Chapter 14 Five Strategies to Earn Zuo Zongtang

Standing outside the door was Tao Gong, a family member of the Tao family, and Zuo Zongtang went out to greet him personally.Tao Gong followed Zuo Zongtang to the living room, and saw a pair of couplets on the pillars on both sides of the living room that was very eye-catching: "There are two Sima in the Western Han Dynasty, and one Wolong in Economic Nanyang." Tao Gong has been in and out of many poems, books and officials Home, I have never seen such a bold couplet, and I am secretly amazed.After sitting down, Tao Gong handed Tao Guang's letter to Zuo Zongtang.Although Tao Gong had heard of the son-in-law's name earlier, it was the first time they had met each other.Taking advantage of Zuo Zongtang's opportunity to walk and read the letter, he quietly looked at it carefully.Zuo Zongtang was in his forties, with a short stature, thick back and thick waist, pale and slightly fat face, round eyes, straight nose, and full chin.Tao Gong recalled that when others talked about Zuo Zongtang, they often said that he had a jaw like a hunch and a tiger's back. When I saw him today, it was true.Looking at the living room in a blink of an eye, although it is an asylum residence with simple furnishings, there are neatly stacked bookcases on the walls.On the front wall is an ink painting titled "Longzhong Conversation". In the painting, Zhuge Liang is talking eloquently while pointing at the map, while Liu Bei listens attentively.On both sides of the painting are couplets written by Zuo Zongtang himself: "Without a penny, I worry about the world; after reading through thousands of volumes, I will make friends with the ancients." On the left side of the couplet, a beautiful ancient sword hangs.A piece of crystal jade pei was tied on the silk ribbon of the hilt. When one looked closely, it was a unicorn baring its teeth and kicking its legs.When Tao Gong was looking left and right, he suddenly heard an angry roar: "This Liangji is so unreasonable!"

Zuo Zongtang usually had a loud voice, but this roar shook the roof tiles, scaring Mrs. Zhou and Mrs. Zhang out of the inner room in a hurry, and Ouyang Zhaoxiong also hurriedly entered the living room from the study. "Ji Gao, why are you so angry?" Mrs. Zhou was always weak, but now her complexion was pale and she was out of breath. "Look, look, this Liangji is really deceiving!" Mrs. Zhou took the letter and looked at it. Mrs. Zhang helped Zongtang to sit down and brought the teacup again. Tao Guang's wife, Xiaoyu, was born to Mrs. Zhou. After reading the letter, she burst into tears and murmured, "What should I do?" and handed the letter to Ouyang Zhaoxiong.

"Although Mr. Tao is young, there is still me! As long as I live for a day, I will not allow anyone to bully him. I am not afraid that he, Zhang Liangji, is the Futai. I will go to Changsha to judge with him! Mr. Tao Wenyi is an upright official, with a clean hand, and he is in the government and the opposition. Who doesn't know? Zhang Liangji asked the Tao family to donate 100,000 silver, which is clearly extortion!" Whenever Zuo Zongtang mentioned Tao Shu, he always said "Tao Wenyi Gong". . Zuo Zongtang became more and more angry, threw his hand, and shouted: "Prepare the horse! I will go to Changsha immediately." He said to Ouyang, "Brother Cen, I am really sorry, I, Zuo, can't swallow this breath .You stay here for two days, and I will talk about poetry after I come back."

"Don't worry, don't worry, let's figure it out first." Ouyang said, "I'm going to Yunxian's house. I'll wait for you at Yunxian's house." "Alright, I'll send someone to take you to Zimu Cave." Zuo Zongtang and Ouyang bid farewell, and then rode two fast horses with Tao's servants and headed straight to Changsha in the starry night.The next morning, Zuo Zongtang entered Changsha City and came to Tao Mansion. Seeing that it was the son's father-in-law coming, the porter immediately opened the door.Before entering the house, Zuo Zongtang asked, "Where is your son?"

The gatekeeper said with tears: "Yesterday afternoon, a group of soldiers kidnapped the young master." When Zuo Zongtang heard this, he immediately rode his horse to the governor's office next to Youyi Village, and rushed inside angrily.The guards guarding the gate did not stop him.Zuo Zongtang went straight to the hall, and a master walked out of it, and said with a smile: "Is that Mr. Zuo here? Mr. Zhang has been waiting here for a long time." After finishing speaking, Governor Zhang Liangji walked out of the signing room, and he bowed his hands to Zuo Zongtang: "Mr. Zuo, I have been waiting here for a long time."

Zuo Zongtang's anger did not dissipate, with an unhappy face, he asked, "Where is Mr. Tao? Please release Mr. Tao immediately! You are young, and I will take care of the housework for him. For matters of great importance, I am Zuo Zongtang." , don’t embarrass your son.” Zhang Liangji laughed loudly and said: "Mr. Zuo calm down, where did the word 'release' come from? There is no reason why Tao Wenyi's son and Zuo Jigao's son-in-law were kidnapped. I asked the young master to come and talk about it yesterday. Liang Ji has always admired Mr. Tao's noble character, and he also likes Mr. Zuo's bold and unrestrained style. Last night, I heard you talk about Tao Gong and Mr. Tao's past, and I couldn't help feeling fascinated. You are enjoying the flowers in the back garden." He turned to the master and said, "Please, Mr. Tao. "

When Zuo Zongtang heard that Tao Guang was not kidnapped, he calmed down a bit. "Mr. Zuo, please sit in the signing room." Zuo Zongtang was not humble, and walked into the signing room with Zhang Liangji, and the servant offered tea. Zuo Zongtang said: "Master Zhang, you know that Mr. Tao Wenyi was an upright official before his death. How could his family ever give out 100,000 taels of silver? Isn't this intentionally embarrassing Mr. Tao?" Zhang Liangji laughed again: "Mr. Zuo, Liangji has heard about Mr. Tao's integrity for a long time, today's so-called donation of money—" Just as he was talking, a person entered the signing room.When Zuo Zongtang saw it, he quickly stood up and said, "Brother Minqiao, it's been a long time."

"Brother Ji Gao, what's the wind here? Nice to meet you, nice to meet you!" "I'm here for Mr. Tao's affairs. Brother Minqiao, tell me, can the Tao family get one hundred thousand silver now? Mr. Zhang's move is too thoughtless." Jiang Zhongyuan laughed and said, "Don't blame Mr. Zhang, I suggested this matter to Mr. Zhang." "You?" Zuo Zongtang didn't expect such a bad idea from his old friend for many years. Jiang Zhongyuan patted Zuo Zongtang's shoulder and said, "Brother Ji Gao, let me tell you slowly." So Jiang Zhongyuan told Zhang Liangji how he admired him, how he recommended him, and how he offered advice.In the end, Jiang Zhongyuan said with some emotion: "Brother Ji Gao, it's been a long time since you were a public servant. Mr. Zhang's actions are rare in modern times. I hope my brother will make it beautiful."

At this time, Zuo Zongtang's mood has calmed down.He said to Jiang Zhongyuan: "You shouldn't offer such a plan. I've been toiled for a few days and I don't want to talk about it. Mr. Tao was threatened and his wife was at home. He still shed tears. Don't you think we have suffered? " Jiang Zhongyuan smiled and said: "My dear brother is always strong and strong, riding a fast horse for a few days is nothing. Mr. Tao, Mr. Zhang personally explained it to him yesterday. At a young age, it is also a test to endure some risks. As for Mrs. Sister-in-law, Zhong Yuan knows his crime, and he will definitely go to make amends and say hello another day. Otherwise, how can my dear brother come to Changsha? How can he enter the yamen? How can Master Zhang and I see you?"

Just as he was talking, Tao Guang came in.After Zuo Zongtang knew for sure that Tao Guang had been treated with courtesy, he completely calmed down.He asked Zhang Liangji and Jiang Zhongyuan: "I don't know why you want Zongtang to come here?" "I would like to ask you, sir, to assist me in protecting Changsha." Zuo Zongtang smiled slightly, and said: "Zongtang is a commoner, there are so many civil and military officials in Changsha City, how can Zuo be allowed to intervene in it." "Mr. is a talented man. Hu Runzhi praised him strongly before, and General Meng Jiang strongly recommended him yesterday. I admire him very much. Although Changsha has many cultures and military forces, how can it be compared with him!"

Zuo Zongtang liked to compare himself with Zhuge Liang, and he often signed "Jin Liang" at the end of his letters, and said to others, "Ji Liang may be better than Gu Liang".He has long hoped to do a great job like Zhuge Liang.Seeing Zhang Liangji's sincerity and Jiang Zhongyuan's recommendation, there is no reason not to agree.But Zuo Zongtang was not in a hurry to express his opinion. He said to Zhang Liangji: "It is a great honor for Zongtang to be loved wrongly by your lord. But Zongtang has a bad temper and is very arbitrary when things happen. Adults do it from beginning to end." Zhang Liangji replied: "Don't worry, sir. From now on, I will be the master to handle important matters, and I will never hold you back. Since you are the master, the group of bureaucrats will not make things difficult. Please rest assured, sir. I will send someone to pick up Bao's relatives to Changsha tomorrow." Zuo Zongtang quickly waved his hand and said, "Since your lord trusts him so much, you don't allow Zongtang not to come. But at present, Changsha is a place where soldiers are fighting fierce battles. It is better for my wife to live in Xiangyin. There is only one thing that needs to be explained in advance: Zongtang is A farmer in Hunan is not used to official life. If he gets along well with his lord and his colleagues, he will stay in Changsha for a few more days; " Zhang Liangji had already learned about Zuo Zongtang's strange temper from others, so he didn't mind what he said at all, he agreed wholeheartedly, and ordered a banquet to welcome him.