Chapter 532 Zhang Xiaoya’s foresight

On September 12, the smoke of Fujian gradually weakened. After the battle in Nan'an County ended, the Guangdong Army and the Fujian Army entered the preparation stage, in an attempt to fight a fierce battle in Luojiang County and completely eliminate each other's main forces.

That afternoon, Wu Shaoting, Zhang Zhi, Liang Qichao, Song Jiaoren, Cen Chunxuan and others came to Guangzhou Wharf with the escort of the Governor's Office. A steamer from Shanghai slowly docked and walked out of the special cabin on the ship. They stood at the fence and looked at the wharf, and then walked off the ship with a little tired smile.

The Guangdong military government, who had been waiting on the dock for a long time, immediately met the tower bridge.

Wu Shaoting walked in front, enthusiastically held the hand of the first old man who walked off the boat, and said comforting: "Mr. Fourth, thank you all the hard work along the way."

This old man was Zhang Jian who had not seen him for four years. In terms of relationship, he was also Wu Shaoting's fourth uncle.

Liang Qichao, Zhang Zhi and others came over at this time and greeted Zhang Jian one by one.

Zhang Jian was a senior of everyone present in terms of age and qualifications, and was also the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce of the three central cabinets. Wu Shaoting alone came to welcome him.

Zhang Jian exchanged polite greetings with everyone, and then specifically talked to his younger brother Zhang Zhi.

"Fourth brother, I heard you go south earlier, why did you arrive in Guangzhou after more than a month?" Zhang Zhi asked.

"Oh, it's a long story, it's really not easy to go south." Zhang Jian sighed heavily, and the tired look on his face became heavier.

Although Wu Shaoting, who was standing aside, was also very curious, he did not rush to ask, but said, "Mr. Fourth, the car is ready, and Xiaoya is still waiting to see you in the car."

Zhang Jian quickly showed a kind smile and sighed: "I was really helpless and regretful when I was Zhenzhi's wedding last year, my old bone was really not easy to move, so I was unable to come to attend."

Wu Shaoting smiled bitterly in his heart: Thank you for your hard work, your old man didn't come, otherwise if something happened in that explosion, it would be a tragic tragedy. He smiled calmly and said politely: "Mr. Fourth said this. I was extremely pleased to receive Mr. Fourth's blessing telegram that day. Mr. Fourth is a key government official, and he is busy with all kinds of things. He is for the country and the people, and he cannot do anything to do it."

Zhang Zhi also smiled and said, "Fourth brother, now everyone is their own family. There is no need to say such things. Just have a good idea. Come on, let's not stand on this pier. The weather is very hot. Let's go and fall down first and then slowly reminisce about the past."

Wu Shaoting ordered the guards to help Zhang Jian and others carry their luggage. Everyone walked out of the dock. There were three cars and four carriages on the street at the gate. The soldiers of the guard camp were uniforms, with straight military postures, and stood straight on both sides, looking solemn. Song Jiaoren, Liang Qichao and others got on the first car. Wu Shaoting, Zhang Zhi and Zhang Jian got on the carriage in the middle, and the rest of the accompanying staff took the carriage.

Zhang Xiaoya was waiting for her fourth uncle in the car. After Zhang Jian got on the car, she immediately started playing with the fourth uncle happily.

Zhang Jian looked at his niece who had been away for a long time. He used to be an innocent little girl, but now he has become a graceful girl. He is even more of a governor's wife. It makes people sigh that time is like an arrow. He thinks that Zhang Xiaoya is good at everything. Her girl has changed a lot, she is beautiful, and her temperament is mature. Unfortunately, her eyes... When she came to the Governor's Office, Zhang Zhi arranged for someone to take Zhang Jian's luggage to the Zhang family villa. Since she was a brother, she naturally arranged to move in at her home.

Wu Shaoting invited Zhang Jian to sit in the VIP room in the South Hall, and Liang Qichao, Song Jiaoren, Cen Chunxuan and others were with him to reminisce about the past with Zhang Jian. These people had more or less old friends with Zhang Jian, and everyone was familiar with him, and it was also very labor-saving to talk. Zhang Jian then explained the reason why he delayed his arrival in Guangzhou for a month. It turned out that when he first arrived in Shanghai from Beijing to Shanghai, the Fujian War had already begun, and the ships from Shanghai to Guangdong were affected by the war. Not only that, the Shanghai Guardian and the Songjiang Guardian knew that Zhang Jian was a big shot. Once he went to Guangzhou, it would definitely be more unfavorable to Beiyang, so he interfered with it and kept Zhang Jian in Shanghai.

After listening to Zhang Jian's introduction, Song Jiaoren was the first to be excited and said angrily: "Yuan Shikai, an old thief, has destroyed the spirit of the law, but now he has to interfere in his freedom. He is really getting more and more excessive!"

Liang Qichao also sighed in a deep voice and said unhappily: "Beiyang is hopeless."

Zhang Jian smiled bitterly and said slowly: "Zheng Rucheng and Yang Shande don't let me go, it may not be Yuan Shikai's intention, it may be that they made the decision without authorization. Alas, now there is nothing that has happened. The war in Fujian has begun, and Yuan Shikai ignores it. The Republic of China is about to embark on a bumpy road again."

Song Jiaoren said seriously: "Mr. Fourth, Yuan Shikai's current actions are disappointing. According to me, you should not have any illusions about the north. If the Beiyang is not eliminated, the Republic of China will never be peaceful, and republican democracy and nationalism are even more out of reach. This time, the Fourth Mr. Fourth has finally gone south and must make up his mind."

Although Wu Shaoting did not speak much, he paid special attention to Zhang Jian's expression at this time. Even if Song Jiaoren did not say this, he would find time to say this to Zhang Jian. The Progressive Party gave up Beijing and chose to go south to Guangzhou. Strictly speaking, this was just to organize a demonstration and pressure action. Whether it was determined with the Beiyang government was still unknown.

He could see that Liang Qichao was more or less enlightened. He had been in close contact with Song Jiaoren during this period and had a very shallow intention to break with Beiyang. However, Liang Qichao was a civilian politician. He had no other practical power except for his ideals and existing fame. On the contrary, Zhang Jian, who was also the main figure of the Progressive Party, was different. Even if he lost his position as Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, the top scholar was still a strong bourgeoisie and had deep business and political connections in the north and south.

If Zhang Jian can be won over to join the Guangdong Group, it means winning half of the Chinese business class support. Not only will there be no need to worry about financial and financial issues in the future, it will also establish a deeper reputation and power in the country.

After listening to Song Jiaoren's words, Zhang Jian's face was exhausted again, and he was also troubled by this problem these days. During the days he stayed in Shanghai, Yang Shande and Zheng Rucheng would come to persuade him almost every few days. As the saying goes, three people become tigers. Even if Yuan Shikai's new law is indeed disappointing, he still remembers the authority of the central government and hope for this country in his heart.

Wu Shaoting saw that Zhang Jian didn't want to talk about this for the time being, so he simply changed the topic and said, "Mr. Fourth has just arrived today, and it's really hard to work hard for many days. Today we won't talk about state affairs and talk about the old relationship. I'll arrange a banquet later, and you all welcome Mr. Fourth together."

Cen Chunxuan smiled and nodded and responded: "It's great. Even if the Fujian War is tight, we should be more calm. Besides, Mr. Fourth is coming to the south. It is necessary to say that it is adding a booster to us. We must comfort Mr. Fourth."

Zhang Jian smiled and thanked: "I will never forget the kindness of the earthquake, the beautiful intentions of Yun Gong, and the thoughts of you. I will remember them in my heart."

During the dinner, Zhang Jian introduced two entourages who followed him at the banquet. One was named Gu Changwei, whose courtesy name was Weiran. He had been Zhang Jian's official secretary before. He has followed Zhang Jian since the establishment of the Nanjing Provisional Government and has helped a lot in official business over the years. Another person's famous work, Ren Zongran, whose courtesy name is Xintian, was a cousin of Zhang Jian's wife's family. He arranged to handle affairs in a Shanghai company a few years ago. This time he met again when he was staying in Guangzhou and stayed in Shanghai. He was asked to act as a deputy.

For Zhang Jian's sake, Wu Shaoting made some polite comments with these two people and enthusiastically pushed the cups.

Everyone gathered until after nine o'clock. Considering that Zhang Jian had just got off the boat today, the feast would not be too late, so the banquet dispersed early.

Wu Shaoting and his wife Zhang Xiaoya took Zhang Jian to the Zhang family villa together. Everyone chatted for a while before saying goodbye and leaving.

On the way back to the Governor's Mansion, Zhang Xiaoya sat quietly beside Wu Shaoting, and suddenly asked, "Shaoting, do you really want the fourth uncle to stay in Guangzhou?"

Wu Shaoting was slightly stunned. If Zhang Xiaoya's eyes were healthy and could observe his expressions when he talked with Zhang Jian, he could understand what he asked about. But Zhang Xiaoya couldn't see anything, and he had never said anything explicitly from beginning to end that he wanted Zhang Jian to stay, could it be that the telepathy between the couple?

He stretched out his hand and held Zhang Xiaoya's little hand, and asked with a smile: "How did you know? Did the fisherman tell you?"

Zhang Xiaoya pretended to be unhappy and said, "Shaoting, you really underestimate people. No matter what, I am your wife now, the wife of the governor of the Guangdong Military Government. Although I can't see anything now, I still know the current situation..."

Wu Shaoting raised his eyebrows and looked surprised. The word "situation" was spoken from Zhang Xiaoya's mouth, which was really unbelievable. He hurriedly said: "Do you know the current situation?"

Zhang Xiaoya smiled playfully and said, "Governor Wu, should I say you look down on women, or should I say you look down on me?"

Wu Shaoting was a little surprised. It seemed that he had indeed underestimated Zhang Xiaoya. As early as the Spring Festival, when Zhang Xiaoya proposed to visit the army and visit the people, he should have realized the uniqueness of this little wife. In addition, the sudden attack on the nail on the head today, he was truly amazed.

"Xiaoya, tell me quickly, how did you know?" he asked urged.

"Four words, the general trend. Fujian has begun war. Although I hate war, no matter what the situation, reason, or result, I will always support you. The National Progressive Council and the Progressive Party have joined forces to deal with the president in the north, but obviously the President is not afraid of you at all. If this continues, either the National Progressive Council and the Progressive Party will take risks and carry out boycotts to the end, or make silent choices and compromises." Zhang Xiaoya said lightly, at this time, her empty eyes seemed to be filled with radiant light, and she became serious.

"I really didn't see that you could even observe this level." Wu Shaoting exclaimed with a smile.

"Shaoting, you have already fought with Fujian. It is naturally impossible to compromise now. After all, you have to boycott it to the end. It will definitely be difficult to resist it by relying solely on our Guangdong province. Therefore, Shaoting, you will definitely win over the Progressive Party. Mr. Liang Zhuoru and the fourth uncle are both famous figures. In addition, Song Yufu and Mr. Cen are in charge. Guangdong's political reputation in China is enough to surpass the north." Zhang Xiaoya continued slowly.

"I see you ignore political and state affairs on weekdays, but I didn't expect that you are as clear as a mirror and see things so thoroughly. I am a beauty and a confidant. I really admire and feel relieved." Wu Shaoting picked up Zhang Xiaoya's little hand and kissed her, and praised her sincerely.

"My husband is busy with state affairs and political affairs all day long. Even if I am a wife, I can't do anything about it. As the saying goes, this is the reason." Zhang Xiaoya smiled sweetly and snuggled her head on Wu Shaoting's shoulder.

"Okay, if you are with me in the future, I believe my career will go a step further."

"Actually... I have a way to let the fourth uncle stay." Zhang Xiaoya suddenly said again.

"Is that so? What do you do?" Wu Shaoting asked strangely, but he had some speculation in his mind that Zhang Xiaoya could ask her uncle Zhang Jian to stay, but it was simply to use the relationship between family affection.

"No need to tell you the solution, as long as you believe me." Zhang Xiaoya said gently.

"I will believe you no matter where and where. However... I still hope that Mr. Fourth can make the decision by himself, rather than relying on external influences. After all, this decision may affect Mr. Fourth's life. Once he makes the wrong choice this time, he will definitely regret it in the future. To be honest, I don't have 100% confidence in competing with the Beiyang government this time. It is still very suspense to really break out, so I don't want to implicate others." Wu Shaoting said seriously.

In order to prepare for a war with the Beiyang government, he did spend a lot of effort, from armored vehicles, aircraft to food processing plants and developing heavy industries, all of which were to be useful one day. But despite this, he still lacked some confidence in his heart, and he was not sure what it was. Perhaps it was psychological, or perhaps it was true.

"Okay, I'll listen to you, no matter what decision you make, I'll listen to you." Zhang Xiaoya said softly. At this moment, she returned to the little girl's posture, like a lazy kitten who is unwilling to use her brain, just wanting to find a sense of security.

Wu Shaoting moved a little, gently picked up Zhang Xiaoya's little face, and kissed her on the forehead.

In the next few days, Zhang Jian did not make any big moves in Guangzhou. In addition to responding to Liang Qichao's waving flags and shouting in newspaper articles, he only symbolically asked his subordinate Gu Changwei to organize a revolutionary aid preparatory meeting for the five provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai, Fujian and Guangdong to raise a sum of materials and funds for the Guangdong army to fight in Fujian. Strictly speaking, Zhang Jian had almost never taken care of this preparatory meeting seriously, and completely made Gu Changwei appear on his behalf. Although he attracted a lot of money from wealthy businessmen from all over the country with the title of "Fourth Mr.", it was still rare for Wu Shaoting.

In the first few days, Zhang Jian had also walked around and had contact with Cen Chunxuan, Song Jiaoren, and Chen Jiongming. In the next few days, he lived in the Zhang family villa. In addition to special guests, he even closed his door to thank the guests.
Chapter completed!