Chapter 374 First Meeting Yuan Shikai

The newspaper on the morning of the seventh day of the first lunar month was an hour later than usual, but the people inside and outside the city did not care much, just thought it was a printing press malfunction or snow slid, which made traffic inconvenient. When the newspaper was obtained and after reading the whole article, people couldn't help but start talking. Is the Guangdong War finally over?

The reports on Cen Chunxuan’s northward journey have been for a while, and most of them are speculations made in the domestic current affairs commentary section. Whether the war that lasted for more than half a year in the south has been extinguished or continued to expand has become a topic of concern to people from all walks of life. What young people are worried about is the path of the revolutionary cause; what politicians often talk about is the distinction between the pros and cons of the war in the south brings to various parties and factions; businessmen lament the impact of war on the market, but also worry about the government’s collection of strategic materials.

Should the Southern War end? The reputation among the people has not been unified. Many people think that *** is the culprit of the rebellion, while Guangdong is the accomplice. However, many people have made a profound analysis of the domestic situation and believed that civil war should not be the primary focus of the struggle for interests, and that rebellion in Mongolia in the north should be taken seriously.

But the power that can really influence this war is not among the people. No matter how people discuss it, it is just wishful gossip and cannot promote any progress in the current situation.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Cen Chunxuan had breakfast at the guesthouse, and today's itinerary was to visit the interim president.

Yuan Shikai came to the Presidential Office of Huairentang early in the morning and first heard the Army Department report on the recent war. According to a telegram sent by the Hankou Command, the Beiyang Army and the Guangdong Army had been in a stalemate in Shaoguan for more than 20 days and still failed to make any breakthroughs. This was bad news for Yuan Shikai, and of course, what was worse was that this bad news was not all bad news. Cao Kun had been hiding Xiao Yaonan's accident, while Li Chun had concealed the news of the failure of the Northern Front combat.

Although the report this morning was not satisfactory, it did not affect Yuan Shikai's mood. He knew that the deadlock in the war was only temporary. The Beiyang Army was under ten times the pressure was equivalent to the Guangdong Army being under a hundred times the pressure. A mere province would never confront the whole country, and even if it was delayed, it could drag the Guangdong Army to death.

Last night, he had carefully read the records of the talks between Cen Chunxuan and Xiong Xiling. Although Cen Chunxuan made some alarmist remarks, Xiong Xiling was worried. However, this trick didn't work for him. On the contrary, he believed that Wu Shaoting was desperate, so he sent Cen Chunxuan to the north to make a desperate bet.

At half past nine, Cen Chunxuan followed the presidential attendant to the door of the presidential office. After some notice, he walked into the Supreme Power Office of the Republic of China. What surprised him was that Yuan Shikai did not avoid suspicion and carefully combed his beard in front of him in front of him.

Zhang Yiao was helping Yuan Shikai sort out the documents on his desk, and Lu Jianzhang was also present, sitting in the seat against the wall of the small hall.

After seeing Cen Chunxuan come in, Zhang Yiao nodded to him first, then turned around and reminded Yuan Shikai: "President, Mr. Cen is here."

Lu Jianzhang did not get up, his face was indifferent, obviously not taking Cen Chunxuan seriously. When the Qing Dynasty was still there, he was the New Army sentry officer and he had openly led troops to blackmail township officials. As a result, Cen Chunxuan, who happened to return to Beijing to report his duties, met him and immediately arrested the Dali Temple for justice. If Yuan Shikai had not stopped Lu Jianzhang on the grounds that military law was not suitable for Dali Temple, he would have died in prison at that time.

He has never forgotten this knot. Now that Cen Chunxuan has no public office and no official authority, he has no need to sell the face of an old man with grudges. He believes that President Yuan will not blame him, because President Yuan does not like Cen Chunxuan's affairs, and anyone in the country who cares a little about him knows it.

Cen Chunxuan just glanced at Lu Jianzhang with an expressionless face, not caring about Lu Jianzhang's rudeness at all, or even Lu Jianzhang's status within his vision.

Yuan Shikai turned around slowly, with a hypocritical smile on his face, and said loudly: "Brother Yunjie, it's so good. We have been together for more than ten years. I really didn't expect that there would be a time to meet again. Hahaha." He strode up as he said.

Cen Chunxuan smiled lightly and said, "Yes, Yuan Xiangcheng in the past, today's President, you and me are a world of difference, and it really makes people sigh." His words were pun, and the hidden image was self-evident.

Yuan Shikai didn't care. He was now in a high position and power, so he didn't need to be angry at some obscure remarks. He still smiled and said, "My brother Yunjie hasn't seen him these years, and his temper is still as stubborn as ever. Come on, we don't have to stand and talk, sit first."

He took Cen Chunxuan's hand and asked Cen Chunxuan to sit down on the large backrest chair on the front of the desk.

Zhang Yiao packed up the documents on his desk and ordered the attendants to prepare refreshments.

At this time, Lu Jianzhang stood up and walked forward in an inappropriate manner, and said to Yuan Shikai: "President, the matter between Henan and Shaanxi cannot be delayed anymore. Otherwise, let's do it according to the previous proposal."

Yuan Shikai did not show a disgusting expression. He slowly sat down in the president's seat, and supported his chin and began to ponder carefully.

Cen Chunxuan was a little puzzled. Did Yuan Shikai deliberately arrange for Lu Jianzhang to sing this double act?

After a while, Yuan Shikai sighed, but said in a very relaxed tone: "Langzhai, since the Henan bandits are serious and they are affected across provinces, then do what you want. I will write an order to go down to the Seventh Town to command, and I will completely eliminate this group of ignorant people who are ignorant of the world."

Lu Jianzhang stood attentively and replied solemnly: "I'm here to ensure that the task is completed."

Yuan Shikai waved his hand and said, "Okay, you go down and prepare first. Decide the date of departure today and tomorrow. Report to the Army Department as soon as possible. Zhiquan is not here, and the Army Department is really busy."

Lu Jianzhang withdrew from the office like this.

When Cen Chunxuan heard Yuan Shikai mention the bandits in Henan just now, he immediately understood that it was the time for the Bailang Uprising in Henan. Bailang had grown from a team of hundreds to a scale of thousands from the end of last year to the beginning of this year, and newspapers in various places had reported this matter. When he was in Guangzhou, he also heard that Bailang's actions were related to the Shanghai Revolutionary Party, but he did not have a deep understanding of the specific situation.

His views were the same as many ordinary people. No matter how powerful Bai Lang was, he was a group of refugees, and the last ten would not have a good result. Yuan Shikai mentioned this in front of him and revealed without any concealment about the rebellion of the Seventh Town to the south, which was more or less suspected of showing off.

This is nothing more than telling him in advance that the Beiyang government is rich and has enough capital to suppress any rebellious measures.

After Lu Jianzhang left, Yuan Shikai changed his smile and looked at Cen Chunxuan, and asked actively: "Brother Yunjie, I heard that you are no longer living in Shanghai, but you went to Guangdong to find an errand. According to me, why bother? With your qualifications and talents, you are a talented person who is a general and a prime minister. Why bother to condescend to the local government to suffer? What's more, what's going on in Guangdong? It's obvious to all the whole country."

Before Cen Chunxuan could reply, he paused, sighed calmly and said, "But for the best of misfortune, brother, you finally got the right time to go north. I have to save my life and the situation is in chaos after destroying Guangzhou. If you have any mistakes, I will be guilty for a few years."
Chapter completed!