After Cai E entered Kunming, he was not in a hurry to investigate the drugs. In fact, there was no need to investigate. Everything was obvious and everyone knew it. The only question was whether he could capture Tang Jiyao and whether the Southwest would explode as a result.
It was just a conflict. Cai E first started a discussion with the gentry of Kunming and asked about the development situation of Yunnan.
Yunnan is full of bitterness. In order to maintain the Yunnan Army, Tang Jiyao had to plunder land and use all possible means. The people of Yunnan just dared to be angry and dare not speak out. Especially after the outbreak of World War I, Sichuan developed rapidly. Yunnan and Sichuan's
The nearest one is Chong Qingxu Prefecture, which is not far from Yunnan. These people saw that Sichuan told the development that factories appeared one after another, and the roads were getting better and better. Even foreigners went to Sichuan to purchase supplies, and a lot of real gold was collected.
Silver flows into Sichuan, and today's Sichuan businessmen speak much louder, as they say they are wealthy.
Businessmen in Yunnan clearly feel this huge gap. Although the conditions in Sichuan are better, the people in Yunnan are now in dire straits and are still not as good as those in the Qing Dynasty. Naturally, this can be attributed to Tang Jiyao's problems.
Cai E remained silent, just comforting everyone not to worry, it would get better. After a few days, Cai E figured out the attitude of Yunnan's people. Seeing that the time was ripe to overthrow the Tang Dynasty, he decisively informed the Yunnan Parliament about Tang Jiyao.
At the same time, several senior officers of the Yunnan Army also launched an attack. Tang Jiyao was defeated. Cai E still cared about his old friendship and did not drive Tang Jiyao to death. Instead, he allowed him to seek refuge in Hong Kong alone.
After driving away Tang Jiyao, all walks of life in Yunnan recommended Cai E to take over as the governor of Yunnan. When Yuan Shikai was hesitant, Cai E's teacher Liang Qichao began an active campaign in Beijing and assured Lao Yuan that Cai E would be loyal to Yuan Shikai. After receiving Liang Qichao's guarantee,
Lao Yuan agreed that Cai E should take over as the governor of Yunnan.
In this way, Yunnan achieved a smooth transition of power. Although some of Tang Jiyao's cronies were still unconvinced, Cai E relied on loans from Sichuan to pay out all the arrears of military pay as soon as he took office. This time it was all real money.
Baiyin, without any clouds and soil, immediately took over the Yunnan army's morale. If you have money, it will be easy to do things. At this time, the army was still eating food and serving as soldiers. Whoever gave you money would work for whom. It was nothing to be loyal to the old governor Cai E.
not good.
After Cai E took over, he reached six business cooperation agreements with Sichuan, introduced Sichuan funds to develop Yunnan's resources, accelerated the construction of the Chengdu-Kunming Railway, and opened the Zhaotong area for trade by Sichuan merchants. Cai E's approach
On the one hand, it is a reward to Sichuan, and on the other hand, it is to promote the economic development of Yunnan. It can be said that if Yunnan does not make progress, it will be completely left behind by Sichuan.
The changes in the southwest had little impact on Bei Jing. Yang Du had been busy preparing for the Security Council these days. Seeing that officials everywhere expressed their support for Jun Xian, Yang Du began to feel proud.
On this day, when the Security Council was meeting, Yan Fu suddenly raised his opinion: "Mr. Xizi, the Security Council seems to be prosperous now, but it is also full of problems. Duan Qirui, one of the veteran Beiyang generals, has clearly expressed his opposition to the imperial system, and
Another veteran, Feng Guozhang, had repeatedly advised the president not to become emperor. Neither Cai E nor Qiao Yu, who were in the southwest, said anything. Both of them had heavy troops, especially if Qiao Yu launched an attack, it would be a catastrophe.
!”
Yan Fu himself was a scholar, and he was not very enthusiastic about the affairs of the monarchy. He was just forced to make up the numbers due to pressure. As the activities of the preparatory meeting unfolded, Yan Fu instinctively smelled an ominous atmosphere, regardless of
Whether it is Beiyang or local officials, no one of the powerful factions who really have the final say really supports Junxian. Even the Beiyang generals are extremely opposed to it. Those who really cheer for Lao Yuan are a bunch of villains and political speculators.
, this group of people has no other use except to make noise.
Without the consent of the powerful factions, this drama of the monarchy and constitution will turn into a farce. Except for the local powerful factions, even the attitude of the great powers is very ambiguous. Only Japan expressed support for Yuan Shikai, while Europe and the United States did not express anything, which also made Yan Fumeng
A layer of Yin shadow is applied.
"Mr. Yan, you are overthinking it. You can calculate how many local officials support us and how many central and high-ranking officials support us. The number is at least 90%. What can a small number of people do? I think
The biggest enemy now is Liang Shiyi. He established some kind of petition group, organized coachmen, farmers, workers, and even prostitutes to petition. He made it clear that he wanted to snatch the credit from us. This is intolerable, but what is intolerable is that Liang Shiyi is not worthy of picking peaches!
"Li Xiehe also spoke at this time. He did not have the same sense of crisis as Yan Fu. He focused his attention on another organization, the petition group.
"Brother Li is right. Mr. Xizi has planned all kinds of things for the president. He should be the first choice for the prime minister in the future. We people are also six ministers. Not only do we want to be officials, but we also have to have wives and children. This glory and wealth
We must not let Liang Shiyi snatch it away!" This time it was Liu Shipei who spoke.
Even before the imperial system succeeded, these people began to fight for power. Looking at the noisy venue, Yang Du actually had a doubt in his heart, whether these profit-minded people could help Yuan Shikai govern the world.
There was a lively scene in Bei Jing City, and the whole country was stirred up by this wave of persuasion to move in. Reputable people from all over the country sent telegrams one after another, and the waves of persuading people to move in were getting higher and higher. Only Sichuan was silent at this time, and there was no movement at all.
He didn't express any opinions, as if he didn't know anything about it.
But this is just an appearance. All the military and political officials from Sichuan gathered in Ya'an to discuss the situation day and night. Han Yong, Zhu Qinglan, Wu Tong, Jiang Baili, Shi Yi, Wang Huai, Liu Yunhong, Su Ding, Li Tie, Deng Xihou, Yang Sen,
Liu Cunhou, Wang Zanxu, Qiao Zhen, Liu Xiang and others who rushed back from xi zang were all on the scene.
Qiao Yu personally presided over the meeting. Qiao Yu majestically glanced at everyone present and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, the trend of persuading people to enter is getting more and more popular in various places. Although Lao Yuan didn't nod his head openly, I think it's just...
President Yuan is about to become Emperor Yuan. We in Sichuan must have a response attitude in the future. You can speak freely. This is an opportunity for Sichuan. It depends on how we use it!"
After Qiao Yu finished speaking, Su Ding continued, "As the commander-in-chief said, it has become inevitable for Yuan Shikai to become emperor. This is perverse and an idiot's dream. Not only will all the people in the world not agree, but even the veteran generals in Beiyang will not agree.
I think this drama of proclaiming emperor is just a farce. We in Sichuan should take a resolute attitude and oppose Yuan Shikai's proclaiming emperor. At the same time, we must be prepared for battle. As long as Yuan Shikai dares to proclaim himself emperor, 100,000 Sichuan troops will come out to fight for the sake of peace.
Fight for the Republic!”
Su Ding's words revealed Qiao Yu's thoughts to a certain extent, that is, Sichuan would definitely oppose Yuan Shikai's proclaimed emperor, but Qiao Yu would not jump out and be the first person rashly.
"Commander, I don't think this is an opportunity for the Sichuan army to launch a large-scale dispatch. We need to know the strength of Sichuan and what step Sichuan can achieve. It is useless to try to recreate the false name of the Republic. Instead, we need to understand the goal we want to achieve.
That's it!" Liu Xiang spoke at this time. After training in Tibet, Liu Xiang was obviously more capable and his mind was clearer.
Qiao Yu nodded slightly, "Fucheng, tell me what Sichuan can achieve this time?"
"Yes! Marshal, I agree with Commander Su's judgment. Yuan Shikai's proclaiming himself emperor is seeking death. Beiyang will abandon this leader. However, Beiyang still occupies a huge territory and has a strong foundation. If we rush out of Sichuan rashly, we will
Let everyone in Beiyang feel the crisis, thinking that we are competing with them for the world, which will inevitably promote their alliance, and once the war is delayed for a long time, it will affect the industrial development of Sichuan, and the gains outweigh the losses. Therefore, I suggest that the commander-in-chief focus on Yunnan and Guizhou
Above the two provinces, as long as Yuan Shikai ascends the throne, the world will be in chaos. When the two provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou are in hand, he will be able to dominate the southwest, advance to seize the world, and retreat to protect himself!"
After Liu Xiang finished speaking, Qiao Yu clapped his hands and said, "What Fucheng said is very good. As a Chinese citizen, I don't want Yuan Shikai to destroy the hard-won republican system. But since we are unable to reverse it, then
We can only try to make use of this opportunity to seek greater interests. Only when the power in our hands is strong enough can we change the face of China!"
Qiao Yu made the final decision. These senior officers present were also very ambitious people. Whoever didn't want to be promoted would have the best opportunity right in front of him. Wu Tong also interjected, "Everyone, I want to tell you some good news. Sichuan Arsenal
It has been able to produce 120mm cannons and 155mm howitzers, and the production lines we introduced from the United States have been able to produce heavy-duty trucks, which can be used to tow cannons. The Sichuan Army's heavy artillery unit will soon
Being able to equip troops on a large scale, in addition to the enhanced artillery strength, our air force has expanded to one hundred aircraft, capable of carrying out bombing and reconnaissance missions. With these powerful weapons as the backing, the Sichuan Army's combat effectiveness will be doubled.
Increase!"
The rapid development of the military industry has given the Sichuan Army enough confidence that even if it faces any army in China, the Sichuan Army is sure to fight head-on.
Qiao Yu said: "Now that the five main divisions of the Sichuan Army have been organized, Wang Huai, Shi Yi, Su Ding, Wang Zanxu, and Liu Xiang have been appointed as the commanders of the five divisions, Liu Yunhong has been appointed as the commander of the cavalry division, and Yang Sen has taken over as the commander of the mountain brigade. You
The task from now on is to start with individual confrontations and gradually upgrade the level of the exercise, so that the Sichuan army can become familiar with new weapons, understand new tactics, understand infantry and artillery coordination, understand air-ground cooperation, comprehensively enhance military quality, and prepare for the upcoming war!
"
The Sichuan army was secretly preparing for the war, and was also starting to make plans in other aspects. Qiao Yu sent Li Zongru to represent him and go directly north to express his support to Yuan Shikai for his ascension to the throne. Qiao Yu was now afraid that Yuan Shikai would wake up and give up the idea of ascension to the throne.
, but Qiao Yu's worry is obviously unnecessary. Yuan Shikai is reading a newspaper now, with a happy smile on his face!