Soon after the imperial court's decree to reward the Fifth Town was issued, Fu Qi's impeachment of Long Qian arrived. Fu Qi did not use the telegram method, but used the old-fashioned fast horse to deliver. So it's a little late.

In fact, before receiving Fu Qi's recital, the imperial court had already learned of the continuous bloodshed in Guangdong. The situation in Guangdong even attracted the attention of foreign envoys.

Immediately, Long Qian sent a long telegram to Beijing, reporting in detail the purpose of his rectification of the patrol camp and the process of the conflict between Guangzhou and Zhaoqing. In the telegram, Long Qian accused Fu Qi of protecting the criminals, believing that it was the collusion between the upper and lower levels that led to the chaos in Guangdong. If you want Guangdong to have long-term peace and stability, you have to use thunderbolts.

This telegram is naturally much faster than Fu Qi's excerpt, and the imperial court has not had time to express its position, and Fu Qi's excerpt has arrived.

Fu Qi's report finally changed Cixi's attitude, and she was finally enraged. Stacked one thing after another, Long Qian could not escape the comment of "domineering". In other words, "Bahu" is the lightest. Even the Zeng Guofan brothers, who founded the Hunan Army to quell the Hongyang Rebellion, did not have such domineering behavior as Long Qian. He can despise the general of Guangzhou today, and the governor of Liangguang tomorrow, and of course he will not even take the will of the imperial court seriously.

What to do? Cixi summoned her confidants to study. Yixuan and Zhang Zhidong, as the Manchu and Han foremen of the Military Aircraft Department, both advised Cixi to act cautiously. However, Na Tong, Shi Xu and Emperor Guangxu's younger brother Zaifeng, who had just entered the military to learn to walk, advocated that Long Qian be dismissed from his military post and recalled to Beijing for another placement.

Yi Liang asked a few young people if there was chaos in the fifth town. What should I do?

"Send the GI over! Destroy this ungrateful erector! Zaifeng shouted.

"Sending troops? You have all seen the strength of the Fifth Town. No three new military towns are not enough. If the new army of the three towns is transferred south to Guangdong, how much silver will be needed? How much time does it take? Who needs to be sent to lead the most worrying person? In addition, should Shandong be on guard? Although Yi Liang is corrupt, his experience in the core for more than ten years has made the problem of this chief military aircraft extremely acute.

In fact, since the outbreak of the Guangdong crisis, Yixuan has been "attacked" from two sides. One is naturally on Long Qian's side, and Yi Qian was asked by Long Qian, who was transferred by Xing Dongyun, and was very polite. It's detailed, but it's also clear. It is to celebrate the prince to turn around in front of the queen mother. The other is Yuan Shikai's side, Yuan Shikai hopes that King Qing can persuade the Queen Mother to use force against Long Qian.

Yuan Weiting's purpose is clear, that is, to take the opportunity to justifiably take back the command of the Beiyang Army.

Putting aside the selfish interests of the two parties, Yixuan stood in the position of the imperial court and thought about it. It is considered that the use of force is absolutely advisable. The main reason is money. Prepare for the worst. To implement a big war against Long Qian, the imperial court doesn't have 10 million military spending, so don't even think about it. That's not a Guangdong, there's also a Shandong Heng there!

Shandong is also a thorn in the heart of the imperial court! Yang Shixiang was the governor of Shandong. The attitude is becoming more and more ambiguous. According to Wang Huaiqing's secret report, the strength of the Shandong patrol battalion is definitely greater than that of a new military town, and they have even organized a completely new organization, calling themselves the Shandong Column and setting up brigade numbers; in November alone, the Shandong Patrol Battalion conducted two large-scale military exercises, with more than 5,000 troops participating.

The most worrying thing is that the Shandong Patrol Battalion (let's call it that) doesn't pay attention to the imperial court at all, and he, the Shandong Admiral, can't even enter the military camp of the patrol battalion!

"Queen Mother," Zhang Zhidong saw that Cixi's face was getting worse and worse, "The minister thinks that Prince Qing's opinion is right, and a military solution must not be adopted at present." ”

"Huh? How many of you can talk about it? Cixi turned her gaze to several Manchurian "Qianli Horses".

"Why can't you?" Zaifeng discussed repeatedly with Tie Liang, Pu Wei, Liangbi, and Yin Chang, who returned from studying the army from Germany and had a deep relationship with the Beiyang Army, "There are eight and ninth towns in the south that can be used, and Beiyang can dispatch at least three towns and two ways to use troops to solve Shandong and Guangdong in one fell swoop." ”

"Don't say it!" Cixi waved her hand at Zaifeng in disappointment, "Zhang Zhidong, how do you think this matter should be handled?" ”

"Long Qian's reverses are unknown, and it is not appropriate to threaten him militarily. Moreover, as a commander, it is his duty to rectify the patrol battalion of this province, and there is nothing to blame. If the local garrison is effective, why did the imperial court send the fifth town south to Liangguang? The geography of the two Guangxi provinces is special, and they are also the key areas of Sun Wen's chaotic party's activities, and if the chaotic party is given a chance, the gains outweigh the losses. Those who are worried about it are taking the opportunity of rectification to expand their strength. For the sake of the present time, he could be given a decree to suspend the reorganization of the patrol battalion. If he complied, he would find another opportunity to transfer him to the center after a while. Although Zhang Zhidong is old, his mind is not confused at all.

This is the words of the old man who seeks the country. Let's do it. However, the Beiyang armies should strengthen their training in case of contingencies. Cixi did not ask for the opinions of others anymore and immediately made a decision.

She knew Long Qian's ability to train troops, and from a small army of more than 1,000 people, she pulled out a strong army of such a scale in a few years. thought that he could control Shandong by transferring the fifth town, but he didn't expect Long Qian to leave Shandong, and Shandong still couldn't get in. If it is allowed to develop in Guangdong, who knows what scale the fifth town of Ludao will develop? If he is trained in two more towns, won't the imperial court be even more helpless against him?

On November 24, the Military Aircraft Department sent a telegram to Long Qian in stern terms in Cixi's tone, "I heard that the gentry of the Guangzhou Prefecture had written a letter to report that Long Qian, the governor of Guangdong, had withdrawn the patrol battalion of the prefecture without authorization, and that there were many casualties in the clashes, which caused the people of the prefecture to boil. General Fu Qi of Guangzhou verified the matter. Admiral Long Qian, without the permission of the Guangzhou general Fu Qi and without consulting the center, changed the major policies of the imperial court without permission, and lost hope...... Remembering that the officer had served for many years and had made a small contribution, he ordered the reorganization of the patrol battalion in Guangdong Province to be stopped and the old system to be restored. ”

On November 26, on the third day of the Ming Fa edict against Guangdong, the imperial court also took action against Shandong, transferring Yang Shixiang to act as the governor of Zhili and sending Liangbi as the governor of Shandong.

There are all kinds of indications that even Yuan Shikai, who was trying to protect Yang Shixiang as the governor of Shandong, secretly played Cixi, and Yang Shixiang has been in collusion with Long Qian, which is really worrying. In order not to alarm Shandong, the imperial court falsely promoted the high position of the governor of Zhili. Ji Luhua first transferred Yang Shixiang out and pulled him over, thus disintegrating Shandong Province, which had become a self-contained system.

Originally, there were two candidates to replace Yang Shixiang, Wu Tingbin and Yuan Shuxun. The former is the governor of Shanxi, and the latter has just been transferred from Shuntian Mansion Yin to Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and his qualifications are sufficient. However, when the official was selected for the report, he was immediately scolded by Cixi, and the younger Wu Tingbin was 60 years away, and they were all civil officials. Where can we manage Shandong? The most rear. Liangbi volunteered and was willing to abandon Wu Congwen to replace the governor of Shandong after Yang Shixiang left office.

The imperial court never expected that Yang Shixiang would refuse the temptation of the imperial court's promotion. Claiming to be frail and sickly. Eye failure. He was already unbearable, and asked to resign as governor of Shandong and return to his hometown for the rest of his life.

Yang Shixiang resigned to lick another fire for the already tense situation. For this. Yuan Shikai urgently ordered Yang Shiqi to go to Shandong in person to persuade his brother to change his mind, but to no avail. After Yang Shiqi returned to Beijing, he reported to Yuan Shikai that his brother was indeed exhausted and could not be driven.

After a few days of delay, the Qing court finally made up its mind to remove Yang Shixiang from the post of governor of Shandong, and Liangbi acted as governor of Shandong.

The contradictions have finally intensified.

On November 29, when the situation in Shandong was not yet clear, Long Qian once again telegraphed to the imperial court to justify his reorganization of the Guangdong patrol battalion. This is just a trick to buy time, whether it works or not, send a telegram first. The telegram was drafted by Hong Yuecheng on his behalf, the writing was excellent, and the whole text was full of grievances, and he did not understand that he was reprimanded for serving the court. In the end, the Guangzhou and Zhaoqing patrol battalions have been reorganized, and each has set up a security regiment aimed at suppressing the localities and maintaining local law and order, and the old system cannot be restored, and the rest of the areas will not be moved for the time being in accordance with the imperial court's decree. However, the two security regiments have already been formed and should not be changed.

On November 30, Zhou Fu, the governor of Liangguang, sent a telegram to the imperial court, affirming Long Qian's opinion, believing that the Guangzhou government was now calm and it was not easy to move again.

There is no news from Fu Qi.

This time, the imperial court reacted quickly, and on December 2, the Military Aircraft Department telegraphed to Guangdong that since the patrol battalions of Guangzhou and Zhaoqing had been reorganized, they would not be changed. However, the command of the Guangzhou and Zhaoqing Security Corps belongs to the Guangzhou general, and all officials and assistants must be approved by the Guangzhou general.

This is an unmistakable signal.

After receiving the call, Fu Qi immediately sent someone to contact Long Qian to discuss matters at the General's Mansion. Long Qian was not in Guangzhou, and the Fifth Town Headquarters said that the commander had gone to Zhaoqing Mansion. The one who came to the General's Mansion to receive the order was Situ Jun, the chief of staff of the Fifth Town. Fu Qi said to Situ Jun, I heard that your ministry has sent a group of officers to serve in the security regiment? Situ Jun said yes. The original officials were very incompetent, and the Admiral selected a group of officers from the Fifth Town to help the security regiment train. Fu Qi said that Admiral Long's intentions were good, but the officers of your department were all northerners, and they were born in both land and people, and they could not understand the language, so there were many inconveniences. However, the security corps is a local force, and it is better to use locals. I think it's better to let them go back. Situ Jun asked when he would be transferred back, and Fu Qi said I want to review the security team, and after the review ceremony, you can transfer your people back. Situ Jun asked when the review would be, and Fu Qi had already made a plan, saying that four days later, he would be in the playground of the Fazheng Road School. Situ Jun agreed. Fu Qi said that he would bring a message to Admiral Long, and invite him to come at that time, after all, this security group also has his hard work. Situ Jun said that if the general said, I will definitely convey it to the admiral of my family.

Fu Qi's idea was very simple, that is, to establish an armed force loyal to him from now on, and the Guangzhou Security Regiment was the first. Seeing the fifth town's knowledge, Fu Qi was very happy.

Long Qian did not go to Zhaoqing, he was "hiding" in the Fifth Town Headquarters. After Situ Jun came back, he reported Long Qian's visit to the General's Mansion, and Long Qian's face was expressionless. A security corps with a few hundred people who are not yet capable of fighting is not a big deal, he is thinking about the true attitude of the imperial court. But that night I received a telegram from Shandong, with only four words: "Father-in-law is seriously ill." ”

This telegram made Long Qian nervous, and immediately ordered the recall of Wang Mingyuan, Feng Guozhu and others.

The telegram is the secret language of the agreement. The father-in-law's serious illness means that there have been major changes in Shandong that are not conducive to the Mengshan army. If the eldest son is seriously ill, it refers to Lushan outside the Guan, and if the wife is seriously ill, it means that the center has a major decision that is not conducive to him.

The telegraph office was not under his control, and there was nothing he could do about it. It is not clear what went wrong in Shandong, and Long Qian must prepare for the worst.

The meeting on the evening of December 4 was attended by only eight people: Long Qian, Situ Jun, Wang Mingyuan, Feng Guozhu, Lian Shupeng, Cao Minzhong, and Wang Zhifeng, acting director of intelligence. The record is Ouyang Zhong, but he has no right to speak.

"Nine times out of ten, the imperial court has changed the governor of Shandong, and the rest, I don't think it will." The contact with Shandong has always been normal, and Long Qian does not think that there will be any problems with the troops.

"But, why do they want to move Shandong?" Wang Mingyuan was very puzzled, "Zhifeng, when will I receive accurate news from Shandong?" ”

"It's hard to say. Director Jiang is in Shandong. Perhaps intelligence is already on the way. ”

"Situ, the communication problem must be solved. When will the long-range transceiver bought from the Americans arrive? ”

"It's not clear. should come back with Liu Xiaoqi. Situ Jun shook his head, he didn't know anything about radio, at least the Germans were not equipped yet, let alone reliability. At present, the communications section set up by the General Staff Office is still in the process of being created, and because Long Qian's instructions are mainly radio communications, he is desperately trying to collect information in this area and study it.

"Brethren, you must prepare for the worst. It seems that the Manchus are going to solve us first, and they understand that it is not possible to move Shandong and only Guangdong. Shupeng, what is the situation with weapons and ammunition in the troops? Long Qian had a detailed report from the Equipment Department in his hand, but he still asked Lian Shupeng.

"Shandong recently sent two batches of guns and ammunition in succession, including 4,000 rifles, 73 light and heavy machine guns, and 24 mortars. There are no problems with guns and artillery in the troops, but if there is a large-scale expansion, it will not be enough. Bullets, shells and grenades were transported on a calculated basis, enough for seven bases. ”

Seven cardinal numbers are seven days of consumption. However, the standard of consumption is set relatively high, and it is determined according to the consumption of the war with the German army, if it is a fight with the Beiyang Army, save some use, or there are captures, at least it can last for half a month or more.

"Immediately inform Shandong to start production at full capacity, hire German or American steamers to send several more batches to Canton. And try to buy ammunition, especially artillery shells, from the Rite and Foreign Companies. ”

"Yes."

"I think it's time to start expanding the troops." Feng Guozhu said.

"Massive expansion? The people's hearts are not attached. Especially after the Huizhou incident......" Long Qian smiled bitterly.

"Commander, it's a bad ...... for me," Wang Mingyuan, who single-handedly directed the Huizhou bloody case, said sadly.

"Where, this is sure to happen. They have to be broken and rebuilt, and we don't have time to slowly reinvent them. In the next step, we will continue to carry out it, and if we do not destroy the patrol battalion, we will not be able to carry out the Northern Expedition without worries. I don't think there's going to be a showdown with the court so soon......"

"What do you mean, Commander?" Situ Jun asked. He felt that there was something very contradictory about Long Qian, most of the time he was an atheist, but sometimes he insisted on believing in intuition that was unsubstantiated.

"Yes. You're right. I think it's possible to get through this crisis peacefully. We need time, at least a year. However, it is necessary to immediately draw up a plan for the Northern Expedition, and the general idea is that Shandong will be the main defense and we will be the main attack. ”

"What about Eighteen Towns?"

"Give them a call from Shandong, but don't assemble the troops for the time being. Shandong will not assemble first, but Fang, Chen, Ning, and Ye should be fully prepared! In addition, Shupeng, your burden is very heavy, in addition to guns and ammunition, food, medicine, clothing, transport vehicles and the requisition of people must be made a plan. ”

"Yes!"

"Is it a preliminary order? There are also a large number of junior officers in the military academy of the battalion, and the troops cannot do without them. Situ Jun asked. This was clearly directed against the Fifth Town, and now that the troops were scattered around, it was very disadvantageous.

"Wait a minute." Long Qian thought for a moment, "The imperial court is not so fast. Don't spread the word about today's meeting, understand? He waved his hand, "I'm going to think about it alone." ”

So the meeting was adjourned.

But Wang Zhifeng stayed, "Commander, there is a situation that can be used completely. ”

"What's the situation?"

"We have people over there in the League. Recently, they were preparing to plan an uprising in Nanguan, the town of Guangxi, and our people had come to Guangzhou and made contact. ”

"What are you going back to Guangzhou?"

"Damn, I'm ready to attack you!"

"Oh?" Long Qian became interested. (To be continued......)