"The first one is Li Songqing (Li Yuanhong). No pop-up window update fast // He was originally the commander of the 21st Mixed Association of the Qing Court, and he had been in Beiyang for a long time before, and he was very familiar with the generals under Yuan Weiting, and he was also a famous general himself. Later, it moved to Wuchang and was loved by the military and people of Hubei. After the first uprising in Wuchang, he was elected as the governor of the Hubei Military Government. Li Songqing was not only the hero of the revolution, but also had a close relationship with the generals of the northern army. If he serves as the president of the Republic of China, it is most appropriate for him to have no objections to public opinion in the north and the south. Sun Yat-sen's words immediately changed, "However, according to Wuhan sources, Li Songqing seems to be reluctant to take office, and he recommended another person." ”

Li Yuanhong, like Sun Yat-sen, seems to have concerns about the prospects of the revolution, and does not want to be a rafter, but on the surface, he also puts on a righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, abdicating and giving way to the virtuous.

Homer Lee asked, "Who did Mr. Li recommend?" ”

"He is the second suitable person I want to mention, Yuan Weiting, who is currently the prime minister of the Manchu cabinet." Sun Yat-sen said.

Homer Lee immediately interjected: "Yuan? I know this person. He is ambitious and strategic, and has been openly or covertly manipulating the country's largest military group, and is currently the most influential figure in China. But he was very politically conservative, would he support the revolution? ”

Sun Yat-sen said: "I don't really believe in Yuan Weiting. In fact, he had sent someone to me two years earlier, hoping to work with me to overthrow the existing government. If I nodded, he could even ask the court to cancel my wanted notice first, as a sign of sincerity. I thought he was playing a trick and ignored it.

"Recently, I heard Huang Keqiang say that in early 1908, an envoy from the Governor's Office of Zhili also came to him, claiming to be entrusted by Yang Shixiang to convey the meaning of Yuan Gongbao. The visitor said that Gong Bao knew that Mr. Huang was committed to the revolution and was expected to be watched at home and abroad, and that he would become a climate in the future, so he was very willing to unite with Mr. Huang and other revolutionaries. Overthrow the Manchu Qing Dynasty and restore our homeland of China.

"Brother Keqiang naturally didn't believe it, so he only made a false deal with the person who came, and replied: 'Lord Yuan can have this kind of thought. It is sincerely approved by the revolutionaries. But our revolutionaries have a specific proposition, which is to overthrow the Manchus and establish a democratic republic, not a constitutional monarchy. Please convey this to Lord Yuan. If Lord Yuan can agree with us on this point, even if we do not unite, we will still be revolutionary comrades among ourselves. ’

"More than ten days ago, Brother Keqiang arrived in Wuhan to take up the post of commander-in-chief, and the same person who had visited him reappeared. He reaffirmed Yuan Weiting's willingness to unite with our revolutionary party to jointly overthrow the Manchu government. From this point of view, what Yuan Weiting did was either a big plot, or he sincerely supported the revolution! ”

Homer Lee mused, "In any case, at least Yuan wanted to overthrow Manchurian rule first, didn't he?" ”

Sun Yat-sen nodded: "You are right, so I listed him as a suitable candidate for the second president." Nowadays, although the revolutionary party has raised uprisings in the provinces south of the Yangtze River, it has done its own thing. If they do not belong to each other, in the long run, I am afraid that the Manchus are still there and the governors of the provinces have turned against each other. Democracy has not yet been achieved, and tens of thousands of compatriots have been killed. As you just said, Yuan Weiting has the most powerful military power in China, is the most influential figure in real power, and has a pivotal position. As long as he can overthrow the Manchu rule and establish a democratic, prosperous and powerful new China, why not let him be president? ”

Homer Lee couldn't help but admire: "Sun, your courage and mind are unmatched!" And who do you think is the third suitable candidate? ”

Sun Yat-sen smiled and said: "This third person, even if you haven't seen it, you should have heard his name countless times." To use our Chinese words, his name is like thunder ringing in your ears. It's unforgettable. ”

"Who is he?" Homer Lee sat up straight on the couch.

"Sun Baixi, that is, what you call Dr. Johnson."

"Ah, it's him! To be honest, I've really heard the name countless times. Homer Lee immediately asked, somewhat confused, "As far as I know, he is just a very famous scientist." How can you be president? ”

"As far as I know, Franklin is also a very famous scientist, and he didn't just become the president of your United States?" Sun Yat-sen retorted, "And Sun Baixi is not a simple scientist, but also one of the top educators and industrialists in China, and he also has great influence in politics, successively serving as the Minister of Education of Hubei Province, the Deputy Minister of Education, the General Minister, and the Minister of the Cabinet of the Qing Government." In addition to serving as a cabinet minister, he is also the highest military and political governor of Sichuan Province. Two of his students rebelled in Shaanxi and Shanxi at the same time, and each served as the governor of the military government in both provinces, making him one of China's top political figures. ”

Homer Lee was a little surprised: "What about his political opinions?" ”

"Your question can be described as to the point, which is Sun Baixi's biggest flaw." Sun Yat-sen chuckled and said, "I have seen Sun Baixi, young, handsome, smart, gentle, at a glance, you can see that he is a gentle gentleman and a child of a family. Because of this cultivation and family background, he likes the golden mean without being excited. knows that the feudal system is rotten, but he is obsessed with the world and human feelings; He is clearly inclined to democracy and freedom, but he is afraid of violent revolution. He didn't know what he wanted to stand for and what he was against. Moreover, he prefers education to politics, and has always held a respectful and distant attitude towards politics. ”

"And you're still listing him as the third candidate?" Homer Lee was puzzled.

Sun Yat-sen said: "He just wasn't interested in politics before, who knows if he is interested now and in the future?" And this defect is also very easy to make up. In contrast, his merits are even more prominent. First of all, he is very knowledgeable, especially in science, which is simply unmatched. Since the defeat of the Opium War, China has had a sense of reverence for Western science, represented by strong ships and sharp guns. As more and more contacts grew, there was more and more respect for Western technology, even from the mountains. Now that a Chinese can defeat all Westerners in the field that Westerners are best at and stand at the pinnacle of science, his status in the eyes of the people must be very sacred.

"Secondly, Sun Baixi's morality is impeccable. Although he was born wealthy, he did not have the slightest arrogance when he got along with others, which made people sit like a spring breeze. He compiled and printed various textbooks to educate thousands of students across the country; Nearly 100 schools have been established, almost no tuition fees are charged, benefiting poor children from all over the country; took the initiative to invite Ying to go to the Northeast for epidemic prevention and disaster relief, which is even more meritorious to the community. In China, the character of politicians is as important as their ability, and sometimes they are even the most important factor. A morally flawless person. It's easy to become a recognized leader.

Again, it seems to us that his lack of obvious political ideas is a flaw, but it is a boon for many people, especially now that the political ideas of the North and the South are so conflicting. When they are at a stalemate with each other. A candidate with no obvious political leanings may be more likely to be accepted by both sides at the same time. Sun Yuanqi's gentle and impartial attitude can just meet everyone's needs. ”

"Who knows what the outcome will be?" Homer Lee shrugged, "But Sun, what are you going to do now?" ”

Sun Yat-sen also scratched his head a little: "Originally, I came to Britain with the intention of persuading the British government to approve of the Chinese revolution, but I didn't expect them to be indifferent, only maintaining politeness and politeness, without any substantive content. I'm also a little lost right now. I wonder if I should stay in the UK and continue to communicate with MPs and get them to pressure the government to change their previous posture? Or go to France, Germany and other countries to seek new help? ”

"What do you think is the probability of getting support in England or France or Germany?" Homer Lee asked directly, "Although the French may be more sympathetic to the Chinese revolution than Britain and the United States, to be honest, it is very difficult to achieve substantial results." ”

The corners of Sun Yat-sen's mouth twitched. He smiled bitterly: "You're right. However, now that the revolutionary situation in China is like this, and people with lofty ideals shed blood and sacrifice every day, I cannot wave my flag and shout. I can't go into battle to kill the enemy, so I have to do my best here. Even if there is one percent hope, one hundred percent of the effort must be done. ”

Homer Lee said, "Sun, although your courage is commendable, your behavior is not appropriate. Rather than trying in vain, we should do something more useful. If I were you, I would choose to return home immediately! ”

"Returning home?" Sun Yat-sen was stunned.

"That's right, it's to return to China immediately!" "According to the news, more than a dozen provinces in China have declared independence from Manchu rule. However, due to the lack of a leader as the core, it leads to the lack of unity in each other's policies, and it is easy to be broken by others. As the supreme leader of the Alliance, you have the opportunity and obligation to shoulder this heavy responsibility and lead everyone to success. Instead of wasting time here and watching the revolution win or lose! ”

Sun Yat-sen suddenly remembered what Sun Yuanqi had said to him in San Francisco many years ago: The first suggestion was after the outbreak of the democratic revolution. We must firmly grasp the command of the armed forces, especially the new army, which is mainly composed of young students. Only by having a strong army in hand can we repel the ferocious counterattack of the Manchu court and consolidate the victorious fruits of the democratic revolution...... He nodded: "Li, you're right, maybe I should return to China immediately!" ”

Sun Yat-sen wanted to return to China, but it was not so easy to return to China, not to mention that he had to dress up in disguise along the way, avoid all kinds of eyeliner of the Qing court, and he would have to wander for more than ten or twenty days on the road alone, which was by no means an overnight thing.

For the time being, we don't care how Sun Yat-sen and Homer Lee returned from England, and then look at North China, where a thrilling confrontation of heavy troops is being staged in the Zhili area:

The northernmost is Zhang Shaozeng's twentieth town and Lan Tianwei's second mixed association, with a total of 16,000 people, in Chengde and Zunhua, more than 100 kilometers north of Beijing, eyeing the capital;

In the Gyeonggi area, there are stationed Janissaries and Jiang Gui's Yi Army, with no less than 30,000 people, who surround the capital tightly, like an iron bucket, not to mention rats, even mosquitoes can't fly in;

Further south is Wu Luzhen, Cheng Ziyin's Yanjin coalition army, there are more than 10,000 people, the vanguard has arrived in Baoding Mansion, the front of the army pointed directly at the capital;

Further south, in the area of Shunde and Zhaozhou, Yuan Shikai's Beiyang elite numbered nearly 20,000, and many troops were retreating from the Wuhan front line one after another, heading north along the Luhan line.

These four teams formed a strange balance, and no one dared to move first, not even Yuan Shikai's Beiyang Army. As long as the Beiyang Army moves, the Yan-Jin coalition army will immediately move north and attack the capital at all costs. The Yan-Jin coalition army and the Janissary Guard and Yi army in the capital will take action, and the northernmost twentieth town and the second mixed association will take the opportunity to go south to encircle. Even if they can't defeat the capital, the integration of the two armies is enough to turn North China upside down, and the Beiyang Army, the Praetorian Guard, and the Yi Army may not be able to retain them.

Although they did not move, everyone knew that this situation would not last long. The number of Beiyang troops increased every day, and the imperial court privately sent countless secret spies to instigate the counter-revolutionary army generals, and Wu Luzhen, Zhang Shaozeng, and Lan Tianwei also telegraphed to discuss plans to attack the capital at the same time...... All it takes is one Mars, and Naoli will become a battlefield full of corpses.

At this time, Cheng Ziyin received a telegram from Sun Yuanqi. (To be continued.) )