How should we evaluate Zeng Guofan?
Zeng Guofan was an important politician, strategist and ideologist in the late Qing Dynasty. He had an important position in the long river of Chinese history. Zeng Guofan devoted his whole life to promoting China's modernisation and industrialisation. He advocated "learning from the west for the sake of the body", advocated learning western science and technology, advocated the introduction of western advanced ideas and experience in the political, military, economic and other fields, and promoted the process of China's modernisation. Zeng Guofan was also an outstanding military strategist. He established his own army in Hunan and led the Hunan army to fight against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom for a long time. He won many important victories and contributed to the political and military stability of the late Qing Dynasty. Although Zeng Guofan had made some achievements in the fields of politics, military, and economy, he was also criticized for his shortcomings in thinking, organization, and management. His political methods were also controversial. Zeng Guofan was an important figure in modern Chinese history. His contribution and influence were not only reflected in his political and military achievements, but also in his influence on the development of Chinese history and culture.