Reading guide in this chapter: Zuo Zongtang has a clever plan, Hubei government offices move out of Changsha; Qi Liaozao's article was folded, which caused the anger of today's saint Longyan.

At the critical moment of Zeng Guofan's life and death, a pickled Taoist broke in again.

The pickled Taoist came from Guangxi and claimed that there was a big deal to give to Zeng Guofan.

Mysterious Taoist, mysterious business; The clouds are treacherous, and the dangers are everywhere.

What did Zuo Zongtang write about this excerpt for Zhang Liangji?

There are a few sentences in the excerpt: Changmao has more and more troops stationed in Wuchang, and it is no longer a one-day achievement for the official army to recover Wuchang. Changsha originally had 3,200 officers and soldiers, which later increased to 25,000; After the Hubei Governor's Yamen, the Political Envoy Department, the Inspector's Office, and the Admiral's Office were moved to Changsha, the Changsha garrison soared to more than 30,000 people, and there were almost no troops and officials everywhere. Nowadays, the deployment of troops in Changsha is not only quite difficult, but also the transfer of troops in Hubei is even more difficult; The two lakes could not be replenished, but they were contained, which was very unfavorable to the suppression of bandits. Eighty miles south of Changsha City, the minister planned to build the Hunan Governor's Yamen, the Political Envoy Division, and the Yamen of the Inspectorate Department, for the purpose of doing things and guarding the city.

Zuo Zongtang said the opposite, not to mention letting the Hubei governor yamen move out, but to say that for the convenience of doing things, his own government wanted to move out of Changsha to make room for Hubei officials.

As soon as Xianfeng received Zhang Liangji's statement, he immediately issued an order: All the official offices below the yamen of the governor of Hubei should be moved to a place 80 miles away from Changsha City within a time limit to facilitate the suppression of bandits.

At that time, Qinglin had no silver and no military salary, and the officials could not pay their salaries. When he received the holy decree, he did not dare not do it. After thinking about it again and again, I had to go to Changsha to survey the terrain and find ready-made houses. A group of Hubei officials traveled outside Changsha for more than ten days before they found a Guandi temple eighty miles south of Changsha City. It is impossible to know when this temple was built, there are dozens of houses, although dilapidated, but it can also shelter from the wind and rain.

Qinglin was overjoyed when he heard the report, and hurriedly came to Zhang Liangji for help.

Zhang Liangji was also refreshed, and immediately Xu Youren took out 30,000 taels of silver from the treasury for Qinglin to make an emergency.

With these 30,000 taels of silver as the foundation, the Hubei governor's yamen, the feudal division, the military division, the governor's mansion and other large and small official offices were soon moved to the Guandi Temple. Changsha is a little quiet. Unbeknownst to him, less than ten days after the government offices at all levels in Hubei were settled, the Taiping army suddenly withdrew heavy troops from Wuchang and attacked other provinces, leaving less than 1,000 people in the city to guard. Qinglin and Qi Shan saw that there was an opportunity, and immediately led all walks of life to gallop to Wuchang, and drove away the Taiping army defending the city effortlessly. Qinglin and Qishan entered the city overnight, and the good news to the imperial court was also sent away in the middle of the night.

The next day, when Qinglin and Qi Shanzheng were supervising the soldiers and the people to repair the yamen, a holy oracle flew in: there is a royal history to participate in it, and since Qinglin only took office, the battle situation has not improved. etc. Qinglin's work was made before being dismissed from the army. The governor of Hubei is still supplemented by Chang Dachun. Xianfeng is like this today, and tomorrow is like that, and the suspicion begins to attack in full force.

Changsha was just quiet, but at this time, the Jingshi was noisy because of a twist. The excerpt was on Qi Liaozao, a university scholar and minister of military aircraft.

Qi Liaozao was originally a very literary official. The beginning of the excerpt starts with Changmao, and then talks about the suppression of bandits, and only then does the suppression of bandits cut to the theme: Cantonese bandits are rampant, and the dynasty cannot be abandoned. The slave was close to the people of Hunan to fold a share, and the right attendant of the Ministry of Rites, Zeng Guofan, was rampant in the countryside during the Ding Worry, and regarded himself as an important minister of the court. If something is summoned, if there is a slight negligence, it will be bad to speak to each other at best, and it will be a strict claim. The local people were afraid of the power of the officer, so they could only babble and cry, often crying at night, and the people often heard the crying. Recently, he has even interfered in local political affairs, especially the murder of 54 innocent people on one occasion. aroused the indignation of the people, the lake was shaken, and the discussion was noisy. The suppression of bandits is urgent, and the DPRK cannot but be unscathed. The slaves secretly thought that according to the family law of the ancestors and the laws of the Qing Dynasty, those who dared to interfere in local political affairs would be killed. The slave checked the former right attendant of the Ministry of Rites, Zeng Guofan, and all kinds of bad deeds are true, and they are by no means false. My emperor worked hard all night, but the courtiers dared to play the law of the country, which is really a loss of conscience.

The excerpt concludes with three sentences: not killing Zeng Guofan is not enough to revitalize the dynasty; Not killing Zeng Guofan is not enough to win the hearts of the people; Not killing Zeng Guofan is not enough to pacify the Cantonese bandits!

Qi Liaozao used a sentence structure in the compromise to see the neatness of the article.

After Cezanne was dismissed and questioned, Qi Liaozao's ranking in the military aircraft division jumped from second to first, and the ranking of university scholars was also after Cezanne. Now, he is the number one in both the ranking of the scholar and the ranking of the Minister of Military Aircraft. At this time, the excerpt on the Qi Liaozao Xianfeng is still very important.

Xianfeng didn't have time to finish reading Qi Liaozao's excerpts, and he was already shaking with anger. This Zeng Guofan is too bold. Xianfeng didn't think about it, so he picked up the pen and criticized it next to Qi's fold, "The Hunan Governor Yamen quickly found out this matter." If the verses are true, behead them on the spot! ”

Putting down the pen, he took a sip of tea, and suddenly felt that something was wrong with the batch. Then he picked up the pen again, first erased a line of words in the previous batch, and then wrote below: "The Hunan Governor Yamen quickly ascertain this matter, and if the sections he participated in are true, he will send someone to quickly dismiss Zeng Guofan and escort him to Beijing to ask for guilt!" After writing and reading it, I realized that there was a clerical error: Zeng Guofan was already worried and had no official position. The word "dismissal" was immediately erased, and the word "Ding Wei" was marked below, and this sentence became: "The Hunan Governor Yamen quickly ascertain the matter, and if the sections he participated in were true, he sent personnel to quickly send Zeng Guofan Ding Wei to Beijing to ask for guilt." ”

Xianfeng thought that it was done, put down the pen again, and read it, but it didn't make sense. He was so angry that he smeared it with heavy ink again.

"This Zeng Guofan!" Xianfeng muttered: "None of the things that involve him go smoothly!" ”

He immediately announced that the sixth brother Gong Qin Yixun, the university scholar Wenqing, the minister of military aircraft Qi Liaozao, Zhou Zupei and others came to see him.

Several important ministers followed up in turn, kowtowed, and said goodbye. Xianfeng waved his hand impatiently.

Xianfeng handed the fold of Qi Liaozao to Prince Gong and said, "This Zeng Guofan is angry!" ”

Prince Gong took it with both hands and just glanced at it and said, "Your Majesty, the person who handed the fold should be beheaded." ”

Xianfeng was stunned for a moment, and asked urgently: "How do you speak like this?" ”

Prince Gong pointed to the fold with his hand and said: "Back to the emperor, according to the law established by my ancestors, the fold must be handed over to the fold, and the page must be clean and tidy." There are those who smear privately, and there is no forgiveness for killing! After finishing speaking, he raised his hands above his head and said, "Please let the emperor know!" ”

Qi Liaozao secretly glanced at the fold, and Meng Ding found that the page had been smeared out of shape, and he still used a red pen; The excerpt he remembered was not only clean, but also particularly neat. Qi Liaozao's face was dripping with sweat.

Xianfeng took the fold suspiciously, and even yelled: "Qi Liaozao! ”

Qi Liaozao trembled, knelt on the ground with a thump, and said while kowtowing: "Slaves don't dare to do this!" Someone must have tried to frame the minions! - Please the emperor to see! ”

Xianfeng then remembered that the stain on it was smeared by himself, so he said: "Qi Liaozao, I don't blame you for this matter-I want to ask you, how do you know about meddling in political affairs during the period of Ding Wei of Zeng Guofan?" Did he kill someone, or did he instruct his family to do it? ”

Qi Liaozao said: "Thank you for the emperor's grace, go back to the emperor, Zeng Guofan's matter, the slave found out from Hunan." ”

Xianfeng nodded, and asked Wen Qing casually: "Wen Qing, tell me, should you behead Zeng Guofan on the spot, or escort him to Beijing?" ”

Wen Qing replied: "When I went back to the emperor, the slave thought that what the emperor did made sense. - But the slave dared to ask, what did the excerpt of the Hunan Governor's Yamen say? Zhang Liangji should always have an idea, right? ”

As soon as Xianfeng heard this, he immediately asked Qi Liaozao: "Yes, it wasn't Wen Qing who reminded me, I forgot to ask you." What about Zhang Liangji's excerpts? ”

Qi Liaozao was stunned: "Back to the emperor, Zhang Liangji didn't make an excerpt?" Why did Zhang Liangji make an excerpt? - The emperor is clear, it was Zeng Guo who interfered in political affairs during the period of Ding Wei, not Zhang Liangji! ”

This time it was Emperor Xianfeng's turn to be stunned.

Prince Gong took a step closer at this time and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is clear——。 ”

Xianfeng suddenly waved his hand and said, "Qi Liaozao, how old are you this year?" ”

Qi Liaozao replied honestly: "Back to the emperor, the slave will be sixty years old in three days this year. ”

When Xianfeng heard this, he couldn't help but say to himself: "No wonder! Sixty years old! Qi Liaozao, I want to ask you: Zhang Liangji didn't make the excerpt, how did you know that Zeng Guofan interfered in political affairs during the period of Ding Wei? And killed people! Did someone from Hunan Province say it to you? What is it - since the founding of the Qing Dynasty, which Ding dare to be so bold during the period of worry? You are the old minister of the former emperor, you can't listen to the wind! You are the Minister of Military Aircraft, not the Imperial History! ”

Qi Liaozao was already frightened, and said while kowtowing: "If the slave goes down, he will go to Hunan to investigate in detail, and if the slave goes down, he will go to Hunan to investigate in detail!" ”

Prince Gong said at this time: "In front of the emperor, I have no part to speak. But Qi Liaozao, you've done this too outrageously! No one has checked it yet. I gave the emperor such an excerpt first-really! ”

After the ministers went down, Xianfeng passed Su Shun into the palace again.

After Su Shun entered the palace, he hurriedly knelt down and asked Sheng An, Xianfeng didn't let him get up, and asked: "Su Shun and Qi Liaozao gave me a break, saying that during the period of Ding Worry, Zeng Guo Fan interfered in political affairs and killed many people. I want to ask you what you think. ”

Su Shun thought for a while and said, "What did Zhang Liangji say? ”

Xianfeng said: "Zhang Liangji has to have an excerpt, isn't this thing easy to do?" ”

Su Shun asked: "The slave dares to ask, how did Qi Liaozao know about this?" ”

Xianfeng smiled and said: "Su Shun, they all say that your head is easy to call, I think I praised you - how did Qi Liaozao know about this, if I knew, do I need to ask you?" Dog minion, speak! ”

Su Shun knelt and didn't say a word, only the Western bell in the room muttered and muttered.

After a long time, Xianfeng said: "Su Shun, why don't you speak?" ”

Su Shun said: "Back to the emperor, according to the slaves, what Qi Liaozao did is too ridiculous!" Zeng Guofan's temperament, the emperor knows better than everyone - the slave boldly believes that there is another hidden truth here. Please ask the emperor to take a clear look. ”

Xianfeng asked rhetorically: "According to what you said, is someone defiling Zeng Guofan?" ”

Su Shun replied: "When I go back to the emperor, the servants don't know." The emperor might as well send Zhang Liangji an inquiry and see what Zhang Liangji says. ”

Xianfeng thought for a while and said: "Su Shun, today Qinglin gave me a break, saying that Hubei is currently due to insufficient troops, and it is quite difficult to recover Wuchang, and I ask for another 5,000 people. Hechun in the south of the Yangtze River is now also saying that the troops are insufficient. I asked Bai Ye today. Bai Ye said that all the troops that could be transferred were transferred. Tell me that if this force is insufficient, there is no way to think about it? Where did the hairy centaurs come from? What about my soldiers of the Qing Dynasty? ”

Su Shun thought for a while and said: "Back to the emperor, the slave thinks that there is still a force method, I don't know if it will work." It is to transfer iron horses from Mukden and Mongolia. ”

Xianfeng was stunned for a moment, and said, "Su Shun, except for this, there is no other way?" ”

Su Shun replied: "Go back to the emperor, and beg the emperor to give two days of grace, so that the slave can think about it." ”

After Su Shun withdrew, Xianfeng immediately sent an edict to the Military Aircraft Department, ordering the Military Aircraft Department to send an inquiry to the Hunan Governor Yamen, and Zhang Liangji sent personnel to investigate the matter of meddling in political affairs during the period of Ding Wei of Zeng Guofan, and replied according to the facts.

Early the next morning, Xianfeng had a whim, and asked the Military Aircraft Department to send a fire ticket to the Xiangxiang County Ya, which only wrote a few short sentences: According to Qi Liaozao, a scholar of Wuyingdian University and Minister of the Military Aircraft Department, Zeng Guofan, the right attendant of the former Ministry of Rites, interfered in local political affairs during the Ding Worry, Yunyun, and the Holy Will informed the former attendant. The fire ticket was quickly forwarded to Zeng Guofan by the county government, and there must be no mistake.

Regardless of whether Qi Liaozao's performance is true or not, Xianfeng wants to hear Zeng Guofan's opinion. This is the idea that Lan Guiren gave to the emperor.

Soon, the excerpts of the Hunan Governor's Yamen and the excerpts of Zeng Guofan, the right attendant of the former Ministry of Rites, were successively placed on Xianfeng's desk.

Zhang Liangji first asked Sheng'an, and then repeatedly asked the emperor for guilt. He also made it clear that as soon as he received the edict, he played the matter of meddling in political affairs during the period of Ding Wei of Zeng Guo overnight, and did not dare to delay for half an hour. Zhang Liangji then said: On the day that the governor Yamen received the order, the committee members flew to Xiangxiang to make a secret visit, but there was no conclusive report; Although as early as 20 days ago, the Yamen of the Imperial Court had received a joint title from the Hunan squire Gou Decun and other people named by Wan Min, but because there was no real evidence, they did not dare to play it in vain, and Rong Chen continued to play. At the back of the excerpt, a joint name of the squires such as Gou Decun is attached. Zhang Liangji said the boss, but in fact, he didn't say anything.

Xianfeng threw Zhang Liangji's fold aside, and started Zeng Guofan's argument.

Open the debate, and the neat fly-headed small letters come into view.

Xianfeng first praised Zeng Guofan's beautiful regular script: "This triangular eye! It's a shame that he has such idle time! ”

Zeng Guofan followed the rules of writing, first asked Sheng'an, and then talked about many words about missing the emperor for a long time after returning home, and then cut to the topic. The excerpt first narrated the cause of the incident, and then said: Hong rebelled against the name of the Tuoyi Sect, deified himself, and fooled the ignorant people. Trample on the sages, mess with my discipline, and damage my humanity and morality. No father, no son, no mother and no daughter. Tearing the soil of our country, calling the emperor and king, and the heart is also in great trouble. The flood rebellion started in Guangxi, and the number of people was not large. Now along the Yangtze River, there are anti-party everywhere. The internal reason is that there is less real long hair and more false long hair. It seems that in this extraordinary period, the extraordinary canon should be used; Use extraordinary canons to do extraordinary things. If you stick to the old rules, you will inevitably encourage the fake long hair to become more and more emboldened, and over time, the fake will also come true. If there is a fierce battle on the front line and bandits in the rear, the country is in danger! It seems that this fake long hair, the local government is not strict, it is not enough to settle the township and stabilize the people's hearts, isn't it in the middle of the "I am the same party everywhere"? If the place is tolerant, the long-haired arrogance will intensify. Jing bandits are safe for the people, Jing bandits are heavy, and the people are also heavy. Please ask the emperor to take a clear look. The inscription of the fold: Zeng Guofan, the right attendant of the former Ministry of Rites.

Xianfeng threw Zeng Guofan's fold and jumped up on the ground.

He said as he walked in the study: "This triangular eye, there is really his!" Just say it and get to the point! ”

He immediately passed on Prince Yi Zaiyuan, Prince Zheng Duanhua, University scholar Wenqing, and Hubu Shilang Su Shun to see him.

Several people came in and knelt down to him in turn to ask St. Ann.

Xianfeng handed Zeng Guofan's excerpt to Prince Yi and said, "You first look at Zeng Guofan's excerpt." This triangular eye! ”

After reading it, King Yi turned around and handed it to Prince Zheng. The five of them looked at it in turn.

Wen Qing muttered in a low voice: "It seems that it is true that during the period of the Zeng State Domain's worries, he interfered in local political affairs!" ”

Su Shun echoed in a low voice: "Really! ”

Xianfeng pointed at Prince Yi with his hand and said, "King Yi, you speak first." ”

King Yi said: "Back to the emperor, the slave just read Zeng Guofan's excerpt, although he violated the ancestral family law of our Qing Dynasty, I remember that he is loyal and sincere, you might as well forgive him - of course, it still has to be done." The meaning of the slave is to leave him a life. ”

Wen Qingdao: "Your Majesty, the slave thinks that he might as well be exiled to the military camp for three thousand miles as King Yi said, so that he can have a long memory." ”

Su Shun said: "Your Majesty, if you want to come, let him go to Ningguta." Exile him for 3,000 miles, and the minions are afraid that he will not come back. ”

Xianfeng's waist straightened, and he suddenly sneered and said, "I didn't expect that you guys would be so confused!" - Wen Qing, you are an old minister who was relied on by the emperor, how can you be confused! ”

When Wen Qing and the other five saw that the emperor was angry, they all fell down and said, "The slave should die!" Damn the minions! ”

Xianfeng said: "You all get up." In the future, you must think twice before doing anything. Although Zeng Guofan's mother is worried, he is still working hard for our Qing Dynasty, he is a capable minister of our Qing Dynasty! - Why do you want to exile such a capable minister? If I am as foolish as you are, the inheritance of this ancestor will be finished! ”

Wen Qing scolded secretly: "The founding of the Qing Dynasty, you are afraid that you are the most confused emperor!" But he replied happily: "The emperor is so sage, there is a time to exterminate the Cantonese bandits!" Congratulations to the Emperor! Congratulations to the Emperor! ”

King Yi also said: "It's not the emperor's reminder, the minions almost did something wrong!" What he thought in his heart was: "This capricious crippled emperor!" Success is also Xiao He, defeat is also Xiao He! - It's so difficult to do things for such an emperor! ”

Xianfeng said at this time: "King Zheng, look at this Zeng Guofan, how should you reward him?" - Zhengding's mother is worried, and she is still thinking about big things for us, can't she be silent, right? ”

King Zheng said: "What should the emperor say, just send the order to the military aircraft department!" ”

Xianfeng suddenly sank. Because how to reward Zeng Guofan, he hasn't thought about it yet. Let the officials be excellent? Zeng Guofan is a person who has returned to his hometown, and it is obviously inappropriate for the officials to be represented. Reward Zeng Guofan with 1,000 taels of silver? The gold bars forged by the three golden bells are not enough to pay and reward the officers and soldiers of the flag and green battalions, how can they dare to have more than one penny?

Xianfeng finally waved his hand and said, "You all go down." Su Shun, I still have a few words to say to you. ”

After Wen Qing and the others withdrew, Xianfeng said to Su Shun: "Su Shun, how do you think that Zeng Guofan should be awarded?" ”

Su Shun was already confident at this time, and immediately knelt down and replied: "Back to the emperor, the slave thinks that it is better for the emperor not to reward Zeng Guofan." ”

Xianfeng suddenly said angrily: "Okay, you dog minion!" I can't wait to kick you to death! - That's it? ”

Su Shun immediately made a look of sincere fear, kowtowed and said, "The slave should die, the slave should die!" ”

Xianfeng smiled: "Su Shun, you speak quickly, I can't help you talk nonsense." You said that if you don't reward Zeng Guofan, who should you reward? - You can't reward those fake long hairs, can you? ”

Su Shun replied: "Back to the emperor, the slave thinks that the emperor should reward Xiangxiang County!" As long as Xiangxiang County is rewarded, it is equivalent to telling the world that not only real long hair can be killed, but also fake long hair can be killed. This is actually equivalent to rewarding Zeng Guofan! The slave knew that the emperor had actually thought of a way a long time ago, but he just wanted to test the slave and let the slave have a long experience. The minion is right, right? ”

Xianfeng thought about it first, and then asked: "Only reward Xiangxiang County, not Zeng Guo's vassal line?" ”

Su Shun replied: "The emperor is Shengming, Zeng Guofan is a person who has returned to Ding's mother. If the emperor explicitly praised him, didn't he tell the world's officials that Ding Wei's officials meddling in local political affairs were not only innocent but also meritorious? - The ancestral family law can't be avoided! ”

Xianfeng nodded and said, "Su Shun, I see that you have a lot of experience. You've done it in vain, and I've worked hard for you! ”

At noon three days before Zeng Guofan's return, a blue sedan chair, followed by two people, stopped at the gate of Zeng's house in Baiyangping. The two gates of Zeng's house were closed, and people came and went through a small corner door on the left.

In the blue sedan chair, he walked out of Zhu Sunyi, the magistrate of Xiangxiang County.

The accompanying officials were about to enter the small corner gate to announce, but Zhu Sunyi waved his hand and said, "You are waiting here." After speaking, he raised his feet and walked into the small corner gate.

A person walked out of the concierge, and when he saw Zhu Sunyi, he hurriedly saluted and said, "Concierge Zhou Sheng knocks to see my lord!" ”

Zhu Sunyi looked at Zhou Sheng, and his eyes were a little rusty, so he said, "How many times have this county come to Zengfu, why haven't I seen you?" ”

Zhou Sheng said: "Back to my lord's words, Zhou Sheng just came to Zeng's house from Beijing. The slave was the concierge of my family when he was in Beijing, and he has been with my family for several years! ”

Zhu Sunyi smiled and said, "Zhou Sheng, please inform Lord Zeng, Xiangxiang Zhu Sunyi came to greet his old man and the old lady." ”

Zhou Sheng said: "My lord, give me the film." ”

Zhu Sunyi said: "I am an acquaintance with Master Zeng, so I don't need a film." ”

Zhou Sheng still said: "Wait a minute, my lord." Then he trotted to Zeng Guofan's study.

Soon, Zeng Guofan came out of the study, followed by Zhou Sheng.

When Zhu Sunyi saw it, he took a few steps, performed a big salute, and said, "Xiaguan has come to the mansion to thank you!" ”

Zeng Guofan pulled Zhu Sunyi up, and said while letting go of the study: "How can Zhu's parents be so happy? ”

After Zhu Sunyi walked into the study and sat down, he said, "Without the protection of adults, how can the lower officials be so happy?" Xiaguan received a message from Fuyuan yesterday, because of the merit of capturing fake long hair, the emperor rewarded a six-grade top to Xiaguan! ”

When Zeng Guofan heard this, he hurriedly said: "It's really a great joy! In this way, aren't Zhu's parents leaving Xiangxiang? ”

Zhu Sunyi said: "The emperor made a clear decree: the subordinate officials will be awarded the magistrate of Xiangxiang County with six products. ”

Zeng Guofan said: "I have wronged my parents and officials. ”

Zhu Sunyi said: "Now that the war is in chaos, what grievances are there to talk about!" If you can have a lack of points, you can't be hungry, and you will be grateful! My lord, tomorrow, I want to send two people to wait for my lord, but I don't know what I can do? - The subordinate always has to repay the great kindness of the adult, right? ”

Zeng Guofan waved his hand and said: "Father Zhu, you can be rewarded by the emperor this time, it is all because of your own strength and Zhang Zhongcheng's protection." Disheng is a worried person, and he has no right to protect people! ”

Zhu Sunyi said: "Zhang Zhongcheng clearly said that it was your old guarantee, why didn't you admit it?" ”

Zeng Guofan smiled and said: "This is Zhang Zhongcheng who can be a man, don't misunderstand!" ”

After talking for a while, Zhu Sunyi said goodbye and didn't talk about the tolerance again.

That night, Zeng Guofan was at the dinner table and said to Ze Ji with a smile: "Jia San, my father has nothing to do in the past few days. Dad tomorrow, I want to take you to Badouchong to catch birds. Luckily? ”

Ji Ze hurriedly put down the wooden bowl and said, "Dad, but really?" - Then I'll go find the big net that the master used! ”

Yuying hurriedly said: "Jiasan, let's go after dinner - there is still one night!" ”

Ji Ze didn't answer, pulled up Guobao and left.

Zeng Linshu's eyes were sour, and he said, "Look at the child's panic!" - Kuanyi, you can go out for a walk in the future. Always stuck at home, no! ”

Zeng Guofan smiled and was speechless.

The next day, Zeng Guofan had breakfast and didn't drink a sip of tea, so he asked the third brother of the Nan family to carry a big net and four wooden sticks, Zeng Guofan stuffed a ball of fine hemp flies into the hands of the third brother of the Nan family, and he took the eleven-year-old Ji Ze by hand, and the three of them rushed towards Badou. Badou Chong is ten miles away from Baiyangping, and it takes two hours to get there.

The third brother of the Nan family walked in front, and Zeng Guofan and Ji Ze followed behind.

Ji Ze was very happy along the way, and he talked a lot, and the child's nature was vividly expressed by him.

He asked Zeng Guofan: "Dad, the grandfather took you to catch birds, how old are you?" -- I'm so happy, right? ”

Zeng Guofan replied with a smile: "The first time your grandfather took your father to hunt birds, my father was either six or five years old. As tall as you, but not as fat as you. On the night before, because I had memorized a few more Tang poems, your grandfather was happy to hear them, so he took me out to hunt birds--Jiasan, my father is not by your side, you can find a few of your uncles to take you to catch birds--only by catching birds can you taste the joy of releasing birds. Do you understand? ”

Ji Ze raised his little face and asked: "The uncles are busy with homework all day long, and grandpa doesn't let them play - once, the second uncle wanted to take me to the county town to listen to the big play, and after the grandfather found out, he scolded the second uncle for being a plaything and a piece of material that had no interest - the play was not heard, and the second mother cried red with her eyes!" - Dad, you just said that only bird hunting can taste the joy of release, and I don't understand this. Bird hunting is bird catching, release is release, it's two things! ”

Zeng Guofan said patiently: "Your grandfather said that people can catch birds, which proves that people are smarter than birds; The reason for catching and releasing birds is to make them smarter. Do you understand this time? ”

Ji Ze nodded solemnly and said, "Dad, I seem to understand a little bit when you say this." ”

The third brother of the Nan family had already walked out a mile at this time, and was squatting on the side of the road while resting and waiting for the father and son.

Zeng Guofan smiled and said to Ji Ze: "Look at your third uncle of the Nan family, you can still walk so fast with a big net on your back!" Look at Dad, who is only two years younger than him, but he looks like an old man - cough! ”

Ji Zedao: "Dad is a big official, and the third uncle of the Nan family is a person who is used to walking. So my father walks slowly, and the third uncle of the Nan family walks fast. ”

Zeng Guofan replied: "It doesn't seem to be true. When my father was in Beijing, there was a hall of lords, who was a Mongolian, who was seventy years old, and he could still ride a horse all over the capital, without coughing or wheezing-my father would live to seventy, and he might not be able to grow old! ”

As he spoke, the father and son had already walked in front of the third brother of the Nan family.

Ji Ze said with a smile: "Third uncle, Dad praised you for walking fast just now!" ”

The third brother of the Nan family said: "I am poor, and I have two walking feet." The eldest young master is rich, and he has a body that sits in a sedan chair - little young master, is the third uncle right? ”

Zeng Guofan took over and said, "Third brother, it seems that you haven't hunted birds for a few years!" ”

The third brother of the Nan family said: "Since I was sent away by the master, I have never caught a bird." Big young master, how can the person in the back walk fast? - You're not chasing us, are you? Why do I look like Wang Jingqi? ”

Zeng Guofan and Ji Ze looked back.

Ji Ze's eyes were sharp, and he said first: "Dad, it's really Uncle Jingqi!" ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Could it be that we forgot something, Jing Qi hurriedly sent it over?" ”

There was still a long way to go, and Wang Jingqi had already shouted: "Young Master, there is a guest in the house!" You've got it back! ”

The three of them didn't speak, until Wang Jingqi came to him panting, and Zeng Guofan said, "Jing Qi, which one is it?" ”

Wang Jingqi said: "You just walked for a while, and a Taoist came to slam the door. Wearing a broken robe, like something, he kept saying that he wanted to find Master Zeng, saying that he was your old friend. When the old man saw that the man was talking upside down, he suspected that he was an unreasonable person, so he let me bombard him and say that you have gone up the mountain. But he just didn't leave, and he didn't pay attention, and let him get into your study. The second young master and the third young master went to the study to pull him, but he didn't move, and said: 'If you don't see Lord Zeng, don't leave Zeng's house for half a step' - the master was so troubled by him that he couldn't help it, so he had to let me rush back and ask you to go back. Eldest young master, looking at the appearance of the Taoist, it seems that he is an old acquaintance with you. ”

Zeng Guofan thought for a while and said, "I have been in Beijing for more than ten years, and I have never dealt with Taoists—didn't he say who his surname was?" ”

Wang Jingqi shook his head and said, "I didn't say this. ”

Zeng Guofan looked at Ji Ze.

Ji Ze flashed a pair of big eyes and said, "Dad, let's go back today-isn't it okay for Ming'er to come again?" ”

Zeng Guofan touched Ji Ze's head with his hand and smiled bitterly: "It seems that we have to do as you say -- let's come back tomorrow." ”

As soon as Zeng Guofan entered the corner gate, he saw Zeng Linshu standing in the courtyard and looking. As soon as he walked in, he hurriedly said, "Kuanyi, when did you meet this Taoist?" - Just sit in your study, don't leave, don't eat tea. Guohuang and a few of them are all looking at him there-this Taoist is really good, and he doesn't know which kung fu he has learned, and they can't pull him half a step together! ”

Zeng Guofan asked his father in a low voice: "Dad, didn't you bring Xiao Jiafusi?" - He's got a lot of strength! ”

Zeng Linshu pouted and said, "I found it, but I can't pull it." Fu Si raised his fist to scare him, but he beat Fu Si on his heels, and it took him a long time to get up. - Go to the study! ”

Zeng Guofan stepped into the study and saw a sloppy Taoist sitting on a wooden bench. a white beard, crooked, with something unclean underneath; A broken road crown, unable to distinguish the specific color, broke five or seven holes; The robes are already sparse and scattered, and the hem is simply strips of cloth; There is a piece of cowhide tied to the sole of the foot, and there is no upper, this is the shoe.

Guo Huang, Guo Quan, Fu Si and others stood around him. The Taoist priest ignored it, closed his eyes, and muttered something in his mouth.

As soon as Zeng Guofan walked into the study, the Taoist priest opened his eyes suddenly, and when he saw Zeng Guofan, he stood up with a sigh of relief, hugged his fists and said: "Poor Dao has seen an adult - the adult is old!" ”

Zeng Guofan was stunned and asked, "Dao Chief, which one are you?" How can I not remember? ”

The old Tao smiled and said: "The poor road is a passer-by in the red dust, and the adults are the nobles who forget things - the poor road and the adults know each other in the Baoguo Temple, which is different from the Baoguo Temple." After a few years, adults don't remember the poor road, but the poor road can't forget the adults! ”

A word wakes up the dreamer.

Zeng Guofan hurriedly said to Guohuang: "Sure enough, the old man has arrived!" Cheng Hou, let Jing Qi make tea—you all go out. ”

Zeng Guofan turned back to the Taoist and said, "Daoist, please take a seat." The family is not clear, and now the war is in chaos, and there is something to offend, and I still hope for Haihan. ”

Lao Dao smiled and said: "It's a blessing that adults can know the poor way, so why talk about offending?" My lord, has it always been good? ”

Zeng Guofan sat opposite and said, "Dao Chief, Elder Yizhen has passed away, do you know?" ”

Lao Dao said: "My lord, when Yizhen drove the crane to the west, Poor Dao was practicing the Eight True Scriptures of the Heavenly Dragon in the yurt. Speaking of which, adults may not believe it, at noon that day, heavy rain suddenly fell on the Mongolian steppe, and the rain was full of ditches. The poor Dao was practicing to the Seven Divisions of the Heavenly Dragon, and suddenly I heard a real call for my Dao in the clouds——"

Wang Jingqi came in with tea and nodded at Lao Dao and Zeng Guofan.

Zeng Guofan said: "Tell the cook to prepare the meal earlier, the Taoist chief must be hungry." After the meal was ready, it was put into the study, and I accompanied the Taoist to use it. ”

Wang Jingqi reluctantly agreed to go out.

Zeng Guofan turned to the old man again: "Dao Chief, Disheng hasn't asked for advice yet—it's more convenient to talk." ”

Lao Dao laughed and said: "Poor Dao walks the rivers and lakes, and no one has asked for a name for decades - they all call me a pickled Taoist." ”

Zeng Guofan said: "The Taoist has a strange art, and he must be very human. Disheng listened to Yizhen's speech, the Taoist chief seems to be surnamed Qiu, right? I don't know if it's true, it's not true. Dao Chang Gui Geng? This doesn't seem to have to be hidden, right? ”

Lao Dao took a sip of tea and said: "Counting on my fingers, Poor Dao is already one hundred and fifteen years old. Among my fellow disciples, they have all become immortals, and the poor Dao has become an old immortal! ”

Zeng Guofan's whole body was stunned, but he was a little suspicious in his heart, and said: "If you dare, the Taoist is a real living immortal!" - I don't know if the long has traveled here, or is he here to look for Disheng? ”

Lao Dao said: "I learned that the adult returned to the Lingtang system, and the poor Dao came to speak to the adult." Adults won't be annoyed, right? ”

Zeng Guofan knew that this Dao Chang had a stunt, and he was by no means vulgar, so he said at the moment: "Disheng can get to know the Dao Chief, it is really a blessing for three lives. As long as the Taoist chief doesn't think that this place is too cheesy and the hospitality is not good, Disheng is grateful. Ancient clouds; There are brothers in the four seas, and friends from afar are happy? Late life, thank the aisle chief for his kindness! ”

Zeng Guofan got up after speaking, bowed respectfully, and then sat down.

Lao Dao casually took off the broken crown and put it on the bookcase, and he was not humble, so he accepted it with confidence.

Xiao Fusi walked in at this time and said, "Uncle Shilang, I have something to say, I want to say hello to you, I don't know what I can do?" ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Do you have to go home? Gotta have to eat, right? ”

Xiao Fusi said: "I want Uncle Shilang to beg for a long time, I want to learn wrestling with him!" ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Fu Si, don't mess around!" The Taoist has just arrived, the wind has not faded and the dust has not been washed, how to make it! ”

Xiao Fusi walked out with a bitter face and pouting.

Zeng Guofan said to the Dao Chang: "Xiao Fusi is a rough man, the Dao Chief should not be like him. ”

The Taoist chief was speechless.

Zeng Guofan took a closer look and faintly heard a slight snoring sound from Lao Dao's mouth - Lao Dao had already fallen asleep with his eyes staring.

Zeng Guofan quietly exited the study and turned around and walked into his father's room.

Guohuang, Guohua, Guoquan, and Guobao are all here, surrounding Zeng Linshu, whispering something. As soon as they saw Zeng Guofan coming in, Zeng Guohuang and the other four brothers hurriedly stood up and put a stool for the eldest brother.

Zeng Linshu asked Zeng Guofan in a low voice: "Kuanyi, this pickled Taoist is really a strange person!" - Don't be a long-haired person anymore, right? ”

Zeng Guofan whispered the process of acquaintance with the Taoist chief to his father and several younger brothers, and finally said: "Yizhen said that he is crazy, in my opinion, this person is not crazy or upside down, but he is a first-class strange person in the sea!" I vaguely remember that he said to Yizhen that the world was going to be in chaos. Now that I think about it, isn't that just the fulfillment? ”

Zeng Lin said: "According to this, this pickled Taoist really can't be slow!" Kuanyi, do you need to change him into a new robe or something? It's late autumn, and it's as cold as a day. It's not fun to get sick from the cold! ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Let's wait until I ask the Taoist chief - Dad, I remember that when I first saw him, he was dressed like this, and now he is still dressed like this, as if he has never changed!" ”

Guo Huang suddenly said: "Big brother, he is so pickled, where can he rest at night?" ”

Zeng Guofan thought for a while and said, "It's in my study." (End of chapter)