As soon as Liu Kun and his subordinates were escorted to the North City Gate, Zhang Shusheng's screams came from outside the gate of the government office."
Dashuai, it's not good, the Huaxing army is already approaching the city wall."
Zhang Shusheng rushed into the mansion with a panicked face, and shouted loudly when he saw Li Hongzhang.Fang Caixing's army launched a fierce attack on the strongholds outside the city, and the first line of defense arranged by Zhang Shusheng outside the city had all been breached.The soldiers were killed and wounded, and all of them retreated into the city."
It's good to come, today we will fight to the death with the Huaxing Army and be loyal to the Qing Dynasty."
Li Hongzhang was stunned for a moment, then stretched his face and spit out coldly."
Dashuai, we can't avoid its edge, wait until we have eased up our strength and then fight with the Qingzi Army" Zhang Shusheng was already scared by the Huaxing Army, and he knew that he was not the opponent of the Huaxing Army, and looked at Li Hongzhang with a pleading face."
Now that the four major regimental exercises in Jiangnan have been completely divided and annexed by Qiao Zhiqing, we have no way out.Zhang Shusheng, take your men to hold their positions, and those who take a step back will be killed. ”Li Hongzhang scolded fiercely, without any mercy."
Yes, Marshal."
Zhang Shusheng was stunned, gritted his teeth, and retreated with a desperate face.There was chaos outside the city at this time, after Zhang Zongyu's new army had cleared all the strongholds at the north gate.Gu Yunfei also led the right army and swooped straight from the west of Jinhua Mansion, and soon occupied the position of the West Gate.Li Hongzhang originally wanted to kill Liu Kunyi and the generals of the Jiangxi army, to deter the Jiangxi army, and to collect more than 10,000 men and horses for his own use.But at this time, he didn't care about Liu Kunyi's life or death, and hurriedly ordered Liu Mingchuan next to him to act according to the plan with the inscription army.Zhang Zongyu's new army launched an attack on the north gate at this time, with the cooperation of naval artillery.After a round of intensive artillery bombardment, the walls of the north gate were completely collapsed.The walls of Jinhua Mansion were originally made of stones, only more than three meters high, and they were not very strong.The area south of the Yangtze River has not been threatened by nomads since ancient times, so the city wall is not at the same level compared to the majestic and tall border passes in the north.There was chaos at the city gate, and the Jiangxi army had no generals, and it became a riot.The Huai army was afraid of being attacked on the back of the enemy, so they aimed their guns at the Jiangxi army first.This aroused a strong resistance from the Jiangxi army, and anyway, the news of returning to the Huaxing army did not spread in a day or two.The generals at the grassroots level also had a premonition that Liu Kun had an accident, and without thinking about it, they led their troops to resist.The Huai soldiers who escorted Liu Kunyi bravely arrived at the north gate, where was there still a chance to execute the death penalty on the city wall, and just halfway to the road, they encountered the rioting Gan army.As soon as the Jiangxi army saw that their commanders and generals were captured, where did they hesitate, and stepped forward to cut the soldiers of the Huai army into pulp.After Liu Kun and his generals were rescued, they organized soldiers and horses to counterattack on the spot.It was combined with the Huaxing army outside the city, and it only took half an hour to control the north gate.More than half of Zhang Shusheng's soldiers and horses were killed and wounded, and only with the remaining more than 5,000 men, they were trapped in the Chenghuang Temple in Beicheng."
Big brother, we've been fooled.Li Hongzhang, that dog thief, he left our brother and broke through from the south gate with the Ming army. ”Zhang Yuchun, who was defending at the West Gate, rushed over with the remnants of the defeated army.After finding Zhang Shusheng in the City God Temple, he roared and shouted."
What are you talking about, Dashuai is definitely not that kind of person.You are not defending at the West Gate, what are you doing here with me" Zhang Shusheng was full of disbelief, and scolded Zhang Yuchun loudly."
It's over, Simon has already been breached.The Huaxing army was fierce, with more than 30,000 people.More than 10,000 of my men died, ran, and now half of the soldiers and horses remained.The marshal did break through with the Ming army, they were ready to escape for a long time, and as soon as the Huaxing army launched an attack, they all evacuated in a planned way.Li Dashuai is using our brothers as a shield," Zhang Yuchun said and threw down his saber, hugged his head and cried bitterly."
What's going on, he obviously told me to be loyal to the Qing Dynasty" Zhang Shusheng was also stunned in place with a collapsed face, and all thoughts were discouraged for a while, and he pulled out his saber and was about to wipe it off his neck."
Big brother, what are you doing" Zhang Yuchun saw that the situation was wrong, and hurriedly snatched the saber from Zhang Shusheng's hand, hugged his body and shook it fiercely."
How can the big man be so ruthless, our brothers are loyal to him."
Zhang Shusheng's face was full of grief and indignation, and his spirit was almost broken."
Big brother, don't be stupid, even if you are a husband and wife, you will fly separately when disaster comes.Li Hongzhang was unjust to us, and it is no wonder that our brothers were unfaithful.Big brother, let's surrender, you know the Huaxing Army, never indiscriminately kill prisoners, maybe we can still get an official and a half position in the Huaxing Army. ”Zhang Yuchun hurriedly comforted him on the side, and secretly made a plan in his heart.Zhang Shusheng was stunned for a while, and the main force of the Huaxing Army seemed to have rushed over.The sound of the guns was incessant, as if it would never be able to be fired."
Yuchun, you're right.Let the brethren stop fighting, and let us surrender. ”Zhang Shusheng sighed in frustration and sat down weakly on the threshold of the City God Temple.The battle was completely completed in the afternoon, and Li Hongzhang disappeared with more than 30,000 inscriptions.In Jinhua City, Zhang Shusheng and Zhang Yuchun raised troops and surrendered.On the battlefield of Lishui Mansion, the Huaxing Army has just achieved a great victory.Guo Songtao was not as unlucky as Liu Kunyi, and after leading his troops into the city, he rioted in the city that night.The outside of the city had long been besieged by Chen Bingwen's former legions, and Guo Songtao responded soon after the city, and all four city gates of Lishui Mansion were taken.After a day of fierce fighting, Zuo Zongtang saw that the general trend had gone, and he didn't want to waste his soldiers' lives in vain, so he put down his weapon and chose to surrender.He already had a good impression of Qiao Zhiqing, and he also saw the rule of the imperial court.The reason why he did not take the initiative to raise righteousness is only known to him.The news of the victory of the four provinces in southern Zhejiang was quickly transmitted back to Nanjing, although the inscription army was omitted, but Qiao Zhiqing was still full of joy.After these four major regiments in Jiangnan were pacified, there would be no major resistance forces.The rest of the state capitals were only garrisoned by the Green Battalion Army and the Eight Banner Army, all of which still used cold weapons with broadswords and spears, and they were not opponents of the Huaxing Army at all.On the one hand, Qiao Zhiqing asked all departments to send spies to search for the traces of the inscription army as soon as possible.On the one hand, let the main forces of the various ministries wave their troops south to pacify the Qing court forces in the provinces south of the Yangtze River.A month later, a military report finally came from the front.Li Hongzhang took 30,000 soldiers to take a ship to the mouth of Fuzhou, and the destination was unknown for the time being.According to the intelligence of all parties, Qiao Zhiqing asked Zuo Zongtang, who was reformed in the prisoner of war camp, to come over, and stared at the topographic map with a helpless wry smile."
Qiao Dashuai, what is the matter with your old man" After Zuo Zongtang strode into Qiao Zhiqing's study, he clenched his fists and shouted, his voice was as loud as a bell."
Brother Ji Gao, sit down and talk, Ben Shuai asked you to come over, naturally I want to tell you good news."
Qiao Zhiqing finished the recital, put down the pen and paper, and then raised his head and smiled lightly at Zuo Zongtang."
Good news joke, I'm already your captive now, what's the good news for a captive" Zuo Zongtang replied in a muffled voice, and sat down on the couch unceremoniously."
Brother Ji Gao, Li Hongzhang and Mingjun have set sail in Fuzhou, isn't this good news" Qiao Zhi smiled heartily, his eyes staring at Zuo Zongtang's face.A letter of information sent by his subordinates clearly stated that after Zuo Zongtang was transferred to Fujian, he began to expand the shipyard in Fuzhou, and had already rushed to build more than a dozen wooden sailing ships of about 5,000 tons.Combining all the clues, Qiao Zhiqing finally figured out why Zuo Zongtang was holding out in Lishui Mansion was just to cover Li Hongzhang's smooth evacuation.Calling Zuo Zongtang over today is to determine what he thinks in his heart."
What kind of good news is this, Li Hongzhang and I are not related, what does it have to do with me when he is gone."
Zuo Zongtang denied it with his mouth, but a trace of excitement flashed on his face."
Yes, although you and Li Hongzhang are not in harmony on the outside, there is always something for you to abandon your previous suspicions and cooperate with him.After you took office in Fujian, you started to build ships in Fuzhou, not just for yourself.Also, during this period.Li Hongzhang transferred five million taels of silver to you through various channels, presumably it is the reward for these ships" Qiao Zhiqing smiled, his face full of wisdom, as if he had seen Zuo Zongtang's heart.Zuo Zongtang's face was full of incredulity, and he was slightly stunned, completely lacking the momentum just now."
Brother Ji Gao, after Li Hongzhang defeated Hangzhou, he transferred you five million taels of silver.This money must be used to buy a road with you, and the 10 million silver before and after is enough to make Brother Ji Gao tempted. ”Qiao Zhiqing still kept smiling, and gradually dismantled Zuo Zongtang's psychological defense."
Don't slander the old man, the old man didn't take those silver taels alone, and the old man didn't disdain to be tempted by money."
Zuo Zongtang finally couldn't help but retort loudly, indirectly admitting the fact of cooperating with Li Hongzhang."
Yes, Brother Ji Gao is clean and self-conscious, half of the 10 million taels of silver is used to reissue military expenses to the Zhejiang army, which is generally used to relieve the victims.These are exactly what makes Ben Shuai admire, so Ben Shuai invited you over today to tell you the second good thing.Brother Ji Gao, you have been acquitted, and you will be a free man from today onwards. ”Qiao Zhiqing spit out to Zuo Zongtang with a serious face, without the slightest hint of laughter.Zuo Zongtang was stunned by Qiao Zhiqing, and he didn't know if he came to interrogate him, or if he deliberately showed favor to himself."
Qiao Dashuai, why are you doing this, don't you blame me for the crime of fornicating with Li Hongzhang and escaping" Zuo Zongtang frowned with a puzzled face."
Brother Ji, there are not many officials in the world who care about the people like you now.Fujian has been plagued by long-haired thieves for many years, and after you took charge of Fujian, you actively opened up land and provided relief to the victims.That's why it's enough," Qiao Zhiqing smiled playfully, his face full of lightness and naturalness."
Qiao Dashuai is really kind, no wonder he has gathered so many talents now, and he admires it.Don't you want to know where Li Hongzhang fled" Zuo Zongtang clenched his fists and saluted, full of admiration for Qiao Zhiqing, and finally understood the reason for his power, there is a person like him in the world, and he is the only one.After secretly making up his mind, he was ready to tell him the truth
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