Chapter 10: The Presidential Palace Banquet

  That evening, eight large red lanterns were hung outside the temporary Presidential Palace at Xiangshan, and forty or fifty pots of flowers and trees were moved to the front gate. The seasonal flowers were in full bloom, and the evergreen pines and cypresses were lush and green. Apart from a group of government officials and Beijing-Tianjin dignitaries, Yuan Shikai's eldest son Yuan Keding, second son Yuan Kewen, and third son Yuan Kelong led a group of attendants and stood outside the gate to pay their respects.

  "Banquet!"

  When the carriage turned into Shi Daren Lane, Li Zichen glanced at Mu He and Yang Du.

  "What a feast!"

  Muttering to himself that this was another "Hongmen Banquet", the coachman shook off the crisp bell sound, and the rubber wheel came to a steady stop in front of the gate.

  As soon as the carriage came to a stop, Young Master Yuan Keding, dressed in a brand new suit, arrived at the door of the carriage, slightly bowing his waist and saying loudly.

  "Please get off the bus, Mr. Li!"

  "Calm down! Calm down!"

  Li Zicheng, who did not expect the grand welcome of Yuan Shikai, had calmed down after his initial excitement. He knew that this was a banquet without good intentions. As soon as he got off the car, he looked at the person standing beside the car in surprise, wondering how to address him. But Yang Du helped him solve the problem.

  "This is Mr. Yuantai, the eldest grandson of Yuan."

  Then he pointed at two people behind Ke Ding and said.

  "They were Second Master Han Yun and Third Master Gui Chang."

  Three young masters from the Yuan manor were waiting by the side. Li Zichen took a glance and then cupped his hands in greeting as he got off the carriage, saying:

  "I don't dare, I don't dare!"

  Yuan Keding supported Li Zichen's hand and said.

  "My father holds Mr. Li in high esteem, and my brother and I have even greater admiration for him. Today, Mr. Li has honored our humble home with his presence, which is a great honor for the Yuan family."

  Yuan Keding's words were so sincere that Li Zichen was secretly surprised in his heart. In these days, his ears had been filled with praise. It seemed that all this praise was expected, and the ordinary people's praise could be understood, but what kind of person is Yuan Shikai? What kind of person is Yuan Dabaozi? He actually said such words, which was really beyond expectation.

  They walked together to the gate, just as they were about to step through it, a loud shout was heard.

  "Mr. Li has arrived!"

  While Yuan Keding was flattering, Yuan Shikai had already walked out of the Presidential Palace with his entourage and stood on the steps of the hall to welcome Li Zicheng. In the bright light, under the moonlight, as soon as Li Zicheng's group entered Yuan Shikai's line of sight, he immediately led his officials down the steps, walking quickly but steadily, and greeted them. Under the introduction of the accompanying officials, he took Li Zicheng's hand in a warm and sincere manner, saying:

  "Zhiyuan, this journey has been arduous and tiring. I shouldn't have made an appointment with you for tonight, but if I, Yuan, didn't treat you to a warm welcome, it would be unbecoming of me as the host. Otherwise, others might mock me for being inconsiderate!"

  "Thank... thank you, Mr. President!"

  Li Zichen immediately responded to Kai, saying some pleasantries after meeting up.

  "The great president treats me so kindly, it really makes me blush!"

  For Li Zicheng's display of tension and respect, Yuan Shikai not only accepted it calmly but also felt particularly pleased with his tension, even feeling a sense of self-satisfaction in his heart. After exchanging pleasantries with the people who accompanied Li Zicheng, Yuan Shikai did not let go of Li Zicheng's hand, instead holding onto it until they walked into the dinner party, only then reluctantly letting go.

  Everyone walked into the dining room of the temporary presidential palace. The Italian crystal chandelier in the dining room was shining brightly, and the large round table was already filled with delicacies, jade chopsticks and silver cups. Before sitting down, Yuan Shikai spoke up.

  "This evening's banquet is specially set up for Mr. Li, please take a seat!"

  A young man in his twenties, without any official position or title, who dares to take on this affair? If he takes it on today, who knows what other troubles he will bring upon himself tomorrow.

  "The Great President presides over state affairs and stabilizes the national situation, with great merit! Please take your seat, Your Excellency!"

  Li Zicheng hastily flattered and declined, finally making a bow. After seeing Li Zicheng's behavior, Yuan Shikai sat down in the upper seat with great ease. After Yuan Shikai sat down, Li Zicheng, Yuan brothers, Yang Du and others also took their seats one after another.

  As soon as he sat down, Li Zichen spoke up.

  "In these days, the Grand President has taken great care of me, and I am very grateful. Originally wanted to return to Beijing and specially thank the Grand President, did not expect the Grand President to be so polite, I am ashamed and dare not accept."

  This put Li Zicheng in a position of the past, that "follower" position, although he was not good at serving leaders, but now no matter what Yuan Shikai wanted from him or needed, this kind of person would rather flatter than offend.

  Yuan Shikai smiled and said.

  "Mr. Li is a man of noble character and I have great respect for him. This small gift is hardly enough to express my gratitude. Come, let's drink!"

  Yuan Shikai raised his wine glass, and everyone took a sip. Putting down the wine glass, Yuan Shikai again instructed Cui to serve dishes to Li Zicheng. At the banquet, Yuan Shikai never mentioned the words "silver" or discussed domestic politics, instead enthusiastically talking with Li about family matters and reading books. It wasn't until the end, when it was impossible for Li Zicheng to continue discussing books with Yuan Shikai, that he slowly and unintentionally steered the conversation towards politics.

  "For over thirty years, I have served the country and deeply understand its many shortcomings."

  Yuan Shikai glanced at Li Zichen, and although it was only a brief contact, he confirmed one thing: this Li Zichen was a "practical" person who didn't have any ulterior motives. He then continued to speak.

  "Mr. Li is young and may not know. As early as when Kang Youwei first arrived in Beijing, I had helped him deliver his reform memorial to the throne. Later, I also participated in the Strong Learning Society. After the two palaces returned to the capital, Zhang Wenxiang and I jointly submitted three memorials on reform. Afterwards, in Shandong and Zhili, we trained new armies and implemented new policies - all for what? Wasn't it all for the country's wealth and power?"

  Yuan Shikai said this, and then stared at Li Zichen with his eyes. In that instant, Li Zichen could feel a kind of deterrent power in Yuan's gaze, as if there was also a very deep hidden meaning.

  Yang Du hastily interjected from beside him.

  "Yes, the Grand President did many practical things for China's new politics back then. For example, the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway that was fully opened to traffic a few years ago was built by Zhan Tianyou under the Grand President's appointment during his term as Governor of Zhili. The entire railway was designed and constructed entirely by us Chinese people. Ordinary folks all say that this railway has boosted our national spirit."

  Yang Du's words made Yuan Shikai very happy, he knew that Li Zicheng was determined to engage in industry, and if he wanted to get silver from him, he had to let this honest man see the industrial side of himself, so he continued on this topic.

  "Mr. Li was studying in Europe at that time and may not be very clear about this. This railway is only over 300 miles long, but it passes through the Juyongguan Pass and the Badaling Great Wall, crossing mountains and rivers, with complex terrain and a huge project. Foreigners say that the engineers who built this railway in China have not yet been born. Yuan certain encouraged Zhan Tianyou to be bold, whatever he wanted, I would procure it for him, and I would provide the funds, if others spoke idle words, I would support him. It was also Zhan Tianyou's determination that finally made it happen. Zhan Tianyou was one of the children sent abroad by Zeng Guofan to study in the United States. Zeng Guofan had great foresight and trained many talents for the country, and Shaochuan was also one of them."

  Shaochuan was the courtesy name of Premier Tang Shaoyi. When he heard the President mention himself, just as Tang was about to interject, he realized that he couldn't interrupt and instead gave a slightly awkward nod in Li Zicheng's direction.

  Zhan Tianyou built the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway, how could Li Zicheng not know? In later generations, both the Beijing-Zhangjiakou Railway and Zhan Tianyou were like national heroes, but the details were always ignored by people. Or was it possible that without the support of high-ranking officials in the court, a single Zhan Tianyou could have completed that railway?

  After hearing Yuan Shikai's words, Li Zicheng knew that Yuan Shikai's success today was not unrelated to his ability to recognize and use people, so he hurriedly said.

  "Zhan Tianyou was able to achieve this success also thanks to your support and trust when you were the President."

  Yuan Shikai smiled slightly and said.

  "Anyone with real talent and learning, willing to work for the country, I have always supported. If the revolutionary party is really for China's sake in doing things, any move that can benefit China's prosperity, I will certainly support."

  As the conversation deepened, Yuan Shikai's humility and enthusiasm gave Li Zichen a sense of closeness without any distance. When talking to Yuan Shikai, Li Zichen felt that his heart had previously been on guard against him, but now he felt ashamed and even thought of the misunderstandings about Yuan Shikai in history books, as well as the verbal attacks and insults against him. He couldn't help but feel sorry for Yuan Shikai in front of him! Moreover, he felt that Yuan Shikai had suffered greatly from injustice and misfortune.

  Just as Li Zicheng seemed to be in a daze, Yuan Shikai continued.

  "Zhiyuan has been living abroad for a long time, and I'd like to ask you, Zhiyuan, for another favor."

  At this time, Yuan Shikai stretched out a short arm and waved his thick palm.

  "As for the practical aspects of business, I don't know much about it, so I'd like to ask Mr. Li to teach me."

  Yuan Shikai once again lightly complimented him, even addressing him as "Mr.", which made Li Zicheng face Yuan's enthusiasm and closeness with a sense of vigilance in his heart, but also felt a little moved, so he hastily responded.

  "He has a great reputation for leading the army, and also has a very high prestige among the people, and is known for his support of industry. It's not that he can give us lessons, but we can mutually sharpen each other..."

  In this way, the two men at the banquet, clinking cups and exchanging toasts, chatted with great pleasure. Flattered by Yuan Shikai in this manner, Li Zicheng even found himself unable to distinguish whether the food he was eating was sweet or sour, nor could he taste the sweetness and refreshment of the fine wine. At this moment, facing the highest courtesy given to him by Yuan Shikai, facing the warm and intimate scene of being treated like a honored guest, facing Yuan Shikai's fervent words that were as gentle as a spring breeze, Li Zicheng gazed out at the magnificent and sumptuous banquet, where the lights shone brightly on the water, and suddenly had an illusion of being in heaven.

  "Is... is this really just a dream?"

  (Haha, being flattered by the president, it's really surprising that the protagonist can still take it, this money is charming!)