Zhu Nanzhen sank for a moment before saying, "If Luzhou Prefecture refuses again this time, what punishment will Prefect Lu be punished? Can the Governor's Office directly remove his official position?"

Chang Qingde hesitated for a moment before saying, "That's not the case. According to the laws of the Qing Dynasty, all the life and death of officials will be decided by the central government of the court. The governor's yamen should report to the court. The court will make a judgment based on the circumstances. However, according to the customs of the Qing Dynasty, if the governor's magistrate is the governor's magistrate, the court will most likely approve it. Therefore, if the Anhui governor's magistrate's magistrate's magistrate's magistrate, Lu will lose his official position and dismiss his post at the worst."

Zhu Nanzhen said: "That is to say, now you, Magistrate Lu, can only make a choice between us and the Qing court, and there is no room for getting along with each other."

Chang Qingde smiled bitterly and said, "That's exactly what it is."

Zhu Nanzhen nodded and said, "Mr. Chang, although we have not been in contact for a long time, Luzhou Prefecture has indeed given us a lot of help during this period. It can be said that Luzhou Prefecture's support for us has reached this point. We remember all this in our hearts."

Chang Qingde hurriedly said, "There are the people who are willing to help the people, and it is still a great act of kindness and righteousness, and it is also a solution to the difficulties of our Luzhou Prefecture. If the people who are not here, it would have probably caused the disaster and the people who are in trouble. Therefore, what we do is also worthwhile."

Zhu Nanzhen said: "Okay, I can give you a brief explanation. If you Prefect Lu really can't make it with the Qing court, we can welcome him here. We can not only provide protection for him, but also use it in quantity."

Chang Qingde hurriedly bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness. Director Zhu's words will be true to the Prime Minister Lu."

Zhu Nanzhen said: "The current trend of the world is not to mention that you and Prefect Lu should be clear about it. I think Prefect Lu may not want to be loyal to the Qing court, so I asked Mr. Chang to tell Prefect Lu that he would do his own things and not mistake him."

Chang Qingde nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, yes, I will definitely tell you the truth, tell you the truth."

Although the East China ** in principle is in Anhui, Jiangsu and other provinces, after the flood, they only occupy rural areas and towns, and temporarily avoid big cities to temporarily avoid a full-scale war with the Qing court, if there is a chance, there is no need to pay too much money. It is still feasible to occupy several cities located in strategic points. If Lu Chengxiang can be persuaded to surrender to the East China **, he can get the strategic location of Hefei with his hand, which is of course quite cost-effective.

Speaking of this, Chang Qingde's purpose of visiting this time had already been achieved, so he stood up and said goodbye, returned to Hefei, and immediately went to meet Lu Chengxiang. Although Lu Chengxiang was pretending to be sick and refused to see the guests, Chang Qingde must meet him. He also brought Chang Qingde to the inner room for a secret discussion.

Of course, Chang Qingde would not hide it, and said to Lu Chengxiang in detail the content of his conversation with Zhu Nanzhen. After listening, Lu Chengxiang frowned and said silently. After a long time, he said, "What do you think Mr. Chang?"

Chang Qingde said: "Dongweng, can Luzhou Prefecture refuse this request from the governor?"

Lu Chengxiang shook his head and said, "I'm afraid I can't refuse this time."

Chang Qingde said: "Then, just like the order of the governor, can we send troops to expel East China **? "

Lu Chengxiang smiled bitterly and said, "You can't do it either."

Chang Qingde said: "This is as Director Zhu said. Now Dongweng can only make a choice between the East China ** and the court, and there is no room for getting along with each other. And as today's general trend, East China ** will gain the world, start a country, and build a country, and establish a foundation are driven by the general trend, and it is not something that can be done by anyone."

Lu Chengxiang was silent for a while and said, "I have been eating the king's fortune. I have been eating the king's fortune for more than 10 years. Although I dare not say that I have made great contributions to the court, I am also conscientious and conscientious in governing the integrity of being a minister. Moreover, the court has never let me down. Once I betray the Qing Dynasty and surrender to the East China **, wouldn't I be a ill minister? It is a lifelong humiliation."

Chang Qingde said: "Although what Dongwen said is reasonable, the world is not feasible now. Since ancient times, it is said that "good birds choose trees to live in, good ministers choose masters to work." It is also said that "the real man knows each other and moves, and the one who drives good fortune and avoids misfortune is a gentleman." Moreover, although the court has not been considered a rebellious act, severe punishment and tyranny, it is not ambition to make progress. Ten thousand horses are silenced, losing power and humiliating the country. It is really a matter of one's own ambition. At this moment, abandoning Qing and surrendering to East China is not a minister who is against the country, but a dark and light. Moreover, Dongwen does not care about himself, but should also think about his children and grandchildren. Therefore, Dongwen must not mislead himself."

Lu Chengxiang sank for a while before saying, "Whether, the general trend is the trend, no one can go against it. Well, I'll ask you to go there again and explain the matter clearly with overseas Chinese."

Chang Qingde hurriedly said, "Yes, the students will go tomorrow."

Lu Chengxiang nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work."

So on the second day, Chang Qingde rushed to the camp again and met Zhu Nanzhen again, indicating that Lu Chengxiang was willing to defect to East China **, and Zhu Nanzhen also expressed his approval of Lu Chengxiang's resolution and gave instructions on Lu Chengxiang's next action. Now Luzhou Prefecture can send a document to the Governor's Yamen first, but it still refuses. It depends on the reaction of the Governor's Yamen. If the Qing court did not abolish or arrest Lu Chengxiang, then Lu Chengxiang would still be in Luzhou Prefecture and should not expose his identity for the time being. Wait until the abolish or arrest resolution is issued, then deal with it.

This decision was exactly what Lu Chengxiang thought. Although he had decided to surrender to the East China **, he still hoped to maintain this state of fence and keep his best and keep his own way until the situation became clear. Zhu Nanzhen's instructions just allowed Lu Chengxiang to maintain this state for the time being. At least it is possible on the East China ** side. Of course, with Zhu Nanzhen's promise, Lu Chengxiang was confident enough. So in reply to the official documents of the Governor's Office, Lu Chengxiang said that Luzhou Prefecture suffered severe disasters and suffered huge losses. Now he could only refuse to defend Luzhou Prefecture City, and was unable to expel overseas Chinese, and asked the Governor to send troops to combat the thieves. In fact, this was a rebel against the Governor's Office. It was to see if the Governor had the ability to send troops. Anyway, according to the rules of the Qing court, as long as the Governor's Office was defending the city, the responsibility would not be great.

At the camp, after Zhu Nanzhen sent Chang Qingde away, he returned to the office tent. Xie Tao, who was sitting in the tent, saw him coming back, immediately handed him a telegram and said, "Look at this."

Zhu Nanzhen said, "What's the news?" He took it and sat in his seat, and said, "Shanghai will send a press team to our camp for an interview? This is to increase publicity efforts."

Xie Tao said: "Yes, General Luo also has to come over to inspect the inspection, and ask us to face the inspection this time, not to do official articles in the interview, nor to engage in welcome activities, celebrations, etc., and the camp operation is enough to maintain normal state."

Zhu Nanzhen frowned and said, "Isn't that going to further stimulate the Qing court? After Lao Chang came yesterday, I said that the Qing court has reacted now and is probably going to obstruct us. At this time, we have to publicize it. This is not to further stimulate the Qing court. Maybe the Qing court will stand up and take risks. Isn't it better to listen to my suggestions earlier, so it's better to be low-key?"

Xie Tao smiled and said, "Hand up and take the risk? Do you think the Qing court dares to send troops to attack us?"

Zhu Nanzhen said: "That won't happen. Now Henan Province is in our hands. The Beiyang New Army cannot pass. It is not enough to rely on the local army of Anhui Province. But can you do some small moves without sending troops? Yesterday I ordered the army to strengthen patrols in the surrounding areas and expand the scope of patrols. As a result, I received a report today. I found several groups of suspicious people around, and I also caught three of them and were being interrogated."

Xie Tao laughed and said, "If the Qing court really made some small moves, what if we still want it? Even if it causes certain losses to the camp, as long as the losses are controlled within a certain range."

Zhu Nanzhen was confused when he heard this and said, "Old Xie, what's the reason?"

Xie Tao stood up, took a glass of water, patted Zhu Nanzhen on the shoulder, and said, "Old Zhu! You are still a little tender, don't understand the tricks here? This time we spent a lot of manpower to rescue disasters, not only to help the people, but also to promote our bright and benevolent image. On the one hand, we proved that we are not only capable of force, but also far exceeding the Qing court in terms of people's governance and people's livelihood. On the other hand, we compare with the Qing court to let all Chinese people see that in this flood, we performed well with the Qing court, so that we can prepare for our public opinion in the next step of overthrowing the Qing court. Therefore, this disaster relief cannot be low-key, but should be widely publicized and sent a press team to interview. This is why it is obvious that we should further strengthen publicity. Whether this kind of publicity stimulates the Qing court or not is not the scope of our consideration, or we originally planned to use this disaster relief to stimulate the Qing court."

Zhu Nanzhen said: "I know this principle, but what does it have to do with the Qing court making small moves on our camp and sabotaging us!"

Xie Tao said: "Think about it, if the Qing court really did some small moves and caused harm to the camp, and then we spread these things out and hype them in the media, what do you think will be the consequences? During this flood, our East China ** was willing to let go of political differences and make every effort to rescue the disaster. But the Qing court not only did not do any small things in disaster relief, but instead kept setting obstacles to our disaster relief work, causing trouble, or even causing damage. So what do you think the people would think? I am afraid that no matter how loyal the Qing court is, he will be completely disappointed with the Qing court."

Zhu Nanzhen pointed and said, "So that's the case. What if the Qing court didn't do anything? Should we do something by ourselves and blame the Qing court?"

Xie Tao shook his head and said, "That's not possible. The risk is too great. It is difficult to do such a scapegoat perfectly. If there is a loophole, it will be detrimental to us. After all, we are the dominant party now, and there is no need to take this risk. In addition, even if the Qing court makes small moves, we should try our best to prevent it and not let the camp be damaged, because as long as the Qing court does it, it's enough. If he does it, we can exaggerate it to ten."
Chapter completed!