★ Highly Recommended by "People's Daily"!
The works of Leng Chengjin, a renowned professor at Renmin University of China. His books have been translated into Japanese and Korean, sparking a "China Trend" in South Korea!

★ Easy-to-Read + In-Depth Analysis: Historical Wisdom That’s Addictive!
Confucianism, Taoism, Military Strategy, Legalism, Buddhism, Yin-Yang School, and Political Strategists—unlock the essence of the seven schools of thought that shaped Chinese civilization in one go!
- Learn the practical wisdom of Confucianism from Zeng Guofan to live a disciplined life and overcome mental exhaustion.
- Embrace the Taoist spirit of Su Dongpo to maintain a balanced mindset without compromising ambition!
- Unlock more survival wisdom from great historical figures!

★A book that condenses 40 timeless classics and 100 historical figures' anecdotes.
- Dive into dozens of legendary works like "Zuo Zhuan", "Han Feizi", "Strategies of the Warring States", "Records of the Grand Historian", and "Book of Han";
- Explore the stories of historical giants like Guan Zhong, Li Bai, Su Shi, and Zeng Guofan.

★ History Meets Wisdom, Wisdom Meets History.
Not only will you gain historical knowledge, but you’ll also extract practical wisdom from these tales to enhance your personal growth and cultural understanding.

This series includes 2 volumes:
"Reading History for Wisdom (Part 1)"
"Reading History for Wisdom (Part 2)"

Leng Chengjin masterfully intertwines wisdom and history, using vivid and engaging historical anecdotes and character stories to reveal the profound wisdom embedded in history.
In this book, you will learn:
- The depth of Confucian wisdom: Strive for the wisdom of a sage rather than the cunning of a clever mind.
- The harmony of Taoist wisdom: Rule the world by doing nothing that goes against nature.
- The transcendence of Buddhist wisdom: Seek your true nature and achieve enlightenment.
- The rigor of Legalist wisdom: Analyze law, strategy, and power to govern a nation.
- The strategic wisdom of Political Strategists, the strategic brilliance of Military Strategists, and the natural philosophical insights of the Yin-Yang School...

The whole book vividly portrays the rise and fall of historical turmoil and the successes and failures of characters, guiding readers to grasp the true essence of traditional Chinese wisdom.

Leng Chengjin is a professor at the School of Liberal Arts, Renmin University of China, and a renowned expert in Su Shi (Su Dongpo) studies. He is also the screenwriter for the television drama "Su Dongpo". Recognized as one of the top ten most popular professors in Chinese literature by Sohu Education, Leng Chengjin has authored numerous academic works, textbooks, and popular readings, earning widespread influence in both academic circles and among general readers. His works have been translated into Japanese and Korean, sparking a "China Trend" in South Korea.

Volume 1
Volume 1: Confucian Wisdom
The most profound Confucian wisdom
Can a scholar become an emperor
Emperors are all unfortunate people
The Mystery of Zeng Guofan
Politicians and artists
What is' Ritual'
A Monarch’s Three Daily Reflections
"A Scholar Dies for His Confidant"
The backbone of China
The loyal and diligent Peace-Time Chancellor
The founding Chancellor who could not end well
Age, Experience, and Politicians
Heaven will bestow great responsibilities upon mankind
Human nature is like water
The "Cleverly Loyal" Chancellor
Is benevolence truly invincible

Part 2 Taoist Wisdom
The Supreme Wisdom of Taoism
Xiao He’s Rules, Cao Shen’s Follow-Up
Founding and Governing a Nation with the "Soft Approach"
The Way of Being a Minister
The Unrestrained Spirit of the Wei-Jin Era
Magnanimity
Kindness, Endurance, and Adaptability
Yanzi as the prime minister
"The Hidden Dragon": The Art of Concealment for Emperors
A true hermit
Serenity Leads to Far-Sightedness
Retreat After Success: The Way of Heaven and Earth
What Does It Mean to Govern by Non-Action?
The Highest Good is Like Water
Su Dongpo: The Immortal Poet
Hermits and Wine
Scholars and Wine
Knights-Errant and Wine
Eccentrics, Wine, and Art
Youth, Wine, and Li Bai
Ode to the God of Wine

Part 3: Military Strategist Wisdom
The Coldest Wisdom of Military Strategy
Men Without Ambition
"Fight with Your Back to the River" vs. "A Thousand Escape Routes"
What Does It Mean to Fight with Your Back to the River?
What Makes an Extraordinary Person?
Sun Bin and Pang Juan
The Battles of Famous Scholars
The Greatest Counter-Intrigue in History

Volume 2
Part 4: Legalist Wisdom
The Harshest Wisdom of Legalism
How Rogues and Scoundrels Can Seize Power
The Concept of "Law" in China
The Tragedy of Zhuge Liang
The Fate of Legalists
Rehabilitating Cao Cao Once More
The Gentle Trap of the Hero’s Downfall
The Ruthlessness of Imperial Families
The Art of Replacing a Monarch as a Minister
The Victory of Conspiracy
Governing a Nation vs. Managing a Family
Founding a Nation and Consolidating Power
Who is the Greatest Director of Historical Drama in China?
Scholar-Politicians
The Art of Being an Unshakable Official
The "Official-Business Alliance" Behind Court Scandals
Judging Cases Through Confucian Classics
Li Si and Zhao Gao
China’s "Female Emperor"
Liu Bang’s Art of Commanding Generals
The Endless Power of Slander

Part 5: Buddhist Wisdom
The Most Transcendent Wisdom of Buddhism
Teaching Beyond the Scriptures
"Originally, There is Nothing"
Self-Nature, Self-Enlightenment
Awakening Through Insight
The Ordinary Mind is the Way

Part 6: Political Strategist Wisdom
The Most Tactful Wisdom of Political Strategists
Ignoring Directions, Just Seeking an Official Post
Yan Ying’s Art of Persuasion
A Young Genius’s Eloquence Wins Five Cities
Fan Ju Enters Qin: Ally with the Distant, Attack the Near
Losing One Scholar, Losing a Nation
Lu Zhonglian’s Refusal to Bow to Qin
A Thought-Provoking Theoretical Debate
Governing a Nation is Like Hunting
Zou Yang’s Clever Plan to Save a Life
Su Dai’s Vertical Alliance
"Repaying the Monarch’s Golden Platform Favor"
Zhang Yi’s Horizontal Alliances
Li Bi Averts Disaster Without a Trace
Zichan’s Dignified Diplomacy
Mao Sui Recommends Himself
Su Qin’s Words: Worth a Fortune
Zou Ji’s Satire to Advise the King of Qi
Planning for Future Generations

Part 7: Yin-Yang School Wisdom
The Most Mysterious Wisdom of the Yin-Yang School
Yin and Yang
Fate and Destiny
Prophecies and Omens
Dream Interpretation
Character Divination
Feng Shui
Divination Through the I Ching
Astrology
Deities and Spirits

Afterword

The Mystery of Zeng Guofan


In recent years, stories from the Ming and Qing dynasties have become immensely popular. Whether in novels, TV dramas, or books focusing on political strategy and wisdom, these tales have flooded the cultural landscape. Why is this the case? It’s not just due to people’s curiosity but also because these stories resonate deeply with contemporary realities. Take, for example, the highly-rated TV dramas *The Yongzheng Dynasty* and *Towards the Republic*. Some of these narratives vividly reflect the underlying cultural psychology of the Chinese people, and the current “Zeng Guofan fever” is a prime example.


So, who was Zeng Guofan? He was the last scholar-statesman in Chinese history, embodying the ideal model of a Confucian “virtuous minister.” After Zeng, this archetype became a relic of the past, something people could only read about but never witness in reality.


Why, then, does Zeng Guofan evoke such fervent enthusiasm today? From the earlier craze over *Zeng Guofan’s Family Letters* to the current popularity of novels about him, the fascination has never waned. Have people forgotten that he was the chief suppressor of the Taiping Rebellion? Political perspectives often focus on the immediate, but cultural perspectives delve deeper. To understand the public’s enthusiasm for Zeng, we must start with the traditional Chinese ideals of life.


Traditionally, Chinese people aspired to two things: becoming an official and achieving fame. Holding office brought tangible benefits, while fame promised immortality. Combining the two was the ultimate achievement!


Becoming an official was the dream of every Chinese person. The phrase “glory, splendor, wealth, and honor” encapsulates the allure of officialdom. For pragmatic Chinese, attaining high office and wealth meant living a fulfilling life. Thus, officials were revered and even worshipped.


But merely being an official wasn’t enough; becoming a sage or a virtuous person elevated one to perfection. The Chinese have always held sages in mystical awe, viewing them as spokespersons of the divine and embodiments of heavenly principles. While ordinary people respected sages, scholars aspired not to be emperors but to become “imperial mentors.”


In reality, fame and fortune often go hand in hand. Securing an official position and reputation usually brought material benefits. While Confucius lived in poverty, wandering like a stray dog, most successful scholars achieved fame, wealth, and high office. Thus, the Chinese often saw fame and fortune as inseparable.


Yet, there’s a distinction. Merchants, despite their wealth, were traditionally looked down upon, as were rural landlords. Zeng Guofan, however, was the ultimate ideal: a powerful figure in the late Qing government, a renowned “sage-minister,” and an academic leader. He perfectly combined officialdom, power, fame, and fortune, embodying the traditional Chinese ideal.


In Zeng Guofan, both reputation and material success were fully realized. His life was rich and fulfilling: he enjoyed life’s pleasures, wielded power, achieved greatness, and left a literary legacy. In short, he embodied everything the Chinese admired and pursued.


Thus, it’s no surprise that Zeng Guofan, after over a century of obscurity, has rekindled public enthusiasm. However, most people can only emulate one aspect of his life; few have the opportunity to fully replicate his achievements.


Historically, Zeng Guofan was a highly controversial and complex figure. He embodied all the traits of a traditional Chinese bureaucrat, mixed with the qualities of a scholar. As one historian put it, “Praise him, and he’s a sage-minister; condemn him, and he’s a villain.” In truth, Zeng was far more complex than this dichotomy suggests. While calling him a villain has some merit, labeling him a sage-minister falls short. For simplicity, however, this characterization is often used, and we’ll adopt it here to analyze Zeng Guofan.


Zeng rose to prominence by suppressing the Taiping Rebellion, transitioning from “villain” to “sage-minister.” Let’s begin with his “villainous” side...