Currently, there were four divisions outside the pass: the 27th Division in Fengtian, Feng Ling's 28th Division in Beizhen, Jinzhou, Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan's Jilin Army Division, and Xu Lanzhou's Heilongjiang Provincial Army Division.

At this time, the 27th Division Commander Zhang Zuolin had been transferred to the capital, and the 27th Division was completely controlled by Zhang Xiluan again.

When Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan, 28th Division Commander Feng Ling, Heilongjiang Provincial Army Division Commander Xu Lanzhou, and Heilongjiang Governor Zhu Qinglan—the four holding military power—took their seats in the rear hall, they all thought Zhang Xiluan was going to say some parting words and had prepared their farewell speeches.

Servants served tea to everyone. After a while, the door curtain was lifted, and Zhang Xiluan strode into the living room wearing the General Zhen'an uniform. Sitting on the main seat, he ordered, "Gentlemen, I have a military order."

All four were stunned. Why was there suddenly a military order when everything was fine? 28th Division Commander Feng Ling hurriedly stood up to receive the order. The other three then remembered that Zhang Xiluan controlled the military affairs of the three provinces outside the pass and hurriedly stood up together.

Zhang Xiluan looked solemn. "The situation inside the pass is chaotic right now. To suppress the situation outside the pass, I want to hold a military exercise in Fengtian."

All four were confused. Holding a military exercise was a big deal; why hadn't anything been said before? Xu Lanzhou thought Zhang Xiluan knew that Heilongjiang Governor Zhu Qinglan was planning to secretly raise troops against Yuan Shikai, and his eyes lit up immediately.

Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan probed, "I wonder when the Marshal plans to hold the exercise? Does the Ministry of Army know?"

"Choosing a day is not as good as hitting a day; it will be held on this old man's birthday," Zhang Xiluan answered indifferently.

Being in high positions, the four naturally knew things were by no means that simple. Before the four could react, Adjutant Liu led a squad of guards in amidst the sound of footsteps, standing behind everyone.

As if he didn't see it, Zhang Xiluan continued, "The exercise involves many things. I have decided to switch defenses first. The 27th Division will dispatch two regiments to Heilongjiang to switch defenses. The 28th Division will dispatch two regiments to Jilin to switch defenses. The remaining troops of the 27th and 28th Divisions will conduct exercises together with the Jilin and Heilongjiang Provincial Army Divisions."

Hearing these words, the three big shots from Jilin and Heilongjiang looked blank, truly feeling like a monk scratching his head—clueless. 28th Division Commander Feng Ling was even more baffled. Such a major event should have been discussed with him, yet he knew nothing beforehand.

Everyone was silent, guessing Zhang Xiluan's thoughts. Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan didn't understand what Zhang Xiluan was after. Zhang Xiluan was General Zhen'an; having been outside the pass for 40 years, even now the military affairs of Heilongjiang and Jilin were still under his control. Whether it was exercises or switching defenses, he really could issue such orders.

But Zhang Xiluan was 73 years old this year, already a candle in the wind. Although he had been a hero all his life, his son was truly incompetent and couldn't take over Zhang Xiluan's military power at all. Creating such a big stir, how did Zhang Xiluan plan to end it?

Amidst the confusion, Heilongjiang Provincial Army Commander Xu Lanzhou stepped forward, saluted Zhang Xiluan, then pointed at Heilongjiang Governor Zhu Qinglan and shouted, "Marshal, this subordinate wants to report to the Marshal that Zhu Qinglan is colluding with the Southern rebels and plotting rebellion..."

Heilongjiang's Zhu Qinglan was shocked hearing Xu Lanzhou loudly recount how he contacted the Southern Revolutionary Party and who met with him privately. Although this matter wasn't strictly secret, Zhu Qinglan thought no wind had leaked. Unexpectedly, it was stated clearly by Xu Lanzhou, the Heilongjiang Provincial Army Commander who was supposed to be his subordinate.

Looking at Xu Lanzhou's spirited appearance, he had been preparing for a long time; it was by no means a sudden attack.

Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan supported Yuan Shikai to begin with. Hearing this news, he felt he had found the thread and loudly requested orders from Zhang Xiluan, "Marshal, let this subordinate lead troops with Brother Xu to suppress Zhu Qinglan and other rebels."

Zhu Qinglan also thought Zhang Xiluan's so-called exercise was targeted at the anti-Yuan crowd in Heilongjiang. Seeing the situation had come to this, he simply stepped forward and said seriously, "Marshal, President Yuan is the President of the Republic. Proclaiming himself Emperor is betraying the country and betraying the republic. At the time of the Republic's crisis, it is the day for my generation to support the country. The Marshal has always been wise; you will definitely understand such things."

If he hadn't talked with He Rui, Zhang Xiluan would probably have felt Zhu Qinglan had backbone and ideals. Hearing Zhu Qinglan's words now, Zhang Xiluan didn't care at all.

However, Heilongjiang Provincial Army Commander Xu Lanzhou felt he had an opportunity to show loyalty. He went up to grab Zhu Qinglan's collar. How could Zhu Qinglan let Xu Lanzhou be rampant? He immediately tried to push away the pressing Xu Lanzhou.

"Pull them apart!" Adjutant Liu ordered. The personal guards immediately stepped forward to pull the two apart and press them back into their seats.

Zhang Xiluan looked at everyone and smiled. "Brothers, I just want to switch defenses for an exercise, that's all. I have no intention of pursuing anyone. Tomorrow is my birthday. You brothers came from afar, so let's drink together. You just need to sign your names on the official documents for this matter."

As soon as his voice fell, Adjutant Liu ordered people to place four official documents on the tea tables next to the four people respectively. While the others were still confused, 28th Division Commander Feng Ling was the first to understand: Zhang Xiluan was really taking back military power.

Feng Ling hurriedly asked, "Marshal, which blind fool among the subordinates did something wrong to anger the Marshal like this? As long as the Marshal tells this subordinate who it is, this subordinate will go back and shoot that fellow."

Zhang Xiluan ignored Feng Ling completely and just said to Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan, "Brother Meng, I want to hand over the hosting of this exercise to one person. Brother Meng should be very familiar with this person."

Meng Enyuan began to recall the talents under Zhang Xiluan in his mind, but thinking left and right, he couldn't figure out who Zhang Xiluan would bring out to do the current task.

Before Meng Enyuan could ask, footsteps sounded, and a tall young Lieutenant Colonel walked into the living room. The four big shots from outside the pass realized they didn't know him.

They heard this tall young Lieutenant Colonel introduce himself: "Big brothers, little brother is Siping Governor He Rui. Under orders to preside over this exercise and defense switching affairs."

Although they hadn't met He Rui, all four had heard of He Rui's fame. For a moment, they didn't know what to say.

If war hadn't broken out, He Rui's bandit suppression would be a trivial matter. But in the current situation, moving a single soldier had a different meaning. In Adjutant Liu's view, if other governors made such a request, they would definitely be seeking official titles and territory expansion. Adjutant Liu also felt that what He Rui wanted must be these things. But Adjutant Liu just felt that if He Rui wanted to do this, it wasn't unacceptable.

After a long time, Zhang Xiluan finally ordered, "Prepare the car, go to Siping."

Adjutant Liu hurriedly responded, "Marshal, what is this subordinate going to Siping to do?"

Zhang Xiluan ordered, "No need to prepare anything. I will go to Siping personally."

Adjutant Liu was stunned. He wanted to say something, but couldn't say anything.

***

The news that Zhang Xiluan was coming to Siping was announced to everyone in Siping at the meeting. Everyone didn't know what to say for a moment. It was evident that most people were somewhat at a loss.

Xu Jia broke the silence. "Governor, what should we prepare?"

He Rui didn't understand Zhang Xiluan's purpose in running to Siping at this time either, so he ordered, "We must ensure Lord Zhang stays well and rests well. Listen to Lord Zhang's instructions for everything else."

"What about the bandit suppression? Should we prepare the bandits and confessions?" Cheng Ruofan asked.

He Rui replied, "Of course. The bandits outside the pass must be wiped out completely; it's a matter of sooner or later."

Xu Chengfeng, Zhong Yifu, and others hesitated to speak. It was obvious that what they were thinking couldn't be brought up directly.

He Rui laughed. "If everyone wants to know whether we want to obtain the entire area outside the pass, obtain the entire Manchuria and Mongolia, I can tell you now: of course we do. But this process is by no means the way of rising in chaos like in history, but by the way we liberated Siping so far, obtaining it by constantly expanding grassroots political power. We don't need to consider those sordid things."

No one raised other opinions; everyone expressed "understood."

On the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, the train Zhang Xiluan took arrived at Siping Station in the wind and snow. He Rui and others lined up to welcome him. As soon as Zhang Xiluan got off the train, He Rui was somewhat surprised. Zhang Xiluan, who had stood tall like a big tree, now had a somewhat stooped back. The wrinkles on his face seemed to have suddenly increased, outlining heavy pressure on this old man's face.

Facing He Rui's warm welcome, Zhang Xiluan only said a few necessary words, then got into the car with He Rui and went straight to the accommodation.

The snow stopped the next day. He Rui went to greet Zhang Xiluan early in the morning. The accommodation was warm as spring, with the scent of incense in the air. Zhang Xiluan had already gotten up, wearing a small vest, tasting tea in the small living room.

Just after He Rui sat down and chatted with Zhang Xiluan for a few sentences, Adjutant Liu walked in quickly with a nervous face. He gave He Rui a complicated look and whispered a few words in Zhang Xiluan's ear.

Zhang Xiluan chuckled after listening and just dismissed Adjutant Liu. Then he asked, "Brother He Rui, Cai E raised troops to rebel, creating quite a momentum. I wonder if Brother He Rui thinks Cai E can get what he wants?"

"Lord Zhang, if we only talk about Cai E's troops, they will definitely lose if they keep fighting. If we talk about whether Cai E can get what he wants, this subordinate doesn't know what Cai E is really seeking, so it's hard to say. But Yuan Gong will lose to the situation."

"What kind of situation?" Zhang Xiluan's gaze became sharp, and even the wrinkles on his face seemed shallower.

He Rui answered frankly, "Lord Zhang, Yuan Gong really has no money. Based on the newspapers this subordinate has read, the issuance of paper currency has increased greatly recently. The exchange rate of paper currency to silver dollars should be one to one, but now the exchange is already lower than ninety cents. To campaign against Cai E, public bonds have to be issued again. I'm afraid no one domestic or foreign is willing to buy the public bonds issued this time. Going on like this, Yuan Gong can't hold on."

Zhang Xiluan's gaze softened. A moment later, General Zhen'an Zhang Xiluan lowered his eyes and sipped his tea carefully.

What He Rui said was exactly the reason that prompted Zhang Xiluan to come to Siping. Yuan Shikai sent an official document to Zhang Xiluan, demanding Zhang Xiluan immediately raise 1 million silver dollars to send to the capital. At the end of the official document, Yuan Shikai also attached a very "sincere" private letter, saying that Yuan Shikai knew this matter was difficult and made things hard for his old brother Zhang Xiluan. So if Zhang Xiluan was willing, Yuan Shikai would send Duan Zhigui outside the pass to help.

Before arriving in Siping, Zhang Xiluan wasn't quite sure of He Rui's view on this matter. At this moment, Zhang Xiluan had already made some decisions in his heart, but felt sentimental. Seeing the young talents, while happy in his heart, he inevitably realized his own age.

After a while, Zhang Xiluan sighed. "I heard Brother He Rui has governed Siping very prosperously. I wonder if Brother He could be a host and let me see what Siping looks like now."

"Lord Zhang commands; I dare not disobey. Only, please wait a while, Lord Zhang. Siping is currently sweeping snow. The roads will be cleared around 10 AM; only then will this subordinate dare to invite Lord Zhang to inspect Siping."

Zhang Xiluan was somewhat satisfied in his heart. For so many years, this was the first time he had been treated with the etiquette of sweeping snow and shoveling roads. He Rui doing this—even if the flattery was so obvious—Zhang Xiluan felt very happy. If it were the common good-for-nothings, they couldn't do it even if they wanted to.

For a time, Zhang Xiluan became interested in the inspection that should have been official business.

***

(Note: The above repeats the previous chapter's content because the raw file `V01C093` provided in Turn 77 prompt was truncated or missing the latter part, while `V01C094` seems to pick up from the meeting scene. The new content starts below.)

Everyone in the council hall, including Adjutant Liu who was standing, knew which "one" Zhang Xiluan felt was "capable of assuming heavy responsibility." But no one made a sound. For a moment, the council hall was so quiet it seemed as if no one existed.

Adjutant Liu wasn't anxious. He found a chair and sat down. In the past, he would have had to stand. But Zhang Xiluan was about to leave Fengtian, so Adjutant Liu naturally didn't need to act cautiously anymore. Even sitting down didn't matter.

As for whether He Rui could be supported, Adjutant Liu wasn't worried.

Since accompanying He Rui to the Japanese Kwantung Governor-General's Office, Adjutant Liu knew He Rui was quite capable. This time, He Rui brought a large amount of silver dollars to Fengtian, gaining the support of the 27th Division, and giving deployment fees to the 28th Division. He also gave 30,000 silver dollars each to the three people in the council hall who held the military power of the three divisions outside the pass. This gave Adjutant Liu more confidence in He Rui.

The only one here who didn't receive money was Heilongjiang Governor Zhu Qinglan, but that didn't matter anymore.

These past few days, when Adjutant Liu helped introduce He Rui to visit the three figures wielding military power, Heilongjiang Provincial Army Commander Xu Lanzhou asked to his face before accepting the money: Zhu Qinglan returns to Heilongjiang. He Rui laughed: "Heilongjiang can only be reassuring with Commander Xu sitting in command."

Zhu Qinglan was now kept in Fengtian, worthless. It was already benevolent of He Rui not to throw Zhu Qinglan into jail.

Although no one in the council hall made a sound, Adjutant Liu waited slowly. A person who had silver dollars and knew how to use them, as long as he still had nearly ten thousand troops in his hands, could suppress the situation. What Zhang Xiluan did was just follow the trend and give He Rui a chance.

It was 28th Division Commander Feng Ling who broke the silence. He asked somewhat muffledly, "I wonder who the Marshal thinks is capable of assuming heavy responsibility?"

It was evident that Feng Ling still had some expectation that Zhang Xiluan could change his mind.

Zhang Xiluan pointed at He Rui. "I think Brother He Rui can assume the heavy responsibility. I wonder what you all think?"

Except for Zhu Qinglan, the other three had accepted He Rui's money, and Zhang Xiluan had already made a decision. The three knew they had no chance right now. Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan calculated in his heart that He Rui being in Siping actually counted as Meng Enyuan's subordinate.

The one who sent He Rui outside the pass was Duan Qirui, but Duan Qirui had resigned now, so it was impossible to clarify how deep the relationship between He Rui and Duan Qirui was.

But these weren't problems; endure He Rui for at most half a year. Given the chaos of the current situation, Meng Enyuan believed there would definitely be changes within half a year. It wouldn't be too late to think of a way then.

Heilongjiang Provincial Army Commander Xu Lanzhou's thoughts were simpler. As long as He Rui watched Zhu Qinglan, after the exercise ended, it would be time for Xu Lanzhou to return to Harbin and take charge. Jilin still separated Heilongjiang and Liaoning; whether He Rui could sit firmly in Fengtian wasn't for Heilongjiang to say. Since He Rui was sensible and knew to use enough money, let He Rui and Zhang Xiluan deal with the matters between He Rui and the Beiyang central government.

28th Division Commander Feng Ling had the most complex mood. If possible, Feng Ling wanted to jump up and object. But with the situation as it was, Zhang Xiluan had clearly made a decision, and two regiments of the 28th Division had already gone to Heilongjiang to switch defenses on Zhang Xiluan's orders after taking He Rui's deployment fees. This really wasn't the opportunity to object.

He Rui fully understood the thoughts of these three people, knowing they wanted to drag things out and wait for changes. And what He Rui needed most right now was precisely time.

Just one month, at most two months. With the number of cadres trained in Siping, they could probably complete land reform in the areas surrounding the railway line from Fengtian to Changchun. At that time, spring plowing would just be starting, and land reform wouldn't delay continuing to deepen cadre training in new areas and militia construction.

Even now, He Rui could solve them with the three regiments of 7,500 troops he already possessed, but He Rui didn't want to pay a high price. In at most two months, relying on the Fengtian munitions provided by Zhang Xiluan, He Rui's troop numbers could reach twenty thousand. At that time, what the three provincial governors thought would be completely unimportant.

The most important thing right now was to obtain the formal title first, not to really make the three figures holding military power truly support him. Zhang Xiluan happened to be able to provide such an opportunity.

Finally, it was Zhang Xiluan who broke the silence. He asked, "I wonder what you think of the candidate recommended by this Marshal?"

Xu Lanzhou glared fiercely at Heilongjiang Governor Zhu Qinglan and said loudly, "Since it is the candidate recommended by the Marshal, it is naturally good."

Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan and 28th Division Commander Feng Ling expressed approval reluctantly.

Zhang Xiluan laughed. "Since that's the case, this Marshal will send a telegram to the central government."

On March 12, Yuan Shikai received Zhang Xiluan's telegram. In the telegram, Zhang Xiluan clearly stated that he wanted to retire and return home. For the position of Fengtian Governor, he recommended Siping Governor He Rui to take over. And He Rui would control the military affairs of Jilin and Heilongjiang.

Yuan Shikai finished reading and snorted with disgust. He called someone to summon Duan Zhigui.

The next day, March 13. Jilin Governor Meng Enyuan and Heilongjiang Governor Zhu Qinglan sent a joint telegram supporting Zhang Xiluan's recommendation of He Rui to take over as Liaoning Governor.

This forced Yuan Shikai to suspend the plan to send Duan Zhigui to Fengtian. It even made Yuan Shikai have to temporarily put aside his attention to the war provoked by Cai E and consider what this change meant.

To be honest, Yuan Shikai didn't think at all initially that Zhang Xiluan really wanted to retire and return home. Instead, he thought Zhang Xiluan was retreating to advance, blocking the road for Duan Zhigui to go to Fengtian to take over as Liaoning Governor first.

But after discussing it, they couldn't come up with a result. Finally, Yuan Shikai could only send someone to Fengtian. Thinking left and right, Yuan Shikai picked a person. "Yang Du, go to Fengtian to see Zhang Xiluan and He Rui."

On March 14, before Yang Du set off, He Rui sent a telegram to Yuan Shikai. *"...This subordinate has meager talent and shallow learning, and should not have taken charge of Fengtian. It is just that Lord Zhang is about to retire and return home; this subordinate has to force himself to do the difficult task of temporarily acting in the post of Fengtian Governor, stabilizing the Fengtian situation, and waiting for instructions from the central government..."*

Yuan Shikai put down the telegram and laughed instead of getting angry. However, the guards around him didn't dare to breathe loudly, just standing with hands down in attendance. Because when Yuan Shikai laughed like this, it wasn't because he was happy.

But this time, Yuan Shikai couldn't be said to be happy or unhappy. At this moment, Yuan Shikai only felt desolation in his heart; the smile was mostly self-mockery.

The world had really changed. Just yesterday, Feng Guozhang, one of the Dragon, Tiger, and Dog of Beiyang, actually sent a telegram asking Yuan Shikai to restore the Republic.

Feng Guozhang being called "Dog" wasn't someone cursing him, but referred to Feng Guozhang being loyal to Yuan Shikai. Now that Beiyang's loyal dog Feng Guozhang did this, what did it matter if a He Rui dared to ignore the Beiyang central government's order and take over the position of Liaoning Governor without authorization?

However, Yuan Shikai didn't let himself indulge in grief and indignation. He had seen too many storms and waves over so many years. Zhang Xiluan handing over the position to a fledgling youth amidst chaos—such magnanimity actually stimulated Yuan Shikai's mood. Zhang Xiluan dared to be like this at 73; Yuan Shikai was 16 years younger than Zhang Xiluan!

Mentioning nothing more about affairs outside the pass, Yuan Shikai ordered, "Send a telegram to Feng Guozhang. Cai E and his ilk are capricious people. They swore allegiance pretentiously in the capital, then started a rebellion upon returning to Yunnan. Such villains are not to be feared. As long as the officers and soldiers on the front line fight hard, the destruction of Cai E and his ilk is right before our eyes! Specifically confer Feng Yuxiang as Third Class Baron; specifically grant Zhao Xiling the hereditary rank of First Class Light Chariot Captain; specifically grant Meng Zhenyuan the hereditary rank of Third Class Light Chariot Captain."

Yang Du beside him hesitated to speak. Promoting Feng Guozhang's subordinates was just to give Feng Guozhang confidence to keep fighting. But historically, granting titles and promotions at this time was often of no avail. This First Year of Hongxian, I'm afraid, really couldn't be passed.