"Someone, take him out for me!" Yuan Shikai shouted.

Immediately, a pro-soldier rushed in, and Feng Xu didn't need to be pulled, just calmly followed the pro-soldier. The Beiyang generals watched Feng Xu leave, wanting to persuade but not daring to persuade Yuan Shikai. The atmosphere in the room soon fell into an embarrassing situation, but fortunately, Yuan Shikai continued to shout: "You all go out for me too." ”

The generals immediately rushed out, Yuan Shikai glanced out the window, but saw Wang Shizhen going in the direction of his own soldiers taking Feng Xu, so he breathed a sigh of relief. When there was no one inside or outside the house, Yuan Shikai picked up the letter that Chen Ke gave him. The envelope was very large, and there were a lot of things in it when you weighed it. I opened it, and sure enough, it was a thick stack of paper.

On the top one is Chen Ke's letter, the content is very polite, and the content is nothing other than what Feng Xu just said. At the end of the letter, it was said that the latter part was an article written by Chen Ke, and asked Yuan Shikai to correct it.

This is not "Yuan Shikai's Life", right? Although he knew in his heart that this was obviously impossible, Yuan Shikai was still worried in his heart. This content really has nothing to do with Yuan Shikai himself, but about the political design of the autonomy of the provinces.

Chen Ke's forum did not have a bad evaluation of Yuan Shikai, everyone thought that Yuan Shikai did not understand democratic politics, and because of Yuan Shikai's experience, he maintained an extremely deep vigilance against democratic politics. One of the major "tragedies" of the Beiyang government is that because it does not understand the democratic parliamentary system, Beiyang finally came up with a parliamentary system that is most unsuitable for Beiyang. The stupid members of the parliament are all half-famous and professional "political troublemakers". Because every bill in the parliament of the Beiyang government has to be considered by that group of stupid parliamentarians. Therefore, these legislators who hold the "right not to expire and invalidate" are desperately trying to make things difficult. The leaders of the Beiyang Army led by Yuan Shikai were extremely annoyed in order to deal with this group of stupid parliamentarians.

With this understanding, Chen Kecai put forward the proposal of "inter-provincial autonomy". To put it bluntly, "inter-provincial autonomy" is the same as that of the United States. The United States was formed by the rebel states in those years, so since the establishment of the United States, it has opposed a strong central government. In addition to the federal constitution, the states have their own set of laws. The situation is very similar to that of China today.

It is useless to talk to Yuan Shikai about great sentiments and fame for all generations. Chen Ke is a traitor in Yuan Shikai's eyes, and Yuan Shikai does not think that Chen Ke has any moral advantages. The reason why the two sides seem to be equal is entirely based on military strength. Then Chen Ke only talks about military affairs. This is in line with Yuan Shikai's appetite.

Chen Ke made it clear that the autonomy of the provinces seems to have a bright future, but in practice it is extremely difficult, and that only Yuan Shikai can dominate this situation in China today, and he asked Yuan Shikai to dare to be the first in the world and bravely assume this responsibility for himself and for China.

After reading the whole article, Yuan Shikai even nodded slightly. This is what the officer said, and he did not shy away from the hardships in the process of operation. And it has grasped many nodes. Even if Yuan Shikai firmly believed that Chen Ke harbored evil intentions, the things on the scene were still clear.

When Yuan Shikai was studying Chen Ke's letter, Wang Shizhen had already arranged a residence for Feng Xu. Naturally, the living conditions will not be bad, whether it is house arrest or protection, Beiyang still adheres to the traditional attitude - no rudeness. Let the soldiers strictly guard the gate, Wang Shizhen and Feng Xu talked.

In fact, Wang Shizhen thinks that Feng Xu's approach today is a bit two, the rules of negotiation have always been open to those who are in charge, Yuan Shikai can say "it's okay to be blunt" in person, but Feng Xu can't pour beans like this. Feng Xu is not a hairy young man, Wang Shizhen, as Yuan Shikai's "dragon eye", must bear the responsibility of negotiation. Since they had to talk about it sooner or later, Wang Shizhen felt that it was better to talk about the matter with Feng Xu now.

"Brother Feng, you spoke too bluntly today." Wang Shizhen came up and got straight to the point.

"Admiral Wang, the matter of inter-provincial autonomy is easy to say, but it is a thousand things to do, if I don't say it bluntly, Yuan Gong will not listen to me." Feng Xu replied calmly.

Wang Shizhen is also a doer, and when he heard this, he immediately felt concerned. He has always opposed the revolution, not that Wang Shizhen is hostile to the revolution, but that the revolutionary party is foaming at the mouth of the description of the future, as a doer, Wang Shizhen feels that what the revolutionary party said is completely unrealistic.

The reason why Wang Shizhen is hostile to the People's Party is not because the People's Party is a revolutionary party, but because the People's Party is really anti-imperial court and anti-Beiyang. Wang Shizhen has always been interested in the program of the People's Party.

"What the hell does the BJP think?" Wang Shizhen asked.

"Admiral Wang, what do you think of Beiyang?" Feng Xu asked rhetorically.

Such a straightforward approach made Wang Shizhen a little difficult to deal with. More than a month ago, it was still under Wang Shizhen's strong lobbying that Beiyang sent Duan Qirui to attack Zhejiang. The effect is quite good, after occupying Zhejiang, Beiyang got two territories in Henan and Zhejiang, plus the power of Zhili and other places, the situation in Beiyang has been opened. Yuan Shikai's original intention was to continue to wait and see. But the drastic changes in the imperial court and the local situation have made the whole situation extremely chaotic, so don't talk about Yuan Shikai, even Wang Shizhen can't grasp where the situation will develop.

After thinking about it, Wang Shizhen told the truth, "I really don't know how this situation will change." People say that the stones of his mountain can attack jade, and they still hope that Brother Feng will advise him on this matter. ”

"Chairman Chen likes to say that who is our enemy and who is our friend is the primary question of the revolution. At this stage, our enemy is the Manchu diehards. There was simply no possibility of reconciliation between the People's Party and the Manchu diehards. Either the People's Party perished, or the Manchu diehards perished. Among the Manchu diehards, we must unite our friends as much as possible in order to isolate the enemy. This is the situation in the world now. Feng Xu listened to the meeting of the Party Central Committee throughout the whole process and had a thorough understanding of this general trend.

"The world?" There was some ridicule in Wang Shizhen's words.

"That's right, it's the world." Feng Xu replied categorically, "What are the characteristics of the power of other provinces and the Manchu court?" It's that they simply don't have the ability to deliver troops at all. Without the ability of the army, they do not have the strength and are not qualified to participate in the affairs that dominate the situation in the world. In today's China, there are no more than two companies with such investment capabilities, one is Beiyang and the other is the People's Party. No matter how many other forces shout, they can only nest in their own nests and be beaten passively. ”

Wang Shizhen has heard of Feng Xu, the origin of the three Jinshi who are genuine in the 12th year of Guangxu, and in various rumors, Feng Xu is a virtuous and capable financial official, and he is also a famous talent. But he didn't expect Feng Xu to show the insight of "understanding military affairs". With the word "delivery capability" alone, Wang Shizhen could not find a more vivid military description word.

Looking at the current situation from this angle, Wang Shizhen, who is proficient in military affairs, suddenly became enlightened.

"Brother Feng, according to what you say, the People's Party is ready to seize the world by military means?" Wang Shizhen also went straight to the point.

"The BJP is not fully prepared for this right now. There may still be the ability to compete for dominance, but the preparation for domination is far from enough. Feng Xu followed Chen Ke's instructions and told the truth completely.

"Then what does Chen Wenqing think of our Beiyang?" Wang Shizhen wanted to identify this core issue.

"It's not what the People's Party thinks of Beiyang, but what Beiyang itself is going to do. Now that we have reached this situation, it doesn't matter what we think, but where Beiyang is ready to stand. Beiyang was ready to see itself as part of the Manchu Qing Dynasty? Or are you ready to stand up for your own interests? I came here on order this time, just to know how Beiyang is going to choose? Beiyang decided to seek his own interests, and since then he has broken with the Manchu Qing Dynasty. I still decided to continue to tie to the Manchu station car and go on like this. Admiral Wang, this is because of Beiyang's position first, and then the people's party's view. Rather than the BJP's self-righteous imagination of a situation and then arranging future work according to this imaginary situation. ”

After listening to Feng Xu, Wang Shizhen's heart sank. Wang Shizhen has always done this way herself, but this is the first time that someone has made this truth clear in such straightforward words. While Wang Shizhen felt like a confidant, he suddenly gave birth to a sigh that had nothing to do with the current matter. Whether it is Yan Fu, Feng Xu, or even Pu Guanshui, the now famous "rebel general" in Beiyang, why did so many capable people defect to the People's Party?

If these people are now standing under the banner of Beiyang and using their wisdom to make suggestions, where will Yuan Shikai and Wang Shizhen be lonely and worry about future changes in the situation?

"Brother Feng, since you are here on order, there are some things you know, but you can't say it. Brother Feng, you might as well tell me what you know and can say, brother, I thank you in advance. Wang Shizhen said sincerely. This question points directly to the real hole card of the People's Party, and Wang Shizhen wants to understand it very much.

Feng Xu has actually never been a lobbyist, although he likes the scene of Zhuge Liang in "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" to envoy the Eastern Wu tongue to fight the Confucianism, but Feng Xu himself has always felt that lobbyists are people who tell nonsense. It wasn't until he personally participated in the Central Committee of the People's Party this time that Feng Xu discovered for the first time that the truth was actually far more powerful than nonsense, so after he arrived here in Beiyang, he maintained a frank attitude from beginning to end, and replied calmly to Wang Shizhen's probing words: "Admiral Wang, what I want to say is actually very clear. Duke Yuan and Admiral Wang, you are both understanding people, and there is no point in talking nonsense with the two of you. The People's Party has made up its mind that it must completely defeat the Manchu diehards. If you want to defeat the Manchu diehards, it is absolutely impossible to bypass Beiyang. And Beiyang and the Manchu diehards are not all the way, and the two sides still have the opportunity to cooperate. Even if there is only one percent chance, we must strive for it with 100 percent sincerity. That's why I'm here. ”

"In other words, the People's Party wants us to betray the imperial court in Beiyang?" Wang Shizhen pointed out this point.

Feng Xu saw that Wang Shizhen finally understood this, and his heart was quite relaxed, he nodded and smiled: "Exactly." Beiyang, led by Yuan Gong, is willing to stand on its own, so we can continue to talk. If Yuan Gong doesn't agree, then I'll leave now. ”

"If Yuan Gong doesn't agree, then the People's Party will compete with me Beiyang?" Wang Shizhen couldn't help but ask.

"That's something I don't know, so I can't talk about it." Feng Xu borrowed the words of Wang Shizhen.

"Brother Feng is so frank, thank you below." Wang Shizhen ended the conversation with these words.

Coming out of Feng Xu's house, Wang Shizhen saw Yuan Shikai's personal soldiers waiting outside the gate. As soon as they saw Wang Shizhen, the soldiers immediately stepped forward and saluted, "Admiral Wang, Lord Yuan is invited." ”

It seems that Yuan Shikai is also waiting for the results of Wang Shizhen's discussion with Feng Xu, so the pro-soldiers will be so honest and not go in. When he arrived at Yuan Shikai, Wang Shizhen told Yuan Shikai all the results of the meeting.

"Feng Xu is a talent." Yuan Shikai did not comment on Feng Xu's suggestion, but gave birth to the same sigh as Wang Shizhen. When it comes to celebrities at the end of the Qing Dynasty, it is naturally "North Yuan Nancen". Feng Xu is a scholar, and he can't be ranked at all. But listening to Feng Xu's words, his judgment of the general trend of the world is sharp and profound, not entangled in the details, and directly points to the core issues. In terms of understanding of the imperial court alone, Yuan Shikai is naturally far above Feng Xu. However, in the analysis of the current situation, Yuan Shikai does not have Feng Xu's perspective. This can't help but Yuan Shikai doesn't admire.

"Yuan Gong, do you want to detain Feng Xu?" Wang Shizhen asked.

"Pingqing, when you were captured by Chen Ke, were you afraid of death?" Yuan Shikai asked.

Hearing this, Wang Shizhen already understood what Yuan Shikai meant. Feng Xu dared to come, naturally he had already thought about life and death. As a lobbyist, Feng Xu can understand the situation in the world, and it is impossible for the People's Party not to know. It would be useless to threaten the People's Party with Feng Xu's life.

After figuring out this joint, Wang Shizhen sat on the chair without saying a word, and Yuan Shikai also sat on the chair without saying a word. The two backbones of Beiyang are both extremely cultivated people, and it is too easy for the two of them to remain silent. The two of them thought about their hearts and let the time pass like this.

It was the pro-soldiers who broke the silence, "Lord Yuan, Beijing Telegraph." ”

Yuan Shikai unfolded the telegram and looked at it, the content was that the regent Zaifeng urgently ordered Yuan Shikai to wave his army south to exterminate the Anhui rebellious party. The tone of the telegram was very strong. Yuan Shikai was naturally not afraid of Zaifeng, and from the telegram, Yuan Shikai had already guessed that the city of Beijing was definitely made miserable by the horse bandits.

Putting down the telegram, Yuan Shikai did not let Wang Shizhen give advice as usual. Now Beijing's idea is meaningless. Although Feng Xu said it politely, the meaning behind it was very tough. The BJP has now given an ultimatum if Yuan Shikai decides to side with Beijing, or is prepared to sit on the sidelines and watch the BJP fight the Manchu diehards. Then the People's Party will have to fight to the death with Yuan Shikai. According to the term "military projection capability" described by Wang Shizhen, as long as the People's Party completely defeated the only fighting Beiyang Army under the Manchu banner, the Manchu court would be destroyed.

In the current strategic situation, the People's Party temporarily took control of Hanyang, although it did not annex Hubei for the time being. But the 40,000 or 50,000 guns in Hanyang's arsenal, as well as millions of rounds of ammunition, must have fallen into the hands of the People's Party. Intelligence from Hubei said that as many as 70,000 or 80,000 people from the People's Party had entered Wuhan. Thanks to the rational means, order in the disaster area has been gradually restored through the relief of the victims. Even if the People's Party transfers these tens of thousands of people out of Hubei, Hubei will never be able to use troops against Anhui for a year and a half.

There is no need to consider the whereabouts of these tens of thousands of people, they are definitely transferred to the front of the Beiyang Army. The People's Party, which is able to provide relief to the victims of the disaster in Hubei, is absolutely not short of food. Seventy or eighty thousand people faced 40,000 Beiyang New Army, and Yuan Shikai did not think that he could easily break the People's Party. Even if it's a pyrrhic victory, what's the point? As Feng Xu said, in the face of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Yuan Shikai's Beiyang has no troops to deploy, and it will lose the possibility of dominating the situation.

Both the People's Party and the Beiyang Army were defeated, and the biggest beneficiary was the "Manchu diehards" that the People's Party vowed to defeat. And these "Manchu diehards" were not only enemies of the People's Party, but also enemies of Yuan Shikai.

If we look at it from the perspective of interests alone, Yuan Shikai not only has no reason to die with the People's Party. There are also plenty of reasons to cooperate with the BJP.

However, this is a step that Yuan Shikai can't take. In his heart, no matter how much he wanted to seize the dominance of the Manchu court, how he wanted to completely suppress the Manchu clique. But this is all based on the position that Yuan Shikai himself was a Manchu courtier, and let Beiyang become independent, and Yuan Shikai was not prepared for this idea at all.

Not only did Yuan Shikai know his thoughts, but he knew that Wang Shizhen's attitude was the same as his own. Wang Shizhen may agree to Yuan Shikai's entry into Beijing to "King Qin" or even "Qingjun's side". However, Wang Shizhen would not really agree with Yuan Shikai taking the Manchu Qing and replacing him. "Ministers" and "rebellion" are two completely different things.

But the BJP on the other side is eyeing each other, and their position is very clear. Either the Manchus perished, or the Manchus perished with Yuan Shikai. There is no third way.

"Who is our friend and who is our enemy is the first question of the revolution." Yuan Shikai silently read this sentence, and suddenly couldn't help laughing. Chen Ke, this young man is really different, Yuan Shikai thought with envy, even if he recognized friends and enemies, he might not be able to choose real friends and enemies. After Chen Ke recognized friend and foe, he dared to choose.

The People's Party joined forces with Beiyang, and the Manchu diehards immediately died without a place to be buried. In order to promote the destruction of the enemy as soon as possible, Chen Ke was able to negotiate peace with the Beiyang Army, which was now fighting each other. So after the demise of the Manchu diehards, who was Chen Ke's next enemy? Is it Yuan Shikai's turn?

But why did Yuan Shikai not have the slightest hatred for Chen Ke even though he knew that there was such a possibility? Yuan Shikai wanted to know, if there was a day, what reason would Chen Ke use to prove that Chen Ke had a moral advantage in the war between Chen Ke and Yuan Shikai?

Thinking of this, Yuan Shikai smiled at Wang Shizhen, who was full of doubts, and said, "Pingqing, you go and bring Feng Xu over, I want to talk to him." ”