The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 382 One person is missing
Li Zixiong's report came from outside the door, interrupting the secret discussion between Wu Peifu and Li Jinyu.

Wu Peifu waved his hand and ended their conversation.

Wu Peifu lowered his voice and warned, "Mingguang, you must know what you can and cannot say, and what can only be discussed between us in private."

Wu Peifu's exhortation made Li Jinyu feel warm in his heart. It was obvious that when Wu Peifu joined the organization, the decision-making power of the organization had been transferred to Wu Peifu's hands, and Wu Peifu regarded him as his closest person.

Li Jinyu nodded solemnly, agreeing to Wu Peifu's instructions.

Li Jinyu walked over and opened the door, and Li Zixiong strode into the room.

After Li Zixiong saluted Wu Peifu and Li Jinyu, Wu Peifu, without any unnecessary courtesy, directly handed the list that Teng Yuzhao had given him to Li Zixiong.

On the way back from Langfang during the day, Li Jinyu brought Li Zixiong to tell Wu Peifu the truth. From the moment Wu Peifu agreed to join without any hesitation, Wu Peifu was not only Li Zixiong's superior, they also became like-minded brothers. Wu Peifu no longer needed any hypocritical courtesy of etiquette.

Especially at a time like today, there is no need to say more.

"The imperial court wants to establish the Seventh Mixed Brigade in Hubei. Our commander-in-chief will provide the guns, officers, and possibly food and wages. Of course, this Seventh Mixed Brigade will also be under the jurisdiction of the commander-in-chief."

Worried that Li Zixiong was unwilling to leave the Vanguard Army, Wu Peifu added, "In fact, although the Seventh Mixed Brigade is under the banner of the imperial court and Huguang, it is just a title. It still belongs to our Vanguard Army. The most important thing is to see what the officers do. You can take a look at the list first."

Li Zixiong took the list and his eyes widened after just one glance. He looked at Wu Peifu and Li Jinyu nervously and excitedly.

Wu Peifu waved his hand and said, "Don't let your imagination run wild. We two brothers don't have that much ability. This is a grace given to you by the Marshal."

Among these three people, although Li Zixiong was the initiator of the "Fenjin Society", Li Jinyu was the first member to join with a higher official position than Li Zixiong, and Wu Peifu was the last to join, Wu Peifu had a special status. He was not only the highest-ranking official among the three, but also their direct superior. Therefore, Wu Peifu naturally occupied the dominant position.

In addition, Wu Peifu has a most special identity, that is, he is the Marshal's direct disciple, which makes him more than one level higher than the students who were taught by Teng Yuzhao in the Beiyang Military Academy.

As soon as Wu Peifu finished speaking, Li Zixiong's eyes were immediately filled with tears. His voice was choked with sobs, but he spoke very firmly.

"The Marshal has been very kind to me, Li Zixiong. First he saved my life, then he cultivated me. Even if I, Li Zixiong, were torn to pieces in this life, I would never be able to repay the Marshal's kindness. I, Li Zixiong, swear to heaven today that I am willing to go through fire and water for the Marshal, no matter what."

Seeing that Li Zixiong was truly moved, Wu Peifu walked forward and patted Li Zixiong on the shoulder.

"Zixiong, it's not just you. The Marshal has been very kind to us as well. Mingguang and I share the same sentiment. However, now is not the time for us to express our loyalty to the Marshal. Time is urgent. Please take a good look at this list first."

"You only told Mingguang and me about the people you had connected during the day. We may not remember everything and are not sure. Can you confirm whether the people listed above are the ones you had connected?"

Time is urgent. Needless to say, Li Zixiong is also aware that they have to escort Teng Yuzhao to evacuate, and the coalition cavalry has already arrived. If they are late, they may be blocked by the rescue coalition forces. Time is of course very tight.

Li Zixiong hurriedly wiped away his tears with the sleeve of his military uniform and looked at the list carefully.

Li Zixiong quickly finished reading through the twenty or so names, and after returning the list to Wu Peifu, he said.

"Sir, all the people listed here are the ones I have linked up with. I have linked up with 26 people in total, including me, there are 27 people in total. There are only 26 people on this list, one is missing, that is, the second sentry chief of our third battalion, Mo Tianxi."

Li Zixiong added, "Mo Tianxi followed Commander Hu of the 3rd Mixed Brigade to join our Vanguard Army. He was also a graduate of our Beiyang Military Academy. He was transferred here when our Guard Brigade was established this time."

Li Zixiong's words made Li Jinyu open his eyes wide, and Wu Peifu also frowned.

All the people on the list were connected with Li Zixiong, which means that Teng Yuzao wanted to promote these officers who were loyal to him, which made Wu Peifu say.

But Li Zixiong's collusion with other people was kept very secret. They only learned about it from Li Zixiong today and had not heard any rumors about it beforehand.

Unexpectedly, Teng Yuzao actually knew everything, and the situation he knew was only one person away from the real situation! This could not but shock Li Jinyu!

Seeing the expressions of Wu Peifu and Li Jinyu, Li Zixiong immediately realized the problem and opened his eyes wide in shock.

Wu Peifu thought for a moment, took a deep breath and said, "We can't keep Mo Tianxi. Zixiong, find a way to get rid of him!"

Wu Peifu's words shocked Li Jinyu and Li Zixiong. No matter what, Mo Tianxi was also the sentry leader of the vanguard army. Just like that, he was killed! Knowing that Li Jinyu and Li Zixiong might not be able to accept it if he didn't explain it clearly, Wu Peifu smiled bitterly and said without waiting for the two to ask.

"It's not like the Marshal is unaware of all the people involved. In my opinion, this was done intentionally by the Marshal."

Under the astonished gazes of Li Jinyu and Li Zixiong, Wu Peifu continued speaking.

"The Marshal is very observant, but have you ever thought about this? I didn't hear anything about this secret matter beforehand, but the Marshal knew it so clearly. Why is that?"

Li Zixiong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said, "I thought the matter was kept secret, but in fact, the Marshal knows everything and has it all under control!"

Li Jinyu also nodded and said with admiration, "Twenty-seven people, only one is missing. The rest are all under the control of the Marshal, and we have been kept in the dark before! The Marshal is really a god!"

Seeing that the two of them were not getting the point, Wu Peifu continued with a wry smile.

"According to Zixiong, he started to connect with these people after our Guard Association was established. Have you ever thought about it? It's only been a short time, and the matter was done in secret. How could the Marshal grasp it so clearly so quickly?"

Li Jinyu asked tentatively, "Ziyu, are you saying that it was this Mo Tianci who informed the Marshal?"

Wu Peifu shook his head firmly and said, "You are only half right. It is true that it was Mo Tianci who reported the secret, but he definitely did not report it directly to the Marshal."

"Why do you think so, sir?"

Li Zixiong was also a little confused and asked doubtfully.

"It's very simple."

Wu Peifu explained, "Think about it, Zixiong did this for the Marshal, but this matter will be considered as treason after all. If it is leaked, it will not only affect the life and death of Zixiong and others, but also the safety of the Marshal."

"If Mo Tianxi is going to disclose such an important matter, he can only do so to the Marshal and never to anyone else. But if Mo Tianxi discloses it to the Marshal, that's fine. This time, Mo Tianxi's name will probably be on the list."

"Mo Tianci reported the matter to the Marshal. Although it may be suspected of flattery, his loyalty is commendable. The Marshal will not fail to promote him this time."

"But for such a big event, if Mo Tianxi didn't tell the Marshal, but told someone else."

Wu Peifu could not continue talking about the following matters, as he could only touch upon the subject briefly when talking to these two people regarding Teng Yuzao.

He did not become a scholar for nothing, but gained it through traveling through mountains of books and oceans of learning. Learning from history is not only about understanding the rise and fall of nations, but also about understanding human hearts. Wu Peifu was far beyond what ordinary people could compare to.

"The Marshal only missed him on the list this time. This is to wake you up and make you be on guard against him."

Li Jinyu seemed to understand something and asked in surprise, "Ziyu, are you saying that Mo Tianxi told Commander Hu?"

“It’s not Hu Xietong.”

In order to prevent the two from feeling burdened about getting rid of Mo Tianci, Wu Peifu explained patiently.

"If he informed Hu, then this person will still appear on the list this time. The Marshal must give Hu an explanation. After all, Hu is different from Liu and Li. He is from the front army of the Wuwei Army, and his official position is higher than the Marshal's."

"However, the Marshal will still use other methods to remind Zixiong to be on guard against Mo Tianxi."

"Now, the Marshal simply didn't include him on the list, which is enough to prove that the person Mo Tianxi informed on was definitely not Hu Xietong."

Wu Peifu did not explain why Teng Yuzhao had to consider Hu Dianjia. These things were still not something he could talk about casually.

Li Zixiong's face had turned ugly, and he frowned and said, "Sir, if I am not mistaken, he should have reported the secret to Director Li. Should we..."

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(End of this chapter)