Zeng Guo-quan And The Campaign Of Tianjing

Zeng Guoquan was the younger brother of Zeng Guofan, who involved in the creation of Xiang Army in his early years. Since Xianfeng sixth year (1856), he had lead a single rate of the military, capturing Ji'an, Jingdezhen, Anqing, and his system ability of military operations, the tactical of siege fortified city had been full trained. When he besieged Anqing, he had a disposition to conquer Tianjing, even facing several twists without any change. After the capture of Anqing, Zeng Guoquan led troops quickly towarding the east by riverine, continuous to capture the major city of Riverbanks. May of Tongzhi first year (1862), the military stationed in Yuhuatai, and began to attack Tianjing. Because of Duo Long'e led his army toward West into Guanzhong, Zeng Guofan's plan to attack and seize Tianjing did not materialize, so that Zeng Guoquan's military became isolated forces. Then TaiPingtTianGuo launched a large-scale battle in Yuhuatai to rescue the besieged Tianjing, but failed for various reasons. The individual effective command of Zeng Guoquan was an important factor for Xiang Army to win the battle. He withstood many severe tests in the campaign, in the final he rescued successfully, although experience very difficult process. Which laid the basis to encircle and eventually break into Tianjing. From the April of Xianfeng second year (1863) to the next January, Zeng Guoquan commanded Xiang Army capturing more than 20 military strongpoints which were surrounding Tianjing, and added military strength to encircle the city. Since February of Xianfeng third year (1864), the Xiang Army had dug more than 30 tunnels, but they had no effects. By the end of May, Xiang Army captured stronghold Dibaocheng, which was at the foot of Zhongshan Mountain, and stormed Tianjing at close quarters. At the same time, Xiang Army continued to dig tunnels. On June 16th, Xiang Army broke down the wall near Taipingmen, forces an entrance into the city, destructing TaiPingTianGuo. As the land force's front line conductor, Zeng Guoquan led Xiang Army hanging alone into the Tianjing, advocated adding strengths to encircle, well-led, set examples to the troops, so that having a major impact on the process and outcome of the Tianjing Campaign. The Zeng brothers and Xiang Army 's popularities reached their peak after Tianjing Campaign, but it is also a turning point to their military forces.