Today, Liang will meet his friends, but he met his former protégé in a narrow way, and in a blink of an eye, he became a military advisor in front of the Wing King's tent.

When the old mother was in the ground, Zeng Guofan should have rested, but he proposed to go to the city to see his shop.

What is Zeng Guofan's true intention?

In the eleventh year of Daoguang, Hunan Lianbin Academy, there were four classmates who were very good, they were Xiangyin Xiucai Zuo Zongtang, Xiangxiang Xiucai Luo Zenan, Liu Rong, Xiangxiang Tongsheng Zeng Zicheng, known as the Four Masters of Lianbin. Among the four, Zeng Zicheng is the oldest, the ugliest, but the lowest, and is not favored by the mountain chief Liu Yuantang. Two years later, Zeng Zicheng entered the county school. For another three years, Zuo Zongtang, Luo Zenan, Liu Rong, and Zeng Zicheng participated in the Hunan Township Examination at the same time. tried to unveil the list, Zuo Zongtang and Zeng Zicheng won the promotion, and Luo Zenan and Liu Rong fell to Sun Shan. In the eighteenth year of Daoguang, Zuo Zongtang and Zeng Zicheng entered Beijing together to take the test. Zengzicheng took the thirty-eighth Jinshi in the middle school examination; The first class in the re-examination, the forty-second place in the palace examination, was given the same Jinshi background; The third place in the first class of the court examination was changed to the Jishi of the Hanlin Academy. Since then, Zeng Zicheng has been renamed Zeng Guofan. Zuo Zongtang is a branch of the middle school and returned to his hometown.

Zeng Guofan returned home after mourning, and his old friends for many years were reunited, so he naturally had a lot to say.

For a few days, Luo Zenan and Liu Rong, as soon as they had free time, made an appointment to visit Zeng Guofan. Discuss state affairs and discuss the situation of war.

On this day, Luo and Liu came to Zeng Guofan's study again.

Before the tea was ready, Liu Rong said worriedly: "Disheng, Changsha City has been fighting fiercely for many days, and it is still a matter of whether it can be saved." Luo Shan and I have something to discuss with you, are the three of us moving far away? Zuo Jigao and Guo Yunxian moved to the mountains as early as two months ago. When the long hair comes, it's too late to leave-the main thing is that you are famous, and you are a second-grade high-ranking official known all over the world! ”

Zeng Guofan asked in a hoarse voice: "Hasn't Ji Gao already arrived in Changsha?" ”

Luo Zenan said: "If it weren't for Ji Gao, maybe Changsha would have been broken today!" - Ji Gao is now invited by Zhang Zhongcheng to enter the governor's yamen, not only the master, but also the senior staff! - Zhang Zhongcheng is now inseparable from Ji Gao for a moment! ”

Liu Rong said: "Zhang Zhongcheng was originally a little confused, but the matter of hiring Ji Gao couldn't be clearer!" Now, the busiest person in Hunan is Ji Gao, who is raising salaries for the green camp and is busy giving advice to Zhang Zhongcheng, which is really happy. ”

Zeng Guofan took out a cloth towel and wiped the sweat on his head, and said, "Although Ji Gao is a great talent, I am afraid that the officers and soldiers from all walks of life will not be able to cooperate. I don't know who is protecting Changsha? ”

Luo Zenan said: "Hunan's famous big bastard, the green battalion of Hunan Governor Bao Qibao, this is the main force guarding Changsha at present. Jiang Zhongyuan's Chu Yong was really brave, but the number was too small, only six hundred. There are also two battalions of men and horses in Qingde, and Deng Shaoliang's army, all of which are old soldiers who can only gamble money and can't fight! ”

Guo Huang came in with tea at this time and said, "Do you talk about it after dinner, or do you eat after tea?" ”

Before Zeng Guofan could speak, Luo Zenan said: "Let's have a cup of tea." Chenghou, will you confiscate the team training fee for next month? ”

Guo Huang was about to exit the door, but when he heard this, he hurriedly turned around, clasped his fists with both hands, and replied with the reason of his subordinates to see his boss: "My lord, after my mother's three sevens, I will collect it in person." ”

Luo Zenan raised his hand, and Guo Huang withdrew from the door, which was extremely natural.

Zeng Guofan was stunned at first, and immediately lowered his face and asked: "Luo Shan, I haven't seen you for a few days, how did you mix like this!" ——The official system of the Qing Dynasty, how can it be regarded as child's play! Do you dare to be crazy? - Spread the word about it, and see how you get it! ”

Luo Zenan's face turned red when he was said, and he opened his mouth for a long time, but he didn't say a word.

Liu Rong hurriedly said: "Disheng, don't talk about Luo Shan like that." Luo Shan did this in order to be able to train a decent team - you have been a soldier in the military department, you know, there are no rules, how can you be a square circle? ”

Luo Zenan argued at this time: "Disheng, I also know that this is unseemly, but I also want to cure it!" I admit that I brought a group exercise, but Jiang Zhongyuan also brought a group exercise! He can be called an adult, why can't I be called an adult? ”

Zeng Guofan stared at Luo Zenan with both eyes, and said word by word: "Luo Shan, the more you talk about it, the more you don't look like it!" ——Minqiao is a person who has made great contributions, and he has accumulated merit and has been promoted to the third rank, and has become a recognized general of the Manchu Dynasty. How can you compare yourself to such a court official? - Luo Shan, I can't watch you do foolish things! ”

Zeng Linshu walked in at this time, and Zeng Guofan had no choice but to stop talking.

Zeng Linshu said to Zeng Guofan: "Kuanyi, the meal has been arranged, you and the two ministers will have a meal and then talk." ”

Zeng Guofan had no choice but to stand up and say, "Let's go, after arguing for so long, it's time to be hungry." ”

Luo Zenan stood up embarrassedly and said, "I was sweating all over, I thought I didn't care about eating!" ”

Zeng Guofan said as he walked: "I don't do things that are out of order, and my relatives and friends can't do it!" ”

Liu Rong laughed and said: "I said a long time ago that the bigger Zeng Disheng's official is, the more difficult it will be for us old friends to be people!" What do you think? That's not bad, right? ”

Luo Zenan joked: "I said that I wouldn't be friends with Zeng Disheng, but you and Ji Gao just didn't listen." This time it's good, I can't do it if I want to do it - just wait for the training! ”

The words made Zeng Linshu laugh.

After sending Luo and Liu away, Zeng Guofan learned from Guohua that the day after his mother's death, Zuo Zongtang, who got the news, rushed over from Xiangyin to help the funeral; Early in the morning on the day Zeng Guofan arrived, the sky was still not clear, and a subordinate named Liang Liu from Zuo Mansion came to Zeng's house and asked Zuo Zongtang to return to the house immediately, saying that Zhang Zhongcheng had arrived at the house in a green sedan chair, and kept saying that he wanted to ask Zuo Xianggong for advice. was so frightened that Zuo Laosan was urinating, and before leaving, he whispered to Guohua: "Shouldn't it be that my old Zuo went to Wuchang to grow Mao?" ”

Before Zeng Guohua finished speaking, Zeng Guofan was already stunned, and asked urgently: "What did you say?" Ji Gao will have too long hair when he goes to Wuchang? Who else knows but you? ”

Zeng Guohua replied with certainty: "Brother, Zuo Xiaolian has only told me about this matter. ”

Zeng Guofan let out a sigh of relief: "You scared my brother to death." Guohua, from now on, you are not allowed to talk to anyone about this matter. Who else in the family knows? ”

Zeng Guohua shook his head and said in a low voice: "Except for the eldest brother, I didn't dare to tell anyone. ”

Did Zuo Zongtang really go to Wuchang to visit the Taiping Army?

Zuo Zongtang not only went to Wuchang, but also met the leader of the Taiping Army, Yiwang Shi Dakai.

It was the beginning of the next month of last month, and the small advance force of the Taiping army had just approached the edge of Wuchang City, and was still in the stage of gradual encirclement, and had not yet launched a formal offensive. Zuo Zongtang went to the bamboo forest slope forty miles outside Wuchang City that day to talk about the ancients, and the topic happened to be Zhuge Liang Sanqi Zhou Yu, who Lao Zuo was most interested in, and the wine was Lao Zuo's favorite "daughter red". On that day, several people talked more and more about the topic, and they didn't disperse until very late.

Parting, Zuo Zongtang repeatedly stated that he hadn't talked enough, and he would come back tomorrow and continue to talk.

The owner was not good at refusing, so he had to agree.

When Zuo Zongtang rushed to Wuchang City with a very drunken spirit, he met an eight-lift sedan chair with a yellow tweed embroidered monkey, followed by five or seven people, all with their hair scattered, like a heavenly soldier and a general.

You Zongtang knew that he had met the Taiping Army, so he didn't even avoid it, he just leaned on the side of the road, and stopped to watch.

When the sedan chair came to Zuo Zongtang's side, the person in the sedan chair lifted the curtain and looked out, and he shouted in the sedan chair: "Wu Na man, but Xiangyin Zuo Ji is high and filial piety?" ”

Zuo Zongtang was stunned by the shouting, and couldn't help but open his eyes to take a closer look, but it turned out to be a disciple he had taught named Huang Lin, so he breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, and said: Everyone in the world can call me Zuo Jigao, but I shouldn't be called by you! “

The man came out of the sedan chair and said with a smile, "I can't see it really, so I'm offended." Now that it's real, isn't this just getting off the sedan chair? - Teacher, I'm about to attack Hubei, why are you still hanging around here? ——Hurry up and get on the sedan chair and go back to the camp with me to drink three cups of nectar," as he spoke, he stretched out his hand to pull Zuo Zongtang.

Zuo Zongtang was afraid of being seen by others, so he hurriedly refused and left.

As soon as the entourage who followed Huang Lin saw it, they came out and put Zuo Zongtang's arms on their hands, and without speaking, they stuffed them into the sedan chair.

Zuo Zongtang entered the camp of the Taiping Army in this way.

The military camps of the Taiping army were very scattered, and they lived in several villages, and there were mobile checkpoints at the head of the villages, and no matter who they met, they had to ask: "Long live the king?" "Those who enter the village always have to reply;" The kingdom of heaven is in full swing. The sedan chair passed smoothly.

Zuo Zongtang knew that this was the secret signal of the Taiping Army, and it was inconvenient to ask deeply at the moment, so he was carried straight into a large courtyard before he got off the sedan chair.

Zuo Zongtang stepped down from the sedan chair at the end, and more than a dozen people had already walked out of the house to bow to Huang Linna, saying: "See the two Simas!" ”

Huang Lin waved his hand very angrily, then lifted the sedan curtain, helped Zuo Zongtang off the sedan chair, and then said: "Tell the elder that I invited a master to enter the barracks." ”

One of them promised in his mouth: "According to the instructions of the two Simas, the villain will go to tell him." He turned and walked back into the house.

Zuo Zongtang didn't say a word, and only looked at Huanglin with two eyes.

Huang Lin hurriedly said; "Teacher, please follow me to meet my family leader."

Huang Linyan raised his chest and raised his legs and left, and Zuo Zongtang had no choice but to follow.

As soon as I entered the house, it was a generous hall, and there were monkeys painted everywhere on the wall, some picking and picking, some fishing for the moon, lively and lively, and I couldn't understand a reason; On the tables around the walls, there were more than a dozen large arm-thick candles, and two people were whispering something in the middle of the room.

Zuo Zongtang identified one as Huang Lin's subordinate, and the other was ugly, tall and thin, with a scar on his face.

As soon as Huang Lin entered the square hall, he first knelt down with a thud and said; "Two Sima Huanglin, see the elder pawn! - Long live the Heavenly King! Rejoice in Heaven! ”

The ugly man with a scar raised his eyes to look at Huang Lin, and then at Zuo Zongtang, and suddenly asked: "Huang Lin, which one is this?" - How do you bring people in? If this matter is known to the brigade commander, I can't see you skin! ”

Huang Lin was scolded repeatedly, and said: "Elder Pawn, this is a figure known to the whole of Hunan, his name is Zuo Zongtang, and he is here to vote for my Taiping Army." ”

Zuo Zongtang secretly screamed, "Not good!" Then he began to think of a way to get out.

The tall man stepped over, kicked Zuo Zongtang to his knees with a flying kick, and said: "Since you have joined the army, how can you see that General Ben still does not kneel!" ”

Zuo Zongtang shouted angrily: "I am a guest invited by Huang Lin, how can you be so rude!" ”

The tall man flew up and kicked over, scolding: "Huang Lin is a two Sima who can only lead twenty-five people, what kind of character can he invite!" ——If you enter the camp, you have to abide by the rules of my Taiping Army camp! What is your last name? Who's the people? How many words? - Come quickly, General Ben is impatient and wait!. ”

Huang Lin shouted: "Don't be like this, don't do this, the chief of the pawn must not be like this-" After finishing speaking, the outside suddenly shouted: "The righteous king is here!" The righteous king is coming! - Wait for the righteous king to be 5,000 years old! ”

Zuo Zongtang looked up and peeked in, and saw a burly man in a yellow robe striding in.

The chief and the people next to him hurriedly knelt down and said, "See the five thousand years old of the righteous king - long live the king of heaven!" The righteous king is 5,000 years old! ”

The young man known as the Righteous King swept his eyes, and suddenly pointed at Zuo Zongtang with his hand and said, "Who is this?" How can I not wear my Heavenly Army uniform? ”

Huang Lin hurriedly said: "King Yuyi is five thousand years old, this is Zuo Zongtang, who is famous in Sanxiang!" It was humbly invited to defect to the Fifth Highness. ”

"Hmm-" King Yi snorted with his nose before saying, "You raise your head—are you really Zuo Zongtang?" ”

Zuo Zongtang raised his head and replied: "Zuo Zongtang is Zuo Zongtang, what's wrong with my name!" ”

King Yi pulled his hand and said: "Lao Zuo, please get up quickly, your great name King Gu knows - come!" Hurry up and sit down for Zuo Zongtang! - Rise up too, a few of you. ”

King Yi sat down and said, "I'm Shi Dakai, Zuo Xiaolian should have heard of it-Zuo Xiaolian, please sit down and talk." ”

Zuo Zongtang had no choice but to sit down, sullenly without a word, but began to look at Shi Dakai carefully with his eyes.

Shi Da is about 20 years old, with a slight beard, a square face, thick eyebrows and leopard eyes, a tall and burly figure, a loud voice, and a yellow hat with four horns on his head, which is embroidered with a red king character. The yellow robe is embroidered with a figure who says that men are not like men and women are not like women, stepping on a white cloud, and there are six big characters embroidered next to it: Heavenly Elysium. Come to think of it, the male and female figures are the idols of heaven.

Zuo Zongtang suddenly smiled and said: "I didn't expect the famous righteous king Shi Dakai to be so young and handsome!" A ragged colt may make a good horse! A ragged colt may make a good horse! ”

Shi Dakai also smiled and said: "The lonely king didn't expect that the world-famous Zuo Jinliang is so old - the lonely king didn't expect that Zuo Xiaolian would be able to abandon the darkness and turn to the light so quickly!" What a blessing in heaven! The lonely king will make you the left army division in front of the king's tent! After you have made great achievements, you will report to the king of heaven and give you a bigger official - how about it? ”

Zuo Zongtang said with a smile: "Zuo Laosan came to join the Taiping Army, did he come to get promoted and make a fortune?" - King Yi, don't misunderstand Lao Zuo! ”

King Yi didn't think about it and said: "People who don't want to be promoted, get rich, enjoy glory and hope for wealth have not been born yet!" ”，

Zuo Zongtang didn't expect that this Shi Dakai would make a big wish to a high-ranking official as soon as they met, and it can also be seen from this that this official of the Taiping Army is so worthless!

But he said: "Ji Gao has thanked the righteous king for the reward first-I don't know where the army is going?" ”

Shi Dakai said: "You still need to ask!" Kill the demons, seize the city, sit in the world, and enjoy the blessings! - Okay, the Lone King is still patrolling the camp, you can rest here for the time being, and talk about it in detail tomorrow before the tent. As he spoke, he turned around and said to the chief soldier: "Wait for a good student to serve the left army division in front of the tent - dare to be lazy, and you will not be spared!" ”

The three of them hurriedly knelt down and said, "We will obey the order - the righteous king is five thousand years old!" ”

Someone outside was already shouting: "The righteous king is 5,000 years old!" ”

Shi Dakai strode out, not at all like a prince, but like a woodcutter who was accustomed to walking mountain roads.

When the three of them saw King Yi walking away, they walked up to Zuo Zongtang and knelt down together, saying, "Wait until you listen to the orders of the military master, where is the bed?" ”

Zuo Zongtang didn't think about it and said, "Just put it here." ”

Before going to bed, Zuo Zongtang quietly called Huang Lin into the square hall.

As soon as Huang Lin entered the hall, he immediately fell to his knees, acting as sincere and frightened, and said: "Two Sima Huang Lin knocked to see the 5,000-year-old former military master!" The left army division is 100 years old, 100 years old, 100 years old! ”

Zuo Zongtang pulled down a long face, pretending to be mysterious and said: "Huang Lin, I don't ask you for the time being, you can only tell the truth, you can't hide the slightest, I will tell the righteous king, and seal a big official with you - can you hear clearly?" ”

Huang Lin kowtowed like garlic and said: "As long as the left military division is willing to promote Huang Lin, Huang Lin will definitely repay him even if he is a cow and a horse in the next life-Master military division, what do you want to ask me?" ”

Zuo Zongtang thought for a while and said, "Let me ask you, how big an official is King Yi who has named me a military advisor?" How many products? ”

Huang Lin knelt down and said: "Back to the military division, the military division in front of the righteous king's tent is quite a military aircraft, and it is like a copywriter in the green camp or something, and it is like a master in the yamen." Anyway, the official is quite big, but he is not very in charge of affairs - if the world is unified, I am afraid that it will be even bigger than the Minister of Military Aircraft. ”

Zuo Zongtang smiled and said, "How many princes are there in this heavenly kingdom?" - I listened to this military advisor for a long time, and it seemed like it was nothing, and it seemed like it was nothing. Speaking of officials, it doesn't seem to be an official - you raise your head and reply. ”

Huang Lin bowed his head and replied: "If you return to the army, Huang Lin doesn't dare to raise your head, and Huang Lin doesn't dare to disobey the etiquette system of the Kingdom of Heaven - there are six princes in the Kingdom of Heaven at present, including Long Live the King of Heaven, 9,000 years old in the East King, 8,000 years old in the West King, 7,000 years old in the South King, 6,000 years old in the North King, and 5,000 years old in the Righteous King." There are hundreds of military advisors like you, and there are hundreds of them around each king, so you can only call them a hundred years old. ”

Zuo Zongtang saw that Huang Lin was serious and honest, and he was sincerely afraid, and he couldn't help but curse in his heart: "What a mess!" But he said, "Which of these kings are they?" Who has more power? ”

Huang Lin replied: "Back to the military division, the king of heaven Hong Xiuquan, the king of the east Yang Xiuqing, the king of the west Xiao Chaogui, the king of the south Feng Yunshan, the king of the north Wei Changhui, and the king of righteousness Shi Dakai. Except for the king of heaven, all kings were under the control of the king of the east, and the king of the east had the greatest power. Although Xiao Chaogui, the king of the west, is under the king of the east, he has a lot of power because he is the sister-in-law of the king of heaven. ”

Zuo Zongtang paused, and suddenly said: "According to what you just said, this righteous king is the last, and the power is naturally the smallest. My former military advisor doesn't seem to be as big as the other kings' military advisors, right? ”

Huang Lin replied: "I dare not say it. If you have to let the lowly position say, the lowly position will say, as if you are the youngest. ”

Zuo Zongtang asked again: "How many soldiers are there in the Kingdom of Heaven right now?" ”

Huang Lin replied: "The Heavenly King said that there are many heavenly soldiers and heavenly generals in the Heavenly Kingdom, and they are innumerable. ”

Zuo Zongtang asked: "Huang Lin, you are farming well in Hengchuan, how did you join the Kingdom of Heaven?" - How did you come to do this? ”

Huang Lin replied: "Back to the military division, the king of heaven said that the gate of heaven is open to all people of insight who want to kill the demons. What's more, when you enter the kingdom of heaven, you don't need to take the test to gain fame, you can be promoted and make a fortune just by killing the demons. The kingdom of heaven does not wait for the Qing Dynasty, and the kingdom of heaven only believes in God and does not believe in the emperor. In the kingdom of heaven, there is no father, no king, no mother, no uncle, and when they enter the kingdom of heaven, they are all brothers and sisters. All right! ”

Zuo Zongtang was stunned for a moment and asked: "According to what you said, my mother and my daughter have entered the kingdom of heaven, so they are not my mother and my daughter?" ”

Huang Lin replied: "When I returned to the army, my mother and my daughter entered the kingdom of heaven together, my mother is my sister, and my daughter is my sister." This is the equality of the kingdom of heaven. ”

Zuo Zongtang suddenly smiled and asked, "Huang Lin, I still don't know something." You say that the king of heaven is Hong Xiuquan, but who is this king of heaven? ”

Huang Lin replied: "If you go back to the army, the king of heaven is sealed by God Ye Huohua. ”

Zuo Zongtang hurriedly asked: "Who is Ye Huohua?" ”

Huang Lin said: "Jehohua and Jesus are both God. The fate of man is in the hands of both of them. Jehova and Jesus created man, beasts, birds, and the kingdom of heaven. The will of Jehova and Jesus became the King of Heaven. The king of heaven was sealed by Erye in a dream. ”

Zuo Zongtang further asked: "Where does the surname Ye you said live?" How did he do that? Can you take me to meet him? ”

Huang Lin said: "When I returned to the army, the king of heaven said that Jehohua and Jesus used to live in Israel, and now they live by the side of the king of heaven. Erye wanted to see the king of heaven, so he gave the king a dream. The second Yahweh is the Lord, and we are all lost lambs. ”

Zuo Zongtang asked: "According to you, you are a lost lamb, what are the six princes?" ”

Huang Lin rushed out: "If you return to the army, Huang Lin is divided, and the six princes should be the shepherds who carry the whip." ”

Zuo Zongtang knew that the more he asked, the more bizarre it became, so he waved his hand. Huang Lin knelt down in sweat.

After Huang Lin left, the more Zuo Zongtang thought about it, the more interesting he felt. This kingdom of heaven is truly worthy of this title! It turned out to be cloudy, mountainous, and foggy everywhere! The surname Hong is even more funny, knowing that he is not enough to suppress the crowd and not enough to convince others, so he created a God surnamed Ye to give orders for him. One Jesus is not enough, and another Jesus is added! This is not a talented showman, and it's really a shame that he can figure it out! - Seven messes and eight messes, it's really done! It's convincing! He is a prince and a king, but he has fooled the ignorant people so bitterly!

At that time, Zuo Zongtang didn't know that the church of Yiren believed in God, and this surname was yes, and he thought it was a character made up by Hong Xiuquan out of thin air.

After thinking about it repeatedly for half the night, Zuo Zongtang fell asleep very late.

When I got up early the next day, when I was still having dinner, two people hurriedly walked in and said, "Please ask the military advisor in front of the righteous king's tent to be sealed!" ”

Zuo Zongtang saw that the person who came was holding a square plate in his hand, covered with a yellow cloth, so he curiously lifted the yellow cloth, and sure enough, a shining gold seal was revealed.

Zuo Zongtang stretched out his hand to pick up the gold seal that had been deposited, and after a careful discernment, he saw that it was engraved with sixteen big characters of "The Seal of the Left Army Division in front of the account of His Royal Highness the Wing King of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom", and Zuo Zongtang knew that the righteous king was the mistake of the wing king. Shi Dakai is the Winged King, not the Righteous King.

Seeing Zuo Zongtang playing with the golden seal back and forth, another person said: "Please accept the book." ”

Zuo Zongtang hurriedly put down the gold seal, only to find that there were a few volumes of rough-edged books in another tray, so he hurriedly picked them up with his hands. The two little guys walked out with empty trays in their hands, and their loose hair hung awkwardly behind their heads like a horse's tail.

The books include: five volumes of the Taiping Edict, which is marked with the words "Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan"; "Taiping Rites" one volume; The second volume of the "Book of Heavenly Rules" is marked with the words "All the soldiers of my heavenly kingdom cannot be acquainted with reporters for 20 days."

Zuo Zongtang put the eight volumes of heavenly books up his sleeves, picked up the golden seal and played for a while, and then he was told to use "Tianlu", which means "eating". Zuo Zongtang smiled and followed everyone towards the dining hall.

As soon as I entered the dining hall, the soldiers and soldiers who were using "Tianlu" knelt down together, and said, "Pay homage to the military master." ”

Zuo Zongtang secretly said in his heart: "The etiquette of this long hair is very strict!" ”

The early dew is a black steamed bun kneaded from buckwheat and a vegetable dumpling per person, and the year of disasters here and there is also a lot of abundance.

After the morning dew, Zuo Zongtang saw that King Yi had not yet come to invite him to the big tent, so he called the two Sima Huanglin, ordered the top sedan chair, and said: "This army wants to look around." Huang Lin didn't dare to slack off, and quickly arranged it properly.

Zuo Zongtang sat in the sedan chair very much, Huang Lin personally supported the sedan chair, and the chief arranged more than a dozen servants to escort him, and then walked out of the barracks.

After wandering outside for a while, I came to a mountain. Although the mountain is not steep, it is full of trees, weeds, and ravines.

Zuo Zongtang let down the sedan chair, opened the sedan curtain and said to Huang Lin: "Two Simas, you go back to the barracks first, and I will go into the city to make an appointment with a master, and we will go to the barracks together to serve the kingdom of heaven." This military division has just arrived, and he has not made an inch, and he went to see the Wing King empty-handed, but he can't eat people's jokes? ”

Huang Lin said: "Master Yujunshi, this is not allowed. Once the Wing King pears Yuer, how can he answer the lowly position? - Wait with me back to the barracks. When you see the Wing King, you can do whatever you want, and you have no to do with it! ”

Zuo Zongtang said: "What a dog who doesn't know anything! I am the great army commander in front of the Winged King's tent, and I am willing to win over characters for the kingdom of heaven! Hurry back and wait for me in the barracks, I will be back in the camp before dark!" ”

Huang Lin just blindly accompanied the smiling face, but he didn't allow Zuo Zongtang to leave.

At this moment, it was also the wish of the people, and a group of officers and soldiers came roaring under the banner.

When Huang Lin and the others saw it, how could they still take care of the left military division, they didn't even say hello, they lifted the sedan chair and rushed away, like a rabbit, and disappeared in an instant.

Zuo Zongtang leisurely entered Wuchang. Not only did he turn a few volumes of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but he also knew some of the etiquette system of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom - it's a pity that the well-made gold seal never came out.

After listening to Guohua's narration, Zeng Guofan couldn't help but be happy in his heart: Lao Zuo took a trip to the long-haired camp, and he will definitely be able to explore some fiction and reality.

Guohua left the study, Zeng Guofan suddenly felt lightheaded and weak, so he walked to his father's room and said hello to his father, before staggering to the bedroom alone, changing clothes and lying down.

It was just past noon, Mrs. Yuying and the child were not there, and Zeng Guofan happened to be sleepy.

Yuying was busy in the kitchen for most of the day, and looked around at the children, and saw that Yahuan Hei Ni was chasing butterflies frantically in the back garden with them, so she told Hei Ni: "Nier, don't let the children go crazy, play for a while and it will end." ”

Heini agreed, a little unhappily, and turned back into the butterfly chase.

Yuying stopped and watched for a while, then walked out of the garden and walked back to the bedroom step by step.

As soon as I entered the bedroom, I saw Zeng Guofan only wearing shorts and pants, with a layer of sweat beads hanging on his head, and he was sleepy.

Yuying hurriedly took out a blanket and covered it with her husband, but Meng Ding found that Zeng Guofan's exposed belly was covered with dense small red spots, which was clearly an attack of ringworm.

Yuying hurriedly exited the bedroom, came to the hall to find the third brother of the Nan family, and asked, "Third brother, the eldest young master's body is a little bad, and the red dots are all overgrown, shouldn't it be that ringworm has attacked again?" - Have you ever brought back the plaster? Let's put a post on him while he's asleep? It saves him from waking up and feeling uncomfortable. ”

The third brother of the Nan family hurriedly came to the study, turned out the bamboo box that Zeng Guofan brought back from Beijing, found the plaster, and handed it to Yuying.

Yuying took the plaster two into the bedroom, and saw that Zeng Guofan had not woken up yet, so she quietly lifted her husband's clothes, gently pasted the plaster on her chest, and then flattened the clothes and covered the blanket.

Zeng Guofan slept until sunset before opening his eyes. Seeing that there was an extra blanket on his body, and a plaster was stolen on his chest, he couldn't help but say to himself: "The gold and silver nests outside are not as good as your own kennels!" ”

Yuying was sitting in the outer compartment of the bedroom at this time, mending Ji Ze's pants, listening to the movement inside, hurriedly pushed away the work in her hand, walked in lightly, and asked in a low voice, "Don't sleep for a while?" ”

Zeng Guofan said with a smile: "I have been an official for more than ten years, and I slept soundly this night—it's nothing, right?" ”

Yuying said: "Luo Xianggong has been here for a while. I saw that you slept soundly, so I didn't call you. Nothing will happen, will it? ”

Zeng Guofan hurriedly got out of bed and said as he walked out: "The fierce battle in Changsha is in full swing, and Xiangxiang and Changsha are only half a day by water. Long hair broke Changsha, how could he let go of Zeng Shilang, who was worried at home! ”

Luo Zenan was sitting in the study and drinking tea accompanied by Guohuang, when he saw Zeng Guofan walking in, he hurriedly stood up and said, "If you don't wake up again, I'm going to break into the palace!" ”

Zeng Guofan sat down and asked, "Changsha dare to be broken?" ”

Luo Zenan replied: "Finally, Ji Gao is talented, Zhang Zhongcheng is lucky, Changmao has withdrawn from the siege this afternoon." ”

When Zeng Guofan heard this, he hurriedly said to Guohuang: "Chenghou, quickly make a pot of tea and come in." Luo Shan and I replaced wine with tea and drank three cups of him for the people of Hunan! ——Ji Gao is out of the mountain, Hunan is lucky! What a blessing in the world! ”

Luo Zenan said: "The withdrawal of long hair from the siege cannot be attributed entirely to Ji Gao alone. Jiang Minqiao's loyalty, courage and tenacity, Zhang Zhongcheng's appropriate scheduling, and the mutual cooperation of officers and troops from all walks of life were all factors that contributed to Changmao's withdrawal from the siege. Disheng, I came to you because I have something to discuss. ”

"How?" Zeng Guofan couldn't help but be stunned when he saw Luo Zenan's words solemnly, and asked, "What is worthy of your Luo Shan's attention?" ”

Luo Zenan said: "Disheng, you are a person who has been a soldier in the military department - I want to do a drill in my regimental training, I want you to take a look, what still needs to be improved." Long hair dies, my heart of Hunan is not dead! ”

Guo Huang came in with tea at this time, poured a cup for Luo Zenan and his eldest brother, and then stood next to him and listened to the two of them talking.

Zeng Guofan pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Luo Shan, I am now a person who has returned to his hometown. According to the official system of the Qing Dynasty, officials are worried, and they are no different from the people. Don't say that I've been a waiter, even if I've been a scholar, I can't overstep the system! You can't even participate in local events! ”

Luo Zenan thought for a while and said, "Disheng, there is another rare thing I want to tell you, do you know what is written on the flag that Changmao encircled Changsha this time?" Say it and laugh people to death - 'Peel the last and Zhang Liangji, and capture the head of Ding Youzeng's demon alive.' ’”

Zeng Guofan stood up suddenly, and said, "I haven't fought with them, why do you want to capture me alive?" What a nonsense! ”

Luo Zenan smiled: "You have to argue with Long Hair." Guess what Zhang Zhongcheng said? - Kill me as a local governor, and I have to spare a second-grade squire! It is a blessing to be able to bury the world-famous Zeng Disheng! Ha ha. ”

"This Zhang Liangji!" Zeng Guofan sat down again and said to himself: "The long-haired rebellion this time is more fierce than before. Half of this is due to natural and man-made disasters, and half of it is due to the racial discrimination of the Qing Dynasty-"

Guo Huang suddenly said: "Big brother, I said something that shouldn't be said, the Manchurians have entered the customs and have ruled the Han people for more than 200 years, it seems that they should also-"

Zeng Guofan didn't allow Guohuang to finish speaking, so he stood up his triangular eyes and shouted: "Presumptuous!" No nonsense! Shouldn't you discuss the major affairs of the court? ”

Guohuang was blushing with shame when he was said, and hurriedly withdrew from Nuonuo.

Luo Zenan saw that he was not speculative, so he had no choice but to stand up in a daze.

Zeng Guofan said: "Luo Shan, you know, my mother is not out of Sanqi, I can't go out." ”

Luo Zenan said: "Disheng, I didn't let you break the rules. How will you set the time? ”

Zeng Guofan pondered for a moment: "Luo Shan, do you think this is good-my mother is out of Sanqi, I want to go into the city to see the cloth shop." If I have time, I'll take a look at your soldiers—I'll be silent before I have anything to say! ”

When Luo Zenan heard this, he hurriedly said: "We are determined by our words. When the time comes, I will send a sedan chair to pick you up from the shop. ”

At the dinner table, Zeng Guofan whispered to his father and younger brothers: "No matter how we talk about Changmao and the Qing Dynasty outside, we can only listen, not say a word." My family was blessed by the rain and dew of the Great Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, so that today's weather is not ordinary people. Chenghou, you have to understand the mood of the eldest brother. Although the eldest brother is an official in Beijing, he is not cautious in his words and deeds, but he is afraid that because of his words and deeds, he will attract the envy of others, and he will bury the disaster of killing himself for himself and the Zeng family. ”

Guo Huang hurriedly stood up and said, "What the eldest brother said is that Chenghou will no longer talk nonsense. ”

Zeng Lin wrote: "A few of you, you all take the words of the eldest brother to heart. It is not easy for the Zeng family to get to this point! ”

After the meal, Zeng Guofan first took his younger brothers and sisters to the old mother's spiritual seat to worship and burn incense according to the custom, and then went to his father's study to drink tea and talk.

Ji Ze tightly grasped the hem of Zeng Guofan's back coat with his hand, and followed him step by step, all the way to his grandfather's study. In his grandfather's study, Ji Ze stood behind Zeng Guofan, quietly listening to the adults.

Yuying was afraid that Ji Ze was in the house and it would be inconvenient for the adults to speak, so she asked Ji Ze to go outside to play with her younger brothers and sisters. Ji Ze just refused.

Zeng Lin said: "Ji Ze damn it, just let Ji Ze be in the house." This kid hasn't seen his father for many years, and it's pitiful, so don't be embarrassed for him, he doesn't get in the way. ”

When Yuying heard this, she had to walk out.

Zeng Guofan pulled Ji Ze in front of him, touched his head with his hand, and suddenly asked his father: "Dad, our family has been in the city for two years, how is it?" ”

Zeng Lin Shu sighed and said, "You don't ask, my father is also thinking about it with you these days." When my Zeng's cloth shop first opened, Hunan was in the midst of a major drought, and it was always struggling to support and barely maintain. At the beginning of this year, business was on the rise, but there was a fuss-Dad's plan, when you are tired, go to the shop to have a look. If you can do it, you can do it, and if you can't do it, just shut it down. Anyway, there are still 100 acres of land, and I can't go hungry at the moment. ”

Zeng Guofan took a sip of tea and said, "Dad, everything should be done sooner rather than later, I might as well go to the city to have a look after burning Sanqi for my mother." ”

Zeng Linshu asked: "Kuanyi, listen to the third child of the Nan family, your body is a little bad?" ”

Zeng Guofan said: "It may be damp." However, the plaster was applied, and it was all sent out, and it was not in the way. ”

Guohua said: "These days the road is not very quiet, and there are always idle long hairs. Then I'll go with my eldest brother, and I can take care of it. ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Wen Fu is also worried. Bring Wang Jingqi, and then call Xiao Jiafusi, the four of us, even if we encounter a handful of long hair, we are not afraid. ”

Ji Ze whispered: "I also want to go with my father." ”

Zeng Guofan knew that his son was afraid that he would be the same as before when he would go, so he smiled and said: "Good, take good care of the house with grandpa, dad has to wait a few days before going to the county seat." When Dad comes back from the city, he will take you to Badouchong to hunt birds. ”

"Really?" Ji Ze jumped so high that he ran out and said, "I'll tell my mother, my father finally agreed to take me to catch birds!" ”

Zeng Linshu looked at his grandson's back and said to Zeng Guofan: "Kuanyi, if you have time, just accompany Ji Ze Niang'er a few more times - I heard that I took him to catch birds, and I saw how happy the child was!" ”

Zeng Guofan smiled bitterly, although he didn't say anything, his heart was sour. He owes this family a little too much. (End of chapter)