"It's actually very conservative." Yang Shuoming smiled and said, "I have a better plan, but it is not appropriate to make it public yet." ”

Hearing Yang Shuoming say this, Tang Qianming and Xu Zhenpeng's faces once again showed a look of consternation.

"Do you two a favor." Yang Shuoming smiled secretly, came to Tang Qianming and Xu Zhenpeng, motioned for the two to come over, and whispered a few words to the two.

Listening to Yang Shuoming's words, the smiles on Tang Xu's faces disappeared, and each showed a solemn sè.

"Understood." Tang Qianming looked at the battleship design sketch that Yang Shuoming had just drawn in his hand, and nodded slowly.

"This matter should be reminded of Chief Liu and Commander Li immediately." Xu Zhenpeng said with a serious expression.

"Chief Liu, it's better for the two of you to come forward and talk about it." Yang Shuoming said, "I am a xiǎoxiǎo town guard, a person is soft-spoken, and the words I say do not have the weight of the two. ”

Hanzhi laughed. With the wisdom of the president, he will not be wronged by a great talent like Hanzhi. Tang Qianming's face showed another disapproving smile, "Don't say anything else, just the great achievement of recovering Qingdao is enough for Li Chun to give you the position of General Jiangxi." ”

"Yes, in this battle against the Japanese invaders, you Yang Hanzhi and Cai Songpo have the greatest credit," Xu Zhenpeng also said, "The president knows a lot about the battle situation on the front line, and he will definitely not bury your brother Yang's exploits." ”

After listening to Tang Qianming and Xu Zhenpeng's words, Yang Shuoming just smiled slightly and didn't say anything.

"Although he Cai Songming reluctantly defeated the Japanese invaders, anyone with a discerning eye knows that Cai Songpo's military exploits cannot be compared with yours, he was stained with the light of the Japanese plague epidemic, and he recovered Fengtian, and you are incomparable to your real bloody battle with the Japanese in Shandong." Tang Qianming continued, "Although the entire territory of Fengcheng has been recovered, Lushunkou is still in the hands of the Japanese, and he Cai Songpo did not dare to touch the hard nail of Qingdao with a mere 20,000 soldiers and horses like your brother Yang. ”

"The president sent a letter the day before yesterday to ask for details on the recovery of Qingdao, and we don't know how to reply." Xu Zhenpeng said with a smile, "I guess it's not good, the president will let you lead the Jiangxi army north to fight Lushunkou." ”

"Qingdao was completely defeated by a sneak attack, and the Japanese have suffered a loss once, and they have already learned to be obedient, and they will definitely not succeed if they use the same method again." Yang Shuoming smiled bitterly and shook his head, "Lushunkou is not Qingdao, so it's not so easy to take down." ”

"The fact that the president agreed to an unconditional truce with the Japanese shows that he understands this." Tang Qianming saw that Yang Shuoming seemed to be a little worried that Yuan Shikai would really send him to fight Lushunkou, and said with a smile, "In terms of meritorious deeds, no matter what, there will always be one of Hanzhixixiǎo overseers." ”

As Tang Qianming said, while they were talking about what kind of reward Yang Shuoming might receive on the bridge of the "Haichen", Yuan Shikai and his advisers and staff were also worried about this in Beijing Jurentang.

"In terms of a single military achievement, the battle against Japanese was won by a great victory, with Cai Songpo and Yang Hanzhi as the first contribution, and Feng Guozhang, Zhang Xun, and Cao Kun were all inferior to the generals," Liang Shiyi said. ”

"I didn't even know that there would be such a good general in Jiangxi." Yuan Shikai sighed, "Now it seems that in terms of military talent alone, this person is far above Cai Songpo. ”

"Zhang Xun's Wuwei front army was able to win successive battles, in fact, thanks to the help of the Jiangxi army." Chen Eun also said on the side, "Zhang Xun, Feng Guozhang, Cao Kun, Zhang Xiaozhun, and Fu Xiao'an are all above it, but they obey their orders to plan and arrange, and they are the first to look forward. ”

Listening to Chen Eun's words, Yuan Shikai's brows furrowed somehow.

And hearing Chen Eun's evaluation, Yang Du, who had not spoken for a long time, couldn't help frowning, and he looked at Chen Eun's eyes casually, as if he wanted to know what he meant by what he just said.

"I heard that this man is not only good at fighting, but also a prodigy in the army, his two brigades of Jiangxi officers and soldiers are brave and capable of fighting, and equipped with jīng good, guns and artillery, there is no one in the country, it is said that the weapons equipped by the army are mostly produced in the factories built in Jiangxi, and only the heavy artillery is designed for itself and ordered in the United States. All military expenses and weapons were raised in western Jiangxi and other places, and with their soldiers, they won consecutive battles. Yang Du opened his mouth and said, "It has only been guarding Jiangxi for more than a year, and it has governed the place to be rich and prosperous, and it is well organized, which shows that its strengths are not only military." ”,

"Such a civil and military all-rounder, it is rare to be rare...... Yuan Shikai listened to Yang Du's words and nodded, "I'm afraid that he is a good talent who governs the world, and he is also a jiān male of the world......"

The latter sentence, because Yuan Shikai said it in his heart, whether it was Liang Shiyi, Yang Du or Chen Eun, they didn't hear it.

"In terms of rewards for meritorious deeds, you see, how can we arrange for the two of them?" Yuan Shikai coughed as if in disguise and asked.

"When the president transferred Songpo to Beijing, Zeng Yiù entrusted Songpo with the post of army chief, and this war against the Japanese, Duan Zhiquan's behind-the-scenes planning is also indispensable, and it is not appropriate to replace Songpa with Songpo. It can imitate the Western ** system, and set up a general staff department, and commission Songpo to the post of chief of staff. Liang Shiyi said, "Although Yang Han's military merits are obvious, it is not appropriate to be promoted beyond the ranks, and the general of a province can be done." ”

"Now that Shandong is fighting in the war, the people's livelihood is withering, all industries are waiting to be developed, Yang Hanzhi is quite rich in governing the world, and the people of the East look up, so it is better to let him supervise the military affairs of Shandong." Chen Yan further said.

"It's fine." Yuan Shikai pondered for a long time before he nodded.

Yang Du, who is well versed in the art of power, of course knows why Yuan Shikai is so hesitant about the reward of Cai Yang and the others, at this time, he secretly admires Chen Eun's scheming, but also sighs in his heart.

Shandong, Qingdao, the former German Governor's Palace.

"I thought that his old Yuan could make you a general in Jiangxi."

The first news Yang Shuoming received after returning to Qingdao from Tianjin on a naval warship was about his new appointment.

Listening to Xu Yuanjin's words, Yang Shuoming just smiled slightly.

"You won't just seal me as an official, will you?" Yang Shuoming took the letter of appointment and looked at it, and asked, "I should be the only one who should be rewarded." ”

"Of course, Lao Yuan is not so stupid." Xu Yuanjin said, "Cai Songpo became the chief of the general staff, which was also unexpected, I originally thought that he could become the chief of the army or return to Yunnan to be a general." ”

"After the battle, the post of chief of the general staff will be much more leisurely, and General Cai Songpo's health has not been good, so he can recuperate with peace of mind, this idle post can be said to be very suitable for him." Yang Shuoming seemed to have known that there would be such a result, and said very casually, "As for returning to Yunnan, there is no possibility at all." ”

"Do you know who is the envoy of Ganxi Town?" Xu Yuanjin smiled and asked.

"Don't tell me it's Zhang Jingyao." Yang Shuoming looked up at the map and said calmly.

"That's not it, Zhang Jingyao was transferred away by Lao Duan." Xu Yuanjin pointed to his nose and said with a smile, "The new Nanchang Town Guard is me." ”

"Congratulations." Yang Shuoming smiled and slapped his hands in celebration.

"The new envoy of Ganxi Town is Tang Jing." Xu Yuanjin said, "The Jiangxi general has also been replaced, Li Chun and Zhang Jingyao have been transferred to Beijing, and the Jiangxi general has been replaced by Chen Guangyuan." ”

"Oh." Yang Shuoming agreed casually, "What else?" ”

"Feng Huafu (Feng Guozhang) is still a general in Jiangsu, but with the title of 'General Xuanwu', Zhang Braid Shuai became a general in Anhui, Cao Zhongshan became a general in Zhili, Zhang Yunnong (Zhang Xiaozhun) became the town guard of Nanjing, and Lao Fu became the town guard of Jinan." Xu Yuanjin briefly said to Yang Shuoming, "Feng's officials are basically not low. ”

"It seems that there are capable people around Lao Yuan." After listening to Xu Yuanjin's explanation, Yang Shuoming immediately figured out why Yuan Shikai arranged it like this, and couldn't help but sigh, "This bureau is set up at a high level." ”

"Don't you want to know how Tang Jing became the guard of Ganxi Town?" Xu Yuanjin knew that Yang Shuoming had understood the intention of what he said, so he smiled and turned the conversation to another matter.

"He should have found someone on his own." Yang Shuoming glanced at Xu Yuanjin and said casually, "It is estimated that there is no shortage of money." ”

"I never thought that his wife would be such a powerful horn." Xu Yuanjin said meaningfully, "She actually went to the presidential palace." ”

"Actually, it's okay, it's much better for him to do this position than Zhang Jingyao and his brothers." Yang Shuoming remembered Tang Jing's beautiful lady who shocked the four countries, and nodded silently, "I want to make Jiangxi a national industrial model province, and there are still a lot of things to do, with the two of you here, I can rest assured." ”

"You are such a strange person, this little foundation that was laid so easily, and you casually threw it to others, and you don't feel distressed." Xu Yuanjin looked at Yang Shuoming's eyes, and said as if reminding him, "If you want to change someone else, you will already die in a hurry." ”,

"What's that?" Yang Shuoming smiled and replied, "My goal is not limited to Jiangxi Province. Now it's just right to do something in Shandong. ”

Listening to Yang Shuoming's words, Xu Yuanjin was stunned, and he looked at Yang Shuoming fixedly, as if he had just known him.

Yang Shuoming looked at Xu Yuanjin with some amusement, turned his head, and his eyes fell on the map on the wall.

"I don't know if Yunzhi and the children can get used to the northern climate." Yang Shuoming thought of his wife and children who were far away in Jiangxi, and said to himself.

Beijing, Zhongnanhai, Jurentang.

"The U.S. Minister, Mr. Reinsch, has just informed the ministry that President Wilson is willing to intercede." Lu Zhengxiang, the chief of foreign affairs, said to Yuan Shikai, "President Wilson suggested that we immediately resume negotiations with Japan. ”

"Didn't you tell him that it was the Japanese who were rude and caused the breakdown of the negotiations?" Yuan Shikai asked with some annoyance.

Although under pressure from Britain and the United States, China and Japan began negotiations on the re-establishment of their respective positions and foreign relations after the armistice, and the Chinese side intended to make concessions to Japan on certain terms in exchange for time for peaceful development while recovering many rights and interests, but the Japanese side still insisted on the "21 Articles," which led to the eventual breakdown of the talks.

After the negotiations broke down, the Japanese government began to mobilize troops in the country, and the Chinese government continued to strengthen its war preparedness, and Yuan Shikai began to actively negotiate with foreign bank groups about borrowing money to prepare for the war against Japan. Under these circumstances, Britain and the United States stepped up their intervention to prevent the resumption of war between the two countries, which was of course undesirable for Yuan Shikai.

"Mr. Reinsch said President Wilson proposed to hold talks in Los Angeles, and he would be there in person." Lu Zhengxiang said.

"Oh?" Yuan Shikai was stunned for a moment, and then smiled, looking very happy, "If this is the case, it will be very beneficial to us."

"Ever since Japan was unreasonably coerced into our country, the United States has been helping us." Lu Zhengxiang, who has the backing of Britain and the United States, also seemed very happy, "President Wilson has always adhered to justice and justice, and it is a great blessing for our country to come forward to uphold justice this time." ”

After listening to Lu Zhengxiang's words, many military and political dignitaries present nodded their heads one after another.

"This time peace can definitely be reached." Liang Shiyi also happily agreed.

"I hope that the U.S. government will uphold justice." Army Chief Duan Qirui seemed to be unimpressed by the elation of Lu Zhengxiang and others, and said coldly, "Don't be like the British, who want us to sacrifice our rights and interests to achieve the so-called peace." ”

"Mr. Duan was too worried. In fact, the US government has been helping us speak since the beginning of the peace talks. Lu Zhengxiang said with some disapproval, "What's more, Japan's invasion of China and its southward march to the Pacific Ocean have greatly infringed on the interests of the United States, and the United States will definitely stand on China's side out of consideration for its own interests." ”

"I hope so." Duan Qirui took a breath and said.

"Immediately inform the U.S. Minister that we accept President Wilson's proposal and go to Los Angeles to negotiate with the Japanese." Yuan Shikai said to Lu Zhengxiang, "This trip to Los Angeles, President Lu will work hard, let's go for it personally."

"This is natural." Lu Zhengxiang said, "Please rest assured that the president. ”

"This time I went to the United States to negotiate, and Vice Minister Cao didn't go." Yuan Shikai looked at Cao Rulin, who was sitting there and had not spoken, and said.

"The outside world has always rumored that I am pro-Japan, so it's good to avoid suspicion this time." Cao Rulin nodded calmly and agreed.

"Let Counselor Gu accompany Chief Lu." Yang Du suggested, "Counselor Gu and President Wilson are familiar with each other, as the saying goes, acquaintances are easy to do, and it is convenient to communicate at any time when negotiating." ”

"I already had this intention, so let's do it," Yuan Shikai nodded and said.

"Are we going to send a few generals as members of the delegation to the United States for negotiations?" Chen Yan said suddenly on the side.

After listening to Chen Eun's suggestion, Duan Qirui, Xu Shuzheng and other generals were stunned and focused their eyes on Chen Eun.

"What do you mean......" Yuan Shikai looked at Chen Eun with some strange eyes, waiting for his further explanation.

"The Japanese are used to being arrogant, so we have to send someone to restrain their arrogance." Chen Yan said concisely.

"Yes." Yuan Shikai understood what Chen Eun meant, nodded, and asked, "Who do you say is better?" ”

"Bei Cai Nanyang, no matter who goes, can deter the Japanese people and make them dare not threaten us unscrupulously." Chen Yan said. ,

"That's a good idea." Liang Shiyi also echoed and said, "The general of the defeated army cannot be brave, and the Japanese will be depressed when they see it, and the negotiation can achieve miraculous results." ”

"Cai Songpo has always suffered from throat disease, and in this battle against the Japanese invaders, Cai Songpo commanded the battle with illness, and his chronic illness intensified, and it was inconvenient to talk on weekdays, so I am afraid that he will not be able to travel far into the ocean." Yang Du said, "It's better to let Yang Hanzhi go." ”

Listening to Yang Du's words, Chen Eun looked at him casually, and a hint of smugness flashed in his eyes.

Duan Qirui saw Chen Eun's xiǎo action in his eyes, and couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

Duan Qirui knew that the reason why Yang Du proposed this was because he himself and Cai Gong were very close to him, and he had been paying attention to Cai Jie's condition, so he proposed to let Yang Shuoming go. However, Chen Eun proposed to let one of the two "North Cai and Nanyang" go to Los Angeles, but the purpose was that he was afraid that Yang Du might not be pure.

"It's fine. Let Songpa raise it for a few more days," Yuan Shikai said, "Send a telegram to Qingdao and let Yang Hanzhi come to Beijing." ”

"Didn't you come to be the general of Shandong? Why are you suddenly going to Beijing again? ”

Huang Yunzhi, who had just arrived in Qingdao, put down the telegram in his hand and looked at Yang Shuoming puzzledly, and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

"That's right, the appointment of the Shandong general has come down." Yang Shuoming said, "Going to Beijing may be something else. When he saw his beloved wife's worried eyes, he couldn't help but smile slightly, "Don't worry, I guess it should be a good thing, not a bad thing." ”

"When I was at home, my father said that you were too sharp this time, and it was easy to cause trouble." Huang Yunzhi said, "Although you have made a great contribution to Qingdao, if you don't handle it properly, it is likely to be wasted." ”

"I understand what you mean, since ancient times, the most feared thing for a subordinate is to be a meritorious master," Yang Shuoming smiled and pulled his beloved wife to his side and let her sit in his arms, "But this time, it shouldn't be like this." ”

"Why do you say 'Your Majesty'? We are now the Republic of China, not the Qing Dynasty. Huang Yunzhi knew that her husband understood what she meant, Yan Sè stretched out and asked jokingly, "Where is the emperor now?" To whom do you call your subordinates? ”

"There is no emperor now, but whether there will be another one in the future, it's hard to say." Yang Shuoming smiled and said.

"No matter what, you must be xiǎo heart." Huang Yunzhi suddenly hugged Yang Shuoming and put her face on his xiōng mouth, "I don't know what's wrong with it these days, I'm always afraid that something will happen to you......"

"I heard that a Japanese spy was caught at home?" Yang Shuoming hugged his wife's slender waist, hugged her in his arms, and asked while feeling the warmth of the soft and fragrant embrace.