Hu Linyi accepted the order and advised Zeng Guofan: Do not enter Sichuan without being awarded the title of governor. After the message was delivered, Hu Linyi arrived in Wuchang in person, carrying gifts and not knowing official documents.
Hu Linyi said: Brother Gongbao, if we use all the troops in Hubei to attack the rebel Chen Yucheng from the east, do we have any chance of winning?
The official said: Although Thief Chen does not understand the art of war, his killing skills are natural. Above the art of war, he is proficient in all kinds of killings, such as outflanking, avoiding the real and attacking the weak, attacking in the east and attacking in the west, and turning against the enemy. Du Xing'a suddenly suffered from foot disease and went to Jingzhou to take up his post. With our strength, the road to Shu is as difficult as climbing to the sky!
Hu Linyi sighed: Among the elite thieves, they only have four eyes and one ear. They can react with a carbine at thirty. They have soaked the blood and tears of our Qing soldiers.
The official text said: Last month, Xiangyong regained control of Jingdezhen, and there were no more rebels in Jiangxi Province. I will immediately mobilize Zeng Guoquan and Pu Chengyao to assist.
Hu Linyi said: Generals are easy to get, but a general is hard to find. Can Zeng Guoquan, Pu Chengyao, etc. listen to the tune? Even if they listen to the tune, they can be dispatched; even if they are dispatched, can they produce real power? When Lin Yi entered Hunan, Zeng's army had already formed an army. Yang Zaifu, Peng Yulin, Xiao Qijiang, Zhang Yunlan, etc. are all Lin Yi's peers. Just like Li Mengqun and Wang Guocai before, my military orders are only barely passable.
The official said: It’s clear. The brave men from Hubei, Jiangxi and Hunan all obeyed Zeng Guofan's orders. Zeng Shilang temporarily postponed his entry to Sichuan, and everything was solved easily.
After finishing speaking, the official document was read: Guangxi and Shu are separated by three thousand miles, with ravines and ravines in between, thousands of rivers blocking them, and it is difficult to reach them in half a year. When Zeng Guofan entered Sichuan, it was difficult to find the thieves; he wasted his time on the mediocre journey, which did not help the important matter. Bandits in northern Anhui, southern Anhui, Huaibei, Huainan, Jinling, Jiangnan, Nian and Guangdong have been wreaking havoc for many years. The slaves knelt down and asked Zeng Guofan to stay in Anhui for the time being. After Chen Yu was punished for being a traitor, he went to Sichuan again. The slave soldiers were divided into four groups, forming a camp step by step, and also guarding the pay road. They supported each other at critical moments and moved forward at the same time.
Zeng Guofan received the imperial decree to enter Sichuan, which was delayed for ten days before he got up. On September 7, 1859, he arrived in Huangzhou, Hubei.
Hu Linyi said: The official memorial has been issued, and the imperial decree will arrive soon. You will never leave Sichuan when you are young, and you will never leave Shu when you are old. Brother Di is of middle age, so don't let your imagination run wild.
Zeng Guofan said: It's quiet when you enter Shu. In the land of abundance, you can be at ease. The original copy of "Sun Tzu's Art of War" was found by chance on the way and given to Runzhi. After Wen Fu's death, Ji's brother Guobao devoted himself to killing thieves and avenging his brother. Guobao became chaste and honest, cleansed his heart and changed his face. He committed himself to you, can he be treated badly?
Hu Linyi said: Brother Di has a keen eye, but sometimes he is clumsy and unrestrained. He is honest, capable, talented and knowledgeable. I have urged him to return to Hunan to recruit bravery. If he works hard for a long time, he will be brave enough to win the three armies. I have been looking for this art of war for a long time! Thank you. Thank you. Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng are guerrillas in Jinling. Shengbao and Hechun are tired of dealing with it. Brother Di is not in a hurry?
Zeng Guofan said: "I am entering Sichuan. I am not in a hurry. I have been traveling for several days and my mouth is dry. Do you have any tea or wine?"
Hu Linyi smiled and said: Brother Di seems to be absent-minded.
Zeng Guofan said: In fact, he is obsessed with things, eating meat and drinking wine, and drinking with you to relieve his worries!
On September 9, 1859, Zeng Guofan received the order "not to go to Sichuan for the time being, but to move to Anhui Province", and urgently told Hu Linyi: the bandits of Guangdong and Nian in northern Anhui are spreading widely, with the aid of Jinling and Wuhu in the south, and the Qi and Henan provinces in the north. Suffer. From Anqing to Subo for more than a thousand miles, there were traces of thieves everywhere. The two armies of Shengbao and Weng Tongshu were far apart, their military pay was low, and there were no cooperating divisions in the northeast. Just like the edict, the thieves cannot be restrained unless troops from Chu Province are sent to help. Shi Ni is still more than three thousand miles away from Shu. The two provinces of Guangdong and Guizhou are covered with thousands of mountains. There are many thieves and little food, so it is difficult to reach Shu in a hurry. Anhui and Hubei border, and the roads are different. Last year, Li Xubin was determined to go deep, but failed in the middle. To punish the mistakes of the past, we must work together with all our efforts. The troops who supported Hunan and Mabu were immediately transferred back. When a large army advances, it must be divided into four groups. From the south, it goes down the river, one by Susong and Stone Tablets, to guide Anqing; the other is from Taihu Lake and Qianshan, to take Tongcheng. From the north, it follows the mountains, one from Yingshan and Huoshan to capture Shucheng; the other from Shangcheng and Liu'an to control Luzhou. If the Southern army is stationed at Shibei, it can unite with Yang Zaifu's division in Huangshiji; if the Northern army reaches Liu'an Prefecture, it can unite with Weng Tongshu's division in Shouzhou. Marching in this way, calling the front couplet from the back, may be successful.
Hu Linyi smiled and said: Brother Di has a lot of knowledge in his mind, and the official document also makes it clear. I recently found a great person, would you like to meet him?
Zeng Guofan said: What Runzhi saw made me think about it day and night.
Hu Linyi said: Yan Jingming, the head of the Household Department, is not impressive in appearance, but has great ambitions. He lives up to his name and has an upright intention. This man is not only knowledgeable about financial affairs, but he is also first-class in official matters. If the officialdom is not strict and the money is not used prudently, I am afraid that I will miss the border affairs, and I am very worried about it. Yan Jingming said I was wrong! This dynasty does not take lightly the Han ministers who have dedicated troops. Nowadays, Manchu and Han are both used, and most of the people who wrote Sheng Ji Bing are Han people. This sage and great duke is good at controlling people. However, Hubei is at the heart of the world, and the imperial court would rather not visit it with trusted ministers? When husbands, governors and governors impeach each other, no matter they may not win, they will win, and those who can guarantee the future must be virtuous? And the successor may be strict and clear, diligent in common people's affairs, but not clear about the future, and may not be self-righteous. How can he be willing to do everything for others? Officials have no prejudices in mind, and they are also affiliated with the flag. Whenever there is a major event, they can use their words to express their requests. The only mistake he made was that he was extravagant at his own expense, but sincerity was helpful in doing things, and he spent one hundred thousand gold every year to provide it, which was not a mistake. When it comes to one or two individuals, if they can be tolerated, tolerate them; if they cannot be tolerated, then impeach them based on their actions. His mind and energy are calm, and there must be no disobedience. This gentleman is upright and honest, and his heart is as careful as his hair. I have been chatting with him all night long.
Zeng Guofan said: "Yan's respectful inscription, I have written it down." The overall situation of the southeast is determined by my brother. Runzhi must not forget about food and sleep, indulge in military affairs, cultivate his moral character, and have a long future.
Hu Linyi said: This body has no problem. Chen Yucheng defeated Chuzhou and retreated to Mingguang; Li Zhaoshou cleverly tried to create a separation, and Li Xiucheng isolated himself on the edge of the river. Now is the time to march into Anhui. First, take the stone tablet pass to block the connection between Taihu and Anqing. I have ordered Bao Chao and Tang Xunfang Strictly guarding each camp in Taihu Lake, Duolong'a and Jiang Ningxue raised their troops and horses, hugged the grass and hunted rabbits, and first used the stone tablets to perform surgery.
Zeng Guofan said: Many dragons, Baohu and tigers can equal one Chen; when Li Xuyi, Xiao Qijiang and Zhang Yunlan returned from Hunan, I would be like a tiger with added wings. At that time, all four directions will move together, and with a thunderbolt strike, Chen Ni will have a foothold.
Hu Linyi said: The four-pronged army, 50,000 strong, consumes 360,000 taels of silver per month. Hubei has raised more than 200,000 by itself, but is still short of more than 100,000. The Ministry allocated 50,000 taels of monthly salary to each of the three provinces of Qin, Jin, and Shu. In a year's plan, not even one out of ten was obtained. In military affairs in recent years, the problem is not that the officers and soldiers are not brave, but that they are not provided with adequate pay.
Zeng Guofan said: With the power of ten prefectures and one state in Hubei Province, Jiang and Anhui can provide millions of military supplies for a year, and the power of nourishing Zhi is already a great force.
Hu Linyi suddenly felt sad and said: "I am like nine years old. After Wen Fu passed away, it was very difficult for me to fall asleep. I stayed up all night and day, worried and worried, and my energy was not as good as before."
Zeng Guofan endured his grief and said word by word: I will order everyone to seek help from famous doctors to regulate and nourish the body. As time passes and Li Xuyi, Xiao Qijiang, and Zhang Yunlan fail to arrive, I will divide our troops into two groups and attack first. On the northern route, Weng Tongshu attacked Huoshan and captured Shucheng. The south road is to run Zhiyi, Bao Chao surrounds Taihu Lake, and Duolong'a takes the stone tablet.
Hu Linyi said: "Weng Tongshu is a scholar and it is difficult to stop him. He can ask Yu Jichang's tribe to go north to support him." Recently, Yuan Fulian defeated Ji'an and Jingde, and a general star is rising!
Zeng Guofan said: "Yuanfu's siege is acceptable, but the field battle is not as good as Duolong Baohu, and it is in urgent need of experience. If the fire is 50%, I will order him to cross north to kill the thieves."
At the fourth watch on September 24, 1859, Dolonga led four thousand troops and sneaked to the stone monument. After the soldiers and horses rested for a while, Duolong'a separated three groups of suspicious soldiers and attacked the east, south and north gates with great fanfare. Long'a took the lead of the main force, took the enemy by surprise, demolished the wooden fortress outside the city, climbed over the city, and broke the stone monument.
The stone tablet was lightly broken, and Bao Chao was moved. He immediately gathered his entire army, set up ladders, and attacked Taihu Lake. They fought fiercely for a day and suffered many casualties.
Hu Linyi ordered Bao Chao: Don't attack the fortress before Li Xuyi arrives. The first step is to eliminate the thieves and rescue them. He also ordered Duolong'a to dredge and build forts, recharge his batteries, and wait for Chen Yucheng's arrival.
Weng Tongshu accepted the advice and sent troops out of Liu'an to besiege Huoshan. There were few soldiers in Huoshan, so Huoshan's general Chongtian Fulancheng asked for help from Luzhou first. Wu Ruxiao surrounded Wei and rescued Zhao, attacked Sishilipu from the west, and pointed his sword at Liu'an. Weng Tongshu was afraid that Liu'an would be lost, so he hurriedly withdrew the siege.
On October 4, General Yu Jichang of Fubiao's right battalion led 3,000 troops and arrived at Dafengshuling, the key pass of Yinghuo. Huoshan guard Lan Chengxian did not dare to neglect and went to intercept it personally. Weng Tongshu left Lu'an again and encircled Huoshan again.
