Zeng Guofan: The foremost of the Four Great Ministers of the Late Qing Dynastys Revival and the founder of the Hunan Army
2024-05-23 17:04:08 中文版

During the late Qing Dynasty, China witnessed the emergence of a group of outstanding politicians and military strategists who made significant contributions to saving the country from peril and achieving national rejuvenation. Among them, Zeng Guofan, as the foremost of the four renowned figures of the late Qing rejuvenation, stands out with his remarkable deeds and achievements.

Zeng Guofan (1811-1872), styled Bohan and known by the pseudonym Disheng, was born in Xiangtan, Hunan province. He lived in a tumultuous era when the Qing Dynasty was facing both internal and external challenges. Despite the difficulties, Zeng Guofan rose to prominence as an outstanding politician and military strategist, relying on his intelligence and courage.

In politics, Zeng Guofan advocated "learning from the strengths of the foreigners to control them," promoting the adoption of advanced Western technology and systems to achieve national prosperity and strength. He also advocated integrity in government, striving to eliminate corruption in officialdom and making active efforts for political reform.

Zeng Guofan's contributions in the military realm are even more significant. He founded the Xiang Army, an elite force composed of militiamen from Hunan. Under his command, the Xiang Army participated in battles against the Taiping Army and achieved numerous victories, ultimately eliminating the Taiping rebellion and establishing remarkable military feats in safeguarding national stability.

Apart from his military achievements, Zeng Guofan was also an outstanding educator. He founded Anqing Academy and Liangjiang Normal School, cultivating a large number of talents. These schools not only taught traditional Confucian classics but also introduced new disciplines such as mathematics, physics, and chemistry, laying the foundation for the development of modern education in China.

Overall, Zeng Guofan, as the foremost of the four renowned figures of the late Qing rejuvenation, led a legendary life. He advocated reform in politics, founded the Xiang Army to eliminate the Taiping rebellion in the military, and cultivated talents in education, making tremendous contributions to the national rejuvenation of the late Qing Dynasty. His deeds and spirit will forever be remembered in the long history of China.

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