Zeng Guofan (曾國籓)

Overview

Zeng Guofan was a Grand Secretary, Statesman, and General.

Life and dates

Attested activity

AD 1862 同治元年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 191-193
AD 1861 咸豐十一年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 505, passage 239
AD 1852 咸豐二年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 382, passages 126-127
AD 1854 四年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 99, 106, 124
AD 1864 to AD 1865 中原大定
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 420, passage 185
AD 1898 二十四年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 464, passage 64

Show 37 more source-backed claims

AD 1890 光緒十六年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 464, passage 40
AD 1858 八年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 387, passages 9, 21
AD 1861 十一年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 208-209
AD 1860 十年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 441, passages 115, 117
AD 1864 同治三年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 438, passage 24
AD 1864 同治三年冬
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 172
AD 1863 同治二年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 29
AD 1866 同治五年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 423, passage 185
AD 1866 同治五年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 438, passage 47
AD 1862 同治元年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 156
AD 1862 同治元年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 429, passage 27
AD 1862 to AD 1864 同治初
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 398, passage 77
AD 1860 to AD 1864 同治前
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 467, passage 102
AD 1874 同治十三年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 139, passages 177-178; Draft History of Qing 150, passages 41, 43
AD 1871 同治十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 166
AD 1865 同治四年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passages 174, 184
AD 1862 to AD 1874 同治間
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 150, passage 11
AD 1851 to AD 1874 咸、同之間
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 386, passages 270-271
AD 1857 咸豐七年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 433, passages 42, 44
AD 1853 to AD 1854 咸豐三年至四年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 396, passages 43, 54
AD 1859 咸豐九年冬
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 13
AD 1852 咸豐二年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 38-39
AD 1855 咸豐五年前後
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 423, passage 18
AD 1851 to AD 1853 咸豐初
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 361, passage 246; Draft History of Qing 452, passage 4
AD 1851 咸豐初
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 384, passages 95-96
AD 1851 to AD 1865 咸豐初至同治年間
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passages 27, 65
AD 1861 咸豐十一年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 142, 147
AD 1860 咸豐十年
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 77-78
AD 1860 咸豐十年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passages 51, 92, 96
AD 1854 咸豐四年
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passages 73-74
AD 1854 to AD 1860 咸豐年間
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 458, passage 60
AD 1860 to AD 1861 咸豐末
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 452, passage 25
AD 1851 to AD 1862 奏起曾國籓於家
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 450, passage 42
AD 1847 幼
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 442, passage 29
AD 1850 to AD 1872 晚客曾國籓幕
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 503, passage 142
AD 1854 to AD 1872 曾國籓中興事業
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 213
AD 1853 to AD 1856 曾國籓初任軍事
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 37

Key source chapters

Origins and identity

Ethnicity Han 漢
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 271

Career and standing

Grand Secretary 大學士
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 505, passage 239
Governor-General of Jiangsu 江蘇總督
AD 1862 to AD 1874 同治間 · Held
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 150, passage 11
Vice Minister 侍郎
AD 1851 to AD 1853 咸豐初 · Held
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 361, passage 246
Governor-General of the Two Jiangs 兩江總督
Held
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 77, 147
Vice Minister 侍郎
Held
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 7, 38; Draft History of Qing 382, passage 127
Grand Secretary 大學士
Held
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 505, passage 239

Places and affiliations

Qing 清
Relation Served
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 133, passage 7; Draft History of Qing 361, passage 246; Draft History of Qing 464, passage 40
Qing 清
Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 156; Draft History of Qing 150, passage 11
Polity Qing · Relation Served
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 458, passage 60
Polity Qing 清 · Relation Served
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 208; Draft History of Qing 386, passage 271; Draft History of Qing 387, passage 21; Draft History of Qing 397, passages 99, 124, 191; Draft History of Qing 420, passage 185; Draft History of Qing 429, passage 27; Draft History of Qing 433, passages 13, 29, 44, 92, 172; Draft History of Qing 452, passages 4, 25; Draft History of Qing 503, passage 142; Draft History of Qing 505, passage 239
Polity Qing 清 · Relation Served
Strongly inferred · Draft History of Qing 442, passage 29
At Jiangnan 江南 · Relation Inspected
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 167

Show 3 more source-backed claims

At Ningbo 寧波 · Relation Active at
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 156
At Shanghai 上海 · Relation Active at
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 156
Organization Zeng Guofan's secretariat 曾國籓幕 · Relation Headed
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 503, passage 142

Works and attributed material

Memorialized lack of naval force and Chonglun's undermining of Wu Wenrong
Memorial · Author
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 396, passages 55-57
Frontier officials' paramount duty is to hold the city. A senior minister is judged by intent and conduct, not by whether a public petition exists. 疆吏以城守為大節，不宜以僚屬一言為進止。大臣以心跡定罪，不必以公禀有無為權衡。
AD 1862 同治元年 · Memorial · Author · Direct quotation · With Guiqing (桂清) · Mode quotation Speaker Zeng Guofan (曾國籓)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 192-193
AD 1854 四年
Memorial · Author · Direct quotation · Mode quotation Speaker Zeng Guofan (曾國籓) · Summary Blamed Chong Lun and Tai Yong for Wuchang's fall and spoke more kindly of Qing Lin 武昌再陷，實因崇綸、台湧多方貽誤
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passages 99-105
requested Jiang Zhongyi be transferred to aid southern Anhui
AD 1862 同治元年 · Memorial · Author · Paraphrased · With Jiang Zhongyi (江忠義)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 429, passage 27
AD 1852 咸豐二年
Memorial · Author
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 133, passage 39
Final memorial · Presenter · Subject presented Tang Xunfang's final memorial on his behalf · With Tang Xunfang (唐訓方)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 458, passage 60

Show 4 more source-backed claims

Memorial · Author · Topic three policies for employing men
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 391, passage 27
Memorial · Author
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 78-88, 147-157; Draft History of Qing 398, passage 77
Proposal · Author · Summary Green Standard nearly useless; Jiangnan force reform
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passages 166-173
Proposal · Author · Summary train with new weapons along coast and Yangzi
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 178

Events and relationships

Asked to transfer Jiang Zhongyi to Anhui
AD 1862 同治元年 · Political · Requester · With Jiang Zhongyi (江忠義)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 429, passage 27
Assigned Jin Guochen to command the Yicong Battalion
AD 1863 同治二年 · Appointment · Assigning superior · With Jin Guochen (金國琛)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 29
Carried out restoration strategies
AD 1851 to AD 1874 咸、同之間 · Political · Strategist · With Wen Qing (文慶)
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 386, passages 270-271
Coordinated naval pincer; later advanced on Huangzhou and reported Wu Wenrong's death
Military · Naval commander · With Wu Wenrong (吳文鎔)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 396, passages 43, 54-55
Established arsenals
AD 1861 咸豐十一年 · Military technical · Commander · At Anqing and Jiangning 安慶、江寧
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 505, passage 239
Founded the river navy and put Kunxiu in charge of ordnance
Military · Founder · With Wu Kunxiu (吳坤修)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 73

Show 28 more source-backed claims

Impeached chong lun
AD 1854 四年 · Political · Impeacher · With Chong Lun (崇綸)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 124
Jointly recommended Yan Zhengji with Lü Xianji
AD 1851 to AD 1853 咸豐初 · Recommendation · Recommender · With Yan Zhengji (嚴正基)
Dated from the passage context · Draft History of Qing 361, passage 246
Named to select officers and receive Shanghai customs support
Military · Proposed commander · Mode named-source-report Speaker Weng Xincun (翁心存)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passages 208-209
Opposed confronting clerks
Legal · Dissenter · With Hengchun (恆春)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 382, passage 127
Ordered merchant shipbuilding
Administrative · Director · At Shanghai yard 滬廠
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 150, passage 41
Ordered to select officers to study foreign methods
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 156
Organized militia into brave battalions
Military · Commander · At Hunan 湖南
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 7, 38-39
Proposed green standard and naval reforms
Political · Reformer
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passages 166, 173
Proposed Hunan as base
AD 1864 to AD 1865 中原大定 · Policy · Proposer · At Guizhou 貴州
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 420, passage 185
Raised army against Taiping
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 384, passage 96
Retaken wuchang
AD 1854 四年 · Military · Commander · At Wuchang 武昌
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 397, passage 99
Staff service by
Military · Commander · With Xu Zhenyi (許振禕)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 450, passage 128
Suffered defeats
Military · Commander
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 386, passage 37
Transferred Hezhang's army to Hubei; later memorialized to vacate the Gansu post
AD 1864 to AD 1865 同治三年冬至四年 · Military · Assigning superior · With Li Hezhang (李鶴章)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passages 172, 174
With Hu Linyi planned the Anhui campaign
AD 1859 咸豐九年冬 · Military · Planner · With Hu Linyi (胡林翼)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 13
Relation Mentor of · Person Hu Linyi (胡林翼)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 423, passage 18
Relation Colleague of · Person Li Hongzhang (李鴻章)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 156; Draft History of Qing 150, passage 43
Relation Patron of · Person Xu Shou (徐壽)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 505, passages 239, 243
Relation Recommender of · Person Xu Shou (徐壽)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 505, passage 243
Relation Colleague of · Person Zuo Zongtang (左宗棠)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 139, passage 156
Relation Patron of · Person Yao Junchang (姚濬昌)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 384, passage 187
Relation Superior of · Person Wu Kunxiu (吳坤修)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 92
Relation Mentor of · Person Luo Zenan (羅澤南)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 423, passage 18
Relation Teacher of · Person Xu Shuming (徐樹銘)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 442, passage 29
Relation Patron of · Person Deng Chuanmi (鄧傳密)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 503, passage 142
Relation Recommender of · Person Song Menglan (宋夢蘭)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 84-85
Relation Invited as staff · Person Huang Chunxi (黃淳熙)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 433, passage 44
Relation Recommender of · Person Yan Zhengji (嚴正基)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 361, passage 246

Assessments and attributes

Assessment admired by Chen Baozhen as model for recommending talent · Mode named-person-report · Source Person Id Chen Baozhen (陳寶箴)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 464, passage 64
Assessment deeply impressed by Xu Shou · Mode historian-judgment
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 505, passage 243
Assessment praised Yan Duanshu and Pang Zhonglu for restraint and integrity · With Yan Duanshu (晏端書), Pang Zhonglu (龐鍾璐) · Mode named-person-judgment Speaker Zeng Guofan (曾國籓)
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 133, passages 153, 156

Source notes

Historicity historical
Directly stated · Draft History of Qing 385, passage 208; Draft History of Qing 397, passages 99, 124, 191; Draft History of Qing 420, passage 185; Draft History of Qing 442, passage 29; Draft History of Qing 503, passage 142

References in the histories

Search passages

History

83 passages

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 133Volume 133 Treatises 108: Military 4, Local Militia · 7 passages

Open chapter

侍郎曾國籓以衡、湘團練討寇，練鄉兵為勇營，以兵制部勒之，卒平巨憝，其始皆鄉兵也。 Vice Minister Zeng Guofan mobilized the Hunan and Hengyang militia against the rebels, drilled local militiamen into formal brave battalions under regular military discipline, and in the end crushed the great menace—yet every man in those ranks had begun as a village fighter.

咸豐二年，令在籍侍郎曾國籓辦理湖南鄉團。 In the second year of Xianfeng, Vice Minister Zeng Guofan, then at home on leave, was ordered to organize Hunan's village militia.

旋國籓疏言先行練勇一千人，所辦者乃官勇非團丁，是為鄉團改勇營之始。 Zeng soon reported that he would begin by drilling one thousand braves—official troops, not village militiamen—and this marked the first step in turning village companies into formal brave battalions.

又以皖南地方緊要，應一律辦團，令兩江總督曾國籓察看情形，擇其諳練軍務素有人望者，酌保一人，即令督辦皖南團練事宜。 Because southern Anhui was critical and militia should be organized throughout the region, Governor-General Zeng Guofan was ordered to assess conditions, nominate one experienced and respected figure, and put him in charge of southern Anhui militia.

旋曾國籓覆陳：「鄉團本是良法，然奉行不善，縣官徒藉以斂費，局紳亦從而分肥，賊至則先行潰逃，賊退則重加苛派，轉為地方之弊。 Zeng soon replied: 'Village militia were sound in principle, but poor execution turned them into a local curse—magistrates used them to levy fees, bureau gentry shared the spoils, men fled at the first sign of rebels, and after the enemy withdrew they imposed harsh new levies.

江北團練大臣晏端書，江西團練大臣龐鍾璐，其辦理團練，是否仍須該員經理，抑或即可裁撤，令曾國籓、薛煥速議以聞。 As for Jiangbei supervisor Yan Duanshu and Jiangxi supervisor Pang Zhonglu, Zeng Guofan and Xue Huan are to decide quickly whether their posts are still needed or can be abolished at once.

旋兩江總督曾國籓覆陳：「團練之設，只能防小支千餘之游匪，不能剿大股數萬之悍賊。 Governor-General Zeng Guofan soon replied: 'Militia can hold off roving bands of a thousand or so, but they cannot suppress rebel armies tens of thousands strong.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 139Volume 139 Treatises 114: Military 10, Training · 3 passages

Open chapter

同治元年，以上海、寧波等海口官兵，延歐洲人訓練，令曾國籓、李鴻章、左宗棠等，酌選武員數十人，在上海、寧波習外國兵法，以副、參大員統之，學成之後，自行教練中國兵丁。 In Tongzhi 1 port troops trained by Europeans led Zeng, Li, and Zuo to send dozens of officers to Shanghai and Ningbo to learn Western tactics under senior commanders, then train Chinese troops themselves.

十年，曾國籓建議，用兵十餘年，綠營幾同虛設。 In year 10 Zeng Guofan reported that after a decade of war the Green Standard was nearly useless.

曾國籓曾擬以新械練兵，沿海七省，共練陸兵九萬人，沿江三省，共練三萬人，計年餉八百萬兩，總理衙門議以制勝之洋槍隊練習水戰，丁日昌議合各省練精兵十萬人，皆以費重未能遽行。 Zeng had proposed ninety thousand coastal and thirty thousand Yangzi troops with new arms at eight million taels a year; the Zongli Yamen wanted winning rifle squadrons for the navy; Ding Richang wanted a hundred thousand elites—cost blocked them all.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 150Volume 150 Treatises 125: Transportation 2, Lun Chuan · 3 passages

Open chapter

十三年，鴻章又疏言：「同治間曾國籓、丁日昌在江蘇督、撫任，迭據道員許道身、同知容閎創議華商造船章程，分運漕米，兼攬客貨。 In 1874 he memorialized again: 'During the Tongzhi reign, while Zeng Guofan and Ding Richang held the posts of governor-general and governor of Jiangsu, they repeatedly received from Circuit Intendant Xu Daoshen and Subprefect Rong Hong draft regulations for Chinese merchants to build steamers, carry tribute grain in allotments, and take general and passenger freight as well.

曾國籓前飭滬廠造兵船外，另造商船四五艘。 Zeng Guofan had earlier directed the Shanghai yard to build four or five merchant steamers in addition to its warships.

現與曾國籓籌議，中國殷商每不原與官交涉，且各口岸生意已被洋商佔盡。 In discussions with Zeng Guofan, it was noted that wealthy Chinese merchants were generally reluctant to deal with officials, and that foreign firms had already captured trade at every port.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 361Volume 361 Biographies 148: Liu Qing, Fu Nai, Yan Ruyi Son: Zheng Ji · 1 passage

Open chapter

咸豐初，侍郎曾國籓、呂賢基交章薦之，命赴廣西治軍需，授右江道。 Early in Xianfeng, Zeng Guofan and Lü Xianji recommended him; he went to Guangxi for military supplies as Right River intendant.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 382Volume 382 Biographies 169: Hu Song E, Bu Yan Tai, Sa Ying A · 1 passage

Open chapter

自琦善之逮治也，刑部尚書恆春以薩迎阿論劾過當，欲令原訊司員對簿，獨侍郎曾國籓持不可。 After Qishan's arrest, Justice Minister Hengchun thought Sa Ying'a had overreached and wanted the original clerks to confront him; only Vice Minister Zeng Guofan dissented.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 384Volume 384 Biographies 171: Lin Peihou, Li Xiangkun, Li Zongchuan, Wang Fengsheng, Huang Mian, Yu De Yuan, Yao Ying · 3 passages

Open chapter

及曾國籓治兵討賊，冕創釐稅，興茶鹽之利，軍餉取給焉。 When Zeng Guofan raised an army against the rebels, Huang instituted the lijin transit tax and developed tea and salt revenues to fund the troops.

又開東征局，專餉曾國籓一軍。 He also set up an Eastern Campaign Bureau devoted solely to provisioning Zeng Guofan's forces.

曾國籓以名家子留佐幕，官江西安福、湖北竹山知縣。 Zeng Guofan kept him on his staff as the son of a distinguished family; he served as magistrate of Anfu in Jiangxi and Zhushan in Hubei.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 385Volume 385 Biographies 172: Du Shoutian Son: Han, Qi Junzao Son: Shi Zhang, Weng Xincun, Peng Yunzhang · 2 passages

Open chapter

請敕曾國籓擇能辦賊者馳赴通州東台，收拾將散之人心，激勵方興之義旅，進搗蘇、常，退保下河。 He asked that Zeng Guofan send able commanders to Tongzhou and Dongtai to rally morale, spur loyal militia, advance on Suzhou and Changzhou, and fall back to guard the Lixiahe (lower-river) region.

上海一隅賦稅所出，宜取江海關無窮之利，以供曾國籓有用之兵。」 Shanghai's customs revenue should draw the boundless profits of the Jianghai customs to supply Zeng Guofan's useful troops."

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 386Volume 386 Biographies 173: Wen Qing, Wen Xiang, Bao Yun · 3 passages

Open chapter

曾國籓初任軍事，屢戰失利，忌者沮抑之。 When Zeng Guofan first took the field he lost battle after battle, and jealous rivals worked to hold him down.

文慶獨言國籓負時望，能殺賊，終當建非常之功。 Wen Qing alone insisted that Guofan commanded public confidence, could destroy the rebels, and would eventually win extraordinary distinction.

文慶倡言重用漢臣，俾曾國籓、胡林翼等得展經猷，以建中興之業，其功甚偉。 Wen Qing urged employing Han officials, enabling Zeng Guofan, Hu Linyi, and others to carry out their strategies and build the restoration—an achievement of great weight.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 387Volume 387 Biographies 174: Zong Shisushun, Mu Yin, Kuang Yuan, Jiao Youying, Chen Fuen · 1 passage

Open chapter

於剿匪主用湘軍，曾國籓、胡林翼每有陳奏，多得報可，長江上游以次收復。 For pacification he chiefly employed the Hunan Army; memorials from Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi were usually approved, and the upper Yangtze was retaken one stretch after another.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 391Volume 391 Biographies 178: Wo Ren, Li Tangjie, Wu Tingdong · 4 passages

Open chapter

未幾，禮部侍郎曾國籓奏用人三策，上复憶倭仁言，手詔同褒勉焉。 Soon afterward Vice Minister of Rites Zeng Guofan submitted three proposals on appointing men; the Emperor again recalled Wo Ren's memorial and with his own hand issued an edict commending them both.

初，曾國籓官京師，與倭仁、李棠階、吳廷棟、何桂珍、竇垿講求宋儒之學。 In earlier years, while Zeng Guofan served in the capital, he studied Song Neo-Confucian thought together with Wo Ren, Li Tangjie, Wu Tingdong, He Guizhen, and Dou Kan.

其後國籓出平大難，為中興名臣冠； Later Guofan went forth to quell the great rebellions and became the leading statesman of the restoration;

文宗即位，复日講，曾國籓薦棠階醇正堪備講官，召來京。 When the Xianfeng Emperor acceded, daily lectures resumed. Zeng Guofan recommended Tangjie as upright and fit to lecture the emperor, and he was called to Beijing.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 396Volume 396 Biographies 183: Wu Wenrong, Pan Duo, Deng Erheng · 2 passages

Open chapter

文鎔方調胡林翼率黔勇來會剿，又約曾國籓水師夾攻，擬俟兩軍至大舉滅賊。 Wenrong was then arranging for Hu Lin-yi to lead Guizhou braves to join in suppression, and also coordinating with Zeng Guofan's naval forces for a pincer attack, planning to wait until both armies arrived and then launch a major campaign to destroy the rebels.

逾數月，曾國籓進兵黃州，訪詢居民，備言戰歿狀，皆流涕。 After several months Zeng Guofan advanced on Huangzhou, inquired of the residents, and they fully described the circumstances of Wenrong's death in battle; all wept.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 397Volume 397 Biographies 184: Lu Jianying, Yang Wending, Qing Lin, Chong Lun, He Guiqing · 4 passages

Open chapter

逾數月，曾國籓复武昌，奉命查歷任督撫功罪，疏言：「武昌再陷，實因崇綸、台湧多方貽誤，百姓恨之，極稱吳文鎔忠勤愛國，於青麟亦多恕辭。 Months later Zeng Guofan retook Wuchang and was ordered to review the record of successive governors. He reported: "Wuchang's second fall was chiefly due to Chong Lun and Tai Yong, whom the people hated; they praised Wu Wenrong's loyal service, and spoke forgivingly even of Qing Lin.

及曾國籓論劾，命逮治。 When Zeng Guofan impeached him, he was ordered arrested and tried.

桂清援司道禀牘為詞，下曾國籓察奏。 Guiqing cited memorials from circuit and prefect officials in his defense; the case was referred to Zeng Guofan for investigation.

國籓疏言：「疆吏以城守為大節，不宜以僚屬一言為進止。 Guofan wrote: "Frontier officials' paramount duty is to hold the city—a governor should not stay or flee on one subordinate's word alone.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 398Volume 398 Biographies 185: Zong Shixianghou, Huo Longwu, Fu Zhu Hong A, En Zhang, Chen Shengyuan, Qi Suzao, Chen Kerang, Liu Tongying, Rui Chang, Jie Chun, Xi Ling A · 1 passage

Open chapter

曾國籓以聞，請附祀祥厚專祠，追諡文節。 Zeng Guofan reported the find and asked that Suzao be worshipped in Xianghou's memorial shrine. He was posthumously honored with the name Cultured and Upright.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 420Volume 420 Biographies 207: Han Chao, Tian Xingshu, Ceng Biguang, Xi Baotian · 1 passage

Open chapter

中原大定，曾國籓乃議以湖南兵力、餉力為平黔根本，而駱秉章亦令劉岳昭剿黔北以保川邊。 Once the central plains were largely pacified, Zeng Guofan proposed that Hunan's troops and funds be the foundation for pacifying Guizhou, while Luo Bingzhang ordered Liu Yuezhao to clear northern Guizhou and secure the Sichuan border.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 423Volume 423 Biographies 210: Zong Jichen, Yin Gengyun, Wang Zheng, Mu Jixianga, You Baichuan, Shen Huai · 15 passages

Open chapter

此二人者，實曾國籓有以開之。 Both owed their start to Zeng Guofan's example.

侍郎曾國籓忠勇樸誠，應請授為欽差大臣，率其所部援湖北，較諸他臣事半功倍。」 Vice President Zeng Guofan is loyal, brave, and steadfast; he should be named imperial commissioner to lead his own troops to relieve Hubei—no other choice would achieve so much so quickly."

及國籓進師，疏言：「軍興以來，徵調半天下，糜餉數千萬，卒未能掃穴擒渠，則以屢後時而數失機也。 When Zeng Guofan marched, Gengyun wrote: "Since the war began half the empire had been mobilized and tens of millions spent, yet the rebel leadership remained at large—chiefly because the court had repeatedly been late and lost its chances.

今曾國籓蓄養精銳，所向克捷。 Now Zeng Guofan had trained elite troops and was winning wherever he fought.

陳玉成、張洛行率悍賊數十萬，齊向潛山、太湖抗拒，眾寡之數，十倍於我，一有疏虞，關係甚重。 Chen Yucheng and Zhang Luoxing had massed hundreds of thousands of hardened rebels at Qianshan and Taihu—ten times Zeng's numbers. The slightest mistake would be catastrophic.

此時廬、鳳、六合賊勢必單，請飭袁甲三、張國樑刻期搗其巢穴，逼令反顧，或令間道為楚師聲援，亦足褫其狂魄。」 Rebel forces at Luzhou, Fengyang, and Liuhe must now be thin. Order Yuan Jiasan and Zhang Guoliang to strike their bases on a fixed schedule, forcing them to turn back, or send them by side routes to support Zeng's army—either move would break the rebels' nerve."

軍事未定，曾國籓議於廣東籌餉，勞崇光創辦釐金，諸弊叢起。 While the war continued, Zeng Guofan proposed raising funds in Guangdong; Lao Chongguang introduced the lijin transit tax, and abuses multiplied.

又聞李世賢自率巨股由淳安、遂安接踵而至，曾國籓、左宗棠等用兵日久，前此屢陳不亟求功旦夕，同一老謀深計，獨於皖、浙毗境豫作防維之策，則國籓意在徽、寧各飭所部分防，宗棠以為不若並力取廣德扼賊竄路。 Li Shixian was said to be leading a large force through Chun'an and Suian. Zeng Guofan and Zuo Zongtang had long urged patience, yet on the Anhui-Zhejiang border they disagreed: Zeng wanted separate garrisons at Huizhou and Ningguo, while Zuo preferred a combined strike on Guangde to block the rebels' escape.

疊蒙諭旨，曾國籓、左宗棠、李鴻章、沈葆楨及閩、粵各督撫諄諄戒備。 Imperial orders had repeatedly warned Zeng Guofan, Zuo Zongtang, Li Hongzhang, Shen Baozhen, and the Fujian and Guangdong governors to stand ready.

臣尤有請者，皖、浙諸軍與賊相持不為不久，所需餉項，國籓、宗棠等各於江、楚等省自為籌畫。 I would add that the Anhui and Zhejiang armies have fought a long war; Zeng and Zuo have each raised funds in the Yangtze and Chu provinces.

國籓奏於江省設立總台，以一省捐釐之數，為皖軍十萬養命之源。 Zeng had established a central lijin office in Jiangsu, dedicating that province's levies to feeding his hundred thousand Anhui troops.

浙軍固不能分撥，即國籓所部月餉，傳聞亦祗放數成，不得已而籌及廣東釐捐，乃又不能遽辦。 Zhejiang's army could spare nothing; even Zeng's monthly pay was said to be issued only in part. Guangdong lijin was sought in desperation but could not be collected quickly.

日前沈葆楨奏請將江西茶稅、牙釐等款歸本省任收，旋用部議允留其半，在國籓等斷不至觖望。 Shen Baozhen had recently asked that Jiangxi keep its tea tax and broker lijin; the ministry allowed half to remain in the province—a concession Zeng would surely accept.

五年，疏論大學士曾國籓督師討捻，日久無功，請量加譴責。 In the fifth year (1866) he memorialized that Grand Secretary Zeng Guofan's Nian campaign had dragged on without success and asked that Zeng be censured.

上以國籓迭疏引咎，特命回任專辦餉糈，雖未蕆全功，非貽誤軍情者可比，斥所奏過當，置不議。 The emperor noted that Zeng had repeatedly accepted blame and was ordered back to supply duty; though he had not finished the campaign, he had not ruined the war effort. The memorial was dismissed as excessive.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 429Volume 429 Biographies 216: Jiang Zhongyi, Zhou Kuanshi, Shi Qingji, Yu Jichang, Lin Wencha, Zhao Deguang, Zhang Wende · 1 passage

Open chapter

皖南賊熾，曾國籓疏調援皖，廣西巡撫劉長佑請留不遣，命署廣西提督。 When rebels flared in southern Anhui, Zeng Guofan asked for him; Liu Changyou, governor of Guangxi, pleaded to keep him, and he was ordered to serve as acting provincial military commander of Guangxi.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 433Volume 433 Biographies 220: Jin Guochen, Huang Chunxi, Wu Kunxiu, Kang Guoqi, Li Hezhang Younger Brother: Zhao Qing, Wu Yulan · 14 passages

Open chapter

其冬，胡林翼、曾國籓規皖，精兵猛將萃於潛山、太湖。 That winter Hu Linyi and Zeng Guofan laid plans for Anhui, concentrating elite troops and veteran commanders at Qianshan and Taihu.

二年，曾國籓調統義從營。 In the second year Zeng Guofan assigned him to command the Yicong Battalion.

曾國籓方起督浙江軍，辟參軍事，不就。 Zeng Guofan was just assuming command of the Zhejiang campaign and invited him onto his staff, but he declined.

駱秉章奉命赴四川督師，湘軍名將勁兵多從曾國籓、胡林翼，劉蓉薦淳熙兵精善戰，秉章遂以淳熙與劉岳昭從行。 When Luo Bingzhang was ordered to Sichuan to take command, most of the Hunan army's star generals and crack troops had gone with Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi; Liu Rong recommended Chunxi's force as elite and battle-hardened, so Bingzhang took Chunxi and Liu Yuezhao with him.

曾國籓創立水師，坤修司軍械。 When Zeng Guofan founded the river navy, Kunxiu was put in charge of ordnance.

四年，水師攻九江，入鄱陽湖，為賊所阻不得出，令坤修單騎往南康，導往吳城、南昌。 In the fourth year the fleet attacked Jiujiang and entered Poyang Lake but was trapped by the rebels; Zeng sent Kunxiu alone on horseback to Nankang to guide a route to Wucheng and Nanchang.

調回江西，曾國籓令守湖口，而巡撫毓科檄援建昌。 He was transferred back to Jiangxi; Zeng Guofan ordered him to hold Hukou, but Governor Yuker ordered him to relieve Jianchang.

會賊由建德上犯，國籓令援湖口。 Just then rebels advanced from Jiande, and Guofan ordered him to relieve Hukou.

是年冬，曾國籓調其軍赴湖北。 That winter Zeng Guofan transferred his army to Hubei.

尋疾甚，國籓為奏請開缺，留襄營務。 His illness soon grew severe; Guofan memorialized to leave his post vacant and kept him to assist with camp affairs.

弟昭慶，初從曾國籓軍，淮軍既立，國籓留五營，令昭慶領之，駐防無為、廬江。 His younger brother Zhaoqing first served under Zeng Guofan; when the Huai army was formed, Guofan kept five battalions under Zhaoqing's command, garrisoning Wuwei and Lujiang.

四年，國籓督師剿捻匪，昭慶總理營務，統武毅、忠樸等軍。 In the fourth year, when Guofan commanded the campaign against the Nian, Zhaoqing oversaw camp affairs and commanded the Wuyi, Zhongpu, and other armies.

及鴻章代國籓，令赴前敵擊賊，馳逐鄂、皖、東、豫之間，累擢至記名鹽運使。 When Hongzhang replaced Guofan he was sent to the front, pursued the rebels across Hubei, Anhui, Shandong, and Henan, and was repeatedly promoted to expectant salt transport commissioner.

八年，卒，優恤，附祀曾國籓天津專祠，揚州建專祠。 In the eighth year he died; generous mourning favors were granted, he was given a place in Zeng Guofan's dedicated shrine at Tianjin, and a dedicated shrine was built for him at Yangzhou.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 438Volume 438 Biographies 225: Yan Jingming, Zhang Zhiwan, Lu Chuan Lin, Lin Shaonian · 2 passages

Open chapter

如胡林翼、曾國籓、左宗棠倡率鄉里，楚將之名遂著。 Men such as Hu Linyi, Zeng Guofan, and Zuo Zongtang rallied their home districts, and the renown of Chu generals thus became famous.

敬銘赴濟寧，會曾國籓商定分扼黃、運之議。 Jingming went to Jining and met with Zeng Guofan to work out a plan for dividing control along the Yellow River and Grand Canal.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 441Volume 441 Biographies 228: Pan Zuyin, Li Wentian, Sun Yijing, Xia Tongshan, Zhang Jiaxiang, Zhang Yinglin, Zhang Renfu, Zhang Hengjia · 1 passage

Open chapter

十年，粵寇陷江南，諸軍無所統，請屬之曾國籓； In the tenth year the Taiping rebels overran Jiangnan; the armies had no unified command, and he asked that they be placed under Zeng Guofan;

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 442Volume 442 Biographies 229: Xu Shuming, Xue Yunsheng, Zong Shiyanxu, Zi, Hui Zhang, Wang Mingluan, Zhang Lin, Zhou Jiamei, Zhou Derun, Hu Yufen, Zhang Yinhuan · 1 passage

Open chapter

樹銘幼穎異，問學於何桂珍、曾國籓、倭仁、唐鑑諸人。 As a youth Shuming was exceptionally bright and studied under He Guizhen, Zeng Guofan, Woren, Tang Jian, and others.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 450Volume 450 Biographies 237: Li Henian, Wen Bin, Ren Daorong, Xu Zhenyi, Wu Dacheng · 4 passages

Open chapter

及居言職，嚴疏劾肅順跋扈，而奏起曾國籓於家，謂必能辦賊。 While serving as a remonstrating official he submitted stern memorials impeaching Sushun for arrogance and power, and urged the court to recall Zeng Guofan from retirement, declaring that Zeng alone could defeat the rebels.

總督曾國籓、李鴻章迭薦之。 Governors-general Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang recommended him again and again.

咸豐初，以拔貢生參曾國籓戎幕。 Early in the Xianfeng era, as a selected tribute student he joined Zeng Guofan's military staff.

附祀江蘇、河南曾國籓祠。 He was given a place for joint sacrifice in the Zeng Guofan shrines in Jiangsu and Henan.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 452Volume 452 Biographies 239: Hong Rukui, Yang Zonglian, Shi Pu, Shi Kekuan, Shen Baojing, Zhu Qiang Younger Brother: Qi Zhao, Zong Yuanhan, Xu Qingzhang, Xu Zhen, Kuai Guangdian, Chen Yusheng, Pan Minbiao, Yan Zuolin, Tang Xijin, Lou Chunfan · 2 passages

Open chapter

參曾國籓軍事。 He joined Zeng Guofan's military staff.

時錢鼎銘乞師於曾國籓，宗濂偕行。 When Qian Dingming went to Zeng Guofan to request troops, Zonglian went with him.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 458Volume 458 Biographies 245: Xu Yanxu, Tang Jiong, He Jing, Zhang Zhaodong · 1 passage

Open chapter

越夕難作，倉皇奉遺疏謁曾國籓，得代奏。 Disaster struck the very next night. He hurried off with his father's final memorial to Zeng Guofan, who had it presented to the throne in his stead.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 464Volume 464 Biographies 251: Li Duanfen, Xu Zhijingzi, Ren Zhu, Chen Baozhen, Huang Zunxian, Ceng He, Yang Shenxiu, Yang Rui, Liu Guangdi, Tan Sitong With: Tang Caichang, Lin Xu, Kang Guangren · 2 passages

Open chapter

少負志節，詩文皆有法度，為曾國籓所器。 From youth he showed strong character; his poetry and prose were disciplined, and Zeng Guofan valued him.

寶箴素慕曾、胡薦士，因上言楊銳、劉光第、譚嗣同、林旭佐新政。 Baozhen had long admired how Zeng Guofan and Hu Linyi recommended men, and therefore memorialized that Yang Rui, Liu Guangdi, Tan Sitong, and Lin Xu should assist the new policies.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 467Volume 467 Biographies 254: Li Bingheng, Wang Tingxiang, Nie Shicheng, Luo Rongguang, Shou Shan Zu Sun : Rui Chang, Feng Xiang, Chong Yu · 1 passage

Open chapter

初隸曾國籓麾下，補把總。 He first served in Zeng Guofan's command and was appointed platoon commander.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 503Volume 503 Biographies 290: Yi Shu Er · 1 passage

Open chapter

從李兆洛學，晚客曾國籓幕。 He studied under Li Zhaoluo and in later life served as a guest in Zeng Guofan's secretariat.

Draft History of Qing, Chapter 505Volume 505 Biographies 292: Yi Shu Si · 2 passages

Open chapter

咸豐十一年，從大學士曾國籓軍，先後於安慶、江寧設機器局，皆預其事。 In the eleventh year of Xianfeng he entered the service of Grand Secretary Zeng Guofan and helped establish arsenals first at Anqing and then at Jiangning.

國籓激賞之，招入幕府，以奇才異能薦。 Zeng Guofan was deeply impressed, took him onto his staff, and recommended him to the throne as a man of rare ability.