Thank you all for your support, and thank you book friends for the rewards! Please vote for recommendations and collect them again!

***************************************************

***************************.

"Hmph! I'm afraid it's those people again..." After reading the telegram, the old man showed disdain.

"Why did Mr. Ju say this?" Fang Zida asked strangely.

The old man in front of him was none other than the famous Xu Shichang. Xu Shichang and Yuan Shikai were both civil and military, known as the pillars of Beiyang. When the Manchu Qing abdicated and the Republic of China was established, Yuan Shikai was even able to replace Sun Wen as the interim president. Xu Shichang can be regarded as

But then, the former Manchu military minister and the Beiyang boss who was the governor of the military and political affairs of the three eastern provinces resigned, resigned from all posts, and went to Qing* Island for a long time. Yuan Shikai invited Xu Shichang to serve as an official several times in recent years.

He even offered to serve as vice president and prime minister, but he politely declined. In the past two years, except for the outbreak of the second revolution in the south and Fang Zida's wedding, Xu Shichang went to Beijing to meet old friends.

Living in the concession in Qing*dao, I almost never leave home.

When he arrived in Shandong, Fang Zida had to go to Qing*dao. When he arrived in Qing*dao, Fang Zida also had to pay a visit to this elder. Xu Shichang was a gentle man with profound attainments in Chinese studies. He was usually reticent, but when he spoke, he often hit the mark.

, even Yuan Shikai once lamented that Xu Juren's plan was unparalleled in the world.

"The three heroes of Beiyang are dragon, tiger and leopard. Now the dragon of Beiyang is hiding its power and biding its time. The tiger and leopard are fighting for power. There are many contradictions. And now Zhang Ming's nephew has suddenly appeared. With the characters of Duan Qirui, Feng Guozhang and others, how can they be tolerated?"

Do you think you are so powerful? As I expected, there is a high probability that they are behind this matter, otherwise your old father-in-law would not have given this order."

Fang Zida was stunned. He had been in contact with Duan Qirui many times. Although Feng Guozhang didn't meet often, they had some friendship with each other. In Fang Zida's view, these two people were Yuan Shikai's generals and were usually very polite to him.

Is that so? Besides, according to the information he received, the main reason for the order to recruit him back to Beijing was that people from the southwest spread rumors in the capital. Why did Xu Shichang assert that it was Duan and Feng who did it?

Seeing Fang Zida's puzzled look, Xu Shichang smiled faintly: "Yuan Weiting is such a shrewd person. How could he not know the origins of the rumors? If it weren't for Duan and Feng, they would have been able to do nothing with those unpopular rumors.

You? How can a person in a superior position not understand the art of balancing power? It’s nothing more than these words. Furthermore, although you are Weiting’s son-in-law, you are also a member of KMT. Now Song Jiaoren is in charge

Government and state affairs..."

Having said this, Xu Shichang stopped and said nothing, picked up the boiling water and slowly made tea with a smile. Fang Zida sat aside in silence. After a long time, he stood up and bowed deeply to Xu Shichang.

"It doesn't have to be like this. Come and have a sip of this tea. This is the Dahongpao brought by an old friend of mine from Fujian. It's only you, my nephew. I won't be able to drink it if others come here."

"Thank you, Mr. Ju." Fang Zida took the tea cup respectfully and took a sip, praising the tea repeatedly.

"Tea is good tea! You are also a good young man!" Xu Shichang smiled and said: "Weiting has found a good son-in-law! What a blessing...ah..."

Seeing a hint of sadness in Xu Shichang's smile, Fang Zida understood in his heart that this uncle was lamenting that his children and grandchildren were not as well-off as Yuan Shikai. Xu Shichang once had a son and two daughters, but unfortunately they both died early, and now there is no blood left under his knees. Some time ago

In 2008, he adopted a son from his second brother, but after all, he was not his biological son. This Beiyang boss who was once worth less than ten thousand people now seems to be just a lonely old man with countless things in his heart.

, it is inevitable to feel sad for family affection.

After all, Xu Shichang was not an ordinary person. He would go with the wind as soon as he felt sad, and in the blink of an eye he was talking and laughing again. He asked Fang Zida about his plans. Since the central government had called him to urge him to go to Beijing to report on his work, when would he prepare to leave?

Fang Zida thought for a while and said: "I still have some things to deal with in Shandong. If you don't trouble Mr. Ju, I hope you can tell my father-in-law about Xiang Yier and Er for me. After the matter is settled, I will return to Beijing as soon as possible.

"

"That's no problem." Xu Shichang agreed, but at the same time he asked: "Isn't the situation in Shandong already decided? What else does my nephew have to do?"

"Shandong's internal affairs have been decided, but foreign affairs are urgent!" Fang Zida replied slowly.

"Foreign affairs?" Xu Shichang was slightly startled, looking at Fang Zida as if he was a little confused.

"Actually, I'm afraid I need Ju Lao's help in this matter."

"Um...is it related to me?" Xu Shichang asked in surprise.

Fang Zida nodded: "I want to meet Jiaozhou Governor Hua Deke. I heard that Mr. Ju has some friendship with him. I hope Mr. Ju can help introduce him."

"Do you want to see Huadeke?" Xu Shichang couldn't help but asked. Seeing Fang Zida nodding, he thought about it quietly, with a slightly enlightened look on his face: "I understand, no wonder you came all the way from Jinan

Qing*dao, I’m afraid the main purpose of coming to see me is for Huadeke, right? Is this what you call foreign affairs?”

Fang Zida smiled and said: "Meeting Hua Deke is indeed one of the purposes of coming to Qingdao, but visiting you, Mr. Ju, is an even bigger deal. Mr. Ju, you can't say that, otherwise if this word spreads, I, Fang Zida, will not be able to take advantage of our elders.

Are you a villain? When I return to Beijing, even if my father-in-law doesn't blame me, I'm afraid I'll have to sleep on the door at night after Si Zhen finds out."

Hearing what Fang Zida said was funny, Xu Shichang couldn't help laughing. But joking aside, Xu Shichang's judgment was still very sharp. He felt something from just a few words of Fang Zida. After closing his eyes and thinking about it carefully, he slowly

He opened his mouth and asked: "Some time ago, news came from Europe that the crown prince of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was assassinated outside. Does your nephew feel that a war is about to break out in Europe?"

"Exactly!"

The name of the so-called shadow man of the tree, Xu Shichang is indeed Xu Shichang. Although he has lived in seclusion in Qing*dao for many years, he is still well aware of world events. The Sarajevo incident just happened not long ago, and people who are not careful will not pay attention to this incident in Europe.

Xu Shichang not only knew everything about it, but also knew the conflicts among European countries very well, otherwise he would not have made such an assertion.

Fang Zida frankly expressed his "judgment". In his opinion, after the Sarajevo incident, the situation in Europe, which was already on the verge of breaking out, will change drastically in a short period of time. Austria-Hungary and Germany are the natural allies of Europe, and Britain, France and

, Russia and other countries are on the other side, and the two camps are opposed to each other. If a war breaks out, these Western powers will inevitably fight in Europe, and the war will even cover the entire world. Qing*dao is a German colony. Once the European war breaks out,

Germany's power in Qing* Island simply cannot hold this territory. There are many great powers from various countries who are eyeing Qing* Island. Among them, the one with the most urgency and the most ugly appearance is probably the island nation to the east, Japan. It has always been hostile to Qing* Island.

Japan, which covets the island, will never let go of this opportunity to annex the island. It will definitely join the British and French camp on the pretext of a war, and then join forces with Britain, France and other countries to send troops to Qing* Island.

"My good nephew wants to seize food from the tiger's mouth?"

"Yes!" Fang Zida nodded and admitted: "With the European War, it is a good opportunity for the government to take back Qing*dao. However, judging from the Japanese's usual style, they will never let the Republic of China take it back so easily. There will definitely be trouble when the time comes.

So, in my opinion, the best thing is to take back Qing*dao before the war starts, so that Japan and other countries have no reason to interfere in Qing*dao affairs. If it is delayed until the war starts, I am afraid there are only three things in front of us.

The way to go."

"Those three?" Xu Shichang looked at Fang Zida with bright eyes.

"First; the Republic of China immediately joined the ranks of Britain and France, declared war on Germany, and relied on the power of Britain and France in Asia to forcibly take back Qing*dao. Secondly; the Republic of China was diplomatically neutral and did not help each other, waiting for Germany to return Qing*dao on its own. Third;

Still maintaining diplomatic neutrality, Germany and Japan fought fiercely in Qing*dao, and finally Qing*dao fell into Japanese hands."

After hearing this, Xu Shichang shook his head. These three paths are not easy to follow. Joining Britain and France in declaring war on Germany can take back Qing* Island, but what if Germany wins in Europe? This does not mean that

Is the entire national destiny being gambled? Not to mention Xu Shichang, even Yuan Shikai would never be able to place such a big bet. As for the second and third clauses, they are actually similar. Once Japan intervenes forcefully in Qingdao,

The fragile Republic of China government was unable to compete at all, and the final result was likely to be the same, that is, Qing*dao was occupied by Japan.

After thinking about it, Xu Shichang felt that Fang Zida was right. There was only one other option to take back Qing*dao at the minimum cost, which was to take it back before the war broke out. If this opportunity was missed, the risk would increase exponentially.
Chapter completed!