This news is tantamount to a slap in the face for Zuo Jigao.

According to his vision, the end of his great cause of the western expedition should be "whipping the saddle stirrup and singing triumphant songs", just like the quelling of Zhang Ge's rebellion in the Shaoguang period, "His Majesty sacrificed prisoners", and in the royal garden Qingqi Garden "Kuoran Grand Duke's Palace" by the emperor's court to interrogate Agubai and then execute, he watched with pride on the sidelines.

How could Aguba die at this time? And he died in an unknown way, and he didn't know where he was buried in the desert with his second son! And Bai Yanhu and Huli Burke all escaped!

This westward expedition to Xinjiang actually allowed the bandit leader to run away in front of his eyes, how can this be?

Not only can't he forgive himself, but the court can't forgive him either!

He now knows what Hu Yulin has done.

In fact, after Hu Yulin's accident, Zhejiang Governor Yang Changjun sent someone to inform Zuo Jigao as soon as possible, but due to the vast territory of Xinjiang, there was no telegram, and the nearest telegraph line only reached Lanzhou.

Zuo Jigao, who received Yang Changjun's report, heard that Hu Yulin was imprisoned because he embezzled 6 million taels of money from the Western Expedition to Japan to lend usury, and as a result, the silver ship was robbed by Japanese rebels at sea, and the matter was somehow stabbed by Tianjin Customs Dao Sheng Xuan Huai to Li Shaoquan, the governor of Zhili, Li Shaoquan immediately reported the news to Prince Jing, Prince Jing was furious when he heard the news, and immediately ordered an investigation, in order to prevent Zhejiang officials from colluding to cover Hu Yulin, Prince Jing specially ordered Chen Lusheng, the prefect of Jiaxing, who was not from Zhejiang, to be transferred to the prefect of Hangzhou. Hu Yulin was arrested and investigated in Beijing as soon as possible. Hu Yulin's industry was also completely seized in the fastest time.

After understanding what happened. Zuo Jigao was so shocked that he understood why the imperial court suddenly changed its tone towards him, and no longer supported his plan of "slow advance and rapid war", but ordered him to march quickly and end the war within a time limit.

And now the war is basically over, but the final result is that none of the rebellious chieftains have been caught, Zuo Jigao can think of it, once he reports the truth. What kind of eyes will the center look at him?

Although he really didn't know about Hu Yulin's embezzlement of the Western Expedition Assistance, it cost the treasury 20 million silver, and the war became like this, and it was impossible for the center not to suspect that the Western Expedition Assistance and the borrowing of foreign debts were too frightening! Once investigated, I am afraid that my great contribution will be wasted!

After Zuo Jigao thought about it, the more he thought about it, the more afraid he became, and for several days, he didn't think about tea and dinner, and his sleep and food were wasted.

this day. When Zuo Jigao was worried in the big tent, the attendant came to report. General Kim Soon asked to see him.

Zuo Jigao thought that Jin Shun might bring him good news, and immediately showed joy: "Let him come in!" ”

The attendant was ordered to retreat, and after a while, Jin walked in quickly.

"Hefu came just in time, but An Yi's body has a whereabouts?" Zuo Jigao saw Jin Shun coming in and immediately asked.

"Back to the big handsome, where this An Yi's body is buried, I haven't found it yet, but the last general has already sent more people to investigate, and I think it can be found." Jin Shun estimated that Zuo Jigao might have this question, and immediately said the statement that had been prepared a long time ago, "Our army has caught up with the remnants of Hu Wei (Hu Li Burke) and Bai Wei (Bai Yanhu), and is now engaged with them, Hu Wei has no way to escape, and he should be able to capture him." ”

Listening to Jin Shun's first sentence, Zuo Jigao was originally very disappointed, but Jin Shun's last sentence rekindled the hope in his heart.

"Yes! caught Hu Yi and tortured him severely, not afraid that he would not tell where his father's body was buried! Zuo Jigao said happily.

Seeing Zuo Jigao's excited appearance, Jin Shun couldn't help but sigh secretly in his heart.

As early as the beginning of the western expedition to Agubai, the queen mother of the two palaces repeatedly issued edicts, demanding that Agubai be captured alive, escorted to Beijing, and punished for serious crimes. When the cadres regained Kashgar, Agubai had already fled in advance, and after the cadres regained Yingjisha and Gupasture, there was still no exact whereabouts of Agubai, so the empress dowager of the two palaces issued an edict in the name of Emperor Guangxu to severely reprimand Zuo Jigao Shengtai and other ministers for "failing to rely on their bodies to worry about their diligence, resulting in negligence and poor handling", and asked Zuo Jigao, Agubai "If they don't get it, the ministers and others ask themselves whether they can be called meritorious?" Zuo Jigao was terrified after receiving the order, it was because this time he learned that Agubai and his son and Bai Yanhu were in Urumqi, so he fought an old bone to personally command, and he must catch these rebellious leaders, but he didn't expect that something went wrong, and not an important leader was caught, and after knowing that Agubai was dead and his son fled to the Russian border with Bai Yanhu, he would be so anxious.

"Which army is fighting against Hu Yi now?" Zuo Jigao asked, "Can you send reinforcements?" ”

"Back to the big handsome, Hu Wei and Bai Wei rushed separately, and now the people who are fighting with Hu Wei are Feng Guizeng, Erqing, Fang Chunfa, Chen Baishun four armies, after Hu Wei fled, they have been in hot pursuit, and now the border area will chase Hu Wei." Jin Shun replied, "The pursuers of the white rebels are Wan Huai, Dai Zongqian, Liu Chaopei, and Zhang Jun, and the current battle situation is unknown. The last general sent someone to contact, and this time I don't think I would let them run away again. ”

"Oh." When Zuo Jigao heard the names of Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei, he couldn't help frowning.

At this time, he suddenly had an idea in his heart to get rid of the current crisis.

Of course, if these pursuing soldiers and horses can successfully capture Huli Burke and Bai Yanhu, it will be a different matter, but if the thief chief is allowed to escape, then Dai and Liu can use it to make a fuss! ……

Thinking of the huge trouble that Li Shaoquan brought down Hu Yulin, Zuo Jigao's anger instantly rose.

"Hefu, if the imperial court investigates the damage to Wucheng this time, who do you think should be held responsible?" Zuo Jigao asked Jin Shun quietly.

"This ......" Jin Shun was completely unprepared, so Zuo Jigao's words shocked his heart, he thought about it calmly, and replied, "Marshal, the damage to Wucheng this time was all due to the accidental explosion of the cannon, which ignited the medicine cabinet, causing the first army to be shocked, and Ding Yugui, the commander of the artillery battalion, should be responsible." It's just that Ding Yugui has been blown up and killed. There was a lot of credit before. This responsibility...... Or don't pursue it, right? ”

"It is also common for cannons to explode, Ding Yugui died a very pity, and the responsibility for this army defeat is not his." Zuo Jigao shook his head and said, "When the city was attacked before, there were also cannon explosions, but there was no army rout. Why is this the way it is? It must be someone who fled first and rushed into disarray of the army, so that the whole army was in chaos, and the first person to flee must be punished heavily before he can give an explanation to the court! ”

Hearing Zuo Jigao's words, Jin Shun suddenly understood.

He knew that Zuo Jigao was planning to find a scapegoat to take responsibility for the defeat of the entire army in the Battle of Wucheng and the loss of 4,000 soldiers and horses.

And from Zuo Jigao's words just now, he could already hear who Zuo Jigao was planning to make a scapegoat.

In the first battle of Wucheng, it was Dong Fuxiang's third battalion that entered the city first. Those who entered the city were Dai Zongqian's second battalion and Liu Chaopei's second battalion, and then it was Xu Degong's second cavalry battalion that rescued them. If you want to retreat first, these four people have a share, and Jin Shun knows that it should be Dong Fuxiang who really wants to escape and rush into trouble.

However, Dong Fuxiang is Liu Jintang's subordinate general who ambushed back the bandits, and Xu Degong was promoted by Liu Jintang's late uncle Liu Songshan from the old Hunan camp, all of which belong to the Hunan family, while Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei belong to Li Shaoquan's Huai generals who Zuo Jigao has always regarded as a great enemy, and this time it was Li Shaoquan's confidant Sheng Xuanhuai who overthrew Zuo Jigao's money bag Hu Yulin, so it can be said that Zuo Jigao took advantage of the defeat of Wucheng to take Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei under knife.

"Marshal, in this battle of Wucheng, the last general is the main general of the whole army, and if you want to say that the army is responsible, the last general will not be able to escape the blame......" Jin Shun wanted to dispel Zuo Jigao's thoughts, so he said that he would take responsibility, but before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Zuo Jigao waving his hand.

"Where did He Fu come from! You were with me at the time, and then you gathered the whole army, and then attacked Wucheng, and turned defeat into victory, what is your responsibility? Of course Zuo Jigao will not let Jin Shun take this responsibility, Jin Shun's status in the Western Expeditionary Army is second only to him, above Liu Jintang and Zhang Yao, who he relies on, if Jin Shun is allowed to take responsibility, he Zuo Jigao will naturally not be able to escape the involvement.

Zuo Jigao thought about it, and simply said his internal candidate, "Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei retreated first and back, and the whole army was involved, and the sin was not small!" I should play the court according to the facts, and the guilt of the two of them is clear! If the two of them catch Bai Shun back this time, they can also make the blame, if they let Bai Shun escape again, the two crimes will be punished together, and I can't protect them! ”

"That's what the big marshal said!" Jin Shun knew that Zuo Jigao had already made up his mind, and it was useless for him to say more, so he had to agree with Zuo Jigao's statement.

At this time, he could only hope that Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei would catch Bai Yanhu and exempt him from the status of the scapegoat for the defeat of Wucheng.

Although Jin Shun thought well, it is a pity that the development of things is in the opposite direction.

At this moment, a detective, led by Zuo Jigao's attendants, walked quickly into the big tent.

"But you caught the Thief Chief?" Zuo Jigao couldn't wait to ask.

"Gift...... The handsome ...... "The detective made Zuo Jigao stunned, what he came to report in a hurry was actually bad news, but let Zuo Jigao say this, all the words he originally wanted to say were muffled in his mouth.

"Did you catch it?" Zuo Jigao asked with some annoyance.

"Yu Marshal, our army chased Bai Shun to the Russian border, and finally caught up, and fought with it, Bai Shun was already not supported, but then suddenly the quicksand rose, the smoke and dust covered the sun, our army could not see, half an hour later, the quicksand disappeared, and Bai Shun and General Wan Huai and other people and horses were swept away by the flying sand, and they were nowhere to be found, Dai, Liu, and Zhang led the army to find it, and they were worried that the quicksand would come again, and they strayed into the Russian border, so they turned back and sent the villain to report to the marshal......" Scout said while observing Zuo Jigao's face, When he noticed that Zuo Jigao's face was gradually turning blue, he quickly stopped.

"Humph! The bottom is to let Bai run in reverse! also lost Wan Huai's life! It's hateful! Zuo Jigao said angrily.

Hearing Zuo Jigao's words, Jin Shun's heart sank, knowing that Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei would definitely be unlucky this time.

Just then, another person came in to report it.

"What's the matter? Hurry up! As if knowing that the report was also a war report, Zuo Jigao said impatiently.

"Handsome! Our army caught up with Hu Wei on the west bank of the Culle River, Hu Wei refused to surrender, and our army fought to the death, our army bravely took the lead, Hu Wei could not support, seeing that Hu Wei was about to capture, suddenly a team of Russian soldiers arrived. Attack our troops with a volley of guns. Our army was caught off guard. General Feng Guizeng was unfortunately shot and killed, and General Erqing's horse was shot down by Russian soldiers, and was killed by Hu Wei's remnants, and our army was in chaos, Hu Wei took the opportunity to escape and went with the Russian soldiers...... "The person who came said with grief and indignation.

Hearing the report of the visitor, Zuo Jigao couldn't help but be shocked and angry.

"How unreasonable is that the Russians dare to blatantly respond to Hu Wei!" Zuo Jigao said angrily.

"The Russians forcibly occupied Ili for many years. An Yi occupies Xinjiang, and the Russians have many instigations behind their backs, and this time they openly attacked our army and took Hu Wei away, which is really too deceitful! Jin Shun also said angrily, "The Russians attacked our army first, and the last general asked for an order to lead the army to pursue across the border, and he must capture Hu Yi back to the righteous law and avenge the dead soldiers!" ”

Hearing Kim Soon's request, he led his army across the border to pursue Huli Burke. Zuo Jigao suddenly became silent.

The tent was quiet for a while, and only the rapid breathing of everyone could be heard.

"Now Ili is occupied by the Russians. If you cross the border to pursue, it will give the Russians the excuse that they will not return it, so let's think about it in the long run! Zuo Jigao was sullen for a long time before he said, "I will embody the facts of this place one by one, and then find a way to negotiate with the Russians, Hefu, you go in person and arrest Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei to see me." ”

Jin Shun couldn't help but sigh in his heart when he heard that Zuo Jigao still didn't forget to catch Dai Erjun at this time, but he didn't show it on the surface, but agreed, and then turned around and went out of the account, checked the soldiers and horses, and prepared to set off.

"Damn! This mouth is full of sand, and you can't spit it out! Dai Zongqian, who was riding on the horse, spit out a mouthful of saliva with sand and scolded viciously.

A gentle breeze blew through the dunes, rolling up wisps of fine sand, and the distant sky gradually turned a dull yellow, and an old Uyghur man who served as his guide shouted in the heavily accented Central Plains dialect on the camel: "The trade winds are coming!" Don't stop again! Hu Da bless, there are so many of us, run for your lives! ”

"What? What do you say? Trade wind? Dai Zongqian couldn't help but be stunned when he heard the old man's words.

He didn't understand the old man's words, but the other Uyghur guides did, and they dragged their tired bodies and whipped the camels, at this time they couldn't care about the camels' physical strength, and shouted and urged the camels to run.

"What the hell? Where are you going? Liu Chaopei, who was beside Dai Zongqian, was also unclear, staring at the balls and shouting loudly.

Liu Chaopei's voice did not fall, the sky was still clear just now, as if it had darkened in an instant, the wind came too fast, and more and more fine sand was swept into the air by the wind, and the surroundings were shrouded in overwhelming sand and dust, and the surroundings were not clear at once.

The wind became more and more fierce, the wild sand was raging, everywhere was a dark yellow, and someone was shouting, but Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei couldn't see who was shouting.

Dai Zongqian can only see that next to him is Liu Chaopei, he is the only person Dai Zongqian can identify now, Dai Zongqian wants to talk to Liu Chaopei, but the wind and sand are very fierce, he can't open his mouth, he rides on a camel and gesticulates to him, asking him to call someone to stop the guide running in front.

After such a delay, the twenty-peaked camel ran out dozens of meters away, but fortunately, Liu Chaopei understood what he meant, turned around and shouted a few words, and a few horses rushed out when he boarded.

The footprints of the camels in the desert have been blurred by the wind and sand, and they will disappear soon, Dai Zongqian's heart is anxious, now he feels that his body is like a piece of paper, he can't help himself, he will be swept away by the wind at any time, and he can't hear anything in his ears except the sound of the wind.

He now understood why the guides had run because the sandstorm was coming.

Although the wind and sand at this time were fierce, he knew that this was only the prelude to a great desert storm, and a really violent sandstorm could come at any time, and he could not delay for a moment, and he had to find a place to shelter from the wind immediately.

Thanks to the guides who didn't run too far, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to chase back at all, and after a while, several Huai cavalry intercepted the guides.

Although the men put it back, their camels seemed to be frightened, and they would not run, and no matter how the guides and the old man beat them, they did not listen to the commands, and they slipped in line, squatting in place, and only buried their heads in the sand.

Dai Zongqian remembered that when they came, they saw a lot of camel bones, and when they died, they all retained this posture, as if they were sinners being punished. The old Uyghur man said that these were camels frightened by some kind of black wind and sand, and they knew that the black wind and sand would come soon, and it was useless to run, so they simply knelt on the ground and waited for death.

This situation suddenly appeared, Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei were helpless, are they all waiting to be buried alive by Huangsha? It didn't taste good.

What happened during the battle with the remnants of Bai Yanhu just now is still vivid.

Dai Zongqian couldn't forget the despair in Bai Yanhu's eyes when the mountain-like quicksand struck and swept Bai Yanhu away.

And Wan Huai wanted to capture Bai Yanhu alive, and led people to fight horses and tried to drag him out of the quicksand, but he was all swallowed by the quicksand, and in the blink of an eye, even the people and horses disappeared.

If these things didn't happen in front of his eyes, he wouldn't believe it when he said it.

And now the same bad luck seems to befall them.

When Dai Zongqian and Liu Chaopei were at a loss, Zhang Jun rushed over with a horsewhip, touched Dai Zongqian's arm with a horsewhip, pointed to the west, and motioned for them to look there.

I saw that in the wind and sand, a huge white shadow ran towards them. (To be continued......)

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