Wuchang was captured. Chen Yucheng led 4,000 troops and attacked Hanchuan again. They defeated it in half a day. The next day, they attacked Xingou again and fought fiercely at Yangtze River Port. Yang Changsi, the general of Yansui Town, was defeated and scattered. Yang Pei, the governor of Huguang, retreated from De'an to Suizhou. Chen Yucheng defeated Yingcheng and Yunmeng again. Yang Pei fled to Zaoyang again.
Within seven days, one mansion and six cities were lost. Emperor Xianfeng angrily accused Yang Pei of being foolish and ordered Xi'an General Zarafen and Deputy Commander Chang Liang to lead five thousand troops to rescue immediately.
Wen Qing, the Minister of Military Aircraft, said: Hu Linyi has served as an official in a remote area of Guizhou for more than four years. He vowed not to use any money from his official position to enrich himself. He suppressed bandits and brought peace to the people. The land of Guizhou was peaceful, just like a peach land, and the people of Guizhou regarded it as a model. His learning, talent, wisdom and strategy are unparalleled in Jing and Xiang, so he should be put to good use.
Emperor Xianfeng accepted Wen Qing's words and ordered Hu Linyi to be promoted to chief envoy and acting governor of Hubei; Li Mengqun took over as the envoy to Hubei. Immediately attack Wuchang and Hanyang to divide the thieves' power.
Hu Linyi made a golden mouth on the wall and received the order. He was very happy, so he bought more than 100 ships and recruited 2,000 brave men. Luo Bingzhang, the governor of Hunan, also reinforced 600 troops. With the power in hand, Hu Linyi felt angry for a moment.
Li Mengqun said: "My emperor ordered us to attack Wuchang and Hanyang to divide the rebel forces. It's been a month now, when will we start the attack?"
Hu Linyi said: "You and I will not be able to accept the orders of the foreign emperor. In this regard, you and I are not as good as Zeng Dishuai. The courage of the new recruits still needs to be sharpened. After another half month of practice, we will start the attack."
Half a month later, Hu Linyi and Li Mengqun divided their troops into two groups to attack Wuchang and Hanyang respectively.
Wei Jun and Zhong Tingsheng led the generals, sometimes holding on to the city, and sometimes leading their troops to attack. Within ten days, they killed the generals Hengtai and Qianzong Liu Ningjun, and repelled many attacks by Hu and Li.
When the strong attack failed, Hu Linyi adjusted his deployment and ordered Wang Guocai to contain Hanyang. Lin Yi led the main force to attack Wuchang together with Li Mengqun and Peng Yulin.
Peng Yulin led the navy to sneak attack Wuchang Catfish Set, destroying more than 200 Taiping Army division ships in one fell swoop. Hu Linyi personally led an army of three thousand to attack Jinshazhou and Baishazhou again. Wei Jun faced the west block in the east and blocked it by land and water. After more than a month of fighting, Wei Jun gradually became exhausted and abandoned his camp and entered the city to resist stubbornly.
When the good news arrived in Beijing, it was already late at night. Emperor Xianfeng was delighted. As he walked out of the palace, he suddenly heard singing, which was very pleasant to his ears, so he stopped to listen carefully.
The eunuch who served in the bedchamber said: "Long live my emperor, the singer is Lan Guiren, Yehenala, who has been drafted into the palace for nearly three years."
Emperor Xianfeng said: "Noble man Zhao Lan."
Miss Lan stood out gracefully, slender and graceful. She really had a flower-like appearance and a dancing waist.
Emperor Xianfeng was so happy that he hugged her into his arms; Miss Lan also lost her tender heart for thousands of times and fulfilled her long-cherished wish for three lifetimes.
The next day, Emperor Xianfeng summoned Prince Gong Yixin and said: "Hu Linyi fought fiercely for three days to clear the outer camp of Wuchang Waterway. Hu Chen is really a general."
Yi Xin cried. Emperor Xianfeng asked why.
Yi Xin knelt down and said, "My mother's illness is over, and she wants to rest in peace until she is given a title."
Emperor Xianfeng expressed his gratitude to his adoptive mother for his kindness, and he even burst into tears even as he cried out.
Yi Xin was so interested that he ordered the Ministry of Etiquette to prepare a memorial to invite his mother, the Imperial Concubine Kang Ci, as the empress dowager.
Emperor Xianfeng was indignant and ordered: Prince Gong Yixin is very careless in all etiquette, so he should not walk on the military plane. Zong Renfu Zong Ling and Zhenghuang Banner Manchuria Dutong were all released. There is no need to manage funeral affairs and manage the affairs of the three treasuries. Still walking in the inner courtyard, studying in the study, managing the affairs of the Zhongzheng Hall and other places. So that you know how to be respectful and prudent, and don't make any mistakes again, thereby betraying my best intention to fulfill you.
Emperor Xianfeng deposed Yixin and promoted Prince Yi to Zaiyuan and Prince Zheng to Duanhua. They did not know Chinese, so Duanhua recommended his half-brother Sushun.
Emperor Xianfeng summoned Sushun and asked, "How about Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi?"
Su Shun said: "Zeng Guofan, a tortuous scholar, protected half of Hunan and Chu; in the land of Guizhou donkeys, Hu Linyi supported them. Zeng and Hu are all talents that we can develop in the Qing Dynasty."
Emperor Xianfeng said again: "I heard that there are seven sons in Sumen. Are you the Lord Mengchang? Seng Gelinqin and Shengbao have surrounded the thieves for more than two years, but they have been unable to defeat them. Why? Xiangrong is in Jinling?"
Sushun said solemnly: "My emperor has clearly learned that the Manchu people are ignorant and ignorant. They cannot contribute to the country and only know how to make money! This slave thinks about it day and night, solicits wise words, and vows to eliminate this evil for our emperor! Seng Gelinqin, Sheng Bao tried to trap the thieves to death and take advantage of his success, so he failed every time! Jinling was the leader of the thieves, so he had to guard and defend it to the death. The land south of the Yangtze River was vast, and the thieves stirred up troubles in all directions. The generals dispersed towards Rong, and their strength could not be concentrated, so they fought in a deadlock. .”
Emperor Xianfeng said: "When marching and fighting, we rely first on momentum and second on military discipline. After three years of no success, Xiang Rong is discouraged! I want to transfer Jierhang Aruoke to handle the military affairs of the Jiangnan camp. If Jierhang Aruoke wins Zhenjiang, he will replace Xiangrong." , how about looking for Jinling again?"
Sushun said: "Jirhang'a started from a young age, rushed to Shanghai, joined forces with the barbarians, and pacified the sword bandits. This man is loyal, brave and smart, and he will definitely live up to his great kindness."
Emperor Xianfeng looked closely at Su Shun's body, words, and deeds. They were all different from ordinary people, and he actually started to like him.
On April 14, 1855, Jierhang'a arrived in Zhenjiangxi under the order, stationed in Jiuhua Mountain, and built more than 20 military camps. He also said to Yu Wanqing: "What I hate most in my life is to go back on my words, change my mind when the wind blows, and run away when the wind blows." A man who is loyal and brave must be determined to kill thieves, otherwise he will be slaughtered immediately."
Yu Wanqing was frightened, and quickly reported to Xiangrong. He also led the loyal and brave people to rebel against the east and the military situation was urgent. He rushed to Jingxian Mountain overnight, set up camp, and set up police posts everywhere, so that he could feel at ease.
Xiang Rongzhi told Yu Wanqing: Jierhang'a is just a fledgling, a calf's mind; if Zhenjiang is not broken, Jiangnan will not be established. However, things in the world are mysterious, and you must be careful and careful in your loyalty and courage; you must never use the strategy of appeasing thieves again.
Yu Wanqing left without permission, but Jierhang'a did not go into detail, saying that Husonglin and Liu Cunhou said: Yu Wanqing can be frightened by just one word, and he is definitely not a general! The thieves rely on Jinshan Mountain as their horns and Yinshan Mountain, Baogai Mountain, Yandun Mountain, and Jinji Ridge as their barriers to protect Zhenjiang. From Jingxian Mountain to the Xiangshan Riverside, we dug out walls and built forts. We then moved Shanghai's reinforcement gunboats to Xiangshan and formed horns with Jiaoshan's boats and ships, strangling the connection between the north and the south. The two brothers thought that how?
Hu Songlin, the commander-in-chief of Yichang Town, said: "In the foothills of the northeast, Zhenjiang is controlled in the east, and Jinshan Mountain is peeked in the north. If you hold your head and hold your back, you will be able to garrison troops immediately."
Liu Cunhou, the prefect of Jiangning, said: "Guazhou in Jingkou is just a stretch of water. I will lead an army to seize Yinshan, compete for Jinji Ridge, and break Guazhou to aid the thieves."
Jierhang'a said: "I will immediately order Yu Wanqing's troops to go out of Jingxian Mountain, attack Yandun Mountain and Baogai Mountain, and control the east route of the bandits. In this way, Zhenjiang has been blocked by water. It is very good to have two brothers to help."
Liu Cunhou said: "I am in charge of the Qing Dynasty. Please do not underestimate me."
Jierhang'a laughed and said: "Yu Wanqing is a general who has been defeated again and again. His subordinates are loyal and brave, and they have many long-haired rebels. They are traitors. How can we just treat him with hands? If he changes his ways, I will treat him favorably." If you act at dawn or dusk, you will be killed immediately!"
Jierhang'a was sharpening his sword in a hurry, and Emperor Xianfeng was very pleased. He further ordered the monks Gegelqin and Shengbao: Jierhang'a, the governor of Jiangsu, defeated the Shanghai sword bandit in half a year. The two ministers surrounded Lin Li Guni for more than two years, and the result was in where? In July of last year, monks and ministers reported that rice and wheat were gradually running out, and horse grass was especially in short supply. The embankments on both sides of the bank were completed and the areas where the embankments burst were repaired. The water depth in the east side of the thief's nest ranges from two to three feet to four or five feet. The breach will be repaired. Once the water gets deeper, it will be difficult to stop the breach. However, the terrain in Hexi is higher, and the river water downstream is too small to be irrigated. It is feared that the counter ants will gather on the west bank, but since it is a corner of the country, it may be easy to succeed if we attack from the west bank. Now that the thieves have abandoned Xilian Town, the west bank has been captured, and the embankments have been closed, what excuses can the monks and ministers have? It has been more than seven months since I started this memorial. Can I stop stealing rice, wheat, and grass? Woohoo, my canal has flooded Lian Town, and my sky water has flooded the six armies. I only regret that I have not seen Lin Fengxiang, the leader of the traitor!
Seng Gelinqin accepted the order and asked the surrendered general Zhan Qilun: "Can the Lin bandits still fight?"
Zhan Qilun said: "When I returned and surrendered, I could no longer hold the weapon and was already very hungry. Now that I have been besieged for three months, I no longer have the strength to restrain the chicken. If the monk commander fights hard, he will definitely win a complete victory."
Seng Gelinqin said: "Lin Ni has become a master after a hundred battles. How can such a good thing happen? I ordered your subordinate to call Mao Yong. Do you hate it?"
Zhan Qilun said: "Fortunately, I am waiting for someone to die. I am supported by the commander-in-chief. I love him so much that there is no need to hate him! The commander-in-chief manages the army with integrity and selflessness. He swears to share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers. He loves the common people as his own son. He is loyal to his troops and works hard." Don’t complain; Lin and others have been trapped for two years, with no reinforcements in front of them and no reinforcements in the rear. They are short of food and resources, and their troops are as shabby as zombies in late autumn."
Seng Gelinqin said: "It's not my heart that hates you. Tomorrow you will kill the enemy in front of the battle and show it to me. Seng has no other purpose but hates injustice. We stand between heaven and earth, and we will not live up to the emperor's kindness above and the common people below." ! Send my general order to all the battalions of the army to cook at the third watch and start the attack at the fifth watch. The robber nest will not be broken and the thieves in the forest will not be captured. I swear not to withdraw the team. Anyone who retreats will be killed immediately! If I retreat, everyone can be killed! "
Lin Fengxiang was surrounded by enemies on all sides and tried his best to fight. However, he had not eaten for many days and was unable to support himself. He hid in the cellar, attempted suicide, and was captured alive by the monks.
When Emperor Xianfeng heard about it, he conferred the title of Prince of Boduole Gatai on Seng Gelinqin. He was also rewarded with a plate of court beads and a coat made of four dragons. Immediately he went south to Gaotang and captured and killed the traitor Li Kaifang.
After rewarding the monks, Emperor Xianfeng rebuked: Sheng Baodun's troops under Gaotang City were not only unable to defeat the attack, but were unable to defend themselves until they had to go in and out, which was very surprising. Every time Ni Ni attacked, the cavalry was always scattered, and the brave soldiers always suffered casualties. Even the main camp was attacked randomly without preparation. It can be seen that the people who said they lined up day and night to encircle them were all false stories. It is impossible to attack, the siege is not dense, the troops are exhausted and the wages are spent, the poor bandits are ordered to punish them, and the victory is guaranteed, etc., these crimes cannot be dismissed as original excuses. Immediately, he was sent to Beijing to punish the crime.
When Li Kaifang heard that all Lin's troops were gone, he refused to hold on and broke out, marching fifty miles south to Fengguantun. Just as he was waiting to bury a pot for cooking, the governor Seng Gelinqin arrived. The monk saw a branch of the river next to Fengguantun, leading directly to the Tuhai River. He immediately flew to Shandong to consult with the ministers of Fu, and opened a canal in Liaocheng upstream to divert water to flood Feng Guantun.
Li Kaifang and his four hundred remaining soldiers were all knee-deep in the water, and had no intention of fighting; the timid ones were even captured without a fight. Kaifang followed his plan and ordered a hundred warriors to pretend to surrender. He hoped that the inside and outside of Ji should cooperate and escape and ascend to heaven. Monk Gelinqin saw through it and first killed the soldiers who were pretending to surrender, then lured Li Kaifang out of the camp, surrounded and captured him.
Emperor Xianfeng wept with joy and said: "Prince Seng Gelinqin worked tirelessly to capture the two thieves Lin and Li. They are the pillars of the country! I have 30,000 elite soldiers in the capital and are marching southward. The Hongyang rebels will not be destroyed! Let's look at the official document, Zeng Guofan, Hu Linyi, and Zalafen killed the thieves. Prince Senggelinqin listened to the order. If there was a twists and turns in the south, he immediately poured out his troops.
