Chapter Five: Zhang's Guest

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  Xu Shao-wen originally thought that Zhang Jingjiang would arrive at 3 o'clock sharp, but when he finished his morning duties and was eating a simple lunch in his office, a loud noise came from outside the military governor's office. He immediately asked his deputy, Chen Ling, to go out and take a look, and soon Chen rushed back to report that Zhang Jingjiang had burst into the fourth floor from the first floor, and the guards couldn't stop him.

  "Isn't it three o'clock?" Xu Shaowen was eating and looked at the wall clock, now only one thirty.

  "Mr. Zhang has an appointment with you, so the guard didn't dare to stop him and is now pestering outside." Chen Lingxian looked at Xu Shaowen with a bewildered expression, waiting for his instructions.

  "Mr. Zhang and I still have a deep friendship, how can I forget kindness and righteousness?" Xu Shao Wen threw down the chopsticks in his hand and hastily stood up to walk towards the office. He arrived at the corridor and saw six or seven guards and several military officers blocking Zhang Jingjiang who was wearing a plain gown on the stairs.

  "Make way, how can you treat Mr. Zhang like this? When Mr. Zhang arrives, we should immediately notify him and go to welcome him in person." Regardless of what happened, Xu Shao-wen still had to say the polite words. He waved his hand and let the guards and officers retreat.

  "Xu Shao Wen, it's been a long time! Half a year has passed and you've already been promoted to Shanghai Garrison Commander. You're really rising through the ranks quickly!" Zhang Jingjiang looked displeased, his icy expression fixed intently on Xu Shao Wen.

  When Zhang Jingjiang called out his own name, Xu Shao Wen already knew that the other party's intention was not good. However, as the saying goes, "take people's hands and be short", he had accepted Zhang Jingjiang's $90 million favor, which was a big debt of gratitude. He forced a smile and welcomed Zhang Jingjiang to his office, then stepped down and let Vice Officer Chen Lingxian take over.

  "Mr. Zhang, please sit down." Xú Shào Wén personally pulled out a chair for Zhang Jingjiang.

  Zhang Jingjiang didn't stand on ceremony and directly sat down.

  Xu Shaowen stood aside, not intending to sit with Zhang Jingjiang together, which could show his respect for him. He smiled slightly and said: "If Shaowen didn't guess wrong, Mr. Zhang is here to ask Shaowen for the 9 million US dollars from that day."

  "No, you're wrong. I, Zhang Jingjiang, have never attached importance to money. Of course, since the $100 million has been given to you, it's only natural that I wouldn't come back for it." Zhang Jingjiang let out a cold hum and didn't even give Xu Shaowen a glance.

  Xu Shaowen let out a deep sigh, as if he had guessed the purpose of Zhang Jingjiang's visit. His face looked very embarrassed, and he said: "Mr. Zhang, you've come this time, isn't it to persuade Shaowen?"

  Zhang Jingjiang was taken aback for a moment, it seemed that Xu Shao Wen was indeed a clever person. At such a young age, he could sit in the position of supervisor, and it was probably not just relying on Xu Shi Chang's support. He smiled coldly and said: "Wen Yuan, since you have already guessed it, Zhang will not say more nonsense. Now that Yuan Shikai wants to sign the 'Twenty-One Demands' with Japan, this matter has shocked the whole country, but you still want to sacrifice yourself for the Yuan family? Aren't you afraid of ruining your reputation as a young and talented scholar?"

  Xu Shao Wen straightened his body, and his expression gradually became serious. He sighed and said in a firm tone: "Shao Wen is not talented, as the Shanghai Garrison Commander, he never thought of dying for anyone."

  "Oh? So you're saying that I should become a warlord like Tang Jiyao and Lu Rongting?" Zhang Jingjiang's tone became even more disdainful.

  "No, as a soldier of the Republic of China, I am duty-bound to serve the millions of people of our great nation. A soldier's sacred duty is to defend his home and country, and I have never considered betraying this principle, nor have I done so up to now." Xu Shaowen said solemnly, with a gleam in his eyes that showed a sense of longing and faith.

  Zhang Jingjiang was taken aback, he finally turned around and looked straight at Xu Shao Wen. He thought for a long time, then sighed and nodded slightly, saying: "Wenyuan, I have always trusted my own judgment, it seems that I did not misjudge you. Since you have such an idea of serving the country and the people, you should abandon the dark and join the bright, lead your troops to join the Guangzhou Revolutionary Government."

  "Mr. Sun's ambition is indeed admirable, but Shao Wen has his own thoughts and beliefs. What I least want to see in my life is Chinese people fighting Chinese people, and then Western powers taking advantage of the situation to steal more things from China." Xu Shao Wen's expression was slightly agitated, with a serious tone that made him look like he meant every word.

  Zhang Jingjiang stood up from his chair, looked at Xu Shaochang and said with a heavy heart: "Wenyuan, you are still too soft-hearted. If we let someone who is not popular among the people rule China, my country will continue to be taken away by foreign powers. I understand your thoughts, our own people fighting each other, national strength is consumed like this, but if we can't solve the fundamental problem, the consumption of national strength will never end."

  Xu Shaowen smiled wryly and said, "Mr. Zhang, you can understand that I, Shaowen, am a woman with a soft heart. I won't get involved in the matter of Chinese people fighting against Chinese people. At least, before I change my faith, I won't do it."

  "Even if it's a Western power, which country hasn't experienced civil war? The American Civil War, the German Unification Wars... these histories all show that for humanity to progress, some things are unavoidable." Zhang Jingjiang emphasized with a serious tone, his face filled with worry.

  Xu Shaowen shook his head and said, "Mr. Zhang, I don't share your view. Since foreign countries have experienced such tragic histories, we should learn from them to avoid similar things happening."

  "Wen Yuan, you are too naive. The current situation between the north and south is like fire and water. If there was room for change, then Mr. Song Jiaoren's assassination would not have happened three years ago." Zhang Jingjiang felt deeply regretful of Xu Shaowen's idea.

  Xu Shaowen sighed, he also knew that his ideas and words were too far-fetched, but now no matter what, he couldn't choose to join the Guangzhou government. His new troops had just made some achievements, if there was any mishap at this time, then all the power he had accumulated in half a year would be completely destroyed.

  "Mr. Zhang, I can only promise you that I will not be an enemy of the Guangzhou government. As for President Yuan, I will rush back to Beijing soon and strongly advise the president not to sign the 'Twenty-one Demands' agreement." Xu Shaozhen still insisted on his own idea to Zhang Jingjiang.

  Zhang Jingjiang smiled and said heavily: "Wenyuan, do you think that if you go to persuade Yuan Shikai, he will dare to face the threat of Japan?"

  Xu Shao Wen Zhengcai responded, "Mr. Zhang, I'm not defending President Yuan, but I hope you can think from a different perspective. If Mr. Sun were facing the current situation, how would he handle it? The 'Twenty-One Demands' was originally a secret agreement between Japan and President Yuan. If President Yuan hadn't intentionally leaked the news, would we need to wait for the whole nation to rise up in protest?"

  Zhang Jingjiang was stunned after hearing Xu Shao's words. He finally let out a long sigh and asked Xu Shao, "Wenyuan, are you really so stubborn?"

  "Mr. Zhang hopes you can forgive me, some things are beyond Shao Wen's control, but Mr. Zhang's kindness and the $9 million favor, Shao Wen will definitely remember in his heart," Xu Shao Wen nodded slightly sadly, then said, "I owe Mr. Zhang, I will definitely repay it."

  Zhang Jingjiang's face gradually became more relaxed, and he suddenly burst out laughing loudly twice. He walked forward, patted Xu Shao Wen on the shoulder, and said: "Wen Yuan, since our paths are different, I, Zhang, will not force you. I only hope that the $9 million I gave you can be truly used for the sake of China, democracy, and the people."

  Zhang Jingjiang finished speaking and turned around to walk straight out of the office.

  Xu Shao looked at Zhang Jingjiang's back and felt a deep sense of emotion.

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  Zhang Jingjiang walked out of the military governor's office, and on the street outside the office, a black sedan had already been waiting. He quickly walked to the front of the car, opened the door, and got in. Inside the car, apart from the driver, there were two other people, one was Jiang Zhicheng, and the other was a man in his thirties, wearing a well-tailored Western suit and glasses, looking refined.

  The bespectacled gentleman asked immediately after seeing Zhang Jingjiang get on the car: "Brother Jingjiang, what is Xu Shao's true nature?"

  On the side, Jiang Zhiqing also looked at Zhang Jingjiang with a serious expression, his eyes filled with some expectation. He and Xu Shaowen were considered to be of the same generation, and half a year ago, they had met at the Weston Club, leaving a good impression on him.

  Zhang Jingjiang sighed and shook his head, saying: "He does not intend to surrender to the revolution."

  "What?" Jiang Zhiqing's face turned gloomy, "What can be done about this? Now Shanghai has an additional garrison command and the stationed troops have increased by a regiment, truly suffering upon suffering."

  The bespectacled man hummed coldly and said in a gloomy tone, "In that case, there's no need to say more. Proceed with the original plan. I'll send someone to take care of him before the Spring Festival."

  Jiang Zhiqing sighed regretfully and said, "Is it really only possible like this?"

  "Zhiqing, when did you become so indecisive? Xu Shaowen is now a running dog of the Beiyang government." The bespectacled man rebuked Zhiqing with a glare.

  Jiang Zhiqing shook his head helplessly and fell silent.

  Zhang Jingjiang looked at the bespectacled man and said, "Ying Shi brother, I have decided to temporarily abandon this plan."

  The bespectacled gentleman with the surname Chen, courtesy name Ying Shi, was none other than the famous revolutionary Chen Qimei. Upon hearing Zhang Jingjiang's words, he suddenly became perplexed and asked: "Brother Jingjiang, do you have some other arrangement?"

  Zhang Jingjiang hesitated for a moment and said, "Xu Shaowen is not our enemy for the time being, so Brother Ying Shi, you don't have to make a move on him for now. Let's execute other plans first."

  "Alright then." Chen Qimei knew that Zhang Jingjiang would not be biased, and since Zhang had spoken, he naturally believed him.

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