Years of the Republic of China 1913

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"Hmph! I'm afraid it's those people who did it again..." After reading the telegram, the old man showed disdain.

"Why did Mr. Ju say that?" Fang Zida asked strangely.

The old man in front of him was none other than the famous Xu Shichang.Xu Shichang and Yuan Shikai, one civil and one military, are known as the pillars of Beiyang. When the Qing Dynasty abdicated and the Republic of China was established, even Yuan Shikai was able to replace Sun Wen as the interim president. Xu Shichang can be regarded as the first achievement.But then, the former military minister of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, the governor of the three northeastern provinces, the Beiyang boss, resigned from all positions, and went to Qingdao Island after a long time.Over the years, Yuan Shikai invited Xu Shichang several times to become an official, even as vice president and prime minister, but he politely declined.During the two years, except for the outbreak of the Second Revolution in the South and Fang Zida's wedding, Xu Shichang went to Beijing to meet old friends, the rest of the time he lived in the concession of Qingdao, almost never leaving his house.

When he arrived in Shandong, Fang Zida had to go to Qingdao Island, and Fang Zida had to visit this elder when he arrived in Qingdao Island.Xu Shichang has a gentle temperament and deep knowledge of Chinese culture. He is usually reticent, but when he speaks, he often hits the point. Even Yuan Shikai once lamented that Xu Ju's scheme is unparalleled in the world.

"The three masters of Beiyang, dragon, tiger, and leopard. Now the dragon of Beiyang is keeping a low profile. The tiger and leopard center is fighting for power and profit. There are many contradictions. And now the virtuous nephew Zhang Ming is born. With the personalities of Duan Qirui, Feng Guozhang and others, how can they Is it possible for you to sit so big? As expected by the old man, it is likely that they are behind the incident, otherwise your old father-in-law would not have given this order."

Fang Zida was taken aback. He and Duan Qirui had been in contact many times. Although Feng Guozhang hadn't met much, they had some friendship with each other. In Fang Zida's view, these two were Yuan Shikai's generals, and they were usually very polite to him. As for that?What's more, according to the information he got, the main reason for the order to recruit him back to Beijing was that people from the southwest were spreading rumors in Beijing. Why did Xu Shichang assert that it was Duan and Feng who did it?

Seeing Fang Zida's bewildered look, Xu Shichang smiled lightly: "What a shrewd person Yuan Weiting is, wouldn't he know the ins and outs of the rumors? If it weren't for Duan and Feng making excuses, those low-level rumors alone would be able to tell the truth." What's wrong with you? Can a person in a superior position not understand the art of balancing power? It's nothing more than these words. Besides, although you are Wei Ting's son-in-law, you are also a member of KMT, and now Song Jiaoren is In charge of state affairs . . . "

Having said that, Xu Shichang stopped talking, picked up the boiled water and slowly made tea with a smile.Fang Zida sat by the side silently, got up after a long time and bowed deeply to Xu Shichang.

"No need to be like this, come here, taste this tea, this is the Dahongpao that an old friend of mine brought from Fujian, and only you, my nephew, if I wait for someone else to come, I won't be able to drink it at all."

"Thank you, Mr. Ju." Fang Zida took the teacup respectfully, took a sip, and repeatedly praised the good tea.

"Tea is good tea! You are a good young man!" Xu Shichang smiled and said, "Wei Ting has found a good son-in-law! What a blessing... hey..."

Seeing a trace of sadness in Xu Shichang's smile, Fang Zida understood in his heart that this uncle was lamenting that his sons and grandchildren were far inferior to Yuan Shikai.Xu Shichang used to have one son and two daughters, but unfortunately both passed away early, and there is no blood left under his knees.A few years ago, he adopted a son from his second brother, but no matter what, he was not his own.This Beiyang tycoon who used to be less than one person and more than ten thousand people, now looks like a lonely old man, with a thousand things in his heart, and it is inevitable to mourn for his family.

After all, Xu Shichang is not an ordinary person, he will go with the wind when he is sad, and talk and laugh again in a blink of an eye.Asked about Fang Zida's plan, since Zhong Yang had already called to urge him to go to Beijing to report on his work, when would he plan to leave.

Fang Zida thought for a while and said, "I still have some things to deal with in Shandong. If you don't bother Mr. Ju, I hope you can speak to my father-in-law for me. After the matter is settled, I will return to Beijing as soon as possible. "

"That's no problem." Xu Shichang agreed without hesitation, but at the same time he asked, "Isn't the Shandong matter already settled? What else should my nephew do?"

"Shandong's internal affairs have been decided, and foreign affairs are urgent!" Fang Zida replied slowly.

"Foreign affairs?" Xu Shichang was slightly taken aback, looking at Fang Zida as if he was a little puzzled.

"Actually, I'm afraid I need the help of Ju Lao."

"Hmm...it has something to do with me?" Xu Shichang asked in surprise.

Fang Zida nodded: "I want to meet the governor of Jiaozhou, Hua Deke. I heard that Mr. Ju has some friendship with him. I hope Mr. Ju can help introduce him."

"You want to see Hua Deke?" Xu Shichang couldn't help but asked back, seeing Fang Zida nodded, he thought about it quietly, and his expression was slightly enlightened: "I see, no wonder you came here from Jinan on purpose Qingdao* Island, I’m afraid the main purpose of coming to see this old man is for Huadek? Is this the foreign matter you’re talking about?”

Fang Zida smiled and said: "Seeing Hua Deke is indeed one of the purposes of coming to Qingdao, but visiting Mr. Ju is even more important. You can't say that, Mr. Ju. Otherwise, if the word spreads, Fang Zida will not be able to use the elders Is my villain gone? Even if my father-in-law doesn’t blame me when I return to Beijing, I’m afraid I’ll have to sleep on the door panel at night after Sizhen finds out.”

Hearing Fang Zida's interesting words, Xu Shichang couldn't help laughing.But jokes are jokes, Xu Shichang's judgment is still very keen, and he felt something from Fang Zida's few words. After closing his eyes and thinking carefully, he slowly asked: "A while ago there was news from Europe that Austria-Hungary The crown prince of the empire was assassinated outside, does my nephew think that a war is about to break out in Europe?"

"Exactly!"

The name of the so-called shadow man of the tree, Xu Shichang is indeed Xu Shichang. Although he has lived in seclusion in Qingdao for many years, he still knows the world events well. The Sarajevo incident just happened not long ago. thing.And Xu Shichang not only knows everything clearly, but also knows the contradictions among European countries very well, otherwise he would not have made such an assertion.

Fang Zida expressed his "judgment" frankly. In his opinion, after the Sarajevo incident, the European situation, which was already on the verge of breaking out, will undergo major changes in a short period of time. The Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany are the natural allies of Europe. China, Russia and other countries are on the other side, and the camps of the two sides are opposed to each other. If a war breaks out, these Western powers will inevitably fight in Europe, and the flames of war will even cover the entire world.Qingdao is a colony of Germany. Once the European War breaks out, Germany will not be able to hold this territory with the strength of Qingdao.And there are many powers from various countries eyeing Qingdao* Island. Among them, the most urgent and ugly one is probably the island country in the east, Japan.Japan, which has always been coveting Qingdao, will never let go of this opportunity to annex it. It will definitely use the reason of the war to join the British and French camps, and then join forces with Britain, France and other countries to send troops to Qingdao.

"Nephew wants to snatch food from the tiger's mouth?"

"Yes!" Fang Zida nodded and admitted: "With the European war together, it is a great opportunity for the government to take back Qingdao, but judging from Japan's usual style, they will never let the Republic of China take it back so easily, and they will definitely do it at that time." Something will happen. So, in my opinion, it is best to take back Qingdao* Island before the start of the war, so that Japan and other countries have no reason to intervene in the affairs of Qingdao* Island. There are only three ways."

"The three?" Xu Shichang looked at Fang Zida with piercing eyes.

"First; the Republic of China immediately joined the ranks of Britain and France, declared war on Germany, and relied on the strength of Britain and France in Asia to forcibly take back Qingdao. Second; the Republic of China was neutral in diplomacy, and the two sides would not help each other. Wait for Germany to return Qingdao on its own. Third; It is still diplomatically neutral, Germany and Japan fought in Qingdao* Island, and Qingdao* Island fell into the hands of Japan in the end."

Xu Shichang shook his head after listening. These three ways are not easy to go. Join Britain and France to declare war on Germany. Although we can use this to take back Qingdao, what if Germany wins in Europe?Doesn't this mean that the entire national fortune is bet on it?Not to mention Xu Shichang, even Yuan Shikai would never be able to place such a big bet.As for the second, third, and second two items, they are actually similar. Once Japan gets involved in the affairs of Qingdao, the fragile government of the Republic of China will not be able to resist at all. It is very likely that the end result will be the same, that is, Qingdao will be forcibly occupied by Japan. .

After thinking about it, Xu Shichang felt that what Fang Zida said was right. There was no other way to recover Qingdao* Island at the lowest cost, and that was to try to recover Qingdao before the outbreak of the war. If this opportunity was missed, the risk would increase exponentially.