Fengxian Jiangshan

When Zhang Tinglan dispatched troops and generals, the south was not idle. After Qi Xieyuan and others launched the Southern Province Mutual Protection, they felt that their appeal was not enough, so they sent a secret telegram to Cao Kun, inviting Cao Kun to go south.

This Marshal Cao had just lost his official hat and was feeling aggrieved when he suddenly received this telegram. As the saying goes, people move to live and trees move to die. Cao Kun responded immediately and went south secretly.

However, he did not go directly to Nanjing, but first went to Luoyang and met Wu Peifu.As soon as he met Cao Kun, he took Wu Peifu's hand, crying.

"Ziyu, that little bandit Zhang Tinglan bullied me. Our Zhijun army is at the point of life and death, so you should make a statement."

Wu Peifu let out a long sigh, his face was full of desolation.

"Master, do you know what I've been doing all this time?"

Cao Kun didn't know what Wu Peifu meant, so he shook his head blankly.Wu Peifu smiled wryly and said: "A few years ago, I thought that we should follow the reform measures of the Fengjun Army, realize that the tiller can have his own land, and then concentrate his forces, reorganize the army, and maybe the direct army will still have the capital to compete for the world."

"That's right, I heard that Ziyu has vigorously promoted reforms, and the results have been remarkable, which is worthy of congratulations!"

Wu Peifu shook his head in pain: "Marshal, from the current point of view, my reform has basically fallen into a dead end, and I can't continue!"

What Wu Peifu said was not a lie. He initially cleared the land and wanted to redistribute the land. As a result, local forces strongly rebounded. Many landlords formed teams to fight against Wu Peifu.However, Wu Peifu was also very courageous and used the army to suppress all these people.

However, these landlords were not honest, they would be soft if they were hard, they simply took their property and fled one after another.When they left like this, the local order was lost, and because the shops they operated were closed, there was a shortage of supplies in Henan and other places, and the original business routes were also cut off. Wu Peifu's huge garrison was affected, and food And supplies have been delayed.

Although some ordinary people got the land, they didn't even have seeds and farm tools, and agricultural production was at a deadlock. The people didn't understand Wu Peifu's reforms. As a result, there were many complaints and bandit riots.

Hearing Wu Peifu's introduction, Cao Kun was also dumbfounded: "Ziyu, according to what you said, the 10,000+ army in Henan has become a decoration and cannot be mobilized?"

"Ah."

"Ziyu, don't you do bad things with good intentions!" Cao Kun originally expected Wu Peifu to help turn the situation around, but Wu Peifu got into trouble, which made him a little dumbfounded.

At this time, suddenly the adjutant came to deliver a letter, saying that a foreigner came to visit and wanted to see Wu Peifu by name.

Chapter 722 Under Xuzhou

"Mr. Wu, let me introduce myself. I'm Brown, Counselor of the Nanjing Consulate of the British Empire. Nice to meet you."

Wu Peifu also shook hands hastily: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Brown. From your voice, you can't tell that you are an Englishman at all!"

Brown also said with a smile: "I have lived in China for more than ten years. I have almost forgotten what London is like, but I know clearly about Nanjing. I have fallen in love with this land."

After Wu Peifu invited Brown to the office, he introduced Cao Kun to Brown. After the two sides shook hands, Brown said with a smile: "I have been in China for so many years. I always think that Mr. Wu is a very promising leader. You have strong leadership skills. , At the same time, you are good at handling various relationships, and you have strong strength in your hands. Perhaps you should play a greater role in China. In this regard, Britain is willing to help you."

"Mr. Brown praised it absurdly. Now that Mr. Wu is in trouble at home and abroad, he has reached the end of his life. How dare he have any extravagant hopes."

Brown smiled and shook his head: "Mr. Wu, your troubles are small things. The British Empire is willing to help, and any difficulty can be solved."

Cao Kun heard this from the side, and he was also secretly happy. He was worried that he would not be able to fight against the Fengjun. If there were British people behind him to help, his confidence would be much greater, so Cao Kun smiled and said: "Ziyu, the British On the one hand, it is sincere and sincere, and the opportunity will never come again!"

Wu Peifu also nodded, and then said, "Mr. Brown, what do you need me to do?"

"It's very simple. I hope that Mr. Wu can support Southeast Mutual Insurance. As long as you agree, the British Empire can immediately provide you with 50 pounds of military expenses and a large amount of military supplies."

Before World War I, 50 pounds was almost equivalent to 500 million oceans, even after World War I.The pound has shrunk, but that's not a small amount of money.

However, Wu Peifu did not show joy on his face: "If you support Dongnan Mutual Insurance, you will be attacked by the Fengjun Army. Although the 50 is a lot, it may not be worth a few shells when it is actually on the battlefield. Henan is located in the Central Plains, and there is no danger." But guard, I'm afraid I can't stop the iron flow of Fengjun."

"Mr. Wu, maybe you shouldn't stay in Henan."

"What does Mr. Brown mean?"

Brown smiled slightly: "China is too big, and the gap between the north and the south is very large. If they are forced to unite together, there will only be endless wars. If Mr. Wu and Mr. Cao are willing to go to Nanjing, use the Yangtze River as the boundary, and divide the north and the south. Good choice."

Cao Kun listened to Brown's words.He was also extremely happy, which coincided with his thoughts.So he smiled and said, "Ziyu. The Fengjun army is powerful, but there is a natural danger in the Yangtze River, and they can't get through it at all. As long as the south is well managed, we will have a place to live and work."

Brown also smiled and said: "Indeed, when necessary. The Far East Fleet of the British Empire will provide assistance and blockade the Yangtze River. In addition, as long as Mr. Wu agrees. We can hand over the customs duties of the southern provinces to you."

Wu Peifu sat silently on the seat without saying a word. Cao Kun couldn't wait any longer, and hurriedly persuaded him: "Ziyu, although he is half a country, he is still a country anyway. Don't be too stubborn!"

Wu Peifu shook his head violently and resolutely: "If you don't succeed, you will be benevolent, but no matter what, you can't be a sinner who splits the world. Wu can't bear the infamy!"

Cao Kun still wanted to persuade, but Wu Peifu didn't want to listen anymore: "Cao Shuai, you should go to Nanjing first, I will take the opportunity."

Although Wu Peifu was picked up by Cao Kun, Cao Kun couldn't help it. Cao Kun was so angry that he could only leave Luoyang and go all the way south to Nanjing.

After arriving in Nanjing, Cao Kun received an unprecedented welcome. Zhang Jian, the champion industrialist, as a highly respected senior, personally brought celebrities from Jiangsu and Zhejiang to welcome Cao Kun. Qi Xieyuan and other military and political officials also came, which surprised Cao Kun the most. What's more, Britain, Japan, and France all sent consul generals here, and they were polite to Cao Kun.

Especially the social atmosphere became more enthusiastic, and Cao Kun was also overjoyed. He swept away the gloom and said loudly: "Inter-provincial self-government is the trend of the times, the wish of the people, and the modern country already puts the people's will first in everything. Zhang Tinglan and other warriors only know how to be brave, and they will not end well if they are tied together, the southeastern provinces should be self-governing."

"Long live autonomy!"

"The will of the people cannot be violated!"

……

Amidst the cheers of the crowd, Cao Kun was welcomed into the original Liangjiang Governor's Mansion, where Sun Wen was sworn in as the interim president of the Republic of China.

After Cao Kun entered the mansion, Qi Xieyuan and others suddenly said together: "I invite Cao Shuai to be the very president, lead the south, and realize inter-provincial autonomy. I will pledge my allegiance to the death."

"Everyone, how can Cao Mou be the president, how can he be the president? I think it's better to choose Gao Ming?"

Qi Xieyuan took a few steps in a hurry, came to Cao Kun, and hurriedly said: "Let's ask the world, who else is more suitable besides Cao Shuai? Please take the well-being of hundreds of millions of people in the southeast into consideration, and don't No more excuses."

The old man Zhang Jian also said with a smile: "Zhongshan, do your part, and only you can lead the big guys to fight against Zhang Tinglan!"

"Yes, yes, Mr. Zhang Ji is right, we don't recognize anyone except you!"

"Yes, let President Cao take office!"

The speed at which these people changed their minds was indeed astonishing. Cao Kun had already begun to call on the president.

"Everyone, it's fine to let me take up the post, but Mr. Cao has one thing to declare. I am all for the great cause of self-government of the people in the southeast. One point Beijing has agreed to the request. I will resign immediately and will never fall in love with the post!"

Cao Kun was reluctantly ascended to the throne of the very big president, Qi Xieyuan became the Minister of Army and concurrently served as the commander of the Nanjing Garrison, Zhang Jian became the speaker of the federal provincial parliament, and everyone else also received awards In a short time, the grass-roots team of the small imperial court in Nanjing was set up.

Cao Kun wasn't confused either, he knew that Wu Peifu was the strongest and most able to fight among his direct lineage.Although there are some difficulties now, and I have problems with myself, but if I want to deal with Zhang Tinglan, I have to Wu Peifu.

Therefore, Cao Kun publicly announced that as long as Wu Peifu can support him, he will be the vice president immediately. In addition, Cao Kun has also greatly wooed the warlords in Southwest China and Guangdong and Guangxi.

Compared with the hustle and bustle in the south, the north is relatively quiet. Regarding Cao Kun's inauguration as president, he has not made any official statement. He screamed loudly, how come the south really pulled up the flag to rebel, but he didn't make a sound, isn't this a big joke?

Just when everyone couldn't figure out what was going on, a fleet of ships quietly arrived in Haizhou in the morning light, which is also the future Lianyungang Port, which is the starting point of the famous Longhai Railway.The fleet consists of eight warships and thirteen transport ships, carrying more than 800 soldiers from the second brigade of the first division of the well-equipped army. They are going to carry out the first landing operation in Fengjun's history.

Shen Honglie personally commanded the fleet, while Zhou Zijian was in charge of the landing force. From sea to land, it was definitely a brand-new combat mode. They didn't know what would happen, their minds were constantly spinning, their palms Sweat has already appeared faintly.

But when they appeared off the coast of Haizhou, the expected interception did not appear.The people in the port thought it was the fleet of the great powers, and they pointed and praised it from a long distance away.

Zhou Zijian and Shen Honglie were overjoyed to see that the defenders were so careless. The soldiers immediately boarded the small boats and rushed to land on the beach with the fastest speed.Just when these people were stunned, Feng Jun successfully controlled the port without firing a single shot.Immediately afterwards, the transport ship docked and unloaded all the weapons and personnel on it.

Zhou Zijian also set foot on the hard ground. For him, a landlubber, taking a boat is really a challenge.In fact, many people in Fengjun have already vomited.After all, northerners are not used to taking boats, and Fengjun has not yet had time to form a full-time marine corps, so they can only make do with infantry.