Beijing, October 2, 1906. Yuan Shikai and Wang Shizhen were sitting in the courtyard of Yuan Shikai's house chatting, and Yuan Shikai suddenly remembered one thing, "Pingqing, what was the result of the Xingtai rebellion a few days ago?" ”

"Duke Yuan, the matter in Xingtai has probably come to an end, and the bandit leader Pang Zi has fled to the west." Wang Shizhen said to Yuan Shikai, "Although he is wanted, I don't think I will be able to catch it this year." ”

Yuan Shikai didn't care about Pang Zi's life and death at all, he sighed: "I didn't expect that Jing Tingbin's remnants have not been swept away yet, but it's a little weird." What do you think? ”

Among the generals under Yuan Shikai, Wang Shizhen is the only one who can always be respected and trusted. On any important military issue, Yuan Bi consulted Shizhen before acting, saying: "Is it important to appoint a secretary?" "In the middle of his recital, Yuan must also let Wang read and revise the manuscript that he played, and let Wang review it before he sent it. Therefore, many people at that time called Wang "Longmu", that is, Yuan's "eyes". When asked, Yuan Shikai said, "Hiring Qing is the first military talent in Beiyang." ”

The core sphere of influence of Beiyang is Shandong, Hebei, Zhili and other places, Yuan Shikai is a native of Henan, and Henan, which is next to Hebei and Shandong, is now also his sphere of influence. And because Anhui is the starting place of Li Hongzhang's Huaijun, Beiyang's influence in Anhui is also quite large. But in general, Henan and Anhui are the spheres of influence of Beiyang, while Hebei and Shandong are the real core areas of Beiyang. After the year of Gengzi, in Hebei and Shandong, the heart of Beiyang, the biggest battle Yuan Shikai faced was the uprising led by Jing Tingbin and Zhao Sanduo. Unexpectedly, five years later, Jing Tingbin's "remnants" would dare to rebel, even if it was a small-scale rebellion like Pang Zi, Yuan Shikai couldn't wait to ignore it.

Wang Shizhen didn't answer immediately, he had already ordered him to collect intelligence. Although the information that has now returned is full of all kinds of false words, these little tricks can't hide Wang Shizhen. Wang Shizhen found a very strange thing through this information, why the landlords wanted to jointly sue Pang Zi for rebellion, and these cases were earlier than Pang Zi's actual rebellion. Pang Zi's defense camp is a real thing, so Wang Shizhen doesn't think that Pang Zi has been wronged. No matter what the reason, Pang Zi dared to fight the canal defense camp, this is a blatant rebellion. But there is a suspicious background to the incident itself.

Yuan Shikai knew that Wang Shizhen was thoughtful, and he would not speak easily unless he was absolutely sure. Seeing that Wang Shizhen was silent, Yuan Shikai said with a smile: "If you have something to say, just say it, this is just a trivial matter." ”

"Yuan Gong, I don't think this matter will be so simple." Wang Shizhen replied calmly, and then said the order of his rebellion against Pang Zi, and after the statement, Wang Shizhen concluded: "I always feel that there must be other forces behind Pang Zi who support Pang Zi. Otherwise, why did the landlords put on the paper first? ”

Yuan Shikai only began to make his career after joining the army, so he has always been a soldier. No matter where you sit, your body is straight. Although it is now a private conversation with Wang Shizhen, he has also maintained his daily habitual posture. He picked up the tea bowl and smelled it, but without quoting it directly, he put the tea bowl back on the table. Only then did he smile and said, "It's okay, let's let that battalion stay in Xingtai for the time being to continue to pursue the remnants of the rebels." Xingtai is very unpeaceful, if you don't use heavy hands, I'm afraid that it will still be chaotic in the future. It seems that Yuan Shikai doesn't think it's a big deal.

Wang Shizhen hurriedly persuaded: "Duke Yuan, I'm afraid that the local officials will not be happy." ”

"For half a month, you can only exterminate it in the traitor's nest. What if they're not happy. Yuan Shikai said with a smile, seeing that Wang Shizhen was a little disapproving, Yuan Shikai asked again: "Pingqing, what do you think?" ”

What Wang Shizhen actually wanted to say was to inquire in person. But he knew that such an approach would never be realized. There are a lot of things going on in Beiyang now, and Wang Shizhen can't leave at all. Although I think things are strange, but if you must find out, it will never be possible to do it without a month, and if the Beiyang Army is stationed in one place for more than a month, I am afraid that if there is no rebellion, it will also be forced out to rebel. He could only sigh, "Let's leave it at that." But not more than half a month. As far as I know, Pang Zi started in a hurry this time, except for some bandits who had been following Pang Zi in the first place, he didn't bring any people. Just stand up there, and you don't have to be overly observed. ”

"As the secretary said." Yuan Shikai didn't really take Pang Zi's matter seriously. If Pang Zi had been caught at that time, Yuan Shikai would have let the Beiyang Army in Nangong County return to Texas now. Looking for Wang Shizhen to come over today, in fact, there is something more important, he put his hands on the armrests of the chair, straightened his posture, and then continued: "Pingqing, I actually want to tell you something else." I would like to recommend you to be the governor of Jiangbei and add the rank of squire of the War Department. ”

According to the Qing system, the military position to the commander is the same product, which has been extremely noble, but it cannot control the place. The governor of Jiangbei appointed by Wang Shizhen, because it was re-established by the governor of Jianghuai, was formerly known as the governor of Caoyun, so he has the right to govern the locality, and also manages the affairs of Caoyun, which is an important position to govern the army and the people.

Hearing this recommendation, Wang Shizhen was not overjoyed, he asked calmly: "Duke Yuan, now that the Beiyang Army has been completed, let me be the governor of Jiangbei, how are the affairs of the Beiyang Army arranged?" ”

If others said so, Yuan Shikai would suspect that this person would not let go of the military power of the Beiyang Army. Wang Shizhen has never been a person who is greedy for power, and he is loyal to Yuan Shikai. He asked this question really because he was worried about Yuan Shikai's control over the Beiyang Army.

Yuan Shikai picked up the cup and took a sip of tea, then sighed: "Pingqing, I am now in charge of compiling the "Constitutional Outline", if it makes people think that I am still holding the power of the Beiyang Army, hehe." There are already many people who say that I am Cao Cao and Liu Yu, and I don't know what they will say in the future. ”

After the autumn exercise in Hejian in 1905, the Beiyang New Army was well received at home and abroad. The impeachment of Yuan Shikai went all the way up. Coupled with Yuan Shikai's establishment of the police system, the official reputation is also good. It posed a serious threat to the hereditary status of the Manchu pro-noble clique that held the authority of the central government. The royal family instigated some imperial historians to repeatedly impeach Yuan Shikai for his high power, and even predicted that he would follow in the footsteps of Cao Cao and Liu Yu. In 1906, Yuan took the initiative to resign from various part-time tasks and handed over the first, third, fifth, and sixth towns of the Beiyang Army to the direct jurisdiction of the War Department. At this time, Yuan Shikai was beginning to prepare for the compilation of the "Constitutional Outline". Prepare to enter the central central system. It is said that Yuan Shikai is about to become the Minister of Military Aircraft and become a real central minister. Therefore, during this time period, the personnel adjustment of the Beiyang Army is of great significance.

As an important figure in the Beiyang system, Wang Shizhen is very clear about the personnel struggles within these imperial courts, Yuan Shikai said this, Wang Shizhen also knew that his position had been determined, he Wang Shizhen said lightly: "Yuan Gong, if this is the case." I will do what you arrange. ”

"But don't talk about it, Hirqing." Yuan Shikai felt that he couldn't completely make decisions about such matters, "Since I am in charge of compiling and publishing the "Constitutional Outline", the attitude of the world's scholars cannot be imagined. I heard that Pingqing has been studying recently, I don't know what to learn? "Yuan Shikai's recital, the manuscript played or issued will definitely be read and revised by Wang Shizhen, and Wang Shizhen will be reviewed before it is released. Regarding the compilation of the "Constitutional Outline", he also hoped that Wang Shizhen could help.

"I heard that recently, in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and other places, there is a book called "Chinese Cultural Inheritance and the Rise of Materialism". The author of this book was Chen Ke, a disciple of Yan Fu. Wang Shizhen replied.

"Chen Ke?" Yuan Shikai frowned and thought for a while, "It's the one we saw last year, right?" ”

"Exactly, Yuan Gong also helped him propose."

"Oh?" Yuan Shikai immediately became interested, "Yan Jidao's translation of "The Theory of Heavenly Evolution" caused a sensation all over the world, and his disciples would not be bad if they thought about it. Hiring Qing, is there anything about constitutionalism in this book? ”

"Yuan Gong, in recent years, the imperial court and scholars have talked about the use of Chinese and Western styles, but in my opinion, Chen Ke's book is actually about Western and Chinese use. When others write books, they are nothing more than talking about how advanced foreign countries are, whether it is strong ships and artillery, or whether it is the machine industry. Chen Ke did not talk about these things at all, but talked about why China could not achieve this level, and where China's advantages and disadvantages were compared with foreign countries. The whole article does not even say how powerful foreign countries are. On the contrary, it is sneering at foreigners. ”

Listening to Wang Shizhen's evaluation, Yuan Shikai was a little confused. According to such statements, Chen Ke turned out to be completely indifferent to foreign countries, and the evaluation of the four words "used in Western sports" is completely inappropriate. However, people like Yuan Shikai are extremely well-cultivated, even if there are many mysteries in their hearts, they will not rashly interrupt others to speak. He continued to listen quietly to Wang Shizhen's words.

Chen Ke said nothing about what kind of government should be established in China. It is only a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of China's political, economic, and industrial development in the past dynasties. There is a point. Although he did not mention a word about the form of government, his intention to create an entirely new form of government was actually on paper. If it were me, this Chen Ke would be really ill-intentioned. If he is asked to say what the political system looks like in his heart, the Qing Dynasty, the imperial court, and the gentry are not in his consideration. ”

"The Qing Dynasty, the imperial court, the gentry, I'm afraid it's not in his consideration?" Yuan Shikai repeated suspiciously. If it is said that a republic should be established, there will be more or less anti-Qing rhetoric over the years. Against the imperial court, Yuan Shikai definitely did not listen to it. Even if it is anti-gentry, there are actually a lot of people in the court. But in any case, whoever opposes any of the three, or both, must take one of the remaining positions. And Chen Ke actually opposed all three. What kind of position would that be? Yuan Shikai really couldn't think of it.

Wang Shizhen continued: "So, in my opinion, other people's propaganda of Westernization is to use Chinese and Western styles. This Chen Ke vigorously criticized foreigners and promoted China, but it was used in Western style. ”

Yuan Shikai was completely confused, and he asked, "Appointment Qing, what kind of political system does this Chen Ke want to establish?" Doesn't it even say anything in the book? ”

Hearing this, Wang Shizhen frowned slightly, and he said with a little hesitation: "It's not that I didn't say it at all, but I said it extremely vaguely." As Chen Ke said, what he hoped to establish was a government in which those who were willing to work had their land and those who were willing to work had their food. But there is no one in the world who can have a permanent production. ”

"Isn't that nonsense?" When Yuan Shikai heard Wang Shizhen's evaluation, he couldn't help but smile and said, "Could it be that this Chen Ke wants to fight against the Qing Dynasty, the imperial court, and the gentry of the world at the same time?" What nonsense. ”

If it was someone else, when he heard Yuan Shikai say this, he would always echo two sentences first, but Wang Shizhen didn't, he said with a straight face: "Yuan Gong, if Chen Ke only said such things. Naturally, it's nonsense. However, in his book, Chen Ke discusses Chinese history, and does not talk about emperors and generals, but only talks about a new word called productivity. He believes that all dynastic operations are nothing more than a matter of productivity. If it is according to what he said, the changes in the world are reasonable, and it can be regarded as reasonable. It doesn't look like an ordinary fanatic. So I think this person has bad intentions. Not to be underestimated. ”

Yuan Shikai said with a smile: "It's okay, I'll fix the book and give Yan a few ways." Let him and Chen Ke go to Beijing together to discuss the compilation and publication of the "Constitutional Outline." Yan Jidao has always been enthusiastic about this, and he will definitely come back. When the time comes, ask Chen Ke to know. ”

"It's fine." Wang Shizhen nodded yes.

At this time, whether it was Yuan Shikai or Wang Shizhen, they didn't know that it was impossible for them to see Chen Ke. Chen Ke was giving orders in Anhui at this time, and was methodically attacking the gentry in the surrounding areas of Fengtai County.