The book that Zeng Guofan liked to read the most

Author: Guo Shengxu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-08-01
Features: From a poor rural background to the capital, though the Manchus were in power and he faced everywhere adversity, he rose through the ranks nine times out of ten, achieving the rank of second rank official. Zeng Guofan relied on reading these books! When he resigned and returned to his hometown, he recruited civilian troops, created the Xiang Army, and turned scholars into a million strong army. At that time, his name was not legitimate, his words were not proper, his power was not substantial, his funds were insufficient, neither the court nor the people supported him, nor did his friends associate with him. Yet he persevered through hardship, his spirit soared, and Zeng Guofan relied on reading these books. He jumped into the river three times but did not give up his ambition, fought repeatedly and gradually grew stronger, advancing bravely and diligently, finally capturing Anqing and breaking Nanjing, saving a collapsing state, his military achievements were outstanding, and he was admired by thousands, and Zeng Guofan relied on reading these books. He pacified the country, disbanded the Xiang Army, followed the great virtue of the sages, and achieved fame without seeking it, his demeanor was profound, his scale was vast, and both the court and the people were impressed, and Zeng Guofan relied on reading these books. He enjoyed the reputation of both inner sage and outer king, achieving virtue, merit, and words, the three immortals, holding the bigger picture, planning the grand strategy, shaking the ancient and modern, and walking independently, and Zeng Guofan relied on reading these books! Wen Zheng was not an extraordinary genius among his contemporaries, but rather considered dull and clumsy. The events he encountered throughout his life were also filled with adversity. Yet he achieved virtue, merit, and words, the three immortals, his achievements shook the ancient and modern, and no one could match him, his entire life was shaped by his determination, breaking free from the crowd, learning through hardship, and striving through perseverance, enduring hundreds of hardships without being defeated; he did not seek immediate results, but accumulated bit by bit, embracing emptiness, leading with diligence, planting with strength, adhering to perseverance, guiding with sincerity, advancing bravely and diligently, and being extremely tough and resolute. That is all, that is all! I believe that if Zeng Wen Zheng were still young today, China would surely be saved by his hand. — Liang Qichao
Those who do not read achieve nothing, while those who read well accomplish great deeds. In Chinese history, pure scholars who led armies and achieved outstanding military exploits are rare, and Zeng Guofan was one of them. Perhaps for this reason, Zeng Guofan is particularly notable in modern Chinese history. This book traces the clues from Zeng Guofan’s diaries and notes, as well as the introductions to his articles and the books he annotated and marked, to uncover the books he read the most and those that had the greatest influence on him, compiling them to allow readers to more fully understand the books read by the “great minister” of his generation. A person’s life, from books to practice, can fully reflect their spiritual journey and intellectual traces. In terms of editing style, this book innovates by placing Zeng Guofan’s reading diaries alongside the essence of the key books he enjoyed. It includes a preface and highlights at the end, making the book lively in form and rich in content, allowing readers to benefit from it and become active readers.