Chapter 40: Zeng Guofan was dismissed from office

  Everyone looked at me, and I looked back at them, all in a state of shock and uncertainty. Finally, an elderly man over 60 years old stepped forward and said: "How do you know this isn't a trick by the rebels to lure us out and capture us all?"

  The big beard explained: "Everyone saw it last night, the big cannons outside the city fired all night. According to the messenger, their king originally planned to bombard for several days, but a scholar risked his life to persuade him, and he ordered the cessation of the cannon fire, allowing us to surrender."

  The old man cried: "Last night they used big guns to kill my son and daughter-in-law. My poor son was married for less than a year. If the rebels keep their word, I am willing to surrender."

  Holonwu said in dismay: "Uncle, are you heartbroken or what? The rebels killed your son, shouldn't you be fighting them to the death?"

  The old man looked up and scolded: "What do you know? My grandson is only two months old, if we don't surrender, my grandson will be gone too."

  Hou Xiang blocked Hou Longwu who still wanted to speak and asked: "What about you? Are you all willing to surrender?"

  "Can surrender really be done without dying?"

  "It's better to surrender and open the city"

  "I don't care about myself, but my wife is pregnant and I couldn't bear it."

  …………

  Since no one said to resist to the end, Big Beard happily said: "Since this is everyone's intention, you go back and tell your neighbors to hurry up and pack their things, take all the valuables with them, so as not to be caught off guard when the time comes."

  The crowd dispersed with post-disaster expressions, some cheering, some crying, some laughing, and some scolding... Thick fragrance watched the world below, momentarily entranced.

  All the big beards were unanimous in order to avoid the responsibility of losing the city being pursued by the imperial court in the future, pretending to be sad and saying: "I have been a soldier all my life, I didn't expect today... Alas... I... What face do I have to live in this world?"

  Finally, he drew his treasured sword and pretended to take his own life. Those around him rushed forward to stop him, snatching the sword away and throwing it to the ground, saying: "Your Excellency need not blame yourself, this is not a crime of war."

  With a "clang", Hou Xiang slowly fell to the ground, the treasured sword in his hand dropping to the ground with a "clang".

  Everyone with a big beard stared blankly at the thick and prosperous neck overflowing with fresh blood, and spoke recklessly: "Why did you pull me? I don't want to die! Why didn't you hold him back? If he dies, who will take responsibility when the emperor gets angry?"

  Holonwu let out a cold laugh and said: The great Qing dynasty has been ruined by people like you.

  The big-bearded man glared at him, just about to scold him a few words, when he saw Holongwu draw his sword and wipe it across his neck, exclaiming "Don't!" Unfortunately, he was pinned down by others and couldn't break free.

  The generals were shocked, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Huolongwu was also dead. Those who came to their senses rushed forward to tightly protect the Big Beard General, fearing that he would also commit suicide, and there was no one in charge of surrendering.

  Li Yunzhong looked at the slowly opening city gate, and happily turned to Zuo Zongtang standing beside him, saying: "Thanks to you this time, otherwise if we had forced our way into the city, who knows how many casualties there would have been."

  Zuo Zongtang said, "This is still thanks to Your Highness's broad-mindedness, which has avoided a battle. The reputation of Your Highness's benevolence will surely spread far and wide, and in the future our army's conquests will encounter less resistance."

  Lin Dajun stepped forward and said: "Your Highness, what should be done with these Manchu people?"

  Li Yunzhong furrowed his brow and looked at the Manchu people leaving the city, hesitating: "Just let them go like this?"

  "Your Highness, just look at the size of their luggage and you'll know they're not ordinary people. Why don't we let them leave the city unharmed and let them fend for themselves?"

  Li Yunzhong looked at Zuo Zongtang, who was about to speak but hesitated, and shook his head: "Let them each pay a ransom and drive them out of the city."

  Zuo Zongtang presented a strategy: "Both Xiang Rong and Yang Wending are gathering in Zhenjiang, it's better to drive them towards Zhenjiang. Firstly, we can put pressure on them. Secondly, we can exhaust their supplies."

  Meng Shangyu clapped his hands and said: "What a wonderful plan! Unfortunately, they are all Manchu people. If not, we can send someone to infiltrate them and capture Zhenjiang."

  Beijing, Shangshufang

  Xianfeng glared furiously at the kneeling Grand Councilors Zaiyuan, Ruihua and Muyin: "You say 'Your Majesty is wise' on one side and 'Your Majesty is wise' on the other. Don't you have any ideas? What's the use of me supporting you?"

  Zaiyuan was the fifth generation descendant of Prince Yi, the 13th son of Kangxi Emperor, and inherited the title of Prince Yi. During the reign of Daoguang Emperor, he served as a high-ranking official in front of the emperor. After Xianfeng Emperor ascended to the throne, he became the head of the Imperial Clan Court and led the inner guards. When Xianfeng got angry, Zaiyuan was terrified and said: "Your Majesty, Nanjing has been occupied by the rebels, and the grain transportation in Jiangnan will inevitably be blocked... I also don't have any good solution!"

  Du Hua shook his head and said: "Your Majesty is wise, you must be able to select a great general, break through Nanjing, capture Li Ze alive, and bring him to the capital for execution." He was the descendant of Zheng Prince Guiwang Jirhalang, who founded the Qing dynasty. In the Daoguang period, he inherited the title of Zheng Prince and was appointed as the Minister in front of the Emperor. After the death of the Daoguang Emperor, he received a special appointment. When Xianfeng ascended to the throne, he was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard.

  The Emperor Xianfeng looked at him, knowing that as the Minister of War and Grand Councilor, he had to say something useful. The Emperor would not let him get away with nonsense. He gritted his teeth and said: "Your Majesty, Nanjing was easily taken by the rebels, and Governor-General Lu Jianying deserves a thousand deaths. I implore Your Majesty to severely punish him, so that Zuo Rong, Qi Shan, and Xu Guangjin will be afraid and strive harder to defeat the enemy. In this way, the suppression of the rebellion is just around the corner." After finishing speaking, he also felt that his suggestion was very good and thought he would definitely receive praise from the Emperor.

  Xianfeng was furious after hearing this, and when he got angry, he felt a stomachache. After enduring for a while, he grabbed the folding fan on the imperial table and threw it at Mu Yin, scolding: "You rascal, this is your clever plan? You three can't think of any other practical and useful methods, I...I will dismiss you all and deal with you."

  Mu Yin, Rui Hua, and Zai Yuan all kowtowed in fear, saying: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. We are truly foolish and cannot share Your Majesty's worries. We deserve to die ten thousand times."

  His stomach was growling loudly, and Xianfeng really couldn't bear it anymore. He wanted to go to the toilet, and before he left, he threatened them, saying: "I have ordered the guards to wait for you at the palace gate. If you still can't think of a plan to defeat the rebels later, then...then you can think about it in the heavenly prison." Without waiting for Ruihua and the others to respond, Xianfeng hastily left through the side door to relieve himself.

  Hunan

  Since Zeng Guofan submitted two memorials to the Xianfeng Emperor, he was dismissed and sent home. The first memorial described the current situation of the imperial army, which roughly stated that: the troops in various provinces were not the same, with soldiers from Fujian's Zhangzhou and Quanzhou often engaging in armed conflicts; those from Guizhou, Sichuan, and Hunan colluded with bandits to harm civilians; while those from Yunnan and the two Guangs indulged in opium smoking and opening gambling dens. In short, all Qing officials and soldiers were idle and mischievous, hiring thugs and rascals to replace themselves on dangerous missions, who would flee at the sight of thieves and then kill innocent civilians to claim rewards. Xianfeng was angry but did not confront him directly after reading his scathing criticism of the imperial army. Zeng Guofan also lost his head, writing a second memorial that enraged Xianfeng to the point of near collapse, which directly satirized Xianfeng for being pedantic and neglecting important matters, preferring empty words over practical learning, and being stubbornly self-opinionated while failing to recognize talent. After submitting the memorial, Zeng Guofan regretted it and secretly blamed himself for provoking the emperor, but the memorial could not be recalled, leaving him waiting anxiously at home for the storm to pass.

  The emperor was furious about the rebel's affair and saw this letter, directly dismissing Zeng Guofan from his post and driving him back to his hometown in Hunan.

  The Xiang Army was already fully prepared, all that was needed was a push from the outside, and soon this push came.