Chapter 36 6. Hand over the important task of preparing for the construction of the navy to Peng Yulin

When Yang Zaifu came back from Wang Yaping that time, Zeng Guofan sent someone to take Wang Shiquan to Sangyuan Street for a day.Wang Shiquan told Zeng Guofan about Peng Yulin's situation in detail.Of course, Wang Shiquan didn't know the real reason why Peng Yulin is still single, but Zeng Guofan admired Yulin's ambition of "the Huns are not destroyed, and he can't take care of his family", thinking that he is a rare man today.He said to Shiquan: "Once Peng Yulin arrives at your house, you send someone to tell me that I will go to your mansion to visit him in person."

It just so happened that Guo Songtao, who was sent to Jiangxi to learn about the military situation last month, came to Sangyuan Street in Hengzhou with Jiang Zhongyuan's letter from Jiangxi.In view of the strength of the navy of the Taiping Army, Jiang Zhongyuan urged Zeng Guofan to train the navy in Hengzhou, and promised to play to the court.Guo Songtao also told Zeng Guofan about the majesty and prestige of the Taiping Army gunboats seen on the front line flying across the river.The more Zeng Guofan wanted to see Peng Yulin sooner. The afternoon after Peng Yulin came to Wang Yaping, Zeng Guofan came.Seeing that Zeng Guofan came to see him in person, Yulin was very moved, and said a little embarrassedly: "Master Zeng, you are just a down-and-out scholar on Yulin Zhajiang Street, how dare you condescend to come here, this is absolutely unbearable. "

Zeng Guofan took Yulin's hand with both hands, and carefully looked at this scholar who had only entered school a few years ago. He was indeed tall and tall, handsome and elegant, revealing an extraordinary bravery between his delicate eyebrows.Suddenly, the image of Zheng Chenggong, who was crowned king by a scholar, appeared in his mind, and he was overjoyed. He said with a smile, "I heard from Mr. Shiquan that Brother Xueqin is a rare and strange man nowadays. Guofan has admired him for a long time, and I am honored to meet him today , is actually the fate of three lives.” Peng Yulin was deeply moved by the sincerity of seeing each other late.He said excitedly: "My lord is serious. Your lord trains the tiger brigade army in Hengzhou to make a great reputation for Hengzhou. Your lord is both civil and military, and you take on the important responsibilities of the world. Your lord is the real one." Strange man."

Zeng Guofan laughed: "Hengzhou is Guofan's hometown, besides, it can't be said to have a strong reputation today, even if it has a strong reputation, it should be." "Xueqin knows that my lord wants to run a navy, and I am very willing to serve my lord." Wang Shiquan said. Zeng Guofan said to Peng Yulin: "I have known for a long time that I have a deep understanding of Zhou Yu's naval warfare, and I am a pillar of the country. Guofan wants to ask you to prepare for the first battalion of the navy. After this battalion is completed, you plan to use it. As an example, build another nine battalions and a total of ten naval battalions."

"Yu Lin is actually just a scholar. Although he has read Zhou Gongjin's Naval Art, it is only a matter of paper after all. My lord entrusts me with this heavy burden. Yu Lin feels as if he is facing a deep situation, and he is afraid that he will be overwhelmed in the future." "You don't have to be humble with one step. Guofan knows that his brother is alert and brave. In the last years of Daoguang, he personally captured the rebel Li Yuanfa. He is a rare hero among scholars." "Later, the Hengzhou Association asked for credit for Xueqin. Governor Yu Taigong thought that the one who captured Li Yuanfa must be a warrior, so he pulled Xueqin to serve as a foreign committee member of Linwuying, and rewarded Lan Ling. Xueqin laughed it off, but was not rewarded, and resigned to Zhajiang." Shi Quan laughed.

"This matter is really an interesting talk among scholars. Last year, I made a decisive decision in Leiyang and sent millions of money to the owner's hostage treasury to raise bravery to make a flag and defend the city. Guofan deeply admires this kind of courage." Yulin smiled lightly: "This was in a hurry, and there was nothing I could do. At that time, the county magistrate asked for payment, but there was no response, so I had to use it as an emergency, regardless of whether the master would agree." "The general is out, and the king's life is not accepted. Just by this incident, we can see brother Xueqin's general talent."

Everyone laughed.Zeng Guofan said: "The military is urgent and there is no time for leisure. Brother Xueqin, please move to Sangyuan Street tomorrow and start planning to build the water camp immediately. However, there is one thing I want to persuade you." "Please enlighten me, my lord." "I heard that you are still single, and you want to wait until you become famous before getting married. Although your ambition is good, I don't think you need to be so stubborn. The ancients said that there are three unfilial acts, and the worst is to have no descendants. How can you comfort your mother if you don't marry a wife and have children And from now on, he will join the army to fight, the soldiers will be fierce and dangerous, life and death will be unpredictable, let alone have no heirs. I hope you will get married before the army leaves Hengzhou." Guofan asked his soldiers to bring a box of silver, pointing Holding the box, he said, "There is a shortage of salaries in the army, and there are few rare ones. The eight hundred taels of silver are not a gift for hiring your step, but just for your family. After you get married, the navy will be trained, and then go down the river. Share worries for the imperial court."

Peng Yulin could neither disobey Zeng Guofan's kindness nor accept this generous gift, so he had to obey his orders respectfully. Peng Yulin moved into the Zhao Family Ancestral Hall on Sangyuan Street the next day.Zeng Guofan thought of Yang Zaifu's brilliant performance on Dongting Lake, and felt that Yang Zaifu was really a rare naval officer, so he introduced Yang Zaifu to Peng Yulin.When the two met, they were very happy.A few days ago, Zeng Guofan invited Huang Mian, the owner of Yongtai Gold, from Changsha to Hengzhou.Huang Mian served as magistrate in Jiangsu area for many years, saw many gunboats, inspected Jiangsu water camp, and had experience in handling naval divisions; he also transferred Chu Ruhang, an alternate magistrate who had led the water camp in Guangxi.Yang, Huang, Chu and Peng Yulin discussed the construction of the navy together. They first decided to build a large shipyard by the Qingcao Bridge under Shiguzui, recruit carpenters from all over the world, and work hard to build ships.In order to recognize each other and strengthen the momentum, Peng Yulin also designed various flags for the newly established First Battalion of the Navy.

As the saying goes, if you plant the flag of recruiting troops, you will have people who eat food.There have always been many boat people in Hengzhou, Hengshan, and Qiyang.These boat people do not fish, but make a living by transporting goods over long distances.Since the Taiping Army ignited the flames of war in the Xiangjiang River and Dongting Lake area in the past two years, the livelihood of the long-distance boat people has been greatly affected. Very difficult.Knowing that Zeng Guofan recruited water warriors in Hengzhou, even the salary of a scull laborer can support a family of four, so unemployed boat people from this area came one after another.In just ten days, there were two to three thousand people who came to join the army, much more than the establishment of a battalion.Zeng Guofan decided to select 1,500 people from them and build three battalions at the same time.Appoint Peng Yulin as the sentry officer of the first battalion, Yang Zaifu as the sentry officer of the second battalion, and Chu Ruhang as the sentry officer of the third battalion.