Rebellion is raging in Guizhou and Hunan. Hu Linyi, the prefect of Liping, Guizhou, is restless. Hearing that Zhang Liangji, a close friend, has gone to Hunan, he urgently reports: Mr. Zhongcheng clearly knows that Xiangyin is filial and honest. One, unparalleled. My late father, Tao Gong, was a genius at the first sight. He discussed ancient and modern times and wanted to stay overnight. The former teacher Lin Wenzhong fell in love at first sight and was surprised that he was a peerless person. When Lin Gong was crossing the lake, he invited him to the boat and talked about it all night. Lin Yi once recommended him to Duke Lin Wenzhong, but due to illness caused by his loyalty, he failed to do so. I have recommended it again and again, but it was all due to accidents and was not incurred. This person is honest and upright, has a good nature, is loyal and courageous, is proficient in current affairs, and is very different from the current customs. Its chest includes ancient and modern maps, art of war, and the regulations of this dynasty, which are carefully studied. After the visit, I will definitely appreciate it.
Zhang Liangji wanted to transfer Hu Lin to Xiangchu to rescue the emergency, but the officials in Guizhou Province all regarded Hu as their model and refused. Zhang Liangji was helpless. He stayed in Lin Gu Zuo and paid three visits to Xiangyin.
Zuo Zongtang was confused about the current situation and hesitated again and again.
Hu Linyi consulted Zuo Zongtang again: Zhang Zhongcheng asked him three times and said, "I miss you as much as I am hungry and thirsty." Zhongcheng's liver, gallbladder and bloody nature were the same for a time; Lin Wenzhong recommended him to Emperor Xuanzong, so he was of great use. Mr. Lin is most admired by Duke Lin Wenzhong, and Zhongcheng is a first-class figure of Duke Lin. Last winter, I recommended him to Cheng Zhijun with his great name, but I didn't tell him, because I knew he was disdainful. Lin Yi did not want to harm the public in a foreign land, but he was very aware of the disaster in Sangzi and could not bear to say anything. This was not Lin Yi's intention. Suppose you sacrifice yourself to save the people of Chu. What you gain will be great, but what you will lose is small. It's so strange that he was just foolish and sincere, but he gave in to the criticism and went deep into the mountains from then on. Zhang Zhongcheng is an extraordinary person. He humbly extends the visit and is in the position of guest master to make plans. Why not?
Zuo Zongtang sighed after receiving Hu Linyi's letter.
Mr. Zuo said: "Hu Run's words are unequivocal. Family affairs are expensive, national affairs are big, Xiaoxiang is long, and we urgently need my younger brother to come out."
Guo Songtao also said: "As an acquaintance between you and me, I have to speak frankly. The ministers have not been subordinates for a long time. The actions of Zhang Gong and Hu Gong should be done to achieve their beauty. Don't miss this store."
Zuo Zongtang said: "Oh! It's so sad that someone who can't protect someone is rescued by one's so-called ability. However, the opportunity of this world seems to have just begun."
On October 2, 1852, Zuo Zongtang climbed into the city. Zhang Liangji was overjoyed and talked all night long, then entrusted the defense of Changsha to his left.
Zuo Zongtang said: "Lord Zhongcheng, the current situation is embarrassing! In Changsha City, there are a group of ministers, two governors, four admirals, eight generals, more than a dozen prefectures, and how many deputy generals are in charge. Can your Excellency control it? Imperial Envoy Minister It has been more than a month since Xu Guangjin received the order, but his actions have been slow. He has not yet left Guangdong, so there is no hope. Chang Dachun, the governor of Hubei, has another appointment, and he may not be interested in Chu. It is extremely difficult to annihilate the rebels in Xiangchu. For now, we can only secure the city and wait for it. Times have changed. At the south gate, Bao Qi Bao and the City God defended the enemy. They have gained experience in defense and added the strong general Deng Shaoliang. They can continue. The north gate is the only channel for our troops and supplies to enter and exit. I control it myself. On both sides of the Xiangjiang River outside the city, Luo Zenan and Wang Xin's troops We need to re-train our bravery. The Prime Minister should also order as soon as possible to second the regiments from Xiangxiang and Xiangyin for training, as well as cannons, flowering cannons, and Hongyi cannons, along the Xiangjiang River and at the top of Changsha City. The more the better. There is no east gate for the time being. We must guard Cai Gong's tomb in front of Tianyin Pavilion. If this is lost, Changsha will be difficult to protect. I heard that Xiangjunmen also entered the city today, and we will see how he sets up a formation to defend against the enemy tomorrow."
Xiang Rong's troops arrived in Changsha and rested for a day. Then they divided into three groups and stormed the Taiping Army barracks at Miaofeng Peak and Bioshan Temple. However, they failed. General Zheng Kuishi was injured and more than a hundred soldiers were killed.
Zuo Zongtang said: "Xiang Xinran has repeatedly fought with dull skills, but his skills are limited to this one! Jiang Min is a woodcutter, a man of practical ability. He has the power to stabilize the country. He is a swordsman and a rain of arrows. He never gives in, and he hates rebelliousness. My own personal vendetta. It’s a pity that it didn’t start until it was too late to surrender to the army.”
Zhang Liangji said: "If it were not for Magistrate Jiang to fight for Tianyin Pavilion and Cai Gong's tomb, Changsha would have fallen. Mr. Ji Gao, let's not talk about war for the moment. At present, the vassal treasury is running out of money, and the court's payment has not arrived, so how can we make an emergency response?"
Zuo Zongtang said: "Lord Zhongcheng, don't worry. I will hold a banquet tonight. I will invite three to five wealthy people, at least one hundred thousand grains of silver!"
That night, Zongtang held a banquet at his home. After three drinks, Changsha's wealthy Huang Mian, He Yuan, Sun Guanchen, Ouyang Zhaoxiong and others looked at each other speechless. This army was approaching the city. Even if it was not Hongmen, there would be no good banquet.
Sure enough, Zhang Liangji said earnestly: "In order to besiege the city, my emperor hastily mobilized eight thousand troops to enter Hunan. Mr. Pan has been on the left and right for more than 20 days, and there is not much pay and silver left. The silver is not sustainable, the army's morale is weakened, and the consequences will be disastrous! Today Liangji In the name of the governor, I kindly ask you all to raise one hundred thousand silver, and when you kill Changmao, I will report it to the Holy One immediately to show your love for the country and your loyalty to the emperor. The money you borrowed will be repaid with interest."
The chief envoy Pan Duo said: "Master Zhongcheng speaks the truth, and I hope that all the princes can help me."
The four rich are silent and no one is generous.
Zuo Zongtang begged Zhang Liangji and Pan Duo to take a rest in the side room; he suddenly stood up and slapped the table, saying: "Are Zuo's soldiers there? Before he finished speaking, the swordsmen and axemen came out with a roar and surrounded the four rich people."
Zuo Zongtang said sternly: "I am Zuo, born crazy! This matter has nothing to do with Mr. Luo, they are all Zuo's scoundrels. If you feel wronged, you can report to the court. If you rebel against Hunan, all life will be ruined, and the city of Changsha will be destroyed. All the jade and stone were burned, all your gold and silver were captured by the long hair, and all your bodies were lost without a place. The precedent of weeping blood in Quanzhou, Daozhou, and Chenzhou is clearly visible in my mind. All the gentlemen here are not the officials of the past. That is to say, the son of an eunuch, who has been honored and blessed by the country in his life, but now his family and country are in trouble, and his body and wealth are all destroyed in an instant. Can he spend all his money? Will he be left with the long-haired butcher, scraping bones and sucking marrow? A certain farmer on the left , pledged the house and the land, and donated all the silver he brought as payment!"
The four wealthy businessmen were frightened by Zongtang's kindness and immediately offered him 120,000 taels of silver.
The Western King Xiao Chaogui died in the battle, Changsha was in danger, and Yang Xiuqing urgently ordered the army to march north. On October 5, five thousand Taiping troops arrived early. Zeng Shuiyuan, Lin Fengxiang, and Li Kaifang were more confident. They divided their troops into three groups and stormed Cai Gong's tomb.
In Hechun, Qin Dingsan and Jiang Zhongyuan led their troops to counterattack. Cai Gong's tomb is narrow and four thousand Qing troops were surrounded for a while, making it difficult to deploy. General Ren Dagui was shot and killed, deputy general De'an was injured, Jiang Zhongyuan was injured and fell from his horse, and Cai Gong's tomb was in danger.
In the Tianyin Pavilion, Xiang Rong looked eagerly and found many five thousand kilograms of old cannons. He took the risk to use them and bombarded them brazenly. The Taiping army failed to support and retreated.
On October 10, Hong Xiuquan and Yang Xiuqing led the main force to arrive.
Yang Xiuqing said: "Cai Gongfen, the cardinal of attack and defense, must be captured! Hu Yihuang and Luo Gangda are attacking from the east and west, and Shi Dakai is attacking from the south. We must fight to the death."
Shi, Luo and Hu jointly attacked Cai Gong's tomb for three days, but were suppressed by Tianyin Pavilion's artillery fire. They suffered heavy casualties and made little progress. Yang Xiuqing had no choice but to bypass Cai Gong's tomb and attack Liuyang Gate and Xiaowu Gate eastward. They fought fiercely for ten days to no avail. The rear army came to report: "Zhang Guoliang's demon army is waiting for tigers and wolves, following him like a shadow."
Yang Xiuqing was so troubled that he divided his two armies and set up an ambush at Danling Bridge in You County, hoping to annihilate Zhang's pursuers and clear the way back.
Zhang Guoliang saw a flaw and took advantage of his plan. He ambush two thousand elite soldiers in the forest, ordered a hundred more to call into formation, and pretended to be defeated and retreated.
Unaware of the deceit, the Taiping troops fell into an ambush, losing most of their troops and retreating in disgrace.
Qing troops from all walks of life took the opportunity to pursue and intercept the Taiping Army, and surrounded the Taiping Army at the line of Xinkaipu, Jinpenling, Huangtuling, and Caigongfen.
Shi Dakai said: "All the monsters are united and the city is indestructible. Our fifty thousand soldiers and civilians are gathered here in Yu. We are facing water on two sides and resisting the enemy on three sides. Danger is everywhere. It is urgent to find another way out!"
Yang Xiuqing thought for a long time and said: "Brother Yiwang can be the vanguard to cross the Xiangjiang River, occupy the water and land islands in the middle of the river, and build a pontoon bridge to penetrate the east and west. Our army can leave Hunan and enter Hubei, and point at Jinling. The army attacking the city must be responsible for the task. Try your best; if the city is broken and the situation is broken, even if it is not broken, the demons guarding the city will not dare to take care of him."
