Situ Jun is definitely a big man, but his influence is actually very limited, in Beijing, a city where countless powerful people gather, there are not many people who feel Situ Jun's power, but Fang Shengyuan is different, compared to Situ Jun, his weight is much heavier.

Fang Shengyuan doesn't like to walk. Leaving Xiba Institute in a car allocated to him and returning to Yanqing Zhai, where he lived, his cousin Fang Shengtao was counting the gifts given by Zhang Zuolin.

"This Master Zhang is a bold shot." Fang Shengtao handed the gift slip to his cousin.

"Zhang Yuting was born as a bandit, he has been entrenched in western Liaoning for many years, and he has naturally amassed countless money......" Fang Shengyuan didn't look at the gift list carefully, and returned it to his cousin, "Iron Lion, when will you go?" "After sending Zhang Zuolin and his party away, he went directly to the General Staff to send an invitation to Situ Jun, and just now in the car, he kept wondering why Long Qian invited a woman from Fengtian Station instead of inviting Zhang Zuolin and others to a meal.

"Now. I'll wait for Lord Bai's call. Fang Shengtao said, "Master Zhang seems to be a little worried." ”

Long Qian's attitude seemed to be a little inappropriate. Zhang Zuolin, who was ordered to enter Beijing, and his entourage only talked with Long Qian for about an hour, and the gifts they brought were all returned by Long Qian.

"Worried? It's good to worry about it. Generals like them who came from the wild road know that being afraid is not a bad thing. Tang Shaoyi and Zhang Shaozeng were both reused, which naturally caused Zhang Zuolin's worries, Fang Shengyuan thought, this is nothing, now the troops of the Northern Military Region have changed their defenses, the 21st Division has been transferred to Jilin, and the 12th Division has filled Fengtian, does Zhang Zuolin dare to rebel?

"Since Long Dashuai doesn't accept Master Zhang's gifts, isn't it a little inappropriate for you to do this?" Fang Shengtao reminded.

"That's different. The handsome never accepts gifts. It's Feng Guozhu, and he only needs his two ducks. But I'm marrying, and if I don't accept it, I won't be able to refute Zhang Zuolin's face, right? Fang Shengyuan was very happy about the change in his cousin's attitude, and now he began to consider things from his own standpoint.

"Master Zhang was very pitiful. People are under the eaves and have to bow their heads. Fang Shengtao sighed.

Isn't that talking about himself?

In the blink of an eye, Fang Shengtao has been in Beijing for a month, but it is still a little difficult to accept the fact that the cousin who once lived in his own house with a flying personality will now pay homage to him.

Fang Shengtao's blood relationship with Fang Shengyuan is not close. They only shared a great-grandfather. Fang Shengyuan's parents died early. He was fostered in Fang Shengtao's home for more than three years when he was a child. Later, Fang Shengyuan was picked up by his uncle who was doing business in Nanyang, and they broke off contact with each other. The next meeting was already in Japan, when Fang Shengtao had just arrived in Japan and entered the Zhenwu Academy to study military affairs. Fang Shengtao couldn't remember the appearance of this distant cousin. However, Fang Shengyuan remembered a lot of things about living in his cousin's house. The other party's parents were full of gratitude.

Fang Shengtao was very happy to be reunited. The two went to the restaurant once, and he remembered that the impression of the other party at that time was that he was very ambitious, and talked about the Manchu Dynasty. Fang Shengyuan asserted that the Manchu Qing Dynasty would perish! Why this assertion? Fang Shengyuan's words made him remember it very deeply, he said: Authoritarian governments cannot but carry out innovation, but the New Deal is innovation. The imperial court always wanted to use the New Deal to save the situation, but they didn't know that it was the New Deal that would kill them! Without the New Deal, the Manchus might have been able to hold out for 20 years, and it would have been good if the New Deal had lasted for 10 years.

It is always pleasant to assert that the Manchus were going to die. Because Fang Shengtao was already inclined to revolution at that time. Many Chinese students in Japan advocated the overthrow of the Manchus by revolutionary means. But Fang Shengyuan said amazingly, "If you hide abroad to make a revolution like you, you won't succeed in a hundred years." I don't look down on the Manchus, but I don't like Sun Wen either, and I want to go back to China to find my own way. ”

Fang Shengyuan really left after leaving some money for his cousin, and there was no news again.

When he got the accurate news from Fang Shengyuan, he was already the guest of honor of Long Qian, the governor of Shandong. That time was because of the death of Xu Jingxin and others, and the name Fang Shengyuan entered the field of vision of the high-level leaders of the Alliance, and became the lackey of the Manchu Qing Dynasty in the eyes of the Alliance. Then came the turbulent years, when the League used its strength to launch a series of armed uprisings in South China, all of which were extinguished by Long Qian! The alliance has completely embarked on the road of confrontation with the Longqian Group, and Fang Shengtao has regretted more than once that his cousin has taken the wrong path and acted for the tiger, and he is afraid that it will be difficult to meet in the future.

Goodbye but in Beijing.

Fang Shengtao was arrested in Yunnan. Tang Jiyao, Liu Cunhou and others defected on the spot, and Fang Shengtao, who resolutely advocated armed resistance to the Mengshan army, was arrested. The tide turned. But he was only imprisoned for four days before being taken to the headquarters of the Second Division of the Mengshan Army, Lan Xinzhi met him in person, and after verifying his identity, "You should thank Mr. Fang!" He said he was your brother. Only then did he realize that it was now the cousin of Long Qian's civil official.

At that time, Fang Shengtao's attitude was very resolute, "Now that he and I are enemies, the brotherhood is long gone." If you want to kill or take your convenience, you want me to betray the prime minister, dreaming. ”

"I'm too lazy to persuade you to surrender, let's be honest with you, now the carp who has taken the initiative to serve the Mengshan Army is like a carp crossing the river, there are many of you!" The well-mannered-looking Master Lan sneered a few times, "If it weren't for Mr. Fang's face, how would I have time to pay attention to you?" Young man, don't always think that you are right, the Mengshan army overthrew the Manchu Qing Dynasty and did what you have not done for more than ten years, who is right and who is wrong has long been proved by facts! Your status in the Alliance is not as good as that of Song Jiaoren, right? It's not as good as Qiu Jin, right? Why do they work with us? What's the use of empty shouting? Think about it, young man. ”

Fang Shengtao continued to be detained, but not like a prisoner, let alone with his comrades who had been captured in Kunming. Except for the lack of freedom, the food and lodging were the same as those of the officers of the 2nd Division. He knew all the news on the front line, and he could also see the "Mengshan Army Newsletter" published within the Mengshan Army. Wuchang was pacified, the Mengshan army attacked the southeast in three ways, and the news that Long Qian went north to Beijing was not hidden from him, but no one came to persuade him to surrender. Until the end of the year, Lan Xinzhi forwarded him a letter, which was written by Fang Shengyuan, in which he recalled his childhood in a nostalgic tone, and was deeply grateful for the care given by his former cousin, saying that now that his cousin is in prison, he can't sit idly by. Moreover, the struggle of doctrines is the most boring, and the Mengshan Army is no different from the League in overthrowing the Manchu Qing Dynasty and establishing a republic, so you might as well put aside the controversy of doctrines first. Come to Beijing to talk about brotherhood. He also said that he was about to get married, without the auspices of his parents, and without his relatives, he was very lonely, and hoped that his cousin would go to Beijing to help him in the name of the Fang family.

"You have a good brother, Brother Ling is now the chief of administration appointed by the commander himself." Lan Xinzhi waited for him to finish reading the letter, "Sun Wen's defeat is irreversible, and your position is okay if you are willing to adhere to it, I will not persuade you to surrender." However, as a younger brother. The elder brother should have been there. This is not a political position, but a human friendship. I'm going to Beijing to report to the marshal, so come with me. ”

Fang Shengtao no longer refused. So he followed Lan Xinzhi and set off north. It was already the end of the year when he arrived in Beijing, and he was taken directly to Xiyuan.

"Little brother! A few years. I want to kill my brother! "Fang Shengyuan is coming out." It's been a smooth ride, right? ”

Fang Shengtao hasn't seen this famous cousin in China for seven or eight years. Two well-trimmed mustaches on his lips. Wearing a dark gray cotton robe and a pair of enamel-framed glasses, he was a little more mature and stable, and the majesty of the superior.

"Congratulations, brother." Fang Shengtao said softly. "It's fine, it's calm on the road."

"Little brother, please come in. Let's see how the foolish brother's new house is furnished? Fang Shengyuan dragged his cousin and introduced him to his new house.

In Fang Shengtao's opinion, the new house of this cousin, who was deeply trusted by Long Qian, was too simple, and even the furniture was old, except for the freshly painted walls and the newly replaced glass on the windows, it was impossible to see the proper atmosphere of the new house.

"Your cave house is too simple......"

"Dashuai hates extravagance, and I can't spoil Dashuai's beauty of diligence and frugality. Besides, it's good to be alone all these years and get used to simplicity, don't look at these old furniture, it's all royal things......"

Unexpectedly, Long Qian had the virtue of diligence and thrift, Fang Shengtao asked, "I don't know which girl has this blessing?" ”

"It's a long story. When the foolish brother heard that you were in Kunming, he was very worried. Fortunately, Jiren has his own natural appearance, so my brother can reunite with Yu Jingshi, I am really happy that you are here. ”

"Thank you, brother, for your help." This is sincere, if it weren't for Fang Shengyuan's face, Meng Shanjun would not be so polite to him.

"Listen to Master Lan, you don't want to stand up. Little brother, the great cause of opposing the Qing Dynasty and restoring the Han Dynasty that the foolish brother has been pursuing has been accomplished, and a civilized, progressive, and history-creating Chinese Republic is about to be born. Why not put aside the dispute with the Mengshan Army and jointly contribute to the construction of New China? ”

"Everyone has their own aspirations, so you don't have to persuade me. If you hadn't called me as a brother, I wouldn't have come......"

Fang Shengyuan smiled slightly, "Okay, let's not talk about official business, just brotherhood." At the beginning, the foolish brother was taken care of by his uncle and aunt, and this kindness, the foolish brother remembered it in his heart and did not dare to forget it. Now that my foolish brother has married a wife and started a family, and my parents have seen their backs too early, if you hadn't been my backer, my marriage would have been really boring......"

mentioned the beginning, Fang Shengtao also felt emotional, "Now that you are the head of government of Long Qian, you are in a high position, even if the younger brother does not come, the wedding will be very beautiful...... You come to sue me, who is the woman? When is the wedding date? ”

"That's different." Fang Shengyuan said solemnly, "If you come, I won't be alone." As for the woman, she was about to sue you......"

The bride is from Jinan, and her father is also an acquaintance of the reader, Professor Zhao Muchun, who teaches ethics at Shandong University. This red line was drawn by Chen Chao, because he was in charge of Shandong finance in the later period, and the funding of Shandong University was always looking for him, and Chen Chao became familiar with many people in Shandong University. And the Fang Shengyuan beside him is not too young, and he is still alone. Chen Chao considered that Fang Shengyuan's vision was quite high, so he had the idea of choosing a female student for him as his wife. Shandong University was the first university to recruit female students, and Xu Wenfu opened a women's college to calm down the controversy. When Chen Chao talked about this matter with Vice Principal Yan, who was in charge of finance at the school, Vice Principal Yan, who was extremely sophisticated, smiled and said, Mr. Yue Zhi said, I really have a good person, and I am really a good match for Mr. Fang.

This woman is Professor Zhao Muchun's daughter Zhao Tao. In the past, he studied in the United States, returned to China at the behest of his father, and served as a teacher at a women's college, teaching English. Needless to say, her appearance is also extremely beautiful, the key is that her age is matched, this girl was twenty-four years old at the time, and she was an old girl anyway. Professor Zhao jumped to his feet in a hurry, always regretting that he was allowed to study abroad, and strictly ordered his daughter not to marry a foreigner. Vice President Yan proposed, Zhao Muchun was overjoyed, "I'm afraid that I won't be worthy of Mr. Shang." ”

"I think it's a match made in heaven." So he asked Zhao Muchun for Zhao Tao's jade photo. After showing Fang Shengyuan, he was very satisfied. Chen Chao found an opportunity to take Fang Sheng to Shandong University, and had lunch at Vice President Yan's house, "coincidentally" Zhao Muchun took Zhao Tao to Yan's house, so they got acquainted. Afterwards, Professor Zhao asked his daughter about her impressions of Fang's family, and Zhao Taofang knew that her father actually took her on a blind date! At that time, Long Qian had already led the army south, and Fang Shengyuan was the first person to stay in Shandong, with a high and powerful position, and he was suave, and what was even more rare was that he had never been married. Zhao Tao listened to his father's words. Cheerfully, I think it's pretty good, but I'm afraid people won't look down on me!

Fang Shengyuan replied that he couldn't ask for it.

So this family affair was decided. It was the spring of 1909. did not wait for Fang Shengyuan to prepare for marriage. War broke out. The matter was naturally put on hold. No one expected that after the Mengshan army rose up, it would be devastated. The momentum is like a bamboo, and in two months, it will be a victory on the third line. The bottom of the Shenzhou thousands of miles of rivers and mountains. Fang Shengyuan, as the head of the civil servants of the new dynasty, went to Beijing to serve as a high-powered political affairs director, and he was about to pay homage to the prime minister. The Zhao family couldn't help but be worried, Chen Chao returned to Lu and brought Fang Shengyuan's handwritten letter to Zhao Muchun, because Fang Shengyuan's parents died early, and the marriage was completely decided by himself. Ask the Zhao family for permission to consummate the marriage after the year. Professor Zhao was naturally overjoyed and replied in complete agreement. Several letters and telegrams were exchanged, and the date was set. A few years ago, Professor Zhao brought his family to Beijing and lived in the compound of the former Manchu War Department in Tieshi Hutong, Dongcheng, which Deng Qinghua had arranged for him, which had been requisitioned by Deng Qinghua and was ready to be reserved for the Ministry of National Defense, which would soon be established as an office space.

Fang Shengyuan's happy event naturally received Long Qian's attention. Among the martial arts under his command, only a few people are still singles, and Fang Shengyuan married on the eve of the founding of the People's Republic of China, which added a little joy to the country. Long Qian then said to Situ Jun and Jiang Yun, who still had no intention of getting married, it seems that you have to arrange someone to worry about your affairs.

Long Qian arranged for Deng Qinghua to be in charge of Fang Shengyuan's marriage, which should be simple and grand. Deng Qinghua solicited Fang Shengyuan's opinion, because the affairs of the Political Affairs Bureau were numerous, more and more than the Military Affairs Bureau, and he had to meet Long Qian almost every day, and decided that the new house would be located in Xiyuan. Regardless of the cold, the construction workers found by the office are working day and night to clean up the new house. But Fang Shengyuan insisted on doing things simply, "Dashuai has talked about changing customs many times, and I deeply believe it." I have to take this head. Besides, Xiyuan is just a temporary residence, just clean up and help me find a few pieces of furniture. ”

After Fang Shengyuan entered Beijing, he naturally lived in Xiyuan. Originally, he lived in Jinggu, the most beautiful scenery in Xiyuan, next to the headquarters of the Northern Army, and not far to the north is Long Qian's Haiyan Hall. After the establishment of the Political Affairs Bureau, with the increase in the number of subordinates, Jinggu, which only had more than 50 houses, felt that it was a little cramped, especially not very convenient for meetings, so he moved into Yanqing, which had been empty near the Regent's Mansion. This is a large courtyard, Yanqing, Fuchang Hall and the southernmost Huairen Hall constitute a central axis, and there are a large number of houses on both sides, the east three, the east four, the west three, the west four, enough to house more and more members of the government bureau.

Fang Shengyuan's new residence is arranged in the main courtyard of Yanqing, single and good generals, to be fair, perhaps under the influence of Long Qian, and because of the difficulty of starting a business, the life of the civil and military officers of the Mengshan Army is generally relatively simple, the civil and official system is more luxurious, and the military general system is even simpler. Take a look at the living room of Situ Jun, who is the chief of the general staff of the Mengshan Army and the director of the Military Affairs Bureau of the Military Commission, a single bed, a table and a hanger are all furnished. Fang Shengyuan is slightly more extravagant than Situ Jun, mainly because there are many books around him, Deng Qinghua wanted to clean up Yanqing completely, but Fang Shengyuan refused, just painted a few rooms that were determined to be his new house, replaced the glass, installed electric lights, and selected a few decent pieces of furniture.

"The day was set on the sixteenth day of the first month. In a few days, my brother lives here, and we can see each other day and night. When the parents see back, the younger brother has to worry more about the foolish brother. ”

"This is natural."

"Although it is necessary to change customs, the ancient rites cannot be completely abolished. The woman's family has arrived in Beijing and now lives in Dongcheng, not far from here. Tomorrow, I have to trouble the second brother to talk to Professor Zhao, I have prepared the bride price and other things......"

"That's not what I'm good at. Well, rightfully so. However, it is better to hire a big media. ”

"There are already candidates, not outsiders. Former Shandong political envoy Bai Ruiting Bai, his son-in-law is General Wang Mingyuan of the Southeast Military Region. When you come, go with him to the woman's house to discuss the marriage. (To be continued......)