Zeng Guofan, who was sitting in Hefei, suddenly lost contact with Zuo Zongtang and others, it had been a few days, they had thought of all the ways they could, and even sent people to search in the valley again, but they didn't even find a single hair, Zuo Zongtang and others disappeared as if out of thin air, leaving not even a trace of the beads.

And the so-called million army, zuihou is dead to death, fleeing, only about 150,000 people can be lucky enough to enter Hefei, it can really be said that it is seven or eight out of ten, Zeng Guofan has never suffered such a huge loss since the army.

Things have reached this point, there is no way to change, Zeng Guofan can only accept the reality, he reorganized the remaining 150,000 people, temporarily stationed in Hefei for training. At the same time, he made a copy of everything that happened here, truthfully played Emperor Xianfeng, and waited for Xianfeng's holy judgment. To tell the truth, Zeng Guofan was ready to die, and if Xianfeng let him die, he would have no complaints, because this was what he deserved. It's just that he is also unwilling, which is the unwillingness to die before he is paid.

Asking for guilt is one thing, and the search for Zuo Zongtang and others is still going on, but there is very little information available, which makes them feel like they are looking for a needle in a haystack, despite this, they do not intend to give up, after all, the body of Zuo Zongtang and others was not found at the scene of the fire, which means that they should still be alive, but if they are still alive, where will they go?

What an unsolvable mystery.

Zeng Guofan also tried to contact the Taiping Army, he wanted to see if the Taiping Army would have a chance to get a little more information than his side, which was also a way out of the way, so Zeng Guohua was ordered to contact Guo Potian.

But the news that Zeng Guohua brought back made him very disappointed, Zeng Guohua did not see Guo Potian as he wished this time, he was received by Guo Potian's personal guard, listening to the guard, Guo Potian went to Anqing Mansion to do business, when he can come back, I am not sure. Hearing this ambiguous reply, Zeng Guohua could only reply in a huff.

Zeng Guofan was helpless, but he could only ask Zeng Guohua to contact Guo Potian as much as possible. After Zeng Guohua agreed, he stepped back.

Not long after Zeng Guohua retreated, Li Hongzhang found Zeng Guofan, and he planned to tell Zeng Guofan about some suspicious things found in the burning valley in the past two days.

"Dashuai, in the past two days, the students have led people to carefully search the valley, and conducted a detailed analysis and research of the accident scene, and the students found traces of arson." Li Hongzhang's words were like dropping a bombshell on Zeng Guofan.

"What, is there any evidence?" Zeng Guofan was shocked and moved.

"There's no conclusive evidence yet, but it's not without a trace." Li Hongzhang said.

"Who would do such a thing, you suppose? Of course, the Taiping army can be excluded for the time being." Zeng Guofan seemed to be expecting what Li Hongzhang was going to say, so he tightened his pockets in advance.

"Dashuai, if you say that, the student will have nothing to say." Li Hongzhang said depressedly.

"Strategist, Ben Shuai is not defending the Taiping Army, the reason why Ben Shuai says this is just that he doesn't want your subjective will to dominate your judgment of objective facts." Zeng Guofandao.

"What if all the evidence shows that the Taiping Army did this?" Li Hongzhang said without showing weakness.

"So what to do, what else to do, there's nothing to say." Zeng Guofan is also unequivocal.

"Okay, Dashuai, you give the student a little time, and the student will find evidence to prove that his judgment must be correct." Li Hongzhang is stubborn.

"Okay, Ben Shuai is happy to see it happen." Zeng Guofan said with a smile.

He had never seen Li Hongzhang speak to him so persistently, and he understood that this student of his was planning to go all the way to the end. He shook his head, not knowing if this was a good thing or a bad thing. If the facts prove that it is really as Li Hongzhang expected, the mastermind of this arson is the Taiping Army, then Zeng Guofan is really planted at home this time.

"If it turns out that there is a problem with the Taiping Army, it means that San'er's disappearance is also inseparable from the Taiping Army, so we can definitely find San'er and them." Li Hongzhang clenched his fists and said.

"Okay, you let go of your hands and feet to investigate, if it is really found that it was the Taiping Army, this commander is willing to bear all the consequences." Zeng Guofan said indifferently.

"Dashuai, San'er didn't mean to target you." Li Hongzhang saw Zeng Guofan say this, and said embarrassedly.

"Ben Shuai understands, you don't have to say anything, and you don't need to have any concerns, the most important thing for us at present is to find San'er and them, and find out the cause of the fire, otherwise, Ben Shuai will be uneasy even if he arrives in the underworld." Zeng Guofan's voice was low, and it seemed that his mood was heavy.

"Dashuai, it's the student who is too rude, please forgive me." Li Hongzhang said with a little trepidation.

"It has nothing to do with you, it's just that Ben Shuai is not happy." Zeng Guofandao.

"Dashuai, don't blame yourself too much, it's not your responsibility to do such a thing." Li Hongzhang comforted.

"Having said that, this commander is the commander of this army, and how can he evade responsibility." Zeng Guofan shook his head and said.

"Dashuai, as San'er said, everything should be considered as much as possible, maybe the truth is not as pessimistic as we think." In this case, Li Hongzhang can only try to pick haode to say.

"Strategist, Ben Shuai understands what you mean, Ben Shuai actually doesn't think about anything now, Ben Shuai's only wish is to find San'er and them as soon as possible, as for anything else, Ben Shuai doesn't care." Zeng Guofandao.

"Dashuai, don't think so, victory and defeat are a common thing in soldiers, we fell this time, learn a lesson, and get up from here next time, didn't Dashuai do the same before, why did he retreat this time?" Li Hongzhang said excitedly.

"Ben Shuai is not retreating, Ben Shuai is a little tired." Zeng Guofan is tired and authentic.

"Dashuai..."Li Hongzhang had a lot to say, but seeing that Zeng Guofan was listless, he swallowed back again.

It seems that Zeng Guofan's anger is really vented.

"Okay, military advisor, what do you want to say, Ben Shuai understands in his heart, you don't say it anymore, if you really want to help Ben Shuai, then you can find a way to find San'er and them as soon as possible, then it can be regarded as a big favor for Ben Shuai." Zeng Guofan waved his hand and said.

"Students must do their best." Li Hongzhang sighed in his heart and said.

"Okay, Ben Shuai waits." Zeng Guofan smiled reluctantly.

"Then the handsome man will have a good rest, and the student will retire first." Li Hongzhang said.

"Oh, by the way, according to the time estimate, the emperor should have received the piece of music presented to the imperial court." Zeng Guofan asked as if he had suddenly remembered.

"If nothing else, it should be these two days." Li Hongzhang said.

"I hope the emperor can understand Ben Shuai's hard work, and try not to embarrass the soldiers, they are already difficult enough, and any responsibility will be borne by Ben Shuai." Zeng Guofandao.

"Shuai, why are you doing this?" Li Hongzhang said.

"Hey, that's all the commander can do for the soldiers." Zeng Guofandao.

"Dashuai, can we find Prince Gong to dredge up?" Li Hongzhang said.

"No need, this matter is too involved, I'm afraid Prince Gong won't be able to speak, besides, Prince Gong still knows the general situation, even if we don't say it, for the sake of the country, he will definitely help, but I don't know what the emperor will think, this matter is too big." Zeng Guofandao.

"Maybe the emperor will look at the fact that the marshal has always been loyal to the country, and maybe he will be open to the marshal." Li Hongzhang said.

"I hope so" Zeng Guofan didn't have a bottom in his heart.

"Dashuai, do we also have to make some preparations?" Li Hongzhang's eyes flickered.

"What preparations, are you saying......no, no, this thing must not be done, military advisor, you listen well, you had better dispel this thought, otherwise, don't blame Ben Shuai for turning his face ruthlessly." Zeng Guofan's face changed, and he said sharply.

"Yes, Dashuai, the student is wrong." Li Hongzhang hurriedly said.

If the matter really reaches the point of no return, Li Hongzhang would rather fight to the death, even if it is against the Qing court, he will not hesitate, he really does not want to see Zeng Guofan suffer such a dismal end, so he had the previous proposal, but he did not expect Zeng Guofan to flatly refuse, Li Hongzhang can only obey. (To be continued.) If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the starting point (biquge.info) to vote for recommendation and monthly pass. Your support is my biggest motivation ......)