Zeng Guofan warned Ceng Guoquan in his letter. At that time, Zeng Guofan was appointed as a college assistant to the governor of Liangjiang, in charge of military affairs in four provinces in the south of the Yangtze River.
Quan Guo's letter said: "My brother has stolen his high position and false reputation, and he is always in danger of falling down. I have seen all the characters in ancient and modern times, and it seems that few people can save themselves from death. I'm afraid I can't protect my brother in my prime. When I fall down, I may cause trouble to my brother. Only when I have nothing to do, I often exhort the other side with dangerous words and mean words, and I am free from great sin.
Zeng Guofan has a habit. Over the years, whenever he encounters difficulties, he likes to burn incense, stay in a quiet room, be alone quietly, calmly analyze the current difficulties and make the next plan.
When his grandfather Xing Ganggong was alive, he often taught Zeng Guofan: "If you know how to get to the pond, you must know how to get ashore." He also said: "I am afraid to wash my feet when I am old." These two words of my grandfather became the amulet of Zeng Guofan's officialdom in the future. He always keeps them in mind and is careful everywhere.