's Complete Works (Complete 4 Volumes)

Author: None
Publisher: China Workers Publishing House
Publishing Date: None
Features: After reading the Complete Works of Zeng Wen Zheng, Mao Zedong conducted research on great figures in Chinese history and concluded, "I am inferior to my contemporaries, but I am deeply impressed by Zeng Wen Zheng." Chiang Kai-shek admired, studied, and emulated Zeng Guofan throughout his life, considering Zeng's works "essential reading for any statesman."
Volume 1: The Nine-Nine Strategies of Zeng Guofan
Volume 2: The Heart Method of Zeng Guofan
Volume 3: The Ice Mirror of Zeng Guofan
Volume 4: The Stiff Method of Zeng Guofan
Zeng Guofan (1811–1872) was one of the most influential figures in Chinese history. Born in a remote village in Shuangfeng, Hunan, he entered the capital as a scholar and, after passing the imperial examinations, was appointed to the capital, where he rose ten ranks in ten years, advancing ten levels in total. At the age of 37, he became the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, reaching the second-rank official position. Following the mourning for his mother, he returned home, only to find the Taiping Rebellion sweeping across Hunan and neighboring regions. Taking advantage of the situation, he raised a special militia, the Xiang Army, which, through immense hardship, helped the Qing Dynasty pacify the rebellion. He was enfeoffed as a First-Class Martial Marquis and became the first literati to be enfeoffed as a military marquis in the Qing Dynasty. Later, he served as Viceroy of Jiangnan and Viceroy of Zhili, holding the highest first-rank official position. Upon his death, he was posthumously honored as "Wen Zheng" (Literally: Virtuous and Correct). He was truly an excellent official and a stable guardian of his position.
The era in which Zeng Guofan lived marked the transition of the Qing Dynasty from the Qianlong and Jiaqing () to decline, with internal and external troubles arising one after another. As a central figure in this transitional period, Zeng Guofan exerted notable influence in politics, military, culture, and economics. This influence extended not only during his time but also to the present day, making him one of the most prominent and controversial historical figures in modern China. "To govern, learn from Zeng Guofan; to do business, learn from Hu Xueyuan." Since the modern era, Zeng has been revered by political figures as the "model of the official world." He rose to the second-rank official position at the age of 37, a feat unmatched in the Qing Dynasty; he was an outstanding official with a brilliant reputation and skillful governance; and he maintained his position unscathed through the turbulent waters of officialdom, enjoying continuous honor and prestige.
Zeng was deeply versed in Chinese history and had a profound understanding of the art of governance. He possessed a complete set of "secrets of officialdom," which, when applied to the Chinese political scene, were invincible and unbeatable. From Li Hongzhang and Zhang Zhidong to Yuan Shikai and Chiang Kai-shek, none failed to worship Zeng as a "sage"; from Liang Qichao and Huang Xing to Chen Duxiu and Mao Zedong, none failed to admire and emulate him as a "model."
This book primarily showcases the essence of Zeng Guofan's life in various aspects, including personnel management, governance, handling political crises, military strategy, academic studies, self-cultivation, and health preservation, supplemented by extensive historical examples. It comprehensively and thoroughly analyzes his extraordinary six-decade life and his thirty-year illustrious career in officialdom. By reading Zeng's legendary journey and exploring his secrets of success, readers can gain insights into life's advances and setbacks, as well as enhance their extraordinary abilities in officialdom. It is believed that in today's society, whether leaders in politics, the military, or among business magnates and cultural figures, will all draw from this book the successful experiences in governance, military strategy, administration, scholarship, and family management. The wisdom it imparts will yield immediate results and lifelong benefits!