It was Bai Ruiting who accompanied Fang Shengtao to Tieshi Hutong to talk about marriage with Zhao Muchun. Now he has a less formal title – Adviser to the Political Affairs Bureau.

In the thirty-third year of Guangxu, out of precautions against the Mengshan army, the Qing court transferred Bai Ruiting to Beijing to serve as a waiter of the Ministry of Rites (Honglu Siqing), and in accordance with the practice of the Beijing officials, he was transferred from the position of the political envoy to the six ministers, and Bai Ruiting was undoubtedly promoted. But the Ministry of Rites was already facing dismissal, and he had no real power, so he was purely idle. When the conflict between the Longqian clique and the Qing court became more and more intense, Bai Ruiting was dismissed last spring on the grounds of old age and physical decline, and on the third day of Yuan Shikai's dismissal, he was not allowed to return to live in Shandong, obviously taking him as a hostage. Waiting for the "survey telegram" to be sent, Bai Ruiting was immediately imprisoned, but he did not suffer much crime, the officials of Shuntian Mansion were all human spirits, and criminals like him who had backers on the opposite side did not dare to be guilty, but had to eat and drink well, the purpose was to leave a way back for themselves.

When the Qing court withdrew from Beijing, Bai Ruiting was also released. When the northern army entered the city, he naturally became a guest. Lu Shan entertained him more than once, and consulted about the situation in Beijing, especially the situation of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, that is, the Beiyang magnates, and Bai Ruiting of course knew everything and tried his best to help. In fact, since his daughter married Wang Mingyuan as his wife, Bai Ruiting has stepped on the big ship of Mengshan Army, and he can't help the ups and downs. Fortunately, he was not wrong, the Long Qian group seized the Manchu Dynasty more quickly than he imagined, and he naturally became the guest of honor of the new dynasty.

After Long Qian entered Beijing, he specially set up a family banquet to invite Bai Ruiting and his wife, which was regarded as shocking them. Of course, he wanted to ask Bai Ruiting's opinions on his work, but Bai Ruiting politely refused because of his old age and physical decline. Long Qian refused to give up. After several mobilizations, he was forcibly put on the hat of an adviser to the Political Affairs Bureau, and asked him to assist Fang Shengyuan in preparing for the establishment of the central government.

Bai Ruiting is 62 years old, and his body is generally strong, and he cannot be regarded as "old and frail" in any case. Bai Ruiting refused to take office as the new dynasty because he listened to the persuasion of his little son-in-law Wang Mingyuan.

Bai Ruiting has four wives and concubines, four sons and five daughters, who married Wang Mingyuan is the youngest daughter from his concubine's room, and the other four daughters have already been married, and the sons have already started a family. Because Bai Ruiting has served in Shandong for many years. The vast majority of the children are in Shandong. Bai Ruiting's second son and third son, and two sons-in-law are all in Jinan, either in politics or business. Only his wife and concubine and his eldest son were followed into Beijing. Bai Zhiyong, the eldest son who previously served in Honglu Temple, also scolded the whole family for being victimized by Wang Mingyuan - he was opposed to his younger sister marrying Wang Mingyuan. In the blink of an eye, the whole family followed Wang Mingyuan again. Being courteous to Long Qian was by no means because of Bai Ruiting's achievements in cooperating with Mengshan Army in Shandong in the past. It's because of Wang Mingyuan. So. Bai Zhiyong was very excited after his father was released from prison, and felt that the good days of the Bai family had arrived.

Who is Wang Mingyuan now? Commander of the South-Eastern Military District! In the past, he was the real governor of Liangjiang. Moreover, the jurisdiction is especially larger than that of the Governor of Liangjiang, and even Fujian and Zhejiang are under his jurisdiction. The final blow of the Mengshan army to the Qing court. Wang Mingyuan doesn't seem to have made any big military achievements, not as good as Lushan, not as good as Ning Shijun and Ye Yanbing, and even as good as the feudal pillar that captured the pass, but he was the commander in chief when he eliminated the Republic of China regime in the southeast, and even the hero of the Dezhou Campaign and Long Qian's brother-in-law Ye Yanbing had to be controlled by him. Thinking of the hardcore relationship between Wang Mingyuan and Long Qian, the complaint that the little sister once had and the whole family has now completely turned into admiration for his father, with Wang Mingyuan's big tree, what kind of situation will the Bai family be?

Wang Mingyuan sent a secret letter to persuade Bai Ruiting to completely dispel the idea of going out of the mountain to enter politics. Wang Mingyuan clearly persuaded his father-in-law not to take up any position. In his letter, he said that when the commander entered Beijing, he would definitely invite his father-in-law out of the mountain because of the scarcity of civil servants, but in the opinion of the son-in-law, it seemed that the father-in-law no longer had to run around in the treacherous officialdom. I have followed the commander for many years, and the world is full of talk, and if I want to say that I know the heart of the commander, I should be one of the very few. The commander took the revival of China as his own responsibility, and the creation of the Mengshan Army and the seizure of the world was just his first move. For the maladministration of the late Qing Dynasty and even the previous dynasties, the commander hated it! It is conceivable that after the commander founded the country, he will take the administration of officials as the first measure, and I don't know how many fools who are not long-sighted will be convicted for attacking old habits! My father-in-law is old and has no worries about food and clothing, so why bother wading into this troubled water? If you consider the future of the Bai family's children, with me and my father-in-law not out, things are much simpler.

is a few wives and brothers, Wang Mingyuan also expressed his opinions. He bluntly said that of the four wives and brothers, only the second Bai Zhizhong is a talent. As for others, I think their abilities are average, and the commander deeply hates his brother's mediocrity, laziness, weakness, and arrogance. It is not difficult for them to become officials in the new dynasty, but it is difficult to be good officials. During the southern expedition, especially during the period in Guangdong, he listened to the commander many times about his requirements for officials, and he had a deep experience. The commander believes that in order to realize the grand plan and hegemony in his chest, he must wash away the decadence, laziness and corruption in the political arena of the late Qing Dynasty! The emphasis on governing the country lies in the governance of officials, and the emphasis on governing officials lies in the strict law. It can be asserted that the officials of the new dynasty are not easy to be! With their temperament, if they can't have a reborn change, it is a small matter that it is difficult to make a difference, and it is a big thing to get into trouble.

In fact, of Bai Ruiting's four sons, only three of them are officials, the second Bai Zhizhong is now the commander of Gaomi County, Laizhou, and the eldest is in Honglu Temple, but he is the first level of the principal. The third child was not ranked in the imperial examination, and he made a living by guarding his ancestral industry in his hometown, and the fourth child was valued by Wu Yong a few years ago, and now he is following Wu Yong in Yanzhou.

Bai Ruiting listened to his son-in-law's advice and insisted on Long Qian's request for him to become an officer, but in the end he couldn't stand it, agreed to help, and only hung up a political affairs bureau consultant.

"In terms of knowledge, Yong'er is much worse than Mingyuan!" Bai Ruiting said to his old wife in private, "There are talents in the recklessness. The future of the Bai family's children is afraid that they will have to take refuge in our son-in-law. Mingyuan asserted that Long Qian would rule the officials with an iron fist, which was very accurate. Long Qian talked to me twice, and he already showed the idea of purging the officials, Yong'er's book was in vain, and he actually thought that Mingyuan would help him talk and find an errand in the Government Affairs Bureau, it was just confused! ”

The white wife didn't think so, Wang Mingyuan was trusted by Long Qian, and he had to bring the Bai family's children with him! Old man, it's just a matter of being a consultant, but how can you cut off the future of your sons? What happened to the boss in the political bureau? How many people have entered the political bureau? Why can't you tolerate one of them! No, you can't do that!

The old wife's nagging is nagging after all. Without Bai Ruiting's nod, the eldest son couldn't even enter the West Garden, and Fang Shengyuan didn't know who he was. But it's not a matter for the boss to be at home in his forties, one day he met Zhou Xuexi who came to talk about things in the Political Affairs Bureau, and mentioned his eldest son by the way, and the next day Zhou Xuexi arranged Bai Zhiyong into the Economic Bureau, which is considered to have officially stepped into the officialdom of the new dynasty. But the boss was a little unhappy, the first was that the salary was less, and the main thing was that he felt that the government bureau was pinching a large number of official hats and was on an errand in the government affairs bureau. With the face of his father and sister-in-law. You can casually get a director's hat to wear, even if it is local, you may not be able to be a vice governor! However, the Economic Bureau is far behind, and spends its days either discussing the rectification of taxation or studying the formation of a central bank. Either that, or ask the Americans for a loan. Bai Zhiyong is not interested in these things at all.

So. During this time, the Bai family was a little restless. Every time Bai Zhiyong visited his parents, he would bring up this matter, which made Bai Ruiting very annoyed.

However, Bai Zhiyong's request is not excessive. He is an advisor to the Government Affairs Bureau. He is familiar with the design scheme of the central government, which Fang Shengyuan presided over and constantly revised. The proposed ministry can surpass the central organ of the Republic of China announced by Sun Wen in Shanghai, and the State Security Administration and the General Ordnance Industry Administration have already been established, and the Ministry of Finance has in fact been established. There are a number of departments and bureaus under each department, and a large number of people need to be placed, and for this reason, Fang Shengyuan's apartment is busy all day long, and it is very lively. Most of the people who come to the door are seeking official positions for themselves or for others through various connections.

Since even Long Qian's sworn enemy can be entrusted with a heavy task, it is not difficult to arrange a fat difference for his son. Bai Ruiting is not afraid of Fang Shengyuan and Long Qian, but Wang Mingyuan, there is already news that Long Qian has appointed Wang Mingyuan as Minister of National Defense, but because the southeast is important, it is necessary to purge the remnants of the Kuomintang and deal with the foreign powers, so Wang Mingyuan has been staying in Jiangning, and among the generals who have served as the commander of the military region of the Mengshan Army, only he and Ye Yanbing have not yet "met".

According to the inside information disclosed by Fang Shengyuan, the establishment of government departments should be formed in accordance with the authorization of the National Assembly after the establishment of the National Assembly. This method made Bai Ruiting disagree, and felt that Long Qian was obviously harmed by his background. The foreigner's set of things may not be applicable to our country, our country has been a sacred-hearted dictatorship since ancient times, how can the president be subject to the inexplicable Congress? So, Bai Ruiting sent a letter to his son-in-law who stayed in Jiangning again to ask for advice, Wang Mingyuan's reply was very simple, I still don't approve of my eldest brother entering the government affairs system, he won't do it when the official is small, and he can't do it when the official is big, and he is in a dilemma. Regarding the design of the national political system, my father-in-law must not express his opinion lightly, first, you don't understand, the system of the Qing Dynasty will never be repeated, and second, it is easy to be criticized. The commander once wrote to me to ask me, but I replied that I didn't understand anything. I don't understand it. Also, don't say anything for anyone, be sure!

There are indeed people who ask themselves to seek official positions in Fang Shengyuan, and there are more and more of them! has been a eunuch for many years, and it is impossible to have no relatives and friends, but at the beginning, those guys who ridiculed themselves in every way in the Ministry of Rites actually had the face to beg for each other, which really opened the eyes of Bai Ruiting, who thought he knew people's hearts. Because of Wang Mingyuan's reminder, Bai Ruiting really didn't mention anyone to Fang Shengyuan. Moreover, now is not the time, the government bureau is still building the framework of the central ministries, and it is constantly being revised. Bai Ruiting knew that it was because Long Qian, the new monarch's mind, was constantly changing. The temple has not yet been built, and the abbot naturally cannot be equipped, so what is the hurry? Bai Ruiting is thinking about his three sons who are in politics, and the second son is already a county magistrate, who is a seal official, and in Shandong, where he still has connections, he can be regarded as having a bright future. The fourth son and the eldest son became his heart disease. However, let's be patient and wait until the government is officially formed.

Bai Ruiting rarely speaks on the business of the Political Affairs Bureau, but he is very enthusiastic about planning Fang Shengyuan's marriage. Today, the identity of a matchmaker led Fang Shengtao to "discuss" the wedding with the Zhao family went very smoothly. Two months ago, the Zhao family had accepted Fang Shengyuan's dowry in Shandong - a pair of gold bracelets, two gold rings, a pair of gold earrings, four-color seafood: hair cabbage, scallops, sea cucumbers, shark fins; three animals and four wines; four-color sugar; and boxes containing dried fruits such as lotus seeds, sesame seeds, red dates, mung beans, lilies, and bride money. The dowry was 1,000 yuan from Yinyang, and a check from Shandong Commercial Bank was written and placed at the bottom of the box.

This gift list is Zhang Chao's Zhang Luo, not high, not low. But with Fang Shengyuan's status, this dowry is a little shabby. But the Zhao family, especially Zhao Tao, who has stayed abroad, naturally doesn't care about this, Professor Zhao Muchun claimed that since his son-in-law is very busy, it is easy to do it. The Zhao family is the host today, so naturally they want to keep food. During the meeting, he talked about the work of the Government Affairs Bureau presided over by Fang Shengyuan.

"Lord Bai, I heard that the marshal intends to make Fang Minggao the prime minister of the government, but is it true?" Zhao Muchun heard a lot of rumors about the new dynasty in Jinan, and when he arrived in Beijing, he couldn't confirm it to Fang Shengyuan because of his identity. When I saw Bai Ruiting today, I naturally had to ask.

"Mr. Zhao, although Bai is acting as an adviser in the Political Affairs Bureau, he is still confused about the power structure of the new dynasty. The republican set, Bai Mou is a person who came from the old era. I really don't know. Fang Minggao is good as prime minister. It is said that Long Dashuai said it himself at a small-scale meeting. But the marshal has seen the world, how this government agency is organized, what powers the prime minister has, and what is the relationship between the prime minister and the president. Bai really can't say clearly. ”

Zhao Muchun stayed in the ocean. Tessie's so-called republican form of government is not ignorant of nothing. Recently, Shandong established a provincial parliament, and he was elected as a member of the council, he said after a moment of silence. "In my opinion, Long Dashuai follows Taixi, but it may not be the best policy."

Bai Ruiting became interested, "Why did Mr. Zhao say this?" The recent newspapers have been very praised. Even Liang Qichao said that China is a real republic, not selling dog meat on the head of a sheep. Thinking of the article he read about Liang Qichao published in the "Qing Yi Bao", Bai Ruiting couldn't help laughing.

"How many people in the world understand what a republic is? Dashuai was born in the United States and is not immune to the influence of the United States. The little girl is studying in the United States, so you might as well listen to the little girl. ”

"Oh, that's not great."

It is also a new thing, Zhao Tao did not evade, "I have heard some of Mr. Long's speeches," Zhao Tao was generous, considering the words, "Mr. Long believes that autocracy has many drawbacks, and the people of the republic want it, so the new China naturally wants to adopt the republican system." The United States is a republican system, and after more than 100 years of running-in, Mr. Long is actually concerned about many people in the United States. ”

"Ah, I was about to hear from my niece." Bai Ruiting stroked his palm.

Fang Shengtao also pricked up his ears.

"America is not as just as people think it is. The father of one of my classmates was a politician, and listening to the summary of my classmate, it was almost dark to describe his national politics, but she thought that autocracy was good. ”

"Is that so?" Bai Ruiting was stunned.

"President Grant stopped the division of the United States, but his domestic affairs were in shambles, and his tenure was criticized for its frequent corruption cases," Mr. Zhao said. The railroad cost $44 million, but the credit company collected more than $90 million. Congressman Amis was so caught up in the crackdown that he distributed large amounts of company stock to key figures, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Vice President, and my classmate father took bribes to stop the investigation. As for the boasted judicial fairness, it is even more of a joke, the United States is just as powerful, and it can manipulate the judges of various states, and even control the power to appoint judges. Unreasonable commutation of sentences and even acquittals abound, and the public is extremely indignant......"

"Is that so?"

"Absolutely."

Zhao Muchun groaned, "Lord Bai, now our relationship is not ordinary, Yun Song (Fang Shengtaozi) is his own person, I am worried that the marshal will follow Taixi to engage in democratic government, it will backfire, after all, the people of our country are accustomed to autocracy, which is a hypocrite government, and it is more reliable than the republic......

Bai Ruiting thought, which founding king was not a promising person? Since Long Qian didn't want to be the emperor, how could he engage in that hypocritical constitutional system? But he didn't want to say more, his eyes shot at Fang Shengtao, wanting to hear what this young man from the Kuomintang thought about this, but Fang Shengtao lowered his head and didn't say anything. Bai Ruiting felt that this young man was not simple, he was quiet and steady, and he seemed to be a talent that could be created.

"Lord Bai, I think Dashuai's democratic government in China under my thousands of years of feudal rule is admirable! Whether it succeeds or fails, this revolution is aimed at itself, and even if it does not succeed, it is an indisputable great man. Zhao Tao said, "Who doesn't want to hold the authority in their hands?" Who wants to be held back by others? Isn't it? Isn't the marshal's insistence on convening the parliament first and then deciding the government an expression of respect for the will of the people? Didn't the Kuomintang Party, which has always claimed to return government to the people, directly announce the composition of the government? Who gave him the power? ”

Fang Shengtao couldn't help but raise his head and stare at his cousin-in-law again. I thought that my cousin had really found the right person, and with his temperament of caring about politics, I am afraid that I will inevitably blow the pillow wind in the future, and I don't know if I should remind my cousin......

"Ah, Miss Zhao is Dashuai's confidant. When you marry Ming Gao, you have the opportunity to discuss with the marshal, maybe the marshal will be a confidant and entrusted with important tasks. Haha, Brother Mu Chun, this is a good story. ”

"Xiao Tao is spoiled by me. Don't listen to her. Lord Bai, it's time for this congress to be convened, right? ”

"It should be soon. Without the establishment of a government, diplomacy is impossible, and economic restructuring is empty talk. It is said that the names of the provincial legislators have been submitted one after another, and the qualifications are being examined. ”

"That's good, that's good." Zhao Muchun said with a smile, "Everyone is in a hurry, the marshal has been in Beijing for several months, and the new government has been unable to speak, which makes people anxious to wait." ”

Fang Shengtao thought to himself, I'm afraid it's your family's anxiety, right? (To be continued......)