Big people are never so easy to see, it's not necessarily that those people are arrogant and rude, but there are too many people who want to see those big people. The big guys are busy, where is there so much time to meet some inconsequential idlers. Chen Ke was a little undecided, what reason to use to meet Yuan Datou. went to see Yuan Datou as Yan Fu's disciple, which clearly showed that he was going to an official, or to express Yan Fu's goodwill to Yuan Datou. If you go in the name of buying and selling honeycomb coal, it is estimated that the porter at the gate of Yuan Datou can take Chen Ke back.

Moreover, in history, Yuan Datou has been very busy in the past few years, training the Beiyang New Army and establishing a police system. There should be no time to meet nobodies like Chen Ke.

Shang Yuan basically agreed with Chen Ke's opinion, but he thought that Yuan Shikai might not be unwilling to see Chen Ke. If Yuan Shikai didn't see Chen Ke after seeing Yan Fu's letter, then Yan Fu's personality would never give Chen Ke this letter. Holding the attitude of treating a dead horse as a live horse doctor, Chen Ke simply took Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo to the small station together.

Yuan Shikai's Beiyang New Army was stationed at a small station for military exercises, and the Beiyang Army did not record much in the history textbooks that Chen Ke had studied. Before the Northern Expedition, most of the famous figures were senior generals of the Beiyang New Army. Wu Peifu and Duan Qirui are also famous figures in China. However, they were all figures of the older generation, and with the fall of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in 1912 and Chiang's 412 counter-revolutionary coup d'état in 1927, the contradiction between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party became the most acute and major contradiction in China. However, in 15 years, Beiyang has changed from an invincible person to an unknown person. The withering speed is also very fast.

It's winter, and the weather is quite cold. Chen Ke wants to be demeanor rather than temperature, with a pair of leather boots purchased in this era on his feet, dark blue pinstriped velvet trousers over autumn coats and trousers, blue-gray woolen sweaters, and gray coats. This was the thickest of the clothes he had brought. On the outside of this suit, Chen Ke wore knee pads and a wool cloak, a heavy costume often seen in movies about Northwest swordsmen, in fact, this is a necessary clothing for horseback riding in winter. Anyone who can afford it will have one. At this time, he, Chai Qingguo, and Xie Mingxian all put on such wool cloaks and walked side by side.

"Mr. Chen, I heard you talk to those gentlemen about rebellion, why is it different from the rebellion between our brothers?" Chai Qingguo has been attending the meeting as an observer, but he has not spoken. It wasn't until he was alone with Chen Ke that after leaving the city, he saw that there was no one around, and then he said his doubts. Thanks to his patience, he also has such patience. For a charlatan, this kind of self-control seems extremely rare.

"Brother Wu told everyone how to change from a bandit to a rogue." Chen Ke said with a smile.

Speaking of the course hosted by Wu Xingchen, Chai Qingguo immediately became interested, "That's right, I really didn't expect that there would be so many ways to fight." However, Brother Wu said it well, if there is still a group of bandits, there will be no chance for this kind of guerrilla warfare. ”

"So you have to have a base, you have to have your own territory. What we are talking about now is the construction of base areas. ”

Chai Qingguo suddenly realized, "I said that it sounds the same as being an official!" From farming to business, and what other industries there are, I really don't know that there are so many ways. ”

Chen Ke was very satisfied with Chai Qingguo's understanding, especially Chai Qingguo's humble attitude, he smiled and said: "Why is the Beiyang Army more powerful than us, because they have a large territory, can recruit soldiers, can provide money and food, and can make weapons. If we want to fight them, we have to have such a territory. ”

Listening to Chen Ke's words, Chai Qingguo couldn't help but laugh and said, "Isn't that going to sit in the world?" I can't do this, I don't know how to read, and I can't read and write if I don't know how to read and write. Mr. Chen, Mr. Tianhua and Brother Wu were all learned, and they went to Brother Pang. You'll have to recommend a few people to me, too. It's really not good, let this Mr. Xie go with me. ”

Chen Ke has always been at a loss for recruiting reckless heroes, and under Pang Zi's absolute resistance to himself, several other heroes also deliberately avoided Chen Ke. Only Chai Qingguo still respects himself more. He couldn't help but ask: "Brother Chai, Brother Pang hates readers very much, I think you also suffered the loss of readers back then......"

Brother Pang looked rude, in fact, his family was full of scholars, Uncle Jing was not an ordinary big family in Nangong County, and he was a big family at that time. He doesn't like reading people, because some of his family are reading people. I can't, I don't know a few people who read. Mr. Chan must help me. ”

This was said thoroughly, which made Chen Ke feel suddenly enlightened. All along, he was puzzled that the revolutionary party always sent someone to serve as a military advisor when he contacted local heroes. In Chen Ke's mind, what can a military advisor who relies on lip service do? After listening to Chai Qingguo's words, he suddenly figured out that he was just bringing himself into those reckless heroes. If there is such a "military advisor" by his side, Chen Ke must kill him. But the reckless heroes may be okay to rob homes and houses, but it is definitely not okay to engage in construction. They must have their own "master", that is, a literate person. To be able to understand accounting, you also need some skills. Pang Zi's own family can provide these people, so Pang Zi's resistance to himself is simply certain.

So do you want to send someone to go with Chai Qingguo? As soon as this idea appeared, Chen Ke rejected it. The people sent must have strong ability, at this stage, Chen Ke himself lacks such people, where is the surplus manpower sent out for development.

Looking at Chai Qingguo's eager eyes, Chen Ke smiled and said, "Brother Chai, there is no such person around me. Brother Xie is very important to me, and I really can't send him to you. ”

Hearing this, Chai Qingguo's disappointment was overflowing, and Chen Ke knew that explaining again would only hurt his anger. He turned to the situation in Shandong.

There is an official road from Beijing to the small station, Xie Mingxian and Chen Ke are not good at riding horses, everyone runs for a while, and let the horses walk for a while. I don't have much time to talk on the road. I set out early in the morning, and in the afternoon, I saw the camp of the Forces nouvelles in the distance. The closer you are to the barracks, the more soldiers will come and go on the road. Patrol soldiers in groups of five, and scouts in teams of three horses. Constant back and forth. It gives people the feeling that the law is strict. Chai Qingguo and Chen Ke have watched the autumn exercises in Hejian together and seen the large array of 10,000 people, so they are better. Where had Xie Mingxian seen such a posture, and his face became nervous. "We didn't do anything bad, don't be cowardly. The more nervous you look, the more difficult people will be for you. Chen Ke hurriedly said to Xie Mingxian.

Xie Mingxian is not a teenager who does not know things, he has also participated in the township examination, and he can be regarded as having seen the world. Since what Chen Ke said was right, Xie Mingxian relaxed his mind and his expression was also

The barracks of the Forces nouvelles are large, but there are no buildings in them, and the roofs of the barracks can be seen from the walls and fences. There are still a lot of these roofs, and Chen Ke suddenly felt that if he really sold honeycomb coal, the sales here should be very good.

The patrolling infantry and cavalry looked at the three of them as they passed by Chen Ke. They saw that the three of them looked calm, everyone remained calm, and Chen Ke, a young man with short hair, was in the center, and two people with pigtails followed on the left and right, which made them scratch their heads. After all, it was not wartime, and patrols were just routine, and watching the three of them go towards the gate, there was no one to stop them.

"It's strong on the outside. None of this idea is alert. Chen Ke chuckled under his breath. Hearing this, Xie Mingxian nodded slightly. Chai Qingguo said a little exaggeratedly. It seems that he very much wanted to psychologically occupy an advantage over the Beiyang Army.

Less than a hundred meters away from the gate, Chen Ke asked everyone to dismount and led the horse over. The sentry saw that the three were not hostile, and just stared at them. When he arrived at the door, Chen Ke arched his hand to the sentry and said loudly: "In Xia Chen Ke, entrusted by Mr. Xi Yanfu, the former head teacher of the Beiyang Naval Academy, I came to meet the Governor of Zhili and the Minister of Beiyang, Lord Yuan Weiting. There are letters. ”

The announcements in the officialdom have to be officially stated. This is the most bluffing, although they know that Chen Ke is here to do this, but listening to Chen Ke say it aloud, Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo only felt that their identities seemed to have improved a lot after hearing this, and they were inexplicably excited, and they couldn't help but straighten their chests.

The sentry saw that Chen Ke's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, and his speech was so straightforward, and the characters mentioned were by no means within the reach of a pawn like them, so he did not dare to slack off. Leaving Chen Ke to wait at the door, a sentry ran into the post to report. A moment later, a person came out, Chen Ke had not studied the epaulettes of Beiyang, but he seemed to be a low-level officer. The officer asked Chen Ke about his origin, and when he heard that Chen Ke was sent by Mr. Yan Fu, his attitude immediately became much more respectful. "Mr. Chen, the military order does not allow you to enter the camp, please wait outside." After saying that, he went to the outpost and rode his horse to the barracks.

At the door, it was inconvenient for Chen Ke to speak, today was cloudy, the military camp was flat, and it was really cold enough when the light wind blew. Chen Ke has always liked to stand up straight and look mighty, but this posture is not conducive to maintaining temperature. Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo were already behind the horses, using the horses to block the wind. Chen Ke always poked in place. The sentry next to him also had his back to the camp gate, but this was the wind outlet, and after blowing for a while, the sentry's face was a little pale. Chen Ke smiled at him, and the sentry reluctantly smiled back, then put his hand in his sleeve.

After a while, two horses came running. At the head was the low-ranking officer, and the epaulettes of the man at the back were the same as those of Bu Guanshui. Everyone could see their faces when they got closer. Chen Ke saw that the man had a knife face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a few just scars on his face, which looked quite fierce. When the man saw Chen Ke clearly, he was obviously taken aback. The ferocious look that was characteristic of soldiers has eased a lot.

The officer asked Chen Ke again about his origin and origin. and asked for the letter. Chen Ke thought that this person should not swallow the letter privately. He handed over the letter. The man looked at the letter, looked at Chen Ke again, and then rode in. Chen Ke felt that there was an important link missing, that is, asking for bribes. In these days, it is customary to ask for bribes. I don't know if the Beiyang Army is more special? Or what? Since the mid-level officer had entered, Chen Ke simply took out the gift money that had been prepared a long time ago from his pocket, smiled and talked to the sentry and the junior officer, and sent it up. Both of them accepted with a grin, without the slightest refusal.

The junior officer even advised Chen Ke to take shelter from the outpost. Chen Ke hurriedly said: "Brother, you reported for me, but I was tired. There are rules in the barracks, I can't let you treat me kindly, but I will be seen and reprimanded by the superiors. I'll just wait here. The officer did not force Chen Ke, and entered the post with a smile on his face.

It took a while more for the mid-ranking officer to return. "Lord Yuan wants to see you." He said simply.

Chen Ke was very surprised when he heard the news, and he estimated that after the letter was delivered, he would wait for Yuan Shikai to receive him. He was ready to wait in line for a few days. Not to mention the good and evil of Yuan Shikai himself, Chen Ke can imagine how busy Yuan Shikai is with his work on weekdays. I didn't expect that I, an unknown person, could be received so quickly by Yuan Shikai, the governor of Zhili and the minister of Beiyang, by relying on a letter. What a face. Chen Ke felt incredible.

But since Yuan Shikai wants to see Chen Ke, Chen Ke will also go to the Longtan Tiger's Den in front of him. Chen Ke turned to the two people behind him and said, "You guys go back first." It's not convenient for me to take you in. ”

Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo looked disappointed when they heard this, but this was understandable. Before everyone came, they didn't expect Chen Ke to be received so quickly. Since it was different from the original plan, everyone went with the flow. The two took their leave.

Chen Ke followed the officer inside. He tried to get closer, but the officer remained silent. Chen Ke offered the "honor gold", but the officer accepted it unceremoniously. took Chen Ke to a place in the barracks that was repaired like a yamen, and the two dismounted. The officer went in with Chen Ke. Coming in and out were middle- and high-ranking officers, and Chen Ke had already taken off his sheepskin jacket and put it on the saddle when he came in. At this time, this outfit is quite eye-catching. From time to time, someone asked the officer in front of him who Chen Ke was. Between the words, I just knew that the officer's surname was Wu.

After entering the yamen, I turned left and right, and arrived at the door of an office. Officer Wu went first to report, and then came out to take Chen Ke in. As soon as he entered the door, he saw a person sitting behind the desk, and Chen Ke had the impression that this face was indeed Yuan Shikai's appearance. There was also a person standing next to him, and Chen Ke didn't know him. This person is quite thin and has a calm expression, although he is wearing a military uniform, he looks like a literati, but he does not have the faint pretentiousness of a literati at all, and he should be a character. However, Chen Ke couldn't care about it so much, he bowed deeply and said in Henan dialect: "See Lord Yuan." ”

"You are Chen Ke and Chen Wenqing who wrote that book." Yuan Shikai's Henan dialect made Chen Ke feel that it sounded quite kind. However, the content of these words surprised Chen Ke. Could it be that Mr. Yan Fu still sent his book to Yuan Shikai?

"Xiaomin is Chen Ke." Chen Ke didn't dare to mention the book, so he could only introduce himself simply.

The spirit of the big man is different, Yuan Shikai doesn't have so many hypocrisy at all, after letting Chen Ke sit down. Seeing Chen Ke sitting steadily on the chair, he couldn't help laughing. "When Brother Dao sent me Wenqing's book, he also wrote a letter. The letter was very polite, saying Wen Qing, you are a disciple of several brothers, and I hope I will take more care of you in Beijing. As a result, I waited so long for Wen Qing to come to see me,"

This is quite clever, and the core meaning is to ask Chen Ke what do you mean? It took so long to come to Beijing to see me. I have given enough face to Yan Fu, how are you going to round my face.

Chen Ke definitely did not refute Yuan Shikai's face, but Chen Ke must not lose Yan Fu's dignity. Although I don't know what Yan Fu wrote, I think it's definitely not as polite as Yuan Shikai said. He thought for a moment, and then said:

"My lord, before coming to Beijing, my tutor repeatedly explained that I came to Beijing to let me travel, not to find a way to get lucky through my old tutor. The tutor knows that you miss the old love the most, and I have mentioned it many times, so I don't dare to come to meet the adult rashly. ”

Hearing this, Yuan Shikai said with a smile. "Brother Dao is still so self-disciplined. Since Wen Qing said so, he thought that he had traveled in Beijing. ”

"I once met Bu Guanshui by chance, and I made a song of "The Beiyang New Army is Forward" with Bu Guanshui." Chen Ke replied.

Hearing this, Yuan Shikai was slightly taken aback, he liked that song very much, I heard that the composer was Bu Guanshui, an officer who was transferred to the Anhui New Army, Yuan Shikai knew a little about this person, he was a foreign student, but he shouldn't have any musical skills, and he wanted to find someone to do it. But I never expected it to be Chen Ke. However, Chen Ke dared to say this, it should not be to deceive himself.

"That's a good tune." Yuan Shikai said with a smile.

"My lord, you have trained the army of tigers and wolves, and I can only be worthy of such an army by making a majestic song." Chen Ke hurriedly complimented.

Only then did Yuan Shikai become really happy, "It seems that Wen Qing and I have a lot of fate in Beiyang." Bu Guanshui is your friend? ”

"No, I only met in Beijing." Chen Ke briefly recounted the process of knowing Bu Guanshui. Then Chen Ke said: "I really didn't expect you to raise the juniors so much this time, and I was going to wait for the adults to summon the juniors, and then offer special medicine." This time, I just came to visit the book, and I didn't bring the medicine with me. I don't think about it, and I hope that Lord will forgive me. ”

Yuan Shikai just smiled when he heard this, since he had already understood Chen Ke's experience, there was nothing else, "That's Lao Wenqing." Wen Qing is energetic, if someone else had made that tune, they would have found us a long time ago. Wen Qing is only here now, I don't know if there is anything I can help with? ”

"I opened a factory in Beijing and made a thing." Chen Ke briefly stated the matter of honeycomb coal. Yuan Shikai listened to the detailed data Chen Ke said, and just nodded slightly. After Chen Ke finished introducing, he said: "Most of the people who are with the younger generations are colleagues from the Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau in the past, and now that this thing has been made, I am worried about some trouble." So I want to entrust this factory under the Beiyang. But I didn't know the way at all, so I dared to ask the adults to come. ”

Yuan Shikai heard Chen Ke's words, just nodded, but did not speak immediately. After a while, the leader of the North Ocean said, "I know. There is no need to rush this matter. In this way, Wen Qing, you leave the address of your residence, and I will send someone to find you. ”

Although Yuan Shikai didn't say it, just saying it was tantamount to making some promises to Chen Ke. Chen Ke naturally hurriedly thanked him. After talking about the matter, everyone chatted a few words about Yan Fu's recent situation. Then Yuan Shikai served tea and sent it off.

After all, it was the yamen of the barracks, and when Chen Ke came out, the sheepskin jacket and knee pads were still in the saddle, and the Wu officer accompanied Chen Ke out of the barracks, but he just gave up his hand and left. Chen Ke looked at the taciturn officer, but he was a little puzzled by his attitude. Not long after the conversation, Chen Ke urged the horse to go back to the way he came. Xie Mingxian's riding skills are not good, and he will definitely not be able to walk fast. Thinking about this meeting with Yuan Shikai along the way, Chen Ke felt like a dream. There are some details that I can't even recall. Of course, Chen Ke was not so bold to look at Yuan Shikai's face non-stop.

While thinking about this meeting, thinking about the future, I don't know how far I ran, only to see the familiar figures of the two horseback riders in front of me, Chen Ke shouted to the two of them, and urged the horse to chase after them.