"To make you Cai Songpo so heavy, it seems that this person is indeed not simple."

"No wonder this person was able to recover Qingdao."

"This person has a great contribution to the recovery of Qingdao, so he Yang Huizi is so interested in it, he immediately set his eyes on it."

"Before the new dynasty was established, he Yang Huizi first collected a tiger general for Lao Yuan, which was also a great achievement."

"Judging from this posture, the new dynasty is established, and he Yang Huizi is definitely going to be the first assistant."

Hearing this last sentence, Liang Qichao's brows wrinkled unconsciously.

"What a new dynasty of the old dynasty! We, the veterans of Xinhai, can't overthrow the Manchu Emperor and serve another Emperor Yuan! ”

One of Cai's subordinates may have drunk too much, and his voice became high.

"Don't be suspicious...... Cai Yi waved his hand and said, "There is no need for the president to take this step now......," he turned his head and coughed lightly twice, "Now that the country is defeated by the Japanese invaders, the country is predetermined, and it is a good time for construction and development, and there must be no internal strife because of this, in that case, it will give the Japanese a chance to invade our country again......

After listening to Cai Yi's words, the noise in the banquet gradually subsided.

Liang Qichao looked at Cai Yi, who looked haggard but looked a little excited, and sighed secretly in his heart.

Early the next morning, Yang Du came to Zhongnanhai Jurentang early to report to Yuan Shikai about the meeting with Yang Shuoming.

"He is also a monarchist and does not approve of a republican trip to China." Yang Du said to Yuan Shikai, "And he has a deeper understanding of China's national conditions, which can even be said to be beyond what Dr. Goodnow has seen." ”

"I see." Yuan Shikai nodded undeniably, but a hint of excitement flashed in his eyes unconsciously, "It seems that this person is not only a general, but also very talented in this regard, but we didn't know much about it before." ”

"He himself seems to be extremely interested in shipbuilding." Yang Du remembered the model of the "Dingyuan" ironclad ship he saw in Yang Shuoming's house, and said to Yuan Shikai, "Judging from the impression he gave me, his interest in military affairs seems to be far less than that of industry. ”

"Oh? What do you think? Yuan Shikai showed a look of surprise, "Do you think his mind is actually on industry?" ”

"Not bad." Yang Du nodded and replied very affirmatively, "Actually, most of our conversation yesterday was about industry. He has a lot of ideas for national building and economic development, which sounds a little bizarre, but they all make sense, and it sounds like there is a lot of potential for realization. ”

"It seems that he and Cai Songpo are completely two different people." Yuan Shikai pondered for a while and said, "Acting is quite in the style of Li Wenzhonggong back then. ”

"He talked to me about his experience in setting up industries in western Jiangxi, and he said that although all the enterprises he established were civilian enterprises, once the country changed, they could be converted to military use. His Jiangxi army is well-equipped, and there is no one in the country who is unsurpassed, and it is precisely because of this. Yang Du said, "I think that in the future, his achievements in industry should be higher than that of the military." ”

"If that were the case, I wouldn't have to worry about him getting into trouble." Yuan Shikai looked at Yang Du, and a look of relief appeared on his face, "The step of releasing military power with a glass of wine is not needed by him." ”

"Exactly." Yang Du said.

"The delegation will leave in two days, so I'll just meet him today!" Yuan Shikai thought for a while and said, "If he really wants to run an industry, and he is not a vain name like Sun Dacang, I am happy to fulfill his ambition." ”

Yuan Shikai said, pressed the electric bell, and a secretary appeared at the door.

"Please come over for a visit." Yuan Shikai commanded.

War Department, Secret Conference Room.

"Has the President seen him?"

"Yes, after General Yang received the notice of the president's summons, he immediately set off to the presidential palace, and the president met with General Yang in Jurentang, and the president and General Yang had a very pleasant conversation, and the president immediately awarded General Yang the first-class Jiahe Medal and the first-class White Eagle Medal, but General Yang did not wear a military uniform and failed to wear it at that time."

"He's not wearing a military uniform?"

When Duan Qirui heard such a report, his brows immediately furrowed.

"Yes, General Yang is wearing the civilian clothes of the president." The reporter replied.

"Interesting." Xu Shuzheng smiled and shook his head, "It seems that he is very good at figuring out the president's thoughts." ”

"What did they talk about, you know?" Duan Qirui thought about it and asked again.

"The exact content is not clear, but according to the people in the presidential office, it is mostly about industry."

"I see." Duan Qirui's face became gloomy, he nodded, and the reporter immediately saluted and retreated.

"What do you think? Again? Duan Qirui turned to Xu Shuzheng, who was known as "Little Zhuge ".

"The president did not let Yang Hanzhi return to Jiangxi to take up his post, just to prevent him from sitting big. After all, he has made a strong army out in more than a year. The president asked him to take up his post in Shandong in order to prevent the resurgence of the army, and he transferred himself to Beijing, on the one hand, to restrain him, and on the other hand, to hint to him that he would be reused and to see his attitude. Xu Shuzheng said, "And he, Yang Hanzhi, is not a fool, he knows the president's intentions, so he happily came to Beijing to see His Majesty, and showed the president that he has no intention of holding military power." The reason why he wore civilian clothes to meet the president was to show his heart to the president and to comfort the president. ”

"I heard that Yang Du's guy had a hot fight with him, which means that he is likely to approve of the imperial system." Duan Qirui said with a frown.

"It's possible. At the very least, there should be no objections. Xu Shuzheng said, "I think he did this, it is likely to be a plan to invite pets to avoid trouble, and he is afraid that he may not really agree with it." ”

"Maybe!" Duan Qirui sighed and sat down, "He and I are the same, it's a pity that a great achievement has been put into flowing water." ”

"This time, if it weren't for the War Department to coordinate the overall situation in advance and take countermeasures, it would have been impossible to defeat the Japanese Invaders," Hearing Duan Qirui's sigh, Xu Shuzheng's dissatisfaction was overflowing, "But the battle is won, not only is the reward not for us, but our old brothers have been jealous, I think he Yuan Xiangcheng might as well just remove the War Department, anyway, it's useless, let the people in the command office do it." ”

Listening to Xu Shuzheng's complaints, Duan Qirui's emotions somehow calmed down, and he sneered, without an interface.

"He, Yang Hanzhi, should actually come to see us." Xu Shuzheng said, "He can become the guard of Ganxi Town, doesn't it depend on us?" ”

"At this time, it's better for him not to come." Duan Qirui said calmly, "This is good for himself and us, with his intelligence and performance just now, he should be able to think of this." ”

Xu Shuzheng keenly heard something from Duan Qirui's words, and he nodded while staring at Duan Qirui's face, wanting to know what he thought.

"Cai Songpo's health has not been good, I still laugh at him for being a white-faced scholar, weak health is not the material for being a soldier, I didn't expect to joke that people are not as good as people, a while ago the war was urgent, I didn't feel it, and now I can't breathe a sigh of relief, this uncomfortable place is more and more." Duan Qirui thumped his waist, took a breath, and said, "I'll take a leave of absence today, and I'll raise it for a while!" The affairs of the ministry will be handed over to you again. ”

Listening to Duan Qirui's words, Xu Shuzheng was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood, and immediately nodded.

"The so-called 'man is not as good as the sky', I want to see what will become of this day." Duan Qirui's face showed a relieved expression, and he said to himself, "Watching coldly, why not be a quick thing?" ”

When Yang Shuoming received the news that Duan Qirui was on sick leave, he had already received a notice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that he was going to the United States with the delegation.

"Lao Duan is actually sick, do we need to visit him before we leave? After all, people have helped us a lot......" Huang Yunzhi remembered Duan Qirui's great help at the beginning, and said to Yang Shuoming.

If it weren't for the help of Duan Qirui, the army chief, Yang Shuoming, the fake Ganxi town guard, would have to go on smoothly, and I don't know how many twists and turns it would take (the secret in this is only known to Yang Shuoming and his wife and a few important people in the circle) "He is not really sick, what is there to see, and it is even worse to go." Yang Shuoming smiled and said, "It's too late to say it." ”

"Yes." Huang Yunzhi nodded a little amusedly, "Or wait until you come back." She looked at the maids and servants who were packing their bags, and said softly, "If we live in the capital for a long time in the future, it will be impossible to think of it." ”

"Don't think about it so much." Yang Shuoming nodded thoughtfully, "Let's take care of this trip to the United States first." ”

"I see, this time you are not going to the United States to assist in negotiations, but to investigate." Huang Yunzhi remembered what Yang Shuoming asked her to help prepare, and couldn't help but laugh again.

"It's not just to investigate, we have a lot to do." Yang Shuoming said, "Has the telegram to Sun Hengjia and Lao Wu been sent?" ”

"It was sent, and he called back and said that he and Lao Wu and we would meet in Tianjin." Huang Yunzhi replied, "Lao Wu said that he also went over. ”

"Good." Yang Shuoming nodded, "Both of them are here, I can save some trouble." ”

"By the way, you two shipbuilding maniacs scolded the 'Yellow River' class battleship you designed, saying that it was rubbish, and the two of them expressed their resolute opposition and gave another plan." Huang Yunzhi took out a thick letter and handed it to Yang Shuoming.

"These two neuropaths, how did they know about the 'Yellow River'?" Yang Shuoming didn't open the letter, but stuffed it into his wife's hand again and asked.

"Maybe I heard from someone from the Admiralty, right?" Huang Yunzhi said, "The Admiralty has a lot of orders in the company, and it has also sent a permanent office, and the two of them may have listened to those people in the office. ”

"The 'Yellow River' level is actually ......" Yang Shuoming imagined that Shi Xuanhou and Lin Yuqing were angry and red-faced, and shrank down the words behind him a little funny, "Forget it, these two neuropaths love Fei's brains, let them pay for it." ”

"Believe it or not? There seems to be a design sketch in it. Huang Yunzhi looked at Yang Shuoming's actions a little strangely and asked.

"Wait on the boat, there's nothing to do, just watch it." Yang Shuoming said with a smile.

"By the way, there is a not very good thing, I don't know if Lao Sun and Lao Wu told you ......" Huang Yunzhi seemed to remember something, and said with some hesitation.

"What's not so good?"

Yang Shuoming recalled the telegrams sent to him by Sun Hui and Wu Jie in the past two days, and looked at his beloved wife with some surprise.

"Remember the female spy I told you about?" Huang Yunzhi looked at Yang Shuoming's face carefully, and said softly, "She ran away." ”

"Ran away?" Yang Shuoming was stunned for a moment, and immediately asked, "How did you run?" ”

"I told you she was born beautiful, you know?" Huang Yunzhi's face turned red, and she said a little embarrassed, "She...... He tricked the guards into opening the shackles, then killed them, got the key, and escaped. ”

"How many days have passed, why does Old Tang still keep this mouth? Could it be that he fell in love with that woman? Yang Shuoming said with some annoyance.

Huang Yunzhi saw that her husband was angry and showed a frightened look, but for some reason, she secretly felt a sense of joy in her heart.

"I've been so busy for the past two days that I've forgotten about it." Yang Shuoming imagined the scene of the female spy escaping from prison in his mind, and sneered, "It seems that I really underestimated the energy of the spy in this era. ”

"You immediately use my name to send a telegram to Lao Tang, tell him to be careful, don't let the spy go back to the factory to sabotage, and then catch the spy of the book, immediately torture, and then kill, regardless of gender." Yang Shuoming thought for a while and said to Huang Yunzhi, "In addition, you send someone to contact Sister Jiang, I have something to explain to her." ”

Huang Yunzhi agreed, and was about to leave, when Yang Shuoming suddenly stopped her again.

"Forget it, don't go to Sister Jiang, just send a telegram to Old Tang." Yang Shuoming pondered for a moment and said, "I'll talk about this matter after I come back from the United States." ”

On June 2, 1916, the Chinese diplomatic delegation sailed from Tianjin to Los Angeles to participate in the peace talks with Ben chaired by US President Wilson.

On July 10, 1916, the Chinese delegation arrived in Los Angeles and was warmly received by the American side.

On July 12, 1916, a delegation headed by Foreign Minister Takaaki Kato arrived in Los Angeles. China and the two sides immediately started talks.

Although the smoke of the war between the two Asian powers has settled, another bloodless war in Los Angeles, far from the mainland of China and China, has already shown a white-hot state from the beginning.

"If your country's political axe still insists on the '21 Articles' as the basis for negotiations, we don't need to waste time here." Lu Zhengxiang looked at Foreign Minister Kato Takaaki, who was sitting opposite, with a calm face, and said in an irrefutable tone, "'Twenty-one Articles' is the greatest insult to all Chinese, please don't let me hear this word again." ”

"It is with great sincerity that we have come here to negotiate with you at the invitation of President Wilson, and I ask you not to create unnecessary obstacles in the negotiations," said Kato, looking at US President Wilson and Secretary of State Robert Wilson, who were sitting in the gallery. Lan Sing said loudly, "Don't think that you can get carried away with a small victory, the strength of this empire is beyond your imagination!" ”

A translator translated Kato's words into English and spoke them to Wilson and Lansing, who only frowned slightly when he heard Kato's words, but Lansing's face showed displeasure.

"We have already learned about the strength of the empire and the army." Lu Zhengxiang sneered and said, "Now my country still holds tens of thousands of prisoners of war, and they are looking forward to returning to Yueben all the time, but their political axe is still wasting time here." ”

Listening to Lu Zhengxiang's ridicule, Kato Gaoming's face was red and white, and his lips trembled involuntarily, he wanted to refute Lu Zhengxiang's words, but he couldn't find suitable words for a while, and he couldn't help but be very embarrassed.

Until now, he still doesn't understand why the Yue army, which was surrounded by the Zhong [***] team in the area from Anqiu to Gaomi, surrendered to the Zhong [***] team instead of choosing "jade shattering".

If these people had been "broken", he would not have faced such an irrefutable shame today.

Far away from the battlefield, of course, he did not know that those officers and men of the army had made the decision to surrender after what terrible encounters they had experienced.

"Let's not argue about this, now that the war is over, and we have come to a country full of peace like the United States, let's discuss it calmly." Kikujiro Ishii, the special envoy for negotiations sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, "If your country's political axe has a good proposal, why don't you come up with it now?" ”

Seeing that his attitude had softened, both Wilson and Lansing's faces showed satisfaction.

Hearing that he no longer insisted on the "Twenty-One Articles", Lu Zhengxiang easily relaxed the tense muscles on his face, and turned his head to Gu Weijun and Yang Shuoming with inquiring glances.

Because the opponent of the negotiation was too cunning and insidious, when he was in Yanjing, Lu Zhengxiang, who had always been elegant, had to take off his original polite face and put on a cold mask. Due to the torture of negotiations, Lu Zhengxiang, who returned home, often took a long time to return to normalcy in the face of his Belgian wife, who had always been in line with his eyebrows.

Gu Weijun couldn't help but be secretly amused when he saw the extremely rich expression on Lu Zhengxiang's face, he took a document bag from the secretary's hand, pulled out a few pieces of paper inside, and handed it to Lu Zhengxiang.

"This is our proposal for peace between the two countries and the reaffirmation of diplomatic relations and status, and I would like to ask Your Excellency the Minister to take your looks." Lu Zhengxiang pushed the document in front of Kato Takaaki, and said in a calm tone as much as possible.

(To be continued)