The Taiping army, which surrendered at Gaoqiao, was organized into a battalion of 500 people, and a total of nine battalions were confined in the Gaoqiao area. In the afternoon of that day, he was suddenly surrounded by the Xuan army with loaded guns, entered the camp, and took people according to the roster without saying anything. A total of two hundred and thirty-seven were taken, dragged to an open space in the middle that had been temporarily set aside as a dharma field, and were executed on the spot by swords and axes, and in a moment, they were killed like blood gourds.

This search camp was presided over by Ding Shijie, and he stated the reason for the killing, but he did not take Hangzhou as an example, but said that these people had dissenting intentions and secretly contacted and plotted a mutiny, so they had to be killed and had nothing to do with other people. Moreover, it was announced that the Xuan army was about to recruit new warriors, and they would be selected among the best battalions, and those who were not selected would also be issued two silver road strips in the future, and they would be allowed to be dismissed and return to their hometowns.

Most of the people killed this time were leaders at all levels, which was equivalent to emptying the original backbone of this army in one fell swoop and turning it into a plate of loose sand. The subsequent announcement of the recruitment and dismissal of the two was very good at calming their fears, so that they did not provoke any changes, and the work was done satisfactorily.

However, after the people of Hangzhou in Shanghai learned the news, they ran to tell each other, and they all agreed that Guan Zhuofan was avenging the people of Hangzhou, so many people set up sacrifices at home to comfort the souls of the dead in Hangzhou. He also publicly recommended Hu Xueyan to come forward and raised a total of 100,000 taels of silver to thank him, not to say that it was the reward for the killing, but only to help Xuanjun.

"It's really deserved that the Hangzhou fathers are so wrong in love." In the lobby of the county office, Guan Zhuofan took the big red envelope presented by Hu Xueyan with both hands, bowed to the dozen gentry who came behind Hu Xueyan, and asked Hu Xueyan in a low voice: "Brother Xueyan, your treasure is still in Hangzhou." Is that okay? ”

"My family. Already out of it. It was sent to Matsue Mansion. ”

"Ah, yes, yes, I'll go see the old lady another day."

This sum of money is an unexpected joy for Guan Zhuofan. sent Hu Xueyan away, returned to the signing room, and was thinking about how to use the money, but someone came to report it. said that there was a Xiucai surnamed Zhou in the hall, who asked to see the master.

Since you're a showman, you'll see you when you see it. When I came to the lobby, I saw that Zhou Xiucai was kneeling in the hall with a servant.

Guan Zhuofan was stunned, Xiucai is a person with meritorious reputation, and when he saw the county master, he only needed to bow for a long time, and he didn't have to kneel. This one, what kind of mystery is it?

"Old man's ancestor. The student came to plead guilty. When Zhou Xiucai saw him coming, he actually kowtowed.

The county magistrate is called the old man's ancestor. It's not through again, it can be seen that he is a rotten Confucian. Guan Zhuofan became more and more confused, and asked, "I don't understand, what is your Mr. Zhou's crime?" ”

"Sin deserves death!" Zhou Xiucai said with sincere fear, "The student once pasted a couplet opposite the yamen, and the chaotic words in it were really frustrating. ”

Guan Zhuofan suddenly realized that the couplet "Outstanding and think twice about everything" was written by him.

"Mr. Zhou, please get up!" Guan Zhuofan smiled, "Where is there any crime, it's obviously an encouragement, in my opinion, the writing is very good...... Listen to your accent, are you from Hangzhou? ”

"Yes, my brother's family died at the hands of Long Hair." Zhou Xiucai kowtowed again, then got up, and beckoned the servant to take out two rolls of banners, "The student wrote a new couplet, and asked my husband to accept it." ”

Unfolded it, it was indeed a good stroke of the dragon flying and phoenix dance, which read: "Back to the tide of the fall, obstacles to the east."

Guan Zhuofan's heart moved: It seems that how to show favor to the people and win the hearts of the people is also a great knowledge.

*

*

The incorporation of the Taiping army was an established plan, but it was not possible to do it all, and it was only decided to select some young and unaccustomed people from the approximately 6,000 people captured and surrendered, and add them to each battalion separately. In the surrounding provinces and six counties, the recruitment flag for recruiting new soldiers has also been erected, and the notices have been posted in all townships and towns.

The Xuan army is about to expand.

This is a matter that Guan Zhuofan, Ding Shijie, Hua Er, Daniel Zhang, and Liu Xunji discussed and decided together, and they must finish this matter before the Huai army arrives in Shanghai.

The battalion of people led by Jiang De came forward by Guan Zhuofan and asked Li Hengsong for it. The private exchange conditions, one is to exempt him from the responsibility of Jiading's failure, and the other is to protect him from the real shortage of a general, although the rank has not moved, but it is much more affordable. And since it is a real shortage, it is probably necessary to change places to be officials, and the elite of this battalion may not be able to take it away anyway, so it is better to sell Guan Zhuofan's face.

So, this article was written into the excerpt.

And Wu Jianying's soldiers, brave in battle, and passable in style, are Guan Zhuofan's decision to use. But when Liu Yulin surrendered across the river, he had said that he wanted to return to his hometown, so I don't know what their plans are now. After thinking about it, he called Ding Xianda over.

"Xianda, you go and talk to Wu Jianying, so that he doesn't have to be half-hearted. At this time, even if he wants to leave, I won't let it go. ”

"Boss," Ding Xianda said hesitantly, "why send me?" ”

"You turned out to be someone from over there, and when you came out, you were naturally extraordinarily powerful. He will listen to your words. ”

Ding Xianda didn't say anything more and took the order. The next day, I came back with Wu Jianying's words.

Wu Jianying said: Mr. Guan treated Liu Yulin's injuries and took excellent care of him in the hospital in Shanghai. My subordinates, even if they are split and join the Xuan Army, it is all a matter of Mr. Guan's words. ”

This can be regarded as a very sincere statement, Guan Zhuofan was deeply satisfied, and thought: There is no need to split up, but his 1,500 people, there is no need to keep all of them, you might as well cut 500, and then add him to Xinyong.

After Ding Xianda finished talking about the matter, he should bow and withdraw as he was told, but he was struggling in the house and refused to leave. Guan Zhuofan had never seen him like this, so he thought it was interesting and asked, "Xianda, do you have something to say?" ”

"Yes," Ding Xianda knelt down on his knees and whispered, "I...... I want to change my name and ask the boss to declare the court for me. ”

"Oh?" Guan Zhuofan was curious. Changing his name is a very troublesome thing, but he has this relationship with Xu Gengshen in the ministry, not to mention that Ding Xianda was originally recommended by Xu Gengshen, so he can naturally do it for him. Just to change a name, why get such a big gift?

"Your name is so good, why did you suddenly change it?"

"This name is the original one." Ding Xianda blushed and said, "When people who know the Tao see it, they will say: Oh, this Ding Xianda turned out to have long hair. ”

Guan Zhuofan was dumbfounded, it seemed that he asked him to persuade Wu Jianying, and he touched his sore spot. After thinking about it, he said apologetically: "Xianda, what I said yesterday was an unintentional mistake, don't take it to heart." I treat you as my own brother, and I have no other meaning. ”

"Don't dare to complain about the boss!" Ding Xianda said hurriedly, "It's just that other people are afraid that they don't think so." ”

Then change it, it's always a sign of progress. Guan Zhuofan nodded and said with a smile: "The name is also luck, I see that your Yintang is shining, just when it is red, don't change it." I heard that there are a few good photo studios in the area of Yu Garden, you go to find a gentleman, take a good name, I will report to the Ministry of Officials for you - only one, tomorrow my excerpt will be sent to the court, you hurry up, I will simply write it directly for you into the excerpt, save a lot of more beginning and end. ”

Ding Xianda went happily, Guan Zhuofan couldn't help but smile: Xuanjun's luck is good, the first battle fought such a big victory, regardless of the generals and soldiers, the morale is high, and the local people are also flattering, many things are easy to be caught off guard, of course, we must take this opportunity to stand firm in our own steps.

*(To be continued......)