Chapter 5, Pathways
Forget it, soldiers should not get involved with politicians
Although you are in China, you must not forget the honor of the imperial soldiers
Two Japanese cultural agents disembarked in Mingguang, and one can only imagine how thunderously enraged Major Maeda would be in the future; however, this was no longer a concern for Dai Jiliang
Dai Jiliang turned back to the car owner with a look of confusion and bewilderment
How much do we charge for three people in one car
After a brief interlude, the train continued to sway forward, day after day, getting closer to the final destination, and Dai Jiliang's mood became increasingly fraught with anxiety and uncertainty
The meaning of lieutenant is to express a desire to serve in the German Embassy in China, but this is almost impossible
Yuan'er, do not be afraid, the door is already locked, and the curtains are drawn, so it cannot be seen from outside. Moreover, the noise of the train is so loud that it cannot be heard either
However, a smooth entry into the city does not imply that Dai Jiliang's quest for requests and favors will be equally smooth. It is important to note that the Nanjing provisional government has ended, and most officials have moved north to the capital, leaving various departments in a state of chaotic integration. Even though there are some vacancies in the Ministry of Army, the competition is fierce, and with so many predators lurking, how could Dai Jiliang possibly have an easy path? Furthermore, the substantial military power that Dai Jiliang seeks is not something he intends to wait for until death in the Ministry of Army. Even though there are some vacancies in the Ministry of Army, the competition is fierce, and with so many predators lurking, how could Dai Jiliang possibly have an easy path? Moreover, the substantial military power that Dai Jiliang seeks is not something he intends to wait for until death in the Ministry of Army.
Grandfather, I truly did not realize that you are a distinguished gentleman
Dai Jiliang responded with restraint, the door of hope had already been opened, and the subsequent developments were no longer within his control
The big fellow with a nose like a wine-soaked sponge instinctively reacted
One yuan, let's go
I will look for connections again; if that does not work, I still have a trump card.
Oh, is the officer speaking to a recipient of the Second Class Iron Cross, personally conferred by His Majesty Wilhelm II, a graduate of the Berlin Military Academy, and a lieutenant of the Empire in such a manner?
Alright, alright, stop the chatter. Do you know about the Jiangsu Guild Hall? If you don't, I may have to ask you to leave.
Dai Jiliang is somewhat enigmatic
Chinese? Japanese?
Elder brother, do not lose heart
Look how beautiful the land of Zhili is
The Six Nations Hotel primarily served as a lodging, dining, and entertainment venue for diplomats, officials, and the upper class of various countries at that time, becoming a gathering place for dignitaries and nobility
I know, I know, please take your seat, today I, Cui Er, have encountered a benefactor
Dai Jiliang shook his head, stating that Tang Shaoyi was a bourgeois liberal and naturally not the ideal candidate for the premiership in Yuan Shikai's eyes. It was evident that this Tang cabinet had little time left, and associating with him would be akin to the birthday celebrant hanging himself in despair. He did not wish to spend his life languishing in a cold palace.
The doorman received the shilling tip handed over by Dai Jiliang and respectfully bowed to him
You say this is your first time in the capital, yet you do not even acknowledge it, not even knowing about the Chongwenmen tax card
Fortunately, Dai Jiliang found his sworn brother, Zeng Zhisheng. This fellow, having made the right choice, is now a prominent figure in the Ministry of Transport. "How about I go look for Premier Tang?"
In this era, passports are only issued by the governments of hostile nations during wartime, thus there is no concept of visas. As Dai Jiliang stood there, his military demeanor was unmistakable, creating an illusion for the weary American soldiers.
Dai Jiliang gracefully declined Zeng Zhisheng's kind offer
The wheels rolled steadily, accompanied by the continuous narration of the driver, Dai Jiliang finally arrived in Beijing at the beginning of the twentieth century
What?
Certainly, this unusual sensation of prickling and excitement was something that the refined young lady Li Yuan could never have imagined. Thus, unable to withstand the torment, she was soon brought to a peak several times, gradually unable to support herself, and fell into a deep slumber.
There used to be precise figures, but not anymore
Two glasses of dark beer
Several tax officials hesitated to speak, ultimately directing their ire towards the owner of the vehicle
Many significant historical events in old Beijing are connected to this place in one way or another
Monkey cub, are you not leaving yet? Your uncle is waiting to take you to meet the prince
I am at your service
In addition, some former Chinese political figures who have stepped down often come here to seek refuge
Dai Jiliang presented all his honors and certificates before Mannheim
I am a Japanese citizen, and I am unsure whether I can enter to meet our country's envoy
No, no
Then, shouldn't it be your turn to treat today
The owner of the car is still quite surprised. It should be noted that although the Longyang is the national currency designated by the Ministry of Revenue of the Qing Dynasty, it still has some shortcomings compared to the widely circulated Mexican silver dollar. Generally speaking, one Mexican silver dollar can be exchanged for approximately one Longyang and one jiao.
The large man, as if propelled by a spring, suddenly sat up straight, put on his monocle, and began to read the items on the table with great care.
"Please point it out for me, wait a moment, this pound is yours."
Additionally, he can also contact Senior Jiang Baili. Although this prominent figure has faced exclusion in the northern region, as the president of the Baoding Military Academy, his connections are undoubtedly substantial
It does not matter
To enter the capital from the surrounding villages, one must pass through Chongwenmen. This tax has been an old tradition passed down since the Hongzhi era of the Ming Dynasty; without payment, one cannot enter this Shuntian Prefecture
A big man can become a military officer, and he will definitely not be politically dull either
Elder brother, what are you doing up ahead
In recent days, individuals from the southern provisional government have been traveling north, and these unscrupulous characters do not dare to act arrogantly. They did not even lift the curtains of the horse-drawn carriage, but merely whispered a few words with the scribe and casually quoted a price.
Japanese people
There is nothing wrong with the items, and the person matches the photograph. What does Lieutenant Steinberg represent?
Dai Jiliang was indeed very satisfied with his earlier decision, otherwise how could he possibly subject his newlywed wife to such humiliating training during these torturous days
Stop! This is Dongjiao Minxiang, entry is not permitted for Chinese people
Dai Jiliang sighed while plucking and seizing from his wife's half-naked body
Thank you for your beer, please step aside, I do not deal with rude yellow-skinned monkeys
However, this is the final step; unless there is truly no other way, Dai Jiliang will absolutely not take this step.
In the early 20th century, the stretch of road from the Tianjin Terminal of the Jinpu Railway to Beijing, spanning several dozen kilometers, had to be transported by horse-drawn carriages and mule carts. However, it was fortunate that, firstly, there were foreign troops stationed along the route ensuring good security, and secondly, the so-called "Beijing oilers" and the coachman Dai Jiliang from Tianjin entertained passengers along the way with their performances, making the lengthy journey quite enjoyable.
Dai Jiliang settled his wife and then lay down himself
In fact, as long as the Chinese people adhere to the rules and queue up, the speed is quite fast. Before long, it was Dai Jiliang's turn.
Did the German military attaché arrive today
The car owner hesitated to speak, saying, "Your accent is not from the northern region, and you have brought your new wife. Recently, there was a disturbance in Beijing caused by the Beiyang Army over unpaid wages, resulting in significant losses for various businesses. These scoundrels have also seen a decrease in their income, so they have been rather unscrupulous lately, making it impossible to count on this money."
The big guy ultimately nodded his head
Is there something wrong
I have already arrived in Bazhou
At a glance, it is evident that Dai Jiliang comes from a military background
Although Li Yuan tried her best to hide in the bed, the confined space of the private room left her nowhere to escape
The commander should be aware that the influence of the Japanese in China's military circles has already surpassed that of the German Empire
Dai Jiliang shook his head nonchalantly, and he also added a piece of dragon silk. If he had followed his earlier thoughts, two slaps would probably have resulted in him having to give change.
The Morocco issue could put Europe in a state of imminent crisis. Although Germany is powerful, having one less opponent and one more China that can divert the attention of the Anglo-Japanese alliance is not necessarily a bad thing
Dai Jiliang looked around, and he was unable to identify a single individual with Germanic features among the bustling crowd of white people. Therefore, he could only raise the invincible artifact of tips.
Dai Jiliang pondered for a moment; this likely referred to Yuan Shikai using the Third Division's mutiny to intimidate the southern representatives. However, it was of no concern to him, as such chaos could not be resolved through individual heroism. As for dealing with these city gate officials, he still had some methods at his disposal. At worst, he would resort to the old trick of pretending to be Japanese once again
Certainly, Dai Jiliang is not boasting. If we contact a few of Lu Shi's classmates, it seems unlikely that the commander would have the capability to lead troops; the staff officers are always involved.
Dai Jiliang straightened his body and spoke in Japanese and English consecutively twice, which finally prompted the American soldier to lower his Springfield rifle
"If you are circumventing to enter your country's military, then why should I recommend you?"
It might be a Japanese officer, let him in
The carriage stopped outside the city of Sijiu, and Dai Jiliang got off, stretching his back. He looked at the long line of people in the distance and asked his driver.
If there could be one more officer trained in Germany, would the situation be somewhat better
Thank you, sir
Dai Jiliang nodded slightly, took a piece of Longyang from his pocket and pressed it into the hand of the tax officer, then calmly led the way inside under the astonished gaze of the car owner
You may not know, but in the past, it was just the three of us in this vehicle, and without three to five yuan, we couldn't even think about entering the city. But today, you just gave one yuan and we got in, one yuan!
Although the key departments of the Tang Cabinet were under the control of Yuan Shikai, such as Foreign Minister Lu Zhengxiang, Minister of the Interior Zhao Bingjun, Minister of the Army Duan Qirui, and Minister of the Navy Liu Guanyong, all of whom were Yuan's confidants, the Minister of Finance Xiong Xiling was a Republican, and the position of Minister of Communications was held concurrently by Tang Shaoyi, which is why there is such a saying about Zeng Zhisheng
Lieutenant, I hope you can remember what was said today
Well, it seems that the Chongwenmen has been collecting tolls for three to four hundred years, which is far more powerful than those unscrupulous road management companies in Dai Jiliang's previous life. It appears that in the past life, one was indeed unaware of the blessings one had.
Dai Jiliang did not consult the host's opinion, but sat down in front of the lieutenant colonel on his own accord and snapped his fingers to summon a waiter
No, no, I only wish to ask the colonel to introduce General Duan Qirui, the Chief of the Chinese Army. He is also an alumnus of the Berlin Military Academy and a well-known pro-German figure in China. If you were to make the introduction, I am sure he would not refuse.
Fortunately, the soldiers on duty today are from the United States Marine Corps; if it were a rude Russian soldier or a cunning Japanese soldier, Dai Jiliang would be in even more trouble
Dai Jiliang smiled, but as each of these terms was announced, Manhain's expression grew serious
Colonel Mannheim usually sits in the bar downstairs; that tall, stout, red-haired white man is him
Lieutenant Steinberg is quite the schemer
Mannheim is not a person who becomes dizzy from just a few flattering words; he, along with the governor of Qingdao, bears the significant responsibility of enhancing the empire's influence in China, and mere two sentences are insufficient to persuade him
Soon, Dai Jiliang obtained the information he needed and swiftly walked towards a corner of the bar
How would one know without trying? Does the officer really want to watch as the businesses of Mauser, Krupp, and Vickers fall one by one into the hands of the Japanese?
I truly hope that when I wake up, everything will go smoothly
Prime Minister Tang
Dai Jiliang, pretending to be oblivious, took advantage of his wife's momentary distraction to half-drag, half-hug her to the car window, pulling aside a sliver of the curtain
Another cup for the Colonel
The Six Nations Hotel was built by the British in 1900 and consists of four floors
The car owner, coming to his senses, hurriedly drove the vehicle to catch up with Dai Jiliang
Two armed tax officers glanced at a certain individual standing upright, their brows furrowing. These individuals dealt with all sorts of characters daily and had long since developed a discerning eye.
A few soldiers discussed and then moved aside the roadblock, allowing a certain individual to enter.
Dai Jiliang smiled
A rich and robust Tianjin dialect comes rushing at you
The big guy almost bluntly asked, how much benefit can you give me
Even if he entered the legation quarter, Dai Jiliang could not directly walk to the German legation to seek an audience with the military attaché, so he could only go to one place first: the Liuguo Hotel
How is it said
There is a saying in China: "to speak arrogantly without shame." How can a mere soldier who has not yet integrated into the core of the officer corps influence the foreign affairs of the Yuan government
Manheim lazily slumped onto the table, calling out Dai Jiliang's name in German
This loss, the sons of bitches who cannot tolerate any sand in their eyes actually acknowledged it, truly left the car owner feeling incredulous