Biography of Zuo Zongtang

Author: Shen Chuanjing
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-03-01
Features: The author, with vivid penwork and abundant historical materials, comprehensively and profoundly introduces the great life of Zuo Zongtang. The main content of the book includes: Background of the Times and Early Life; Eight Years in the Service of the Government, Initial Involvement in Politics; From Assisting Military Affairs to Governing Fujian and Zhejiang, Participating in Suppressing the Taiping Rebellion; Establishing the Fuzhou Shipyard and Promoting "Foreign Affairs" (Yangwu); Governing Shaanxi and Gansu, Suppressing the Liangnan Rebellion and the Shaanxi and Gansu Hui Uprising; The Crisis in Xinjiang, Preparations for the Western Expedition; Supervising Military Affairs in Xinjiang, Reclaiming Xinjiang; Developing the Northwest and Building Xinjiang; Serving in the Imperial Secretariat and Governing Jiangnan; Supervising Military Affairs in Fujian, Passing Away with Unfulfilled Ambitions.
Based on the four aspects of Zuo Zongtang's life—suppressing uprisings, promoting "foreign affairs," implementing reforms, and opposing foreign aggression—the book is centered on anti-invasion and patriotism, adhering to principles of comprehensiveness, systematicity, depth, and objectivity. It has made extensive explorations and efforts in terms of materials, structure, content, and arguments, striving for new breakthroughs to demonstrate its unique features compared to similar works.
In terms of materials, the book strives for richness and reliability. Building on the existing Complete Works of Zuo Wenxiang and other important sources, it also seeks to incorporate new materials. These new materials include four categories: first, unpublished materials by Zuo Zongtang, which have now been fully included in the new edition of Complete Works of Zuo Zongtang; second, unpublished local ethnic language materials, mainly translations in Uyghur and Xibe; third, unpublished social and historical surveys and newly acquired library materials; fourth, newly published foreign language materials. These numerous materials have deepened the study of Zuo Zongtang and provided a solid foundation for the book's new explorations on certain issues.
In terms of structure, the book presents the life of the patriotic Zuo Zongtang in chronological order, combining comprehensive and systematic narration with a focus on key issues. It includes thematic discussions on major topics or issues not fully elaborated in the narrative, integrating biography and analysis. The book is divided into ten chapters, each a separate topic, making it both a biography and specialized essays. Each chapter can stand alone, yet together they form a complete work. This structure ensures clarity, logical progression, focused issues, and clear themes, while also expanding the scope of discussion and enabling deeper exploration of certain topics.
In terms of content, the book strives for comprehensiveness, systematicity, thoroughness, and reliability. It not only highlights Zuo Zongtang's strengths—his involvement in the "foreign affairs" movement, social reforms, and especially his patriotic struggle against foreign aggression—but also avoids avoiding his weaknesses. It frankly and thoroughly discusses his suppression of the Taiping Rebellion, the Liangnan Rebellion, and the Shaanxi and Gansu Hui Uprising in three chapters. Additionally, it addresses complex and previously underexplored issues, such as whether Zuo Zongtang participated in the Taiping Rebellion, his role in seeking aid from other forces, and the nature of the Shaanxi and Gansu Hui Uprising, through dedicated discussions. These aspects reflect the book's comprehensiveness, systematicity, thoroughness, and reliability, while adding new content and insights.
In terms of arguments, the book combines the biographical writing of historical figures with the development and changes of history, presenting an objective and fair assessment. It emphasizes self-strengthening and resistance against foreign aggression, making patriotism the central theme. At the same time, it values economic development, modernization, reform and opening up, the introduction and study of new modern science and technology, and the cultivation of modern scientific and technological talents. It also dedicates chapters to developing the Northwest and building Xinjiang, summarizing historical lessons from anti-invasion and modernization, and proposing new questions and perspectives. This will help better understand the conditions of modern China, promote today's reform and opening up and the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics, carry forward the tradition of resisting foreign aggression and conduct patriotic education, and provide valuable historical references for serving the present.
The book is divided into ten chapters, each a thematic discussion, covering: "Background of the Times and Early Life," "Eight Years in the Service of the Government, Initial Involvement in Politics," "From Assisting Military Affairs to Governing Fujian and Zhejiang, Participating in Suppressing the Taiping Rebellion," "Establishing the 'Foreign Affairs' Movement and Creating the Fuzhou Shipyard," "Governing Shaanxi and Gansu, Suppressing the Liangnan Rebellion and the Shaanxi and Gansu Hui Uprising," "The Crisis in Xinjiang, Preparations for the Western Expedition," "Supervising Military Affairs in Xinjiang, Reclaiming Xinjiang," "Developing the Northwest and Building Xinjiang," "Serving in the Imperial Secretariat and Governing Jiangnan," and "Supervising Military Affairs in Fujian, Passing Away with Unfulfilled Ambitions." It provides a relatively comprehensive discussion of Zuo Zongtang's life.