Hu Linyi 胡林翼

Hu Lin-i 胡林翼 (T. 貺生 H. 潤之, also written as 潤芝 and 詠之) July 14, 1812-1861, Sept. 30, general and statesman, was a native of I-yang, Hunan. His father, Hu Ta-yüan 胡達源, (d. 1841, age 64 sui), the third highest chin-shih of 1819, who rose to be expositor of the Hanlin Academy and supervisor of imperial instruction, was a follower of the Sung Neo-Confucian philosophy. Hu Lin-i, too, was a brilliant student who obtained his chin-shih degree in 1836, and two years later became a compiler of the Hanlin Academy. From 1847 to 1853 he was first acting, then actual, prefect of various prefectures in the province of Kweichow. During this period banditti and secret societies were spreading in South China and Hu Lin-i distinguished himself by his efficient organization of militia to suppress them. He became noted, too, for his knowledge of military science. When he was promoted to intendant of the Kuei-tung Circuit (1854) the neighboring provinces of Hupeh and Hunan were menaced by the Taipings. With a regiment of militia from Kweichow, he went to the front and fought first in Hunan and then in Hupeh, quelling local uprisings and stemming the advance of the Taiping insurgents. He then went to the assistance of Tsêng Kuo-fan [q.v.] who was attacking Kiukiang. When the Taipings attempted to weaken the assault on Kiukiang by taking Wuchang (April 3, 1855) Hu Lin-i and his forces were sent from Kiukiang to recover that city. To promote this objective, and as a reward for his past exploits, he was appointed (April 18, 1855) acting governor of Hupeh. It was a time when government troops and provisions were inadequate and the power of the Taipings was becoming increasingly ominous. In this period of unprecedented turmoil and danger Hu Lin-i remained calm; he consoled and inspired his soldiers with Confucian admonitions of loyalty and faithfulness; and raised funds by the likin system (see under Kuo Sung-tao), by taxes on salt, etc.; and by appeals for help both within and without the province. When a relief expedition, led by Lo Tsê-nan [q.v.], arrived from Kiangsi the combined forces made a desperate, though futile, attempt to take Wuchang. The death of Lo, his most indispensable general, on April 12, 1856, was a severe blow to Hu, but with a competent substitute, Li Hsü-pin [q.v.], Wuchang was eventually taken on December 19 of that year. As a reward for his achievements Hu Lin-i was formally installed as governor of Hupeh and was given the button of the first rank.

After the devastations of the long war round Wuchang it devolved on Hu Lin-i to rehabilitate the government of the province. He selected with care competent military and civil officials, encouraged incorruptibility and efficiency, prohibited lavish social entertainments, and established a bureau to scrutinize and check government expenditures. He disarmed improperly trained soldiers and strengthened those portions that were well-disciplined. He set up a commissariat for munitions and rations and strengthened the defense of Wuchang so that it would not again fall to the rebels. He also promoted commerce and industry and so laid the foundations for the modern development of Hupeh.

At the same time actual military operations were not neglected. The Taipings were driven eastward step by step; Hupeh was fairly free of them by 1857, and Kiukiang was recovered on May 19, 1858, after a long siege and desperate attacks. For this achievement Hu Lin-i received the title Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and later was granted one hundred days leave to mourn the death of his mother. Meanwhile Li Hsü-pin and his force were crushed near Lu-chou, the temporary capital of Anhwei, and Hu hurried back to resume his task in order to keep the situation from becoming worse. In June 1859 Shih Ta-k'ai [q.v.] laid siege to Pao-ch'ing, Hunan, and Hu sent Li Hsü-i (see under Li Hsü-pin) to rescue the city.

At the close of 1859 Hu Lin-i and Tsêng Kuo-fan laid plans to take Anking, capital of Anhwei, by approaching the city from four routes. Hu was responsible for the third route, and labored as Tsêng's chief support in command ing troops and supplying provisions. Perceiving great ignorance of military tactics on the part of his co-generals, Hu, with the help of Wang Shih-to, Mo Yu-chih [qq.v.] and others, compiled (Mar. 5, 1859-Jan. 22, 1861) a handbook on the subject, entitled 讀史兵略 Tu-shih ping-lüeh, printed in 1861 in 46 chüan, and made up, as the title indicates, from accounts of battles which he had read in histories. At the beginning of 1860 the plan to take Anking met with serious obstacles. Though by February Hu Lin-i's third route army had advanced to T'ai-hu, and was therefore not far from Anking, the Great Camp at the walls of Nanking (see under Hung Hsiu-ch'üan) was conclusively defeated. Tsêng Kuo-fan had, in the meantime, been appointed governor-general of the Liang-Kiang and was unable to take up his post at Nanking owing to the pressure on his forces at Ch'i-mên, Anhwei (1860-61). Moreover, in 1860-61, the Taipings were making counter-attacks on Hupeh from many sides in the hope of lifting the siege of Anking which was being pressed by Tsêng Kuo-ch'üan [q.v.]. At this critical moment Hu strongly advised Tsêng Kuo-fan to continue the siege of Anking and to withstand the attack at Ch'i-mên while Hu himself went back to Hupeh to repulse the Taipings there. He gave to Tsêng all the financial aid he could, even to a part of his own salary. In order to raise more funds he repeatedly solicited the Emperor to approve a reduced rate for the sale of official titles. When Anking was finally taken, on September 5, 1861, Tsêng Kuo-fan recommended that Hu be given chief credit for the success of the campaign. Accordingly Hu was given the title, Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, and the hereditary rank, Ch'i-tu-yü. But unfortunately he, worn out by his exertions, had already been spitting blood for four months, and died in office at Wuchang. He was canonized as Wên-chung 文忠, was posthumously given the title of governor-general, and in 1864 the hereditary rank of Ch'ing-ch'ê tu-yü of the first class. Later he was posthumously raised to the hereditary rank of a baron of the third class. As Hu had no son, he adopted a nephew to inherit the rank. Hu's wife was a daughter of T'ao Chu [q.v.].

Hu Lin-i was gallant and dignified and is said to have had a long face and penetrating eyes. He was quick in decision and persistent in action-an important factor in his success being also his ability to co-operate with both is superiors and his inferiors. He was versed in military lore and at the same time knew how to control his generals. His sayings and those of Tsêng Kuo-fan on military matters were brought together in a discerning work, entitled Tsêng Hu chih-ping yü-lu (see under Tsêng Kuo-fan). Hu Lin-i, Tso Tsung-t'ang, P'êng Yü-lin [qq.v.] and Tsêng Kuo-fan are recognized as the four outstanding leaders of this period--each contributing in his own sphere to the success of the campaign against the Taipings.

Hu Lin-i's memorials, his letters, and his nien-p'u were brought together under the title 胡文忠公遺集 Hu Wên-chung kung i-chi, 10 chüan, and printed in 1863 by Yen Shu-sên 嚴樹 [ 澍 chu] 森 (T. 渭春, a chü-jên of 1840, d. 1876) who succeeded him as governor of Hupeh (1861-64). The collection was later enlarged to 86 chüan, printed under the same title in 1867, and later reprinted several times. While in Hupeh Hu Lin-i sponsored the editing of the famous geographical atlas, 皇朝中外一統輿圖 Huang-ch'ao Chung-wai i-t'ung yü-t'u, 31 + 1 chüan, based on the Ch'ien-lung map of the Empire (see under Ho Kuo-tsung), and on the atlas by Li Chao-lo [q.v.]. It takes account of geographical changes such as the altered course of the Yellow River (1855). When Hu died in 1861 the atlas was barely completed, but was printed in Wuchang by Yen Shu-sên in 1863.

[ 1/412/5b; 2/42/44b; 5/25/15b; 7/26/20a; S/2/la; Kuo Sung-tao [q.v.], Yang-chih shu-wu wên-chi 17/36a, 19/32b; Hsüeh Fu-ch'êng [q.v.], Yung-an wên-pien, chüan 4.]

TÊNG Ssŭ-yü

《清史稿》卷406

胡林翼，字潤之，湖南益陽人。父達源，嘉慶二十四年一甲三名進士，官至少詹事，學宗宋儒。林翼少時，即授以性理諸書，而林翼負才不羈，娶總督陶澍女，習聞緒論，有經世志。

道光十六年，成進士，選庶吉士，授編修。二十年，充江南副考官，坐失察正考官文慶攜舉人熊少牧入闈，降一級調用。丁父憂，服闋，捐納內閣中書，改貴州知府。署安順、鎮遠，皆盜藪，用明戚繼光法練勇士，搜捕林箐，身與同甘苦。屢擒劇盜，靖苗氛，以功賜花翎。又因防剿新寧匪李沅發，以道員用。總督吳文鎔、巡撫喬用遷並薦堪大用。咸豐元年，補黎平，實行保甲團練，千五百餘寨，建碉樓四百餘座，嚴扼要隘，儲穀備城守。地鄰湘、桂，匪戢而民安。三年，剿甕安榔匪，誅其魁。湖南巡撫張亮基、駱秉章兩次奏調，以貴州留不行。御史王發桂疏薦林翼剿匪成效，詔赴湖北委用。

四年，擢貴東道，率黔勇千人行次通城，而總督吳文鎔戰歿黃州，遂進援武昌。賊尋犯湖南，駱秉章調林翼回防，平安化土匪，擢四川按察使，尋調湖北。曾國藩既克武昌，檄林翼與羅澤南會攻九江，屯湖口，破賊梅家洲。五年春，擢湖北布政使。總督楊霈師潰黃梅，林翼率所部回援武昌，別以副將王國才一軍隸之，未至，漢陽陷，會攻不克，屯沌口。武昌復陷，潛師渡江規武昌，為賊所圍，兵少食盡，退金口。詔林翼署理湖北巡撫，楊霈奏令上扼漢川。林翼疏陳形勢，宜急攻武漢，方能內固荊襄，上俞之。時武、漢、黃、德四郡皆為賊踞，後路崇陽、通城多伏莽，公私赤立，兵餉皆絀。林翼馳書四出乞貸，發家穀給軍。添募兵勇，兼顧南北兩路，凡數十戰，時有克捷，亦屢瀕於危。七月，攻克漢口鎮，奪大別山賊卡。未幾，援賊由漢川至，焚漢口。崇、通匪勾結武昌城賊，撲金口大營。詔念林翼素善用兵，勉以重整散卒。尋退奓山，餉絕兵潰，下部議處。林翼移營大軍山，收集潰兵，駐新隄、嘉魚。水陸合萬人，半出新募，賊至常數萬，軍中奪氣。林翼鎮靜相持，以忠義激勵將士，始漸定。奏調羅澤南由江西來援，連克通城、崇陽，林翼自往迎之於蒲圻。合破援賊韋俊、石達開於咸寧，復其城。乘勝進攻武昌，自率所部普承堯、唐訓方軍由中路，羅澤南當西路，楊岳斌以水師會金口，總督官文亦令都興阿率騎兵駐北岸。林翼和輯諸將，軍勢遂日振，屢戰皆捷。

六年三月，羅澤南急攻城，傷於砲，驟卒。以李續賓代領其軍，攻戰不少輟。石達開自咸寧敗後，竄江西，連陷數郡。曾國藩屢調羅澤南回援，不克往。林翼分遣劉騰鴻、普承堯兩軍赴之。詔以武漢久不克，督戰急。林翼疏陳，略曰：「臣頓兵城下五月餘矣。血肉之軀，日當砲石，傷亡水陸士卒三千餘，喪將領羅澤南、周得魁百餘人，李續賓中丸墮馬者數矣。夫兵易募而將難求，臣觀前史，李左車告韓信，以頓兵城下，情見事絀為戒。戰易攻難，自昔已然。故臣自四月後乃禁仰攻，分兵咸、蒲以取義寧，四戰皆捷。分水師以清下游，直達九江。臣自率兵五千扼武昌南路，李續賓率六千三百扼洪山東，分剿北路。水師六營下駐沙口。賊由九江、興國分路來援，臣豫撥三千餘人戰於百里之外。微臣之志，誓與兵事相終始。萬一變生意外，決不敢退怯苟且，自取羞辱。」文宗覽奏，特慰勉之。

五月，賊於武昌城外豹子澥等處增壘掘壕，林翼抽調諸軍擊之，遂於要隘掘壕困賊。賊屢撲，皆擊退。諜知九江賊古隆賢來援，已至樊口，先遣黨數千進踞葛店。令蔣益澧率精銳迎擊，戰於葛店，大破賊，焚其舟。追至樊口，楊載福水師亦至，合擊，斃賊數千。攻克武昌縣城，遂渡江攻黃州。而石達開由江西竄江寧，復糾眾上犯，分數路。七月，急調黃州軍回援。賊由金牛趨葛店，古隆賢亦起應之。林翼督水陸軍分禦，連戰於油坊嶺、魯家港、姚家嶺、窰灣、沙子嶺、小龜山，旬日內二十餘捷，擒斬無算，解散脅從萬餘，追奔百餘里，至華容，賊悉遁。九月，楊岳斌追賊至蘄州，焚其舟，直抵田家鎮。賊援既絕，添募陸勇五千，水師六營，為長圖計。十一月，咨會官文剋期大舉。楊岳斌斷攔江鐵鎖，焚賊船盡。賊傾城出撲，鏖戰三時，大敗狂奔，諸軍逐之，遂復武昌。擒賊酋古文新等，駢誅數百人，生降四千。同日官文亦克漢陽。詔實授林翼湖北巡撫，加頭品頂戴。遂分兵收復武昌縣、黃州府及興國、大冶、蘄水、蘄州、黃梅。令李續賓乘勝規九江，都興阿、楊岳斌、鮑超屯小池口，自駐武昌籌全局。

上疏論軍事吏治，略曰：「湖北軍務不飭已久，無論賊之多寡強弱，聞警先驚，接仗即潰。上下相蒙，恬不知恥。誤於使貪使詐，而實為貪詐所使。川、楚、河南勇目，招合無賴投效，以一報十，冒領口糧。交綏即敗，又顧之他。帑項至艱，徒飽無賴慾壑。遣散不得其方，又相聚為盜。近年湖北募勇之大患，綠營則怯懦若性，正額虛浮，軍政營制，蕩然無存。此為兵事急應整頓之要。自古用武之地，荊襄為南北關鍵，武漢為荊襄咽喉。武漢有警，則鄰疆胥震。四年之中，武昌三陷，漢陽四陷。東南數省，受害惟武漢為甚。夫善鬥者必扼其吭，善兵者必審其勢。今於武漢設重鎮，則水陸東征之師，恃為根本軍火米糧委輸不絕，傷痍疾病休養得所。平吳之策，必先保鄂，明矣。保鄂必先固漢陽。湖北之失，在漢陽無備。下游小挫，賊遂長驅直入。應請於武漢設陸師八千，水師二千，日夜訓練。平時有藜藿不採之威，臨事有千里折衝之勢。且東征之師，孤軍下剿，苦戰必傷，久役必疲。傷病之人，留於軍中，不但誤戰，亦且誤餉。若以武漢之防兵更番迭代，則士氣常新，軍行必利。此武漢宜急設防練之要。湖北莠民從賊者多，兵勇搜捕，徒滋擾害。惟有保甲清釐，族戶綑獻，分別斬釋。然牧令不得其人，則法不能行。官吏之舉動，為士民所趨向；紳士之舉動，又為愚民所趨向。未有不養士而能致民，不察吏而能安民者。五年大熟，州縣乃或報災，六年大饑，州縣轉或徵賦。以豐為歉，是病國計；以歉為豐，是害民生，而終害於國計。歉歲官吏私收蠲緩，實惠不及於民。有所謂挖徵、急公等名目，無一非蠹國病民。凡下與上交接之事，諉之幕友；官與民交接之事，諉之門丁。詞訟案牘，病在積壓；盜賊姦宄，弊在因循。州縣之小事，即百姓之大事，今日之小賊，即異日之大賊。厝火積薪，隱憂方大。又如捐輸則有踩堂、贄見之費，牙帖則有勒索之費，釐金則有私設之費。臣受事以來，迭次特參，在國自有刑章，在臣甘為怨府。惟思劾貪非難，求才為難。前者劾去，後者踵事，而巧避其名，弊將不可勝言。臣愚以為必嚴禁官場應酬陋習，與群吏更始，崇尚敦樸，屏退浮華。行之數年，庶可改觀。目下州縣懸缺待人，請敕下部臣，暫勿拘臣文法資格。此吏治急應整飭之要。武漢甫經收復，人或以為已治已安，臣竊憂之。如以為治安，則前收復已二次矣。況江西七府俱淪於賊，旁軼橫出，不僅九江、安慶為足慮也。未收復之前，事勢極難，文武尚有懼心；收復之後，布置尚易，而特恐文武均萌肆志。外省粉飾之習，久在聖明洞鑒。不揣愚昧，用以直陳。」疏入，上嘉納焉。於是裁浮勇，練新軍，蠲四十六州縣田賦以蘇民困。 設清查局，稽核全省倉庫盈虛之數；設節義局，表彰死難官紳士女；設軍需局，以備東征餉械。嚴課吏治，糾劾文武數十人，推廉尚能，手書戒勉將吏如子弟。初，將吏頗搆督、撫異同，下令曰：「敢再言北岸兵事吏事長短者，以造言論罪。」官文亦開誠相與，無掣肘。軍政吏治，皆林翼主稿，林翼推美任過，督撫大和。湖北振興，實基於此。襄陽土匪猖獗，擾及河南境，令唐訓方等剿之。

七年春，擒匪首高先二等。陳玉成由皖北上犯，諸軍不能禦。林翼赴黃州督師，賊眾十餘萬環踞巴河東。會水漲，林翼令毀三台河石橋，扼河而守。潛師出迴龍山，遏賊上竄。調李續宜率湖勇馳至，督諸軍合擊於孫家嘴、馬家河、月山，賊大敗遁走。都興阿、李續賓亦連破賊於黃梅、宿松，楚北肅清。遂視師九江，定合圍方略而還。八年四月，李續賓等攻九江，克之，磔賊首林啟榮。詔嘉林翼調度有方，加太子少保。林翼乃急規安慶，楊岳斌率水師出九江，都興阿出宿松、望江，逼安慶為圍師。李續賓規復太湖、潛山、桐城，與都軍為犄角。五月，丁母憂，詔予假百日治喪，假滿仍署巡撫。七月，廬州陷，李續賓輕軍赴援，戰歿三河。林翼方奉母柩回籍，詔急起視師，林翼聞命，痛哭起行，逕次黃州，軍心始定。

九年，進屯上巴河，與李續宜整飭部伍，日夜訓練，謀大舉。會石達開由江西犯湖南，圍寶慶。林翼令李續宜率所部赴援，舒保馬隊助之，又以水師分扼河道，寶慶圍得解，於是與曾國藩合力圖復安徽。國藩循江而下為第一路，多隆阿、鮑超攻取潛山、太湖為第二路，林翼自出英山、霍山為第三路，李續宜由松子關出商城、固始為第四路。十月，由黃州移營英山。陳玉成在賊中最狡悍，見太湖圍急，糾合捻匪張洛行、龔瞎子眾數十萬來援。林翼集諸軍精銳全力備戰，欲一鼓殲之。與曾國藩部署諸將，指揮戰略。謀前敵總統，以多隆阿謀勇兼優，而鮑超素不相下，手書勸勉，十數往復，始定議。又備意外，令金國琛、余際昌以八千人出潛山天堂拊賊背。十二月，賊至，鮑超營小池驛，當其衝，賊聚攻之。多隆阿慮分兵掣全勢，置不救，調唐訓方往助。事且急，金國琛等由山中鼓行而出，賊乃奪氣。十年正月，多隆阿攻羅山衝為西路，鮑超出小池驛為東路，朱品隆、蔣凝學、唐訓方等合擊，金國琛等亦同時並進，大破賊，殲斃先後二萬餘，遂克太湖城，潛山亦復。是役為僅見之大捷，安慶之勢遂孤。

既而江南大軍潰，蘇、常盡陷，曾國藩授兩江總督，督師。林翼為畫分路大舉之策，國藩不盡用，率鮑超等次祁門，為規復江南計，以其弟國荃圍安慶。林翼令多隆阿圍桐城，李續宜屯青草塥，為兩軍援，都興阿別出師江北，分兵濟餉，林翼悉任之。十月，多隆阿、李續宜大破賊於桐城掛車河。林翼進駐太湖，度賊援安慶不利，必深入湖北腹地以分我軍勢。令余際昌屯霍山樂兒嶺，成大吉屯羅田松子關，戒賊至勿浪戰，堅守待援。十一年春，賊果合捻匪西犯，成大吉破之松子關，殲捻渠龔瞎子。霍山守者違節度，為賊所敗，遂進陷黃州、德安、孝感、隨州，林翼令李續宜回援。賊復分股回略蘄、黃，趨安慶，約城賊夾擊。檄成大吉下援，鮑超亦由南岸至，破賊於集賢關，擒斬數千，磔其渠劉瑲林。多隆阿亦破援賊於桐城，賊計不得逞，城中糧將盡，勢益慼。南岸之賊復由江西犯興國、大冶，南及崇、通，武漢震動。林翼方病咯血，自率師回援，而圍攻安慶益急。及抵湖北，賊已聞風遁。八月朔，遂克安慶。曾國藩推林翼為首功，詔加太子太保，予騎都尉世職。桐城、廬江、舒城以次復，黃州、德安之賊先後擒斬，楚境悉平。

林翼久病，聞文宗崩於熱河行在，大慟嘔血，八月，卒。詔贈總督，祀賢良祠，湖北、湖南並建專祠，賜其子子勛舉人，諡文忠。同治元年，復詔：「林翼未竟全功，遽就溘逝，蹟其功勛卓越，名播寰區，至今江、鄂士民稱頌。命於原籍家祠賜祭一壇。」洎江南平，加予一等輕車都尉世職，子子勛襲，後倂兩世職為男爵。光緒中，以孫祖蔭襲，官郵傳部參議。

林翼貌英偉，目巖巖，威棱懾人。事至立斷，無留難。尤長綜覈，釐正湖北漕糧積弊，以部定漕折為率，因地量加輕重，民歲減錢百餘萬緡，歲增帑四十餘萬兩，提存節省銀亦三十餘萬兩。兩湖自淮鹽阻絕，率食川鹽，於宜昌、沙市、武穴、老河口設局徵稅，視舊課增至倍蓰。時東南各省皆抽釐助餉，惟湖北多用士人司榷，覈實無弊。其治軍務明紀律，手訂營制，留意將才。嘗曰：「兵之囂者無不罷，將之貪者無不怯；觀將知兵，觀兵知將。為統將必明大體，知進退緩急機宜；其次知陣法，臨敵決勝；又其次勇敢：此大小之分也。」馭將以誠，因材而造就之，多以功名顯。察吏嚴而不沒一善，手書褒美，受者榮於薦剡，故文武皆樂為之用。士有志節才名不樂仕進者，千里招致，於武昌立寶善堂居之，以示坊表。嘗曰：「國之需才，猶魚之需水，鳥之需林，人之需氣，草木之需土。得之則生，不得則死。才者無求於天下，天下當自求之。」薦舉不盡相識，無一失人。曾國藩稱其薦賢滿天下，非虛語。嘗自以聞道晚，刻自繩檢，欿然常若不足。家有田數百畝，初筮仕，誓先墓，不以官俸自益。父著弟子箴言行世，承其志為箴言書院，教人務實學。病革，曰：「吾死，諸君賻吾，惟修書院，無贍吾家。」所著讀史兵略、奏議、書牘，皆經世精言。