I probably bought this book around 2015. I flipped through a few pages at that time, because this book came from the Qing Dynasty two hundred years ago. The text has an ancient Chinese style, and it is very readable compared to ordinary books. It is difficult to understand and difficult to understand, so it must be read word for word. I have picked up this book two or three times over the years, only to give up after reading a few pages. Now I plan to calm down again and "finish" him by reading aloud. For example, the president of Peking University said: Reading is the lowest threshold for people to become noble. I was born in a mediocre way, and I am still working as a laborer in my thirties. I hope that through studying, I can become nobler.
As for reading, I spent 60 minutes reading ***14 letters from home tonight. Among them are letters written to his grandfather, parents, uncles, aunts, and several younger brothers. The content involves family affairs, official career, encouragement to study, etc. From this, we can see Zeng Guofan's character
About filial piety:
He kept a letter from home every week or ten days, and he was very concerned about his grandfather and fathers. Regarding whether his grandmother's grave should be moved, he advised his younger brothers to follow their grandfather's wishes. Because it is the best Feng Shui for your grandfather to have his wishes fulfilled. At the same time, the Feng Shui of your ancestors has already been determined and you don’t have to worry too much. This is one of his filial piety. Considering whether to go back to his hometown to visit relatives, he was very conflicted. Firstly, the cost was quite high and secondly, the delay of half a year would affect his official career... Therefore, he said that everything should be listened to the wishes of his parents and grandfather. This is the second part of filial piety. The third act of filial piety was regarding the marriage of his eldest daughter and his second daughter. He wrote a letter to inform the husband of the family situation. He and his wife agreed 60%, but the decision still needed to be made by the grandparents. It can be seen that no matter how big his official position is, he is always a filial son.
About modesty:
In the 20th year of Guangxu's reign, he was promoted to cabinet bachelor, and his official rank reached the second rank. In the entire Hunan Province, he was the only one in the imperial court. He wrote a letter to announce the good news and at the same time expressed that he said it was the blessing accumulated by his ancestors, but he was also afraid that all the blessings would be exhausted by himself, and he felt deeply ashamed. He mentioned this in his letters to his uncles, aunts and several brothers, which shows that he was a humble and low-key person. Unlike some people nowadays, who get some achievements in career and studies, they will show off their strength and achievements. You really should be low-key, because when you show off, others will be jealous.
Regarding integrity and generosity:
He has been an official in Beijing for seven or eight years. Although he was promoted, he did not make a fortune because his family letter stated that he still owed 50 taels of silver to others. At the same time, he said in a letter to his younger brother that if others give him one thing, he will return ten in return. He is not afraid of suffering, but is most afraid of taking advantage of others. Even under such circumstances, he still lent others taels of silver, and when they paid back the debt, they gave him 10 taels of interest, but he resolutely returned the money. Send fifty taels of silver to your uncle and aunt in your hometown, and ask him to give another ten taels to your relatives and friends who are living in distress. In fact, he is also a clay Bodhisattva crossing the river. He cannot save himself and is still thinking about others. This is not something ordinary people can do. He must be rich in his heart to do such a good deed.
About the family tradition
His fourth brother was responsible for their big family, and he wrote that there was a lack of harmony between the sisters-in-law. He advised his fourth brother to do three things: first, to be diligent, second, to get up early, and third, to read the "Fifth Middle School Legacy". Then lead by example and be a good example. If he doesn't obey, all the success and failure of the family will be attributed to him.