It was already late when Long Qian returned to the governor's mansion, and Situ Jun hadn't slept yet, so he reported him a few news. First, Feng Ru's flight team drove the only three planes to Wuchang after several "transitions". The second is that Wang Shizhen has come to Wuchang, and Ouyang Zhong has arranged for Wang Shizhen to stay.

Long Qian didn't talk about Wang Shizhen, but talked about the plane with great interest. Although the flight range of the plane that Feng Ru brought back to China was extremely short, because the plane had low requirements for the runway, it did not cost the sappers more trouble. Originally, Long Qian wanted to use the plane to spread leaflets to Wuchang, but in the end it was useless. However, Long Qian was still very happy and instructed the General Staff Department to set up an aviation department, with Feng Ru as the director, and to set up an aviation school; in addition to Feng Ru and a few others, it was necessary to vigorously recruit aviation personnel from the United States with high salaries as instructors, and to select cadets from the two military academies in Shandong and Guangdong who had a high level of education and loved aviation to study in the aviation schools.

"You have to treat Feng Ru and these people as treasures!" Long Qian said to Situ Jun with a smile. He felt a little tired, so he asked Ouyang Zhong to find a pack of cigarettes, "Don't underestimate the plane." We will definitely go to war with the Great Powers in the future, not today or next year. But in three or five years there will be war. Fight with whom? Whoever provokes me will fight whomever I want. We can't fight the army for the time being, first of all, the industrial foundation is poor, the Manchurian Communist Party is only a hundred thousand tons of steel, and even a fraction of the others are not enough, how to fight? Even if it takes five years to get a million tons of steel production, it is far from it. The navy is even worse, there is no thirty or fifty years, and it does not want to compete with Britain and the United States at all, even Japan cannot compare. But aviation is different, and now no one realizes the importance of airplanes. Everyone treats it as a toy, there is no limit to technology, there is no limit to talent, as long as we work hard, we have the potential to become a first-class aviation power. Feng Ru is the spark that realizes my dream, and the next step is to establish an aircraft factory and an aviation research institute, concentrate financial and material resources, and vigorously develop aviation. ”

Situ Jun looked at Long Qian with some confusion. Sometimes he thinks Long Qian is very naïve, like a child, always obsessed with something out of tune. He had seen Feng Ru's air show in Guangzhou. What is the military use of a couple of planes made of wood? Scatter leaflets? But Long Qian is absolutely obsessed with this thing. He was very sure of that. was about to ask, but when he saw Xu Si standing at the door, he stopped.

"If you're sick, don't smoke. And. You should rest earlier. Xu Si said softly to Long Qian.

"Ahh I'm fine. Go and rest. I'll see that your face is not good in the afternoon. Long Qian said to Xu Si. I'll talk to Situ a few more words and go back. ”

"Rest early." Xu Si left.

"That's what Madame said. You deserve a good rest. When I go to Beijing, you are busy. ”

"I really miss Lushan them. I haven't seen you in six years. It's Shandong, and it's been gone for three years. Long Qian's eyes were gloomy.

Situ Jun wanted to ask Long Qian how to arrange Xu Si in the future. But it's a chore. It's hard to meddle. With Long Qian's status, no one will say anything if he accepts a room like a wife. But Situ Jun and Long Qian's two women are very familiar and understand their personalities. Situ Jun felt that Long Qian's trouble was coming.

Long Qian obviously didn't think about family affairs, "Wang Shizhen must have come here for the treatment of the Qing court, and maybe to fight for a little benefit for Beiyang." However, Fang Minggao has already negotiated with Yuan Shikai, and the general principles have been decided. Well, he must be speaking for the Manchu court, this person has the Qing court in his heart, and I know the Tao. ”

"So, what is the Commander going to do with the Qing Room?"

"Allocate a certain amount of money, and raise it. But you can't put on the grandeur of the royal family. Be honest and be a rich man, I admit it. By the way, who is Wang Shizhen coming with? Didn't Xu Shichang come? ”

"Listening to Ouyang, Xu Shichang was originally going to come, but he was sick. I don't know if it's true. ”

"I'm afraid it's a heart disease. Regardless of him. You have a lot of things to do, you don't sleep much, and I'm busier after I'm gone, so you have to pay attention to your body. Besides, Situ, you really should be a family. ”

Among the senior officers of the Mengshan Army, only Ning Shijun and Situ are still single.

"I don't have to worry about this, Commander." Situ Jun said with a smile.

These two guys have too high a vision, I really don't know what to think. Long Qian muttered something, Situ didn't hear it clearly, Long Qian had already stood up, "I'm really sleepy, sleep, sleep." Tomorrow, I will accompany Wang Pingqing to breakfast, you don't have to accompany you. By the way, tomorrow I will review the Third Brigade, and you will inform Guo Haichang. ”

Long Qian returned to his room and saw that Xu Si seemed to have cried, his eyes were red, "What's wrong?" ”

"I'm not going to Beijing with you. I miss my mother, I want to go back to Jinan. ”

Long Qian was silent. After telegraphing that Shandong himself would go to Beijing, Long Qian knew that Chen Shu would definitely go to Beijing with Chen Chao. Since he left Shandong in 1906, he has not seen his wife and children for three years. In his spare time, he also thinks about Chen Shu and his two sons. Every time a strong guilt rises in the bottom of my heart, how to explain it to Chen Shu? Chen Shu is not as beautiful as Xu Si, and she is not as talented as Xu Si, but Chen Shu and herself are a husband and wife in distress, and they have given birth to two lovely sons for themselves, and they have never been at fault...... Is Naxusi a concubine? Not to mention whether Chen Shu will do it or not, Xu Si will definitely not do it. In the past three years, Long Qian thinks that he already knows Xu Si very well, this is a girl with a thoughtful and independent character, from admiration to admiration for herself, and completely handed her over to herself. Every time he talks about life, Xu Si always carefully avoids Chen Shu, it's okay to talk about two children, but never talk about Chen Shu.

It's self-defeating! He doesn't think about what others think, even if it is Chen Chao, Long Qian thinks that he can face it. But it was difficult to face Chen Shu. This is an era of power and respect, this is an era of male supremacy, looking at contemporary heroes, Yuan Shikai and Sun Wen, which one is guarding a woman for a lifetime? I once swore that I would be alone with Chen Shu, no matter what she did, I would marry her. That's what he did for a long time. For this reason, he also taught his subordinates those generals who were openly married and secretly accepted, and reprimanded them for being shameless. But when he saw Xu Si, who looked like his true love, at Xu Wenfu's house, his mind became lively, and he was glad that this was an era that allowed him to spend his heart. Otherwise, he would not have corresponded with Xu Si's letters, even though those letters were about literature, poetry, and music. There was no personal touch. But if he didn't get through those letters, how could Xu Si run away from home privately and chase after himself who went south?

In this era, how difficult it is for a girl to make such a choice! It is equivalent to completely cutting off his own back road. Even if she was forcibly sent back to Jinan, could she still find her happiness and live her life quietly?

Long Qian has always been unable to forget the scene when Wang Mingyuan led himself into Xu Si's room on the way south. Almost without hesitation, he accepted her. He remembered the girl's bright smile at that time, it was a kind of relief to let go of the burden.

Another state of mind is that Lao Tzu is even going to rebel against the court, and he can't protect a girl who likes himself and is really liked by himself?

The prosperity is gone. The world is clear. Why not fireworks in March down to the south of the Yangtze River. Listen to the rain hitting the banana fishing boat and singing the evening ...... She loved the song she gave her so much. He knew that she always loved the Jiangnan water town where she was born and raised. Pink walls and tiles, small bridges and flowing water are her obsessed hometown, and she doesn't like the tough climate of the north. I have described the scenery of Jiangnan to myself countless times. said that he would accompany her to see the land where she grew up......

She's smart. I didn't want to see Chen Shu, so I proposed not to go to Beijing. He knew very well that there was definitely something about not embarrassing himself.

Long Qian pondered for a moment. "It's okay, it's really time to see the second elder. When I settle down in Beijing, I will go to Jinan to pick you up and ask the second elder for his guilt. ”

Xu Si smiled, but there was sadness in his smile, "You're going to be the emperor, who dares to blame you?" What's more, I threw myself into the net, and my father knew it very well...... I'll leave tomorrow. ”

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I'm a person, I'll do it when I think about it. Never mud and water. Don't sleep tonight, talk to me. ”

"Okay."

"I didn't expect that I witnessed the birth of a new country," Xu Si took off his shoes, sat on the bed with his knees crossed, held his cheeks in one hand, and tilted his head to stare at Long Qian, "It seems that it is not difficult to rebel, it is much easier than I thought." Oh, pour me a glass of water, no, don't boil the water, just cool it. ”

Xu Si's demeanor made Long Qian's heart flutter. Her every movement resembles that of someone she will never meet...... She usually makes tea and pours water for herself, and she can't remember serving her once...... Long Qian stood up and said softly, "It's easy to break an old world, but it's hard to build a new world. I'm not as optimistic as you are. ”

"I'm sure you'll do a good job. I will watch you realize your dreams and watch you revive our country. No, you feed me ......"

"Like a child......

"It's not a child, I'm twenty-six, old girl." Xu Si's eyes were suddenly clouded with mist.

"Xiao Si, we will have children."

Xu Si shook his head, "By the way, you owe me a request, remember?" ”

"Write you a song?"

"Just remember. I want you to write now. Right now. Xu Si grabbed Long Qian's arm violently and spilled the water in the cup.

"That's that easy. Look at you, how are you going to sleep tonight? ”

"No! It's now. If you don't, I'll leave now. Don't look at you as the emperor, you may not be able to find me! ”

"Child's words." Long Qian hugged Xu Si lovingly, "The song must be written, but I have to think about it." ”

"You've been thinking about it for three years. Unless you're lying to me. ”

"Well, there is a song, I don't know if you like it or not, it is sung by a man, and it is sung to the woman he loves."

"Okay, sing it to me."

"Everybody's sleeping. Let everyone think I'm nervous. ”

'Can't you sing in a low voice?' Endure the fame, change the low and shallow singing', you will do Liu Yong once. ”

"Hey, that's not a good analogy."

"There's nothing wrong with being a poet. I'd rather you be a poet than an emperor. ”

"I'm not an emperor."

"Everyone just thinks of you as the emperor. You say, will there be my name in the future history? ”

"Of course. If I have me, I will have you. ”

"That's not good for your reputation." Xu Si shook his head, "I know that you are ambitious, and you want to build a new country in your heart, that country...... I'm really looking forward to it. Don't say it, sing it to me. ”

"Okay. You listen. ”

I stand in the midst of a gale,

I can't wait to wipe out the heartache.

Looking at the sky, the clouds move in all directions,

With the sword in hand, ask the world who is the hero!

"Good songs, good words! You're the hero! Xu Si praised.

There are a hundred charms in the world.

I love you alone.

Who is different when you are sad to say goodbye,

How many years of love were buried in a hurry.

In my heart, you are the most important,

Joys and sorrows, life and death!

You use tenderness to the bones,

Change my pride......

After chanting the song, Xu Si had already burst into tears, "Does this song have a name?" ”

"Yes, it's called Farewell My Concubine."

"What are you singing this song for?" Xu Si leaned over the bed and cried bitterly, desperately suppressing his voice. Her shoulders shook.

"Look. It's just a song. Long Qian regretted it.

The next day, Long Qian got up, and Xu Siyou was sleeping soundly. Long Qian didn't wake her up, and quietly got dressed. Go see Wang Shizhen.

Wang Shizhen and Ouyang Zhong were already waiting in the dining room. Breakfast was simple. White porridge, flower rolls, a plate of small pickles.

"Mr. Pingqing. I didn't expect us to meet here. It has been nine years since Lunan said goodbye. ”

"The country is changing, things are not people. Wang thanked the handsome for his hospitality. Wang Shizhen hurriedly got up and saluted.

"Hospitality can't be talked about. I know that Mr. Lu Dao Pingqing doesn't care about a meal. What is there to teach Long Qian here? ”

"You are already the first person in the United States, how dare you speak. But to be honest, Wang never thought that the more than 1,000 remnants of Zhengjiazhuang in the past would seize thousands of miles of the Qing Dynasty! ”

"This is also thanks to the cooperation of the Manchus." Long Qian smiled and said, "Poor people must have something to hate. I don't know if Mr. Pingqing has heard this sentence. If the Manchu Qing Dynasty made great efforts to govern and revitalize the country, would there be room for Long Qian to make trouble? However, Mr. Pingqing, Long's subversion of the Manchu Qing Dynasty was not for his own selfishness. You may not believe this sentence, but fortunately, it can be verified, and Mr. Pingqing can read it slowly. See if I'm doing better than the Manchu Qing Dynasty, and see if I'm breaking my word and getting fat! ”

"Heaven is impermanent, but virtue is supplemented. The court has come to this point, and no one else can be blamed. Wang came here to ask Dashuai a word. ”

"But do you want to deal with the abdicated Qing court?"

"Exactly."

"Is Mr. Pingqing entrusted by the Qing court?"

The same can be said. Mr. Long, the former Queen Mother treated you like a nephew, you won't forget it, right? ”

"No, it won't."

"If it weren't for the Queen Mother's many simple promotions to you, especially the Fifth Town, where would you be today?"

"If there is no Long, how can there be the rise of Shandong's industry? If there is no Shandong, what will Long use to rebel? ”

"Don't forget. Where did you get the money to do business in Shandong! ”

"If it weren't for the immorality of the imperial court, how could there be a disaster of Gengzi? Without Gengzi's national disaster, where did Long Qian get the silver? Could it be that Mr. Pingqing would think that the Eight-Nation Alliance was also recruited by Long Qian? Also, in the family of Yixuan and Zaixun, why do they have huge family wealth? How much do they have? ”

Ouyang Zhong listened to the two of them, and said nothing.

Wang Shizhen was speechless, panting.

"I don't take the money, I have the Eight-Nation Alliance to take it. Even if the coalition forces can't find the money, will it be used to improve people's livelihood and build a defense industry? Mr. Pingqing, why don't you speak? ”

"I said you weren't. However, drinking water and thinking about the source, people must not forget their roots. Thinking back, I will call you the last time, and you have to be forgiving and forgiving. The Manchu Qing Dynasty has been established for more than 200 years, and the emperors of the past dynasties have not lost their morality. Now that they have been electrified and abdicated, can you let them live? ”

"Yes, Long Qian is actually a murderer? Otherwise, how could I restrain the northern army and prevent it from advancing into Baoding? Isn't it proof that Beijing is as safe as it has been? ”

"It's a fact. I just want you to say it, what will you do with the abdicated Qing court? ”

"As long as you abide by the laws of New China and be a law-abiding citizen, Long Qian can guarantee the safety of their lives."

"What is a law-abiding citizen?"

"Knowingly asked."

"Think back, let's not play false. Now that the Qing family has abdicated, there should be no political demands, but there must always be a place to live, right? You have to have some money, right? ”

"Well, I really didn't think about it. Brother Hire, Longyu and Zaifeng have specific requirements? ”

"Yes, it was discussed. As for the place of residence, it is better to go back to Beijing. The Summer Palace or the Imperial Palace, choose one place to place it. The cost of clearing the house, which should be borne by the new government, shall not be less than four million taels per year. ”

Long Qian's face immediately sank, "Summer Palace? Palace? Four million taels? What a big breath! ”

"Retreat! Although the Qing dynasty abdicated, after all, it has been more than 200 years since the founding of the country, and it is public to look forward to the outside of China. It's you. It's not good not to miss the old kindness, right? ”

"Old Grace? What is the outlook for the future? What a big reason. Long Qian snorted coldly.

"Retreat! Wang thinks that this request is not too much! If you want to occupy the palace, let them live in the Summer Palace. As for the silver taels, four million is not too much. The eunuch palace maids are crowded, and the royal family also needs to entertain. ”

"Mr. Wang, Long has always advocated that power is responsibility. It is true that the Manchus have been in existence for more than 200 years, but how did they do it? Well? Not to mention, how many taels of silver were lost in a Sino-Japanese War? Gengzi national disaster. What is the reparation? There are many concessions. How many armies of the great powers were stationed on the land? Our Northern Army's entry into the customs was blocked by the Japanese army, and the Southern Army occupied Hankou and was restricted in its movements, what was this for? Do you know how much ordinary people spend in a year? How much does the state pay taxes a year? Why did the Qing court want four million to support his family! You go back and tell them. Gone are the days of home! The palace is not his love for Xinjue Luo. It belongs to 40,000,000 of my compatriots in China! The Summer Palace is the same! Since the Qing court abdicated as a citizen. You have to learn to live a civilian life, you have to learn to support yourself! In addition, I correct you with a statement. I don't want the palace, what do I want the palace to do? Joke! You can go back to Beijing in the Qing room, and you can also go back to Fengtian. The place of residence can be discussed, but don't think about the thousands of maids and servants of the eunuch palace serving them, so they don't need such a big place. The cost can be verified and calculated to determine a reasonable amount. Million? Don't even think about it! Four million taels of silver, how many soldiers can I raise? How many factories are opened? How many roads to build? How many schools are there? Have you thought about it? ”

Wang Shizhen was extremely disappointed, "Long Qian, I, Wang Shizhen, are not here for myself, and I didn't want to beg for food under you." Treat the Qing room well, but also for your country. Do you think that the gentry of the whole country are as ungrateful as you? The establishment of a new dynasty is all about cleaning up people's hearts, and if you are willing to go your own way, I can't help it. Don't think that having soldiers in your hands is everything! ”

"You're right! Having soldiers in hand is really everything. Long Qian Ha Lu Ha Da Lu smiled, "I think that when the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs with 80,000 horses and seized the thousands of miles of rivers and mountains of the Ming Dynasty, it was not by virtue of the Eight Banners, but by the hearts of the people?" On the 10th of Yangzhou, the three massacres in Jiading also relied on the hearts of the people? You go back and tell the Qing room, I said that you can live in peace by abiding by the law, let them think about it, and don't do things that I can't tolerate! Long Qian doesn't love to kill, it doesn't mean that he doesn't dare to kill! If they fantasize about restoration, let them be blessed. Drop-off! ”

Ouyang Zhong was stunned. It was the first time he had seen Long Qian drive away a guest so unceremoniously.

drove away Wang Shizhen, Long Qian was still depressed. It wasn't until Ouyang Zhong asked him whether to go to inspect the Third Brigade or not, Long Qian said, go, of course! Call Cao Minzhong to go with you! Journalists are also to be called. Listening to the report of the General Political Department, the meritorious personnel declared by the First Division have already been discussed?

"It's done. I want you to approve. ”

"Follow the procedure. The senior officers whom I have approved are deferred and will be processed in the future. Today, only the awarding of medals to officers within the authority of the General Political Department is carried out. Let's go, watch the troops go. ”

"Miss Xu said she was going back to Shandong?"

"Yes. You make sure you make the right arrangements. ”

"Yes. Rest assured, Commander. Wang Zhifeng was going back to Shandong, just to escort Miss Xu. ”

"Well, that's good."

Long Qian, Situ Jun, Cao Minzhong and others inspected the troops of the Third Brigade left behind in the three towns of Wuhan, which was the first time Long Qian inspected the troops since the rebellion against the Qing Dynasty.

The officers and men who were to be awarded were placed in the first row. According to the authority, a total of 41 officers and men were awarded second- and third-class medals, Guo Haichang introduced their meritorious deeds, and Long Qian personally put on the medals made in Guangzhou for the award-winning officers, shook hands, encouraged them, and took a group photo. The General Political Department already has several journalists, all of whom are active military personnel.

Walking to the front of the seventh team, Long Qian saw the horse standing in front of the queue at a glance, and now the head of Ma Jing'an.

"Old Ma, Tingsi fought a good battle and won the prestige of the Seventh Regiment. Good. is worthy of being a veteran of my Mengshan Army! Long Qian took a first-class hero medal and pinned it to the left chest of the horse.

Ma Mian's face flushed with excitement, "Commander, can I wear this thing all the time?" ”

"It's not a thing, you old horse, you talk always disapproves. It's an honor! It is the honor you have exchanged for bravery and loyalty! Of course you have to wear it! Unless you make a mistake and get it back! Long Qian lightly punched Ma Mian in the chest, "I heard that you are lame and personally lead the charge of the team?" Courage is commendable. But don't do it in the future, you are the head of the regiment, take your regiment well, and let the whole regiment have the courage like you! Can it be done? ”

"Rest assured, Commander. Wherever the commander pointed, the Seventh Regiment would kill! I'm invincible! ”

"Well, that's it! The Seventh Regiment has won the glorious title of 'Tingsi Regiment', which is the glory of your whole regiment. The Seventh Regiment is also the first honorary team of the Mengshan Army, and you should embroider the words 'Tingsi Regiment' on your regimental flag! We must cherish this honor bought with the blood of martyrs, as if we were our own lives! Do you understand? ”

"Understood!" Ma Jing'an said loudly.

"The Third Brigade is temporarily used as a garrison force in Wuhan," Long Qian said to Guo Haichang, "and it is necessary to earnestly enforce discipline and ensure that there is no crime in the autumn, and to help the people of the three towns of Wuhan within the scope of their ability." The Northern Army did a very good job in occupying Beijing, and many newspapers praised you for comparing yourself with the fraternal units of the Northern Army...... Wuhan is our city, just like in Shandong, we should regard the station as our hometown and the people as our parents. ”

"Yes, resolutely carry out the commander's orders." Guo Haichang replied immediately.

"Brigadier Guo, it's easy to fight the world, but it's hard to defend the world. You have to remember what I said. Whether or not the rivers and mountains captured by our Mengshan army in the bloody battle will be lost depends not on how many soldiers and artillery we have, but on whether the people support us or not. Do you understand? ”

"Understood!" Guo Haichang said that the commander must stress discipline and love for the people on every occasion, and this is already a habit.

"You people, you don't necessarily really understand......" Long Qian shook his head.

Long Qian had lunch at the Third Brigade and the Seventh Regiment, chatted with the officers and soldiers for a long time, answered some questions of concern from everyone, and returned to the headquarters at about four o'clock in the afternoon.

"Gone?" Long Qian was stunned.

"Didn't you say let her go back to Shandong? She was in a hurry and followed Wang Zhifeng. ”

"Oh, let's go." Long Qian was a little stunned. (To be continued......)