When we talk about the Qing Dynasty, our minds recall that long and poignant history. It is as if the word Qing Dynasty is firmly intertwined with disgraceful words such as decay and decay, humiliation and obscurity, and cannot be washed away.
However, looking squarely at history and looking back at the scene of the early Qing Dynasty, we can still glimpse a glimpse of prosperity: under the rule of the Three Emperors of Kang Yongqian, the peaceful scenery of Guotai and Min'an in the early qing dynasty is still talked about by people.
Then the Qing Dynasty's closed country was tantamount to cocooning itself, isolating itself from the development trend of the world, and also losing an opportunity to take off.
The decline of the late Qing Dynasty and the tragic history of the Eight-Power Alliance's invasion of China, this history of humiliation is like a gray veil, covering the splendid situation. In the late Qing Dynasty, a period of time from prosperity to decline, historians always have a sense of sorrow when discussing this period of history, and the feelings of the nation are overflowing with words.
However, it is said that heroes emerged from the chaotic world, and before the three kingdoms rose together, it was also in such a period of military chaos, and there were also many celebrity soldiers in the late Qing Dynasty, under such an almost falling apart adversity, like a mainstay, making a move to turn the tide, becoming a shining pearl in this decaying years.
When it comes to outstanding talents, we can't bypass Zuo Zongtang. Learning to be rich in five cars, talented in eight buckets, wise and brilliant, these words put on others, perhaps showing a sense of flattery, but put on his body, but it is a veritable match.
As the most famous politician and military figure in the late Qing Dynasty, Zuo Zongtang showed decisiveness and heroism in handling major affairs. In politics, he is a needle-like being of the sea god, and in military terms, he is the commander-in-chief who directs the country. The leader of the foreign affairs movement, the main force in the recovery of Xinjiang, all kinds of glorious deeds, let him and Li Hongzhang, and was awarded the reputation of one of the four famous ministers of the late Qing Dynasty.
And the word "evil comes out of the mouth" has been confirmed by many allusions since ancient times. Zuo Zongtang, who is a political celebrity, has also become one of the cases of this word because of his arrogant personality and his unchangeable temper.
Zuo Zongtang had caused an unnecessary dispute because of his quick mouth, and finally almost invited the disaster of killing himself. This also reminds future generations that it is not advisable to be excessively self-conscious, and moderate caution in words and deeds is the right way.
The core helped to plan the army, and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom was suppressed
At that time, the mighty Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement arose, and after the Taiping Army successfully penetrated Nanjing, the Qing government realized the seriousness of the situation. However, at that time, the regular army of the Qing Dynasty was in a state of decline and was difficult to defeat the masses.
In such a situation where the combat effectiveness was inferior, Zeng Guofan's "Xiang Army" took on the heavy responsibility of suppressing the Taiping Army. However, if you want the Xiang Army to continue to export brave battles, the support behind it is also indispensable, and military food and funds are the two major plays.
Fortunately, Luo Bingzhang, as the governor of Hunan at that time, was upright and honest, devoted himself to the people, and stabilized the situation in the rear of Hunan.
It is worth mentioning that at this time, Zuo Zongtang was Luo Bingzhang's inspector of the shogunate, who made many useful contributions to Luo Bingzhang's advice and suggestions, which can be described as an important existence like Luo Bingzhang's powerful left arm. With zuo Zongtang's assistance, Luo Bingzhang also had a lot of peace of mind in many complicated government affairs.
Originally, Zuo Zongtang should be able to get promoted smoothly by relying on his own talent. However, no one could have imagined that his impulsive move would lead to the disaster of killing him.
Impulsively killed, mouthed wild words to tie the knot
It is said that no one is perfect, and even the best people have defects that cannot be ignored, and Zuo Zongtang's shortcomings lie in his temper.
Once, due to the dispatch of the imperial court, Fan Xie, who was the commander-in-chief of Lingling, came to the inspector Yamen to bid farewell to Luo Bingzhang. Coincidentally, Zuo Zongtang was also present at that time, but Fan Xie only greeted Luo Bingzhang alone, completely ignoring Zuo Zongtang on the side.
After being ignored, Zuo Zongtang was naturally very unhappy, and a cloud of anger burned in his heart, and he questioned him: "The military attaches of Huguang and Guangdong Provinces have to ask for peace when they see me, so why are you an exception?" ”
Fan Xie was shocked when he heard it, did a person in the lower position eat the heart of a bear and the bile of a leopard, and actually dared to be so rude. So he immediately retorted, "When did the imperial court stipulate that the Erpin official should ask the master for peace?" Hearing such an answer, Zuo Zongtang was furious for a moment and opened his mouth to scold: "Get out." ”
As soon as these words came out, it was like a fuse that ignited the barrel of explosives, and the two of them have since formed a beam.
This is a friction caused by the interaction between people and the world, which was originally just a small matter, but because both of them refused to give in, they tore their faces without mercy, and finally ended up unhappy and scattered.
On the surface, Fan Xie, who did not know each other, did not ask Zuo Zongtang for peace, so he had this unpleasant experience, and in fact, although Zuo Zongtang was Luo Bingzhang's right-hand man and was usually respected by everyone, no matter what, he was just an aide at that time, and there was nothing wrong with Fan Xie's move.
It was just that Zuo Zongtang, who had been favored for a long time, was ignored by Fan Xie for a while, and of course there would be some dissatisfaction in his heart, and finally made such a scene. In this way, the relationship between the two changed from meeting in Pingshui and one side to not sharing the sky, full of mutual hatred.
Since then, the two have clearly hated each other and secretly fought. At that time, the political circles of the Qing Dynasty were full of corruption, and there was little wind of honest government, and the net was the atmosphere of greed. Zuo Zongtang soon found ironclad evidence that Fan Xie had embezzled public funds.
With the help of Luo Bingzhang, Zuo Zongtang played to the Xianfeng Emperor. After the emperor learned of this matter, he obviously would not easily let Fan Xie go, and immediately dismissed him.
At this time, Fan Xie, who had a strong backer, was bound not to be tied up, and while thinking about how to protect himself, he jointly accused Zuo Zongtang with other officials in the DPRK who disagreed with Zuo Zongtang in the name of insulting the Erpin officials of the imperial court.
For a time, the situation took a big turn for the worse, and there was a tendency for "the wall to fall and everyone pushed it". The emperor even announced that if Zuo Zongtang was found to have done something illegal, he could rectify the law on the spot. At this time, Zuo Zongtang was already in danger, and his life was hanging in the balance.
Fortunately, Zuo Zongtang also had many friends to help him, and the emperor also considered the great achievements of Zuo Zongtang himself in suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, so he did not impose a heavy sentence on him.
At that time, only the Xiang Army could effectively suppress the Taiping Army, and if the main general who led the Xiang Army was not there at this time, then the battle would be more fierce and less auspicious. In this way, the Xianfeng Emperor reused Zuo Zongtang again. Zuo Zongtang can be said to have fought a battle to turn over.
Shame is learned and shame is washed away by future generations
At the same time, Fan Xie, a high-ranking official of the imperial court who was originally in a high position, could only secretly eat and return to his hometown. Of course, the arrogant man naturally would not swallow this breath.
He carefully reviewed the matter and came to the conclusion that he had suffered a loss of no culture. Therefore, he placed this wish on his two sons.
He wanted his two sons to study hard to avenge, so he spent a lot of money to hire someone to help his son with his homework, and also bought a plaque on which he engraved the three big words "Get Out" and called it the "Shame Card". In addition, he treated his sons harshly, stipulating that they could not wear men's clothes at home, and could only take off women's clothes and burn "shame cards" after they had achieved fame.
The Emperor Did Not Pay Off, and His Second Son finally succeeded in obtaining the meritorious title, and finally burned the "Shame Card" to ashes.
brief summary:
All kinds of outstanding great deeds have added to Zuo Zongtang's domineering confidence when dealing with the world. Such bold and excellent courage allowed him to get the praise of the world, but also poured out his arrogant temper.
There is a saying that goes: the greater the ability, the greater the temper. Capable people often have their own eccentric temperament and small temperament, and if others have a slight violation, they will show a posture of anger.
In a casual meeting, Zuo Zongtang once loudly reprimanded a Erpin general soldier in front of everyone and told him to "get out", this roar, originally just expressing anger, unexpectedly led to an ominous killing disaster.
It is said that it is prudent to sail the ship of ten thousand years, and it is appropriate to be careful in words and deeds. It can be said that the historical lessons from this scourge are really unforgettable.