Zeng Guofan's simple three sentences were summarized as the wisdom of officials in dealing with the world, which affected countless people
Every time I watch "The Complete Works of Zeng Guofan", I have a different feeling, and perhaps I have never admired a minister of the late Qing Dynasty like this. He was not as vigorous as Lin Zexu, and even Li Hongzhang was not as popular as Li Hongzhang. However, famous entrepreneurs such as Cao Dewang are reading Zeng Guofan's books, and his books have been passed down as classics, which have a great impact on the future generations, life, career, etc.
I always think that Zeng Guofan put aside his status as a minister and gave us far more than that.
In fact, Zeng Guofan, as one of the callers of the western affairs movement in the late Qing Dynasty, was more advanced than many people in terms of the overall situation. Originally, after the Foreign Affairs Movement he initiated, the Qing Dynasty could be revived to a certain extent. But a series of reasons led to the final interruption, undeniably, from the results to see his failure. However, judging from the historical process, it was successful, and the modernization reforms made for the Qing Dynasty were deeply loved by the people and appreciated by the king.
Many people see him as a lifelong goal, longing for success every day, and very few people actually achieve it. Zeng Guofan did it, he was one of the few people who could achieve success in the chaotic world. In Zeng Guofan's brilliant life, there are too many deeds to sing and cry, he continues to summarize the forward, Zeng Guofan once confessed in his diary that all his achievements are inseparable from these three sentences.
First, face up to and explore the strengths of others, and know how to be grateful to others
Confucius said: No one can be blameless without being a sage. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, everyone is not a saint, it is inevitable that others will see the shortcomings, if you make a mistake because of this, you will have a sense of disgust.
For one's own mistakes, one will always find a thousand, ten thousand reasons to forgive; on the contrary, for the mistakes of others, it is always difficult to let go.
Such a person will think of others very narrowly and put himself in a perfect situation. He is angry about the mistakes of others, let alone make him grateful?
We all understand that relationships are crucial at school, at home, and in society. You always remember your own kindness to others, but others often forget your kindness. In this way, your relationships will get worse and worse, so that in the end, you will find that there is no friend who can really talk to.
Zeng Guofan knew this very well. In the official arena, Li Hongzhang and Zuo Zongtang were his biggest competitors. The so-called meeting of the wrongdoers is extremely red-eyed. Li Hongzhang even tried to exclude dissidents and frame Zeng Guofan four times when he was favored. However, Zeng Guofan never paid attention to it, and when Zeng Guofan destroyed the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Li Hongzhang told the emperor that Zeng Guofan's Xiang army was too powerful and could not be prevented, so as not to become the second Hong Xiuquan.
You must know that Zeng Guofan, as a meritorious minister and a teacher of Li Hongzhang, was actually slandered in this way, which shows Li Hongzhang's strength. After Zeng Guofan learned of this, in order to avoid suspicion, he decided to step down as the commander of the Xiang Army and return the army to the imperial court. When the emperor asked him who could succeed him, Zeng Guofan did not hesitate to say Li Hongzhang. Judging from the results, Li Hongzhang was the last able minister of Wanqing, but we need to admire Zeng Guofan's mind, he did not have revenge on Li Hongzhang, but faced his advantages and let the imperial court reuse him, otherwise the Qing Dynasty might perish sooner.
Second, share with your peers and be a person who does not eat alone
In China's thousands of years of history, many have become enemies because of the uneven distribution of benefits. All along, in the face of interests, it is the best test of human nature and mutual relations.
As we all know, Zeng Guofan, as the main force in suppressing the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, can completely get a unique favor. However, in Emperor Shangshu's recital, he particularly emphasized Li Hongzhang, saying: Without Li Hongzhang's help and attraction, his Xiang army would not be able to win no matter how strong it was, and he recommended Li Hongzhang in a big way. Therefore, the emperor really reused Li Hong in the true sense.
There is merit in suppressing thieves
。 How much merit, he can completely live in the imperial court and not put anyone in his eyes, not to mention that it is true that the Xiang Army has the greatest merit, and it is not impossible to reward himself with all the rewards. But Zeng Guofan knows how to share and distribute his credit to everyone, so that there will be no resentment because of uneven distribution. Maintaining national stability and achieving harmonious relations. This is why many people in the imperial court, including the Manchu qing nobles, admired him.
Third, know how to make trade-offs, and retreat from the rapids
Many people will have this feeling, as their business becomes bigger and bigger, they are not satisfied with the status quo. In the end, because of greed, it led to a failure, and the workplace was the same, always thinking of climbing up a little, but the final result was not satisfactory. In the end, it is that they do not know how to choose, they cannot see the situation clearly, and in the end, they all lose.
Let's take a look at Zeng Guofan's lifelong official positions: Governor of Liangjiang, Governor of Zhili, University Scholar, and so on. For a dynasty with ethnic minorities as the core, the Han people can achieve this position, which is already quite good. The expansion of power and the escalation of desire did not disturb Zeng Guofan.
With the defeat of the Xiang Army in the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, it is completely possible to flaunt its might, seek greater official positions, and start a brilliant life from then on. However, Zeng Guofan did not, not only did not continue to serve as the commander of the Xiang Army, but also took the initiative to return to the imperial court, and he trembled and trembled. In fact, he understood life, he could also understand the situation, he was already an extremely popular subject, if he wanted to climb up again, then the emperor would be afraid, because he had already achieved great feats, which was an extremely dangerous thing in any dynasty!
Therefore, Zeng Guofan stepped down as the commander of the Xiang Army, eliminating the emperor's suspicions, and allowing him to enjoy his old age in peace. He gave up enormous power and won back the ease of his old age.
There is a way to choose, and there is great wisdom.
Zeng Guofan's three famous sayings, the Tao has exhausted his brilliant life, seemingly simple, but full of wisdom, people to middle age, if life has not yet improved, remember these three sentences, read it, will be able to nirvana rebirth!
As the second perfect person in the eons, Zeng Guofan has too many places worth learning from, because of his perseverance, high self-discipline, broad mind and superb wisdom in the world.
Of course, this is only the author's interpretation, the majority of talented netizens must have a deeper understanding, welcome to publish your high opinion in the comment area!