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Zeng Guofan (1811-1872) was born in Xiangxiang, Changsha, Hunan Province (now Shuangfeng County, Hunan Province). China was a strategist, philosopher, politician and calligrapher in Qing Dynasty. He is one of the "famous ministers of Zhongxing" and a writer, and the founder of the prose "Xiangxiang School" in the late Qing Dynasty. Official to the Governor of Liangjiang, the Governor of Zhili, the University of Wuyingdian, the first-class righteous Hou Yong. Baiyangping, a native of Xiangxiang, Changsha, Hunan Province, now belongs to Tianziping, Ye He Town, Shuangfeng County, Hunan Province.

Zeng Guofan was born in the 16th year of Jiaqing (18 1 1) in a wealthy landlord family in Heyetang, Jingzi Town, Shuangfeng County, Hunan Province. There are nine brothers and sisters, Zeng Guofan is the eldest son. The ancestors were mainly farmers, and their lives were relatively affluent. Grandpa Zeng Yuping's education is not high, but he has rich experience; Father Zeng Linshu is a scholar, and Zeng Guofan, the eldest son and grandson, was naturally educated by two ancestors.

Zeng Guofan entered school at the age of 6, read eight-part essay and recited five classics at the age of 8, read Zhou Li and Selected Works of Historical Records at the age of 14, and took part in the boy test in Changsha. His excellent grades are listed as excellent, which shows that he has been smart and diligent since he was a child. In the 12th year of Daoguang (1832), he was admitted as a scholar and married Ouyang Cangming's daughter.

Zeng Guofan failed the exam twice in a row, and then studied hard for a year. The actual age is 27 years old, and the nominal age is 28 years old. Gong was admitted to the same Jinshi. From then on, he embarked on the road of official career step by step, and became the favorite pupil of Minister Zhang Mu. In Beijing for more than ten years, he successively served as imperial academy Jishi Shu, moved to school, gave a bachelor's degree in lectures, served in Wen Yuan Pavilion, held a bachelor's degree in cabinet, inspected Chinese book affairs, served as assistant minister of Ministry of War, assistant minister of Ministry of Industry, assistant minister of punishments and assistant minister of official department. Zeng Guofan was promoted to the second-class position step by step along this career path. Moving seven times in ten years, jumping ten times in a row, jumping from seven products to two products,

Zeng Guofan's life is inseparable from the suppression of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom movement. In the second year of Xianfeng (1852), Zeng Guofan was lost at home because of his mother. At this time, the Taiping Rebellion has swept half of China. Although the Qing government mobilized a large number of Eight Banners green camp officers and men from all over the country to deal with the Taiping Army, this decadent armed force was vulnerable. Therefore, the Qing government issued many orders to reward the Yong Tuan, trying to use the landlord armed forces in various places to curb the development of revolutionary forces, which provided an opportunity for the emergence of Zeng Guofan's Xiang Army. Xianfeng three years (1853), he used the opportunity given by the Qing government to seek strength to suppress the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. In his hometown of Hunan, he established a local group training called Xiang Army by relying on complicated interpersonal relationships such as mentoring, relatives and friends. Zeng Guofan brutally suppressed the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom uprising and used harsh laws. History says that "one person is sent to be known, and another person is sent to judge robbers." If the solution is serious, it will be decided. If it is light, it will be killed. If it is light, it will be blamed. ..... The case will be tried immediately and the law will be implemented immediately. There is no expectation of delay. " Not only did he kill people directly, but his father and four brothers also killed people. Some people accused him of killing too many people and called him "once bald" and "once butcher". It is said that children in Nanjing cry at night, and when their mother says "I shaved my head", the children stop crying. In the battle with the Taiping Army, Zeng Guofan used methods such as looting property and conferring officials to boost morale, which formed the nature of the Xiang Army warrior's disability. Xiang Army became one of the main forces in the Qing army with backward military quality to fight against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in the south of China. Zeng Guofan was named the first-class brave marquis, becoming the first person to seal the marquis of Wu as a scholar in the Qing Dynasty. Later, he served as the governor of Liangjiang and Zhili, and his official residence was a product.

[Edit this paragraph] Ceng Gong Chronicle

18 1 1 year (Jiaqing 16 years)165438+1October 26th (65438+1October/kloc-

18 15 (twenty years of Jiaqing) 5 years old and literate at home. A year later, he entered his home school to "watch fasting".

1826 (6 years of Daoguang), 16 years old, in the spring, she ranked seventh in Changsha Fukao (children's test).

1830 (Daoguang10) At the age of 20, he entered the Down's Ancestral Hall in Hengyang and studied under Wang Juean. A year later, he transferred to Lianbin College in Xiangxiang. Change the number and wash it.

1833 (Daoguang13) In the autumn of 23 years old, I took the Xiangxiang County Examination and was admitted as a scholar.

1834 (Daoguang14) I entered Yuelu Academy in the spring when I was 24 years old. In autumn, I will take part in the 36th Juren Rural Examination. In winter, I went to Beijing to prepare for the exam, passed through Changsha and began to meet Liu Rong.

1835 (Daoguang15) I am 25 years old. In April, I will try to stay in Beijing and study in Changsha Guild Hall.

1836 (Daoguang16) At the age of 26, Cohen tried again and went home from Beijing. When I arrived in Changsha, I met Liu Rong and Guo Songtao in Xiangxiang Guild Hall for two months.

1838 (Daoguang 18), Gong was ranked 38th at the age of 28. After the exam, it was renamed Guo Fan. Palace examination ranked 42nd among the top three, and was endowed with the same background as a scholar. Chaokao ranked first and third, and Daoguang Emperor ranked second. Awarded to Jishi Shu Hanlin Academy. Ask for leave and go home at the end of the year.

1839 (Daoguang 19) In the summer of, I was 29 years old and went out of Hengyang to visit Du Gongbu Temple and Shigu Academy. In autumn, I went out to Shaoyang and visited Wugang, Xinhua, Lantian and Yongfeng. In February 65438, Kiko Zesheng left home for Beijing. I started to keep a diary this year, persevering and never stopping.

1840 (20 years of Daoguang) At the age of 30, in May, Jishi Shu closed, ranking second and 19th, and was awarded a review by the Hanlin Academy. In July, he fell ill and received treatment and care from Ouyang Zhaoxiong and Wu Tingdong. Two months later, he recovered and the three became friends.

184 1 year (Daoguang 2 1 year) 3 1 year. In August, I visited Tang Jian, a master of Neo-Confucianism, and asked for the prescription of study and the essentials of physical examination. "Kao De asked about the profession" and "smoked classics". 1/kloc-0 served as an assistant in the National History Museum in June, 2006, studying the previous history and distinguishing gains and losses. That year, I enjoyed reading Tao's Official Documents presented by Hu Linyi. Writing "Xu Li" directly hits the people's sufferings and lashes corrupt officials.

1842 (22 years of Daoguang) At the age of 32, he devoted himself to the study of Zhu Cheng. Every day, he had to do his homework: getting up early, respecting himself, sitting quietly, studying hard, reading history, being cautious about independence, nourishing his spirit, keeping fit, knowing the death of the sun, remembering the moon, writing poems and staying at night.

1843 (23 years of Daoguang) 33 years old. In April, he was promoted to assistant lecturer of Hanlin College. In July, after having obtained the provincial examination in Sichuan, Qin Wei. In August, he was allowed to give lectures at Hanlin College. 65438+ February, Chongwen Yuanguan was proofread.

1844 (twenty-four years of Daoguang) was thirty-four years old. In August, Guo Songtao was introduced to become a master and apprentice with Jiang Zhongyuan. Sent to imperial academy to teach Jishi Shu.

1845 (25 years of Daoguang), 35 years old, 10 month, promoted to Bachelor of Lectures in the Academy of Academician. Li Hongzhang went to Beijing to take the exam, and his family liked it the next year.

1846 (26 years of Daoguang), aged 36, 1 month, served as the official of Wen Yuan Pavilion. I wrote to my bookstore and said, "Beg for a bird's nest". During the summer and autumn, he went to Chengnan Temple to recuperate, and had an in-depth discussion with his roommate Liu about Sinology and Song Studies. He knows that learning must return to the main task and "have the best of both worlds".

1847 (27 years of Daoguang) was 37 years old. In July, he was promoted to a bachelor's degree in cabinet and assistant minister street in the Ministry of Rites. In June 65438 +065438+10, Qin Paiwu was the president and minister of palace examination Reading Association.

1848 (twenty-eight years of Daoguang) was thirty-eight years old. In March, Ji Zihong was born. 10 This month, I collected the speeches of great scholars in ancient and modern times, and compiled the Family Instructions of Zeng in 32 orders according to three aspects: self-cultivation, keeping the family in order and governing the country.

1849 (29 years of Daoguang) was 39 years old. In February, he was promoted to the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites. In September, assistant minister of the right Ministry of War.

1850 (30 years of Daoguang), aged 40, appeared in Ying Zhao Chen Yan Shu in April, revealing the officials' stubbornness, timidity and softness. Today's spokesman can only speak in the employer's ear. In July, he was appointed assistant minister Zuo.

185 1 year (the first year of Xianfeng) 4 1 year 1 month, Hong Xiuquan organized an uprising in Jintian Village, Guiping, Guangxi. In May, Emperor Xianfeng "fell to the ground in anger" and wanted to commit a crime.

1852 (2 years in Xianfeng), 42 years old, 1 month, published "Preparing for People's Suffering". In July, he served as an examiner in Jiangxi Province. Arriving at Xiaochi Station in Taihu County, Anhui Province, I got my mother's obituary and went home to attend the funeral. 65438+/kloc-arrived home in early October. Taiping Army left Guangxi for Hunan and attacked Changsha in September. The month of 10 depends on the state of Yue.

1853 (3 years of Xianfeng) 43 years old 65438+ 10/2 1, took over the task of Yong ying in Hunan. Guo Songtao urged Bao. On the 30th, he came to Changsha with Zhang, Governor of Hunan Province, to participate in the training of enterprise groups. /kloc-in March of 0/9, the Taiping Army captured Jiangning with Tianjing as its capital. In September, he was allowed to move to Hengzhou for training. June 65438 +065438+10, Jianhengzhou Shipyard rushed to build warships. Send people to Guangdong to buy foreign guns and build a navy.

1854 (4 years in Xianfeng) 44 years old. On February 25, he was ordered to lead the division to the Taiping Army. Release "Begging for Guangdong Bandits". Chu Ruhang, President of Ren Haijun, and Taqibu were pioneers of the army, commanding 17000 men and sending troops north. In May, the soldier was defeated by Jinggang and was rescued by drowning himself. On July 25, after the reorganization of the amphibious forces, they began to attack Yuezhou. Take Wuchang in June 65438+1October 65438+April. Emperor Xianfeng ordered him to dispatch the governor of Hubei. Bring it back in seven days. Reward the rank of assistant minister of the Ministry of War. On February 2, 65438, Tianjia Town was captured.

1855 (Xianfeng five years) night, 45 years old, 12 February, Shi Dakai attacked the Xiang water camp and burned more than 100 Xiang warships. Zeng Guofan's ship was taken away, "all the books were lost." "I am furious and want to kill the enemy with a ride", but I can't stop Liu.

1856 (6 years of Xianfeng) was 46 years old and was trapped in Nanchang in July. On September 2, after the battle between Yang and Hong (Tianjing Incident), the Taiping Army was badly hurt. In June 5438+10, Zeng Guofan set up a auspicious word camp in Changmuyong to help Jiangxi.

1857 (7 years of Xianfeng) 47 years old. On February 27th, my father died, and my brother Guohua returned to China to attend the funeral. In July, I went to Shanghai twice and sought the final system at home, which was approved by Emperor Xianfeng. Yun Si Pavilion was built in 1860.

1858 (eighth year of Xianfeng) was 48 years old. May 19, Li Heyang led the land and water forces to capture Jiujiang. Di Guohua walked into Li's curtain. On July 3, 2003, he set off from Zhejiang Military Affairs by imperial decree, and on July 7, 2007, he set off from Kloc-0/7. On August 5th, I arrived in Wuchang. Negotiate with Hu Linyi about sending troops for a raise. 165438+1October 15. Li He died in the Three Rivers War. In February 65438, he wrote "Love Song" to train the Xiang Army.

1859 (9 years of Xianfeng) 49 years old 1 month, Li Hongzhang came to visit Jianchang and stayed in the camp to assist in military affairs. In the same month, he was renamed Zhengan and joined Xiang Army to avenge his brother Guohua. Write a portrait of a saint in February. 1 1 month, plans to invade Anqing in four ways.

1860 (Xianfeng10) is 50 years old. In May, he compiled 26 volumes of Miscellanies of Classics and History, Macros for Taking the Essence and Using It, and Four Essentials for Doing It. In June, left to camp, stay for 20 days, discuss the overall situation in southeast China; Acting Governor of Liangjiang, Minister of War. In July, the headquarters of the two rivers was entrusted, and the military affairs in the south of the Yangtze River were supervised by an imperial envoy. 10 10 18, we discussed with Hu Linyi and Li the strategy to help the north. Shangshu asked to send troops to the north to wipe out the king of Qin, and to "cover the sky with snow." In February of 65438, Qimen Camp was trapped twice, and the Taiping Army was only 20 miles away from the camp, which was "dangerous".

186 1 year (Xianfeng 1 1 year) 5 1 year, August 23, is "Re-reported to buy foreign guns": "Buying foreign guns is the first priority today." On September 5, Xiang captured Anqing. On the 25th, he moved to Anqing. 1October 20th, 165438, the military affairs of four provinces (Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangxi) were ordered to be supervised, and the governors and the following towns were brought under control. In February 65438, the Institute of Internal Weapons was established in Anqing. At the end of the year, the Third Route Army was determined to March: "The country of Jinling was besieged, while Zhejiang belonged to the left and the Soviet belonged to Li Hongzhang, so it set up a bureau to eliminate the southeast."

1862 (the first year of Tongzhi), 52 years old, 65438+3 1 year1October, was appointed as an assistant to the university by the Governor of Liangjiang, and Ceng Guoquan was awarded a judge in Zhejiang Province. On February 65438+4, 2004, Zuo led an army from Jiangxi to Zhejiang. In April, Li Hongzhang led an army to Shanghai. In May, Ceng Guoquan led the army into Yuhuatai, and joined Peng Yulin Navy to camp in Tianjing. On July 18, we tried to explain our interests in order to use soldiers to help suppress: "islanders use repression to make profits ... and China should look for trouble", and foreigners will never be allowed to "ravage China land" by means of repression. In September, six Confucian scholars and Dai Junheng who died in the war but were not buried were buried with stones. In February of 65438+, his brother died of illness in Yuhuatai Camp of Xiang Army. At the end of the year, Hua and Xu Shou tried to build the first steam engine in China. After Zeng Guofan saw it, he wrote in his diary that day: "Our country can do it, but we can't be proud of what we don't know!"

1863 (tongzhi 2 years) 53 years old 65438+1on October 28th, Anqing ordnance college built the first small wooden steamer in China. After Zeng Guofan boarded the ship for trial, he named it "Huanggu". On May 7, he wrote to the Prime Minister's yamen on state affairs, saying that "foreigners have the heart to bully the weak and fear the hard, and they are even more bullied; China people have a fear of fear, but they are forced to be afraid. " They are opposed to buying ships under the command and control of naval colonels. In September, I met with Yung Yung to discuss the establishment of a factory that could ruin nursery furniture. On February 3rd, 65438+, Hong Rong paid 68000 silver dollars to the United States to buy machines.

1864 (Tongzhi 3 years) 54 years old 65438+ 10 In October, Li was sent to survey the sand lines of coastal islands in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. In May, the collection of books in Jiangsu and Zhejiang was destroyed by the army, and it was decided to set up a bookstore in Anqing to publish and engrave all kinds of classics. On June 3, Hong Xiuquan died in Tianjing, and his eldest son succeeded to the throne. /kloc-in July of 0/9, the Xiang army captured Tianjing and the Taiping Army failed. In July, Zeng Guofan rewarded Prince Taibao and the first-class marquis. Ceng Guoquan gave Prince Shao Bao and Earl the first class merit. /kloc-in August of 0/5, it was decided to abolish 25,000 Xiang troops. In June of 5438+00, Hangyuan moved to Anling. 1 1 month, stop collecting donations from Li She and Mu. In February, 65438, he presided over the restoration of Jiangnan Gongyuan, made up the Jiangnan Provincial Examination, and took an examination of Jiangnan Yougong.

1865 (Tongzhi 4 years) 55 years old 1 month, selected 17 poems written by ministers since the Han and Tang Dynasties, and compiled "Yuan Tang Papers in Ming Dynasty". In March, he presided over the two houses of planting mountains and respecting classics. Adopt 800 lonely and cold children and donate their own class prize for raising Lian Yin. On May 26th, I received an imperial edict: to lead an army to Shandong to suppress twisting. In June, he presided over the compilation of Wang Chuanshan's Letters, with a volume of ***320, and submitted it to Jinling Bookstore for publication. /kloc-in June, 2008, the strategy of the northern Nian suppression army was: fortification of major towns, river fencing, clearing the field to stop Wei, and cavalry tracking. In September, I arrived in Xuzhou via Yangzhou and Qingjiangpu. Soldiers deployed all the way, blocked the encirclement, and posted a list of recruits along the way. On June+10, 5438, Jinling Manufacturing Bureau moved to Hongkou, merged with Li Hongzhang's original artillery bureau and the iron works purchased from Americans, and together with more than 100 machines bought back by Hong Rong, Jiangnan Manufacturing General Administration was established. In February 65438, the permanent constitution and operational rules of the Yangtze River Navy were approved.

In the fifth year of Tongzhi in Qing Dynasty (1866), Zeng Guofan, the general leader of Xiang Army, was ordered to enter Zhoujiakou, where he served as an imperial minister and overseer.

Zeng Guofan took the countermeasures of "focusing on defense, clearing the field and rowing the river circle" according to the characteristics of the uncertain whereabouts and mobile operations of the Nian army, but all ended in failure. Later, from Zhoukou west to Luohe, the "Shahe Baili Defense Line" was set up in an attempt to eliminate the Nian Army by this natural barrier.

One day, Zeng Guofan saw the names of Zengzhuang and Zenglou from the map of Shangshui County, and sent them to Zengzhuang in the west of Shangshui City with the book, and invited several old people to Zhoukou to discuss. In the process of deliberation, everyone in Zengzhuang knew that Zeng Guofan's intention was to recognize the Sect with them. This is also a gratifying thing. With such a strong kinship, Zeng Zhuang people were still worried about why the light could not be touched, so they knelt on the ground to visit Zeng Guofan.

On the third day of the banquet, Zeng Guofan and Zeng's clan went to Zeng's ancestral temple in Zengzhuang to worship Zeng's portrait, and then went to Zeng's grave to sprinkle wine to sweep the grave. Later, he left a yellow silk flag with the words "Zeng Guofan, the plenipotentiary imperial envoy" as a souvenir. It was not until the early liberation that this yellow silk flag was banned and destroyed.

1867 (Tongzhi 6 years) 57 years old, in March, a shipyard under Jiangnan Manufacturing General Administration tried to build a ship. At the same time, it is planned to establish a translation library. In May, together with Li Hongzhang, the General Administration of Jiangnan Manufacturing was moved from Hongkou to Gaochang Hall, and the scope of land acquisition was expanded and laws and regulations were greatly increased. In June, it was awarded the Tijen University Pavilion.

1868 (Tongzhi 7 years) Fifty-eight years old, in April, he was awarded a bachelor's degree in Wuyingdian. On May 3 1, I went to Shanghai to inspect Jiangnan Manufacturing General Administration. In August, he was ordered to be transferred to the governor of Zhili. In September, the first ship trial-produced by Jiangnan Shipyard sailed for Jiangning, and once boarded the ship for trial flight, it was named "Tianji". In February 65438, he arrived in Beijing and met Nala and Emperor Tongzhi.

1869 (Tongzhi 8 years), aged 59, played Chen Zhili on February 27th, focusing on training, closing the curtain and managing the river. In June, please reform the Zhili army according to the Xiang army system. In August, he wrote "Persuading Zhili Scholars", proposing that Confucianism has four branches: righteousness, textual research, classics and rhetoric, and righteousness is the foundation of academic research. In February, 65438, Chen said, "Zhili cleared the accumulated prison ... concluded and revoked more than 41,000 cases, most of which turned into dust."

1870 (9 years of tongzhi) 60 years old in April, liver disease became more and more serious, and his right eye was completely blind. Take a sick leave in January. May and January. In June, Tianjin religious plan happened and was ordered to deal with it. Arrive in Tianjin 1 1 in July. Ordered to reveal the truth about Jin Min. On 23rd, the French minister Luo came to see him, demanding the killing of Tianjin Taoist priest, magistrate and magistrate who were French consuls, and threatening to go to war. Zeng Guofan sternly refused. On the 24 th, Chen: I dug my eyes and cut my heart. There is no evidence at all; People's livelihood in Tianjin is full of energy, and everything happens for a reason. In August, it was reported that nine criminals had been arrested in this case, but Luo wanted to "negotiate with three people" and it was difficult to get permission. In fact, the government and the county have no greater responsibility, and it is a matter of light emotion and heavy law than sending it to the punishment department. In September, Ma Xinyi, the governor of Liangjiang, was assassinated, Zeng Guofan was transferred to two governors, and Li Hongzhang added the governor of Zhili. 10 June 17, set off south. 165438+1on October 3rd, the 60th birthday, was given a "tribute to the pillars" plaque. On the 24th, writers have four lessons every day: First, read carefully, and you will feel at ease; Second, you will be strong if you are respectful; Third, you will be kind. Fourth, you will be respected if you study hard.

187 1 year (tongzhi 10 year) 6 1 year 19 August, Li Hongzhang co-signed the performance "The First Discount on Choosing Children to Study Abroad". In September, inspect the defense and training of amphibious battalion. 165438+ 10 to Shanghai.

1872 (tongzhi11) On February 27th, 62, the leaders called for the implementation of "sending left-behind students" as soon as possible. He also proposed to set up an "Office for Overseas Students from China" in the United States, and recommended Chen Lanbin and Yung Wing as the chairman and vice-chairman to be permanently managed in the United States. Set up an overseas education bureau for children in Shanghai, and recommend Liu Hanqing's Selected Works of the Shanghai Bureau of the Premier.

March 1 day, my feet were numb and my tongue could not speak. On the afternoon of March 12, I went for a walk in Xixi Garden, and suddenly my feet went numb. Ceng Jize helped me back to the study, sat for three minutes and died. It was the month when the Qing court heard the obituary and retired for three days. Posthumous title Shi. On June 25th, the coffin arrived in Changsha. /kloc-buried in jinpenling outside the south gate of Changsha in July, 0/9. In February 65438 and March 65438 of the following year, he was reburied in Fulongshan, Pingtang, Xiangxi, Huashan County (now Wangcheng County). Buried with his wife Ouyang.

First, the pioneer of modern modernization in China

Zeng Guofan was the first person who really practiced actively in the history of China. Under his guidance, he built the first ship in China, which started the modern manufacturing industry. The establishment of the first ordnance school initiated the modern higher education in China. The first translation and printing of western books not only laid the scientific and technological foundation of modern China, but also greatly broadened the horizons of Chinese people. The arrangement of the first batch of overseas students to study in the United States has cultivated a large number of outstanding talents for the country, among which Tang, the first Prime Minister of the Republic of China, Zhan Tianyou, the "father of railways" in China, Liang Dunyan, the foreign minister in the late Qing Dynasty, and the first president of Tsinghua are outstanding.

Second, the founder of China's ideological and political work

Zeng Guofan claimed: "I am a talent for training soldiers, not for fighting." He taught soldiers to "point the head of a stubborn stone and suffer the blood of cuckoo." He trained in the spirit of Confucianism and made it an organized team. His "Love Folk Songs" made A Xiang a great success. Mao Zedong's "Three Disciplines and Eight Notices" is based on this. When Chiang Kai-shek built the army in Huangpu, he also published his "Love Folk Song" for the students to sing, which had a great effect. Seeing that Hong Xiuquan's devotion to Catholicism was not in line with China's national conditions, he wrote an article "Begging for Guangdong Bandits", which made many intellectuals take off their robes and lead the wussy peasants to throw themselves under the banner of Xiang, and fought against the Taiping rebels to win the final victory.

Third, cultivate one's morality and govern the country. China is the first perfect man in all ages.

Since ancient times, China has said "three immortals", such as making contributions (accomplishing great things), becoming a spiritual model of the world, and making a statement (leaving a theory for future generations), but few people can really do it, and Zeng Guofan is one of them. He defeated the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and saved the Qing Dynasty, so he was the "savior" of the Qing Dynasty. He "saved the time", purged the political style and learned western culture, which contributed to the emergence of "Tongzhi Zhongxing" in the late Qing Dynasty. He has always been strict with himself, advocating integrity, flaunting morality, and making every effort to win support from top to bottom; His academic articles are eclectic, extensive and profound, and he is a master of modern Confucianism. "His works are required reading for any politician" (Chiang Kai-shek) has achieved the Confucian "Three Immortals" cause of self-cultivation, keeping the family in order, governing the country, making meritorious deeds, establishing morality and making statements, and is worthy of being "the first perfect person in China".

Fourth, the fastest promotion, the best official, and the most stable model.

Zeng Guofan went to school in politics and Hu Xueyan went to school in business. Zeng Guofan was regarded as a "model of officialdom" by politicians in modern times. This is because, first, he was promoted the fastest, at the age of 37, and he was the only one in the Qing Dynasty. Second, it is best to be an official with a prominent political voice and the words of governing for the people; Third, the official is the most stable, surviving the storm of the official sea, safe and sound, and the honor lasts forever. He is familiar with the history of China, knows the way of officialdom, and has accumulated a whole set of officialdom Juexue, which has been applied to the officialdom of China and is invincible.

Fifth, cultivate the first master to introduce and use talents.

Zeng Guofan devoted his life to making friends, netting talents, cultivating talents, recommending talents and using talents. His shogunate is the largest and most combative shogunate in China's history, which has gathered the talents from all over the country. In order to attract and retain talents, he gave up his humble face and wrote to recommend his subordinates many times to seek official positions and positions for them. He recommended thousands of subordinates in his life, including more than 40 officials and governors. They include strategic military talents such as Li Hongzhang, Zuo, Guo Songtao, Li, and first-class scholars and scientists such as Yu Yue, Li, Hua and Xu Shou.

China's traditional culture is the greatest achievement of parenting.

Zeng Guofan is the best son, who can reassure his parents; He is the best brother, teaching and caring for his siblings, and being considerate. Zeng Guofan is a kind father and a good example for children. His Letter from Home emphasizes the ideal of life, spiritual realm and moral cultivation. In the modern society, where kinship is becoming increasingly indifferent and relatives in the neighborhood are strangers, it does have the value of persuading the world to change customs, and it is worth reading. There are less than three generations of official families, but the Zeng family is full of talented people, and a number of famous diplomats, poets, educators, scientists and senior cadres have emerged.

Seven, China traditional cultural personality spirit model.

Zeng Guofan is a scholar-bureaucrat of "above average" among his peers, but his ambition, stubbornness, strong will and diligence are beyond people's reach. Since he was a teenager, he has been "struggling hard and determined to adjust himself to the customs", writing a diary every day to reflect on himself, and not a day goes by without monitoring himself and teaching himself a lesson. He treats his colleagues with humility and self-control, is open-minded and generous, and has made a wide range of friends and is highly respected throughout his life. He remained honest and worked hard. No matter how hard you are, you are not discouraged, but you can make persistent efforts and stick to it. This is the fundamental secret of his success.

Eight, the last spiritual idol of China feudal society.

Zeng Guofan is a knowledgeable person who "works (does business) and preaches (leaves thoughts and theories behind)" (Mao Zedong). "The Draft of Qing History-Biography of Zeng Guofan" also said: "Guo Chen is better than learning and is good at etiquette." He studied hard all his life, respected Confucianism and emphasized practical application, becoming another "Confucian master" after Confucius, Mencius and Zhu. He innovated article study's theory of the New Tongcheng School, and his poetry and prose presided over the literary world of Taoism (light), virtue (abundance) and general governance, which can be described as "the highest generation of moral articles".