The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

The topic that foreign consuls are most concerned about is the current political situation in Peking.

Duan Qirui was pushed to the front desk to take power temporarily after Cao Kun, who bribed the election of President Cao Kun, fell from power, but he was actually just a puppet. He wanted to use the contradictions of the warlords of various factions to maintain the balance and consolidate his dominance, but in the end he was burned and resigned.

Finally, the conflict between Feng Yuxiang and the Feng faction intensified, the Feng faction united with Wu Peifu to overthrow Feng, and the national army was driven out of the capital.

Today's Beiping is jointly controlled by Zhili and Fengli warlords, headed by Wu Peifu and Zhang Zuolin. When the two met in Beijing at the beginning of the month, they quarreled fiercely over the issue of political power, resulting in a stalemate. Wu Peifu proposed to restore Cao Kun's legal system, because they are all Zhili warlords. However, Zhang Zuolin hoped to restore the contract and reconvene the National Assembly in order to form a regency cabinet.

Now the Republic of China doesn't even have a president, not even a congress 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 voices supporting Puyi's restoration were not small. Kang Youwei was actively campaigning for the emperor, hoping to get Wu Peifu's support. In order to increase the bargaining chip with Zhang Zuolin, Wu Peifu did not refuse at all, and the royalists showed signs of resurgence.

Because of this, Chu Yupu, who was a warlord of the Feng dynasty, cared so much about the deposed emperor Puyi's every move, and accepted Zhou Hexuan's bad idea of ​​seducing the queen.

The foreigners are also anxious because it concerns many vital interests, and they hope that the Beiyang government can restore the superficial order as soon as possible.

Faced with the questions raised by the foreign consuls, Chu Yupu patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry, everyone, our Marshal Zhang will definitely be able to settle the situation, and a 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 bastard who didn't understand politics, was just talking nonsense, talking big or joking when it came to the key points, which left the foreign devils quite speechless.

Zhou Hexuan is very clear about this issue.

Historically, Zhang Zuolin and Wu Peifu compromised with each other and took a step back to restore the cabinet appointed by Cao Kun, but Cao Kun himself failed to come back as president. But Zhang Zuolin was stronger after all, and soon forced the prime minister to resign, and the actual control of the Beiyang government finally fell into Zhang Zuolin's hands.

Zhou Hexuan didn't dare to say such words, he had to hide his clumsiness, so as not to cause messy troubles again.

The foreigners couldn't explain clearly to the big bastard Chu Yupu, so they just chatted with each other, talking about religion, art, politics, literature, fashion... one by one.

Chu Yupu couldn't get in the way, so he 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 didn't dare to show off, so he could only honestly laugh along with him.

Suddenly, waltz sounded in the hall, and foreigners stepped onto the dance floor in pairs.

Chu Yupu felt even more depressed, because he didn't know how to dance at all, so he could only take the fifth aunt to rest beside him, rolled up his sleeves and said, "His grandma is a bear, I shouldn't be hosting this banquet tonight."

A foreign woman in her 40s came over suddenly. She seemed to be very interested in the newly rising warlord, and said in broken Chinese: "Mr. Marshal, can I dance with you?"

"That... this..." Marshal Chu, who had always been decisive and brutal in killing, actually twitched at this moment.

Shen Yaorong smirked and said, "Commander, Mr. Zhou has traveled to western countries, he must be able to dance foreigners' dances."

Chu Yupu finally found the steps, pointed to Zhou Hexuan and said, "Yes, you go, you must dance well, don't embarrass me."

Zhou Hexuan said with a helpless smile, "I obey."

Only then did Chu Yupu say to the foreign lady: "I'm not feeling well today, so I asked Secretary Zhou to dance with you."

Zhou Hexuan walked up to the foreign woman, spread his arms out and bowed to salute: "Beautiful lady, it's an honor to dance with you."

The foreign woman saw that Zhou Hexuan was tall and handsome, and seemed to suit her appetite, so she smiled and put her hand in his palm, and the two walked slowly to the dance floor hand in hand.

This woman's face shape and figure are not bad, but there are too many freckles, which can't be covered by thick foundation. Zhou Hexuan looked at his nose and heart, and instantly entered the sage mode. He clasped the hand of the foreign woman with one hand, and wrapped the other's waist with the other, moving his body with 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 the foreign language secretary of Marshal Chu," Zhou Hexuan asked politely, "Dare to ask the lady's name?"

The foreign woman said: "My name is Marion Capet, you can call me Marie."

"Capet? It's really an ancient surname," Zhou Hexuan said in French, "Your ancestors must be French nobles."

Marion said in surprise: "You actually know the Capet family?"

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Of course, the Capet family is too famous. The famous family of the Earl of Paris and the Duke of France has had a profound influence on French history. The Bourbon family of the Bourbon dynasty is only a branch of the Capet family."

"You are such a knowledgeable Chinese," Marion said. "Even if my surname is in France, not many people know its origin. After all, we have been in decline for hundreds of years."

Zhou Hexuan complimented deliberately: "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 of glory 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 to be the wife of the French consul, who had been in Tianjin for several years.

After all, he is a romantic and fashionable Frenchman, and the topic gradually turns to art. Marion asked: "You said you lived in France for two years, which school of painters do you like the most? Impressionism?"

"No, no, impressionism is outdated," Zhou Hexuan said, "I am a believer in futurism."

Marion said in surprise: "Then you are quite trendy. Many Europeans cannot accept Futurism. Especially the French, Futurism always challenges authority."

Zhou Hexuan said: "The essence of life is development and movement. Art should not only reflect the existence of the past, but return to life and pursue a better and unpredictable future. The most typical shortcoming of the French in art is that Leaning toward femininity, tenderness, femininity, and static is so trite that one day it will deaden in the glories of the past, and futurism is the antidote."

"Very novel and profound point of view," Marian praised, "Are you majoring in art?"

"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 began to make up stories to pretend to be forced.

At the end of a waltz, the wife of the French consul became very interested in Zhou Hexuan, and even invited him to the weekend salon party.