Tang Haoming Comments on the Family Letters of Zeng Guofan (Volumes 1 and 2)

Author: Tang Haoming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: Decades ago, with the publication of The Complete Works of Zeng Guofan and literary works featuring Zeng Guofan as the protagonist, a figure who once significantly altered the course of history emerged from obscurity like a rare artifact, instantly sparking widespread interest among the Chinese people. Officials, scholars, merchants, soldiers, and even ordinary citizens suddenly found it fashionable to discuss Zeng Guofan. This trend also spread to the overseas Chinese community, where Chinese-language media eagerly introduced this long-forgotten "Zeng Wenzheng." How could a figure from modern Chinese history, among countless others, attract such attention across various fields and levels? It seemed that as long as someone was Chinese, they could find something to say about him! It appeared that this was not merely due to the of his personal experiences but rather because he carried the weight of nationality and culture.
In today's era of global economic integration, Western culture, backed by economic power, is sweeping across the world like a whirlwind, showing a tendency to exclude and dominate all other cultures. Chinese culture, which once created a brilliant civilization spanning five thousand years, now faces the question of how to stand its ground in such circumstances. Does it still have a reason to exist? Does the Chinese nation still need its nourishment? Is there still room for its development? These questions, which were once obvious, now seem to puzzle the discerning.
Zeng Guofan is widely recognized as the last representative of traditional Chinese culture in modern times. The attention and interest he has garnered offer us valuable insights: even in the turbulent times of reform, the Chinese people, despite their restlessness, still yearn for the nourishment of their own culture, especially the wisdom they hope to gain from those who have succeeded through its cultivation. This wisdom, rooted in the same origin, bloodline, and culture, feels more intimate, practical, and effective. This gives us, who work in the field of Chinese culture, renewed vigor and confidence, as we see a promising future ahead.
However, Chinese culture is both profound and vast, yet also complex and overwhelming. In today's era of information explosion and fierce competition, opportunities are abundant, and time is of the essence. People no longer have the tranquil, pastoral mindset of the past or the leisure to spend years reading in seclusion. How can the busy and ambitious appreciate the wisdom of Chinese culture? In my opinion, for those who are inclined to explore this, one approach is to focus on a representative figure for a period, thoroughly understand and study them, and then use that as a lens to grasp the whole.
Buddhists say, "One leaf is a Bodhi tree; one flower is a world," and the ancients believed, "Once one classic is mastered, all others become clear." These teachings convey this very idea. Zeng Guofan is one of the representatives of Chinese culture, and from any perspective, there is much to learn from him.
For example, as an individual, he achieved so much in just sixty years despite his frail health. Where did his extraordinary energy come from? As a leader, he built an extraterritorial team from scratch and led it through countless hardships to success. What skills did he possess? As a father and elder brother, he wrote thousands of letters to his children and grandchildren, even in times of military peril when his life was constantly at stake, always showing deep concern and earnest guidance. Where did this extraordinary love come from? As a high-ranking official of the state, in an era of widespread confusion, he proposed the idea of learning from the West to achieve self-strengthening and implemented it within his power. Where did this insight arise? All these aspects are worthy of careful reflection for modern readers.
To truly understand Zeng Guofan, the primary method is to read his writings, but with over ten million words of his legacy, it is impractical to read everything. One must focus on the essence, and the essence lies in his family letters. During the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, Zeng's family letters were considered essential reading for scholars and officials. In a letter to a friend, the young Mao Zedong wrote, "I once read Zeng Wenzheng's family letters, which said: 'When I study books on Confucian principles, I also enjoy writing essays; when I write essays, I also attend to various tasks, so I rarely succeed in either.'" The quote he referenced came from a letter Zeng wrote to his brother Wan on December 14, 1857. Mao's familiarity with Zeng's letters is evident from his effortless citation.
In the past, Zeng's family letters were read as a guide to family management, but modern families are far simpler, with the large, multi-generational households of the past no longer existing. Today's "family management" boils down to educating children, and even then, most families have only one child, with schools and society bearing the primary responsibility. So, do Zeng's family letters still hold relevance? In reality, this work is far more profound than that. It is an observer's reflections on the state of society and human nature, a scholar's insights into studying and governing, a successful person's account of their struggles for fame and achievement, and an open window into the inner world of a great figure with a vast and complex mind. Understanding such a work is far more valuable than reading thousands of mediocre books.
As early as the early 20th century, General Cai E compiled and commented on Zeng's writings related to military affairs, using them as teaching materials for training new military officers, which had a significant impact on the Chinese military. Following Cai E's example, I have selected and commented on over three hundred of Zeng's family letters, exploring topics of interest from his family background, education, social connections, and historical context. I aim to take readers deep into Zeng's inner world, decode the secrets behind the rise of his family, and thereby touch the deeper layers of Chinese cultural heritage.
Cai E was a remarkable figure of his time, and though his comments are brief, his extensive military theories and immortal achievements qualify him as an authority in evaluating Zeng's military writings. I did not intend to compare myself to him but rather to share some rational reflections based on two decades of dedicated study of Zeng. I hope this effort aligns with my original intentions.
Tang Haoming