Chapter 65: A Lesson Learned from a Setback

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  "What brings you all here today?" Song Jiaoren asked with a stifled smile, looking at Wang Zhengting's bruised face.

  "If it weren't for the National Assembly's recess, how would we have come to your place to avoid boredom? Alas, do you know what kind of days we've been having lately? Look at this old face, it's almost...! I won't hide it from you, even after returning home, there are still people who come knocking on the door, insisting on debating legislative matters with me. If I had known it would be like this, why bother being the Speaker?" Wang Zhengting was especially indignant, as he was the only one among the Speakers who was well-versed in legal expertise, so most of the legislative work fell to him, and these days had been a real torment for him.

  Not just Wang Zhengting, but also several others were sighing and lamenting, it seemed that none of them were having a good time.

  "Brother Rú Táng, and all of you, calm down, just calm down." Song Jiaren also knew that these days the members of parliament had been making a big fuss, but this was unavoidable. As someone familiar with Western politics, he was well aware that even in the British Empire, which claimed to be the strongest power, fights among members of parliament were not unheard of, let alone in the Republic of China, which had just transitioned from a feudal society to a democratic country. Since it was a constitutional government, such incidents could not be avoided, and this was also the right of the members of parliament. Whether it was him or the various speakers, they could only listen and tolerate, hoping that things would gradually change in the future.

  Moreover, the current members of parliament are not high in terms of their cultural level or political level. Some people even deliberately make a fuss to show off their status and power as members of parliament. To put it bluntly, politics is like this, and this is also an unavoidable pain on China's constitutional road.

  Taking advantage of Wang Zhengting's lead, Song Jiaoren couldn't help but ask everyone about the progress of legislation. When it came to this, Yang Sen sighed and shook his head: "If it continues to be so noisy, I'm afraid that in three to five years, no law will be established."

  The current Republic of China is still using the Provisional Constitution drafted by the North-South Negotiation, which consists of seven chapters and 56 articles. Although this provisional constitution played a significant role in the early years of the Republic until the formal establishment and convening of the National Assembly, it cannot replace the existence of a formal constitution as a state. Moreover, the country is also blank in other laws, and the current government, courts, police agencies, etc. are still based on the "Great Qing Code" of the Manchu dynasty, which has seriously hindered the implementation of government orders and national construction.

  "This won't do!" Song Jiaoren frowned and said: "The pace of legislation must be accelerated, everyone understands that the constitution is the primary law, and the current provisional laws are no longer applicable to national construction. Our Republic needs development, it needs to be strong, and it must have a true national constitution as its basis. Moreover, civil law, criminal law, commercial law, and other laws must be promulgated as soon as possible. To be frank with you all, after the new year, the government will make major adjustments, if there is no law to rely on, it will greatly affect policy implementation."

  "Is Dun Chu referring to the three strategies proposed by Fang Xiangming?" Zhang Ji asked.

  Song Jiaoren nodded, Fang Zidao's three strategies were no longer a secret among the high-level officials. As the leaders of various factions, although they had not met directly, they also knew something about it.

  "Fang Yexian has already started preparing for the central bank, and the Nanjing Manufacturing Bureau's coin casting has also been sampled. If everything goes smoothly, the new currency reform will begin after the New Year. In addition to currency reform, the government will also vigorously promote industry and commerce, urban construction, etc. Moreover, there is something that everyone may not know yet? The Grand President has decided to reform the military and establish a true national defense army, gentlemen! Time waits for no man!"

  "Is there still this matter?"

  Song Jiaoren nodded and directly told them that this was true, after the New Year he would represent the government to report to both houses of parliament and formally brief the parliament in the report.

  Song Jiaoren's words made them extremely excited, as a strong supporter of the constitution, they were all thrilled. However, some people also had doubts about Song Jiaoren's proposal to reform the army and establish a national defense force, wondering if Yuan Shikai would really be so open-minded?

  In response, Song Jiaoren did not go into details but assured them that it was true. He also asked everyone to overcome the difficulties, contact various congressmen more, and try to coordinate with each other. Even if a perfect constitution cannot be produced in a short period of time, at least a formal constitution should be formed under the framework of temporary laws, as well as initial civil law, criminal law, commercial law, etc. As for the details, they can be gradually improved later. Two years is not enough, five or ten years are fine.

  "Is this proposal feasible?" Yang Sen, the most senior and highest-ranking official, nodded slightly and asked the crowd. Everyone thought Song Jiaoren's suggestion was feasible, and finally, they all looked at Wang Zhengting, waiting for his response. After all, he was the only legal expert present and the formal chairman of the legislative council.

  Wang Zhengting secretly sighed, although he wanted to decline, but had no choice and could only nod in agreement. However, he still held onto hope and made a suggestion to Song Jiaoren, hoping that as the Premier, he could find time to go to the National Assembly and communicate with those quarrelsome members of parliament, and coordinate with his work.

  Wang Zhengting's request made Song Jiaren shiver suddenly, his face changed greatly, the corners of his mouth twitched, and the left side of his gums ached slightly. He hastily refused without hesitation, citing reasons such as being busy with government affairs and not being able to interfere with parliamentary work as the Premier. He even pulled in Liao Zhongkai, who had arrived at the Premier's office before them, as a witness, thoroughly dispelling Wang Zhengting's idea.

  Pretending not to see Wang Zhengting's disappointed expression, Song Jiaoren accompanied the group of old men with a forced smile until they left. He touched his left cheek awkwardly and still felt a bit frightened. It was because in the past, for party work, as the KMT director, he had been grabbed by several fierce female party members during a meeting, who slapped him hard on the face, causing his nose to bleed profusely, and he escaped with his head covered. If he were asked to do this kind of task again, he would rather die than have the courage to do it.

  "It's okay... it's okay..." Wiping away cold sweat, Song Jiaoren could only apologize silently to the equally unfortunate Wang Zhengting in his heart. He turned back to his office and saw Liao Zhongkai, who had just accompanied him to meet with guests, looking at him with a hint of a smile. Unable to help it, his face flushed slightly red, and he quickly picked up his tea cup to cover himself, taking a few sips.

  "Are they all gone?"

  "See you off."

  "Hehe, Tuan Chu ah Tuan Chu……"

  "Alright, Zhongkai, I know what you want to say, can't we just drop it?" Song Jiaoren asked hastily, his old face flushing red.

  Liao Zhongkai laughed loudly and nodded, just before he was discussing something with Song Jiaoren when Yang Sen and others came to visit and interrupted them. Since everyone had left, they still needed to continue their conversation about the proper matter at hand.

  Regarding the reorganization of the army, Fang Zidao and his men had communicated with each other. In fact, Song Jiaoren was still somewhat worried about this matter in his heart. Especially when Fang Zidao suggested that the 8th Division be the first to be reorganized, it made Song Jiaoren and others hesitant.

  The reason is actually very simple. Although he was a politician, Song Jiaoren was still the leader of the KMT, and the Eighth Division, as a directly affiliated force of the KMT, was of great importance. If the Eighth Division were to be handed over, it would be equivalent to cutting off one arm of the KMT, and Song Jiaoren would not dare make this decision no matter how bold he was.

  However, contrary to Song Jiaoren's opinion was Liao Zhongkai. After parting ways with the Revolutionary Party, the current Liao Zhongkai has become an important partner of Song Jiaoren and also serves as the deputy chairman of the party, second only to Song Jiaoren. His suggestion was in favor of Fang Zidao's approach, believing that if a national defense army truly belonging to the state is to be built, it cannot prioritize the interests of one party or faction, but must set an example for all people. On this point, Liao Zhongkai took a firm stance, believing that only by having the 8th Division join the national defense army first can they occupy the high ground politically and also drive forward the construction of national defense, even if there are some losses, it is still worth it.

  Song Jiaoren finally relented, letting out a sigh and saying: "How could I not know?! Alright, let's settle it this way. Before the new year, we'll hold a meeting within the party to make a decision on this matter. What do you think?"

  "That's great, of course!" Liao Zhongkai expressed his agreement, but he also had his concerns and specially mentioned to Song Jiaoren about the situation with Fang Zidao. Now that Fang Zidao is Yuan Shikai's son-in-law and holds an important position within the KMT party, his identity is different from before, should they consider making some adjustments for this?

  Song Jiaoren waved his hand to indicate that there was no need to worry, and he still trusted Fang Zidao. Seeing Liao Zhongkai's hesitant expression, he smiled and patted Liao Zhongkai on the shoulder, telling him to rest assured that he had complete confidence in Fang Zidao. Seeing Song Jiaoren speak with such conviction, Liao Zhongkai was puzzled, wondering if Fang Zidao was really so trustworthy in Song Jiaoren's eyes.

  Furthermore

  Let me tell you something

  The old book "Years - Reborn in 1976" has been harmonized and blocked, everyone doesn't need to wait for this old book to update again, I'm very sorry, this is also what I didn't want to happen, sigh...