Chapter 185 Zeng Guofan decides the case at the opportunity (7)
Zeng Guofan accepted the order and did not dare to neglect it. He immediately went to Beijing to meet the emperor.
The Empress Dowager Cixi said: Last month, Governor Li Hongzhang led half of the Huaiyong troops to Tianjin. Did you meet and have a pleasant conversation?
Zeng Guofan said: In order to report to the Emperor, the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother, Li Hongzhang said that the Tianjin religious case could not quell the public anger without killing more than 20 criminals. Later, when talking about the former Jiangdu Governor, Li also said that Ma Xinyi's prestige was too low to deter Fu Fu. Mang, the Yangtze River has many stories from now on.
The Empress Dowager Cixi said: Zuo Zongtang was also recommended by Zeng Chen. Zuo Chen thought that the Jinji Fort was about to be destroyed, so it was not appropriate to kill Ma Hualong for the time being. After Wangjiatuan was recovered, he would then punish the barbarians according to the severity of the crime, and move the minor ones.
Zeng Guofan said: "I would like to express my gratitude to the Emperor, the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother." The chaos in Shaanxi, Gansu and Anhui lasted for ten years, with millions of casualties and casualties. If the bandit leaders were not killed, it would not be enough to make the people angry.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Quickly pass on the edict. If Zuo Zongtang captures the bandit leader Ma Hualong, he will not be able to recover various places as a beg for favors, to apply for national laws, and to please people's hearts." Is Zeng Chen in good health? Can he go to Jiangnan in the near future?
Zeng Guofan said: "I would like to report to the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager Our Lady that I should be punished with death, but I will leave for the south as soon as my illness becomes milder."
On December 12, Zhang Zhiwan played again: The criminal Zhang Wenxiang had once returned to pirates, because Ma Xinyi had suppressed Nantian pirates during his previous tenure in Zhejiang Province and killed many Iraqi gangs. Moreover, because Yi's wife, Luo Shi, was lured to flee by Wu Bingxie, when Ma Xinyi was passing through the border to Ningbo, she stopped the public to file a charge and was not allowed to be tried. The prisoner was very resentful.
The fugitive pirate Long Qi and others ordered Zhang Wenxiang to avenge his accomplices, and Zhang Wenxiang was inspired to agree. The prisoner went to a new town to open a small prison privately, but when Ma Xinyi issued a warning, he lost both his capital and his profit. Remembering the past grudges will make you more determined to kill.
In the 7th and 8th years of Tongzhi's reign, he visited Hangzhou and Jiangning many times, trying to seize the opportunity to assassinate him, but failed to do so. On July 26th of this year, the entourage sneaked into the superintendent's office and carried out the assassination. They interrogated him repeatedly and insisted on his confession. There was no other mastermind and different reasons, so it was still credible.
Empress Dowager Cixi looked at Zhang Zhiwan's memorial and said: The murderer Zhang Wenxiang was a remnant of Hong Xiuquan's party, and his execution of Xinyi was really a pirate's revenge, with no other mastermind? The hatred for killing the father and the hatred for taking away the wife are irreconcilable! The murderer did not attack his enemies, but instead sought out an official in the court to vent his anger. This is extremely contrary to common sense!
Empress Dowager Ci'an said: The horse-stabbing case has been delayed for half a year, and it is still untrue. Zhang Zhiwan, Kuiyu and others are unable to handle it, which is extremely hateful!
Prince Gong Yi Xin said: "To your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager, I think that Zhang Zhiwan and other Wushu have limited skills, and they are not convinced even if they are tried again." Zeng Guofan, the former governor of Zhili and now the governor of Liangjiang, has become an old man, and it is Jiangning Anlan who relies on him; however, he has been late in taking up his post, so he must be urged again.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Immediately issue an edict: Ma Xinyi, the governor-general and an important minister, suddenly encountered this change, and the case is serious." Zhang Wenxiang's confession of hatred and instigation by pirate Long Qi and others may be incomplete. If Kuiyu and others were to follow the plan, it would be a canonical punishment, which would not be enough to prove his credibility. There has been a decree in advance, ordering Zeng Guofan to hold a strict inquiry after he takes office to ensure that the truth is confirmed. Before Zeng Guofan leaves, he must visit the capital again.
Empress Dowager Ci'an said: Zeng Guofan refused to accept the request due to eye problems. I don't know what he was thinking.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "The affairs of the two rivers are complex and the responsibilities are heavy. Zeng Guofan has been in the south of the Yangtze River for many years. He is familiar with the situation and can take appropriate measures. Although the eye disease has not been cured, he has the governor to take care of everything. Everything can be taken care of by the governor." There is no need to discuss the merits of Jian Jian's talents.
Zeng Guofan accepted the order and entered the capital again.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "When will you set off?"
Zeng Guofan said: "To the Emperor, the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother, the ministers will set off south on the 23rd."
Empress Dowager Cixi said: In the Tianjin religious case, has the perpetrator been brought to justice?
Zeng Guofan said: "The execution has not yet been carried out." The envoys of Russia and France were about to send people to check, so they could not rush to kill him.
Empress Dowager Cixi asked: When is Li Hongzhang scheduled to be executed?
Zeng Guofan said: "I have received a letter from Li Hongzhang and plan to execute the prisoner in the near future."
Empress Dowager Cixi said: Can you still see?
Zeng Guofan said: The right eye can no longer see, but the left eye can still see the light.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "I have worked hard for my country to get this disease. The great Qing Dynasty has gained and lost." Isn’t it surprising that Ma Xinyi was assassinated on the school grounds?
Zeng Guofan said: It is indeed very strange.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: Can Ma Xinyi be a good official?
Zeng Guofan said: Ma Xinyi is peaceful and meticulous in his work and can be a good official.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Zuo Zongtang reported that the rebellion in the northwestern region has led to various rebellions. The more serious ones will punish the barbarians, while the less serious ones will migrate. What do you think?"
Zeng Guofan said: Don't let Nanguo's benevolence survive! Kill people and kill the heart, capture the thief and capture the king!
The Empress Dowager Cixi said: Ma Hualong repeatedly asked for surrender, and Jinji Fort was within easy reach, but Zuo Zongtang besieged and refused to attack, just like the siege of Jinling in the past.
Zeng Guofan said: Soldiers are ever-changing; generals outside can adapt to changes. It is difficult for a humble minister to be in this situation, and he dare not speculate on his intentions without authorization.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: "Did you succeed in training troops in Zhili?"
Zeng Guofan said: The former superintendent, Guan Wen, trained 4,000 troops, and I trained 3,000 troops, for a total of 7,000. I have discussed with Li Hongzhang and planned to train another 3,000 troops, making a total of 10,000.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: Troop training in the south of the Yangtze River is also very important; the foreigners are domineering, so we must prepare a comprehensive strategy to control them.
Zeng Guofan said: Foreigners are really hateful. There is no war now, so we should take precautions before they happen. I plan to build forts at critical points on the Yangtze River to guard against foreign ships.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: Foreigners are meddlesome and often use strong ships and cannons; churches are also meddlesome, confusing people's minds and causing trouble.
Zeng Guofan said: There have been many troubles in foreign churches in recent years; next year the contract with France will be renewed, and missionary matters must be rectified.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: Regarding military training, we must consult with Li Hongzhang in detail. The north and south are connected and complementary.
Zeng Guofan said: In compliance with the instructions of the Emperor, the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother, the minister immediately set off south to handle the assassination case of Ma Xinyi, the former governor of the river, impartially.
