Comparing the similarities and differences between Hong Xiuquan and Zeng Guofan's attitudes towards traditional culture

Hong Xiuquan denied and attached to the traditional culture of China, while Zeng Guofan maintained and surpassed the traditional culture of China. Hong Xiuquan lacks a comprehensive understanding of the transformation and utilization of religious theology in western culture.

Zeng Guofan's rejection of western culture and his recognition of material culture dominated by science and technology are the main differences in their cultural views, which have also had a far-reaching impact on modern China society

Zeng Guofan was determined to be a minister of rejuvenation with the Confucian spirit of loyalty, filial piety, courtesy and shame, and advocated governing the world with Confucianism. He wrote to Emperor Xianfeng and put forward the way of governing the country, which personally proved that Confucianism can be richer and more practical, and Confucianism can keep pace with the times and solve contemporary problems beautifully.

The worship of God is not true Christianity, but negates the basic belief of the "Trinity" of Christianity, thus rendering Hong Xiuquan the only thrill ordered by God. Hong Xiuquan even said that he had seen Ma Tian and Tian Sao in heaven to establish his authority. In this regard, western missionaries retorted: "God is a spirit, how can it be said that he is married?" "God has no other son except Jesus."

After the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom made Nanjing its capital, it carried out an educational and cultural policy with strong theocracy. In order to respect God alone, Hong Xiuquan tried his best to destroy the traditional culture of China represented by Confucianism. The classic of a hundred schools of thought contended was ruthlessly destroyed. The obscurantism promoted by Hong Xiuquan is the extreme product of feudal absolutism. When talking about the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Dr. Sun Yat-sen once said: "After the revolution, autocracy is still inevitable, and such a revolution cannot be considered a success." The obscurantism of playing tricks and deceiving oneself can be said to be a maggot attached to the bone, and it is it that devours the last glimmer of life of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. It not only destroyed the traditional culture, but also greatly dampened the national industry and commerce in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian and Jiangxi. Nanjing's market was depressed and deserted, and its former prosperity was swept away and turned into a cold and dense military camp.

The lack of cultural skills makes Hong Xiuquan unable to create advanced ideas to guide and call on the people. Therefore, his political ideas can only arouse the enthusiasm of the peasant class, but can't bring them to the other side of complete victory. With his skill and judgment, Zeng Guofan naturally grasped the limitations and weaknesses of Hong Xiuquan. Zeng Guofan is a master of reading. At the beginning of the establishment of Xiang Army, he made a clear study of Hong Xiuquan's policies, propositions, goals and programs. Therefore, in his crusade against the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, he never mentioned the significance of race, but only exposed Hong Xiuquan's limitations and achilles' heel. At the same time, he also collected a group of wanderers through a campaign, United around him, and shed blood and died. Without the habit of studying hard and the ability to learn for personal use, Zeng Guofan could not write a campaign that could incite the broad masses of the people.

Because of the total denial of traditional classics and superficial contact with western thoughts, Hong Xiuquan's strategy, command ability and dedication in military struggle are very mediocre.