In recent years, the world's impression of Li Hongzhang has gradually changed, and there is even a saying that "teenagers don't know Li Hongzhang, and the square knows the main hall." However, Li Hongzhang is a controversial person. After all, "Prime Minister Hefei is thinner than the world" is also a classic remark attacking his corruption. However, it is undeniable that Li Hongzhang did participate in many major events in his life, such as suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement, the Nian Army Uprising and the Sino-Japanese War. Perhaps, we can see Li Hongzhang's unknown side from one or two small things.

185 1 year, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement rose gradually, and the Taiping Army headed by Hong Xiuquan and Shi Dakai erected the banner of overthrowing the rule of the Qing court. 1853 After they invaded Jiangning (now Nanjing), they established their capital here and renamed it Tianjing. Facing the huge Taiping Army, the Qing court could not wait for death, so Li Hongzhang, Zuo and others were given the mission of counterinsurgency. 1In September, 863, Li Hongzhang led the Huai army to besiege Suzhou City, and the situation was excellent.

Although Suzhou is a city painstakingly managed by Li Xiucheng, a loyal soldier of Taiping Army, it is also in jeopardy under the attack of Huai Army and foreign gun team. Deeply troubled by the disaster, Li Xiucheng decisively called Tan Shaoguang, Gao Yong Kuan and other "four kings" to discuss guarding the city. Li Xiucheng's speech was concise, mainly expressing two points: first, allow everyone to surrender, but don't take his head for credit; Second, I hope you don't kill each other, but live and die together.

After listening to Li Xiucheng, these people said they would never surrender, but Li Xiucheng knew that something unpleasant would happen in the future. On the evening of October 20th, 65438/KLOC-0, Li Xiucheng quietly left Suzhou to rescue Hong Xiuquan. Therefore, when he left, Gao Yong Kuan and Wang Dingjun got in touch with the Huai Army and revealed the idea of defection. As the saying goes, "all is fair in war", in view of the fact that there are too many scams to lure and cheat, Li Hongzhang decided to talk about specific matters on February 24, 65438.

In fact, in order to make the Taiping Army surrender, the Qing court posted surrender rules everywhere, to the effect that the army could choose to join the army or return to the field, and the court would give some subsidies and would not hold them accountable. However, about that meeting, the history books only recorded that Li Hongzhang said "Three Essentials, Reduction" to Gao Yong Kuan and Wang Dingjun, and there was no specific content, so he could only speculate afterwards.

At noon the next day, the Huai army stormed Suzhou by land and water to build momentum for the surrender of Gao Yongkuan and others. The situation is critical, and a group of defenders headed by Tan Shaoguang are ready to meet them. At this time, Gao Yongkuan, Wang Dingjun and other "Eight Heavenly Kings" suddenly broke out, killing not only Tan Shaoguang, but also the remaining "Heavenly Kings" who persisted, and even killing more than 6,543,800 people of Taiping Army. Subsequently, the eight men took Tan Shaoguang's head and went to Li Hongzhang's camp to accept the warlords.

Li Hongzhang was overjoyed. He not only went out to meet them personally, but also hosted a banquet for the eight new subordinates. After taking a seat, Li Hongzhang toasted frequently, boasting that there were several people in Gao Yong Kuanzhong who cared about the world. At the same time, he also asked Wu Zhou's hand around him to present the prepared military clothes to eight people. However, just as Gao Yongkuan and others were about to accept it, Wu's men took out broadswords and killed eight generals, including Gao Yong Kuan. Finally, Li Hongzhang carried out the famous "action to kill Cang" in history. More than 20,000 soldiers in Suzhou were killed, and no one was spared.