Yanjing, Ya'er Hutong.

Located in the south of Guanghua Temple, the Zhao Mansion is a historic courtyard, this covers an area of only two acres of elegant small house, from the Kangxi Dynasty to the present, do not know how many owners have been changed, the copper ingots and ring-nosed lions on the heavy Nanmu gate, the two quaint lotus platform stone piers in front of the door, the carved well in the courtyard and the hundred-year-old weeping willows, the two-storey small building and the mottled paintings on the pillars and beams of the left and right wings, all condense the vicissitudes of history.

In the elegant, simple, ink-scented main hall, the happy laughter of children was heard from time to time, and Zhao Erxun on the Taishi chair took off the tortoiseshell reading glasses that were becoming more and more inseparable, and hugged his cheap grandson Xiao Nanzheng and laughed non-stop.

Xiao Nanzheng, who came to Beijing for nearly a month, was very well-behaved, under the teaching of his mother, he regarded Zhao Erxun as his own grandfather, and in recent days, he used the Beijing accent he had just learned to joke with his grandfather, and his immature voice said the old words full of Beijing flavor and was very fluent, which made Zhao Erxun laugh heartily, and praised his grandson for his talent in language and the style of a father.

Yi Zhenying sat quietly on the side, making insoles for Zhao Erxun, and looked at the laughing grandparents and grandchildren from time to time, feeling extremely satisfied and quiet.

Yi Zhenying, who was born in an official family but had a bumpy fate, knows how hard-won today's happiness is, especially after the birth of her two children, she cherishes family affection and happiness more than anyone else, and she has long regarded Zhao Erxun as her elder in her heart.

In the past month, except for the first few days in Zhao Erxun's arrangement to visit the capital, Yi Zhenying did not go out again, she knew that Zhao Erxun was very nostalgic for boiled fish fillets, spicy shredded chicken and other Sichuan dishes, so she entered the kitchen and changed to make Sichuan dishes for Zhao Erxun every day, which not only made Zhao Erxun feel very gratified, but also won the respect of relatives, friends and family members.

Looking at the world, where is the wife of a dignified general cooking? And every day, it's fun.

Zou Wenhan, who returned from entertainment, had Duan Qirui by his side, and the two came side by side, their faces were full of red light, and they were happy to see Zhao Erxun's grandfather and grandson playing like children.

Three-year-old Xiao Nanzheng left Zhao Erxun's arms, ran to Duan Qirui, respectfully shouted Uncle Duan, and then threw himself into Zou Wenhan's arms and asked why he was drinking again? The room burst into laughter.

Yi Zhenying hurriedly stepped forward to say goodbye, and then took the child to the back to take a bath, she knew that Duan Qirui, who had been busy in the dark recently, suddenly arrived, and there must be something important to talk to Zhao Erxun.

The main hall quieted down, and the people quietly retreated with fragrant tea, Duan Qirui, who had just sat down, didn't have any polite words, and directly took out a telegram and handed it to Zhao Erxun:

This was Yiming's first public telegram after the death of the marshal, and he not only demanded that the new political axe hold a public memorial for the marshal, but also took a clear stand against the Kuomintang's accountability of the former cabinet members. Zhang Xun, Wu Peifu and others originally had this opinion, and after seeing Yiming's telegram, Zhang Xun and more than 40 other generals telegraphed again to declare their propositions, praising Yiming's proposal, and putting forward a number of specific proposals. ”

Zhao Erxun put on his reading glasses and put it down lightly after reading the telegram: "In the morning, Yiming also sent me a telegram explaining to me the reasons why the military and political circles in Sichuan did not make any noise, and were deeply worried about the situation in Hunan and Shandong. ”

Zou Wenhan said with a smile: "In big things, Yiming can still control it very well, and his opinion is the opinion of our Sichuan people." ”

Duan Qirui was in a good mood, this morning he also received a private call from Xiao Yimin, Xiao Yimin not only sincerely explained the current situation and attitude of Sichuan, but also fully supported Duan Qirui's ascension, euphemistically suggested that Duan Qirui reorganize Beiyang, unite the majority at the same time, but also made a solemn commitment to full support, so that Duan Qirui, who was suppressed by the Kuomintang and the Beiyang leftists, was moved inexplicably, and there was a strong Sichuan behind him, which was equivalent to the support of Lu Pingshan, the new governor of Guizhou. This is very important to Duan Qirui, who is ambitious but constrained.

"Zhiquan, the situation between Shandong and Hunan is extremely complicated, and it is not a matter for the military and political chiefs of Shandong to change in a hurry! Isn't this provoking new hatred and old hatred among the two major factions in Beiyang? Chen Huan and others, who announced their participation in Sun Wen's camp at the beginning of the year, seem to have fallen out with the new army in Hunan again, can you let the Kuomintang people in Beijing calm down, otherwise Hunan will definitely rekindle the flames of war! ”

The armed forces of the new army that Zhao Erxun mentioned undoubtedly meant the part of the Hunan army controlled by the Kuomintang.

Duan Qirui helplessly explained: "It's difficult! Li Songqing, the acting president, has soft ears, no one listens to his words at all, a group of Kuomintang people surround him all day long, and every time a resolution is made, there will be a big debate, which makes people worry! ”

Zhao Erxun and Zou Wenhan let out a long sigh at the same time, and after a short silence, Zhao Erxun turned to Zou Wenhan: "Wenhan, do you want to go back?" ”

Zou Wenhan nodded: "The things that should be done have been done, and the people who should be seen and the people who should not be seen have also been seen, the younger brother doesn't want to stay in the place of right and wrong, it's better to return early and stay later, I'm afraid it will cause countless troubles." ”

"Let's go? What about the Sichuan delegation? Parliament is about to convene. Duan Qirui was very surprised, Zou Wenhan didn't mention to him about leaving Beijing during the dinner.

Zou Wenhan smiled: "Didn't we buy a courtyard house in Tianshuijing Hutong?" That is the Sichuan Provincial Political Axe Office in Beijing, and I can leave a few young people to stay there, as for the new Congress...... Haha, it is estimated that Yiming and Zhang Lan don't want to join in the fun, the current situation in Sichuan is there, and whoever comes to power has to give some benefits, otherwise they will definitely make a mess and not come to the stage! ”

Duan Qirui finally understood what Xiao Yimin meant, and couldn't help but secretly admire the young little brother Xiao Yimin, Sichuan's attitude is obviously unwilling to wade into this muddy water, and no one can be offended by holding his rich territory, but whoever comes to power cannot offend Sichuan, it seems that Sichuan has adopted the ingenious strategy of "retreating as advance, not fighting for fighting", and I am afraid that there will be more benefits.

Duan Qirui thought about it for a while, then smiled knowingly, and Zhao Erxun, who was insightful, had already leaned back on the soft chair and showed a relieved smile.

After talking for a while, Duan Qirui brought the topic to Shanghai:

"Brother Wen Han, Chen Qimei's funeral has long been over, and the people sent by Yiming to Shanghai to mourn have also returned to Sichuan, why is Yiming's sworn brother Liu Bingxian and Liu Zicheng still staying in Shanghai? In recent days, the Kuomintang newspapers have revealed that Liu Zicheng, a general of the revolutionary army, accompanied Sun Yat-sen on a lecture tour. ”

Zou Wenhan shook his head regretfully:

As early as a month ago, Zicheng had resigned as the commander of the Second Division of the Sichuan Army and the commander of the Yucheng garrison, and he wanted to follow Sun Yat-sen with his brother Chiang Kai-shek, who was studying in Yueben, so he took the opportunity to mourn Chen Qimei and left Sichuan.

Zicheng and Yiming were classmates of the Sichuan Army Police Academy, and later got recommended with excellent results, went to study in Yue, and entered the eighth phase of the Army Non-commissioned Officer School, during which he joined the League and became the first batch of Kuomintang members...... Zicheng is a talent, but he takes a different path, it's a pity! ”

"So, the two really parted ways?" Duan Qirui asked regretfully.

Zou Wenhan sighed: "At present, who knows what will happen in the future?" Zhiquan, you should know that Yiming is a person, this kid is righteous and emotional, no matter what happens to Liu Zicheng in the future, he still respects this sworn second brother. ”

Duan Qirui seemed to think of more:

"By the way, a few months ago, the "Chao Yu News" disclosed that there was a group of about 50 military students in China, who had been sent to Germany one after another before the European War, and after the outbreak of the Great War, nearly half of them secretly entered the German combat unit for internship, some became trainee staff officers with the army, and some were directly assigned to the front line of operations. Yiming also issued a special statement to refute rumors in the name of the commander-in-chief of the Sichuan Army, and domestic military colleagues thought that this was impossible, but the younger brother still knew some of the situation, but he didn't understand a little, whether this Zeng Chaoran was the sworn brother of Yiming and Liu Zicheng? ”

When Zou Wenhan heard half of it, he understood that Duan Qirui had already understood this matter, and based on the alliance between them, Zou Wenhan felt that there was no need to hide it:

"That's right, I seem to have mastered the situation, because three of them are outstanding graduates of the Army Non-commissioned Officer School and the Army University, this 49-person group of international students are all from our Sichuan, the earliest batch of the Republic of China has gone to Germany for further study in the second year, among which the most outstanding Zeng Chaoran is a native of Luzhou, born in a scholarly and poor family, since childhood, he is the second among the first graduates of the Sichuan Army Police Academy, Yiming and Zicheng are the first and third respectively, it was a sensation that year!

"Yiming once told me that among the three brothers, the most stable and solid is the eldest brother Zeng Chaoran, and the most energetic and pioneering surname is the second brother Liu Bingxian, originally Yiming hoped that the two brothers would do a career together after graduation, but now it seems that things have backfired, and people are not as good as heaven!"

Duan Qirui was extremely moved: "So, Yiming secretly sent international students to Germany for further study four years ago?" ”

Zhao Erxun, who had not spoken all the time, smiled: "Zhiquan, don't you look at how many German instructors there are in the Sichuan Army Military Academy opened by Yiming?" You don't know his relationship with the major German arms dealers, what is it to send dozens of people to Germany to study military affairs? At this point, the Baoding Military Academy founded by the marshal has long fallen behind Yiming, and when the European war is over, those people sent out will come back, I am afraid that Yiming's Sichuan Army Military Academy and the Sichuan Army will be even worse, haha! You should have more confidence in Yiming, right? ”

Duan Qirui nodded subconsciously: "That's true, Yiming is far-sighted and far-sighted, and I'm far inferior to being a big brother...... It seems that mine called him back as soon as possible. ”

Zhao Erxun and Zou Wenhan looked at each other and smiled, Xiao Nanzheng, who had finished taking a bath, ran in happily, got into Zhao Erxun's arms, kept stroking his long white beard, and asked angrily: "Grandpa, do you smell it, is your grandson fragrant?" ”

Everyone saw it amused, and there was another burst of laughter, and they began to tease the clever and lovely child, and from time to time there was laughter in the main hall.

(To be continued)