Reading guide: The court of the Issuance and Examination Bureau lacks a big driver in Taiwan, Zeng Guofan and Taqibu are secretly anxious, and Bao Qibao is silent, full of doubts.

A holy decree changed Zhang Liangji's fate and transferred Wuchang to governor Shandong, how many people are happy and how many people are sad?

The well-known Wu Wenrong, who was supervised by Fujian and Zhejiang, was catching up with the siege of Jiangxi, and the "rebels" were fleeing. Can the tide of the war between the two lakes be turned around? The eyes of the Manchu Dynasty all turned to the new army.

The provincial capital garrisoned Xiangyong, and suddenly surrounded the two armies on the left and right, making Qingren and Li garrison overwhelmed.

What is Xiang Yong going to do?

Just after breakfast, Zeng Guofan immediately sent officials to clean up the court of the Issuance and Examination Bureau, and after Luo Bingzhang, Bao Qibao, Taqibu and others arrived, they were promoted to the court to try the case.

The copywriter and the soldiers who should stand in the hall did not wait for Zeng Guofan's orders, and they all waited outside the door of the court.

Bao Chao was afraid of an accident, so he pulled a battalion of men and horses to the area around the Issuance Examination Bureau early. Inside and outside the gate, it is still guarded by Li Chendian with his own soldiers. The air around was so tense that it was breathless.

Zeng Guofan sat in the signing room, drinking tea and waiting for Luo Bingzhang and others, while contemplating the folding draft that was about to be played.

Guarded by his own soldiers, Tazib was the first to enter the signing room.

Taqi was covered with spring breeze, and sat down with Zeng Guofan, and some soldiers came up with tea.

Taqib said happily: "My lord, in the middle of last night, the lowly mount 'Meteor' returned! ”

Zeng Guofan was also shocked when he heard this, and said: "Good horse savior!" Good Horse Savior! He is kind to his brother! ”

"The 'Meteor' is quite human, it's really not an ordinary horse! ”

Before Zeng Guofan could speak, Bao Qibao strode in.

Taqib hurriedly got up to salute, and Bao Qibao saluted Zeng Guofan again.

Zeng Guofan got up and said, "Let's go to the public court and sit and wait for Luo Futai." The public hall is finally more spacious. ”

The three of them then came to the court and sat down according to their ranks.

After drinking tea for a while, Luo Bingzhang still didn't rush over.

Zeng Guofan couldn't help but say to himself: "Luo Futai is not a dishonest person, what's wrong with him today?" ”

Bao Qibao said: "Lord Futai is busy with business, and he may forget about today's events." It's just a few people who are drunk and messing around, and they don't hurt anyone, how can he always take it to heart? ”

Zeng Guofan was about to speak, when a messenger from the governor's yamen hurriedly walked in.

The messenger saluted Zeng Guofan and said, "Lord Zeng, the messenger has just arrived at the governor's yamen. Lord Futai, please be old, and immediately go to the governor's yamen to receive the order. ”

As soon as Zeng Guofan heard this, he hurriedly ordered his soldiers: "Pass the word, quickly prepare a sedan chair!" ”

The soldiers hurried out of the court.

Zeng Guofan said to Bao Qibao and Taqibu again: "Bao Junmen, Ta Xietai, you two drink tea and talk first." This minister received the order, and after a while, he came over with Lord Futai. ”

The two of them got up and said, "My lord, please take care of it, just sit and wait." ”

Zeng Guofan hurriedly walked out of the court.

When they arrived at the hall of the governor's yamen to receive the decree, the messenger was waiting impatiently. As soon as he saw Zeng Guofan walk in, he hurriedly shouted: "Luo Bingzhang, Zeng Guofan take the order!" ”

The two hurriedly knelt down facing the north and said: "Minister Luo Bingzhang and Zeng Guofan received the order." ”

The messenger said: "The governor of Huguang is acting with Wu Wenrong, and the governor of Shandong is making up for Zhang Liang. Zhang Liangji is currently the governor of Huguang, and after Wu Wenrong arrives and resigns, he will go to the new post. Now Jiangxi has lifted the siege, and the Cantonese bandits have attacked Anhui, trapped Hukou County, Jiujiang Prefecture, approached the provincial capital Anqing, and divided the shares into Hubei. According to Zhang Liangji, Tianjia Town is the most critical area, and it has been dispatched to the aid of Sijiang Zhongyuan. Now that Tianjia Town is defending, is there any danger to rely on? Are there any omissions? Is the aid to Ganxiang Yong returning to the province now? Are the gunboats in order? According to Zeng Guofan, the committee members have supervised the construction of a number of towing ships, and withheld 40,000 taels of wages from Guangdong to pay for the purchase of artillery. What is the actual situation? Zhang Liangji, Luo Bingzhang, and Zeng Guofan played back as soon as possible and could not be delayed. Chin this. ”

Before the decree was announced, Luo Bingzhang was already sweating like rain, and his face changed greatly. The lifting of the siege in Jiangxi is a good thing for the imperial court, but for Hunan, it means that there will be another big war.

Sending away the messenger, Zeng Guofan was also speechless for a long time. He never thought that the changes in Huguang's officialdom were diametrically opposed to the news passed on by Zuo Zongtang! Tai Yong, Chonglun, Qinglin, and Guanwen, none of the four full members were moved, and it turned out to be Zhang Liangji, who wanted to make a name for himself in Huguang! Fortunately, it was Wu Wenrong who succeeded Zhang Liangji, if he was replaced by someone else, maybe he would be the head of the regiment. As for the coming of the big war, because sooner or later it could not be avoided, he didn't pay too much attention to it.

Who is Wu Wenrong?

Wu Wenrong is Zhen Fu, a native of Yizheng, Jiangsu. Jiaqing twenty-four years of Jinshi, selected Shu Jishi, awarded editing. He has repeatedly won Wenheng and has a reputation far and wide. Sixth, he moved to the Hanlin Academy to study for a bachelor's degree, and supervised Shuntian to study politics. Tired official Zhan Shi, cabinet bachelor, Ministry of Rites, Criminal Department, and Household Department. In the nineteenth year of Daoguang, he became the governor of Fujian and protected the seal of the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang. In the twenty-eighth year, he was transferred to the governor of Zhejiang. Thirty years, the governor of Yungui. At the end of the second year of Xianfeng, he was transferred to the governor of Fujian and Zhejiang. Entering the Hajj, he has not yet left Beijing, and has been reinstated as the governor of Huguang. Zeng Guofan was the tenth in the eighteenth year of Daoguang (Wuxu), but the main examiner of the science examination was Mu Zhang'a, and the examiners were Zhu Shiyan, Wu Wenrong, and Liao Hongquan.

The relationship between Wu Wenrong and Zeng Guofan is extraordinary, and Wu Wenrong is a veritable master of Zeng Guofan.

The master came to Governor Huguang, which was a very beneficial thing for Zeng Guofan.

Luo Bingzhang is very clear about the relationship between Zeng Guofan and Wu Wenrong, Zeng Guofan himself does not break it, he is naturally not good at saying anything.

After being silent for a while, Luo Bingzhang first broke the deadlock and said: "Zhang Caichen is stationed in Tianjia Town, this should be a good move." But as for whether the long hair can be stopped, it is unknown. I'm Hunan, and the troops are too single! Disheng, at this time, do we still need to interrogate those who mutinied? According to the ministry, it is better to hand it over to Bao Qibao. Anyway, it's his green camp business, let him do it. ”

After Luo Bingzhang finished speaking, he sighed heavily, worried about the prospect.

Zeng Guofan said: "Luo Futai, since Changmao has gone to Hubei, he will definitely not let me go to Hunan." Discord between soldiers and courage is a taboo in warfare, and it is necessary to strictly rectify the situation in order to share the same hatred and get twice the result with half the effort. Disheng thought that Bao Qibao, as the governor of a province, not only could not restrain the generals well, but also instigated and caused trouble, so he should participate in the revolution. However, due to the current situation of the great enemy, the change of generals may not be allowed by the imperial court, so it is necessary to give up. Isn't it a trivial matter to smash the Issuance and Examination Bureau and murder a provincial association with Taiwan in this mutiny? I found out the cause yesterday. In this matter, the instigators behind the scenes are the promotion of the left army with Qingren and the promotion of the right army with Li Guan. The person who shot the black gun at Ta Zhiting has not yet been identified, and it is likely to be related to Qingren and Li Guandao. If this matter is not severely punished, when will the soldiers stop making noise? How can the provincial capital be defended? Futai, this is not a trivial matter! They killed the ministers of the regiment today and the deputy generals, and tomorrow they may kill the feudal platform and the Futai! ”

Luo Bingzhang pondered for a moment and asked, "Disheng, how do you want to handle this matter?" You tell us what you think, and then we'll go to the Issuance Examination Bureau. ”

Zeng Guofan's eyes narrowed and said, "One can't stay!" Keeping one of them can do endless harm. Soldiers bravely defend the same city, and they can't discriminate against each other! This wind must not be allowed to grow. ”

Luo Bingzhang sighed lightly, and changed his words: "There is one thing, you Zeng Disheng really have to thank my brother." Qingde, my brother has been locked up in the first county prison, and he has not gone to Wuchang to solve him. Now that I think about it, if my brother has a hot head and sends him to the governor's yamen, he may be reinstated now. Didn't your brother just join him for nothing? ”

Zeng Guofan was stunned and lost his voice: "What you said is very true! ,, Luo Futai, let's go to the Issuance Examination Bureau, right? Bao Qibao and Ta Zhiting are still waiting there. ”

Luo Bingzhang got up and said: "My brother's ugly words are ahead, in the governor's yamen, I sing the leading role; When you arrive at the Issuance Examination Bureau, you play the leading role. What to do, you make the decision, you can't always push me. ”

Luo Bingzhang's intention in saying this is very obvious: he doesn't want to offend Bao Qibao and the people of the Green Camp, and he still has to rely on these people to guard Changsha.

Zeng Guofan walked beside him and said, "Don't forget to invite the king." Without the king's order, we can't sing this drama. ”

Zeng Guofan and Luo Bingzhang entered the court of the Examination Bureau not long after, and the trial officially began.

Zeng Guofan sat on the main seat, next to Luo Bingzhang. Taqibu sat on the side of Zeng Guofan, and Bao Qibao sat on Luo Bingzhang's side. All four of them had hot tea in front of them.

The first to be interrogated was Zhao Meng, the pipe band of Yongshun Association.

After Zhao Meng was escorted in, he saluted the four of them one by one, and said in his mouth, "Despicable and damned".

Zeng Guofan ordered Zhao Meng to repeat the actual situation of the fight with the Chenzi camp that day.

Zhao Meng began to tell, which was basically the same as what Tou Tian told Zeng Guofan. The copywriter recorded Zhao Meng's confession one by one. Confirming that it was correct, the copywriter Zhao Meng marked the mark on the record book.

Before Zhao Meng was taken down, Luo Bingzhang suddenly asked: "Zhao Meng, there is a sentence that the Ministry has always wanted to ask you: You fought with the Chenzi Battalion, why did you smash the Issuance and Examination Bureau, make a fuss about the General Office, and murder Lord Zeng and Ta Xietai?" ”

When Zhao Meng heard this, he hurriedly knelt down and said: "Your Excellency, Your Excellency is Mingjian, you really don't want to harm Lord Zeng, Lord Hexietai!" ”

Luo Bingzhang said angrily: "You are talking nonsense! You didn't harm Lord Zeng and Ta Xietai, why did you instruct people to shoot Ta Xietai? The king's command is here, and you must answer the truth! If you dare to conceal half a sentence, pull it out and behead it immediately! ”

Zhao Meng kowtowed like pounding garlic and cried: "It's really wronged to be humble!" The humble post really didn't instruct anyone, and he shot at Lord Xietai! Even the killing of Lord Xietai's horse has nothing to do with lowly duties! ”

Luo Bingzhang looked at Zeng Guofan, whose face was like autumn frost.

Zeng Guofan motioned for his soldiers to escort Zhao Meng down. The two pro-soldiers then dragged Zhao Meng out.

The second to go to the court was Zhang Jin, the commander of the central outpost of the Left Army.

As soon as Zhang Jin was escorted into the lobby, he fell to his knees and crawled to the front of the hall crying.

Zeng Guofan looked at Zhang Jin, his eyes were blood-red, covered with grass clippings, he had long lost the prestige of the sentinel, and he was free from a lost dog.

Bao Qibao asked loudly: "Zhang Jin, how did you become like this?" Could it be that the people in the prison have tortured you? If you have grievances, just talk about it, and Ben will call the shots. ”

Zeng Guofan's face was gloomy and speechless.

Zhang Jin cried: "The military gate is tolerant, and no one in the prison has tortured him, but he has used the punishment himself." It's repentant! The lowly duty has repented of his bowels! ”

Zeng Guofan said: "Zhang Jin, you can speak." How did you incite the officers and soldiers to mutiny? How did they plot to kill this minister and Taxietai? The king's command is here, and you must tell the truth one by one, and you must not hide it in the slightest. Otherwise, even if this minister and Lord Futai forgive you, the military gate will not forgive you. Tell me about it. ”

Zhang Jin then cried bitterly and spoke.

After Zhang Jin finished speaking, he marked the seal according to the requirements of the copy, and was taken down to the hall by his own soldiers.

Because Zhang Jin admitted that he had killed Tazib's horse, Zhang Jin was walked down the hall by an angry Taqib and kicked him several times before he was escorted away. Taqib is a person who has practiced martial arts, and every kick uses full strength. Taqib stepped down three times, and Zhang Jin's wail was silent. When Taqib saw that Zhang Jin was not beaten, he slapped it over, but he actually knocked Zhang Jin out of the door, causing the whole hall to be shocked.

Taqib scolded: "If you dare to kill the horse of the Association, the Association will dare to pick his skin!" ”

Tazib went up and sat down.

Tazib's punches and kicks made Bao Qibao tremble. Bao Qibao never expected that Taqib would become a second-rank deputy general, and his martial arts would still be so good. In fact, not only Bao Qibao thought so, but even Luo Bingzhang was also amazed by Taqib. Zeng Guofan was the only one in the hall who remained silent, because only he knew that Taqib practiced boxing, riding and archery, and swords and sticks every day, almost rain or shine.

Bao Qibao said at this time: "These two dog things, one is said to be instructed by Li Guandao, but the other is determined by Qingren. They bite so indiscriminately, don't they want to mess up the bidding? ”

Luo Bingzhang glanced at Zeng Guofan inadvertently.

Zeng Guofan pondered for a while and said: "According to Zhang Jinshicai, Qingren explained to him on the orders of the military gate. He also instructed Zhang Jin: As long as the matter is made big, there will be a heavy reward for the military gate. ”

Bao Qibao said loudly: "Lord Zeng, Zhang Jin is farting with a mouth, how can you always believe him?" Ben Ti is the governor of a province, okay, why did you want to murder your old man and Ta Xietai? Zhang Jin said that he was instructed by Qingren, but Benti did not believe it. Qingren is not a fool, how can he do such a foolish thing? ”

Zeng Guofan said loudly: "Send a message to Bao Guan, take him to the battalion, please raise the standard of the left army to clear the pipe belt, promote the right army Li Guan belt, and go to the hall for questioning." ”

Outside said yes.

Luo Bingzhang asked Zeng Guofan in a low voice: "Just send a messenger, do you need to send a battalion officer?" ”

Zeng Guofan took a sip of tea from the tea bowl and said, "The tea is a little cold, hurry up and change the tea for a few adults." ”

Luo Bingzhang saw that Zeng Guofan did not answer his words positively, so he had no choice but to give up. How did Luo Bingzhang know that this was planned and discussed by Zeng Guofan and Bao Chao in advance, and he was afraid that Qingren and Li Guan would jump off the wall with the dog in a hurry and cause trouble again. At that time, even if the provincial city wants to be quiet, I am afraid it will not be able to.

Bao Chao quickly led the people of the camp to the standard camp. The dust kicked up obscured most of the sky. Everywhere the army passed, the people all took refuge.

When he arrived at the standard defense camp, Bao Chao first met with Zou Jiqi of the Chenzi battalion and the other two battalions of Xiang Yong to surround the standard defense camp from afar, and then Bao Chao personally came forward and went inside to invite Qingren and Li Guan.

Bao Chao took a hundred personal soldiers, rode into the defense camp and came to see Qingren first. Seeing that Bao Chao was fierce, Yuanmen did not dare to stop him, and let Bao Chao walk in with great fanfare.

When he got off the horse at the big tent, Bao Chao explained two sentences to the pro-soldier management belt, and then strode in with only ten people.

Kiyohito was sitting at the table, drinking tea and gossiping with the people around him.

At this time, the soldiers came in and reported: "My lord, the regimental training officer Bao Battalion asks to see you." ”

Qingren was stunned for a moment, and said casually: "This camp has nothing to do with this ***, why did he come?" ,, where is he now? ”

The soldier replied, "Just wait outside the tent." ”

When Qingren heard this, he was furious and scolded: "You turtle bastards! If you don't get the order, how can you put him in the gate? Blasting him out! Say the camp is not there! ”

Before Qingren's words fell, Bao Chao had already strode in with ten personal soldiers.

Bao Chao laughed and said: "Where Bao Chunting wants to go, is there anything he can't go?" Lord Qing, you haven't done anything bad when you're old, why don't you even dare to see your humble position? ”

As soon as he heard this, Qingren stood up and reprimanded Bao Chao loudly: "You are presumptuous! Raising the big tent, is it a place for your regiment to practice and spread wild? Come on, put him out with the camp fork! (End of chapter)