Following Yang Xiuqing's order, Shi Dakai, together with Hu Yihuang, Shi Xiangzhen, and Zeng Tianyang, stationed in Anqing on September 25, 1853. They appointed township officials, made announcements to appease the people, supervised the construction of river embankments, and appeased the common people.
Hu Yihuang said: "People in Anhui say: In the past, thousands of miles were passed without leaving any trace, and there was no such thing as establishing officials and bringing peace to the people. Now that we are in Anqing, we have started to do this."
Shi Da opened the way: "Following the battle and abandoning it, this is what rogue bandits do. Anqing is a thoroughfare, reaching Nan and Wu Erchang in the west, Luzhou and Fengyang in the north, and going down the river to Su Chang, Tianjing. My meaning: Shi Xiangzhen , Wei Jun, Lin Qirong and others, marched westward along the Yangtze River and passed through Hubei. The remaining soldiers built earthen camps, built forts to protect the city, built walls and dredged the city, and installed forts for long-term planning."
Shi Xiangzhen led the army, led ten thousand people, and took thousands of boats to attack Hukou first, then Jiujiang, and Wuxue. On October 2, they arrived at Tianjia Town, an important town in eastern Hubei.
Wei Jun said: "Tianjia Town, Banbi Mountain, and Fuchikou are the horns of each other. In my opinion, attack Fuchikou first, seize Banbi Mountain, install cannons, and strangle the Yangtze River waterway; then, use both water and land, and Tianjia Town can be easily obtained."
Shi Xiangzhen said: "Yes."
When Shi and Wei soldiers came to Tianjia Town, Zhang Liangji, the acting governor of Huguang, was panicked and wanted to go to the governor in person.
Zuo Zongtang said: "Don't go alone! Your Excellency was appointed governor of Shandong last month, but he delayed his appointment to wait for the new governor. Lord Wu Zhenfu will be arriving in the near future, and Lord Kuang has ordered Jiang Minqiao, Tang Shuyi, and Lao Guangtai to join hands to help; Xiaoxiao One field of town, two inspectors and one inspector is enough! Sir, there is no need to put yourself in danger."
Zhang Liangji said: "Tianjia Town is surrounded by two mountains. The terrain is dangerous and the water is fast. Can the Chu River lock the key to suppress the bandit army?"
Zuo Zongtang said: "Jiang Minqiao can't guard against Nanchang and can be suppressed. Now that Jiang's troops have exhausted Nanchang, Tianjia Town will be destroyed at a single touch. Sir, you can station heavy troops in Wuchang. This city wall is steep, high and thick, and can suppress thieves for three months."
Zhang Liangji sighed: "Military battles are followed by disasters, and battles are fought again. It happens every time in Changsha, Wuchang, and Tianjia Town. How can we avoid chaos? How can we not disperse?"
Zuo Zongtang said: "Your Majesty is thousands of miles away. How could you know about the war in Huguang? There is no difference between the Manchus and the Han. The current governor of Hubei, Chong Lun, is a villain, and he is causing trouble. This guy has no idea about the official affairs, and the case cannot be solved. However, I am a laborer in Jie Na, and I am also happy to be welcomed by you. Your Excellency went to Lu to serve as a governor, and this guy has a great relationship. Your Excellency relieved the siege of Changsha last year, and now we have pacified the Tongcheng and Guangji bandits. If the imperial court and your Excellency send imperial envoys to suppress them, Thief, I and Minqiao will assist you, how can the traitor become so rampant?"
Zhang Liangji sighed again: "It's hard to raise a villain, and it's hard to give up the holy will. I only hope that Mr. Wu will come soon. Mr. Wu bans smoking and keeps out, and looks up to the world with Mr. Lin, which can solve this crisis."
Zuo Zongtang said: "If Mr. Lin were here, there would be no such chaos in the world. I will go south to Hunan in a few days, put on cloth clothes again, and work as a farmer again. The bandits are on the way, and the road to the north is bumpy. I hope you, Sir, take care of yourself."
On October 7, 1853, Wei Jun led his army to land at Fuchikou and seize Banbi Mountain.
Jiang Zhongyuan received the news and rushed out of Nanchang. He led 2,000 Chu warriors to rush for reinforcements. The army was moving slowly, so Zhongyuan personally led fifty soldiers to arrive first and captured half of the mountain by force, but failed.
The Taiping Army was condescending and fired artillery to block the Yangtze River waterway. The Qingshui Army collapsed first, followed by the Army. Shi Xiangzhen and Wei Jun took advantage of the situation to besiege Tianjia Town, using both swords and guns, and rockets and artillery fire. Xu Fengyu, who was on the grain road in Hubei Province, was unable to put out the fire and commanded his troops, so he committed suicide with his sword. Of the tens of thousands of Qing troops, only Jiang Zhongyuan's army was able to escape.
The loss of Tianjia Town opened the door to Hubei. Within five days, the Taiping Army marched to Huangzhou, Qizhou, Hankou, and Hanyang, and reached the gates of Wuchang. The city of Wuchang was closed day and night, and the residents were frightened overnight.
Luo Bingzhang, the governor of Hunan, was also alarmed and urgently ordered Zou Shouzhang's right army to move to Yuezhou to assist Wuchang.
Zeng Guofan refused and ordered Zou Shouzhang to garrison where he was. He also said that Liuyang was to the east of Changsha and he would not dare to move.
Luo Bingzhang scolded Zeng Guofan for being fatuous and ignoring the overall situation.
Wang Xin was not angry and knelt down to say goodbye to Luo Zenan.
Luo Zenan said: "Zeng Gong swept away the old traces and established the new ones. It is beyond our power. If you go alone and are in danger, you will be destroyed by the rebel bandits!"
Wang Xin said: "Zeng Gong is slow and leisurely, which is incompatible with me. I have made up my mind!"
When Zeng Guofan heard about it, he urgently sent Guo Songtao to dissuade him.
Wang Xin said: "It's not for me to go here! I'm complaining for my teacher! My teacher only has one ear in Luoluoshan. My teacher has continued the journey of thousands of years, opened up the haze of my way, advocated the unique knowledge, and is well-versed in current affairs. His talent and knowledge are rare in this world, and this man is sincerely born for the common people. Following the slow Zeng, let the years grow old, and he will succumb! Zeng's thoughts, I am incompatible, let's say goodbye now, and never see each other again. "
Luo Zenan asked to see Zeng Guofan and said: "Don't be surprised, Sir. Wang Xin is a disciple of Shu. Shuzi studied and studied the principles of sages and sages. He tasted the books and talked about them on the wall. He said freely: When you are on the surface of all things and look down at everything, the principles will be self-evident and the measurement of everything will be self-explanatory. Death, life, misfortune, blessings and misfortunes are all ignored. How can you compare with such a fool?"
Zeng Guofan said: "Wang Xin has high ambitions. If I stop him again, his liver and gallbladder will become Chu Yue. I am just for brother Luo Shan. If the king is in trouble, I will save him."
Luo Zenan left relieved.
Zeng Guofan suddenly consulted Wu Wenrong, the governor of Huguang, and said: "Wang Xin is a talented man with a high ambition and talent. He has repeatedly missed the opportunity to fight. He must not be used."
Jiang Zhongyuan was not Zeng Guofan. Hearing that Wuchang was in danger, he hurriedly told Jiang Zhongji: "Five years ago, I was the magistrate of Xiushui County, Zhejiang Province. My mother died of illness and I had no money to bury her. Fortunately, Wu Gong saved me 500 silver taels. We can die, but Wu Gong Zhenfu Your Excellency must not be harmed at all. Immediately gather Chu Yong and fight to the death to save him."
Jiang Zhongji said: "My emperor ordered us to come to Jiangying as soon as possible to help with military affairs. Jiangying has a strong army and can display its grand plans."
Jiang Zhongji said: "Xiang Rong's skills are dull, and it is not worth sharing. Wuchang is a place of great shape. If you keep Wuchang, you can go straight down the river to reach Jinling."
When the Taiping Army troops approached the gates of Wuchang, Chong Lun, the governor of Hubei Province, was frightened and said in panic: "The people are empty and the city is empty, and we are short of soldiers. It is difficult to hold on to the situation. It is better to camp outside the city to prevent the thieves from rebelling."
Wu Wenrong, the governor of Huguang, slashed several cases with his sword and shouted: "When I look at Wuchang, the city is wide and the walls are high enough to defend it for two months. If you move outside the city, you will die in an instant. If you don't believe it, you can try it for yourself." After that, Move to the end of the city to inspire generals and soldiers.
Three days later, Jiang Zhongyuan arrived with his troops, and Wu Wenrong burst into tears.
Jiang Zhongyuan knelt down and worshiped Wen Rong, saying: "The act of aiding the public is actually a public and private act. Five years ago, with the help of the public, my mother returned to her hometown and lived in peace. I will never forget this kindness."
Wu Wenrong sighed and said: "How can a virtuous man like Jiang Gong prevent his late mother from being buried? All the generals in the world are as fierce as Jiang Gong. How can they make thieves rebel like this?"
Shi Xiangzhen besieged the city for ten days, but failed repeatedly. Shi Dakai then ordered him to gather all his grain supplies, load up his baggage, and retreat to Huangzhou.
When Wuchang was surrounded, Jiang Zhongyuan said to Wu Wenrong: "Although the thieves have gone, they will definitely come back. Sir, you can have some strategies to defend against the enemy."
Wu Wenrong said: "I have sent a message to the prefect of Liping, Hu Linyi, and the general of Qingzhou, Wang Guocai, to help in the war. Zeng Guofan, the minister of Hunan's assistant regiment training, is also willing to help. As soon as Zeng, Hu, and Wang arrived, they launched a joint attack. Yesterday, I received a warning from Luo Bingzhang, the governor of Hunan, and wanted to Call Wang Xin and Xiang Yong to help. Is Wang Xin wise and brave?"
Jiang Zhongyuan said: "The Yunnan Wangguo Cai first suppressed the bandits, and then suppressed the Changmao in Dahuang River and Yong'an Prefecture. He did a great job and can be of great use. Hu Runzhi worked in Guizhou to hoe bandits and capture thieves. He was courageous and knowledgeable, and trained every day. Strong and brave, imitate Qi Jiguang's method and adapt it. The brave is less than 600, but they are sharp and courageous, one can be as good as ten; in three years, the bandits in the four prefectures, six states and thirteen counties of Guizhou Province were pacified, and everyone regarded them as gods. Runzhi arrived in Hubei, Jingxiang can be protected. Wang Xin, young and mature, wise and resourceful, will be of great benefit."
Wu Wenrong sighed and said: "The current situation is difficult. The rebels are harming Chu and Hunan in the south, and attacking Henan, Lu, Jin, Hebei and Zhili in the north. Once there is a change in the capital, the whole country will be in chaos. Where will we be?"
Jiang Zhongyuan said: "Don't worry, sir. The thieves are just grass bandits. They kill the people and harm the officials, so it is difficult to achieve anything. The thieves' army marching north is a single one. The so-called lone army goes deep, and it will be a desperate bet. Every throw will be wrong, and everything will be lost." "
