In the afterglow of the setting sun, Xu Shichang saw a large group of people standing at the entrance of the village, including Tang Shaoyi. Xu Shichang's heart moved, realizing that this was his opponent who came to greet him. He restrained the sweaty war horse, dismounted from the saddle, and stumbled the moment he landed. After a long gallop on horseback, I felt a burning pain between the two strands, and it was estimated that my spleen and flesh had been worn out.

Xu Shichang stood for a moment, then walked forward, and suddenly saw Wang Shizhen in the crowd, he was just about to shout, a burly young man on the opposite side stepped forward a few steps, clasped his fists and saluted, "Lord Xu has worked hard all the way." ”

"You are?" Xu Shichang turned his gaze to the young man at the head.

"I am the Long Qian that Lord Yuan has been thinking about for a long time." The young man has a dark complexion, handsome facial features, and a pair of eyes that are full of vigor and penetrating depth.

"Mr. Long, it's a good thing, it's a good luck." Xu Shichang was not angry with Long Qian's sarcastic words, he was good at communicating, especially for those with a lower status than himself, he generally did not take a stand.

He noticed Long Qian's hair. There are no braids, and the forehead is not shaved. Braids are not ordinary objects, not to mention the ancient Ming Xun (in fact, the entry of the Manchu Qing Dynasty is already self-deception), the parents of the body hair and skin, this blatantly shaved off the braids, isn't it a rebellion?

"Lord Xu must wonder why Long didn't have braids. It's really because Long hasn't returned from overseas for a long time, and he is not very used to it, and I hope Lord Xu will forgive me. Long Qian saw Xu Shichang's doubts.

"Well said, well said." Xu Shichang thought to himself, you kid dares to go to war with the official army, where will you care about braids! There's no need to talk about overseas experiences. As a matter of fact. Xu Shichang has always been suspicious of Long Qian's experience, although several people, including Wang Shizhen, have said so, but Xu Shichang still doesn't believe it.

"Lord Xu, please." Long Qian gave in sideways.

"Okay, then let's go into the village and talk." Xu Shichang only got the opportunity, "Pingqing was frightened. He took Wang Shizhen's hand, "Lord Yuan is very worried about that." ”

"I'm ashamed. Wang is incompetent, and he has affected adults. Wang Shizhen looked very good, not like she had been offended. Xu Shichang was relieved.

Welcome Xu Shichang and his entourage into the ancestral hall compound. The guests are seated. A soldier had already brought tea.

"Lord Xu, please use tea. This place is deserted, there is nothing to entertain, and I hope Lord Xu will forgive me. ”

"Thank you, Mr. Long, for your warm reception." Xu Shichang took a sip of the cup, it tasted good. Take a closer look at the tea leaves floating in the cup. It turned out to be Longjing.

"Good tea." He gave a thumbs up.

"But not new tea. Don't hide it from Lord Xu. This was snatched from the house of Zheng Jing, a local tyrant in Zhengjiazhuang. The amount is not much, and it is dedicated to receiving distinguished guests. Ha Lu Ha. ”

"If it's a new tea before the Ming Dynasty, the price is very expensive." Xu Shichang looked at the other party's candidates. Seeing that in addition to Long Qian, there were three other people of varying heights present, one of whom was as tall as an iron tower, and his fierce aura leaked out. The other two looked pretty Sven.

"Forgot to introduce. These three were all Long Qian's comrades-in-arms. Deputy Commander Zhou Yi, Deputy Commander Lu Shan, Chief of Staff Ning Shijun. Long Qian introduced them one by one, and who he pointed to, he nodded slightly. The hostility is palpable.

Xu Shichang said in his heart, these bandits actually used the title of commander and chief of staff. Could it be that this Long Qian is really an overseas Chinese who came back from overseas?

The entourage except for Tang Shaoyi was placed in the wing room to serve tea and rest, only Tang Shaoyi and Wang Shizhen accompanied Xu Shichang, Tang Shaoyi's participation in the negotiation was determined in advance, and if Xu Shichang was not good to speak, Tang Shaoyi had to say it. But leaving Wang Shizhen behind was Xu Shichang's temporary decision. Wang Shizhen's status in the new army is not much lower than Xu Shichang. And looking at Wang Shizhen's situation at this time, it doesn't look like a prisoner. Xu Shichang didn't believe that Wang Shizhen would be a thief, and felt that it would be beneficial and harmless to leave Wang Shizhen. Fortunately, Long Qian did not object.

"I think we'd better go straight, Long is a rough person, and he doesn't want to go around in circles like a literati," Long Qian didn't want to greet Xu Shichang too much, "Lord Xu wants to recruit An Long's team on this trip, what conditions did he bring?" ”

"Mr. Long is a quick talker." Xu Shichang was stunned for a moment, and then relieved, he was not afraid of Long Qian going straight, he was afraid of Long Qian going around. Whoever is in a hurry will suffer when negotiating this thing. So he smiled and said, "Xu's trip has brought a piece of red heart to recruit generals." But I don't know what conditions General Long wants to return to the imperial court and serve the country? ”

"Lord Xu, Long Qian prides himself on being a soldier, a soldier, and a defender of the country. The area around Gyeonggi is already a battlefield full of artillery fire, and I am afraid that the scene of 50 years ago will be seen again today! When the people are in trouble, it is the time for the soldiers to serve the battlefield. However, the more than 2,000 brothers under Long Qian were regarded by Lord Yuan as loud horse thieves, and they were eager to kill them all before they were satisfied. If it weren't for the great change in the situation, Yuan Shikai wouldn't have invited Mr. Xu here, right? ”

Xu Shichang coughed and blocked back what Tang Shaoyi was about to say. Now is not the time to speak, let's hear what he has to say.

"Governor Yuan's dilemma, Long knew very well, since he agreed with Liu Kunyi, Zhang Zhidong, and Li Hongzhang to protect each other in the southeast, of course he was unwilling to send troops to Qinwang and start a war with the Western coalition army. But what about not sending troops? I am afraid that the court will be surprised, in case the queen mother relaxes her breath and controls the situation again, the little foundation she has worked hard for may be destroyed. This difficult situation can be solved by Long Qian for Lord Yuan. ”

Xu Shichang stood up suddenly, this surprise was really too big! It's only been a few days since the Southeast Mutual Insurance? How did he know? What a hell of a life! Where are their eyes and ears? And how do you deliver the message quickly?

"Lord Xu looked surprised, is it Long Qian's nonsense?" Long Qian smiled and looked at the dumbfounded Xu Shichang.

"Mr. Long, how did you learn about Southeast Mutual Insurance?" Xu Shichang couldn't help but ask.

Tang Shaoyi sighed in her heart, this sentence was too powerful, and it hit Xu Shichang's vital point at once. Even he had never heard of the term southeast mutual insurance. Looking at Xu Shichang's expression, it is definitely true. was pinched by the opponent by seven inches, and the next negotiation is afraid that it will be difficult.

"Secrets are meant to be spread. Does Master Xu think I'll tell you the source? ”

Xu Shichang shook his head and sat down again.

"Looks like I'm right. Now that General Yuan Shikai is facing a difficult situation. And Mengshanjun has no intention of confronting him all the time, so let's talk about it. How about untangling this knot? ”

"Oh, Mr. Long, might as well talk about it?"

"It's simple. Long was willing to take a brigade of lone troops and go north to King Qin in the name of Wuwei's right army. In this way, it will not violate the mutual guarantee agreement between Lord Yuan and several governors in the south who hold real power, and it will not offend the imperial court. What does Lord Xu think? ”

This is the result Xu Shichang wants most, but he didn't expect the opponent to say it happily. Xu Shichang said happily, "That's very good." Yuan Weiting had already heard about what Mr. Long did in Zhengjiazhuang, which was very different from ordinary Xiangma. I wonder what specific conditions Mr. Long has? ”

"Happy. Lord Xu, please use tea. Long Qian smiled, "Three, first." Long led his army north. To a name. Moreover, going north to Gyeonggi, how to fight, please Yuan Futai completely let go. Long will definitely not lose the face of the right army of Wu Wei. Second. This expedition. That's right, well-equipped. A well-trained foreigner, Yuan Futai should be equipped with military uniforms, baggage, guns and ammunition for our department. Third, Long will leave a partial division. Stationed around Zhengjiazhuang, it is used to house and protect our families. Yuan Futai is not allowed to expropriate and suppress me in any name. Of course, Long promised that the small troops left behind would never cross the line! Not to mention robbing homes and houses, ruining the reputation of the officers and soldiers. ”

"This, I'm afraid it's hard to do." Xu Shichang was happy in his heart, because the three items mentioned by Long Qian were not too much. The most important thing is the third one, this guy obviously has no intention of surrendering at all, but Zhengjiazhuang is located in the poor countryside at the junction of Yi and Caozhou, even if he occupies it for a long time, it doesn't matter.

But negotiation is the process of bargaining, and how can anyone agree to it as soon as they open their mouths? So Xu Shichang immediately said that it was difficult to accept.

"Lord Xu. Long is by no means a sky-high asking price. What Lord Xu thinks in his heart, Long is generally clear. It's nothing more than a counteroffer. Please believe that if Long stays here, Yuan Shikai wants to eat me, and there won't be much backbone left of his Wuwei Right Army. Lord Xu imagined that if the new army that Yuan Shikai had worked so hard to train and Long Qian were exhausted in this Lunan region, would the imperial court still attach importance to him? The reason why Long took the initiative to lead his troops north to King Qin was because the great powers had coveted China for a long time, and the imperial court did not know the general trend of the world, and did not repair military equipment. How sure does Lord Xu think that the coalition forces will defeat the imperial court? ”

Xu Shichang couldn't help but shake his head.

Long Qian continued, "I also think that the imperial court has no chance of winning. Long Qian has traveled all over the world and still has some understanding of the geography of Gyeonggi. Undoubtedly, the coalition army will land from Tianjin, and after occupying Tianjin, it will go all the way north to enter the Beijing division, and it will be difficult for the imperial court to win? The best result is a land reparation. Whose land did you cut? It is the land of China. Whose money is it to lose? It's my billions of people's money. In the past, there was a difference between the death of the country and the death of the world, Lord Xu has read history books, and he won't even be able to tell the difference, right? I am fighting against the Wuwei New Army here, and all that is consumed is the country's national defense strength, and the cheaper ones are the foreigners who are eyeing our China. Therefore, Long went to Gyeonggi and would never avoid the war. Even if this army is wiped out, it will be a battlefield of death in the national war. Decades later, there will always be people who will remember the patriotism of Long and his brothers. Why should Lord Xu be like a gangster in the market and fight with my brothers who are determined to join the national war? Lord Xu, which of the conditions proposed by Long is excessive? ”

Xu Shichang stood up suddenly, "General Long," he didn't notice that he had unconsciously changed his title, "General Long is righteous and awe-inspiring, and Xu is ashamed." Okay, these three, Xu agreed. However, Xu wanted to know that the general was going to King Qin, since he knew that it was difficult to win, why did he intend to go? ”

"There are things to do, and there are things to do. If everyone knows that things can't be done, they won't do it, and the country will die. Long Qian boasted of the combat strength of his subordinates, and would teach the coalition forces a lesson. So that they can also know that the dignified China is not uninhabited. For the country and the nation, Long Qian was also at ease. ”

Xu Shichang didn't want to ponder these big words, what he cared about was how much Long Qian could send troops and when he would send them. So I asked this crucial question.

Long Qian said solemnly, "Lord Xu, since you agreed to Long's conditions, Long Qian will never embarrass you. Two thousand elite soldiers can be drawn on the second day. ”

Can the Mengshan Army send 2,000 troops? "Don't hide it from General Long, Lord Futai has given me full authority in this matter, in other words, in this matter, Xu can be the master of Yuan Futai. What you requested, Xu agreed to it and counted. Will you be able to send troops tomorrow? At that moment, Xu Shichang really felt moved and died generously? At least this bandit leader who gave Yuan Weiting a headache was not the imaginary bandit. Rather, it has a height that is difficult for ordinary people to reach.

"Lord Xu, please come with me." Long Qian stood up and made a gesture of please. Xu Shichang didn't know why, and followed out of the ancestral hall, and the scene in front of him immediately surprised him.

I don't know when, the open space outside the ancestral hall has been lined up with Mengshan Army troops, under the light of torches, three phalanxes with loaded guns and ammunition have been arranged neatly, each phalanx looks like a foot formation. Even more rare. I didn't hear a sound just now.

Xu Shichang has been in the army for a long time, and he still knows everything about the army. What kind of strength is contained in the solemn and silent queue in front of him, Xu Shichang can see it clearly after a few glances at the queue. He couldn't help but walk down the steps. It seems to be following Yuan Shikai's military parade. Walked in front of the three phalanxes.

"A good soldier trained by General Long! No wonder Wang Pingqing is full of praise! ”

"Lord Xu. This is the forward infantry battalion of our army, ready to go. Just wait for my order. Long Qian looked at Xu Shichang coldly, and saw that he was still staring at the motionless queue.

"Oh?" Xu Shichang turned around slowly.

"Don't hide it from Lord Xu. The follow-up main force of the Mengshan Army is ready for the expedition. ”

"Mr. Long, what other specific conditions do you have?"

"Lord Xu really understands people. Let's go back and talk. Long Qian dragged Xu Shichang back to the house again, just three things, but a big principle, Long Qian will definitely put forward specific conditions.

Xu Shichang, who returned to the house, couldn't care about fatigue and hunger, and began to bargain with Long Qian. But it was quite happy, and it only took an hour for the two parties to reach an agreement.

First, the Mengshan Army no longer retains its current name and goes out in the name of the Qinwang Detachment of the Wuwei Right Army. The strength of the army is four infantry battalions. Long Qian was the commander of the detachment, Zhou Yi and Lu Shan were the deputy commanders, and Ning Shijun was the chief of staff. According to the establishment of the new military standard, Long Qian "enjoyed" the standard treatment, and the official position was awarded after the Shandong Governor Yamen submitted a petition to the Ministry of War. Lower-level officials, please make a list and positions for Long Qian to solve them together. The treatment of officers in the subordinate department can refer to the new army, or they can be set by themselves.

Second, the Yanzhou garrison provided 1,500 sets of military uniforms, 300 good guns, and 150,000 rounds of ammunition. The place of receipt of the supplies was located in Zou County, and the replenishment of the relevant materials was completed within four days. The towns and cities that the troops passing through along the way were notified by the government to provide grain and straw supplies.

3. Pay 200,000 taels of military salaries and promotion fees for three months for the troops on the expedition. At present, 100,000 yuan will be paid first, and the rest will be handed over to the remaining troops of the Mengshan Army within a month.

Fourth, the Mengshan Army was allowed to stay in 14 villages including Zhengjiazhuang with no more than one battalion of troops. Officers and troops are not allowed to enter the areas listed above, and the remaining troops are not allowed to leave the area without permission, and if they need to reinforce Gyeonggi, they must obtain the consent of the Futai Yamen.

5. Regardless of their ranks, all captured officers and soldiers will be unconditionally released within half a month, except for those who voluntarily join the Mengshan Army. The Shandong government will not hold accountable those officers and soldiers who voluntarily participate in the Mengshan Army.

6. The Wang detachment entered the Gyeonggi battlefield within 15 days and accepted the command of the military headquarters. For specific combat operations, the Shandong side does not make remote control. However, the situation of the battle needs to be reported to Jinan in a timely manner.

7. The Yamen of Shandong, the governor of Shandong, sent Tang Shaoyi as a representative to lead a team of no more than ten people to accompany the Mengshan army to King Qin.

The last one was that after Long Qian vetoed Xu Shichang's proposal to send a small army to accompany him, Tang Shaoyi offered to follow him to Beijing. Long Qian Ha Ha Da smiled, "Lord Xu, if you send a prison army, Mr. Shaochuan is really the best candidate." I would like to express my heartfelt respect for Mr. Shaochuan's courageous determination. As long as Long Qian is here, Mr. Shaochuan will never have a hair. ”

As a result, the two parties signed the prepared agreement.

This may be the fastest major decision Xu Shichang has made. It's a hurry. After the two sides signed and postponed, Long Qian urged the wine and food to celebrate, but the wine and food were inevitably sloppy. Fortunately, Xu Shichang didn't care about this.

The mission was well accomplished and very refreshing. Agreeing to Long Qian's conditions is not too much at all. Let people go to the battlefield to die, how can they not have some blood? I don't know why, Xu Shichang didn't have the happiness of completing his mission, and after three rounds of drinking, he still asked the doubts in his heart.

"Long Biaotong, are you ready to send troops to Gyeonggi?" He deliberately changed his name.

Long Qian smiled and asked rhetorically, "If the negotiation fails, will the official army stop our army from going north to King Qin?" ”

"Of course." Xu Shichang blurted out, "How could Cao Zhongshan let you pass through the defense zone?" He didn't wait for Long Qian to answer, "General Long, now that we are standing in the same boat, can you tell Xu the truth, what are you doing this?" ”

"The Mengshan Army takes it as its mission to save the country and the people, and never wants to see foreigners rampant in the country. Long has already said it, why don't you believe Lord Xu? ”

Xu Shichang was stunned. Of course he didn't believe Long Qian's words, the matter had come to this point, and he couldn't afford to regret it, and he didn't regret it. There is no doubt that the Mengshan army will go on the expedition, which has solved Yuan Shikai's big problem. Will they make other plans by going to King Qin? The thought was just a flash of thought, and he didn't say it, which was stupid. Xu Shichang felt that it was unlikely, the main expedition would leave a large mess of his family members, so he was not afraid that the officers and troops would clean up their rear? What's more, there is also a "prison army" to accompany it.

Early the next morning, the cavalry company of the Mengshan Army, accompanied by Tang Shaoyi, marched towards Zou County. In the morning, Ye Yanbing's division of the first battalion stationed in Zhangqian Village led by Lu Shan immediately set off to Zou County to receive clothing, grain, and ammunition.

It's really vigorous. (To be continued......)