Chapter 53 The day after Sanrong became Earl, Zeng Guoquan fell ill

Early the next morning, it was reported that Zeng Guoquan was sick and refused to meet the guests. Zeng Guofan was shocked when he heard that, and hurried into his brother's bedroom, and he was indeed sleeping on the bed.It turned out that when Zeng Guoquan heard the Shangyu scolding him by name, he was filled with resentment and stayed up all night.In the middle of the night, small red spots appeared all over his body, and a meat bun grew under his left shoulder, which was the size of a copper coin. "Old Ninth, you're poisonous, it's okay," Zeng Guofan comforted, "I've worked so hard in the past few months, guarding the battlefield day and night, and the poisonous gas is attacking my heart. It's best to let it out now."

"Brother." Zeng Guoquan grabbed his brother's hand, which was very hot. "Leading troops to kill thieves, attacking cities and conquering territory, even if you are not afraid of death, are you still afraid of ringworm and scabies? I feel very uncomfortable!" "Old Nine, what do you feel uncomfortable in your heart?" Zeng Guofan stared lovingly at his younger brother, but he actually knew about it.Last night, Zeng Guofan also didn't sleep well all night, thinking a lot about the two edicts he received at the same time in the day.Over the years, he has obeyed the high theories of the ugly Taoist, based on the learning of Confucius, Mencius, Cheng Zhu, and Zhuangzi. His younger brother, Feng Bo, was already very satisfied and did not dare to hope for higher rewards, but historical lessons such as "the master of great achievements", "no reward for great achievements", and "cooking a rabbit to death" often linger in his mind.Recently, he read "Historical Records: Biography of Marquis of Huaiyin", "Book of Tang: Biography of Li Deyu", "History of Ming Dynasty: Biography of Lanyu" and so on.Those tragic stories in history frightened him, and he warned himself that he should be more cautious at this time, not to give others blame, but it is a pity that the ninth brother and his subordinates did not take his previous advice to heart.The victory in Jinling was not perfect, especially if he set fire to the Heavenly King's Palace and looted all the gold and silver treasures, he would inevitably be ridiculed by the world in the future, and it would be difficult to explain to the court.But Zeng Guofan did not expect that the court's accusation would come so quickly and the wording would be so severe. It is already very clear what lies behind this edict.

A few days ago, Ouyang Zhaoxiong sent a letter, which said: "The great achievement has been accomplished, and the desired thing is also gratifying. Gu So good at the latter, how is it for the country? How is it for the people? How is it for the family? How about the body? You must be familiar with the plan, and the plan is already in advance. Stealing false ideas: Because you are a people, you want to use the words of diligence and thrift to restore customs; This is the understanding of sincerity and worry about prosperity and danger, and the resolution of maintaining profit and maintaining state." Zeng Guofan recited these few words over and over again, grateful for his old friend's concern, and decided to adopt his suggestion to save the festival with two words of concession.The Ninth Brother, who is arrogant and inexperienced, did not realize this, and must be pointed out to him solemnly today.

"Brother, I have heard you say that Wen Zong personally promised that the empress dowager and the emperor should obey the first king who captures Jinling City." Zeng Guofan was shocked, this old nine who didn't know current affairs actually had such unreasonable thoughts!Zeng Guoquan saw that the elder brother was stunned, and knew that he had spoken too hastily, so he hurriedly added: "Elder brother founded the Hunan Army and strategized. Although he did not lead troops to Jinling in person, elder brother ranks first in terms of merit. When he said that he was crowned king, he meant that my elder brother and I both Feng Wang."

Zeng Guoquan's addition made Zeng Guofan's heart cold, and he felt uncomfortable for his brother's arrogance and ignorance.He suppressed the displeasure in his heart, and still said in a loving tone: "Lao Jiu, you shouldn't think this way. Wen Zong's words were heard by Zhou Yunong in Beijing. It's hard to say whether it is true, even if it is Really, that was Wen Zong's whim, it can't be taken seriously, you should not feel bad about it." "As the eldest brother said, if you don't become a king, can't you be a duke? Even if you don't become a duke, I should also be a marquis! It's a matter of course for my elder brother to be a marquis. I don't want to compete with my elder brother for this marquis. Why is the empress dowager so stingy?" , are you reluctant to confer two marquises?"

"Keep your voice down, and speak properly." Zeng Guofan saw that his younger brother accused the Empress Dowager of being too presumptuous, so he said sternly, "You must know that walls have ears." "How difficult it is to attack Jinling. I dare say that it would be impossible for anyone else to take it!" Zeng Guoquan felt wronged and conceited. "Old Ninth," Zeng Guofan said solemnly, "I told you at the table that day, throughout the ages, all major tasks have been done partly by manpower and partly by fate. Manpower? Even if you are capable, let half of you be a genius."

"Guan Wen sits in Anfu, Wuchang, and is honored as an earl. Li Hongzhang only accepts Su Sui and Chang, and he is also an earl. This earl is too worthless!" Zeng Guoquan ignored his elder brother's painstaking efforts, and still vented his resentment loudly. "Guanzhongtang governs the two lakes, and has made great contributions to raising salaries for the Hunan Army. Li Shaoquan was in the famous city of Diek in southern Jiangsu and preserved Shanghai, so that Jinling bandits had no reinforcements and no way to retreat. It is understandable that the two were earls. Zeng Guofan also felt the same about his younger brother's complaints, but he couldn't go along with him at this time, otherwise it would add fuel to the fire.

"Don't talk about it!" Zeng Guoquan sat up from the bed in a hurry, with an aggressive light in his eyes, "Jinling only escaped with more than a thousand long hairs, and they will be severely punished. When the city of Hangzhou was destroyed, the false listener Chen Bingwen He rushed out with more than 100,000 long hairs, why was Zuo Zongtang not blamed? The Shangyu said that according to the Zhejiang side, it is obvious that Zuo Zongtang is slandering. The third dwarf on the left is not a good thing!" Zeng Guoquan scolded angrily stand up. It was Zeng Guofan who told the court that Hong Fuzhen set himself on fire based on Zeng Guoquan's letter. Zuo Zongtang used the young master's escape to make a big fuss, attacking Zeng Guoquan openly, and attacking Zeng Guofan secretly.This incident made Zeng Guofan most annoyed with Zuo Zongtang.He was very puzzled that this old friend who had known him for thirty years was merciless on such a big matter.

Is it because he is also the governor, and Zeng Guofan is not in his eyes?Or is he jealous that his brother has become the first person to conquer Jinling?Or did someone in the DPRK instruct such a book on the left?In any case, at this time Zuo Zongtang made this unfeeling note, and the thirty-year friendship between the two of them came to an end.Zeng Guofan nodded slightly and said: "Old Ninth, you don't have to feel bad about this matter, you also know about Zuo Zongtang, in a few days the elder brother will give the emperor an account and speak for you." "Also." Zeng Guoquan felt a little better after expressing the anger in his heart, "The emperor wants to send Li Xiucheng and Hong Renda to Beijing. The two criminals have already become ghosts. What should we do about this?"

"It's up to me to explain this to the emperor." Zeng Guofan comforted his younger brother, but he thought in his heart, where is the arrogance of patting his chest that day? "It's okay to talk about Li Xiucheng. The problem is the money. The emperor wants to track down the money in Jinling City!" Zeng Guoquan lowered his voice, "Brother, to tell you the truth, the gold, silver and jewelry in Jinling City, plus the young The women have all become the property of the generals of the Hunan Army, and they are being transported to Hunan by boat after boat! Even I have hundreds of thousands. If the gold and silver are taken out of their pockets according to the emperor's decree, Then Jinling City will be turned upside down, and I can't suppress it."

Zeng Guofan listened expressionlessly. He had already seen these things clearly, so he was not surprised at all.But it's a tricky business.These first-time generals rely on their meritorious service and ask for a high price. The imperial court’s rewards can’t fully satisfy their desires, and they are only empty titles without benefits. Now they are going to besiege them for two or three years, thinking that their lives were exchanged for property. Taking it out again is tantamount to digging out their hearts.If something really happened, the consequences would be disastrous. "Old Ninth, you have to convince them to take care of the overall situation, no matter how much they have, you have to give some, one is to explain to the court, and the other is to block the mouth of the world." "Murder and arson, I can order them to do it, but I can't ask them to pay for their own lives. Besides, if I don't do it, my money has already been transported away." "Jiu Shuai, your bowl of water is not level!" Zeng Guoquan was about to continue, when suddenly there was a thunderous roar from the door, and Zhu Hongzhang, the battalion officer of Huanzi Battalion, was drunk and foaming at the mouth, his eyes were red and opened as big as copper bells, and he stumbled towards him. Come in, followed by a few soldiers. "Huanwen!" Zeng Guofan said to Zhu Hongzhang with a long face, very unhappy, "Look at how drunk you are!" "Master Zhongtang." Only then did Zhu Hongzhang realize that Zeng Guofan was there, and he suddenly became sober, "The first one to rush into the city was not Li Chendian, but I, Zhu!" "How do you say that?" Zeng Guofan wondered. It was said that after Kang Fu's death, Li Chendian was the first to rush into Jinling City. Why did he become Zhu Hongzhang again? "Lord Zhongtang." Zhu Hongzhang wiped the foam from his mouth with his hands, stood up straighter, and said in a somewhat submissive manner, "On the morning of June 16, the Dragon's Neck Tunnel was dug for the second time. , the Nine Marshals gathered the battalion officers to decide who would be the vanguard of the city. Everyone was too afraid to accept the order. I was the one who led the vanguard and issued a military order. The Nine Marshals should remember this. Later, I led the Fifteen hundred brothers from Huanzi Camp rushed in through the gap in the city wall, and they were the first to enter Jinling, and the commander-in-chief praised me for my ability." "According to this, Huanwen should be the first to enter the city." Zeng Guofan asked his brother. "Yes." Zeng Guoquan nodded. "Then why Li Chendian?" Zeng Guofan was puzzled. "Lord Zhongtang, the matter is like this." Zhu Hongzhang hurriedly said, "The tunnel of the dragon's neck was dug by Xinziying. Although Li Chendian was not the first to enter the city, he was the first to reach the Tianwang Palace. It is said that Li Chendian was the first to enter the city." No. Hero, I have no objection, but now Xiao Fusi is in front of me and won the baron, can this convince me? Damn, he retreated when attacking the city, and rushed forward when receiving the reward. He is smart, I'm a fool." Zhu Hongzhang spewed white foam again, he spat desperately, and shouted angrily, "Jiu Shuai, you suppress me like this, is it because I, Zhu Hongzhang, am from Guizhou, not from Xiangxiang?" "Zhu Hongzhang, you're talking bullshit!" Zeng Guoquan jumped up from the bed suddenly, "Whoever suppressed you because you are not from Xiangxiang, I listed you ahead of Xiao Fusi." "Then who put my name at the back? This bastard made me lose the title." Zhu Hongzhang yelled, more arrogance. "I'll tell you! That was changed by Peng Shouyi, who drafted the booklet under Master Zhongtang." Zeng Guoquan said, and threw a waist knife on the table to Zhu Hongzhang's feet. The waist knife collided with the brick, making an ear-piercing sound, "Use this waist knife to kill him!" Zhu Hongzhang was overwhelmed by this sudden move and was momentarily stunned. "Go and kill!" Zeng Guoquan rushed in front of Zhu Hongzhang like a raging hungry tiger, wanting to swallow Zhu Hongzhang in one bite. "Why are you still standing here? If you don't dare to kill, get out of here, you bastard!" Zeng Guoquan His fury suppressed Zhu Hongzhang's arrogance.He drooped his head, mumbling in his mouth and went out the door. "Brother, look, it's this group of people who have entered the city!" Looking at Zhu Hongzhang's back, Zeng Guoquan was still angry, "If it wasn't for what he did just now, he would almost sit on the heads of my brother and me to shit and piss Yes. Only one Zhu Hongzhang is easy to deal with, if the court really wants to track down gold and silver, there will be tens of thousands of Zhu Hongzhang jumping out, what do you think?" This unexpected episode made Zeng Guofan both surprised and annoyed. "The Hunan army is already corrupt." He came to a conclusion in his heart. "Brother." Zeng Guoquan called in a low and mysterious voice, Zeng Guofan felt a little strange, "In my opinion, a new chaos is coming, and we have to act first." "What did you say?" The new Marquis has noticed the abnormality of the new earl. "Let's learn from him." Zeng Guoquan stretched out his left palm, and drew a word on the palm with his right hand.Zeng Guofan followed his gestures and watched, unconsciously holding his breath, and finally he was so nervous that he didn't even dare to breathe out.