Zhang Ji arrived at Tianjin Railway Station with his two entourages, and then took a rickshaw straight to the Tianjin Municipal Government.
When passing a section of the main street, Zhang Ji suddenly discovered that the tram rail in the middle of the road had been removed. Most of the shops along the road were closed. When he asked someone, he learned that all walks of life in Tianjin were on strike.
Not only that, I heard that students gathered in the concession and were holding a patriotic parade while chanting slogans.
Zhang Ji was so shocked that he repeatedly sighed: "Why is this happening? Why is it happening like this! How did a small incident involving price increases on trams develop to this point?"
Zhang Ji quickly bought two newspapers on the roadside and roughly understood what happened. He said angrily: "There must be someone behind it, and this thief has ulterior motives!"
Half an hour later, Zhang Ji arrived at the official residence of the Tianjin Municipal Government. When he saw Zhou Longguang, he reprimanded: "How did you become the mayor of Tianjin? You did something so big that it alerted the central government. You don't know that the central government is in a crisis now."
?"
Zhou Longguang complained bitterly: "Mr. Puquan, I'm in trouble too! I just returned to Tianjin in January to take up my post, and my buttocks were not even hot when I encountered the tram price increase controversy. The city government is Zhang Hanqing's confidant, and the city party headquarters also
They don’t listen to my orders at all. The foreigners in the concession are making trouble, the local chamber of commerce is making trouble, and the party headquarters is also making noise. I am a bare commander and can’t command anyone. Who am I provoking?”
Zhang Ji was silent for a moment, and seemed to understand Zhou Longguang's situation, and asked: "Who is behind the expansion of this incident? Is it a member of the Red Party?"
Zhou Longguang said angrily: "If the Red Party members are easy to deal with, I can just arrest them. But I can't touch the mastermind behind this time, and I can't even touch him!"
"Who is it?" Zhang Ji asked.
Zhou Longguang said depressedly: "It's Zhou Hexuan and Zhou Mingcheng!"
Zhang Ji was immediately surprised: "How can he, a scholar, do such a big thing?"
Zhou Longguang explained: "He is not only an academic, he is the number one local snake in Tianjin. Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, various trade unions, education societies, municipal officials, party leaders, gangsters, newspapers and magazines, students...
Everyone listens to him and responds to everything he says. I can’t even stop him when something happens. He also said he wanted to look good to the foreign devils. Isn’t this sincere and causing trouble for the government?”
"He can really mobilize all walks of life in Tianjin?" Zhang Ji simply couldn't imagine it.
Zhou Longguang said angrily: "Zhou Hexuan's influence in Tianjin is greater than Du Yuesheng's influence in Shanghai. If I don't show off at ordinary times, once I go crazy, it will kill me!"
In fact, it is not as evil as Zhou Longguang said. Although Zhou Hexuan has a certain influence, he cannot let Tianjin go on strike with just one word. He is just following the trend.
Why does everyone listen to Zhou Hexuan's command?
On the one hand, the Chinese people share the same hatred towards the foreigners, and on the other hand, it is because of the alliance of interests.
The Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce wants to get involved in the tram and lighting business, the Tianjin Party Committee wants to take the opportunity to expand its influence, the Tianjin Municipal Government wants to increase the reimbursement fees (taxes) of the tram companies, the people of Tianjin want to maintain the original price of trams, and the trade unions of various industries in Tianjin want to
We need to force the tram company to make concessions (reduce the handling fee for copper dollar exchange)...
It can only be said that the tram company founded by the Belgians has become the public enemy of the entire Tianjin people. The company's appearance is too ugly, and it has united with the concessions of various countries to not leave a way for the Chinese to survive.
When Chu Yupu was in charge of Tianjin, he was encouraged by the local chamber of commerce to attack the electric lighting company, but unfortunately he was unsuccessful.
But Zhou Longguang didn't understand this. In his opinion, if Zhou Hexuan said something casually, the whole Tianjin would listen to Zhou Hexuan's orders and treat him, the mayor of Tianjin, as transparent air.
Zhang Ji was also intimidated by Zhou Longguang's description. He no longer dared to look down on Zhou Hexuan. He already regarded Zhou Hexuan as a Du Yuesheng-like figure, and a fully upgraded version of Du Yuesheng. He frowned and said: "Don't act rashly yet, I'm going to visit Zhou Mingcheng."
Look, I hope he can show his dignity."
"I'll go with you." Zhou Longguang said.
The two hurriedly ran to Sanletang to visit Zhou Hexuan. When they arrived at their destination, Zhang Ji carefully arranged his clothes and said to the servant: "Please tell Mr. Zhou that I, the special commissioner of the Central Government, Zhang Ji, have taken the liberty of paying me a visit."
After a while, the servant opened the door and said: "Two gentlemen, please come in!"
Zhang Ji came to the living room, solemnly clasped his fists and said, "Mr. Zhou, long time no see."
Zhou Hexuan completely ignored Zhou Longguang and said to Zhang Ji with a smile: "Congratulations to Mr. Zhang on your promotion."
"Hey, why am I getting promoted? It's just hard work!" Zhang Ji smiled bitterly and waved his hand.
When Chang Kaishen left office, Zhang Ji was appointed as the Legislative Yuan, a position that belonged to one of the central elders. But Zhang Ji knew that Chang Kaishen would definitely come back to power, and he was determined not to accept the position of Legislative Yuan.
Sure enough, when Chang Kaishen came back again, he favored Zhang Ji's "loyalty" behavior and appointed Zhang Ji as the chairman of the Xijing Preparatory Committee and the general person in charge of moving the capital to Luoyang.
Zhou Hexuan asked: "Why is Mr. Zhang not in Luoyang, but instead he has become a special commissioner?"
Zhang Ji smiled bitterly and said: "I am going north this time to go to Luoyang for a meeting. As a result, I was arrested and asked to come to Tianjin to deal with the tram price increase controversy. Mr. Zhou, I am not familiar with the situation in Tianjin. You must be sure
Need help."
Zhou Hexuan laughed and said perfunctorily: "I am just a poor scholar, how can I help Mr. Zhang?"
Zhang Ji said: "If you can help me, Mr. Zhou is a famous person in Tianjin. All walks of life in Tianjin should give him some face. Now the country is in troubled times and urgently needs the support of European and American powers. No more accidents can happen. Mr. Zhou, can you
The overall situation is the most important thing!”
Zhou Hexuan smiled and said: "Mr. Zhang, you don't have to worry about this matter. It will be solved soon. I promise not to cause trouble to the central government."
"Really?" Zhang Ji was dubious.
"I guarantee it with my personality, provided that Mr. Zhang does not interfere in this matter." Zhou Hexuan said.
Zhang Ji frowned. He was just stopping by Tianjin and was about to rush to Luo. He had no time to waste. After thinking about it, Zhang Ji said, "Since Mr. Zhou is confident, I won't interfere anymore.
"
"Don't!" Zhou Longguang suddenly interrupted and shouted. He was afraid that Zhang Ji would leave the matter alone and Zhou Hexuan would make things get out of hand again, and in the end he, the mayor of Tianjin, would have to take the blame.
Zhou Hexuan said angrily: "Mayor Zhou, don't make such a fuss, just sit back and watch the show."
"You... are unreasonable!" Zhou Longguang felt so aggrieved. He was the dignified mayor of Tianjin, but no one in Tianjin took him seriously, and he was scolded casually.
Seeing this, Zhang Ji also despised Zhou Longguang, thinking that this guy was a loser.
Although Zhang Ji was not a good character, was narrow-minded and liked to hold grudges, and even used despicable means to attack political opponents, he was a man who dared to take on troubles. He looked down on cowards like Zhou Longguang from the bottom of his heart.
At that moment, Zhang Ji ignored Zhou Longguang and said to Zhou Hexuan: "Mr. Zhou, aren't you going to Luoyang to attend the national crisis meeting?"
Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "I will not interfere with this kind of national event as soon as I show off my body."
"Mr. Zhou, you are very knowledgeable and should go. Scholars such as Chen Yinque and Ma Yinchu will also come to Luoyang for meetings," Zhang Ji said solemnly, clasping his fists. "As the chairman of the Xijing Preparatory Committee, I would like to express my gratitude to Zhou once again."
Mr. Zhou has extended an invitation and hopes that Mr. Zhou can attend the Luoyang National Disaster Conference and discuss plans to save the country and provide disaster relief!"
Zhou Hexuan thought for a while and said: "Then go."