"Excellence in learning will lead to officialdom" is the wish of most students, especially in feudal society. Almost all students are looking forward to achieving success in one fell swoop, that "the spring breeze will make horses hoof disease, and they will see all the flowers in Chang'an in one day" The glory of the world is something that many people dream of.

In the Qing Dynasty, there was a big shot named Zeng Guofan. His family motto was not to be proud of getting promoted and making a fortune. There were more than 200 descendants of him, but none of them was a prodigal son. Family mottos may be in decline in modern society, but in ancient times, large families would have admonitions left by their elders to educate future generations to live a peaceful life.

This is probably what we call today: giving instructions through words and deeds.

1. Unique admonitions

"Zeng Wenzhenggong's Family Letter" is a widely circulated family motto of the Zeng family. This book covers everything from moral cultivation to how to behave in the world. The details are explained clearly, and this book looks more like Zeng Guofan's life experience summed up after going through all kinds of hardships in the world.

When it comes to being an official, Zeng Guofan has his own unique insights. He said that the consequences of being an official are likely to be dandyism among his descendants.