The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 633: Something bad has happened
When Wang Shizhen heard Yuan Shikai talking about this, he hurriedly stood up and spoke.

"Marshal, it is true. It is said that Tieliang saw that I was working hard in Henan and sent me money to supplement my family expenses, but I refused."

Yuan Shikai stretched out his soft and heavy hands and placed them on Wang Shizhen's shoulders, pushing Wang Shizhen back to sit on the chair.

"Pinqing, it's not just you. As far as I know, Tieliang has sent money to all the commanders of our Henan Army, including you! Each of them received a silver note of thirty thousand taels."

Wang Shizhen was surprised by Yuan Shikai's words.

He originally thought that Tieliang wanted to win him over because he valued his ability to influence the other three towns. Unexpectedly, Tieliang wanted to completely uproot Yuan Shikai!
Yuan Shikai continued calmly, "But all the other town commanders accepted Tieliang's banknotes, but you refused."

Yuan Shikai's words made Wang Shizhen break out in a cold sweat.

"Marshal. Zhong Shan."

Seeing Wang Shizhen's surprised expression, Yuan Shikai couldn't help but smile and said happily.

"Yes, Zhong Shan also accepted it."

"But Zhongshan sent someone to deliver his handwritten letter to me that day. In the letter, he not only told me the whole story, but also sent me the silver note that Tieliang gave him, saying that he would give it to me to use."

Having said this, Yuan Shikai finally laughed triumphantly.

"How could I want this 30,000 silver? I wrote back to Zhong Shan right away, telling him that if anyone gives him silver notes in the future, he should just keep them and use them with confidence. I will never blame him."

Cao Kun was one grade lower than Wang Shizhen and others. Wang Shizhen had a good impression of this honest, big junior when they were in school. After he joined Yuan Shikai's Wuwei Right Army, he had a close relationship with Cao Kun. When Wang Shizhen heard Yuan Shikai's words, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

But then he became a little worried, "Marshal, then, what about the others?" Wang Shizhen couldn't help but ask hesitantly.

Yuan Shikai still had a smile on his face and spoke slowly and calmly.

"As for the others, some didn't bring the banknotes, but they told me what happened. Some of them kept silent."

Seeing Wang Shizhen becoming more and more surprised, Yuan Shikai shook his hand and said with a smile.

"Pinqing, please don't be like this. No matter whether you took Tieliang's banknotes or not, or whether you informed me or not, I won't blame you. If you want to blame someone, it's only me. It's my incompetence that made my brothers suffer."

Yuan Shikai put away his smile and said to Wang Shizhen, "Pinqing, I think your attitude towards Tieliang's banknotes is the most unacceptable."

Yuan Shikai's words made Wang Shizhen stunned. He wondered how his refusal to be bribed by Tie Liang had become the most undesirable thing!

Yuan Shikai continued, "You refused to accept the banknotes Tieliang gave you, which clearly showed that you were unwilling to side with him. This would surely make Tieliang hate you to the core, and you would be a thorn in his side, and he would want to get rid of you as soon as possible!"

"Even if he fails to win you over, Tieliang might even turn his attention to your subordinates, which would be bad."

Yuan Shikai's words scared Wang Shizhen. He was not a stupid man. On the contrary, he was very smart. He just lacked consideration when it came to the ways of the world. As soon as Yuan Shikai said that, he immediately understood.

Yuan Shikai was right. If he failed to win him over, it was very likely that he would try to attract the attention of his subordinates before removing him from office.

"Pingqing, remember, I will say to you what I said to Zhongshan. If someone gives you banknotes or silver in the future, just accept it. I will never blame you."

"All right."

Yuan Shikai smiled and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore."

As he spoke, Yuan Shikai pointed to the box of banknotes.

"Pinqing, take these banknotes and send someone to take them back home to buy some land in Shimen. With the Luhan Railway, the land price there will definitely increase significantly."

"I envy Teng Xingfu's ability to make money. His construction company is currently building a large-scale project in Shimen, so it must be good there."

"Or, if there is a suitable business, you can just invest in it and wait for the dividends."

Wang Shizhen is from Zhengding. His hometown Zhengding is close to Shimen. Wang Shizhen knows the land prices there very well. Purchasing more land now will definitely make a profit.

After completely understanding the reason why Yuan Shikai gave him the silver note, Wang Shizhen closed the box containing the silver note again, picked it up with both hands and handed it to Yuan Shikai, saying with a wry smile.

"Shizhen thanks the Marshal for his generous gift! But I can't accept the money."

Afraid that Yuan Shikai might have misgivings, Wang Shizhen quickly added, "General, please understand that I don't have any hobbies. Most of my military pay is sent back home. There are only a few people in my family, so we don't spend much. Every year, there is a certain amount of surplus, which is more than enough for our use."

"General, now is different from the past when you were still in the local area. There are many needs in the capital. Now the income is less than the expenditure. You should keep this money in your hands and use it, so as to strive for more benefits for your former colleagues in the Right Army."

"Pin Qing!"

Yuan Shikai said in an unhappy tone, "Pinqing knows my temper. When have I ever taken back the money I have given out?"

Seeing Yuan Shikai's behavior, Wang Shizhen knew that if he did not take the money today, Yuan Shikai would think that he had other intentions, which would be inappropriate.

Thinking of this, he could only smile bitterly and said.

"Marshal, if that's the case, Shizhen would like to thank you on behalf of my fellow comrades in the Sixth Regiment!"

"Now we have to downsize. According to the Marshal's instructions, we have kept the Henan Army General Staff. Now with the downsizing, this General Staff will definitely not be able to be kept. There are also personnel who need to be laid off. I will distribute this money to them on behalf of the Marshal, and use it all as severance pay!"

"In this way, those who stay will be more grateful for the Marshal's kindness and will care about him."

Yuan Shikai sighed, smiled bitterly, pointed at Wang Shizhen and said to Liang Shiyi.

"Yan Sun, take a look at what I said."

Liang Shiyi, who had been watching the two of them, stood up with a smile, clasped his hands and said to Wang Shizhen.

"Brother Pinqing is indifferent to fame and gain, and is truly a patriot! I admire you very much!"

Without waiting for Wang Shizhen to return the gift with humility, Liang Shiyi continued with emotion.

"The Marshal said that a loyal brother like Brother Pinqing should not suffer any loss, and wanted to give Brother Pinqing the remaining 30,000 silver coins. I think that for a good brother like Brother Pinqing, the Marshal should give more, at least 50,000 silver coins, and should give him more praise. This is enough to express his feelings for Brother Pinqing!"

"But the Marshal said that it can't be more, otherwise Brother Pinqing will not accept it. Even if it's 30,000, he may not accept it.

"The Marshal also said that he was very worried about Brother Pinqing. Even if he accepted the banknotes reluctantly, he would distribute them to his subordinates in the Marshal's name. In the end, I'm afraid the Marshal would still benefit."

Liang Shiyi also pointed to the brocade box in Wang Shizhen's hand and said, "Originally, I prepared a silver note of 30,000 yuan, but the Marshal insisted that I change it to a smaller denomination like this, saying that if Brother Pinqing really wants to distribute it in the end, it will save Brother Pinqing trouble." Yuan Shikai took over and said, "Pinqing, since you have decided to distribute the money, I will not stop you, but this money is not the way you want to divide it."

"This staff department that we learned from Teng Xingfu and modeled after the German army has many advantages. Now that it has just been formalized, it must not be disbanded. You should not consider reducing the size of your troops for the time being."

Yuan Shikai stopped looking puzzled and was about to ask Wang Shizhen.

"We'll talk about not reducing the number of troops for now. I have a suggestion for you regarding the 30,000 silver coins. You should not say that it is the money given to you. Just say that I miss these former comrades all the time, and then distribute the money in your name."

"Specifically, I mean to give five thousand taels to the two assistant commanders, Lu Jianzhang and Zhou Linfu, two thousand to the captains, and one thousand to the captains."

After the explanation, Yuan Shikai said earnestly, "Pingqing, please take good control of this army for me. This is our capital for the future!"

Wang Shizhen was deeply moved by Yuan Shikai's understanding of him and his thoughtfulness and concern for him. Just as he was about to express his gratitude to Yuan Shikai, he heard hurried footsteps outside the flower hall. As the footsteps approached the flower hall, an anxious voice sounded.

"Marshal, it's bad! Something terrible has happened!"

Hearing the footsteps, Yuan Shikai, who had turned around in a hurry, swayed and almost fell down at the anxious shouting.

Wang Shizhen, who was behind him, panicked and rushed forward, reaching out to support Yuan Shikai.

Following the shout, Zhao Bingjun, wearing official uniform and holding a hat in his hand, rushed into the flower hall with sweat dripping from his forehead.

As soon as he entered the flower hall, Zhao Bingjun raised his hand and casually threw his lapis lazuli top onto a coffee table, then took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped his sweaty forehead several times.

Wang Shizhen, who was supporting Yuan Shikai, could feel that Yuan Shikai took this opportunity to take a deep breath and then asked in a calm tone.

"Zhi'an, don't panic. The sky isn't falling. What happened? Tell me slowly."

Although Yuan Shikai's tone was calm, Wang Shizhen could feel from his hand that Yuan Shikai's muscles were still tense, and he was obviously still worried and nervous.

Zhao Bingjun tried hard to calm his breathing, but his tone was still a little hurried.

"Marshal, I just heard Zaizhen mention in Prince Qing's mansion that yesterday afternoon, all the students at the Baoding Military Academy, except the Manchu students, cut off their braids."

Zaizhen is Yikuang's eldest son and is now the Minister of Commerce.

"Zaizhen said that the Army Department suspected that the GMD was instigating this, and had ordered Wang Yingkai stationed in Zhuozhou to send troops to Baoding, not only to arrest the students who cut their hair, but also to escort Duan Zhiquan back to Beijing for investigation."

"It is said that Wang Yingkai sent Ma Longbiao to go there."

After hearing what Zhao Bingjun said, Wang Shizhen clearly felt that Yuan Shikai's tense muscles suddenly relaxed. But when he heard that the Ministry of the Army wanted to arrest Duan Qirui, Wang Shizhen became a little anxious and spoke in a hurry.

"Master Zhao, did Zhiquan cut his braid? Did he know beforehand that his student cut his braid?"

Zhao Bingjun shook his head and said, "I heard from Zaizhen that Zhiquan should not be in school, so he naturally would not know in advance. As for whether Zhiquan cut his hair, Zaizhen did not say, but I think this is impossible."

"Then why did the Army Department want to arrest Zhiquan?"

Wang Shizhen was furious when he heard that Duan Qirui was not at school when the military academy students were getting their hair cut and he himself had not had his hair cut either.

"If so, what is their reason?"

Zhao Bingjun smiled bitterly and said to Wang Shizhen, "Brother Pinqing, why are you so confused?"

Yuan Shikai gently broke free from Wang Shizhen's hand and continued Zhao Bingjun's words with a sneer.

"This is because Tieliang still remembers that when the Queen Mother returned to Luan, Zhiquan and the officers and soldiers of the Third Town refused to kneel to welcome the imperial carriage. Now he is taking this opportunity to make trouble."

Then he said to Wang Shizhen, "However, don't worry, Pinqing. With regard to this crime, the most he can be accused of is lax discipline. Dismissing Zhiquan from his post would be the most severe punishment."

Yuan Shikai waved his hand lightly, "It's no big deal. I think this is a good opportunity to temper Zhiquan's stubborn temper. After a few years, I will find a way to reinstate him."

Although Wang Shizhen also thought that what Yuan Shikai said made sense, not to mention that Duan Qirui was unaware of it, even if he knew about it it would not be a big deal, as many people were cutting their braids now.

Especially in the Zhi army, from the president Teng Yuzao to all the soldiers, no one still had a queue, and the imperial court did not do anything about it.

Despite this, Wang Shizhen was still somewhat indignant.

"If Zhiquan refused to kneel to welcome the Queen, then why didn't Teng Xingfu and his troops salute Zhiquan in front of the Queen Mother? Why didn't Tieliang pick on Teng Xingfu?"

Zhao Bingjun laughed sarcastically and said, "With Tieliang's level of ability, what can he do to Teng Xingfu? He is just picking on the weak ones first."

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Bingjun must have realized that this sentence might also belittle Yuan Shikai, so he quickly stopped talking and added.

"In fact, this time we are not only going to detain Zhiquan, but also Zhang Xiyuan. When you were having your hair cut, Zhang Xiyuan was presiding over it at the military academy."

Yuan Shikai was not unhappy with Zhao Bingjun's words, but laughed instead.

"That's easy. Teng Xingfu won't just ignore it."

As if thinking that this sentence would damage his reputation, Yuan Shikai sighed lightly and said.

"I am in a desperate situation now. Normally, it is not convenient for me to come forward. If Teng Xingfu has an attitude, then it will be easy for me to deal with it."

Yuan Shikai walked to the coffee table, poured a cup of warm tea himself, then walked back and handed it to Zhao Bingjun. After Zhao Bingjun drank the cup of warm tea in one gulp, Yuan Shikai asked again.

"Zhi'an, did you hear what Teng Xingfu said?"

Yuan Shikai added, "It's not just about the military academy. What's his reaction to the direct control of the various towns by the Ministry of the Army and the reduction and reorganization of the various towns? And what's his attitude towards constitutionalism?"

Although Yuan Shikai's tone was very flat, everyone knew that what Yuan Shikai was most concerned about was Teng Yuzao's opinion on the Ministry of Army not to set up presidents of the new army in each province, and Teng Yuzao's attitude towards constitutionalism.

These are what Yuan Shikai values ​​most now.

"Have."

Zhao Bingjun wiped the corner of his mouth with the handkerchief he was still holding and said, "According to Zaizhen, Teng Xingfu, who had just returned to Tianjin, hastily convened a press conference early this morning."

Zhao Bingjun glanced at the vertical mahogany clock in the corner of the flower hall and said, "It should have been two hours ago."

(End of this chapter)