The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

After Zhang Zuolin dug the hole, seeing that Liang Qichao didn't jump into it, he didn't try to persuade him anymore, but turned his head and said to Zhou Hexuan: "Mr. Zhou, I want to thank you for helping the six sons quit smoking. Come on, old man too." A toast to you."

"Don't dare to take it!" Zhou Hexuan hurriedly held the cup in both hands.

Zhang Zuolin drank the wine and said, "I, an old bastard, don't know anything about you scholars. If you learn more, you should serve the country with peace of mind, and don't make rebellions all day long, don't you think?"

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "It should serve the country sincerely."

Zhang Zuolin suddenly changed the topic: "Mr. Zhou, I know about "The Rise of Great Powers" written by you. Especially "Japan" and "Russia". I just want to take advantage of China. You said that China and Japan will fight sooner or later, and I agree very much.”

"It's just some personal opinion." Zhou Hexuan said.

"Simply seeing a fart, what annoys you scholars when you say nonsense," Zhang Zuolin said with a sneer, "I have dealt with the Japanese for 30 years, and I know what they think very well."

In fact, the conflict between Zhang Zuolin and the Japanese has intensified to the extreme, and the core is the issue of "Manchurian and Mongolian" interests.

Since the Meiji period, "Manchurian Mongolia" has been the strategic goal of Japan's mainland policy. Taking the right to build railways as a breakthrough point, the Japanese gradually stepped up their pace of expansion to "Manchuria" through force and diplomatic means.

For his own benefit, Zhang Zuolin resolutely established the "Northeast Transportation Committee" two years ago in spite of Japan's opposition, and began to prepare for the construction of the Northeast Railway Network by himself. Once this railway network is built, it will strengthen Zhang Zuolin's control over the Manchurian-Mongolian region, not only gain huge economic benefits, but also use the railway to transport troops and food.

This move seriously endangered the interests of the Japanese in the Northeast. If there were no other more suitable candidates, Japan would have kicked Zhang Zuolin away long ago. When Guo Songling turned to rebellion last year, as long as Guo Songling was willing to cooperate with the Japanese, Zhang Zuolin would definitely be finished.

It's a pity that Guo Songling is full of patriotic thoughts and categorically refuses to sell China's interests. And Zhang Zuolin bowed his head and signed a traitorous contract with Japan, and then he got help from Japan, and finally solved Guo Songling.

However, Zhang Zuolin was a bandit and was used to black and white, so he turned his head and refused to admit it, and made the Japanese vomit blood with anger.

Japan used to use threats of force and diplomatic intimidation to gradually control "Manchurian Mongolia" and achieve its goal without bloodshed. But after being teased by Zhang Zuolin repeatedly, he has now begun to change his mind. When Yoshihide Tanaka takes power next year, Japan will start planning a military invasion of the Northeast.

After scolding the Japanese, Zhang Zuolin started drinking again. Even Zhu Xiang, an inconspicuous little person, was toasted by Zhang Zuolin, which made Zhu Xiang feel proud.

Zhou Hexuan suddenly thought about Peking University, and asked tentatively, "Yu Shuai, I have a few friends in Peking University, and they said that the Ministry of Education has been refusing to distribute funds?"

Zhang Zuolin's face turned gloomy in an instant: "Peking University is a den of rebellious parties. I don't think there is any need to continue running such a school."

Liang Qichao blinked again and again, advising Zhou Hexuan not to mention this again, so as not to make Zhang Zuolin lose his temper.

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Yu Shuai, public opinion is very important, don't give up eating because of choking. Although there are many chaotic parties in Peking University, but Yu Shuai's actions like this, ordinary teachers and students will not be hostile to the chaotic parties, but will hate Yu Shuai."

Zhang Zuolin laughed and said: "Mom, please, there are many people who hate me in the world, and there is no shortage of those."

Zhou Hexuan was speechless for a moment.

Seeing that the topic had already been discussed, Liang Qichao also took the opportunity to make a suggestion: "Shuai Yu, the mess at Peking University is really not good to put there, and it must be resolved in the end."

This said to Zhang Zuolin's heart, he is no longer afraid of being scolded, but he always has to worry about face. Historically, he only solved the problem of Peking University next year, in a brutal and direct way, that is, to cancel the name of Peking University and merge Peking University and several other schools into a new university.

Zhang Zuolin asked, "What do you think my brother should do?"

Liang Qichao said: "It's better to make the best use of the situation. Change to someone who is trusted by Yushuai and recognized by the teachers and students of the school to be the principal, so as to prevent the emergence of revolutionary parties in Peking University."

Zhang Zuolin glanced at Liang Qichao, with a cunning brilliance in his eyes, and said with a smile: "I just trust my brother, why don't I go to Peking University as the principal."

Liang Qichao waved his hands again and again: "I can't, I have a problem with some people in Peking University, and they won't accept me."

Zhang Zuolin said arrogantly: "Whoever dares to oppose, I will arrest him. Damn, there is no kingly law yet."

Liang Qichao was also an old fox, he suddenly pointed at Zhou Hexuan and said with a smile, "I think Mingcheng is pretty good."

"No, no, I don't have enough prestige. I'm not even 30 years old. It seems too young to be a professor at Peking University. How can I be the principal!" Zhou Hexuan quickly declined, he didn't want to go into that muddy water.

But Zhang Zuolin made a decision and said, "Okay, that's it. I can trust Mr. Zhou to be the principal."

"Yu Shuai, you should choose someone else, I really can't do it." Zhou Hexuan regretted that, he shouldn't have brought up the matter of Peking University, it was purely a fire.

Once Zhou Hexuan went to be the principal of Peking University, if the management was too strict, it would destroy the school spirit of "freedom of thought and inclusiveness" of Peking University. But if the management is too loose, Zhang Zuolin will definitely be angered again, which is simply not good on both sides.

Zhou Hexuan would not care about this kind of mess.

Zhang Zuolin said with a smile: "You are not allowed to refuse, I will greet the Ministry of Education when I turn around. Come, come, drink! Mr. Zhou, I will entrust Peking University to you, and you must manage it well."

"Shuai Yu, I really can't do it." Zhou Hexuan's face turned green.

Zhang Zuolin ignored his refusal, laughed and continued to drink.

Zhou Hexuan wanted to die. Seeing that the matter was settled, he could only say: "Yu Shuai, it's okay to let me be the president of Peking University, but you must agree to my two requirements."

"Say." Zhang Zuolin said.

"First, the funds from the Ministry of Education must be paid on time and must not be in arrears," Zhou Hexuan said.

Zhang Zuolin smiled and said, "Yes."

Zhou Hexuan added: "Secondly, students may participate in some activities, even demonstrations. I can't stop this, and I can't stop it. I can only guarantee that Peking University will not openly shout the slogan of the revolutionary party."

"Well..." Zhang Zuolin hesitated.

Zhou Hexuan took the opportunity to say: "If Yushuai can't agree to the second point, then forgive me for not being able to do it."

"Okay, I promise you!" Zhang Zuolin said, patting the table. He is already tired of the Peking University matter. People from the cabinet and the Ministry of Education will respond every now and then, and it will have to be resolved sooner or later.

Leaving Zhang Zuolin's mansion, Zhou Hexuan sighed, complaining like his dead father, "Mr. Ren, you have made me suffer!"

"Hahahaha," Liang Qichao gloated, "Mingcheng, you can do it, I like you."

Although Zhou Hexuan said so, he was actually willing in his heart, otherwise Zhang Zuolin would not be able to use a gun to force him to become the principal if he insisted on quitting.

It is a great thing to help Peking University resume classes ahead of schedule. As for future troubles, at worst Zhou Hexuan took the blame and resigned.