Nanjing, the conference hall of the President's Palace.

"Ladies and gentlemen, our Republic of China is now at an important turning point in history. Under the leadership of the late great revolutionary Dr. Sun Yat-sen, with the heroic struggle of the officers and men of the National Defense Army headed by Comrade Chang Yaoru, and with the joint advocacy of the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, our national revolution has been victorious! China has achieved the basic unification of military and government orders, and all regions of the country have been governed by the Nationalist Government, except for Tibet! This is the beginning of a great era, and those of us have the privilege of being one of the founders of this great era. Now we are gathered together to discuss how to develop our country, how to establish and improve our political system, and how to restore this great country to its former glory, which is the responsibility of our generation entrusted by history, and it is also our glory......"

Speaking was Soong Ching-ling, the president of the Legislative Council, who before Sun Yat-sen's death, had no position in the Kuomintang or the Nationalist government, but was simply a first lady. But in just a few months, she rose as quickly as if she was on a rocket, and became a pivotal figure in Chinese politics! Now the titles on her business card have included a large list of titles such as vice chairman of the Kuomintang, president of the Legislative Council, member of the Military Commission, member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the Kuomintang, chairman of the Chinese women's movement, director of the Iron and Blood Comrades Association, director of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, director of the Bank of China, and so on.

And the one who lifted her to such a high position was Chang Ruiqing! The two of them are now the closest allies, so close that there are rumors that the two of them already have a special relationship...... Of course. That's slander and slander!

In the midst of applause, Dean Song glanced at the top figures of the various power departments in the country with a smile. Finally, he turned his attention to Chang Ruiqing, nodded slightly, and finally began to get to the point: "The first issue to be discussed at the national policy consultation meeting that began today is the duration of the political training, and how the legislative, judicial and administrative work will be carried out during the training period......

Hearing this, there was a buzzing sound in the conference hall, and many participants began to talk to each other. Everyone knows that Song Qingling is actually presiding over the meeting for Chang Ruiqing, and the topic she is proposing now is setting the tone for the meeting!

Discipline still needs to be trained! However, there will be a deadline in time. Furthermore. The method of discipline and administration will also be adjusted, and there will no longer be a clear distinction between the legislative, judicial, and administrative as it is now, but there will be independent systems. Of course, in the end, it will be the Wehrmacht that will definitely be mastered.

The first day of the meeting discussed the time limit for discipline and administration, although Chang Ruiqing and the National Defense Force were in control. However, all parties still took advantage of this rare opportunity to fully demonstrate their own ideas.

There was a heated debate about the length of the political training. According to some opinions, the purpose of discipline is to teach the people to exercise their democratic powers. Therefore, this process should not be too short, at least 15 to 20 years, so as to train enough people with a certain cultural foundation to participate in China's constitutionalism -- no one can imagine that tens of thousands of illiterate people should vote for the country's leaders and major policies, right?

Of course, there are those who hold the opposite opinion. They believe that democratic constitutionalism can be progressively promoted, and that education can be used as a threshold for voting in elections. Nationals who have received the equivalent of six years of compulsory primary school or higher (diplomas can also be obtained by self-study examinations) can have the right to vote at least 18 years of age. There are hundreds of thousands of such people in China today. In another five or six years, it should reach millions and tens of millions, which is enough to represent tens of thousands of citizens of the entire country. Therefore, the period of training should be set at six years, and then the election of legislators and members participating in political affairs at all levels should begin, and the constitution should be formulated and constitutional government should be implemented.

And Chang Ruiqing, as always, did not speak in person, as if he was really just a chairman who was only responsible for military affairs. In the afternoon of that day. Towards the end of the meeting. Soong Ching-ling also announced that he would vote on the pre-election and that there were two pre-election plans: First, a six-year training period. Beginning in 1921 and ending in 1926, 1927 would be an election year. The other was a fifteen-year training period, from 1921 to 1936. Two ballot boxes in side-by-side columns were moved to the podium. Two sheets of white paper were pasted on top of the box, one with six years and the other with fifteen years. All delegates were also given mimeographed ballots with their names...... It was an open secret ballot. And the first to walk on the rostrum was Chang Ruiqing, contrary to all expectations, Chang Ruiqing stood in front of the ballot box that said six years, and cast the most critical vote with a smile in front of everyone!

Six years doesn't seem like a long time, right? Forbearance is over, but after only six years, will China really be able to embark on the road to democratic constitutionalism? Can Chang Ruiqing really give up his dictatorial power and become a democratically elected president or prime minister? Everyone sitting below has the same question in their hearts......

Okamura Ninji strode into the office of the Minister of War. This Dazuo, who had just been transferred back to the War Ministry from the Far Eastern Army and became the director of the Military Affairs Bureau, was full of ambition. The defeat of the Xianbeilian Dispatch Army undoubtedly opened a channel for rapid promotion for them, the elite of the army junior Zhuang faction who had been serving in the Far Eastern Army. A large number of seniors with older qualifications and higher military ranks than him have either become gods or become scapegoats, and the senior officials who don't know how many years of seniority they have to endure to become become suddenly fell on them. And Okamura Ninji has become the number one China expert in the Japanese Army because of his "special relationship" with Chang Ruiqing, and this official fortune is even better. actually became the director of the military affairs bureau in the past, which was served by officers above the rank of major general, and faintly became the confidant of the Minister of War Tanaka Yoshiichi.

"It's Okamura-kun? Come on in. As soon as Tanaka Yoshinori heard Okamura Ninji's report, he put down the text in his hand and looked up in the direction of the door. The door opened, and Okamura, who was in a well-groomed military uniform, walked up to Tanaka and respectfully saluted: "Your Excellency! What are you looking for me? ”

Yoshiichi Tanaka beckoned to him and ordered Okamura to sit down. Then he picked up a copy of a telegram on his desk and handed it over: "Okamura-kun, the Democratic Consultative Conference convened by the Chinese National Government has passed the resolution of 'six years of discipline'. It was ready to transition to a constitutional state in six years. This is the second time in the history of their country that they are preparing for a constitution, right? What do you think, is it possible to succeed? ”

Okamura Ninji took the telegram and glanced at it, smiled, looked at Tanaka and said, "Your Excellency means that Chang Ruiqing will turn his face and deny it after six years, right?" Xia Guan thought it wouldn't. ”

"Won't it?" Yoshiichi Tanaka smacked his lips. He participated in the First Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War, and also planned and participated in the "Twenty-one Articles" and Zhang Xun's restoration. But who would have thought that this country would change dramatically in just a few years. It quickly unified, defeated Soviet Russia, and produced a leader who could twist the whole country together - Chang Ruiqing. Now Tanaka doesn't know how much to think about this Chang Ruiqing becoming Yuan Shikai's second, and doing some stupid things to interrupt the pace of China's rejuvenation!

Okamura Ninji didn't pay attention to Tanaka's face, and said to himself: "Your Excellency, it has been less than five years since Chang Ruiqing graduated from the Baoding Military Academy, and he has changed the whole of China in such a short period of time. And now. He had six years to consolidate his authority, and the lower officials did not see the need for him to go back on his word. Because at that time, whether it is democracy or dictatorship, he will be able to firmly control China. ”

"What will he do when he takes control of China?"

"Of course, it's what other powers in the world did when the country was rising, isn't that how our Imperial Japan came over?"

There was a sudden silence in the office.

Yoshiichi Tanaka stood up and pressed Okamura Ninji's shoulder: "Okamura-kun, it seems that the empire's expansion on the continent has come to an end...... That's the price we paid for the Far East! Although we got our wish, we got a territory that was larger and richer than the Japanese mainland. But we must change the course of the Empire's future development.

I've figured it out all this time. Expansion to the north and west is no longer possible, the only direction of development is the south, and the future of the empire is in the rich South Seas and Australia! To do this, we must develop the Navy with all our might, while digesting the Far Eastern states! For the sake of the future of the empire, the army can only make sacrifices. However, the Empire's vigorous development of the navy would inevitably arouse the vigilance and hostility of the British and American powers, and the Empire's occupation of the Far Eastern states would make it impossible for the Empire to ease relations with Soviet Russia...... If it is in a state of hostility with China again. That empire is making enemies of the whole world, and this is absolutely undesirable. Therefore, the southward policy of the empire must be realized. It is necessary to form an alliance with China against Soviet Russia, Okamura-kun, do you think it is possible? ”

Yoshiichi Tanaka's words silenced Okamura Ninji, who of course knew that China's relations with Soviet Russia were rapidly improving. There is no inextricable knot between these two countries, and they have become enemy countries purely because of some "revisionist line" and Japan's provocation. However, according to recent news from Soviet Russia, the Russian GCD has decided to implement a new economic policy of partial restoration of private ownership. According to the analysis of the experts of the Japanese Left Peopleism Research Branch, this new policy of Soviet Russia means that they themselves have embarked on a revisionist line! The "line struggle" between China and Russia no longer exists.

In the foreseeable future, relations between the two countries are bound to warm up rapidly. The possibility of an anti-Soviet alliance between China and Japan is almost gone, which means that Japan will have to devote more financial resources to the defense of the Far East and Korea, and Japan's naval construction will be greatly affected, thus putting Japan's new national policy of going south in trouble.

"Okamura-kun, you and Chang Ruiqing have some personal friendships, so I'll leave the work of uniting China to you. You're going to accomplish this mission no matter what. Even if an anti-Russian alliance cannot be formed, a non-aggression pact must be signed. The Imperial Army was not capable of dealing with two land powers at the same time. ”

"Your Excellency, I'm afraid it's difficult for a character like Chang Ruiqing to be moved by personal friendships, right?"

"No, I believe that there are common interests between China and Japan, and haven't they been discussing whether they should focus on developing the navy or the army recently?"

"Your Excellency means ......"

"The empire goes south, China goes north and west, and the well water does not interfere with the river water."

After a long silence, Okamura Ninji Dazuo finally nodded with difficulty: "Xiaguan understands. The lower officials did their best. He stood up and saluted his immediate superior. Walked out silently. When he arrived at the door, he suddenly turned around and asked, "Your Excellency, is the empire really going to abandon the mainland policy?" Can the Army really accept such an outcome? ”

Yoshiichi Tanaka looked up at Okamura and said lightly, "Neither the empire nor the army have a choice!" Going south is the only way out. ”……

"Chairman, this is the agenda for today's meeting." Adjutant General Zheng Zhongyuan stood straight behind Chang Ruiqing in military uniform, and handed a copy of the document in the official folder to Chang Ruiqing, who was eating breakfast, for review.

Sitting across the table was Wang Ruonan, who had just been found to be pregnant, and who was still serving as a director of the Zuo Minist Research Association, and was busy reorganizing the society into the Zuo Minist Youth League. According to Chang Ruiqing's intentions, this will be a National Socialist youth organization with himself as its leader. She smiled and looked at Chang Ruiqing frowning at the text, but did not speak. Pan Xiaoqian, Zhen Xiaoru and the Zhao sisters were still sitting on both sides of the table, all bowing their heads and eating breakfast, and no one dared to disturb the Chang Da revolutionaries who were concentrating on thinking about problems. Now every morning in China's de facto first family, as long as Chang Ruiqing is at home, it is almost like this.

Just as Chang Ruiqing finished reviewing the agenda of the meeting. When he handed the text back to Zheng Zhongyuan, he saw Zeng Qi, the director of the second division of the attendant's room, hurriedly appear at the door, and Chang Ruiqing beckoned to Zeng Qi with some surprise: "Mr. Mu Han, come in and sit." Have you had breakfast? Let's use a little bit together. ”

Zeng Qi nodded, walked quickly to Chang Ruiqing's side, and did not sit down to eat. Instead, he leaned over and whispered in his ear: "Mr. Second has arrived, and he is ready to report to you." Chang Ruiqing's face changed, he put down the dishes and chopsticks in his hand, smiled and nodded at Wang Ruonan, and strode out with Zheng Zhongyuan. Wang Ruonan sighed in a low voice. He smiled at Zhen Xiaoru, who served as the head of the Operations Department in the Military Intelligence Bureau: "Sister Xiaoru, do you know what Ruiyuan is doing in Nanjing?" ”

When Chang Ruiqing rushed to his office. Chang Ruiyuan has been waiting at the door for a long time. He looks like a dusty man. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked a little tired, as if he had come from Shanghai overnight. Seeing Chang Ruiqing coming in a hurry, he quickly stood up and saluted. Chang Ruiqing smiled and said, "Second brother, who are you and me?" What else do you salute? Come in and talk. ”

Chang Ruiqing's baby brother is only 23 years old this year, and he is now the colonel of the Shanghai Station of the Military Intelligence Bureau. However, he doesn't have any talent for intelligence, the reason why he can be the stationmaster has a big brother who is the chairman of the committee is the credit of the second lady Wu Yan'er in his family, this woman is probably the veteran of Chang Ruiqing's intelligence system! is also a natural intelligence material, and now 50% of the leading people on Shanghai Beach have pornographic spies planted by her! And she can also manage the post-80s Shaolin abbot network in an orderly manner as the deputy stationmaster, so that Chang Ruiyuan can be a hands-off shopkeeper comfortably. However, today, the shopkeeper came to Nanjing overnight, and it seems that there is really something big to report. Chang Ruiyuan nodded at his eldest brother, and followed him into the office with a bag.

Chang Ruiyuan found a chair opposite his brother and sat down, put the bag on the desk, and said with a smile: "Mr. Bei Yihui, and the one named Katayama Qian, have now returned to Shanghai and lived in one of my mansions. A few days ago, they were investigating our land reform in the countryside around Shanghai, and they should have seen what they wanted to see. After returning to Shanghai, they formally asked us to help them rebuild the Japanese Socialist Party, and said that after gaining Japanese power in the future, they would let Japan really join hands with China to deal with British and American imperialism and expel them from Asia! In addition, Kita Kazuki also told us that the Japanese Army's Military Affairs Bureau, General Okamura Ninji, will soon make a secret visit to China to discuss Sino-Japanese cooperation with you. ”

Chang Ruiqing nodded, but said lightly: "It seems that Bei Yihui has a very unusual relationship with the Japanese military department." ”

Chang Ruiyuan said with a smile: "He has now added your way to his "Outline of the Japanese Transformation Act", and has gained many supporters in Japan, including their military figures. ”

Chang Ruiqing nodded noncommittally, and said, "If they want to build a socialist party, what kind of help do they need from us?" Is it funding? Chang Ruiyuan smiled faintly: "Of course, the funds are needed, but they are not the most urgently needed, and now Japan is very isolated in the international community...... According to Bei Yihui, they have become mortal enemies with Soviet Russia when they occupy the Far Eastern State, and it is unrealistic to invade us again, and the only way out is to go south, which will inevitably offend Anglo-American law, so they must form an alliance with us. Only in this way will they dare to boldly develop their navy and go south to liberate the people of Asia. ”

Chang Ruiqing sneered: "This North Yihui's wishful thinking is good, but what can we China get in Japan's expansion?" Moreover, now that Britain, the United States and France are supporting China in a certain way, don't they just want China, Soviet Russia, and Japan to contain each other? ”