"Chinese can't always submit to others. Victory is also a battle. Defeat is also a battle. Just one word, fight! The minister is willing to lead the three armies to fight with his old body to thank the countrymen. "Do you know who he is? He was the greatest national hero of the late Qing Dynasty. With his own efforts, he recovered 1.66 million square kilometers of Xinjiang's territory. That is equivalent to 8 Hunan and 9 Guangdong. It is known as the last hard bone of the Qing Dynasty. He is Zuo Zongtang.
It can be said that if there was no Zuo Zongtang, we would have to import a Xinjiang cantaloupe until now.
"Xinjiang is the land of my God. It doesn't matter who wants to cut the land and sue for peace. As long as I, Zuo Zongtang, still have a breath, I won't want to fulfill your dream of being a wolf!"
In 1865, Aguba, a Central Asian military officer, with the support of the British government, invaded Kashgar, the western gate of the mainland. They use it as a base. It successively annexed southern Xinjiang. It also annexed the Beijiang River north of the Tianshan Mountains. So much so that in 1871, except for Ili. Xinjiang all fell into the hands of Aguba.
At this time, Tsarist Russia, under the banner of helping, sent troops and directly occupied our Saiwai Jiangnan Ili. In other words, Xinjiang has fallen so far.
At the time of this national crisis, Zuo Zongtang stepped forward. He said: "I, Zuo Zongtang, would rather carry the coffin out of the customs and die in battle, rather than allow the enemy to invade an inch of our Qing Dynasty's territory." Regain Xinjiang and protect the vitality of the limbs. The vitality of the limbs lies in the soundness of the limbs. "That is to say: the integrity of the territory must be guaranteed.
At that time, Zuo Zongtang's proposition was supported by the Queen Mother of the Two Palaces. In 1875, Zuo Zongtang was appointed as the minister of the Qincha and came here to supervise the military affairs of Xinjiang. The Empress Dowager of the Two Palaces gave Zuo Zongtang the ability to raise troops and salaries, and gave him full authority to command military affairs. The queen mother of the two palaces considered that the instability of the rear was a taboo for the soldiers. The Queen Mother announced: Zuo Zongtang has been away for three years, and the cabinet is not allowed to participate in Zuo.
In 1876, Zuo Zongtang, who was already 63 years old. With the help of businessman Hu Xueyan. borrowed foreign debts to raise 13 million taels of military expenditure. Commanded 60,000 Hunan soldiers. Carry his own coffin to the west. Vowed to die to recover Xinjiang.
Zuo Zongtang used Liu Jintang, a young general of the year, as the main general. Troops marched into Xinjiang in three ways. Successive victories are unstoppable. It only took a little over a year. In one fell swoop, Xinjiang was recovered.
In 1878, Zuo Zongtang, who was already 66 years old, led a large army to prepare to recover Ili, which directly frightened the foreign powers. They sent messengers with centuries-old wine to sue for peace. Zuo Zongtang was well aware of their wolf ambitions, and knew that they would definitely not return Yili easily. I gave it directly to that to make a dismount. Zuo Zongtang ordered the comer to kneel, and then directly made up his mind to fire at Yili!
Zuo Zongtang spent his life for the country and the people after recovering Xinjiang. He also supervised the teacher to resist the law. Enabled the veteran Feng Zicai. It also achieved a great victory in Zhennanguan.
In 1885. Zuo Zongtang died of illness while serving as the governor of Liangjiang. Later, he was buried in Jumping Horse Town, Changsha, Hunan. His mausoleum is carved on both sides. Hanye Tang rules, the west is eternal. Qinchuan Longdao, Sailiu is evergreen. These two poems have always told Zuo Zongtang's great achievements.
Salute to the heroes!
April 16, 2024