Emperor Xianfeng took over and ordered Sai Shang'a: We must eradicate the traitors and do not spread them into a prairie fire!
Zeng Guofan, the left minister of the Ministry of Industry, reported: I have heard that the country is suffering from poverty, but if the people's morale is distracted, the danger will be great. Since ancient times, we must not be rich in the Sui and Wen Dynasties, but it will suddenly lead to chaos and destruction, and the people's hearts will be lost; we must not be poor in the beginning of the Han and Zhao Dynasties, and gradually lead to peace and prosperity, and be able to care for the people. From the first year to the sixteenth year of Kangxi's reign in our reign, there was only one year without river troubles, and the rest of the years were due to river breakups. However, the various cases of Xinzhuang Gaoyan caused great troubles. At that time, there was also the Three Feudal Rebellion, which caused turmoil in nine provinces and led to seven years of military deployment. , most of the world's wealth has gone away, and the emptiness of the government's treasures is almost worse than today. The golden pot of death is intact, and the world is pure and quiet. The saintly ancestor Gai loves the people as if they were wounded, and the people's hearts are solid and indestructible. My emperor's sincerity in loving the people is enough to show off the front emblem. If you keep orders externally or look down on the people, the Holy Lord's virtues will not be able to reach the people, and the people's sufferings will not be complained to the superiors. I dare to tell you one by one.
One thing is that the price of silver is too high, and it is difficult to pay for money and food. Rice is what small people get from working in the fields. If they hold the rice and sell it for money, the price of rice will be low and the people will be resentful. If they hold the money and exchange it for silver, the price of silver will be high and the people will be resentful. In the past, if you sold rice for three dou, you would still lose an acre of rice. Today, if you sell rice for six dou, you will lose an acre of rice and it will not be enough. The prefectures and counties tried their best to urge the subjects, but they were afraid that they would not be given. They often had committee members to assist them, and officials and servants came out everywhere to chase them day and night. The price of silver is too high, not only the government and the people are in trouble, but the country is also suffering.
Secondly, there are too many thieves and it is difficult for good people to live in peace. I have seen in the Ministry of Punishment dozens of drafts a day to prevent robbers, and it is especially difficult to find someone who is traveling to Beijing and reports that he has been robbed but will not report it or report it accurately. There are many bandits in Nanzhonghui, and maybe three of the ten families are thieves. Good people force them to deal with them. They know that they are wrong, so they just lose money to buy peace for the day and night. I tried to inquire carefully about the reasons why the prefectures and counties tabooed theft, and they also found it difficult. When Gai Chu went to investigate, he was in danger of being arrested. There is a risk of robbery when the convicts are released from the Jin Province; there is a risk of being robbed after layers of reconnaissance, and the roads are hundreds of miles long; there is a need to ask for everything, and the release fee is hundreds of gold, and there is a risk of heavy compensation; if someone reports theft but does not get it, he will be subject to a certain limit. And get involved; or if the boss likes to whitewash, then he will be dismissed as troublesome. It is better to follow the taboo, but nothing will happen, so there will be more and more cases, thieves will be rampant, and good people will have no peace of mind.
Thirdly, there are too many injustices and it is difficult for people to redress. Since I took charge of the Ministry of Punishment, I have seen cases involving Beijing Control and Shang Control, where the accuser is accused of false accusations in most cases, while the defendant is left unharmed. If you sue an official because of your fellow citizens, you must not let him be unruly. If a man accuses a traitor of cheating and a coward of cheating, and then says that all the cases are false, who will believe him? Even if the common people sue each other and claim that the plaintiffs are all crooked and the defendants are straight, who would believe it? The trends are the same in all provinces. One family has been litigating for a long time, ten families have gone bankrupt, one person has been wronged, and hundreds of people have suffered. There are often minor cases that remain unresolved for years, confusing right and wrong, and leading to old age and death in prison, which is outrageous.
All three are urgent tasks at the moment. The country is based on the people. The people's hardships and poverty are all the fault of ministers and others. I'm just a little sincere, I'm praying for a sacred lesson, and I'd like to play it.
Zeng Guofan's memorial was passed down to Xiangchu, and scholars scrambled to read and copy it. They all praised it: Zeng Gong was a phoenix in this world.
Emperor Xianfeng commented on Zeng Guofan's criticism and said: Zeng Guofan spoke sincerely, and he immediately appointed Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Personnel. Officials in Anhui reported that the Nian bandits were wreaking havoc. Why were these bandits called "Nian"?
Qi Jianzao, the chief military minister, said: Long live Qi Zun. At the junction of Henan, Anhui and Jiangsu, people burn paper to cure diseases and make profits. People who burn paper are often called "Nuanzi". There are many people in the north and south of the Huaihe River, and most of them are wandering people. Those who live in them are people, and those who leave are Nian.
Emperor Xianfeng said: "The rebellion in Guangdong has not yet been eliminated, but the Nian bandits are on the rise again. Please pass on my order quickly. Officials in Henan and Anhui must investigate and arrest any Nianzi who commits crimes and crimes." Yue Ni has been trapped in Yong'an for half a year and is exhausted. Xiang Rong and Wu Lan Tai must work together to destroy the rebels in Yong'an City.
On April 4, 1852, the Taiping army ran out of food and supplies, and only had a few cents of medicine. Hong Xiuquan issued the "Yong'an Breakout Edict", which ordered: All male and female generals should hold swords and unite to kill monsters with courage.
Yang Xiuqing ordered Luo Gangyang to be the vanguard and attack eastward to open up the passage from Gusu to Zhaoping. After Qin Rigang was cut off, he immediately attacked the Wulantai tribe to cover up the direction of the army.
Luo Gang got the order and said to Su Sanniang: "Not far to the north of Gusu Chong, there is a dangerous pass called Yulong Pass. Guizhou Army General Wang Menglin leads 300 soldiers to guard it. This pass will be captured and the army will find a way out. "
Su Sanniang said: "This Yulong Pass, Tongguan and Iron Gate cannot be attacked forcefully."
Luo Gang said: "I will lead a hundred elite troops to climb the cliff on the left and attack behind them at night. You and I should cooperate inside and outside."
Su Sanniang said: "Be careful in everything."
Luo Dagui made a sneak attack on a starry night, and Wang Menglin's head fell to the ground while he was still in his sleep. Yulong Pass was successful, the passage was opened, and Hong Xiuquan and Yang Xiuqing led the Taiping Army straight to Zhaoping.
The incident happened suddenly. Saishang'a learned that it was sunrise the next day and immediately ordered: Xiangrong led his troops, added Sichuan Army and Yunnan Army, and followed the mountain path directly into Xianhui and Zhaoping to cut off the rebel army's path; Lan Tai intercepted Gu Su and attacked Longliao Ridge, intercepting the enemy and heading back. The rebellious ones carry the old and the young with them, fleeing slowly, you and the rest of the elite cavalry rush forward, those who are slack! The curb will be at your service with the Long Knife!
Xiang Rong received the order and led his troops to gallop. However, the path was winding and huge rocks blocked the way. There was no way to go, so he had to turn back.
Wulan Taidu's troops stormed Yulong Pass and fought fiercely for half a day, but failed.
Xiang Rong led his troops to arrive and said: "Don't bother with this pass anymore. The cliffs on both sides can be climbed. Seize Longliao Ridge, cut off its retreat, and destroy it."
Xiang and Wu jointly attacked, but Qin Rigang was unable to defeat him alone. He did not dare to fight anymore and retreated to Longliao Ridge. Ulantai pursued in a hurry, and the two armies climbed to the top of the ridge almost at the same time. Wulantai looked sideways and saw that east of Longliao Ridge, in the Pingchong Valley, there were crowds of people spread out over seven miles.
Wu Lantai shouted wildly: "This is a God-given opportunity! Shao Heling led his army to encircle and annihilate Qin Rigang. The rest of the army followed me to capture the high ground on both sides, set up artillery bombardments, and then kill him."
The Qing army had never had such a fighting chance, and they all fought bravely. In less than two hours, they rushed into the valley, corpses filled the gorges, the streams were all red, and two thousand Taiping soldiers and civilians were all killed.
When Hong Xiuquan heard that the rear army was slaughtered, he howled and vowed to destroy the Wu Yao.
Yang Xiuqing said: "There are three valleys behind me, Pingchong, Hanchong and Bengchong. The three valleys are intermittent for thirty miles, so we will destroy the demons here. Each army will first block and then intercept, and encircle and kill in sections. Report to Qin Rigang quickly and drag away the Wuyao. Enter the valley. I led an army to occupy Longliao Ridge along the north road and cut off the demon's retreat; Wei Changhui, Shi Dakai, Lin Fengxiang, Li Kaifang and others ambush the highlands on both sides; Feng Yunshan built rocks and trees at the exit of the canyon to block the way out. Hu Yihuang and Zeng Tianyang, combined into one, restrains the demon Xiangrong.”
After a great victory in Pingchong Valley, Wulan Tai was high-spirited and hoped to take advantage of the victory to attack.
Xiang Rong said: "We are tired and out of horses. We are rebellious and cunning. We need to rest for two days and eat and drink well. It will not be too late to attack again."
Qin Dingsan also advised.
Wu Lantai said: "Two days later, the thieves have already rushed to the sky. I will destroy this court food, and show fear to the army gate and the general soldiers of Qin. I can go to Zhaoping and be free."
Wulantai led an army of 6,000 to pursue Qin Rigang and defeated his troops.
Dong Guangjia, the commander-in-chief of Hebei Town, said: "I am marching at the bottom of the valley. We should pay attention to the high ground on both sides."
Wu Lantai said: "From here to Zhaoping, this is the only way to bite Qin Ni and catch the flood thieves. There are absolutely no thieves on both sides. If there were, yesterday Ping rushed into the valley, and blood flowed into a river. With the nature of thieves, they will never stand idly by." "
While he was talking, war drums were beating all around, and the shouts were shaking the heaven and the earth. More than ten thousand Taiping troops were dressed in silver, crying and shouting to kill, kill, kill.
Wu Lantai was speechless for a long time, and a ray of warmth suddenly arose in his chest until it spurted out of his mouth.
"My lord! My lord! My lord!" Dong Guangjia shouted urgently.
Wu Lantai stabilized his body and shouted: "Is Jiang Zhongyuan here?"
Dong Guangjia said: "I am ill and returning to my hometown."
"Xiangjunmen Xiangrong, where are you now?"
"No news yet."
Wu Lantai shouted helplessly: "I order the whole army to work together to fight out of the valley mouth and meet up with Xiang Junmen."
However, Ulantai had no chance. More than 10,000 Taiping soldiers smashed them with rolling rocks and then rushed to the bottom of the valley with shouts...
When Xiang Rong heard about it, he got rid of Hu Yihuang's entanglement, fought desperately to open a bloody road, and saved Wulantai from collapse.
In this battle, Wulantai fell into a stream and was seriously injured. Four generals, Shao Heling, Dong Guangjia, Chang Rui and Changshou, died in the battle. Four thousand Qing troops died at the bottom of the valley.
Xiang Rong said to Dahong Adao: "The situation has been lost. If you rebel, you will invade Guilin. Everyone rushes to Pingle and guards the main road. I follow the small road and gallop to Guilin to guard against the enemy's sneak attack. If Guilin is lost, you and I will lose our heads." .”
In the early morning of April 18, Luo Gang, wearing Qing army uniforms, rushed to the gate of Guilin, intending to pretend to be Xiang Rong to defraud the city gate. Unexpectedly, Xiang Rong had already stood at the top of the city. Luo Gang's artillery bombarded them with force, but failed. A tunnel was dug instead, but the underground was rocky and difficult to dig.
Zou Minghe, the governor of Guangxi, said: "Painting the land as a prison and imprisoning the city to be beaten is not a long-term plan. I led five hundred warriors to go out of the city to explore the adverse situation."
Xiang Rong said: "Don't leave lightly. If you leave the city, you will be defeated."
Zou Minghe did not listen to Xiang's advice. After two hours of going in and out, there were not many 500 soldiers left.
Wu Lantai rested for a long time. Regardless of the pain, he personally selected three hundred elite cavalry. He drew his sword and scratched his arm. He dripped blood into the wine and said, "Now that thieves have invaded Guilin, I will no longer be able to see the Holy One with my face!" When you drink this wine with me, you will find a Hongmao thief who will cut off the head of a dog and sacrifice it to my dead brother!
On the 20th, Wulantai arrived at Nanxi Pass in Guilin.
Hong Xiuquan said: "This is a demon! You killed two thousand of my brothers and sisters, and now I send them to the eighteenth level of hell. Cannons, handguns, and archers! They are here!"
Enemies were extremely jealous when they saw each other. Ulantai screamed hoarsely, eager to fight.
Qin Dingsan said: "The two armies are fighting, life and death are ordinary, so don't rush to attack your heart. Set up camp and build forts to wait for the rear army."
Wu Lantai refused to listen and charged on horseback. He was shot and fell from his horse at the sound of gunfire. He retreated to Yangshuo and died of serious injuries.
When Jiang Zhongyuan heard that Guilin was besieged, he spent his private money to recruit thousands more people. He and Liu Changyou, a tribute student, rushed to the rescue. They guarded Cormorant Island in the north of Guilin and defeated the Taiping Army three times in a row.
Deng Shaoliang, the guerrilla who raised the bid, led his troops at full speed, marched three hundred miles at night, stormed the west of Guilin City, won, and garrisoned the west gate.
The third generation of Qin Ding led the Ulan Tai army and defeated Huaqiao.
Li Mengqun, the prefect of Sicheng, led more than a thousand brave troops to fight against the Taiping Army outside Beimen, Guniushan, Wulixu, Jiashankou, Mulin Village and other places, with more victories than fewer defeats.
Qu Tenglong attacked Qu Tenglong in Zhenhuang Zhenbiao and led a thousand Miao soldiers to bombard Wenchang Gate and force the attacking army back.
The Taiping army was unable to attack the city and lost ground repeatedly. It was difficult for them to hold on for more than a month and they had to retreat.
During the siege of Guilin, Emperor Xianfeng was overjoyed and promoted Li Mengqun to Taoist priest, acting magistrate of Xunzhou, and promoted him to prefect of Jiang Zhongyuan, leading his own army. Deng Shaoliang made great achievements in fending off the enemy and promoted him to the deputy general of Chu Xiongxie; Qu Tenglong personally fired the cannon to stifle the enemy's offensive, and I, in charge of Abatulu, promoted Yongsui to the deputy general. He also ordered: The bandits will invade Hunan from the north. Saishang Asu must strictly order the generals to either find a way around the bandits or follow them closely so that the thieves have no time to breathe. Quanzhou is connected to Hunan by both water and land, and the waterway is particularly important. We must try to prevent the bandits from sailing. We must place warships densely in key places, hide guns and cannons, and intercept and pursue them so that the bandits' ships cannot go straight down the river. This is safe.
