The Perfect Man Through the Ages: Zeng Guofan

Zeng Guofan is an important historical figure in modern Chinese history and is known as a "famous official" in the late Qing Dynasty. His qualifications were mediocre, even a little stupid, but he worked hard and studied hard, and finally entered the official career; he came from a humble background and had no background at the beginning of his official career, but he treated people with sincerity and showed respect. Finally, he moved seven times in ten years and was promoted ten times in a row, creating a miracle in the officialdom of the Qing court; he was ordered by the imperial court to found the Hunan Army, but was defeated by the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. He was defeated one after another, and even wanted to commit suicide by jumping into the river. However, he later reflected on himself, persevered, and finally defeated the rebels and saved the Qing Dynasty from danger... Zeng Guofan, an extremely ordinary man, through tempering his mind and cultivating himself, finally realized his life ideal of self-cultivation, family order, country governance, and world peace. Zeng Guofan is another historical figure full of controversy. Those who admire him rank him with Confucius and Wang Yangming, calling him a perfect man who is immortal for his virtues, meritorious services and words; those who hate him call him an executioner. He surrendered to the outside world and crazily suppressed the revolution at home. He was bloody and cruel in handling the Tianjin religious case and fighting against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Behind the smoke of history, Zeng Guofan's face gradually became complicated and blurred.