[Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang: The double style of famous ministers in the late Qing Dynasty].
In the late Qing Dynasty, Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang, two famous ministers, although they both made contributions to the country, their styles were completely different. Zeng Guofan is based on benevolence, while Zuo Zongtang is based on sharpness. The differences between these two famous ministers are not only manifested in their personal personalities and family backgrounds, but also in their way of doing things and their attitudes towards the general interests of the nation.
1. Family background shapes character.
Although Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang are both from scholarly families, they have completely different family backgrounds. As the eldest son in the family, Zeng Guofan was deeply influenced by his eldest brother like his father, and cultivated his sense of responsibility and the quality of helping the world in his early years. This kind of education made Zeng Guofan's style of adhering to family ethics, so that he not only made achievements in military affairs, but also made outstanding achievements in politics and education in the troubled times of the late Qing Dynasty.
On the contrary, Zuo Zongtang is the youngest child in the family, who has been pampered by his parents and brothers since he was a child, and has developed a selfish character. This personality is vividly reflected in his leadership style, which is mean and harsh to his subordinates and lacks the ability to live in harmony with others. Although he has made some achievements in the military, his way of governing has rarely won the hearts of the people.
2. Different styles caused by personality differences.
The differences in the personalities of Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang are fully reflected in their governing styles. Zeng Guofan treated people smoothly throughout his life, was known for his kindness, and did not easily offend others. During the pacification of the Hunan and Taiping armies, he adopted a flexible and generous policy in an effort to appease the hearts of all parties and maintain social stability. This ruling philosophy of valuing peace made Zeng Guofan achieve great military and political success.
In contrast, Zuo Zongtang is known for his sharpness and might. In the recovery of Xinjiang, he spared no risk of his life, carrying the coffin to the battlefield, showing tenacious military spirit. However, when dealing with internal affairs and dealing with his subordinates, his strength and fortitude seemed a little too domineering, lacking Zeng Guofan's slick hand that was good at resolving contradictions. This made Zuo Zongtang lack affinity in the eyes of the people and became a controversial ruler.
3. Attitude towards national righteousness.
There are also significant differences in the attitudes of Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang towards national righteousness. Although Zeng Guofan fought against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom in the second half of his life, he always took it as his responsibility to protect his family and defend the country and quell the turmoil, and strived to make the people live and work in peace and contentment. During the Taiping War, he adopted a flexible policy to minimize the impact on the common people, and contributed to the peace and stability of the country.
In the recovery of Xinjiang, Zuo Zongtang showed a fearless national righteousness. In order to recover Xinjiang, he was willing to risk his life and carry a coffin into battle in order to seek national liberation. This heroic and radical move made Zuo Zongtang known as a hero who sacrificed his life for the country in history. However, it is precisely because of his hard-line attitude and the high-pressure rule of his subordinates that Zuo Zongtang's governance style has not won universal approval.
4. Conclusion: Two styles, each with its own merits.
Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang, as famous ministers of the late Qing Dynasty, each showed a different style. Tsang was politically and militarily successful in his benevolent and generous style, and his letters have become classics of life. Zuo Zongtang, on the other hand, made great achievements in the reconquest of Xinjiang with his fierce and heroic image, and became a hero who sacrificed his life for the country.
In the long river of history, Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang have their own merits and have left an indelible mark. Their differences are not only reflected in their family backgrounds and personality characteristics, but also in their attitudes toward the general interests of the nation and in the way they govern. The demeanor of the two famous ministers has its own merits, which together injected rich connotations into the history of the late Qing Dynasty and provided profound historical lessons for future generations.