Insufficient balance

  After the candidates for the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were confirmed, the next was the Ministry of Finance. This position is very critical, Chen Jingyun did not want to let outsiders control it. His subordinates had several good ones, but there was no one around him who could manage finance. If he really had an estimate, it would be his own housekeeper Chen Yanghui and Li Yanen, the general manager of the textile mill. However, these two people were not suitable for being brought out to discuss matters in this occasion. Looking at the large crowd below, Chen Jingyun tried hard to select a candidate who was beneficial to himself. After thinking deeply, he finally proposed his own candidate: "I propose Mr. An Hualin!"

  An Hualin, a man of about fifty years old, also has a large number of industries in Fujian. In terms of financial resources, he is not among the top three in Fuzhou, but definitely among the top ten. Like other wealthy merchants and gentry, he joined the election campaign for a member of parliament and became a member of the Advisory Council. However, this man was not a member of the Tongmenghui, and his presence here was due to being pulled along by Zheng Zuyin's group from the Tongmenghui. When Chen Jingyun suddenly proposed that he become the Minister of Finance, he was stunned on the spot. He had no prior preparation for this, and originally planned to make a round trip before returning home to continue doing his own business and earning his own money. As for revolution and republicanism, let them go ahead, as long as they didn't interfere with his earnings, it didn't matter who became emperor or president!

  Chen Jingyun proposed this person for a very simple reason, that is, he saw that he was not a member of the Tongmenghui, and at the same time, his family's industry had some connections with Chen's. Supporting someone he knew was better than letting Zheng Zuyin and others bring out another Tongmenghui person to take charge of finance.

  An Hualin, although unprepared, heard Chen Jingyun's recommendation and was taken aback at first, but as a seasoned person, he quickly regained his composure, stood up, and humbly said with a smile: "Where, where, what virtue or ability does An Mou have?"

  Zheng Zuoyin was originally going to recommend another candidate for the position of Finance Minister, but Chen Jingyun suddenly pushed An Hualin forward. Thinking back to how Chen Jingyun had strongly supported his own appointment as Civil Affairs Minister and readily agreed to his proposal that Lin Changmin take over as Foreign Minister, he didn't dare bring up another candidate at this point. Originally, a group of Tongmenghui members were all watching Zheng Zuoyin's expression, but seeing him say nothing, Lin Wenying silently disapproved in her heart.

  Peng Shousong was opposed to it in his heart, but he also knew that his words were useless and could only mutter to himself: Revolution, revolution, it's only been one day and all the power has fallen into others' hands.

  The alliance was like this, and the others would not oppose it even more. The generals under Chen Jingyun naturally supported Chen Jingyun. Soon, An Hualin got the position of Minister of Finance. After getting the important position of Minister of Finance, everyone's attention naturally turned to the Ministry of Military Affairs.

  Logically speaking, Chen Jingyun would never give up this military power, and his generals as well as the Tongmenghui people all believed that Chen Jingyun would support his own faction to take over. The Tongmenghui people would definitely not be willing to give up this important position, and they would certainly fight for it. It can be predicted that the position of the military department will usher in a fierce struggle.

  Zheng Zu Yin did not hesitate at all, and directly spoke out: "I suggest letting Lin Wenying take the position of Minister of Military Affairs!" Then, with a sweep of his gaze, he added: "Let's hear what everyone has to say about whether it's suitable or not."

  Before Chen Jingyun could speak, An Hualin spoke up: "I think that the Military Affairs Department is extremely important, and the position of Chief of Staff needs to be carefully considered!" The implication being that Lin Wenyin was not suitable for the position of Chief of Staff of the Military Affairs Department.

  Ma Cheng was hesitant to speak as the person involved, but Chen Jingyun's direct subordinates did not have this worry and immediately said in unison: "We support Ma Cheng as the Chief of Staff!"

  At this time, everyone began to discuss and argue, but Chen Jingyun remained silent. After a while, he raised his hand and pressed it down, signaling everyone to be quiet.

  "I think the Ministry of Military Affairs is crucial, and it's not feasible to have an inexperienced person in charge!" Chen Jingyun said while observing everyone's reaction. When he saw that everyone's gaze was on him, he continued: "This is such an important matter, I don't want to make a decision alone, let's just vote by show of hands, the majority wins!"

  Chen Jingyun said so, Zheng Zuoying and Lin Wenyin's group immediately had a smile on their faces. Why? Simply because the majority of the people present were members of the Alliance. Ma Cheng and others looked at Chen Jingyun with puzzled expressions, but since their own governor had spoken, they couldn't oppose it either.

  "Those in favor of Lin Wenying as the Minister of Military Affairs, please raise your hands!" Chen Jingyun said after a sentence, and then people started to raise their hands one after another. Most of them were members of the Tongmenghui, while none of the generals under Chen Jingyun raised their hands, nor did Yuan Fang and Li Jimin, An Hualin, or some members of the Advisory Council. Nevertheless, the number of people who raised their hands still accounted for the majority.

  Seeing this result, Chen Jingyun said: "Since everyone's intention is so, let Lin Wenyin take charge of the Military Affairs Department." Chen Jingyun looked around and said: "The Military Affairs Department has been decided, now let's discuss the next topic, the Police Department!"

  The next police department, transportation department and other departments are not urgent, the people on the alliance side think that after taking the three departments of civil affairs, foreign affairs and military affairs, it is not good to occupy all the other departments, so they proposed that many non-alliance members of the advisory council take office.

  The discussion about the government framework was soon concluded, and the heads of each department were also determined. Afterwards, they discussed the contents of the telegram and the comfort of the people. Chen Jingyun didn't care much about these things for the time being. He just listened to them discussing, and he himself didn't say much.

  It wasn't until midnight that all matters were discussed and settled, the telegram was prepared, and the military government framework was established. As the meeting drew to a close, Chen Jingyun's subordinates looked displeased but wanted to say something, however Chen Jingyun didn't give them the opportunity to speak and directly announced the adjournment of the meeting.

  As he walked out of the conference room, looking at the deep sky, Ma Cheng sighed. He wasn't sighing because he lost his position as the head of the Military Affairs Department, but rather because he felt that the Alliance had taken advantage of him too much, relying on their numerical superiority to seize control of the Civil Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and Military Affairs departments. If it weren't for the Governor's support for the neutral An Hualin to take over as Finance Minister, this military government would probably have fallen into Zheng's hands.

  "What's wrong, uncomfortable?" Ma Cheng sighed as Feng Qin walked over.

  "It's just that those people are too...” Ma Cheng shook his head, walking towards the outside while softly saying: “If it weren't for us, could they have taken Fuzhou with their motley crew? If it weren't for our governor, Yuan Fang would have surrendered to us. Now, it's clear they want to burn the bridge after crossing the river!"

  Feng Qin smiled mysteriously: "Captain Ma, you're overthinking. You said we are all what kind of people? How could we let them demolish the bridge?"

  Ma Cheng did not understand and immediately asked: "What does Adviser Feng mean?"

  "The Ministry of Military Affairs, it's supposed to be in charge of military affairs, but with our governor here, Lin Wenyin can command Ma Tuanlong as soon as he becomes the Minister of Military Affairs?" Feng Qin said casually.

  "Of course not! I only know about the governor, but have no idea what Lin Wenyin is!"

  "This is it!" Feng Qin continued, "Just now at the meeting, there were too many people from the Alliance. If we had to force it, it would have inevitably led to a falling out. It's better to just give in to them. This way, there's another advantage too!"

  "What's good about it?"

  "Feng Qindao: 'Second Regiment!'"

  Upon hearing this, Ma Cheng thought to himself that it was indeed the case. With Lin Wenyin taking over as the Military Affairs General, the position of Second Regiment Commander would be vacant. Although Peng Shousong was still keeping an eye on things, if Chen Jingyun were to arrange for someone from his own side to take over as Second Regiment Commander, Peng Shousong would definitely not be able to oppose it. Having understood this layer, Ma Cheng felt a surge of admiration for Chen Jingyun's tactics.

  Chen Jingyun, who was secretly admired by Ma Cheng, was holding a teacup and drinking tea. As for the arrangement of the Military Affairs Department, he initially prepared to take on the role himself, but later saw Zheng Zuyin and others strongly supporting Lin Wenyin as the head, so he yielded. After all, military rations and armaments were in his hands, and the Fujian National Army had not been disbanded, and he was still the governor, with the power of military affairs still under his control. In this way, the Military Affairs Department on the side of the military government became dispensable. As for absorbing the Second Regiment, Chen Jingyun did not have this idea for the time being. In his view, there were too many revolutionary party members among the middle and lower-level officers and ordinary soldiers of the Second Regiment, all of whom were loyal to Lin Wenyin, and there was also Peng Shousong's secret society, with less than 500 people in total, making it difficult to control.

  That night, Chen Jingyun slept very soundly, but he kept dreaming. He dreamed that he controlled Fujian and became a big warlord. He dreamed that he unified China. He dreamed that the revolutionaries launched a revolution against him, and in the end, he was beheaded on the guillotine. He dreamed that he led China to a great war with Japan, and finally sank the Japanese islands. He dreamed that he walked on the street, when suddenly a bullet flew over! When he fell down, he vaguely heard: "Down with dictatorship, down with warlords!"

  When he dreamed of getting here, Chen Jingyun suddenly woke up with a start and only then did he realize that his back was already soaked through!

  Chen Kui outside the door heard the sound and walked in quietly: "Director! You're awake!"

  "What time is it?" Chen Jingyun looked at the bright sky outside and was afraid of oversleeping, which would delay important matters. The uprising had only been going on for three days, with many things to do and many variables, not a single moment could be relaxed.

  "It's already 8:40!" Chen Kui said, then thought for a moment and added, "Minister An has been waiting outside to see you for a while now!"

  "Oh!" Hearing An Hualin come up early in the morning to request an audience, Chen Jingyun revealed a smile: "He's arrived quite early indeed!"

  After washing and dressing, Chen Jingyun came out of the main hall only after eating two bowls of millet porridge.

  An Hualin had just heard the footsteps and immediately stood up. He then walked to Chen Jingyun's front: "I've seen the commander!"

  Chen Jingyun was very satisfied with this appearance, and first of all, he didn't care whether the person had talent or not. The key point was that he wasn't a member of the Tongmenghui, but rather someone Chen himself had lifted up, which meant that he could only rely on Chen as his backing.

  "Director An has come so early, have you had breakfast?" Chen Jingyun said casually, gesturing for An Hualin to sit down as he sat down himself.

  "Thanks for your concern, sir. I've already had my breakfast before I came!" An Hualin sat down but didn't dare to sit properly, only letting his buttocks touch the edge of the chair.

  Chen Jingyun sat down, picked up his teacup and took a small sip: "Now the military government is in its early stages, things are difficult, Minister An, you are in charge of the Ministry of Finance, with great responsibility, you must work hard!"

  An Hualin was so humble in his attitude, Chen Jingyun also showed the attitude of a superior.

  An Hualin stood up again after hearing Chen Jingyun's words: "Report to the governor, I will do my best to control this financial situation!"

  After finishing speaking, he glanced at Chen Jingyun and saw that Chen Jingyun didn't say anything else, so he took the initiative to say: "Last night after the meeting was over, I organized people overnight to check the treasury left by the former Qing dynasty!"

  "Oh, how much is left over there?" Chen Jingyun asked.