Chapter 60 Section 60 Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang's Secret Talk

At the beginning of June in the tenth year of Tongzhi (1871 AD), Li Hongzhang turned forty-nine years old. Of course Li Hongzhang has heard all kinds of praise, but he has no time to be intoxicated. On the day Yida Zongcheng and his party left Tianjin, Li Hongzhang hurried back to Baoding to handle all the things that should be done. Ten days later, he rushed back to Tianjin without stopping. In the Tianjin residence, Li Hongzhang took a short rest for two days, and at the invitation of Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang boarded a ship and rushed to Jinling with his entourage and a team of soldiers, to discuss the matter of sending his children abroad to study art and draft manuscripts.

Before leaving, he sent a letter to Jiangsu Governor's Yamen, asking Ding Richang to meet with Rong Hong and others at Liangjiang Governor's Yamen in Jinling. Li Hongzhang's official ship sailed along the river, and every time it reached a fort, the ship slowed down. At this time, he had to stand on the deck and use binoculars to check the situation of the garrison. The surface of the river is flat, and water birds are circling in the air. From time to time, grain transport boats pass by and patrol wooden boats stationed in the water division.Looking at the clear and flat river, Li Hongzhang felt refreshed and full of pride. He remembered the scene of organizing a regiment training with Lu Xianji in Anhui, the days and nights of fighting against Lai Wenguang of the East Nian, and Zhang Zongyu, the leader of the West Nian. At the same time, He also thought of Dongmei.Thinking of Dongmei, a cloud of guilt rose in his chest, and tears filled his eyes.

Suddenly, a British ironclad warship came head-on with black smoke, and its speed was almost three times that of the official ship. Li Hongzhang hastily swallowed his tears, turned his face away unnaturally, spit angrily, gritted his teeth and said to the officer beside him: "Sooner or later, our Qing Dynasty will be able to build an iron-clad ship like this! "The British ship flew past, covering the sky above the official ship with wisps of green smoke. After several days of sailing, when the ship arrived at Jinling Wharf, it was mid-afternoon. Ding Richang, Rong Hong and others, all dressed in brand-new official uniforms, were standing on the shore to greet them.

Li Hongzhang got off the boat with the help of his guards.After the ceremony, all the officials returned to the city in sedan chairs. After entering the official hall, Li Hongzhang took all the officials to salute and greet Zeng Guofan.Zeng Guofan helped each other with a smile, and the descendants watched the seats and served tea. Li Hongzhang sat next to Zeng Guofan, looked carefully at Zeng Guofan, and said with a smile: "Men, my disciples see that you have a ruddy complexion, and your spirit is much better than in Baoding!" Zeng Guofan narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "Shaoquan, you have done a good job in making a contract with Japan. Finally, you let me clear up and regain some of the face that was thrown on the Westerners. You did it for the imperial court." After such an important event, it stands to reason that the old man should pick you up in person, but the old man's legs are numb, his hands are trembling, and he can see you in a trance with his left eye, but he can't see anything with his right eye. The day when the old man meets you, It's getting less and less!"

Li Hongzhang hurriedly comforted him: "Master, don't say that, isn't your old illness caused by exhaustion? As long as you take care of yourself, maybe you can lead the army when you are old!" Ding Richang also said: "Old Zhongtang, you are only sixty years old, and you still have a long life!" Zeng Guofan raised his right hand and waved: "Okay, let's not talk about this. Shaoquan is the head of the governor, and it is not easy to come here. Let's talk about business. The matter of sending young children to the West to learn art, the old man is thinking about it." After discussing the matter for a long time, they discussed the matter with American Minister Williams and British Minister Wade Mart. They both agreed, but the imperial courts of the two countries had to formally sign a contract. It is also managed by our own staff.

"After returning to Jinling, the old man recuperated from illness for a few days, and investigated the case of Ma Gushan's assassination. Recently, he felt that he could sustain himself, so he prepared a draft in advance. I don't know if it will work or if there are any omissions. The old man invited you here to discuss the manuscript that the old man started. This is probably the last thing that the old man does, and it may also be the last note that the old man writes." After Zeng Guofan finished speaking, he picked up the draft from the case, handed it to Li Hongzhang and said, "Shaoquan, you have a discussion with Yusheng and Chunfu. The old man is not careful, and he knows little about the affairs of the Western Kingdom. Don't worry about it." What an omission." Then he picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, and said: "This old man is still the same old saying, people plan things, and God makes things happen. I probably don't care about what happens in the future. Shaoquan, please help me up , I can’t sit for a long time now. You talk about you, I go inside and rest for a while.” Li Hongzhang hurriedly helped Zeng Guofan up, and the master and apprentice walked slowly inside.

Everyone in the hall got up and watched the two leave.Li Hongzhang was delayed for another half an hour in the secret room before returning to the official hall.Obviously, Zeng Guofan only wanted to tell Li Hongzhang some things, and he didn't want outsiders to know. Li Hongzhang stayed in Jinling for ten days and stayed with Zeng Guofan for ten days.What exactly the master and apprentice talked about is unknown to outsiders, but the excerpts are absolutely fictitious. The book was still drafted by Zeng Guofan, and Li Hongzhang and Ding Richang will be titled.The title of the book is: "Books for Selected Children to Study Abroad".

Zhezi told the court three points about the benefits of sending overseas students to developed countries: 1. Knowing the overseas situation, you can master the essentials of strengthening a country; 3. China can master the skills that European countries are good at, and then it can strengthen itself, and then achieve the goal of using barbarians to control barbarians. At the end of the excerpt, he wrote: "In recent years, setting up bureaus, manufacturing, opening museums, and teaching are all skills that Westerners are good at, and China is quite aware of them. All necessary funds are approved by the decree, and it is determined that it will be accomplished. Although it is difficult. Don't be afraid, although the expense is not spared, the results are gradually becoming considerable. I plan to take the bright children to study abroad, although there are slightly different opinions, the truth is the same."

Li Hongzhang left Jinling on the day when the booklet was distributed, and accompanied by Ding Richang, Rong Hong and others, he boarded a ship and rushed to Shanghai.Zeng Guofan was supported by his guards, sent Li Hongzhang and others out of the gate, and watched them get on the sedan chair and leave.The guard said at this time: "Old Juexiang, you should go inside and rest. Li Juexiang, Ding Futai, and Master Rong have already gone far away." Zeng Guofan suddenly let out a long sigh, and said something that the guards couldn't understand: "Where the Qing Dynasty will go in the future depends on him!"

Who does the "he" in Zeng Guofan's mouth refer to?Li Hongzhang?Ding Richang?Yung Wing?The guard was quite curious, but he didn't have the courage to ask what happened.