Virtue (to be a spiritual model for the world), meritorious service (to achieve great things) and making a statement (to leave a theory for future generations) have always been the pursuit of China Confucian scholars. Throughout the history of China, there are two and a half people who are virtuous, contributing and independent. These two people refer to Zhuge Liang and Wang Yangming.

Zeng Guofan (18 1 1 year-1972): Zicheng, a native of Tian Ping Village, Ye He Town, Shuangfeng County, Hunan Province.

In the late Qing dynasty, he was the founder and commander-in-chief of Xiang Army. Military strategist, philosopher, politician, calligrapher and writer in Qing Dynasty, and founder of "Xiangxiang School" in late Qing Dynasty. The official to the governor of Liangjiang, the governor of Zhili, and the university student of Wuyingdian were awarded the first-class Yi, named.

1838, Zeng Guofan ranked 38th in Gong.

1854, Zeng Guofan organized the Xiang army to crusade against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom thugs (not all peasant uprisings are progressive, such as Hong Xiuquan's organization of worship, which is close to cults), and published "Begging for Guangdong Bandits", denouncing Hong Xiuquan for "poisoning life" and "quoting China's ethics for thousands of years, once swept away.

This is not only a strange change in the Qing dynasty, but also a strange change in Ming religion since the opening of the port. Confucius and Mencius cried in Jiuquan ",and then called on" anyone who can read and write can sit still and do nothing "to mobilize the intellectuals at that time to participate in the struggle against the Taiping Army. 1864, Zeng Guofan captured Nanjing, the headquarters of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Regarding Zeng Guofan's military talents, Shi Dakai commented: "Although he doesn't have to be a good fighter, he can learn from talented generals, and his planning is rigorous, and he can't be found anywhere. This is the case with a general, which has never happened since the actual incident. "

Zeng Guofan pursued patience as the first priority in his life, 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. 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 is a filial father, a respected elder brother and a good tutor. His letters from home are a model of ancient family education in China.

Zeng Guofan's controversial point is that he used severe punishment, and he was called "Zeng shaved his head" and "Zeng butcher" because he killed too many people.

Another controversy lies in the handling of religious plans in Tianjin. 1870, Zeng Guofan, then governor of Zhili, was ordered to go to Tianjin to handle the religious plan in Tianjin. The incident was a conflict between Tianjin people and French consulates and churches.

After Zeng Guofan arrived in Tianjin, considering the situation at that time, he didn't want to go to war with France. "However, the quick success of the peace game is not one of the crimes of courtship." He made a comprehensive compromise in executing murderers, punishing officials and paying reparations.

As a result of this negotiation, court officials and public opinion were very dissatisfied, which greatly affected Zeng Guofan's reputation and caused reviled by the ruling and opposition parties all over the country.

Throughout the life of Zhuge Liang, Wang Yangming and Zeng Guofan, they are very strict with themselves, and they are very lenient to the lower class and the people. However, in the process of achieving career and achievements, it also showed a very cold side.

Zhuge Liang also grasped torture and beheaded Ma Su with tears; In the battle to quell the rebellion in Wang Ning, Wang Yangming ordered the retreating people to be killed. Zeng Guofan was called "once bald" because he killed too many people.

Therefore, the truly successful Confucianism not only inherited Confucius and Mencius' benevolence, righteousness and propriety, but also established the Legalist School.

Extended data:

Zeng Guofan (18 1 1 year165438+1October 26th-1March 872 12), whose first name was Zicheng, whose real name was Bohan. China was a politician, strategist, philosopher and writer in modern times, the founder and commander-in-chief of Xiang Army.

Zeng Guofan was born in a landlord family. He has been diligent and studious since childhood. He entered this school at the age of six. At the age of 8, he can read four books and recite five classics. At the age of 14, he can read Zhou Li and Historical Records. In the 18th year of Daoguang (1838), he entered imperial academy and studied under the military minister Zhang Mu.

Reluctantly moved to a bachelor's degree in cabinet, assistant minister of does, assistant minister of military, industrial, criminal and official departments. We are close friends with university students such as Woren, Huining Road and Guizhen, and strive for "practical learning". During the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement, Zeng Guofan formed the Xiang Army. After years of fighting, he turned the tide and wiped out the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Throughout his life, he pursued patience as the first priority, and advocated that everything should be frugal and 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.

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 the pioneer of China's modernization.

Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi were called "Zeng Hu", while Li Hongzhang, Zuo and Zhang Zhidong were called "four famous ministers of ZTE in the late Qing Dynasty". Official to the governor of Liangjiang, the governor of Zhili, the university student of Wuyingdian, the first-class Yi, posthumous title "Zheng Wen", later called "Ceng Wenzheng".

References:

Baidu Encyclopedia-Zeng Guofan