1908 Far Eastern Maniac Chapter 234 Codename "Mandala"

9; It is a key chess piece in the chess game between Zhao Bei and Yuan Shikai. Zhao Er is dead. No one knows why he is at this time. I only know that he tore the foreign cloth robe he was wearing into strips of cloth. A rope was braided from these strips of cloth. He put his neck around his neck and hung himself on the window railing on the wall of the cell, which was only half a foot square.

Although the jailers had carried Zhao Erxun's body out of the cell. But there was still a lot of talk in the prison area. Most of the people in Section A of Huayang No. 1 Model Prison are special inmates. Many of them were officials of the former Qing Dynasty. and Zhao Erxun, the governor of Sichuan, had a subordinate relationship. This Zhao Erxun died. Everyone couldn't help but feel sad. and discussed the reason for Zhao Erxun's self-determination.

But the discussion came and went. These criminals in the officialdom are still skeptical of Zhao Erxun's "self-sufficient" claims. There's no way not to doubt it. Because Zhao Erxun did not hear any movement from the prisoners on the left and right. Even the four prisoners who were in the same prison with Zhao Erxun did not notice Zhao Erxun's movements. Even though it was pitch black in the prison cell. It's not so quiet. Let alone. The small half-foot square window was a man's height. Zhao Erxun wanted to hang the rope on the window railing. That's not an easy task. And if you don't step on the east. I'm afraid that the people who can hang themselves up are all practitioners. Although Zhao Er usually has a penchant for sword dancing. But the crowd didn't believe that he could hang himself more than a foot high from his feet.

So. There is now a rumor circulating in the prison district. Zhao Erxun didn't hang himself up. It was hung up by someone else. The most suspicious were the four prisoners who were in the same cell with him. They are all suspects in the "Chuanhan Road Deficit Case". Like Zhao Erxun's crime, it is "embezzlement of public funds". Perhaps those four people felt that letting Zhao Erxun live would threaten their own interests, so they teamed up to kill Zhao Erxun. and disguised as self.

As a matter of fact. Late at night that day of Zhao Erxunzi. The four prisoners who were in the same cell were taken away by the jailers and have not returned to this day. This also seems to hold the statement that Zhao Erxun is being said.

Most of the prisoners died strangely. But at least one person doesn't see it that way.

This person committed the old man of Duanfang, the former two governors of the Qing court. In order to avenge Duan Fang, Duan Jin planned to assassinate the commander-in-chief of the republic. However, the operation failed. He was held in the county jail awaiting trial. Duan Jin knew that Er Xunmo died, at least he thought he had mastered the real reason for Zhao Er Xunzi. Because he has the evidence in his hands.

That evidence is a white cloth. Half a foot square. There are more than 100 words written densely on it. The handwriting is dark red and black. At first glance, you can tell that it is written in blood. And it's the fingers that don't use the pen.

This piece of foreign cloth originally belonged to Zhao Erxun in the afternoon of Zhao Erxun's self-since. Take advantage of the people - Zhao Erxun put this cloth on the nest. Thrown to Duanjin through the corridor of the prison cell.

Duanjin's prison house is opposite Zhao Erxun's prison house. Less than a foot apart. So he got the cloth very smoothly. Open it and take a look. But it was a letter written by Zhao Erxun. Due to the content is somewhat bizarre. Duanjin didn't care at first. But it didn't make a statement. After Erxun's own death. Duanjin came back to his senses. Then he took out the cloth and pondered it. That's what I understand. This letter turned out to be Zhao Erxun's suicide note. That's why. Duan did not suspect that Zhao Erxun was self. In his opinion. Perhaps Zhao Erxun is tired of prison. Perhaps he felt that he would die even if he went to court. Suo xìng simply cut himself off. I also left a suicide note and handed it to Duanjin. Although I didn't explain anything about the aftermath above. However, Duanjin's hostile stance towards Zhao Erxun completely changed.

"Zhao Cishan, Zhao Cishan. If you speak the truth above you. You are the first loyal minister of my Great Qing Kingdom! If he is the restoration of the Great Qing Dynasty. I will definitely show it to the court. Let you enter the Zhaozhong Ancestral Hall! When your throne is put up. I'll give you a few real knocks! ”

Sit|. Just a little light from the house that was thrown into the prison cell. Duan Jin looked at Zhao Erxun's suicide note over and over again. Word by word recitation. Fortunately, he was alone in this cell. You don't have to worry about being noticed. The only thing that bothered him was the little song hummed by the flag man next door.

However, Duanjin has no time to deal with Erle Dengbu now. Reciting the contents of Zhao Erxun's suicide note with one mind. After reciting it silently dozens of times. I looked at the white cloth with the words written on it. sighed a few times in my heart. Then he bit the edge of the piece with his teeth. Tear it into strips with all your might. Stand up and look left and right. These strips of cloth are then thrown into the dung bucket. Roll up your sleeves. Stir in the bucket with your hands for a moment. Only then did the lid of the barrel be closed. Sit in the corner. Use straw to clean up the filth from your arms.

"Anyway, find a way to get out. Otherwise. Zhao Erxun's loyalty to this lonely minister is in vain. It's just that it's heavily guarded. How do you get out? ”

Duan Jin rolled down his sleeves. I began to think about it in earnest.

……

When Duan Jin was pondering the escape plan in Huayang County Prison. In the headquarters of the Republican Army in Chengdu. There are also plans for him to escape from prison.

This person who "helped" Duanjin escape from prison was none other than him. It was the highest military commander of the Republican Army. Commander-in-Chief Zhao Bei.

The assistant who assisted the commander-in-chief in formulating this escape plan was only the head of the guard, Tian Jinfu. The matter is top secret. Even the Chief of the General Staff, Lan Tianwei, was completely unaware. From the beginning. Only Zhao Bei and Tian Jinfu planned the whole thing. However, several staff officers were also involved in the preparatory work for this matter. But they didn't know what the Commander-in-Chief wanted to do. In fact, Tian Jinfu doesn't know very well.

Now. Tian Jinfu was holding a telegram code. Laboriously translating a coded telegram on the table. And Zhao Bei stood in one. A draft of a telegram was drafted.

"Commander. It's translated. Tian Jinfu straightened his waist. The transcript of the telegram was handed over.

Zhao Bei looked at it. Nodding in satisfaction. said: "Since those rags have been fished out of the dung bucket. This shows that Duanjin has carefully read the content above. And very seriously. This is exactly what we expected. It also coincides with the report of the "sub" we arranged. The fish has bitten the hook and is ready to reel. ”

After speaking. The manuscript was burned, and then the prepared draft of the telegram was given to Tian Jinfu.

"Translated into a cipher immediately. Shoot directly to Tianjin. Give orders to the "Iron Bridge" and "Peachtree". In addition, at the same time, personnel can be dispatched to carry the password letter and rush to the day. Give it to the "Iron Bridge" and "Tree". There are some things that are not clear in the telegram and it is inconvenient to say. ”

Tian Jinfu took the manuscript. The codebook was translated.

After he finished translating the telegram, Zhao Bei said: "Prepare another telegram." Instructed the intelligence officer stationed in Huayang. Take my order and go to the commander of Huayang City Defense to act according to the plan formulated. Considering that Duanjin had already "escaped" once last time. This time it's going to be more realistic. If necessary, part of the prison area may be burned. Let more people go. Remember. That rì himself, Nishizawa Kimio, must let him escape with Duanjin, which is not crucial. Immediately after the operation, the commander of the Huayang City Defense was promoted to colonel. Transferred to the Military Intelligence Agency. ”

After a pause, he said, "This operation is very important. Although after Duanjin fled, the initiative was not completely in our hands. But at least our operation Huayang must not fail. The files related to this operation will be left blank. Only one action code remains:

Let's go. ”

The Commander-in-Chief and the Captain of the Guard set up a covert operation in the room. Outside the secret room, a group of gentlemen and officials were waiting. "Sichuan Propaganda Envoy" Yang Du is also waiting here.

The reason why so many people are waiting at the General Headquarters. The reason is simple. Because the commander-in-chief had officially issued an order yesterday. He will leave Chengdu this afternoon. Rush to Chóngqìng by land. After a short break. He will lead part of the Republican Army troops back to Hubei.

It is not possible not to go back to Hubei. Now the war for nation-building is basically over. Several newly built divisions of the Beiyang Army are swinging along the Jinghan Railway. The striker has entered Luoyang. Although the strength of only half a division has been formed, military pressure has been formed on Hubei. The commander-in-chief must rush back to Hubei. to stabilize people's hearts. And find out the true intentions of the Beiyang Army.

Including Yang Du. Everyone did not know the real reason why Zhao Bei was in a hurry to return to Hubei. In Yang Du's opinion. Many things in Sichuan still need to be handled by Zhao Bei himself. Moreover, Yuan Shikai has not yet issued the official appointment of the "Governor of Sichuan". For the commander-in-chief, who has always paid attention to "justification". His rule in Sichuan is still subject to criticism. This is intolerable to the Commander-in-Chief.

Just as Yang Du and the others were measuring the real reason why the commander-in-chief rushed back to the north. Captain Tian Jinfu walked out of the commander-in-chief's office with a few telegram drafts. I said hello to Yang Du and a few other acquaintances. He left in a hurry.

A moment later. The general commander also walked out of the office. Zhang Jiyang, secretary general of the Political Propaganda Commission, hurriedly walked over. Zhao Bei smiled at the crowd and said, "Ladies and gentlemen in Sichuan. Revolutionary comrades. Now the nation-building war is nearing its end. The battle for the conquest of Sichuan was also over. A certain has been in Sichuan for several months. The mission to recover Sichuan has been completed. There is still a lot of work to be done in Wuhan. So. The affairs of Sichuan will be entrusted to you. ”

"After the commander-in-chief is gone. Who will preside over the work of the military government? Yang Du hurriedly asked.

The current head of the Sichuan Army is Bei. Zhao Bei left. Sichuan zhèngfǔ could not have been remotely commanded by Zhao Bei in Wuhan. There should be at least a puppet of the commander-in-chief. This puppet candidate is almost certainly a certain general in the communist army. Yang Du was anxious to know who would succeed Zhao Bei. Look to the side of Zhang Jiyang. It is more likely that this person will succeed. If that's the person. Then it's not easy to win it over.

"I have suggested the Nexus. For the time being, the administration of Sichuan is separated. Military affairs - under my chairmanship. Civil affairs are handled by the Governor and the House of Representatives. Skinny. I, the "Governor of Sichuan", was also elected by the people of Sichuan. Although now it is not convenient for the center to officially announce the appointment. However, it does not mean that the public opinion of the Sichuan people can be ignored. and so on. I am the "Governor of Sichuan"! ”

Zhao Bei's statement made the hanging hearts of the Sichuan gentry and Fang officials relaxed. But at the same time, it also made Yang Du's heart sink downward.

"Xiang Cheng made a mistake. So do I. This Commander-in-Chief Zhao is so domineering. It's already a big tail. Earlier known today rì. Why bother in the first place. ”

Yang Du sighed in his heart. Some regret that he suggested that Yuan Shikai appoint Zhao Bei as the "salt administration of the six southwestern provinces". I knew that the commander-in-chief was greedy for power. He's not going to help anyway. But then again, if Yuan Shikai was unwilling to appoint Zhao Bei as the salt governor. Then the "presidential system" written into the constitution cannot be realized. It goes on and on. Yuan Shikai and Yang Du really had no choice at that time.

Even if you know that you want to quench your thirst, you must drink that cup. Yuan Shikai not only drank. And still continue to drink. Will Yang Du continue to drink it?

Yang Du himself didn't know.

……

Number. chóngqìng Chaotianmen Pier. A gunboat is raising its anchor at the pier. The iron-blooded republican flag fluttering at the stern of the ship was particularly bright.

Zhao Bei, commander-in-chief of the Republican Army, stands on the open bridge. Accompanied by a group of subordinates, he raised his eyes and looked into the distance. He waved to the representatives of the people and the parliamentarians on the shore who were sending off the commander-in-chief to Hubei.

After rushing from Chengdu to Chóngqìng. Zhao Bei only rested in this mountain city for half a day. Then we took a boat to the east. Before leaving Chóngqìng, he attended a plenary session of the Provincial House. At the meeting, it was announced in public: Although the "Chuanhan Road Loan Deficit Case" is still being heard. However, all the shares of the Sichuan-Han Railway Company continue to be valid. No depreciation. As for the shortfall part. It is regarded as a loss in operation. In the future, after the construction of the railway. Once profitable. Holders of the shares will be able to redeem the shares. Moreover, from now on, Sichuan Province will no longer forcibly levy "rented shares". The railway company achieved full commercialization. And again the board of directors of the railway company was reorganized.

As compensation for the people of Sichuan. At the same time, it was also a reward for the support of the Sichuan people to the revolutionary army in the battle of Sichuan. At the same time, Zhao Bei, as the governor of Sichuan, announced that Sichuan Tianfu would be exempted for one year.

These two measures not only quickly stabilized people's hearts. At the same time, the prestige of the commander-in-chief remained in Sichuan.

"Xiuhao. Look. It is the will of the people. This is the will of the people. ”

Looking at the representatives of the people who are like mountains and seas. Zhao Bei only said one word to Lan Tianwei who was standing beside him.

One sentence is enough. "The hearts of the people in the world". This sentence is no longer necessary.

……

Of course Zhao Bei didn't know. Just after he set sail east with his fleet. Four ragged fugitives also arrived at Chóngqìng. Although they arrived half a day late. It was not in time for the commander-in-chief's farewell ceremony, but the situation of that day reached their ears through the mouths of the people.

"Zhao Bei. I am inseparable from you! Duanjin gritted his teeth and said.

"This man is very good at buying people's hearts. It's a tough opponent to play against. Kimio Nishizawa sighed.

"Duanye. Don't stand here. In front of it is the Rì Concession. Let's get over there. Wait for Mr. Nishizawa to pick up someone. Let's disguise ourselves and flee to Liaodong. Take a look at the dragon Xingzhi of our ancestors who fought the world back then. Guishan interjected.

"Several. You don't look at it either. There are revolutionary troops standing outside the concession. Let's get over it. Will someone get it back? Although the fire in Huayang County Prison burned in time. We all escaped. However, Jessen was killed by his pursuers. If we get caught again. Then bury a pit with Jessen. Eledemb reminded in a whisper.

However, this reminder was exchanged for a slap in the face of Duanjin.

"You kid think that Rì himself only lives in the concession? Mr. Nishizawa said it well. I shouldn't have brought you fool back then! It's useless to have half a fart. Say all the sad words! ”

"Master. Don't be angry. It's not good to be servile when you're in prison. You don't care about the villain. The minions arrived in Liaodong. It's also a flag boy. It's to go into battle and fight. Can you carry a gun, right? ”

The fugitives got together and muttered for a long time. Only then did he turn around and walk towards the concession. But I didn't dare to come closer. Instead, knock on a small inconspicuous silk shop. Sneakily hid in.

Night soon fell into place.

chóngqìng。 The mountain town has regained its tranquility.

Late at night. An encrypted telegram was sent from a wireless telegraph machine set up in Chóngqìng. The content of the telegram if translated. Only eleven words:

"The 'Mandala Group' has been formed."