1908 Far East Maniac Chapter 131 Chicken Dog Ascension to Heaven

The qi gradually dissipated. Although the sky is still yīn powerful. But it's okay anyway

With the sound of the trumpets of the slender men. Several large wooden sailing boats, commonly known as "Beitou boats", slowly sailed from the lower reaches of the Haihe River to the upper reaches of the river. Although the wind has risen. Blew away the fog. But this breeze was not enough to power the sails. The poles of the ships were bare. Several sail cables were swaying with the swaying of the hull. and the trumpet of the slender man on the shore and the beat.

This is a small fleet. It belongs to Ningbo businessmen. It operates the Tianjin-Shanghai-Ningbo route. It mainly undertakes north-south freight business. Since the middle of the Qing season. This Tianjin Wei is the northern goods distribution of the Ningbo merchant gang. Tea in the south - moso bamboo, tinan paper fir grain. Soybean oil, skin goods, spirits, medicinal herbs, dried fruits in the north. All kinds of goods traveled from south to north through this maritime trade route. After the import of foreign goods. Although Ningbo merchants also deal in foreign goods. However, the main commodity it deals in is still local goods.

In the second year, the Eight-Nation Coalition attacked Tianjin. The Ningbo Merchant Gang suffered heavy losses. Later, China and foreign countries negotiated peace. The Treaty of Singapore was signed. The power of foreign merchants in Tianjin was prosperous. Although the market is also broader as a result. But in the end, the traditional Chinese merchant gang is gradually declining. In this year. Even the Ningbo Gang, which was very prosperous back then, had no confidence to compete with foreign businessmen. Many businessmen have even joined the foreign industry. Made a comprador. This "Beitou boat" from Ningbo to Tianjin is also becoming rarer.

After the outbreak of the "Wushen Revolution". Not only the Anhui River. The revolutionary army rose up in the north. Even the situation in Zhejiang and Fujian has become turbulent. Under the call of the Restoration Society. There will be a lot of parties. This revolutionary fire in the south is about to burn Ningbo. The business of Ningbo merchants was also affected. Even fewer merchants are heading north.

So. When this "northern" flotilla sailed to Tianjin. A small sāo movement was triggered. The shopkeepers of the shops, who had long been worried about the scarcity of the southern goods, rushed to the wharf in person. If you want to swallow the best goods at the first time, even the comprador of the foreign country ran to the street with her writing and rushed to the purple bamboo forest at the junction of the British Concession and the French Concession to wait. Because this is the preferred place for Ningbo merchants to moor ships.

In order to manage the affairs of the Beitou Qing court, a special general office was set up in the Cao Bureau to take care of its affairs, and the fleet had not yet arrived at the wharf. The ship signature has been sent by the Chamber of Commerce to submit it to the Transport Bureau.

The current general office of Caoyun is Zhang Youtang. He is a native of Ningbo. Because of this level of fellow villagers. In recent years, the friendship between the Ningbo Gang and the government has deepened. After the flotilla docked. The people in the anti-private patrol camp will not get on the boat and pick their noses and eyes. Of course. This routine filial piety is also indispensable. The general office's favor is the favor of the people, the rules of the soldiers are the rules, and the soldiers who arrest the private sector are all taking risks in the fight against smuggling and catching bandits. It's also a good idea to make some extra money. Even Lord Zhang can't change this rule.

Knowing that the Beitou boat had sailed towards Zhang Youtang, he did not dare to slack off. took the boat sign and got on the top four sedan chairs. led a few capable officials to the gate merchant marine office. It is where the Chamber of Commerce of the Ningbo Merchant Gang is located. After the ship docked, the captain of each ship had to take the list of goods to the office and report it. If it is the same as the list presented by the Chamber of Commerce to Mr. Zhang's office. The cargo on this ship can be unloaded.

It is said that General Manager Zhang's office can sit upright in the yamen and send people to submit orders, but now the situation is different, since the revolution in the south has risen. The officialdom in Tianjin is like an earthquake, and it changes almost every few days. First, Chūn overthrew Yang Shixiang. Governor Yang fell. The big and small officials he promoted also fell one after another. Zhang Youtang came up on the path of Yang Shixiang, the king of Qing. It should have been impeached. But perhaps his official reputation has been good in the past two years. Maybe King Qing hasn't fallen yet. So he escaped for the time being. I was going to change the door at this point. Throw under the chūn gate. Unexpectedly, in just a few days. Tianjin officialdom has changed again. With the resurgence of Yuan Shikai. Chūn's satrapy collapsed before it could sit hot. The new officials he pulled out, those who didn't come and ran away, were thrown into prison by the Beiyang Army. Even those officials who voted for posts but have not yet come and taken office have also been jumped. Since Shixiang has revived. Of course, these two-ended guys can't be used anymore. And so it goes. Tianjin officialdom suddenly vacated many seats and waited for people to grab.

Zhang Youtang was glad that his posting did not reach the house. While staring at the vacant seats like everyone else, he began to ponder his heart. Who in officialdom doesn't want to be promoted?

General Manager Zhang's favorite position is the Jinhai Yamen Office. Although the level is not as good as that of the general office. But that's a fat shortage. There are too many people who fancy it. So no, I don't think of a way. His approach was simple. That's solid work. In order to win the favor of the boss. This personal errand to the merchant marine office is one of the means of expression. As for whether it is useful or not. Then the benevolent will see. I can't help it. Now the financial resources of the Ningbo Gang are not comparable to the past. Relying on silver can't fight those foreign compradors. can only hope that Yuan Regency will refresh the officialdom. This ruler of the world is counting on capable officials?

Zhang Youtang's sedan chair has just walked away. Someone rushed out of the hind foot. Caught up in the sedan chair and stopped Zhang Youtang.

"Your Excellency. There are distinguished guests visiting. The master who stopped the sedan said.

"Guest?" Zhang Youtang took the post presented by the master. Just a glance. I almost jumped in shock. Stamped his feet again and again and told the sedan chair to turn around.

A servant squad leader felt strange. It is so important to ask the master what distinguished guests are. The lord on duty left his official duties.

"What distinguished guest? A man sent by the governor of the three eastern provinces. Master hummed.

"Someone sent by Xu Donghai?" The officer's mouth was a little closed.

Xu Shichang, the governor of the three eastern provinces, Xu Donghai. That's a big name. Yuan Shikai's alliance brother. The old man when he was training at a small station. Yuan Shikai's relationship is extraordinary. Although Yuan Shikai has many friends and cronies. Any person in Beiyang can be related to Yuan Shikai. But this Xu Shichang is different from others. Because his background is very special. He was born in Hanlin. It is completely a two-layer realm with the group of Qiu Ba beside Yuan Shikai. If it is said that the Beiyang New Army is Yuan Shikai's courage. Then he Shichang is Yuan Shikai's pen.

The reason why Yuan Shikai has the confidence to launch a "military admonition" this time. It is not unrelated to Xu Shichang's control of the three eastern provinces. The three eastern provinces have Cao. The text has Xu Shichang. As long as foreigners don't make trouble. That's too flat.

It's just that Xu Shichang sent people to Tianjin for what? And as soon as I arrived in Tianjin, I visited a little sesame official. General Manager Zhang's office is afraid that he is a little flattered.

With a hint of apprehension. Zhang Tang returned to the yamen. From afar, I saw a person walking around with his hands behind his back outside the wing. He was not wearing court clothes. Rather, it is the uniform of the new army.

When the man saw Zhang Youtang coming back, he greeted him and arched his hand. said: "But the general office? ”

"It's just that. I don't know what Xu Zhengtai is doing when he sends your lord here-" Zhang Youtang politely replied.

"This is not about Xu Zhengtai, it is a contemptible person who made his own opinion, and came to bother Master Zhang to order someone to vacate a clean stacking room. Put a few large wooden boxes. The wooden box is full of leather ginseng. Unbearable cháo. I just asked around. Only the official warehouse of adult is suitable. The man said to the point.

"It's easy." Zhang Youtang breathed a sigh of relief. Hurriedly ordered someone to go down to the stockpile.

"There's Lord Lao Zhang."

The man thanked him. Take out a business card. Hand it to Zhang Youtang. said: "The contemptible king is called Tang." He used to be the chief soldier of the army. He is now the military senator of the Governor's Office of the three eastern provinces, and this time he was ordered to go south by constitutional order. I was going to meet Lord Regent Yuan. ”

"It turned out to be Senator Wang. "Faux pas," Yutang immediately understood what the stack was for.

Since Yuan Shikai became the "Minister of Politics". There was a gift-giving team in Tianjin. Yuan Shikai is not short of silver. That's why it's so special. Zhang Renjun, the general manager of Liangguang, sent Shanshu, the governor of Shandong, Yuan Shu, the governor of Yanmar, Germany, and the governor of Anhui, Zhu Jiabao, sent the bronze tripod of the Zhou Dynasty. The leader of the Constituent Council, Zhang, sent a Western golden carriage.

Before the emperor in the Forbidden City was replaced, the princes of each country began to befriend Yuan Shikai. Apparently. Shichang also didn't want to miss this opportunity to make a friendship. So he sent people to send "native goods" from the three eastern provinces. Presumably, there are too many of these "local goods". It's not good to pull it directly to the regent's residence. It can only be temporarily stored in the official warehouse.

Although Yuan Shikai has not been regent for a few days. But the officials of Tianjin Wei have begun to talk about whose courtesy is good. Now this head. There are no impermeable walls in officialdom. Zhang Youtang is in officialdom. Naturally, it is also well-informed. It's a pity that there is no way to tie up with Yuan Regent. I can only watch other people's chickens and dogs ascend to heaven.

Yuan Shikai has an army in his hands. Foreigners also supported him to come forward to clean up the mess. If all goes well. From now on, he will be in charge of the court. It's no wonder that the officials went to flattery.

Flattery can be flattered. No one can guess what Shikai had in mind. It is clear that the army has been launched. But I also asked the court to officially give a name. For major military affairs, special personnel should be sent to the capital to pay attention to the capital.

So far. Does he want to be a loyal servant?

The imperial court is also unfathomable. Obviously, Yuan Shikai has reversed. But the imperial court didn't even say a bad word about Yuan Shikai. He was also officially appointed "Regent". This court. Could it be as the people said? Is it cowardice to the extreme?

On the contrary, the various Xinjiang universities have some backbone. They have raised the banner of diligence and righteousness. But do they really plan to King Qin, or are they reaping their own benefits under the guise of King Qin. But I can't understand it.

"Ahem. Mr. Zhang. Mr. Zhang. The king saw Zhang You holding his business card in a daze. So he coughed twice.

"Senator Wang, please speak," Zhang Youtang came back to his senses.

"This batch of goods is staring at some of your dispatches. If any; Cistern. You and I can't afford it. Wang reminded.

"Senator Wang can rest assured. The stack of the government. No one dares to make up their minds yet. Zhang You assured with his chest. I was also curious. I don't know how many gifts Xu Shichang sent......

Just when Zhang Youtang led his subordinates to register and move the hundreds of large wooden boxes brought by the king into the warehouse one by one. In the yamen of the governor of Zhili, not far from the official warehouse. A group of people were shaking their heads in front of a big picture. Praise loudly.

"The building is small and can accommodate knees. The eaves are high and the old trees are full. Open Beidou. Flip the line low. Wonderful. It's wonderful. ”

The first two sentences show Yuan Xi's broad mind. The last two sentences show that Yuan Regent's ambition is comparable to that of the sky. It's really good poetry. ”

"I heard that this poem was written by Regent Yuan when he was living in the concession. At that time, the sky was turbulent. Perhaps only Regent Yuan can see so far. So clear. ”

"That's nature. Who in the world understands better than Regent Yuan? Implement the New Deal. Advocate for a constitution. All kinds of enlightened measures are deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Wei Bangjiao. Solid national foundation. More foreign ministers praised in unison. Such a handsome man in the world. Is it comparable to that class of revolutionaries? ”

That's true. That's right. Revolution is not good. Jun Xian is good. Change for good. ”。

The big character was written by Yuan Shikai in the Tianjin Concession. Now it's packed. Hung in the east wing of the front yard of the Yamen of the Governor of Zhili. It was a group of constitutionalist delegates who were praising the words.

These constitutionalists were sent to Tianjin by the Jiangsu Constitutional Council. One is to show loyalty to Yuan Shikai. The second is to prepare for the Constituent Assembly. Yuan Shikai plans to meet them. The men rushed to the Regency Office early. Waiting for the summons of Regency Yuan. It's boring. A group of people gathered in front of the Bogu shelf to enjoy antiques. The other stood in front of the lettering. Pull Silas.

I didn't wait for everyone to finish talking about the word. The figure on the door of the wing room flickered. Two more walked in. One of them was a servant. The other person was very familiar. It is the "constitutional wizard" Yang Du.

"Skinny. Look at you. Could it be that he has just arrived in Tianjin? There are still vacancies here. Just sit here. A few days ago, I just got a jade snuff bottle from the Confucius Temple in Jiangning. You also come to appreciate and appreciate. Someone greeted Yang Du.

Yang Du was not polite. Walk over and greet a few acquaintances. But didn't wait to sit down. Another servant hurried over. Standing by the door, he shouted loudly: "Regent Yuan has invited Master Yang Huizi Yang." ”

Everyone was surprised. They had been waiting for half a day. Yuan Shikai has not yet been summoned. But Yang Du had just entered the door. Shi Kai immediately sent someone to summon him. This "holy family" is only afraid that it is extraordinary.

Yang Du was not as surprised as others. Only slightly trimmed the crown. He took a chicken feather from the servant. The hem of the kaftan was made. Rub the mud on the soles of your shoes. He confessed to the people. Then he walked out of the east chamber with the servant. Rush down the cloister to the backyard.

Shi Kai is not in custody at the moment. And in a small study in the backyard of the governor's yamen. And not alone. Several Beiyang officers were accompanying him. Sitting on the stool with a tea cup, there is a mouthful of it. Except for a few. There is also a middle-aged man in his forties. Wearing a military attache uniform of the second grade. The pipe on the top is the same as the one on Yuan Shikai's head. Also bald. But the man was not sitting. It was the big one standing by the door. He also carried a horsewhip in his hand. The first to see Yang Du coming.

Yang Du entered the study. Take a look. But I saw Shikai writing on the desk with a brush. There were two people standing at the desk. On the left hand side is the eldest son, Yuan Keding. On the right hand is the second son, Yuan Kewen. The brothers didn't lift their heads. He was staring intently at the moving brush.

"Skinny. You don't have to be courteous. You sit for a moment. Yuan Shikai said without raising his head.

Because the desk is blocked. Yang Du couldn't see what was on the table. I had to sit down next to those Beiyang officers. The servants offered incense. Yang Du just held it in his hand. There is no product. He turned his head to look at the officers beside him. But they are all very eye-catching. Judging by the rank. All are mid-level officers. I don't know why, but I was able to enter the house. Sitting next to Regent Yuan drinking tea.

As for the second-rank military attache standing behind the door. Yang Du also couldn't figure out his origin. Have the heart to come forward and make friends. But it's very quiet in this study. But it is also inconvenient to deal with personal relationships.

The others also look like Yang Du. It's all an expression that wants to speak but doesn't dare to speak. I can only hold the tea and taste it one by one. It's just that the taste of this dragon well is very light. I don't know if it's because it's been left for too long.

Yang Du raised his head. He looked at the screen in the corner. I was surprised to find that the screen was actually the side of the royal gift. There is a picture of a hundred birds and a phoenix painted on it. This screen was originally placed in the residence of Shikai in Xila Hutong in Beijing. At the beginning, Zhao Bei was in Jiujiang after the "electric power". Yang Du knelt down for Yuan Shikai next to this screen. At that time, he begged Lord Yuan for military advice. But Lord Yuan was unmoved. Later, Yuan Shikai escaped from the capital. The screen was left in the apartment. Now I don't know why I came to Tianjin again. It was placed in the study of the Grand Duke of Regent.

"The world is impermanent." Yang Du sighed.