1908 Far Eastern Madman Chapter 155 The Broker (I)

Finished the military briefing. Zhao Bei stretched out. Lifted the thermos and poured - for the commander-in-chief of the Republican Army, the king of Hubei. He doesn't have a servant yet. When Wuhan was recovered. Some former Qing officials tried to curry favor with the commander-in-chief. Specially sent some clever servants to serve. But they were all declined by Zhao Bei.

As the leader of the revolutionary army. It is necessary to lead by example. Otherwise. What do you rely on to restrain your subordinates? But it's not time to enjoy life yet. What should be promoted now is a Christian-like way of life.

It's better to do these things that you can decide by yourself. There is no need to bother the guards.

Hold boiling water. A military diagram hung on the bulkhead was studied. After relaxing the nerves. Zhao Bei sat back at the table again. Pick up a report on the reorganization of the Sichuan army and study it.

Now chóngqìng conquers. The districts of eastern Sichuan have basically been recovered. A large number of former Qing army troops joined the revolutionary army. There are not many combat-ready among these units. The surface which I used to bounce and press makes. But there can be no hope for a war.

Considering that the main army of the Republican Army was transferred back to Hubei after the end of the Western Expedition. Defend the basis. As a result, Sichuan must train a reliable army. As the commander-in-chief's iron fist, he shocked the whole Sichuan.

The IRA now trains five infantry divisions. There were two divisions fighting in Irikawa. Plus the 1st Division, which is about to enter Sichuan. That's three divisions of troops. But this is the main force. It cannot be stationed in Sichuan for a long time. Some time ago, the General Staff had formed a brigade of a mountain. As long as the weapons arrived from Wuhan, they would be officially formed. But this brigade alone could not guarantee control of Sichuan.

Zhao planned to train at least two infantry divisions in Sichuan. Soldiers recruit people from Sichuan. Some of the officers were drawn from the Hubei troops. Then select some people from the military science of Sichuan. As for the required military spending. It can only be allocated from the Hubei treasury first. In the future, the financial clean-up work of Sichuan Province will be completed. It is supported by the Sichuan government to the current financial situation. These two newly trained infantry divisions can only be Type B divisions. I don't expect you to be able to go out to fight immediately. But at least they must be able to control the powerful faction in Sichuan.

The formation of the troops can be completed by recruiting a few soldiers. The supply of weapons and the selection of officers are not easy, especially the latter. The faster the expansion. The greater the gap in the officer. A unit without qualified officers is an ornament. Zhao Bei firmly believes this. Therefore, he does not plan to expand the number of troops exponentially like Yuan Shikai now, in his opinion. With its cobbling together rabble. It is better to invest the limited military expenditure on the renewal of equipment. Throw more firepower with the same forces.

Meanwhile. The Revolutionary Guards must also be scaled back. Although the salary of this army is extremely meager, it is also a drain for people to eat and chew. Too many are not conducive to controlling the troops. The strength of the Revolutionary Guard should be equal to that of the regular army of the Republican Army. This is perhaps the best balance between the combat effectiveness of the troops and the financial pressure.

Research done. Zhao Bei signed the troop training plan. I took out the wall watch and looked at the time. Put on a military coat. The pistol was checked. Then open the hatch. Walked out of the cabin with a blank face.

"Salute!"

Several guards standing outside the cabin hurriedly stood up and saluted.

"Send these documents to the Ministry of Planning."

Zhao Bei looked at a staff officer on duty and pointed to the cabin behind him. Then he walked up to the deck with two guards. Went up the gangplank to the dock. Lao Yuan Wangtian Jinfu is gathering jǐng Weiying cāo practice. Since the last time it was "sneak attacked" by the special operations battalion. Tian Jinfu held back his strength. Personally supervise the training of his soldiers every day. Vowed to get face back.

I saw the commander-in-chief coming. Tian Jinfu ran up in a few steps. There is no nonsense in standing up and saluting.

"Prepare the horses. Go to the prefect's yamen. Zhao Beijian gave the order.

Point two platoons of guards. Tian Jinfu personally escorted the commander-in-chief to the Yamen of the prefect of Chóngqìng. After the recovery of chóngqìng. The prefect's yamen was converted into the Provincial Assembly. Zhao Bei, Lan Tianwei and others coaxed and deceived. Coupled with intimidation, I finally gathered enough 100 councillors to ask these people to make military orders and go down to pull people. However, in a few days, the Sichuan Provincial Assembly is enough to open the house. The main merchant robe of the gentry students...... Three teachings and nine streams. It really has a bit of a "rule by the people".

Although the commander-in-chief believed in military strength. But this public opinion must also be taken into account. Rubber stamps may not be of much use. But it's also nice to decorate the façade. This will not only gag the mouths of revolutionary comrades. And it can also make people's eyes shine.

The new era is all about a new atmosphere.

Today is the first day of the House. Zhao Bei was going to rush to the main courtyard ceremony.

Compared to the Hubei Provincial Assembly. The opening ceremony of the Sichuan Provincial Assembly was much more lively. One is that the weather is warm. People are willing to stay outside and watch the excitement. The second is the Sichuan people's gathering xìng grid. Just to join in the fun. Eye-opening. In the future, it may be used when the dragon gate array is placed. In addition, the robe buddies have experience in presiding over this kind of ceremony. In previous years, they held several sessions each year. What a single knife meeting, the annual meeting, the welcome party, chūn Taiwan wine, and so on. All of them were very lively and very lively. At this time, the set of rules of the rivers and lakes was slightly changed. The opening ceremony of this house was held with a sound and sè. The dragon and lion dance is a piece of cake. Going to the knife mountain and breaking into the sea of fire is the skill of the robe buddies. A ceremony was simply made into a play by them. The officials present were all happy.

Originally. The members of the parliament wanted to nominate the commander-in-chief as the governor and speaker of the Sichuan Metropolitan Assembly. But the post of speaker was politely declined by Zhao Bei. It is the nomination that is important, and the celebrity Zhu Zhihong serves as the speaker. The reason for this arrangement. In addition to Zhu Zhihong is a full member of the Alliance. It also lies in his status as a member of the Chóngqìng Chamber of Commerce. Zhao Bei hopes to win the support of Sichuan's industrial and commercial circles. At the same time, it is also good for the Alliance. As a revolutionary comrade. The alliance will still be worth wooing. Sichuan is no better than Hubei. The Confederacy is more powerful here. The Alliance also knows the truth that "the world is not chaotic before Shu is chaotic". At the beginning of its establishment, it sent people into Sichuan to show its power. Many of the leaders of the robes are members.

As for the position of the governor of Sichuan. Zhao Bei happily "sat down". However, the post of "Governor" was originally a special position during the military and political period. In the future, the world will be peaceful. This is to be abolished. The military, government, and civil affairs of each province are separated. Civil affairs are presided over by the provincial governor. Moreover, the post of governor of Sichuan should be established now. So as not to panic when the time comes. As for the candidate for governor of Sichuan Province, the commander-in-chief unexpectedly elected Tang Hualong, a famous member of the constitutionalist faction who was attending the Constituent Assembly. Of course. This requires the consent of the House of Representatives. He also does not want to go against the will of the people in Sichuan. At least not yet.

Although people don't know why the commander-in-chief favors Tang Hualong, the commander-in-chief's posture clearly shows a truth: the battle of Zhengchuan. It was by no means Hubei "invading" Sichuan. Nor is it the "annexation" of the constitutionalists by the revolutionaries. total

Not for yourself.

So. The Sichuan people can rest assured. At least the constitutionals can rest assured. In addition to the candidates for the speaker and the governor. The chief officials of other civil affairs ministries were also elected by Zhao Bei. In order to take care of the public opinion of Sichuan. Most of the chiefs of the various ministries are from Sichuan. Even some of the former Qing officials who were captured by the Republican Army became military officials. For example, Zhu Youji, the former Sichuan Dongdao, became the president of the Fang Autonomous Association after he surrendered. The prefect of Chóngqìng, Niu Chuanshan, became the mayor of Chóngqìng. After the surrender of Yang Tiren, the inspector of the General Administration of Jǐng, he was entrusted with an important task. He became the director of the Sichuan Provincial Inspection Department. Govern the whole province. This move really won the trust of the Sichuan gentry. Everywhere the IRA went. The former purging officials have "anyway". Throw yourself into the revolutionary front. It has also become easier for the Western Expeditionary Army to collect grain and forage for servitude.

Although the retention of these puppet Qing officials was criticized by some as a lack of revolutionary stance. But for now, this is the safest way to deal with it, and the replacement of old and new forces will not be achieved overnight. Not to mention in this chaotic situation. Rely on the power of the head snakes of this gang. The IRA was able to stabilize the party in the shortest possible time. And it can reduce the resistance on the way forward. End the fighting in Sichuan as soon as possible.

It's a political game against time. It is necessary to end the fighting in Sichuan before the north calms down. The main forces of the republican army could not stay in Sichuan. Hubei will always be the key direction of the commander-in-chief's attention. History has made it clear that it is absolutely impossible for the forces that separate Sichuan from each other to accomplish the cause of national reunification. Hubei is the springboard for the commander-in-chief to forge ahead into the world. The situation in Sichuan is different from that of the lake. It's deep inland. It is not as good as Hubei Kaihua. The constitutionalists and the old-fashioned are strong. But on the other hand, the revolutionary forces here are also very strong, before the "Wushen Revolution". The League had instigated several uprisings in Sichuan, although all of them had failed. But it expanded the Alliance's influence. Many of the leaders of the robes here are from the background of the Alliance. If Zhao Bei takes a hard-line revolutionary stance in Sichuan. While fighting the old forces. The forces represented by the Alliance will also inevitably rise rapidly. With the current IRA forces. There is no guarantee that it will be controlled. So. The current situation. The best way to control Sichuan is to balance the strategy. It is necessary to maintain the balance of power between the defending forces and the revolutionary forces. That's the only way. The commander-in-chief can get his hands on it.

Now govern four. It should be based on gentle means.

While. As a revolutionary army and a revolutionary regime. Huairou means alone are not enough. If you want to draw the people at the bottom and the enlightened gentry to your side. This necessary thunderbolt must also be put in place. The Manchu Qing Dynasty's excesses and miscellaneous taxes were to be abolished. The old relationship of personal dependency must be abolished. Officials should step up their efforts to clean up. The Manchu forces must be swept away. In the fish and meat township, the local tyrants who only know how to eat in the soil must be labeled as an "inferior gentleman". The enlightened gentry and industrialists who build their hometowns should be given the necessary rewards...... These things are not just for the IRA to do. It is also of concern to the members of the Provincial Assembly.

"This time our army entered. It's not the enemy of the Sichuan people. It is really an enemy of the remnants of the Manchu Qing Dynasty! Where the armies passed. Autumn did not commit any crimes. The people in the market eat pot pulp. The gentry old cow wine labor army. Civil-military integration. Go all out. Sweep away the old forces. Build a new Sichuan! …… In my opinion. Sichuan Province currently has two urgent tasks. First, abolish excesses and miscellaneous taxes. Improving people's livelihood. Second, it is called the construction of railways. Improve transportation within and outside the province. ……”

Zhao Bei talked eloquently in the house. Soon the topic was turned to the construction of the railway.

After. The Qing court held a new policy. Officials have advocated for the overhaul of the railway. The purpose is twofold: one is to transfer the local goods. The second is to enrich the private pockets of officials. The Qing court followed the general trend. In order to build the railway, he did not hesitate to increase the amount of money borrowed from foreign countries. In order to prevent the right of way from falling into foreign hands. The gentry wrote to each gentleman asking for permission to run his own iron. Reclaim the right of way - in the twenty-ninth year of Guangxu (1903). Xiliang, who was the governor of Sichuan at the time, had already petitioned for the opening of the Sichuan-Han Railway. 50 million taels of silver from Sichuan's self-paid funds. Build a direct railway from Chengdu to Wuhan. Hear the news. Under the auspices of Pu Dianjun, the head of the Ministry of Law, the Sichuan students raised funds extensively. Subscribe for shares of Sichuan-Hankou Railway. Under their lead. Sichuan businessmen do not enthusiastically subscribe to road stocks. The people who were expropriated by Suitian for road donations did not come in chaos. It's only a few years. More than 10 million taels of silver have been raised from the private sector. The Sichuan-Han Railway was officially run from the beginning. In addition to dividends. Shareholders have any power.

The government will inevitably lead to many drawbacks. The directors of the railroad companies were alternate officials who had donated money. After taking office, they all took it as their responsibility to enrich their own pockets. Thus the IPO has been going on for five years. Not an inch of the railroad was repaired. The gold that can build roads is short-lived. It wasn't that they were taken away and put on usury. It was misappropriated by the governor of Sichuan. Something else was done. The businessmen who subscribed for the shares were all distressed. have expressed their feelings and governors. Request to change the railway's division into a commercial office. Amendment of the prospectus. Empowering shareholders. In the face of public opinion. Xiliang, the governor of Sichuan, had no choice but to convert the railway company into a commercial office. Sell the official shares. It became a commercial stock, but with the transfer of Xiliang. The matter was put on hold. After Zhao Erxun supervised Chuan. Originally, it was intended to continue to raise commercial shares. Unexpectedly, the "Wushen Revolution" broke out. The Republican Army swept through Huguang. Threaten Sichuan. At this time, the military comes first. Naturally, he didn't care about the railroad. And in order to raise military spending. Zhao Erxun also wantonly embezzled the funds of commercial stocks deposited in the official money bureau. Although no one knows exactly how much money was embezzled. But one thing is clear. That is, the construction of the Sichuan-Han Railway does not seem to be able to count on Zhao Erxun.

After the recovery of Hubei. Rumors of the army's support for industry and commerce have long reached the ears of Sichuan merchants. Now the IRA is coming. It was the perfect time to renew the construction of the railway. If you can't build a railway. So, should we find a way to return the 10 million taels of silver shares raised from the private sector to the merchants? Although it was not the military zhèngfǔ who presided over the matter back then. But now that it's a republic. So. This republic and zhèngfǔ in general for the sake of the people?

When Zhao Bei summoned the provincial councilors. This tricky question was posed to him. Now, taking the opportunity of the opening ceremony of the House of Representatives, it is of course the most appropriate to state the views of the Communist Party.

Building a railroad requires more than just gold technology. Raw materials are also needed. Especially the rails. After Sheng Xuanhuai's rectification. Now the Hanyang Iron and Steel Plant is able to produce qualified rails. It's just that the price is too high. There is no tariff protection. There is no competition with foreign railroad tracks. If all the Sichuan-Han railways use Han-made rails. That will create a huge market for Hanyang Iron and Steel Plant. This is one of the reasons why Zhao Bei supports Sichuan Zilu.

Han Yeping's steel needs a market. The Sichuan Railway needs road construction materials. There's only one guest left in between.

Of course. This guest cannot be a comprador of a foreigner.