Chapter 202: Changes in the Times
Yuqing came, there was no news in advance, Zhao Guanhou was caught off guard, and there was a Jensen beside him, and the woman who had a physical relationship with him almost made up a table of mahjong. Fortunately, Jiang Fengzhi and several other candidates have not performed their duties, otherwise they are afraid that in the New Year, there will be a risk that the big boat will turn over and the grape trellis will fall.
Yuan Weiting came here mainly to pick up Shen Jinying, and when he saw that she was safe and sound, he was extremely happy. Shen Jinying saw that her husband had brought a civil and military officer from Shandong to pick her up from Jinan, and she also felt that there was light on her face, and the two talked for a while before going to the yali to rest.
Among the entourage, there were also the husbands or fathers of the women in the car, who also breathed a sigh when they saw that their daughters were safe and sound, and when the husband and wife reunited, although they hindered the system, they would not say much, but the joy between their expressions could not be hidden.
When the ladies arrived at the back office, Yuan Weiting's face sank, and he suddenly shouted, "Duan Xiangyan!" ”
"Boss, humble duty!" Duan Xiangyan was accustomed to observing words and expressions, and when he saw Yuan Weiting's expression, he knew that the situation was not quite right, so he hurriedly knelt down and gave a salute, and he did not dare to call his father. Yuan Weiting's face sank like water, and his demeanor was majestic, "Gambling and smoking are prohibited in the army, these are military regulations." You are in Texas, not to exterminate the boxers, but to gather a few local officials to gamble and eat foreign cigarettes, what should you be guilty of? ”
While he was talking, a messenger had already put the cigarette gun, cigarette tray and other things on the official table, Duan Xiangyan knew that he couldn't deny it, and hurriedly kowtowed: "The grace of the handsome, the humble position is confused for a while, and I will never dare to do it again in the future!" ”
"Grace? In the face of military law, there is also the word grace? Come on, pull him out! ”
Duan Xiangyan was shocked, took off his crown, and kowtowed: "Handsome...... Wrong! You see that there is no merit and hard work in the lowly position, so you raise up your noble hand and spare it. Ladies and gentlemen, although this humble duty was fruitless, he also led people to kill the boxers and save your families, and he was almost killed by the boxers with a shovel. For my sake, let's say a word. ”
When a cadre of new army generals saw him begging for mercy, it was not good not to speak, led by Jiang Guidi and Feng Yuzhang, and a cadre of generals knelt down in their robes, although they did not speak, but the meaning was clear. Yuan Weiting nodded, "Since you have pleaded for mercy, plus the New Year is approaching, it is unlucky to behead, and the death penalty is spared, but the living crime is inevitable." Someone, pull him down and beat him with forty sticks! This standard, he can no longer be a standard, he is reduced to a gang commander, and this standard is entrusted to someone else. ”
As soon as the military order was issued, there was no change, and several big men dragged Duan Xiangyan down, and after a while, there was a sound of ghosts crying and wolf howling. Zhao Guanhou took off the top, took the initiative to step forward and kowtow and said: "Marshal, there is no order to send troops from his humble position, and he has sealed back the military order of Duanwang, and he has entered Zhili without permission to kill people. These are all real crimes, and the crown marquis has nothing to say, please send it down. ”
"That's right, sending troops without an order is a bigger sin than Duan Xiangyan. But...... If you wait until there is an order, then we, our comrades, and our own families, I am afraid that we will not be able to see each other. As for King Duan's military order...... When will his order be able to control the head of our Wuwei Right Army? ”
Yuan Weiting said this, and his voice pulled out violently: "We are under the military order of the Governor of Zhili and the Minister of Beiyang, this is where the duty lies." No matter how powerful he is, he can't control us, how can he obey his orders? Guanhou, you have had it, but you have more merit, merit is rewarded and punished, the two are offset, and if you cross the border to kill bandits, you have merit and no fault, counting, not only can I not punish you, but I also want to reward you, and I have something to say. ”
Zhao Guanhou did not send a telegram to ask Yuan Weiting for instructions this time, but actually took the charge of crossing the border to kill people on his head. As far as he is concerned, what he is worried about is that once Yuan Weiting can sacrifice a woman for his cause, he would rather not save Shen Jinying than seek the military order of the governor of Zhili before acting. I was afraid that it would be difficult to see Hanzhi, so I simply made my own opinion.
However, as far as Yuan Weiting is concerned, Zhao Guanhou's unauthorized action is to share the responsibility on him, and it can be regarded as a subordinate sharing the blame for himself. Although it is a crime to be lax with the majesty, the responsibility of the chief officer is undoubtedly much lighter than that of the governor who orders to cross the border to kill people, and his subordinates act on their own to create a fait accompli.
Zhao Guanhou's behavior, in his opinion, is not a bad thing, but a good thing for himself. Moreover, after he arrived in Texas, he took a telegram to himself, and it was not disrespectful, but the situation was urgent. If you really wait for the exchange of documents and the transfer of official business, it will be too late.
Yuan Weiting had anger on his face, but his anger was not directed at Zhao Guanhou, "This boxer actually dares to attack the idea of our new army's family, just rush this one, and it should be uprooted." This time, Guanhou led the troops to fight against Senluo Palace, killed countless boxers and bandits, and captured Zhao Laozhu, the leader of the boxers. This matter had already spread in Shandong, and the Marquis of Liman, as well as the Consul of Albion, Levitley, were very satisfied. They will explain to the ministers of their own countries that they will speak for us at the Yamen. After this battle, there are no more boxers and bandits in Shandong, and this merit is enough to cover a thousand crimes. Guanhou, you are a great hero, and I will reward you this time. ”
Several officers also echoed, saying that what Yuan Weiting said was extremely true, and even in the case of crossing the border to kill people, foreigners came out to endorse it, even if the lawsuit was brought to the governor of Zhili, he was not afraid. Especially when they heard Zhao Guanhou's introduction that the officers and soldiers in Hejian not only did not help suppress the bandits, but even helped the bandits to obstruct the rescue, all the warriors were filled with righteous indignation and supported Zhao Guanhou even more.
That night, Yuan Weiting set up a family banquet to entertain Zhao Guanhou in the Yamen of Zhizhou, Dezhou, and there were only two of them among the male guests, while Shen Jinying received Su Hanzhi and Sun Meiyao to set up a separate seat in the back office. Both of them went to official uniforms, changed into civilian clothes, and their demeanor was not as restrained as in the lobby.
"Guanhou, I really want to thank you this time, if it weren't for you, Jin Ying and I, I'm afraid that we would be separated forever. Duan Xiangyan is really a piece of mud that can't be pasted on the wall, and I used the wrong person to arrange him in Texas. ”
Zhao Guanhou hurriedly said: "Brother-in-law, don't praise me, I just happened to encounter this incident, Sister Ying and I are sworn sisters and brothers, and I can't help it." There are many things wrong with Xiangyan's actions, but he is loyal to his brother-in-law, and it is not fake. Dezhou is an important town, and it is a key point of water and land, and there are many merchants, which is a major source of income in Shandong. There must always be a few people who have been trusted by the brother-in-law, and send him, and the brother-in-law will consider it carefully. The younger brother is actually very reckless this time, the snow is marching in a hurry, and the people and horses have frostbite, fall injuries and even missing people, and the brother-in-law does not punish him, which is already a grace. ”
"What is the punishment? If I save Jin Ying and I have to be punished, then I won't have the face to see her. What's more, there are so many family members of generals in the army in the car, and it is a great achievement to keep them. Freezing to death and frostbitten a few soldiers is nothing. ”
Yuan Weiting took a sip of wine, "You braved the snow this time, but the foreigners praised each other, saying that our Wuwei Right Army is indeed different from the previous Yu Zuochen, and spares no effort to suppress bandits, but it is a civilized and civilized army, which can protect the interests of foreigners in China." The senior class of the Lihe Foreign Company in Shandong has already approached me, and the Lihe Foreign Company is willing to sell a batch of arms to us at a low price, and even help us buy a batch of good horses to expand the cavalry force. The matter of the loan from the Albiang Bank was also very smooth, and your battle not only saved people, but also paved the way for us from the foreigners. ”
Zhao Laozhu was captured and several important leaders were killed, which was an excellent vote for the two countries of Pu and Albania stationed in Shandong at this time. Combined with the previous stage of Shandong's anti-bandit work, these foreigners decided that Yuan Weiting was an important pro-Western ally, and his attitude was very different from the previous treatment of Yu Zuochen.
With the assistance of these consuls and foreign firms, it is very convenient for the new army to expand its army and train its troops, and even in Shandong's politics, it is also of great benefit. And he said:
"You said that Texas arranged for people with cronies to guard it, and that's a good thing. Dezhou is located at the junction of Shandong Zhili, once the boxers of Zhili recover, if they want to return to Shandong, they must pass through Dezhou. In addition, here in Texas, there are also many foreign shops and churches. Dealing with foreigners is also an extremely important thing, and if it is not perfunctory, it will inevitably lead to chaos. Duan Xiangyan only knew how to play cards and eat cigarettes, and he couldn't afford such an important errand. Guanhou, when the New Year is over, you and your troops will be stationed in Texas and the surrounding counties. In terms of troops, you have also suffered a lot of losses this time, I will allocate another 500 to you, and you can recruit another 500 people to make up for the losses. Mule and horse equipment, even if you go to buy it, with Mrs. Jenson's relationship, you will not be embarrassed to come, so I will allocate public money to you. ”
Dezhou is richer than Linqing, and it is extremely convenient to raise food and salary. Even if you pay a reward out of your own pocket, as long as you stay in Texas for a few months, the money will be returned, and it will come from making money and not losing money.
As for the loss of troops, although he fought a large battle, the losses were limited, and the casualties including frostbite were less than 300, and if 1,000 men were added at once, he could form a supplementary battalion.
On this expedition, he can be regarded as taking care of both public and private interests, and he has a bumper harvest with one stone, and he is naturally in a good mood. But when he had finished drinking, and when he returned to the inner house, his head was big again.
Shi Gege and Jensen were talking to Su Hanzhi and Sun Meiyao. Although Sun Meiyao washed off the medicinal powder, she always felt a little shorter in the face of a golden branch and jade leaf Gege, plus a Western beautiful widow, and couldn't help but get closer to Su Hanzhi.
In contrast, Su Hanzhi was more calm, not to say how strong her aura was, or how much her level of dealing with people had improved. Instead, he had already saved the heart of abdicating to make way for the virtuous, and he didn't care about the gains and losses, so he looked down on everything. No matter who these two people are, they can come and take her place, and she doesn't care about this, so she is even more indifferent.
Seeing him come back, the four women got up almost at the same time, Shigege's face turned red, and they called out, "Guanhou...... You're back. ”
Jensen boldly stepped forward and steadied himself, "My dear, I accepted Shigege's suggestion, since our relationship has reached this point, we shouldn't hide it. I don't think it's a bad thing to meet your family. In fact, Mrs. Su and I have always been very good friends, and now we get along very well, Mrs. Su, right? ”
Zhao Guanhou saw that the four of them didn't mean to turn their faces and fight, so he sighed secretly, but he always felt that the atmosphere in the room was a little awkward, and he didn't know what to do. As soon as he entered, he sat on the main seat, but there was no one sitting beside him. Su Hanzhi was extremely generous, "I just told Shigege, I don't understand the rules of the Taixi people." I only talk about the rules of our Dajin, she is Gege, I am a folk girl, in this family, the status of the eldest woman, I will give it to her, Gege, please sit down. ”
Yuqing shook her head, "I told Guanhou at the beginning, I am willing to learn from the princess of Daizhan, Wang Baochuan is also in the main palace, I can't rob it." This time I came to Shandong, not to compete with Hanzhi for fame, in terms of size, I actually came to take refuge. I'm glad you're willing to contain me. As for what is not the main room, everyone doesn't have to mention it. I can't compete with you for a seat, or the crown will be unhappy. ”
Zhao Guanhou coughed, "Since the matter has come to this point, then there is nothing to hide, the situation is as Yuqing said, I don't want to give up any of you, but I also don't want to make everyone very angry." I don't want you to be like sisters, but I want you to live in peace and not offend each other. In our family, wives are not allowed to bully concubines, nor are concubines allowed to plot against the main room. No matter who commits this, I will not let her go. If you can't accept it, you can leave now, I have failed her, and I will try to make up for it. If you want me to keep only one person, you can't do it. ”
This was the first time he had taken a formal stand, and Jenson smiled, "What is this, the monarch's declaration?" Well, you don't have to look at me, I'm not leaving, don't think about it. Don't forget, you owe me money......"
She smiled slightly, "In my country, it is impossible for a man to have more than one wife, but I also know that in your country, this is very normal. Following the local custom, I decided to respect my lover's choice. But I have a request, if we go back to Belgium one day, I want you and me to go and no one else. I respect your habits, but I also need you to respect mine. ”
"Good, that's fair." Zhao Guanhou nodded, except for Hannah, who had not officially eaten, it was Jensen who was most likely to have a problem now, and since she had decided here, she had gone to half of her heart disease. As for going to Belgium, it is impossible for me to really go anyway, so there is no obstacle in agreeing to it first.
Su Hanzhi said with a smile: "I have been Guanhou's sister since I was a child, and I will go wherever he goes." Even if I don't want to be a lady and be his servant, I will follow him for the rest of my life, and I will definitely not leave. ”
Sun Meiyao hummed, "The girl's body was given to you, and now you want to kick me away, no way!" I'm sleepy and want to go back to my room to sleep. There's a new person tonight, so I won't leave you the door. ”
Shi Gege naturally had nothing to say, although Zhao Guanhou didn't say it, but the meaning of his words also implicitly supported her to treat Su Hanzhi as an enemy, so she naturally had no opinion. Now that the matter has been negotiated, in a short period of time, the inner house will not have a war because of the contradictions between several women, and he is finally relieved. asked Yuqing again: "Yuqing, you just said to take refuge, what's going on, is there anything wrong with Qingdi?" Is there anything I can do to help? ”
Yuqing smiled: "Your son-in-law still knows how to serve his father-in-law." With your heart, I am content, but it is not my Amma's business, but my business. In Beijing, there was Klint entangled in the concession, and the Six Nations Hotel was not easy to live in, so he lived outside. Unexpectedly, that bastard Pu Jun was actually made the eldest brother, and I didn't leave, I was afraid that he would choose me to be a show girl in the palace, so I had to slip away and come to my man. You are going to grab a woman with the alternate emperor now, how about it, are you afraid? (To be continued.) )