Chapter 58: Yuan's Suggestion

  Yuan Keding's words were somewhat unexpected to Yuan Shikai, since the second half of the year, Lao Yuan's body has been a bit poor, and his original consumption disease has become more severe. Except for necessary outings, he basically stays in the Presidential Palace for recuperation every day, so he is not very aware of some things outside.

  Actually, Yuan Keding and Fang Zidao getting along wasn't a secret at all. Yang Du was especially clear about how they knew each other, but because of some special reasons, he deliberately didn't mention it. When Yuan Shikai heard his son say that he knew Fang Zidao and their relationship seemed pretty good, he couldn't help but ask a few questions.

  Of course, Yuan Keding is not a fool either. How he got to know Fang Zida is absolutely unspeakable, otherwise Yuan Shikai would have broken his other leg too. At this point, Yuan Keding's eyes rolled over and he fabricated a completely false story, describing it in vivid detail as if it were true. As his son, he deeply understood Yuan Shikai's temperament - Old Yuan had always been one to grasp the big picture and not pay attention to minor details, so he wouldn't care too much about his son's lies.

  As expected, before Yuan Keding finished telling the story of how he met Fang Zidao with a flourish, Yuan Shikai waved his hand impatiently and said: "Alright, let's not talk about these messy things. Just tell me what you think of Fang Zidao."

  "Good father......" Yuan Keding replied with a respectful tone, but in his heart he was secretly delighted, it seemed that he had passed this test again.

  "This Fang Zidao is a good person, knowledgeable and loyal! Very straightforward! And quite capable!" After getting to know Fang Zidao, Yuan Keding initially only interacted with him a few times because of Yang Duan's introduction, but after several encounters, Yuan Keding found that Fang Zidao was quite to his liking. Not only did they get along well in conversation, but this person was also quick-witted and knew how to handle things.

  Something happened during this time, which made Yuan Keding look at Fang Zida with new eyes. This was before Fang Zida went to Nanjing. At that time, Yuan Keding wanted to buy a house, but he was short of money. When Fang Zida found out, he didn't say much and sent him some money. He even helped come up with a business idea. Originally, Yuan Keding wasn't too serious about it, just thinking of playing around, so he tried it out according to Fang Zida's teachings. Unexpectedly, he actually made quite a bit of money, which delighted Yuan Keding. To be honest, he didn't care much about the amount of money, but rather the joy of earning it himself. As they interacted more and more, their relationship became increasingly close.

  "So you think Fang Yimin is a personal talent?" Yuan Shikai asked lightly.

  "Needless to say." Yuan Keding smiled and said: "Don't you think so, Father?"

  "Haha, this is what Song Dun brought over, take a look, Fang Zhengming's appetite isn't small!" As for Yuan Keding, Yuan Shikai had always been cultivating him as his successor. Since they were having a father-son conversation, Yuan Shikai handed the report to Yuan Keding and told him to take a good look at it, also wanting to test this son of his.

  After reading the report, Yuan Keding finally understood what was written inside and couldn't help but laugh: "Father, this Fang Meng's appetite is really not small, actually wanting to swallow the Bank of Communications in one mouth, and also want the Hanyang Iron Works and the China Merchants Steam Navigation Company? Ha ha, no wonder I saw Liang Yifu's face turn iron-blue when he went out earlier, it was because of this matter!"

  "Not to mention Wing Fung, what do you think of this matter?" asked Yuan Shikai.

  "This……" Yuan Keding lowered his head and thought for a moment, feeling somewhat torn. Liang Shixiu and he had a good relationship, and the two had always cooperated happily. His own concubine, Zhang Zhen, was even introduced to him by Liang Shixiu. However, Fang Zida's friendship with him was also good, and from a friend's perspective, Yuan Keding felt more at ease when he was with Fang Zida. Moreover, Fang Zida's abilities were far beyond what Liang Shixiu could match. Just looking at how Fang Zida's reputation had soared after coming to the south, this person would definitely be a big shot in the future.

  Yuan Keding wasn't a fool, he hesitated for a moment before asking in return: "Father, who do you think is more suitable between Liang Yifu and Fang Xiangming?"

  Yuan Shikai cursed inwardly, how dare this little brat ask him questions and then answer them himself? Has he gotten too big for his britches? But before he could open his mouth to scold, Yuan Keding hastily continued to ask and answer himself: "Compared to loyalty, Liang Yifu has served by his father's side for many years, and his military achievements are evident. Compared to ability, Fang Mengming is a talented man, well-versed in economics, able to write and fight, and it's said that he recently wrote the three major national policies, which have great insight. From this, we can see that Liang Yifu is reliable, while Fang Mengming is talented."

  "Hmm, well said, great progress." Stroking his beard, Yuan Shikai nodded in satisfaction. This son seems to have made more progress than before, otherwise he wouldn't have spoken such words. In fact, Yuan Shikai also thought so in his heart. As for doing things, Fang Zidao was the first choice, let alone the three strategies he proposed had greatly moved Yuan Shikai's heart. Moreover, after Yang Du and Xia Shoutian's analysis, he had already started to win over Fang Zidao. However, establishing a central bank is a big deal, and it also involves Liang Shiyu, so it can't be taken lightly, which was also Yuan Shikai's concern.

  Yuan Shikai couldn't help but sigh again, thinking that if Zhang Zuolin weren't a KMT person, things would be much better; otherwise, he wouldn't be in such a difficult situation.

  "With both talent and loyalty, it's hard to find people like that nowadays..." Yuan Shikai sighed.

  "Father is right!" Yuan Keding patted the little horse's buttocks, shaking his head and chanting: "Fish, what I want, bear's paw, also what I want..."

  "Give up fish and seek bear's paw?" Yuan Shikai thought for a moment, shaking his head with a bitter smile.

  At this time, Yuan Keding suddenly said on the side: "Father, several sisters are not young anymore, should it be the time to get married?"

  Yuan Shikai was taken aback. Old Yuan had one wife and nine concubines, and they had many children together. There were over a dozen daughters alone, with the older ones already married off and the younger ones still in diapers. Why would Yuan Keding, as the eldest son, suddenly bring this up?

  "Father, Fang Zhenming has never married, has he?" Yuan Keding said with a smile as he approached Yuan Shikai.

  Suddenly enlightened, Yuan Shikai burst out laughing, looking at his eldest son Yuan Shikai with increasing satisfaction. He never thought that this stinky kid, who was usually muddled, would be the one to wake him up from his dream today! The thing that had been giving him such a headache was solved by this crooked idea of his.

  Not bad! Fang Zidao has never been married, which is well-known. When he first entered Beijing, it was said that some members of the National Assembly wanted to win over this red person next to Song Jiaoren, and many people had come to propose marriage, but Fang Zidao had all politely declined. Later, Fang Zidao went to the south for official business, busy until now, and although he has returned, because of the Chen Qimei incident, which caused a big stir, the original fragrance was respected and kept at a distance, delayed until now.

  Fang Zidao was a man Yuan Shikai had met before, and although he wasn't exactly a romantic like Pan An, he was dignified in appearance and exceptionally talented with strong abilities, making him a suitable match for Yuan Shikai's daughter. If he could really become his son-in-law, Yuan Shikai would not only gain a high-ranking general but also establish a connection between himself and the KMT, which would be a wonderful outcome that kills two birds with one stone.

  Yuan Shikai thought to himself about his several daughters, and after comparing them, he suddenly had an idea. Smiling, he beckoned Yuan Keding over and instructed him in a few words.

  "No problem, son will go and handle it!" Yuan Keding nodded repeatedly after hearing this, and with a limp leg, he hurriedly went off in high spirits.

  These days, Fang Zidao was exhausted from writing those things. Fortunately, he finally finished his "homework" and temporarily felt carefree. He specially went to a teahouse to relax.

  "Master Fang, how is this tea?"

  "Not bad, right? I brought some Rain Before Dragon Well tea back this time. Tomorrow, I'll have San'er send some over to you." Putting down his teacup, Fang Zidao smiled and said this, while Jin Jiu, who was sitting beside him, was so delighted that he couldn't close his mouth, hastily expressing his thanks.

  "Look at Master Ji's red and radiant face, it seems that he has been living a good life recently." Fang Zidao said with a smile as soon as he returned to the capital and saw Jinjiu again.

  "Heh heh, it's all thanks to you." Jin Jiu smiled and bowed his hands, looking unusually respectful.

  Today, I ran into Jin Jiu at the tea house and Fang Zida didn't forget their past friendship, so he specially invited him to sit down. Speaking of Jin Jiu, this guy spent all the money that Fang Zida used to buy his house in just a few months. If it weren't for the fact that he had already entrusted Zhou San'er to help him out, I'm afraid this gentleman would have had to sell off his family assets again.

  For this kind of Manchu leftover, Fang Zida had nothing to say. Jin Jiu wasn't someone Zhou San'er wanted to develop, but he still had some use, helping out a bit. Firstly, it was a show of goodwill, and secondly, it was also for the sake of Yang Du and Xia Shoutian's face. As for the third reason, in ordinary times, he could also be used to gather some information, and could be considered an external personnel.

  Listening to the play, drinking tea, and cracking melon seeds... Fang Zida was chatting with Jin Jiu in a casual manner, while Jin Jiu had long lost his initial arrogance when he first met Fang Zida. He accompanied him with a smile, respectfully by his side. Although he was a spendthrift, he wasn't stupid; deep down, he knew that as long as he clung to Fang's leg, he, Jin Jiu, could live comfortably.

  "Master Fang, I heard you're going to be greatly utilized recently?"

  "Heh heh, where did you hear this news?" Fang Zida asked indifferently.

  Jin Jiu smiled and said, "There's no secret in the capital that you don't know, Master Fang. You're now a renowned figure, and although you lost your position this time when you returned to the capital, with your abilities and Premier Song's appreciation for you, it won't be long before you're reinstated. What do you think? Am I right?"

  Fang Zida couldn't help but admire Jin Jiu's discerning eye. Although these remnants of the Qing dynasty were unable to lift their hands or shoulders, they had a certain flair for everyday life, indulging in food, drink, and entertainment while scrutinizing others. This young man may not have been good at anything else, but he had a keen sense of observation, with a few discerning insights that surpassed those of ordinary people.

  "Maybe...". With a chuckle, Fang Zida didn't say much either. Jin Jiu understood and smiled too, not asking many questions, but tactfully suggesting that if Fang Zida got in, he would pull him along, his request wasn't high, just hoping to get some benefits.

  "Alright! I'll keep this in mind." After a brief consideration, Fang Zidao nodded his head, and Jin Jiule was overjoyed, thanking him profusely.

  "Ah, Ming, I've been looking for you all day and couldn't find you, so you're here!" Turning around, he saw that Yang Du and Yuan Keding had also arrived at some point, both of them dusty and disheveled as if they had run a long distance, with an unmistakable hint of joy in their expressions.