Reading guide: "The bandits are rampant and are gathering in Wuchang. Hubei soldiers, Zeng Guofan has not yet led the province to practice Yong out of the province. In the season of panic in the hearts of the people, when the military situation is unpredictable, the ministers and workers in the capital should fulfill their duties. As soon as the situation stabilizes a little, the three provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Jiangxi and Henan provinces will lift the strictness, and then reward the holiday. ”

。。 Excerpt from the oracle

There is only one big year a year, if you don't make good use of it, not only will you be unwilling, but if your ancestors have spirits, you will also scold "unscrupulous".

。。 Chonglun's private abacus

"Brother Fan, when this rumor is blowing, we must act with national affairs first. The upper head has been red-eyed by Hong Shunqi, and we can't add any more chaos. Of course, we can't add any more chaos to the chaos, but the brothers in each battalion have worked hard for a year, especially the commanders, sentinels, and battalion officers of each battalion. I don't think so. If it is false, let it go as usual, but keep the door closed. Everyone spent a few days in their respective camps. Whether it's gambling money or drinking, let him go, but you can't prostitute women. Prostituting women in the camp is too loud and easy to spread. What do the two brothers think? ”

。。 Hunan Admiral Bao Qibao said to Fan Xie

(text) Zeng Guofan's fold and two pieces, delivered by water and land, rushed to the capital day and night.

At this time, it was the end of the third year of Xianfeng, and there were only a few days before the New Year. Up and down the capital, the lights are colorful, and the yamen, big and small, are busy with seals and holidays.

But Xianfeng suddenly issued a decree: "The bandits are rampant and are gathering towards Wuchang." Hubei soldiers, Zeng Guofan has not yet led the province to practice Yong out of the province. In the season of panic in the hearts of the people, when the military situation is unpredictable, the ministers and workers in the capital should fulfill their duties. As soon as the situation stabilizes a little, the three provinces of Anhui, Hubei, Jiangxi and Henan provinces will lift the strictness, and then reward the holiday. ”

As soon as this edict was issued, it was immediately opposed privately by many of the king's ministers. But no one dared to raise objections.

In fact, Xianfeng didn't want to do this, it was really forced by the situation, so he had no choice but to make this decision.

However, this edict was only issued in the capital. According to Xianfeng's original intention, each province will be determined by the governor according to the situation of the province.

In addition to Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Henan and other provinces, other provinces are still decorated with lights and celebrate the New Year in full swing.

Chonglun, the governor of Hubei, according to the instructions of Governor Wu Wencheng, wrote to all prefectures, prefectures, and counties, and was not allowed to seal the holiday, nor was he allowed to return to the province to take up his post. This is a public instrument. However, in private, he sent a secret letter to all prefectures, prefectures, and counties, ordering all the main halls to strictly punish all subordinate officials, and not to leave their posts without permission, and the main hall himself could enter the province according to the old practice.

Chonglun did this because he didn't want to give up the annual example.

The so-called annual example, also known as the annual respect, is an indispensable part of the prefectures, prefectures, and counties every year, and must be honored to the governor for a piece of silver. Hubei is originally a prosperous province, and there are many officials who come to the bank, have more extra income, and have many means of exploitation, so Hubei's annual rate is naturally higher than that of other provinces. There is a real shortage of Taoists, and the annual example is 2,500 taels; There is a real shortage of prefects, and the annual case is 2,200 taels; One is really absent from the governor of Zhili Prefecture, and the annual case is 2,000 taels; A real lack of knowledge of the county, the annual example is 1,800 taels. Generally speaking, the lack of agency is half of the actual shortage.

In the past one or two years, the rise of the Taiping Army has caused a large outflow of the people of Hubei, and the income of officials has not been as good as before. However, the annual rate is still slightly higher than that of other provinces. This year is valued by successive governors and governors. If you want Chonglun to let go, it is difficult to climb to the sky. This is the first big year after Chonglun patrolled Hubei. Not only did he want to take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune, but he also wanted to take advantage of the situation to celebrate his birthday with his newborn son. Although his birthday was in May, and Mrs. Ru gave birth to his newborn son for only three days, and he was born with trouble. But he still had to hang it, or he would have no reason to reach out to those who were next to him for money. Chonglun knew that during the period of using troops, the imperial court was not allowed to be extravagant below, especially when the war was tight, and it was not allowed to supervise and extort from subordinate officials. But the court naturally has no right to interfere with marrying a girl on a birthday, or even marrying a wife and having children.

Chonglun's thoughts: There is only one big year a year, if you don't make good use of it, not only will you be unwilling, but if your ancestors have a spirit, you will also scold "unscrupulous".

Chonglun did this, naturally he had to hide it from Wu Wenrong. Although Wu Wenrong was stationed in Huangzhou, he knew what Chonglun did in Wuchang. But Wu Wenrong didn't bother to care about these things anymore. Wu Wenrong knew very well in his heart that since his arrival, Hubei's military affairs have not improved in the slightest, and no matter what he says at this time, Xianfeng will not take it seriously. Instead of increasing the disgust of the imperial court, it is better to drink a cup of stuffy wine yourself.

Hunan's Luo Bingzhang is not as bold as Chonglun. As early as a month ago, he wrote everywhere, ordering the yamen of all provinces, prefectures, and counties, that seals were not allowed in the first month, and that the official seal was not allowed to enter the province without an order; Green battalions in various localities are also forbidden to take vacations and gamble, and commanders of the army, such as mention, towns, and associations, are especially forbidden to leave the camp without authorization, gamble, or drink alcohol. Once it is found out, it will not be lend!

The battalions of Xiangyong on land and water, because they were vigorously preparing for leaving the province, although Luo Bingzhang did not write a word, Zeng Guofan did not dare to take it lightly.

However, Bao Qibao, the governor of Hunan, Fan Xie, the chief soldier of Yongzhou Town, and Ai Yan, the commander of the Hunan Navy, will still be in one place to discuss the New Year in the military camp.

According to Fan Xie's idea, he directly sent a message to Luo Bingzhang, and in the name of moving Changmao to Yongzhou, he simply transferred all the battalions in Changsha City and the town to Yongzhou, and everyone had a good New Year in Yongzhou. Throw Changsha to the Concord regiment led by Taqib to train and guard.

But Bao Qibao thought it was inappropriate.

Bao Qibao said to Fan Xie: "Brother Fan, when this rumor is blowing, we must also act on national affairs. The upper head has been red-eyed by Hong Shunqi, and we can't add any more chaos. Of course, we can't add to the chaos anymore, but the brothers in each battalion have worked hard for a year, especially the commanders and sentry commanders of each battalion, and we finally look forward to the new year, and we don't allow them to pass it, but it doesn't make sense. I don't think so. If it is false, let it go as usual, but keep the door closed. Everyone spent a few days in their respective camps. Whether it's gambling money or drinking, let him go, but you can't prostitute women. In the camp, the movement of prostituting women is too big, and it is easy to spread out. What do the two brothers think? ”

Ai Yan hurriedly asked: "Please make it clear to the military gate, how many days off will you have?" ”

Bao Qibao thought for a while and said: "In previous years, it was half a month, but this year it is shorter, five days." ”

Fan Xie said: "From the point of view of humble duties, since you are in the camp, you might as well follow the old rules." Five days, how can you have fun? Even if we accompany you to fight sparrows for five days, you can have fun when you are old? How could it be! ”

Bao Qibao knew that behind Fan Xie, there was a good official document of Saint Ente, so he didn't dare to insist on his own point of view, and borrowed the slope to get off the donkey and said: "There is nothing wrong with the rules of previous years, but everyone should be awake and don't go crazy." The long hair came in, and we were still shouting "strip, ten thousand", but it was a big joke. ”

Fan Xie smiled and said: "We celebrate the New Year, and Changmao is also celebrating the New Year." How did they get in? ”

Ai Yan also hurriedly added: "What Zhentai said is very true. Everyone is celebrating the New Year, there are only firecrackers and fireworks, how can there be cannons and wars? ”

Bao Qibao said: "Speaking of which, my brother is not a timid person who is afraid of death. The elder brother has worshiped the Bodhisattva for three generations, and the Bodhisattva is by his side to protect him, what is the elder brother afraid of? ”

Bao Qibao is busy with the New Year's Eve here, what is Hong Tianwang busy with? (End of chapter)