In early November 1860, Chen Yucheng built more than 40 forts near the trailer river.
Hu Linyi was fearless and advised Duolong'a and Li Xuyi: Raise troops for ten months and use them at this time. If you are stubbornly resisting, don't go out lightly. When the thieves are exhausted, work together to annihilate them.
Li Hongzhang entered Taihu Lake from Qimen and watched Hu Linyi order his troops. Taishan Mountain collapsed in front of him, but his expression remained unchanged, and he became more and more admired. After Lin Yi finished his work, Hong Zhang explained his intention.
Hu Linyi said: Shaoquan said that Qimen is indeed a desperate place. I will immediately advise Duke Di to move eastward as soon as possible to avoid danger. Li Yuandu also said this when he crossed the river to camp some time ago. Li Yuandu was disheartened and wanted to go to Zhejiang to stand on his own. I said it was absolutely impossible, and even my good words and persuasion could not change his ambition.
Li Hongzhang said: "The teacher's punishment of Li Ciqing is indeed harsh." My mentor adheres to his own opinions. The world is huge, but Commander Run can change his ambition.
Hu Linyi took a sip of the potion and said with a wry smile: Last year I talked with Di Gong about not letting Shao Quan waste his time as a swordsman and penman again. Di Gong said, Your Excellency's idle talent and Yuanzhi are naturally the tools of Kuangji. However, the way of the Great Change, the importance of time and position, are all under the control of powerful people, and Hao cannot use human power to intervene in it.
Li Hongzhang smiled bitterly and said: "My teacher has worked so hard, so I will remember it." Hongzhang was originally from Anhui, and he was born and died here. Now that he saw Runshuai dispatching troops, he felt that his intelligence was not as good as Runshuai's.
Hu Linyi said: "Shao Quan is polite, but times have changed. In the past, I led six hundred soldiers to go out to Guizhou to fight against thieves. I was in great hardship and almost destroyed. Fortunately, I was protected by Commander-in-Chief, and I set out on the right path." Even though our troops are strong and our horses are strong, we still feel like we are walking on thin ice. If Shao Quan has such a bone, his methods will be broad and his talents will be far-reaching. If he chooses a good general and uses him, it will also be a great honor to help him.
Li Hongzhang said: Confucius said that when he was thirty, Hongzhang was almost confused and had accomplished nothing. I would like to ask Commander Run to give me some advice.
Hu Linyi sighed: I have been serving in the army for many years, I have been plagued by many ailments, and my energy has declined. If I delay it for another four or five years, I will leave Shaoquan to guide the country. Zeng Gong has always known how to know people, and he has known many wise generals, and Shaoquan has served him Under it, wait for the opportunity to move, and then you can realize your grand plans.
Li Hongzhang said: "Hongzhang is both talented and virtuous, so what is his grand plan? Marshal Di and Marshal Run once advised that Hui and Ning are still complete and the layout is rough. They should march forward with drums and meet with the divisions of Huai and Tong. Dangtu, then the Huzhou army will come out of Su and Chang, and the horses of Yangzhou will drink in Jiangpu. This is a grand plan! Oh, cherish the sky as if it is blessing me, the Qing Dynasty. We should use the handsome commander to oversee the two rivers, and the handsome commander will push the handsome commander, and the common people will complement each other. .”
Hu Linyi sighed: "Although Lin Yi is sick, he is sweating profusely, has a rapid pulse and a slow pulse, and making a big deal out of it may not help. However, I am really sick. Even if I can make it, I may not have time to cure it." .”
Hongzhang bid farewell to Lin Yi in tears and went to Zeng Guoquan's camp. The two talked about Hu Linyi.
Zeng Guoquan said: Runshuai has worked hard for six or seven years, his worries have become chronic, and his talents have faded away. No matter how hard he pushes, he can't do anything. I also know roughly what happened between Brother Li and my brother. Is Qimen really a desperate place?
Li Hongzhang said: The previous map had incomplete markings, but this is the map captured by the Cantonese bandits. Look, Qimen is surrounded by mountains and stretched across the road, as if it were at the bottom of an urn. If the enemy cuts off the road and is trapped, they will inevitably be in chaos.
Zeng Guoquan looked at the map and said in horror: If it is a desperate situation, I will repair the book and ask my brother to move eastward quickly.
Hong Xiuquan received Chen Yucheng's remarks and was furious. He once again told Li Xiucheng that he must obey the imperial edict and sweep the north.
Li Xiucheng accepted the order and said: I rebelled against the Lord's orders and refused to obey the edict. In the faith of my friends, I followed my teacher and went to Jiangxi and Hubei to expand my army on my own. This was also a great plan for the Kingdom of Heaven.
Chen Kun wrote in "Qiu Tianyi": "There is heaven above and Suzhou and Hangzhou below. This wealthy place can consolidate the foundation of the kingdom of heaven. We cannot go to the west with all our strength."
Li Xiucheng said: How can this king be a person who cherishes his strength? The two demons of Zeng and Hu stationed troops in Anqing and spread the bait, waiting for us to take the bait! We have no navy, and the armies of the north and the south are separated from each other. We have many dragons and tigers, and they are extremely brave. The British army has never won a battle with them. The battle of Anqing was hard to say successful. This king took possession of Shanghai, built a large number of barbarian ships, purchased more barbarian guns and cannons, refined the navy, and then moved up. However, due to urgent requests from all parties, it had to be issued.
On November 6, 1860, Li Xiucheng ordered Chen Kunshu to stay in Suzhou. Xiucheng led the main force and galloped to southern Anhui. On November 18, he arrived in Nanling from Wuhu.
Li Xiucheng raised his troops in southern Anhui. Chen Yucheng couldn't help being happy and said to Liu Xuanlin: "The loyal troops are finally out, what more can I ask for!" Immediately pass on this president's order to attack the Duolong Ayao Army tomorrow.
Liu Xuanlin said: "There are many monsters in Long'a. He has repeatedly attacked the fortress with his regular troops and responded with roundabout cavalry. He has won many battles and is extremely arrogant. His Royal Highness must prepare a comprehensive strategy to kill this monster."
Chen Yucheng sighed and said: I wanted to use the power of heaven to destroy this evildoer, but I had no choice but to show off and refused to cooperate. Now his troops are entering southern Anhui. If they are successful, Hu Yao and Lin Yi will send many demons or Li Yao to the south for reinforcements. If the demon army moves, there may be a gap. I am waiting for the opportunity.
Liu Xuanlin said: "The loyal king, the auxiliary king, the servant king, the chief general of Dingnan Huang Wenjin, the chief general of the right army Liu Guanfang, the chief general of the right army Gu Longxian and others gathered in southern Anhui and worked together. How could Zeng Yao have a way to survive!"
Chen Yucheng sighed again and said: After Dong and Yi, the king of heaven was very concerned and feared that one family would dominate, so he divided the territory and divided the territories, and each king also fought on his own; the president and the three kings of Zhong, Fu and Shi were not subordinate to each other; King Qian was still senior Qian, the king of heaven is not familiar with military affairs; there is no outstanding person in the kingdom of heaven.
Liu Xuanlin said: Your Highness and Zhongdian have been friends since childhood, why don't we talk about it again? There is a way of saying that a drop of water can penetrate a stone.
Chen Yucheng said: When we were friends as children, we were happy when we showed our faces; now everyone has their own opinions, and it is useless to give more advice. I am committed to the Kingdom of Heaven, and killing demons is my duty. Wherever there are many demon soldiers, that is where I will go.
On November 26, 1860, Chen Yucheng poured out all his troops and lined up with trailers to the east of the river. After observing for a long time, there was no movement in Duolonga, so Yucheng ordered an army to cross the river to induce a fight.
Duolong Ajing stood in the west of the river and was not in a hurry to fight. He only tried his best to kill the troops crossing the river. Yucheng encountered a setback in the first battle, but he was not willing to fight anymore. He ordered all the ministries to build camps and dig trenches.
Liu Xuanlin asked why, and Yucheng said: "Many demons are in full force. I rely on my base to resist them, which will consume their energy."
Liu Xuanlin said: "Where did King Zhong's army besieging Qimen appear?" Xiuning was besieged by Bao Chao and Zhang Yunlan for half a month. Did Li Shixian's troops come back from Zhejiang to help?
Chen Yucheng said: Li Xiucheng came to consult, and Li Shixian was rushing from Yanzhou, Zhejiang to aid Xiuning; Zhongbu also rushed thousands of miles to attack Yi County, cutting off the food routes of Bao and Zhang, and attacking them will save them. Yang Fuqing and Huang Wenjin are advancing from Ningguo and Wuhu to jointly attack Jiande; if Jiande is gained, the alliance between Zeng and Hu will be broken! My four-pronged army is fighting for the south of Anhui Province. I, the president, have set up camp and are waiting for the situation to change. Quickly report to Tian and Qian, and then urge the armies in the south of the Yangtze River to attack in separate groups to encircle and annihilate Zeng Yao.
Zeng Guofan sent a message to Hu Linyi and Zeng Guoquan when they moved to the camp, and said to Zhao Liewen: This is all Shaoquan's doing. Shaoquan used retreat to advance. He is extremely smart. My fate with him is not over.
Zhao Liewen said: "I have reported to Commander Di that Li Xiucheng's army has entered Wuhu and is heading towards Nanling. Yang Fuqing, Huang Wenjin, Liu Guanfang, Gu Longxian and others are also ready to move." Commander Di, this is a critical situation. Bao Chao and Zhang Yunlan must not attack Xiuning again and return quickly to secure the camp.
Zeng Guofan said: Bao and Zhang jointly attacked Xiuning and killed a thousand people under the bandit leader Wang Huaizhong. Their momentum was strong, what should they be afraid of? Furthermore, I led a group of thieves to harass Qimen, just to break the siege of Anqing. Where is Li Shixian now?
Zhao Liewen said: After Li Shixian entered Zhejiang, he successively conquered Yanzhou, Shouchang, and Tonglu, and is now wandering around the Zhejiang region; but according to the latest detection reports, Li's tribe seems to be showing signs of returning.
Zeng Guofan said: It doesn't matter. The two Li brothers are of the same mind and have been working together for a long time. When Li Shixian attacked Wannan, it was the day when Li Xiucheng launched a large-scale attack. Where did Zuo Zongtang appear?
Zhao Liewen said: We will arrive at Wuyuan and Jingde in a few days.
Zeng Guofan said: "Very good, very good. Bao Chao, Zuo Zongtang, and Zhang Yunlan are the three tiger generals in our grasp. Why should we be afraid?" However, there are many thieves in the two hundred miles of Huanhui County. If the thieves live together, they will definitely become a big trouble. According to our military orders, Bao Chao and Zhang Yunlan must work together to defeat Xiuning first, and then occupy Huizhou, so that we can gain a foothold in southern Anhui.
Bao Chao and Zhang Yunlan received the order, combined their forces, and then attacked Wan'an Street in Xiuning, defeating the Taiping Army. They chased for more than ten miles and killed more than 2,000 people.
Li Shixian received Li Xiucheng's advice and traveled day and night from Yanzhou to Huizhou to transport Jiezi medicine and artillery into the city.
Bao Chao and Zhang Yunlan took advantage of the victory and attacked Huizhou again, destroying two forts outside the city. Li Shixian was defeated and fought to the death in the city.
Xiuning and Huizhou were in emergency. Li Xiucheng did not dare to slow down anymore. He led an army of 20,000 troops and attacked from Nanling. He defeated Shidai and Taiping counties. On December 1, 1860, Xiucheng invaded from Yangzhanling and defeated the guerrilla Zhao Tinggui. One army marched into Yi County.
Yi County was lost, and the food route of Bao and Zhang's armies was blocked. Zeng Guofan was shocked and urgently told his staff: Yangzhan Ridge controls Xuanchi in the north and Shexiu in the Nantong. It has always been a must-win for military strategists. The loss of this key pass is worse than that of Huizhou. Losing is even worse. At present, Zhang Yunlan's army is being attacked from the front and rear, and is most at risk; secondly, our old camp at Qimen is only eighty miles away from the thieves, and they will arrive in the morning and evening without any obstruction. Now we focus on the method of defending the fortress. When thieves come, we must hold fast and wait for reinforcements. If there are any dangers, then your ambitions will be determined and you will never be able to avoid difficulties!
Everyone was panicked.
Zeng Guofan smiled forcefully and said: Don't panic, don't panic, this is the most dangerous plan. However, the bravery of Generals Bao and Zhang, and the indecisiveness of Li Xiucheng, ended up being a false alarm. After passing on my military order, Zhu Pinlong and Tang Yixun organized the army and weapons, and were prepared to wait without any danger. Bao Chao and Zhang Yunlan immediately flew to Yangzhan Ridge to fight to the death with Li Bandit.
After the vassal arrangement was completed, he immediately addressed Zeng Guoquan: Yangzhan Ridge was suddenly lost, and Qimen was in danger. Looking back on my fifty-plus years of life, apart from the regrets about my lack of knowledge, I can avoid great violence. A wise brother should teach the younger generations to be hard-working and humble, and to avoid the accumulated habits of arrogance and idleness. I have no other instructions.
Zeng Guoquan howled when he saw the letter and immediately raised his troops.
Zeng Guobao said: "The Li bandits have not yet laid siege to the city. Bao Chao and Zhang Yunlan have strong troops and horses, so we will slow down our movement for the time being. We will report to Commander Run quickly and ask him to make a decision."
Hu Linyi also knew that Zeng Guofan's safety was critical to the overall situation, so he urgently ordered Zeng Guobao to select 2,000 elite soldiers, join Peng Yulin's navy, and take the opportunity to cross south for reinforcements.
Li Xiucheng broke into Yangzhan Ridge and captured Yixian County. Zhang Yunlan was unafraid and led his troops to counterattack. When the two armies engaged, Yunlan was defeated. At the critical moment, Bao Chao arrived with his troops and attacked them head-on. Xiucheng was defeated and retreated to Lucun.
The next day, Bao, Zhang, and Li fought again, and Xiucheng was defeated. They retreated from Yangzhanling, bypassed Yixian, and entered Xiuning and Huizhou.
Li Shixian said: "Your Highness, loyal brother, Zeng Yaoguo Fan is still in Qimen, why don't you attack?"
Li Xiucheng said: Half a year ago, we made an agreement with the three kings of Tian, Qian and Ying. King Ying was in the north and I was in the south of the Yangtze River. We would attack Wuchang to relieve the siege of Anqing.
Li Shixian said: Yang Fuqing, Huang Wenjin, Liu Guanfang, Gu Longxian, Lai Wenhong, Li Yuanji, etc. will also come here. If my brother is here, I can still unite the armies in the south of the Yangtze River; if my brother goes away, the dragons will be leaderless! Times are changing, so why bother looking for something far away? We make a desperate move to surround and kill Zeng Yao, and we can break the siege of Anqing.
Li Xiucheng said: Thirty prefectures and counties in Jiangxi and Hunan respectfully surrendered to the army. More than 100,000 troops in the wing have also returned to Hunan and Jiangxi. My army has arrived, and I have the power to recruit them. My brother-in-waiting and his brothers will temporarily support Wannan until I return, and they will try their best to kill Zeng Yao.
After Xiucheng left, Shixian sighed: Yangzhan Ridge was a crucial point for attack and defense. He abandoned it and took Ruo Ridge to Jiangxi. The main army was diverted, and southern Anhui was bleak!
