Lao Zuo** concubine, Li Hongzhang exclaimed as a demon
Cixi pointed out the 17-year-old Zhang Yi to the 70-year-old Zuo Zongtang as a concubine, and praised him as a pillar of the country.
Zuo Zongtang knew that the cause of all this came from the dispute between him and Li Hongzhang. In 1874, Li Hongzhang, the governor of Zhili, suggested: "Xinjiang is vast and sparsely populated, and the environment is harsh, and even if Emperor Qianlong exhausts the strength of the whole country to take it back, it will only increase the burden on the state."
In my opinion, there is no need to take back Xinjiang, and the money saved can be used to build the southeast coastal defense. ”
Xinjiang is our territory, and any attempt to get involved in it is not allowed. Qianlong spent a lot of resources to recover Xinjiang, but this did not bring substantial benefits, but increased huge expenditures.
We should devote our resources to the coastal defense of the southeast to protect our country and our people. Although we are facing economic pressures now, we cannot give up on protecting our homes and people.
Zuo Zongtang, the first tough guy of the Qing Dynasty, his determination and belief are an example for all of us. We have to keep our faith and defend our territory.
The Qing Dynasty was faced with internal and external difficulties, and its financial situation was stretched. What is particularly noteworthy is that Li Hongzhang has just signed the "Tianjin Article" with Japan, agreeing to compensate the other party 500,000 taels**.
At this time in Central Asia, Kokand Khan's ** official Agubai occupied southern Xinjiang, and Tsarist Russia forcibly occupied Ili, and the situation was far beyond that of the Qianlong period. When Qianlong recovered Xinjiang, he mobilized the power of the whole country.
Today, however, the situation is even more dire. The soldiers and horses have not moved, the grain and grass go first, and without silver, everything is impossible. Therefore, the key lies in the silver, whether to abandon the northwest and strengthen the construction of coastal defense in the southeast, or to stick to the national territory, which is the focus of debate between Zuo Zongtang, Li Hongzhang and the ministers.
At the critical juncture, Zuo Zongtang firmly refuted Li Zongtang's views, saying that the north and south of the Tianshan Mountains are not barren lands, but rich granaries, full of melons and fruits, and cattle and sheep.
In addition, he put forward his own strategic viewpoint, pointing out that in order to defend Jingshi and the northwest frontier, we must hold Xinjiang. If Xinjiang is abandoned, Britain and Russia will gain an inch, and our northwest frontier will face the danger of being surrounded by wolves.
Zuo Zongtang's reason is not for personal gain, but for the future of the country and the nation.
Cixi was moved, the Qing Dynasty has always attached importance to Mongolia, and Zuo Zongtang's words hit the nail on the head. In the end, Cixi decided to take the approach of her ancestors, giving priority to the protection of the northwest, and adopted Zuo Zongtang's suggestion.
In 1875, Zuo Zongtang officially became the minister of the Qincha, with full responsibility for the military affairs of Xinjiang. This famous "battle between coastal defense and fortress defense" was finally won by Zuo Zongtang's resolute proposition, which brought hope for the protection of the northwest, but everything was just beginning.
At the age of 64, Zuo Zongtang went into battle, moved forward bravely, and decided to go to the northwest region. In order to ensure that the soldiers' salaries could be paid in a timely manner, Zuo Zongtang specially applied to the imperial court for 10 million taels**.
Although the Empress Dowager Cixi was worried about this expense, she still issued an edict: "Zuo Zongtang is a minister of social affairs, this expedition to the west is for national affairs, as long as the border is safe, the imperial court will not spare tens of millions of gold."
We can allocate five million from the treasury and allow him to borrow five million from foreign countries on his own. "In reality, however, it was very difficult to raise that much silver taels at that time. At the critical moment, Hu Xueyan, a famous Hui businessman, generously donated money and gave full support, so that the western expedition could be carried out smoothly.
Before leaving, Zuo Zongtang repatriated all the old, weak, sick and disabled, leaving only 60,000 elite soldiers and marching towards the northwest region.
If Xinjiang cannot be recovered, I am willing to dedicate myself to the country. ”
In order to recover Xinjiang, Zuo Zongtang waged fierce battles with enemies such as Tsarist Russia and the Kokand Khanate, and finally succeeded in achieving this feat. After the class master returned to the court, Zuo Zongtang was given a young Zhang Yi as a concubine, but this was not a simple reward from Cixi, but had other plans.
Although Zhang Yi is beautiful and smart, she is dissatisfied with Zuo Zongtang's age in her heart, because Zuo Zongtang is 70 years old. Although she felt a little aggrieved in her heart, she knew that it was Cixi's will and could not resist.
On the night of the cave room, Zuo Zongtang said to Zhang Yi: "In the future, you will be my granddaughter." ”
He had already understood that marrying Zhang Yi was not his intention, but just to avoid Cixi's calculations. However, now that he is old and suffering from eye diseases, he can no longer bring happiness to Zhang Yi.
He said to Zhang Yi: "This marriage is a gift from the Queen Mother, but I know that I can't give you a better life." When the Queen Mother forgets about this matter in the future, I will find you a good home.
Now, you can be like my granddaughter and not have to serve in my room. His heart was full of guilt and pity, and he didn't want Zhang Yi to suffer anymore.
Zhang Yi stopped in shock, she couldn't imagine that Zuo Shuai would make such a decision. As an ordinary palace maid, she was so valued and cared for by this famous Zuo Shuai, and her heart was full of gratitude.
Therefore, she took the initiative to take care of Zuo Zongtang's daily life, took care of his diet and daily life, and actively provided opinions and suggestions on military and political affairs. In the end, she became Zuo Zongtang's favorite granddaughter and the most intimate "concubine" girl.
And Zuo Zongtang's heroic deeds also made future generations praise him. What do you think of this Huxiang scholar, the Qing Dynasty iron man's approach? Feel free to leave your views.
I am Invite Yue, a little woman who focuses on digging historical stories, looking forward to meeting you in the vast universe, staying together, never leaving, never abandoning!