The first rain of spring, which fell intermittently, the air was still cold, but there was a damp smell, and in this annoying weather, a group of people in woolen generals' uniforms were huddled in a gloomy wooden hut to discuss some issue involving human life.

A young man with a square and square face was whispering to a short but strong and capable three-star lieutenant general opposite: "The time is ripe, we now have most of the Praetorian Guard, as long as the assassination of Liu Yun is successful, the Praetorian Guard will move, the Beijing division will be pacified, and then order your own people installed in various military regions to seize military power, and the general trend of the world is all in the hands of Commander Ding." ”

A major general with a thick beard on his face said coldly: "To put it lightly, even if the assassination fails, even if Liu Yun is killed, it may not be able to calm the world, and when the princes have their own ghosts, it will inevitably be a civil war situation." Own? Without Liu Yun, no one who is not in Beijing can be regarded as his own person. ”

Another young major general with thick eyebrows and a high nose said fiercely: "Civil war is civil war, who is afraid of whom, follow Commander Ding, we will kill him all over the field!" ”

A slightly older major general shook his head and said: "Division Commander Lu, the cost of a civil war will be too great, it is better to wait for the time to hold a regular military meeting, and wipe out the descendants around Liu Yun and all the princes, it is better to shed the blood of dozens of people than to shed the blood of millions of people." ”

His Excellency Viscount Ding Jieyun, the three-star lieutenant general of the empire and the Viscount Ding Jieyun, who had been holding his fists in front of his chest, spoke in a low and cold voice: "Du Zhuolin's idea is not wrong, Wang Zhen's worries are not unreasonable, Lu Zixiang is saying willful words, He Pengcheng is right, achieve the greatest harvest at the lowest cost, this is what I have always advocated." To tell the truth, everyone has this heart, I am very satisfied, as for the specific how, it depends on the timing to set, if the action is too big at once, but do not find the right time, it is easy to fall into a disadvantageous situation. ”

Lu Zixiang, the commander of the young First Praetorian Guard Division, said: "No matter what, I listened to Commander Ding, Liu Yun and Wen Yi are the kind of garbage, and they don't deserve to stay in their current positions at all." ”

Du Zhuolin, a young lieutenant general with a national character face and director of the Intelligence Department of the General Staff, said: "Liu Yun and Wen Yi are actually one person, they grew up together since childhood, they are close, and they have their own specialties and complement each other. Both of them are crazy people whose minds are filled with boring delusions, they were lucky not to be disposed of in our time, and now they are running here to carry out stupid democratic experiments, hum, China has been a few elites ruling sheep without ideas since ancient times, the sheep just need to be fed, democracy is meaningless to them, and giving them democracy can only create senseless chaos......"

Major General Chen Jiayun, commander of the Praetorian Teaching Brigade who had only recently changed into a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, said indignantly: "It is really intolerable that a savior like Commander Ding should succumb to a madman like Liu Yunwenyi!" ”

Everyone present except Ding Jieyun nodded yes.

Chen Jiayun said: "Liu Yun and Wen Yi used land reform to seek personal benefits for themselves, which is an unforgivable crime, and moreover, they nominally talk about promoting civil rights and democracy, but behind the scenes, they enhance their power through political parties and the constitution, and they are basically bitches and want to erect a monument......

Ding Jieyun listened with satisfaction to the attacks of his subordinates on the Chief of the Imperial General Staff and the Imperial Prime Minister, which had neither evidence nor convincing, and could even be said to be slanderous, but because Ding Jieyun needed an atmosphere of common hatred, they were generated. Humans rarely take high risks for things that are not profitable. Ding Jieyun has never made any promises to these people who have sworn allegiance to him, because the established promises can allow people to make a specific assessment of the benefits and risks, and when the risks felt by individuals become greater, but the interests do not change in time, timidity, abandonment and betrayal naturally arise. The best way to do this is to make them feel that their efforts must be rewarded in the future, so that they will desperately tie themselves to their master's chariot and run over the unknown position ahead. With Ding Jieyun's courage and wisdom, he knew how to choose the most advantageous means.

"Liu Yun and Wen Yi made a mistake in line, they actually supported the emperor of the Manchu Dynasty, what kind of dirty constitutional monarchy, the rotten nature of the Manchu Qing Dynasty can not be solved by changing the name of the country and opening a congress, we should overthrow the monarchy, let our Commander Ding be the president of the country, be the only leader of the people of the whole country, and lead us to achieve the great goal of enriching the country and strengthening the army, and standing on our own feet in the forest of nations in the world! We must closely rally around Commander Ding, defend Commander Ding to the death, and make our due contributions to the country and the people! Major General He Pengcheng, commander of the Second Praetorian Guard Division, sang a high note of a certain era.

"That's right! This is our common voice, the creation of a new history in this era depends on Commander Ding, and only Commander Ding can save China! Chen Jiayun spared no effort to join the ranks of touting.

Lu Zixiang immediately made up a slogan: "Completely eliminate the decadent royalist faction headed by Liu Yunwenyi, and do whatever it takes to fight for Chairman Ding to create a new China!" ”

Wang Zhen, the commander of the Third Division of the Praetorian Guard, who was full of scum, did not intend to spit nonsense, his voice was still cold: "Don't shout slogans first, think about some realistic problems, the military standing meeting will be held soon, and how to do it must first have a general direction." ”

Ding Jieyun was satisfied with the high morale of his subordinates, and even more satisfied with the fact that there were people who could keep a cool head when the situation was tense - although he preferred to use mindless simple martial artists at critical moments, he smiled and nodded to Wang Zhen: "Wang Zhen, tell me what you think." ”

"At the end of September, the emperor will review the autumn exercises, the commanders of all military regions and fleets will enter Beijing, and a regular military meeting of senior officers will be held in early October, and we still have plenty of time to prepare. I thought that before the operation began, it was necessary to seize the time to strengthen the control of the Janissaries, and at the same time to keep in touch with the brothers who were abroad, and to make more friends with political and business people...... At the same time as the high-level military standing meeting was held, the most trustworthy troops were mobilized to surround the meeting place of the General Staff Headquarters and occupy the garrison headquarters, the Imperial Palace, the Prime Minister's Office, the National Assembly Chamber, the headquarters of the Chinese People's Party, and other key departments. If possible, first try to get Liu Yun and the commanders of the major military regions to issue an order to hand over all military power to us, if not, they will be executed immediately, and then blackmail the Son of Heaven to order the princes to use all means, including force, to pacify the whole country and purge the opposition. Then establish a new ruling party on the basis of the Chinese People's Party, hold a new general election under the control of the army and police, and then amend the constitution, establish the status of the new ruling party, cut the power of the parliament, govern the army and the country with the party, and then abolish the emperor and establish a republic, this is the right way. Wang Zhen put out the long-brewing ideas and dishes in one breath, he has a special interest in power, so he is not willing to be just a simple soldier, he has long been envious of the huge power of the central leaders and local officials in that era, and being indirectly controlled by the National Assembly and other obstructive garbage cannot be accepted by the power addicts.

Ding Jieyun praised Wang Zhen's idea in a letter of satisfaction, but secretly reminded himself in his heart that after the coup succeeded, the person who would pose the greatest threat to him must be this person. Thinking people are always the mortal enemies of the powerful, so those who try to maintain their undue power will always do everything in their power to stifle the thinking power of the people and purge those who try to break through the ideological tyranny of the ruling class. In the eyes of those in power, ideas can only belong to themselves, and putting them on others is often a zha medicine.

The generals continue their plots, and the intersection of ambition and power always creates an urge to change history, no matter who and how many people have to shed blood for it. Human civilization has always been created, driven and destroyed by careerists. Killing a few of his comrades-in-arms who had fought alongside him was actually nothing, and it could even be said to be merciful, because at least it took into account the cherishing of the blood of more compatriots.

This spring's wildflowers are in particularly bright bloom.

"Let's go for a ride." Lieutenant General Zhu Tao, 29-year-old director of the Operations Division of the General Staff Department, suddenly had this idea in his mind. He glanced at the new and strange Kirin car in the yard, and thought it was funny to drive such a car - the chassis of the Western carriage was simply a fifteen-horsepower engine and transmission mechanism, the steering wheel protruded from the front of the car, there was no obstruction in front, and the headlights followed the hexagonal palace lamps of the two carriages, one on the left and the other on the right.

Just when Zhu Tao was hesitating, his family reported that Commander Ding of the Praetorian Guard was visiting, so he put on his general's uniform and went to the vestibule to greet him.

"It's really rare, how can Commander Ding have time to come to me, please sit down, come, serve tea."

Zhu Tao and Ding Jieyun sat down on both sides of the glass coffee table, and after a few words of greeting, Ding Jieyun made it clear what he meant: ask Zhu Tao and his wife to go to his villa in Beidaihe for a vacation this weekend.

"Beidaihe? Doesn't it look like there's a road yet? Zhu Tao is a little excited, he likes to play, but he has nowhere to go - the closer place is tired of seeing, too far and the traffic is inconvenient, there is no time to go, Beidaihe seems to be not far away, it can be reached by car for a day.

"The newly built highway can be reached in six hours by my special car." Ding Jieyun said.

"However, how embarrassing is this if there is no merit......"

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about, my villa is empty and empty, I didn't go much, but because last time you said you had time to go to the beach to see, so I made a note, and I had a special three-day holiday on the weekend this week, so I came to ask you to appreciate your face."

"Commander Ding, what is this saying, what is the face of the face or not, I will obey the order." Zhu Tao didn't think much about it, but felt that if he drove by himself, he would also fulfill his promise to his wife - when he first came here, he told Rong'er that one day he would take her for a drive.

"Then please ask Commander Ding to arrange it, I plan to drive by myself, although the Kirin car is driving slower, but it is also stable, I will let the guard sit in another car and follow behind, what do you think?"

"Okay, I'll send another carload of guards."

"Thank you for your care, I don't think it's necessary, too many people will always affect the interest."

"Okay, let Director Zhu decide, it's ......"

After the appointed time, the two were polite to each other, Ding Jieyun retired first, and Zhu Tao immediately called his family and asked, "What about Madame?" ”

"Go to the Duke's Mansion of Wuwei to play with the Duchess."

"What about the kids?"

"I went with Madame."

"When Madame came back, she asked her to come to the study to find me."

"Yes."

Zhu Tao returned to the yard, sat in the driver's seat of the Kirin car, and said to himself: "It doesn't matter if you are funny or not, I am still a pioneer of car families in this era, and it will soon become a new fashion." I guess I'm not new to my driving skills yet......"

Memories of a certain era began to emerge, and parents, friends, and first lovers who had been with a large amount of money from far away came out one by one. Zhu Tao said in his heart that it was enough for him to live well now, so he didn't care so much, thinking about it, he returned to the study unconsciously.

"The master, the lady, and the young masters are back." The family ran in and reported.

"Didn't you tell your lady to come to me?"

"Coming along."

"Well, it's none of your business, go down."

"Yes."

Mrs. Zhu, who was just twenty-two years old, Rong'er walked into the study with her two children and shouted, "What is the husband looking for me?" ”

Zhu Tao pulled the child, helped her sit down, and said with a smile: "Madam, do you remember when we first met, I told you that I would take you for a ride in the car?" ”

"Of course I do."

"Now we have a car at home."

"But you're not available......"

"The day after tomorrow, I'll drive you to the beach."

"Really?" Rong'er had a cute smile on her face, and Zhu Tao was looking forward to it.

"Of course, if you go to Beidaihe, you can stay there for three days."

"Great...... Rong'er was so excited that her face turned pink.

"By the way, did you go to Liu Yun's house again today?"

"Well, the children are having a good time, today Mrs. Liu told me that she wants to send the children to study in the newly opened primary school of Longyun Academy, I want to discuss with you and send our children there too, what do you think?"

"Longyun Academy, right, I'll ask Luo Sulan first, she knows everything about the school."

"Okay, I'll listen to you. But I heard Mrs. Liu say that it is very good, it is the latest school, there are foreign teachers, there are also famous Confucians, and - I don't remember. ”

"Well, I'll ask first, let's talk, come-Xiao Xin Gale Wind, go to Luo for dinner."

Zhu Tao picked up his youngest daughter Zhu Xin, grabbed his eldest son Zhu Liefeng, and ran straight to the dining room.

In the mansion of Duke Liu Yun of Wuwei, an ordinary family banquet is underway, and the guests entertained are a few young officers who are not too ordinary.

Sitting opposite the master, the colonel with a beard and a body as strong as an ox, surnamed Xiao Lieri and Hongcheng, is currently the commander of the 1st Janissaries Brigade, and the former commander of the famous 10th "Golden Lion" Regiment of the Praetorian Guard, who is Chinese New Year's Eve years old today.

Sitting on the right hand side of the master, a moderate figure, thick-eyed and big-eyed Praetorian Guard colonel, surnamed Chen Xingyun and Yuqing, is currently the commander of the Seventh Brigade of the Praetorian Guard, and the former commander of the 15th "Fire Phoenix" Regiment of the Praetorian Guard, who has made outstanding achievements in battle, and has just turned 31 years old this year.

Another colonel of the Praetorian Guard, surnamed Zhao Mingminhe, whose name is Lanbo, is currently the commander of the Fifth Janissary Brigade, and the former commander of the First "Yunlong" Regiment of the Praetorian Guard, who is less than 28 years old.

On the left hand side of the master sat three colonel officers of different branches: the current commander of the Praetorian Hussar Brigade and the former commander of the "Qilin" cavalry regiment of the Second Praetorian Guard Division, 27-year-old Xiang Lan, whose name is Shengwu; The current commander of the mixed artillery brigade of the Praetorian Guard, and the former commander of the "Thunderbolt" artillery regiment of the second division of the Praetorian Guard, 30-year-old Hu is frightened, and the word is Jincheng; The current commander of the First Marine Brigade and the former commander of the Second Marine "Sea Shark" Regiment, 29-year-old Shen Xingyi, has a sense of sainthood.

"Come on, come on, you are all the elites in the army, the pillars of the country, Liu Mou respects you a glass......" Liu Yun raised the white porcelain wine glass full of Kweichow Moutai, and the officers were sincerely frightened, and hurriedly raised their glasses in return.

Among them, Chen Xingyun, who is still eloquent, lowered his eyebrows and bowed his head first: "Lord Duke works hard day and night, and he still remembers that I am a nobody, inviting the mansion to drink together, and my subordinates and others are very grateful, how dare I be called an elite and a pillar." ”

Liu Yun smiled and shook his head: "Brigade Commander Chen is too modest, your talents have already been fully displayed during the First Sino-Japanese War. I was ordered by the emperor to rectify the new army, and what I lack most now is you capable generals who have gone to military schools and experienced the war. Battleship artillery, a few months or more than ten months can be completed, brave and resourceful, must be honed for a few years or ten years, the country's plan to employ people, but also need you to work together to achieve a great cause. ”

Zhao Minhe immediately clenched his fists and bowed his head in response: "The Duke values us so much, we will die for service, and we will do our best to speak for ourselves, and we will not say anything about our bones!" ”

Xiao Lieri raised his glass and said: "I have no virtue and talent, thanks to the cultivation of the Duke, fortunately for the country's great plan, I don't read much, but I understand the truth of knowing the grace of the retribution, I will first salute the Lord a cup, since then, there is a place for the villain, cut off the arm and raise the head, at any cost!" ”

Liu Yun raised his glass in return, drank the whole glass of Moutai in one gulp, spit out the aroma, and nodded: "I have been favored by the emperor for a long time, and I think about retribution in an instant. I invite you to come this time, not for anything else, but just to communicate with you a lot, to understand each other, and in the future, whether it is public or private affairs, they will also be harmonious and take care of each other. ”

Everyone clasped their fists and shouted: "The great man is gracious, and the villain will never forget." ”

Liu Yun said to Xiao Lieri again: "Hongcheng, you have little knowledge, you have to read more books in the future, the book of Confucianism can be avoided, but the history of Chinese and foreign art of war and war must be read - what books have you read recently." ”

"My lord, the villain finished reading the newly translated "On War" by the Chinese Academy last month, written by Clausetz of Naiter, and after reading it, he gained a lot, and he felt that his eyes were bright and his heart was bright."

"Well, very good, this is a masterpiece, you have to read it twice, but the important thing is to think, don't stick to the words, wait for me to find someone to open a book list for you, go back and look for it slowly, if you can, write something to think about, exercise the power of thinking."

"The villain obeys."

Liu Yun turned to Zhao Minhe again: "Lan Bo is a talented student of Lu University, I don't want to say much, you must not be proud of your achievements, you must not want to forge ahead, only with full knowledge and sensitive wisdom, can you achieve the qualifications of a famous general." ”

"The villain remembers the teachings of the adults, and the villain introspects day and night, and never dares to slack off in learning and enterprising."

"That's good, that's good......"

Liu Yun said to Xiang Lan on the left: "Shengwu was born in a family of princes in Saibei, he has been in battle since he was a child, and he is an excellent student of Lu University, he performed well in the First Sino-Japanese War, and he should have a splendid future, I am speechless, I only hope that Shengwu will show his talents and do his best for the country." ”

Xiang Lan raised his glass and rose: "The words of the adult, the villain is grateful, if there is an opportunity, he must think of the report, and the villain respects the adult with a cup!" ”

Liu Yun smiled back.

Summoning these young officers who had emerged from the war to the banquet was one of Liu Yun's numerous plans, the purpose of which was nothing more than to win over the newcomers, consolidate their strength, and guard against certain extraordinary situations. According to the information obtained from the secret intelligence organization Eagle Wolf Team, Ding Jieyun's activities in the political and business circles have become more and more frequent, the Praetorian Guard has begun to carry out some ambiguous propaganda against Ding Jieyun, and some high-ranking military officers have more and more abnormal contacts with Ding Jieyun. The problem is that no tangible evidence has been found, no specific dangerous moves have been found, and there is no clear scope of a possible rebellion in the road. Liu Yun could only take precautionary measures while urging the Hawkwolves to step up surveillance - he could not accurately predict what the consequences would be if the purge expanded. The innocent loss of descendants is irreparable, and the various historical facts of his subordinates being forced to rebel also implicitly point to the future of the civil war, Liu Yun is unwilling to take risks, and human beings are rarely willing to take risks before danger arrives at them.

"No one can kill me, but myself." After Liu Yun cheered himself up like this, he decided to wait and see what happened, until he heard that Zhu Tao, director of the Operations Division of the General Staff Department, also had a close relationship with Ding Jieyun in private, and he judged that the matter was so serious that it was beyond his imagination and felt that he had to start taking action.

Winning the hearts of the senior officers of the Praetorian Guard is just a path that must be passed before the road to formal action, and there are countless schemes that will slowly extend outward in the dark corners, dealing with possible betrayers, it is always a very troublesome thing, first for his own life, and secondly for his dreams, Liu Yun has to accept trouble.

In this spring, when the sun is falling very early, the word comrade-in-arms has been thrown into the garbage heap by some people as a burden. In the face of power, nothing can last forever - except death.