"Or the Minister of Studies?" Sun Yuanqi was obviously a little hesitant. No pop-up window update fast //

"Exactly!" Yang Shiqi replied very affirmatively, "Adults have profound knowledge, and everyone at home and abroad knows it; Establish schools to benefit thousands of students. Looking around the country, who could be more suitable to be the Minister of Education than an adult? ”

Sun Yuanqi smiled: Serving as a cabinet minister is sometimes not a question of suitability or invisibility, first of all, it depends on whether the appointment of you is in line with the intention of the prime minister. Politics is about compromise and balance, not suitability and competence. So, what is Yuan Shikai's purpose in appointing himself?

"Xingweng, Lord Yuan sent you to come to Sichuan all the way to Sichuan, I don't know what to teach?" Sun Yuan asked.

Yang Shiqi said: "Yang came this time, mainly because he was entrusted by Lord Yuan, to ask you to serve as the Minister of Education in the Cabinet. ”

Forming a pavilion is like inviting someone to a five-star hotel for a big meal, and the people who are invited generally feel very honored, but there are always two people who refuse to go to the banquet for various reasons, which makes the host lose face. Yang Shiqi's role is to act as a lobbyist for the host, ensuring that guests can agree and show up on time.

Sun Yuanqi keenly captured a word in Yang Shiqi's rhetoric: "mainly", that is, there are "secondary" reasons. Just as he was about to ask, Yang Du ran in from outside panting, looking flustered, and shouted when he entered the door: "Baixi, it's not good!" - "It wasn't until I saw a guest sitting in the living room that I stopped the brake and shut up in time."

Sun Yuanqi is not a fool, from the age limit of recruiting soldiers in the Northeast, he began to suspect that Yang Du and Zhao Jingxing had a private connection. Of course, initially it was only suspicion. And this time Zhao Jingxing made such a big move in Shaanxi and Yan Xishan in Shanxi, if Yang Du had no contact with them, he wouldn't believe it if he killed Sun Yuanqi! Even Sun Yuanqi suspected that Yang Du played a key role in it.

Looking at Yang Du's demeanor, Sun Yuanqi said coldly: "I know everything, you don't need to say it anymore." ”

Only then did Yang Du arch his hand towards Yang Shiqi: "Under Yang Du, the word is white, just offended!" I don't know what you call it? ”

Yang Shiqi hurriedly got up and said politely: "Under Yang Shiqi." The word Xingcheng, come to visit Lord Sun. ”

Yang Du's expression immediately moved: "It turned out to be the virtuous grandson of Lord Yang (Yang Dianbang), the governor of the river, and the younger brother of Yang Wenjinggong (Yang Shixiang), the governor of Zhili, and he has admired it for a long time!" ”

After greetings, Yang Du saw that Sun Yuanqi had no special expression. I found a Taishi chair and sat down at the next head: "Now that Lord Yuan is the prime minister of the cabinet, he has a lot of opportunities and complicated affairs, why doesn't Xing Weng help behind the scenes, but comes to Sichuan without hesitation?" ”

Yang Shiqi looked at Sun Yuanqi, but did not answer. Sun Yuanqi had no choice but to introduce: "Xing Weng was entrusted by Lord Yuan to let Sun be the Minister of Studies. ”

Yang Du habitually shook the paper fan: "What about the position of Sichuan governor held by our adults?" ”

Yang Shiqi replied: "Lord Sun's position as the governor of Sichuan." It's just a temporary dispatch. Now that the cabinet is newly formed, there are many things in all directions, and Lord Yuan means to go to this errand and ask Lord Sun to return to Beijing as soon as possible and sit in the center. ”

Yang Du closed the paper fan and gently tapped his palm: "I'm afraid it's not suitable, right?" ”

"How is it not appropriate?" Yang Shiqi asked rhetorically.

Yang Du said: "If Yang is not mistaken, Lord Yuan is still in the area of Zhengzhou, Henan, right?" The prime minister is not in Beijing, so what can we do when we go to Beijing? ”

Yang Du was right. Now that the Yan-Jin coalition forces occupy part of Zhili, between Henan and the capital, Yuan Shikai has only two options if he wants to go north:

The first way is to concentrate on the Beiyang powerhouse. Defeat the Yan-Jin coalition army, and then enter Beijing by the Luhan line. The advantage is that Henan is Yuan Shikai's hometown, so there is no need to worry about someone making trouble; Moreover, the Beiyang powerhouses are currently gathered here, and it is also very convenient to go north. Henan Province is surrounded by Zhao Jingxing's Shaanxi Military Government, Yan Xishan's Shanxi Military Government and Wu Luzhen's Yan-Jin Coalition Army to the north, Li Yuanhong's Hubei Military Government to the south, and Cheng Dequan's Jiangsu Military Government and Zhu Jiabao's Anhui Military Government to the east. If Yuan Shikai negotiated with them and did not reach an agreement, he rashly led the army north. Henan is likely to be the target of public criticism. And the soldiers are in danger, who knows how long it will take to defeat the Yan-Jin coalition army?

The second way was to leave the Beiyang Army in Henan to deter the Quartet, and Yuan Shikai took some of his cronies to detour through Shandong and enter Beijing from the Jinpu line. The advantages and disadvantages are clear at a glance, Henan is stable, but Yuan Shikai is in danger. Once the Qing court repented, he was just a fish and meat to be slaughtered.

Yang Shiqi was stunned for a moment, and quickly replied: "Lord Yuan will defeat the Yan-Jin coalition army in a few days, and march north from the Luhan line to Beijing." ”

"I don't know how long the 'no day' Xing Weng said, it's three or five days? Or ten days and half a month? Yang Du laughed and said, "What's more, the deputy commander of the Yan-Jin coalition army is still Cheng Huchen, how can my family bear to see Lord Yuan and his bitter sword soldiers?" ”

Yang Shiqi said: "Although Cheng Huchen used to be a close confidant of Lord Sun, but now he has become a thief, and he has to kill his relatives in righteousness!" ”

Yang Du just smiled and changed the subject: "As the saying goes, 'The son of a daughter can't sit down.'" 'Now that the domestic situation is like this, with the rugged Shu Road and the Shaanxi military government in the north of Sichuan, and Li Yuanhong's revolutionary army down the river, how can we adults venture out of Sichuan? Why don't you go back and tell Lord Yuan that you can appoint my lord as the governor of Sichuan. ”

Yang Shiqi shook his head: "Master Sun is studious and thoughtful, intelligent and special, admired by students at home and abroad, and is the best choice for the Minister of Education. If he doesn't hold this position, who in the world can take up the position? If there is no Minister of Education in Lord Yuan's cabinet, how can he satisfy the students of the world? ”

Sun Yuanqi saw that the two of them were arguing, and he didn't interject until he interjected, and suddenly said at this time: "Actually, Zhang Jusheng and Cai Heqin, the chief superintendent of the Beijing Normal University Hall, are more suitable than me. ”

Yang Shiqi said: "Zhang Jusheng has been appointed as the vice minister of academic affairs, and Cai Heqin is a revolutionary party, so he can't use it!" ”

Yang Du said with a smile: "Since it must be my family, then the Minister of Education and the Governor of Sichuan." ”

Yang Shiqi was stunned: "I'm afraid this is not in accordance with the rules, right?" ”

"What's out of the way? This is what my family used to do, and you are just following the rules. Yang Du shook his fan proudly, "Besides, when my family settles down Sichuan and the Beiyang Army pacifies Huguang, it is natural that he will resign as the governor of Sichuan and return to Beijing to perform his duties." ”

Yang Shiqi pondered for a moment before he said slowly: "It's not impossible to do this, but Lord Sun has to agree to a few conditions." ”

Sun Yuanqi and Yang Du said in unison: "Xingweng, please speak!" ”

Yang Shiqi looked at the expressions of the two of them, and said: "Lord Sun, Mr. Yang, you must also understand that the imperial court used my family as the governor of Huguang, but it was just to imitate the old trick of Xianfeng and Tongzhi to use Zeng Wenzheng to fairly settle the Hongyang rebellion, not sincerely. As for the appointment of my family as Prime Minister, it is even more compelling. The reason why Zeng Wenzhenggong was able to achieve fame and die in the world was not only because of his moral integrity, but also because of the grace of the Empress Dowager Xiaoqin. Now the regent, Tao Beile and others are far inferior to the Empress Dowager Xiaoqin, but the position of my family is slightly better than that of Zeng Wenzhenggong, so the future situation is worrying.

"Actually, my family has always supported the constitution, and I hope that the Diet can be opened quickly and constitutional government can be implemented. As for the fact that my family told Rong Lu and betrayed the emperor, it was just a rumor. Not only that, but my family also paid a lot of attention to the revolutionary party, and sent people to contact and negotiate with Sun Yat-sen, Huang Keqiang and others. The reason why my family is like this is not because all parties bet, but out of the sincere heart of patriotism and love for the people, they are trying their best to find a good way to enrich the country and strengthen the army and save the peril.

"Now that the great powers are not dead in our hearts, and our country is in danger, the army is in chaos, the people are poor, and the wealth is exhausted, the thought of this makes my heart ache. In addition to asking Sun to take up the post of Minister of Education in the Cabinet, I also hope that I will work together with my lords to implement constitutional government, promote a republic, and in short, bring about peaceful reunification as soon as possible. ”

Yang Du looked at Yang Shiqi with a smile: "Then after peaceful reunification, who will be in charge?" ”

Yang Shiqi picked up the tea bowl and took a sip slightly, but did not answer, but the implicit meaning was self-evident.

This is related to the future direction of the Sun family's forces, Yang Du has already been eaten before, and now he really doesn't dare to take ideas casually, just staring at Sun Yuanqi with his eyes.

Sun Yuanqi said: "What Xing Weng said is extremely true, the brotherly wall will only make the relatives painful and the enemies happy. At present, the north and the south are constantly fighting, and the lives are ruined, which is indeed not the blessing of the country and the nation. And now the only one who can come forward to preside over the overall situation is Lord Yuan! As long as he can agree to the next few requests, Sun is willing to Dai Yuan as the head of state. ”

Yang Shiqi looked overjoyed: "Listen to me!" ”

Yang Du suddenly became nervous: Sun Yuanqi really didn't know how to put forward conditions, and he didn't understand the truth of "asking for a price all over the sky and paying back the money on the spot". For example, in the last negotiation with Feng Freedom, he actually sacrificed a precious opinion for a young man, which was too much to lose! So he can't help but be afraid.

Sun Yuanqi said: "First, the Qing family abdicated, the republic was implemented, and all ethnic groups were equal.

"Second, lift the party's ban on the opening of the National Assembly as soon as possible, and separate the legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

"Third, whether Yuan Xiangcheng will serve as the interim president in the future, or the president for life, he cannot restore the imperial system, nor can he confer the post of president privately.

"Fourth, national interests must not be betrayed at any time."

Yang Shiqi saw that Sun Yuanqi stopped talking after proposing these four articles, and felt a little strange: "Is there anything else?" ”

Yang Du hurriedly said: "Of course! Fifth, we must ensure that we adults have sufficient power in the government, so that the policies introduced by the government in the future will not harm our interests.

"Article 6, the government established by Lord Yuan in the future must recognize that Lord Sun has the right to administer in Sichuan and other places under his control."

Yang Shiqi blinked: "Where do you mean by the so-called 'other controlled places'?" ”

Yang Du said without hesitation: "That is, the areas controlled by the original 44th Mixed Association, including Shaanxi, Shanxi, and some prefectures and counties in Zhili. ”

"No way!" Yang Shiqi flatly refused. (To be continued.) )