Reading guide: When Luo Zenan returned to the province, Wang Zhu complained to his teacher, and felt that what he had learned was difficult to apply.

"Pushan is too sharp, and he is narrow-minded and can't tolerate people. I only gave him a battalion, and he didn't practice seriously, and he always had a grudge that he couldn't apply what he had learned in his life. If one battalion can't be brought well, how dare you hand over multiple battalions to him? ”

Zeng Guofan's words caused Lao Liang to think deeply and helplessly.

"The ancients said that birds choose good trees to perch, and people choose good masters to serve. Fame and fortune. Who doesn't ask for it? ”

Xu Youren saw the opportunity and offered his advice at the right time.

Luo Bingzhang's eyes lit up.

An urgent oracle flew in......

Luo Bingzhang did not immediately invite Wang Ju in, but Geshha first invited Wang Ju to sit down in the official hall. He continued to talk to Xu Youren.

Luo Bingzhang said to Xu Youren: "The meaning of the domain has long been known by the Ministry of Mansions. Fantai wants the headquarters to recruit a few battalions of brave soldiers to the province, right? ”

Xu Youren said: "Zeng Disheng has Xiangyong, and Bao Qibao has his own standard. Leaving Xiangyong and Tibiao, our own Fubiao had only four battalions in total, and two battalions were still fighting with Taqib. When the battle is full, less than 1,500 people can be mobilized by the governor's yamen. This also includes your old pro-barracks. Now Wuchang is in a hurry, and Wu Zhijun has already messed up. If you want to hold Wuchang, it's easier said than done! Wuchang is not defended, and the next target of Changmao is Changsha. If you don't plan as soon as possible, you really wait for the Cantonese bandits to surround the provincial capital, and you want to do anything, but it's too late! ”

Luo Bingzhang said: "Actually, even if you don't say it, the ministry has already had this intention. It's just because of the ship's guns that this matter has been delayed. The headquarters is now commissioning Zou Shuji, and Ming'er will go back to Xiangxiang to recruit new Yong, thinking that it is a great plan to defend the city. If you think about it, it should be too late. ”

Xu Youren lowered his voice and said, "Uncle Zou is not a talented person, and he is not of great use." Let him recruit Xinyong, he will only get things done. At the beginning of his bravery, he swaggered everywhere. Change the defense today, and tomorrow go to Zeng Shiheng's trouble. How can such a person do great things? ”

Luo Bingzhang pondered and said: "Uncle Zou is a person, how can the ministry not know? But now there is no suitable person! People who are not familiar with the place, people who have no prestige in the local area, how dare the Ministry and the Academy use it? When this is scarce, the money in the library can't be wasted! ”

Xu Youren said: "Futai happened to transfer Zou Shuji to Si'an Bridge in Daozhou, and together with Xiangyong's battalions to suppress thieves. You can take advantage of the fact that Uncle Zou is not in the provincial capital to entrust someone else to handle this matter. Even if Uncle Zou knew about it, he didn't have anything to say. What's more, he didn't dare to have anything to say. ”

Luo Bingzhang looked at Xu Youren's eyes and said, "Xu Fantai, how can the headquarters listen to your tone, how can you be confident?" Are you old enough to find a good candidate for the department? ”

Xu Youren said with certainty: "Lord Futai, Sili has been thinking about it for many days, and he has also observed it for many days through some people. Recruiting bravery, this person can't succeed unless this person comes forward! ”

Luo Bingzhang asked in a low voice: "Xu Fantai, who is this person you are talking about?" Why can't the ministry remember? ”

Xu Youren smiled and said: "This person is an old battalion officer of Xiangyong, and he is very prestigious. He is proficient in scripture and history, and is familiar with military books. When it comes to him, almost everyone in Hunan knows about it, and no one knows it. If he is entrusted with this matter, he will definitely be able to get twice the result with half the effort! ”

Luo Bingzhang asked with a smile: "You mean Lao Liang Luo Zenan?" He is Zeng Disheng's arm. It's not easy to pull him over. The ministry can't steal chickens and can't eat rice. ”

Xu Youren said: "We don't pull Luo Zenan, the person we want to pull is his eldest disciple Wang Pushan!" As far as the secretary knows, Wang Pushan has a big opinion of Zeng Disheng, and has always had the idea of finding another way out. ”

Luo Bingzhang pondered for a while, nodded and said, "What you said is very reasonable. This matter between Wang Pushan and Zeng Disheng has also been heard from time to time in the Ministry and the Academy. He came to the provincial capital from Chenzhou, could it be that he also had this intention? ”

Xu Youren said: "The ancients said that birds choose good trees to perch, and people choose good masters to serve." Fame and fortune. Who doesn't ask for it? Xu Youren stood up as he spoke: "There is still something to do in the yamen, and the division has to go back." After being free, Si Li came to serve Futai and drink tea again. Lord Futai, Si Li retired first. ”

Luo Bingzhang got up and said, "You still have to hurry up about the food." It's hard to disobey the Holy Command. ”

On the second day after Zeng Guofan arrived in Hengzhou, the courage to go out of the province to aid Jiangxi began to arrive in Hengzhou one after another. The first to rush back was the first battalion of Luo Zenan, the second was the first battalion led by Li Xubin, and finally the second battalion of Yang Huchen and Kang Jinghui. After Zhu Sunyi handed over Chu Yong to Jiang Zhongyuan, he returned with Yang Huchen alone.

Guo Songtao was left in the Chuyong camp by Jiang Zhongyuan because of Jiang Zhongyuan's praise and military planning, and did not return to Hunan Province.

Although Zeng Guofan was a little reluctant, considering that Jiang Zhongyuan was lacking people around him, and Guo Songtao himself was about to expire his worrying period, he acquiesced to this matter. Luo Zenan came to Hengzhou from Chenzhou. Because during the war in Jiangxi, several of Wang Zhu's relatives died on the battlefield, Luo Zenan had to tell Wang Zhu about the situation at that time.

Wang Ju complained to his mentor about the boss of Zeng Guofan.

Wang Ju said to Luo Zenan: "Teacher, it stands to reason that Pushan should not raise objections to what Di Weng wants. But Yang Hou'an trained Shui Yong, and Lu Yong, who was left behind by Hou'an, was not handed over to my Hunan people, but handed over to Bao Chunting, should this be? What is Bao Chao's background? and Xiao Jiafusi, who can't read all the words, can't write his name, and even became a battalion official! What have we become of Xiangyong? Isn't it a rabble? ”

Luo Zenan said with a smile: "This matter, Di Weng has already discussed this matter with me. I agree with his old approach. Pushan, the discord between the soldiers and the brave is getting more and more intense, and if we can avoid it, we, the people of the old battalion, should try to avoid it. Xiangyong is a self-recruited teacher, not a national economic system, and we can't make trouble in the green camp. ”

Wang Ju said angrily: "The protégé also has a lot of things to figure out about the reuse of the famous mark. The famous standard supervision shipbuilding cannon is it, and he has to entrust him with a battalion alone! How can this work? Teacher, there are some things that are not easy for protégés to say, but you have to say them when you are old. Who did Xiangyong start from? It's us from the old camp! To this day, Di Weng still only lets Pushan Guan lead one battalion, and you are only one battalion. Bao Chao, Shi Heng, and Taqib, at least they are in charge of two battalions! What do these people compare to us? ”

Luo Zenan saw that Wang Ju was talking more and more, and couldn't help but say: "In this way, you take care of the affairs in the camp, and go to Hengzhou with me today." I Xiangyong went out of the province this time, and I hurt my vitality a little. I want to discuss with Di Weng to donate a loyal shrine to the deceased generals in Xiangxiang County to commemorate it forever. Without his old Zza, there was no way to deal with this matter. ”

When he arrived in Hengzhou, Zeng Guofan arranged Luo Zenan's barracks properly, and discussed with Luo Zenan about recruiting Shui Yong and Lu Yong; That night, Luo Zenan solemnly proposed to Zeng Guofan that he planned to build a loyal shrine for the fallen generals.

Zeng Guofan agreed, and sent a letter to Xiangxiang County overnight, asking the squires to be summoned to raise funds, and the committee members began to build the Zhongyi Temple in the city. To commemorate the eternal commemoration of the general who sacrificed his life for the country.

The next day, Zeng Guofan and Luo Zenan had a separate discussion with the battalion officer who led Xinyong. Luo Zenan saw that there was still no name of Wang Zhu on the list, so he quietly asked Zeng Guofan if he could recruit an additional battalion for Wang Zhu.

Zeng Guofan retreated left and right, and said to Luo Zenan: "Luo Shan, I know that you are very embarrassed about Pushan. You and Pushan are both my old team members of Xiangyong, and it is said that Pushan should have brought a few more battalions a long time ago. But Luo Shan, it is not a child's play to be brave, you can't be in a hurry, and you can't be slow. Pushan is too sharp, and narrow-minded, and can't tolerate people. I only gave him a battalion, and he didn't practice seriously, and he always had a grudge that he couldn't apply what he had learned in his life. If one battalion can't be brought well, how dare you hand over multiple battalions to him? ”

Luo Zenan sighed and said: "I told him in person, and after I left the province, I often wrote to him. Pushan is my earliest protégé, and I can't talk about him deeply. ”

Zeng Guofan said: "You can't work together, all of you are united, when will you be able to exterminate the Cantonese bandits?" The eyes are empty, the ambition is great, and the talent is sparse, which is a taboo for the battalion officer! ”

Luo Zenan didn't speak, but in his heart, he agreed with Zeng Guofan's point of view.

When Wang Ju learned that Zeng Guofan was still only allowed to take one battalion by himself, he did not have a word of complaint, and left Hengzhou on the same day. But Wang Ju did not return to the Chenzhou camp, but went straight to Changsha to see Luo Bingzhang.

After Xu Youren left, Luo Bingzhang sent Wang Ju to meet in the signing room.

Luo Bingzhang does not have much personal contact with Wang Ju, but he is known to be the proud protégé of "Lao Liang" Luo Zenan, and he is very famous in Xiangxiang.

After the ceremony, Luo Bingzhang invited Wang Ju to sit down and ordered Goshha to set up tea.

Wang Ju said: "Lord Futai, the lower official is in Chenzhou, and he has been accurately reported. Longhair is increasing troops to Wuchang day and night, and the siege is only in the morning and evening. Xia Guan now has only one battalion guarding there, and the soldiers are alone. Once the long hair splits the shares, how to resist the enemy? The lower officials had no choice but to ask Futai if they could send one or two battalions from the provincial capital to go over, and the defense could always be more relaxed. The lower officials are also not allowed to enter the province. But there is a way, and the lower officials dare not come to disturb the adults. ”

Luo Bingzhang was taken aback, and hurriedly asked, "Didn't Lord Zeng transfer Chu Mei to Chenzhou?" ”

Wang Zhu pondered for a while and replied: "It was the last day that the bandits in Changning County rose up, smashed the county office, and killed the magistrate. Di Weng urgently transferred the first battalion of Zhou Fengshan and the first battalion of Shiheng to conquer and suppress. The battle was unfavorable, and in desperation, Zhang Rong's group and Chu Mei's second battalion were transferred. The thieves were defeated, fled to Jiahe, Blue Mountain, and fled to the Si'an Bridge in Daozhou. In order to wipe out the bandits, Di Weng not only transferred Zou Shouzhang's first battalion, but also Wei Chongde's first battalion. Small bandits are still overwhelmed, if the long-haired big group comes to attack, the consequences are unimaginable! ”

Luo Bingzhang deliberately said: "Uncle Zou went to Daozhou with a battalion, and it has nothing to do with Lord Zeng, and he was transferred by the headquarters. Pushan, in your opinion, what should you do if the provincial city is safe? What does Master Zeng think? There are no outsiders here, and if you have anything to say, you can talk to the ministry. However, if there is something feasible, the ministry must handle it at its discretion. ”

Wang Ju replied: "Since Futai has promoted the lower officials like this, the lower officials will have the courage to talk a few words. ”

Luo Bingzhang said: "Pushan, although you haven't seen much with the main department, but the main department has long known your brother's name. The elder brother is eight buckets high, famous all over the world, and he is a rare talent in Hunan. Pushan, if you have anything to say, please tell it, don't have any scruples. ”

As soon as Wang Ju heard this, he hurriedly got up and bowed to Luo Bingzhang and said, "Your Excellency is praised." The lower officials are shallow in their studies, and they are famous, and they dare to match the word 'eight buckets'! Xiaguan but there is something wrong with it, and I hope that the adult Haihan. ”

Luo Bingzhang waved his hand and said, "Pushan, you don't have to be polite, please sit down and speak." ”

Wang Ju sat down and talked eloquently: "Futai Rongyu, the Cantonese bandits have risen, and they respond to every call, and my Qing Dynasty is an eventful autumn." It is located in Jinling, disturbing Jiangxi and Anhui, going up to Hubei, and threatening our Hunan. Conquer the city, catch men and women, and the world will shake. When the king is worried about the humiliation of the ministers, when the thieves and bandits are unrestrained, it is an urgent task to calm the chaos and calm the people. Futai has already seen that the green camp has been clean and easy for a long time, and it is useless to defend the city and attack the enemy. It is necessary to eliminate the old and renew it in order to be able to help. The lower officials thought day and night, if the provincial city was safe, it was necessary to have a capable general and a powerful army. Futai thinks that what the lower officials said is right? ”

Luo Bingzhang said with a smile: "Master Zeng's sailor is about to become an army. He always had a letter yesterday, saying that he was recruiting new braves, and he wanted to grow 10,000 people on land and water. The provincial capital now depends on the promotion of Bao Junmen and the defense of Fu Biao. If Lord Zeng allocates another five or six thousand people, it will not be easy for the Cantonese bandits to break my Changsha. ”

Wang Qi hurriedly said: "Futai Rongyu and Di Weng recruited new bravery, which was ordered to go out of the province to fight, not to defend Changsha. ”

Luo Bingzhang sighed and said: "If Lord Zeng really goes out of the province, the headquarters will have to ask the imperial court to send a strong army to help defend the provincial capital. Changsha is the foundation of the province, once there is an accident, it will inevitably lead to fundamental shaking, how to get it! ”

Wang Zhu said: "Futai Rongyu, now all provinces are using troops, and it is a blessing for the provincial capital to have soldiers to adjust in the imperial court, if there are no soldiers to adjust, what should Futai do?" ”

Luo Bingzhang frowned, and said helplessly: "Pushan, you are a person who knows the soldiers, and you have a lot of experience in running a regiment and practicing bravery. Do you think that what should be done in front of you is the best policy? ”

Wang Ju said: "Futai Rongyu, the lower officials dare to think that if they don't recruit a new brigade quickly, they can't keep Changsha safe!" This is the best policy at the moment! ”

Luo Bingzhang hurriedly said: "Pushan, the headquarters wants to ask you, if the governor yamen decides to recruit bravery, do you think you should recruit a few more battalions in order to help things?" What was Zeng's idea? ”

Wang Ju said: "Futai Rongyu, the current Di Weng, only thinks about going out of the province to suppress thieves, and has no time to take care of Hunan. ”

Luo Bingzhang said: "Lord Zeng is acting on orders, he always has his old troubles!" Pushan, I heard that the headquarters is still only taking a battalion with you? No way? You are the first person in Hunan to handle group exercises! When it comes to Wang Pushan, even Jingshi knows it. ”

Luo Bingzhang's words suddenly touched Wang Zhu's sore spot, and he said angrily: "Xiaguan is already disheartened. After a few busy days, the lower official officially handed over his resignation to Di Weng. Please ask another member of the committee to take over the battalion Xiangyong. Xia Guan wants to go back and study for a few more years. ”

Luo Bingzhang pretended to be surprised and said, "Pushan, quickly dispel this idea." If you really want to hand over your resignation, even if Lord Zeng agrees, the Ministry of Courtyard will not let you go. Xiangyong is missing Wang Pushan, is it still Xiangyong? ”

When Wang Ju heard this, he was moved to tears.

He choked up for a long time before he said: "Lord Futai said this, if it reaches Di Weng's ears, he must be mad!" The current Xiangyong is about to become a big climate, and it is no longer the original Xiangyong! If you are really for the good of the lower officials, don't say anything, and let the lower officials retire to the forest to study! Xia Guan really doesn't want to be brave anymore! (End of chapter)