Chapter 19 There is no difficulty in the second life, where are the outstanding people

A few days later, Luo Zenan, the vice-president of regiment training in Xiangxiang County, convened a meeting of the commanders and trainers of the 43 capitals of the county, and specially invited Zeng Guofan to come and guide him.Guofan and Guohuang brothers went to the county together.After paying a visit to the county magistrate Zhu Sunyi, Guofan attended the martial arts competition in the county town. He saw with his own eyes that Luo Zenan and his disciples Wang Chi, Li Xubin, and Li Xuyi trained more than 1,000 regiments from the third battalion. .At night, I had a long talk with Luo Zenan all night, listening to him talk about his experience in selecting generals, recruiting brave soldiers and daily drills according to Qi Jiguang's military training method.Luo Zenan tried his best to encourage Zeng Guofan to go out to run a group training, and expressed his willingness to hand over the thousand regiments of bravery to Zeng Guofan, and he and his students were willing to obey orders under his account.After hearing this, Zeng Guofan was even more excited.He deeply felt that he was inferior to Luo Zenan in terms of knowledge and ability. He only saw the corruption of officials and the corruption of green camps, which made him feel disheartened, but he never thought that he could use his own strength to do things according to his own ideas. Create a new situation.

If you make up your mind to do a good team training, it is very possible to train a Zeng's army today like Qi Jiguang founded the Qi's army back then.What the ancients could do, why can't today's people do it? As soon as he returned home from the county seat, Zeng Guofan saw four letters delivered by the governor's office in Hunan.Three of them were from the relatives of the sons and daughters.One belonged to Chen Yuanyan, the prefect of Chizhou Prefecture, Anhui, and Ji Yaoxu, the second daughter of Guofan, gave his son Yuanji.One is Zhan Shifu Youzan Guo Peilin, whose daughter promised to Guofan's second son Ji Hong.One belonged to Yuan Fangying, a lecturer at the Imperial Academy, and Ji Jingxu, the eldest daughter of Guofan, gave it to his son Bingzhen.These three letters are condolence letters between relatives, all of which are polite words.After Guofan looked at it, he threw it aside.The other one brought him unexpected good news, which made him excited and could not calm down for a long time.This letter was sent by Tang Jian from Beijing.

Tang Jian, whose name is Jinghai, was born in Shanhua, Hunan. In the 21st year of Daoguang, he was appointed as Taichang Qing by the Jiangning feudal secretary. Emperor Daoguang met him at Qianqingmen.On this day, Zeng Guofan happened to be by his side.Emperor Daoguang rewarded Tang Jianzhi Cheng Zhu for his achievements in learning, and practiced it himself. He is a sincere and respectful gentleman.Emperor Daoguang's praise of Tang Jian caused Zeng Guofan to think deeply: he is by the emperor's side, and if he wants to be valued by the emperor, he must be favored by the emperor; it seems that what the emperor values ​​is the cultivation of virtue and the study of righteousness and reason.

A few days later, Zeng Guofan went to Nian'er Hutong and paid homage to Tang Jian as a disciple.Tang Jian, who was over sixty years old, knew that this junior from his hometown was hardworking and honest. Seeing how humble he was, he threw himself into the sect and happily accepted this new student. "Sir, where is the key to self-examination and the method of reading?" Zeng Guofan asked Tang Jian very respectfully. "You should take "Zhu Zi Quan Shu" as your sect." Tang Jian stroked the silver beard hanging on his chest for more than a foot, straightened his back, and replied without thinking, "This book is the most suitable for familiarity, that is, as a lesson, and practice it personally. , must not be regarded as a book for browsing. For the essentials of self-examination, I will give you the eight characters. That is, the four characters of "neat and serious" in the inspection outside; The method lies in concentrating on one classic; if you can master one classic, you can learn all the other classics; if you seek specialization quickly, you will never be able to master one classic. For example, the old man, what he has mastered in his life is only one ear of "Yi." Zeng Guofan listened Mr. Jing Hai's words made it obvious that he was in a daze.

"The knowledge of ancient and modern times is like a vast ocean. In front of it, disciples are like lost children who don't know where to start." Zeng Guofan has been thinking about self-examination and reading for many years, but he can't figure it out. Mr. Tang actually outlines it in eight words.In front of Tang Jian, Zeng Guofan deeply felt that his knowledge was poor, so he continued to ask, "Sir, what is the way of learning?" "There are only three schools of learning." As soon as Guofan's question was finished, Tang Jian answered in a clear and concise language, "It's called righteousness, it's called assessment, and it's called articles. The study of assessment mostly seeks the crude but leaves the essence, and it's just a little bit of a glimpse." test; the study of articles cannot be achieved unless one is proficient in righteousness.”

"What about the study of economics?" Zeng Guofan, who wanted to save the world, asked anxiously. "The study of economics lies in righteousness." Tang Jian's answer was clear and affirmative. "May I ask, sir, how should the economy be judged and committed?" "Economy is nothing more than history. The traces of the ancients, the law is clear. The laws and regulations of the past dynasties are nothing more than this." After being pointed out one by one by Tang Jian, Zeng Guofan's way of learning and the way of self-cultivation seemed to be all clear at once.Tang Jian also told him that the best way to urge him to cultivate himself is to keep a diary. Selfish desires cannot be restrained, and those who fail to check outside are all recorded.He also said that he kept his diary one by one truthfully, and never lied. He made out with his old wife at night and recorded it in the diary.Zeng Guofan laughed secretly in his heart after hearing this, and also admired the old man's honesty and honesty.

Since following Tang Jianxue's study of righteousness and principles, Zeng Guofan began to strictly correct his words and deeds, and set up daily classes, which were divided into main respect, meditation, early rise, good reading, history reading, diary writing, and occasional chats after tea. 12. Write a few poems and essays by yourself, keep your words, protect yourself, get up early and copy the copybook, and stay out at night.He also wrote "Lizhi Proverbs", "Ju Jing Proverbs", "Lord's Static Proverbs", "Jin Yan Proverbs" and "You Heng Proverbs", which were hung high in the study.All my friends admired me when I saw it.

On this day, Zeng Guofan took his diary and went to Nian'er Hutong to meet Tang Jian again.Tang Jian read his diary and was very satisfied when he saw that the paper was full of scolding words about his incompetence.Turn to the diary on the 22nd, and see that it says: "From today onwards, the name is changed to Disheng. Those who cleanse, take away the pollution of their old pollution; those who live, take what Yuan Liaofan said, "All kinds of things in the past are like dying yesterday, and all kinds of things in the future are like being born today." Tang Jian praised: "Have ambition!"Disheng, I hope you will wash away the old and give birth to the new. "

Tang Jian turned to the page on the twenty-eighth day, and saw that it read: "Last night, I dreamed that someone was gaining profit, and I felt very envious. After waking up, I punished myself painfully. It is said that the heart of profit is so despicable as it is in dreams. It is so despicable. Really. It can be described as obscene." Tang Jian said with a smile on his face, "Okay! Only by scolding mercilessly like this can we get rid of the bad habit." After finishing speaking, he turned to look at Zeng Guofan, and asked, "Is that what you dreamed about last night? What's the matter?"

"Last night I dreamed that He Shaoji was released as an examiner in Guangdong. When he came back from the exam, he got Cheng Yi five thousand taels, and the emperor rewarded him with another one thousand taels. I was very selfishly envious." Zeng Guofan blushed and muttered. "This is because the desire for profit has not been completely eradicated." Tang Jian said solemnly, "It is said in "The Doctrine of the Mean": "There is nothing to see and nothing to hide, nothing to show and nothing to see. Therefore, a gentleman should be careful about his independence." The value of a gentleman is, It lies in being cautious about independence. "Independence" can still be judged, but how can the world dare to do anything wrong when it sees it? Disheng, when you go back today, you will write an article "The Gentleman Cares About Independence" and show it to me next time."

Zeng Guofan fully agreed.Before leaving, Tang Jian gave him another copy of "Jifu Water Conservancy" and a handwritten regular script banner: "If you are not a sage, you are a beast. Only ask about farming, not about harvest. Be kind to Tang Jian." After following Tang Jian for a period of time, especially after reading his book "Jifu Water Conservancy", Zeng Guofan saw that this famous Neo Confucian official was not a nerd who buried his head in old papers and talked about his mind, but cared about the people, paid attention to the economy, and had profound knowledge. Yi, also has many capable officials of strategy.Similarly, Tang Jian also knew that Zeng Guofan was a mature and scheming talent.Later, teachers and students of Tang Jian and Guofan tended to discuss less about Cheng and Zhu's learning, and more about the history of rise and fall and governance.Tang Jian came from Jiangning and had served as a magistrate for many years, so he was well aware of the hardships of the people's livelihood.Sensing that chaos was coming, he often encouraged Zeng Guofan to take the world as his own responsibility in the secret room, read more history books, browse maps and books, and study the art of war for future use.Zeng Guofan regarded Tang Jian as the old man of Huangshi, and Tang Jian also looked forward to Zeng Guofan with Zhang Liang. In the 25th year of Daoguang, Tang Jian became an official.After returning to his hometown in Shanhua for a year, he was invited by a friend to give lectures at Jinling Academy in Jiangning. Soon he became famous all over the south of the Yangtze River and was respected by scholars.In July of the second year of Xianfeng, Tang Jian was called to Beijing.Within two months, Emperor Xianfeng summoned him fourteen times, which was a great honor to meet late Confucians.During the fourteenth summons, Emperor Xianfeng asked Tang Jian about dealing with the Taiping Army.In view of Jiang Zhongyuan's Chu Yong's victory at Suoyidu in Quanzhou and his military exploits in defending Changsha, Tang Jian proposed to Emperor Xianfeng to organize regiment training in all provinces following the established method of organizing regiment training in the Jiaqing Dynasty, and proposed to hold it in Hunan first.At the same time, he strongly recommended Zeng Guofan to Emperor Xianfeng for his great use, and asked the emperor to appoint Zeng Guofan as the minister of Hunan regiment training and grant him the right to do things cheaply.Out of a deep understanding of Zeng Guofan, Tang Jian told Emperor Xianfeng that Zeng Guofan was born in the Imperial Academy and had been an official in Beijing for a long time. He was not familiar with local affairs, and there would be difficulties at the beginning. Please trust him from beginning to end.Tang Jian used his lifelong reputation to guarantee to the emperor that Zeng Guofan would surely achieve great things. The old master seriously wrote a long letter in small letters, with an extremely affectionate and sincere tone.He gave a detailed introduction to the extraordinary experience given by the emperor when he entered Beijing from Jiangning, especially the last meeting with his majesty, the emperor's inquiries and his own secret recommendation were written more vividly.In the end, the old gentleman used emotional language to recall the scene of teachers and students exchanging knowledge and improving character in the courtyard.The ending particularly moved Zeng Guofan: I gave birth to my younger brother, when I was in Kyoto, I knew that my younger brother is a rare great weapon today.This time when I went to Beijing, all the old friends I saw talked about my virtuous brother's moral knowledge, articles and political achievements, and they all praised me. The old man is about to die, and seeing his virtuous brother has grown into a towering tree, the selfish comfort is beyond human comprehension. The old man is full of words and wants to talk to his virtuous brother, but he expects his aunt to pass away, and his virtuous brother has returned to Hunan, what can I do! Now that Hong Yang is in chaos, Sanxiang is suffering.Looking south at Jiashan, I feel so sad.As the saying goes, "The times make heroes", and it is precisely because of disasters and chaos that it is the time for heroes to rise, so the old man strongly recommends it to the emperor, and guarantees it with his life-long name as a good brother.Fortunately, the emperor has simply remembered it. Mencius said, "Heaven will send a great mission to the people of Sri Lanka, and they must first work hard on their hearts and minds." For decades, my virtuous brother has experienced the hardships of the world. The ambition of one's own responsibility is well known to the old man.In the past, the old man and his virtuous brother read books of sages and sages, and talked about the study of the world, so why?Isn't it just to save the people of the Li people from the fire and water today, and to turn the tide at the time of collapse!Although, the old man also knows that doing things today is extremely difficult.But the ancients said it well: there is no difficulty in the world, how can there be outstanding people?The truth of this, my brother knows it by himself.The old man is dead. He has been mediocre and incompetent all his life. Now he is a decaying sun. Although he has the heart to serve the world, he really lacks the power to help the world.The old man often comforts himself by meeting a good brother in his later years.Reward the emperor for his kindness, and show his life's embrace.At that time, I hope my brother can do it for himself.absolutely. Zeng Guofan took Tang Jian's letter and read it several times, his heart was surging and he was restless.Back then, in Mr.’s quiet courtyard, the teachers and students discussed the rise and fall of chaos in the past dynasties many times. I am fascinated by people's brilliant career.He also secretly made up his mind that in this life, he must join the cabinet to pay homage to the prime minister, and do a vigorous career, so that the historian will record his achievements in the history, and inspire future generations of scholars.He remembered the matter of declining Zhang Liangji's invitation.It's time to do big things on your own, so why are you so hesitant and full of doubts? "There is no difficulty in the world, where are the outstanding people?" Tang Jian's words rang heavily in his ears like thunder. "Guofan, Guofan, you are usually self-confident, but when the time comes, you hesitate to move forward and are afraid of difficulties. Isn't this cowardly and incompetent?" Zeng Guofan sat upright on a chair holding Tang Jian's letter, He raised a severe question himself.