The voice coming from behind was thick, sonorous, powerful, and full of power.
Li Zhen stopped and turned around to look.
When he saw it, a burly middle-aged man in his early forties walked towards him.
After a cursory glance, Li Zhen saw clearly the official uniform of the middle-aged man, and determined that the middle-aged man who came had a low official position, because the person who came was wearing the court uniform of a fifth-grade official, and he had a full fifth-grade official title. However, The middle-aged man's face is quite majestic, and he has an aura of calmness and authority. Even if he doesn't speak, he can still feel a pressure rushing towards his face.
Li Zhen is also a person in a high position and feels the other person's aura.
The so-called aura sounds strange, but it really exists, because it can reflect a person's state. The middle-aged man in front of him does not have a high official position, but he is full of momentum.
He looked at it carefully and nodded slightly in his mind.
This middle-aged man has a Chinese character face, a high forehead, thick eyebrows, as if dipped in ink, and a big beard hanging on his lips, which is even more conspicuous, giving people a sense of uprightness. The middle-aged man The bridge of his nose was straight and his eyes were bright. When he looked at Li Zhen, his expression was firm, not flattering because of Li Zhen's identity.
Li Zhen thought about it for a while and secretly wondered if there was such a number one person in the court.
He doesn't know this person.
Especially since the visitor was wearing court clothes, he obviously went to the palace. However, the emperor and Cixi were both at Chuxiu Palace. This person's trip was probably in vain and he didn't see the emperor. When he saw the middle-aged man approaching, Li Zhen clasped his fists and said : "This is Li Zhen, your Excellency."
The middle-aged man said: "Zuo Zongtang from Hunan is currently serving as a doctor in the Ministry of War."
"Zuo Zongtang."
Li Zhen was surprised, but immediately regained his composure.
A smile appeared on his face and he said: "It turns out to be Brother Ji Gao (Zuo Zongtang), whom I have admired for a long time. Before I returned to Beijing, Brother Bohan once took Brother Shaoquan and the brothers from the Zeng family to Jiangbei. When I visited the camp and talked with Brother Bohan, Brother Bohan mentioned Brother Ji Gao and said that Brother Ji Gao was willing to help each other, he was open-minded and forthright, and he was a rare friend."
Hearing this, Zuo Zongtang exclaimed: "Bohan took Shaoquan and others to the Jiangbei Camp. Hey, that's not right. He is suppressing bandits, how come he still has time to visit?"
Li Zhen explained: "Brother Bohan did come and stayed for a few days before leaving."
Zuo Zongtang said with a smile: "So, Bo Han also envies Admiral Li for his ability to win every battle. He wants to see the magic weapon that Admiral Li uses to win every battle, and wants to learn from Admiral Li."
When Zeng Guofan was mentioned, Zuo Zongtang's eyebrows lit up, and he was obviously very familiar with Zeng Guofan.
At this time, Zuo Zongtang and Zeng Guofan did not turn against each other and were still good brothers.
Historically, both of them were born in Hunan, fellow villagers, and had worked together. After the death of Emperor Xianfeng, Zeng Guofan was the first to be reused and rose before Zuo Zongtang. When Zuo Zongtang was working under Zeng Guofan, Zeng Guofan spared no effort to help Zuo Zongtang. Zongtang made Zuo Zongtang establish his own business and become a feudal official.
However, the relationship between the two did not last long.
After Zeng Guofan's younger brother Zeng Guoquan captured Tianjing, Zeng Guofan listened to the reports from his generals and learned that Hong Xiuquan's son Hong Tianguifu had died in the rebellion, so he thought that the banditry and rebellion could be brought to an end. Therefore, Zeng Guofan reported to the court. The newspaper captured Nanjing and killed all the gangsters, and specifically pointed out the murder of Hong Tianguifu after the city was broken.
However, Zuo Zongtang also revealed a secret at this time, saying that according to information provided by refugees who escaped from Jinling, Hong Xiuquan's son Hong Tianguifu fled from Dongba to Guangde on June 21, Tongzhi, and was captured by the Taiping Army. General Huang Wenjin welcomed into Huzhou Fucheng and began to gather the remaining Taiping troops.
Cixi, who was in power at the time, was very dissatisfied with Zeng Guofan after seeing Zuo Zongtang's report.
Zeng Guofan was a person based on integrity and believed in his own judgment. He thought that according to Zuo Zongtang's memorial, he was deceiving the emperor. Such a crime was not what Zeng Guofan wanted to see. Therefore, Zeng Guofan wrote a memorial to refute Zuo Zongtang. Zongtang claimed that Hong Tianguifu was dead, but Huang Wenjin pretended to call Hongtian Guifu or "Hongtian Guifu" in order to summon the remnants of the Taiping Army. He also said that this practice was a common thing throughout the ages. Zeng Guofan's implication was that Zuo Zongtang was bluffing. I want to take credit and receive rewards.
After Zuo Zongtang saw this memorial, he was also dissatisfied.
Moreover, Zuo Zongtang defended himself in the memorial, with thousands of words and angry words, accusing Zeng Guofan of being suspected of deceiving the emperor. As a result, the matter became a big deal, and the two of them even went back and forth and started a war of words. The situation was something Cixi was happy to see, and she kept teasing her, so that the relationship between Zeng and Zuo completely broke down, and their friendship was in vain.
Li Zhen looked at Zuo Zongtang in front of him and thought of Zeng Guofan again, feeling funny in his heart.
Among these two people, Zeng Guofan has a calm temperament and does things in a hurry, but Zuo Zongtang has a fiery personality. It is normal for the two of them to have conflicts when they are together.
Li Zhen asked: "Brother Ji Gao, what's the matter with entering the palace?"
Zuo Zongtang shook his head slightly and said casually: "It's nothing big, just some trivial things. Admiral Li, it's not time to leave. I still have things to do at home, so I'll say goodbye."
Zuo Zongtang and Li Zhen did not have a close relationship and had no intention of having a long conversation.
It would be nice if you look familiar.
After saying hello, he immediately excused himself and left.
Li Zhen said, "Brother Ji Gao, wait a minute."
Zuo Zongtang stopped and asked, "Do you have any instructions from Admiral Li?"
Li Zhen said: "Brother Ji Gao, I returned to Beijing from Jiangbei Camp to wait for my wife to give birth. I will stay in Beijing for a while. I heard from Brother Bohan that Brother Ji Gao is a good fighter with rich experience. I admire him very much. If Brother Ji Gao, if you have free time, you can come to our house and have a good chat with me."
"Okay, it's settled."
Zuo Zongtang's eyes were wide open, and he was extremely excited.
Being able to establish a relationship with Li Zhen is a good opportunity for him.
Zuo Zongtang is a fifth-rank Beijing official, which sounds quite majestic, but a fifth-rank military doctor has no power and power, and there are countless high-ranking officials in Beijing. As a fifth-rank official, he is hardly ranked among the people. You have to be cautious, but Li Zhen is different. Li Zhen is not only a popular figure in front of the emperor, but also a famous feudal official. In addition, Li Zhen is the son-in-law of Guiliang, the Minister of War, and his status is extraordinary.
If Li Zhenruo said a kind word to Guiliang in front of him, Zuo Zongtang would have a chance to turn around. Zuo Zongtang said goodbye excitedly and walked much more briskly.
Li Zhen got on the carriage and returned, and soon returned to the house. After returning to the backyard, Li Zhen was in a very bad state of mind and couldn't cheer up. He said a few words to Zhilan, then went to the room to rest. He continued on his way. , mentally exhausted, and physically overloaded. When I saw Xianfeng before, I had to force myself to cheer up, but I couldn't hold on anymore when I got home.
He lay down to sleep and slept for nearly a day. He slept from the afternoon until noon the next day and woke up. When Li Zhen woke up, Zhi Lan was sitting next to him.
Li Zhen sat up, feeling refreshed and full of strength.
"I'll have someone prepare food for you."
Zhilan smiled slightly, got up and walked out of the house. However, when she reached the door, she suddenly leaned against the door, covering her stomach with her hands, with a look of pain on her face.
Li Zhen was so anxious that he jumped up and ran towards Zhi Lan.