Yuan Shikai said that Zhang Xiluan was here to come and see the joke. If he had heard this before, Zhang Xiluan would probably be very unhappy and a little uneasy. However, at this time, Zhang Xiluan couldn't help but feel that Yuan Shikai was pretentious, and even felt a little sympathy.

Feng Guozhang was considered a loyal dog in Beiyang and was confidant of Yuan Shikai. Feng Guozhang himself did not agree with Yuan Shikai's proclaim to be emperor, but at first he did not say a word, but he just said he was sick. When Cai E raised an army to rebel against Yuan, Feng Guozhang took into account the rise of the national anti-Yuan movement.

He no longer pretended to be sick. On March 9, he called Yuan Shikai to dismiss the incident and since then he let go of his courage and openly oppose the imperial system.

What this so-called loyal dog did made Zhang Xiluan feel unreasonable.

On March 19, when Zhu Jiabao, the inspector of Zhili Province, submitted the "Five Generals Secret Telegram" to Yuan Shikai for review. The secret telegram led by Feng Guozhang, Shandong General Jin Yunpeng, Jiangxi General Li Chun, Zhejiang General Zhu Rui and Hunan General Tang Xiangming, was unanimously demanding that Yuan Shikai must "quickly abolish the imperial system to calm the hearts of the people." This secret telegram also became a famous "Five Generals Secret Telegram" in the history of the Republic of China.

Yuan almost fainted when he saw the telegram. Seeing this telegram, he was stunned.

No wonder Yuan Shikai saw Zhang Xiluan coming and said, "Did your brother come to see you for a joke?"

The tea was served, and Zhang Xiluan did not answer immediately. She just took a sip and looked at Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai was obviously fat, her skin turned yellow, and she looked a little edema. She did not feel the thin feeling that a 57-year-old should have. Moreover, she did not have the solid body of Yuan Shikai when she was young. Zhang Xiluan knew that Yuan Shikai's body was really falling off quickly under heavy pressure.

Originally, Zhang Xiluan recalled the grievances and grievances with Yuan Shikai for decades, and she couldn't help but feel a little unfair. But she knew that Yuan Shikai was afraid that his life would be in the near future, and these emotions suddenly disappeared without a trace, and nostalgia arose.

"Brother Xiangcheng, you governed North Korea twenty years ago. During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, you fought side by side with Brother Wei outside the pass. Brother Wei still remembers that Brother Xiangcheng often couldn't help frowning. As long as you have time, brothers would study. All the past is still like yesterday."

Yuan Shikai was stunned. Governor North Korea was a very praised period in Yuan Shikai's life. Even at this time, he was mentioned and his mood was a little better. Seeing that Zhang Xiluan was calm and could not see what he wanted, Yuan Shikai asked: "Brother, I heard that you have handed over the pass to a young man like He Rui. He Rui is still unstable at this age. How could his brother be so hasty?"

Zhang Xiluan didn't say anything and took out two letters. Yuan Shikai opened it and scanned it. It turned out that He Rui had "made an IOU" for Zhang Xiluan. Zhang Xiluan explained a little, and Yuan Shikai was stunned for a moment.

Zhang Xiluan took back the IOU and said with a smile: "Although He Rui is full of spirit, he acts very harmoniously and should be able to entrust major events."

When Yuan Shikai heard this, his mind was surging and finally asked reluctantly: "I wonder who can be entrusted to Beiyang?"

Zhang Xiluan sighed slightly. In the upper layer of Beiyang, there were Beiyang dragons, tigers and dogs under Yuan Shikai. At this time, Feng Guozhang had already publicly opposed Yuan Shikai. Although Wang Shizhen seemed to have tried his best to help, Zhang Xiluan felt that it was difficult to judge.

Moreover, compared with He Rui, Wang Shizhen is far inferior to him in terms of knowledge, which makes Zhang Xiluan look down on him.

Before Yuan Shikai became emperor, Duan Qirui dissuaded him five times, but was rejected three times and was turned away twice. He dissuaded Yuan Shikai from becoming emperor, saying that this matter was related to the safety of the country and the life of Yuan's family and life. At this time, Yuan Shikai had appointed Duan Qirui as Secretary of State and Chief of the Army...

Seeing that Yuan Shikai looked a little dull, Zhang Xiluan couldn't bear it and reluctantly replied: "If I hadn't met He Rui, I thought Duan Zhiquan could take this important task. Now... Duan Qirui's virtue is not enough, I am afraid he will not be able to convince the public."

After hearing this, Yuan Shikai looked up at Zhang Xiluan and lowered his head.

Seeing Yuan Shikai feeling ashamed, Zhang Xiluan couldn't stand it. Is this the energetic Yuan Shikai before? Is this the former Yuan Xiangcheng that forced the Qing court to abdicate and defeated the revolutionary party that once controlled half of the southern territory with the Beiyang New Army?

Although the ally brother in front of him was 17 years younger than him, Zhang Xiluan couldn't bear to see it. Yuan Shikai and Zhang Xiluan have reached their current status, and all they want is their reputation behind him. The reputation behind him has been completely ruined.

Zhang Xiluan picked up Yuan Shikai's teacup and delivered it to Yuan Shikai, "My brother, it's time to serve tea."

Yuan Shikai's body trembled slightly and asked in surprise: "Brother is leaving now?"

As soon as he said that, Yuan Shikai realized that he had lost his dignity, so he pinched the teacup and said calmly: "Please tea."

Zhang Xiluan stood up and replied, "Thank you, say goodbye."

After leaving the Presidential Palace, Zhang Xiluan looked back at the soldiers who were coming in and out of the President’s door. In the spring breeze in the capital, the flag of the Republic of China was allowed to be tilted by the strong wind and fluttered irregularly.

Zhang Xiluan sighed. Zhang Xiluan's wife asked in confusion: "Why is the master so sad?"

Zhang Xiluan smiled bitterly, "I have never been as good as Yuan Xiangcheng in my life. I didn't expect to be better than him when I was old."

Mrs. Zhang blinked in confusion, wondering whether Zhang Xiluan was happy or unhappy.

After the big guys step down, they will basically go to the apartment. This is no longer the era of returning home. Shanghai and Tianjin, the two most modern cities in China, are the places for the big guys.

The same was true for Zhang Xiluan. She bought a house in Tianjin and moved her family over. In May, Zhang Xiluan received a telegram, Duan Qirui asked Zhang Xiluan to come to Beijing. Zhang Xiluan thought about it and ordered someone to call back, "I can't make a move."

Three days later, Duan Qirui actually appeared outside Zhang Xiluan's gate. Since he met Yuan Shikai last time, Zhang Xiluan felt that his mood had changed a lot. Although Duan Qirui, the little brother, did not force Yuan Shikai as much as Feng Guozhang, in Zhang Xiluan's eyes, Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang are birds of a feather.

After just talking to Zhang Xiluan for a few words, Duan Qirui clearly felt Zhang Xiluan's attitude. The current Prime Minister of the Beiyang Government smiled bitterly and said, "I wonder why Mr. Zhang wants to make diplomatic diplomatic relations with He Rui?"

Zhang Xiluan deliberately showed a look of surprise, "Brother Duan, He Rui was sent to me by you. Brother Wei always thought that this was what Brother Duan meant."

Seeing Duan Qirui being blocked by these words, Zhang Xiluan felt a little relieved.

Recently, some old friends have been visiting Zhang Xiluan. When talking about the latest changes, they are very regretful. On April 1 and 16, they publicly called the Beijing government to persuade Yuan Shikai to abdicate as soon as possible. Warlords from various provinces followed suit and also sent telegrams to persuade Yuan Shikai to abdicate quickly. Yuan Shikai had to send his confidant Ruan Zhongshu to go south to beg for love from Feng Guozhang.

The dignified president has fallen to such a state, which is really worse than death.

Even if a person like Yuan Shikai makes a wrong choice, he ends up like this, and even more so. Zhang Xiluan does not want to end up with a reputation that is unknown.

Since Duan Qirui was forced to meet Zhang Xiluan because of He Rui's affairs, it goes without saying that He Rui must have done the right thing. It's just that Zhang Xiluan didn't know what He Rui did right.

At this time, Fengtian, He Rui ordered Xu Chengfeng: "Chengfeng, you will lead the troops of two regiments outside Shanhaiguan to join forces with Silang to conduct a large exercise of four regiments."

"Supervisor, this..." Xu Chengfeng stopped, thought for a while before continuing to ask: "Our equipment is not enough."

He Rui smiled slightly, "This is not a military war, but a political war. Since General Duan of the Army refused to reply to us, we can only trouble General Duan again."

Xu Chengfeng advised: "Supervisor, it is better to ask Cheng Ruofan to bring a regiment back to Fengtian first, and I will go to the exercise after he comes back."

"No need. As long as you practice well, Fengtian will be safe and sound. The reason why the two generals, Jilin and Heilongjiang, are a little unhappy at the moment, is not because our troops are not enough, but because they have not yet received orders from the capital. It is time to urge General Duan."
Chapter completed!