Since Mr. Conger left office in 1905, the U.S. Minister to China has changed two terms, but both the former Rou Keyi and the current Jia Leheng have maintained a good personal relationship with Sun Yuanqi, and they often move around during the New Year's holidays, and they are no strangers to this Mr. Methodist. No pop-up window update fast //

When Sun Yuanqi heard that he was visiting, he hurriedly greeted him: "Yo, Mr. Weili, why do you have time to come to me?" Shouldn't work be busy these days? ”

A few days ago, Minister Jia Leheng returned to China to report on his work, and all affairs were temporarily handed over to Wei Li. The so-called embassy is actually an open intelligence bureau stationed in another country. At present, the Xinhai Revolution broke out, and all kinds of information are pouring in, and Wei Li, as the person in charge, should be very busy.

Wei Li smiled: "Coming to visit Mr. Sun is also part of my job." Of course, if I am lucky enough to listen to your wonderful description of the microscopic world, I will spend more time visiting in the future. ”

Sun Yuanqi had already roughly guessed the intention of Wei Li's intention before, and after entering the room to serve tea, he asked directly: "William, what is the US government's action against the military conflict in Hubei, China?" ”

Weslie shrugged: "Yanke, you know that the federal government has no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of other countries as long as it does not harm the interests of American citizens. ”

Sun Yuan said in his heart: To hell with it! What does it mean to have no intention of interfering? Unintentional interference is premised on the absence of sufficient interest. But he said, "What about your personal opinion, William?" ”

Methody pondered for a moment before replying: "This armed conflict appears to be very well organized and led, and although it broke out very suddenly, as far as the current intelligence goes, they had been prepared and carefully planned for a long time before that. In my personal opinion, it was the worst rebellion the Chinese government had faced since the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, because it not only involved a large number of well-trained soldiers, but also had some kind of support and acquiescence from the gentry in the provinces south of the Yangtze River. The government's counterinsurgency efforts have been hampered by a variety of factors, slow and inefficient, which can also contribute to the scale of the insurgency. ”

"And how likely do you think foreign interference is?" Sun Yuan asked.

"So far, the citizens and families of all countries stranded in Wuchang have been carefully respected. Moreover, the 'Hubei Military Government' they established had sent notes to the consulates of various countries. said that if they were to take power, all the treaties concluded by the Qing State with other countries would continue to be in force; Indemnities and foreign debts are still borne as usual, and they are still amortized by the provinces on schedule; The property of the peoples of all countries residing in the areas occupied by the junta is also protected. From this point of view. There seems to be no reason for States to intervene. Methody assumed the appearance of a press spokesman.

Sun Yuanqi sneered: "Is there a reason, it doesn't depend on whether you need it or not?" Besides, is the reason really that important to you? ”

Wesley shrugged: "As important as it is, we sometimes need to use it to convince governments and parliaments." ”

After a moment's hesitation, he whispered again: "The British Minister to China, Mr. Zhu Erdian, has made it publicly clear that if the Chinese government invites a powerful figure to come forward and agree to some of the reforms of the constitutionalists. The rebellion will be easily crushed by losing its spearhead. Mr. Yuan Shikai made an important contribution to the training of the new army, and it seems that he was the only person to stop the wave of rebellion, win over disloyal troops, and reach an agreement with the rebel leaders. ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "It is a well-known thing that Mr. Zhu Erdian has a good impression of Yuan Xiangcheng, but it is too explicit to express his position so publicly, right? ”

Wei Li did not reply, and continued: "The representatives of the four countries of the banking group also asked the Chinese government to have someone like Mr. Yuan Shikai come forward to ensure political stability. ”

The so-called "Four Nations Bank Group" was established in November 1910 and consists of four banks: HSBC in the United Kingdom, Citigroup in the United States, Deutsch-Hua in Germany, and Crédit Agricole in France. It mainly provided loans to the Qing government, which was running a fiscal deficit. It's still the old saying: "The one who has money is the uncle, and the one who borrows the money is the grandson." "So the four countries' bank group still has a lot of weight in China.

Seeing that Sun Yuanqi was silent, Wei Li asked, "Yanke." What is your opinion on Mr. Yuan's reinstatement? ”

"I'm okay with that."

Wei Li smiled: "No opinion is also an opinion, isn't it?" ”

Sun Yuanqi also smiled.

When he first arrived in the treasure land of the Qing Dynasty, Sun Yuanqi's impression of Yuan Shikai came from all history textbooks, Wuxu whistleblowing, 21 articles, and Hongxian's restoration, which respectively represented betrayal, betrayal, and autocracy, and the three crimes were enough to make Yuan Shikai ruined, how could Sun Yuanqi have a good impression of him? Now that he has been in the officialdom for so long, he can finally understand Yuan Shikai's hardships, and the final curtain call of the Qing Dynasty depends on his means, so he does not reject Yuan Shikai's departure from Sun Yuanqi.

Wei Li suddenly asked, "Yank." If Mr. Yuan comes forward to form a new cabinet, do you want to change your position? For example, the Minister of Foreign Affairs or the Minister of Civil Affairs? ”

Although they are all cabinet ministers, they obviously have big and small powers, fat and thin errands, and the minister of school is a typical clear soup and little water. In contrast, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Du Branch are simply big fat sheep.

Sun Yuanqi was stunned: "This is your personal suggestion." Or the opinion of the legation? ”

At the beginning of the twentieth century, the United States was the only great power that did not covet Chinese territory. Just because they don't think about territory doesn't mean they will give up their infiltration and control over the Far Eastern Empire. As the world's largest country in terms of GDP and one of the four banking groups, they are also able to make their voices heard in the reshuffling of China's political scene. So they want to prop up a couple of agents in China.

Agents, in later generations, were regarded as imperialist accomplices, lackeys, compradors, traitors, and dog slaves...... In short, all foul language can be poured on them. Sun Yuanqi never imagined that one day he would be approached by the great powers and make himself their agent.

Wei Li smiled slightly: "You can think of it as the content of a private conversation between you and me." ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "I am just a fluke researcher and an unsuccessful teacher, and it is a blessing to be able to serve as the Minister of Education and enter the cabinet. As for the rest, I really don't dare to be delusional! ”

"Why not give it a try? Sir Newton was not only the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University and President of the Royal Society, but also a Member of Parliament and Director of the Royal Mint. Wesley gave an example.

Sun Yuanqi shook his head: "Then I haven't heard that Sir Newton has entered the cabinet as the Chancellor of the Exchequer!" ”

"Just because Sir Newton hasn't done it doesn't mean you can't do it. As we all know, the system of quantum mechanics you founded is a major breakthrough in classical mechanics. Methodist retorted.

Sun Yuanqi sneered: "In the same way, what Sir Newton did does does not mean that I will do it too." It is well known that Newton put forward the theory of 'God's first impulse' in his later years, but I do not agree with this. ”

Speaking of which, as a diplomat, Willy naturally knows how to avoid embarrassment. Changed the subject very mellowly: "Because you disagree with Sir Newton's theory of 'God's first impulse', you put forward the Big Bang theory?" This theory is now a hot topic of discussion in the American scientific community, do you have any latest achievements on it? ”

The day after Methodist's visit, the Cabinet convened an emergency plenary meeting.

At the beginning of the meeting. Prime Minister Yi Liang informed the regent Zaifeng and all the cabinet members of the latest information in Wuhan: Ruizi, the governor of Huguang, and Zhang Biao, the commander of the eighth town, launched an attack on the Wuchang rebels under the strict orders of the imperial court, but returned defeated; The First Army, which went south to quell the rebellion, has not yet moved, and it is estimated that when they move to Hubei, the three years of Xuantong will be over.

Zaifeng's face was gloomy: "Everyone, the situation is like this, can you have a good plan?" ”

As is customary. The Prime Minister should speak at this time. Since Yixuan didn't speak, everyone kept their mouths shut and acted as dumb.

Zaifeng saw that the venue was silent, so he had to order: "King Qing, what do you think?" ”

Yixuan coughed a few times, took a sip of tea, and then said slowly: "Yuan Xiangcheng resigned for a trumped-up crime, and people of insight in the world thought he was wronged, but he was loyal. In Zhangde, he entertained himself by ploughing and reading. Now that the country is in trouble, how can it give up this to dry the city? And this extraordinary situation must also be an extraordinary person. Li Wenzhonggong left Zeng Yun on his deathbed: "Look around the universe." There is no talent out of Yuan Xiangcheng's right. I think so, too. Therefore, the imperial court should use Yuan Xiangcheng to replace Rui Xinru (Rui Xin), responsible for supervising the suppression of Hubei, and it will definitely be able to perform as soon as possible. ”

Sun Yuanqi secretly slandered on the side: I don't know how much silver Yuan Shikai used, but he can actually let Yixuan recommend himself in front of Zaifeng, who hates him to the bone, it is really a man who dies for money, and a bird dies for food!

Zaifeng's face was even more gloomy, and he almost dripped water: Although the two usually don't deal with each other, after all, they are both the bloodlines of Aixin Jueluo, why don't they know what to do at this time? At that moment, I had to turn my face and ask the assistant ministers Na Tong and Xu Shichang: "Qin Xuan, Juren, what do you think?" ”

Na Tong, Xu Shichang and Yuan Shikai all wore a pair of pants. Can that still be the opposite? Of course, he beat the side drum and enthusiastically agreed: "The ministers think that what King Qing has seen is very true!" ”

Zaifeng felt that asking was tantamount to asking in vain, so he had to be patient, and then asked Foreign Minister Liang Dunyan: "Songsheng, what do you think?" ”

As everyone knows, Liang Dunyan is also Yuan Shikai's confidant, what new tricks can the answer have? Really. Liang Dunyan replied respectfully: "Regarding the opinions of Prince Qing and the two assistant masters, the minister seconded the proposal. ”

Zaifeng was immediately furious: "Yuan Shikai looks at the wolf, his heart is not right, and his rebellious heart is known to everyone. What kind of intentions did you have in recommending him? The Qing Dynasty has been a monk for three hundred years, and the grace has continued, is this how you serve the country? ”

With that, he brushed his sleeves and left.

Everyone in the cabinet looked at each other and stayed for a moment, but they still didn't see Zaifeng returning. Yi Liang stood up slowly: "The big guys are all scattered!" ”

In Zaifeng's heart, after all, the Qing Dynasty is still his own family property, and now he is being cut off inch by inch by the revolutionary party, which is simply painful; Whether the cabinet is an outsider is, of course, it is not a big deal to see the excitement. In desperation, Zaifeng had no choice but to invite the cabinet back to reconsider.

Zaifeng folded his face, and he had to put on a low posture: "Now the military situation on the front line is urgent, and it must be dealt with immediately, and I hope that King Qing and others will get a charter." ”

Yixuan had already pinched Zaifeng's cowardly and unassertive temperament, so he was confident: "I am old, and this situation must not be loaded." Yuan Xiangcheng has courage, and the Beiyang army is all trained by him, and if he is sent to Hubei to supervise and suppress, he will definitely have a good chance of winning. If you count on the Yin Wu Building, the fear will be delayed, and the consequences will be unimaginable. Moreover, Dongjiaomin Lane is also rumored to be in the current situation, and Yuan Xiangcheng cannot clean it up. Therefore, I took the liberty of recommending Yuan Xiangcheng, not deliberately embarrassing the regent. ”

Zaifeng asked the others again: "Qin Xuan, Juren, Songsheng, Baixi, what are your opinions?" ”

The first three are Yuan Shikai's friends and cronies, and Sun Yuanqi will not deliberately jump out to oppose it, and the result is a voice of "seconded by ministers".

Zaifeng was still not at ease: "King Qing, can you guarantee that there will be no other problems?" ”

Yi Liang replied: "I am also a descendant of Aixin Jueluo, this is naturally needless to say!" ”

After all, Zaifeng was not yet thirty years old, and there were tears in his eyes at this time: "Since you advocate like this, let me do as you say, but if something goes wrong, you can't shirk responsibility!" ”

The matter of employing Yuan Shikai was decided in this way. (To be continued.) )