ABSTRACT
Fall in Beijing was invigorating. The first day of the intercalary eighth month, the day on which the Taipings occupied the city of Yongan, corresponded to September 25 on the solar calendar, and the autumn chill had yet to be felt. A balmy atmosphere drifted through the capital city. In compliance with the instructions of Zeng Guofan, Jiang Zhongyuan was attempting to disrupt the internal workings of the Taipings, then in the city of Yongan. For the time being, the Qing forces would not lay siege to occupied Yongan. A basic plan of attack on Yongan was not decided upon for a long time. Wu-lan-tai advocated aggressive warfare. Through Xie, Jiang attempted a ploy for enticing Jiao into switching sides. He was to amass as many followers as possible within the city of Yongan. The advance guard was the army of Luo Dagang, which had posted a significant victory in the initial assault on Yongan.
