On the twenty-first day of the first month, Zuo Zongtang's mansion.

In the study, Zuo Zongtang and Liu Jintang sat opposite each other. Zuo Zongtang was wearing a black robe, brushed his long beard under his chin, his eyes fell on Liu Jintang's body, and he said unhurriedly: "Jintang, this time the president went south to Vietnam, and you were selected to fight with the president." ”

"Good! It's time to fight again! ”

Liu Jintang rubbed his hands, his face full of excitement.

Zuo Zongtang continued: "This attack on Vietnam is the third major war in which you have participated with the president. For the first time, you followed the president in the Battle of Vladivostok; The second time, you followed the president to pacify Shi Dakai. The first two times, you weren't qualified enough to be promoted. But this time it's different, you have enough qualifications, be sure to take the chance. ”

Liu Jintang said indifferently: "Don't worry, Zuo Shuai, I will work hard to fight." ”

Zuo Zongtang's expression was serious, and he said solemnly: "The president has a preference for fighting, once he captures an important location, he will leave people to garrison. attacked Taiwan, and the president left Su Lei and Zheng Zaoru; attacked Japan, leaving Li Hongzhang and Yang Jianhou; attacked Vladivostok, leaving Peng Yulin behind; attacked Sichuan, leaving Zhang Zhidong and Zeng Guoquan behind. Fools can understand that if they take Vietnam, they will definitely leave people behind to defend it. I want you to stay in Vietnam and become an important general on the pastoral side. ”

Liu Jintang frowned and said, "Don't worry, Zuo Shuai, I will definitely work hard." But then again, there isn't much point in staying in Vietnam. It's better to follow the president to the east and west, which is more interesting. ”

"Idiot!"

Zuo Zongtang scolded: "The world is calm, where are so many people letting you fight!" ”

Liu Jintang shook his head again and again, wrenched his fingers and said, "There are still a lot, except for Vietnam." It's just that in our country, there are Mongolian steppes in the north, Tibetan lamas' territories, and even the frontier land in Xinjiang have not been annexed. After the collapse of the Manchu Qing Dynasty, they all stood on their own and refused to obey the president. I believe that there will be countless battles, and the great president will not let go of these places. ”

Zuo Zongtang said angrily: "War? Can you fight for the rest of your life? ”

Liu Jintang said: "I like to fight, that wanton feeling is intoxicating!" ”

"Foolish!"

Zuo Zongtang said in a deep voice: "In troubled times, military generals and strategists are the most important, which is the fastest way to be promoted. But in a peaceful and prosperous era, the ministers who govern the country are the most important. Mongolia, Tibet, Xinjiang, etc., you mentioned, there may be wars. At present, however, there has been a trend of giving priority to governing the country. A large number of generals will change their status, if you stay in Vietnam, stay in Vietnam for a few years, accumulate political achievements, and then you can be transferred back to China, enter the center, and become a talent trained by the president. If you blindly fight, your future is limited, and it is difficult to become an important minister of a country! ”

Liu Jintang scratched his head and said, "What you said is too profound, I don't understand!" I don't want to understand it! I don't care about that, as long as I can fight. If the president doesn't fight, I'll be discharged and return to the field. Besides, with you, it's impossible for me to starve to death. ”

"You kid...... Come on, get out, I don't want to see you! ”

Zuo Zongtang is dedicated to Liu Jintang's good, but it is a pity that this guy is not enlightened at all.

Liu Jintang smiled and said, "Thank you Zuo Shuai, I'll go back!" ”

……

Shi Dakai's mansion, study.

After Shi Dakai got the news that Li Xiucheng and Chen Yucheng were going to go on the expedition from Zeng Guofan, he immediately invited Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng to the mansion. Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng sat opposite Shi Dakai, their expressions humble and respectful. The three of them are all generals, and among the three, Shi Dakai's official position is the most prominent, becoming the second only person to Zeng Guofan, which can be called powerful.

Before surrendering, Shi Dakai was the famous Wing King, and Li Xiucheng and Chen Yucheng respected Shi Dakai very much, so the three of them were headed by Shi Dakai under Li Zhen.

Shi Dakai said: "This time, the president went out to fight and personally ordered the two of you, without bringing major generals such as Huang Shihai, Long Xi, Zuo Zongtang, etc., so you have the opportunity to make meritorious contributions." You must seize the opportunity and make sure that you make a great contribution in this battle. ”

Chen Yucheng said: "Don't worry, I understand." ”

Shi Dakai frowned and said, "Do you still call the prince, looking for death?" I'm not the Winged King anymore, and I'm not allowed to call it anymore. Although the president is broad-minded and does not make comparisons, it does not mean that we can act arbitrarily. I don't regret following the president, and I even feel happier than I used to be in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Here, I can do things to my heart's content, do things for the people and the country, and the president is a group of people who do practical things, so I cherish the situation in front of me and don't want to lose. I hope you pay attention to your wording and don't go out of line. ”

Chen Yucheng said: "I understand! ”

Li Xiucheng nodded and said, "Vice Premier, Yucheng and I must unite and work hard for merit." ”

Shi Dakai said: "Unity is necessary, and it is also necessary to strive for merit. However, this is based on a major premise, that is, we must unite with everyone in the army, even in the face of Liu Jintang. We are demoted generals, which is equivalent to being born by our stepmother, and we must behave well in front of the president, which is beneficial to your future career. ”

"There are two things to remember in the army: first, you must show your abilities as much as possible and let everyone know; Second, show your open-mindedness. With these two points, I am sure that you will be able to get the great president's attention. ”

"You are talented people, don't be buried."

"For your own sake, and to show that the former Taiping Army was not bad, I hope you will work hard. The battle of Vietnam must be grasped! ”

Shi Dakai looked serious and pinned his hopes on the two of them.

Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng nodded heavily, both of them felt a lot of pressure, but more of motivation.

……

Presidential Palace, official residence.

When the news came out that Li Zhen was going south to Guangzhou, Zhilan, Li Xiaotong and others sighed again and again. Li Xiaotong rolled his eyes, smiled and said, "Brother, I'm also going south." After all, your brother-in-law is still in Guangzhou. ”

Gu Lina continued: "Husband, I am also going south, and I am still needed for business in Guangzhou. ”

Alice said, "I'm going south too, and my sister and I are going to do business too!" ”

Zhou Xiuying said loudly: "Husband, this time I want to join the war and go to Vietnam with you!" ”

After Li Zhen heard this, he thought to himself that these women were more ruthless than the other. When I arrived at Zhou Xiuying, I directly asked to go south together. He looked at Zhilan and listened to Zhilan say, "Husband, I will stay in Beijing with the child and wait for you to come back." In the past few years, Amma has become older and older, and his body has deteriorated, and I am afraid that in the past two years, I will stay to take care of his old man. ”

Li Zhen nodded and said, "Okay, Shanapova and you will go to live at the old father-in-law's house, so as not to stay at home and be lonely." ”

Zhilan nodded, very reluctant in her heart.

I'm afraid this separation will take a few more months, but fortunately, I got used to it.

ps: the second shift;