After sending Cai Ye away, Yang Shuoming briefly told Huang Yunzhi about the conversation of Cai Ye's visit, and at Cai Ye's request, he told her about going to the banquet tomorrow.

"That is to say, you are going to drink 'flower wine' tomorrow." After listening to Yang Shuoming's "report", Huang Yunzhi's face flushed slightly, and she laughed.

"Matsupa asked me to discuss it with you, and if you don't agree, he will change places." Yang Shuoming knew that she was not angry, and held her hand and smiled.

Since ancient times, China has had a tradition of talking about politics on the occasion of Fengyue, and the "second wife" influences the princes and princes, and the Fengyue influences politics. Since the late Qing Dynasty, Fengyue has become the "second political center", the revolutionary party talks about revolution in the Academy, the royalists also talk about royalism in the Academy, and students also hold seminars in the Academy. After the establishment of the Republic of China, the frequent visitors to the eight major alleys of Yanjing came from the "two houses and one hall" ("two houses" refers to the Senate and the House of Representatives, and "one hall" refers to the hall of Beijing Normal University, which later became Peking University). In this atmosphere, even the names of the Oiran in the flower world have changed, and the names of the Oiran in the late Qing Dynasty are the same as the imperial examinations, which are "champion", "Bangyan" and "Tanhua", and in the Republic of China, they have been changed to "President", "Prime Minister" and "Minister", and even their fashion skirts are printed with the pattern of the national flag. At that time, Yanjing's famous Eight Hutongs became the main place for political figures to gather (which was incomparable to the "heavenly rén" in later generations), and Cai Ye invited guests in Yunjiban, which was not too popular, which was actually a very fashionable move.

"Go, go, go! It's better to see and see, so that people don't have to say that I can't get you out of the door all day long. Huang Yunzhi smiled and fell into his arms and waved her hand generously, "Just don't come back too late." ”

"Don't worry, I'll be back after eating." Yang Shuoming assured with a smile.

"There are so many beauties in the family now, and you still run out to drink flower wine, and you will have the reputation of Lord Yang in the future." Huang Yunzhi looked at him with a smile and said as if reminding him.

"It doesn't seem like a good thing that beautiful women are like clouds!" Yang Shuoming thought of the beauties sent by Yuan Shikai and his eldest son Yuan Keding, and pretended to sigh sadly.

Huang Yunzhi looked at his somewhat funny expression and laughed happily, but at this time, she would never think about what unexpected arrangements her husband would make in the future for these beauties sent and what kind of fate would bring to them.

The next day, Yang Shuoming came to Yunjiban, Shaanxi Lane, Bada Hutong, Cai Ye had been waiting there for a long time, Yang Shuoming noticed a little girl beside Cai Ye who was dressed up and beautiful but not beautiful, and he immediately understood who she was.

If there are no accidents, she should be the little phoenix who has been widely praised in many works in later generations.

Xiao Fengxian saw Yang Shuoming staring at her, she seemed a little embarrassed, and couldn't help but want to dodge behind Cai Yi, Cai Yi saw Yang Shuoming's eyes flashing with doubt, and couldn't help but smile and asked, "Don't you know her before?" ”

"No, no." Yang Shuoming smiled and stopped scanning Xiao Fengxian with the "super computer eye", "Don't hide it from Songpo, it's the first time I've come to such a place, and I don't know where to go when I come in, thanks to someone leading the way." ”

"Hanzhi is really an honest gentleman." Cai Yi smiled and introduced to Xiao Fengxian, "This is General Yang Shuoming Yang who recovered Qingdao." ”

After listening to Cai Yi's introduction, Xiao Fengxian's eyes lit up slightly, and the shyness on her face gradually disappeared, and then she stepped forward and generously greeted Yang Shuoming.

Cai Ye invited Yang Shuoming to sit down, and the two of them said a few words of gossip, at this time, the people invited by Cai Ye to cheer for Yang Shuoming came one after another, the first to arrive were Zhang Shaozeng and Chen Eun, and then Yang Du, Yan Fu, Hu Ying and Xia Shoutian also arrived, Yang Shuoming did not expect Cai Ye to invite Yang Du and Chen Eun, and he couldn't help but secretly wonder in his heart.

In the textbooks and works of later generations, Cai Yi is a well-known revolutionary, Yan Fu is a thinker and educator, and Yang Du and Chen Eun are reactionary figures who advocate the imperial system, and they have no reason to sit together at all, but today these people are not only invited by Cai Yi to pick up the wind and wash the dust for themselves, but also talk happily one by one, without the slightest awkwardness.

What surprised Yang Shuoming even more was the last two people to arrive.

These two people, one is Cai Yi's teacher Liang Qichao, and the other is the famous "Northeast King" Zhang Zuolin in history.

Watching these people greet and greet him like old acquaintances under Cai Yi's introduction, Yang Shuoming couldn't help but feel like a world away.

Trying to get rid of the influence of the "revolutionary teaching materials" of later generations, Yang Shuoming looked at these people, and with his own personal knowledge of this era, he quickly sorted out the relationship among these people.

These people invited by Cai Ye are actually quite related to him. Among these people, Liang Qichao is Cai Yi's teacher, and has been following Yuan Shikai since the break with Kang Youwei, Zhang Shaozeng and Zhang Zuolin are his comrades-in-arms who fought side by side in the north, Yang Du and Chen Eun are the sponsors of Cai Yi's chief of staff (Yang Du and Chen Eun originally recommended Cai Ye to be the chief of the army, but due to the opposition of the old Beiyang generals, this position was finally given to Duan Qirui), Yang Du has always had a good relationship, and Yang Du is the head of the "Six Gentlemen of the Preparatory Security Association". It is easy to understand that Hu Ying and Xia Shoutian were invited.

After everyone was seated, the turtle slave presented the ticket as usual, that is, everyone wrote a note to ask their usual good girl to accompany the wine, and soon, everyone filled in their familiar names. Everyone is familiar with writing, but Yang Shuoming, who encountered this kind of scene for the first time, seemed a little embarrassed.

Seeing the unconsciously embarrassed expression on Yang Shuoming's face, Xiao Fengxian's gaze looked a little surprised.

"Looks like it's Hanyuki's first time here." Yang Du looked at Cai Ye with a smile, "We can't let Han Zhibai come here, Han Zhi is embarrassed, so let the master make an appointment on his behalf." ”

"Han's vision is extremely high, I don't dare to recommend it indiscriminately." Cai Yi smiled and said to Xiao Fengxian, "Who else is your good sister?" Give General Yang a recommendation. To be the most beautiful. ”

Xiao Fengxian smiled slightly, and ordered the turtle slave to call the bustard mother, took a beautifully decorated roster, and put it in front of Yang Shuoming.

Yang Shuoming opened the roster a little at a loss, looked at the names written in beautiful italics one by one on it, and casually ordered a girl named Xixue in this "Qunfang Spectrum".

"Hanzhi has good eyesight, I heard that this girl is a newcomer not long ago, and she is a candidate for the future Oiran." Yang Du said with a smile.

"I'm afraid that Hanzhi will also be a frequent visitor here in the future, haha." Cai Ye also laughed.

After the strip was written, the turtle slave went down to recruit, Xiao Fengxian got up and opened a pot of Zhuangyuan Hong, and poured a cup for everyone in turn, Cai Yi smiled and said to Yang Shuoming: "Hanzhi came here, did you talk to Mrs. Zun?" ”

"Anyway, she said let me have a long experience." Yang Shuoming replied with a smile.

"It seems that Hanzhi is the same at home, but it is no better than Songpa, accompanying us to eat and drink here, but Mrs. Cai is drinking cold vinegar at home," Hu Ying said with a smile, "When I go back tonight, Songpo will have to have some trouble again." ”

"She wouldn't dare." Cai Yi smiled slightly, "I'm not one of those cowardly people, as soon as I heard the roar of the lion in Hedong, I had no claim." ”

"Today is to wash the dust for Hanzhi, and at the same time, I am also here to drink Lao Cai and Miss Feng's wine, don't say these disappointing words!" Zhang Zuolin took the lead in proposing, "Han Zhiguang regained Qingdao, beat me to cry father and call mother, grow our Chinese's ambition and prestige, let's first salute Han a cup!" ”

After listening to Zhang Zuolin's words, everyone applauded and toasted, Yang Shuoming toasted with everyone, and the atmosphere in the banquet became warm for a while.

"Hanzhi went to the United States this time to help Minister Lu sign the contract smoothly, and I heard that at the meeting, he also killed the arrogance of Foreign Minister Kato Takaming." Yang Du said, "American newspapers have widely praised Hanzhi in the United States now, and his popularity in the United States is much higher than that of our people. ”

"The Purple has won the prize. Diplomacy is not my forte, and the reason why the president sent me there was to suppress his arrogance and fight for the dignity of 40,000,000 compatriots. Yang Shuoming smiled, "This is another battle, I have to win." ”

"Hanzhi is the only one of us here who hasn't suffered a single defeat. worthy of the name of 'Changsheng General'," Zhang Shaozeng said, raising his glass again, "If it weren't for Hanzhi's artillery chariot transported from Shandong, we don't know how many people would have to die to win, I'll give Brother Yang another glass here!" ”

Zhang Shaozeng raised his glass and touched Yang Shuoming, and then drank it all, Yang Shuoming also drank this cup, and felt that his stomach immediately burned like a fire.

In later generations, Yang Shuoming didn't drink much, and he only drank a little spleen wine when he got together with friends, but this time he suddenly drank two glasses of rapid wine, and obviously felt uncomfortable.

At this time, the recruited girls all arrived one after another, and they all sat down beside the guests, accompanied by the burst of fat powder aroma, Yang Shuoming found a white figure fluttering in, and sat down next to him gently.

Yang Shuoming turned his head and saw a girl in a white tight-fitting embroidered cheongsam, looking at him with a smile.

This girl named Xixue is really like Yang Du said, she is a very beautiful girl, in terms of appearance alone, the little phoenix fairy with medium appearance and her can not be compared at all, and several sisters who are thick and beautiful, she is wearing light Ru, and a light white embroidered cheongsam makes her look beautiful and refined, if it is not on such an occasion, Yang Shuoming can hardly imagine that such a beautiful and pure girl with an elegant temperament is actually a wine and laughter.

The arrival of the girls accompanying the wine made the atmosphere of the banquet more enthusiastic, and for a while, the sound of guessing the boxing order was endless.

Yang Shuoming didn't know how to punch, and he lost a few glasses in a row, and it was the first time he drank so much liquor, and his stomach was like fire for a while.

"General Yang is afraid that he is not good at drinking, let me drink a few glasses for you." This girl named Xixue saw that Yang Shuoming was a little overwhelmed, and said on the side.

Yang Shuoming was struggling with the wine in his stomach at this time, and he couldn't speak for a while, so he could only nod.

"If you want to drink it for General Yang, you have to dry the wine in his cup first. Drink the wine that we all salute General Yang again. Zhang Zuolin heard the conversation between them and said with a smile.

Xi Xue took the wine glass in Yang Shuoming's hand, drank it all, and then drank the wine that everyone toasted in turn, causing everyone to applaud.

Yang Shuoming looked at this girl who drank for herself cup after cup in surprise, and couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart.

"Xixue, you take it easy." Xiao Fengxian saw Xi Xue's cheeks flushed, and said with some worry.

Xi Xue wiped her seductive red lips with a white handkerchief, smiled at Xiao Fengxian and shook her head, signaling that it didn't matter.

Yang Shuoming took advantage of Xi Xue's opportunity to block the wine for himself, ate some more dishes, and suppressed the wine, probably knowing that he was feeling unwell, Xi Xue gave him a bowl of hot soup and gave him a drink.

After the hot soup was eaten, Yang Shuoming felt much more comfortable, he turned his head to look at everyone, met Cai Yi's concerned gaze, and couldn't help but smile.

Cai Yi suffers from throat disease and can't drink more, so basically Xiao Fengxian drinks on his behalf, Xiao Fengxian also drank red at this time, probably because he didn't want her to drink too much, Cai Yi re-led the topic to the current affairs at hand, so that everyone had time to talk while eating and slowing down the strength of the wine just now.

"The president has just approved the 10-year development plan for the Navy proposed by the Navy Department, and the first batch of 2 million yuan has already been allocated," Cai said, "but I don't know how much I can give to the Army." ”

"Do Songpa know the details of the victory in the Battle of Caofeidian?" Zhang Shaozeng asked.

"I don't know." Cai Yi shook his head and said, "This time the navy also fought very well, but even Shen Yueben's four giant ships are really too incredible. ”

"It can't be that the ship hit the reef and sank, and Chief Liu forced it on his head, right?" Liang Qichao smiled and said half-jokingly and half-seriously.

Yang Shuoming heard the off-string sound in Liang Qichao's words, and couldn't help but sigh for Liu Guanxiong in his heart.

Until now, although he is the secretary of the navy, Liu Guanxiong has not been able to shake off the impact of the "Haitian" ship's landing.

In February 1904, the Russo-Russian War broke out, and the Qing government was powerless to stop the war on its own territory, so it had to declare "neutrality". On 23 April, Liu Guanxiong was ordered to lead the "Haitian" ship from Yantai to Jiangyin to ship arms to meet the needs of "neutrality" in western Liaoning. On the 24th, the warship encountered foggy weather at sea. By night, the fog was getting thicker and thicker, and visibility over the sea was already low. In this case, the warship should slow down. However, Liu Guanxiong believed that the task was urgent and time could not be delayed, thinking that with his many years of experience in sea navigation, he could fully cope with such bad weather. Therefore, he did not give the order to slow down, but ordered the warship to continue to speed through the fog at the same speed. As a result, in the early morning of 25 July, the "Haitian" ship sailed to the vicinity of Dingxing Island in Zhoushan, outside the mouth of the Yangtze River, and when it was about to sail into Wusongkou, it found that the civilian ship was approaching.

The "Haitian" and the "Haiqi" of the same class were the two largest warships of the Qing Dynasty Navy after the First Sino-Japanese War. The damage to the "Haitian" caused a great shock in the government and the opposition, and it was rumored that Liu Guanxiong did not order the warship to slow down in order to rush back to give birth to his aunt's wife, making him the target of public criticism. Liu Guanxiong knew that his sin was unforgivable, and he would inevitably die, but he was finally shrouded in fear, his spirit almost collapsed, and he almost committed suicide. However, in a moment of crisis, Yuan Shikai came forward to save his life.

In that year, Liu Guanxiong led the ship south under the strong initiative of Yuan Shikai to participate in the "Southeast Mutual Insurance", and Yuan Shikai had a good impression of him. After the "Haitian" ship ran aground, Yuan Shikai tried his best to protect Liu Guanxiong. He said that Liu Guanxiong had to "brave the fog to advance" because he "was afraid of delays in welcoming the arms" and that his mistake was "caused by his efforts in the line of duty", and on the grounds that "his crimes can be punished, he can be recorded", and urged the imperial court to forgive him, which finally saved Liu Guanxiong from death and was only dismissed from his post. Yuan Shikai's life-saving grace made Liu Guanxiong grateful. Since then, Liu Guanxiong has become Yuan Shikai's hardcore confidant, and since then he has soared, and he has been criticized for this.

"It's impossible to hit the reef and sink so much at once," Hu Ying said, "and the Americans say they were sunk by the bomb." ”

"I've read reports from the Americans, and they say that our navy sank the ship with mines. It's just that they can't say where the mine came from or how it hit the ship. Zhang Zuolin said, "It's really strange." ”

"This is what the Navy did with a submarine." Chen Yanxiang glanced at Yang Shuoming casually and said, "Now that the battle is over, it doesn't matter if you say it." ”

"How do you know? Yangtian? Cai Yi noticed what Chen Yan's gaze was pointing at, and couldn't help but ask curiously.

"The Admiralty gave the president a report, and for the sake of secrecy to prevent theft, the president did not make the contents of the report public, and I only heard about it." Chen Yan said, "Just like the 2 million yuan allocated to the navy, the president specially requested that a number of submarines be purchased to form an underwater fleet in case the navy invades again." ”

"Submarines are indeed a weapon against the enemy." Cai Ye said, "In this European war, German submarines inflicted heavy losses on the British Navy and merchant fleet, which made the British talk about the color of the boats, and if China has 100 submarines that can go out to the open sea to fight, this war will be a different situation." The president also realized this, and it was only then that he asked the Navy to build more submarines. ”

"With China's current strength, it will be very difficult to build such an advanced ship as a submarine." Liang Qichao looked at Cai Ye and said, "Although I have suffered a big loss this time, its industrial production capacity has not been damaged at all, and it will soon be able to build a more powerful warship, or even this submarine, and if my country's industry cannot catch up, although it will win by ingenuity for a while, it will not help the general trend after all." ”

"What Liang Rengong said is extremely true." Yang Du said, "Therefore, the top priority is to end the chaos of the country as soon as possible and concentrate on the development of industry, agriculture and commerce." And if this is to happen, there must be a strong political axe. ”

(To be continued)