orderer, and then raised his head with a smile.

"Is this order important to you?" Chen Wenqiang smiled and shook his head, "The things on it are too ordinary, and the number is not large. ”

"I can get some new weapons, at least I can." Rudy rolled up his sleeves, showed his thick forearms, and leaned over to describe vividly, "My suppliers are the first-class manufacturers in Europe. He was triumphant.

Chen Wenqiang smiled faintly, took out a pen, and memorized it on the purchase list handed over by Rudy.

"You also offer credit?" Chen Wenqiang stopped his pen and looked at Rudy with a smile.

"This, I can only provide a loan of 20,000 Mexican silver oceans at most." Rudillo smiled a little awkwardly, "I'm very sorry. ”

"I'm just asking." Chen Wenqiang handed the list of orders to Rudy and said with a smile: "Can the things on this be ready?" ”

Rudy took the list and looked at it, his eyes flashed, and he nodded hurriedly, "No problem." So, what should I do now, do I want to wait for the order? ”

"Don't wait, just book as listed! I want to get the goods as soon as possible. Chen Wenqiang waved his hand and made a decision neatly.

"Alright, as you say." Rudy blinked his blue eyes, a little expectant, and a little flattering, and said, "I'll submit an order to my supplier right away, and if you're willing to write me a bill of exchange from any bank on the Bund......"

Chen Wenqiang took out the bill of exchange from his arms and said with a smile: "I understand the rules of your business." You know our rules, right? ”

"Yes, I understand." Rudy took the money order with both hands, glanced at the numbers on it, all the unhappiness disappeared, and nodded cautiously, "Please rest assured, Mr. Chen." As for the loan, I think we can discuss it carefully, and I may be able to provide more credit. ”

Chen Wenqiang had already achieved his goal, got up to say goodbye, and Rudy sent him downstairs and waved goodbye politely.

Walking on the refreshing street, Chen Wenqiang exhaled softly. In addition to foreign companies, the people who sell weapons on the beach in Shanghai are arms dealers like Rudy. And he has more reliable and larger business partners, and ordering from Rudy is just a little sweeter for him, just like he sent his gang brothers to intimidate and threaten Rudy, which is the other side of both hard and soft.

Now, he has mastered the details of the Liberation Society to launch the Anhui and Zhejiang uprisings and sent them to Shanghai to buy arms, the person who lives in the palace hotel and has a pseudonym of Deshan, Chen Wenqiang will definitely send someone to keep an eye on it, but he is not ready to contact it directly. Now that he knew the identity of the leader of the uprising, "Guang Manzi", Chen Wenqiang felt that it was safer and more reliable to contact him directly.

Moreover, even if the Qing army guarded by the local guards was very empty and ineffective, and it was hoped that a group of Jianghu Hui parties who had no military training and no actual combat experience would have no chance of succeeding in the uprising. Whether from the perspective of personal friendship or the Revival Association, Chen Wenqiang hoped that this uprising could be more well-organized and well-prepared, and that it would relieve some pressure on the Southwest Revolutionary Army.

On Edward VII's Boulevard, a black typhoon warning signal hangs from the top of a towering meteorological building. Chen Wenqiang glanced at it, pursed his lips meaninglessly, and waved his hand to let the carriage and guards following behind him catch up.

…………… (To be continued.) )