Zhang Zuolin raised his brows and sneered at Wu Peifu's words. No wonder people said that Wu Xiucai had a good mouth. This talk made the border guards look useless. If he hadn't known some of the truth and falsehoods of the border guards, he would have almost been killed by him.
Deceive it.
The Border Guard Army was formerly known as the Participating Army. During the First World War, the Beiyang government declared war on Germany and owed money to Japan for participating in the war. Japan fully provided arms and military advisors. Most of its officers came from various Beiyang military academies.
Among them, the soldiers were recruited from the three provinces of Anhui, Shandong, and Henan, young men aged 20 to 25. The officers and soldiers were well-trained and had outstanding performance in sending troops to Siberia and pacifying Outer Mongolia. They have always been Duan Qirui's confidence to intimidate the provincial governors.
Zhang Zuolin thought to himself: "Wu Xiucai, you are the Southern Army who fought in Hunan for two years. The Southern Army was in disarray. There is nothing to praise for defeating them. As for Zhang Jingyao's defeat in Hunan, who doesn't know that he was directly behind it?"
If you make a stumbling block, everyone in the world is really a fool."
However, Zhang Zuolin remained calm. He came to Baoding for his own political demands, not because Duan Qirui persuaded Cao Kun to come. Since the Zhili clique was confident of wrestling with the Anhui clique, he was also happy to see the results.
In his heart, he has always regarded himself as a force outside the Beiyang. He knew that if he wanted to plan the Central Plains, he had to cross the two mountains of the Beiyang direct line and Anhui. Now there is an opportunity for the two powerful forces to compete. No matter who wins or loses, it is a big deal for the Feng Clan.
Beneficial and harmless.
"Yuting, what do you mean? Who are you helping?"
Cao Kun looked at Zhang Zuolin with an aggressive look. He was a naive and attentive person, a typical fool on the outside but wise on the inside. It seemed that he listened to Wu Peifu's opinion on everything, but in fact when it came to his own opinion, he was far superior to Duan Qirui. He
Deliberately trying to force out Zhang Zuolin’s true thoughts.
Zhang Zuolin didn't want to take sides so quickly, so he laughed and said vaguely: "Third brother, I won't help you if there is a fight, but it is best not to fight this war. If it really causes a war, we will be ashamed of our countrymen."
"
What he said was so high-sounding that Cao Kun frowned and couldn't think of any words to answer.
At this time, Wu Peifu stood up unceremoniously and said: "Shuai Yu is different from what he said. Our soldiers in the Zhili Army are not warlike and do not want peace. It is just that the Anfu clique controls the central government, worships Japan and foreigners, and fights with the same room, which has brought the country into chaos. This is exactly
When the country was in danger, Commander-in-Chief Zhong had great righteousness and defended the Republic of China with all his heart. Even though the people of the country hated war, they would still understand."
Zhang Zuolin thought that he was no match for Wu Peifu in a verbal sparring, so he smiled noncommittally and turned to the representatives of the eight provinces at the table: "What do you think?"
Representatives from the eight provinces have long been colluding and said in unison: "Only Commander-in-Chief Zhong is following the lead and advancing and retreating together."
Zhang Zuolin's heart felt cold. The eight provinces had the same attitude, which showed that the Zhili clique was ready to break up with the Anhui clique. The trip to Baoding seemed to be in vain. He returned to Beijing with the conditions offered by the Zhili clique. It was undoubtedly an alliance under the city.
There was naturally no need to talk about Lao Duan's temper. He couldn't say anything more, so he drank the sake in his glass to express his silence.
Seeing that Zhang Zuolin was in a bad mood, Cao Kun held the cup and said with a smile: "Everyone, everyone, pick up the cup. Let's pay homage to Yushuai first. Yushuai worked tirelessly to come to Baoding and tried his best to mediate for us. No matter what happens in Zhiwan in the future,
What, we all drank this glass of wine, thank you Yushuai for your kindness."
During the banquet, the delegates cheered loudly and rushed to drink their wine glasses. Zhang Zuolin's face softened a little, and he also picked up the wine glass and drank it.
After the banquet, the representatives from each province dispersed. Zhang Zuolin stayed at the Imperial Envoy's Mansion. When he was about to take a rest, Cao Kun and Wu Peifu came hand in hand.
The adjutant opened the door curtain, and Cao Kun and Wu Peifu came in one after another. Zhang Zuolin put on his clothes and said: "Third brother, it's so late, what are you doing here."
Cao Kun took his hand affectionately and said: "There are many outsiders at the banquet. Now we are the only brothers, brother Yuting. Let's talk openly and honestly."
After Wu Peifu came in, he gave an order to his adjutant: "Order everyone to retreat ten meters away and not to approach. Anyone who disobeys the order will not be punished."
"yes!"
The adjutant exited the door and closed it tightly.
"Yuting..."
Just as Cao Kun was about to persuade Zhang Zuolin, Zhang Zuolin suddenly waved his hand and chuckled: "Third brother, I understand what you mean. To be honest, I don't want to get involved in Guan affairs. Old Duan may be good or bad, but he is bound to me.
It makes sense. When I came to Beijing, Duan wanted me to be the vice president."
Zhang Zuolin was very attentive. He knew that if Cao Kun showed his cards first, the rest of the conversation would be influenced by others, so he turned his back on the guest and told Duan Qirui's buying conditions in full, without any hidden meaning.
Besides, if you, Third Brother Cao, want to support you, you have to pay a higher price than Lao Duan.
Sure enough, when he heard Zhang Zuolin's words, Cao Kun's face suddenly changed. Naturally, he could not promise Zhang Zuolin the position of vice president. He couldn't help but become anxious. His mind raced in a hurry, and he said earnestly: "Yuting, you must not be fooled by Lao Duan.
You lied. You think the president has to rely on Lao Duan to live his life in Beijing, let alone the vice president. If he is really sincere, why doesn't he give you the position of prime minister or several cabinet chiefs? This is the real deal.
That’s good. Also, I heard that Xiao Xu’s hands are very stretched in Outer Mongolia. If he starts business in the northwest, your brother’s northeast will be the first to bear the brunt. I’m afraid it won’t have a good life. Do you think this is true?”
Wu Peifu also said on the side: "Shuai Yu, everything Zhongshuai said makes sense. Old Duan is obsessed with unifying China by force. The Zhili clique and the Southern Army are all thorns in his side. How can the Fengxian clique stay out of it? As the saying goes, nothing can be done without planning.
Forewarning is a waste. Yu Shuai’s intention to mediate is good, but the contradiction between Zhili and Anhui is already serious. If we don’t fight today, we will fight tomorrow. Now Xiao Xu is training hard in the northwest. Once he succeeds, I will probably join forces with Zhili and Feng.
We are not rivals of the Anhui clique, so the earlier the war begins, the better it will be for us. Please make a clear decision, Marshal Yu."
Zhang Zuolin is not an indecisive person at all. He does not need Cao Kun and Wu Peifu to give the Anhui clique eye drops. He also knows that only by defeating the Anhui clique can the Feng clique develop. However, he still does not want to expose his thoughts too early and lose the opportunity to bargain with the Zhili clique.
, then deliberately let out a long sigh and said: "Third brother, you know me. I am not a person who is greedy for power. The vice president has no attraction for me. It's just that many of the brothers who follow me are not from a good background. I
Lao Zhang has to think about them."
Cao Kun was relieved when he heard this. He was not afraid of Zhang Zuolin's big talk. As long as he was willing to provide conditions, things could always be discussed. He tentatively said: "Brother Yuting, how about you choose two of the nine chief ministers of the cabinet?"
Zhang Zuolin is a smart man and knows how to exercise moderation. The Zhili clique is the main force in the rebellion this time, and his Feng clique is just a side drum. It is enough to get two general chief seats. Moreover, Cao Kun also promised him to choose two chief generals.
This is enough to show sincerity.
He pretended to hesitate for a moment, then stamped his foot and said, "It's a deal."
Cao Kun was overjoyed. With Zhang Zuolin's clear support this time, he already had a 70% chance of winning.
"Brother Yuting, can you tell me which two president positions you have in mind now?"
Cao Kun asked with some worry. Of the nine chief ministers in the cabinet, only the ones with real power could only be the chief of the Army, the chief of finance, the chief of transportation, and the chief of justice. He was really afraid that Zhang Zuolin would not know what was wrong and directly select the most lucrative chief of finance.
and the Chief of Communications, then even if he wins the Anhui clique, he will only break his promise and become fat.
"The Chief of Army and the Chief of Agriculture and Commerce."
Zhang Zuolin thought about it a lot and chose two positions, one real and one virtual. The position of Army Chief was bound to be won. Otherwise, if the Zhili Clan took over Beijing, they would have to make a fuss about disarmament and occupy the position of Army Chief. At least one or two of them would be in the army.
The military expenditure within the year is guaranteed, and the chief of agriculture and commerce is also of some use. The Northeast is vast and sparsely populated, and it is necessary to attract immigrants in the name of the country. It can be said that it kills two birds with one stone.
Cao Kun looked at Wu Peifu, who nodded slightly, then waved his hand and said, "Okay, that's it."
Zhang Zuolin smiled and said: "Then I will return to Beijing tomorrow to resume my duties."
After everyone talked for a while, Cao Kun and Wu Peifu said goodbye and left the courtyard where Zhang Zuolin lived. Cao Kun impatiently clasped his hands and said happily: "It's a great thing, Ziyu, how about you come with me to have a few drinks?"
Wu Peifu shook his head and said softly: "Third Master, it is too early to celebrate at this time. I am still very worried about Zhang Zuolin. This man has a beard and is capricious. He is only interested in profit. We must not be careless."
Cao Kun suppressed his smile and said seriously: "Ziyu, you are right, Zhang Yuting is very cunning, I am afraid that if the bribe offered by Lao Duan is too high, he will betray us."
Wu Peifu nodded after hearing this, and suddenly smiled sinisterly and said: "Third Master, Zhang Zuolin's plan is to have both sides. We won't let him get his way. I have a plan to make him fall to us."
Cao Kun knew that Wu Peifu always liked to make strange moves, so he asked curiously: "What's the plan?"
Wu Peifu leaned into Cao Kun's ear and whispered a few words. Cao Kun's eyes lit up, he patted his thigh and said: "What a trick, Xiao Xu will definitely be fooled."
