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Gems of Chinese Literature/Tsêng Kuo-fan-A Family Letter

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translated by Herbert Allen Giles
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TSÊNG KUO-FAN.

a.d. 1811-1872

[The famous statesman and general who was chiefly responsible for the suppression of the T‘ai P‘ing rebellion, fighting strenously in the cause of the Manchus from 1853 to the fall of Nanking in 1864. Ennobled as Marquis and raised to the rank of Viceroy, he lived incorruptible, and in spite of all the temptations to which a high Chinese official is exposed, died poor. “When his wardrobe was examined,” says the memorial submitted to the Throne, “to find some suitable garments for the last rites, nothing new could be discovered. Every article of dress had been worn many times; and this may be taken as an example of his rigid economy for himself and in all the expenditure of his family.” The Chinese government made provision for his family, and for the education of his brilliant son, afterwards popular Minister at the Court of St. James’s and known as the Marquis Tsêng.]

Tsêng Kuo-fan1524321Gems of Chinese Literature — A Family Letter1922Herbert Allen Giles
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BROTHER Ch‘êng and others,

On former occasions when I sent family letters, they took thirty-five days to reach you. On the last occasion, a special messenger has not reached you, even after forty days. The rebels being just now round about Lo-p‘ing and Jao-chou,[1] I fancy that a circuitous route has been taken.

After the recapture of Hsiu-ning[2] on the 12th inst., Tso’s[3] army was divided into eight columns, and a small defeat was suffered at Chia-lu, forcing a retreat upon Ching-chên. Luckily, however, the rebels did not follow up their attack, and Tso obtained a few days’ grace for reorganization, the result being that the moral of the men was not greatly weakened.

Just now, Tso’s troops are advancing upon Lo-p‘ing and P‘o-yang. Pao’s[4] troops, because of the critical state of Fu-chou and Chien-ch‘ang, were to have been sent to Kiangsi, first of all to secure the general situation, and then to relieve the two cities in question; but recently both P‘o-yang and Ying-chên have been ​considered to be in such danger that Pao’s troops have been temporarily held back and were not allowed to leave hurriedly for Kiangsi. As for Hu,[5] I fear that the dogs of rebels have come down from Huang-chou[6] to attack An-ch'ing,[7] and brother Yüan’s troops have been sent to join Pao’s troops in bringing aid to the north bank. On the various ranges in the neighbourhood of Ch'i-mên,[8] the rebels managed, on the 23rd inst. to capture two positions, so that for several months past there has not been much leisure for supporting operations. Dangers have frequently broken out; the foreign devils have been giving trouble in all directions, and there is even talk of their threatening Ch'i-mên. Thus, it seems to me that the present year will be full of difficulties for us to deal with.

Well, ever since the winter of the 3rd year of Hsien Fêng (1853) I have devoted my body to my country's service, and I am willing to die stretched on the battle-field, but not willing to die “beside the window.”[9] Such was my original ambition, and of late years, during my career in the army, I have acted always to the best of my ability and to the limit of my strength. I have nothing to be ashamed of, and I shall close my eyes without regret.

It remains for the various members of my family, brothers and their sons and their nephews, to bear in mind the eight words of their grandfather: “Examine, value, early, sweep, books, vegetables, fish, pork.”[10] Also, with due reverence, bear in mind the three “Don't believes” of the same grandfather:―

Don't believe in genii of mountain, river, or tree!
Don't believe in doctors and their drugs!
Don't believe in priests of any faith!

​

In my own diary there are eight other fundamental principles:―

In your studies, make teaching your aim.
In verse or prose, make rhythm your aim.
In serving parents, make their happiness your aim.
In matters of health, make equanimity your aim.
In your career, make restraint of language your aim.
In home life, make getting up in good time your aim.
In official life, make honesty your aim.
In military life, make care for the people your aim.

These eight principles have all been carefully tested by me and found to be suitable for application. My brother, you too should teach your sons and nephews to bear them in mind. For no matter whether the times may be at peace or in rebellion, your family rich or poor, if you can adhere to the eight words of your grandfather and to the eight fundamental principles which I have laid down, you cannot possibly fail to be a man of the highest order. Whenever I write a letter home, it is my duty to impress these points upon you, and also because of the risks of military life, in anticipation of any thing that may happen.

Personally, I am in good health; and although the men's pay is four months in arrear, their moral has not seriously weakened. I think we can hold out, but it is impossible to say. The family must not give way to anxiety.

Dated 11th year of Hsien Feng (1861)

  1. ↑ In Kiangsi.
  2. ↑ In Anhui.
  3. ↑ Tso Tsung-t‘ang, one of the greatest generals of modern times―in any country.
  4. ↑ Pao Ch‘ao, who rose to the Commander-in-Chief in Hunan.
  5. ↑ Hu Lin-i, another general who greatly distinguished himself against the T‘ai P‘ings.
  6. ↑ In Hupeh.
  7. ↑ In Anhui.
  8. ↑ In Anhui.
  9. ↑ That is, “in my bed.” The allusion is to a visit by Confucius to a disciple who was dying. The Master went to the sick man’s house, and grasped his hand through a window, beside which the patient's bed had been placed.
  10. ↑ Such is the literal meaning of the Chinese characters employed; their application may perhaps be elucidated by some surviving descendant of the great Viceroy.
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