Chapter 104 Pan Zuyin rescues Zuo Zongtang
Guan Wen and Wen Ge worked together to impeach Zuo Zongtang. Hu Linyi was frightened and hurriedly raised 6,000 taels of silver and sent it to Guo Songtao of the capital for his management.
After giving away the silver, Lin Yi thought about it again and again, and wrote to the official: Ji Gao, born in Zuo, Hunan, has a strong and arrogant temperament. In the past years of negotiations with Hubei Province, his rudeness has long been tolerated by Shanhai. Di Shuai's so-called prime minister's magnanimity is also deeply admired by Zhongtang's great virtue, which is the best among all officials at home and abroad. Coming to the Hunan case, Zuo Sheng, who was not involved in the case, was actually Lin Yi's personal relative and had known each other since childhood. He had a bad temper in recent years, and Lin Yi had nothing to do with it. If this case involves Zuo Sheng, I respectfully request the middle class brother to pay special attention to Zuo Sheng and avoid mentioning Zuo Sheng's name. This is Lin Yi's private relationship, and there is no reason to explain it. I can only burn incense and worship Buddha, sincerely ask for it, and hope that my brother will agree.
Official reply: Brother Run, kill the thief ahead, I dare to sharpen my sword, and I will not recognize my relatives! Zuo Zongtang slapped the second-level town manager, and the case against Fan Xiejing was launched. Brother Run must have heard about it. This happened two years ago, and I don’t want to bring it up again. Last month, Xiangfan Wenge mentioned this matter again, and we suddenly realized that important matters of family and country should not be ignored in personal friendship. Brother Run, don't worry, I have vividly remembered Zuo Zongtang's affairs in Huxiang. If there is really any illegality, I will weigh it myself.
Hu Linyi finished the official speech, sighed, and wrote again: Zuo Zongtang is proficient in local political affairs and knows how to use troops and strategies, which can be of great use. He co-organized military affairs in Hunan and recovered Hunan and surrounding prefectures and counties. Ming Dynasty spread all over the world, and slander followed. However, he is upright and stubborn, but not tolerant and gentle, which will inevitably arouse the anger of both humans and gods. I sincerely request my emperor to use his talents according to the situation, and issue an order to the governor of Hunan, ordering him to recruit 6,000 brave men to go to the battlefields in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi, so that we can surely remedy the situation.
When Zeng Guofan heard about Zuo Zongtang's case, he told Li Hongzhang: "In the case of Fanzhen, Hunan, Luo Zhongcheng reported that Hunan had repeatedly recommended him, and he acted impartially, and sent the entire case to the Military Aircraft Department." The emperor sternly decreed legal responsibility, with words such as "the subordinates instigated and the bad actors threatened", and sent the original memorial and the entire case to Hubei for joint trial by Guan Wen and Qian Baoqing. From then on, the situation in Hunan could no longer change. I have sent a message to Zuo Zongtang that there is no place to establish a cone in Hunan. If there is nothing illegal, I will take shelter at the Susong Military Camp as soon as possible. Previously, Zuo Zongtang, who was assisting Zhang Liangji, once said: "Controlling the army depends on the military planning, and everything is entrusted to him; he also handles official affairs in various states and counties, and all are answered by him." Luo Bingzhang was even more sincere and committed to him. Once the military was entrusted, he would obey all plans. All official documents were just promises and would never be reviewed. We all know and believe this, but don’t you know that this is being used by villains to harm each other?
Li Hongzhang said: Zuo Zongtang's eight years of military service is also a happy one! However, the Qing Dynasty's "Rules of the Six Imperial Regulations" strictly prohibited the connivance of accomplices in intervening in politics. Zuo Zongtang was indeed interfering in politics, and Luo Bingzhang was also condoning it. If the official document is truthfully pursued, Zuo Zongtang will be doomed.
Zeng Guofan said: "It's not that we don't want to help Zuo Jigao, but it's really hard to do what we can." I have informed Hu Runzhi that at this time, Shangzhe Libao is suspected of supporting the army and holding the government hostage, which is purely superfluous. Runzhi is smart in everything he does, and he will definitely be able to handle the official side. Furthermore, the silver that Runzhi sent to the capital may have reached Guo Songtao's hands. The money has opened the way and is invincible.
Li Hongzhang said: "Zuo Jigao's cone came out of the bag and his sharp edge was exposed. Of course, the wind will destroy it."
Zeng Guofan said: Things in the world are dangerous. If you are not careful, everything will be lost. Shaoquan is gifted and intelligent, and he is destined to achieve great things in the future.
Li Hongzhang said: Commander Di is my mentor, and he always talks about pearls, but this is an exaggeration. In the past, I served as commander-in-chief and returned home without a clue. Now I feel like I know the southern needle and I have benefited a lot.
In this part of the capital, Guo Songtao received Hu Linyi's silver, purchased a fine snuff bottle in ancient costume, and presented it to Pan Zuyin. He also said: "This is an item passed down from our ancestors. I am lucky that my brother knows the goods. Please give it to me in your spare time. Please take a look at it."
Pan Zuyin said: This is all that remains of the love of a lifetime; the treasures of the prosperous Tang Dynasty are indeed exquisite!
Guo Songtao said goodbye to Pan Zuyin, and sent Sushun three thousand taels of silver. He also said: "It's a little late to pay tribute to Tan, and the joy of winter is not yet over. Please accept it with a smile."
Sushun sighed and said: The bustle in the world is all for the benefit of coming; the clamor of the world is all for the benefit of the future. What about Full House? Once the family and country are destroyed, warblers will fly in the halls of you and me, and grass will grow. Zuo Zongtang's life and death depended on the rise and fall of the two lakes; official documents and literary styles were short-sighted, and both were bastards!
Pan Zuyin thought about it again and again, and finally said: The army in southern Chu has made great contributions to this province, supporting Jiangxi, Hubei, Guangxi, and Guizhou. It was Luo Bingzhang who planned the victory well, and Zuo Zongtang planned the victory. This is shared by the world. See it, and it has been in my Shengming Cave Mirror for a long time.
Last year Shi Dakai, the rebellious chieftain, returned to Hunan, claiming to have hundreds of thousands of soldiers. With the wages and troops of the province, he cleared the four borders in a few months. At that time, the thieves were thousands of miles away, and they were all under Zongtang's plan. If the envoys were moved to another place, there would be a collapse that was beyond control. The country cannot live without Hunan for a day, and Hunan cannot live without Zuo Zongtang for a day.
Zuo Zongtang was a man of upright character and hated evil as much as his enemies. He was an unscrupulous member of Hunan Province and had been slandering him for a long time if his private thoughts were not fulfilled. The official documents of the Governor of Huguang are confusing and superficial, which inevitably leads to criticism. As long as Zongtang is still here, it doesn't matter whether he stays or goes. However, the situation in Chunan is particularly important, so he has to cherish this talent for the sake of the country.
When Emperor Xianfeng saw Shu, he summoned Pan and said, "Qing Pan is advising Zuo Zongtang. Have you ever met him?"
Pan Zuyin said: Ten years ago, Wei Chen traveled to Xiangchu and met him by chance. He was influenced by his words and actions. He was greatly impressed and worshiped him as his teacher. He was extremely gifted and had traveled across seventy-two states, but there was no one with more talent than him.
Emperor Xianfeng asked Sushun: Pan Zuyin was Zuo Zongtang's comment. What did Xiao Qing mean?
Sushun said: Pan Zuyin is an important minister of the country, and his guarantee must be trustworthy. Please be patient with Zuo Zongtang and wait for the consequences.
Emperor Xianfeng said: Officials and writers jointly impeached him, and Pan Zuyin and Hu Linyi recommended him again. Today is a troubled time, and when it comes to hiring people, talents are rare. Zuo Guo is illegal and should be severely punished. If Zuo is good at military affairs, he should be hired without any flaws.
Sushun said: I heard that Zuo Zongtang praised Luo Bingzhang, the governor of Hunan, for his military painting, which achieved great results. Luo Bingzhang was all responsible for his contribution. Talent is rare and should be cherished.
Emperor Xianfeng said: Within four years, all memorials to Guan Zuo Zongtang, whether positive or negative, were sent to the Governor's Office of Huguang. Qian Baoqing, the governor of Huguang, must examine the situation, verify it again, and then submit the memorial.
The New Year had just passed and his life and death were uncertain. Zuo Zongtang left Hunan alone and went north to the capital, hoping to gain fame and become independent.
When Zongtang arrived in Xiangyang, he was hungry and tired. He addressed Hu Linyi and said: What is hateful is that a ray of hard work for seven years has shown itself. Now it has been destroyed by an old fool. There is no reason for this body to be left behind. The broken ears. He has never received any salary from the country in his life, but he never thinks about his stupidity. He bravely risks the world's resentment and slander and blames himself. He would rather not know that a person who has no power, no position, no support and no gentry is in a position of guilt and no merit. It will be tolerated by the world. Since the world situation is like this, the security of our hometown in the southeast is in danger, and I dare not not try my best to achieve it, just for this purpose. Therefore, after many years of hard work and returning to the fields, I have not yet been able to give up my ears.
When Hu Linyi heard that Zuo Zongtang had arrived in Hubei, he hurriedly sent someone to inform him: Officials are working day and night to figure out the holy will; if your case is not settled, do not put yourself in a urn. Going down the river, Di Gong and I held hands to welcome him.
Zongtang was angry and consulted Li Xuyi again: A soldier must not be humiliated again. He will die as quickly as a villain or a thief. He will serve as a small battalion officer under his subordinates and learn how to fight. If you win in battle, you must be willing to attack the thieves; otherwise, if you charge on horseback, you will also capture the thieves. Moreover, during his eight-year career in the army, he did not have time to fulfill his duties, which was actually a lack of time. He also wanted to use this opportunity to encourage himself and avoid the ridicule of Bai Mian.
