Chapter 189 Zuo Zongtang pacifies Guanlong (3)
The two palaces took over and ordered: "I have recently heard that the army's advance to the east of Xinlupo failed to capture the bandits, and there were many casualties. Some of the leaders died in battle, and some are missing. Now all the armies are retreating to the Gaojiaji area." , many military uniforms in the tents were lost, brave men also fled, and food transportation from Didao to Gongchang was still blocked. If this situation is true, the thieves will regain their strength, the army will be weakened, and food and salary will not be saved, and the future will be unspeakable!
Zuo Zongtang had been planning to besiege Hezhou for a long time. When the situation was urgent, he must have carefully planned how to rectify the war and guard the areas to clear the grain roads. However, the thieves in Hezhou have strong bases and the terrain is steep, so the troops led by Governor Zuo Zongtang should advance cautiously.
The Taizi Temple was victorious, and everyone wanted to take advantage of the victory to attack Zuo Zongtang's camp.
Ma Zhan'ao said: "The soldiers are like fire. If you don't kill them, you will burn your ears." The left army attacking us is the weakest one; it is difficult for us to resist the weakest one. If Liu Jintang, Huang Ding, Lei Zhengwan, Jin Yunchang and other powerful generals come to kill them, will they be able to defeat them? That is to say, according to the public opinion, they can attack the Anding camp or kill Zuo Zongtang. However, the Qing Dynasty was huge. If we except Zuo Zongtang today, there might be countless Zuo in the Ming Dynasty behind him. How could Hezhou, a small country, resist? As the ancients said, a gentleman acts when he sees an opportunity. What happened today was nothing but surrender.
Everyone looked at each other in confusion.
Ma Zhan'ao said: "The last time I asked for help, Zuo Zongtang refused. I immediately entered Zuo camp, bowed my head and asked again." At this opportunity of great victory, I will go with a sincere heart, and everything will work out.
All the people said, "General Commander, please do not put yourself in danger. We all tied my son into the left camp to show our sincerity."
Ma Zhan'ao Road; Wuhe Prefecture has more than 4,000 mules and horses, and more than 14,000 guns, swords and spears. If Zuo Zongtang agrees, he will submit all these items.
All the sons of Fenmu in Hezhou came to peace and bowed their heads to surrender. Zuo Zongtang was surprised and happy, and said: "The general of Hezhou is really not a man who retreated despite the difficulties. He can be of great use. With your sincere wishes, this is my intention." The ministers understand the situation, but with the approval of the court, fighting can turn into peace.
After the crowd retreated, Yu Shaonan, the guest behind the scenes, said: "Zuo Shuai is really the prime minister's measure!"
Zuo Zongtang said: This is also a helpless move! The Taizi Temple suffered a disastrous defeat, the thieves' power suddenly increased, our power suddenly fell, our morale was exhausted, and we will definitely lose if we fight again. Although the two palaces are cautious and enterprising, Li Hongzhang and others will definitely take the opportunity to knock on the side. One defeat is forgivable, but another defeat will definitely lead to responsibility. After three defeats, he will die sadly.
Yu Shaonan said: Report to Zuo Shuai, last year, the Prime Minister's Office wanted to abolish the Fuzhou Shipping Bureau in view of the heavy burden. At the beginning of the year, Li Hongzhang wrote to Wang Kaitai, the governor of Fujian, stating that it was expensive to build ships in Fuzhou, and the official ships were purchased by merchants for capital turnover. If they did not stop building, or prepare water transportation, or deliver goods, it would also be a method of circulation. Just now, Fujian Shipping Minister Shen Baozhen sent a letter saying that the Shipping Bureau was too redundant and proposed to be abolished. Zuo Shuai clearly noticed that Fuzhou Shipyard has become the largest shipyard today since it was promoted by Zuo Shuai in the fifth year of Tongzhi. Shen Baozhen worked hard day and night, worked hard, rewarded and punished, and Chinese and foreign employees worked together to make the shipyard prosperous. However, if you want to withdraw, all your previous efforts will be wasted. The country has no defense from the sea, magpie's nests and doves live in it, and the covetousness of foreign races cannot be taken into account.
Zongtang also knew that this was a serious matter, so he quickly said: "The Fujian Shipping Bureau's move to regulate the sea area and prevent barbarian intrusion is a major national defense matter and absolutely indispensable." If it is as the speaker said, the operation will be stopped or sealed, and the losses will be heavy. More than three million taels of silver will be used alone.
Currently, four of the completed ships are anchored on the Wujiang River, five are in final assembly, and six more are under construction. Compared with purchasing and hiring, it is actually half a ship's worth of goods, which is a huge benefit. What's more, foreign craftsmen have resigned one after another, and the Chinese have mastered shipbuilding skills, which are beyond the comparison of millions of taels of silver.
In the fifth year of Tongzhi's reign, I sent a petition to build a steamship on a trial basis. I wanted to make an extraordinary move, but it was easy to promote the plan. However, the matter failed, causing both public and private harm. This was my concern. In private affairs, even if a hundred harms are caused, the ministers will not consider it; in public affairs, even if there is one harm, they will not dare to do anything rashly. The Shipping Bureau implements the country's century-old plan to revitalize the country, and I think it is not a day's work.
I am fortunate to have passed the imperial examination for ten years, and expressed my gratitude for my endless weariness. Otherwise, even if the humble minister sacrificed his life and property, it would be a disaster to the country and benefit to the ridicule? It's really chilling to think about this.
Yu Shaonan said: With this discount, the shipping company has saved seven points.
Zuo Zongtang said: This place is three thousand miles away from the capital, and the loud sound is also Xisheng. Zeng Di Lao Xiong stood in the east of the Yangtze River, covering the sky with one hand, and Di Lao's words could cover three points. Immediately send a letter to Mr. Di, asking him to protect the shipping company.
That night, Zongtang was busy writing, when suddenly there was an urgent report from six hundred miles away, saying that Zeng Guofan had passed away on March 12.
When Zongtang heard this, his pen fell to the ground and tears welled up in his eyes.
Zongtang was heartbroken, and Yu Shaonan quickly comforted him: Cherishing the heavens and not holidaying in the new year, Commander Di would be among the immortals early on; sooner or later we will join this path, and I sincerely ask Commander Zuo to express his condolences.
Zongtang sighed and said: Once Mr. Zeng leaves, there will no longer be anyone to mediate between me and Li Shaoquan. To be fair, I am not as good as Mr. Zeng in knowing others and being loyal to the country. Our hearts are like gold and our mistakes are like stones. I and Mr. Zeng will live up to our expectations in this life.
After Zongtang finished speaking, he sent his eldest son Zuo Xiaowei to Hunan to attend the funeral. In the name of his later life, Zongtang presented an elegiac couplet for four hundred gold. He further warned his son: If there is a dispute between me and Mr. Zeng, it is about the power of the country and military strategy, and it is not a matter of competing for power and competing for strength.
When the news of Guofan's death arrived in Beijing, the two palaces mourned and issued an edict: Zeng Guofan, the governor of Liangjiang, a great scholar, was pure in knowledge, profound in knowledge, loyal in nature, upright and upright, and was given a posthumous gift to the Taifu. According to the scholarship given by the great scholar, he was rewarded with three thousand silver. Two cures for mourning. Heng Nian made outstanding contributions and was given the posthumous title of Wenzheng. He was enshrined in Zhaozhong Temple and Xianliang Temple in the capital, and a special temple was established in Jiangning Provincial City where he was originally from Hunan. The facts of his life and political achievements were announced to the National History Museum, and his first-class marquis was published in Yi. His son Zeng Jize inherited it.
The concubines of the two palaces stayed in court for three days to express their condolences. At the end of three days, the two palaces summoned all ministers to discuss the replacement of Governor Jiang and the departure of Admiral Huang Yisheng of the Yangtze River Navy.
Prince Gong Yi Xin said: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother and the Queen Mother, the Governor of Jiangsu, He Jing, is not from Xiangchu. This person once served under Zeng Guofan and was temporarily appointed as the Governor of Liangjiang. His name is justifiable." Huang Yisheng, the admiral of the Yangtze River Navy, was incapable of controlling his subordinates and was nepotistic, so he should be filled with vacancies. Zeng Guofan also had this intention when he took office as Governor Jiang. However, Zeng passed away and was suddenly dismissed from his post.
The Empress Dowager Cixi said: "I have issued the imperial envoy Peng Yulin to the Imperial Guard. Peng Chen will start inspecting the navy of the Yangtze River and the two lakes from now on. Peng Chen has the right to inspect all generals from the admiral level on the Yangtze River and the two lakes."
Minister of Military and Aircraft Wen Xiang said: To the Emperor, the Queen Mother, the Queen Mother, and the Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu Zuo Zongtang, Ma Hualong started his family with money and silk, Ma Guiyuan confused the public with his teachings, money and silk can buy people's hearts, and his teachings can win over the people. Such figures , must be killed. The chief general of Hezhou is a man of military strength, but lacks both wealth and knowledge. He is a man with a strong and soft balance and can understand the righteousness, so he is worthy of selection.
Empress Dowager Cixi said: Zuo Chen once reported that the disaster in Shaanxi and Fennel was actually caused by the Han people because the Han people had complained about it for a long time. The provocation at Guanlong was caused by the Han people. An order was immediately sent to Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, who said that those who submit to the war will cherish it, and those who resist will challenge it. This has been the case since ancient times.
Zuo Zongtang was delighted to receive the order. In July 1872, Zongtang moved to Lanzhou and summoned all the people in Hezhou.
Ma Zhan'ao tied his arms, burst into tears, and choked with sobs: "Ma has committed a serious crime, and he has committed the crime himself. From now on, the ignorant people will be loyal and never rebel."
Zuo Zongtang also expressed emotion and said: You guys can understand the righteousness, which is very comforting to people's hearts. The noble ministers have already reported to the imperial court, and you and others will form a horse and three banners to express your guilt and make meritorious service.
