Chapter 103 Chen Yucheng fights against Xiaochiyi
In early December 1859, Chen Yucheng led his troops to Luzhou and divided 20,000 troops to attack Tiantang Town.
Yu Jichang took the initiative and ordered all counties to practice bravery and guard the roads in Jizihe, Huangqiankou, Tielingsuo and Laoyaling. At dawn on the 13th, Yu Jichang led an army of three thousand people along the mountain trails to reach the Taiping military camp. Yu Jichang divided the two armies closely and circled out of the camp. The two armies engaged in battle, and Jichang showed weakness to lure him. The Taiping army fell into the trap and suffered more than a thousand losses.
Liu Xuanlin asked for a fight and said: Last year, Sanhe was conquered, Qianshan and Taihu Lake were recovered. This monster camp is located in Yingshan Mountain and will never retreat. It is also a fierce monster. I will lead an army to encircle and annihilate this demon and recapture Tiantang Town.
Chen Yucheng said: There are only five thousand remaining monsters in one group, hiding in the jungles of thousands of mountains. It takes time to suppress them, so just divide them into groups to contain them. The two demons Duolonga and Baochao are the prey in the circle. He placed a large number of suspected troops, pretended to advance into Liu'an, and deceived Hu Yao to divide his troops.
Liu Xuanlin said: "Two Li Li have gone, only one Bao is left; I can invite more reinforcements, just like last year's Three Rivers War, gathering the strength of the whole army to surround and annihilate the Bao Yao."
Chen Yucheng said: Li Xiucheng was stationed at Pukou to protect the north of the Yangtze River; Yang Fuqing surrounded Wei Jun and the stalemate continued; Li Shixian occupied Wuhu and fought alone in Hechun; all of them were unable to help me. Our army has been fighting for a year and is almost exhausted. It is time to rest and wait and see what the Hu Yao does. It will not be too late to fight again. My brother stayed in Lu for a while, and I immediately went to Tongcheng, Shucheng, Qianshan, and Anqing to prepare food supplies and recruit new soldiers.
When Zeng Guofan heard that Chen Yucheng's troops had arrived, he immediately stationed in Susong and informed Hu Linyi: He had received the order, Xiao Qijiang and Zhang Yunlan would not transfer to Anhui for the time being, and Li Xuyi was begging for leave due to his mother's illness. He could barely support the troops now, and there was not enough to suppress the real danger. The defense may be reliable.
Hu Linyi replied: The arrow has been drawn out of the string, and the situation is irreversible. I will quietly observe Chen Thief's movements, and then plan for them.
Chen Yucheng's troops harassed Lu'an, and Anhui governor Weng Tongshu urgently consulted Hu Linyi: Chen Yucheng saw that the Chu army was in great power, and our army became an enemy, so he led more than 20 troops from Jiangpu and Liuhe with the intention of heading west to Liu'an to resist Chu. Division, attack Shouzhou in the north to contain our army. Now, Dingyuan, Luzhou, Shucheng and other places are gathering together.
Hu Linyi replied: Chen's thieves invaded the west and claimed to go north to Shouzhou and Liu'an, but they were all false. I have sent five battalions of infantry and four hundred cavalry to Huoshan and Leerling as a precaution. The whole team held their own and waited for the thief's feelings to be revealed, then took advantage of them.
After Lin Yi finished his consultation, he hurriedly summoned the prefect Jin Guochen and asked, "Will the brothers be able to eat well if they are paid silver hair?"
Jin Guochen said: "I will return to Runshuai. I will pay you in full and your brothers will have enough food and meat."
Hu Linyi said: Brother Jin witnessed the Three Rivers War last year. Can he meet Thief Chen?
Jin Guochen choked and said: "Three rivers and one battle, a narrow escape from death, will never be forgotten until death." Our troops had already entered Jinniu Town, but the fog broke out and we were surrounded by thieves.
Lin Yidao: If Rujiu sticks around and waits for help, will he have any chance of winning?
Jin Guochen said: Never until death! Ding Ruiyi's collection was defeated, but he could still hold on for two days.
Lin Yi said: This is very good! Ke Rang's mother was sick and begging for leave. Brother Jin led his troops and rushed to Blackstone Crossing with more food and supplies. As soon as the army arrives, they immediately dredge and build fortifications. When Chen Ni comes to attack, do not attack. Contact Yu Jichang's troops in Tiantang Town. We will act as horns to each other and wait for reinforcements.
Jin Guochen said: "If Chen Ni doesn't arrive, our seven thousand troops will have no place to use them. Why don't you hesitate!"
Lin Yi said: "My brother has returned from Baoqing. The army is exhausted. Chen Ni cannot come, so we have to rest." I predict that Chen Ni will attack Taihu Lake. Bao Chao, Duolong'a, Jiang Ningxue, Tang Xunfang and others have rested their armies for a year and have strong soldiers and horses to compete with Chen Ni. Brother, listen to my orders. At that time, you will detour behind the thief and strike with a thunderbolt. However, Chen thief was erratic and might suddenly attack his brother's place. He crossed Tiantang Town and made a surprise attack on Hu's Chinese army's tent.
Jin Guochen said: "The last general is entrenched at Heishidu. He will not let go of any of Chen's soldiers, and will defend Runshuai Yingshan's camp to the death."
Hu Linyi said: "I have 60,000 yuan of silver. Brother Jin must take it and take advantage of this free time to reward the three armies on behalf of Lin Yi. If there is any surplus, brother Jin can supplement the family income." In addition, Yuanwailang Yan Jingming is in charge of the frontline grain station operations. If Brother Jin has any items, he can be used to draw money from him.
After Lin Yi finished speaking, he flew to consult the official to ask for money, money and supplies.
The official document received the invitation and made a promise, with a sigh. Qia Fan Xie came out of jail and came to visit.
The official said: At this time the year before last, I Bao Zhuoer acted as the admiral of Hunan. Half a month later, Luo Bingzhang impeached Luo Bingzhang. Is this not a coincidence? Luo is ruthless, don't blame me for being unrighteous. Shi Ni left Xiang, Chutian was at peace, and it was time for the Holy One to clean up the bad and mediocre officials. In the land of Huguang, I am the leader with one finger, how can I only make a promise!
Fan Xie knelt down and thanked him, saying, "Sir, you are so kind to me. Even if you die, I will never be able to repay you."
The official article said: "Zuo Zongtang openly said that Hubei is governed by bribery and is full of evil. It is extremely hateful!"
On December 26, 1859, Guan Wen and Hunan Chief Envoy Wen Ge jointly launched an emissary, accusing the Hunan governor's Yamen of having one seal and two officials, and that government affairs were controlled by Zuo Zongtang, the bad secretariat.
Emperor Xianfeng was furious after reading the book, and ordered the governor of Huguang, Guan Wen, and the academic administrator of Hubei, Qian Baoqing, to jointly review the case. He issued a special order: If Zuo has done anything illegal, he will be punished on the spot.
Sushun, the commander of the Han army in the Zhenghong Banner and the minister of the Lifan Academy, stopped talking and hurried back home to inform his disciple Gao Xinkui and his attendant Wang Kaiyun. Gao and Wang quickly reported Guo Songtao. Guo Songtao immediately paid homage to Sushun and begged for help.
Sushun said: There are many talented people in Xiaoxiang, and I will do my best to help them. However, according to the regulations of the Qing Dynasty, Manchu clan and banner officials are not allowed to associate with Han officials. I can't speak to you until I have some recommendations from internal and external ministers. I will wait and see on the current situation in the capital. You will quickly send someone to report to Hu Linyi and Zeng Guofan. The official side will also deal with it.
Guo Songtao thought hard, planned a deal, and brought three hundred grains of silver with him. He visited Pan Zuyin, the young minister of Dali Temple, all night, and said sincerely: If Zuojun goes, Hunan will have no support, and it will be overthrown, and the overall situation of the southeast will no longer be in question.
Pan Zuyin said: "I still know a little or three about Zuo Gong's affairs. I am afraid that I will be self-defeating if I am sparse at this time. I will release the news quickly and everyone in the capital will know it. My sparse words will come naturally." The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. Three hundred taels of silver between brothers come and go. If I accept it, I will be fishing in troubled waters.
Hu Linyi, who was still unaware of Zuo Zongtang's impeachment, was strictly ordering Jin Guochen's troops to move north quickly.
On January 5, 1860, under the orders of General Hu Linyi, Jin Guochen led 7,000 Hunan troops and stationed at Heishidu in Huoshan.
Chen Yucheng found out and immediately gathered the entire army to march eastward to Taihu Lake.
After Hu Linyi heard the news, he urgently ordered Bao Chao to enter Zha Xiaochiyi. Duolonga and Jiang Ning were stationed in Xincang and Longjia Pavilion, and they were at odds with Bao Jun.
When the Taihu garrison heard that Chen Yucheng had arrived, they went out of the city to meet him, but were ambushed by Jiang Ningxue and repulsed.
Before Bao Chao's fortress was built, his camp was not set up, and Haozheng was half-drenched, he was immediately surrounded by the Taiping Army. Governor Chen Yucheng led the main force, advancing in succession, and attacking day and night. After three days, all the tents and tents in the Tingzi camp were cracked by cannons, the soldiers were injured, and the logs were broken several times. The situation was very dangerous. Bao Chao hurriedly pulled out a piece of paper, wrote "Bao" in the middle, and added countless circles, and sent someone to Zeng Guofan's military camp in Susong.
Xiong Tiesheng, the commander of the fifth battalion, stopped hurriedly and said: Commander Run is our commander-in-chief!
Bao Chao grinned and shouted: Yingshan is three hundred miles away from here. When Commander Run's army arrives, we have already ascended to heaven!
After Zeng Guofan received the order, he immediately sent Zhu Pinlong, the commander-in-chief, and Li Rong, the commander-in-chief, with six thousand troops to gallop towards Taihu Lake.
Bao Chao was in danger, but Duolonga did not dare to act alone. He personally led his troops and attacked from the rear. Chen Yucheng led his troops to attack. From Si to You, the two armies fought bloody battles. At dusk, when the troops were withdrawn, Duolonga counted the men and horses, and lost one thousand and three men. Both officers were killed in the battle.
Hu Linyi was worried after receiving the report, and told Zeng Guofan: The battlefield is changing rapidly, I am too far away, and the military orders are lagging behind, which will harm Bao Chaoting's army. In the past, the military power was inconsistent and the military strategists were taboo. I want to use Duolong'a to command the entire Taihu army. What does brother Di think?
Zeng Guofan refused to give in, insisting that the Manchus could not be relied upon.
Hu Linyi wandered around the tent, sighing day and night, and consulted Zeng Guofan again: Li Xuyi's mother was ill in Xiang, Bao Chunting only knew one person, Zhu Pinlong and Li Rong were both guests, although Tang Xunfang and Jiang Ningxue were the main ones, their military exploits and qualifications were not as great as Duolong's. Ah fought against Chen Ni many times and never lost. In the seventh year of Xianfeng, Duolong and Baohu fought against Huangmei and defeated Chen Ni's camp for more than forty years. In the eighth year of Xianfeng's reign, during the Battle of Susong, Duolong'a personally led the cavalry, passed through Chen Ni's formation, circled behind and made a surprise attack, trying to turn the tide. The battle in Taihu Lake is tense today, and all parties are in a stalemate. If you are not careful, everything will be lost. Lin Yi had no choice but to abandon his brother's motto and act arbitrarily this time.
Hu Linyi was afraid that the hundred secrets would be sparse and the Taihu battle would be deadlocked, so he immediately reported: This time Chen Yucheng gathered Gong Ni and others, claiming to have more than 100,000 people, to lurk to aid Tai, and gathered the crowd to commit crimes. They were particularly cunning and unusual. Our army defeated the masses with a small number, but it was because of the united efforts of the soldiers that we were able to repel them with all their strength. This was related to the overall situation of the Eastern Expedition, and it is not a good thing. However, the bandits in Anhui are spreading, and it is not easy to suppress them. We are still instructing all armies to be on alert and to take advantage of the situation.
Zeng Guofan sighed after receiving the consultation, saying: My wisdom and strength are not as good as Runzhi's. Immediately pass on my order, Xiangyong around Taihu Lake will be under the control of Duolong'a, the deputy capital of Fuzhou. Anyone who disobeys the order will be severely punished.
Staff Zhao Liewen and Li Hongzhang also said: Life and death are at stake. If you get through this, you will have to deal with more people. If you have more than one person, what can you do to me?
Zeng Guofan said: Duolong A is both wise and brave, I am afraid that he will be full, and there is no reason to say; however, the Tingzi camp cannot be secured, and this pass is difficult to cross. Hu Runzhi has ordered Li Xutao, Zhao Kezhang, and Zeng Guobao to reinforce Xincang. I ordered Yu Ji's three troops to immediately enter the Zhaluoxi River to protect the army's retreat.
On January 16, 1860, Chen Yucheng again took charge of the main force and surrounded Xiaochiyi again. He fired guns, artillery and arrows, and attacked with infantry and cavalry. Repeatedly, the attack continued for four days. Bao Chaoting's camp suffered heavy casualties and was on the verge of despair.
Duolong'a was so anxious that he suddenly received an order from General Hu Linyi. Duolong'a was so excited that he ordered Zhu Pinlong to take over Tang Xunfang's defense area and Zeng Guobao to protect the Xincang area. He and Tang Xunfang personally led two battalions into Xiaochiyi to replace the tired and wounded soldiers of Ting camp. The crippled soldier. The pay system is open, food and resources are abundant, and Bao Chaoting's camp is full of vitality again.
Chen Yucheng attacked again and again, but Xiaochiyi remained unmoved. Yucheng had no choice but to order Junhao to set up camp and trap and kill the enemy.
Hu Linyi took an overview of the battle situation and ordered Jin Guochen and Yu Jichang to rush to the Taihu battle.
Jin Guochen and Yu Jichang received the order and led more than 10,000 troops. They marched in wind and snow in ten days, and reached Yangtian Temple and Gaohengling in Qianshan, and blocked Chen Yucheng's flank and rear.
Chen Yucheng immediately ordered Chongtian Fulan Chengxian to lead 10,000 troops to attack Yangtian nunnery.
At Yin time on February 2, heavy fog filled the air. Lan Chengxian's soldiers divided into four groups, climbed up and dived to the mountainside. Suddenly, there was a sound of cannon, and Governor Jin Guochen led the Hunan army to attack them suddenly. The Taiping army was unprepared and collapsed immediately after the battle. , Lan Chengxian was unable to survive alone and was captured and killed by Jin Guochen. At noon, Yu Jichang's troops came out of Gaohengling and attacked from both sides. Lan Chengxian died, and his troops immediately scattered like a herd of headless antelopes.
When the reinforcements arrived, Duolonga immediately gathered all the soldiers and horses to attack together.
Supervisor Chen Yucheng formed an array with yellow flags and red flags, covering the mountains and valleys, and horse-stepping square formations, arranged like clouds. Duolong'a was fearless and personally led the main force, advancing layer by layer, attacking the Yucheng army, causing endless casualties. At that time, the southeast wind picked up, and Bao Chao suddenly felt enlightened. He personally supervised an army, rushed into the Taiping Army camp, and fired rockets and fire bombs. Wherever the firearm touched, the forest was burnt, the mountain was red, and the jade was like a hundred military camps. They were all caught in the fire, and the smoke and flames continued for more than ten miles. Yucheng looked at the fire in despair and did not dare to fight again. He sighed and retreated to Anqing. After hearing that Yucheng was defeated, the garrison troops from Taihu and Qianshan withdrew one after another within two days.
Duolong Ayi took advantage of the victory to attack again and went straight to Anqing. Hu Linyi refused and said: The battle of Xiaochiyi was the only battle seen in the past few years since the actual army was established. Tingziying suffered the most serious damage and was in urgent need of rest and recovery. If Chen Ni is not dead, he will definitely come back. Relying on Taihu Lake and Qianshan, various ministries dredged and built forts to wait for their work. What does Chun Ting think?
Bao Chao said: I just want to sleep soundly. In this battle, thanks to the great help of the Dudu Commandery, we managed to escape from death. I woke up from the nightmare last night and realized that I was still in the world, but my three thousand tiger and benevolent brothers had already been in the sky for nine days.
After Bao Chao finished speaking, he burst into tears.
Hu Linyi also sighed: In the battle of Xiaochiyi, only Duogong's simplicity, loyalty, bravery, and champion of intelligence helped me defeat the thieves; only Chun Ting's righteous indignation, loyalty, perseverance, and endurance helped me defeat the thieves; only Di Shuai The mother-in-law is eager to save people, divide defenses and help suppress, and strengthen me to defeat thieves.
Hu Linyi defeated Chen Yucheng and regained Taihu and Qianshan. Weng Tongshu was envious and ordered his deputy Lu Youxiong to attack Shucheng and Luzhou while guarding carefully.
When Shucheng was in danger, Chen Yucheng led an army of 10,000 to rush to the rescue in person. Lu Youxiong bullied Yu into a defeated army and attacked fiercely. Yucheng was defeated and abandoned the camp and left. Chen Li, who was on the defensive, did not understand Chen's situation and rushed to catch up. Yucheng turned around and shot Chen Li in formation. Lu Youxiong knew the pros and cons and returned to guard Liu'an so that they would not invade each other again.
