Chapter 131 Chinese and foreign plans to defend Shanghai
On March 4, 1862, Bruce, the British Minister to China, wrote to British Foreign Secretary Russell:
Shanghai is in danger, supplies are cut off, and the rebels will become more rampant because of our unexpressed passivity and their success in Ningbo. I have given Sir Hooper my opinion that our offensive action against the rebels is perfectly justified.
On March 11, British Foreign Secretary Russell sent a letter to Bruce, the British Minister to China, McWatt, the British Consul in Shanghai, and Robert Hob, Commander of the British Navy in China:
In view of the occupation of Ningbo and the rumors that the Taiping Army was planning to attack Shanghai, it seemed appropriate for the Queen's Government to give Vice Admiral Ho the order to grant wider powers, even if no other cities were occupied by the Taiping Army. The fall of Ningbo has paralyzed all commerce, driven away all or a large part of the peaceful inhabitants, and devastated a large area. Humanitarian and commercial interests also demanded that the city and port of Shanghai, with its numerous indigenous inhabitants, not suffer the same fate. British interests also demanded that other treaty ports be given the same protection as possible. I, therefore, inform your Lordships of the Queen's orders, that Vice-Commander Hooper shall be ordered forthwith to defend Shanghai to the best of the Royal Navy's power, and to protect other treaty ports which are not in the hands of the rebels.
Uncle He and others received the letter and negotiated immediately.
The British consul in Shanghai, Maihua Tuo, said: The rebels have surrounded Shanghai, business has stagnated, and supplies have been cut off, so a counterattack must be launched immediately.
Navy Commander He Bodao said: "We must immediately urge the Qing government to immediately increase the strength of Wall's ever-victorious army. This is one of them." 2. The British and French allied forces, Wall's ever-victorious army and the Qing army must work together to completely annihilate the rebels. The rebels camped for dozens of miles in Wangjiasi and Longzhu Temple in order to capture Sijing and Qibao and cut off the connection between Songjiang and Shanghai. In the first battle, our army attacked Wangjia Temple, then Longzhu Temple, and then Qingpu and Jiading, completely driving the rebels out of Shanghai.
Su Songtao and Wu Xu said: When will your army start the attack?
Robert Hobdao: The commander of the British Army in China, General Sir John Devereux, will arrive in Shanghai at the end of the month. In early April, the coalition forces can launch an offensive. Before that, your country should also take the opportunity to engage in battle to curb the rebel offensive.
Maihua Tuo said: I should take advantage of my strengths and build another half artillery squadron. I will urge all parties to ensure that the required cannons and their parts arrive in Shanghai within ten days or two weeks.
Wu Xu said: "My emperor has ordered Governor Zeng Guoquan to lead Xiangyong to Shanghai. Please ask Mr. Consul for help."
Maihua Tuo said: "What's the difficulty? The land route is not smooth. The Yangtze River waterway from Anqing to Shanghai, our British Empire merchant ship will arrive in four days." Ten ships and five thousand soldiers were transported together, arriving in Shanghai in January.
Wu Xu said: Within ten months. Guangdong Ni repeatedly attacked Sijing and Qibao, but our army struggled to support them and was unable to cope.
He Bodao: "Wal's ever-victorious army and your troops have the right to deal with it; when our army arrives in Shanghai, we can launch a full-scale counterattack."
Zuo Zongtang's troops had just entered Zhejiang and conquered two cities. Zeng Guofan felt relaxed and happy. He smiled and said to Li Hongzhang: "Zuo Gong's military strategy is as powerful as Zeng's."
Li Hongzhang said: Di Shuai is polite. Zuo Gong's achievements today are all due to Di Shuai.
Zeng Guofan said: "Has Shaoquan's army been trained well?"
Li Hongzhang said gratefully: "I am asking for help from Commander Di. Hongzhang has raised six thousand men. I would like to ask Commander Di to observe."
Zeng Guofan said: "Six thousand are less, I will send six more battalions as gifts for marriage." Our emperor once again ordered us to rush to help Shanghai. Zeng Guoquan and Chen Shijie were short-sighted and were tired of going to Shanghai. Does Shaoquan have any intention?
Li Hongzhang quickly knelt down and said: Thank you for your mentor's kindness.
Zeng Guofan flew to Hongzhang, smiled slyly, and said: "I visited Li Yuandu again last month. What does Shaoquan mean?" Annoyed?
Li Hongzhang laughed silently.
Zeng Guofan said: "Li Yuandu didn't listen to my orders, Huizhou was lost, and I was almost killed. How can I have no regrets!" Furthermore, after Li Yuandu was offended, he returned to his hometown without waiting for the verdict, and went to Zhejiang without waiting for the report. He did not see any battle in the place where he had seen and heard about it, but risked the report to defeat him. There is no explanation for all the paradoxes. This person has betrayed me before, and he has betrayed the king later. It is difficult to forgive him legally and emotionally.
Li Hongzhang said: "Now that my mentor has done this, Li Ciqing's life will not be saved!"
Zeng Guofan said: Without him, how can national affairs be lost in personal friendship? Shen Weng wrote the same book, and I also sent it out. This is the original manuscript, Shaoquan may wish to take a look.
Li Hongzhang quickly watched.
Zeng's Shenweng Tongshu wrote: The former governor of Anhui, Weng Tongshu, in July of the eighth year of Xianfeng's reign, the orchard was damaged and he retreated to Dingyuan. Wei Shi took over not long ago, so he can still shirk the blame.
He stayed there for a year, and in June of the ninth year, Dingyuan City fell. Many civil and military officials and gentry were martyred. The governor abandoned the city alone and fled to Shouzhou. He was exhausted and relied on Miao Peilin for support. He repeatedly recommended him to support him, so as to nourish the remaining troubles. The gentry and the people were angry, and a vendetta between Sun Jiatai and Miao Lian occurred. When Miao was captured and the enemy was surrounded by Shou, Xu Lizhuang, Sun Jiatai, and Miao Shizhong were killed in order to flatter Miao without relieving the siege. Shoucheng is about to be destroyed, so Bo Chongwu, Qingrui, and Yin Shanting join forces to get through Miao and escape.
Miao Peilin attacked the city and fell to the ground. The killings were terrible and the territory was being eaten away. Weng Tongshu could not die for the festival, but he spared no effort to protect Miao Ni from rebellion and Tuan Lian was guilty. At the beginning, the report claimed that Miao Lian entered the city and did not kill civilians. Then, the report said that the victims of Shouzhou and the women who were martyred were uncountable, and asked Peng Yulin to find out who Jingzi was. This is self-contradictory.
In the first month of the previous year, he reported that Miao Peilin must kill one and three pieces, which became popular among the people. In some provinces, the officials of the feudal frontiers should serve as a system for the imperial court and also serve as a permanent guide for the ages.
Today, if you don't give me loyal advice, what kind of words have you learned all your life? You also say, "I swear to defend this territory for the country and protect this remaining village." In September, when the city of Shouzhou was destroyed, Weng Tong's writing instrument was broken into two pieces to demonstrate Miao Peilin's loyalty. Looking at the first lunar month, there is not only a huge contradiction, but also a huge difference, confusing right and wrong, confusing the saints, and corrupting the principles and disciplines. This is nothing serious.
If Weng Tongshu claims that he has removed the Fu seal and should not defend the city, he should have led him away early and should not be in a place of suspicion; as the lord of a city, he should not kill many regiments to increase the power of rebelling against the Miao.
If Weng Tongshu was ordered to defend the city according to the edict, he should serve the people and die, and should not be indecisive; nor should he be coerced and make hasty remarks, and then live in vain. After the matter was settled, Weng Tongshu sent three letters to his ministers. There was no blame at all. His integrity was lost, and Tian was not surprised.
Since the rise of the army, governors who have lost control and escaped have been severely punished. Weng Tongshu was lost twice in Dingyuan and Shouzhou, which caused the disaster of Miao rebellion. How should he go unpunished? In response to the request, Weng Tongshu was about to be dismissed from his post for questioning, and the king's minister Jiu Qing was ordered to discuss the crime with the Ministry of Punishment, and to impose strict military discipline on him.
Where the minister's duties are, he should be corrected and consulted, and he should not be complacent because of the prosperity of Weng Tongshu's family. Whether it is appropriate or not, please ask the Emperor for guidance. I would like to attach a piece of music.
After viewing it, Hongzhang exclaimed: "Only this film, every word of it, is so refreshing!"
Zeng Guofan said: "If you look at Li Yuandu's works, you will find many pearls; family friendships can easily obscure people's eyesight." Shaoquan's trip to Shanghai this time has a long way to go, and he must do his best to eliminate the rebellion in Guangdong. Feng Guifen, editor of the Hanlin Academy, had served Tao Gong and Lin Gong. He had vast knowledge. When he came to Shanghai from a young age, he made sure to seek advice from him.
Li Hongzhang said: "My teacher taught me, and Hongzhang will never forget it." Feng Gong's famous name has been admired and admired for a long time. After arriving in Shanghai, he will visit and kowtow to him three times. Xue Huan, the governor of Jiangsu, requested to borrow troops from Britain and France to help suppress the Cantonese bandits. The two palaces have also given permission. Do you think it is appropriate?
Zeng Guofan said: Shanghai is a trading port. The barbarians share our interests, so we should fight and defend it together. However, if the borrowed barbarian soldiers are used as expected, the tail will not be lost, which will not be a blessing. It is a good thing to learn from the barbarians and learn skills to control thieves. When Shaoquan arrives in Shanghai, he must be cautious when using barbarian troops. Duolong'a, Li Xuyi, and Yuan Jia were surrounded by three layers. The Chen thieves were all alone in Luzhou, and they were already the turtles in the urn. The most powerful thief is Li Xiucheng. Shaoquan is in danger alone, and I really can't bear it. Yuanfu Xiangxiang is recruiting brave men and will be arriving soon. I will negotiate again and send strong generals to help you.
