In the early period of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, it can be said that the stars are shining, in addition to the well-known "Five Kings of the First Righteousness" such as the East, West, South, North and Wing, there are also five brave and unusually brave generals, who are later known as the "Five Tiger Generals" of the Taiping Army.
Today's protagonist is ranked among the five tiger generals, who can be said to be a rare wisdom and courage in the Taiping Army, not only sharp in the early battles, but also a veritable "fire captain".
However, it is regrettable that such a loyal and meritorious general, who shed all his blood for the anti-Qing cause of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, has never been recognized and valued by the high-level, and it is difficult to find a marquis in his lifetime.
Today, let's read together the tiger general who was destined to become a tragic figure in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom- Luo Outline.
<h1 class = "pgc-h-arrow-right" > a fierce general from the Heaven and Earth Society</h1>
After the Opium War in 1840, the two Guangdong areas withered away from all kinds of industries, and the people did not have a good life. In the face of sharp class contradictions and a harsh living environment, a large number of people suffering at the bottom joined the ranks of armed resistance against the Qing government.
It was also during this period that Luo Gang joined the "Heaven and Earth Society", a secret organization with the purpose of "opposing the Qing Dynasty and restoring the Ming Dynasty".
According to the "History of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom", "Luo Gang, whose initial name was Yawang, Guangdong Jieyangren, tiger-eyed and bearded, physically tall, and a prime-age ranger." Enter the Heaven and Earth Society. ”
In the twenty-ninth year of Daoguang (1849), the Great Famine in Lingnan, Luo Gang led a famine riot. After that, because of avoiding the pursuit of the officers and soldiers, he entered Guangxi.
In the Luo outline of "fine skills, good at water warfare, although not learning, attacking and defending, and secretly fitting the opportunity", during his time in Guangxi, he led the Heaven and Earth Congregation to cross the Lingnan Mountains and kill all sides.
The xiangjun's official intelligence summary book, the "Thief's Collection", describes Luo Outline concisely and concisely:
Luo Gang is fierce and alert, and the thief is called a capable person
In the "Chronicle of the Cantonese Bandits" written by Xiao Shengyuan of the Qing Dynasty, Luo Gang was also given a similar evaluation:
Guangdong Jukou ,...... Cunning and fierce, against the fierce thief also."
From the "words of praise" of the hostile camp to the rebels, it is not difficult to find that Luo Gang is indeed a terrible and difficult opponent.
It is precisely because of this that the Qing army in the Eight Gui Lands, hearing Luo Yawang's name, frowned and frowned, seeing it as a serious problem for his confidants but helpless.
At that time, in Guangxi, in addition to the surging Heaven and Earth Society, Hong Xiuquan and Feng Yunshan and others were also silently recruiting the sect to plot and plot, and when they learned of Luo Gang's prestige, they strongly invited him to join the "Worship god cult" and conspire for great things.
Luo Gang also deeply felt that the organizational structure of the Heaven and Earth Society was loose, and most of its members were rabble-rousers, thinking that under the close pursuit and suppression of the Qing army, the situation would only become more and more difficult, and its momentum would be difficult for a long time.
On the eve of the Jintian Uprising, Luo Gang led more than 2,000 Heaven and Earth Brothers to join Hong Xiuquan's team, and also began the southern conquest of the northern war in the following years, and the invincible march of horses.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" meets > golden wind and jade dew</h1>
Luo Gang's accession to the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was a mutually beneficial and joyful result for both sides, no matter how they looked at it.
First of all, whether it is based on the personal demand to live and survive, or in order to achieve the long-term goal of "anti-Qing and restoration", Luo Outline needs a Taiping Heavenly Kingdom that is more powerful and formal than the Heaven and Earth Society as a basis.
For the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, which was in the middle of this fashion, Luo Gang's leadership of the crowd not only had a strong demonstration effect, but also enhanced the strength of the team.
At the same time, the source of soldiers of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom mainly came from charcoal burners, miners and poor peasants, and the Heaven and Earth Congregation under Luo Gang were all from the "Water Kou", and this special branch with the function of a water division was also a powerful improvement and supplement to the army structure of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
The "marriage" between Luo Gang, a fierce general from the Heaven and Earth Society, and the Balance Heavenly Kingdom, which also aimed to oppose the Qing Dynasty, this seemingly mutually pleasing and heavenly union, should have staged a good play of "once the golden wind and jade dew meet, they will win over countless people".
But what is lamentable is that after the dry wood fire burns violently, all that remains is a mess of ashes.
The tragedy of Luo Gang can actually be seen from the beginning.
In January 1851, nearly 20,000 members of the Worship of God revolted in Jintian Village, and Luo Gang was awarded the title of Commander of the Second Left Army.
At that time, the taiping heavenly kingdom's troops had only ten armies, and the commander of Luo Gang's left second army seemed to be a very important high-ranking general.
In fact, although the establishment of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in the early period was based on the army, the highest officers in the army were under the general system, and there were supervising troops below the general system, and below the supervision army, they were divided into military commanders, division commanders, brigade commanders, pawn commanders, and two sima and wu commanders.
The commander of the Second Left Army is not only far from the core decision-making level such as Hong and Yang, but even in the front army, he can only be regarded as an indispensable ordinary role.
It can be seen from this that although Luo Gang was already a well-known leader of the Heaven and Earth Society at that time, and also brought a large group of people and horses into the company, he did not get enough attention from Hong Xiuquan, Yang Xiuqing and others.
Even if Later, luo Gang, as the vanguard of the Taiping Army, was stubborn all the way, Ke Yong'an, breaking the ancient Su Chong, attacking Jeonju, and achieving a lot of battle achievements, he was only promoted to the general system of Tuyi.
Not to mention the general system, there were also four levels of officials of the general system, such as chancellor, checkpoint, commander, and general, and the general system official alone, there were ninety-five people in the Taiping Army at that time, so Luo Gang's tuyi general system was still not an important position.
Then the question arises, since Luo Gang has the ability and prestige, and the battle achievements are still loyal, why did he receive obvious unfair treatment from the beginning of joining the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom?
<h1 class = "pgc-h-arrow-right" > hard wounds and original sin in the Outline</h1>
Regarding the encounter of Luo Outline, a careful analysis will find that in fact, the reason is very simple, and the result is inevitable.
First of all, and most importantly, Luo Gang was born in the Heaven and Earth Society, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has always been relatively contemptuous of other peasant rebel troops who are not in this system, so the birth problem is the original sin that Luo Gang is not welcome.
Second, Luo Gang was not "Ping Zai Shan Xun Old", not even a Guangxi person, which was also a congenital defect within the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, which focused on blood.
Third, compared with other core kings or high-ranking generals, Luo Gang, who only joined the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom during the Jintian Rebellion, was also slightly under-qualified.
Finally, Luo Gang, who was born in the Heaven and Earth Society, even if he joined the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, still believed in traditional Chinese gods, the so-called Tao is not different, and a general who does not believe in "Ye Huohua", even if his ability is strong, it is impossible to be reused.
The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was originally a religious regime developed from the poor peasants at the bottom of the mountainous areas of Guangxi, so it was inevitable that it would have a conservative, xenophobic small peasant consciousness and religious exclusivity.
Origin, seniority, bloodline, and beliefs, each of which is very deadly and basically unchangeable, also determines that luo gang from joining the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, his loyalty, personal ability, and military achievements are difficult to have a positive impact on his future fate and ascension channel.
<h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > the vanguard and queen of Yong'an's breakthrough</h1>
In September 1851, the Taiping Army captured the first state city in its history, Yong'an, and issued an edict here to establish a military system, known in history as the Yong'an system.
At this time, although the city was a thriving sign, with the passage of time, Panhuan Yong'an lasted for half a year, and the situation of the newborn Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was becoming increasingly difficult.
The Qing army outside the city was staring at the tiger, and Yong'an was besieged for a long time, and the grain and ammunition were gradually exhausted, and it was difficult to last. Faced with a severe situation, in April 1852, the Taiping Army decided to move strategically from Yong'an.
The troops that broke through were divided into three armies: the front, middle, and rear, and the front army was under the responsibility of Wei Changhui, the King of the North. The Chinese army was the main force, and the old and weak women and children were placed in it, and the Heavenly King Hong Xiuquan personally sat in the seat, and the Eastern King Yang Xiuqing and the Southern King Feng Yunshan were assisted. Xiao Chaogui, the King of the West, commanded the rear army.
Luo Gang and Tianguan Zhengxiang Qin Rigang, each leading two thousand elites, were responsible for the most arduous charge and rearguard tasks.
In the early morning of April 4, rainstorm was pouring down, and Luo Gang led the vanguard warriors to highlight Yong'an in the night, and went straight to the Gusu Chongkou Ten Miles East of the City.
The Qing army stationed here was caught off guard and scattered and fled, and Luo Gang not only successfully completed the task of opening the way, but also captured a large number of gunpowder and various supplies that the Taiping Army was in short supply.
The rainy night surprise attack on Gu Suchong was the first amazing performance of the tiger general Luo Gang in the history of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and also created conditions for the Taiping Army's Yong'an breakthrough. From this point of view, Luo Gang can be described as the first hero of Yong'an's breakthrough.
On the other hand, Qin Rigang, who was in charge of the rear of the palace, failed to successfully complete the task, and not only was the pursuing Qing army defeated in Longliao Ridge in Gusu Chong, but also almost completely destroyed.
Through the breakthrough of Yong'an, we can also see that the people who participated in the command of the three armies before, middle and back were the core five kings of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom at that time, and the person responsible for the back of the palace was Qin Rigang, the seventh person of the Heavenly Kingdom after the kings at that time, the head of the Hundred Officials.
At the forefront of the breakthrough was Luo Gang, who had just joined the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and it can be said that Hong Xiuquan, Yang Xiuqing and others at that time had considerable trust in Luo Outline's ability.
Note, however, that trust is only the ability of Luo Outline, and reuse is not necessarily related to promoting the person.
Luo Gang and Qin Rigang were responsible for the equally important pioneer and the cover work behind the palace in the Yong'an breakout, the difference being that one exceeded the task and one was almost completely destroyed.
After the establishment of the capital Tianjing, Hong Xiuquan was rewarded for his merits, and Qin Rigang was awarded the title of Zhenzhong, second only to the kings, but Luo Gang, who had been born and died before, once again passed by the title.
No wonder even the Qing government at that time lamented The unfair treatment of Luo Gang in the Taiping Army, and said for its "grievances": "Merit is on the Qin Ri Gang without being crowned prince."
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" > anti-Qing three strategies and anger</h1>
In 1853, the Taiping Army conquered Jiangning, renamed Tianjing and set its capital here.
Subsequently, the leaders of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom decided to start using troops to the west and north at the same time.
The purpose of the Western Expedition was to further expand the occupied areas and obtain supplies from the Anhui and Gansu provinces to alleviate the pressure of survival, while the purpose of the Northern Expedition was to point directly to Beijing, the ruling center of the Qing government.
It can be said that the Northern Expedition and the Western Expedition were necessary for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom at that time, and Luo Gang also put forward his own views on the strategy of the Northern Expedition, which later generations called the Three Strategies for Destroying the Qing Dynasty:
The first strategy: if you want to go north, you must first set Henan; the big driver is stationed in Henan, and the army is crossing the river"; this strategy is to suggest that the entire army of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom march north and take the Central Plains directly.
The second strategy: first determine the nine southern provinces, no internal worries, and then three ways out, one out of Xiangchu, one out of Hanzhong, rushing to Xianyang, with Xu and Yang sweeping the left side of the mountain (Shandong), and then out of the mountain right (Shanxi), will hunt Yandu" - this strategy is similar to Zhuge Liang's "Longzhong Pair" and Zhu Yuanzhang's Northern Expedition, first occupying the rich land in the south of the jiangnan, and then using troops to the north.
The third strategy: Since the capital is Nanjing, we must build more warships, refine the water division, and before the warships are built, we should first use rafts to block the river surface and seize the advantages on the water of the Yangtze River.
Objectively speaking, Luo Gang's "three strategies for eliminating the Qing Dynasty" is indeed an overall plan put forward from a long-term perspective and a strategic perspective, especially the third strategy for establishing a powerful water division, which is even more directly pointed to the weakness of the Taiping Army.
However, at that time, "outsiders" like Luo Gang did not have any say, not to mention that the Taiping Army was invincible all the way, and in Yang Xiuqing's view, the Qing army was bound to flee from the wind, and there was no need to listen to the opinions of others.
Under such circumstances, Yang Xiuqing made lin fengxiang and Li Kaifang the commanders and deputy commanders of the Northern Expedition, led 20,000 elites north, and formulated a program of action for the Northern Expedition to "go between divisions and lines, rush to Yandu, and do not covet the time of attacking the city".
Seeing that their own good intentions were ignored, Hong, Yang and other high-level officials did not want to make progress, but vainly tried to capture the capital of the Qing government with a mere 20,000 troops, Luo Gang could not help but be furious:
The world is undecided, but if you want to live in this capital, how long can it last? I am of no kind
"I belong to no class" is similar to and "we are all going to die without a place to die", Luo Gang's anger and disappointment can be understood, but you are a small person and are not a member of the Taiping Army, and It is actually reasonable that Yang Xiuqing did not adopt your opinion.
What's more, the army is about to go out, even if there are great grievances and dissatisfaction, blurting out such almost cursed words, it is even more undeserved.
It can also be seen from Luo Gang's unsympathetic remarks this time that his own unfair treatment in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, in addition to the problems of birth and qualifications, the excessive extremism and stubbornness of his personality, as well as the lack of emotional intelligence, have a lot to do with it.
<h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" > to death</h1>
After the capital Tianjing was established, Luo Gang was ordered to conquer Zhenjiang with Wu Ruxiao, the commander-in-chief of Mu Yi, and then held the place.
During his stay in Zhenjiang, Luo Gang not only resisted the Qing army's attacks many times, but also built his internal affairs in an orderly manner, and was also able to maintain peaceful and stable relations with foreign forces such as British ministers, gaining public opinion support for the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
It can be seen that Luo Gang is not only a tough general on the battlefield, but also has a high talent for urban management and diplomatic work.
Because of zhenshou Zhenjiang's meritorious service, in June 1853, Luo Gang was finally promoted to the position of Winter Official, zhengxiang, although he still had no title, but he also crossed the threshold of a senior general of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.
It's just that even Luo Gang himself did not expect that this winter official was the prime minister, and it also became the highest and final position in Luo Gang's life.
After Zhenjiang, Luo Gang became the fire brigade leader of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, and wherever the war was tight, he was present.
In March 1854, He was transferred back to Nanjing, where he cooperated with Hu Yihuang in attacking Hezhou and Luzhou (present-day Hexian and Hefei, Anhui). In April, he was also ordered to replace Qin Rigang in Shou'anqing. In November, it successively captured Jiande in Anhui, Dongliu, and Shimen in Raozhou, Jiangxi.
In November 1854, Qin Rigang led a 100,000-strong Taiping Army to be defeated by the 10,000 Xiang Army at Tianjia Town, and after the Victory of the Xiang Army, the momentum of the Xiang Army was like a rainbow, and it reached the important town of Jiujiang along the east side of the river, and the soldiers pointed directly at Tianjing.
At the critical juncture, Luo Gangzi led a light horse from Duchang along the land route to Jiujiang to assist, and cooperated with the wing king Shi Dakai to lure the enemy to go deeper, divide the strategy of gathering and annihilating, and cut off the main force of the Xiang Army's water division after being introduced into Panyang Lake.
Subsequently, Shi Da drove from jiujiang, and Luo Gang attacked the Xiang Army's marine division in more than 100 light boats from Xiaochikou, burning more than 100 Xiang Army warships and capturing Zeng Guofan's ships.
Zeng Guofan fled into Luo Zenan's military camp in a small boat, and was so ashamed and angry that he wanted to commit suicide by throwing himself into the water, but was later rescued by his entourage.
At the Battle of Jiujiang and Hukou, Luo Gang and Shi Dakai jointly created the greatest victory of the Western Expedition, which not only dealt a blow to the momentum of the Xiang Army, but also stabilized the situation along the Yangtze River.
At the same time that Luo Gang's military merit and prestige reached its peak after winning the Battle of Jiujiang, this fierce general who had made great achievements in battle and half a life suddenly came to the end of his life.
Regarding the death of Luo Gang, there are many versions of the historical records, some saying that he died after being shelled, some saying that he died after being pierced in the abdomen by a spear on the battlefield, and some saying that he committed suicide by swallowing gold because of his serious injuries.
According to a large number of literature, Luo Gang should have died in the Anhui battlefield in 1855, and there is no need to investigate excessively whether he died on the spot or died in the battle.
Feng Tang is old and Li Guang is difficult to seal, for luo gang, who died on the battlefield at the age of 51, it is really the most realistic and helpless portrayal of life.
However, in 1863, when the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was about to die, Hong Xiuquan finally remembered this loyal comrade-in-arms who sacrificed his life for the country and posthumously named him the King of the Lungs (and Zhu Xikun was posthumously awarded the title of "King of the Guts").
"Lung King" is pronounced the same as "Abolished King", which is really uncomfortable to hear, and it is really difficult to use the lung character as the title of king.
But in any case, posthumously sealing the king is also a kind of consolation to this fierce spirit in heaven. It is also the official of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, a kind of praise and affirmation for the merit and loyalty of Luo Gang, a non-concubine general, for his lifelong merits and loyalty.