1862年1月,李秀成率领的太平军完成了对上海的包围,但攻打一月多未果。3月,在墨海书馆翻译《圣经》的王韬,给太平军将领写了一封密函。他建议李秀成暂缓进攻上海,应集中兵力夺回曾国藩控制的安庆,然后用士兵乔扮市民混入上海城内,里应外合,巧取上海,并用允诺免税的办法,引诱船民弃上海而驶往它 In January 1862, the Taiping army led by Li Xiucheng completed its siege of Shanghai, but the unsuccessful attack on January was unsuccessful. In March, Wang Tao, who translated the Bible from the Mo Hai library, wrote a secret letter to the Taiping generals. He recommended that Li Xiacheng temporarily suspend the attack on Shanghai. He should concentrate his forces to regain control of Anqing, and then use soldiers Joe to disguise himself as a citizen in the city of Shanghai. He should co-operate with him and use his tax exemption to lure the boat people to Shanghai