The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

  The topic that foreign consuls are most concerned about is the current political situation in Peiping.

  Since the bribery of President Cao Kun toppled, Duan Qirui has been pushed to the front desk to temporarily govern. In fact, he is just a puppet. He wanted to use the contradictions between the warlords of various factions to maintain a balance and consolidate his dominance.

  Finally, the conflict between Feng Yuxiang and the Feng faction intensified, the Feng faction united Wu Peifu to overthrow Feng, and the National Army was driven out of the capital.

   Today's Beiping is jointly controlled by the Zhi and Feng clan warlords, headed by Wu Peifu and Zhang Zuolin. When the two met in Beijing at the beginning of the month, they quarreled fiercely over political issues, resulting in a stalemate. Wu Peifu proposed to restore Cao Kun's legal system because they were all straight warlords. However, Zhang Zuolin hoped to restore the contract and reconvene the parliament to form a regent cabinet.

   The current Republic of China does not even have a National Assembly and a Cabinet, let alone a President, the Beiyang government is completely paralyzed, and the salaries of civil servants have not been paid for a month.

   In this chaotic situation, all kinds of monsters and ghosts have popped up, and even the voices of support for Puyi's restoration are not small. Kang Youwei is actively running for the emperor, hoping to get the support of Wu Peifu. In order to increase the bargaining chip with Zhang Zuolin, Wu Peifu did not refuse. The royalists are showing signs of resurgence.

  Because of this, Chu Yupu, a Fengtian warlord, was so concerned about the deposed emperor Puyi's every move and accepted Zhou Hexuan's bad idea to seduce the queen.

  The foreigners are also anxious to see it, because many vital interests are at stake, and they hope that the Beiyang government can restore the apparent order as soon as possible.

   In the face of the questions raised by the foreign consuls, Chu Yupu patted his chest and assured: "Don't worry, everyone, our Marshal Zhang will definitely be able to settle the situation, and the new Congress and Cabinet will be formed in a month or two at the latest!"

  The foreign consul still wanted to ask about the details, but Chu Yupu, a rude old man who didn’t understand politics, was just blindly talking nonsense. When it came to the key point, he was either talking big or hitting haha, which made the foreign devils quite speechless.

   Zhou Hexuan is very clear about this issue.

  In history, Zhang Zuolin and Wu Peifu compromised with each other and each took a step back to restore the cabinet appointed by Cao Kun, but Cao Kun himself failed to successfully return as president. But Zhang Zuolin was stronger in the end, and soon forced the Prime Minister to resign, and the actual control of the Beiyang government eventually fell into Zhang Zuolin's hands.

   Zhou Hexuan didn't dare to say such words, he had to hide his clumsiness, so as not to cause another mess.

  Foreigners and Chu Yupu, the old rude, can’t tell clearly, they simply chatted with each other, religion, art, politics, literature, fashion... one by one.

   Chu Yupu couldn't speak, so he could only grumble and complain, "These foreign devils are really hard to serve."

   Zhou Hexuan originally wanted to take the opportunity to make friends with several foreign consuls, but because of the presence of Marshal Chu, he really didn't dare to show off the limelight, so he could only laugh honestly.

  Suddenly, a waltz sounded in the hall, and foreigners stepped onto the dance floor in pairs.

  Chu Yupu felt even more depressed, because he didn't know how to dance at all, so he could only take his fifth concubine to the side to rest, rolled up his sleeves and said, "His grandma is a bear, I shouldn't have this banquet tonight."

   A foreign woman in her 40s suddenly came over. She seemed to be very interested in the new warlord, and said in broken Chinese, "Mr. Dashuai, can I dance with you?"

   "That...this..." Commander Chu, who has always been decisive and rude to kill, actually twisted at this moment.

  Shen Yaorong said with a wicked smile: "Commander, Mr. Zhou has traveled to Western countries, and he will definitely dance the dance of foreigners."

   Chu Yupu finally found the bottom of the steps, pointed at Zhou Hexuan and said, "Yes, you go, you must dance well, and don't embarrass Lao Tzu."

   Zhou Hexuan smiled helplessly: "As ordered."

   Chu Yupu said to the foreign woman: "I feel a little sick today, I will ask Secretary Zhou to dance with you."

   Zhou Hexuan walked up to the foreign woman, stretched out his hands and bowed in a salute, "Beautiful lady, it's an honor to dance with you."

  The foreign woman saw that Zhou Hexuan was tall and handsome, and seemed to be very appetizing, so she smiled and put her hand in his palm, and the two walked slowly to the dance floor hand in hand.

   This woman's face and figure are not bad, but there are too many freckles, and the thick foundation can't cover it up. Zhou Hexuan looked at his nose and heart with his eyes, and instantly entered the sage mode, clasping the foreign woman's hand with one hand, and wrapping the other's waist with the other, moving his body to the rhythm of the music.

   "Oh, you dance well," praised the foreign woman. "What's your name?"

   "My name is Zhou Hexuan, my English name is Charles, and I'm currently the foreign secretary of Marshal Chu," Zhou Hexuan asked politely, "Dare to ask the lady's name?"

"My name is Marion Capet, and you can call me Marie."

   "Cape? It's really an ancient surname," Zhou Hexuan said in French, "your ancestor must be a French noble."

  Marion said in surprise: "You actually know the Cape family?"

   Zhou Hexuan said with a smile: "Of course, the Capet family is too famous. The famous family of the Count of Paris and the Duke of France has a profound impact on French history. Later, the Bourbon family of the Bourbon Dynasty was only a branch of the Capet family."

   "You are really a learned Chinese," Marion said. "Even if my surname is placed in France, not many people know its origin. After all, we have been in decline for hundreds of years."

   Zhou Hexuan deliberately complimented: "A great family is like a great nation, it has a profound heritage, and even if it declines for a while, there will always be another day of glory."

   "Thank you for your blessing." Marion was very happy.

  The two chatted for a while before Zhou Hexuan finally figured out her identity. It turned out to be the wife of the French consul and had been in Tianjin for several years.

   After all, he is a romantic and fashionable French, and the topic gradually turned to art. Marion asked, "You said you lived in France for two years. Which painter do you like most? Impressionism?"

   "No no no, Impressionism is outdated," Zhou Hexuan said eloquently, "I am a believer of Futurism."

  Marion was surprised: "Then you are trendy enough. Many Europeans cannot accept Futurism. Especially the French, Futurism always challenges authority."

Zhou Hexuan said: "The essence of life is development and movement. Art can not only reflect the existence of the past, but must return to life and pursue a better and unpredictable future. The most typical shortcoming of French people in art is that It's too cliché to lean towards feminine, gentle, feminine and static, and one day you'll be dead on in the glories of the past, and futurism is a good medicine."

   "Very original and profound point of view," Marion praised, "Are you an art major?"

   "No, in fact, I don't have any degree. I have been wandering around the world for the past ten years, observing Western civilization from the perspective of a low-level bystander..." Zhou Hexuan began to make up stories and pretend to be forceful.

   After a waltz, the French consul's wife developed a strong interest in Zhou Hexuan, and even invited him to a weekend salon party.