Chinese Classical Masterpieces Translation and Annotation Series (Third Series) -- Zeng Guofan's Family Letters

Author: Zeng Guofan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-06-01
Features: Zeng Guofan's uniqueness lies in the decades since he entered public service, meticulously preserving all his documents—from official memorials submitted to the court to personal letters, diaries, and poems—by keeping originals and copies. He regularly sent these to his home in Xiangxiang, a relentless dedication over decades that has allowed us to be fortunate enough to see over 15 million words of his written materials (Yuelu Book Society once compiled and published a 1.5 million-word Collected Works of Zeng Guofan). From these, we can sense the fluctuations of the times, the everyday teachings of a "revivalist minister" who never overlooked small acts, and the inner turmoil of Zeng Guofan, whose great achievements made him feel as if he were walking on thin ice and standing at the edge of a deep abyss. Due to space constraints, this book selects 107 letters from Zeng Guofan's vast and miscellaneous family correspondence, categorized into eight themes—self-cultivation, teaching children, family management, making friends, personnel management, social conduct, military governance, and governance—and arranged chronologically. Annotations and translations are provided, aiming to present the essence of these letters to readers for personal and collective benefit.