Chapter Fourteen: Winning Over

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  Fang Zidao still didn't know that he was about to be entrusted with a heavy responsibility by Song Jiaoren. He was now leisurely drinking tea and listening to opera in the teahouse. The Republic of China was indeed an interesting era, where parliamentarians fought and brawled every other day, while the north and south exchanged insults over telegrams, yet the common people below remained unmoved, still living their ordinary lives, strolling through theaters, drinking tea, looking for pleasure in the Eight Great Hutongs, chatting, bragging, playing cards... Everyone was doing what they normally did, as if national affairs had no impact on these people at all.

  Downstairs on the opera stage, an old man was singing something in a high-pitched voice, occasionally eliciting applause from the tea guests. Fang Zidao didn't actually understand these traditional tunes, but that didn't stop him from pretending to appreciate them while sipping his tea, putting on a show of being very interested.

  "Speaking of Peking Opera, I still recommend Wang Yaoqing, the boss of Wang. The boss's Hua Dan is second to none! In those years, even the old Buddha praised Wang's Jingbai. Jin Jiu raised his thumb and shook it, and couldn't help but shake his head and hum a few lines: "But since the fall of the Qing Dynasty, the Shengping Mansion has also closed down, and now it's not easy to hear Boss Wang's opera anymore. However, I heard that after some time, Boss Wang will return to Beijing to perform a special show, if I can listen to it again, I'll die contentedly!"

  "Hehe, it's not easy to get a private concert, I'll invite Master Jiu then." Fang Zidache smiled and said, Jin Jiu was overjoyed upon hearing this and thanked him repeatedly.

  These days, Jinjiu's life has been quite comfortable. Since selling the old house and getting a large sum of money from Fang Zida, his previously tight finances have become more relaxed. Not to mention changing into new clothes, he can also go listen to opera performances, fight crickets, and stroll across Tianqiao Bridge every now and then, seemingly recapturing the happiness of past years. Moreover, Fang Zida occasionally invites him out for dinner and drinks, which has allowed Jinjiu to regain the feeling of being a respected person, making his affection for this very considerate friend grow even deeper.

  When the old man stepped down, Fang Zida took out his pocket watch and glanced at the time. Jin Jiu smiled on the side: "Don't worry, Master Fang, Xia Ye will definitely come. Hey! Look! Isn't he here?"

  Looking out, he saw Xia Shoutian's figure going upstairs, and Fang Zida hastily got up from his seat and went over to greet him.

  "Older brother Geng."

  "Hehe, Brother Zhang Ming, I'm not late, am I?" Xia Shoutian asked with a smile, waving his hands in greeting.

  "Not too late, Brother Geng, please take a seat." Fang Zida stretched out his hand to invite him, and Jin Jiu, who was sitting beside them, tactfully found an excuse to leave first. Before leaving, he specially helped close the door of the private room, and the quiet room was left with just the two of them.

  After saying a few insincere pleasantries, Xia Shoutian said: "Brother Dengming, you know about Sun Wen's telegram? Today the President is furious. Ah, having been by the President's side for so many years, I've never seen him this angry before. To be honest, Brother Dengming! You party people have gone too far."

  "Heh heh, Brother Geng, look at what you're saying. Even if it's not going well, you can't just knock over the whole boat with one stick, right? There are differences between party members too." Fang Zida didn't mind at all and smiled as he poured a cup of tea for Xia Shoutian and handed it to him with both hands.

  Nodding in gratitude, he took the teacup and put it down. Xia Shoutian reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, sighing again: "Brother Zhengming's words are not wrong either. The great president also understands the efforts of Song Tengchu of your party. Especially thanks to Brother Zhengming for his help in this matter. The great president has specially taken care of it for you to express gratitude. These humble things are just a token of appreciation."

  He took a glance, it was a 5,000 yuan draft from the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Fang Zidao didn't decline, he casually swept his sleeve across the table and smoothly put it into his pocket. He said polite phrases like "How could I dare", but in his heart, he secretly admired Yuan Shikai's generosity.

  After seeing Fang Zidao receive the money, Xia Shoutian's attitude towards him became even more cordial. He specially told Fang about what had happened at the Presidential Palace today and also informed him that Yuan Shikai had already prepared to mobilize troops for a worst-case scenario of resolving the issue by force.

  "As fellow countrymen, we should not resort to armed conflict against each other. Brother Gao still needs to persuade the President more, after all, using force is the last resort."

  "Actually, the President must have known it in his heart!" Xia Shoutian said with a heavy heart: "Solving by force is of course the last resort. The opening chapter of Sun Tzu's Art of War says: 'War is a matter of vital importance to the State; the province of life or death; the road to safety or ruin.' How much more so when the North and South have different views, but after all, they are fellow countrymen. The country has just been established, the Republic has just been founded, and the National Assembly election is underway. It's best to avoid using force if possible. However... once Sun Wen and others rise up in arms in the south, occupy local areas, want to split the country, set up another government, the central government will not sit idly by and watch the chaos. At that time, the President may have no choice but to take this path."

  "This little brother naturally understands." Fang Zida nodded very understandingly, furrowing his brow and putting on a worried look.

  Seeing Fang Zidao's expression, Xia Shoutian smiled and comforted him: "This is just the worst plan, and Brother Zhengming doesn't have to worry too much. In fact, the President still wants to solve it through coordination. To be honest with you, I was entrusted by the President before I came, and sent someone to Song Tuanchu's house. The President will invite him to dinner tomorrow, and maybe they can come up with a win-win solution."

  "Oh, in that case it's a good thing after all, the great president is indeed farsighted!" Fang Zida seemed to have put his mind at ease and nodded repeatedly in admiration.

  "Brother Huanming is a peerless national hero. When Song Dun first obtained Brother Huanming's assistance, it was like adding wings to a tiger. Please, Brother Huanming, this time again, put the overall situation of the country first and persuade him repeatedly."

  "This is what should be, what should be." Fang Zida replied humbly: "In the early days, my younger brother must have advised well, and as for the President's side, we still need to rely on Brother Geng's help."

  "That's for sure..." Xia Shoutian nodded in agreement, thought for a moment and smiled: "Brother Zhengming, after the election, do you plan to serve in the central government? With Brother Zhengming's talent, I think being the Minister of Finance is more than suitable."

  "Haha, with my three-legged cat level of ability, how can I possibly become the Minister of Finance?" Fang Zida shook his head and chuckled: "However, if I can contribute to the country at the right time, I, Fang Zida, will not decline. For now, let's just wait and see."

  "Hehe, it's okay to take it slow, it's also good to take it slow." Xia Shoutian nodded secretly and suddenly smiled too. The two exchanged a glance as if they had reached an agreement, each knowing what the other was thinking without needing to say it out loud, and the atmosphere became even more harmonious.

  After seeing Xia Shoutian off, Fang Ziduo patted the banknote in his pocket and a meaningful smile spread across his face, it seemed that a good show was about to begin.