Luo Xiaocai sneaked into the window of the signing room for the third time and eavesdropped on the meeting between Yang Shixiang and Long Qian.

The roar in the room was getting louder and louder, and it was Yang Shixiang's voice. Luo Xiaocai couldn't hear what the governor was yelling about. The first time I came over, there was a soft voice in the room, as if Long Qian was telling something, and when I came over the second time, it was obviously Yang Shixiang who was talking, but I couldn't hear what he was saying. After the last moment, Yang Shixiang seemed to be angry, and Luo Xiaocai hurriedly left the window. Now it's the third time, Yang Shixiang must be angry, what are you angry about? Luo Xiaocai really wanted to know the Dao.

The guards ten feet away were watching his sneaky appearance, which made him feel empty. So Luo Xiao left the bottom of the house, and shouted in a low voice when he passed by the standard battalion soldier, "Keep an eye on it, and rush in to rescue the driver if there is any movement." ”

The junior officer of the standard battalion glanced at Luo Xiaocai, did not speak, and stood there straight, motionless.

Of course, it is a frame to save Yang Shixiang. The standard battalion is the governor's personal barracks, wearing the traditional military uniforms of the Qing Dynasty army soldiers, compared with the officers and soldiers of the Fifth Town and the officers and soldiers of the reorganized patrol battalion that appear on the street from time to time, it looks sloppy and buried. Luo Xiao thought that he should quickly rectify the standard camp, and the guards left by Zhou Fu to Yang Shixiang may not be reliable.

There was also an officer in the shade of a tree not far away, it was Long Qian's entourage, surnamed Ouyang. Ever since Long Qian entered Lord Futai's signing room, he had been standing there.

Ordinary meetings do not avoid him, a confidant master, but today Yang Shixiang waved away everyone, including him. This made him rush to a trace of unease. Luo Xiao returned to his room and glanced at the chiming clock on the table. The talks between the two have been going on for more than an hour, and there is no sign of an end.

I don't know what the two hundred and five admirals said, which made Futai so angry.

Luo Xiao was recommended by Yang Shiqi, the younger brother of Yang Shixiang, to join his brother Shogunate. Over the years, although Luo Xiaocai has followed Yang Shixiang to serve in the Quartet, he has always maintained close contact with Yang Shiqi. It may also be that both of them are "senior secretaries", and they have more common language with each other, Luo Xiaocai feels that Yang Shiqi's talent is no less than his brother, and it is a pity that he is not out.

Before Luo Lin came to Shandong, Yang Shiqi specially invited Luo Xiaocai to a banquet and presented a lot of Cheng Yi. bluntly said that it was a gift from Yuan Gong. I hope that Luo Xiaocai will help his brother govern Shandong well.

Yang Shiqi told Luo Xiaocai that the basis for governing Shandong is to truly control Shandong. The biggest obstacle to controlling Shandong is the fifth town of Longqian, which is entrenched in Shandong, "Longqian is cunning, and deceives and coaxes the aging Empress Dowager Cixi and Prince Qing with the little merit of Gengzi Nian." deceived the number of the fifth town in Beiyang. Its subordinates were by no means loyal to the imperial court. It is a pity that not many people in the DPRK and China see this clearly. The Manchurian magnates could not see the rapidly developing military strength of the Longqian tribe in Shandong. Instead, he stared at Yuan Gong, who had made great contributions to the imperial court's training of the new army. When it comes to Shandong, the whole dynasty is full of praise, which is simply the greatest sorrow. The greatest irony! I know my brother's character, and he wants to make some political achievements to serve the court, and he is very easy to be bewitched by Long Qian. Therefore, Brother Luo should be more sober-minded and remind my brother from time to time that he should not be deceived by Long Qian with Shandong's industry. Yang Shiqi said later, Yuan Gong had already heard of Brother Luo's talent, and it was really condescending to be a staff member under my brother. Brother Luo, do it well, the Ministry of Posts and Communications or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will definitely have a seat for Brother Luo.

It's just that Luo Xiaocai, who was born in Xiucai, was suddenly flattered. For Yang Shiqi's request, he naturally agreed.

There is no need for Luo Xiaocai to remind him, as soon as Yang Shixiang entered Jinan, he showed hostility towards his predecessor. This relieved Luo Xiaocai. Before coming to Shandong, Luo Xiao did his homework and decided that Zhou Fu and Long Qian had a nest of snakes and rats. Lord Yang's denial of Zhou Fu's "New Deal" is to make up his mind to cancel Long Qian's right to speak in Shandong government affairs!

Isn't that great? Long Qian didn't take Lord Futai seriously, and hid in Laizhou to hook up with the Germans. As soon as he took office, Yang resolutely stopped funding for the construction of schools and roads, summoned officials of important departments for several days in a row, or personally checked the accounts, and made it clear that he wanted to find fault with his predecessor.

It is a common practice in officialdom for officials to protect each other. But unless it is a special case, and it is common for the successor to deny the predecessor, how can he show his existence?

Finally, Long Qian came to visit Lord Futai. Luo Xiaocai introduced Long Qian into Yang Futai's signing room, and secretly looked at this young admiral who made the governor of Zhili unforgettable: a straight yellow woolen military uniform, with an armed belt, and shiny riding boots, not at all like a first-class military attache in the imperial court, but like a foreign officer.

He wanted to stay and participate in the meeting between Lord Futai and Lord Admiral, but Yang Shixiang said, "Mr. Luo, go back and rest." I have something important to talk about with the Dragon Army Gate. "Rushed" out.

Angry? Good! It's troublesome if you don't get angry. Luo Xiaocai thought secretly.

Luo Xiaocai's house is on the south side of the signing room, and standing in front of the north window, you can see the south window of the room on the northwest side. Luo Xiaocai thought uneasily, what if Long Qian was reprimanded by Yang Shixiang and became angry and used his sword soldiers? It is said that the fifth town is the army brought out by Long Qian, just like the second, third, fourth, and sixth towns of Beiyang today are Yuan Shikai's soldiers, and Jinan Mansion does not have a force of its own except for the governor's standard battalion. Even the Governor's Standard Battalion is not necessarily reliable! Thinking of this, Luo Xiaocai's bare head was dripping with beads of sweat. No, no matter what, we must persuade Lord Yang to quickly rectify the standard camp, even if it is to transfer a soldier from Zhili.

He thought uncertainly. Suddenly, seeing Long Qian and Yang Shixiang coming out of the house one after the other, and walking towards the north gate of the governor's compound, Luo Xiao hurriedly came out and chased after him. Walking to the gate of the second courtyard, Long Qian stood still, "My lord, please stay." The subordinate took his leave. ”

"Admiral Long walks slowly, and the old man will not be far away." Yang Shixiang replied with his hand and watched Long Qian leave.

After Long Qian and Adjutant Ouyang disappeared behind the courtyard, Luo Xiao hurriedly asked, "Dong Weng, ...... just now?"

Yang Shixiang seemed to be thinking about something, and only replied after a while, "Hmm, what did you say just now?" ”

"Your Excellency seems to have a great conversation with Admiral Dragon." Of course, Luo Xiaocai can't say that I sneaked under your window three times to eavesdrop, but I didn't hear anything.

"Well, it's not bad. This is a talent. Yang Shixiang turned around and walked back. Luo Xiaocai hurriedly followed, and the two went back to the signing room. Luo Xiaocai personally poured out the residual tea in the cup for the governor, and re-brewed a cup of Longjing for Yang Shixiang.

"Dong Ong ......"

"What's the matter?" Yang Shixiang raised his eyelids.

"Just now, Master Xuezheng Hu asked to see ......"

"What about people?"

"The students thought that Dong Weng would have no time in the afternoon...... So I asked Master Hu to go back......"

"That's fine. The old man will go to Hu Xuezheng's place. Not today, though. Yang Shixiang didn't mention the meeting that ended just now, and Luo Xiaocai was anxious, but he didn't know how to ask.

The staff is the staff, and the psychology of the proprietor must be figured out. Especially a master like him who is privately employed. Luo Xiao concluded that Yang Shixiang had no intention of visiting and communicating with him at this moment, so he withdrew.

"Mr. Luo waited, gave the order to go down, and went to Huayuan Industry early tomorrow morning. By the way, send someone to study the political yamen. If Lord Hu is free. So he said that the old man invited him to go with him. Yang Shixiang commanded.

"Yes." Luo Xiao agreed.

The governor's patrol is a major event, and there are a lot of relevant honor guards, which must be prepared in advance. Luo Xiaocai thought, is Lord Yang looking for trouble with Huayuan?

Yang Shixiang picked up the teacup and took a sip. He closed his eyes slightly. He was reminiscing about the meeting with Long Qian just now. The meeting was not pleasant. It's not unpleasant. What is certain is that he is a capable person, and Shandong has changed in recent years. This person should be the first to take credit. It seems that the rumors of Jingshi are true, and Zhou Fu's implementation of the new policy in Shandong has been fruitful, but it is just because of people.

An unusual feeling seized Yang Shixiang's heart.

Yang Shixiang, who has been in the sea for a long time, has been in contact with all kinds of officials. The shrewd, the dim-witted, the unruly who rely on the backers, the groveling for fear of offending the superiors...... But none of them can match Long Qian.

Undoubtedly, he is shrewd. They are very assertive about military and civil affairs, and all kinds of data are at their fingertips, without any obstacles. But his shrewdness was different from that of the Qing bureaucrats, and he had a self-confidence and calmness that he had never seen before. For his criticism, he neither panicked nor quibbled, but always could tell a reason, so that he had nothing to say.

The purpose of holding joint military exercises with the Germans was to increase the strength of the Fifth Town, and also to curb the ambitions of the Germans and stabilize the situation in Shandong. Foreign strife had become a chronic problem that plagued the Qing Dynasty, and in Shandong, as long as the Germans were controlled, the British would not be a problem......

Funny! Do you think that with a fifth town in your hands, the Germans will be afraid of you?!

Germany's military and political center of gravity is not in Asia, still less in China. but in Europe. France to the west and Russia to the east. There is also British containment at sea. Germany had been the land hegemon of Europe since its victory in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, and although France still had the reputation of being the largest army in Europe, it had actually declined. Whether it is population, economy, science and technology, or popularity, France is not as good as Germany. But Kaiser Wilhelm II, who now rules Germany, was a fool, and the biggest mistake of this man with a crippled left arm was to upset the balance of Europe that Chancellor Bismarck had carefully established. He didn't have Bismarck's ability to turn enemies into friends and to be able to send and receive. Look, in less than a decade, an unprecedented war in Europe will break out at the hands of Wilhelm II. Therefore, Germany will never have the strength to devote its national strength to dealing with China. Therefore, there is no need to worry about the German army in Qingdao, they will become more honest after seeing the strength of the fifth town.

What is it called? Is it a lesson? But Mr. Yang, who grew up under the Qing bureaucracy, had no idea what trouble Germany was having in Europe. He only knew that he could no longer clash with the Great Powers. The situation in Europe, he really can't tell.

When it comes to the issue of fiscal deficits, Long Qian actually believes that borrowing for construction is an inevitable trend. As far as Shandong's total economic output is concerned, the debt of more than 4 million taels of silver is not a problem at all. The problem now is that on the one hand, the government at all levels is seriously short of money, and on the other hand, a large amount of silver taels is sealed underground in a state of "dead existence", and it is difficult to play its role as a general equivalent. Debt construction is not to exploit the people, but to allow the savings of officials and wealthy households to enter the field of circulation. Silver, it's money only when it comes into circulation, otherwise it's a pile of waste. Historically, the unswerving fiscal policy of living within the limits of one's income has its rational side and its negative side. If we continue to follow the method of living within our means, our country will never be able to catch up with the great powers that have surpassed China in all aspects.

There are a few terms in this paragraph that Yang Shixiang doesn't understand very well, general equivalents, economic aggregates. Yang Shixiang understood Long Qian's means and intentions to "take out" the money in the hands of the rich households, Huayuan and Zhongxing were already the "God of Wealth" that the Shandong gentry were eager to follow, and with Huayuan and Zhongxing as guarantees, they were even higher than the government's credit. So the issuance of bonds is not an obstacle.

Spending great efforts to repair the main highways in the province is a chain of mutual reinforcements. A large number of impoverished peasants and the urban poor have found food for this purpose, relieving the pressure on the government's "stability." Cement factories, building materials factories and other enterprises got orders and paid more taxes for the government. Improving transportation is a huge benefit. Railways need to be repaired, and roads need to be repaired. If you want to get rich, build roads first. The construction of the highway network must not only not be stopped, but also increase investment year by year. It is suggested that the province should set up a transportation bureau specializing in transportation construction to coordinate its affairs.

A new word "stable" appeared here, and Yang Shixiang immediately understood it and felt very expressive.

Education is even more important. Now we all know that Germany is a strong country, but a hundred years ago Germany was still scattered and bullied. The establishment of a compulsory education system in Prussia has benefited immeasurably well. Therefore, provincial-level universities, county-level middle schools, and even township-level primary schools should vigorously raise funds for their establishment. The government has to pay out the funds, and so can enterprises and individuals. Privately run schools are private, school buildings and other venues are private and should be recognized and protected by the government, and the qualifications of schools are also private and protected by the government. How do you get the money back? Tuition fees? Primary schools are free, but secondary schools and universities are not. The people of the country have the habit of seeking fame, and those who build schools will be given official status by the government, and they will be registered in the local chronicles...... Where do teachers come from? Establish a normal college for training, and recruit from all over the country and even abroad with high salaries. If we want to learn from the experience of Japan and other countries in Taixi, and enact legislation to guarantee high salaries for teachers, it will naturally attract talents.

It is necessary to straighten out the tax system. At present, it is necessary to gradually reduce the land tax by increasing the commercial tax in order to lighten the peasants' burdens. The development of enterprises is the guarantee of increasing commercial taxes. The reduction of unreasonable taxes such as cents is a necessity for the development of commercial tax. Only when people and goods are smoothed out can the government's tax revenue increase. Therefore, it is necessary to vigorously cultivate enterprises, develop handicrafts, and promote the prosperity of commerce. Foreigners can transport all kinds of novel and practical items to earn our money, why can't we sell things? At least reduce imports of consumer goods. What are Consumer Products? Food and clothing are consumer goods, steel and oil are also consumer goods, now there are kerosene lamps, kerosene is all bought from foreign companies, I don't believe it, the huge Shandong, will not be able to make kerosene?

There are good reasons for developing business, but Yang Shixiang is resistant in his heart. But boycotting foreign goods is in line with his heart.

Patrol battalions should not be reduced, but should be greatly strengthened. The role of the patrol battalion is multifaceted, the first is to absorb the personnel of the old army such as the Green Battalion, many of whom have nothing but to serve as soldiers, and the result of the elimination seems to reduce the financial burden, but it increases the factors of social instability. Doesn't it cost money to maintain stability? Now that the Xiangma in the province has basically been wiped out, in case these people go back to the mountain as bandits, isn't it a disaster for the officials and the people? Secondly, the patrol battalion is the reserve army of the regular army. The country is so big, not to mention the establishment of six towns, even the establishment of sixteen towns is not enough to maintain national defense. In the event of a war, the Fifth Town will be pulled up to fight, and there will definitely be casualties, where will the troops be replenished? Just make up for it from the patrol battalion. These professional soldiers are certainly stronger than the peasants who are currently recruited, and the combat effectiveness of the troops can be guaranteed......

Regarding his own questioning, Long Qian calmly refuted one by one. Some views Yang Shixiang agreed with in his heart, and many recognized them at the time. But of course he didn't admit it. Yang Shixiang sadly found that he couldn't say Long Qian at all. This guy is not an admiral, but thinks through the eyes of a governor. If everything goes according to his path, I am afraid that he will not even be as good as Zhou Fu.

After that, he talked about the merger of Huayuan and the Machinery Bureau. Long Qian refuted Yang Shixiang's accusations of embezzlement of imperial court property. Facts speak louder than words, adults go to see it for themselves, don't you feel at ease when you check it? So Yang Shixiang agreed to go to Huayuan for "investigation", but did not tell Long Qian the time, and after Long Qian left, Yang Shixiang decided to go to see this industrial group that was already a behemoth tomorrow.

It's a surprise attack. (To be continued......)