Luzhou was defeated, and Hu Linyi, Luo Zenan, and Yang Zaifu all won in consecutive battles. Emperor Xianfeng was very pleased. Whenever he had some leisure time, he would hold hands with his concubines and look at each other.
Yi concubine observed the words and expressions, saw the right opportunity, knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, I am a female and should not be involved in military and state affairs. However, I can't bear to say something, and I hope that your majesty will atone for my sins."
Emperor Xianfeng smiled and said: "I forgive you for not being guilty. Please tell me slowly, and let the prince in your belly listen to you."
Yibin said: "I believe that only by clearly distinguishing rewards and punishments can we govern the country and manage the family. Although Hu Linyi, Luo Zenan, Yang Zaifu and others did not take the city of Wuchang, they should be rewarded."
Emperor Xianfeng said: "Wuchang has not yet been conquered, Hu Fu will not go to the office; Luo Zenan already had the title of envoy, but Hukou was defeated, if he does not surrender, he will be rewarded. If he is promoted again, even if he is calmed down, Hu Linyi cannot control it; Yang Zaifu is wise and brave, Promoted to be the Admiral of Hubei Province."
Yibin smiled and said: "Zeng Guofan is still a minister of residence. It is easy to confuse people's minds by promoting his subordinates in this way. In three years, Jierhang'a was promoted to Xinjiangqi by a single post; his wisdom and strength are superior to Is Yang Zai blessed?"
Emperor Xianfeng said: "Zeng Guofan has tens of thousands of troops in his hands, and his heart is as high as the sky. How can I let him do whatever he wants? I also know that there are differences between Manchu and Han Dynasties. The small town of Zui is surrounded by the river and Jierhang'a. It is so tight that the thieves can't hide." , it is not difficult to find a way to attack, and Zhenjiang Prefecture has long been heard that it can be captured. There are more than 20,000 Jierhang soldiers, far more than Xiangrong Nanying, and they are in a strong position to win. Why has there been no news of victory? It is because the north and south sides cannot attack at the same time. If you win on the south bank, you will be afraid of the bandits from Guazhou coming to rescue you; if you win on the north bank, you will be afraid of the bandits from Zhenjiang coming to rescue you. As a result, the two sides will be tied together, and it will be ineffective for a long time. Tuo Ming'a, Jierhang'a, etc. will take advantage of this bandit's power and be embarrassed. When this happens, prepare for an attack quickly, with the main goal of destroying its nest, not just to prevent it from escaping."
Jierhang'a was dissatisfied after receiving the order, and said to Liu Cunhou: "We camped step by step, cut off their aid, consumed their goods, ammunition and bullets, and tried to lure and kill a bandit, which meant that there was one less person to resist the thief who was running away. This is the first step. Prevent them from escaping to avoid spreading, and then look for opportunities to gather together and annihilate them."
Liu Cunhou said: "The Jinling rebels sent out reinforcements many times, but were intercepted by Xiang Rong and Zhang Guoliang. I should attack with all my strength and not give the thieves a chance to breathe."
Jierhang'a said: "There is no harm in besieging the city and attacking it. I will make an appointment with Tuoming'a in the north of the Yangtze River and work together to attack Zhenjiang and Guazhou."
Zhenjiang was besieged, Guazhou was trapped again, and the food routes were cut off. Yang Xiuqing had no choice but to send troops from Tianjing to the town to relieve the difficulties. Halfway through, they were besieged by Zhang Guoliang and Qin Ruhu. The two prime ministers were killed and countless soldiers were killed and injured. Yang Xiuqing did not dare to take it lightly, and ordered King Qin Rigang of Yan to send generals from Hubei and Anhui to raise troops and rush to Zhenjiang. He also ordered Yiwang Shida to attack Jiangxi quickly and must annihilate Zeng Guofan's army.
On December 16, 1855, Shi Dakai and Huang Yukun led 30,000 troops from southern Hubei into western Jiangxi and connected with Kerui Prefecture, Yuanzhou and Linjiang.
Zhang Sui, the prime minister of Chunguan, said: "The war is going smoothly. Ji'an will be conquered in a short time."
Shi Dakai said: "Luzhou in Anhui Province has been captured by He Chunyao'er. In the battle at Wuhu, Luo Gang was shot and killed, and Wuhu was also lost. The war in Zhenjiang and Tianjing was tense. The Eastern King called Qin Rigang and Chen Yucheng to come back for reinforcements. I It's quick! Attack Ji'an quickly, capture Nanchang, capture Zeng Yao alive, and secure Gan Province. Brother Yu, Hu Yihuang, has been ill for several months and is bedridden. God bless me!"
Wei Tianhou and Yi Guizhang Huang Yukun sighed and said: "The two brothers, Yu Yihuang and Dong Prime Minister, have a profound strategy that is rare in the world. They attack cities and seize territory as fast as the wind. Monsters are shocked when they see it. Love the soldiers and the people as if they were the same." Parents, we have shared joys and sorrows from beginning to end. As soon as these two kings are gone and one is sick, the kingdom of heaven will lose two pillars. It has become a routine for us to occupy and abandon the golden fields since then. We should not do this again."
Shi Dakai said: "There are many regrets in life, and life and death are fate. I have fought on my own, and I have only killed demon soldiers and generals, and never disturbed or killed the people. Every time I occupy a land, I will send officials to supervise it. I order that from now on, when we attack the city, we will not kill anyone. Anyone who captures every plant and tree among the people shall be killed immediately!”
When Ji'an and Nanchang were in danger, Zeng Guofan ordered Zhou Fengshan to abandon the siege of Jiujiang and go south for reinforcements.
On January 11, 1856, Zhou Fengshan led his army to attack Zhangshu Town. The guerrilla Bi Jinke set fire to the town after hiding. The defenders were in chaos and retreated in panic. Zhou Fengshan divided his troops into eight hundred, dug a fortification wall, stood firm in Zhangzhen, and led the main force to attack Xingan.
Zhou Fengshan led the army, but Zeng Guofan was uneasy and told his staff Zhao Liewen: "Since leaving Tazhiting, our army has stopped focusing on defense and has no intention of making progress. Zhangshu Town is close to Ruizhou and Linjiang in the west, Fuzhou and Jianchang in the east, and both sides of the bank are The key point is the throat of Nanchang. We must guard it with all our strength to protect the east bank and defend the provincial walls. Fengshan is not a pavilion of wisdom. Please take a look at it for me."
Zhao Liewen left impromptu and returned disappointed. It was said that Zeng Guofan said: "There are only 800 soldiers in Zhangzhen, and the camp system is very poor. The military spirit is old and we may not be able to rely on it. The commander-in-chief should make plans early. The people in the village have the loyalty to call thieves, so they can win thieves." Xiao Hui became a friend instead of an enemy. People said: It is said that the first thief is called the King of Wings, he is kind, righteous and brave, his hair is long, he welcomes pots of milk wherever he goes, and the people in the farming market are not alarmed as usual."
Zeng Guofan said: "The people in Jiangxi are weak, and when they see that all the subordinates are trapped together, they suddenly think that the sky is falling and the earth is falling, and they no longer want to do anything. They don't wait for their coercion to comply, but they are willing to help the thieves, hoping to serve as soldiers. , divisions, and brigade commanders, blackmailed their hometown people, and plundered counties, villages, and towns to enrich their own pockets. As a result, tens of thousands of people were mobilized in each battle, and our army was horrified. Peng Yulin's navy was quickly reported to have arrived. In Zhangzhen, water and land respond to each other, and together we fight against thieves."
When Shi Dakai heard that the soldiers in Zhangzhen were alone, he immediately sent five thousand troops to attack over a long distance and captured them in one attack.
Zhou Fengshan was shocked and led his troops to fight back. On that day, Peng Yulin also led the main force of the navy to Zhangzhen. Peng and Zhou joined forces and won many battles, gradually approaching Linjiang.
Zhou Fengshan and Peng Yulin were brave and brave, and Zeng Guofan was happy to leave. The bandits crossed east twice, but were defeated by our army. The navy blocked Zhangzhen and won the battles. To the east of the Gan River, Nanchang, Fuzhou, Jianchang and other prefectures should be able to defeat them. Safe and sound. The pontoon bridge will be built within a day, and the army will cross westward. The soldiers should be encouraged to conquer Linjiang quickly.
The Taiping Army occupied western Jiangxi. Luo Bingzhang, the governor of Hunan, was also shocked. He told Zuo Zongtang: "Shi Dakai is fierce and deceitful. This time he is wreaking havoc in Jiangxi. He does not attack the provincial capital in a hurry, and does not go straight to Kangxi. Instead, he first collects counties and counties, and spreads all over Jiangxi. They install fake officials, force their soldiers and people, rob them to support rebellion, consolidate grain and hoard troops, and spread more and more widely. Their plots and schemes seem to drop their branches and leaves in order to shake their roots."
Zuo Zongtang said: "Master Zhongcheng has learned clearly that thieves cannot set their sights on the northwest, and they want to succeed in the southeast. If Jiangxi is in trouble, then Jiangxi, Zhejiang, Fujian, and Guangzhou will all be possessed by thieves. Hunan will also be in danger, and the overall situation in the southeast cannot be reversed." . Judging from the current situation, there is no one who is eager to assist Zeng Guofan in Jiangxi."
Luo Bingzhang said: "Thousands of miles away, there is no place without thieves. Moreover, those thieves originating from neighboring provinces also seek help from Hunan to suppress them. Moreover, many neighboring provinces have no soldiers to suppress them. From the second year of Xianfeng to the present, for four years, Hunan has eliminated Suppress the bandits in the province, suppress the bandits in Hubei, suppress the bandits in Guangxi, suppress the bandits in Guangdong, suppress the bandits in Guizhou and Jiangxi. There are thieves from each province who enter Hunan, and they never have the courage to pursue those who enter Hunan. However, there are Hunan who go out to assist each province. There has never been a case of soldiers from various provinces bravely leaving the country to aid and suppress Hunan. This governor orders: Liu Changyou, Xiao Qijiang, Liu Kun, etc., immediately lead 6,000 troops to assist Jiangxi."
Zuo Zongtang said goodbye to Luo Bingzhang, hurried to Zeng Guoquan, and asked: "Has Yuanfu's military training been completed?"
Zeng Guoquan said: "Hundreds of small soldiers, everything starts with a mess of confusion."
Zuo Zongtang said: "What happened in Jiangxi is probably impossible. The people's sentiments have completely changed, and the situation is over. Practice quickly and don't let up. Duke Di is in danger, and we urgently need to provide help in the snow."
Zeng Guoquan said: "Brother Zuo's words are serious. Liu Zimo's half-thousand troops may be decided in one battle."
Zuo Zongtang said: "Liu's emphasis on Xiangchu can only be the icing on the cake."
Zeng Guoquan said: "Brother Fang has won the war, and he has nothing to do with me, and I have never come to the camp to see each other. Now I am trapped in a corner, and I have to go there. However, I have no money to raise pay, money and food are in short supply, and the soldiers are weak and brave. extravagant."
Zuo Zongtang said: "Huang Mian, an elder from Changsha, served Tao Peng, Yu Qian, and Zexu Sangong. He was well-known and respected, and Luo Fu also gave in to three points. This Duke was newly appointed as the prefect of Ji'an, and Ji'an has been surrounded by thieves; brother The soldiers are going to Ji'an in the name of Ji'an, and this old man can help him greatly. Brother Zeng, what do you rely on to run the army?"
Zeng Guoquan said: "Be sincere when treating warriors, and use deception when using troops. Honesty is to move people, and soldiers are happy to serve. Deception is to show that people are unpredictable, and thieves can take advantage of gaps. There is nothing to be sincere, and there is always a lack of sincerity. Honesty is the most important thing. Sometimes you use deception, sometimes you don't use deception, so as to cover up the deception and make the thief make mistakes. This is the work of deception."
Zuo Zongtang stood up and cheered, saying happily: "Brother Zeng's talents are incompatible with mine!"
Zeng Guoquan said: "An'gan! An'gan! Brother Zuo and I are at odds with each other! In the southwestern half of the Central Plains, there is no land without fighting. Where does Brother Zuo think is the most important?"
Zuo Zongtang said: "The current situation is that Nanchang, Zhenjiang, and Huaibei are the key points. Di Gong can defend Nanchang, and Hunan, Guangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong can all be saved. Jierhang'a conquers Zhenjiang, and the form of Jinling suddenly becomes clear. Ran Xiangrong , Tuoming'a, the two imperial envoys, facing each other across the river, are not connected to each other. Jierhang'a, who started from the beginning and became arrogant due to favor, the so-called arrogant soldiers will be defeated. Hu Runzhi advised: Qin thieves Rigang and Chen thieves Yucheng, The governor led an army of more than 10,000 thieves, who were marching from Hubei and Anhui to assist Jiangsu. The war in Jinling was about to get into full swing. Previously, in Linhuai, many areas were invaded and the villages were in ruins. When Yuan Jiasan arrived, he attacked the army, cared for the remaining Li, and everyone was there. After Jia San left, the bandits in Anhui and Henan took the opportunity to rise again with great force. Although our emperor ordered Shengbao to rush to rescue, it was too late to help. He Chun and Fu Ji spent two years with troops, and they were hopeless in Luzhou. That’s what it is.”
The Huaibei battlefield has been in a mess since Yuan Jiasan left. The first Luo line linked up with various ministries in Henan and Anhui, and the comings and goings were uncertain, crossing the Yangtze and Huaihe Rivers, and the people suffered deeply.
There was a man named Hu Wenzhong in Huaiyuan County. He sold his daughter to raise funds, walked to Beijing, and knelt down to ask Yuan Jiasan to return to Anhui to guard him. However, after repeated requests failed, he hanged himself.
The officials and people of the Qing Dynasty were in disarray for a while. The officials told Sun Guan, Yushi Cao Dengyong, Zong Ji, etc., to write to the officials one after another: if Yuan Jiasan successfully carried out the Linhuai suppression campaign, the place would be peaceful. Yiliang, the governor of Liangjiang, Jierhang'a, the governor of Jiangsu, and He Guiqing, the governor of Zhejiang, also requested that Yuan Jia be appointed as the third supervisor.
Everyone said it was true, and Emperor Xianfeng ordered Yiliang, the governor of Liangjiang, to investigate.
