The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 636 The Queen Mother Can Endure
Yuan Shikai smiled coldly and said, "If we fight now, I can say with certainty that the imperial court has no chance of winning!"

Having said that, Yuan Shikai couldn't help but let out a long sigh, and even his face was unconsciously filled with worry.

Zhao Bingjun was speechless after hearing Yuan Shikai's words. He sighed, shut his mouth, and kept silent with his head down. He seemed to be still thinking about how he could make up for the disadvantage compared to the Zhi army.

Liang Shiyi, who had been listening quietly, seemed to have heard Yuan Shikai describe the strength of the Zhi army in such detail and thoroughness for the first time. His expression changed constantly, and he frowned slightly, looking as if he was thinking about something.

As for what Yuan Shikai said, the gap in military strength between the Zhi Army and the imperial court was naturally much greater than what Zhao Bingjun and Liang Shiyi said, but their understanding of the Zhi Army was limited to its powerful combat effectiveness in fighting against the Eight-Nation Alliance and Teng Yuzhao's superb strategies and tactics.

Because Yuan Shikai left the position of Henan Governor and entered the Grand Council, he secretly instructed him not only to organize the daily training of the Henan Army, but also to keep an eye on the Henan Army's troops. He has always focused on the Henan Army's own affairs and has limited understanding of the current Zhi Army. What Yuan Shikai said today also surprised him.

Wang Shizhen couldn't bear to see Yuan Shikai's sad look, so he changed the subject and spoke.

"General, since there is a huge gap in military strength between us and the Zhi army, Xia Yuanshou's new army from Sichuan can no longer be handed over to Teng Xingfu."

Yuan Shikai nodded and said, "Tieliang has already thought of it. He has already mobilized the troops of the two towns to Fengtai. As soon as Xia Yuanshou's troops arrive in Fengtai, Tieliang will stop them and will not give their town to Teng Xingfu."

"Then, in the name of reorganization and downsizing, this town will be disbanded and reorganized and incorporated into the Shuntian Army."

"If Xia Yuanshou cooperates, he will be promoted and appointed as the Minister of the Ministry of Army as an exception by the court."

The Army Department naturally has the right to no longer assign Xia Yuanshou's town to Teng Yuzhao's direct army, but if it is to be disbanded and reorganized, or even incorporated into the Shuntian Army stationed near the capital, this requires Cixi's approval.

Wang Shizhen asked in surprise, "Marshal, does the Queen Mother know about the Army's downsizing and reorganization this time?"

Yuan Shikai snorted and said, "How can Tieliang make the decision on such a big matter? Although the Queen Mother has almost let him do whatever he wants in military affairs and has great trust in him, and even regards him as the pillar of the Qing Dynasty, Ke will not allow him to increase or decrease the garrison in the capital so arbitrarily."

Although Yuan Shikai did not specify that this was agreed by Cixi, he only said that Tieliang could not make the decision on his own, but everyone understood that this was agreed with Cixi's approval.

Yuan Shikai added, "Not only that, although Tieliang is under the banner of downsizing and reorganizing this time, in fact, he only downsized the Zhi army and our six towns. The new army in other provinces actually focused on reorganization."

Yuan Shikai's words once again shocked Wang Shizhen and Zhao Bingjun. They originally thought that Tieliang's downsizing and reorganization was aimed at Teng Yuzhao, but they didn't expect that he was also targeting the Henan Army!
But the Henan Army has been incorporated into the Shuntian Army. Could it be that Tieliang is still worried?
Yuan Shikai sighed, "Don't think I'm exaggerating. In fact, Tieliang knows very well that although the Henan Army has transformed into the Shuntian Army, it is actually a coalition of the Shuntian Army and the Henan Army. If he wants to completely digest our Henan Army, he still has a lot of things to do, such as how to make the generals of the Henan Army return to their hearts, for example."

Having said this, Yuan Shikai stopped talking. Wang Shizhen could sense that Zhao Bingjun was still unaware of Tie Liang's bribery of the Henan Army generals.

Yuan Shikai changed the subject in time, "This time, the reason why Tieliang wants to reorganize and reduce the new armies in various provinces is because he saw the reality that they are no match for Teng Xingfu's direct army. Of course, this is also a good opportunity to eliminate the hidden dangers of the Henan Army."

"So, on the one hand, he wants to use the means of downsizing to weaken Teng Xingfu's Zhi army, and on the other hand, he also wants to completely control the new armies in each province. This move of his can be said to kill three birds with one stone. It's a good move!"

"I asked for this mission to inspect and supervise the reorganization of the new army in Huguang, Guangdong and Guangxi provinces. I even tried my best to take more troops from Henan Army on the grounds that the reorganization and reduction of local new armies required military deterrence. This was not only to try my best to preserve the troops we trained with great effort, but also to prevent the Henan Army from falling into Tieliang's trap."

"I also want to reorganize the new armies in Huguang and Guangdong and revitalize our Henan Army."

At this point, Yuan Shikai waved his hands helplessly, "What a pity! Tieliang, that bastard, is on guard against this trick of mine. He stuffed two towns of Tieliang's people into my garrison and asked Liangbi to supervise me, just to keep a close eye on me and not do anything to me."

Yuan Shikai exhaled a long breath, shook his head and said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Tieliang detained Xia Yuanshou's town, and it will eventually be incorporated into the Shuntian Army and become a force controlled by Tieliang. It has nothing to do with us."

"Moreover, the addition of Xia Yuanshou's 20,000 men will not actually help the court. Shuntian Prefecture and Henan are neither near the sea nor along the river. Once Teng Xingfu turns against us, the Shuntian Army's source of arms will be cut off, not to mention getting support."

"As for transporting arms from Hankou via the Lu-Han Railway, this route is also unreliable. Don't forget that Teng Xingfu controls the Lu-Han Railway. Unless the imperial court stays in Guangdong and Guangxi, then the imperial court and Teng Xingfu will still have a fighting chance."

Yuan Shikai looked at Wang Shizhen and said, "Pinqing, now you know why I want to leave the capital!"

Without waiting for Wang Shizhen to answer, Yuan Shikai continued, "Facing the covetous Teng Xingfu, I think the capital has become a dangerous place now."

Yuan Shikai continued to talk to himself, "It is well said in Mencius: A gentleman should not stand under a dangerous wall. Under the current circumstances, it is wise to get out of this dangerous place as soon as possible. As long as I leave here, I will be like a dragon entering the sea. Even if I compete with Teng Xingfu for the position of prime minister, I will be qualified."

After hearing the second half of Yuan Shikai's words, Zhao Bingjun became energetic again.

"Marshal, do you think Teng Xingfu will definitely be able to become the first prime minister? Marshal, you will not forget that the Queen Mother has already decided that Prince Qing will be the prime minister."

Zhao Bingjun is now the chief of the imperial patrol police after the reform. He is not only in charge of the patrol police in the capital, but in theory, the patrol police in all provinces in the country are under his jurisdiction, even the patrol police in Zhili and Shandong.

Therefore, Zhao Bingjun had more or less spies in the patrol police bureaus of all provinces except Zhili and Shandong provinces. He had even more spies in the Shuntian Prefecture Patrol Police Headquarters, and even had people in all the branches in the capital.

Zhao Bingjun even set up a detective team in the Patrol Police Chief's Office, and hired many informants in restaurants and teahouses through this detective team.

Teahouses were especially popular among the children of the rich and powerful in the capital, as they could hear all kinds of news there. He could even learn who Cixi had met that day from the bragging and gossip of these people. Therefore, Zhao Bingjun had now become Yuan Shikai's eyes and ears in the capital and was extremely well-informed.

Zhao Bingjun continued, "Although Teng Xingfu is tough and wants to be the prime minister, if we give in to Teng Xingfu, the dignity of the court will be gone. Do you think the queen mother can bear this?"

"If they start fighting, then there might be a chance, otherwise..."

Everyone understood what opportunity Zhao Bingjun was talking about, Yuan Shikai waved his hand.

"Zhi'an, the current situation is not the time for us to intervene. All we can do now is to watch the show. For the time being, we do not have the strength to step onto the stage. Remember, you must remain stable now and do not do anything to avoid getting into trouble."

"As for whether the Queen Mother can bear this, I can tell you that the Queen Mother can definitely bear this!"

Under the surprised gazes of Zhao Bingjun and Wang Shizhen, Yuan Shikai took a deep breath again, as if he was going to make this decision for Cixi, and then spoke.

"You all know that when the foreign coalition invaded, the governors and governors who participated in the Southeast Mutual Protection did not help her. She even sent me a telegram, but I ignored it."

"You know, it was a matter of life and death for her, but she was able to let it go in the end, not to mention Teng Xingfu who has grown up now."

"Although the Queen Mother couldn't do anything to old and important officials like Li Zhongtang, Liu Kunyi, and Zhang Zhidong, and even because I had the Wuwei Right Army, she needed me to check and balance Teng Xingfu, but she didn't do anything to us. At most, she just vented her anger on Wang Zhichun." "Now, with Teng Xingfu's heavy troops surrounding her, do you think she will not be able to bear it?"

Yuan Shikai said with some appreciation, "The Queen Mother is not like Tie Liang and others who only know how to force things. This woman knows how to endure. Believe me, she will definitely give this position to Teng Xingfu in the end."

Yuan Shikai's words made Zhao Bingjun extremely depressed. He wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say it.

Wang Shizhen took a deep breath and said, "The Marshal's idea is good, but even if it's just inspection and supervision, or even the reorganization of the new troops in these provinces, there will always be a day when it ends. Won't the Marshal come back after this?"

"Also, from what the Marshal said, it seems that he intends to stay in Guangdong and Guangxi for a long time. But if the Marshal establishes a foothold in Guangdong and Guangxi, will the court agree?"

"If we stay in Guangdong and Guangxi, Hong Kong is right next to us. The British have always regarded Guangdong as their sphere of interest. If we stay there, we have to build good relations with the British, which is probably not easy. Will the British support the Marshal without considering the feelings of the court?"

Yuan Shikai nodded and said appreciatively, "Pinqing, you finally hit the point."

Yuan Shikai went on to say, "In fact, whether or not to reorganize the new armies in each province is not important to me. As long as Liangbi follows me, I won't get any benefit!"

"But once we get to Guangdong, it will be out of his control. I must seize the two new army garrisons in Guangdong and Guangxi."

Yuan Shikai glanced at Liang Shiyi and said to Wang Shizhen, "Pinqing, I will tell you the truth today."

Yuan Shikai drank the remaining wine in the glass and said, "Teng Xingfu is close to the United States and Germany, and alienated from the powers such as Britain, Japan, Russia and France. The British have been dissatisfied with this for a long time."

"After returning to office, British Minister Sadaoyi has been secretly contacting me and suggested that I go to Guangdong and Guangxi. He promised that the British would do their best to support me. Although it is inconvenient for me to have more contact with Sadaoyi on specific matters, Yansun has already discussed it with Sadaoyi."

"The British have promised that as long as I arrive in Guangzhou, they will fully support me to gain a foothold in Guangdong and Guangxi, and they have also promised to lend me money. At that time, I will no longer be constrained by the military expenditure of the Ministry of the Army. Not only can I stay in Guangdong and Guangxi, but I can even expand the army and train soldiers on a large scale."

In order to reassure Wang Shizhen, Yuan Shikai added, "Sa Daoyi has given me 100,000 pounds as operating expenses for my departure from the capital."

Yuan Shikai emphasized the word "give" particularly strongly. Wang Shizhen understood that Yuan Shikai wanted him to understand that the ten thousand pounds did not need to be returned.

At this point, Yuan Shikai could not help but curse in disgust, "It just benefits that old dog Yikuang."

Since Yuan Shikai wanted to leave the capital, he naturally had to find someone to help him. The only one who could help was Yikuang, Cixi's trusted minister. It is estimated that most of the 100,000 pounds had already gone into Yikuang's pocket.

After thinking about it, Wang Shizhen was still a little worried and couldn't help asking.

"Marshal, borrowing money is not a long-term solution. Besides, can the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi, Chen Chunxuan, accommodate you? Also, our Henan Army has always used German weapons and equipment. If we buy British weapons, this..."

Yuan Shikai smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Pinqing, you don't have to worry about these."

"As long as I finish organizing the new army in Guangdong and Guangxi, the Queen Mother will have to hold her nose and allow me to stay in Guangdong and Guangxi. In order to prevent me from joining forces with Teng Xingfu, she will even have to give me the position of Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi."

"As for weapons, we will naturally buy them from the Germans."

Yuan Shikai smiled and said to the surprised Wang Shizhen, "Don't worry, even though the British pay, I won't be completely controlled by them."

Before Yuan Shikai finished his words, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the flower hall. Yuan Shikai stopped talking and turned to look.

The manager who had just come in hurriedly trotted in and spoke hurriedly when he saw Yuan Shikai.

"Marshal, someone has come from the palace, saying that the Queen Mother wants you to come in for questioning."

The three people in the flower hall all expressed admiration for Yuan Shikai's ability to foresee things.

Yuan Shikai nodded and said to the steward, "Did the man tell me who the Queen Mother asked to enter the palace?"

"Replying to the Marshal, the person who came said that besides the Marshal, Prince Qing, Tie Liang and Liang Bi were also present. He was not sure whether they had summoned other people."

Yuan Shikai nodded and said, "Tell the person who came back to the palace to report that I will be there soon after I change my clothes."

After the steward left, Liang Shiyi hurriedly spoke.

"Marshal, the Queen Mother summoned you to listen to your views on Teng Xingfu's attitude towards the implementation of constitutional government, and she may even ask about the military response strategy."

"I suggest that the Marshal should not make a clear statement on who will be the first prime minister. If he must make a statement, he should nominate Prince Qing."

"In terms of military affairs, the Marshal should be more pessimistic. It would be best if the Queen Mother could panic."

"Asking about the response strategy, I suggest that the Marshal give the Queen Mother two ideas. First, it is urgent to reorganize the new armies in each province, otherwise they will not be able to compete with Teng Xingfu. Second, the Marshal would be best to suggest that the Queen Mother and a group of ministers temporarily stay in Jingmen."

Seeing Yuan Shikai frowning in thought, Liang Shiyi smiled cunningly and said.

"Ever since Zhang Xiangtao suggested that the imperial court move the capital to Jingmen in the Gengzi Year, the imperial court has invested one or two million silver coins there every year. Now it has reached over six million. Such a large sum of money cannot be wasted!"

"it is good!"

Yuan Shikai figured out the key after just a moment's thought and said to Liang Shiyi with admiration.

"Yan Sun is very wise. I will think about how to persuade the Queen Mother and how to get her to go to Jingmen on the way. I will see how the situation develops. Some things are as bad as too little..."

(End of this chapter)