Crimson Dawn

Chapter 72

Big people are never so easy to meet, it's not necessarily that those people are arrogant and rude, but that there are too many people who want to see those big people.Big people are busy with things, how can they have so much time to meet some insignificant idlers.Chen Ke was a little undecided on what reason to use to meet Yuan Datou.Going to see Yuan Datou as Yan Fu's disciple clearly meant to ask for an official, or to express Yan Fu's affection for Yuan Datou.If he went in the name of doing briquette coal business, the concierge at Yuan Datou's gate would probably be able to take Chen Ke back.

Moreover, in history, Yuan Datou has been very busy in recent years, training the new Beiyang army and establishing the police system. Yuan Datou has gone all out in these two things, and he has done well.There should be no time to meet unknown people like Chen Ke.

Shang Yuan basically agreed with Chen Ke's opinion, but he thought that Yuan Shikai might not be unwilling to see Chen Ke.If Yuan Shikai didn't see Chen Ke after seeing Yan Fu's letter, then Yan Fu would definitely not give Chen Ke this letter.With the attitude of treating a dead horse as a living horse doctor, Chen Ke simply took Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo to the small station.

Yuan Shikai's Beiyang new army was stationed at the small station for drills, and there are not many records of the Beiyang army in Chen Ke's history textbooks.Before the Northern Expedition, various warlords fought against each other, and most of those famous figures were senior generals of the New Beiyang Army.Wu Peifu and Duan Qirui can also be regarded as famous figures in China.However, they are all from the older generation. In 1912, the Manchu Qing Dynasty fell, and in 1927, Chiang launched the 412 counter-revolutionary coup. The contradiction between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party became the most acute and main contradiction in China.However, in 15 years, Beiyang has changed from arrogant to unknown.The speed of withering is also fast.

It's winter, and the weather is quite cold.Chen Ke prefers demeanor rather than temperature. On his feet are a pair of leather boots bought in this era, long johns, dark blue fine corduroy trousers, a blue-gray woolen sweater, and a gray coat.This is the thickest among the several sets of clothes he brought.Outside this set of clothes, Chen Ke wore knee pads and a wool cape. This kind of heavy clothing often appears in movies about swordsmen in the Northwest. In fact, it is necessary for riding a horse in winter.Any rider who can afford one will have one.At this time, he, Chai Qingguo, and Xie Mingxian were all wearing such woolen cloaks, and walked side by side.

"Mr. Chen, I heard you talking about rebellion with those gentlemen. Why is it different from the rebellion that we brothers talked about?" Chai Qingguo has been attending the meeting and has never spoken.It wasn't until he and Chen Ke acted alone, after leaving the city, that he saw no one around, and then he expressed his doubts.Fortunately, he also has such patience.For a quack, this kind of self-control is extremely rare.

"Brother Wu told everyone how to change from a bandit to a bandit." Chen Ke laughed.

When mentioning the course hosted by Wu Xingchen, Chai Qingguo immediately became interested, "That's right, I really didn't expect that there are so many tricks in war. But what Brother Wu said is good, if you still have a group of bandits under your command, you won't use this kind of guerrilla warfare." Here's the chance."

"So we have to have a base area, we have to have our own territory. What we are talking about now is the construction of base areas."

Chai Qingguo suddenly realized, "I said it sounds like being an official! From farming to business, and what kind of industry is there, I really don't know there are so many ways."

Chen Ke was very satisfied with Chai Qingguo's understanding, especially Chai Qingguo's modest attitude. He said with a smile, "Why is the Beiyang Army stronger than us? Because they have a large territory, can recruit troops, provide money and food, and can manufacture weapons." .If we want to fight against them, we must have such a territory."

Hearing Chen Ke's words, Chai Qingguo couldn't help laughing and said, "Isn't that going to be the world? I can't do it. I don't know how to read. I heard a few gentlemen talking about rebellion. I don't know how to read." No. Mr. Chen, Mr. Tianhua, and Brother Wu are all educated, and they went to Brother Pang. You also have to recommend some people to me. If it’s really not possible, let this Mr. Xie come with me."

Chen Ke has never been able to figure out the way to recruit reckless heroes. Under Pang Zi's absolute resistance to him, several other heroes also deliberately avoided Chen Ke.Only Chai Qingguo still respected himself.He couldn't help asking: "Brother Chai, Brother Pang hates scholars very much. I think you also suffered from scholars back then..."

"Brother Pang looks rude, but in fact, his family is full of scholars. Uncle Jing was not an ordinary rich family in Nangong County. He was a big family at that time. He doesn't like scholars, because there are many scholars in his family. I can't, I don't know many people. I am a scholar. Mr. Chen must help me."

These words were so thorough that Chen Ke felt suddenly enlightened.He has always been puzzled by the fact that the Revolutionary Party contacted local heroes and always sent individuals to serve as military advisers.In Chen Ke's mind, what can a military strategist who relies on lip service do?After hearing Chai Qingguo's words, he suddenly realized that he had just led himself into those reckless heroes.If there is such a "military adviser" by his side, Chen Ke must kill him.But the reckless heroes may be able to rob houses and houses, but they must not be able to engage in construction.They must have their own "master", that is, educated people.To understand accounting, you need some skills.Pang Zi's own family can provide these people, so Pang Zi's resistance to him is almost certain.

So should I send someone to go with Chai Qingguo?This idea was rejected by Chen Ke as soon as it appeared.The people sent must have strong abilities. At this stage, Chen Ke himself lacks such people, so there is no way to send extra manpower to develop.

Looking at Chai Qingguo's eager eyes, Chen Ke smiled and said, "Brother Chai, I don't have such a person around me. Brother Xie is very important to me, and I really can't send him to you."

After hearing this, Chai Qingguo's disappointment was beyond words, and Chen Ke knew that explaining again would only hurt his peace.He turned the topic to the situation in Shandong.

There is an official road from Beijing to Xiaozhan. Both Xie Mingxian and Chen Ke are not good at riding horses. Everyone runs for a while and lets the horses walk for a while.There is not much time to talk on the road.We set off early in the morning, and in the afternoon, we saw the camp of the new army in the distance.The closer you are to the barracks, the more soldiers will be on the road.Patrol soldiers in groups of five, and scouts in groups of three horses.There is constant communication.Gives a sense of strict human law.Chai Qingguo and Chen Ke watched Hejian qiujiao together, and saw the formation of tens of thousands of people, so it was better.Xie Mingxian had never seen such a posture before, and his face immediately became tense. "We didn't do anything bad, so don't show your timidity. The more nervous you look, the more difficult they will be for you." Chen Ke hurriedly said to Xie Mingxian.

Xie Mingxian is not a young man who doesn't understand affairs, he has participated in the provincial examination anyway, so he has seen the world.Since what Chen Ke said was correct, Xie Mingxian relaxed his mind, and his expression was that the new army's barracks area is very large, but there are no buildings inside, and the roof of the barracks can be seen on the walls and fences.There are quite a few of these roofs, and Chen Ke suddenly felt that if he really sells briquettes, the sales here should be very good.

When the patrolling infantry and cavalry passed by Chen Ke, they all looked at the three of them.They saw that the expressions of the three people were calm, and everyone remained calm. Moreover, Chen Ke was a young man with short hair in the middle, followed by two men with braids on the left and right, which made them puzzled.After all, it was not a time of war, and patrolling was just a routine. Seeing the three of them heading towards the gate, no one stopped them.

"Being strong on the outside and working on the inside. This idea is not vigilant." Chen Ke chuckled softly.After hearing this, Xie Mingxian nodded slightly.Chai Qingguo gave an exaggerated "hmm".It seems that he really wants to take advantage of the Beiyang Army psychologically.

Less than 100 meters away from the gate, Chen Ke asked everyone to get off their horses and led the horses over.Seeing that the three were not hostile, the sentry just stared at them.At the door, Chen Ke bowed his hands to the sentinel, and said in a loud voice: "My servant, Chen Ke, was entrusted by Mr. Yan Fu, the former head teacher of the Beiyang Naval Academy, to come to see the governor of Zhili and the Minister of Beiyang, Mr. Yuan Weiting. There is a letter from me."

All official announcements have to be made official.This is the best way to bluff people. Although they know that Chen Ke is here to handle this matter, but after hearing Chen Ke say it loudly, Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo felt that their status seemed to have improved a lot. They were inexplicably excited and couldn't help it. Keep your chest straight.

The sentinel saw that Chen Ke's attitude was neither humble nor overbearing, and he spoke so confidently, and the person mentioned was by no means within the reach of pawns like them, so he didn't dare to neglect.Asking Chen Ke to wait at the door, a sentry ran into the post to report.After a while, a man came out. Chen Ke hadn't studied Beiyang's epaulettes, but he seemed to be a low-level officer.The officer asked Chen Ke's origin, and when he heard that Chen Ke was sent by Mr. Yan Fu, his attitude immediately became more respectful. "Mr. Chen, the military order forbids you to enter the camp, please wait outside." After speaking, he went to the post and rode a horse towards the barracks.

At the door, it was inconvenient for Chen Ke to speak. Today is a cloudy day, the military camp is flat, and it is really cold enough for a small wind to blow.Chen Ke has always liked to stand upright, looking mighty, but such a posture is not conducive to maintaining the temperature.Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo were already behind the horses, using them to block the wind.However, Chen Ke remained motionless.The sentinel next to him was also leaning against the camp gate, but here was the wind. After blowing for a while, the sentinel's face turned pale.Chen Ke smiled at him, and the sentinel forced a smile back, and then put his hand into his sleeve.

After a while, two horses came running up.The leader is the low-ranking officer, and the man behind him has the same epaulettes as Bu Guanshui.After approaching, everyone can see the face clearly.Chen Ke saw that the man had a sharp face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and there were a few just-right scars on his face, and he looked quite fierce.After the man saw Chen Ke clearly, he was obviously taken aback.The originally ferocious expression unique to soldiers has eased a lot.

The officer asked Chen Ke again why and where he came from.He asked for the letter again.Chen Ke thought that this person would not have swallowed the letter for himself.He handed over the letter.The man read the letter, looked at Chen Ke again, and then rode in.Chen Ke felt that an important link was missing, which was asking for bribes.These days, asking for bribes is the norm.I don't know if the Beiyang Army is special?or what?Now that the mid-level officer had gone in, Chen Ke simply took out the gift money he had prepared earlier from his pocket, and gave it up while talking to the sentinel and the low-level officer while smiling.Both of them accepted it with a smile, without any rejection.

The junior officer even advised Chen Ke to enter the outpost to take shelter from the wind.Chen Ke quickly said: "Brother, you reported to me, but you were tired. There are rules in the barracks. I can't let your kindness treat me. Instead, the superior sees and reprimands you. I just wait here." Officer Without forcing Chen Ke, he entered the guard post with a smile on his hands.

After waiting for a while, the middle-ranking officer came back. "Master Yuan wants to see you." He said simply.

Hearing the news, Chen Ke was very surprised. Originally, he estimated that after the letter was delivered, he would wait for Yuan Shikai to receive it.He was ready to live here for a few days and wait in line.Leaving aside the good and evil of Yuan Shikai himself, Chen Ke could imagine how busy Yuan Shikai was at work.I didn't expect that I, an unknown person, could get the governor of Zhili and Beiyang minister Yuan Shikai so quickly by relying on a letter.What a shame.Chen Ke found it incredible.

But since Yuan Shikai wanted to see Chen Ke, Chen Ke, who was in front of Longtan and Tiger's Den, also wanted to go.Chen Ke turned around and said to the two people behind him, "Go back first. It's not convenient for me to take you in."

Xie Mingxian and Chai Qingguo looked disappointed when they heard this, but it was understandable.Before everyone came, they did not expect Chen Ke to be interviewed so soon.Since things were different from the original plan, everyone went with the flow.The two bid farewell.

Chen Ke followed the officer and walked inside.He tried to get close, but the officer remained silent.Chen Ke offered the "Yijin", but the officer accepted it bluntly.He took Chen Ke to a place in the military camp that was built like a yamen, and the two dismounted.The officer took Chen Ke in.The people who came in and out were middle and senior military officers. When Chen Ke came in, he had already taken off his sheepskin jacket and put it on the saddle.At this time, this outfit is quite eye-catching.From time to time someone asked the officer in front who Chen Ke was.In words, I only know that the officer's surname is Wu.

After entering the yamen, turn left and turn right, and arrive at the door of an office.Officer Wu went in to report first, and then came out to take Chen Ke in.As soon as he entered the room, he saw a person sitting behind the desk. Chen Ke had an impression that this face was indeed Yuan Shikai's.There was another person standing beside him, but Chen Ke didn't recognize him.This man was quite thin, with a calm expression. Although he was wearing a military uniform, he looked like a literati, but he didn't have the faint affectation of a literati at all, so he should be a person.But Chen Ke couldn't care less, he bowed deeply, and said in Henan dialect: "See Mr. Yuan."

"You are Chen Ke and Chen Wenqing who wrote that book." Yuan Shikai's Henan dialect sounded very friendly to Chen Ke.However, the content of these words surprised Chen Ke.Could it be that Mr. Yan Fu still sent his book to Yuan Shikai?

"Xiaomin is Chen Ke." Chen Ke didn't dare to mention the book, so he could only introduce himself briefly.

The boldness of big men is just different. Yuan Shikai didn't have so many pretense at all, after letting Chen Ke sit down.Seeing Chen Ke sitting firmly on the chair, he couldn't help laughing out loud. "When the brothers sent Wen Qing's book to me, they also wrote a letter. The letter was very polite, saying that Wen Qing, you are a disciple of the brothers, and hoped that I would take care of them in Beijing. As a result, I waited for so long. Wen Qing just came to see me, "

This is quite ingenious, the core meaning is to ask Chen Ke what do you mean?It's been so long since I came to Beijing to see me.I gave Yan Fu enough face, how are you going to save my face.

Chen Ke will never refute Yuan Shikai's face, but Chen Ke must not lose Yan Fu's face either.Although I don't know what Yan Fu wrote, but I think it is definitely not as polite as Yuan Shikai said.He thought for a moment, then said:

"My lord, before I came to Beijing, my teacher repeatedly explained that I came to Beijing to travel around, not to find a way to get lucky through my old friends. My teacher knows that you miss the old things most, so I mentioned it many times, so I don't Dare to come to see your lord rashly."

After hearing this, Yuan Shikai laughed. "Brother Dao is still so self-disciplined. Since Wen Qing said so, it must be possible to travel in Beijing."

"I met Bu Guanshui once by chance, and made a song "The New Beiyang Army is Marching" together with Bu Guanshui." Chen Ke replied.

Hearing this, Yuan Shikai was slightly taken aback. He liked the piece very much. I heard that the composer was Bu Guanshui, an officer transferred to the Anhui New Army. Yuan Shikai knew a little about this person. If you have any musical skills, you must find someone to do it.But it never occurred to him that Chen Ke did it.However, if Chen Ke dared to say that, he should not be deceiving himself.

"That song is well done." Yuan Shikai laughed.

"Your Excellency, you have trained an army of tigers and wolves. I can only be worthy of such an army if I play majestic songs." Chen Ke quickly complimented.

Only now did Yuan Shikai really feel happy, "It seems that Wenqing and I are very destined to be in Beiyang. Is Bu Guanshui your friend?"

"No, I only met in Beijing." Chen Ke briefly described the process of getting to know Bu Guanshui.Then Chen Ke said: "This time I came here, I really didn't expect you to praise the junior so much. I planned to wait for the adult to summon the junior, and offer special medicine. This time I just came to see and submit a letter, and I didn't bring the medicine with me. I didn't think carefully. , I hope your lord will forgive me."

Yuan Shikai just smiled when he heard this. Now that he has understood Chen Ke's experience, there is nothing else to do. I'm here. Wen Qing just came here, is there anything I can do to help?"

"I opened a factory in Beijing and made something." Chen Ke briefly stated the honeycomb briquette.Yuan Shikai nodded slightly after hearing the detailed data from Chen Ke.After Chen Ke finished the introduction, he said: "The people who are with the younger generation are mostly colleagues from the former Tianjin Manufacturing Bureau. Now that this thing has been manufactured, I am worried that I will encounter some troubles. So I want to entrust this factory to Under Beiyang. But I don’t know where to go, so I have the courage to ask my lord to come.”

Yuan Shikai just nodded after hearing Chen Ke's words, but did not speak immediately.After a while, the Beiyang leader said: "I see. There is no need to worry about this matter. In this way, Wen Qing, please leave the address of your residence, and I will send someone to find you."

Although Yuan Shikai didn't say it clearly, just saying this is equivalent to making some promises to Chen Ke.Chen Ke naturally thanked him quickly.After discussing the business, everyone chatted about Yan Fu's recent situation.Then Yuan Shikai brought tea to see off the guests.

After all, it was the yamen of the military camp. When Chen Ke came out, the sheepskin jacket and knee pads were still on the saddle. The military officer Wu accompanied Chen Ke out of the military camp, but he left after offering his confession.Chen Ke looked at this taciturn officer, but he didn't understand his attitude towards him.Not long after the conversation, Chen Ke urged the horse to go back the way it came from.Xie Mingxian's riding skills are not good, so he must not be able to walk fast.Thinking about this meeting with Yuan Shikai along the way, Chen Ke felt like he had a dream.I can't recall some details.Of course, Chen Ke was not so bold as to keep looking at Yuan Shikai's face.

While recalling this meeting, thinking about the future, and not knowing how far he ran, he saw the familiar figures of the two riders in front, and Chen Ke called to them while urging his horse to catch up.

Chapter 72

No. 72, to URL