Letter from Zeng Guofan (1)
Speaking of reading, I read *** 14 books in 60 minutes tonight. Among them are letters to his grandfather, parents, uncles and aunts and several younger brothers. The content involves family affairs, official career, persuasion and so on. We can see Zeng Guofan's personality from it.
About filial piety:
His letters from home are written once a week, or once every ten days, and he is very concerned about his grandfather and parents. There is also about whether grandma's grave will move. He advised his younger brothers to listen to their grandfather's wishes. Because it is the best feng shui to satisfy grandparents, and the feng shui of ancestors has long been determined not to be too entangled, which is one of their filial piety. Considering whether to go back to his hometown to visit relatives, he is very entangled. First, the cost is quite high, and second, the delay of going back and forth for half a year will affect his career ... so he said that listening to his parents and grandparents is the second filial piety. The third filial piety is the marriage of the eldest daughter and the second daughter. He wrote to tell the man the general situation of the two families. He agrees with 60% of his wife's opinion, but it is still up to his grandparents to decide. It can be seen that no matter how many things he has done in a foreign official, he is always a dutiful son.
About modesty:
In the twentieth year of Guangxu, he was promoted to a bachelor's degree in cabinet, and the official was the second grade. He is the only one in the court in Hunan province. He wrote a letter to announce the good news, and at the same time said that it was a blessing accumulated by his ancestors. He was even more afraid that all the blessings would be exhausted by himself, and he was deeply ashamed. He mentioned this in his letters to his uncle, aunt and several younger brothers, which shows that he is modest and low-key. Unlike some people now, if they have achieved something in their careers, they will show off their strength and achievements. You really should keep a low profile, because when you show off, others will be jealous.
About honesty and generosity:
He was an official in Beijing for seven or eight years. Although I was promoted, I didn't make a fortune, because the letter from home said that I still owe someone 500+ two pieces of silver. At the same time, in his letter to his younger brother, he said that if someone gave him one, he would pay back ten, not afraid of losing money, but most afraid of taking advantage of others. Even under such circumstances, he still lends money to others, and others pay back the debt and give him twelve interest, but he resolutely pays it back. Send fifty taels of silver to my aunt and uncle, and let me leave twelve taels for my relatives and friends in trouble. In fact, he is also a clay idol crossing the river, still thinking of others, which is beyond the reach of mortals. It must be because he has money in his heart that he has this kind of kindness.
About family style
His fourth brother took care of their big family, and he wrote that there was a lack of harmony between his sister-in-law and his wife. He advised fourth brother to do three things: first, be diligent; Second, get up early; Third, we should read the rules left over from the Fifth Middle School. Then set an example and be a good example. Whether you listen to it or not, all the ups and downs at home are blamed on him.