In Sichuan at the end of May, the sun is shining.

Because the weather is warm early, the golden sun shines on the body, and there is a faint feeling of heat.

The barracks of the Third Army, the Great Tent of the Chinese Army. In the conference room, there was silence and a depressing atmosphere.

At the head of the conference table sat an official with thin cheeks, bloodshot eyes, and large bags under his eyes. This official was Zeng Guofan, the commander of the Third Army under Li Zhen. At this moment, Zeng Guofan is facing a huge problem. He sent troops continuously, but it was difficult to defeat Shi Dakai.

Until now, Zeng Guofan has lost the trace of Shi Dakai and cannot find anyone.

As far as Zeng Guofan is concerned, if he adopts a steady and steady strategy, he naturally does not need to be in a hurry, he can warm up the fire and slowly fight with Shi Da. However, after Zeng Guofan learned about the battle situation in the north, he did not plan to fight with Shi Dakai slowly, but fought frequently, wanting to completely take down this person who had defeated him in a short period of time. It's a pity that Shi Dakai's army is haunted, almost always hidden, and it is difficult to find.

Zeng Guofan's fierce gaze swept over the generals in the army and said, "Search for the traces of Shi Dakai's army, if you have any ideas, just say it!" ”

Zeng Guofan didn't know how many times such a meeting was held.

However, the results are not obvious.

In fact, the generals under Zeng Guofan did a lot of work, or used the way of escorting food to attract Shi Dakai, and wanted to encircle and annihilate Shi Dakai's army, but they returned in vain; or sent soldiers to search in a carpet, but they couldn't find even a single figure of the Taiping Army; Or let the people report it, but unfortunately there are almost no clues......

A variety of methods are used, but the effect is not obvious.

Therefore, Zeng Guofan felt a headache.

No matter who you are, it will be extremely uncomfortable if you don't get the effect after putting it into action continuously.

Zeng Guoquan saw Zeng Guofan's anxious appearance, and suggested: "Army commander, I think that at this stage, we should adjust our strategy of attacking the enemy, adopt a steady and steady approach, and first consolidate the county towns and villages that have been captured so far, and do not need to deal with Shi Dakai who is hiding for the time being. I believe that Shi Dakai will show up one day and attack again when the time comes. ”

For his brother Zeng Guofan's attachment, he felt that something was wrong and wanted to persuade him.

Zeng Guofan shook his head and said, "No, Shi Dakai must be taken." ”

The words are extremely tough and non-negotiable.

Shi Dakai has become a heart disease in Zeng Guofan's heart, and he must be removed.

It was for this reason that Zeng Guofan waved his army to fight Shi Dakai. Of course, the two armies fought head-on, and Shi Dakai was undoubtedly defeated, and there was no chance of victory. However, Shi Dakai is not a fool, on the contrary, he is very smart. Shi Dakai knew that the firepower of the soldiers under Zeng Guofan's command was strong, so he naturally wouldn't come up boringly. Moreover, Shi Dakai broke his wrist and decisively gave up his own territory, not confined to the gains and losses of one city and one place, guerrilla everywhere, and came out from time to time to shoot a shot, causing trouble to Zeng Guofan.

On the contrary, Zeng Guofan conquered the city, carried the burden on his back, and lost his flexibility.

"Report!!"

A soldier shouted outside, and Zeng Guofan immediately said, "Come in!" ”

After the soldier walked in, he raised his hand and saluted, and then reported: "Report to the army commander, the bandit Shi Dakai led the crowd to haunt and appeared in Sanwangzhuang, a hundred miles away from us, and robbed the food and money of Li Youcai's family, a big family in Sanwangzhuang. When our soldiers arrived, Shi Dakai's soldiers disappeared again and lost Shi Dakai's trace. ”

Zeng Guofan was a little impatient, waved his hand and said, "Got it, go down!" ”

After the soldiers left, Zeng Guofan sighed and said, "Look, even if we want to stabilize, it will be difficult to achieve it." Is Shi Dakai willing? Definitely unwilling. From time to time, Shi Dakai always has to jump out, which is unavoidable. If Shi Dakai is not solved, everything is impossible. ”

Zeng Guoquan said: "It's too difficult. ”

Zeng Guofan said loudly: "The war situation in the north has been decided. Zuo Jigao won Beijing and made great contributions. The prince went north with a small number of men, defeated the Russians, and reclaimed the territory ceded by Yi. These two armies have achieved the best results, and only our army has achieved mediocre results, can I not be in a hurry? ”

Zeng Guoquan sighed lightly, understanding Zeng Guofan's difficulties.

"Don't worry, eldest brother, junior brother will do his best, and let the brothers below come up with ideas and take down Shi Dakai."

Zeng Guoquan couldn't persuade him, so he had to comfort Zeng Guofan.

"Go down! I'm calm and calm! "Zeng Guofan issued an eviction order.

After Zeng Guoquan left, Zeng Guofan sat quietly alone, thinking about ways to defeat Shi Dakai. It's just that the more Zeng Guofan thinks about it, the more chaotic his heart becomes, and it is difficult to calm down. At this time, the staff members beside Zeng Guofan walked in and said in a low voice: "Commander, I just got the news that the prince entered Sichuan with his soldiers, and now it is still ten miles away from our camp. ”

"The prince is here?"

Zeng Guofan stood up with a stunned expression.

Immediately, Zeng Guofan asked, "Are you sure, there is no mistake?" ”

The staff said affirmatively: "Yes, there is no mistake, it is really the prince who came with the soldiers." This time, the people who followed the prince were Zhang Zhidong, who was emerging in the north, and Liu Jintang, a powerful general under Zuo Zongtang, and the two old gentlemen who protected the prince. There are not many people coming, about the strength of a battalion, but I don't know the intention of the prince yet. ”

Zeng Guofan was surprised that Li Zhen came in person, and no longer thought about it, and said, "Prepare, meet with me." ”

The staff should go down and turn around to prepare.

In a short time, Zeng Guofan and his soldiers were ready, and then greeted at the gate of the camp, waiting for Li Zhen to arrive. Fifteen minutes later, a cavalry force appeared in Zeng Guofan's sight. As the sound of horses' hooves came from far and near, the team gradually approached. This team is the soldiers under Li Zhen's command, escorted by only one battalion of soldiers. Li Zhen turned over and dismounted outside the camp, and Zeng Guofan immediately greeted him, raised his hand and saluted: "Zeng Guofan, the commander of the Third Army, has seen the prince!" ”

Li Zhen returned the salute and said, "Commander Zeng has worked hard! ”

Zeng Guofan waved his hand and invited Li Zhen into the camp, and asked the soldiers to settle a battalion of soldiers who followed Li Zhenlai.

Barracks, conference rooms!

Li Zhenjin sat on the main seat with a faint smile on his face. Zeng Guofan sat on Li Zhen's left hand side, and then Zeng Guoquan, Zhang Zhidong, Liu Jintang, Yang Luchan and others sat down in turn. All the generals are in the conference room. Li Zhen's eyes fell on Zeng Guofan's body and said, "Brother Bohan, I have just arrived, I don't know the situation here, you can introduce me to it." ”

"Yes!"

Zeng Guofan directly agreed and explained the current situation.

After Li Zhen heard this, his brows furrowed slightly, and he said in a deep voice: "This Shi Dakai is really a cunning fox, decisive enough." It is somewhat interesting that he actually abandoned a large number of counties, towns, and cities to carry out guerrilla warfare. ”

Liu Jintang frowned and said: "I can't find anyone, there is really no way." ”

Li Zhen squinted his eyes slightly, and gently tapped the middle finger of his right hand on the tabletop, thinking about the solution.

ps: the third shift; Call it a day. It's so cold, the fingers are frozen birds.