Chapter 11 Three think of the power ministers in history, Zeng Guofan did not write a letter of gratitude to Sushun

Luo Zundian is from Susong, Anhui Province. He was transferred from the Hubei feudal secretary to the governor of Zhejiang a year ago.He has a very deep relationship with Hu Linyi.He Guiqing hated Luo Zundian out of jealousy of the Hunan people.When Zhang Yuliang was ordered by He Chun to lead troops to aid Zhejiang, He Guiqing instructed his confidant, Wang Youling, the feudal governor of Jiangsu, to keep Zhang Yuliang in Suzhou for two days under the pretext of inspecting the city walls of Suzhou. As a result, the military situation was delayed, and Luo Zundian committed suicide by destroying the city.Zeng Guofan was very upset about Luo Zundian's injustice. He concentrated for a long time and wrote an elegiac couplet for Luo: "The lone army cuts off foreign aid, which is the same as Xu Yuancheng's affairs; ten thousand horses welcome loyal bones, and new ones come from the tomb of King Yue." The next day, Zeng Guofan arrived in person Luofu, bowed in mourning before the coffin of Luo Zundian.When the elegiac couplet written by him was hung high, all those who came to express their condolences sighed with emotion.

After paying homage, Zeng Guofan specially asked Luo Zundian's son Luo Zhonghu to talk in the backyard to show his concern.He wanted Luo Zhonghu to tell the emperor about his father's unjust death, and severely punish He Guiqing, who was greedy for life and afraid of death, and harmed the country and the people.He also encouraged Luo Zhonghu to study hard and exercise his talents. Nowadays, there are many dangers in the world, and those who are talented will not be in their pockets for a long time. "My lord Zeng was born late and young. Although he was very eager to study, he didn't know what kind of books to read in this world." Luo Zhonghu had always admired Zeng Guofan's knowledge and took the opportunity to ask him for advice.

Zeng Guofan thought for a while and said: "The books of the sages and the world are not good at Sima Wenzhenggong. His discussions of ancient times are all eclectic and open-minded, such as discussing status because of the division of the Jin Dynasty, discussing customs because of the transfer of Cao Wei, and discussing customs because of the transfer of Cao Wei. The Shu Han discusses Zhengrun, and Fan and Ying discuss names and facts. Both of them are able to understand the principles of things and hold the power of sages. It is also good to describe the reasons for the gains and losses of military affairs. It is also clear in context. Because of the prodigal family, the scholar-bureaucrats are afraid to know the warning. In fact, the classics outside the Six Classics are not published. If you can read this book well, and read the three links and two extensions of the book, you will come out to do things in the future, and you will stick to it without losing your mind. "

Luo Zhonghu was very inspired and said: "The teaching of the adults made the late students come out of the maze. From now on, the late students will follow the teachings of the adults and study hard." While talking, suddenly saw a person staggering into the mourning hall, shouting: "Tan Weng, you died a miserable death!" When Zeng Guofan looked up, it turned out to be Yan Jingming, Prime Minister of Hubei Liangtai.He walked over, took Yan Jingming's hand and asked, "Did you come here from Wuchang?" Yan Jingming said: "Runzhi asked me to come to Susong to express his condolences on his behalf, and he still has a letter for you."

Zeng Guofan nodded and stopped asking. After the family sacrifice of the Luo Mansion, Zeng Guofan invited Yan Jingming to the barracks. "Diao Dan Village is a name, and it's real to give it away." After entering the inner room, Yan Jingming took out a letter from the middle of the bootleaf, and handed it to Zeng Guofan with both hands. Zeng Guofan thought: What kind of letter is this, so mysterious!When he looked at the envelope, he was even more surprised: it was not his name written on the envelope, but Hu Linyi's name.When I opened it, I realized that it was a secret letter written by Sushun to Hu Linyi recently.The letter said something like this: the Jiangnan battalion was defeated, and the emperor was restless recently; He Guiqing fled before the battle, and the emperor was even more resentful.The emperor intends to choose a reliable person to replace He Guiqing in several provinces in the southeast, and has consulted several relatives and noble ministers about this matter.Last night, the emperor told Sushun that he planned to appoint Hu Linyi as governor of Liangjiang.Sushun pondered for a moment after hearing this, and said: "Hu Linyi is talented and talented, and he is worthy of the post of governor of Jiang, but if he is transferred, there will be no one to take the post of Hubei governor." The emperor asked: "How about calling Zeng Guofan to be the governor of Hubei Province?" Sushun said: "Six years ago, the emperor ordered Zeng Guofan to serve as the governor of the Hubei Province, and then revoked the previous order a few days later. Zeng Guofan must have been unhappy. After six years, he was called to be the governor of the Hubei Province again. It seems that the emperor is not very kind. It is better to simply call Zeng Guofan is the governor of Jiang. Hu and Zeng are good friends, and they will definitely coordinate and cooperate. At that time, the situation in the southeast will turn around." The emperor nodded and said: "You are thinking about it, so let's do it like this!"

Seeing this, Zeng Guofan was so excited that his hands trembled slightly, and his heart was filled with infinite gratitude to Sushun.Su Shunxin wrote at the end: Runzhi has always understood the righteousness and the overall situation, thinking that there will be no grudges because of this matter.Hope to work together with Zeng Disheng to turn the tide and make great achievements in conquering Jiangning.The Lingyan Pavilion was built in another day, and the statues of Runzhi and Disheng were painted on the head. There is also a line of small words in the corner of the letter: "Please send it to the students to read."

Zeng Guofan refolded the letter, solemnly put it in the envelope, returned it to Yan Jingming with both hands, and said, "I'm sorry to bother you to tell Runzhi that I have already read it." After Yan Jingming stuffed the letter into the middle of the bootleaf, Zeng Guofan asked: "What else did Runzhi say?" Yan Jingming replied: "Runzhi wants me to tell you that it is rare for the emperor to have such a virtuous minister as Su Xiang, who is so respectful of the nobles of the sky, who pays so much attention to our Han scholars. In fact, I have only seen it. ZTE is hopeful, and we can let go and do it boldly.”

"Yes! The king is a sage and a virtuous man, and there is something to be done in state affairs." Zeng Guofan said this from the bottom of his heart. "Runzhi also said that if you want to restore Jiangning, you have to start from Anhui Province, and suggested that Yuanfu take the word Ji to encircle Anqing quickly. Yuanfu is so talented that he can be alone." "Talent is rooted in tools, it's a good theory." Zeng Guofan laughed, "It seems that I, as an elder brother, don't know Yuanfu as well as Runzhi. You go back and tell Runzhi that I will follow his arrangement. , Immediately transfer Yuanfu to Anqing."

"Okay, I won't stay in Susong for a long time, and I will return to Wuchang tomorrow." Yan Jingming had just left when there was another knock on the door. "It's so late, who else will come?" Zeng Guofan thought to himself. The door opened, and it was Li Hongzhang who came in. "Teacher, I can't sleep, I want to chat with you all the time." Li Hongzhang knew that Zeng Guofan had a habit of chatting at night. "It's rare for something to prevent you from sleeping well." Contrary to Zeng Guofan, Li Hongzhang was very sleepy.Zeng Guofan also knew this.

"Teacher." Li Hongzhang said solemnly after sitting down, "After much deliberation, the collapse of the Jiangnan camp is not a bad thing, but a good thing." "You think so too?" Zeng Guofan was secretly happy. Li Yuandu, Zuo Zongtang, and Hu Linyi could all see Xiangyong's turnaround from the failure of the Jiangnan camp. Now Li Hongzhang also held this view. He felt that there were indeed a group of Talented people with extraordinary vision. "A misfortune is a blessing, and a blessing is a disaster. A few days ago, the Jiangnan camp seemed to be in full swing, but it had already planted the root of defeat. Now, amidst the disaster of the entire army, there is a turning point in the war." Li Hongzhang Two beautiful eyes are shining, showing an unusually alert look.

"What kind of turning point will there be?" Zeng Guofan asked.He not only wanted to further measure Li Hongzhang's ability to analyze things, but also relied on his analysis to verify his own judgment. "Men, I thought that the emperor would lose confidence in the green battalion from now on, and pin all his hopes on Xiangyong. This is the turning point of the war." What a good-natured second brother Li!Zeng Guofan praised in his heart.He envied Li Wen'an's good fortune in giving birth to such an intelligent son, if only Jize could be like him. "Men, my disciple still has a premonition." Li Hongzhang stretched his head towards Zeng Guofan, and said mysteriously, "He Guiqing will definitely be dismissed, and my mentor is very likely to be Governor of Liangjiang." "Don't talk nonsense!" Zeng Guofan stopped in a low voice. "Yes. My disciples don't tell others, they just think about it." After a while, Li Hongzhang said again, "Teacher, my disciples think that although Xiangyong has all the water and land, it still lacks." "What is missing?" "Lack of a cavalry team." "Oh!" Zeng Guofan nodded, half-closed his eyes habitually, and leaned back in his chair, thinking.Soon, half-closed eyes opened.He remembered what the sixth brother once said, looking at people with half-closed eyes makes people feel arrogant and difficult to get close to.To change!In the future, if you become a governor, you will have a high position and authority, and you must pay more attention to your appearance and humility.Li Hongzhang did not notice this change, and continued: "The long-haired cavalry is not strong, but Nianzi in northern Anhui is good at riding and shooting. In the future, we must have a strong cavalry to calm Nianzi." "Shaoquan, you think long-term." Li Hongzhang's reminder is very important.Anhui Province is under the jurisdiction of Liangjiang, so we should not only think about the present, but also consider its long-term stability in the future. "Get ready. In a few days, go to northern Anhui to recruit 500 strong men. I'll send people out to buy 500 good horses. How about you training a cavalry team?" "The mentor attaches so much importance to it, the disciples must train this cavalry team well." Li Hongzhang was overjoyed, and after a few casual gossips, he got up and went back. The drowsiness was washed away by Yan and Li's conversation, and Zeng Guofan didn't go to bed at all. He felt that there were many things to be done quickly.Looking around the provinces in the southeast, only he is the most qualified to be the governor of Jiang. It seems that Sushun is telling the truth.Since Xianfeng led the brave three years ago, he has been looking forward to this day.Now, that day is numbered.At this time, the governor of Liangjiang is actually the supreme commander of the war against Changmao, that is, the supreme commander of the country's military forces. From this height, he has to make overall arrangements.However, Yiliang, He Guiqing and others who served as the governors of Liangjiang in the past did not see their position clearly, or they saw it, but they did not have enough troops to deploy directly, and they could not be the real commanders.Zeng Guofan can act as the commander in chief.He has his own direct line force——Xiang Yong. He wants to formulate a well-thought-out and practical military plan, greatly expand Xiang Yong, command the green battalion in Liangjiang, and be a commander with majestic orders and awe of the three armies.Thinking of this, Zeng Guofan once again felt grateful to Sushun. He wanted to write a top-secret letter to Sushun and send it to Beijing.Zeng Guofan took out a piece of paper and rubbed the ink slowly.Suddenly, he remembered what Sushun asked Hu Linyi to show him the letter, and a question arose in his heart: Why did Sushun tell Hu Linyi and himself such a top-secret matter?Logically, he shouldn't have leaked it. "Sushun wants to please you!" Zeng Guofan said in his heart, and he began to calm down.Zeng Guofan is clear about the Xie Kui of this holy family.Sushun is shrewd and capable, courageous, and dares to reuse the Han people, and looks down on the faint-hearted among the Manchu and Mongolian relatives.He is arrogant and domineering, and he is arbitrary.It turned out that she had a good relationship with Prince Gong, but later, relying on the emperor's favor, even Prince Gong ignored her.Isn't today's Sushun a powerful minister in history?Prince Gong and the Manchu and Mongolian relatives behind him are very powerful in the court. Compared with them, Su Shun is alone.Although the emperor is young, he is said to have tuberculosis. In case of misfortune, Sushun is no match for King Gong!Did he have ulterior motives in blatantly trying to win him over and appease Hu Linyi?Thinking of this, Zeng Guofan felt a trace of fear in his heart.Forewarned is forearmed, without prejudging the waste.For such a big event, it is better to be cautious.Zeng Guofan stopped grinding the ink and put the paper in the drawer.He decided not to write a thank-you letter to Sushun, and even if the edict came, he could only follow the rules and thank the emperor, and he could not have any personal contact with Sushun.