Who is Zeng Guofan?

Zeng Guofan (181-1872), whose real name is Bo Han and whose real name is Sheng Di, is one of the most influential figures in the history of China. His life, his wisdom and his thoughts have deeply influenced generations of China people, so that people still talk about Zeng Guofan even though he has been dead for more than one hundred years. Some critics say: Zeng Guofan is the last person in China's ancient history, and the first person in modern history, if dating by numbers. This sentence summarizes Zeng Guofan's personal role and influence from a certain angle. He is also the most prominent and controversial figure in modern China. Zeng Guofan was born in a landlord family in the Qing Dynasty. Although he is stupid since he was a child, he is diligent and studious. He entered this school at the age of six. At the age of 8, I can read stereotyped writing and recite five classics; 65,438+04 years old, able to read Selected Works of Zhou Li and Historical Records; In the same year, I took the boys' exam in Changsha and got excellent results. Father Lin wrote a book saying that he owned land, did not farm, and was obsessed with fame. But he tried 17 times, and his father set up a library to teach students. Zeng Guofan learned it from his father when he was young. In the 13th year of Daoguang (1833), Jinshi entered the county. The following year, I studied at Yuelu Academy in Changsha and was promoted in the same year. Then I went to Beijing to try and failed again and again. Eighteen years, Gong Shi, No.38 middle school, entered the palace examination, and ranked No.42 among the top three. He has a scholarly background. Jishi Shu of imperial academy was chosen to take the exam. After that, he worked in the capital, and made friends with Zhang Mu A, Woren and Tang Jian. After passing the provincial examination in Sichuan, I worked as an examiner for 27 years, and was promoted to a lecturer next year and the following year. In twenty-seven years, he was awarded a bachelor's degree in cabinet and the title of assistant minister in does. In 29 years, he served as the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Ritual and the right assistant minister of the Ministry of War. For thirty years, he was also the right assistant minister of the Ministry of Industry. In the second year of Xianfeng (1852), he also served as the left assistant minister of the official department. Finally, he was promoted to the governor, and his official residence was a product. Throughout his life, he pursued patience first, advocated thrift in everything and was not proud of being an official. He cultivated self-discipline, sought officials by virtue, put courtesy first, and sought politics by loyalty, and achieved great success in officialdom. The rise of Zeng Guofan had a far-reaching impact on the politics, military affairs, culture and economy of the Qing Dynasty. Zeng Guofan was the first person who really "opened his eyes to see the world" and actively practiced it in the history of China. At Zeng Guofan's initiative, he built the first ship in China, founded the first ordnance school, printed and translated the first batch of western language books, and arranged the first batch of students studying in the United States. It can be said that Zeng Guofan was a pioneer of China's modernization. Zeng Guofan ruled the army with Confucianism, respected benevolence and righteousness, raised the Xiang army alone and established another discipline. He wrote love folk songs, which made the soldiers of Xiang army make a difference. His article "Begging the Guangdong Bandits" called for "a gentleman" and "righteous indignation to protect our way", which inspired many intellectuals to take off their robes and willingly join the battle with the Taiping Army. He suppressed the peasant uprising in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and made the Qing Dynasty survive. He studied western culture, purged the political style, "saved the disadvantages of the times" and was ambitious, which contributed to the emergence of "Tongzhi Zhongxing" in the late Qing Dynasty. He is sincere in convincing others, avoiding disasters, paying attention to etiquette and being cautious, and weaving the strongest network of relationships. He knows how to make good use of people's abilities and talents, and recommended as many as 1000 subordinates, including more than 40 from the official to the governor. He realized the great cause of Confucianism's self-cultivation and ruling the country, made great achievements and made the words of "three immortals". His official position rose the fastest. Within ten years, he jumped seven levels in a row. At the age of 37, he was promoted to the second grade. Only Zeng Guofan of the Qing Dynasty can have this honor. He is the most stable official. He has served three generations of kings, Daoguang, Xianfeng and Tongzhi, for 34 years, and his trust remains unchanged. He is the best official, with outstanding political voice. He has a saying of governing the country and reassuring the people, so he has the reputation of "Zeng Guofan in politics and Hu Xueyan in business". He is a gentleman who studies, while Ming Dow is a scholar, quiet and far-reaching, who looks down on gains and losses. His father is kind and filial, his brother is respectful and has a good family education. His letters from home are a model of family education in ancient China.