The audience was silent, and no one knew what Yuan Shikai's "priority" was. Baidu search/Tang Shaoyi is also full of doubts: "I don't know what the president's so-called important tasks that require the vigorous cooperation of the government and the court?" ”

Yuan Shikai said: "It's to clarify military affairs!" Since the Qing Dynasty, the government has compensated the powers with tens of thousands of taels of silver every year, and the treasury has been unable to make ends meet, so it has to borrow money from foreign banks of various countries every year. According to the statistics of the Military Staff, there are now more than 30 towns (divisions) and more than 50 associations (brigades) in the overall strength, together with miscellaneous armies such as local patrol battalions, with more than 1.2 million soldiers! Now that the financial resources have dried up, the reparations are still being paid, and the military salaries have increased sharply, the government is struggling left and right, and the deficit is getting bigger and bigger, which is really unsustainable. If we want to avoid the fiscal deficit and reduce the burden on the people, the only way to do it is to quickly clarify the military affairs.

"It is said to clarify military affairs, but in fact, it includes five aspects: First, the division of military and civil affairs. At present, the provinces and localities are often called 'military governments,' and the governors are in charge of both military and civilian affairs, and the so-called governors are mostly middle- and lower-level military officers who have taken advantage of the revolutionary tide to take advantage of the opportunity. In order to prevent others from following the example, they lured their cronies with high-ranking officials and recruited and fed the army. As a result, the central government is in danger of a lack of financial resources, and the local people are suffering from the lack of livelihood. Moreover, this move is very contrary to the spirit of democracy and republicanism, and the army and official positions are the public instruments of the state, so how can they be allowed to be controlled by the governors of all provinces and become puppets plotting for their own selfishness? Therefore, it is necessary to separate the military administration from the civil administration, and the two must check each other.

"The second is to adjust the military structure. Since the former Prince Qingqing formed a cabinet, according to the usual practice, there are two ministries in the cabinet: the army and the navy. In addition, the former Qing Dynasty had a military advisory office, Mr. Sun Yat-sen had a staff headquarters when he was in charge of Nanjing, and Yuan also set up a military council office for the unification of military power during the peace conference between the north and the south. In order to straighten out relations and coordinate military exchanges and cooperation between the government and the courts, the Presidential Office decided to establish a Military Division, which will be listed as a presidential office alongside the Secretariat Office. At the same time, the former Military Staff Office was abolished so that it could connect with the Army and Navy of the State Council. In addition, the original General Staff Headquarters will be retained, which will be responsible for the national defense and military affairs, and the national staff generals and schools will be in charge, and it is proposed that Mr. Huang Keqiang will be the chief of staff.

"The third is to update the military establishment. Since the first uprising in Wuchang. The provincial armies are organized as they please. Or follow the old name, or cheap establishment, the name of the so-called Liberation Regiment, the Regular Restoration Regiment, the National Army, the Student Army, as well as the patrol team, reconnaissance team, Praetorian Guard, vanguard, patrol team. There are also sailors, regimental training, death squads, martial arts teams, standing teams, etc., and so on. Such a chaotic establishment is greatly contrary to the purpose of national reunification and military and political unity, and it is necessary to renew the military establishment as soon as possible so that the whole country will be unified.

"Fourth, disband redundant armies. The lack of fiscal revenue and the huge amount of military expenditure are the most serious problems at present. The revolutionary armies in the provinces also found it difficult to sustain themselves because of their large numbers of soldiers and low salaries. A few days ago, Mr. Huang Keqiang, who was left behind in Nanjing, called Yuan, advocating that the work of reducing troops should be carried out by drastic means, and suggested that a national donation be organized as a fund for the reduction of troops. The State Council is also requested to consult with the Presidential Office and actively negotiate with each other to draw up a feasible charter acceptable to all parties, promulgate and implement it as soon as possible, and reduce the burden on the people.

"Fifth, stop the purchase and transportation of firearms. The purchase and transportation of firearms accounts for the largest proportion of military salaries, and only a few factories in China, such as the Beiping Iron Works, the Hanyang Iron Works and the Jiangnan Manufacturing Bureau, produce guns and shells. All other firearms had to be purchased from Britain, Germany, the United States, Japan and other countries, allowing the powers to reap countless benefits for no reason. Moreover, if one province buys it, the surrounding provinces must also buy it in order to strengthen their defense, thus forming an arms race, and the extravagance is even more incalculable! Now it is necessary to clarify military affairs. Naturally, the provinces should be asked to stop the purchase and transportation of firearms, and the customs and tax departments will also take active action to increase the tax rate and seize the illegal purchase and transportation of firearms.

"The above five points are all related to the national economy and people's livelihood. An early solution is urgently needed. Although the Presidential Office is responsible for all military affairs in the country, if the Presidential Office comes forward to draw up a draft of military affairs. It will inevitably lead people to suspicion, thinking that Yuan is taking the opportunity to exclude dissidents and weaken the strength of others. Therefore, it is better for the State Council to first discuss and come up with the first draft, and then submit it to the Presidential Office for revision and approval, and finally issue it to the whole country. One shows that there is seamless cooperation between the government and the court, and the other fully reflects the will of all parties and parties, so that no one will settle accounts after the fall. Prime Minister Shaochuan, what do you think? ”

Tang Shaoyi nodded slightly: "What the president said is quite reasonable!" In order to achieve a complete cabinet responsibility system and avoid military interference in government affairs, it is imperative to clarify military affairs as soon as possible. The key issue is to be fair and just in the process of clarifying military affairs, to consider the situation as a whole without distinguishing between the north and the south, and to avoid intensifying contradictions. ”

Yuan Shikai immediately kicked the ball back and said, "This is a question that all the cabinet members here need to think about carefully!" After speaking, he walked off the stage and shook hands with Tang Shaoyi: "Premier Shaochuan, today the State Council has just been established, and the first state meeting is going to be held, but I am afraid that there are still many official affairs, Yuan does not dare to disturb too much, so I will leave!" ”

Tang Shaoyi eagerly said: "The president has every opportunity, and he can take the time to come to the inauguration ceremony, and the cabinet colleagues are overjoyed. Why don't you sit down again? ”

Yuan Shikai said: "There are still a bunch of trivial matters to be dealt with in the presidential palace, and it is really inconvenient for Yuan to stay for a long time." Then he arched his hand at everyone present: "Chiefs, Yuan will leave first, and you will have to work on state affairs in the future!" ”

The crowd said "don't dare" and then crowded

sent Yuan Shikai to the door and watched him board the carriage when he came. When he was saying goodbye, he suddenly heard Tang Shaoyi say loudly: "Brother Zhi'an, there will be a state council later, you are the chief of internal affairs, and you are indispensable." Why don't you say goodbye now? Please stay! Everyone hurriedly turned their heads, only to see Zhao Bingjun getting into a carriage, obviously preparing to leave with Yuan Shikai.

Zhao Bingjun poked his head out when he heard this: "Oh, the contemptible president still has some important matters to discuss, so he won't participate in the state meeting." After speaking, he shrank his head into the carriage and said nothing, and then left the State Council with Yuan Shikai under the arch of the guards, leaving only a cadre waiting at the door with wide eyes.

After a while, Song Jiaoren straightened his tie, turned to Tang Shaoyi and said, "Premier Shaochuan, since the indispensable person has left, will the State Council not be held for the time being?" In this case, Song retired first! After saying that, he didn't wait for Tang Shaoyi to stay, so he walked away.

In fact, Tang Shaoyi is right, in the cabinet, foreign affairs, internal affairs have always ranked high, and they play an important role in discussing national affairs. Compared with the low-ranking departments such as education, agriculture and forestry, industry and commerce, and transportation, it is indeed indispensable. Unexpectedly, this unintentional remark was caught by Song Jiaoren and became an excuse for him to escape.

Seeing this, the other ministers knew that today's State Council would not be able to convene, and they all followed suit and said goodbye one after another. A moment later. The cabinet that was still full was scattered, leaving only Tang Shaoyi at the door and sighing.

In Sun Yuanqi's car, Tang Shouqian was also sighing: "I originally thought that the two general directors of the League agreed to go north, and the responsible cabinet would be established, and various affairs began to get on the right track." Unexpectedly, the two chiefs were late. Then the two chiefs retired early. The good first state council was a mess. It is said that 'there is no beginning, but there is an end', but this cabinet does not even have a smooth 'beginning', and still expects a good 'end'? It seems that it is indeed as Baixi said. We, the cabinet members, are afraid that we won't be able to do it for long! ”

Zhang Jian said: "Although the actions of Song Dunchu and Zhao Zhi'an seem a little reckless, they actually have their own deep meanings!" ”

Tang Shouqian is also an old fritter in officialdom, and when he thinks about it, he understands the meaning of Zhang Jian's words: "It's too!" The alliance will suffer a dark loss in the formation of a cabinet, and it is inevitable that it will have to make some out-of-the-ordinary moves to show its existence. Song Dunchu was late and collided with Tang Shaochuan. It is to give the prime minister a dismissal, and at the same time to warn Yuan Xiangcheng not to meddle in cabinet affairs casually. It's a pity that Zhao Zhi'an's hand is more beautiful!

"In the cabinet, unless our New China Party completely falls to the Alliance, it is still the Beiyang system that has the upper hand. Moreover, the Beijing-Tianjin area is the old nest of the Beiyang system, and if they really annoy the Beiyang system, they just have to withdraw from the cabinet lightly, even if Tang Shaochuan and Song Dunchu have the ability, they can only hate the defeat! Although Song Dunchu finally walked away, it was quite a big deal to break up and break with each other. In fact, it is inferior. ”

Sun Yuanqi said: "Yes, after all, the Alliance will be so powerful, how can Song Dunchu play, and what tricks can he play?" Now that the post of president has fallen into the hands of Yuan Xiangcheng, he can leave the cabinet at any time. But will the League dare to leave the Cabinet? They are still counting on using the cabinet to restrain Yuan Xiangcheng, the great president! ”

Tang Shouqian asked: "What does Yuan Xiangcheng mean when he suddenly threw out the issue of clarifying military affairs?"

Zhang Jian touched his beard: "What else can it mean?" I just want to reduce the strength of the Southern Revolutionary Party and our New China Party! Anyway, the Beiyang Army under his command is well-trained and well-equipped, and no matter how much they update the army establishment, disband the redundant army, and stop purchasing and transporting guns, the board will not fall on them. It's just that his reasons are reasonable. Let the alliance and us not be able to say a word, spread it. The whole country will sing the praises of virtue. So this is not a conspiracy of military deeds, but an upright conspiracy! Immediately, he turned his head and asked Sun Yuanqi: "Baixi, if Yuan Xiangcheng really wants to clarify military affairs, what impact will it have on your northwest?" ”

There is no doubt that Sun Yuanqi's troops in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Jin provinces are the greatest confidence for the New China Party to make achievements in the cabinet. If they didn't have enough military strength, their situation would not be much different from that of Song Jiaoren and Wang Chonghui. Even whether or not you will enter the cabinet in the future is a matter of irrelevance. I can't help but not care.

Sun Yuanqi said: "We now have four provinces, with an average of two troops per province, and the number of people does not exceed 20,000. If we really want to update the army establishment in the future, why should the War Department also give us the establishment of one town in each province? According to the establishment of a town, we still have some room for expansion. Therefore, if we really want to follow the rules and clarify military affairs, it will not have much impact on us. If the purchase and transportation of firearms are stopped, the production and sales of the Beiping Iron Works will be affected for a period of time. Fortunately, after the year, we signed export agreements with some foreign companies, which can make up for the losses in the wall. ”

Zhang Jian said: "It's good that it doesn't have much impact!" Although Yuan Xiangcheng's sword dance this time was intended for the alliance, we can't stand by and watch the clarification of military affairs. Now that the League is weak in the cabinet, and Yuan Xiangcheng's proposal is bound to weaken their strength in the south, if they don't want to sit idly by, they will inevitably come to the door in the next few days to discuss the matter of Lianheng. Baixi, you have to think about how to deal with it! (To be continued.)