Yang Rui's last sentence only hit the sore spot of Great Britain, Zhu Erdian was still a gentleman's farewell in addition to anger, and only when he returned to the embassy did his anger erupt, his cane struck on the ground, as if to make a few holes in the floor tiles. Seeing that the knock attracted the attention of others, Zhu Erdian had no choice but to suppress his anger and turn back into a smiling gentleman.

The situation in the Far East affects the situation in Europe. At the end of last month, German newspapers published the full text of Yang Rui's speech in Shanghai, with the headline "The Third 'Boer' War." In their view, a weak nation in the Far East can 'fight like the Boers', so how can the German nation lose to the Boers and the East Asian yellow race?

Public opinion is the same, and the German government has been unusually tough on diplomacy since April, and by the time the Leopard gunboat sailed for Morocco in July, the situation in Europe exploded. By the time the Risorgimento occupied Beijing, the British navy was ready for battle, and the army was mobilized, and with the help of the navy, they were to cross the sea to northern France to assist the French in resisting the Germans. Great Britain was only at sea, and now it was going to fight two wars simultaneously on land, and even with the help of the Japanese, the prospects were not optimistic.

Thinking of the relationship between the Renaissance Society and the Germans, not only Zhu Erdian, but also Foreign Secretary Gray, who was far away in London, suspected that the Renaissance Society had colluded with the Germans, if this was the case, it could only be said to be a tragedy for Great Britain, even if the coastal areas of China could be occupied with the help of the Japanese, but the vast inland of this country could not be occupied by hundreds of thousands or hundreds of thousands of troops, and the final result was nothing more than the occupation of Mukden and Dongmeng by the Japanese as they wished. Revival would retreat inland, but Great Britain would have nothing but one more enemy. The original benefits may also be lost.

There's really nothing worse than that. Zhu Erdian thought about the consequences of the matter again, and finally sighed calmly. He didn't know that there was a word for rat thrower in Chinese, and if he really wanted to, he was afraid that he would have to write this word countless times in the report.

"William, are the Japanese still planning to increase their troops?" Zhu Erdian asked, remembering that there were reports earlier that in view of the deterioration of the situation on the Yangtze River. Public opinion in Japan is boiling and it is ready to send more troops to China again, but this time the destination is not just Mukden.

"Yes. Sir. In addition to sending more troops to Mukden again, the Japanese cabinet is also planning to send two divisions to Shanghai and Suzhou, after all, the navy cannot go ashore. Little by little, Mamul watched the situation deteriorate to the present, and only hoped that the Japanese would teach the revival society that had provoked the incident a good lesson.

"They will never be allowed to send troops to Shanghai and the Yangtze River." Zhu Erdian said in a deep voice. "Help me make an appointment with His Excellency Ijiin, the Japanese Minister. The situation cannot deteriorate any further. ”

"Sir, Yang Jingcheng is hoping that we will help him stop the Japanese, and doing so will only make him ......" Ma Mule felt that Zhu Erdian had interrupted his previous decision to give up, and had to persuade him.

"Nope! You don't understand. You'll be with a... No, is it a duel with a bunch of madmen? If you lose, your reputation will suffer; And if you win, then there will be more crazy people running out to you desperately. This... Is it worth it? Zhu Erdian's voice was calm, as if reflecting on his original decision.

In fact, as early as the beginning of the South Manchurian railway bombing. He could have stopped the Japanese from sending troops, but he had the intention of putting pressure on him. London acquiesced in the Japanese sending troops. In the past month, the war in Mukden has become bigger and bigger, but the Fuxing Society not only did not compromise, but transferred the conflict to the Yangtze River area, and then connived at Japan to send troops will only make a mess of the whole of China, which is obviously not what London wants, and if Japan is not stopped now, then the next thing is for London to replace itself, and then personally stop Japan.

"Sir... Let Japan stop the dispute now, and they may not agree. After all, they suffered huge losses both in Mukden and in the Yangtze River. Seeing that Zhu Erdian had made up his mind, Ma Mueller had no choice but to shift the topic to the Japanese side.

"Everybody has losses." Zhu Erdian took a puff of cigarette and said, "You can go and help me make an appointment with Your Excellency Ijiin." ”

Zhu Erdian wanted to turn, but Ijiin Hikoyoshi wanted to increase the chips, now there are six divisions in Fengtian, but Fengtian City is still not completely taken, both sides have invested heavy troops in Fengtian City, the war has been stalemate, and now the Japanese army only controls half of the city; In Tianjin, although there were two divisions, the legation had always forbidden Japan to go to war, and Yuan Shikai, who thought he would cooperate with the battle, said that he was sick, and the towns in Beiyang had no desire to fight at all, just hiding from the sun in the trenches. It is also reported that the Fuxing Society has begun to persuade him to surrender, and Yuan Shikai has been designated as the governor of Zhili.

The situation in the north was like this, and the situation in the south was even worse, the Japanese foreign trade in the Yangtze River area was basically cut off, one concession was occupied, the other three were surrounded, and the navy had no choice but to bombard the river against the Renaissance Army on the shore. As the war expanded, the War Department clamored for an all-out war, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs began to have voices for peace talks, reasoning that Mukden had only one province, and even if it was fully occupied, it would not be worth much, and that the War Reparations would be demanded and that the Fuxing Society would not pay reparations, and that the final result would only be another Russo-Japanese War.

"Sir, we hope to ......" Hikoyoshi of Ijiin said 'we hope' when he saw Zhu Erdian, but he was interrupted by Zhu Erdian before he could finish his hope.

"Mr. Minister, the conflict has been going on for almost a month, and judging by the current situation, even if the troops are increased again, nothing good will come of it. I think maybe it should have ended sooner. Juordian felt the hopeful gaze of Hikoyoshi in Ijiin, but had to say something that disappointed him.

"No...... No, I mean it can't be done. "Ijiin Hikoyoshi wanted to refuse directly, but knowing his identity, he had to express his bitterness." The Suzhou Concession was occupied by the Renaissance Army, and the country hoped to send more troops to China again. If an armistice were to be declared at this time, the consequences would be devastating. ”

"Your Excellency, then you have a choice. As before, Great Britain does not allow any war in the Yangtze River valley, and you have no excuse for war in Tianjin. In other words, the only place where you can go to war is Mukden. But even outside the gate. Yang Jingcheng is also determined to fight the war indefinitely, and the Americans are secretly supporting him, so what can you get in the end? I thought I would get nothing at the end of the day. Zhu Erdian said.

"Sir. That is why we hope that the legation will agree to our occupation of Beijing. Hikoyoshi Ijiin said.

"There is no reason for the legation to agree to your war in Beijing." Zhu Erdian said. "Even if there is a war, it will only become another quagmire like Mukden, how long do you want the war to last? Now that the South Manchurian Railway has been cut off, and the consequences of the war have benefited only the Americans and Russia, it is my duty to warn you, as an ally. The war should be over. ”

"But the Revival will not compensate for this." Hikoyoshi Road in Ijiin.

"Now your daily losses are more important than reparations, and as long as the war continues, your losses will be heavier. Excellency. How long can the merchants of your country endure it? Zhu Erdian said. The mention of the merchants made him sick to his stomach, and the merchants had already reported to Whitehall before the war in the Yangtze River valley began, what a damn thing.

"Sir. Is it your government that wants us to cease hostilities? Ijiin Hikoyoshi said. He felt lost British support. It will be difficult for the war to continue.

"As before, our government does not want any war in the Yangtze River valley, so it will never agree to Japan sending troops to Shanghai and other places. As for Mukden, we only hope that the war will stop, but if you do not heed this advice, then we can only express regret. "What Zhu Erdian said was all diplomatic rhetoric, and he didn't say anything explicitly.

Hikoyoshi didn't stay long at the British Legation before going back. His action was reported by the spies lurking in the legation, and Liu Boyuan said a little excitedly. "Sir, the Japanese envoy did not smile when he returned, and almost fell when he got out of the car, and we judge that the British estimated that they should withdraw their troops from Mukden."

"Zhu Erdian would not say such a thing." Yang Rui became more and more aware of Britain's diplomatic strategy, and he was sure in his heart, "These gentlemen have always been ambiguous, and never said anything responsible, and at most he said that Britain did not support the Japanese to go to war." If this happens, Japan will be isolated by other countries in the Tohoku War, which is the last thing they want. You report this information to the General Staff, we know how to do it. ”

After Yang Rui sent Liu Boyuan away, Chen Guangshou came over to report, "Sir, Song Dunchu is here again, do you want to see him this time?" ”

"It's good to see you." For more than half a month ago, Yang Rui was not a guest, and those who looked for him were basically pulling relationships to please people. There are rules for what the Revival will do, and the power has been delegated, but these flattering people want him to interfere with the normal office below, if he really develops such a habit, then the regulations are a piece of waste paper.

Yang Rui met Song Jiaoren in the backyard of Prince Zheng's mansion, and after this person got out of the Central Alliance, he parted ways with Sun Wen, but he didn't know how to get together with Yuan Shikai, Yang Rui was very curious about this.

"Escape the beginning, don't come unharmed!" Yang Rui said with a smile. Seeing Song Jiaoren's Japanese-style dress again, he suddenly felt a little annoyed, but after all, they are old acquaintances, and politeness is always necessary.

"Mr. Cheng is a busy man, and he has come to Jiaoren several times and said that he is busy with official business." Song Jiaoren also smiled, only put his dissatisfaction in his words, and looked at Yang Rui now wearing Chinese-style clothes, he was also a little unaccustomed.

After serving tea, Song Jiaoren said: "Now that China and Japan are constantly fighting, the whole country wants to open the country and establish a government as soon as possible, so that it can be recognized by all countries as soon as possible and mediate the war." If this continues, the Northeast will be a scorched earth. ”

"This month, representatives from all provinces will come to Beijing to discuss ways to convene a parliament and organize a government. In fact, even the representatives of Tibet and Xinjiang are far away, and if there is no airship, I am afraid that they will not be able to arrive in three months. Yang Rui said. Zhili is still in the hands of Yuan Gong, and he came from Tianjin at the beginning, I really don't know what they want to do over there, and whether they accept our conditions or not? ”

"Yuan Gong's heart, how do I know." Song Jiaoren replied, "Although I hit it off with Yuan Gong at first sight, I have never been involved in the affairs of Beiyang. The country was initially decided, but the war continued, so I wanted to build a parliament as soon as possible and set the foundation of the country as soon as possible. ”

It was uncertain whether Song Jiaoren really didn't know Yuan Shikai's plans, so Yang Rui had no choice but to say: "In five days, the representatives from all over the country will arrive." At that time, the charter for the election of the National Assembly will be presented, and if the charter is decided, then after the election, the National Assembly will be convened, and the government will be formally organized, and as soon as the National Assembly is convened, then the constitution can be formulated. The country will be stable and orderly. I think it won't take three or five months to do this, and I'm afraid it won't be possible. At the beginning, he was in a hurry. I'm also anxious, it's really inconvenient for the transitional government to do nothing without a name. ”

After listening to Yang Rui's process, Song Jiaoren was surprised, "This... Isn't Revival a constitutional monarchy? Why is it ...... now?"

"But what?" Yang Rui smiled, "I said before that there will be no emperor in the future. But a lot of people don't believe it. For example, Sun Wen didn't believe it, as if he didn't tie us up with the imperial power, it seemed that he couldn't make a revolution. In the future, China's power will be in the Congress. And the power of Congress is in the hands of the people who pay taxes. You have no objection to this. ”

"No objections." Song Jiaoren's answer surprised Yang Rui.

"No objections? At the beginning, we were friends, so we could say anything. Yang Rui was a little unconvinced.

"There really is no objection." Song Jiaoren nodded. He did not think that individuals had the right to vote, as Yu Zixun did. After all, European countries now have property restrictions on voters, and there is no objection to the premise of using taxes as voters.

"Good! It's good that you don't have any objections. Yang Rui said with a smile, "At the beginning of the year, if you can see Yuan Gong when you go back to Tianjin in the next few days, please tell him: There are many young people in the Revival Society, and there should be old people to help." Yuan Gong has done an excellent job in government affairs, and the new government has been established, so he wants to shepherd one side. Whether it is participating in national politics, we all welcome it with raised hands. ”

"What about those towns in Beiyang?" Except for Congress. Song Jiaoren actually came here to explore the way. Although Zhirui was the governor of Zhili, everyone knew that the Manchu Qing Dynasty was dead, and they all pressed the treasure on Yuan Shikai, who also saw through the situation and chose to close his door. Now that foreign enemies are pressing, he concluded that the Fuxing Society would not dare to start a war in Zhili, so that the foreigners could find an excuse to intervene, but it was not a way to wait all the time, so he had to send Song Jiaoren, who was also a revolutionary party, to explore the wind.

"All the personnel can be retained, but they must be adapted in the same way as the Renaissance Army. Salaries will be reduced, but status will not change. Yang Rui stopped here and explained: "In the future, the government will not have anything to support incorruptible silver, although corruption will not be peeled, but the punishment is still very severe." Yuan Gong believes that he treats money like dung, but if the people below him can't control their hands and feet, they can change their positions to become officials, and the rank and treatment will remain the same anyway. ”

Hearing Yang Rui talk about treatment, Song Jiaoren was curious: "How much will this salary be reduced?" ”

"Anyway, from now on, you won't be able to make a fortune as an official." Yang Rui said with a smile, "Three years of Qing Governor's Mansion, 100,000 snowflakes of silver, this thing will not happen again, if someone doesn't believe it, then we have to see if the head is hard or the bullet is hard." ”

Yang Rui and Song Jiaoren talked eloquently, and it was only in the evening that he returned to Tianjin. In the Li Shunde Hotel, Yuan Shikai, Yang Shiqi, and Wang Shizhen all listened to him relay Yang Rui's words, but when the matter was finished, everyone started to talk about it.

"Wei Ting, if this Yang Jingcheng is telling the truth, then this result is still good." Wang Shizhen touched his beard and said, what he cared about was what Yang Rui said about 'shepherding and guarding the side', if this is the case, it is a small court, no different from before,

"The result can only be the best, but I don't think there is a governor in other provinces, and the revival will make the separation of military and government, even if it is on the pastoral side, is it better to be a governor or a governor?" Yang Shiqi has been staring at the various actions of the Fuxing Association, and only feels that they have divided their powers very carefully, and their powers and responsibilities are also clear, so if they get it down, they basically have no rights as officials.

A few others cared about power, but Yuan Shikai cared about others, "Escape Chu, did Yang Jingcheng say that this country is ......?"

"The state should be a constitutional government." Song Jiaoren said, but seeing that Yuan Shikai still wanted to ask, he immediately knew what he meant, and then said in detail: "Yang Jingcheng said that it is impossible for the government to do without the help of people from the previous dynasty, but some of these people are very worried about the future of the second minister, so he said that these officials can not visit the former Ming Min King, and only be responsible to the Congress, which can be regarded as loyalty to the country but not to the king." ”

"Loyal to the country but not to the king." Yuan Shikai said silently. The situation in the whole country is like this, even if he has great ability, with these towns of the Beiyang Army can not turn the tables, although the Japanese have promised him and want to fund him to attack the capital, but this matter cannot be done in a reasonable way, the fourth town and the revival army have fought each other, everyone is very clear about how many catties and taels they have. "What do you say about the funeral?"

"Oh." Song Jiaoren's face was hot, he asked about this at the time, but now he forgot to say it, and said: "Yang Jingcheng said that after the Manchu Qing Dynasty entered the customs, Chongzhen was buried thickly, although it was the meaning of buying people's hearts, but one report was also reported, how Chongzhen was buried before, and now Guangxu is how to bury it." ”

Yuan Shikai didn't read much, and he still didn't understand the specifications of the funeral, but Yang Shiqi understood, and he was surprised: "Chongzhen was a state funeral back then? ”

"That Guangxu is also a state funeral." Song Jiaoren said reluctantly, he didn't have a good impression of Guangxu, and he thought that the funeral was really expensive. Yang Jingcheng also said that the funeral could be presided over by Yuan Gong, and the cost would also be borne by the state treasury.

"That'...... And what about those princely ministers in the inner city, Bezibele? When Yuan Shikai heard that the funeral was presided over by him, his heart suddenly felt like he was hit by something, and his whole body was excited.

"It's going to be released. If the property is legitimate, it will be returned to them for their old age. But the house will be redeemed by the state, and it will be bought by the state, and it will be four or two rooms at the previous price. Song Jiaoren said, he said that he just laughed in his heart, he really convinced Yang Jingcheng and those people, when the Manchu Qing Dynasty wanted the Han people to move out of the inner city, it was the price of four taels and one room, and now after more than two hundred years, he still wants to buy the house in the city at the price of four taels.

"It's good to release people! It's good to release people! Yuan Shikai stood up as he spoke, he was worried that these people would be killed by Yang Jingcheng. It would be great to be able to save your life and get your pension back.

"Duke Yuan, Yang Jingcheng said that everyone else can be released, but Prince Su Shanqi will still be locked up, he said that Shanqi is now mixed with Japan in a vain attempt to split the country, which is absolutely not allowed." Song Jiaoren added.

"Good Age, that is looking for death." Yuan Shikai said dissatisfied, "He just voted for the Japanese, and he still wanted to drag me to vote for the Japanese, which is really unreasonable." I will know what virtues the Japanese have, and I will know that there will be no good fruit to eat after them. ”

Yuan Shikai walked around the house twice, and only waited for his mood to calm down before he said, "Then you said that Yang Jingcheng will have a meeting in a few days, what should I do if I am a direct subordinate?" Now no matter what Zhirui says, he is still the governor of Zhili. ”

"This ...... Yang Jingcheng said that the representatives of the provincial capital will rush to the capital in a few days, and although Zhirui is the governor here, the provincial council can send two representatives to the capital for a meeting. If he Zhirui wants to stop it, I'm afraid he can't. The army listened to Yuan Shikai, and even the patrol police listened to Yuan Shikai, but Song Jiaoren was not good at persuading Yuan Shikai to drive Zhirui away.

"This is the peaceful recovery of Tianjin that the Fuxing Society wants?" Yang Shiqi listened to these roads, and couldn't help but think of the word "peace and recovery" mentioned in the newspaper of the Revival Society some time ago.

That's exactly what it means. Yang Jingcheng said that even if the Chinese beat the Chinese, even if they have merits, there is nothing to boast about. Now that the country is generally calm and in ruins, and Japan is at war in Mukden, if it really starts a fight among its own people, it will be a joke for outsiders to see. Song Jiaoren relayed Yang Rui's original words. He said that Yuan Gong had an outstanding reputation, and he needed Yuan Gong's support for the peaceful recovery. ”

After turning things upside down, he finally finished speaking, Song Jiaoren didn't want to get involved in the rest of the discussion, so he only found an excuse to leave. As soon as he left, everyone looked at Yuan Shikai. The conditions of the revival meeting can be regarded as open, although there are many virtual ones and few real ones, and only Yuan Shikai was promised an important position, while most of the others have the same positions and reduced incomes, but this is the best result. Now Yang Jingcheng has sat down: it is good that the Japanese do not go to war, and once the war starts, the hearts of the people of the whole country will be attached, not to mention the state funeral of Guangxu. If this is really done, there will not be much resentment left of those who are dissatisfied with the revival meeting, after all, Guangxu committed suicide by taking poison, and overthrowing the Manchu court is also the expectation of the people.

What cards are in the hand, then what bets, now this game is Yang Jingcheng to win the game, can dig out some silver in this game, it is much better than the stubborn resistance, if you really fight to the end, the final result of these old people in Beiyang is to enter the concession to do the life of the princess.

"Guys, what's going on, right? Is that the end of the matter? Yuan Shikai asked. He glanced around at the group, a slight joy in his voice. (To be continued......)