The topic that foreign consuls are most concerned about is the current political situation in Peiping.
Since the fall of President Cao Kun through bribery, Duan Qirui has been pushed to the front to temporarily rule. In fact, he is just a puppet. He wanted to use the conflicts between warlords to maintain balance and consolidate his dominance. Instead, he got burned and resigned.
Finally, the conflict between Feng Yuxiang and the Feng clique intensified, and the Feng clique united with Wu Peifu to overthrow Feng, and the National Army was driven out of North China.
Today's Peiping is jointly controlled by the Zhili clique and Feng clique warlords, headed by Wu Peifu and Zhang Zuolin. When the two went to Beijing to meet at the beginning of the month, they had a fierce argument over political power issues, resulting in a stalemate. Wu Peifu proposed to restore Cao Kun's legal authority because they were both Zhili clique
The warlord Zhang Zuolin hoped to restore the treaty and reconvene the Congress in order to form a regency cabinet.
Today, the Republic of China does not even have a president, not to mention a parliament and a cabinet. The Beiyang government is completely paralyzed, and the salaries of civil servants have not been paid for a month.
In this chaotic situation, all kinds of monsters and ghosts popped up, and even the voice of support for Puyi's restoration was not small. Kang Youwei was actively running for the emperor, hoping to get the support of Wu Peifu. In order to increase the bargaining chip with Zhang Zuolin, Wu Peifu did not refuse.
There are signs of a resurgence among the royalists.
Because of this, Chu Yupu, as a warlord of the Feng clan, was so concerned about every move of the deposed emperor Puyi and accepted Zhou Hexuan's bad idea of seducing the queen.
The foreigners are also anxious to see this, because it involves many vital interests, and they hope that the Beiyang government can restore a semblance of order as soon as possible.
Facing the questions raised by foreign consuls, Chu Yupu patted her chest and assured: "Don't worry, everyone, our Marshal Zhang will definitely be able to settle the situation, and the new Congress and cabinet will be formed in a month or two at the latest!"
The foreign consul still wanted to ask for details, but Chu Yupu, a big boss who didn't understand politics, just talked nonsense. When it came to the key points, he either made lies or made jokes, leaving the foreign devils quite speechless.
Zhou Hexuan is very clear about this issue.
Historically, Zhang Zuolin and Wu Peifu compromised with each other, each took a step back, and restored the cabinet appointed by Cao Kun. Cao Kun himself failed to come back as president. However, Zhang Zuolin was stronger after all, and soon forced the cabinet prime minister to resign. The Beiyang government
Actual control eventually fell into the hands of Zhang Zuolin.
Zhou Hexuan didn't dare to say such words. He had to hide his clumsiness to avoid causing any more trouble.
The foreigners couldn't explain clearly to Chu Yupu, a big boss, so they just chatted with each other, talking about religion, art, politics, literature, fashion... one by one.
Chu Yupu couldn't get in the conversation and could only mutter and complain: "These foreign devils are really difficult to serve."
Zhou Hexuan originally wanted to take the opportunity to make friends with a few foreign consuls, but due to the presence of Marshal Chu, he really did not dare to make a fuss, so he could only just laugh and apologize.
Suddenly, waltz music sounded in the hall, and foreigners walked in pairs like a dance floor.
Chu Yupu felt even more depressed because he didn't know how to dance at all, so he could only take his fifth wife to rest nearby, rolled up his sleeves and said: "His grandma is a bear, I shouldn't hold this banquet tonight."
A foreign woman in her 40s suddenly came over. She seemed to be very interested in the newly rising warlord. She said in broken Chinese: "Mr. Marshal, can I dance with you?"
"That...this..." Marshal Chu, who had always been decisive, brutal and arrogant, actually became coquettish at this moment.
Shen Yaorong smiled evilly and said: "Commander, Mr. Zhou has traveled to various Western countries, he will definitely be able to dance foreigners' dances."
Chu Yupu finally found the steps, pointed at Zhou Hexuan and said, "Yes, you must dance well and don't embarrass me."
Zhou Hexuan smiled helplessly and said: "As ordered."
Chu Yupu then said to the foreign woman: "I feel a little unwell today, so I asked Secretary Zhou to dance with you."
Zhou Hexuan walked up to the foreign woman, stretched out his hands, bent down and saluted: "Beautiful lady, it is an honor to dance with you."
Seeing that Zhou Hexuan was tall and handsome, the foreign woman seemed to like her, so she smiled and put her hand into his, and the two of them slowly walked to the dance floor hand in hand.
This woman's face and figure are pretty good, but she has too many freckles that cannot be covered up by thick foundation. Zhou Hexuan looked at his nose with his eyes and his heart with his nose, and instantly entered the sage mode, holding the foreign woman's hand with one hand, and holding the foreign woman's hand with the other.
Hold each other's waist with one hand and move your body to the rhythm of the music.
"Oh, you dance well," the foreign woman praised, "What's your name?"
"My name is Zhou Hexuan, my English name is Charles, and I am currently Marshal Chu's foreign language secretary," Zhou Hexuan asked politely, "May I ask my lady's name?"
The foreign woman said: "My name is Marion Cape, you can call me Mari."
"Cape? What an ancient surname," Zhou Hexuan said with a smile, "Your ancestors must have been French aristocrats."
Marion said in surprise: "You actually know the Cape family?"
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Of course, the Capet family is so famous. The famous Earl of Paris and the Duke of France family have a profound impact on French history. Later, the Bourbon family of the Bourbon dynasty was just a branch of the Capet family."
"You are a learned Chinese," Marion said. "Even if my surname is placed in France, not many people know its origin. After all, we have been in decline for hundreds of years."
Zhou Hexuan deliberately complimented: "A great family is like a great nation, with a profound heritage. Even if it declines for a while, there will always be a day when it will be glorious again."
"Thank you for your blessing." Marion was very happy.
The two chatted for a while, and Zhou Hexuan finally figured out her identity. It turned out that she was the wife of the French consul and had been staying in Tianjin for several years.
After all, they are romantic and fashionable French people, and the topic gradually turned to art. Marion asked: "You said you have lived in France for two years, which painter is your favorite? Impressionism?"
"No, no, no, Impressionism is outdated," Zhou Hexuan said eloquently, "I am a believer in Futurism."
Marion was surprised: "Then you are quite trendy. Many Europeans cannot accept Futurist painting. Especially the French, Futurism always challenges authority."
Zhou Hexuan said: "The essence of life is development and movement. Art cannot only reflect the existence of the past, but must return to life and pursue a better and unpredictable future. The most typical shortcoming of the French in art is
It tends to be feminine, gentle, charming and static. This is too old-fashioned. One day, it will be addicted to the glory of the past and die. Futurism is a good medicine."
"A very novel and profound point of view," Mary praised, "Are you an art major?"
"No, in fact I don't have any degree. I have been wandering around the world for the past ten years, observing Western civilization from the perspective of a low-level bystander..." Zhou Hexuan started to make up stories again to show off.
After the waltz ended, the French consul's wife became very interested in Zhou Hexuan and even invited him to attend the weekend salon party.