Coming to Beijing from the Middle East is not an easy task. Because first of all, Wu Peifu needs to depart from Baghdad and take a train to a nearby port. After that, he took a boat to India, and then transferred to Singapore, Shanghai and other cities.

Naturally, when passing through India and Singapore, Wu Peifu also stayed for a while. At the same time, the British in these two cities also welcomed Wu Peifu's arrival to a certain extent―――――― no matter how delicate the relationship between Britain and China is, on the surface, the two countries have not yet torn their faces.

What's more, Wu Peifu was also one of the important generals who commanded the expeditionary force in Europe that year, second only to Cai Yi and Jiang Baili among all Chinese generals. Even among all the famous generals of the First World War, it can be called the best, and no matter how big the contradictions between the two sides are, they were also close allies in the First World War, and now that the generals who once fought side by side in Europe have arrived in India and Singapore, they naturally need to show their landlord friendship―――――― although many times the British like to be shameless, but only when necessary, usually the British still prefer to let people see their gentlemanly side.

And whether it is India or Singapore, there are some generals or officers who participated in the First World War. Some of them had met with Wu Peifu, considering that the relationship between China and Britain was not bad at that time, and they had some friendship with each other. So Wu Peifu is not particularly resistant to this kind of gathering...

What's more, for Wu Peifu, after a long journey. He did need some rest.

Naturally, this was also agreed by Yan Shao, so when passing through these cities. Wu Peifu stayed for almost a day or two. During this period, Wu Peifu took advantage of the leisure of the cruise ship to replenish fuel and fresh water, and got together with those who could be called acquaintances.

It's just that...

After all, it is a little different from the past, when China and Britain fought against the Germans and Turks on both the Western Front and the Middle East. Even if there must be a little dirtiness between each other, but after all, they can get by on face.

And for those military men underground, these are not things they need to think about either. As long as the two countries haven't really started fighting, they won't care.

But now, with China's national power growing. The British in these cities have noticeably become somewhat wary.

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It's not surprising that the old men in London aren't particularly wary of China. These Britons in Asia are probably the ones who feel the pressure on China most clearly.

I don't know how many Britons are watching China's moves, and almost every time a new 10,000-ton warship is launched, these Britons keep their eyes open.

After all, if the Chinese really start to do something to Southeast Asia. They will be the first to confront the Chinese threat. Confirmed because of this relationship. Originally, Wu Peifu was looking forward to the party, but it became boring. This situation did not change until Singapore, because there were many Chinese in Singapore in addition to the British, and the Chinese of this era usually thought of themselves as Chinese, so when Wu Peifu's ship arrived in Singapore.

Soon Wu Peifu was warmly welcomed by the local Chinese consul and a large number of local Chinese and overseas Chinese, and Wu Peifu's stay in Singapore can be said to be almost the most frequent.

Naturally, Wu Peifu stayed here for so long, and it was definitely not just because of the warm welcome of the local overseas Chinese. At the same time, it is also to observe the entire Singapore Naval Port.

After all, Singapore is a city that plays a crucial role in mastering the entire Strait of Malacca. And as one of the most famous generals in the Wehrmacht. Wu Peifu is well aware of the Navy's coveting and coveting of Singapore. Especially in Yan Shao's Asia strategy, Singapore can be said to be almost an indispensable part.

A few days later, Wu Peifu finally arrived in Tianjin.

For such a general who had made outstanding achievements in battle, the Tianjin Municipal Government naturally gave him an extremely warm reception. However, Wu Peifu did not stay in Tianjin for too long, but after a short stay, he took the train to Beijing, and did not even participate in the local cocktail party specially held for him.

"So, is there anything the president needs to explain..."

Sitting in his own exclusive carriage, looking at the man sitting opposite, Wu Peifu frowned slightly.

Although he knows very well that with his current status, there will definitely be no shortage of opportunities to deal with such people. But as a soldier, especially a professional soldier, Wu Peifu is still full of disgust for these people in front of him, after all, he is not a person who likes intrigue and trickery.

"A lot...", it seemed that Wu Peifu knew the little disgust in his heart, and the person sitting in front of him smiled slightly and said. First of all, there is the matter of the Air Force, not long ago the President has discussed with several other marshals and various ministers of the Cabinet, and they have all agreed with the President's proposal, so the Army Aviation will be independent from the Army to build an army, and I believe that this matter will become a fact if it is not needed..."

"There is also the issue of Marshal Feng Guozhang, Marshal Jiang Baili and Marshal Cai Yi and your position adjustment, Marshal Feng Guozhang is already a little old, and the most important thing is that he is still a little unwell. As you know, the president intends to let Marshal Feng Guozhang recuperate in Beijing and take a good rest, and if Marshal Feng Guozhang's health shows signs of improvement, then the president will naturally continue to use him, but if not......... It seems like a good decision to let him continue to rest..."

Wu Peifu nodded slightly, Yan Shao had already informed him of this matter by telegram.

In fact, Wu Peifu himself did not look down on Feng Guozhang very much, yes, Feng Guozhang was known as the dog of the Beiyang back then, and he was indeed the most warlike general in the Beiyang Army at that time. But Wu Peifu never felt that he would be worse than Feng Guozhang.

In Wu Peifu's view, Feng Guozhang is completely decrepit.

Especially now that we are in a new era that has never been seen before. Maybe Feng Guozhang was indeed very capable in the past, but when the new era came, he was just an old man who was about to be eliminated―――――― there were many such people in the national government. After all, there are too many officials in the Guoshe Government who inherited from the former Qing Dynasty or the original Beiyang Government and the Provisional Government.

Naturally, this official is definitely not a compliment, in fact, if it were not for the Ministry of Integrity on it, I am afraid that the Guoshe Government would have been rotten like the former Qing Dynasty or the Beiyang government. This is also the reason why Yan Shao has always been willing to reuse Song Jiaoren, because there is only such a person staying on it. Only then can it be possible to suppress the corrupt officials below.

Yan Shao has always been very satisfied with the work of the Ministry of Integrity, and the only thing that makes him a little worried is probably Song Jiaoren's naivety. After all, in Yan Shao's opinion. Song Jiaoren's behavior is inevitably a little naïve in the past.

However, after such a long period of training, Song Jiaoren's innocence has been worn out a lot. It is not surprising, after all, the work of the Ministry of Integrity is not a very easy job, and there are countless places where it is necessary to fight wits and courage with others. Naturally, you can't be naïve all the time.

Of course. The most important thing in this position is to be able to maintain one's own integrity, and wisdom is important but not necessarily the most important thing. After all, a person who has wisdom but has no good ethics is likely to cause greater sin to sit in this position...

However, even if there is a capable Ministry of Integrity and a capable Minister of Integrity above, some corrupt practices in private have never stopped.

After all, there are too many old officials who have inherited from the past, and each of them is a good hand among them. At the beginning, it was because of the relationship between the Ministry of Integrity and Integrity. They can still be honest, but for a long time. But some of my hands couldn't help but tickle.

Of course, because there is a clean government department on it, even if it is an itchy hand, it is just a small action. So far, so harmless.

And what is particularly important is that for the current China, many people feel that these old bureaucrats left over from the Qing Dynasty are figures who should have been eliminated by the new era long ago. This is especially true for 'young people' like Wu Peifu and many schools that have just graduated from school.

The new era is also an era of alternating between the old and the new.

For example, Wu Peifu or Cai Yi, Jiang Baili and others are almost all leaders in the new era. And underneath them, there are a large number of young people who have just entered society. Almost all of these are the backbone of the national government, and they are also the foundation that holds up the whole country.

Naturally, they have undergone a lot of education in the academy, but they also have a deep-rooted hatred of decay―――――― unlike later generations, the school at this time can be regarded as an ivory tower.

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It is precisely because he has just come out of the ivory tower that after seeing those old bureaucrats, these people will be so unpleasant.

Naturally, those bureaucrats also want to bring the people below badly, but the general environment does not allow it. What's more, today's Ministry of Integrity is very capable, and these people actually play a role in supervising these bureaucrats, and therefore, although these people's hands often feel itchy, under the supervision of the people below, even if they are corrupt for hundreds of yuan, they need to be careful not to be reported.

As a result, these people can be said to be more and more eye-catching in the eyes of the newcomers below.

It's just because they still need to support the scene for the time being, so they will stay in place. But there is no doubt that as people of the old era, they are increasingly unable to adapt to the rhythm of the new era. In the first three years of the establishment of the Kuomintang, there were even many officials in the former Qing Dynasty who could not even use the telephone, and they needed to ask their secretaries to help them make calls.

Similar examples almost abound over the years.

The same is true of Feng Guozhang, although he did have a reputation for being good at fighting in his early years, and he can even be said to be the most warlike general in the entire Beiyang. But with the advent of the new era, Feng Guozhang is obviously not very good at the use of new arms such as aircraft or armored vehicles.

In addition, unlike Cai Ye and Jiang Baili, Feng Guozhang has never had any excellent military exploits. Naturally, it is easier to be questioned. Of course, the most important thing is probably the North Korean one. Although the whole war ended in the complete victory of the national government, at least in propaganda. But many people in the military circles know that it is precisely because of Feng Guozhang's carelessness at that time. At least two corps were surrounded.

It almost caused the biggest defeat that the Wehrmacht had ever suffered since the founding of the Nationalist Government!

What's more, even without these things, Wu Peifu, who has a proud personality, never feels that he is inferior to Feng Guozhang. It is also because of this relationship that when the title was awarded, Wu Peifu couldn't help but want to question Feng Guozhang.

For Wu Peifu, who once obeyed the command of Cai Ye and Jiang Baili on the European battlefield, he didn't think that Feng Guozhang had the qualifications to be awarded the title of marshal...

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Naturally, anyway. Feng Guozhang used to be Wu Peifu's old boss after all, no matter what Wu Peifu thought in his heart, at least he had to get by on face.

What's more, Feng Guozhang was also the most warlike general in Beiyang. Just watching Feng Guozhang continue to age, people have become confused, thinking of Feng Guozhang's image back then, Wu Peifu still has some emotion in his heart.

"Well," he thought. Wu Peifu sighed softly. "Maybe it's time for him to retire..."

"Of course..."I heard Wu Peifu say this. The man sitting in front of him couldn't help but smile. "After Marshal Feng retires, his position will be given to Marshal Cai Yi, and Marshal Jiang Baili will be transferred to the newly established Air Force to serve as Minister of the Air Force, so that the position of Chief of General Staff will be vacant, and that position will be reserved for you..."

Wu Peifu's eyes lit up, Chief of the General Staff, maybe such a position is not as rumored as the Minister of Defense or the Minister of the Army, but one thing is certain. That is, it is definitely one of the most powerful positions in the entire Wehrmacht.

The reason is also very simple, because from a certain point of view. Whether it is the Minister of Defense or some other position, in fact, it can only be regarded as civilian. Of course, it is true that they are military personnel who are in charge of these, but it is very difficult for them to command some combat missions in the future, and they are more likely to exert their ability and influence in the construction of their respective services.

Comparatively, the Chief of the General Staff is used to direct operations, and he will make plans for each campaign. Needless to say, this is definitely a position full of glory!

At the same time, this is also a reward for Wu Peifu, rewarding his loyalty...

Maybe Wu Peifu is rebellious in the past, but there is no doubt about one thing, that is, his loyalty to Yan Shao. On the one hand, this is because of what Yan Shao did in the past, so that Wu Peifu naturally became his follower, but another reason is that Yan Shao can give Wu Peifu what he wants...

Wu Peifu in this period did not have the same heavy desire for power as in the original history, so it was relatively easy to control.

"Anyway, I need to celebrate you in advance...", the man sitting across from Wu Peifu picked up the glass on the table, which was already full of red wine.

Seeing his gesture of raising a glass, Wu Peifu also picked up the red wine from the table.

It's just that just when the two of them were about to make a clinking motion, Wu Peifu's movement was slammed, and then he looked at the person opposite.

“……… On the ship back, I told Marshal Baili that something happened to Marshal Baili, and that couldn't be your doing..."As one of the most famous generals in the entire Wehrmacht, Wu Peifu also has a very keen intelligence network. It was also because of this relationship that he could get some of the information he wanted relatively lightly.

It's just that these intelligence networks are located in the Middle East after all, and they are relatively inferior to the northwest, especially the Siberian region. Therefore, the information that Wu Peifu got was just that Cai Yi was attacked, and of course, he himself didn't have much to do. However, like everyone else, Wu Peifu naturally had some suspicions that this attack was not as simple as it seemed.

At the same time, after hearing Wu Peifu's words, the person sitting opposite him couldn't help laughing, and only answered Wu Peifu's question after half a ring.

"Believe me, if we really wanted someone to die, he would never have come to Beijing alive now..."

This is a kind of self-confidence, a kind of self-confidence that Wu Peifu hates.

But that person didn't care much, even if the person sitting in front of him could be said to be a famous general in a hundred battles, and he had a very high prestige in the whole country.

But so what?

No matter how powerful he is, he can't control the head of the Special Affairs Bureau.

On the other hand, after hearing his words, although Wu Peifu didn't say anything, his expression became relaxed. Although he didn't like these guys in front of him, he couldn't help but admit their abilities.

After all, in many battles in the past, these guys who are accustomed to covering themselves with masks have indeed played an extremely huge role. Especially in the Middle East, where resistance is more frequent, if it weren't for them, Wu Peifu would really be more difficult to control the local shape.

While the two of them were talking, after a period of driving, the train carrying Wu Peifu and the others finally arrived in Beijing. When Wu Peifu stepped off the train, he was treated almost equally with Cai Yi and Jiang Baili. (To be continued......)