Chapter 180 Zuo Zongtang quells the chaos in Shaanxi and Gansu (4)
When the news of the mutiny of the Hunan Army reached Beijing, the whole court was shocked. The imperial censor Song Bangxu immediately petitioned to abolish the old Hunan Army of Gao Liansheng and Liu Songshan to avoid future troubles.
Empress Dowager Ci'an said: Yang Zaifu, Lei Zhengwan, Cao Kezhong, Tao Maolin, etc. were all defeated due to rout. We must learn from the past and take precautions.
Prince Gong Yi Xin said: "To report to the Queen Mother, since ancient times, I have never heard of an army that has repeatedly won and been defeated." Zuo Zongtang's Xiangyong army won both battles, frequently defeated powerful enemies, and repeatedly fell to the ground. The slaves thought that they could not be executed suddenly.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: The wind starts at the end of the green grass, but it may not stop in the grass. Since Bao Chunting, the army of Xiangchu has rebelled repeatedly. We must take precautions and must take strict precautions. The armies of Jianghuai and Huaihe have never been defeated; Liu Mingchuan's Ming army, Guo Songlin's Wu Yi army, and Zhou Shengchuan's Sheng army will languish if they stay in one place for a long time and have nothing to do. If Zuo Zongtang cannot control the army, Li Hongzhang can also go north and west.
Yi Xin said: "It is a taboo for military strategists to report to the Empress Dowager to change generals before battle; the battle is about to begin, and it is even more forbidden to change the commander lightly." The left army is in great momentum. I would like to ask the Empress Dowager to take another look at the situation.
Minister of Military and Aircraft Wen Xiang also attached.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "That's all. Zeng Guofan is stationed in Zha Baoding. He is very close. Let's ask him quickly."
Wenxiang replied: Informing the Empress Dowager, Mu Tushan, the Governor of Shaanxi-Gansu Province, Jin Shun, the acting Ningxia General, and Ding'an, the Suiyuan City General, are now on the defensive in front of Qinlong, fighting against the rebels, and all the events on the battlefield are happening, and the three of them are there. The environment must be familiar to the heart.
The Empress Dowager Cixi said: Mu Tushan and Jin Shun fought from Duolong'an to the south and made great military achievements. In the past, when the bandit atmosphere in the Hexi area became increasingly fierce, Suiyuan City General Ding'an raised funds to train troops and deployed defenses, and the army was booming. , Kou heard the news and left. These three people are all capable of serving as powerful generals. The secret edict was quickly passed on. If there is any illegal behavior among the generals and armies of Shaanxi and Gansu, the three ministers must report it truthfully.
Zeng Guofan received the order and urgently summoned Zhao Liewen for discussion.
Guofan said: The formation of an alliance among the brave soldiers in the camp is particularly dangerous. In recent years, the camps have become accustomed to each other, serving as each other's wings, resisting officials and extorting pay, all because of this. However, the cause is all due to lack of salary. If the two palaces do not effectively supervise and supervise, there will be no good way to curb it. Zuo Shuai has no silver and is prone to misfortune and misfortune.
Zhao Liewen said: "My teacher, does he have any good method to protect me as a teacher in Xiaoxiang?"
Zeng Guofan said: Lao Zuo has a winning streak and is fine for the time being. Lao Zuo is about to be defeated, and I will die to protect him. Zeng Zuo's family was dying and his teeth were cold. When old Zuo fell, the Hunan Army was finished! The Hunan Army has been dismantled, and we are all just meat on the table. I don’t see you. The new governor of Liangjiang, Ma Xinyi, is training the fifth battalion of the cavalry army in Jinling. Is this man sharpening his sword to suppress bandits?
Zhao Liewen said: "Xigong's arbitrariness is really old-fashioned."
Zeng Guofan said: "The city of Jinling has been destroyed, and there is not a trace of silver. Do you believe it?" If I go to the West Palace, I will also investigate carefully.
Zhao Liewen said: "Does the teacher have a way to solve it?"
Zeng Guofan said: "I went to Beijing to see your majesty at the beginning of the year and took care of the pigs, dogs and livestock, which cost a lot of money. There are no gentlemen in the court, and the chaos in people's affairs is probably not a long-term solution." Falling flowers are intentional, but flowing water is ruthless. I immediately wrote to Zuo Zongtang, strictly restraining his subordinates, and must send troops to advance quickly to pacify Qinlong, and must not upset the population and cause many twists and turns. The new governor of Liangjiang, if it is rare for him to be confused, he will be happy.
After the vassal of the country had finished speaking, he sent a memorial saying: To inform the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, the disease of boils and moss is not a cause for concern. The two divisions of Gao Liansheng and Liu Songshan were revolted in Yijun and Suide, Shaanxi Province, which was actually caused by the long service of the sergeants. The army was able to suppress the enemy effectively and its vigor remained undiminished, so it was not possible to hurriedly propose a withdrawal.
Empress Dowager Cixi accepted the report and immediately issued an edict: In all the camps in Shaanxi Province, within ten days, there were two changes of bravery and oneness, which was extremely unlikely. Zuo Zongtang is responsible for the leadership of the army and has unshirkable responsibilities. How to rectify the camp regulations, control the soldiers, and prepare ways to counteract changes must be carefully planned to consolidate the morale of the army and avoid future troubles.
Zuo Zongtang sighed after receiving the order. A few days later, after receiving another warning document from Zeng Guofan, Zongtang suddenly felt enlightened and urgently summoned all the generals to discuss the attack on Jinji Fort.
Zongtang said: First attack Zhenjing Fort, then attack Dong Zhiyuan, then attack Jinji Fort, and then return to Gao to drive to Long. This is the strategy to advance in order. Jinji Fort is backed by the Yellow River, surrounded by the Ling and Qin Canals, and the Qingtong Gorge blocks it to the south. There are many forts around it, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. I ordered Liu Songshan's troops to quickly advance westward along Zhenjing Fort, attack Lingzhou and Wuzhong Forts first, and block the north of Jinji Fort. Zhang Yao and Jinshun's troops swam across the Yellow River and went south from Shizuishan, cutting off the bandits and escaping across the river. The two troops of Lei Zhengwan and Huang Ding advanced from Guyuan to the north and blocked the south road of Jinjibao. All departments will attack together and must meet at the gate of Jinjibao within ten months.
Liu Diandao: Report to Commander Zuo that last year, Ma Hualong accepted the promotion of Shaanxi governor Mu Tushan. Our army is attacking Jinji Fort at this moment. The name seems incorrect.
Zuo Zongtang said: Not only last year, but in the fourth year of Tongzhi, Ma Hualong's Ningxia Fen tribe had also been recruited by the imperial court, and Ma was also named with the title of admiral; however, Ma Hualong has a killing habit and is capricious, so don't trust him! In the name of pursuing and suppressing the rebel bandits of Shaanxi Hui, our army pushed forward with force. If Ma Hualong's Ningxia Hui tribe was obstructed, he would immediately kill them.
Liu Songshan received the order and immediately sent a force to pretend to attack Huamachi. Songshan led the main force and marched westward.
The Qing army entered Ning in large numbers. Ma Hualong, the leader of Zhehe Linye, urgently summoned Bai Yanhu, Cui Wei, Ma Zhenghe and others to discuss countermeasures.
Ma Hualong said: Zuo Zongtang's three-pronged army and the 120th battalion of powerful soldiers are about to approach the fort. Do you have any good strategies to defend against the enemy?
Bai Yanhu said: There is no other way but to fight to the death! I immediately dispatched Yu Xiaohu's troops to assist the leader in guarding Jinji Castle.
Ma Hualong said: Yu Xiaohu is the number one general under your command. Ma is deeply grateful for such a cut-off. However, Zuo Zongtang knows military strategies well and is especially good at judging opportunities. If we fight to the death and refuse to retreat, it may be a disaster for the whole clan!
Ma Zhenghe said: The leader has been in charge of Lianghe in Ning County for ten years and has repeatedly resisted powerful enemies. He must have a good way to eliminate disasters.
Ma Hualong said: We sit in the corner of Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia. We have few soldiers and poor people. It is difficult to hold on for a long time. The best way is to promote peace through war. You will speed up the troops in Qin and rely on the stronghold to hold back the left army's offensive. After the stalemate lasts for a long time, I will take action to persuade them to make peace. Let me tell you quickly, the Qing army is here only to hunt down the Qin people, and the Gan and Ning people can live in peace without fear.
Bai Yanhu said: The leader of the church regards our people in Qin as nothing but trivial matters! If we all die in battle, can we save Gan and Ning Hui?
Ma Hualong said: Do you know about military aircraft? Why such wild talk? The people of Shaanxi, Gansu, and Ning are one family. I am the leader of Zhehe Linye. I always consider the safety of the whole family. Even if the family is exterminated, I will die first!
