Chapter 166: Different ways, no conspiracy
After Li Bokai led Li Qiwei to Yuan Shikai's office, he left in accordance with military regulations.
Without an order to go up to the peak, a supervisor cannot enter the commander's tent at will.
Li Qiwei didn’t care about that much and walked in with a swagger.
The guard at the door knew his identity through Li Bokai and did not stop him.
Li Qiwei looked at the Chinese army's tent curiously. Different from what he imagined, this place looked extremely simple and crude.
Nothing like the dignified Governor-General of Zhili.
It is said that when Yuan Shikai was training troops at a small station, he often ate and lived with the soldiers to gain their love.
It seems that the other party has always maintained this habit.
Li Qiwei didn't have any objections to this. He believed that it was okay to stay close to the soldiers or keep a distance from them.
As long as you can win the battle.
At this time, a middle-aged man wearing New Army casual clothes, short and honest, but with an extremely powerful aura walked out from behind the screen.
Li Qiwei knew at a glance that this was Yuan Shikai.
"Haha, you must be Li Qiwei. You are indeed a good man of our Han nationality."
Li Qiwei said in a neither humble nor overbearing tone: "Junior, I pay my respects to Mr. Yuan."
Yuan Shikai stepped forward, looked at Li Qiwei carefully, then took his hand and said with a smile: "Your father and I once had a relationship."
"Bokai is your eldest brother again. When it comes to me, There is no need to be restrained here, come and sit down.”
Li Qiwei sat down on the left side at Yuan Shikai’s greeting.
I thought to myself, no wonder the eldest brother was promoted so quickly. It turned out that there was something about his father.
It seems that even if Li Hongzhang passes away, his influence will still remain.
Of course, it may also be that Yuan Shikai feels that the Li family is his own and he can feel safe using it.
"Qiwei, do you know why I came to you today."
"I don't know, please give me some advice."
Yuan Shikai touched his short beard and said, He smiled and said: "At the imperial meeting a month ago, your education reform outline was a blockbuster."
"Not only were the Queen Mother and the Emperor satisfied, but even the officials were full of praise after reading it."
"You are indeed worthy of your title as the Great Master of Western Studies."
Li Qiwei had no choice but to be given a high hat again, Grand Master of Western Studies, what a great name.
"My lord, you are ridiculous. Qiwei has been wandering overseas for six years and has not learned much. I am afraid that my suggestions will make people laugh."
Yuan Shikai smiled and said: "Qiwei, don't be humble. I still recognize your strength.”
“However, with your talent, it’s a bit unfair to just be the deputy minister of management.”
Li Qiwei said quickly: "As a junior, I am a commoner. I am flattered to be appreciated by the Holy One. I dare not ask for more."
Yuan Shikai did not speak, but looked at Li Qiwei again and sighed in admiration.
"Before, I thought Qiwei you must be a proud and arrogant person, but I didn't expect you to be so naughty."
Li Qiwei complained, and he was not forced by you guys.
“I’m pressed for time, so I won’t chat with you.”
"I came to you today because I want you to be my general consultant of Western learning. Would you like it?"
Li Qiwei was surprised. He didn't expect Yuan Shikai to value him so much.
Although this so-called consultant is a false position, being able to directly serve a feudal official is an opportunity that many people only dream of.
However, Li Qiwei is obviously not among them. He is not interested in Lao Yuan at all.
Moreover, Lao Yuan's tone was tough and direct, and he seemed determined to win. He believed that Li Qiwei had no reason to refuse.
"Thank you for your kindness, sir. I am afraid that the younger generation will not be able to take on a big responsibility because of their limited talent and limited knowledge."
"I would rather do some minor work in the field of education."
"Huh?" Yuan Shikai suddenly frowned slightly, his face serious. .
If his subordinates saw this, Jubi would be scared to death.
However, Li Qiwei was fearless and looked directly at Yuan Shikai after speaking.
Either directly agree to this kind of thing, or firmly refuse it. It must not be ambiguous. It must be both necessary and necessary.
Li Qiwei is not afraid of offending Yuan Shikai. He and he have no professional overlap, so there is no need to lick each other.
Moreover, he will definitely not work as an adviser to anyone, not even Emperor Guangxu.
However, in Yuan Shikai's opinion, his behavior was a bit arrogant.
Who is Yuan Shikai?
The governor of Zhili and the minister of Beiyang also had an elite division under his command, the Wuwei Right Army.
It can be said that in the entire Qing Dynasty, few people dared to touch his face like this. Even if Li Qiwei is a so-called Cambridge doctor, a Nobel Prize winner in physics, or a British knight, he is not enough in front of Yuan Shikai.
So he couldn’t understand why Li Qiwei rejected him so simply.
“It seems that Qiwei has a lot of personality, I like it very much.”
"Those of you who have returned from studying abroad have great ambitions in your hearts."
"You must not look down upon my three-quarter acres of land, Mr. Yuan."
Yuan Shikai's face Although he was not displeased, Li Qiwei could tell the strangeness in his tone right away.
“Juniors don’t dare to think like this. They really know that they are incompetent and are afraid of betraying the trust of adults.”
“What I learned in the UK was all about the study of objects, and it is only suitable for teaching and educating people. Not suitable for marching combat.”
Translated, it means that different ways do not work together.
Li Qiwei was unwilling to be a subordinate to a big shot.
Yuan Shikai was a little unmotivated. He lowered his head to deal with government affairs and ignored Li Qiwei.
In his heart, this was just a trivial matter. He didn't expect that a young man would dare to refuse him.
In this era, the status of literati will always be inferior to that of warriors.
No matter how knowledgeable you are, one bullet can knock you down.
Yuan Shikai wanted to recruit Li Qiwei just on a whim.
Wouldn’t it be convenient to expand your own staff team in case you need it one day?
Even if the other party disagrees, it has no impact on him.
So, he didn't even have the intention to be polite.
He is no longer the Yuan Shikai who shared the joys and sorrows with the soldiers during the training at the small station.
But a commander with tens of thousands of troops and a powerful figure in the world.
Even the court did not dare to use force against him.
So, Yuan Shikai has changed. What he needs now is not to be courteous and virtuous, but to establish authority.
Li Qiwei is not used to him. If his plan goes well, Lao Yuan may come to lick him in the future.
So, he said goodbye as a junior and silently exited the tent.
After meeting Li Bokai again, he couldn't wait to ask: "Third brother, what did the commander-in-chief tell you?"
Li Qiwei mourned three seconds of silence for his eldest brother in his heart: I'm afraid he can only If you can continue to be a supervisor, forget about promotion.
But Yuan Shikai shouldn’t be that petty, right?
He couldn't bear to attack Li Bokai, so he said: "Nothing, just asking me about my current situation and encouraging me to reform Qing's education."
Li Bokai patted Li Qiwei's shoulder hard and said with a smile: "Then third brother, you have to do a good job."
"We are both civil and military, and we will do our best for China in the future!"
"Okay. !" Two pairs of big hands clasped together.
In the evening, in the Dongxing Building of the Eighth Building, Li Qiwei and Li Bokai drank to their heart's content, with Li San accompanying them.
I don’t know if it’s because of time travel, but Li Qiwei’s drinking capacity is surprisingly large.
Even with Li Bokai, a master in the army, he can fight without defeat, and bottles of good wine are on the ground.
Soon, all three of them were feeling dizzy from doing it.
Li Qiwei asked his eldest brother to learn how to lead troops in the army, which may be of great use in the future.
Although Li Bokai was half drunk, he still took his brother's words to heart.
"Third brother, don't worry, no matter what you do in the future, I will always support you, big brother."
"We three brothers must work together to create a future."
He is not a fool. He naturally knows that his brother is not a mortal and is bound to achieve great achievements and great things.
Maybe there will be an opportunity for the two brothers to join forces in the future.
Finally, Li San sent the two of them to their stay in the capital.
Li Bokai took a short leave tonight and can go to the military camp again tomorrow.
Early the next morning, before Li Qiwei woke up, Li Bokai had already left.
Li Qiwei also gathered his energy and prepared to deal with the next various things.
Soon, a few days later, an official from the inner court came to him and told him to prepare his clothes on the 15th and be escorted into the palace by the guards to face the saint.
Emperor Guangxu will summon him alone in Yangxin Hall.
Li Qiwei is also looking forward to it. He is about to see the most enviable existence in the feudal era for thousands of years, the emperor.
Although this emperor was a bit miserable.
(End of this chapter)