Emperor Xianfeng ordered the case to be tried by Qian, an academic official in Hubei Province: "(Left) If anyone violates the law, he can be punished on the spot."
Zuo is in danger and will be killed in a few minutes.
Fortunately, Zuo has a group of good friends. At the time of the left crisis, Governor Hu Linyi of Hubei Province, Guo Songtao, editor of the Hanlin Academy, and Pan Zuyin, who was walking in the south study room, took the lead for the left through various channels. Guo Songtao also shouted out the famous saying that "Hunan is indispensable in the world, and Hunan is indispensable in the left", which surprised Emperor Xianfeng greatly: a rural juren who failed the exam repeatedly, a temporary worker who worked for the governor of Hunan, why did so many senior officials speak for him?
For a time, Zuo became famous all over the world, which laid the foundation for his lifelong fame.
Where was Zeng Guofan at that time? Did he do justice for Zuo?
Zeng Guofan and Zuo met at 1852. At that time, Zeng Guofan was ordered to set up with Hunan Governor Zhang, and met Zuo. Zeng Guofan had heard the name of Zuo before. After this meeting, he admired Zuo deeply. Zuo's evaluation of Zeng Guofan is not high: "Being decent and willing to do anything is a bit underdeveloped."
"Only a little less developed" is a polite word. Translated into vernacular, that is "low skill".
Of course, this does not affect Zeng Guofan's appreciation of Left.
In a.d. 1853, Zhang was transferred to the governor of Shandong province, but Zuo did not want to follow him and returned to his hometown. Zeng Guofan was overjoyed and wrote a letter to Zuo asking him to help himself. However, Zuo is arrogant and has no intention of working under Zeng Guofan. He wrote back and declined Zeng Guofan's invitation.
1854, Zuo came out of the mountain again and was invited by Hunan Governor Luo to work under his door. Luo knew that Zuo's talent was far superior to his own, so he let him handle military and political affairs. It was not until five years later that the "Fan Defendant Case" broke out. ...
Although Zeng Guofan is not in Hunan, he is very concerned about this case. When he mentioned this matter in his home letter, he was worried: "In the case of Fanzhen, Hunan, Luo Zhongcheng made it clear that all previous commendations in Hunan were made public, and he sent the whole case file to the military department." The emperor ordered the law enforcement to be responsible, saying that' subordinates encouraged him and bad scenes threatened him' and handed the original play and the whole case to Hubei, intact. Since then, great changes have taken place in Hunan. "
He sensitively predicted that this incident would have a significant impact on the situation in Hunan.
However, Zeng Guofan did not speak for the left like Hu Linyi, the governor of Hubei Province, Guo Songtao, edited by the Hanlin Academy, and Pan Zuyin, who was walking in the south study. At that time, Zeng Guofan led Xiang to victory many times and became the mainstay of saving the Qing Dynasty. If Zeng Guofan played in the imperial court and said a few words for Zuo, it would only be a little effort, but it would certainly receive better results than Hu Linyi, Guo Songtao, Pan Zuyin and others.
Zeng Guofan didn't do this, just look on coldly.
Fortunately, after repeated lobbying by Hu Linyi, Guo Songtao, Pan Zuyin and others, Emperor Xianfeng became interested in the Left, so he asked the commanding minister and the Han army with yellow flags to take command. Knowing Zuo's story long ago, he replied: "Since the beginning of the army, Hunan has borne the brunt, but it can not only hold its own territory, but also raise arms and foreign aid. Luo owes all his contributions to Zuo. "
Now everyone speaks with one voice, Zuo. By this time, Emperor Xianfeng had no idea of killing Zuo. Instead, he deliberately sent him to Zeng Guofan's camp for inspection. Therefore, Emperor Xianfeng asked Zeng Guofan for advice.
Zeng Guofan didn't spoil Left's grain, but also said a few words of good words to Left that were in line with the times: "(Left) means knowing how to endure hardships and make good use of military merits. When necessary, he either ordered the Hunan delegation to defend itself, or simply used officials like Fan and Gang to give him a place to perform his duties with peace of mind. He would be grateful for the report and benefit the current situation. "
Therefore, Zuo went to Zeng Guofan's camp to assist in military affairs with the four products of Jingtang and Tangshan, in case of emergency.
References:
Draft of Qing History, Complete Works of Zuo, Letters from Zeng Guofan, etc.