Yuan Shikai asked if Zhang Xiluan had come to see a joke. If he had heard this before, Zhang Xiluan would probably have been very unhappy, along with a little uneasiness. However, at this moment, Zhang Xiluan not only didn't feel Yuan Shikai was being hypocritical, but actually felt a trace of sympathy.

Feng Guozhang was considered the "loyal dog of Beiyang" and Yuan Shikai's confidant. Feng Guozhang himself didn't agree with Yuan Shikai proclaiming himself Emperor, but initially said nothing, merely claiming illness and staying home. When Cai E raised troops against Yuan, Feng Guozhang, seeing the rise of the anti-Yuan movement across the country, stopped feigning illness. He telegraphed Yuan Shikai on March 9th to cancel his leave and resume duty, and from then on emboldened himself to publicly oppose the monarchy.

What this so-called loyal dog did made even Zhang Xiluan feel it was unjustifiable.

On March 19, when Zhu Jiabao, the Civil Governor of Zhili, presented the "Secret Telegram of Five Generals" to Yuan Shikai for perusal, the content of this secret telegram, led by Feng Guozhang and jointly signed by Shandong General Jin Yunpeng, Jiangxi General Li Chun, Zhejiang General Zhu Rui, and Hunan General Tang Xiangming, was a unanimous demand that Yuan Shikai must "cancel the monarchy quickly to calm the people's hearts." This secret telegram also became the famous "Secret Telegram of Five Generals" in the history of the Republic of China.

When Yuan saw the telegram, he almost fainted from anger. The monarchists were also speechless upon seeing this telegram.

No wonder when Yuan Shikai saw Zhang Xiluan coming, he said, "Is Brother here to see my joke?"

Tea was served. Zhang Xiluan didn't answer immediately but took a slow sip, taking the opportunity to size up Yuan Shikai. Yuan Shikai was obviously fatter, his complexion yellowish, looking somewhat edematous. He had neither the lean look a 57-year-old should have nor the sturdy appearance of his youth. Zhang Xiluan knew Yuan Shikai's body was really collapsing rapidly under heavy pressure.

Originally, when Zhang Xiluan recalled his grievances and gratitudes with Yuan Shikai over the decades, he inevitably felt some indignation in his heart. But knowing that Yuan Shikai probably didn't have long to live, these emotions suddenly vanished without a trace, and a feeling of nostalgia arose spontaneously.

"Brother Xiangcheng, twenty years ago you were the Governor-General of Korea. During the First Sino-Japanese War, you fought side by side with this brother outside the pass. This brother still remembers that Brother Xiangcheng often couldn't help frowning. Whenever you had free time, you would read. The past events seem like yesterday."

Yuan Shikai was stunned. His time as Governor-General of Korea was a period of his life that was quite praised by others. Even now, being mentioned, his mood improved slightly. Seeing Zhang Xiluan looked composed and he couldn't tell what he was after, Yuan Shikai asked, "Brother, I heard you handed over the area outside the pass to a young man like He Rui. He Rui is young and his character is unsettled; how could Brother be so hasty?"

Zhang Xiluan didn't speak but took out two letters. Yuan Shikai opened them and scanned them; it turned out to be the "IOU" He Rui wrote to Zhang Xiluan. Zhang Xiluan explained a little, and Yuan Shikai was stunned for a moment.

Zhang Xiluan took back the IOU and smiled. "Although He Rui is full of vigor, his actions are very tactful and well-rounded; he can be entrusted with major events."

Hearing this, Yuan Shikai's thoughts surged. Finally, he forced himself to ask, "I wonder who Brother thinks can be entrusted within Beiyang?"

Zhang Xiluan sighed slightly. In the upper echelons of Beiyang, below Yuan Shikai were the Dragon, Tiger, and Dog of Beiyang. At this time, Feng Guozhang had openly opposed Yuan Shikai. Although Wang Shizhen seemed to be helping with all his might, Zhang Xiluan felt he couldn't see through Wang Shizhen's mind and it was hard to judge.

Moreover, compared with He Rui, Wang Shizhen was far inferior in insight, which made Zhang Xiluan look down on him.

Before Yuan Shikai proclaimed himself Emperor, Duan Qirui had advised against it five times; he was refused three times and shut out twice. He advised Yuan Shikai against proclaiming himself Emperor, saying this matter concerned national security and the lives of the Yuan family and must not be done. At this time, Yuan Shikai had already appointed Duan Qirui as Secretary of State and Minister of the Army...

Seeing Yuan Shikai looked a bit dull, Zhang Xiluan couldn't bear it in his heart and answered reluctantly, "If I hadn't met He Rui, this brother would think Duan Zhiquan [Duan Qirui] could undertake this heavy responsibility. Now... Duan Qirui lacks sufficient virtue; I'm afraid he can't convince the public."

Hearing this, Yuan Shikai looked up at Zhang Xiluan, then lowered his head again.

Seeing Yuan Shikai actually disheartened, Zhang Xiluan couldn't stand it. Was this still the high-spirited Yuan Shikai of the past? Was this still the Yuan Xiangcheng who relied on the Beiyang New Army to force the Qing court to abdicate and defeated the Revolutionary Party that once controlled half of the south?

Although this sworn brother in front of him was 17 years younger than him, that despair made Zhang Xiluan unable to bear looking. Having reached their current status, Yuan Shikai and Zhang Xiluan only sought a reputation after death. His sworn brother's posthumous reputation was already completely ruined.

Zhang Xiluan picked up Yuan Shikai's tea cup and handed it to him. "Brother, it's time to hold the tea."

Yuan Shikai's body trembled slightly, and he asked in surprise, "Brother is leaving so soon?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Yuan Shikai realized he had lost his dignity. He held the tea cup and said as calmly as possible, "Please have tea." [^1]

Zhang Xiluan stood up and replied, "Thanks for the tea. Farewell."

Leaving the Presidential Palace, Zhang Xiluan looked back at the sparse military personnel entering and exiting the President's gate. In the strong wind of Beijing's spring, the flag of the Republic was lifted by the gale, fluttering irregularly.

Zhang Xiluan let out a long sigh. Zhang Xiluan's wife asked in confusion, "Why is Master so sad?"

Zhang Xiluan smiled bitterly. "I have been inferior to Yuan Xiangcheng all my life; I didn't expect to beat him once in old age."

Madam Zhang blinked in confusion, not understanding whether Zhang Xiluan's words meant he was happy or unhappy.

After big shots stepped down, they would basically go to be rich idlers. This was long past the era of returning to one's hometown; Shanghai and Tianjin, the two most modern big cities in China, were where big shots went.

Zhang Xiluan was the same. He bought a house in Tianjin and moved his whole family there. By May, Zhang Xiluan received a telegram; Duan Qirui invited Zhang Xiluan to Beijing. Zhang Xiluan thought for a moment and ordered a reply: "Body weak, unable to travel."

Three days later, Duan Qirui actually appeared outside Zhang Xiluan's door personally. Since seeing Yuan Shikai last time, Zhang Xiluan felt his state of mind had changed a lot. Although this little brother Duan Qirui hadn't persecuted Yuan Shikai excessively like Feng Guozhang, in Zhang Xiluan's eyes, Duan Qirui and Feng Guozhang were birds of a feather.

After chatting with Zhang Xiluan for just a few sentences, Duan Qirui clearly felt Zhang Xiluan's attitude. The current Premier of the Beiyang government smiled bitterly. "I wonder why Lord Zhang handed the area outside the pass to He Rui?"

Zhang Xiluan deliberately showed a surprised look. "Brother Duan, He Rui was sent to my command by you. This brother always thought this was Brother Duan's intention."

Seeing Duan Qirui rendered helpless by these words, Zhang Xiluan felt somewhat relaxed in his heart.

Recently, some old friends visited Zhang Xiluan. Talking about the latest changes, they all wrung their hands. On April 1st and 16th, telegrams were publicly sent to the Beijing government, advising Yuan Shikai to abdicate early. Warlords in various provinces followed suit, sending telegrams successively advising Yuan Shikai to abdicate quickly. Yuan Shikai had to send his confidant Ruan Zhongshu south to beg Feng Guozhang for mercy.

A dignified Great President reduced to such a state was truly worse than death.

Even a figure like Yuan Shikai ended up like this after making the wrong choice; He Rui was even more so. Zhang Xiluan indeed didn't want to end up with a reputation for not knowing people.

Since Duan Qirui was forced to come see Zhang Xiluan because of He Rui, needless to say, He Rui must have done the right thing. It was just that Zhang Xiluan didn't know what He Rui had done right.

At this time in Fengtian, He Rui ordered Xu Chengfeng, "Chengfeng, you lead two regiments to go outside Shanhai Pass, join forces with Silang, and conduct a grand exercise with four regiments."

"Governor, this..." Xu Chengfeng stopped, thought for a moment, and continued to ask, "Our equipment is not enough yet."

He Rui smiled slightly. "This is not a military battle, but a political battle. Since Army Minister Duan refuses to give us a reply, we can only trouble Minister Duan again."

Xu Chengfeng advised, "Governor, why not let Cheng Ruofan bring a regiment back to Fengtian first? I'll go for the exercise after he returns."

"No need. As long as you perform the exercise well, Fengtian will be safe and sound. The reason the Governors of Jilin and Heilongjiang are somewhat unhappy right now is not because we don't have enough troops, but because they have ideas since no order has come from the capital yet. It's time to urge Minister Duan."

Seeing He Rui didn't care at all, Xu Chengfeng also understood He Rui's meaning and answered immediately, "Yes. I will set off immediately!"

***

[^1]: "Please tea" (请茶) or "Serve tea" (端茶) is a traditional Chinese custom. When the host lifts the tea cup to signal the guest to drink, it is often a polite signal that the meeting is over and the guest should leave (端茶送客 - lifting the tea cup to see off the guest).