Why didn't Zeng Guofan stand on his own feet after he captured Nanjing?

When the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement threatened the rule of the Qing Dynasty, Zeng Guofan took control of the local political power by forming the Xiang Army. By the time the Xiang army captured Nanjing in 1863, Zeng Guofan had taken control of the whole ruling group. As far as military strength is concerned, he has greatly surpassed the Qing government. It should be said that it was not difficult for Zeng Guofan to regain his rule from Manchu with a cry, but he did not do so. Why Zeng Guofan refused to proclaim himself emperor? Generally, it comes down to three reasons: loyalty to the country, immature conditions and unity.

First, Zeng Guofan's loyalty to the monarch was deeply influenced by Tang Jian, a master of Neo-Confucianism in the late Qing Dynasty. He began to defend the interests of the landlord class, the Qing Dynasty and Zoroastrianism. His personal pursuit is to be a famous minister, a vassal and a ancestor worshiper.

Second, even if Zeng Guofan wanted to be emperor, the times would not allow him to do so. Although the Qing government at that time declined, the Prince of Horqin, Monk Qin, had a powerful army dominated by cavalry. Moreover, after the Xiang army captured Tianjing, people were distracted and their fighting capacity dropped sharply. The most crucial point is that the Xiang Army started with the call of "keeping Confucianism" and "loyal to the monarch and protecting the country". Once Zeng Guofan proclaimed himself emperor, Xiang army is likely to become the target of public criticism. Moreover, without the help of so-called "friends", Zeng Guofan's claim to the emperor may not be internationally recognized.

Third, if Zeng Guofan really proclaimed himself emperor, it would inevitably lead to social unrest, a separatist situation in various places, and the situation of world unification would be broken. Therefore, objectively speaking, it is also a good thing that Zeng Guofan refused to proclaim himself emperor.