Hou Hsiao-hsien led the way in front, and the guests entered. They passed through several pavilions and halls, and then arrived at Huairen Hall. They saw President Xu Shichang standing solemnly on the doorstep. Xu Shichang was wearing a black Zhigong woolen mandarin jacket and looking at him with a smile.
Written by Zhang Zuolin.
Zhang Zuolin was stunned for a moment, then hurriedly walked a few steps, bowed, and exclaimed: "President, why are you out here?"
Xu Shichang smiled and said: "Yuting, you have had a hard journey! I was just about to greet you, and you arrived."
Zhang Zuolin was flattered and said: "How dare a martial artist from Yuting allow the president to condescend to greet me? I can't do it, I can't do it."
Xu Shichang smiled slightly, and joined hands with Zhang Zuolin to greet each other. They each took their seats. Hou Xiaoxian served cigarettes and tea at the side. After sitting down, Xu Shichang said: "Yuting, it would be great if you came! Now the fight between Zhi and Anhui is getting fiercer, and they
I have to fight, which makes me miserable. You know, the war between the North and the South has just stopped, and another war in the North will not only be useless to the country, but also bring disaster to the people. As the President of the Republic of China, I cannot bear the people to suffer the war.
It's a disaster, so I invite you to come to Beijing in the hope that you can reconcile the contradictions between Zhizhi and Anhui and prevent the situation from developing into force."
Zhang Zuolin knew Xu Shichang's difficulties. Although he was the president in name, he actually had no real power. He was just the clay Buddha pushed to the stage by Duan Qirui. The military and political power was in the hands of the cabinet controlled by the Anfu clique.
Despite looking down on him, only Zhang Zuolin had ever received his favor, and he needed to develop his strength under the guise of tiger skin, at least superficially obeying his authority.
Zhang Zuolin always had a sense of harmony and self-respect, but now that he was asked by Xu Shichang, he was even more famous. He said happily: "The president looks up to me, Lao Zhang, and I am willing to do my best to relieve the president's worries."
Xu Shichang was overjoyed. He stood up and held Zhang Zuolin's hand tightly and said: "Brother Yu Ting is highly respected by everyone. I am waiting for the good news. I wonder how Yu Ting wants to persuade Duan Zhiquan and Cao Zhongshan?"
Zhang Zuolin had prepared a mediation plan before coming to Beijing, saying: "The Anfu clique controls the cabinet and causes outrage and resentment. To resolve the crisis, the first step is to dissolve the Anfu clique."
Xu Shichang's eyes lit up, Zhang Zuolin's plan was exactly what he wanted, and he said: "Yes, the Anfu system excludes dissidents and manipulates the National Assembly. It should be banned and dissolved to restore a clean slate to the political situation."
Seeing that Xu Shichang supported his plan, Zhang Zuolin said with a smile: "The second step is to replace the three chiefs of the Anfu Department. Their vacancies should be discussed and recommended by all parties."
Xu Shichang pondered for a moment, and he naturally knew that the chief ministers of the cabinet were the hot spots that Zhi and Anhui were competing for, and it was not his turn as the president to intervene. He also saw that Zhang Zuolin wanted to take the opportunity to get involved in the central government, but he was happy to do so.
It was he who supported the three pillars of Zhi, Anhui and Feng. Only then could he, the president, sit securely and be able to balance and seize real power.
Zhang Zuolin went on to say: "The third thing is that Jin Yunpeng should continue to be prime minister. He is a person acceptable to all forces and can stabilize the political situation."
After saying that, Zhang Zuolin said modestly: "President, this is my humble opinion."
Xu Shichang waved his hand and said: "Yuting is too modest. I think it is a true insight. I agree with the above points. You can talk to them about it."
Zhang Zuolin nodded, with a look of hesitation on his face. When Xu Shichang saw it, he asked suspiciously: "Yuting, what do you have to say?"
Zhang Zuolin sighed and said: "Originally I shouldn't have spoken to the President about this matter, but Zhang Shaoxuan begged me, so I soft-heartedly agreed to him and wanted to plead with the President for him. If the President is in trouble, just
As if I never mentioned this."
Xu Shichang was in a dilemma, and he couldn't help Zhang Zuolin's face, so he said: "Yuting, it's not that I don't want to help, it's just that this matter is easier said than done. It's difficult because of the overwhelming public opinion from the outside world. Shaoxuan and he are plotting to restore the Republic of China.
There is no tolerance inside and outside. Even if I give the order now, I am afraid I will be beaten back by Duan Zhiquan. He claims to have created a republic three times. I think it is better to take it slow. When the conflict between Zhizhi and Anhui is resolved, I will give up this old face.
How about going to discuss a favor with Duan Zhiquan and reinstate Shaoxuan?"
Zhang Zuolin's request for favors on behalf of his son and daughter's in-law Zhang Xun was just a casual remark. Since President Xu Shichang had given a guarantee, he naturally had no objection: "Okay, okay, when the situation gets better, I will take Shaoxuan to meet the president."
After coming out of the Presidential Palace, Zhang Zuolin visited Jin Yunpeng and Duan Qirui successively and told them the terms of mediation. However, Jin Yunpeng refused to be prime minister. He was in the middle of Zhihu and Anhui. It was not difficult to see that he was very
Because the fight was impossible, he naturally did not want to stand on stage and be roasted on the fire. Duan Qirui was swayed by Xu Shuzheng's opinions and refused to give in. He just asked Zhang Zuolin to go to Baoding to persuade Cao Kun in order to make the Zhili clan give in.
Zhang Zuolin had no choice but to rush to Baoding. Cao Kun and Wu Peifu picked him up at Baoding Station and gave him the highest courtesy. That night, a banquet was held at Cao Kun's Economic and Strategic Affairs Office. During the dinner, there was a meeting of representatives from eight direct provinces. As a peacemaker, Zhang Zuolin proposed a solution.
After hearing this, Cao Kun only responded with ambiguous words. Representatives from the other eight provinces followed Cao Kun's lead and failed to make a decision. Just when Zhang Zuolin was trying hard to persuade the representatives, Wu Peifu stood up and made an impassioned speech.
, put forward six conditions in a tough manner.
On the basis of the three conditions put forward by Zhang Zuolin, he added three conditions: replacing Wang Yitang, the general representative of the Northern Peace Conference, abolishing the border defense force, reorganizing it under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of War, and removing Xu Shuzheng from his post.
Zhang Zuolin couldn't help but raise his eyebrows after hearing this. The other person was careless and noticed that Cao Kun was singing about a white face and Wu Peifu was singing about a red face. The two of them sang in harmony and had no intention of giving in.
He had a bad impression of Wu Peifu, and thought unhappily: Lao Duan has the annoying Xiao Xu, but I didn’t expect that idiot Cao San also has Wu Peifu as a thorn in his side. You Wu Peifu is just a junior teacher. How about talking about Lao Duan?
What, you are the elder, when old Duan and Lao Cao and I went out to hang out, you didn’t know where we were.
With prejudice in mind, Zhang Zuolin glanced sideways at Wu Peifu and said lukewarmly: "Mr. Wu, you are too impatient. If you raise the price so high, Lao Duan will never agree. According to your method, it will definitely
It will cause a fierce battle and harm living beings."
Wu Peifu was about to argue, but Zhang Zuolin turned his head to one side and asked Cao Kun: "Third Master, the border defense army is well-armed and has many soldiers and generals. Are you sure of victory?"
Cao Kun laughed and said with a smile: "I don't care about the war, I only leave it to Ziyu. If Ziyu says he is sure, then he is sure."
Zhang Zuolin had no choice but to look at Wu Peifu again, but saw that Wu Peifu didn't wait for him to ask questions, and said loudly: "It's not about having more soldiers, it's about bravery, it's not about having a general, it's about strategy. The border defense army seems to be strong, but in fact it's just a show. The army has not been in actual combat for a long time, and the officers are arrogant."
No, the generals are all Zhang Jingyao and his ilk, how can that be righteous! Our army will definitely be sure to win the battle."
