Under the influence of the people around him, Lao Yuan came up with the idea of becoming an emperor, but Yuan Shikai did not dare to act rashly, he kept interviewing his generals to understand their thoughts. It turned out that only Duan Qirui was clearly opposed, and Lao Yuan moved out of Wang Shizhen and replaced Duan Qirui, and Lao Yuan felt that there was no problem in Beijing.

Then he focused on the local power, and it happened that at this time Zhang Xiluan resigned, and the governor of Fengtian was vacant, and who was in charge of Fengtian also became Lao Yuan's heart disease.

Mukden is the head of the three eastern provinces and at the same time the northern barrier of Beijing, so its strategic location is extremely important. However, the Japanese inserted their hands again, which made the situation in Fengtian very complicated, whether to parachute a senior official to sit in charge in person, or to support Shili in Fengtian's native Shili to take power, Lao Yuan was also in the midst of vacillation.

Just yesterday, as soon as Zhang Zuolin arrived in Beijing, Lao Yuan knew that he did not send anyone to greet him, and Lao Yuan did it on purpose, otherwise how could there not even be an idler in the dignified presidential palace. Yuan Shikai wanted to test Zhang Zuolin's reaction, but Zhang Zuolin did not go crazy and seemed very deferential, and Lao Yuan was a lot satisfied.

But then Zhang Zuolin beat up the tax official of Chongwenmen again, his attitude was very arrogant, and Lao Yuan couldn't help but think, is this bearded master difficult to change his habits, or is he expressing dissatisfaction with himself?

Lao Yuan couldn't figure out Zhang Zuolin's mind for a while, in fact, the confrontation between the two had already started from the moment they entered Beijing. Yuan Keding invited Zhang Zuolin to the dinner, in fact, he also had the meaning of Lao Yuan, that is, he wanted to understand Zhang Zuolin's mind before the official meeting.

As a result, after the dinner, Lao Yuan got two completely different reports, Yuan Keding and Yang Shiqi kept saying good things to Zhang Zuolin, while Liang Shiyi blamed him, and even asked Lao Yuan to investigate Zhang Zuolin's crimes.

The two sides began to quarrel in the middle of the night last night, which made Yuan Shikai very annoyed, and he asked these people to help observe Zhang Zuolin, but these guys did not provide him with any valuable information, but fought by themselves, which made the old Yuan fufu cry out.

In fact, this is also a manifestation of the staggered factions and ineffective command of Lao Yuan's subordinates, so Lao Yuan had no choice but to shake his spirit and personally inspect Zhang Zuolin to see if this little warlord was disobedient.

The place of the meeting was arranged in Huairentang, and when Lao Zhang walked in, he found that Lao Yuan had not arrived, so he sat for a while and looked around to observe the furnishings of Huairentang. There is a bit of a mix of Chinese and Western flavors, huge imported sofas, Western table clocks, and Chinese-style Duobao Pavilion with a lot of rusty bronze objects on it.

Lao Zhang didn't know anything about these things, his eyes fell on the top of a Western pocket watch, this pocket watch was shining, at first glance it was made of pure gold, the shell was inlaid with diamonds, shining, in the middle was a lifelike Western dancing girl, the bracelet was also made of gold, and the whole pocket watch was extraordinarily luxurious.

When Lao Zhang was watching, a cough suddenly came: "Yuting, we met here three years ago, time flies too fast!" ”

Zhang Zuolin turned his head suddenly, only to see the short and fat Yuan Shikai walking in in a presidential dress, Lao Zhang hurriedly got up and saluted a standard military salute: "Report to the president, Zhang Zuolin, the commander of the 27th Division of the Inferior Army, came to report on his work, please instruct!" ”

Lao Yuan smiled with a smile on his face: "Yuting, don't be so nervous, let's just talk casually." He walked in front of Duobaoge, picked up the pocket watch casually, and stuffed it into Zhang Zuolin's hand.

"Hehe, gadgets, let's make a souvenir!"

Zhang Zuolin took it in his hand, with a hint of joy on his face, and hurriedly said: "Thank you, President!" ”

Yuan Shikai motioned for Zhang Zuolin to sit down, and Lao Yuan asked again: "Yuting, how is the safety situation in Fengtian?" ”

"Report to the president, there are three main threats to the security of Mukden, one is the Mongolian bandits, the second is the Zongsha, and the third is Japan. The Mongolian bandits have always been resolutely eradicated, and as long as they dare to invade the border, they will be completely eliminated and the rest of the people will be deterred. Not long ago, we cracked the case of rebellion against Shanqi and Shengyun, and then carried out a large-scale investigation to eliminate the hidden danger in the bud. ”

Yuan Shikai listened carefully, instead of nodding, he said approvingly: "Well done, well done, but in the end, the biggest threat is the Japanese, I don't know what Yuting thinks?" ”

"President, the Japanese are different from the first two, and it is not appropriate to use brute force to fight, but they must not sit idly by and watch the Japanese expand their shili, you must know that they are wolf ambitions and insatiable greed. It is supposed to confine them to the Manchurian Railway, and at the same time cut off their ties with the Mukden merchants, cut off their minions, and without the help of domestic shili, even if the Japanese have great ability, it is useless. ”

Lao Yuan had a relieved smile on his face when he heard this, and he couldn't help but slap his face: "Yuting, you can say this opinion, I'm relieved, Japan is strong, we are weak, we must not hit a stone with an egg for the sake of temporary righteousness as those literati said." However, it is also necessary to be vigilant against the ambitions of the Japanese, to prevent them from getting involved outside the border, and to ensure that the gold is complete. ”

"The president can rest assured, as long as there is a three-inch Qi of Zuolin, he will definitely protect the safety of Fengtian, whether it is a red-haired rakshasa or the king of heaven, no one wants to touch Fengtian."

Zhang Zuolin's statement was sonorous and powerful, but Lao Yuan also heard the taste, isn't this also an insinuation to himself, but Yuan Shikai still can't find a rebuttal.

He had no choice but to change the topic, sighed and said: "I, the president, is very difficult, every time I want to make a difference, I encounter all kinds of constraints, the Republic of China has been established for four years, but the country has not prospered, I feel ashamed when I think about it!" ”

"President, Zuo Lin is a soldier, and he shouldn't be talking about politics, but those literati can only talk about it, write a thousand words, and have no idea. The president should be iron-fisted, and he doesn't need to estimate them at all, and if these people don't know what to do, put a gun on their head and see what else they have to say. ”

Lao Yuan smiled bitterly and shook his head: "No, for many years, China has paid attention to not being punished for words. Now it is the Republic of China, the Republic of China, and it pays attention to freedom of speech, and these literati are famous, so they can't beat or scold them, so people are helpless. ”

"President, you can't let them scream everywhere and disturb people's hearts, everyone knows that there are thousands of families and one person in charge. Now, as the head of state, the president should be dictatorial. ”

"Well said, right!" Lao Yuan finally showed a smile on his face: "Yuting, what do you think of Junxian and the Republic, which is better or worse?" ”

Zhang Zuolin said a little embarrassed: "President, Zuolin was born recklessly, he doesn't understand politics at all, I really don't know which one is better?" ”

"Don't be afraid, just talk about it, what you just talked about is very good."

Zhang Zuolin thought about it, and then said: "Whether the shoes fit or not, only the feet know." Zuo Lin only knew that in the few years since the establishment of the Republic of China, the country has not become rich and strong, but has been in chaos, and the party in the south has frequently made chaos and caused chaos to the country. If they truly believe in the republic, they should not be in trouble, and from this it seems that the republic is just an excuse for them. If you want to cheer up the country, you must have strong measures, and you must work together, Zuo Lin thinks that maybe Junxian is better. ”

Lao Yuan's heart suddenly burst into joy, Zhang Zuolin's few words were all in his heart, not only supporting Jun Xian, but also scolding Sun Wen and his gang by the way. Lao Yuan nodded frequently, and said happily: "Yuting has knowledge, it's very good!" Rest assured, as long as you can obey orders and serve the country, you will not be treated badly. ”

"Thank you for cultivating the president!"

Lao Yuan was obviously in a good mood, and then asked some about the situation in Fengtian, and also asked Zhang Zuolin's family situation, how his wife and children were.

After talking for a while, Lao Yuan suddenly changed his words and asked with a smile: "Zuolin, I heard that yesterday in Keding's villa, you and Zhu Erdian negotiated a big deal, I don't know what happened?" ”

"President, Fengtianxin is preparing to build several factories, and it just so happens that the Western powers are in a big war and are in urgent need of materials, so a little cooperation agreement has been negotiated."

Zhang Zuolin obviously wouldn't tell Yuan Shikai everything, so he just introduced it lightly.

"It's very good to be able to open up the Western market and make money from foreigners, and I heard that it was all made by a teenager, which is even more remarkable. Sir Jurdian is a cunning old fox, and he can convince him, but only by true ability! ”

Lao Yuan shifted the conversation to Zhang Tinglan again, and Zhang Zuolin also said with a smile: "That child is the son of my sworn brother Zhang Zuoxiang, who has a very flexible mind, reads a lot, and thinks a lot, so he can always find some unexpected ways." However, the child was still too young to know the severity, and it made Liang Gong angry, and I taught him a hard lesson after I went back. ”

"No need, young man!" Lao Yuan said with a smile: "Everyone has a time when they are young and frivolous, this is not a problem, the key is to dare to think and dare to do." Your nephew is really good, young and promising, have you ever thought about letting him go to Beijing to experience, see more of the world, increase his knowledge, and he will definitely be a pillar of the country in the future! ”

As soon as Lao Zhang heard that Yuan Shikai had the intention to keep Zhang Tinglan in Beijing, Lao Zhang immediately became vigilant, now Zhang Tinglan is the money bag and gun of the 27th Division, without him presiding, how to cooperate with Fred, how to make money and make arms through the Middle East Road!

Lao Zhang already regards Zhang Tinglan as his right-hand man, how can he let Lao Yuan poach him.

"President, it is a blessing for Tinglan to be favored by you. However, the child is only seventeen years old this year, and he has to listen to his father's opinion, if Fu Chen agrees, I don't have a word, let him have a good experience in Beijing, and also increase his ability! ”

Lao Yuan narrowed his eyes, thought about it, and said with a smile: "I really have to listen to the opinions of my parents, you can bring Tinglan if you are free these days, and I will also take a look at this young talent." ”

The time for the meeting soon came, Lao Zhang left Huairentang and returned to the Liuguo Hotel, as soon as he entered his room, Lao Zhang casually threw the pocket watch sent by Lao Yuan on the sofa, Zhang Tinglan and Zhang Xueliang were waiting for him to come back in Lao Zhang's house, and when they saw that Lao Zhang's complexion was not very good, they also hung their hearts.

"Tinglan, Lao Yuan has taken a fancy to you and wants to dig the foot of the wall, what do you say!"

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