Upon entering the Throne room, Tseng fell upon his knees, as in duty bound, and in that position advanced a few feet, saying “Your servant Tseng Kuo-fan respectfully enquires after Your Majesties’ health.” Then removing his hat and performing the kowtow, he humbly returned thanks for Imperial favours bestowed upon him. These preliminaries completed, he rose and advanced a few steps to kneel on the cushion prepared for him below the daïs. The following dialogue then took place:—
Her Majesty Tzŭ Hsi. When you left Nanking, was all your official work completed?
Tseng. Yes, quite completed.
Tzŭ Hsi. Have the irregular troops and braves all been disbanded?
Tseng. Yes, all.
Tzŭ Hsi. How many in all?
Tseng. I have disbanded over twenty thousand irregulars and have enrolled thirty thousand regulars.
Tzŭ Hsi. From which province do the majority of these men hail?
Tseng. A few of the troops come from Hunan, but the great majority are Anhui men.