Time has to be pushed back a little. Jinan.

Since Xu Shichang returned to Lu from Beijing, Yuan Shikai, who was extremely sensitive to the political situation, paid close attention to the movements of the Beijing division on the one hand, and contacted the Germans to buy ordnance and recruit soldiers on the other. He still regards the extermination of the Mengshan Army as the first priority at the moment.

It is impossible to send troops now, and more adequate preparations must be made. In view of the last fiasco, Yuan Shikai and several generals repeatedly studied and believed that it was necessary to gather more than 5,000 troops to slowly encircle them from the east, north, and west, with no less than four battalions in each unit, and concentrate more artillery to attack steadily. Or annihilate it in the area of its old nest, or drive it to the Baoqinggu Mountains. A one-way attack will not work, it will leave a lot of room for the thieves to move, and the thieves can easily avoid the front of the official army, turn to the outside line to attack and harass the rear of the official army, so that the official army will retreat because of poor logistics. The split attack must ensure that the strength of each road is not less than that of the thief army, and the memory left by the strong combat effectiveness and erratic mobility of the thief army is terrifying, at least equal to its strength, otherwise there is a danger of being eaten all the way.

In terms of troops, Yuan Shikai is enough, his Wuwei right army has expanded to more than 25,000 people, but there are too few veterans in the army, and the backbone has suffered heavy losses in the three consecutive attacks, and now there are thousands of people detained by the thief army. Yuan Shikai, who is still a soldier, knows that if he does not vigorously rectify, using the current army to enter the thief army is undoubtedly a gift to the other party.

Therefore, in April, May, and February, Yuan Shikai vigorously purchased ordnance and asked Feng Guozhang, who had returned to Jinan from Caozhou, to reorganize and organize his troops, so as to make the most adequate preparations for the next time to solve the problem of bandits in southern Lunan once and for all.

Entering June. Yuan Shikai, who was anxiously following the training of the troops, found that it would take at least another month and a half for him to prepare for the attack. Feng Guozhang, who was in charge of military training, believed that it was best to send troops after the autumn harvest, because after the autumn grain harvest, the space for Long Qian's concealed activities became smaller, and it would be more advantageous at that time. Regarding this proposal, Yuan Shikai's general, Wang Zhanyuan, and others all expressed their deep approval.

Now there is another problem that must be faced, that is, Wang Shizhen and the thousands of elites who were captured. According to Wang Shizhen's letter, it can be concluded that these captured officers and soldiers were alive and were not slaughtered. Not even particularly mistreated. So. We have to think about how to get these officers and soldiers back. If these more than 1,000 officers and soldiers who were familiar with the terrain and had fought with the thief army returned, the battle would have been much easier.

In addition, Wang Shizhen can't ignore it. If you give up Wang Shizhen. It can seriously damage the morale of senior officers. and even let this initial "small station group" fall apart. This is what Yuan Shikai must consider. But. Once the offensive resumes, especially when the official army gains momentum on the battlefield, will the thief army be angry and angry and harm them? For this. Yuan Shikai summoned several confidants to discuss the issue.

How to get Wang Shizhen back, Feng Guozhang made a suggestion, saying that it seems that the thieves have a proposal to ransom people with silver, or let's spend a sum of money to redeem the hired secretary and the captured officers. When we destroy those dogs, whether it's money or land, it's not all ours?

Some time ago, Duan Qirui, who had been taking leave to rest due to the serious illness of his original wife, opposed the peace talks and insisted on resolute force. At the end of May, Duan Qirui's wife died of illness in Jinan, and Duan Qirui, who had taken care of the funeral, participated in this small-scale meeting, and he believed that since the bandit army did not dare to harm Wang Shizhen and the captured officers and soldiers now, it was that they were afraid of us. There is no need to worry about the safety of the secretary, the more force is used, the safer the secretary will be. If we show weakness to the enemy, we will harm the secretary.

Yuan Shikai was silent, he actually acquiesced to Feng Guozhang's proposal. This somewhat humiliating method is actually the only feasible method at present. Afterwards, Yuan Shikai handed over the matter to Xu Shichang, who wrote a letter, tried not to be humble or arrogant, sent Tang Shaoyi as a special envoy, secretly went to Zhengjiazhuang, and handed the letter to Long Qian.

Tang Shaoyi entered the "bandit area" from Jinan, Qufu, Yanzhou, and Zou counties. Long Qian warmly received Tang Shaoyi. What made Tang Shaoyi strange was that Long Qian seemed to know him, and he actually called out his name as soon as they met, which made him very strange, "Mr. Long, do you know me?" ”

"Mr. Shaochuan is talented and famous all over the world, and Long has heard of it for a long time." Long Qian said with a smile.

Tang Shaoyi was extremely puzzled, no matter what, he was not famous all over the world, and now he was just Yuan Shikai's copywriter, even the generals of the Wuwei Right Army, and few of them really respected him. As for the great talent, he was a little conceited, and Long Qian's flattery made him deeply moved.

Liking to listen to flattery is one of the weaknesses of human nature, and Tang Shaoyi cannot be an exception.

Tang Shaoyi finally saw this ringing horse leader who gave Yuan Shikai and Xu Shichang a headache: his facial features showed a fierce look, he was tall and burly, and he didn't have braids, but he tied his hair with a thin strip of black cloth.

"Tang came here on the order of Lord Yuan of Futai__"

Long Qian interrupted Tang Shaoyi's words, "Mr. Shaochuan is tired of saddle horses, so I won't talk about business today." Eat first, rest, and listen to the teachings tomorrow. Please. ”

Tang Shaoyi had no choice but to follow the host. After a fairly hearty dinner, Long Qian led him to a clean guest room to rest. seized the opportunity and handed over Xu Shichang's handwritten letter, saying the main purpose of his trip. In terms of political experience, Tang Shaoyi is still a fledgling at this time, and she is always anxious to get things done.

Long Qian didn't open the letter, "Since you are worried about Mr. Wang, it's okay." Tomorrow after breakfast, I will arrange for you to meet Mr. Pingqing first. You talk about it first. If you want to see other people who have been captured, you can do that too. It just so happens that Long still has some urgent trivial matters tomorrow, let's talk about this tomorrow night? He raised the envelope in his hand.

This night, Tang Shaoyi, who has always had a high emotional intelligence, slept very peacefully. However, the high-level of the Mengshan Army held a half-night meeting to discuss Yuan Shikai's conditions.

In Xu Shichang's letter, he still couldn't let go, because the officials and soldiers were unwilling to ruin the lives of their lives, so they sent Tang Shaoyi as a special envoy to ask the Mengshan army to release Wang Shizhen and the captured officers and soldiers, but he was unwilling to say the word redemption, but proposed to give the Mengshan army a "reward" of 20,000 taels of silver, and at the same time, he also asked the Mengshan army to withdraw from Fei County.

Ning Shijun read out and explained the meaning of the letter, which made the generals of the Mengshan Army laugh. Chen Chao was also laughing. But he was very pleased. Long Qian's judgment that after the Battle of Yuanzhuang, the government was unable to launch a new attack in a short period of time was verified. Moreover, looking at this situation, there is great hope for the government to go to Zhao'an, which is what Chen Chao and Xiao Guanyushen Wuzhi and other members of the autonomous committee are willing to see.

Long Qian talked about his plan, and after discussion, it was basically unified the thinking of the top level of the Mengshan Army.

The next day, Tang Shaoyi met Wang Shizhen, who was very good-looking, and even had the opportunity to talk to Wang Shizhen alone for an hour. Then, I rode a horse to see several "prisoner of war camps". I saw a crowd of officers and soldiers captives. Looks like they're pretty good. It doesn't look like you've been abused.

That night, Long Qian met with Tang Shaoyi again, which was a formal negotiation. Long Qian introduced Tang Shaoyi to the two deputy commanders and chief of staff of the Mengshan Army, and asked Tang Shaoyi to redeem the officers on behalf of Yuan Shikai. Long Qian did not reply positively. but said to Tang Shaoyi. "Mr. Shaochuan, you have already seen their situation. All slander against the Mengshan Army can be dispelled. In fact, Mr. Pingqing is doing well here. I believe you can report the real situation to General Yuan Shikai. The reason why I treat the prisoners of the officers and soldiers who attacked and killed our army is kind. It's because they don't want to have a long-term confrontation with the government. The death or disability of every officer or soldier or Mengshan officer and soldier is a loss of national defense strength. I have said this countless times, in my letter to General Yuan Shikai, and I have also said it to Mr. Wang Shizhen and the captured officers and soldiers. Since the Opium War launched by Britain in the Daoguang period, our country has been humiliated by the great powers, and as every descendant of Yan and Huang, it should be regarded as a great shame. Now, a major event is happening in Beijing that can affect history, and perhaps in a month's time, the great powers, this time not only Britain and France, but probably eight or nine countries, will invade our land again. The Mengshan Army I led had an ideal, that is, to resist foreign enemies! Even if I myself fell on the battlefield of the national war, I would have died a well-deserved death! Therefore, I don't want Yuan Shikai's silver, as long as he has a broader vision and regards the Mengshan Army as a friendly army rather than an enemy! By doing so, the Mengshan Army could release all the officers and soldiers who had been imprisoned. Moreover, if the country needs it, Mengshan Army can represent him Yuan Shikai, go north to King Qin, and fight to the death with foreign coalition forces! These words, I hope you bring them to Yuan Shikai and Xu Shichang, isn't Mr. Xu the chief strategist of General Yuan Shikai? Hopefully, he can convince General Yuan Shikai. ”

These words shocked Tang Shaoyi. It was the first time he had heard some of these words, and he had accurately understood the meanings," Mr. Long said just now, and Tang deeply agreed. However, can you understand that you are willing to submit to the imperial court? ”

"Yes," Long Qian said with certainty, "the Mengshan army is not a rebellion, it is forced to helpless. However, there are conditions for us to submit to the imperial court. ”

Before, Tang Shaoyi had heard some news, including the letter of the Mengshan army begging to surrender. For Long Qian's affirmative answer, Tang Shaoyi was overjoyed, he originally spent money to ransom people, but now he can recruit the entire bandits, how much credit should this be?

"Mr. Long is really handsome." Tang Shaoyi immediately got up and poured a glass of wine for Long Qian, "Please tell Mr. Long about your conditions, Tang will definitely report to us and work hard to promote this matter." ”

"Thank you, Mr. Tang. I have a letter here, and the conditions are written on it. You can take it back with you. Time is pressing, I won't keep Mr., you can go back tomorrow. ”

As soon as Long Qian stretched out his hand, Ning Shijun took out Long Qian's handwritten letter and handed it to Tang Shaoyi, "Mr. Shaochuan, the commander of my family is willing to bring thousands of brothers of the Mengshan Army to the imperial court, not afraid of Yuan Shikai!" Instead, he has the idea of serving the country, and he can't bear to fight in the same room, wasting his national defense strength in vain. In this section, I hope Mr. Shaochuan will think clearly and explain it clearly. ”

"Yes, yes." Of course, Tang Shaoyi would not argue for the sake of Long Qian's face, "Lord Wang Shizhen has already introduced in detail what your army has done. Your army has strict discipline and loves the people, Tang has heard it and seen it with his own eyes, which is definitely different from ordinary ringing horses. I think Futai-sama will think about that. ”

The letter Tang Shaoyi brought back was not enough for Yuan Shikai to finally make the decision to surrender the Mengshan army. But compared to the first time he received Long Qian's letter, Yuan Shikai's attitude was much calmer. This was the factor of strength, and the Mengshan army defeated him three times in a row, forcing him to face up to this opponent.

In the letter, Long Qian talked about the current predicament of the imperial court, and once again explained the requirements of the Mengshan army to fight for the country. His request was very simple, he could be subordinated to the imperial court and serve as a part of the right army of Wuwei. Please Yuan Shikai let go of his grudges. Alike. Regarding the future command relationship, Long Qian wrote a very traditional sentence "listen to the tune and not listen to the announcement". If Yuan Shikai agrees, ask him to immediately send someone to Zhengjiazhuang to discuss specifically.

It was still Xu Shichang, Xu Shichang who was called by Yuan Shikai for the first time, and asked Tang Shaoyi to report the situation of the trip to Zhengjiazhuang to the chief of staff.

"Brother Kikuto, what do you think?"

"That's a good thing." Xu Shichang shook the paper in his hand, it was Long Qian's letter, the manuscript was drafted by Long Qian, and it was polished by Ning Shijun. Transcription.

"This matter has to be considered in the long run. I'm relieved that everything is fine. I'm sorry for you, Shaochuan, go down and rest. Yuan Shikai also had a secret discussion with Xu Shichang.

"This Long Qian. How did you find out the news of Jingshi? Xu Shichang wondered.

"Yes, yes. This gang of thieves is different. It is better to completely exterminate it. ”

Brilliant politicians sometimes trust their instincts, and once again Yuan Shikai felt threatened by the Mengshan army.

"Surrender is the best policy. Comfort pavilion, we really can't afford to make any more mistakes. Xu Shichang agreed to recruit the Mengshan army.

That's when it happened. Rong Lu's first telegram to Yuan Shikai was sent to the Futai Yamen.

This letter made the two of them feel embarrassed.

Because of the changes in the situation in Beijing, the situation in Shandong has also become tense. The German garrison in Jiaoao entered a state of first-class alert, and the hostility was obvious, as if it was attacking the hinterland of Shandong, which made the right army of Wuwei extremely nervous. The previously agreed agreement on the purchase of arms and ammunition has been nullified.

Regarding the situation in Beijing, Yuan Shikai and Xu Shichang have the same opinion, the imperial court is just messing around! The masters of the imperial court are really able to rectify it, and they even believe in a gang of boxers! Isn't this fatal? The church cannot be attacked, and the embassy cannot be attacked, and the consequences are clear to Yuan Shikai. If there really is an attack on the embassy and the killing of diplomats, the great powers will never give up! All-out war with the Great Powers? Don't even think about it, among the major countries, Russia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Germany, we can't afford to provoke any of them, let alone come together.

Yuan Shikai was keenly aware that the troops gathered in the north could not be concealed from the foreigners, so how could he explain it to the Germans and the British when the time came? Germany and Britain already have troops stationed in Shandong, what if there is a conflict? What if the German army in Jiaodong attacked Jinan?

These questions plagued Yuan Shikai and kept him awake all night. He was still watching the movements of the Jingshi until he got the exact news: the imperial court had declared war on all nations! Yuan Shikai carefully read the edict of declaring war, which was really a strange text through the ages. Since there has been war in this world, there have been war declaration documents, which can have various scripts, various styles, and various styles. However, all of them refer to a certain country, a certain tribe or a certain leader, but the edict of the Qing Empire declaring war actually used the word "they". In Chinese grammar, he, if there is no special explanation, refers to all the outer worlds except itself, so does the empire want to declare war on the entire outer world it faces?

"How can you do such a stupid thing?" Yuan Shikai was speechless.

Yuan Shikai believed that it would never be feasible for the new army to go north to Qinwang, and if the new army went north, Shandong Province would never be his own, and the reason why the Germans showed friendship to him was because he exchanged his strict attitude towards the Boxers as soon as he took office in exchange for the friendship of the Germans. If he leads his army north, everything will be over completely. As a result, because he offended the foreigners, it was impossible for him to return to Shandong, where Germany was extremely powerful, because the war against the coalition army and the new army were crippled, and the imperial court would be discarded like a worthless old thing, and there was no possibility of entering the cabinet to worship the prime minister because of merit.

All this because he is a Han and not a Manchu.

Yuan Shikai immediately took action and urgently contacted Liu Kun, Zhang Zhidong, Li Hongzhang and other powerful governors, on the one hand, thinking hard about self-preservation. The first to express his stance was Liu Kunyi, the governor of Liangjiang, who made it clear that troops must not be dispatched. And then the content of Li Hongzhang's telegram made Yuan Shikai eat a reassuring tile, the foreign leader said that the imperial court's transfer of troops to the king of Qin was a chaotic fate! Subsequently, Zhang Zhidong, the governor of Huguang, also expressed his support for Liu Kunyi, and created a southeast mutual insurance that was destined to leave a mark in history.

Not to mention the gap between those people and the Beijing Division, just talking about the prestige and title, none of them can be compared to him, the new governor, Zhang Zhidong and Liu Kunyi can engage in southeast mutual protection, ignoring the crazy actions of the imperial court, he can't do it. It's normal for the embarrassed and angry court to cut themselves, even if they are afraid of the 20,000 elite soldiers in their hands, they can't bear to do it to themselves for a while, and the taste of a thousand days of thieves is too uncomfortable, who can guarantee that they won't make a mistake?

Rejecting King Qin at a time when the court was in danger completely offended the court to death, which Yuan Shikai knew very well in his heart. But how? A problem that was originally unsolvable found a solution because of a letter from Wang Shizhen, he picked up Wang Shizhen's letter again and read it carefully, and finally, a smug smile appeared on his chubby face.

“…… With loyalty and righteousness, always think about serving the country......" Yuan Shikai took out Wang Shizhen's letter again and read it carefully, okay, since this Long Qian wants to serve the country, there is an opportunity now. After pondering for a long time, the governor issued an order to invite his brother-in-law and number one thinker, Xu Shichang, to discuss the matter.

Regarding Yuan Shikai's decision, Xu Shichang deeply agreed. In fact, since the edict of declaration of war on June 22 was issued to the world, Yuan Shikai proceeded from his own interests and immediately surrendered Long Qian's subordinates became the only choice! (To be continued......)