Compared with Li Hongzhang, Zeng Guofan is better than Li Hongzhang in reputation and achievements, but in the end, he will find that Li Hongzhang's position is higher than Zeng Guofan's, and the fundamental reason for this phenomenon lies in his control of military power. With the relieving, the body is hard and the status is naturally high.

Zeng Guofan was born in an ordinary family. With Zeng Guofan's efforts, he successfully passed the Jinshi exam and became the favorite pupil of Zhang Mu, Minister of Military Affairs. Zhang Mu is a very capable person. He is full of tricks and is very popular. Under his leadership, Zeng Guofan's official career was smooth sailing.

Li Hongzhang is different. He was born into a noble family, and his father was a famous doctor. With the support and guidance of his father, he was quickly promoted and appreciated, but it was under Zeng Guofan that Li Hongzhang went to Beijing to take the exam.

Later, when the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom broke out, Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang both returned to their hometowns for Yong ying. Zeng Guofan founded Xiang Army and Li Hongzhang founded Huai Army. Due to the richness of the Jianghuai area, Li Hongzhang's Huai army is well-equipped and highly effective. Although the fighting capacity of Huai Army is stronger than that of Xiang Army, its record is not as good as that of the other side. It was the main force of Xiang that defeated the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Army, and Li Hongzhang's Huai Army only stayed behind to cooperate.

Later, after the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom Movement, Zeng Guofan was worried that he would be killed because of his high political achievements, so he took the initiative to dismiss the Xiang army and hand over military power. Li Hongzhang did not do this. He didn't underestimate the Huai army. Because the Eight Banners Army was quite weak at that time, the Qing Dynasty relied on and feared Li Hongzhang.

So Zeng Guofan's ability and status are above Li Hongzhang. As for why Zeng Guofan's position was not as good as Li Hongzhang's in the end, that is, Zeng Guofan surrendered the relieving, but Li Hongzhang didn't!