Chapter 8 Self-Promotion

  ument.write(

  "Uncle, I heard that President Yuan is very fond of paying attention to the Shuntian Times, right?" Xu Shaowen suddenly said.

  "Yes, I've been asking someone to buy a copy for me every day, it's been years of habit." Xu Shichang said with a hesitant tone, "Wen Yuan, why are you asking this?"

  Xu Shao Wen had once read an interview of the New York Times reporter with Yuan Shikai in his later years, at that time Yuan Shikai revealed that one of the reasons he decided to become emperor was seeing the voice of the people across the country in the "Shun Tian News". However, he did not know that several issues of the "Shun Tian News" were privately printed by his eldest son Yuan Keding with tens of thousands of dollars.

  Yuan Keding, as the eldest son, was infatuated with the prince's throne and had always urged his father to ascend to the emperor. So he deliberately printed fake newspapers to confuse Yuan Shikai.

  Of course, Xu Shao Wen also guessed that if Yuan Shikai did not really want to be a dictator and emperor in his heart, this fake newspaper would not have much significance. After all, the late Yuan Shikai was also looking for an excuse to step down and shirk responsibility. However, if it could make Yuan Shikai truly see the voices of the domestic people, it might still shake his idea of becoming an emperor in his heart, at least it would be delayed.

  "Uncle, Shao Wen has a small request. He hopes that you can personally buy a copy of the Shuntian Times for the President to read every day." Xu Shao Wen said sincerely to Xu Shi Chang.

  "Why do I have to go there in person for such a trivial matter?" Xu Shichang looked at Xu Shaowen with some confusion.

  Xu Shao Wen thought of an excuse and said: "As the ruler, the people's voices are an important basis for making decisions. Perhaps Uncle, you going to persuade the President with one mouth may not have a significant effect. But if you personally deliver a newspaper every day to let the President see the will of the whole country, it is equivalent to bringing one million mouths to persuade the President together."

  "That makes sense. Alright, starting from tomorrow, we'll help the President buy a newspaper personally every day." Xu Shichang nodded and gave Xu Shaowen a look of praise.

  Xu Shichang fell silent for a moment, then shifted the conversation back to the main topic and said: "Wenyuan, this time you came to persuade President Yuan, I'm afraid it won't have any results. It's not just the Japanese military threat, but also the intense internal struggle within the Central Government. The Minister of War, Duan Qirui, has been urging the President to sign this agreement as soon as possible. You're just a small-time provincial governor, and I'm afraid you won't even be able to get past Duan Qirui."

  "Hum, Duan Qirui this scoundrel, I'll deal with him sooner or later." Xu Shaochang had never had a good impression of Duan Qirui. The "Twenty-one Demands" that Yuan Shikai didn't dare to sign casually, this guy signed them all as soon as he came to power, and during the Beiyang warlord infighting period, he was always fighting for power and profit, without considering the overall situation of China at all.

  Shandong was under the control of Anhui warlords, and his intention to take action against this place was not only to deal with the Japanese but also to slap Duan Qirui in the face.

  Xu Shichang was shocked and hastily stopped him, saying: "Wenyuan, you can't talk nonsense like this. If it reaches the ears of Duan Qirui, he might not treat you well."

  "I also know that my strength is not yet mature." Xu Shaowen sighed and gradually changed the subject, saying, "Uncle, can you arrange for me to have a private meeting with President Yuan?"

  "What's on your mind?" Xu Shichang asked.

  "Yes, I have a way to resolve the Shandong and Twenty-One Demands issues, but it's precisely because I know that Duan Qirui will interfere that I must meet with the President alone. Uncle, this is a matter of China's dignity, you must help me." Xu Shaowen's face was very serious, his tone filled with sincerity.

  Xu Shichang looked at his nephew and pondered for a long time before saying: "Alright, this matter is of great importance, I will definitely do my best to arrange it for you."

  Xu Shaowen thanked his uncle Xu Shichang gratefully.

  At this moment, the sedan drove into the lower lane of Dongzhimen Street, where a large group of students wearing school uniforms were walking towards them. They walked in groups, holding high flags with slogans such as "Protest against the 21st Article" and "Boycott Japanese goods". The person at the front was also holding a loudspeaker, continuously reading out protest speeches.

  When the student procession saw Xu Shao-wen's motorcade, they immediately guessed that it was a high-ranking official's motorcade and rushed up to shout for petition. The motorcade was quickly intercepted and surrounded, and the 16 guards on the rear military vehicle immediately got off to guard in front of Xu Shi-chang and Xu Shao-wen's sedan chairs, trying to disperse the students.

  "Alas, Beijing almost every day has these student demonstrations." Xu Shichang sighed sorrowfully.

  Xu Shaowen looked out of the car window at the young and tender students, and suddenly came up with an idea. He said to Xu Shichang: "Uncle, wait a minute, I'll go out and explain it to the students."

  Ignoring Xu Shichang's dissuasion, Xu Shaowen had already opened the car door. He walked out of the car, turned around and climbed onto the roof, his military uniform as a commander-in-chief causing all the students to shout and petition even louder.

  "Classmates, classmates, please listen to me for a moment, okay?" Xu Shaowen shouted at the top of his lungs towards the thick crowd of students surrounding him.

  Seeing Xu Shao Wen's demeanor, the students gradually quieted down. After all, scholars are knowledgeable about reason, and since they came to petition and march, simply shouting and screaming would turn into a disturbance, so calm and peaceful discussion is necessary to achieve results.

  "Fellow students, I am Xu Shao-wen, the Shanghai inspector. I just arrived in Beijing from Shanghai today." Xu Shao-wen shouted at the top of his lungs to the students, "The Spring Festival has just ended, and I rushed here from Shanghai with the same purpose as all of you."

  "Director Xu, are you also here to persuade the president?" a student couldn't help but ask, "Or are you just making things up so we'll let you through and leave?"

  This sentence set off the students present again, who shouted and cheered loudly.

  "Fellow students, please believe me, I am indeed here to persuade the President." Xu Shao-wen remained calm and patient as always. He took out a letter from his coat pocket, unfolded it, and showed it around to all the students present, saying, "Look, this is a joint petition signed by all officers of the Shanghai Garrison Command and the First Naval Fleet. This is not just about you students, but also about us military personnel who are deeply concerned about national affairs."

  The students saw the joint letter brought out by Xu Shao Wen and suddenly all believed in him, starting to praise and support his approach. At this time, except for the Guangzhou government in the south which stood up to protest for political reasons, almost no military officers from any place came to Beijing to petition voluntarily.

  "My fellow students, it's a good thing that you care about national affairs. I admire and appreciate this," Xu Shao Wen continued to say, "However, you must think about the fact that China has been bullied by foreign powers for a long time, and the reason is because China lacks national strength. You are all the future pillars of the country, at this time wasting your time not studying hard, who will take on the task of revitalizing China?"

  After hearing Xu Shao's words, the students all started discussing in low voices.

  "I ask all of you students to think carefully, I will convey your thoughts to the President on your behalf. Now, please return to your schools and master the true skills, so that in the future you can contribute to the greatness of China." Xu Shaowen added.

  Several leading students felt that Xu Shao Wen's words were reasonable, so they said to Xu Shao Wen: "General Xu, we hope you won't disappoint us." After finishing speaking, they all dispersed the students.

  Xu Shaowen looked at these young students, and his heart was always filled with emotion. China was able to get through the most difficult times because there were still many passionate people like them. He secretly vowed in his heart that he would not let them down.

  The road was clear and the convoy continued on its way.

  Actually, Xu Shao Wen just stood out, not only to teach these students to study hard, but also to spread his own reputation. The students' clubs are many, and it won't take long for the whole city of Beijing to know about Xu Shao Wen's Shanghai governor coming to Beijing to petition. And maybe in a few more years, these students will go to all parts of the country, bringing their reputation even further away.

  ——————————

  Next week is strongly recommended, everyone, I hope you will give me your full support. This month, it's been your encouragement that has made my journey very smooth.

  Thank you.