On the evening of Zeng Guofan's defeat in Jinggang, he was rescued by the water and fled back to Shuiluzhou. In the West Flower Hall of the Governor's Yamen, he was saved by Tao En.
The grand farewell banquet was in progress.
A few days ago, Tao Enpei received an imperial edict and was promoted to the governor of Shanxi. He was given a deadline to enter the capital to meet the emperor and take over in Shanxi. Tao Enpei's heart
He was so proud. Firstly, he had been promoted, and secondly, he had left Changsha, a dangerous place. Official dignitaries attending the banquet, all walks of life in the city
The influential figures all paid their respects to Tao Enpei. The wine glass was raised frequently, and the flattering words filled his ears. Here is glory, wealth, enjoyment
A peaceful world. Just as Luo Bingzhang was about to take the lead in toasting, a Goshha rushed in and reported Jinggang to everyone.
The news of the battle. Luo Bingzhang was shocked. Tao Enpei, on the other hand, was exceptionally happy. On one side is the glory of grace, on the other side is the defeat of the army
Humiliation. Wasn't it clear who was better and who was worse? Luo Bingzhang's wine glass froze in the air. Tao Enpei took the initiative to pour the wine into his glass.
He touched her and said with a hint of drunkenness,"Zhongcheng, are you surprised? To be honest, this was within my expectations.
It would be strange if Zeng Guofan, who was so arrogant, did not fail completely!”
Luo Bingzhang smiled bitterly and drank the wine in his glass. He thought,"Tao Enpei, you're leaving Changsha tonight. You can say sarcastic words, but I…"
What should he do? It looked like Changsha was going to be surrounded again. Luo Bingzhang was terrified when he thought of the days and nights he had spent in fear last year.
Bao Qibao was drunk and flushed. He put down the drumstick in his hand and shouted,"How is it? Gentlemen, I have long
He saw through Zeng Guofan. A scholar who didn't have any ability to speak, yet his eyes grew to the top of his head. Millions of taels
Putting aside the fact that I threw the silver into the water, now that I've lured the wolf into the house, it has completely disrupted my military plans.”
After saying that, he suddenly stood up and shouted at the bodyguard beside him,"Pass on my orders. Close the city gates, strengthen the security, and prepare the incense sticks.
Zhu Huaguo, I will go to the City God Temple tomorrow morning to invite Bodhisattva."”
Hearing Bao Qibao's military order, the atmosphere in Xihua Hall suddenly became tense.
It had only been a few months of peaceful days, and war was about to break out again. Everyone was in no mood to drink and eat, and they began to chatter.
The skinny old bureaucrat Xu Youren said angrily,""It's fine for a brave regiment to exterminate some scattered bandits, but how can they fight with Long Hair! I
Last year, they had intentionally made some differences between them and the Green Camp so as not to hurt the Green Camp brothers 'self-esteem. If there is no difference, treat them as one, big
Do you still have the dignity of the imperial court? He, Zeng Guofan, was still dissatisfied and wanted to leave in a fit of anger. He even wanted to recruit soldiers in Hengzhou.
Ma, wanting to replace the Green Camp, he really overestimated himself! It was also because the imperial court was deceived by him for a moment that it ended up like this.
The civil and military officials have lost all their face."
Only Zuo Zongtang sat there without saying a word. He was resentful for the slander of Bao, Tao, Xu and others, and also for Zeng Guofan's disappointment.
Annoyed. Suddenly, Bao Qibao shouted again,"Luo Zhongcheng, let's jointly impeach Zeng Guofan!" This man has been in Hunan for more than a year.
A good deed has not been done, but countless bad deeds have been done. If such a bad official was not impeached, who would be willing to work hard for the court in the future?”
Tao Enpei and Xu Youren immediately agreed. Luo Bingzhang was steady. He stopped Bao Qibao's recklessness."The defeat of Zeng Guofan,
The court will deal with it by itself. As for the impeachment, he was not in a hurry now. He would talk about it after the court's order!”
Zuo Zongtang was sitting at the side with his cheeks puffed up in anger."These villains are kicking me when I'm down!"
Seeing that it was getting late, Tao Enpei thought that if he couldn't leave tonight, he wouldn't be able to escape if Long Hair surrounded Changsha. if you are unfortunate
If the city fell and they died, then they would be wronged.
He stood up and cupped his hands at Luo Bingzhang and the other guests, saying,""Enpei has been in Hunan for many years. Thank you for your attention.
I really can't bear to leave Hunan, and the war is coming. I really hope that the court will withdraw the order so that Enpei can be one with the elders in Changsha.
Liu Qi and Long Hair decided to live and die. However, everything had been arranged and they had to set sail tonight. Enpei thanks everyone for your kindness, and I'm here with you
Luo Zhongcheng, Xu Fangbo, and Bao Junmen bid farewell to everyone.”
After saying that, she squeezed out a few tears. It was unknown whether he was moved by Tao Enpei's deep affection and loyalty, or because he remembered that the war was about to start.
Some of the high-ranking officials covered their faces and cried. Luo Bingzhang said,"How can we break up here? We'll send Tao Fang off together."
Uncle, get on the boat by the river."
When lanterns, torches, and dozens of green and blue palanquins surrounded by various deacons appeared by the river, Zeng Guofan was stunned.
Ran sat in the cabin and looked at the gurgling river water flowing north. There was no news of victory in Xiangtan.
He was defeated. Long Hair was indeed good at fighting. No wonder he had successfully fought all the way from Changsha to Jiangning in just two to three months. Suddenly, he saw
A huge convoy of palanquins walked towards him. He felt strange. Such a mighty team came to the riverside late at night, it must be Xiangtan.
Luo Bingzhang brought the civil and military officials to congratulate them on their victory. It had been two months since the defeat in Yuezhou and the escape to Shuilu Continent.
He had been here a few times, but none of the current officials had ever boarded the ship to visit him. Xu Youren, Tao Enpei, and the others sent the guests to the riverside several times.
She didn't even want to take a few more steps to get on his boat. She didn't expect to make a big move tonight.
However, he did not believe it and said to Kang Fu,"Go ashore and take a look. It might be Luo Zhongcheng and the others. After asking around,
Tell me when you get on the boat."
After Kang Fu left, Zeng Guofan quickly packed up, put on his hat, and put on his boots.
After a while, Kang Fu entered the cabin and said angrily,"Luo Zhongcheng did come, but he didn't come to see us.”
"What are they doing by the river?" Zeng Guofan didn't understand. He didn't come to congratulate them. He went to the riverside in the middle of the night with all his men.
What's the matter?
"It's said that Tao Enpei was promoted to Shanxi's governor. Tonight, he just finished a banquet at the governor's office.
Send him to the ship personally."
As if a seriously ill person was looking forward to death instead of a savior, Zeng Guofan collapsed in the cabin and was so frightened that Kang Fu quickly carried him to bed.
Go. Zeng Guofan thought that he had worked so hard, risked arrows and stones, and was loyal to the state affairs, but he was defeated and neglected. Tao Enpei
Envy of talent, wealth, honor, status, but the official career is prosperous, step by step promotion, resentment, injustice, pain, disappointment, for a while
All of them surged into his chest. He opened his triangular eyes and said to Kang Fu,"Call Zhen Gan over!"
Zeng Guobao's Zhen Battalion (the original Ling Battalion) suffered the most casualties. When he heard his brother call him, he entered the cabin dejectedly.
She went to the bedside and asked,"Big Brother, are you feeling better now?"”
"Bring a few people to the city to buy a coffin.”
Guo Bao was shocked and said with a sobbing tone,"Big Brother, you can't commit suicide anymore. You have to think about it!”
Zeng Guofan bulged his eyes and shouted,"Don't say anymore. Just go if I tell you to!"”
There was a 17-year gap between his eldest brother and his younger brother. Guobao had always respected his elder brother more than his father.
Although he was very reluctant, he did not dare to talk back to his eldest brother. He could only say,"Okay, I'll go" and leave the ship.
Cabin. After leaving the cabin, he quickly told Kang Fu and Peng Yuju about this and told them not to leave.
Through the window of the boat, Zeng Guofan saw the river three hundred steps away from him. The lights were bright, and Tao Enpei was smiling with everyone.
The civil and military officials, celebrities, and squires who saw him off cupped their hands and bid farewell. Gifts from various yamen and private individuals were carried into Tao En one by one.
Pei's cabin. Tao Enpei's wives, all dressed in red and green, were supported onto the springboard and swayed.
They entered the cabin. An hour later, Tao Enpei finally stepped onto the deck. As everyone shouted," Take care!" ran
Then, one after another, green and blue palanquins were carried into the city in an imposing manner. It seemed that no one had expected that there would be a person from Jinggang.
The defeated former Minister of Rites and the current Assistant Minister of the Regiment was not far from here.
Zeng Guofan was completely disheartened and determined to die. However, since he was ordered to do so, he had to give the emperor one last hand.
On behalf of. He picked up his pen and wrote a letter.
I have exhausted my strength, and I am willing to die for you. I respectfully write down my last words and pray for Your Majesty's judgment. On the second day of the second day, I brought five battalions of sailors and five battalions of soldiers.
Previously through Jinggang exterminate the thief nest, unexpectedly half a hour into the battle, the whole army scattered. I'm ashamed and angry. If not, we cannot clear the lower reaches of the river,
Moreover, I have repeatedly lost my teacher and violated the law in this province. I have been severely punished and have no way to face my father. I bow to the North nine times, respectfully bow to the court, today is the day.
Martyrdom. On the minister's delay, then a death is not enough to cover up the crime; If you study the ambition of the minister who has not yet been expressed, you will not be able to rest in peace for thousands of years. I respectfully offer my apologies, and beg Your Majesty.
I'm grateful for your kindness. I respectfully submit a memorial.
After he finished writing, he read it carefully again and changed two words. After thinking for a moment, he attached another piece, which praised Taqibuzhong.
He was extremely brave and won the hearts of the soldiers. Please entrust him with an important task and recommend Luo Zenan, Peng Yulin, Yang Zaifu and others.
After he finished writing, Zeng Guofan felt calmer. He remembered that he should tell his younger brother a few words about handling the funeral.
So he took out another piece of paper and wrote:
Brother Ji: After my death, send the coffin home as soon as possible, the faster the better, to comfort my father's hope, do not open the coffin outside. Accept the silver inside the box
The rest of the money, in addition to the cost of the coffin, home did not leave a penny, all handed over to the grain station. Guo Guofan stopped writing.
Now, Zeng Guofan was much more relaxed. He had to think carefully about how he should commit suicide. Throw him into the water or hang him?
Zuo Zongtang's blue sedan followed closely behind Xu Youren's green sedan.
He was very tired of this kind of official social intercourse. He didn't want to send Tao Enpei off by the river because he wanted to see Jinggang.
Did the defeated Xiang Yong camp have any changes recently before following Luo Bingzhang out of the city? He saw the broken masts of ships in the area of Shuilu Continent
The lights were sparse, and he couldn't bear it, so he decided to visit Zeng Guofan alone tomorrow morning.
Suddenly, he saw a few people in front of him carrying a black coffin to the riverside. The person pointing at the side was Zeng Guo.
Bao! He was shocked. Was Zeng Guofan dead? Otherwise, why would Zeng Guobao personally supervise the coffin? He ordered to stop
After the sedan team behind him passed, the sedan chair carrier carried him and quickly rushed to Zeng Guofan's big ship.
Zeng Guofan greeted Zuo Zongtang when he saw him come in. Seeing that Zeng Guofan was not dead, Zuo Zongtang let out a sigh of relief and went straight to the point.
"I heard that you committed suicide by drowning yourself at Baishazhou. Is that true?"”
Zeng Guofan nodded.
Zuo Zongtang asked again," I just saw Zhen Gan ordering people to carry a coffin to the riverside. Who is this coffin for?"”
Zeng Guofan squinted his eyes and replied,"I'm here for myself."”
Zuo Zongtang suddenly felt angry and shouted,""Alright! What a disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unjust Zeng Disheng, are you a real man?
Do, but imitate the foolish husband and village woman. If you really die, I will whip your corpse and scatter your ashes, persuading uncle not to let you enter the Zeng family.
Grave."
Zeng Guofan did not expect Zuo Zongtang to scold him instead of comforting him. He was angry and embarrassed. He asked coldly,
"You said that I am disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unjust. What is the reason?”
"Well, let me explain it to you slowly and convince you.”Zuo Zongtang sat down on Zeng Guofan's bed.
Ju Li said sternly," You entered Han Garden at the age of twenty-eight. At the age of thirty-seven, you were awarded the title of Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites. You are a second-grade official and have been granted three generations of titles. The Emperor has given you
The river is long and the sea is deep. Hong Yang is rebelling and the court is in trouble. The Emperor has appointed you to help with the regimental training and hopes that you can protect the border.
You just graduated from school and committed suicide because of the setback. You ignored the Emperor's high expectations and regarded the safety of the country as your own.
Where is your loyalty to the outside world?"
Zeng Guofan broke out in a cold sweat, and his pale face began to blush. His eyes were still slightly closed, and he lay on the bed silently.
Zuo Zongtang continued," Your ancestor, Duke Xinggang, has said many times that cowardice is a great shame for a man. You have written the teachings of your ancestors to the gentry,
He was angry and encouraged himself, so he taught his younger brothers. Everyone in the capital knows that you, Zeng Disheng, have been constantly striving for self-improvement these years. It is the Zeng family that has brought prosperity to the family.
He is a filial son and grandson. Now that he had suffered a setback, he wanted to die. If this wasn't cowardice, then what was it? The emperor let the old man feel sad for it
Heart, let the children feel disappointed. After you die, how can you see your ancestor Xinggang Gong in the underworld? Before you left the mountain,
I hope that you will make a great cause for the country and leave a legacy for generations to come, so that the Zeng family will shine for generations.
You committed suicide today, making your father and grandfather's wishes come to naught. Where is filial piety?”
Zuo Zongtang's words, which seemed to be a condemnation but were actually words of trust, made Zeng Guofan, who was stiff and cold, gradually come to life. This self-proclaimed
Today's strange hero fully believed that he could make contributions and leave a mark in history! He was grateful for Zuo Zongtang's kindness.
However, he said weakly,"Guofan committed suicide because he was defeated. He had no choice!"”
Zuo Zongtang glared at Zeng Guofan and ignored his argument. He continued to speak with confidence,"Ten thousand brave men on land and water,
They come from all directions to join you, they are all your children, just as a son depends on his parents, and a younger brother depends on his elder brother.
They are looking forward to you leading them to attack cities and conquer territories, defeating the enemy and winning, so that they can be promoted and make a fortune in the future, bringing glory to their ancestors. Now, you're all
However, regardless of their situation of crying out for food, he left them alone, causing Xiang Yong to become a headless crowd. In the end, he could only return home in abject straits.
lead an endless life of hardship All his hard work over the past year had been in vain. His fame and wealth had also become the moon in the water and the flower in the mirror. made
As the commander of Xiang Yong, the father and brother of his children, where is your benevolence? Many friends, at your invitation, give up their own things to be you
Assistant, Guo Yunxian raised a huge sum of 200,000 yuan to fund you. What were they after? I want you to conquer the world and build a great reputation.
It was also good to climb up the social ladder and leave a name in history. It was not in vain to become a man and live in this world. Now you only want to save yourself
He was troubled, but he didn't want to bring trouble to so many friends because of this. Where is your righteousness? These eight unfaithful, unfilial, unkind, unrighteous
Words, because you died today, it is like cast iron, forever accompanied by your great name…"
Before Zong Tang could finish, Zeng Guofan suddenly got up from the bed and held his hand."The ancients said,'If you listen to the sage's argument,
The words of a scholar, sweat suddenly, suddenly get sick,'isn't this referring to me today? Guofan was confused for a moment. If it weren't for my brother's blame,
He cursed and almost did something stupid that would make him a laughingstock. Now that the army is defeated and morale is low, I hope my brother can give me some advice.”
Zuo Zongtang thought that Zeng Guofan was not an ordinary person after all. If he could rise again this time, his future would be promising. He smiled slightly and said,"Master, I'm not sure."
Li Tang was afraid that his brother would be so angry that he would be ignorant, so he did not hesitate to scare him. Brother Disheng, I think you must have seen Tao En by the river tonight.
Pei Rong rose and became more depressed. Actually, this was nothing! Zong Tang had never looked at a walking corpse like Tao Enpei.
Even if he were to enter the cabinet and become a prime minister in the future, he would only be an ordinary official. Taishi Gong said
He said,"In ancient times, wealth and fame were lost, and it was impossible to remember them. Only those who were extraordinary and extraordinary were called them."'Can't leave a shocking mark in the annals of history
No matter how high one's official position was, it was not worthy of envy. As for the secular world's flattery, it can only be watched coldly.
There was no need to take it to heart. Sun Tzu said,'A good man wins without losing, and a good man loses without perishing.'Only by enduring defeat would there be victory. failure
It wasn't scary. What he was afraid of was that he would be unable to recover after defeat and lack an indomitable spirit. Once upon a time, Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty and Xiang Yu fought for the world and were defeated many times.
In the final battle at Gaixia, Xiang Yu committed suicide. When Zhuge Liang first assisted Liu Bei, he abandoned Xinye and fled to Fancheng. He defeated Dangyang and fled to Xiakou. He was almost killed.
In the end, it was only the three of them. These are all historical events that my dear brother is familiar with. In Zong Tang's opinion, how could the defeat of Jinggang today be unforgivable?
Was it the prelude to a great victory in the future? At this moment, Xiang Yong, who was utterly defeated, might be the hero who destroyed Hong Yang and conquered Jiangning in the future!”
The impassioned discussion and high-spirited attitude gave Zeng Guofan a hundred times more courage. He held Zuo Zongtang's strong and powerful
Both hands, unable to speak for a long time.
Zuo Zongtang touched his pocket and suddenly remembered something. He said,""Yesterday, County Magistrate Zhu came to Changsha and talked about meeting Uncle a few days ago.
The situation. Uncle wrote two lines at the last minute and asked County Magistrate Zhu to bring them to you. Fortunately, I have it with me today. Take it and look.
Let's go!"
Zuo Zongtang took out a neatly folded note from his pocket. When Zeng Guofan looked at it, it was indeed his father's handwriting.
"I came out to kill the thief and serve the country, not just for the sake of the mulberry. There are sometimes sharp and blunt weapons in war. If you die in Hunan, this is the place where you die. If you die in Hunan, you will be killed.
Hunan, I won't cry!" His father's teachings made Zeng Guofan sad. If he really died today, how could he face his ancestors? he shook
Trembling, he folded his father's handwritten order again and put it in his pocket before letting out a sigh of relief.
At this moment, Kang Fu excitedly rushed into the cabin. After greeting Zuo Zongtang, he said to Zeng Guofan,"My lord, Xiangtan water
Lu Dasheng. After ten battles and ten victories, the rebels were completely annihilated. The leader of the rebels, Lin Shaozhang, fled in panic.”
"Really?" Zeng Guofan couldn't believe it.
"It's true! This is a letter personally written by Vice General Ta."
Zeng Guofan received Taqibu's letter, and two lines of tears could no longer be controlled, flowing down.
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