sidered to be in such danger that Pao’s troops have been temporarily held back and were not allowed to leave hurriedly for Kiangsi. As for Hu,[1] I fear that the dogs of rebels have come down from Huang-chou[2] to attack An-ch'ing,[3] and brother Yüan’s troops have been sent to join Pao’s troops in bringing aid to the north bank. On the various ranges in the neighbourhood of Ch'i-mên,[4] the rebels managed, on the 23rd inst. to capture two positions, so that for several months past there has not been much leisure for supporting operations. Dangers have frequently broken out; the foreign devils have been giving trouble in all directions, and there is even talk of their threatening Ch'i-mên. Thus, it seems to me that the present year will be full of difficulties for us to deal with.
Well, ever since the winter of the 3rd year of Hsien Fêng (1853) I have devoted my body to my country's service, and I am willing to die stretched on the battle-field, but not willing to die “beside the window.”[5] Such was my original ambition, and of late years, during my career in the army, I have acted always to the best of my ability and to the limit of my strength. I have nothing to be ashamed of, and I shall close my eyes without regret.
It remains for the various members of my family, brothers and their sons and their nephews, to bear in mind the eight words of their grandfather: “Examine, value, early, sweep, books, vegetables, fish, pork.”[6] Also, with due reverence, bear in mind the three “Don't believes” of the same grandfather:―
Don't believe in genii of mountain, river, or tree!
Don't believe in doctors and their drugs!
Don't believe in priests of any faith!
- ↑ Hu Lin-i, another general who greatly distinguished himself against the T‘ai P‘ings.
- ↑ In Hupeh.
- ↑ In Anhui.
- ↑ In Anhui.
- ↑ That is, “in my bed.” The allusion is to a visit by Confucius to a disciple who was dying. The Master went to the sick man’s house, and grasped his hand through a window, beside which the patient's bed had been placed.
- ↑ Such is the literal meaning of the Chinese characters employed; their application may perhaps be elucidated by some surviving descendant of the great Viceroy.
