September 5, 1885, was a seemingly peaceful and beautiful day, but it came to an end because of Zuo Zongtang's death. Zuo Zongtang, a famous minister of the late Qing Dynasty, was known as the "most difficult" figure in the late Qing Dynasty, and his name will forever be recorded in history.
He recaptured one-sixth of the country with a thunderous force, and fearlessly covered the Empress Dowager Cixi with one hand, and fought against the civil and military officials for the interests of the country. His departure has made the world sad.
His death symbolized the loss of a loyal courtier of the Qing Dynasty, and also meant that the last support of the Qing Dynasty fell. When the news of his death reached the imperial court, it caused a huge shock, and even Cixi wept for his grief.
This veteran who has made great military achievements, the court naturally wants to give honor, and conferring a nickname is one of the ways. However, how to give Zuo Zongtang a suitable nickname has become an urgent problem for the courtiers to solve.
The minister in charge of this matter provided Zuo Zongtang with four nicknames, but they were all vetoed by Cixi, what happened in this?
The judgmental titles given by ancient rulers to deceased dignitaries are what we often call nicknames. Only those who have made great contributions to society and the country are eligible for this honor.
The selection of the nickname follows the specific law of ancient times, and usually uses the word "Wu" to commend those military generals with outstanding military achievements, such as Liu Qi of the Southern Song Dynasty, as one of the four generals in the center, who resisted Jin all his life, and his nickname is "Wu Mu".
Zuo Zongtang, the pillar of the Qing Dynasty, was also a civil and military general, and his deeds were by no means limited to the southern and northern wars, quelling the rebellion and recovering Xinjiang. He has outstanding talents, Wen Taowu is all-encompassing, like a hexagonal warrior, with both profound military skills and outstanding political talents, and Zeng Guofan is on a par with Zeng Guofan, which can be called a generation of grandmasters.
Therefore, with"Take"It is obviously not enough to evaluate Zuo Zongtang's life.
The courtiers racked their brains and finally began with the word "Wen". In the law, the word "wen" contains rich meanings, such as the text of the world, the text of virtue, and the text of erudition, compared with the word "wu", the word "wen" is more diverse.
They proposed to use "Wenzhong" as Zuo Zongtang's nickname, but the Empress Dowager Cixi disagreed, believing that although the word "loyalty" was good, it could not fully show Zuo Zongtang's achievements.
So, she asked, could there be a more appropriate name?
Under the inquiry of the Empress Dowager Cixi, the ministers who were about to speak were speechless for a while, unable to find the right words to describe. However, after careful consideration, they recommended a knowledgeable scholar - Xu Gengshen.
Xu Gengshen was a person in the Xianfeng period, and later was admitted to the cabinet and became the first to revise history, serving in the Qing court's military aircraft department for more than 30 years, making important contributions to the development of the country.
Xu Gengshen has an in-depth understanding of the mountains, rivers, customs and customs of the Qing Dynasty, is well-read, and is familiar with astronomy and geography.
The ministers' decision to recommend Xu Gengshen for the Empress Dowager Cixi was very wise, and he immediately solved the problem that plagued the Empress Dowager Cixi. Xu Gengshen suggested that Zuo Zongtang should be posthumously presented as "Wenxiang".
The title of "Wenxiang" has far-reaching meanings, and the word "Wen" naturally goes without saying, which is very suitable for Zuo Zongtang; The word "Xiang" has a profound historical heritage. The title of "Wenxiang" can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, when the Duke of Wen of Jin and the Duke of Xiang of Song were both overlords of great talent and occupied an important position in the countries.
Therefore, posterity will"text"with"Xiang"to recognize those who have the talent to govern the world and establish outstanding meritorious deeds. In the law,"Because of the merit"The saying is also widely accepted, since ancient times, those with the"Xiang"The nickname of the word is either a general with outstanding military achievements or a leader who has made great contributions to the country.
This indicates"Xiang"The word has a high praise. In the history of the Qing Dynasty, there are also several posthumously reprimanded"Wen Xiang"of the country's capable ministers, among which Zuo Zongtang is the most respected one.
Cixi agreed with this and officially posthumously awarded Zuo Zongtang the title"Wen Xiang"。
Zuo Zongtang's life was full of magic, in his early years, the imperial examination was not smooth, and he was depressed and hopeless, but he shined in his later years, becoming a world-famous and important figure, and won widespread praise.
Even after his death, the emperor and the empress dowager spoke highly of him, and the people wept bitterly and saw him off. He spent his whole life fighting for his country, however, even his bravery failed to change the decline of the Qing Dynasty, and even after his death, could not prevent its collapse.
Twenty-seven years after his death, the Qing Dynasty finally came to an end. February** Dynamic Incentive Program