It means: We must work hard and do things harmoniously as our fundamentals. We should treat destiny and treat others with an attitude of not complaining and not complaining, and let it work.

From Zeng Guofan's collection "Letters from the Family of Zeng Guofan", "A Chapter on Personal Cultivation to the Ninth Brother: Constant Repentance Will Make Great Progress".

Zeng Guofan (November 26, 1811 - March 12, 1872), originally named Zicheng, with the courtesy name Bohan and the nickname Disheng, was the 70th grandson of the sage Zengzi. A modern Chinese statesman, strategist, Neo-Confucianist, writer, and the founder and commander-in-chief of the Hunan Army.

Zeng Guofan was born into a landlord family. He was diligent and studious since he was a child, and entered a private school at the age of 6. At the age of 8, he can read the Four Books and recite the Five Classics. At the age of 14, he can read the selected works of "Zhou Rites" and "Historical Records". In the 18th year of Daoguang's reign (1838), he became a Jinshi and entered the Hanlin Academy, where he was a student of Mu Zhang'amen, Minister of Military and Aircraft. Lei Qian was a bachelor of the cabinet, minister of the Ministry of Rites, and minister of the Ministry of Military Affairs, Industry, Punishment, and Officials.

He became close friends with the great scholar Wo Ren and Huining Dao He Guizhen, etc., and strengthened each other with "practical learning". During the Taiping Rebellion, Zeng Guofan formed the Hunan Army to turn the tide, and after years of fierce fighting, he conquered and destroyed the Taiping Rebellion. Throughout his life, he devoted his life to politics and regarded patience as the first priority. He advocated being diligent, thrifty and honest in everything he did and not being arrogant as an official. He cultivated his moral character and disciplined himself, sought office with virtue, put etiquette first, and pursued politics with loyalty, and achieved great success in the officialdom.

Extended information

Creative background

Zeng Guofan devoted himself to learning in his early years. His academic research ranged from history and ancient Chinese literature to calligraphy, Neo-Confucianism and various laws and regulations. He aspired to learn more and be comparable to famous scholars such as Mei Zengliang and He Shaoji at that time. However, he did not become a prolific scholar in the end. The main reason was that he had been promoted to the second level before he had time to write books. A high-ranking official, he was busy with officialdom disputes, and later devoted himself to military campaigns, which made it impossible for him to stick to the book garden and concentrate on studying knowledge.

Nan Huaijin, a famous contemporary scholar, said in "The Analects of Confucius": "Zeng Guofan, a famous official in the Zhongxing Dynasty in the Qing Dynasty, had thirteen sets of knowledge, and two sets have been handed down, one of which is the "Zeng Guofan Family Letter"." People today can study and study "Zeng Guofan's Family Letter". It records the main activities of Zeng Guofan's life and his main thoughts on politics, family affairs, scholarship, and military affairs. It is a valuable material for future generations to study Zeng Guofan's thoughts.

After Zeng Guofan conquered Tianjing, he became extremely powerful and accomplished, and the Qing Dynasty was extremely worried about him. Emperor Xianfeng once sighed when the Hunan Army conquered Wuhan: "Half of Hong Xiuquan left, but Zeng Guofan came." Zeng Guofan had rich political experience and historical knowledge, and was familiar with anecdotes from past dynasties. Therefore, after defeating the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, he on the one hand suppressed the Hunan Army and on the other hand The family letters were published to show that they were loyal to the Qing court and to silence the jesters. Zeng Guofan's family letters have been popular since then and have endured for a long time.

Later, after many selections and adjustments, various versions were formed. In total, there are more than 1,400 of his family letters, which lasted for 30 years from the 20th year of Daoguang to the 10th year of Tongzhi. Their contents include self-cultivation, educating children, running a household, making friends, employing people, conducting business, managing finances, studying, and running the army. In terms of politics and other aspects, these family letters are true and detailed, ordinary and profound. They are a real and vivid guide to life.