While talking and laughing, the Hunan army and Duan Yihu set off again and led the army to join the army led by Zeng Guofan.

Li Hongzhang and others led the army all the way forward, quite a bit like an arrow.

On the way, they met a messenger sent by Zeng Guofan, who said that he had brought a letter from the marshal to General Duan Yihu. When Duan Yihu heard this, he hurriedly dismounted and bowed down to take the letter.

He opened the letter and saw that it was Zeng Guofan's reply to his previous request to help Li Hongzhang. As he expected, Zeng Guofan agreed to his request, and not only that, but he also strictly ordered Duan Yihu to go to the aid as quickly as possible.

At the same time, Zeng Guofan also affirmed Duan Yihu's rescue of Hu Linyi in the letter, and asked Duan Yihu to convey his greetings to Hu Linyi.

After reading it, Duan Yihu handed the letter to Li Hongzhang, Li Hongzhang took the letter in surprise, he didn't understand why Duan Yihu wanted to forward the letter that Zeng Guofan gave him to himself, this was what Zeng Guofan pointed out to Duan Yihu, he read the letter with doubts, and he understood why Duan Yihu handed the letter to himself.

Zeng Guofan's concern for Hu Linyi, Li Hongzhang is empathetic, he only feels warm in his heart.

Li Hongzhang handed the letter back to Duan Yihu and urgently ordered the army to speed forward, he was like a wanderer who had been away from home for many years, and he couldn't wait for a moment to see Zeng Guofan.

After a non-stop and rapid march, the Hunan army finally joined up with the army led by Zeng Guofan.

As soon as everyone met, Li Hongzhang and the generals were excited to pay homage to the marshal.

"Dashuai, the students will meet Dashuai." After Li Hongzhang finished speaking, he knelt on the ground with the generals in excitement.

"You don't have to be polite, get up, we don't need this, we don't need this." Zeng Guofan immediately stepped forward and helped Li Hongzhang and the generals on the ground one by one.

Zeng Guofan stood still in front of everyone, his soft gaze swept over their faces one by one, and for a moment, he seemed to have a thousand words in his heart, but he didn't know where to start.

"Dashuai, the student has the trust of Dashuai, and please punish Dashuai." Li Hongzhang, who was kneeling on the ground, broke the silence.

"Shaoquan, why do you say this?" Zeng Guofan's face changed and he changed his course.

"Dashuai, the student is willing to take the responsibility for the defeat of Hefei." Li Hongzhang's words were serious, and there seemed to be a sad look on his face.

"Shaoquan, this is not your sin, why blame yourself." Zeng Guofan waved his hand and said comfortingly.

"Shuai, you're not right. In this battle of Hefei, more than half of the Hunan and Chu troops were lost, and the students, as the temporary commanders, really have to bear the main responsibility, and they hope that the marshal will judge impartially." Li Hongzhang insisted that Zeng Guofan punish himself.

In this battle, the Hunan army suffered heavy losses, Li Hongzhang was really guilty in his heart, he hoped that Zeng Guofan could punish him, or at least scold him fiercely, so that he would feel better.

"Shaoquan, why do you bother, victory or defeat is a common thing in soldiers, this commander originally thought that the Hunan army was bound to be wiped out after this battle, but the result was unexpected, and now I can see that you are safe and sound, I am very relieved, I am very relieved!" Seeing that Li Hongzhang and the generals were able to return safely, Zeng Guofan was happy in his heart.

"Marshal, if you insist on not punishing it, then how can you comfort those dead Hunan soldiers, which makes the students' hearts uneasy for a lifetime." Li Hongzhang said bitterly.

"Shaoquan, your feelings, Ben Shuai can understand, but Ben Shuai does not approve of your way of dealing with this matter, if you just ask for punishment because of guilt, Ben Shuai thinks there is no need for this." Zeng Guofan sighed lightly and said leisurely.

"But, teacher, student, student..."Zeng Guofan's words left Li Hongzhang speechless.

"If you really can't get over this hurdle in your heart, you should think more about the future, think more about how to kill the Qing army more, and avenge them, this is the right way." Zeng Guofan continued.

Zeng Guofan knew that it was useless to say anything now, this level, everything depends on Li Hongzhang himself, only if he figures it out himself, then this hurdle can be overcome.

"Teacher, the student's heart really hurts." Li Hongzhang's expression was painful, and his heart was even more painful.

"Shaoquan, no one else can help you in this matter, you can only seek relief by yourself, but you have to remember one sentence, everything looks forward." Zeng Guofan knew that this kind of thing mainly had to rely on himself, and he couldn't do anything about it.

"Yes, Teacher." Li Hongzhang understood the meaning of Zeng Guofan's words. But that's easier said than done.

Zeng Guofan looked at Li Hongzhang, who had a painful face, patted him lightly on the shoulder, and then cast an encouraging look. He couldn't help, but he didn't want to see his most proud student live in pain for a long time.

After the conversation with Li Hongzhang came to an end, Zeng Guofan hugged Luo Zenan, Hu Linyi, and Peng Yulin one by one, shook hands, and sent enough words of encouragement.

Zeng Guofan knew in his heart that it was not easy for the Hunan army to come to this point, and it was even more difficult for the generals.

After exchanging feelings with the generals, Zeng Guofan asked Li Hongzhang and others to gather all the Hunan army soldiers, and he had something to say.

The army was immediately concentrated, and Zeng Guofan's current presence in front of all the Hunan troops praised their fearless dedication, welcomed them to return safely, and encouraged them to make persistent efforts and create more brilliance in the new environment.

After doing this, Zeng Guofan asked about the detailed casualties of the Hunan army.

Li Hongzhang had already made preliminary statistics on the way here, and the reason why he was so excited to ask Zeng Guofan to punish him was also related to the results of this casualty statistics.

In the battle of Hefei, the Hunan and Chu armies invested a total of 100,000 troops, a total of 100,000 horses, and only about 90,000 people were able to come back alive, and a small number of them were injured.

On the whole, the battle losses that occurred this time were mainly concentrated in Hu Linyi and Peng Yulin's department, and the combined losses of the two troops amounted to 60,000 people, which is not unmistakable.

Generally speaking, since Zeng Guofan led the Hunan army out of the army, in just a few years, the Hunan army has lost most of the men and horses, and now this bit of wealth can only get a fraction of the original heyday.

The Hunan army is no longer as prosperous as it used to be.

"Dashuai, we only have so much strength left now, will the Taiping Army..."Li Hongzhang was worried that the Taiping Army would underestimate them because of their declining strength.

"Shaoquan, you are too careful, only when you really understand the Taiping Army, will you understand that some things are not as you and I imagined before, and they are not as rumored outside. Ben Shuai believes that the Taiping Army will not disappoint you, nor will it disappoint our brothers in the Hunan Army." Zeng Guofan's voice is getting softer and softer.

"Yes, with the words of the handsome, the students are also relieved." Li Hongzhang saw that Zeng Guofan was so confident, and he was inconvenient to say more.

"Okay, Shaoquan, order the army, rest on the spot, and wait for the next instructions." Zeng Guofan saw that everything that should have been said was finished, and it was time for these hard-working soldiers to rest and rest.

"Yes, Dashuai, the student will arrange it immediately." Li Hongzhang is also tired.

"Good. After you're done. Let's go and rest early, presumably it won't be long before Marshal Huang arrives, and after the marshal comes, we will discuss big things." Zeng Guofan nodded and said.

"Is Marshal Huang coming?" Li Hongzhang had already heard Zeng Guofan say a lot about Huang Xu, and he was looking forward to meeting him.

"Yes, the marshal has asked people to send the news, and the marshal should already be on his way." Zeng Guofan said with a smile.

"Dashuai, after resting. What are the arrangements for the army?" Li Hongzhang was silent for a moment. I couldn't help but ask.

"Everything will be decided after the marshal arrives." Zeng Guofan didn't want to say more.

"Yes, Sir." Li Hongzhang is a smart person. Of course I won't ask any more.

"Okay, Shaoquan, you go down first, after arranging the army, go to rest first, after the marshal comes, the marshal will send someone to call you." Zeng Guofan said again.

"Yes, the student quits." Li Hongzhang nodded obediently, and then retreated.

Zeng Guofan looked at Li Hongzhang's tired back. I couldn't help but shake my head, thinking to myself, it's really embarrassing for this disciple of my own.

To be honest, he was very grateful to Li Hongzhang in his heart. (To be continued......)