Chapter 2 Butterfly Wings (Part 2)

  Huang Xing was assassinated, and the news shocked the entire country. Whether it was President Yuan in Beijing or Sun Yat-sen in Japan, everyone was shocked by this event, and telegrams flew to Shanghai like snowflakes. Especially President Yuan and Premier Zhao, high-ranking government officials, issued severe orders to Jiangsu Governor Cheng Dequan and local authorities to quickly apprehend the culprits and deal with them according to the law, in order to maintain national discipline! At the same time, all sorts of rumors and gossip were flying around outside, some true, some false. It was said that someone had reported to the police station that Wu Shiying and Ying Kuicheng were just small pawns, and that behind them was Secretary Hong Shuzhou of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and behind him... and so on.

  Fang Zidao, who was quietly hiding in the Lei Da's residence, leisurely avoided all this. Every day, he would only stroll around the small garden, bask in the sun, read newspapers, drink Longjing tea, or chat with people like Song Jiaoren and Liao Zhongkai who came to visit from time to time. At first, Fang Zidao was a bit reserved when facing these historical figures, but as time passed, he got used to it. Since they were all around the same age and had compatible personalities, under Fang's deliberate approach, several people became close friends, chatting about everything under the sun, almost without any taboos. This kind of carefree life was actually quite enjoyable.

  A few days later, former Premier Sun Wen of the KMT rushed back to Shanghai from Japan and presided over Huang Xing's funeral together with Acting Chairman Song Jiaoren. Those who could not attend sent telegrams of condolence, and some government officials even sent wreaths or dispatched representatives to attend. On that day, Fang Zidao also went to pay his respects to Huang Xing by sending a wreath at the invitation of Song Jiaoren and others.

  The crowd was in deep sorrow, the atmosphere on the scene was extremely depressing. Except for some social celebrities and government officials who attended the funeral wearing long gowns or suits, all the KMT members present were dressed in the same black student uniform, with white flowers on their chests, standing solemnly. If they had worn sunglasses, Fang Zidao would have looked like he was attending a modern-day gang leader's funeral. When Huang Xing's coffin was slowly lowered into the ground, the surrounding area was filled with wailing and crying. Sun Wen, who stood at the front with Song Jiaoren, was also in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

  "Last year, Wu Lu-cheng was killed; last year, Chang Chen-wu was killed; this year, Huang Ke-qiang was also killed. You say it's Ying Gui-sen, he says it's Hong Shu-zu, I say it's definitely Yuan Shi-kai!" At the moment of the burial, several people suddenly rushed out, led by Chen Qi-mei, who threw himself in front of the tomb, beating his chest and crying out. Fang Zi-da recognized the leader as Chen Qi-mei, while Song Jiao-ren's eyebrows were tightly locked, but Sun Wen's expression was solemn and slightly nodded.

  "Gentlemen! Brother Keqiang has unfortunately met with this great calamity. The matter has come to this, and the only option is to take up arms! Yuan Shikai is the President, but the assassination of the President cannot be resolved by law; it can only be resolved by force! The revolution has not yet succeeded, and comrades still need to work hard! We overthrew the Manchu Qing dynasty with our revolutionary efforts, which led to the establishment of the Republic of China today. But now we must have another revolution, with the spirit of revolution to preserve the legitimacy of our great China, the righteous spirit of our nation! Brother Keqiang's expedition was not yet successful when he died, his heroic achievements are still fresh, and his noble spirit remains among us..."

  Sun Yat-sen's sudden and forceful outburst left everyone stunned, except for Chen Qimei and a few others who stood up and loudly supported him. Most people were either dazed or hastily trying to dissuade him. Now that the North-South peace talks had just been concluded, the government's provisional laws had been established, and the KMT was about to form a cabinet in the north. Mr. Sun absolutely could not be so impulsive. Especially Liao Zhongkai, Hu Hanmin, and Yu Youren, who repeatedly advised him: "The truth of the Ji'nan Incident has not yet been clarified, and the legal solution is still underway, we absolutely cannot start a war lightly." As for those who came to attend the ceremony, some were shocked, some were frightened pale, and others hastily retreated. The entire scene suddenly fell into chaos.

  "Yi Xian, Ke Qiang's brother met with disaster and his heart was also in pain like being strangled, but the idea of using military force is absolutely unacceptable!" Seeing that the situation was about to get out of control, Song Jiaoren, as the acting chairman, hastily stood up and loudly exhorted.

  "Are you still dreaming, Tuan Chu?! Isn't the difficulty of defeating the strong enough to prove it?! Wake up, Tuan Chu! Don't tell me you still have illusions about the murderer in Beijing?!" Sun Wen Zheng's eyes widened as he sternly questioned, his hand gripping the stick tightly.

  "Brother Yu Xian, this case is complex and confusing. Is it not too hasty to accuse Yuan Xiangcheng as the murderer based on just a few guesses? Moreover, even if it was indeed Yuan's doing, must we resort to force to resolve it? Now that the Republic of China has just been established, and its foundation is still unstable, with all industries waiting to be revived, we absolutely cannot afford to start a war. If war breaks out between the north and south, it will bring disaster to our people, and the common folk will suffer greatly. Moreover, our constitutional government will be delayed indefinitely. With foreign powers watching us like tigers eyeing their prey, and internal troubles still unresolved, how can China rise again? I think even Brother Keqiang's spirit in heaven would not agree with this course of action. In my humble opinion, we should first let the law take its course to resolve this matter. Let us carefully investigate the truth before making a decision. Ah, Yu Xian!"

  "Hmph! Left one set, right one set, Tuan Chor's brother said so much, I'm afraid he still can't bear to give up the premier's throne?" Before Sun Wen could speak, Chen Chi-mei coldly smiled and said: "Are you not afraid that when the time comes, not only will you not become the premier, but instead become the next Huang Keqiang?"

  "We are not afraid of death!" Song Jiaoren patted his chest and loudly replied, "In the past, six gentlemen changed laws and shed blood, later countless revolutionary comrades went forward one after another, now Keqiang brother is sleeping with them, what can we party people fear at this time of revolution? It's just for the two words 'national citizens'! Even if it's death, it cannot take away our determination!"

  Chen's face turned red with anger, just as he was about to retort, Sun Yat-sen raised his hand to stop him and gazed at Song Jiaoren, whose eyes were clear and determined: "Tuan Chi, Tuan Chi... how can you conspire with tigers and wolves? How naive! Really naive!" As soon as he finished speaking, he let out a cold snort, turned around, and walked away with a flick of his sleeve. Sun Yat-sen's departure was immediately followed by Chen and the others, while the rest of the KMT members present looked at each other in dismay, hesitated for a moment, and then also chased after him.

  That evening, Song Jiaoren arrived at Lei Shao'da's place with a tired look on his face. He saw Fang Zhi'da sitting on the sofa reading the newspaper and forced a smile as he sat down. Apologetically, he asked: "Now that Mr. Keqiang's funeral is over, we plan to continue our journey north tomorrow. What are your plans, Brother Meng?"

  "Will Brother Tuan go north soon? What about Mr. Zhongshan...?" Fang Zida put down the newspaper and asked in surprise.

  "Don't bother with him!" Song Jiaoren waved his hand, took the cigarette from Fang Zidao and lit it: "Yixian is always too impulsive in doing things, politics can't be done this way. Moreover, after Keqiang's incident, people all over the country are in a state of unrest, and members of various parties are even more panicked. Today's affair has probably spread throughout the land by now. At this moment, I must hurry to the north to calm people down."

  "But considering Mr. Zhongshan's prestige in your party... just in case... to be cautious, I think Brother Dunchu should discuss with Mr. Zhongshan before heading north, and only set off after reaching an agreement." Fang Zida advised sincerely after a moment of contemplation.

  "No need! I am still the director of KMT!" It seemed that after the funeral, they had another dispute within the party regarding Sun Yat-sen's proposal for a military solution. Song Jiaoren, who was usually calm and composed, lost his temper and puffed on his cigarette several times before calming down slowly. He thought carefully and sighed: "Alright, I'll talk to Yixian again."