Sun Liangzhu 
Biography of Zeng Guofan 

As a high-ranking minister in the late Qing Dynasty, Zeng Guofan founded the Xiang Army, and created a precedent for scholars to govern the army. He had been working for the emperor of the Qing Dynasty for decades; He had research on Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism and became the last Neo-Confucianism master in Qing Dynasty. He advocated lofty aspirations and honesty. He always believed that everything should be experienced by himself, one should be cautious in words and deeds, and be humble in daily life. His views and practices had enabled him to navigate the ups and downs of his official career, and he had come to a happy end. Although this book is a biography, it also highlights Zeng Guofan’s idea of being an official and running the army. From these two aspects, it helps people and things in that era, and uncovers the fundamental reason why Zeng Guofan became a famous minister in the late Qing Dynasty and even one of the most influential politicians in the feudal history of China.