Learn from a painful experience and turn your life around —— Reading Notes on Zeng Guofan Biography (8)

Zeng Guofan's acting style in officialdom has always been upright, straightforward and almost inhuman. However, Xianfeng began to live in seclusion at home for two years in six years and returned to officialdom, and his style of acting changed greatly.

First of all, when dealing with Emperor Xianfeng, he was no longer so outspoken and unruly, but became plain and calm; Secondly, when I get along with my colleagues, I am no longer so arrogant and maverick, but become modest and amiable; Thirdly, for subordinates, they are more compassionate and courageous, which makes more and more people willing to be loyal to them.

What is the power that can make Zeng Guofan "repent" and make such a thoroughly remould oneself change in just two years? The main reasons are as follows.

First, the defeat of Jiujiang shattered Zeng Guofan's dream.

After the recovery of Hubei, Zeng Guofan led his army into Jiangxi in order to recover Jiujiang under the strict orders of Emperor Xianfeng for four years. The brilliant achievements of Hunan and Hubei made Zeng Guofan overconfident and dreamed that he could "conquer Anqing and take Jinling directly". But after continuous fighting, the soldiers are exhausted. Coupled with being trapped by the Taiping rebels, the Xiang army was defeated. What humiliated him most was that even his own ship was captured by the Taiping rebels, and all the important documents on board were lost, and the emperor's royal gift became the trophy of the Taiping rebels. Zeng Guofan also committed suicide for the second time.

Second, the embarrassment in Jiangxi made Zeng Guofan desperate.

After the defeat of Hukou, the Xiang army was badly weakened, but Emperor Xianfeng ordered to continue to conquer Jiujiang, and his favorite Taqibu vomited blood and died because he could not attack for a long time. When stuck, in order to take the overall situation into consideration, his right-hand man Luo Zenan was sent to Hu Linyi, and two important departments were transferred to Luo Jun to enhance Hubei's strength. Since then, Zeng Guofan lived in Jiangxi and died in Jiangxi.

It was not until later that the Taiping Army broke through and stopped attacking Xiang, and his younger brother came to the rescue, which made Zeng Guofan desperate and relieved.

Third, due to local conditions, Zeng Guofan was struggling.

During his stay in Jiangxi, local bureaucrats joined forces with Zeng Guofan, setting obstacles everywhere and always refusing to pay. In the end, Zeng Guofan couldn't bear to be impeached, only worse, and even insulted the rank of Xiang, lambasting and beating.

During this period, some soldiers of Xiang Army were hungry. In order to get a bite of rations, they took risks for Jiangxi officials and took the initiative to attack Taiping Army, resulting in total annihilation.

Fourth, I broke my promise to the emperor and gave Zeng Guofan disheartened.

Just when Zeng Guofan was in extreme pain, he suddenly received the obituary of his father's death and went home without waiting for Xianfeng Emperor's consent. The emperor was naturally very angry. After the funeral leave, Emperor Xianfeng ordered him to return to the army quickly. Zeng Guofan took the opportunity to blackmail and wanted real power to solve his embarrassing situation. But at this time, first of all, the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom has declined greatly, and the war situation has changed. Emperor Xianfeng no longer relies on Zeng Guofan; Secondly, some officials constantly vilified Emperor Xianfeng, saying that Zeng Guofan had been doing nothing during his stay in Jiangxi, which aggravated Xianfeng's dissatisfaction; Emperor Xianfeng once again became wary of Zeng Guofan, and now he really reached out for an official position, which made Xianfeng more sure of his inner judgment of Zeng Guofan.

Finally, Emperor Xianfeng made a decision and decided to throw away this useless abandoned child. Not only refused Zeng Guofan's request to an important official, ordered him to be filial at home, but also deprived Zeng Guofan of his military power. This made Zeng Guofan completely unacceptable and fell into extreme pain.

After struggling for several months, he picked up the works of Laozi and Zhuangzi, which made him suddenly realize that the world can have another world and people can have another way of living. After that, he gradually calmed down and began to reflect constantly.

Through reflection, he gradually realized his own shortcomings and realized that he had repeatedly hit a wall in officialdom, not all because of others, but because of his personality, temper, temperament and style.

Looking back on my past life, I have always had a strong sense of moral superiority. I thought I was aboveboard, and I know it very well. Therefore, I am too arrogant, too straightforward, too straightforward, and it is easy to cause resentment from others. Even treating my own brother is "only I am right" and "I always embarrass others".

In order to sum up the experience and lessons, he wrote to his relatives and friends and asked them to give him advice. Through repeated reading and recalling the past, he became more and more aware of his fatal weakness: too arrogant, too eager for success, blind recklessness and blind strength. Zeng Guofan finally realized that those who act too rigidly seem to be powerful on the surface, but in fact they are weak.

Only when necessary, smooth and soft, can we successfully pass a difficult pass. Only by embracing everything can we mobilize all forces and reach the other side of victory.

Since then, Zeng Guofan has completed his "middle-aged reform".

Inspiration for me:

First, don't be too complacent, but know how to advance and retreat.

Especially when the limelight is strong, you can't underestimate your enemy. Life is impermanent, and no one can guarantee that the future will always be smooth sailing. If you are too complacent and underestimate your enemy, you will feel arrogant and will probably be defeated in the end.

Second, be modest, not just me.

Think more about other people's psychology and put yourself in other people's shoes. Even if you have different opinions, you should adopt a peaceful expression, don't be too willful, don't look down on others and embarrass them.

Third, taking people as a mirror can tell the gains and losses.

"I don't know the true face of Lushan Mountain, but toward which corner of the mountain." Many times, we can't see our own shortcomings. At this time, through others' pointing out, we can know ourselves more objectively, make continuous progress and iterate our lives.

If Su Kun, Balma, is a lifelong learner. Keep running on 100 days, and read continuously on 100 days. Today is the 44th day of my study, and I output 1803 words.

Self-discipline makes everything more free, and I am willing to grow up with you!