Beijing, Yuan Shikai's residence.

Recently, Yuan Shikai has been very busy, but the mood is extremely happy, just after meeting with the British and other foreign powers in Beijing, only then did he get a report, saying that his three generals came together, which made Yuan Shikai not know what was going on, waved back left and right, and went to his study alone.

"Your Excellency." When the three of them saw Yuan Shikai coming in, they hurriedly bowed and bowed.

"No need to be polite, slamming the door can be regarded as an old partner together, let's talk about anything." Yuan Shikai lay back in his chair, he had just dealt with those foreigners, and he was really tired.

The three of them glanced at each other, and Feng Guozhang said first: "My lord, it seems that our guess is correct, there has been news from the south, and we have contacted our inner line in the revolutionary army, the news has been confirmed, the revolutionaries have determined to form a provisional revolutionary government on New Year's Day, and it will be built in Nanjing City, it seems that Sun Dacang is unable to hold his breath." Feng Guozhang and others have always jokingly called Sun Yat-sen Sun Cannon, and the people under Yuan Shikai in the north generally think that he only has one mouth.

When Yuan Shikai and the others heard Duan Qirui's words, they also smiled, and then snorted coldly: "Jinling, this is a good place, but the fat powder is too good, and it is not suitable for fighting." As for Sun Cannon's idea, I really think that others don't know? He is only forcing me to compromise by establishing a government now, and if he really wants to fight between the north and the south, do you think those revolutionaries can really beat our Beiyang Army, and besides, all countries have now expressed their stance that they want to stand on our side, although they say that they will not die, but they really have the courage to fight against the will of the foreigners? ! ”

This is no wonder that Yuan Shikai said this, since the invasion of China by the Eight-Nation Alliance, China's foreign wars have almost been defeated repeatedly, and victory is also defeat, defeat is also defeat. In particular, the First Sino-Japanese War completely broke the backbone of all those in power in China who stood up to the outside world. The idea that foreign countries are invincible and unprovoked behemoths has almost become their subconscious common cognition, and Yuan Shikai is certainly no exception.

Duan Qirui said: "Do they really want to elect Sun Yat-sen as president?" A while ago, they were secretly negotiating with our side, and that side didn't say-" I just said here. Duan Qirui reacted suddenly, and quickly stopped and said no more.

But everyone here knew what he meant by what he had not finished speaking.

and Wang Shizhen next to him, although he didn't say anything next to him, he also had a very disapproving expression.

Yuan Shikai just smiled when he heard this, and he didn't lose his temper with a few of his subordinate generals: "I know what you mean, but let's just take a look, let that Sun cannon make trouble first, and see what kind of flowers can be made, so maybe it will be good for us." As he spoke, Yuan Shikai pointed in the direction of the Imperial City.

"Let's not talk about these troubles for the time being, now I can see clearly, if you want to speak with weight in China, don't you rely on the strength of the army and your hands? By lip service?! Hey, I'd like to see how many ...... have made things happen" Yuan Shikai sneered, and there was a cold smile on the corner of his mouth.

Hearing Yuan Shikai talk about the army, this sentence made Wang Shizhen's heart move next to him, and he suddenly remembered what his old friend got rid of, and thought about it a little hesitantly, but he still said: "My lord, some time ago, I heard that the last batch of students who studied in Germany are coming back, and it is estimated that it has arrived now." For this matter, Brother Baili has approached us old acquaintances, saying that he wants to find a good arrangement for these students, but I don't know what adults mean? ”

Originally, this matter should not have been said to Yuan Shikai, but there is also Jiang Baili among them, plus the Baoding Military Academy is a place that Yuan Shikai attaches great importance to, and something happened some time ago, and it is estimated that Yuan Shikai already knows about the matter in Shanghai. Therefore, a few people didn't know that Yuan Shikai's attitude was not easy to arrange, so they came over and talked about it.

Yuan Shikai was a little angry when he thought of this: "Those people have been reading books for so many years, but I didn't expect that I would raise a group of white-eyed wolves." Some time ago, there was an accident, and this time in Shanghai was said a few words by others, so I didn't care about the general situation and stayed there, so I came back with three people, and these three people still don't know -- forget it, since they came, they will arrange a quiet position, so that some people don't pay attention to talents. ”

Wang Shizhen just wanted to say a few words when he heard this, but he saw that the two people next to him didn't say a word, and he didn't want to be a villain anymore, so he had to respond, and secretly said to Jiang Baili in his heart: "Brother, I'm sorry, but I can give the other party a choice, and I don't refute the other party's face." ”……

A while ago, in order to have a deeper understanding of the Beiyang military system and prepare for his upcoming military career, Han Zheng spent a lot of time checking some information in the library of the school. It wasn't until this time that Han Zheng knew that the standard that President Jiang was talking about was so important.

It turns out that the current military establishment of the Beiyang Army is set up with reference to the establishment of the Japanese Army, and each standard can be under the jurisdiction of three battalions, and the standard is regarded as a middle-level and higher-level officer, that is to say, according to the military system, a standard can have more than 1,500 people, which is a big number, and even if there is a shortage in the army, there will be more than 1,000 people. Even if Yuan Shikai doesn't like Han Zheng and others, if they are combined, there are still 800 people. Although I don't know why the above will arrange such an important official position for them, but for me now, isn't it just that the more people there are, the better......

Han Zheng didn't know that this was Wang Shizhen's face in order to comfort Jiang Baili, so he had this choice, so when he saw his barracks later, Han Zheng realized that things were far beyond his worst plan!

After another two days, Jiang Baili finally got the news and told Han Zheng and the others, so Han Zheng knew his future arrangements in advance before the military department's order was officially down, but this news also made them worry for a long time, and they were settled.

According to the above appointment, the three of them were arranged to serve in the third town of Beiyang, of course, accompanied by Xiang Jie, but the army in their establishment was not the original battalion, I heard that it was a new standard composed of soldiers from each battalion, which did not belong to the direct jurisdiction of the superiors, but was directly governed by the town, and existed as an independent standard.

Of course, their so-called target will not occupy the original standard establishment of the army, but is somewhat similar to the personnel outside the urban management establishment in later generations -- they are purely victims when they are in trouble and fighting.

Han Zheng was also awarded the position of temporary acting standard, Wang Xian was the deputy, and the arrangements of the others could be reported by Han Zheng by drawing up the list by himself, which can be said to be a great power, but it is also in line with what Principal Jiang originally said, not to let others mix sand into it.

Of course, there is another reason, that is, in the whole process, there are no other people in the army who are willing to strive to be officers of this target. From inside and outside the establishment, no one wants to be this stupid boss.

In the third town now, who doesn't know that the mark in front of him looks like a piece of fat, but in fact, who is unlucky, although Lord Yuan said that he was reusing them, but the incident in Shanghai made him lose face, how not to make him psychologically annoyed, just look at this arrangement, and no one will compete with Han for this standard quota anymore.

Han Zheng didn't know that there was such a thing here, so when he heard that there was really no one mixing sand into his army, he was only excited in his heart.

After Han Zheng got the news, he came out of the principal's office directly, and then ran to the place where several people lived temporarily, and told Wang Xian and the others the news.

At the same time, Han Zheng also told his speculation based on what he had observed, and told Wang Xian and the others about the possible number of subordinates, and when Wang Xian and Li Feng heard that there were seven or eight hundred subordinates, they were taken aback!

At this time, they were not afraid, or worried that they and others would not be able to do a good job, but they did not expect that there would be so many soldiers for their own dispatch.

Everyone couldn't help but ask again, and after Han Zheng's repeated confirmation, they almost jumped up excitedly, for them, there is nothing more satisfying than learning something useful.

The three of them gathered together excitedly, chattering about their future plans, although the official appointment has not yet come down, but the excitement is unbearable, Wang Xian and Li Feng and others have no detailed sources after all, but the result is said by Principal Jiang, how can a few people suspect this matter.

Several people were excited all night, and the next morning, the official appointment also officially arrived after a day late, and the time quietly came to the twenty-ninth of the year, that is, tomorrow will be the day of Chinese New Year's Eve......

The person who handed over the appointment letter had a straight face, probably because he didn't go home in time for the New Year for this appointment, and after the appointment letter was handed over to them, he didn't say anything, turned around and left directly, as if Han Zheng and the others had a plague on them.

However, Jiang Baili saw this scene next to him, worried that they would be embarrassed, but encouraged them a few words, and said again that they would go to their own house tomorrow for the New Year, but seeing Wang Xian and Li Feng only caring about the happy look, it is estimated that they heard the same as not listening, and when they said it, they seemed a little careless.

Back in the dormitory, Wang Xian and Li Feng were still discussing excitedly over there, while Han Zheng was lying on the bed, thinking about some things......

Han Zheng sighed deeply, listening to Wang Xian's voices and the two of them, but his thoughts didn't know where to run......

On the day of the Chinese New Year's Eve, Jiang Baili dismissed several guards at home yesterday and sent them home for the New Year, because he was still not married, and there was no one in the family. Knowing that Han Zheng and others were coming here for the New Year today, they got up early in the morning to prepare.

Although he has a lot of students, but in the army, there are always many things to deal with in the New Year, and those students can only send New Year's gifts before the year, so when the New Year is celebrated, almost every year is by himself, and this year there are his own proud disciples to accompany the New Year, Jiang Baili feels that this year has also become a New Year's flavor.

After Han Zheng and the others got up and washed, they no longer did military gymnastics, and in the Chinese New Year's Eve, there were very few restaurants on the street doing business today, and the three of them finally found a seller of breakfast, hurriedly ate some and walked to other shops on the street.

Today they are going to the principal's house, although the principal has already said that they are not allowed to bring anything, just go to the people, but how can they be willing? So today, the main reason for going to the street is to buy some wine and food and New Year's gifts.

According to the route that Jiang Baili told them in advance, Han Zheng and the three of them bought their things and walked to Jiang Baili's house in the west of the city. After inquiring about the specific location, when several people came to Jiang Baili's house, through the wide open door, they could see that Jiang Baili was already waiting in the living room.

Han Zheng and the three of them hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "I wish the principal a happy New Year, good health, and find us a master as soon as possible." ”

Jiang Baili heard their jokes, and deliberately straightened his face and said: "Nonsense, you just hurry up and find the housekeeper for yourself, I think I can still use you but my heart?" ”

Jiang Baili said, and he couldn't help laughing, at this time, where is there still a little bit of the principal's shelf, for him, but he has not been so happy this year in several years.

At lunchtime, when talking about the arrangements of Han Zheng and others, Han Zheng couldn't help but ask his doubts: "Principal, I shouldn't have asked, but I can't help but want to say it, since Lord Yuan has a problem because of the Shanghai incident, even if he wants others to say that he loves him, he shouldn't arrange such an important official position for us, I checked it, this is not a small official position." ”

As soon as Han Zheng's words came out, Wang Xian and Li Feng also stopped and listened carefully, although they were happy and didn't expect so much at the time, when Han Zheng's question reminded them, thinking about it seriously, it was really like this.

When Jiang Baili heard Han Zheng's words, he didn't intend to hide what he was going to tell them: "I inquired about this matter for you, it is estimated that you are a standard in name, but there will not be too many personnel, for those people above, it doesn't matter if you don't give you someone anyway, you will be given an official position, and it is not good for outsiders to say anything." But don't worry about anything, since Lord Yuan wants reputation, he won't go too far, there are still a few hundred or so. ”

When Han Zheng heard this, he was not too surprised, Wang Xian and Li Feng were taken aback, they couldn't imagine how 1,500 people could become hundreds, and how could this not surprise them.

Jiang Baili saw the silent three, and comforted: "Actually, there are a few hundred people, but it is just right, you have not led soldiers, this time it is just to accumulate experience, after all, you are international students, one day you will prove yourself, let Lord Yuan know your talent, you have to lead the troops well, don't think too much." ”

After finishing speaking, Jiang Baili changed the topic and talked about some other interesting things about the New Year, and the atmosphere became lively again.