Chapter 108 Zeng Guofan enters Qimen
Zeng Guofan cried with joy when he accepted the imperial edict as governor of Liangjiang.
When Hu Linyi heard about it, he immediately wrote a letter: "My brother is appointed as governor of Liangjiang. The whole world celebrates this. This God-given opportunity must not be followed by Zhuge Kongming's stubbornness and caution, which will delay important events." The urgent task is to let go boldly, invite generals to break the rules, boldly add troops, and no merit will be taken unless 40,000 people are recruited. If necessary, all the farmers in central Hunan can be mobilized; Zuo Zongtang, Li Hongzhang, and Shen Baozhen are all unparalleled in the world. The great talents can be put to Huaishang, Zhejiang, or Jiangxi, and they can all take charge of their own affairs.
Zeng Guofan received the letter and told Zuo Zongtang and Zuo Hongzhang: "Hu Runzhi's persistence, ability to coordinate the generals, and talent in comprehensive investigation are all beyond my ability, but I am especially impressed by his fierce advancement." Apart from Zuo Gong and Shao Quan, Shen Baozhen has a talent for wares, which is of great use. It is rare in my eyes to have one like him. Jiangxi is behind our Hunan province. If he is in charge of his duties, he will be perfect.
Zuo Zongtang said: Only Shen Baozhen could do something for a long time and concentrate on it at once. The rear is planned, and Di Gong urgently needs to plan the front.
Zeng Guofan said: Su Chang has not been lost, so it is time to send troops to help, hoping to protect the perfect area. Since Su Chang is lost, he must coordinate all aspects of the situation, choose where to start, and seek the foundation for a foothold. The current situation is to surround Anqing and wait for the thieves to come. The gain or loss of Anqing is related to the overall situation of Huainan. It will be the foundation of conquering Jinling in the future. We must go all out.
Li Hongzhang said: Anqing is the key to Jinling, and the thief Chen will fight to the death to save him. Yang Zaifu, Peng Yulin, Wei Jun and others have conquered Songyang, and the siege of Anqing has been closed; Duolong'a and Li Xuyi are stationed at Qingcaoyu and Kuachehe in Tongcheng; Bao Chaoting's army is in the center, ready to support various ministries. I am waiting for work at leisure, and I will surround the point and call for reinforcements. This battle will be won.
Zeng Guofan said: I have checked the history books and found that since the Han and Tang Dynasties, there has never been anyone as powerful as Chen Zeyu. The outcome of this battle seems to be determined by God, so we just have to devote all our personnel and resources to it.
Zuo Zongtang said: Commander Di is too worried. The hard fort built by Commander Di and the deep moat he dug are the only way to overcome Chen Yucheng's erratic behavior and his ability to turn his horse back and use his spear. Chen Yucheng was short-term, and it was too late to save Anqing at this time. If I go to Chen, I will gather all my strength and attack Songyang to the death. If Songyang can be passed, Anqing will not be destroyed. I heard that Wei Jun was the first to attack Cong, and he was the leader of the right army of thieves. He really lived up to his reputation.
Zeng Guofan said: Brother Zuo’s knowledge is exactly what a hero sees. Duke Hu Runzhi said: Anqing is in Congyang, but Congyang is not allowed. That is to say, for one or two years, the thieves can pretend to be free, come to fight when they have time, and parade elsewhere when they have no time. I can't do anything!
Zuo Zongtang said: "Runzhi is Hu Lian's weapon. Zuo is willing to be inferior, but how can the bright light be in vain!"
Zeng Guofan laughed and said: A proud person must be arrogant; an arrogant person must do something shocking. The fourth grade of Jingtang, the first grade of knowledge. If Brother Zuo comes from behind and comes to the top, he will surely do something astonishing. Neither I nor Runzhi can compare.
Zuo Zongtang said: If a blue top is really put on the Lun scarf, I will go into the mountain with my hair spread and swear never to come out again!
Zeng Guofan said: "How can you kill a chicken with an ox's knife?" Brother Zuo immediately went to Chu and Xiang and recruited six thousand soldiers to form an army of his own to serve as backup for me and Runzhi.
Zuo Zongtang said: Is God willing that there will be a turn for the better? The camp in the south of the Yangtze River is about to retreat, and there is no way it can fight against the thieves. It can be wiped out in this way, and those who come after can be caught off guard.
Li Hongzhang said: "However, the holy will is sincere, and we must make efforts to support Su Chang and take the overall situation into consideration."
Zeng Guofan said: I will send a letter to Guanwen and Hu Runzhi to recruit ten thousand people and lead the journey first. Within ten days, I led the troops across the river and stationed themselves on the south bank to consolidate the hearts and minds of Wu Hui and strengthen the support of Hui Ning.
Zuo Zongtang said: The battle of Anqing is imminent and cannot be suddenly transferred. Hu Runzhi is weak and unable to experience it personally. Once Di Shuai crosses the river, the war in Anqing will inevitably collapse.
Zeng Guofan sighed and said: "Your Majesty is very kind, so I will cross the river. I will decide with Hu Runzhi whether to mobilize the troops."
Li Hongzhang said: "The Yi people have stationed troops in Shanghai and are heading north again. Beijing and Tianjin are in danger. All places must go to Beijing to serve the king. The commander-in-chief needs to make plans in advance."
Zeng Guofan said: Dagokou is impregnable, and it is very difficult for the barbarians to attack it. Last year, there was a great victory at Dagukou. I once praised Guo Songtao for his efficient handling. Seng Gelin was brave and brave, but the barbarians found him difficult to pass.
Zuo Zongtang said: "Soldiers who are brave and courageous must show their merits in one piece. If they act with strength, draw the frontiers to defend them, and clearly define the restraints. If the emperor acts with unexpected grace and power, how can the barbarian invaders not be destroyed!"
Zeng Guofan said: Brother Zuo, go quickly to Xiangchu to recruit brave men to eliminate the bandits and suppress the barbarians. It is none other than brother Zuo!
After Zuo and Li bid farewell, Zeng Guofan said: Since ancient times, thieves in the south of the Yangtze River have always been on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Since the fall of Jinling in the third year of Xianfeng, Xiang Rong, He Chun and other governors attacked from the east. They originally wanted to block Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but they made repeated advances and setbacks according to the current conditions. They were unable to defeat Jinling and lost Su Chang. The non-military strength is still simple, but the actual form is not yet obtained. Today, the southeast is ruptured, and the bandits are becoming more powerful. In order to recover and regain control, the Southern Army must enter from Zhejiang, and the Northern Army must enter from Jinling. If you want to recover Jinling, you must first conquer Anqing and Hezhou on the north bank, and Chizhou and Wuhu on the south bank, so that the common people can dominate the subordinates. If we still start from the east road, the host and guest inside and outside will lose all the situation, and we will inevitably make the same mistakes and end up with no hope.
The Wei ministers, together with Guan Wen and Hu Linyi, have ordered all armies to dredge Changhao, build deep ditches and fortifications, and encircle Anqing. Once the siege is lifted, Dolonga's army attacking Tongcheng must also withdraw, that is, both Yingshan and Huoshan defense troops must If we retreat, not only will it be difficult for the Hubei border to protect itself, but the armies of Yuan Jiasan and Weng Tongshu on the northern route will also feel isolated and helpless. Whether Anqing can defeat it or not is related to the overall situation of Huainan, and it will be the foundation of defeating Jinling in the future.
However, I don't know the overall situation. I entrust Hu Linyi to handle the siege of Anqing. I am now scheduled to break camp and cross the river within ten days and station myself in Huizhou and Chizhou.
The humble minister is foolishly aware that when advancing troops from southern Anhui, Jiangxi should be the basis. Jiangxi's military strength is weak, so Hunan's powerful troops must cross the border to assist in defense. Wei Chen immediately sent a letter to Guan Wen and Hu Linyi, and on the one hand, he decided to recruit tens of thousands of people, and on the other hand, he sent people back to Hunan to recruit brave men and add additional troops. He planned to divide the troops into three routes on the south bank of the river. The first route was from Chizhou to Wuhu, and with Yang Zaifu and Peng Yulin's naval force contacted the nearest troops; the second route was from Qimen to Jingtai and marched into Tuliyang to liaise with Zhang Fu, Zhou Tianshou and other armies; the third route was divided to defend Guangxin, Yushan and even Quzhou, and was close to Zhang Yuliang, Wang Youling and other armies. connection.
In the evening, Li Hongzhang came back with a look of disgust on his face and said to Zeng Guofan: "Zuo Jigao has repeatedly disobeyed his teacher. This man has scales on his chest."
Zeng Guofan laughed and said: Zuo Gong is more knowledgeable than us. When Jiangying was defeated, the Duke predicted that God's will would change; and sure enough, within ten months, I was appointed as the governor. However, his temperament is aloof and arrogant, and people in our Hunan Province call him Zuo Mule. This mule once slapped Erpin Zhentai, and Shao Quan also fought with Xue Qin. None of them are kind-hearted, but they are all upright and impassioned people.
Li Hongzhang said: My teacher has learned from me, and I have a clear conscience! Lao Peng had many tricks and repeatedly said that the people of Anhui were incompetent. His father, my father, and I were all born and died in Anhui. Who among us could bear it?
Zeng Guofan said: Peng Yulin has been leading the army for many years, and he has been very strict in running the army. The soldiers are afraid of love, all because he is honest and leads his subordinates without paying a penny. Now that the army's salary is low, I would like to report all the money I have raised as a donation, and the provinces will raise the army's salary. I dare not welcome invitations to discuss matters. This is really indifferent to glory and profit, and forgets private interests. The ninth in my family, as soon as I have some silver, I spend a lot of time, drink, build houses and buy land, I can bear it! Zuo Jigao had been in charge of Xiang for ten years, and Chu's world was in order. Luo Bingzhang only gave him a false reputation, and he must have felt guilty. When Ji Gao went to recruit brave men, Luo would definitely help him with all his resources. Shao Quan's talent is most similar to that of a public servant. If he doesn't talk about human relations, he will achieve great things in the future, and it is unknown whether he will be better than his predecessor. Things have priorities, and the war has slowed down a bit, so I will immediately invite Shaoquan to serve as the salt transport envoy to the Huaihe River.
Li Hongzhang said: The teacher teaches, and the students remember it; the teacher's kindness is as great as a mountain, and the students will never forget it until they die.
Zeng Guofan said: You and I agree in our words and thoughts, so there is no need to be polite to each other. Su Chang is corrupt and there is no need to delay! Send my order quickly, and within ten days, pack everything up and cross the river south. In addition, according to my request, the imperial edict has granted permission for Zhang Yunlan and Shen Baozhen to be transferred to Jiangxi for my dispatch. Shaoquan pays attention, where are these two people now?
Li Hongzhang said: From Hunan to Jiangxi and from Fujian to Jiangxi, there are high mountains and long rivers. The fastest calculation should be between August and September. Students think that although Zhu Pinlong, Tang Yixun, Yang Zhenkui, Li Yuandu, etc. are warrior generals, they are not strong generals; Bao Chao, Li Xuyi, and Duolong'a are lucky enough to have one of the three.
Zeng Guofan said: "Shaoquan joked, these three sons are all cultivated in Zhizhi, how can they take away the beauty of others?" The three good generals are all brave enough to be worthy of all men. Bao Chunting is the bravest among them. I once wanted to kill him, but I want to express my regret.
Li Hongzhang said: "With the nature of the commander-in-chief, one of Bao and Li will definitely be given away."
Zeng Guofan said: "Commander Run came to consult, and he said that Hui and Ning were still complete, and the layout was roughly decided. When the drums marched forward, they met with Huai and Tong's divisions at Dangtu, and then the Huzhou army left Su and Chang, and Yangzhou's horses Drinking in Jiangpu. I thought that Anqing had not yet been achieved, so I advanced rapidly, and the three rivers overturned the car. But what did Shaoquan think?"
Li Hongzhang pondered for a moment and then said: "Soldiers, use the right combination to win by surprise; the commander-in-chief cuts through the mess with a sharp sword and hopes to win by surprise. However, haste leads to waste!"
Hu Linyi received Zeng Guofan's advice on crossing south. After thinking for a while, he hurriedly summoned Bao Chao and said, "Commander Di is about to cross south. The future is uncertain. I want to send my brother to lead his troops to protect him. How about it?"
Bao Chao said: "Bao doesn't know a word, and his commander-in-chief always makes mistakes in his sentences, and they don't belong to each other."
Hu Linyi said with a smile: "You only owe me a disciple if you speak out a sentence, and An Neng can give me nothing."
After Lin Yi finished speaking, he kept coughing wildly.
Bao Chao hurriedly said: "It was just a joke before, but on Runshuai's order, Bao Chao will not give up even to death!"
In late July, Zeng Guofan led his generals Bao Chao and Zhu Pinlong, deputy generals Tang Yixun, and guerrilla Yang Zhenkui to station in Qimen.
Li Hongzhang inspected the terrain, was frightened, and urgently told Zeng Guofan: The terrain of Qimen is like being at the bottom of a cauldron, which is what military strategists call a desperate situation. It is better to move the army as early as possible so that the common people can advance and retreat freely.
All the staff also attached.
Zeng Guofan said: My emperor ordered me to pass through Ningguo on two days and three times, and go from Zhejiang to Jiangsu to coordinate the overall situation. Qimen will be our temporary station. Here, to the east, we will unite with Zhang Fu to support Huizhou, and to the west, we will protect Jiangyou and Raozhou. the portal. When I was ordered to overthrow the army, I was put in charge of the governor-general. I have already reported to the Holy One. How can a man keep his word and go back on his promise? If you are afraid, you can disperse! I am the brave Xiang who has fought with blood in hundreds of battles. Anyone who speaks out of fear will be killed without mercy! Li Yuandu of Taiguang Road in Huining, the headquarters of the army, rushed to defend Huizhou. Huizhou was protected and Qimen was safe.
Zuo Zongtang went to Hunan to recruit bravery and paid a visit to Luo Bingzhang, the governor of Hunan. He talked about Zeng Guofan's stationing in Qimen. Zuo Zongtang said: Although Qimen is a dangerous place, it connects Anhui, Jiangxi, Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and reaches Anqing to Jinling and Nanchang. It connects Chu and Hunan, and connects Huining and Suzhou in the east. Mr. Di is far-sighted and has the overall situation in mind.
Luo Bingzhang said: Jiangnan is corrupt, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi are only supported by Zeng and Hu. Zuo Gong raised money and spent money, and all the missing items were quickly withdrawn from the vassal treasury. He also provided Hu Zeng with one hundred thousand salary and silver and took them away with him. Half a year later, I led my troops into Sichuan to quell the rebellion and quell the bandits.
Zuo Zongtang said: Shi Dakai has already entered Sichuan?
Luo Bingzhang said: Nothing! The stone bandits now live in northern Guangxi and have been controlled by Liu Changyou, Jiang Yili, Chen Shijie and Liu Kunyi. The stone bandits are distracted and may be destroyed at the snap of a finger. Two bandits, Li Yonghe and Lan Chaoding, started in Yunnan, and with a hundred thousand troops, they wreaked havoc on the Yunnan nobles. Now they have entered Sichuan and besieged Chengdu. It is imperative that I go to Sichuan to help with the military affairs edict.
Zuo Zongtang said: "The road to Shu is as difficult as climbing to the sky. Are your soldiers in good order?"
Luo Bingzhang said: Xiao Qijiang's tribe has more than ten thousand brave men, plus Liu Yuezhao and Huang Chunxi's tribe; Liu Rong and Liu Mengrong, recommended by Zuo Gong, are gentle, silent, respectful, familiar with the army, and have great ambitions; this man is in the middle and can quell the bandits. Hopefully.
Zuo Zongtang said: Your Excellency, you have been in charge of Xiang for ten years. You have eliminated the disadvantages of the canal system, eliminated large sums of money, supported the Hunan people, and divided the troops into four reinforcements. If you leave Hunan and enter Sichuan, you will definitely succeed.
Luo Bingzhang said: When you are born in troubled times, you should be diligent. After the internal strife among the Cantonese bandits, their momentum has declined, and the sunset is no longer something to be feared. However, the British, French, American, Russian and barbarians gradually became a serious problem. Four years ago, the Yi people entered Guangdong and occupied Guangzhou. Ye Mingchen was captured, and Baigui and Mukdene were kidnapped. They have not yet been able to escape. In the last year of the previous year, the Yi people attacked Dagokou twice. At present, 20,000 British and French barbarian soldiers first occupied Dinghai and then reached Shanghai. If the barbarians colluded with the Cantonese bandits, half of the southeastern half of the Qing Dynasty would be wiped out. The great patients in China are actually barbarians. Xue Heji, the governor of Jiangsu, is fighting against the Cantonese bandits internally and the Yi bandits externally. He is being attacked on both sides. I am worried!
Zuo Zongtang said: Southern Jiangsu is in ruins, Xue Heji can't support it alone, and Shanghai will not be saved sooner or later! The Yi people returned to Dagokou for revenge. If Seng Gelinqin can block it, everything will be fine; if he cannot block it, Beijing and Tianjin will be in danger, and the whole country will be in chaos.
