October 2, 1906, Beijing. Yuan Shikai and Wang Shizhen were sitting in the courtyard of Yuan’s home, chatting. Yuan Shikai suddenly remembered something. "Pinqing, what was the result of the rebellion in Xingtai a few days ago?"

"Lord Yuan, the matter in Xingtai has mostly been resolved. The bandit leader Pang Zi has fled westward," Wang Shizhen said to Yuan Shikai. "Although a warrant has been issued, I don't think he will be caught this year."

Yuan Shikai did not care about Pang Zi’s life or death at all. He sighed, "I didn't expect Jing Tingbin’s remnants to still be uncleared. It is somewhat strange. Pinqing, what do you think?"

Among the generals under Yuan Shikai's command, Wang Shizhen was the only one who always enjoyed his respect and trust. For all important military issues, Yuan would consult Shizhen before acting, asking, "Has Pinqing reviewed this?" For memorials submitted to the throne or documents to be issued, Yuan would definitely let Wang circle and revise them, and ask Wang to review them again before sending them out. Therefore, many people at the time called Wang the "Dragon's Eye," meaning Yuan's "eyes." When asked, Yuan Shikai would say, "Pinqing is the number one military talent in the Beiyang Army."

The core sphere of influence of the Beiyang Army was Shandong, Hebei, and Zhili. Yuan Shikai was from Henan, and Henan, which bordered Hebei and Shandong, was now also within his sphere of influence. And because Anhui was the birthplace of Li Hongzhang's Huai Army, Beiyang's influence in Anhui was also quite large. But generally speaking, Henan and Anhui were considered Beiyang's sphere of influence, while Hebei and Shandong were Beiyang's true core regions. Since the Gengzi year [1900], in this heartland of Hebei and Shandong, the biggest battle Yuan Shikai had faced was the uprising led by Jing Tingbin and Zhao Sanduo. Unexpectedly, five years later, Jing Tingbin's "remnants" still dared to rebel. Even if it was a small-scale rebellion like Pang Zi's, Yuan Shikai could not treat it lightly.

Wang Shizhen did not answer immediately. He had strictly ordered his subordinates to collect intelligence. Although the intelligence that had returned so far was full of various false statements, these little tricks could not hide the truth from Wang Shizhen. Through this intelligence, Wang Shizhen discovered a very strange thing: why did the landlords jointly accuse Pang Zi of rebellion, and why were these accusations filed even earlier than Pang Zi actually raising troops to rebel? Pang Zi attacking the defense battalion was a solid fact, so Wang Shizhen did not think Pang Zi was wrongly accused. No matter the reason, Pang Zi daring to attack the Canal Defense Battalion was blatant rebellion. But this matter itself had a background that compelled suspicion.

Yuan Shikai knew Wang Shizhen was meticulous and would not speak lightly unless he was absolutely certain. Seeing Wang Shizhen pondering in silence, Yuan Shikai smiled, "Pinqing, just speak your mind. This is but a small matter."

"Lord Yuan, I feel this matter is not that simple," Wang Shizhen answered calmly, then recounted the sequence of events regarding Pang Zi's rebellion. After stating the facts, Wang Shizhen concluded, "I always feel that there must be other forces supporting Pang Zi from behind. Otherwise, why would the landlords submit the accusation first?"

Yuan Shikai only started to rise to prominence after joining the army, so he always maintained a military bearing. No matter where he sat, his body was straight. Although this was a private conversation with Wang Shizhen, he maintained his habitual posture. He picked up his tea bowl and smelled the tea's fragrance, but did not drink it directly. Instead, he put the tea bowl back on the table. Only then did he smile, "It doesn't matter. Let's just let that battalion stay in Xingtai temporarily to continue pursuing the remnants of the rebels. Xingtai is very unsettled. If we don't use a heavy hand, I'm afraid there will be trouble in the future." It seemed Yuan Shikai did not think this was a big deal.

Wang Shizhen quickly advised, "Lord Yuan, I'm afraid the local officials won't be happy."

"For a period of half a month, just exterminate them in the rebels' old den. What can they do even if they are unhappy?" Yuan Shikai laughed. Seeing Wang Shizhen somewhat disapproving, Yuan Shikai asked again, "Pinqing, what do you think should be done?"

Wang Shizhen actually wanted to say that he would go and investigate personally. But he knew such a course of action was impossible to realize. Beiyang had extremely numerous matters right now, and Wang Shizhen could not get away at all. Although he felt the matter was strange, if he insisted on investigating it clearly, it would be absolutely impossible to do without a month, and if the Beiyang Army was stationed in one place for more than a month, even if there was no rebellion, one would be forced into existence. He could only sigh, "Let it be so for now. But it cannot exceed half a month. As far as I know, Pang Zi's incident was hasty. Apart from some bandits who originally followed Pang Zi, he didn't coerce any common people. Establishing authority there is enough; there is no need for excessive pursuit."

"We will do as Pinqing says." Yuan Shikai had not really treated Pang Zi's matter as a big deal anyway. If Pang Zi had been caught then and there, Yuan Shikai would have let the Beiyang troops in Nangong County return to Dezhou by now. Calling Wang Shizhen over today was actually for a more important matter. He placed both hands on the armrests of his chair, straightened his posture, and then continued, "Pinqing, what I actually wanted to tell you is something else. I want to recommend you as the Commander-in-Chief of Jiangbei, with the rank of Vice Minister of the Army."

According to the Qing system, military positions up to Commander-in-Chief were all First Rank, which was already extremely high, but they could not control the locality. However, the position of Commander-in-Chief of Jiangbei that Wang Shizhen was to assume was converted from the Governor of Jianghuai. Its predecessor was the Governor-General of Grain Transport, so it had the power to govern the locality and also managed grain transport affairs. This was an important position that governed the military when mounted and governed the people when dismounted.

Hearing this recommendation, Wang Shizhen was not overjoyed. He asked calmly, "Lord Yuan, now that the Beiyang Army is established, if I go to be this Commander-in-Chief of Jiangbei, how do you plan to arrange the affairs of the Beiyang Army?"

If anyone else had said this, Yuan Shikai would have suspected that this person was unwilling to let go of military power in the Beiyang Army. But Wang Shizhen was never a person who coveted power and position, and he was loyal to Yuan Shikai. His question was truly out of concern for Yuan Shikai's control over the Beiyang Army.

Yuan Shikai picked up his cup and took a sip of tea, then sighed, "Pinqing, I am now responsible for compiling the *Constitutional Outline*. If people think I am still holding onto the great power of the Beiyang Army, heh heh. Many people are already saying I am Cao Cao or Liu Yu. Who knows what else they will say later."

After the Hejian Autumn Maneuvers in 1905, the Beiyang New Army received unanimous praise from home and abroad. Memorials impeaching Yuan Shikai consequently rose all the way. Added to the fact that Yuan Shikai established the police system, his official reputation was also considered quite good. This posed a serious threat to the hereditary status of the Manchu noble group that controlled the central political power. The imperial nobles incited some censors to repeatedly submit memorials impeaching Yuan Shikai for having too much power and weight, even predicting he would follow in the footsteps of Cao Cao and Liu Yu. In 1906, Yuan actively resigned from various concurrent posts and handed over the Beiyang Army's 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 6th Divisions to the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Army. At this time, Yuan Shikai was starting to prepare for the compilation and publication of the *Constitutional Outline*, preparing to enter the central hub system. There was a saying that Yuan Shikai was about to take up the post of Grand Councilor, becoming a true heavyweight minister of the center. So in this time period, the personnel adjustments in the Beiyang Army were of great significance.

As an important figure in the Beiyang system, Wang Shizhen was very clear about these personnel struggles within the imperial court. Since Yuan Shikai said this, Wang Shizhen knew his position was already determined. Wang Shizhen said faintly, "Lord Yuan, if that is the case, I will do whatever you arrange."

"Let's not talk about this anymore, Pinqing." Yuan Shikai felt that he actually couldn't completely call the shots on such matters either. "Since I am responsible for compiling the *Constitutional Outline*, I cannot fail to consider the attitude of the scholars of this world. I heard that Pinqing has been reading lately. I wonder if you have any advice?" Yuan Shikai's memorials and the documents submitted or issued would definitely be circled and revised by Wang Shizhen, and Wang Shizhen had to review them before they were sent. For the compilation of the *Constitutional Outline*, he also hoped Wang Shizhen could help.

"I heard that recently in the capital, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and other places, a book has been selling very well. The book is titled *Chinese Cultural Inheritance and the Rise of Materialism*. The one who wrote this book is Yan Fu's disciple, Chen Ke," Wang Shizhen replied.

"Chen Ke?" Yuan Shikai frowned and thought for a moment. "Is that the one we met last year?"

"Exactly. Lord Yuan even helped him propose a marriage."

"Oh?" Yuan Shikai immediately became interested. "Yan Jidao translated *Evolution and Ethics* and shocked the world; his disciple presumably won't be bad either. Pinqing, is there anything about constitutionalism in this book?"

"Lord Yuan, these years the court and the scholars have all been talking greatly about 'Chinese substance, Western application.' But in my view, what Chen Ke's book talks about is actually 'Western substance, Chinese application.' When others write books, it is nothing more than talking greatly about how advanced foreign countries are, be it strong ships and sharp cannons, or machine industry. This Chen Ke speaks of none of these, but talks greatly about why China cannot achieve this degree, where China is better than foreign countries, and where it is lacking. throughout the text, he unexpectedly does not say how powerful foreign countries are. Instead, he is cold and sarcastic towards foreigners."

Hearing Wang Shizhen's evaluation, Yuan Shikai was a bit confused. According to this description, Chen Ke completely looked down on foreign countries, so the four-character evaluation of "Western substance, Chinese application" was completely inappropriate. However, people like Yuan Shikai had extremely deep self-control. Even if there were many puzzles in his heart, he would not rashly interrupt others. He continued to listen quietly as Wang Shizhen went on.

"This Chen Ke says absolutely nothing about what kind of polity should be established in China. He only discusses the pros and cons of China's political, economic, and industrial development through the dynasties. It actually makes sense. Although he doesn't mention a word about the polity, the intention to establish a brand-new polity actually leaps off the paper. If you ask me, this Chen Ke is the one who truly has ulterior motives. If he were to speak of the appearance of the polity in his heart, I'm afraid the Great Qing, the Imperial Court, and the gentry would not be within his considerations."

"The Great Qing, the Imperial Court, and the gentry would not be within his considerations?" Yuan Shikai repeated suspiciously. If one were to speak of establishing a republic, there had been no shortage of anti-Qing remarks these years. Yuan Shikai had definitely heard plenty of anti-Court talk too. Even anti-gentry talk was actually not scarce within the court. But in any case, whoever opposed any one of these three, or any two of them, would inevitably stand on the remaining stance. But Chen Ke actually opposed all three. What kind of stance would that be? Yuan Shikai really couldn't imagine it.

Wang Shizhen continued, "Therefore, as I see it, others propagate Westernization, wanting 'Chinese substance, Western application.' This Chen Ke wantonly attacks foreigners and propagates China, but it is actually 'Western substance, Chinese application.'"

Yuan Shikai was completely confused. He asked, "Pinqing, then what exactly is the polity this Chen Ke wants to establish? Did the book strictly say nothing at all?"

Hearing this, Wang Shizhen frowned slightly. He hesitated a bit and said, "It's not that he didn't say anything at all, it's just that what he said was extremely obscure. According to what Chen Ke said, he hopes to establish a polity where 'those who wish to till have their fields, and those who wish to labor have their food.' Yet no one in the world can have permanent property."

"Isn't this nonsense?" Hearing this evaluation from Wang Shizhen, Yuan Shikai couldn't help but laugh. "Could it be that this Chen Ke wants to oppose the Great Qing, the Court, and the gentry of the world all at the same time? Truly gibberish."

If it were anyone else, hearing Yuan Shikai say this, they would have to chime in with a sentence or two first. But Wang Shizhen did not. He said seriously, "Lord Yuan, if Chen Ke only said such things, naturally it would be gibberish. But in his book, Chen Ke discusses Chinese history without talking about emperors, kings, generals, or ministers, only talking about a new term called 'productive forces.' He believes that the operation of all dynasties is nothing more than a matter of the level of productive forces. If we go by what he says, the changes in the world actually follow a reason and can be considered logically sound. He doesn't look like an ordinary madman. That is why I feel this person has ulterior motives and cannot be underestimated."

Yuan Shikai laughed, "It doesn't matter. I will write a letter to Yan Jidao. Let him and Chen Ke come to Beijing together to discuss the compilation of the *Constitutional Outline*. Yan Jidao has always been enthusiastic about this and will definitely come. We will know everything once we ask Chen Ke then."

"That is good." Wang Shizhen nodded in agreement.

At this moment, neither Yuan Shikai nor Wang Shizhen knew that it was impossible for them to meet Chen Ke. Chen Ke was currently issuing orders in Anhui, conducting methodical strikes against the gentry in the areas surrounding Fengtai County.