彭玉麟:兵事之外的才识操守

Peng Yulin:His Ability and Integrity outside Military Affairs

咸同时期,从湖湘大地崛起了一群由书生变成的悍将。彭玉麟就是其中一员。他一生以兵事自效,所以人们关注较多的是其战功。但与其他湘军悍将不同,自从军伊始,他就以不要官、不要钱、不要命三者自誓,而其气节功名也遂从此出。他不乐仕宦,屡辞高官,却受朝廷倚重,凡有大事,辄命其办理。而他也事不避难,奉诏即行,得到了舍理言势、宗旨一变的机会,由厌恶夷学而转入洋务,与从枪炮着手寻求自强的曾国藩等洋务先驱一样,成为当日中国能自觉回应西方冲击的士大夫。识时务者为俊杰,为彭玉麟赢得生前身后名的不仅仅是军功,更多的是来自其信道笃而自知明的操守和风范。

During the period of Emperor Xianfeng and Tongzhi,a crowd of people who were scholars transformed into brave warriors rose from Hunan.Peng Yulin was one of them.He worked in the army all his life,so his batde achievements were studied more.However he was different from others,when he joined the army,he said that he devoted his life to the army not for official position and money.He said this,and he did so.He didn't like to be an official,and always resigned high position,but the emperor paied attention to him,often invited him to conduct state affairs,Peng Yulin always dealt with well.By way of these,Peng Yulin changed a lot,his attitude to the Western learning was very different from what it had been before.The same as Zeng Guofan who liked Western learning,and did foreign affairs well,Peng Yulin became one of scholar-officials who could voluntarily response to the impact of the Westerns at that time.A wise man submits to circumstances.So not only his battle achievements but also his personal integrity gave good reputation for Peng Yulin.