1
桂良，字燕山，瓜爾佳氏，滿洲正紅旗人，閩浙總督玉德子。 入貲為禮部主事，晉員外郎。 出為四川順慶知府，調成都。 歷建昌道，河南按察使，四川、廣東、江西布政使。 道光十四年，擢河南巡撫。 嘉慶中，林清、李文成等以八卦教倡亂，既誅，而汲縣潞州屯墳塔猶祀其神曰「無生老母」，習教者猶眾。 御史黃爵滋以為言，命桂良察治，毀其墳廟，廉得河南境內無生廟三十九所，並毀之； 地方官失察，譴黜有差。 十九年，擢湖廣總督，調閩浙，又調雲貴。 二十年，兼署雲南巡撫。 滇省多盜，奏定緝捕章程； 又請迤南、迤西、迤東各標營官兵責成巡道就近稽察。 時貴州諸苗蠢動，鎮遠、黎平、都勻、古州苗尤悍，州縣不能制，疏請遴勁兵專主剿捕。 二十五年，入覲，留京，署兵部尚書，兼正白旗漢軍都統。 尋出為熱河都統。 二十八年，召來京，以其女妻皇六子奕訢，授鑲紅旗漢軍都統。
Gui Liang, styled Yanshan, belonged to the Guwalgiya clan and the Manchu Plain Red Banner; he was the son of Yude, governor-general of Fujian and Zhejiang. He gained office by purchase as a principal secretary in the Ministry of Rites and was later promoted to vice director. He was posted as prefect of Shunqing in Sichuan, then transferred to the Chengdu prefecture. He served in turn as Jianchang circuit intendant, Henan judicial commissioner, and treasurer of Sichuan, Guangdong, and Jiangxi. In Daoguang 14 (1834), he was appointed governor of Henan. During the Jiaqing reign, Lin Qing and Li Wencheng had stirred rebellion in the name of the Eight Trigrams sect. After their execution, the grave pagoda at Luanzhou tun in Jixian still honored their god as the "Eternal Mother," and many locals continued to follow the cult. When censor Huang Juesi brought the matter to court, Gui Liang was ordered to investigate. He tore down the cult shrines and, on inquiry, found thirty-nine "Eternal Mother" temples across Henan and had them all demolished as well; local officials who had failed to detect the cult were censured and demoted according to their degree of fault. In Daoguang 19 he became governor-general of Huguang, then was moved to Fujian-Zhejiang and afterward to Yunnan-Guizhou. In Daoguang 20 he also served as acting governor of Yunnan. Because banditry was rife in Yunnan, he submitted regulations for pursuit and arrest; and asked that troops of the southern, western, and eastern banner camps be placed under nearby circuit intendants for local inspection. Meanwhile Miao uprisings spread across Guizhou; those in Zhenyuan, Liping, Duyun, and Guzhou were especially fierce and beyond county control, so he asked that elite troops be chosen for a dedicated suppression campaign. In Daoguang 25 he came to audience, stayed in the capital as acting minister of War, and concurrently commanded the Han Plain White Banner. He was soon appointed commander of the Rehe garrison. In Daoguang 28 he was recalled to Beijing, his daughter was married to the sixth imperial son Yixin, and he was made commander of the Han Bordered Red Banner.
2
咸豐元年，署吏部尚書，出為福州將軍。 二年，召授兵部尚書。 三年，粵匪陷江寧，京師戒嚴。 桂良疏請各城門稽查增派八旗章京兵丁，補葺城上兵房，從之。 未幾，粵匪竄河北，直隸總督訥爾經額出省防剿，命桂良駐保定為後路聲援，兼防西路要隘。 望都、唐縣土匪起，捕誅之。 是年秋，賊由山西犯畿南，訥爾經額師潰於臨洺關，隆平、柏鄉相繼陷。 訥爾經額褫職逮治，授桂良直隸總督，詔責偕都統勝保速籌防剿。 布政使張集馨出兵遷延，劾罷之。 賊竄正定、定州、深州、河間、天津，勢剽甚，於是桂良率提督張殿元守保定，科爾沁郡王僧格林沁統大兵駐通州衛京師，勝保督師進剿。 四年，大捷於獨流鎮，賊走踞阜城，又走連鎮，僧格林沁、勝保會攻，賊分竄山東，勝保追擊之。 桂良遣張殿元赴武邑防堵，劾散秩大臣穆輅、健銳營翼長雙僖縱兵傷官擾民，議譴。
In Xianfeng 1 (1851) he acted as minister of Personnel, then was posted as general of Fuzhou. In Xianfeng 2 he was recalled and appointed minister of War. In Xianfeng 3 the Taiping rebels seized Nanjing, and Beijing was put on martial alert. Gui Liang asked that gate inspections be strengthened with more Banner officers and troops and that the watchrooms on the walls be repaired; the court agreed. Soon the rebels pushed into Hebei. While Governor-General Na'erjing'e marched out to fight them, Gui Liang was ordered to hold Baoding as a rear base and guard the western passes. When bandits rose in Wangdu and Tang counties, he captured and executed the ringleaders. That autumn the rebels entered the capital region from Shanxi. Na'erjing'e's army was routed at Linming Pass, and Longping and Baixiang fell one after another. Na'erjing'e was dismissed and arrested; Gui Liang was made governor-general of Zhili and ordered, together with Grand Secretary Sengbao, to organize defense and pursuit without delay. When provincial treasurer Zhang Jixin was slow to march, Gui Liang impeached him and had him removed. The rebels swept through Zhengding, Dingzhou, Shenzhou, Hejian, and Tianjin with great ferocity. Gui Liang held Baoding with Regional Commander Zhang Dianyuan; Prince Senggelinqin of Horqin camped at Tongzhou with the main army to shield the capital; and Sengbao led the pursuit. In Xianfeng 4 the Qing won a major victory at Duliuzhen. The rebels withdrew to Fucheng, then to Lianzhen. Senggelinqin and Sengbao attacked jointly; when the rebels split and fled into Shandong, Sengbao pursued. Gui Liang sent Zhang Dianyuan to block the rebels at Wuyi and impeached honorary grand secretary Mulu and Jianruiying wing commander Shuangxi for allowing their men to assault officials and terrorize civilians; the court deliberated their punishment.
3
秋，英吉利、美利堅兩國兵船至大沽。 時賊氛未靖，詔戒張皇，命桂良相機辦理。 尋以前任鹽政崇綸歸調遣，令赴天津會議。 英酋咆呤要索十六條，欲遣官駐京及踐廣州入城之約，中外官平禮接見，通商稅則變通舊約； 美酋麥蓮則僅言通商一端。 崇綸等嚴拒其駐京，餘事令赴廣東聽總督查辦。 屢議無要領，咆呤等尋去。 五年，僧格林沁連大破賊，賊首林鳳祥、李開芳先後就擒伏誅，畿輔肅清。 七年，召拜東閣大學士，管理刑部，兼正藍旗蒙古都統。
That autumn British and American warships appeared at Dagu. With the rebellion still unsettled, the throne warned against panic and told Gui Liang to handle the foreigners as circumstances required. Former salt controller Chonglun was soon recalled and sent to Tianjin to join the talks. The British plenipotentiary Bowring pressed sixteen demands: resident ministers in Beijing, fulfillment of the Guangzhou entry agreement, equal ceremonial status for Chinese and foreign officials, and revised commercial tariffs; the American envoy Reed raised only trade issues. Chonglun and his colleagues firmly refused a legation in the capital and referred the rest to the governor-general of Guangdong. Talks dragged on without result, and Bowring's fleet eventually withdrew. In Xianfeng 5 Senggelinqin won a series of crushing victories. Rebel commanders Lin Fengxiang and Li Kaifang were captured and executed in turn, and the capital region was cleared. In Xianfeng 7 he was recalled as Grand Secretary of the Eastern Pavilion, placed in charge of the Ministry of Punishments, and made commander of the Mongol Plain Blue Banner.
4
八年春，英、法、俄、美四國聯軍北犯，毀大沽砲台，泊天津城下，聲言將犯京師。 倉猝援軍未集，命桂良偕尚書花沙納往議。 敵情猖肆，要求益多：以遣官駐京、內江通商、內地遊行、兵費賠償後，始交還廣東省城。 四事廷議不允。 復起故大學士耆英同與議，英人尤不悅，拒之，耆英以擅回京獲罪。 桂良等議久不決，廷臣多主戰，實不足恃，而敵日以進兵為恐哧。 俄、美兩國調停其間，卒徇所請定議，而通商稅則俟於上海詳定之。
In the spring of Xianfeng 8 the British, French, Russian, and American allied fleets advanced north, destroyed the Dagu forts, anchored off Tianjin, and threatened Beijing. Before reinforcements could assemble, Gui Liang was sent with Minister Huashana to negotiate. The allies grew bolder and added demands: resident ministers in Beijing, inland navigation and trade, inland travel rights, and war indemnities must be granted before Guangzhou would be returned. The court refused all four. Former grand secretary Qiying was recalled to assist, but the British rejected him outright. Qiying was punished for returning to Beijing without leave. Negotiations under Gui Liang dragged on. Many officials urged war, but the army was in no condition to fight, and the allies daily threatened to march on the capital. Russia and the United States mediated, and the court finally conceded. Commercial tariffs were left for detailed negotiation at Shanghai.
5
五月，簽約退兵，遂命桂良偕花沙納赴上海，武備院卿明善、刑部員外郎段承實副之，會同兩江總督何桂清議稅則。 文宗憤和約之成出於不得已，或獻策許全免入口稅以市惠，冀改易駐京諸條，密授桂良等機宜。 八月，至上海，晉文華殿大學士，授內大臣。 桂清力言免稅之不可，改約之難成，桂良亦贊其議，上甚怒，必責其補救一二端，而各國因廣東民團仍與為難，且出示偽載諭旨，堅欲罷兩廣總督黃宗漢，停撤民團。 桂良等疏聞，乃解宗漢通商大臣，改授桂清。 桂良等噤不敢言罷駐京諸事，先議稅則。
In the fifth month, after the treaty was signed and the armies withdrew, Gui Liang and Huashana were sent to Shanghai with Mingshan and Duan Chengshi as deputies to work with Governor-General He Guiqing on the tariff schedule. Emperor Wenzong resented that the treaty had been forced on him. Some advisers suggested waiving all import duties as a concession to win revision of the legation clause, and the emperor secretly instructed Gui Liang accordingly. In the eighth month he reached Shanghai, was promoted to Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall, and made an imperial body minister. He Guiqing argued forcefully that duty waivers were impossible and treaty revision unrealistic; Gui Liang agreed. The emperor was furious and demanded some concession in return. Meanwhile the powers, citing clashes with Guangdong militia and even a forged imperial edict, insisted on removing Governor-General Huang Zonghan and keeping the militia intact. When Gui Liang reported this to court, Huang Zonghan was removed as trade commissioner and He Guiqing was appointed in his place. Gui Liang and his colleagues dared not reopen the legation question and turned to the tariff talks.
6
十二月，英使額羅金遽率兵船赴廣東，遂罷議。 九年，回京，僅美利堅一國遵換通商之約，英軍复犯大沽，僧格林沁預設備，兵至，擊退之。 十年，英法聯軍大舉來犯，我師失利。 七月，復命桂良赴天津議和，要增兵費，入京換約，嚴詔拒絕。 敵陷天津，進逼京師，上幸熱河，恭親王奕訢留守主撫議，桂良與焉。 九月，於禮部換約，視八年原議益增條款，事具邦交志。 尋命督辦各國通商事務。 十一年，穆宗即位，回京，命在軍機大臣上行走。 同治元年，卒，優恤，贈太傅，祀賢良祠，諡文端。
In the twelfth month the British envoy Elgin suddenly sailed for Guangdong with his fleet, and the talks were broken off. In Xianfeng 9 he returned to Beijing. Only the United States honored the revised trade treaty. When the British attacked Dagu again, Senggelinqin's prepared defenses drove them off. In Xianfeng 10 the Anglo-French allies invaded in force and the Qing army was defeated. In the seventh month Gui Liang was again sent to Tianjin. The allies demanded a larger indemnity and treaty ratification in Beijing, but stern edicts ordered refusal. The allies seized Tianjin and advanced on Beijing. The emperor fled to Rehe while Prince Gong Yixin stayed behind to negotiate; Gui Liang assisted him. In the ninth month the treaty was exchanged at the Ministry of Rites with even harsher terms than those of Xianfeng 8; the details appear in the treatises on foreign relations. He was soon appointed to supervise trade with the foreign powers. In Xianfeng 11, after the Tongzhi Emperor's accession, he returned to Beijing and was appointed to the Grand Council. He died in Tongzhi 1 (1862). The court granted exceptional mourning honors, posthumously titled him Grand Tutor, enshrined him in the Temple of Worthies, and gave him the posthumous name Wenduan.
7
瑞麟，字澄泉，葉赫那喇氏，滿洲正藍旗人。 由文生充太常寺讀祝官，補贊禮郎。 道光二十七年，祫祭太廟，讀祝洪亮，宣宗嘉之，賜五品頂戴、花翎。 二十八年，超擢太常寺少卿，又擢內閣學士，兼管太常寺。 三十年，擢禮部侍郎。 咸豐元年，兼鑲藍旗滿洲副都統、正黃旗護軍統領。 三年，調戶部，命在軍機大臣上行走。 時粵匪竄畿輔，踞靜海縣及獨流鎮，命瑞麟率兵從僧格林沁防剿，會攻獨流，克之。 靜海賊竄陷阜城，又分竄連鎮及山東高唐州，瑞麟合擊，屢有擒斬。 五年，克連鎮，賊首林鳳祥就擒，加都統銜，賜號巴達瑯阿巴圖魯，授西安將軍。 未幾，擢禮部尚書，兼鑲白旗蒙古都統。
Rui Lin, styled Chengquan, was a Yehe Nara Manchu of the Plain Blue Banner. A civil licentiate, he served as reader of sacrificial prayers in the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and was appointed ceremonial usher. At the Daoguang 27 joint autumn sacrifice in the Ancestral Temple, his prayer reading was so resonant that the Xuanzong Emperor praised him and awarded a fifth-rank cap button and peacock feather. In Daoguang 28 he was rapidly promoted to vice director of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, then to Grand Secretariat academician with concurrent charge of that court. In Daoguang 30 he became vice minister of Rites. In Xianfeng 1 he also served as vice commander of the Manchu Bordered Blue Banner and commander of the Plain Yellow Banner guard corps. In Xianfeng 3 he was moved to the Ministry of Revenue and appointed to the Grand Council. When the rebels raided the capital region and held Jinghai and Duliuzhen, Rui Lin was ordered to campaign with Senggelinqin; their joint assault captured Duliuzhen. The Jinghai rebels fled to Fucheng, then split toward Lianzhen and Gaotang in Shandong. Rui Lin joined the pursuit and won repeated captures and kills. In Xianfeng 5 Lianzhen fell and Lin Fengxiang was captured. Rui Lin received commander-in-chief rank, the title Badarang Abaturu, and appointment as general of Xi'an. Soon afterward he became minister of Rites and commander of the Mongol Bordered White Banner.
8
八年，英兵犯天津，命馳赴楊村籌防。 洎撫議定，敵退。 文宗知和不可恃，亟治海防，命瑞麟赴天津修築大沽砲台。 尋署直隸總督，增建雙港砲台，調福建霆船戰船，增募水師。 僧格林沁移師天津，分駐要隘。 瑞麟回京，調戶部尚書緦拜文淵閣大學士，兼管禮部鴻臚寺、太常寺。 九年，管理戶部。 十年，充殿試讀卷官，授內大臣。 六月，英法聯軍复犯天津，命率京兵萬人守通州。 僧格林沁屢戰失利，敵軍進通州，瑞麟偕勝保御之八里橋，左右夾擊，勝保傷砲墜馬，軍潰，敵遂逼京師。 瑞麟迎戰安定門外，敗績，褫職。 車駕幸熱河，命扈從行在。 是年冬，和議成，予侍郎銜，隨僧格林沁剿山東捻匪。 攻鉅野羊山集賊巢，失利，馬蹶被傷，退軍濟寧，复褫職，召回京。 十一年，授鑲黃旗漢軍都統，管神機營事。
In Xianfeng 8, when the British attacked Tianjin, he was rushed to Yangcun to organize defenses. After peace was negotiated, the enemy withdrew. Knowing peace could not be trusted, Emperor Wenzong urgently strengthened coastal defenses and sent Rui Lin to rebuild the Dagu forts. He soon acted as governor-general of Zhili, added batteries at Shuanggang, transferred Fujian war junks, and expanded the naval force. Senggelinqin moved his army to Tianjin and posted detachments at key points. Rui Lin returned to Beijing, became minister of Revenue, and was appointed Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion with concurrent charge of the Court of State Ceremonial and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. In Xianfeng 9 he took charge of the Ministry of Revenue. In Xianfeng 10 he served as reader of palace examination papers and was made an imperial body minister. In the sixth month the Anglo-French allies attacked Tianjin again, and he was ordered to hold Tongzhou with ten thousand capital troops. After Senggelinqin's repeated defeats the enemy advanced on Tongzhou. Rui Lin and Sengbao met them at Baliqiao in a pincer attack, but Sengbao was wounded by cannon fire and thrown from his horse, the army collapsed, and the enemy pressed toward Beijing. Rui Lin fought again outside the Anding Gate, was defeated, and was dismissed. When the emperor fled to Rehe, he was ordered to accompany the traveling court. That winter, after peace was made, he was restored to vice-minister rank and joined Senggelinqin against the Shandong Nian rebels. An assault on the rebel stronghold at Yangshanji in Juye failed; his horse stumbled and he was wounded. He withdrew to Jining, was dismissed again, and recalled to Beijing. In Xianfeng 11 he was made commander of the Han Bordered Yellow Banner and placed in charge of the Shenjiying firearms corps.
9
同治元年，出為熱河都統，疏請招佃圍邊荒地八千頃充練餉，允之。 二年，調廣州將軍。 四年，兼署兩廣總督。 信宜、化州土匪起，遣兵平之。 粵匪汪海洋由福建竄廣東大埔，遣副將方耀擊走之。 入閩會剿，复詔安、平和。 賊复竄廣東境，連敗之於長樂、鎮平。 時賊踪往來於福建、廣東、江西界上，瑞麟偕左宗棠疏請三省會剿。 詔提督鮑超由江西來援，四面環攻。 十二月，殲偽偕王譚體元於黃沙壩，擒首逆汪海洋，誅之，餘賊肅清。 捷聞，優詔嘉獎。
In Tongzhi 1 he was posted as commander of Rehe and asked to open eight thousand qing of border wasteland for tenants to fund militia training; the court agreed. In Tongzhi 2 he was transferred to general of Guangzhou. In Tongzhi 4 he also served as acting governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi. When bandits rose in Xinyi and Huazhou, he sent troops and suppressed them. When the rebel Wang Haiyang raided from Fujian into Dabu, Guangdong, Rui Lin sent Deputy Commander Fang Yao to drive him back. He crossed into Fujian for joint operations and recovered Zhao'an and Pinghe. When the rebels re-entered Guangdong, he defeated them repeatedly at Changle and Zhenping. As rebel bands shuttled across the Fujian-Guangdong-Jiangxi borderlands, Rui Lin and Zuo Zongtang asked for a three-province joint campaign. Regional Commander Bao Chao was ordered from Jiangxi to reinforce, and the allies closed in from four sides. In the twelfth month the false co-prince Tan Tiyuan was killed at Huangshaba, rebel leader Wang Haiyang was captured and executed, and the remaining rebels were cleared. The court issued an edict of special commendation when victory was reported.
10
五年，實授兩廣總督。 廣東素多盜，伏莽時起。 時巡撫蔣益澧號知兵，瑞麟部將方耀、鄭紹忠皆能戰，先後破斬五坑客匪，曹沖、赤溪及新安、東莞諸匪，潮州、瓊州洋盜、土匪。 九年，兼署巡撫。 十年，復拜文淵閣大學士，仍留總督任。 十三年，卒，詔嘉前勞，贈太保，祀賢良祠，諡文莊。
In Tongzhi 5 he received formal appointment as governor-general of Guangdong and Guangxi. Guangdong had long been troubled by bandits, and outlaw gangs surfaced constantly. Governor Jiang Yisui was reputed as a capable commander, and Rui Lin's generals Fang Yao and Zheng Shaozhong were skilled fighters. Together they crushed the Wukeng Hakka bandits, outlaws in Caochong, Chixi, Xin'an, and Dongguan, and pirates and bandits in Chaozhou and Qiongzhou. In Tongzhi 9 he also served as acting governor of Guangdong. In Tongzhi 10 he was again made Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion while remaining governor-general. He died in Tongzhi 13. The court praised his earlier service, posthumously titled him Grand Guardian, enshrined him in the Temple of Worthies, and gave him the posthumous name Wenzhuang.
11
子懷塔布，由廕生授刑部主事，晉員外郎。 以父卹典擢四品京堂，累遷禮部尚書，充內務府大臣。 光緒二十四年，主事王照上書言事，久之始代奏，坐違旨抑格，褫職。 未幾，皇太后訓政，起授左都御史，复充內務府大臣，遷理籓院尚書。 二十六年，卒，贈太子少保，諡恪勤。
His son Huai Tabu entered office by inheritance as a principal secretary in the Ministry of Punishments and rose to vice director. Mourning honors for his father raised him to a fourth-rank capital post; he later became minister of Rites and served on the Imperial Household Department. In Guangxu 24 principal secretary Wang Zhao submitted a reform memorial that Huai Tabu long withheld before forwarding. He was dismissed for defying the throne and suppressing the petition. Soon after the empress dowager resumed regency, he was restored as left censor-in-chief, again joined the Imperial Household Department, and became minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs. He died in Guangxu 26 and was posthumously titled Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent with the name Keqin.
12
官文，字秀峰，王佳氏，滿洲正白旗人，先隸內務府正白旗漢軍。 由拜唐阿補藍翎侍衛，累擢頭等侍衛。 道光二十一年，出為廣州漢軍副都統，調荊州右翼副都統。 粵匪既陷漢陽，將犯荊州。 咸豐三年，將軍台湧駐防德安，命官文專統荊州防兵。 四年，擢荊州將軍。 賊陷安陸、荊門、宜昌。 時荊州兵多調赴武昌，分屯要隘，城中兵僅二千。 監利又陷，官文遣軍復之； 連复宜昌、石首、華容，於是荊州稍安，而武昌被圍急，官文遣將沿漢下援。
Guan Wen, styled Xiufeng, was a Wanggiya Manchu of the Plain White Banner who had earlier belonged to the Han Plain White Banner under the Imperial Household Department. He rose from a junior guard to a blue-tail bodyguard and eventually to first-class bodyguard. In Daoguang 21 he became Han Army vice commander at Guangzhou, then was transferred to the Right Wing vice command at Jingzhou. After the rebels seized Hanyang, they threatened Jingzhou. In Xianfeng 3 General Tai Yong garrisoned De'an while Guan Wen was given sole command of Jingzhou's defense force. In Xianfeng 4 he was promoted to general of Jingzhou. The rebels captured Anlu, Jingmen, and Yichang. Most Jingzhou troops had been sent to Wuchang and posted at key passes, leaving only two thousand men in the city. When Jianli fell again, Guan Wen sent troops and recovered it; then recovered Yichang, Shishou, and Huarong in turn, easing pressure on Jingzhou. Wuchang remained under siege, so he sent generals down the Han to relieve it.
13
六月，武昌复失守，命官文統籌全局，規复武漢。 因疏言：「賊情詭譎，軍情隨時變幻。 武漢之賊一日不盡，荊州不得安枕。 賊踞漢陽，倚江為險，絕我糧道，阻我援軍。 今欲复武昌，必先攻漢陽，奪賊所恃之險，而後武昌可圖也。 總兵雙保自潛江進剿，兵力過單。 臣已令羅遵殿以戰船百艘自仙桃鎮、蔡店迳趨漢陽，與撫臣楊霈分道夾攻； 又檄總兵福炘往助雙保，知縣吳振鏞進复沔陽以通餉道。 惟賊踞岳州，南北援軍均受牽制，尤應先剿岳州之賊。 曾國籓方統砲船駐湘陰，塔齊布之師已入岳州境，臣已促其速進，分兵阻江路。 复派同知銜李光榮等率川勇防調弦口，張子銘防監利尺八口，都司宗維清沿江接應。 荊州僅賸旗兵分守要隘，隨時接應，庶幾可進可退，不致有顧此失彼之虞。」 疏入，報聞。 尋曾國籓克岳州，賊艘悉出大江，官文遣涼州副都統魁玉、總兵楊昌泗赴螺山防江，殲賊甚多。 八月，武昌、漢陽相繼复，論功被優敘。
In the sixth month Wuchang fell again. Guan Wen was ordered to take overall command and plan the recovery of Wuhan. He memorialized: "The rebels are cunning, and the military situation shifts constantly. Until Wuhan is cleared, Jingzhou cannot be secure. They hold Hanyang, using the river as a barrier to cut our supply lines and block reinforcements. To retake Wuchang we must first attack Hanyang and seize the positions they rely on; only then can Wuchang be taken. Regional Commander Shuangbao is advancing from Qianjiang, but his force is too thin. I have ordered Luo Zundian with a hundred war junks to strike Hanyang from Xiantao and Caidian while Governor Yang Pi attacks from another direction; I have also ordered Regional Commander Fuxin to reinforce Shuangbao and Magistrate Wu Zhenyong to recover Mianyang and reopen the supply line. Because the rebels hold Yuezhou and tie down forces north and south, Yuezhou must be cleared first. Zeng Guofan is at Xiangyin with gunboats, and Taqibu's army has entered Yuezhou. I have urged them to advance quickly and block the river route. I have also posted Li Guangrong's Sichuan braves at Diaoxiankou, Zhang Ziming at Jianli's Chibakou, and Brigade Commander Zong Weiqing along the river for support. At Jingzhou only banner troops remain at key passes for flexible support, so we can advance or withdraw without neglecting one front for another." The memorial was received and noted. Soon Zeng Guofan took Yuezhou and rebel boats poured into the main river. Guan Wen sent Vice Commander Kuiyu and Regional Commander Yang Changsi to Luoshan, where they destroyed many rebels. In the eighth month Wuchang and Hanyang were recovered in turn, and he received special commendation for merit.
14
五年，總督楊霈師潰德安，漢陽、漢口復陷，德安、隨州繼之，詔褫霈職，授官文湖廣總督。 師次安陸，疏言：「賊自隨州退踞德安，兇鋒疊挫。 惟天門、京山道路四通，儻竄襄河，勾連仙桃鎮以下股匪，不獨荊襄在在堪虞，上游各處均可北竄。 現遣兵一由天門、皁市進剿，一往京山防守，臣駐安陸為兩路應援，諮固原提督孔廣順伺隙進取，署提臣訥欽為後應。 俟欽差大臣西凌阿入楚，即統兵從襄河兩岸水陸並進，由漢川攻漢陽。」 秋，西凌阿戰德安失利，乃命官文代為欽差大臣，馳援德安。 賊棄城走，躡追之，直搗漢陽。 十二月，督兵薄西門橋，迭敗賊於龜山、尾湖堤、五顯廟，破賊卡，毀東西土城。 六年，賊造浮橋從西門分隊來犯，擊卻之。 分兵河口斷其糧道，令副都統都興阿攻圍風焚積聚，賊勢漸蹙。 秋，破漢陽城外賊營，連戰皆捷。 巡撫胡林翼規复武昌。 十一月，約同日水陸大舉，分攻武、漢，官文督軍分路進，水師擊漢陽東門，破五顯廟賊卡，李孟群又敗龜山援賊，王國才、楊昌泗由西門攻入，遂復漢陽，俘偽將軍等五百餘人。 林翼亦復武昌，詔嘉獎，賜花翎。
In Xianfeng 5 Governor-General Yang Pi was routed at De'an. Hanyang and Hankou fell again, then De'an and Suizhou. Yang Pi was dismissed and Guan Wen was made governor-general of Huguang. Halting at Anlu, he memorialized: "The rebels withdrew from Suizhou to De'an, and their momentum has been checked repeatedly. But Tianmen and Jingshan lie on crossroads. If they slip into the Xiang River region and link with bandits below Xiantao, not only Jingxiang but the entire upper river country could be threatened from the north. I am sending one column from Tianmen and Zaoshi and another to hold Jingshan, while I remain at Anlu to support both. Regional Commander Kong Guangshun will seize openings to advance, with Acting Regional Commander Neqin in reserve. When Imperial Commissioner Xiling'a enters Hubei, we will advance by land and water along both banks of the Xiang and attack Hanyang through Hanchuan." That autumn Xiling'a was defeated at De'an, and Guan Wen replaced him as imperial commissioner and rushed to relieve the city. The rebels abandoned the city and fled; he pursued them straight to Hanyang. In the twelfth month he pressed to Ximen Bridge, repeatedly defeated rebels at Guishan, Weihu Embankment, and Wuxian Temple, stormed their stockades, and destroyed the eastern and western earthen walls. In Xianfeng 6 the rebels built a pontoon bridge and attacked in columns from the west gate; he drove them back. He posted troops at the river mouth to cut supplies, ordered Vice Commander Duxing'a to besiege and burn their stores, and the rebel position steadily weakened. That autumn he stormed the rebel camps outside Hanyang and won a series of victories. Governor Hu Linyi planned the recovery of Wuchang. In the eleventh month they launched a coordinated land-and-water assault on Wuhan. Guan Wen led columns inland while the fleet struck Hanyang's east gate and broke the Wuxian Temple stockade. Li Mengqun defeated Guishan reinforcements; Wang Guocai and Yang Changsi entered through the west gate. Hanyang was recovered and more than five hundred rebel officers were captured. Hu Linyi also recovered Wuchang. The court commended them and awarded peacock feathers.
15
七年，偕林翼疏言：「湖北為長江上游要害，武漢尤九省通衢，自來東南有事必爭之地。 三次失陷，力攻兩載而後克之。 目前相機防剿，不令賊乘間上竄，蹈從前覆轍。 業派李續賓由南岸，都興阿、孔廣順、王國才由北岸，楊載福率水師由江路分道進剿。 現北岸黃州至黃梅，南岸武昌至興國，均已肅清，崇、通一帶搜捕殆盡； 李續賓抵九江，與曾國籓會合進攻； 楊載福毀城外賊營； 惟小池口賊壘未拔，派鮑超助攻。 安徽之英山、太湖、宿松、望江接壤湖北，皆為賊藪，有窺伺上犯之心。 飭王國才駐黃梅之大河鋪、界嶺岩，孔廣順駐蘄水之孔隴驛，巴揚阿率馬隊為各路應援，以固楚北門戶。 道士洑水闊溜急，田家鎮兩山對峙，水師皆難久駐，酌留各營遊巡江面，足備鎮馭。 通籌大局，我軍已據水陸上游，實蓄破竹建瓴之勢。 所慮江西七府未平，武昌尚有肘腋之患。 賊若由通城、崇陽、興國竄逼武昌，反出江西各軍之上，自當固守武昌，以為後路根本。 相機籌畫，節節進取，仍步步嚴防，庶軍情無返顧掣肘之虞，轉餉有源源不竭之利。」 疏入，報聞。
In Xianfeng 7 he and Hu Linyi memorialized: "Hubei commands the upper Yangzi, and Wuhan is the crossroads of nine provinces—a prize in every southeastern crisis. It fell three times and was retaken only after two years of hard fighting. We must defend and pursue as circumstances allow and keep the rebels from raiding upstream and repeating past disasters. Li Xubin advances on the south bank; Duxing'a, Kong Guangshun, and Wang Guocai on the north; and Yang Zaifu leads the fleet upriver in separate columns. The north bank from Huangzhou to Huangmei and the south bank from Wuchang to Xingguo are now clear, and pursuit in the Chongyang-Tongcheng region is nearly complete; Li Xubin has reached Jiujiang and joined Zeng Guofan in the attack; Yang Zaifu has destroyed the rebel camps outside the walls; only the fort at Xiaochikou remains; Bao Chao has been sent to assist. Yingshan, Taihu, Susong, and Wangjiang in Anhui border Hubei and remain rebel haunts that threaten to strike northward. Wang Guocai holds Dahepu and Jielingyan in Huangmei; Kong Guangshun holds Konglong Post in Qishui; Bayang'a's cavalry supports all routes—to secure northern Hubei's gateway. At Daoshifu the river is wide and fast; at Tianjiazhen mountains close the channel—neither suits a long naval stay. Patrol camps on the river will suffice to control the waterway. Taken together, our forces hold the upstream by land and water and now have overwhelming momentum. Our concern is that seven Jiangxi prefectures remain unrestored and Wuchang still faces threats at its flank. If rebels strike Wuchang through Tongcheng, Chongyang, and Xingguo and get behind the Jiangxi armies, we must hold Wuchang as the base of our rear. We should advance step by step while guarding every rear, so the army need not look back in fear and supplies may flow without end." The memorial was received and noted.
16
初，官文由荊州將軍調總督，凡上游荊、市、襄、鄖諸郡兵事餉事悉主之。 林翼以巡撫駐金口，凡下游武、漢、黃、德諸郡兵事餉事悉主之。 南北軍各領分地，徵兵調餉，每有違言。 武昌既复，林翼威望日起，官文自知不及，思假以為重，林翼益推誠相結納，於是吏治、財政、軍事悉聽林翼主持，官文畫諾而已。 不數年，足食足兵，東南大局，隱然以湖北為之樞。
When Guan Wen moved from Jingzhou general to governor-general, he controlled military affairs and supplies in the upper Jing, Shi, Xiang, and Yun prefectures. Hu Linyi as governor at Jinkou controlled military affairs and supplies in the lower Wu, Han, Huang, and De prefectures. The northern and southern commands each held separate territory, and disputes over troops and funds were frequent. After Wuchang was recovered, Hu Linyi's prestige grew daily. Guan Wen knew he could not match him and sought to share in his authority; Hu Linyi responded with genuine cooperation. Civil administration, finance, and military affairs all passed to Hu Linyi, while Guan Wen merely assented. Within a few years Hubei had ample food and troops and quietly became the pivot of the southeastern war effort.
17
八年四月，复九江，論功，加太子少保。 皖賊陷麻城、黃安，圍蘄州，先後破走之。 七月，胡林翼丁母憂，官文疏請留林翼治軍，改為署理，從之。 命官文暫行兼署巡撫，尋以湖廣總督協辦大學士。 李續賓戰歿三河，皖、鄂震動。 官文分兵扼蘄州、廣濟、麻城諸隘，固守九江、彭澤，水師嚴防江面，人心始定。 九年，賊竄湖南，圍寶慶，檄荊宜施道李續宜赴援，大破之，寶慶圍解。 十二月，复太湖，被優敘。 十一年，拜文淵閣大學士，仍留總督任。 時大軍圍安慶急，陳玉成、李秀成先後分兵犯湖北境，冀掣動局勢，遣將迭破之，所陷諸郡縣皆复。 八月，克安慶，加太子太保。 是年，胡林翼病歿，嚴樹森代之。
In the fourth month of Xianfeng 8 Jiujiang was recovered, and he received the additional title Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. Anhui rebels seized Macheng and Huang'an and besieged Qizhou; he defeated and drove them off in turn. In the seventh month Hu Linyi entered mourning for his mother. Guan Wen asked that he remain to command the army in an acting capacity, and the court agreed. Guan Wen was ordered to act temporarily as governor and soon received associate grand secretary rank while remaining governor-general of Huguang. Li Xubin was killed at Sanhe, shaking Anhui and Hubei. Guan Wen posted troops at Qizhou, Guangji, and Macheng, held Jiujiang and Pengze firmly, and had the navy guard the river—steadying public morale. In Xianfeng 9 rebels raided Hunan and besieged Baoqing. He ordered Circuit Intendant Li Xuyi to relieve the city, won a major victory, and lifted the siege. In the twelfth month Taihu was recovered and he received special commendation. In Xianfeng 11 he became Grand Secretary of the Wenyuan Pavilion while remaining governor-general. While the main army pressed Anqing, Chen Yucheng and Li Xiucheng sent columns into Hubei to relieve the pressure. Guan Wen's generals defeated them repeatedly and recovered every fallen county. In the eighth month Anqing fell, and he received the additional title Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent. That year Hu Linyi died of illness and Yan Shusen succeeded him.
18
降捻苗沛霖踞安徽壽州，詔疆臣議剿撫之策。 官文疏陳沛霖包藏禍心，罪大惡極，請伸天討。 同治元年，遣副將周鳳山等剿捻於河南信陽、羅山，敗之； 又破黃梅捻巢，收復十餘寨：晉文華殿大學士。 發、捻合擾楚、豫之交，勢甚熾。 荊州將軍多隆阿方督師赴陝西，官文以楚兵不敷分佈，奏調回援。 九月，多隆阿至，屢戰皆捷，襄河以北賊皆遠遁。 三年，劾巡撫嚴樹森把持剛愎，黜之。 六月，克復江寧，曾國籓奏捷，推官文列名疏首。 詔嘉官文徵兵籌餉，推賢讓能，接濟東征，不分畛域，錫封一等伯爵，號果威，世襲罔替，升入正白旗滿洲，賜雙眼花翎。 蓋褒其能與胡林翼和衷卒成大功也。
The surrendered Nian leader Miao Peilin held Shouzhou in Anhui, and the throne ordered frontier officials to debate whether to suppress or appease him. Guan Wen memorialized that Peilin harbored treasonous intent, his crimes were extreme, and heaven's punishment should fall on him. In Tongzhi 1 he sent Deputy Commander Zhou Fengshan to suppress the Nian in Xinyang and Luoshan, Henan, and defeated them; then broke the Nian stronghold at Huangmei and recovered more than ten stockades. He was promoted to Grand Secretary of the Wenhua Hall. Taiping and Nian forces jointly ravaged the Hubei-Henan border with great ferocity. General of Jingzhou Duolong'a was campaigning in Shaanxi; Guan Wen, finding Hubei troops too thinly spread, asked that he be recalled. In the ninth month Duolong'a arrived, won repeated victories, and drove all rebels north of the Xiang far away. In Tongzhi 3 he impeached Governor Yan Shusen for domineering obstinacy and had him removed. In the sixth month Nanjing was recovered. Zeng Guofan reported victory and placed Guan Wen's name first on the memorial. The court praised Guan Wen for raising troops and funds, deferring to able colleagues, and aiding the eastern campaign without regard to boundaries. He was made a hereditary first-class earl with the designation Guowei, enrolled in the Manchu Plain White Banner, and awarded double peacock feathers. The honor reflected his harmonious cooperation with Hu Linyi in achieving victory.
19
四年，僧格林沁剿捻戰歿於山東，詔追論前年發、捻擾湖北，官文不能就地殲除，僅驅出境，以致蔓延益熾，下嚴議，降三級調用，改革職留任，褫宮銜、花翎。 五年，偕曾國籓奏設長江水師，如議行。 湖北巡撫曾國荃劾官文貪庸驕蹇，命尚書綿森、侍郎譚廷襄往按，坐動用捐款，議革職，詔念前勞，原其尚非貪污欺罔，優與保全，解總督，仍留大學士、伯爵，罰伯俸十年。 召還京，管理刑部，兼正白旗蒙古都統。 尋出署直隸總督。
In Tongzhi 4 Senggelinqin was killed fighting the Nian in Shandong. The court reviewed the previous year's Taiping-Nian raids on Hubei: Guan Wen had failed to destroy them locally and merely drove them out, allowing the rebellion to spread. He was severely censured, demoted three ranks while kept in office, and stripped of palace rank and peacock feathers. In Tongzhi 5 he and Zeng Guofan memorialized to establish a Yangzi flotilla, and the proposal was adopted. Hubei Governor Zeng Guoquan impeached Guan Wen for greed, incompetence, arrogance, and obstinacy. Ministers Miansen and Tan Tingxiang investigated and found misuse of donated funds. The court deliberated dismissal but, recalling his earlier service and finding no outright corruption, relieved him of the governorship while retaining his grand secretary title and earldom, with ten years' earldom stipend forfeited. He was recalled to Beijing to direct the Ministry of Punishments and command the Mongol Plain White Banner. He soon went out as acting governor-general of Zhili.
20
七年，捻匪張總愚由西路竄擾畿輔，下嚴議。 尋李鴻章、左宗棠等入援，七月，捻匪平，复宮銜、花翎。 八年，回京，管理戶部三庫，授內大臣。 十年，卒，優詔賜卹，贈太保，賜金治喪，遣惠郡王奠醊，祀賢良祠，諡文恭。 尋以疆臣請合祀湖北胡林翼專祠。
In Tongzhi 7 the Nian leader Zhang Zongyu raided the capital region from the west, and severe censure followed. Li Hongzhang, Zuo Zongtang, and others soon reinforced the capital. In the seventh month the Nian were pacified, and his palace rank and peacock feathers were restored. In Tongzhi 8 he returned to Beijing, directed the three revenue treasuries, and became an imperial body minister. He died in Tongzhi 10. The court granted exceptional mourning honors, posthumously titled him Grand Tutor, funded his funeral, sent Prince Hui to offer libations, enshrined him in the Temple of Worthies, and gave him the posthumous name Wengong. Frontier officials soon asked that he be jointly enshrined in Hu Linyi's temple in Hubei.
21
當官文之在湖北，事事聽林翼所為，惟馭下不嚴，用財不節，林翼憂之。 閻敬銘方佐治餉，一日林翼與言，恐誤疆事。 敬銘曰：「公誤矣！ 本朝不輕以漢大臣專兵柄。 今滿、漢並用，而聲績炳著者多屬漢人，此聖明大公劃除畛域之效。 然湖北居天下要衝，朝廷寧肯不以親信大臣臨之？ 夫督撫相劾，無論未必勝，即勝，能保後來者必賢耶？ 且繼者或厲清操，勤庶務，而不明遠略，未必不顓己自是，豈甘事事讓人？ 官文心無成見，兼隸旗籍，每有大事，正可藉其言以伸所請。 其失僅在私費奢豪，誠於事有濟，歲糜十萬金供之，未為失計。 至一二私人，可容，容之； 不可，則以事劾去之。 彼意氣素平，必無忤也。」 林翼大悟。 及林翼歿，督撫不相能，官文劾嚴樹森去之； 而曾國荃又劾官文去之。 官文晚節建樹不能如曩時，然林翼非官文之虛己推誠，亦無以成大功，世故兩賢之。
While Guan Wen was in Hubei he let Hu Linyi decide everything, but his lax discipline over subordinates and lavish spending troubled Hu Linyi. Yan Jingming was then managing supplies. One day Hu Linyi confided his fear that frontier affairs would suffer. Yan Jingming replied: "Your Excellency is mistaken! This dynasty does not lightly give Han ministers sole command of armies. Manchu and Han serve together now, yet most celebrated commanders are Han—a result of the emperor's fairness in erasing ethnic barriers. Yet Hubei is the empire's strategic pivot. Would the court fail to place a trusted intimate minister there? If governor-general and governor impeach each other, you may not even win—and if you do, who guarantees a better successor? A successor might be scrupulous and diligent yet lack strategic vision, insist on his own way, and refuse to yield on everything. Guan Wen has no fixed prejudices and belongs to the banners; on major matters you can use his voice to advance your requests. His fault is only private extravagance. If it helps the cause, spending a hundred thousand taels a year on him is no bad bargain. As for one or two private associates, tolerate them if you can; if not, impeach and remove them on specific grounds. His temperament is even; he will not resist." Hu Linyi was greatly enlightened. After Hu Linyi died, governor-general and governor clashed. Guan Wen impeached Yan Shusen and removed him; then Zeng Guoquan impeached Guan Wen and removed him in turn. Guan Wen's later achievements did not match his early years, yet without Guan Wen's sincere deference Hu Linyi could not have succeeded; the world therefore esteems both men.
22
孫興恩，襲伯爵。
Sun Xingen inherited the earldom.
23
文煜，字星岩，費莫氏，滿洲正藍旗人。 由官學生授太常寺庫使，累遷刑部郎中。 出為直隸霸昌道、四川按察使。 咸豐三年，遷江寧布政使。 時江寧已陷賊，文煜從琦善江北大營。 四年，琦善歿於揚州，所部練勇及江北糧台事宜，命文煜接辦。 五年春，粵匪由瓜洲東竄沙頭港，文煜遣勇擊之，賊由對岸扎簰爭渡，偕水師以大砲合擊，賊退瓜洲。 文煜以沙頭港為裡下河門戶，賊所必爭，築土城砲台，疏請添募練勇守禦，從之。 既而賊踞揚州，窺裡下河，文煜擊之於萬安橋，大有斬獲，賊勢乃挫。 七年，調江蘇布政使，治江南大營糧台。 以支給撙節，為軍中所不便，提督和春劾其拘泥，命來京候另簡用。 尋授直隸布政使。
Wen Yu, styled Xingyan, was a Feimo Manchu of the Plain Blue Banner. An Imperial Academy student, he became storekeeper of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and rose to director in the Ministry of Punishments. He served as Baxing circuit intendant in Zhili and judicial commissioner of Sichuan. In Xianfeng 3 he was made treasurer of Jiangning. Nanjing had already fallen, so Wen Yu joined Qishan at the northern Yangzi camp. In Xianfeng 4 Qishan died at Yangzhou, and Wen Yu took over his militia and the northern Yangzi grain depot. In the spring of Xianfeng 5 rebels fled east from Guazhou to Shatou Harbor. Wen Yu sent militia to attack; when they lashed rafts to cross the river, he joined the navy in a cannon barrage and drove them back to Guazhou. Wen Yu saw Shatou Harbor as the gateway to the Lixia River region and a point the rebels would contest. He built earthen walls and batteries and asked to recruit more militia for defense; the court agreed. When rebels held Yangzhou and threatened the Lixia River region, Wen Yu attacked them at Wan'an Bridge with heavy casualties on their side, checking their advance. In Xianfeng 7 he became treasurer of Jiangsu and directed the southern Yangzi army's grain depot. His frugal disbursements displeased the army. Regional Commander He Chun impeached him for rigidity, and he was ordered to Beijing to await reassignment. He was soon appointed treasurer of Zhili.
24
九年，英兵犯大沽，為僧格林沁擊退。 戰後將議撫，命文煜從總督恆福赴北塘相機辦理。 尋擢山東巡撫。 捻匪圍曹縣，分黨擾安陵，檄曹州鎮總兵郝上庠合師內外夾擊，解曹州圍，安陵賊亦退。 十年，捻匪又竄單縣，分擾嶧縣得勝徬，遣將擊走之。 英法聯軍踞砲台，文煜遣兵扼利津，自駐濰縣韓亭以防陸路北犯。 尋敵船北駛犯北塘，文煜分軍入衛，駐通州，自率眾赴濟寧剿捻匪。
In Xianfeng 9 the British attacked Dagu and were driven off by Senggelinqin. After the battle, as peace talks began, Wen Yu accompanied Governor-General Hengfu to Beitang to handle affairs as circumstances required. He was soon promoted to governor of Shandong. Nian bandits besieged Caoxian and raided Anling. He ordered Regional Commander Hao Shangxiang to attack from inside and outside, lifted the siege of Caoxian, and drove off the Anling raiders. In Xianfeng 10 the Nian raided Shanxian and harassed Desheng Embankment in Yixian; he sent generals and drove them off. When the Anglo-French allies held the batteries, Wen Yu posted troops at Lijin and stationed himself at Hanting in Weixian to block a northern land advance. When enemy ships sailed north to attack Beitang, he sent troops to defend the capital, held Tongzhou, and personally led forces to Jining against the Nian.
25
十一年，署直隸總督，尋實授。 時和議既成，穆宗回鑾，畿輔馬賊四起，久未淨絕，屢詔責文煜搜捕。 同治元年，坐山東降賊張錫珠等擾畿南督剿不力，褫職，戍軍台。 二年，僧格林沁奏調赴營差遣，尋授鑲黃旗蒙古副都統。 三年，命赴甘肅慶陽督辦糧台，以病請解職回旗。 七年，起授正藍旗漢軍都統，尋出為福州將軍。 十年，兼署閩浙總督。 十三年，日本兵船窺伺台灣，偕總督李鶴年、船政大臣疏陳防務。 光緒三年，入覲，留京授內大臣、鑲白旗漢軍都統、左都御史，擢刑部尚書。 七年，協辦大學士。 九年，充總管內務府大臣。 十年，拜武英殿大學士，以病乞罷。 尋卒，贈太子少保，諡文達。 兩江總督曾國荃等奏文煜咸豐中孤軍捍賊，保全裡下河，請於揚州建專祠，允之。 子志顏，理籓院侍郎。
In Xianfeng 11 he acted as governor-general of Zhili and soon received formal appointment. Peace had been made and the Tongzhi Emperor returned to Beijing, but mounted bandits plagued the capital region for years. Edicts repeatedly ordered Wen Yu to hunt them down. In Tongzhi 1 he was dismissed for failing to suppress surrendered Shandong rebels Zhang Xizhu and others who raided south of the capital, and was sent to garrison duty. In Tongzhi 2 Senggelinqin requested his transfer to camp service, and he soon became vice commander of the Mongol Bordered Yellow Banner. In Tongzhi 3 he was ordered to supervise the grain depot at Qingyang, Gansu, but illness led him to resign and return to his banner. In Tongzhi 7 he was restored as commander of the Han Plain Blue Banner, then posted as general of Fuzhou. In Tongzhi 10 he also served as acting governor-general of Fujian and Zhejiang. In Tongzhi 13 Japanese warships threatened Taiwan. With Governor-General Li Henian and the naval affairs minister he memorialized on coastal defense. In Guangxu 3 he came to audience, stayed in Beijing as imperial body minister, commander of the Han Bordered White Banner, and left censor-in-chief, and was promoted to minister of Punishments. In Guangxu 7 he became associate grand secretary. In Guangxu 9 he supervised the Imperial Household Department. In Guangxu 10 he became Grand Secretary of the Wuying Hall and retired on grounds of illness. He died soon after and was posthumously titled Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent with the name Wenda. Governor-General Zeng Guoquan and others memorialized that in the Xianfeng era Wen Yu held off rebels with a lone force and saved the Lixia River region, and asked for a temple at Yangzhou; the court agreed. His son Zhiyan served as vice minister of the Court of Colonial Affairs.
26
論曰：桂良以帝室葭莩，與聞軍國，數膺議和之使，無所折衝。 瑞麟從僧格林沁勦賊防夷，曾著勞勚。 文煜亦處兵間，無功可錄。 官文雖無過人之才，推賢讓能，奠安江漢，與曾國籓、胡林翼和衷規畫，竟完戡定之功。 茅土同膺，旂常並煥，豈諸人所可並語哉？
The historians comment: Gui Liang, as an imperial in-law, took part in military and state affairs and undertook repeated peace missions, yet achieved no diplomatic success. Rui Lin campaigned with Senggelinqin against rebels and foreigners and once rendered notable service. Wen Yu also saw military service but left no achievement worth recording. Guan Wen lacked surpassing talent but deferred to able men, secured the Yangzi heartland, and planned in harmony with Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi to complete the pacification. They alike received fiefs and enfeoffment, their honors shining together—how can the others be mentioned in the same breath?