As the saying goes, the general trend of the world is that things divide after being united for a long time, and unite after being divided for a long time. The same is true of the ups and downs of officialdom.
Have you ever wondered how, in the turbulent late Qing Dynasty a century ago, one man, though a scholar, managed to make waves in the sea of officialdom and achieve great things?
Have you ever wondered what kind of wisdom and discipline could turn a scholar into a political superstar, revered by later generations?
The book Learn to Be an Official from Zeng Guofan takes you back to that era to uncover the stories behind Lord Zeng.
Zeng Guofan is now held up as a paragon, but he too had to wade his way out of the mud, one step at a time.
This book doesn't deal in empty talk. It gets straight to the useful stuff, covering everything from Lord Zeng's awkward beginnings in officialdom to how he kept himself clean in a corrupt court, and from the flames of war as he put down the Taiping Rebellion to his careful maneuvering during the Self-Strengthening Movement. As you read, you'll find yourself thinking, hey, there's something to this.
Zeng Guofan was not only skilled at governing the country, but also a master of self-cultivation. His Guide to Perseverance is more than a handbook for dealing with petty people, it is also a method of self-discipline. Through his many family letters, we can almost see this big shot writing by lamplight, every word precious, teaching his sons and nephews how to stand firm in troubled times and keep true to themselves amid the pursuit of fame and fortune.
All in all, Learn to Be an Official from Zeng Guofan is like a pot of fine tea, letting you absorb the essence of Lord Zeng's wisdom on surviving in officialdom and navigating life without even realizing it. Whether you want to make a name for yourself at work or are simply interested in that period of history, open this book and you'll be hooked, thoroughly enjoying every page.
