On May 28, 1860, Li Xiucheng entered Gaoqiao and attacked for two days, but failed. When it rained at night, Xiucheng personally led an army to sneak across the canal to the south, crossed Huishan and attacked the west gate; he also sent an army to attack the south gate.
Ma Dezhao urgently sent deputy general Chen Bugao to reinforce the west gate, and asked deputy capital commander Seer Tushan to reinforce the south gate. He also sent capital commander Zheng Guokui and guard Li Fengbiao to reinforce Gaoqiao.
When the rain stopped in the afternoon, Huishan was suddenly covered by clouds and smoke. Xiucheng then ordered an army to climb to the top of the mountain, condescendingly bombard the west gate. The defenders were stunned and Xiucheng took the opportunity to attack the city wall.
Zhang Yuliang quickly retreated to the north gate to resist, but the defeat was already established and it was difficult to reverse it alone. Zhang Yuliang and Ma Dezhao fled to Suzhou and negotiated with Jiangsu Governor Xu Youren to defend against the enemy.
Zhang Yuliang said: The thieves are surging, and we will work together to ensure the safety of the province.
Ma Dezhao said: The soldiers and the people regard food as their first priority. The walls should be strong and the fields clear, and no thieves should be allowed to rebel against a grain of food. All residential buildings in the west of Suzhou City, outside Changmen, must be burned to stop the bandit army.
Xu Youren said: "In accordance with Zhentai's words, I immediately order all residents outside Gusu City from Changmen to Hanshan Temple Shangtang Street, Changmen to Huqiu Shantang Street, and Changmen to Xumen Nanhao Street to pack their bags; next time Order to migrate; three orders to set fire.
That night, misinformation from the troops, or misunderstanding by the city soldiers, actually caused three orders to be issued in parallel. In an instant, the fire burned in the sky, burning for twelve hours, and the south and north hao were reduced to ashes. The residents gathered their belongings and carried their blankets, the birds chased the stags, and the children cried and the girls cried, all night long.
Xu Youren and his inspector Zhu Jun went to the city to observe. When Zhu Jun saw this, he burst into tears.
Xu Youren cried and said: "I have improperly arranged my arrangements, and I am unworthy of the people of Gusu. The city walls are in ruins, and that is the day I will die!"
Li Shouling, a native of Suzhou, witnessed the smoke and flames covering the sky outside Gusu City for three days without stopping. Shouling looked up to the sky and cried: One hundred thousand Qing troops came in a hurry, and the city gate could not be closed for three days. The Fu army ordered people's houses to be burned, and tens of thousands of households outside the city were reduced to ashes. Athletes are all in disgrace when they apply for the competition, and discarded armor is piled up like a mountain.
On June 1st, Li Xiucheng's troops arrived in Suzhou, and the people came to welcome him. They all shouted: please army to eliminate harm for the people, and work together to kill Zhang, and the two evil soldiers.
On the 2nd, Xiucheng immediately launched a general attack. Two hours later, candidate Taoist Li Shaoxi and Suzhou candidate magistrate He Xinyi opened the door to ask for surrender, and Xiucheng led his troops into the city.
When the city of Suzhou was destroyed, Xu Youren, the governor of Jiangsu Province, threw himself into a pond. Zhu Jun, the inspector general, led his men to fight in the streets. He suffered dozens of wounds and hid himself in a painter's house for three days before sinking himself into a well.
Zhang Yuliang and Ma Dezhao cleaned up their defeat and retreated to Hangzhou. On the way, Dezhao suddenly fell off his horse. The medical officer investigated and treated him and found out that he was suffering from depression. Yuliang had no choice but to send someone to protect the horse and go to Sichuan for treatment.
The city of Suzhou was lost and Shanghai was in danger. He Guiqing, the governor of Liangjiang, contacted the British Minister Prussia to discuss the exchange of contracts and the protection of Shanghai. Prussia insisted on going to Beijing to exchange the contract, otherwise the war would begin.
Guiqing thought about it again and again, and said: Cantonese bandits and foreign barbarians are causing trouble in China. For today's plan, the only thing to do is to appease the barbarians and solidify their opinions. When I went to Shanghai, I met with the barbarian envoys and urged them to be grateful, reject their thoughts of collusion, and take advantage of the situation to persuade them to help obedience and suppress the bandits. If the two evils are incompatible with each other, choose the lesser one.
Emperor Xianfeng did not listen to He Guiqing's argument, so he abandoned the city and lost his troops, and issued an edict to dismiss him and arrest him. Xuan also issued an order: Xue Huan, the governor of Jiangsu, faced the difficulties and provided immediate assistance. He immediately acted as the imperial envoy and the governor of Liangjiang. He was actually appointed as the governor of Jiangsu and handled trade matters with the five ports. When the foreign envoys arrived in Shanghai, they must be kind. He was advised to exchange contracts and trade; the acting admiral Zhang Yuliang repeatedly lost ground and was immediately dismissed from his post. Ruichang, the general of Hangzhou, was prepared to stop the stubborn enemy in the face of danger and became the president of all the armies in the south of the Yangtze River.
Xue Huan received the order and ordered Wu Xu, Tai Dao of Su Song, and Yang Fang, Liang Dao of Su Song, to meet with the British and French ministers to discuss matters such as contract exchange, trade and the protection of Shanghai. The British and French ministers refused to send troops because they "maintained the strictest neutrality outside the concession".
Su Songliangdao Yang Fang said: I am familiar with American Wall, who joined the army in his early years, held an official position, experienced battles, and is familiar with firearms. He can spread his money, hire Wall, recruit barbarians, and form an army of his own. , to resist the Guangdong rebellion.
Wu Xu said: "The Yi country's consul insists on neutrality. I use the Yi people as soldiers. If there is any dispute, what should I do?"
Yang Fang said: The mercenary system of the Yi country is like the bodyguard bureau of our country. As long as the money is enough, there will be no accountability for life or death. I once inquired about this, and the French minister said: The government has no right to interfere with personal matters as long as they do not violate the laws of the country. I consulted the British and French ministers again and obtained their guarantee to quickly organize the barbarian army.
Xue Huan said: "This matter is not a trivial matter. Logically speaking, I should report it to you and the Holy One should issue an edict before we can act." However, the times are critical and there is no need for red tape.
Yang Fang said: "I understand my humble position. Recruiting barbarian soldiers and getting rid of the relationship requires money without any public funds." Wealthy businessmen from southern Jiangsu gathered in Shanghai, and the money they needed was readily available.
Wu Xu said: "It has been reported that the British and French barbarian ships have set sail in Dinghai and will arrive in a few days. Mr. Futai can make plans in advance."
Xue Huan sighed: "There are hundreds of barbarian ships and over ten thousand barbarian soldiers. They are coming in such a fierce manner. It is definitely not a blessing for our Qing Dynasty."
Su Chang had both gained, and Li Xiucheng was in a great mood. He divided his forces and attacked in succession. In less than half a month, he defeated Kunshan, Wujiang, Zhenze, Pingwang, Taicang, and Jiading.
On June 15, 1860, Qiutianyi Chen Kunshu and Langtianan Chen Bingwen entered Zhejiang and captured Jiaxing.
Hangzhou General Ruichang was trembling with fear, and he and Zhejiang Governor Xu Youren hurriedly reported: Please ask Zeng Guofan to come to supervise military affairs, and if you want to help Huining and Huguang, this is the place.
Three days later, Ruichang said again: The current situation may not be possible unless Zeng Guofan comes to suppress it.
Zhang Yuliang was defeated and retreated to Zhejiang Province. He urgently told Ruichang, "Zeng Guofan is too far away from here, so don't expect it." Your Excellency must immediately gather your forces to counterattack Jiaxing.
Ruichang said: If Jiaxing is gained, Hangzhou will also be saved. Immediately pass on my order, the Manchu and Han soldiers in Zhejiang are brave, and they can listen to Zhentai's dispatch.
Zhang Yuliang said: "I have repeatedly lost ground and have been dismissed by my emperor. If I order the whole army again, there may be something wrong."
Ruichang said: Your Majesty ordered me to take charge of the armies south of the Yangtze River, and I ordered the governor of Zhentai to lead the entire army.
On June 24, Zhang Yuliang gathered 30,000 troops to counterattack Jiaxing. Seeking Tianyi, Chen Kunshu was defeated and asked Li Xiucheng for help.
Li Xiucheng received the report and ordered Chen Kunshu to wait for help. After the show was completed, he sent a message to the British and French ministers in Shanghai, stating that the attack on Shanghai was China's internal matter. As brothers worshiping God, they would do their best to safeguard their rights and interests in friendly trade and navigation. Li Xiucheng waited left and right, but no reply came from the British and French ministers.
One day, Chen Yucheng suddenly visited. The two exchanged pleasantries, and Chen Yucheng said: "I have no intention of taking the cities of Yang and Chu. Anqing has been besieged by Zeng and Hu for more than a month. This city is adjacent to the Yangtze River and the Huaihe River. The choke point is the key to Tianjing's food source. If this is lost, Tianjing's door will be wide open, and there will be endless troubles. Rescue must be carried out immediately.
Li Xiucheng said: "I have acquired all the cities in the south of the Yangtze River, except Zhenjiang, Jintan, Shanghai and Hangzhou." The poor bandits must be pursued, otherwise there will be endless troubles. My intention is to attack Shanghai in the east, enter Zhejiang in the south, capture Hangzhou, completely annihilate the demon army in the south of the Yangtze River, and open up the sea channel. At that time, I will come from the south, Brother Ying will live in the north, and Ye Yun from Anqing will live in the middle. They will be restrained on both sides and blossom in the middle. How can Zeng Yao be immortal!
Chen Yucheng said: Jixianguan to the north of Anqing; Songyang to the east; Qingcaoyu and the trailer river to the west; and the Yangtze River waterway to the south are all occupied by the Xiang demon. If we don't help, Anqing will be destroyed. If Anqing is lost, it will be difficult to attack again!
Li Xiucheng said: "That's it. I'll leave Hangzhou for the time being, but Shanghai is very close at hand. I will report it to King Qian and describe the barbarian affairs in detail and ask him to make a decision." As a result, Shanghai will be attacked immediately, and it will be defeated within half a month. At that time, I will go to Anqing with Brother Ying.
Chen Yucheng said: Over the past half a year, I have been crossing the river frequently, and weapons and food supplies have gradually become scarce, so I have set up a cash register in Su Chang place, which has caused displeasure. I hope my loyal brother will forgive me! I have asked King Qian about the food supplies, and he said whoever gets it will get it. I immediately sent my troops south to attack Zhejiang to raise food supplies. When my brother conquers Shanghai, we will immediately join hands and march westward. Jie Tianyi, Lai Wenguang, was extremely brave and temporarily assisted his loyal brother in the attack on Shanghai. I have repeatedly fought against Duolong'a and Bao Chao's tribe of Xiangyao, with few wins and many losses. At that time, I want to borrow the power of my loyal brother to fight the two demons to the death, can I?
Li Xiucheng said: Brother Ying's heart is suffering, but I will never let him down. I immediately ordered Jie Tianyi Lai Wenguang, Kuitianyi Lu Shunde, Shaotianyu Zhou Wenjia to immediately reorganize their troops and attack Shanghai.
On June 30, Lai Wenguang and Zhou Wenjia attacked Qingpu, and Lu Shunde attacked Songjiang. Within half a day, both were defeated, and Shanghai was within easy reach.
