This historical novel, which uses "Zuo Gongliu" as a clue, outlines Zuo Zongtang's life with poetic touches. The author did not indulge in the accumulation of historical materials, but used vivid details to connect the key nodes: the wisdom of the fields when farming and studying in Liuzhuang, the passing of the firewood from night to night on the Xiangjiang River, the sharp edge of the defenders of Changsha, the decisive and heroic mission of carrying the coffin in the Western Expedition, and finally settled on the symbolic significance of Zuogong Liu of Three Thousand Miles.
Zuo Zongtang in the article is not only an iron-blooded general who turned the tide of defeat, but also a man of action who cared about the people's livelihood - he would scoop an extra spoonful of rice for the victims, shed tears when the craftsmen were burned, and severely punish the soldiers to protect the people. The author cleverly uses "willow" as a metaphor, from the earthy smell of Liuzhuang to the shade of willows in the Western Regions, which not only echoes the protagonist's original intention of "managing the world and benefiting the people", but also coincides with his perseverance and rootedness in the earth.
The language has both the weight of history and the agility of literature, there is warmth hidden in the light and shadow of the sword, and there is blood in the game in the court. In the end, "Zuogong Liu" has become a spiritual totem that transcends time and space, witnessing a nation's deep love and persistence for the land.
