Chapter 111 Entering the capital again

"Xingwu has met his uncle, Xingwu is a powerful general, Fengtian General and Rehe governor. His uncle has made great efforts, but unfortunately he has no time to visit Shandong. Please forgive me." In Xu Shichang's mansion, Ye Chong respectfully bowed to Xu Shichang. After six years of separation, Xu Shichang was obviously older than before, with some gray hair on his temples, but he looked pretty good in spirit. Ye Chong still came from the bottom of his heart for Xu Shichang's gratitude.

"Ha, Xingwu, so polite, come, come, sit down." Xu Shichang smiled and said, "I didn't expect that Xingwu, you can do such a big thing. The troops advanced to the heavens, forcing Zhang Zuolin to return to the garrison, and then forced Zhao Erxun to resign as the governor of the three eastern provinces. He did a great job. The timing was accurate and the action was quick, and I felt ashamed of myself."

The niece-in-law in front of him was greatly enhanced by Xu Shichang. Xu Shichang is also a very capable person. Although Wang Huaiqing lacks character and has a relatively mediocre ability, he is also the most trustworthy person in the army. Wang Huaiqing is a little helpless, and there are even people talking about this matter behind his back. However, since Ye Chong's rise, these people have been silent about Xu Shichang's employment level. Xu Shichang is also a little happy. There is such a confidant who holds heavy troops and looks at the Northeast, which makes the Outer Mongolia rebels throw away their armor, and is also a son-in-law in the niece. Xu Shichang's weight in speaking in Beijing is also more important.

Ye Chong sat down and smiled and said, "If it weren't for the support from my uncle and the commander, he had some people and fame in his hands, even if Xingwu had the ability to be in heaven, he would not be able to reach the current level. Xingwu would not dare to forget his uncle's kindness."

"Yes." Xu Shichang was satisfied with Ye Chong's attitude, and he was considered to have endured all the words of Ye Chong.

"When it comes to Xu Nan also thinks that his uncle is tight. People are a little uncomfortable these two days. I have to come to see my uncle after being better." Ye Chong smiled.

"I was worried about Xiaonan being robbed in Liaozhong before. Speaking of which, Xiaonan is also a lucky person." Xu Shichang said: "Do you know why I didn't explain the president's intention in the telegram this time?"

"I heard of it, but I can't confirm it yet." Ye Chong said.

"You are considered a person who is interested." Ye Chong also knew about the establishment of an intelligence station in Beijing. "The president is going to be the emperor. How do you think about Xingwu?"

"A twenty-one article has just been released, which has been a serious blow to the prestige of the president. Now he is going to be the emperor again. The president is cutting off his own way out." With Ye Chong's relationship with Xu Shichang at this time, there is no need to avoid it. "The president has made a serious decision. Is there any room for maneuver?"

"No, I have known him for so many years and I know his temper very well. It's useless to decide who will persuade him. The envoys of the great powers are also persuading the president to implement the imperial system. The president was a little hesitant, but now he has made up his mind." Xu Shichang shook his head and said, "Since Xingwu, do you think it is not feasible to proclaim the president to be emperor, what attitude should he have on this matter?"

"There is a saying that is good. If you are not in your position and do not plan your politics, this matter is not determined by Xingwu. How can the president do whatever he wants? If you shoot the first bird, Xingwu will not jump out to object." Ye Chong smiled and said, "Since the president has made up his mind, he has to obey."

Xu Shichang nodded: "It would be best if you can think so."

After meeting Xu Shichang, he rested for a night and got up early the next day. Before he left, Yuan Shikai's eldest son Yuan Keding had already rushed to Xu Shichang's mansion with his guards.

"I said General Ye, this is yours. The general of a province and the governor of the special administrative region came to Beijing and was secretly informed. If it weren't for the people below that you came to Lord Xu's mansion, I would still be in the dark." Although Yuan Keding was a doctor in Germany, he was still a little lame. However, Yuan cheered Yuan Shikai to be the emperor, and Yuan Keding was the crown prince of the current dynasty. At this time, Yuan Keding, who was dreaming of the crown prince, was far more energetic than always. He smiled and said to Ye Chong, who was moving his hands and feet in the yard.

"What is this?" Ye Chong looked at Xu Shichang with some confusion.

"Xingwu, this is the eldest son of the President."

"It turned out to be the eldest son, who is not good at being a humble position? The eldest son actually came to greet him in person." Ye Chong was slightly surprised. Yuan Keding in front of him looked gentle and elegant, completely opposite to Yuan Shikai's image as a martial artist.

"It's nothing, General Ye's current status should be." Yuan Keding smiled.

"Young Master said this and broke the evil spirit and promoted the martial arts." Ye Chong shook his head and said.

Xu Shichang smiled and said, "Okay, you two shouldn't be polite to each other, go see the President early."

"Xingwu, I haven't seen each other for two years, you are getting more and more energetic. The Yangtze River is pushing the old waves. My second brother and I are old. In the future, the Republic of China will be the world of you young people."

"The president is getting stronger and stronger. With the president's current spirit, it is possible to be a president for decades." Ye Chong flattered.

"Is that true?" Yuan Shikai smiled and said, "I had agreed to some Japanese terms before. The generals of the Beiyang Army were angry and insisted on the war of resistance. Why was Xingwu in Fengtian but nothing happened? There was no reaction at all?"

"President Lin, in fact, Bei Zhi is also the main war in his heart." Ye Chong said truthfully.

"Oh? Then why have you been silent on this matter?" Yuan Shikai said strangely.

"Fengtian is different from other provinces in the Republic of China. There are Japanese troops stationed in many places. Judging from the Japanese's unscrupulous style in Shandong, it is really not advisable to over-stimulate the Japanese. The statement of Huyi will only arouse the Japanese's alertness. Whether to fight or to reconcile depends entirely on the president's decision. If to fight, Huyi can attack the Kwantung Army off guard. If to reconcile, useless statements will cause trouble for Fengtian."

"Tell me about your idea of ​​being a leader in the war?" Yuan Shikai pondered for a while. He had heard the arguments about the Beiyang generals' command of the war many times, and he also wanted to hear what different views of Ye Chong, a general who was a bandit.

"Japan is a small country. Although its industrial strength is better than China, the war is against a country's comprehensive national strength, not unilateral industrial strength. Moreover, Japan's resources are poor and its population is not as good as China. Once the war begins, even if the Japanese army is strong in the early stage, China's territory is vast. Once the Japanese army occupy more lands, its military strength will inevitably be dispersed. Japan's industry is far from that of the Western powers and cannot support the protracted war. Looking at the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Japan's basically threatened China with force and then conducts diplomatic blackmail. As long as there is no peace, China's infinite human and material resources, even if it is dragged down, it can drag down Japan. And this time will not be too long. Once the European war is over, the Western powers will definitely not allow Japan to dominate China. Therefore, it is expected that the war will not exceed five years at most. Japanese soldiers can be expelled from the country."

From the bottom of my heart, Ye Chong still hopes to fight a war with Japan at this time. If he can use the war to make Yuan Shikai temporarily give up his desire to be emperor, the comparison of China-Japan national strength has changed in several years. Yuan Shikai will not be emperor, and it is enough to deal with the Japanese with Yuan Shikai's skills. Why is Ye Chong fighting with the Japanese in Fengtian? He usually basked the sun and hunting days are much more comfortable.

"Xingwu's words are incisive. Most generals just want to fight to the end, and would rather die standing than live on their knees. There are only a few people who say that our country has a chance of winning. However, if the war is a few years later, the chance of winning will be even greater." Yuan Shikai breathed out.

When Ye Chong heard this, he knew that these words were in vain. Yuan Shikai was right, but the rising national strength was broken by the fact that the incident of becoming emperor.

"Since the president has decided to seek peace for the time being, the humble position will naturally obey the orders of the president." Ye Chong was not unhappy. At this time, he would naturally not touch Yuan Shikai's tiger beard. Even if he was a big boss like Duan Qirui, Yuan Shikai would be dismissed if he said he would be dismissed, let alone Ye Chong.

"Just obey. If all the soldiers of the army can obey orders like Xingwu, I don't have to worry as much as I am now." Yuan Shikai smiled. Yuan Shikai felt something was wrong with the fiscal revenue paid by Fengtian every year, but it increased every year, and last year it reached 6.5 million. In the country, except for Beijing, Zhili, and Jiangsu and Zhejiang, it is already very high. Among the generals of each province, which is not greedy, it can ensure that the fiscal funds paid are increasing year by year, and there is no new tax revenue added to the people below. It is also a skill. Even if you are greedy, you can forgive it.

"By the way, I heard that Xingwu owed a loan from the Russians. The Russian ambassador to China had already come to me and asked for severe punishment. What's going on?" Yuan Shikai asked again.

"They will complain." Ye Chong smiled and said, "Don't worry, the President has already returned the arrears to them. Because when he took over Fengtian, Fengtian had to lose more than 2 million taels a year, and he also had to fight against the independence of Manchuria and Mongolia, which was manipulated by the Japanese. He had no choice but to borrow several consecutive sums of money from the Russians. It was precisely because of this money that not only made up for the deficit left by the late Qing Dynasty, but also stabilized Fengtian's economy, but Fengtian turned losses into profits. The President was relieved that with Fengtian's current economic situation, the Russians could still afford the loan."

"Xingwu is really a capable minister. He can govern both politics and lead the army. While suppressing the Japanese infiltration of Fengtian, he can govern Fengtian with great success. Looking at the generals of the provinces of the Republic of China, although Xingwu is young, his talent is not inferior to any of them."

When Yuan Shikai was squeezing over the increasingly large Beiyang old ministers such as Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang, he was also vigorously promoting young talents who were behind. If Cai E had not had any unfaithful intentions, he would have been highly valued at this time. Zhao Erxun and Xu Shichang had served as governors of the three eastern provinces and had some personal relationships with him. He was naturally aware of Fengtian's financial situation in the late Qing Dynasty. There were a lot of Beiyang generals who could lead troops to fight, but this ability to make money made Yuan Shikai even more important.
Chapter completed!