"Smack!"

A loud and heavy slap was slapped on Zeng Guohua's face, which directly made Zeng Guohua's cheeks swollen, and then, Zeng Guofan's angry roar, who was so anxious that he was deformed, also came to Zeng Guohua's ears, "Are you crazy or stupid?" Can you save Hukou and let me make an idea? Don't you know how important the lake mouth is to us? Let's go to the mouth of the lake! Go and save the lake now! ”

"But brother, we have long-haired sailors in front and behind, and the younger brother insists on taking the sailor to save the lake, but he is caught by the long-haired sailor before and after, and there is a danger of annihilation!" Zeng Guohua explained aggrievedly. Pen, fun, pavilion www. biquge。 info

"There is a danger of total annihilation, and we have to go!" Zeng Guofan was so anxious that even his eyes turned red, and he roared: "Save Hukou, even if you are wiped out, you can still save Lu Shi!" After being taken down by Long Hair, our sailor is finished, and our land master is also finished! Do you want our Lu division soldiers to retreat to Duchang on foot for more than 300 miles under the pursuit of Changmao?! ”

"Go to Hukou immediately, no matter how much it costs, you have to keep Hukou for me! I'll send you reinforcements right away! ”

With his brother's order, Zeng Guohua rushed back to the flagship of the Hunan army with a rolling belt, and went to the mouth of the lake with the Hunan army sailor against the wind and water, the result was that the Hunan army sailor had just left, and the dense Taiping army sailor fleet appeared on the Yangtze River in the area of Pengze again, although it was the same as the Taiping army sailor who had crossed Peng Ze before, and did not land on the shore to reinforce the Peng Ze defenders, but also deliberately fired a few cannons, so that the friendly Huang Wenjin Department who was trapped in the lonely city knew that the reinforcements had arrived, and the result was that the city of Pengze, which was already full of people, was really happy again. Morale was once again boosted.

Seeing this scene, Zeng Guofan no longer had the heart to think about whether he could still take Peng Zecheng, but while hurriedly sending Li Xubin's brothers to lead the army back to Hukou, he regretted that he had not been able to make up his mind quickly, and immediately sent troops back to help when he received the warning from the sailor, wasting two full hours of precious time in vain. At the same time, Zeng Guofan naturally had to scold his younger brother for his incompetence and the uselessness of his own army scouts, and he didn't even know in advance about such an important situation as the Taiping Army's naval division returning to the western front of the division.

"Meng Rong, after the Hukou County Governor we appointed before was removed, who did Wen Jun send to take over the Hukou County Commander? How much do you know about him? ”

Zeng Guofan finally remembered to ask his chief of staff Liu Rong about this important question, and Liu Rong replied: "Wen Jun sent an alternate magistrate named Wang Shaochong to take over, and the students didn't know much about him, but it was rumored that he gave Wen Jun a lot of silver in order to make up for the shortage, and he should be a corrupt official." ”

"It doesn't matter if you're a corrupt official or not, as long as you don't be a cowardly mouse." Zeng Guofan said irritably: "Don't be much, as long as he can hold out for a day, don't take the initiative to abandon the city and leave, and after a day, Brother Li Xubin will be able to bring reinforcements to help him." ”

"Wen Jun, you bastard! Why did you remove the magistrate appointed by the official? Why did you remove him? Replace it with a person who can't know the roots! ”

When Zeng Guofan roared again, the super-large-scale dragon boat competition between the Taiping Army and the Hunan Army was also in full swing on the Yangtze River, and the front of the Taiping Army Navy led by Wei Jun was suffering from physical strength and the speed was somewhat reduced; However, the Hunan Army's naval division was pulled away because of a delay in Pengze, and even if it had a slight advantage in speed, it could not quickly catch up with Wei Junjun; And the rear team of the Taiping Army Naval Division led by Qin Rigang himself was also swaying and paddling, desperately chasing after him. The three sailors chased after me, all of them fought to speed up, and there were countless large and small ships stranded on the reef in the dark night, but the commanders of the three sailors ignored them all, let alone rescued, just desperately madly forward, forward, and forward!

Finally, when the sky was full of light, Wei Junbu, the sailor of the Taiping Army, who took the lead, finally arrived at the Hukou City first, and the more than 800 main soldiers carried on the boat did not wait for the ship to put down the springboard, jumped off the shoal directly, strode onto the land, and immediately rushed to the Hukou County where the city gate had been opened, and the Hukou Qing soldiers guarding the city gate were dumbfounded, and could only hurriedly close the city gate, while running back to the city to report to the new county commander Wang Shaochong.

Next, let Mr. Zeng beat his chest and finally happened, hearing that the Taiping Army's divine soldiers suddenly appeared under Hukou City, Wen Junwen Futai's newly promoted county commander Wang Shaochong, the first thing was not to organize the Qing soldiers and regiments in the city to practice going to the city to defend the palace, but to quickly pack all the gold and silver that could be packed, and then crawled out of the city from the south gate, rushing to the lake to find a ferry to escape from Poyang Lake.

There is no need for our Wang Zhixian to open the city gate for the Taiping soldiers, there is no one to defend the city, the Taiping soldiers directly climbed the city wall with a ladder, rushed into the city and opened the west gate of Hukou County, the Taiping soldiers outside the city flocked into the city, while seizing the control of the city gate to seize the granary county ya, during the period was not blocked at all, almost before the blink of an eye, the Hunan army spent countless efforts to recapture the Hukou City. As a result, when the banner of the Taiping Army was planted in the Hukou Tower, the Hunan Army's naval division had just appeared on the water under Shizhong Mountain.

Seeing that Hukou had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and knowing that there was still a Taiping army's naval division chasing after him, Zeng Guohua's most correct choice should be to resolutely withdraw to Jiujiang to preserve the vitality of the Hunan army's naval division so that it could meet the land division in the future. However, it is a pity that at the critical moment, Zeng Guohua made another mistake in decision-making, and even ordered the Hunan Army Naval Division to launch an attack on the Taiping Army's Naval Division, in a vain attempt to defeat the Taiping Army's Naval Division and land to recapture Hukou City.

Facing this big pie falling from the sky, Wei Jun of course smiled and caught it with both hands, regardless of the fatigue of the soldiers, resolutely met the attack, and urged the small pull-out fleet to rush forward to fight with the Hunan army sailors, but with the advantage of warships and physical strength, the Hunan army sailors had the upper hand in the early stage, sinking many Taiping army small pull-out boats, and once killed the Taiping army sailors almost difficult to parry. However, when Qin Rigang personally led the main force of the Taiping Army's naval division to Hukou, the battlefield situation was abruptly reversed.

In the fierce artillery fire and thunderous shouts of killing, the Taiping Army's small pulling boats overwhelmingly pounced on the Hunan Army Naval Division's fleet, shelling and shooting, and seizing the ship near the side, although a large number of military sampans of the Hunan Army's naval division are currently mainly equipped with the wind in terms of mobility, and are more suitable for battlefield fighting than small pulling boats, but the good tiger is not the enemy of the wolves, in front of the Taiping Army's small pulling boats that continue to surge like sea waves, the Hunan army's sampans are still burned and sunk one after another, and one after another is captured by the near side, and after losing the protection of the sampan, The Hunan army's red single boat is equivalent to becoming a wild boar in the wolf pack, empty full of brute force but unable to exert it, let the hungry wolves gnaw wantonly, and soon under the attack of dense rocket fuel canisters, it continued to catch fire and burn, and a red single boat was surrounded by hundreds of Taiping army small boats, Taiping sailors continued to board the ship to seize the ship, and the slogan of surrender and non-killing resounded in the sky, except for the choice of self-sinking, it was a foregone conclusion to be captured.

In the fierce battle, including the flagship of the Hunan Army Naval Division where Zeng Guohua was in charge, the rockets of the Taiping Army were ignited, the flames were raging, Zeng Guohua cried with regret, and had to order a breakthrough and retreat, but at this moment, it was naturally more difficult to suddenly do so, and the Taiping Army Naval Division would never tolerate the existence of the Qing Army Naval Division on Poyang Lake that threatened the safety of the own army. Ships were burned and captured, sailors surrendered and fell into the water, and the scene was so miserable that it was impossible to describe it with pen and ink.

In the end, even the flagship of the Hunan army was completely burned by the rocket spray cans of the Taiping army, Zeng Guohua was seriously injured, and it was all thanks to Yang Yuebin's response at any cost, so he was lucky enough to escape on Yang Yuebin's boat, and barely escaped Poyang Lake in the pursuit of the Taiping army, and fled to the west bank under the response of the Qing army's kingdom talent department. However, even so, the three battalions of the Hunan Army's sailors, boats, and sailors were able to escape Poyang Lake, and there was not even a battalion, and the sailors were basically wiped out, and Zeng Guohua's two right-hand men, Yang Yuebin and Peng Yulin, were also wounded together in the fierce battle.

"Quick, quick, ask Wu Futai for help, beg him, save my brother's ......."

After saying this sentence in the arms of Bi Jinke, the general of the kingdom's talent department, Zeng Guohua completely fainted, and bid farewell to the Hunan army sailors forever, and bid farewell to the water battlefield - the whole body was burned extensively, and the leg injury was particularly serious, even if he could save his life, it would be difficult for Zeng Guohua to stand up again in the future.

…………

At the same time, Mr. Zeng still did not know that the army had become a lone army and had been completely isolated to the west of Poyang Lake, although he was still rational and stopped covering Pengze City with artillery, and hurriedly ordered He Shaocai's troops to abandon the city and retreat to the west, and handed over Dongliu City to the newly appointed county commander as a scapegoat with Zuo Zongtang's idea, but he did not make up his mind to immediately lift the siege of Pengze, and took the initiative to abandon the camp and retreat, just waiting for the news of Hukou, preparing to confirm the situation on the Hukou battlefield and then decide whether to retreat with the whole army.

At this time, Zuo Zongtang, who had already publicly broken with Zeng Guofan, finally came to the Shuai tent again, and as soon as he entered the tent, he yelled at Zeng Guofan and asked, "Why haven't you retreated?" How long do you want to delay? Do you really have to wait for the main force of the long-haired Lu Division to also kill in front of you before fleeing in a hurry? ”

"Don't worry, there's no news from the lake." Zeng Guofan said patiently: "There is still hope for the Hukou battlefield, as long as Li Xubin and the others can rush to Hukou in time to defend the city, we don't have to worry about being surrounded by long hair." ”

"Dashuai, don't you have a brain?" Zuo Zongtang scolded angrily and roared: "Not to mention that the lake mouth may not be able to be saved, even if the lake mouth is kept, what is the use?" Long hair has cleared the officers and troops downstream, the main force of the water division is idle, this westward advance must be the elite of the water division, as far as the three battalions of water divisions in your hands can stop them? As long as Changmao cuts off the shipping channel, our food and military supplies will not be able to be transported to the west bank of Poyang Lake, and we will not starve to death sooner or later if we are trapped at the mouth of the lake? ”

"Don't expect Wu Chaoyue's sailor to save you, his sailor is already weak, and the steamer (steam gunboat) has not been equipped for a few days, so it can't play any role, even if his sailor is dispatched, he may not be able to defeat the long-haired sailor and dredge the route again! When the long-haired land division besieges the city, and the sailor cuts off the road, you will have no door to heaven and no way to go to the earth! ”

"The long-haired Lu division has not yet arrived, hurry up, go to Hukou first, and then go to Duchang and Poyang, we still have grain and grass, and the long-haired land still can't threaten us for the time being, hurry up!" Otherwise, it doesn't matter if you are completely annihilated, Lao Tzu will have to accompany you to die! ”

"Who are you?!" Zeng Guofan, who couldn't bear Zuo Zongtang in history, couldn't bear it even more, and roared angrily: "Zuo Zongtang, you are a small person who can't even pass the Jinshi exam, and you dare to insult Ben Shuai in the handsome tent?" Come on, beat Zuo Zongtang out of the mess for me! ”

The left and right soldiers sang a promise, and immediately stepped forward to expel Zuo Zongtang out of the tent with a stick, Zuo Zongtang scolded endlessly, Yang Wending hurriedly stepped forward, while blocking the military stick with his body, while pulling Zuo Zongtang out of Zeng Guofan's handsome tent, and constantly persuaded with good words, but Zuo Zongtang, who was arrogant by nature, was furious, and scolded Zeng Guofan to leave the camp. Yang Wending hurriedly grabbed him again and said, "Ji Gao, where are you going?" Don't blame the old man for not reminding you, the west of Poyang Lake is high and densely forested, sparsely populated, and now the long hair is going to be killed immediately, you left the camp alone at this time, isn't looking for death? ”

After hearing Yang Wending's words, Zuo Zongtang finally calmed down a little - Master Zuo was just arrogant and irritable, but he was not a reckless man who was not afraid of death, and then Zuo Zongtang also asked Yang Wending: "Then what do you say?" ”

"Wait a little longer." Yang Wending said: "And wait patiently in the old man's camp, if the situation is really as Ji Gao expected, Zeng Dashuai will definitely send someone back to Huguang for help, with the relationship between the old man and Wu Futai, the old man will naturally be the best candidate for the help messenger, and then the old man will take you back to Huguang and try to make a comeback." ”

"What are you doing back to Huguang? Go and be a cow and a horse for Wu Chaoyue's little bastard? Zuo Zongtang asked angrily.

"I know Ji Gao, you don't want to see the old man's grandson-in-law." Yang Wending sighed, and then smiled and said, "But Ji Gao, have you forgotten the old man?" Although the old man is only an alternate prefect now, he has served as the governor of Jiangsu before, and there are people in the court who have pulled someone to help, and it is not difficult to come back to his post, if you want to, I am willing to treat you like Luo Futai, if you want to find another job, or go home to study, the old man will never stop you, and will send you the travel expenses. ”

After thinking about it for a long time, when it was difficult to survive when he left alone, Zuo Zongtang still nodded reluctantly and said: "Okay, then let's do it, but I have a word first, after returning to Huguang, I won't see Wu Chaoyue!" You lead me to see me, and I don't see me. ”

"Of course, the old man dares to force Ji Gao to see someone you don't want to see?"

Yang Wending agreed with a smile, and then muttered in his stomach: "I was expected by the comfort pavilion, and it was really so." However, this Zuo Jigao is indeed crazy, arrogant and evil, and the old man wants him to work indirectly for the comfort pavilion in the future, and he is offended. ”

When the sky was slightly dark, a sweaty Li Xubin messenger rode a fast horse that was foaming at the mouth, and finally brought the news of the Hukou battlefield to Zeng Guofan, and learned that Hukou had been captured by the Taiping army, and the Hunan army sailors were almost wiped out on the water battlefield, and our poor teacher Zeng fainted on the spot. After finally being rescued by everyone, the first thing poor Teacher Zeng said was......

"Withdraw! Evacuate! Immediately abandon the camp baggage and retreat to Duchang! Fast! Fast! Otherwise, it will be too late! ”

"Brother, what should He Shaocai do? They are still on their way back from the east, and now that we have withdrawn, they are completely dead! ”

Zeng Guoquan's reminder finally brought Zeng Guofan back to reality, and then Liu Rong next to him also hurriedly reminded: "Dashuai, it's already dark, if you abandon the camp and retreat overnight, the long hair in Peng Zecheng takes the opportunity to send troops to pursue, then we will have to suffer a big loss!" ”

Poor Teacher Zeng came back to his senses completely, and after thinking for a moment, Teacher Zeng changed his tone and ordered: "Let the soldiers prepare for retreat, load the food and ammunition overnight, and move the artillery on the mountain as much as possible, and then retreat when it is dawn tomorrow." Besides, send a clipper and a fast horse to He Shaocai to give him an order, telling him to withdraw to Peng Ze before dawn tomorrow, no matter what, without the slightest delay! Otherwise, once the situation is critical, I won't wait for him! ”

When the soldiers of the Hunan army hurriedly loaded the grain, grass and ammunition into the truck and prepared to retreat, Yang Wending also returned to his tent, and while instructing Wu Chaoyue to send his own soldiers to protect him to prepare for retreat, he told Zuo Zongtang about the situation at Hukou and Zeng Guofan's decision. Zuo Zongtang sneered when he heard this, and said mockingly: "Finally a little smarter than a pig, Changmao has the advantage of waterways, and it is much faster to pass on news than on land, Changmao in Pengze City must already know the situation at Hukou, and he must be ready to chase and kill overnight." If he retreats at night, today and tomorrow may be the time of his death! ”

"Ji Gao is smart, that's exactly the case." Yang Wending, who was remotely controlled by his grandson, put down his body and complimented Zuo Zongtang against his will, and then said: "I don't know if I can successfully withdraw to Duchang, more than 300 miles away, and the road is deserted, and there is not even a city where I can stop." ”

"It's strange if it can go smoothly, Long Hair is not a fool, can he not chase to the end?" Zuo Zongtang continued to sneer, and said: "If Zeng Guofan is smart enough, don't think about anything step by step, and only walk thirty miles a day to protect himself." If you don't set up camp or camp, you will flee south with all your might, and maybe there is still some hope to save half of the army to the capital...... Proper....... Yes! ”

"Why is Ji Gao so surprised?" Yang Wending asked Zuo Zongtang, whose face suddenly changed, suspiciously.

Zuo Zongtang's face was gloomy, and he said after a while: "Zeng Guofan and I have forgotten a major event, Changmao has the advantage of a sailor, since he can seize the mouth of the lake with the advantage of the waterway, it is also possible to seize Duchang next to Poyang Lake in advance, and even Poyang, the capital city of Raozhou, further south!" If that's the case, then Zeng Guofan's army is doomed to be wiped out. ”

Yang Wending opened his mouth and carefully recalled the map of the area around Poyang Lake, and found that it was indeed possible for the Taiping Army's naval division to rely on the waterway to maneuver and seize the two nearest Jiangxi cities at present, and Yang Wending's face also began to turn pale. However, after pondering it carefully, Yang Wending relaxed a little and said secretly: "Fortunately, we have few people and small targets, and the equipment sent to me by Weiting is good, and there is a great hope of escaping." ”

"Yang Wending, you can go to Zeng Guofan now and tell him my analysis."

Zuo Zongtang was old-fashioned and instructed Yang Wending, who was a generation older than himself: "Tell him casually, if he doesn't want to die, the only way now is to march to the mouth of the lake, go to Poyang Lake to find a safe place to camp for self-protection, and fight to starve for a period of time, and there is also hope of being rescued by Wu Chaoyue." If he wants to die and has to retreat to other places, the gods can't save him. (To be continued.) )