Except for Zuo Zongtang and Zheng Zaoru, the person at the front of the crowd was Zeng Guofan, followed by Peng Yulin, Li Hongzhang, Zeng Guoquan and others. There were also some people whom Li Zhen didn't know. Li Zhen saw Zeng Guofan and others coming. It was a huge wave in my heart. These influential figures in the late Qing Dynasty all gathered in Nanjing.
With a smile on his face, Li Zhen stood up and said, "Brother Bohan came to Nanjing without notifying me. It's really unkind. Brother Shaoquan did the same. You came without informing me in advance."
Zeng Guofan said: "I am afraid that King Zhennan will be busy with affairs and will not be able to get away."
Li Zhen laughed and understood the meaning of Zeng Guofan's words.
The hidden meaning in Zeng Guofan's words was that he was worried about changes in Li Zhencheng's Queen of Zhennan. However, Zeng Guofan was recommended by Zuo Zongtang, but the situation was somewhat different. After all, Zuo Zongtang was on hand to help.
After Zeng Guofan sat down, he said: "I saw the prince in the Jiangbei camp. I was heartbroken by the prince's methods of training soldiers. Today I heard the prince's business methods. I have never heard of them. I have never seen them. They are amazing. They are really amazing." These words are indeed true. Zeng Guofan told the truth from the bottom of his heart that he was indeed stunned by Li Zhen's previous words.
The same was true for Li Hongzhang, with a strange light shining in his eyes. When he and Zeng Guofan and others were waiting outside the study, he clearly heard what Li Zhen said. He also admired Li Zhen's planning methods very much. Li Hongzhang had a certain understanding of officialdom's power. His insights are almost non-existent when it comes to business. This is his shortcoming.
Li Zhen said humbly: "Brother Bohan is over-praised. It's just a little trick, and it can't be considered elegant. Xiao Wang, please put the plan into writing as soon as possible, and go down and prepare."
"yes."
Wang Chi left excitedly to prepare a plan for the event.
Li Zhen changed the subject and asked: "Brother Bohan, what are your plans for coming to Nanjing?"
Zeng Guofan sighed softly and said: "I came to Nanjing with Shaoquan and other people to ask for help from the prince. Since the prince wiped out the bandits, the Hunan Army has been unable to develop and has been restricted everywhere, which is extremely embarrassing. , In addition, the imperial court is divided into two, and there is a false emperor in the north. Officials in the south are afraid of another war, so they tightly control their military power and even train their own troops for fear of being seized of power, which makes us on guard."
Li Hongzhang felt sad and nodded repeatedly.
At present, the Hunan Army is in a very embarrassing situation. Grandma doesn't care about her uncle, so no one cares about her. Historically, when Xianfeng was in power, Zeng Guofan had been committed to suppressing bandits, but he never held an important position until Xianfeng died. Later, Zeng Guofan annihilated the bandits and officially took office and began his legendary life.
At this time, although Xianfeng died, it was Li Zhen who killed Hong Xiuquan, and Zeng Guofan was not reused. Even because Zeng Guofan's official position was not high, neither Cixi nor Ci'an took a fancy to him.
The Hunan Army encountered obstacles at every turn, so Zeng Guofan made up his mind and took Li Hongzhang and a group of others to Nanjing, hoping to find a place for the Hunan Army to settle down.
Li Zhen's heart moved and he had another idea.
His eyes were sincere and he said unhurriedly: "Brother Bohan, please rest assured. I will definitely make arrangements for Brother Bohan. Now that the world is divided, people like Brother Bohan are needed to put down the rebellion and defeat the puppet emperor in the north. Besides, there are still Russians plundering in the north, which requires talents, and Brother Bohan is just right."
When Zeng Guofan heard this, he was very happy.
At this moment, what he hopes most is to implement the Hunan Army's arrangements.
Li Zhen looked at Zeng Guofan and the others and continued: "Brother Bohan, I only have two armies under my command, and I still lack talents. It would be best if Brother Bohan could join us. I don't know what Brother Bohan wants."
Zeng Guofan frowned when he heard this.
Joining Li Zhen's command means that the Hunan Army will be affected.
What should I do if I don't join Li Zhen's command?
Zeng Guofan sat still, but Li Hongzhang was moved. Li Hongzhang was still serving under Zeng Guofan and was Zeng Guofan's staff. He had no official position. At present, Li Zhen said that there were only two armies, one of which was Li Zhen's First Army, and the remaining The next one is the Second Army that Zuo Zongtang is training. Now that the organization is expanded, the army under Zeng Guofan must be the Third Army. This is a big opportunity.
Li Hongzhang looked at Zeng Guofan and nodded slightly.
Next to them, Zeng Guoquan, Peng Yulin and others also nodded in agreement, with expectant looks in their eyes. In their view, this was indeed an opportunity.
However, Zeng Guofan said: "Your Majesty, let me think about it for a few days."
When things came to a head, Zeng Guofan rejected Li Zhen's invitation.
He came to visit Li Zhen because he wanted to find a place for the Hunan Army to settle down through Li Zhen's channels. However, Li Zhen wanted to recruit him. Even though the recruitment was done with deep sincerity, he also gave enough weight. However, Zeng Guofan also resisted because once his troops were integrated into Li Zhenjun, they would never be able to become independent again.
Li Zhen was slightly disappointed when he heard this.
The same is true for Li Hongzhang, Zeng Guoquan and others.
Li Zhen laughed and said: "Since Brother Bohan has to think about it for a few days, and I have plenty of time to wait, I still have one thing to say, the position of commander of the Third Army under my command will be reserved for Brother Han."
These words ignited the confidence of Zeng Guoquan, Peng Yulin and others who were disappointed.
Zeng Guofan was reluctant, but they were willing. These people all knew the configuration of Li Zhen's army and the strength of Li Zhen's army. They could become the third army under Li Zhen's command. They would receive preferential treatment in terms of supplies to the army, and they would also be under direct control. Li Zhen also had the hope of being promoted to an official position. After all, Li Zhen was the powerful King of Zhennan.
Li Zhen had a conversation with Zeng Guofan, and then arranged for Zeng Guofan and others to stay there to rest.
Zuo Zongtang stayed and did not leave.
Li Zhen said: "Brother Ji Gao, you and Brother Bohan are old friends. We have a close relationship and your words have more weight. I hope you will do your best to keep Brother Bohan. With Brother Bohan joining the army, our army will The strength will become stronger, and the stronger the strength, the more stable our position will be."
Zuo Zongtang had already recognized Li Zhen and said loudly: "Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely keep Zeng Guofan."
"Well, let's go down."
Li Zhen waved his hand and asked Zuo Zongtang to leave.
Zeng Guofan and his party came to a separate courtyard. After settling down, Zeng Guoquan, Li Hongzhang, Peng Yulin and others gathered around Zeng Guofan. Li Hongzhang was the first to speak: "Teacher, the King of Zhennan has asked you to serve as the commander of the Third Army. Why don't you agree?"
Zeng Guoquan continued: "Brother, I also agree to join the army of King Zhennan. You know his character, and by following King Zhennan, we will not suffer any loss."
Peng Yulin said: "Sir, what do you think?"
Zeng Guofan sighed and said: "No one is good in every way, and flowers are not all red. I'm worried that if we join the army of King Zhennan, we will immediately be labeled as the King of Zhennan. Some time ago, Li Zhen was deposed. He Guiqing, Xu Naizhao and others lost their official positions, and fell out with the two empress dowagers in the palace. If we follow Li Zhen, I am worried that we will be liquidated in the future."
At this moment, Zeng Guofan revealed the real reason for his worry.
ps: There will be no update in the early hours of the evening. We will try again tomorrow.
