Chapter 47 Ten brothers are ten times better than me

Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi worked together in the Imperial Academy for a year. They were of the same age and were both from Hunan, so they had a close relationship.In the 21st year of Daoguang, Hu Linyi's father Zhan Shifu You Zhan Shi Hu Dayuan died of illness, and Hu Linyi returned to his hometown of Yiyang with his father's coffin.Zeng and Hu broke up that year.At the end of the three-year mourning period, Hu Linyi donated to the prefect of Anshun Prefecture, Guizhou, and later changed to the prefect of Zhenyuan Prefecture and Liping Prefecture.During his tenure as magistrate, he was promoted to Guidongdao because of his meritorious service in organizing the village braves to suppress the unrest among the Miao people.When Wu Wenrong was the governor of Guizhou, he valued Hu Linyi's military ability very much. After he went to Wuchang to act as the governor of Huguang, he urgently asked the imperial court to transfer Hu Linyi to Hubei for support.When Hu brought Liubai Xiangyong to Jinkou, Wu Wenrong had already died in battle.Hu didn't want to take refuge in Taiyong, the general of Jingzhou who took over, so he left Liu Baixiangyong in Jinkou, and came to Changsha alone to discuss with Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang.

"Brother Runzhi!" Zeng Guofan looked at Hu Linyi in military uniform, and said affectionately, "I haven't seen you for many years. Compared with the past, your brother looks even more majestic and heroic." Hu Linyi also said very happily: "Since Daoguang's father abandoned him in the 21st year, and Lin Yi left Beijing to return to his hometown, it has been 14 years since we parted from my brother. The thoughts of Yunshu are sprouting every day. Knowing that my brother has been proud of the spring breeze these years , and now he is commanding 20,000 soldiers and hundreds of generals to save the country from calamity and ease the worries of the king, and Lin Yi admires him immensely."

The two came to the study hand in hand, and the soldiers offered tea.Zeng Guofan said affectionately to Hu Linyi: "In August of the previous year, Guofan unfortunately heard of his mother's death, so he returned to Xiangxiang from the post of chief examiner in Jiangxi. Just in case, he came to the province to join Zhang Shiqing Zhongcheng, Jiang Minqiao, Zuo Jigao and others to recruit village braves and set up a military camp. Unexpectedly, Guofan was not talented in leading troops. When he first fought with Changmao, he was defeated twice. Fortunately, Laita and Luo , Peng, and Yang were able to prevent the entire army from being annihilated. They were forgiven by the Emperor Gao En, and they were formed again today. The brothers trained in Taiwan and achieved outstanding results. , It has been repeatedly said that the great talent at the end of the stage is enough to save today's Taotao."

"Brother Disheng is too polite. Guizhou is a remote place. What Lin Yi has done is really not worth mentioning. The giant long-haired bandits, who are strong and good at fighting, are rare in ancient and modern times, and they are often won and defeated. Lin Yi saw Hunan now. The Yong army battalion is cleaned up, the armor is bright, and the big victory in the future can be predicted." While talking, Zuo Zongtang rushed over after hearing the news.Hu Linyi's official wife is Jingjuan, the seventh daughter of Tao Shu.According to seniority, Zuo Zongtang is a generation higher than Hu Linyi.But in fact, in the year of Zuo Hutong, Hu was four months older than Zuo, so the two of them were always called brothers.After exchanging pleasantries, Zong Tang said: "I heard that my dear brother was invited by Lord Wu Wenjie to lead six hundred brave men to Hubei. Now that Lord Wu has died for the country, how can my dear brother go far?"

"Lin Yi is here to discuss this matter with the two brothers." "Xiang Yong is about to go north to help Hubei, and there is a lack of generals. My brother is ten times stronger than me. If you don't dislike me, this team will be led by my brother. Guofan and Ji Gao will raise money for my brother. They will be a township and support the country. Common people, pay Xiao He, who never stops supplying food!" Zeng Guofan laughed loudly after saying that. Hu Linyi waved his hands again and again, and said: "Brother Disheng really knows how to joke. You have worked hard and worked hard. You are the commander-in-chief of Xiangyong that everyone expects. How can Lin Yi look up to your brother?"

Zuo Zongtang felt that Zeng Guofan's words were hypocritical and hypocritical, so he said flatly: "Disheng does not have to give up his position as the head of the village, and Runzhi should not return to Guizhou. The six hundred Qianyong will be paid by the Hunan Fan Treasury, and Runzhi will assist Di Sheng, let’s go north together!” Because Zuo Zongtang suggested last year to go to the playground outside the South Gate to reward Xiangyong, and after the defeat of Jinggang, he went to the boat to reprimand Zeng Guofan, which made Luo Bingzhang admire Zuo Zongtang's outstanding insight; Impressed by Tang's courage and ability to do things, he valued Zuo Zongtang very much, even to the point of obeying his words.

Therefore, Zuo Zongtang can make arrangements for this matter in the tone of a governor. Hu Linyi was worried about the lack of food and wages for the six hundred townspeople, so he generously agreed: "Lin Yi obeyed Ji Gao's order, and from now on will be a side benefit under Brother Disheng's tent." Zeng Guofan was also modest and settled the matter.Hu Linyi said: "Brother Lin Yimeng took in Brother Disheng, and there is nothing to repay him. Now I offer Cao Cao's plan to cut off food in Wuchao and defeat Yuan Shu as a meeting gift." Zeng Guofan said happily: "Please explain in detail."

Hu Linyi said: "I have been in Jinkou for more than ten days, and I found out that most of the long-haired grain and grass are gathered in Tongcheng and Chongyang. For this northward march, it is advisable to split up and send an army to attack Tongcheng and Chongyang first to seize their grain and grass. " Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang said almost at the same time: "This is a good plan." A few days later, Zeng Guofan's three-way army from Hunan, Yong and land land swore in Changsha to rescue Wuchang.These three roads are: the first road, led by Taqibu, Luo Zenan and others with 7,000 horses, along Miluo, Yuezhou, Linxiang, Puqi, Xianning, and Zhifang all the way to Wuchang; the second road, led by Hu Linyi and Li Yuandu They led 3,000 troops to seize the food and grass of the Taiping Army in Tongcheng and Chongyang, and then went to Xianning Avenue to attack Wuchang; Jinkou went east to Wuchang.The three groups of people were about to leave, and the soldiers reported that Qinglin, the governor of Hubei, had arrived outside the gate of Xiangchun with a thousand hungry and exhausted soldiers.Zeng Guofan was shocked when he heard this, and sighed: "It seems that Wuchang has been lost."