
The tumultuous life of Zeng Guofan is filled with many unknown details. This book presents a portrait of Zeng Guofan, the earnest, diligent, pragmatic, and disciplined “Wenzheng Gong,” as well as a conflicted, struggling, and deeply embedded career official. Through Zeng Guofan, readers can glimpse the subtle and complex “unwritten rules” of traditional Chinese bureaucracy and the unique survival philosophy with Chinese characteristics.