The Qing Dynasty

Chapter 646 The Marshal also lends you a helping hand

Although the incident happened suddenly, Duan Qirui still took advantage of this brief moment to quickly scan the second floor.

Only then did he realize that the guest who had just sat by the window had left at some point, and now there were only two people upstairs, himself and the uninvited guest opposite.

Seeing that there was only one person on the other side and that he was ready to draw his pistol at any time, Duan Qirui felt a little relieved and fixed his eyes on the person again.

After the visitor sat down, he straightened up, took off his top hat and the pair of sunglasses on his face, and placed them on the table.

It was not until this time that Duan Qirui saw the face of the person clearly, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, as the person turned out to be an acquaintance.

The uninvited person was none other than Zhao Bingjun, the Chief of Police of the Police Force. However, Zhao Bingjun was very low-key today, wearing a grey gown and a mustache. It was hard to recognize him if you didn't look carefully, especially with the sunglasses on.

It's just that Duan Qirui and Zhao Bingjun were familiar with each other when they were training troops in Xiaozhan, and Zhao Bingjun, who was wearing makeup, was sitting in front of Duan Qirui, which naturally could not be hidden from Duan Qirui's eyes.

Without waiting for the somewhat surprised Duan Qirui to speak, Zhao Bingjun clasped his fists towards Duan Qirui and said with a smile.

"Brother Zhiquan, long time no see!"

Then, Zhao Bingjun looked at the wine jug and wine glass in front of Duan Qirui in surprise and spoke.

"Brother Zhiquan never drinks, why are you drinking today?"

Zhao Bingjun and Yuan Shikai were very close. Zhao Bingjun was able to hold the position of General Manager of the Imperial Police Department because of Yuan Shikai's recommendation. Zhao Bingjun was naturally grateful to Yuan Shikai.

There are rumors now that the imperial court will soon establish a Ministry of Police, and it is possible that Zhao Bingjun will become the first director of the Ministry of Police. All this requires the help of Yuan Shikai.

Therefore, Zhao Bingjun not only became Yuan Shikai's absolute confidant, but also because of his position, Zhao Bingjun had many contacts with both the black and white worlds. He was always known for being well-informed, and he also became Yuan Shikai's eyes and ears.

Duan Qirui didn't believe that Zhao Bingjun and Yuan Shikai didn't know that he had been dismissed and expelled from the army.

Thinking of this, Duan Qirui couldn't help but said with a cold face.

"I was just drinking to drown my sorrows! I just don't know why Brother Zhi'an, instead of being busy with official duties, came here in such a hidden way? Could it be that he wanted to see how miserable Duan, who is in such a state of poverty, is?"

Hearing that Duan Qirui was a little unhappy, Zhao Bingjun hurriedly said with a smile.

"Brother Zhiquan, please don't be offended. I was just joking."

Before he could finish his words, there was a sound of footsteps on the stairs, and then the waiter came up with a large tray and went straight to the table.

Duan Qirui saw clearly that on the tray the waiter was carrying were a plate of braised fish maw and a plate of stewed duck gizzards, as well as four bottles of opened, cold Tianjin beer and two large cups.

The waiter placed dishes, wine glasses and beer on the table and spoke to Duan Qirui with a smile.

"This gentleman just said that your meal will be served later. Sir, please take a look."

Although he was still very unhappy, it seemed that Zhao Bingjun had known that he was here for a long time. This time he came sneakily towards him and obviously had something to say. Duan Qirui couldn't just walk away, so he had to nod as a response to the waiter.

After the waiter left, Zhao Bingjun had already poured two large glasses of cool beer. He pushed one to Duan Qirui and moved the glass of rice wine in front of Duan Qirui away. Then he said with a smile.

"I know Brother Zhiquan is feeling depressed and wants to drink to relieve his sorrow, but this rice wine has a strong aftereffect, and you don't drink easily. I'm afraid you won't be able to handle the aftereffect of this pot of rice wine, so it's better not to drink it."

Zhao Bingjun picked up the poured beer and said with a smile, "This beer isn't very strong. Anyone with a moderate alcohol tolerance can drink ten or eight bottles. Let's just drink this."

Zhao Bingjun then said with some emotion, "Teng Xingfu's means of making money are indeed unmatched. He even made this kind of foreign wine in Tianjin. Although it doesn't taste very good at first, drinking this iced beer is indeed refreshing in such hot weather."

Duan Qirui knew about this beer produced in Tianjin. Many instructors in the military academy liked to drink it in the summer, and the German instructors liked it especially.

Duan Qirui was not unfamiliar with beer, nor did he dislike it. He had already tasted it when he was in Germany more than ten years ago.

Duan Qirui just followed Zhao Bingjun in picking up the beer glass, took a sip and put it down, waiting quietly for Zhao Bingjun's next words.

Seeing this, Zhao Bingjun couldn't help but smile bitterly and sighed.

"Brother Zhiquan, I think you are still blaming the Marshal for not helping you, which led to your dismissal!"

Duan Qirui snorted softly and said, "Brother Zhi'an, you are wrong. The Marshal has been very kind to me. How dare I resent him?"

Zhao Bingjun nodded and said, "Brother Zhiquan is right. There are many people in the six garrisons of the former Henan Army who have not received the Marshal's favor. We really shouldn't blame the Marshal."

"It's not just Brother Zhiquan, Wang Pinqing, Feng Huafu and the others who graduated from the Beiyang Military Academy. Even I, Zhao Bingjun, have received the Marshal's kindness. It is truly hard for me to repay him in this lifetime!"

Zhao Bingjun sighed and said, "Take Brother Zhiquan's case this time. Although he was humiliated by Tieliang, he was only stripped of his position. It is a great blessing that you can avoid imprisonment by Tieliang, who hates you to the core."

Zhao Bingjun looked at Duan Qirui and asked with a smile, "I wonder if Brother Zhiquan knows the reason?"

Duan Qirui was slightly stunned by Zhao Bingjun's words, and asked hesitantly.

"Brother Zhi'an, do you mean that the Marshal has offered his help?"

Zhao Bingjun nodded without hesitation and said, "That's right."

Then he smiled bitterly and said, "You also know that Tieliang has always been at odds with the Marshal. Not only is he wary of the Marshal, he has also been trying to completely take away the Marshal's military power. It is difficult for the Marshal to interfere in military affairs. If the Marshal insists on intervening for your sake, it may backfire."

"So, the Marshal can't show up openly. In order not to provoke Tie Liang, the Marshal didn't even send anyone to see you."

Zhao Bingjun changed his tone and said, "Even so, the Marshal still has a way. It was through Yixin that Brother Zhiquan was saved from imprisonment."

Duan Qirui was greatly shocked by Zhao Bingjun's words. Thinking about the resentment he had towards Yuan Shikai in his heart, he couldn't help feeling a little regretful.

He exhaled a breath, bowed to Zhao Bingjun and said.

"The old dog Yixin has always been greedy. This time, I guess he has cost the Marshal a lot of money again. Brother Zhi'an, thank you for your advice today. Let's say goodbye now. I will go to the Marshal's mansion to pay my respects."

After saying this, Duan Qirui was about to get up and leave.

Zhao Bingjun quickly reached out and grabbed Duan Qirui, "Brother Zhiquan, don't worry, just listen to what I have to say." Seeing that Zhao Bingjun still had something to say, Duan Qirui had to sit back in his seat.

Knowing that Duan Qirui should no longer hate Yuan Shikai, Zhao Bingjun couldn't help but feel relieved. He had been thinking about how to persuade Duan Qirui, but now he had finally completed half of the task assigned by Yuan Shikai. He couldn't help but feel happy and his expression was completely relaxed.

Zhao Bingjun picked up the half-drunk glass of beer and said, "Brother Zhiquan, let's finish this glass first, and then we can talk."

After saying that, Zhao Bingjun, in a good mood, was the first to drink up the beer in his glass.

Duan Qirui, feeling somewhat guilty, drank the beer in his hand in one gulp, put down the glass, and waited for Zhao Bingjun's next words.

Zhao Bingjun, feeling much better, said as he poured wine for Duan Qirui.

"This time, the Marshal didn't spend anything for Brother Zhiquan's sake."

At this time, it seemed that Zhao Bingjun suddenly thought of something involving Yuan Shikai, and he was not in a position to tell Duan Qirui more.

Zhao Bingjun was very clear that what Yuan Shikai was doing this time was of great importance. If anything went wrong, Yuan Shikai's prestige would most likely be destroyed. Not to mention that he would withdraw from the court, it was very likely that he would never recover.

But he had said it, and saw that Duan Qirui was waiting for his next words. If he didn't make his words clear at this time, it would easily cause Duan Qirui to misunderstand.

If this is the case, Duan Qirui's heart, which had just been won back for Yuan Shikai, would probably go away and never return to Yuan Shikai.

Zhao Bingjun said after some consideration.

"The reason why the Marshal didn't spend much this time is because he had just spent a lot of money on old Yixin not long ago, so this little..."

"In this matter of Brother Zhiquan, I have to give the Marshal some face. What's more, the Marshal didn't force him to do anything. He just wanted him to save Brother Zhiquan from prison. How could he dare to ask for help again?"

Knowing that it was Zhao Bingjun who accidentally let the secret slip, Duan Qirui had to explain the whole story, and he also felt uncomfortable.

Although Duan Qirui had no idea why Yuan Shikai gave Yixin such a large sum of money, he still felt that Yuan Shikai had contributed to his cause. Even if it was just a small matter as Zhao Bingjun had not finished saying, it was just a piece of cake for Yuan Shikai.

But Duan Qirui still felt that he owed Yuan Shikai a huge favor.

Duan Qirui nodded and said, "I am about to leave the capital and return home. I have to leave tomorrow morning. We may meet again someday. I will definitely go to the Marshal to say hello."

This time, Zhao Bingjun spoke without waiting for Duan Qirui to stand up.

"Brother Zhiquan, please be patient. The Marshal is no longer in the capital."

Duan Qirui was stunned by Zhao Bingjun's words, and asked in surprise.

"He's not in the capital anymore! Where did he go?"

Zhao Bingjun glanced around the upstairs, then turned back to look at the stairs to make sure there was no one else there, but still lowered his voice.

"Brother Zhiquan, you are a close friend of the Marshal, and the Marshal doesn't want to hide anything from you. He also wants me to tell you about his affairs."

"The Marshal left the capital with Liangbi last night, and he also left the capital with the first, second, and third regiments of the Shuntian Army."

Zhao Bingjun's words surprised Duan Qirui even more. Liangbi was not only the assistant minister of the Ministry of the Army, but also the chief of staff of the Shuntian Army, just like Tieliang.

Both of them graduated from the Japanese Military Academy. They were Manchu nobles who were bent on taking away the military power of the Han people. They were always extremely wary of Teng Yuzao and Yuan Shikai and even wanted to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Yuan Shikai went out with Liangbi, and he only brought the first, second, and third Shuntian Army with him. There were no old troops of the original Henan Army around him. If Liangbi really got sick, the six original Henan Army would immediately lose their backbone.

The six garrisons of the Henan Army could only let Tie Liang control them.

Duan Qirui was surprised and blurted out, "The Marshal and Liangbi took the three towns of Shuntian Army to leave the capital! Why? Where are they going? Don't you worry about the Marshal's safety? Is there no one to dissuade the Marshal?"

In response to Duan Qirui's rapid-fire questions, Zhao Bingjun smiled bitterly and spoke in a low voice.

"Brother Zhiquan, don't worry. This time, the Marshal and Liangbi are not the only ones leaving Beijing with the three Shuntian Army. When the Marshal passes through Henan, he will also take three more towns of the former Henan Army. As far as I know, the Marshal should take away Cao Zhongshan's third town, Wu Jing'an's fourth town, and Wang Pinqing's sixth town."

In order to prevent Duan Qirui from asking more questions, Zhao Bingjun hurriedly said, "According to the court's plan, they have two purposes for this trip."

"First, we must implement the Army Department's plan for downsizing and reorganizing, mainly to reorganize the new armies in Huguang, Guangdong and Guangxi, as well as Jiangxi, Fujian, Yunnan, and Guizhou provinces."

"Among them, the Marshal led the three regiments of the Henan Army to be responsible for the reorganization of the new army in Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan, and Liangbi was responsible for the reorganization of the new army in Huguang, Jiangxi, Fujian and Guizhou."

"This trip is not difficult. They say they are downsizing and reorganizing. In fact, the new troops in these provinces are not fully staffed. There is no downsizing. We only need to expand and reorganize the army."

"Secondly, the Queen Mother wants to inspect the Jingmen Palace, and Liangbi will also be responsible for the protection of the Jingmen Palace."

"Also, Brother Zhiquan doesn't need to worry about the Marshal's safety."

Having said this, Zhao Bingjun smiled cunningly and whispered.

"As long as Teng Xingfu's Zhi army has not been completely reduced and completely brought under the jurisdiction of the court, the commander-in-chief will definitely not be in any danger."

Although Zhao Bingjun did not explain further, Duan Qirui still understood one thing: the real purpose of going to the south to reorganize the local new army this time was to target Teng Yuzhao's Zhi army.

Duan Qirui sighed and said, "The court is always on guard against the Han people who hold military power. Even if Teng Xingfu and the Marshal are dismissed, they will not give up. As long as they are still alive and stay in the country, they will always be a threat to the court!"

"Teng Xingfu is fine. As long as he stays in Zhili, the court won't dare to do anything to him. But isn't the commander-in-chief worried that our former Henan Army will be dismantled by the court and then divided and ruled?"

Duan Qirui said worriedly, "After reorganizing the new troops in these provinces, if these three towns are placed in other provinces, or if they find a reason to transfer the general away, the six towns of our Henan Army will be torn apart by the court. Wouldn't we be like meat on the chopping board? Didn't the general think about this?"

Duan Qirui went on to say, "I think it's better for the Marshal not to move. As long as he doesn't go far away from Zhili and has the Zhili army by his side, the court will be worried about the Marshal and Xingfu getting close, and will try their best to win over the Marshal."

Zhao Bingjun nodded and said, "Brother Zhiquan is right. This is indeed a good idea. You should still remember the mutiny that Cao Zhongshan caused in southeastern Henan."

(End of this chapter)