The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

Marshal Chu's life became busy after his marriage, because he had almost raised his military expenses, and was about to expand his army crazily, and desperately strengthened his power.

When he first occupied Tianjin, he had only 20,000 to 30,000 troops under his command, and it was only under his control in name only. Because of the part of the Zhilu coalition led by Chu Yupu, some of them were Zhang Zongchang's soldiers, and some were the remnants of the Zhili troops who were incorporated along the way.

Why did Chu Yupu engage in cronyism so much that even the unemployed vagrants from his hometown became high officials? The most important reason is that he wants to place cronies in the army and places, so as to firmly control the army and territory.

Don't look at this handsome man who is ignorant, he is shrewd.

All disobedient officers were executed by him as spies of the National Army; all disobedient bureaucrats were labeled as propaganda propaganda and shot. In just over a month, Chu Yupu has grown from a general under Zhang Zongchang to a general with a territory and an army.

Chu Yupu still thinks it's not enough, because he is surrounded by powerful enemies, he wants to continue to expand the army, expand the army, and expand the army again!

As for the life and death of the people in the Zhili area, he, the governor of Zhili, doesn't care. These days, if you have a gun, you are the grass head king.

Most of the money collected from Tianjin was used by Chu Yupu to buy guns and cannons. The newly recruited army didn't even have uniforms, and they were chaotic like a group of beggars during drills.

By the time of the battle with the Northern Expeditionary Army next year, Chu Yupu's army will already be known as a 100,000-strong army. As for how many are really capable of fighting, only the devil knows.

On this day, Marshal Chu, who came back from the military camp, rarely had time to listen to a passage of "The Legend of the Condor Heroes". He called Zhou Hexuan and Shen Yaorong to him, and asked, "How is the little emperor?"

Shen Yaorong said proudly: "The person I sent has already connected with Concubine Shu Wenxiu. She is a little moved by the divorce proposal, but she is still unable to make up her mind. I believe that as long as I continue to instigate provocations, I will be able to have it in a month or two at the earliest." result."

Concubine Shu Wenxiu's life is hard. After Puyi moved into Zhangyuan, Tianjin, she lived with Wanrong on the second floor, and threw Wenxiu to the first floor (where the servants lived). Regardless, the treatment was similar to that of ordinary court ladies. . Moreover, Wenxiu has always opposed Puyi's restoration, which made Puyi even more disgusted. She even committed suicide with scissors last year, but fortunately she was found and rescued.

In this case, as long as someone preaches the idea of ​​equality and freedom to Wenxiu, she can easily lead her to the road of divorce.

Chu Yupu was very satisfied with Master Shen's work progress, and asked Zhou Hexuan, "What about you?"

Zhou Hexuan smiled and said, "Marshal, didn't the French Consul's wife invite me to the salon last time? Puyi and Wanrong were also there at the time. I talked a lot in the salon, trying to attract Wanrong's attention, but I didn't think so, but attracted Puyi arrive."

"Could it be that Puyi still likes men?" Chu Yupu laughed.

Zhou Hexuan actually revealed the whole truth: "Puyi thought I was quite talented and wanted to recruit me. He asked me to stay with the commander-in-chief as an internal response, secretly helping him with advice, and cooperating with Kang Youwei and other royalists who took the opportunity to revolt."

"He dares!" Chu Yupu was furious when he heard that, he slammed the table and asked, "What do you think?"

Zhou Hexuan said: "I am going to promise him..."

"Bastard!" Shen Yaorong abruptly interrupted Zhou Hexuan, and shouted with the appearance of a loyal minister filled with righteous indignation, "Marshal, this Zhou man is not a good person at first glance, let me shoot him!"

Chu Yupu raised his hand to silence him, squinted his eyes and asked Zhou Hexuan, "Tell me more in detail."

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Commander, we might as well follow the strategy. I promised Puyi on the surface and secretly monitored their every move. In this way, no action of theirs can escape the commander's eyes."

Chu Yupu remained silent for a long time before he sneered and said, "You don't mean to be a double agent, so you can go with the wind?"

"Hehe, I'm not stupid," Zhou Hexuan responded calmly, "When President Yuan wanted to be emperor, he drew opposition from all over the country. Puyi wanted to do things without soldiers or power? He thinks too highly of himself."

Only then did Chu Yupu feel relieved, and said with a smile, "I will do as you say."

Zhou Hexuan added: "By the way, Marshal. I met two foreign journalists at the salon. They thought my article was well written, so they asked me to write an article. It is estimated that it will be published in the newspaper within two days."

"You don't need to report this kind of thing to me, let's go down." Chu Yupu waved his hand and said.

After Zhou Hexuan left, Shen Yaorong offered slander: "Marshal, this kid has a lot of tricks, be careful to be deceived by him."

"I'm not stupid!" Chu Yupu glared, and shouted, "You just do your own thing, and don't gossip about your tongue."

If Zhou Hexuan was present at this moment, he would definitely shout "Marshal is wise". As for our Master Shen, we can only step down sadly, silently lamenting that this loyal minister is not trusted by the lord.

...

Zhou Hexuan had a very happy life recently. The people in Tianjin were being extorted by Marshal Chu, but he stayed in the concession without incident. Even if he ran into extortion when he went to the city sometimes, as long as he revealed his identity as a commander-in-chief, no matter if he was a gangster or a soldier in the army, he would not dare to do anything wrong.

Even the two families of Li Shoumin and the landlord Shan Chengfu were taken care of by Zhou Hexuan, and they were rarely raided or blackmailed.

Zhou Hexuan felt that this was good, and he was no longer in a hurry to escape. Anyway, now that there is chaos everywhere, it would be much safer to stay by Chu Yupu's side. What he needs most now is to continue to increase his reputation and make friends with powerful people everywhere. When they sensed danger, they could just hide in the house of a foreign consul. Even Zhang Zuolin didn't dare to bring troops in to arrest people.

Another weekend, Zhou Hexuan was invited to play polo. I heard that there were British consul and his wife, French consul and his wife, Puyi and his wife, and a garrison commander from Tianjin Concession.

Early on, a Ford sedan came to pick him up at the Marshal's Mansion. Li Shuanzhu wanted to get in the car, but was driven off by the French driver. The bastard had no choice but to chase after the car.

It was helpless to say that Marshal Chu, who was domineering in Tianjin, didn't even dare to fart when he met a foreigner—even if the foreigner was just the driver of the consul's house.

The racecourse is located in Guotonglou Animal Farm in the south of Tianjin City, covering an area of ​​200 mu. Adjacent to the racecourse is the Friendship Club, where bowling, billiards, tennis, golf and other sports are available, and foreign dignitaries often hold dance parties here.

Of course, rich people in China can also patronize here. For example, President Li Yuanhong, who retired to Tianjin as an apartment, often came here to ride horses to relax. Duan Qirui, who announced his resignation not long ago, occasionally invited friends to the club to play billiards.

In the turbulent China, it seems that only the territory of foreign devils can enjoy a moment of peace.

"Mr. Zhou, we're here." The French driver stopped the car and said respectfully.

Zhou Hexuan pushed open the car door, just in time to see Puyi and his wife who came out in sportswear.

Puyi came over to shake hands with him quite enthusiastically, and asked in a low voice: "Mr. Zhou, have you considered it?"

Zhou Hexuan smiled contemptuously. This old man was acting too eagerly, and it seemed that he was not a person who would do great things. Still want to restore the emperor? Wash and sleep.