On the third day after singing "Shiro Visits His Mother" in the palace of King Alcohol, the imperial court gave Zeng Guofan's reply to the two twists and turns, and came down.

Please go to the governor of Hubei Province of Zeng Guoquan and give him a leave to return home to recuperate.

Please dismiss Jiang Ning Xiangyong and repatriate in batches.

In addition, of course, there is also a sentence of consolation in the edict: "Zeng Guofan has been a Confucian scholar in Rong, with the longest history and the most military achievements, so he can naturally be cautious from the beginning to the end and keep his name forever." ”

After reading the edict, anyone with a discerning eye knows that the once dominating auspicious battalion is afraid that it will disappear this time.

Another edict sent to Zhejiang could not help but surprise - Zuo Zongtang, the governor of Zhejiang, was promoted to the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang because of his "outstanding military achievements", and Zeng Guofan, the governor of Liangjiang, was on an equal footing, and the nearly 30,000 Chu troops under his command were even out of the sequence of the Hunan army.

At this time, some people inevitably talked in private, saying that since Zuo Zongtang led his troops into Zhejiang, he has fought quite well, but Hangzhou has not yet been taken, so how can it be said that he has "outstanding military achievements"? It's really strange that the reward comes first before the success is done. As for the comparison with Zeng Guofan, between the withering and the glory, the division is even more distinct.

These words reached Guan Zhuofan's ears, and he only smiled when he heard it, and did not answer. This matter is in the past, and he is now only one move away from putting away the sails.

So, how should the people of the Hanlin Academy spend a lot of money?

This big and small problem was inadvertently solved by a person sent by Hu Xueyan for him.

This person is Hu Xueyan's housekeeper in Shanghai, also surnamed Hu. Guan Zhuofan saw him in the Guan family's mansion. Great surprise.

"Old Hu. What are you doing here? ”

"Talk back to Master Hou. It was Hu Zhaocha who sent me a letter from Zhejiang, asking me to come to Beijing and do something for Zuo Dashuai. ”

After asking a few more questions, I understand, the Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and he wants to send a festival to Zuo Zongtang to others.

Hu Xueyan donated dozens of boats of military rations, and Zuo Zongtang had already secured the title of Sanpin as an envoy for him. Cited as the most powerful Sasuke. Now Zuo Zongtang and Hu Xueyan are both in Zhejiang, so Hu Xueyan sent a message to Shanghai, ordered Steward Hu to raise a money, and still took the sea route into Beijing, so he came to make a special trip.

However, this festival is different, and there is only one person to send, Pan Zuyin.

Zuo Zongtang's feelings for Pan Zuyin are known throughout the dynasty. When Zuo Zongtang was in the curtain of Luo Bingzhang, the governor of Hunan, he kicked Fan Xie, the chief soldier of Yongzhou Town. was sued by Fan Xie to Emperor Xianfeng, saying that he "controlled military affairs with bad scenes". He almost lost his head. Thanks to Pan Zuyin, a famous man from Jiangsu, he spoke for him, among which the two sentences of "the country cannot be without Hunan for a day, and Hunan cannot be without Zuo Zongtang for a day" were recited for a while, and they were also regarded by Zuo Zongtang himself as an irreplaceable jade theory.

So, although he has never been to the capital in his life, and he has never seen Pan Zuyin, he has always regarded him as a life-saving benefactor.

Hu Jicha said that Master Pan is the associate master of the Hanlin Academy. I'm not familiar with the capital, how to go, let me listen to the instructions of the Hou Ye. ”

Guan Zhuofan paused for a moment, and suddenly realized that Pan Zuyin is a native of Jiangsu and the deputy director of the Hanlin Academy, isn't this the most haode way?

I settled down and thought about it, and it was really good. Jiangsu is a place with flourishing humanities, and Jiangsu people are the most popular in the Hanlin Academy. Take Jiangsu back from the Taiping Army by yourself, this is a great favor! Starting from Pan Zuyin, whether it is to visit him or invite him to dinner in the next post, it is a matter of course. And getting along with Pan Zuyin is also good for getting along with Zuo Zongtang in the future.

After thinking about it, he didn't hesitate, and asked Mr. Xi Xihuang to write an invitation and invite Pan Zuyin to eat in the house two days later. Then he sent Tubo to take the invitation, hold his name, and send the Hu steward to Pan Zuyin's house in Lishui Hutong. When Steward Hu finished his work, Tuber's post was also ready.

Pan Zuyin was really refreshing, and asked Tubo to reply, thank you for your kindness, and you will be there the day after tomorrow.

*

*

For the arrival of Pan Zuyin, Guan Zhuofan specially invited Xu Gengshen to accompany him on this day, otherwise if he talked about the topic of learning during the banquet, he would not be able to catch up, and he was afraid that he would be cold.

As soon as Pan Zuyin arrived, the three guests and hosts admired each other and extended into the main hall where the table was set up. Pan Zuyin is not like an ordinary famous Hanlin, he does not have the slightest arrogance, and his conversation is also very funny, Guan Zhuofan thought to himself, why didn't he know him earlier.

When the wine passed three rounds and the conversation gradually started, I saw the benefits of inviting Xu Gengshen to accompany him - what Pan Zuyin talked about was not old-fashioned knowledge at all, but all those celebrities and gentlemen, which greatly affected Xu Geng's appetite, so the banquet was very lively, and the wine was drunk.

After chatting for a while, Guan Zhuofan saw that the timing was about the same, and took out a gift for Haode.

"Yin Gong is a person with a high cliff, I don't dare to give it to ordinary things, there is a book, please Yin Gong appreciate, I don't know if I can get into the eyes of Hong Hanlin."

Pan Zuyin is a person who loves books like his life, and he is also a master of gold and stone, when he heard that there was a book, his eyes lit up first, and he took it carefully, turned two pages, and exclaimed softly: "This is the Song version of "Zhou Yi Annotation"! ”

"Whether it's good or not, I don't know." Guan Zhuofan said with a smile, "Shanghai people have a saying, called 'open your mouth and close your mouth', in front of Yin Gong, I don't dare to show off." ”

How can it be bad? The Song version of the book is exquisitely engraved and printed, and it is very precious because it has been handed down very little, and this part is specially searched for the "Zhejiang book", which is printed on leather paper, the color is white and thick, and the two sides are smooth and clean, which is even rarer.

"Xuan Shuai, this is too precious." Pan Zuyin bowed and thanked him, "As a native of Jiangsu, I haven't thanked Xuan Shuai for his kindness in recovering his homeland, how can I be embarrassed to accept such a gift?" ”

"The sword is given to the martyrs, since it is such a thing, it should naturally fall into the hands of a scholar like Yin Gong." Guan Zhuofan was also very polite, and took out another envelope, "Hanlin is hard, and it is not easy for the country to raise soldiers." This half-month festival should also be distributed on behalf of the Duke of Yin. ”

Pan Zuyin is a celebrity and scholar, since he has understood what he means, he is not pretentious, and he accepts it in a chic manner.

"There are many colleagues who are worried about coping with the accounts, and this time, they probably don't have to run the pawnshop." Pan Zuyin thanked him, "I'll be handsome for them!" ”

After eating a meal, the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves, Guan Zhuofan and Xu Gengshen, Yin Yin sent each other, and when Pan Zuyin boarded the sedan chair and left, the two of them were still talking, so they returned to the flower hall, and Xiaofu sent hot tea, sitting and talking.

"Pan Boyin can be regarded as a good fate," Xu Gengshen said with emotion, "What he saved was just a curtain guest, but now he is already a great governor, who would have thought about it?" ”

"Zuo Gong is talented, and he has not lived up to Pan Boyin's praise." Guan Zhuofan said, "His Chu army is still quite strong. ”

"Speaking of which, Zuo Jigao used foreign soldiers, and he still learned from Xuan Jun. The commanders of his Changjie army, Dirk Monument and Riyige, were all French, and there were two or three hundred French soldiers under them. Xu Gengshen said, "I don't know if he will be like you Yixuan in the future, and he will also train a new army." ”

Guan Zhuofan smiled and shook his head slightly.

"Uncle Xing, I won't tell you, this new army is not so easy to train."

"Oh? In addition to what you said last time, with Western-style guns and artillery equipment, and Western French drills, I don't know what else is difficult? ”

"Well, this," Guan Zhuofan groaned slightly, but still replied honestly: "There are two points, which are quite difficult. The first is the opponent who trains the troops, and the second is the place where the troops are trained. ”

"How do you call a training opponent?"

"A strong army, relying on training alone, I am afraid that it will not be successful, and it must have the opportunity to fight. Therefore, it is necessary to have opponents who train troops. ”

"Isn't Longhair the opponent?"

"Long hair is not flat enough." Guan Zhuofan said with a smile.

Xu Geng was taken aback - the long hair was no longer in his eyes, could it be said that he still had to fight with foreigners?

"Yixuan," although it was in Guan Zhuofan's mansion, Xu Gengshen couldn't help but lower his voice, "Could it be that you are using British soldiers as opponents?" ”

"Britain and France are too strong," Guan Zhuofan shook his head, "I can't beat it." ”

What does that mean? Xu Gengshen looked at Guan Zhuofan in disbelief, thought about it, and asked the next one.

"Where the troops are trained, what do you say?"

"The Xuan army is stationed all over Jiangsu, and it is a prosperous place in front of the eyes, close to the big city, and there are distractions in the heart, how can you calm down and train the troops well?" Guan Zhuofan looked at Xu Geng's body with blazing eyes, "Not to mention the habits in the army, what does Uncle Xing not know?" Thinking about things like names, titles, and positions every day, how can you train well in the officialdom and with personal contacts? Xuan Jun is fine now, but as the days go by, it is difficult to guarantee that he will not be contaminated with such habits. ”

"This is the truth," Xu Gengshen sighed, "but what can I do?" ”

"I have to change places!" Guan Zhuofan said softly.

Sure enough, it's time for a change of place. On the third day, there was shocking news -- the US Minister to China, Anson Po, officially submitted to the Prime Minister, the chief minister of the Yamen for National Affairs, Yi 60, the "Invitation to Allow Wall and Others to Raise Volunteers and Courage to Go to the United States to Quell the Rebellion."

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