"If you want to gain a foothold, you must rely on military power!"

Sang Zhiping's words were not loud, but they floated in Zhang Zhidong's ears like thunder, so that even like the thunder of that summer, they kept exploding in his mind. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

Those who want to gain a foothold must rely on military power!

Nowadays, this is a well-known truth, but no one has said so clearly as Sang Zhiping, at least in the Yamen of the Governor of Wuchang, no one said it so bluntly, and everyone still maintains the last bit of decency, the last bit of decency of the courtiers of the Qing Dynasty. At least he Zhang Zhidong is still maintained on the surface, maybe he can collude with Tang Haoran, use Tang Haoran to contain Li Hongzhang, write to the court to advocate peace, and recommend him to preside over the Northeast in the name of "driving the wolf and devouring the tiger", but on the other hand, Zhang Zhidong still promises himself to be a "loyal minister of the imperial court", so sometimes everyone has to take care of the face of the "loyal minister".

But when they were worried about the dignity of their loyal ministers, everyone was planning for the future, that is, even Yang Changjun, the poor governor of Shaanxi and Gansu in the northwest, had prepared 3 million for the training of the new army in Shaanxi and Gansu! Nowadays, everyone understands these truths, not only but even foreign foreign firms, whose compradors are now running around the governor's palace in order to sell weapons and ammunition.

The world has changed since the same year of Xian, until he Tang Ziran stabbed a big hole in the day, and also tore up the last bit of the Qing Kingdom, and now the big guys have begun to do everything possible to plan for themselves, and this plan is ...... It has to be by military power!

After listening to these words, Zhang Zhidong, who had been pondering for a while, finally couldn't hold back anymore, so he spoke:

"Brother Zhongzi. I see what you mean. Do you want me to turn the self-improvement army into an eagle dog raised by a certain person's family -- Zhang Jiajun?"

Zhang Jiajun. Even if he still has a little face of the courtiers of the Qing Dynasty, this will mention these three words violently, Zhang Zhidong's heart still can't help but jump suddenly, no wonder his heart will beat wildly, after reading all the history books, he doesn't know that today's "Zhang Jiajun" may be tomorrow's founding army, when this idea emerges, how not to be tempted by it.

"Brother Xiangtao."

With a solemn face, Sang Zhiping glanced at Zhang Zhidong and said,

"I know that with more than ten years of acquaintance between us and today's relationship, even if you disagree or even disagree with what I say, you will not doubt my intentions."

"It's natural."

Zhang Zhidong, who had calmed down, nodded. People always need to face too many temptations in this life, but just a moment of effort, Zhang Zhidong knows that he thinks too much, some things can't be thought about now, and I don't know how many virtuous ministers in the history books are ruined by this "more thinking", not to mention anything else. Even the current Hunan is a problem, even if it solves Hunan. There is also Li Er, and Li Da, and ......

"Then I'll tell you a few words, maybe you don't like it."

Sang Zhiping deliberately paused for a moment, glanced at his old friend sitting opposite, and saw that he was listening intently, so he continued seriously.

"Since the Jiashen years, Brother Xiangtao has been committed to opening foreign affairs, and the hope of our Chinese Xu Tu self-improvement lies in those foreign affairs bureau factories. Brother Xiangtao, your intentions are very good, and the energy you have spent on this is also admirable, and it has paid off. But to be honest, there are many problems inside, and some people even pessimistically believe that not to mention that it is difficult for China to strengthen itself, even how long these bureaus and factories themselves can run is still a problem. ”

What Sang Zhiping said is not sarcastic, although such as the layout of Hubei yarn and the official ship bureau have made a lot of profits, but although the investment in iron works, iron mines, gun factories, coal mines, etc. is huge, they have not yet started, and this rumor is naturally continuous.

The words of the old friend made Zhang Zhidong say disapprehantly:

"I've heard these words. But it is almost impossible to do great things without hearing opposition, let alone foreign affairs, which have not been done since ancient times. We can't just stop because someone doubts us. ”

If not, how can China talk about strength? He Li Hongzhang and Tang Haoran, especially the latter, didn't they just rely on foreign affairs? If there was no Western-style factory in Incheon, how could he be today? How can there be one more of the eight governors in the world?

"That's not what I mean, I've always fully supported you in setting up a foreign affairs bureau factory. It is also true that there are many problems, and these matters can be discussed in detail in the future, and I will not talk to you about them tonight. I'm saying you're right to set up a factory, but the situation may not allow you to do it smoothly. ”

Zhang Zhidong stared at Sang Zhiping and asked anxiously:

"What do you mean by that?"

"Let's just put it bluntly!"

Sang Zhiping paused for a moment and then burst out with a hard sentence.

"Is the situation the same now as it was in the past? Set up a council, the governor elected the "councillor", the northeast side is even more on its own, under the pretext of "political reform", appoint the chief civil affairs of the three provinces, and the local people have followed suit, the imperial court has lost its prestige, the people's will is floating, this is a sign of the coming chaos! ”

What Sang Zhiping said was naturally Tang Haoran's "governor's discussion of politics" forced out by a telegram, and after he became the "governor of the three eastern provinces", he even "sent the generals of the three provinces out of the country", and then implemented the new policy to appoint civil governors at all levels, completely kicking the imperial court aside, this matter soon spread from the northeast to all parts of the country, and naturally stirred up a storm, how could Zhang Zhidong, who was in Wuchang, not know?

However, he did not associate this with the impending chaos, which, at least for now, seemed to him to be nothing more than a matter of concern. Zhang Zhidong frowned and asked:

"Is it that serious?"

"I think it's about the same."

Sang Zhiping nodded affirmatively,

"When the chaos comes, can the bureau and factory still be able to do it? You can't do it if you want to, and then it's the military that will really work. Only with soldiers can we quell the chaos; Those who lead the troops are the backbone of the country. Now the eight governors, with Li Hefei as the most powerful, his brother led to two Guangzhou, presided over many provinces, and then Tang Ziran in the northeast, but the northeast is sparsely populated, without more than ten years of work, it cannot become a trend...... If that situation arises, I don't want to see Li Hefei, Yuan Shikai and others and their new army monopolize the scenery, I hope you can be the Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang of the past. The self-improvement army is the former Hunan army and Huai army. Turn the tide! ”

In the words, Sang Zhiping still put Zhang Zhidong on the "loyal minister". But Zhang Zhidong didn't understand the subtext of his words. That is, in the future, we will rely on military power to compete for the world. Even if he doesn't take it, everyone will take it when the time comes, and the lake is wide and naturally don't want to stay out of it.

"Are you telling me not to do anything else, just like Zeng Guofan in the past, who devoted himself to running a self-improvement army?"

Zhang Zhidong asked rhetorically, and his brows suddenly furrowed, although he knew that the situation was different, but he could see it. No matter who is maintaining the last shred of decency - no one will take the lead in being that An Lushan, but ...... If Tang Ziran wants to be An Lushan......

Seeing Zhang Zhidong's brows tightened, Sang Zhiping, who knew that he was thinking, said slowly:

"I think you can also do the same, hand over the foreign affairs to others, and run the army wholeheartedly, and firmly hold the self-improvement army in your hands."

"I am fifty-five years old this year, Zeng Guofan was just over forty when he ran the Hunan army, Yuan Shikai was only thirty-three or four years old, as for Tang Ziran. It's only twenty-four, and I'm that old. Can you compare with them? Can you go to drills with those boys every day?"

When he said this, Zhang Zhidong's tone was a little helpless, he also wanted to train his own self-improvement army, but the years were unforgiving, he was fifty-five years old, and naturally he couldn't compare his energy with Tang Ziran and Yuan Shikai. As for Li Hongzhang, he also trained the soldiers decades ago, and now he still needs to train again!

"You don't have to go to the playground with them, but you can live in the barracks with them, and I'll stay with you if you go."

Zhang Zhidong's words made Zhang Zhidong smile, shook his head and said:

"That's not going to work either. Zeng Guofan only had one thing to do with the Hunan army at that time, and Yuan Shikai only had the position of governor of a province, how could I get rid of it as the governor of Hu? Even if Li Hongzhang is not necessarily focused on military training, didn't he also appoint Yuan Shikai to help him train his troops? ”

"That's because Li Hongzhang's soldiers have already been trained!"

Staring at Zhang Zhidong, Sang Zhiping continued.

"Actually, as long as you have the heart, there are ways to think about these things. You can live in the self-improvement barracks for half a year, and during this half year, the general affairs of the governor of the lake and the governor of the river are entrusted to others, and especially important matters will be handled personally, and you will not miss things. ”

"Could it be that if you leave the Governor's Office and live in the barracks, you can take the self-improvement army into your own hands?"

After asking rhetorically, Zhang Zhidong stared at Sang Zhiping, how could it be as simple as living in a military camp to master the army.

"Of course it's not that simple."

Sang Zhiping touched his chin and said,

"The key to mastering an army lies in the officers who control this army, such as Tang Ziran, who is also the principal of the martial arts hall, and his officials are all out of the school, and the officers in the army are his students, and the officers in the army are all called teachers and principals, and they are naturally loyal to them, so we can do the same. However, we are not like Tang Ziran who has a year or two to slowly figure it out, you can live in the military camp for a period of time, establish a harmonious relationship with the military camp, and then look for people to cultivate yourself in the middle. ”

Zhang Zhidong fell into thought. Sang Zhiping's idea is very correct: although the current self-improvement army is raised by his own hands, it is nominally the army of the imperial court, and in essence it is still in the hands of the governor of Hubei, and he is just doing official business; If they no longer stay in Wuchang, this new-style army, like the current Green Battalion, will have no connection with themselves. When the world is in turmoil, don't say that you will obey your orders to charge into battle, even if it is asked to do a little thing for you, it will not be possible. However, let himself let go of his position as a marshal and become a general of a self-strengthening army with only 5,000 people, Zhang Zhidong disdained to do so, but this world is ...... In this world, there is no military power. Zhang Zhidong, who also knew this well, shook his head and said:

"Brother Zhongzi, I'm already old, why don't you go into battle in person."

After speaking, Zhang Zhidong let out a long breath, this age is the biggest obstacle.

This was indeed a great disappointment to Sang Zhiping, and his right hand holding the teacup stopped halfway. He stared at Zhang Zhengtai, the acting manager of Huguang in front of him, and seemed to have such an impression for the first time: he is indeed old! The braids and beards that are almost white, like the ramie piled up in the hemp making bureau, are scattered and lacklustre; The slender and wrinkled face is like a simmered sweet potato pulled out of the ashes of a hot kang, miserable and bloodless; The short and thin body leaned on the wicker chair, like a fifteen or sixteen-year-old child, looking very inconspicuous because it was not mature. It doesn't seem to be like this in normal times! The hair is white, but the skin is ruddy. Although the body is small, it is mighty. How could it be so trivial and mediocre tonight!

Looking at the old friend who is full of color. Sang Zhiping sighed in his heart and said:

"Brother Xiangtao. These years of hard work have indeed cost you a lot of effort, and there are many difficulties in hoping to receive the tiger talisman in person for six years. I make you a request tonight, and I ask you not to look ahead and not accept it. ”

Request? For so many years, Sang Zhiping has never asked for anything!

"What do you want, just say, what is the relationship between us, what you want. Am I not doing my best?"

Sang Zhiping smiled lightly, looked at Zhang Zhidong and said:

"The last time I went to Seoul, I had already agreed with the eldest prince Tong Ziran that in addition to sending fifty officers to Wuchang to train my self-strengthening army, I would also set up a special class in the lecture hall in the future, thinking that I would train new officers in Huguang. Now that the eldest prince is preparing for the Huguang police, he naturally has no time to go to Ziran to learn military affairs. Rensuke is only 20 years old this year, so why don't he go to the northeast to study military affairs with the selected students. After the student is reached, he will be sent to the self-improvement army. First be a standard commander, and after a year and a half, he will be promoted to an assistant commander, and then he will be the commander in the future, and let him replace you in charge of the self-improvement army in the future. ”

The Renfu in Sang Zhiping's mouth is the second son, different from his brother, because of his young relationship, when he was in Guangzhou, he had followed Gu Hongming and others to seriously learn English, calculation and other Western practical learning. Zhang Zhidong and Sang Zhiping both deeply felt that they did not understand Western studies, and intended to let their children make up for this great regret. Originally, Renfu was allowed to enter the Iron Political Bureau in the future, and follow Cai Xiyong and them to learn foreign and pragmatic careers.

At the moment when Zhang Zhidong categorically refused to lead the self-improvement army, Sang Zhihu suddenly had an idea: Let Renfu do this thing, compared to his father, Renfu has many inferiorities, but there are also many surpasses. Although Rensuke's stature is not tall, he has also learned some fist and foot kung fu, and his body is vigorous and flexible, which is suitable for martial arts. Although he has not systematically studied military affairs, he understands foreign languages, German drills, and British weapons, and as long as he learns them, he will be ten times faster than others. What's more, he is only twenty years old, and his future is naturally unlimited, and he is also a student of Sang Zhiping, people are always selfish, especially when it comes to the future of the world, Sang Zhiping's selfishness is here.

"Let Renfu go to the self-improvement army, I didn't think about this, if he wants to, it's okay."

After thinking for a while, knowing that this is also a choice, Zhang Zhidong stroked his long beard, first pondered for a moment, knowing that Sang Zhiping said this, he was not without a little selfishness, but he understood that this may be the best choice, although this is the case, Zhang Zhidong has a little concern, he looked at Sang Zhiping and nodded and said.

"However, he is always young, even if he graduated from the northeast, it is not suitable to be a standard as soon as he arrives in the military camp, and people will say that he fights Lao Tzu's power."

Even Zhang Zhidong himself didn't notice that when he said this, he still put himself in the position of a "Qing courtier", rather than a lord of a place or a lord of a land. The crown prince was born a prince, and no one would say that he was a father. But decades of experience as a retainer still affect Zhang Zhidong, at least for now. Just as he knows that the overall situation has changed, but he is unwilling to admit that the troubled times have come.

Compared with Zhang Zhidong, Sang Zhiping has already seen this, or he thinks farther and sees farther. Of course, more importantly, because he has never been in office, naturally the court has no "gifts" to him, and he has no "loyalty" to the court. So naturally, it is impossible to be as entangled as Zhang Zhidong, and even because of this, he will understand Tang Haoran - if he has not received his favor, he naturally cannot talk about being loyal to him, not to mention that the court of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is not the court of China in the first place, so why should he be loyal?

Shaking his head, looking at his old friend who seemed to be a little entangled in his heart, Sang Zhiping, who knew where his concerns were, said with a smile:

"If nothing else, with Renfu's fluent English and his knowledge of measurement, there is no one to compare with the self-improvement army, and I have seen it in Ziran's lecture martial arts hall, where you have to learn German and learn to measure, if ordinary people get there, I'm afraid they will be somewhat uncomfortable, after all, what the instructor said in class is German, and even the textbook is a German textbook......"

It was even because of the fact that the lecture hall was taught in German and German textbooks were used that Sang Zhiping asked Tang Ziran to send a lieutenant officer of the new army to train the self-strengthening army. And employed in Hubei Wuchang School. Not everyone can learn this Western textbook. Even in Tang Ziran's lecture hall, not everyone can learn that German, and they also rely on translation.

"But if Renfu arrives there, his results must be excellent, after all, when he was in Guangzhou, those foreigners praised Renfu's foreign literature as good, and it was naturally easy to learn. After Rensuke graduates, he can first serve in the Northeast Army for a few months. Awarded a military rank over there, probationary for a few months, and then appointed as a standard commander in the self-improvement army, naturally no one can speak. If he is allowed to do it, when will he get to the point of taking charge of the self-improvement army?"

The army is also like officialdom, and Sang Zhiping naturally knows the doorway in officialdom very well, but just a change of thought, he found a solution, and this solution. It is indeed the most appropriate, and the Northeast Army is not in the Hubei Army. Relying on his old connections in the past to serve in it for a few months, and then taking up the military post in Hubei, naturally no one will be able to speak at that time.

And the reason why Sang Zhiping said this was to convince Zhang Zhidong, in fact, what he wanted to say was that "the prince was born a prince", Yu Renfu's qualifications are not a problem, the root of the problem is still in Zhang Zhidong's own body, he still regards himself as a courtier, but now, Sang Zhiping can't say it yet, some things have not yet come to say, or in other words, there is no need for others to say it.

"Nakako, don't just because Rensuke is your student, you favor him and protect him, I don't see anything outstanding about him. Are you expecting too much from him?"

Zhang Zhidong said jokingly, but he had already thought about it in his heart, let Renfu go to the army to really be able to grasp the new army for his own use, there is no better way, even when selecting officials, if possible, you can also use your own family as much as possible. At that time, it is his own son who is in charge of the army, and the military officer Zuo also has his own sons and nephews, isn't this army the "Zhang Family Army"? Isn't this the reason for the "father and son" soldiers mentioned in this book?

"Rensuke is not outstanding, for the time being, the first thing is to cultivate him, this is a very important matter. In recent times, only Zeng Wenzhenggong saw it most thoroughly and did it best. He said that as long as he has medium qualifications, if he is well cultivated, he will have the opportunity to fully display his talents, and he can be expected to make great achievements. On the other hand, if a person with superior qualifications is unfortunate and sinks, he will also achieve nothing. I deeply agree with Wen Zhenggong's remarks. There are many smart people in the world, and those who can do their careers are only one in a thousand, one in ten thousand, and the vast majority of them have sunk, which is really regrettable. Your subordinate students, you are all interested in nurturing and creating a good environment for them, are you so harsh on your own son?"

Friend's rhetorical question made Zhang Zhidong laugh, knowing that his starting point was for the future of the Zhang family, how could he refuse, this military power is still in his own hands, and now even the imperial court knows that it is in the capital, what kind of "Praetorian Guard" is practiced with those Eight Banner disciples, and he doesn't know the severity?

"It's a blessing for Rensuke to have a gentleman like you who favors him like this."

Knowing that Sang Zhiping's selfishness was for Renfu's future Zhang Zhidong, he smiled at his old friend, and thought that since Quan Er could preside over the police, it would not be impossible for Renfu to preside over the new army on his behalf, so he nodded in agreement.

"Okay. Just do what you do, and let him go to the self-improvement army. However, there is one condition, you must first study in the army academy in the northeast for half a year, and then stay in the northeast army according to the same treatment as others...... Well, if he is really talented, he will not treat him badly in the future, and after he is in the army in the future, he will be promoted step by step, and he must not be promoted by seedlings, love will harm him. ”

Although these words were meant to be beaten, they were not the expectations of being a father, and when mentioning the Northeast, Zhang Zhidong turned the conversation around again, looked at Sang Zhiping and asked.

"Zhongzi, you have been to North Korea, this Incheon quilt is well organized, and the foreign affairs are prosperous, do you think he can achieve something in the northeast now?"

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