Cixi nodded and said, "Say it." ”

Guan Zhuofan pondered for a moment and said, "The Hui bandits in Gansu are divided into four major shares. The northernmost one, and the most powerful of the four, is the nest in Jinjibao in Lingzhou, Ningxia Prefecture, and the bandit chief is called Ma Hualong. This chief is cunning and fierce, and has the ability to deceive people's hearts, and can be regarded as the backbone of the Hui bandits in the entire Gansu. ”

"The southernmost one, the nest is in Hezhou and Didao, and the bandit leader is called Ma Zhanao, and among the four forces, the force is the weakest."

"The westernmost one, the nest is in the Suzhou area, and the bandit leader is called Ma Wenlu. That place in Suzhou is almost out of Jiayu Pass, far away from the Central Plains, and there is also a considerable distance from the other three bandits. According to Zuo Zongtang's strategy, the remaining three bandits must be exterminated first, and then from east to west, and finally it will be the turn of these bandits. ”

"This fourth group of bandits, and it is also the easternmost share, is the one that has been forced into Dong Zhiyuan."

"This group of bandits is mixed with forces, and none of them overrides the rest of the big leaders. However, there are many remnants of the Hui bandits in Shaanxi, including Bai Yanhu. ”

Hearing the words "Bai Yanhu", Cixi's eyebrows raised slightly.

"This group of Hui bandits was originally raging in the area from Guyuan in the north to Qingshui in the south -- this area is very close to Shaanxi. After the Hui bandits from Shaanxi broke into Gansu, they merged with this group of Hui bandits. Because of lack of food, this group of Hui bandits once wanted to go back to Shaanxi to eat, but Zuo Zongtang set up a strict blockade and fought a battle with the Hui bandits in Huating, and won quite a lot. The Hui bandits couldn't stand up between Guyuan and Qingshui, so they had to go north through Pingliang and Jingzhou, and Dong Zhiyuan, who entered Qingyang Mansion, stayed still. ”

Guan Zhuofan frowned slightly when he saw Cixi. It's a contemplative look. Then he said apologetically: "The minister is not thoughtful. I didn't bring a picture here, please forgive the Queen Mother. ”

Cixi's brows stretched, smiled slightly, and said: "There are too many things you have to do, such a small thing, I can't think of it, I don't blame you, let's make up for it tomorrow." ”

After saying this, the Queen Mother's face couldn't help but blush. It turned out that the next thing that came to my mind was: this guy. When you come to "disturb driving", what is "thinking" in your mind? It's not all about me, is it......

This subtle change of the royal sister still did not escape Guan Zhuofan's eyes. The beauty under the lamp, the beauty of peach and plum, Guan Zhuofan couldn't help but feel a wave in his heart.

He collected his heart and said, "Empress Dowager Xie." ”

"The key to the rebellion in Gansu is Jinjibao, and Ma Hualong has been operating in Jinjibao for a long time, and the fortification is very solid. If you want to attack Jinji Fort, you have to attack from the north and south. Dong Zhiyuan was in the southeast of Jinjibao, and he was choking the main road of our attack on the south of Jinjibao. If our army bypasses Dong Zhiyuan, it will not be able to retreat. So. If you want to attack Jinji Fort, you must first attack Dong Zhiyuan. ”

Cixi nodded and said, "You said it very clearly, although there is no map, I can roughly imagine it. Well, what kind of terrain is this Dong Zhiyuan? Is it easy to fight? ”

Guan Zhuofan said: "Back to the Queen Mother, Dong Zhiyuan's terrain is very peculiar. The terrain is very high, looking like a mountain in the distance, but when you climb the slope, it is a flat river, and you can't see the border, in fact, there is no danger to rely on. In addition, the Hui bandits have not yet gained a stable foothold and have different commands, so the ministers thought that it would not be so difficult to fight. ”

Cixi said leisurely: "Our place in China is really too big, and there are terrains of any kind. ”

In the royal sister's expression, there was a faint hint of yearning. But the following sentence "It would be nice when I can go and see it" is of course unspeakable.

Cixi continued: "Since there is no danger to rely on, why did the Hui bandits gather in this place? Is Dong Zhiyuan a rich place that is convenient for eating? ”

Guan Zhuofan cheered in his heart: My royal sister is so knowledgeable!

The appreciation in his heart hung on his face, and he exaggerated it into a piece of admiration: "The Queen Mother Shengming!" Surrender! The back bandit hedgehog gathered in Dong Zhiyuan, just to eat! Dong Zhiyuan is a hundred miles of fertile fields, known as the "granary of Longdong". In Gansu, most of them are barren, and the Hui bandits are repeatedly wreaking havoc, in the Gandong area, apart from this Dong Zhiyuan, where else can you find any harvest in the field? This group of two or three hundred thousand bandits, everyone shouted, they didn't want to starve to death, even if they knew that Dong Zhiyuan was hiding poison in his honey, he had to swallow it! ”

Cixi was originally praised by her lover to her face, but when she heard "this group of two or three hundred thousand bandits", she couldn't help but lightly "huh" and said, "Two or three hundred thousand? So many people? ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled: "The Queen Mother doesn't have to worry. The rebellion of the bandits is the return of the whole village to join in, so it is very cumbersome to help the old and the young, drag the family and bring the mouth. Among these 230,000 people, only 40,000 or 50,000 are young and strong people who can really fight. With regard to these 230,000 bandits, our army has no problem not saying that it will strike 10 with one blow and 5 with one blow. ”

Cixi nodded and said, "I see. You have suppressed the Hui bandits in Shaanxi, so you naturally know their details very well. ”

Guan Zhuofan said: "Yes." Although Gansu is not Shaanxi, the situation is similar. ”

After a pause, he continued: "Zuo Zongtang's strategy is to divide the northern, central, and southern routes, and enter Gan at the same time. ”

"On the north road, Liu Songshan went west from Suide and pointed directly at Jinji Fort."

"In the middle of the road, Zuo Zongtang will be the general of the Chinese army, and he will join the Donglu Department of Zhan, starting from Qianzhou and taking Dong Zhiyuan. After taking Dong Zhiyuan, he went north and attacked Jinjibao with Liu Songshan's north and south. ”

On the South Road, Liu Dian led his troops from Baoji to the west and approached Qinzhou. The main purpose of this road was to threaten the Ma Zhanao bandits in Hezhou and Didao, so that they could not go north to rescue Dong Zhiyuan; Next, when Zuo Zongtang and Zhan Donglu attacked Jinji Fort from the south, they also made it impossible to harass our army in the back. ”

Cixi tilted her head slightly, imagining seriously. After a while, he returned to his expression and said with a smile: "Although I don't understand military affairs, I also think that the planning is very proper." Well, Zuo Zongtang is really a solid worker; You're in the center, 'buddy' is good for it! ”

Guan Zhuofan hurriedly bowed his head and said, "Thank you for the Empress Dowager's reward!" ”

Cixi said: "Okay, just the two of us, even if it is the right pattern, there are not so many rules." Well, Liu Songshan is an old Xiangjun, right? This person, Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang are optimistic, what do you think? ”

Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang are "optimistic", why am I embarrassed to say that it is not good?

Guan Zhuofan said: "Liu Songshan is truly a loyal and brave man for the country!" Well, he's been in the army for a long time. almost delayed his marriage. This thing. I don't know if the Queen Mother has heard of it? ”

Cixi hadn't heard of this, so she couldn't help but be interested, and said, "I haven't heard of it, what's going on, can you tell me?" ”

"Fifteen years ago, Liu Songshan was just eighteen years old, and his family set a family affair for him. The female family is from Luoyang. However, Liu Songshan has been in the army for more than ten years and has been fighting abroad, during which he only returned to his hometown Xiangxiang, Hunan once to recruit bravery. Therefore, it was never possible to consummate the marriage. ”

"His lady who has not passed through the door, after fifteen years, has really become an old girl. This time, Liu Songshan was ordered to follow Zuo Zongtang to the west, thinking that he didn't know how long this battle would last, and he didn't even know if he could return to his hometown alive? In case the bullet does not grow the eye. His wife, who is in her thirties. But he hasn't passed the door yet, isn't he a lifelong mistake? ”

"However, the expedition is imminent, and I will take my wife from Luoyang to Xiangxiang Chengli, and I will not be able to catch up. So when Liu Songshan went north, he took Henan, and at the woman's house in Luoyang, he worshiped heaven and earth with his wife and made a round house. ”

Hearing this, Cixi laughed and said, "Hey, isn't Liu Songshan a 'door-to-door son-in-law'?" ”

Guan Zhuofan also smiled: "Yes." After the ceremony, on the tenth day, Liu Songshan said goodbye to the bride and rushed to Shaanxi. ”

Cixi praised again and again: "It's hard for him, it's hard for him!" It's really 'country before home'! If this expedition to the west is won, it is necessary to give him a grace in a down-to-earth manner. ”

Guan Zhuofan said: "The minister has a thought, and he doesn't know if it's appropriate? The minister thought that if he gave Liu Songshan himself a favor, of course, he would have to wait for him to win the battle; However, his wife ......"

Without waiting for Guan Zhuofan to finish speaking, Cixi said happily: "You have a good idea!" I'll give his wife a seal! ”

Guan Zhuofan secretly praised the royal sister for reacting so quickly, and said: "Queen Mother Shengming! In this way, Liu feels that Dai is kind, and he will inspire Tianliang, drive forward for the king, and work hard to serve the country! ”

This kind of unconventional edict is what Cixi has always loved to do, and she was full of interest and said: "What grade is Liu Songshan?" ”

Guan Zhuofan said: "Back to the Queen Mother, Liu Songshan was newly awarded the general soldier of Suzhou Town, and the rank of governor was added. ”

Cixi said, "Well, his wife will overpower him!" Well, it's the wife of the general of Yipin Zhenguo! ”

Guan Zhuofan thought to himself: This is the same level as our family. said on his lips: "Queen Mother Shengming! ”

After a pause, he said, "Minister's request, should this matter be done after returning to Luan, or will it be done now?" ”

Cixi thought for a while and said: "The northwest has already started fighting, and since this matter is to boost morale, it is better to do it as soon as possible." Well, let's do it now. ”

Guan Zhuofan said: "The minister obeys the order. After returning to the camp, the minister immediately ordered the military aircraft Zhang Jing to draw up the decree, early in the morning, please ask the Queen Mother to see, if there is nothing wrong, after using the seal, you can send the horse back to Beijing, and hand over the military aircraft to the Queen Mother. The queen mother and queen mother also used the seal, and they could send an edict clearly. ”

The "seal" in front refers to Cixi's "Tongdaotang"; The "seal" at the back refers to Ci'an's "imperial reward". This set of procedures is all drawn up in advance. Because the two palaces are temporarily separated, one is "East Patrol Hunting" and the other is "Shousheji", and if you want to issue an edict, the two seals of "Tongdaotang" and "Imperial Reward" are indispensable.

Cixi sighed and said: "The west expedition into Gan, the north road, Liu Songshan is the old Hunan army; In the middle road, Zhan Donglu is Xuanjun; On the south road, Liu Dian is the Chu army - you see, in this battle, Zeng Guofan, you, and Zuo Zongtang are actually joining hands! The minister is of one heart and one mind, which is a sign of the prosperity of the country! Guan Zhuofan, if you work hard to let it go, the court will not fail you, I ...... Won't fail you. ”

What do you say...... I can't help but be impressed!

Guan Zhuofan knelt down on one knee, bent his elbows and flattened his chest, and said loudly: "The minister will do his best, and he will die for himself!" ”

"Okay, it's not early, you still have something to do when you get back to the camp, this ...... Kneel down, let's ...... See you tomorrow. ”

Guan Zhuofan lifted the curtain and exited and came to the outhouse. Yu'er stood up and blessed him. The little girl's face was flushed, her plump breasts rose and fell slightly, and her sideburns seemed to be a little scattered. The inside of the big eyes is like water and mist; As soon as his gaze made contact with Guan Zhuofan, his eyes immediately rippled.

Guan Zhuofan's heart was moved, and he was about to stretch out his hand to Yiren. The right hand was raised, and I was shocked in my heart, and I shouted in my heart: Chop your hands!

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