Tao Ziyun saw Zuo Zongtang's temptation in a few words, so he agreed to his son's doll kiss with his daughter, so he solemnly said to Zuo Zongtang: "Mr. Zuo, there are still nine days left for your vacation and my vacation, you can live with me and test my son carefully, so you don't have to be in such a hurry to make a conclusion." ”

"There's no need to stay at your house until the end of the holiday, I have to go home with my wife and daughter, and I don't want to go home for days." Zuo Zongtang confidently and bluntly said to Tao Ziyun: "To test people, it depends on insight, and after this exchange, I can determine that your son is a son-in-law." ”

"Okay, that's it, let's write the engagement paperwork now. Tao Ziyun saw that Zuo Zongtang had made a positive final decision, and immediately took action in person, quickly took the four treasures of the study, and asked Zuo Zongtang to write a marriage letter.

My lord and He Renzhi heard that it was for Xiao Tao Youbei to get engaged, and volunteered to be witnesses and matchmakers, plus Zuo Zongtang and Tao Ziyun, with the participation of the four people, they quickly wrote two copies of the marriage book, and Zuo Zongtang and Tao Ziyun each kept a copy.

Tao Ziyun said bluntly to Zuo Zongtang, who was already a member of his in-laws: "When you want to go back, I will send you home and bring a dowry at the same time." ”

Zuo Zongtang didn't think about it, so he replied: "I came to you just to see if it is suitable for my daughter to marry your son, and now that the matter has been completed, I can go home now." ”

Tao Ziyun resolutely kept Zuo Zongtang and said: "Even if you can go home, I can't send you home yet, because I haven't had time to prepare the dowry!" You are in a hurry to go home, so let us entertain you for lunch before leaving. During this time, we are ready to prepare the dowry. ”

Tao Ziyun's request. With the strong support of my lord and He Renzhi, in their echoes, Zuo Zongtang had no choice but to acquiesce to staying for lunch.

In the kitchen, the girls began to make lunch. He Renzhi volunteered to take over the task of going out to buy a dowry, rode his black-haired horse, and ran away quickly.

Tao Ziyun, who had the responsibility of accompanying the guests, sat next to Zuo Zongtang and chatted: "Mr. Zuo." Besides, I stayed with you last night, and the book of war in your room is "Lao Tzu's Art of War". It's all worn out a lot, and you have studied the art of war very deeply, right?"

Zuo Zongtang cautiously replied: "It can be regarded as a deep study! But without actual combat training, I don't dare to be arrogant!"

"Oh, that's good. Tao Ziyun said. It is also to encourage Zuo Zongtang as much as possible.

Small talk. He Renzhi came back, he didn't show Zuo Zongtang what he bought, but asked Tao Ziyun to go out.

He Renzhi took down two sacks containing things from the horse, and said to Tao Ziyun for advice: "I have seen too many people come to give dowry gifts to people in the order of things, and I know what to buy as a dowry." Brother Tao, if you have no opinion, I will make these things a burden and let you carry them to Zuofu to give a dowry. ”

Tao Ziyun opened the sack and looked at the contents inside: "Okay." I'll leave it to you. But you have to hurry, it's going to be lunch soon. ”

Had lunch. With He Renzhi's dowry packed, Tao Ziyun took Zuo Zongtang and soon flew to Zuofu.

"That's natural, if Lord Tao's son is not good, Lord Tao will not propose to us. Mrs. Zuo listened to Xianggong's description of her future son-in-law, and it seemed very natural.

There is also a natural thing, at Tao Ziyun's request, Mrs. Zuo accepted all the dowry gifts that Tao Ziyun brought over. Then, Tao Ziyun didn't wait for dinner, he said goodbye to Zuo Zongtang and his wife, and flew back to the order.

Time passed quickly, the one-month holiday arrived, Tao Ziyun took the people who originally went to the capital and Qin Ji, and flew to the Tao Mansion in the capital in time.

That night, Chang Li came to visit the door, and without Tao Ziyun's question, Chang Zhi told him: "The battle at the border pass is deadlocked, and after the request of General He Da to send back the recital, Lord Ling Rongjin was sent by the emperor, and he was escorted to the border pass by a team of officers half a month ago to give advice to those generals. ”

Tao Ziyun asked with a solemn expression, "Then how is the recent battle situation?"

Chang replied with a sad face: "There are casualties on both sides, and if you continue to fight like this, it will be a great drain on both sides." ”

"Well, it depends, there is always a solution to the matter. Tao Ziyun replied with mixed feelings.

The next morning, the emperor told the minister of civil and military affairs about the border pass: "Recently, the border pass has been tight, and the related twists and turns have continued. General He and Ling Rongjin asked me to let Tao Aiqing lead the troops to reinforcements. But Prince Jin tried his best to exclude Tao Aiqing, because Tao Aiqing impeached Prince Jin at the beginning, so he felt that he could not work with Tao Aiqing, and asked not to let Tao Aiqing go to the border. Ladies and gentlemen, how are you doing now?"

A minister came out and said: "The emperor can issue a holy decree, let Prince Jin put the interests of the country first, put aside a grudge, and work together with Lord Tao to deal with the enemy's attack." ”

The emperor listened to the minister's construction, and asked Tao Ziyun by name: "Tao Aiqing, what do you think?"

Tao Ziyun heard this situation and thought of another way to deal with it: "Your Majesty, it would be too embarrassing for Prince Jin to directly let Weichen and Prince Jin fight the enemy together." In order to avoid the difficulties of the strongman, Weichen Jianyì: It is enough for Weichen to recommend a person and let him give advice to those generals!"

The emperor was a little surprised and asked Tao Ziyun: "Who is the person recommended by Tao Aiqing?

"Weichen recommended a teacher from the academy, his name is Zuo Zongtang, he is a good writer, he can give advice to those generals, and he himself has a little kung fu. Tao Ziyun recommended Zuo Zongtang, who had just been discovered.

The emperor then said in a loud voice: "Okay, prepare the holy decree and let Zuo Zongtang enter Beijing! ”

After retiring from the dynasty, Tao Ziyun himself still went to the yamen on duty as usual. Announcing that Zuo Zongtang was summoned to Beijing, someone hurried to summon him.

A few days later, Zuo Zongtang came to the capital, first came to Tao Mansion, he said to Tao Ziyun: "I know that you recommended me, although this is not a good thing to do, but I can contribute to the country as soon as possible, I am still very willing to do it, and I am very grateful to you for recommending me." ”

Tao Ziyun said to Zuo Zongtang with relief: "I knew that my in-laws had a piece of loyalty to contribute to the country, and you really didn't disappoint me." Because I have a hatred for Prince Jin, I can't work with him at the border, which is also a last resort. ”

Zuo Zongtang said to Tao Ziyun sincerely: "After I arrive at the border pass, I will try my best to resist the enemy army, and I may not be able to come back." Here, I have only one request, if I can't come back, please take care of my wife and daughter, especially my daughter, because she is already your future daughter-in-law. ”

Tao Ziyun assured Zuo Zongtang: "I will do this, if you can't come back, I will do what I say!"

That night, Zuo Zongtang stayed in Tao Mansion.

The next day, Tao Ziyun and Zuo Zongtang went to the morning court together. Zuo Zongtang received a new holy decree, got into a carriage, and hurried to the border under the escort of a team of 3,000 officers and soldiers!

Tao Ziyun did not have time to inquire about Zuo Zongtang's going, but estimated that they had arrived at the border pass, so he flew into the air in the evening and went to visit the battle situation on the front line.

Zuo Zongtang is still some distance away from the border pass, near the border pass, a group of enemy soldiers is besieging a group of Qing troops, he can see clearly, the general of the Qing army is Prince Jin!

Prince Jin rode on his horse and rushed left and right, when suddenly a large sledgehammer flew towards his back, and he fell off his horse in response......!