The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

Zhang Ji arrived at Tianjin Railway Station with two entourages, and then went straight to the Tianjin Municipal Government in a rickshaw.

When passing a section of the main street, Zhang Ji suddenly discovered that the tram tracks in the middle of the road had been removed. Most of the various shops along the road were also closed. After asking someone, he found out that all walks of life in Tianjin were on strike.

Not only that, but I heard that there are crowds of students gathered in the concession, shouting slogans and holding patriotic parades.

Zhang Ji was so surprised that he repeatedly sighed: "Why is this, why is this! How did a small incident of tram price increase develop to such a point?"

Zhang Ji hurriedly bought two newspapers on the side of the road to get a general idea of ​​what happened. He said angrily: "There must be someone behind the scenes, and this thief has ulterior motives!"

Half an hour later, Zhang Ji came to the official residence of the Tianjin Municipal Government. When he saw Zhou Longguang, he reprimanded him: "How did you become the mayor of Tianjin? You didn't know that the Central Committee was in crisis by making such a big deal. ?"

Zhou Longguang was aggrieved and complained, "Mr. Puquan, I'm in trouble too! I just returned to Tianjin in January to take up my post. I didn't even get my butt hot, and I encountered a storm of tram price hikes. The city government is all Zhang Hanqing's confidantes, and the city party department also They don’t listen to my orders at all. The foreigners in the concession are making trouble, the local chamber of commerce is making trouble, and the party headquarters are also making noise. I am a bare-handed commander, and no one can command me. Who am I to provoke whom?”

Zhang Ji was silent for a moment, seeming to understand Zhou Longguang's situation, and asked: "Who is planning behind the scenes when this incident expands? Is it a member of the Red Party?"

Zhou Longguang said angrily: "If the red party members are easy to deal with, I can arrest them directly. But this time, the mastermind behind the scenes, I can't move at all, and I can't move either!"

"Who is it?" Zhang Ji asked.

Zhou Longguang said depressedly: "It's Zhou Hexuan and Zhou Mingcheng!"

Zhang Ji was suddenly surprised: "He is a scholar, can he make such a big deal?"

Zhou Longguang explained: "He is more than a scholar, he is the No. 1 local snake in Tianjin. Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce, various industry associations, education associations, municipal officials, party leaders, hooligans, newspapers and magazines, student masses... Everyone listened to him, and he responded to everything, and I couldn't stop him from doing things. He also said that he wanted to look good to the foreign devils. Isn't this sincerely adding to the chaos for the government?"

"He can really mobilize all walks of life in Tianjin?" Zhang Ji couldn't imagine.

Zhou Longguang said angrily: "Zhou Hexuan's influence in Tianjin is greater than Du Yuesheng's influence in Shanghai. Usually, he doesn't show his presence, but once he goes crazy, it will kill me!"

In fact, it is not as evil as what Zhou Longguang said. Although Zhou Hexuan has a certain influence, it is impossible for Tianjin to go on strike with a single sentence. He is just following the trend.

Why did everyone listen to Zhou Hexuan's command?

On the one hand, the Chinese people have the same hatred against foreigners, and on the other hand, it is because of the alliance of interests.

The Tianjin General Chamber of Commerce wants to get involved in the tram lighting business, the Tianjin Municipal Party Headquarters wants to take the opportunity to expand its influence, the Tianjin Municipal Government wants to increase the service fee (tax) of the tram company, the people of Tianjin want to maintain the original price of the tram, and the trade unions of various industries in Tianjin want to To force the tram company to make concessions (reduce the handling fee for copper dollar exchange)...

It can only be said that the tram company founded by the Belgians has become the public enemy of the people of Tianjin. The food of this company is too ugly. It unites the concessions of various countries and does not leave a way for the Chinese to survive.

When Chu Yupu was in charge of Tianjin, he was pushed by the local chamber of commerce to attack the tram company once, but unfortunately it was unsuccessful at that time.

But Zhou Longguang didn't understand this. In his opinion, when Zhou Hexuan said something casually, the whole Tianjin listened to Zhou Hexuan's orders, and he, the mayor of Tianjin, was regarded as a transparent air.

Zhang Ji was also intimidated by Zhou Longguang's description, and he no longer dared to underestimate Zhou Hexuan. He already regarded Zhou Hexuan as a Du Yuesheng-like character, and he was also an upgraded version of Du Yuesheng. He frowned and said, "Don't act rashly, I'll visit Zhou Mingcheng and have a look, I hope he can hold his hand high."

"I'll accompany you." Zhou Longguang said.

The two rushed to visit Zhou Hexuan in the Sanle Hall. When they arrived at the destination, Zhang Ji tidied up his clothes carefully and said to the servant: "Please tell Mr. Zhou that I, Zhang Ji, Special Commissioner of the Central Government, have the liberty to visit."

After a while, the servant opened the door and said, "Please come in, gentlemen!"

Zhang Ji came to the living room, solemnly clasped his fists and said, "Mr. Zhou, long time no see."

Zhou Hexuan completely ignored Zhou Longguang, and said to Zhang Ji with a smile: "Congratulations to Mr. Zhang for his promotion."

"Hey, why am I promoted? It's just hard work!" Zhang Ji smiled wryly and waved his hands.

When Chang Kaishen left office, Zhang Ji was appointed as the head of the Legislative Council, a position that belonged to one of the several elders in the central government. But Zhang Ji knew that Chang Kaishen would definitely come back to power, so he resolutely refused to accept the post of Legislative President.

Sure enough, when Chang Kaishen came back again, he favored Zhang Ji's "loyalty" behavior, and appointed Zhang Ji as the chairman of the Xijing Preparatory Committee - the general person in charge of moving the capital to Luoyang.

Zhou Hexuan asked: "Why is Mr. Zhang not in Luoyang, but what kind of special commissioner?"

Zhang Ji said with a wry smile: "I was going to Luoyang for a meeting this trip to the north. In the end, I was arrested and asked me to come to Tianjin to deal with the storm of tram price increases. Mr. Zhou, I am not familiar with the situation in Tianjin. You must be sure." Please help."

Zhou Hexuan laughed and said perfunctorily: "I'm just a poor scholar, how can I help Mr. Zhang?"

Zhang Ji said: "I can help. Mr. Zhou is a famous person in Tianjin. People from all walks of life in Tianjin should give some face. Now the country is in troubled times and urgently needs the support of European and American powers. There should be no more accidents. Mr. Zhou, you can help me The overall situation is the most important!"

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, you don't need to worry about this matter, it will be resolved soon, and I promise not to add trouble to the central government."

"Really?" Zhang Ji was dubious.

"I guarantee it with my personality, the premise is that Mr. Zhang does not interfere with this matter." Zhou Hexuan said.

Zhang Ji frowned, he just came to Tianjin on the way, and he was going to Luoyang for a meeting soon, so he didn't have time to waste. After thinking about it, Zhang Ji said: "Since Mr. Zhou has a plan in mind, I will not interfere any more."

"Don't!" Zhou Longguang suddenly interrupted and yelled, he was afraid that Zhang Ji would leave him alone, and Zhou Hexuan would make a mess out of control, and finally he, the mayor of Tianjin, would be the one to take the blame.

Zhou Hexuan said angrily: "Mayor Zhou, don't yell, you just watch the show with peace of mind."

"You...don't make any sense!" Zhou Longguang felt so aggrieved. He was the mighty mayor of Tianjin, but no one took him seriously in Tianjin, so he was scolded at will.

Seeing this situation, Zhang Ji also despised Zhou Longguang, thinking that this guy is a wimp.

Although Zhang Ji's character is not good, he is narrow-minded and likes to hold grudges, even attacking political opponents with indiscriminate means, but he is a person who dares to take responsibility, and he looks down on such a coward like Zhou Longguang from the bottom of his heart.

At that moment, Zhang Ji ignored Zhou Longguang, but said to Zhou Hexuan, "Mr. Zhou, aren't you going to Luoyang to attend the National Crisis Conference?"

Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "I won't get involved in this kind of important national affairs once I'm alone."

"Mr. Zhou, you are very knowledgeable, so you should go. Scholars such as Chen Yinke and Ma Yinchu will also go to Luoyang for a meeting," Zhang Ji said solemnly, "As the chairman of the Xijing Preparatory Committee, I would like to extend my respect to Zhou again. Mr. Zhou sent an invitation, hoping that Mr. Zhou can attend the Luoyang National Disaster Conference! Discuss the great plan of saving the country and disaster relief!"

Zhou Hexuan thought for a while and said, "Then go."