| In the 1860 s, China’s frontier was in danger everywhere. On the one hand, the northwestern region faced the crisis of territory. In April 1865, Xinjiang, the areas north and south of the Tianshan Mountains, which had been occupied by Yakubbae reactionary forces of Central Asia’s Kokand Khanate(Fergana) with the conspiracy to split China. On the other hand, since Opium War had broken out, the coastal areas had been intimidated by external invaders all the time. The feudal dynasty against a special historical background made the shift of the ideas of Zuo Zongtang. He realized that great military force, advanced equipment and military campaigns were the long-lasting forces to prompt the development of social development for our country. Zuo Zongtang firmly believed in political ethical outlook of the important thought of Confucius. Affected by Kingcraft politics and moral governance, he grew up the feudal patriotism that was being loyal to the sovereign and devoted to the country and practiced it all his life. Standing up to the perilous situation of the southeastern and northwestern border, Zuo Zongtang argued that boundary defence and coastal defence were equally important. Facing the outside invasion, he struggled to safeguard territorial integrity and finally recovered Xinjiang.His political ethical outlooks can be divided into three groups. First, national sovereignty mainly expressed the thought of dying for righteousness which was above-mentioned being loyal to the sovereign and devoted himself to the country, pragmatism combined with virtue and great unification. Second, theory of state’s interests cast light on ethical thoughts of upholding justice, the doctrine weighted by utility and values based on the benefits of people. Third, theory of State administration illustrated the way of Internal Sage and External Emperor, construction of diligent administration and conforming to strict self-discipline.The outlooks were originated from the moral culture about patriotism and his whole life took the magnificent ideology into practice, making great contributions to national unity. In the today, Enlightenment of his ideas of justice accompanied by utility can improve the system in managing state affairs and hand down the People Basis. What’s more, studying his ideas enable to promote and popularize the spirit of loyalty and patriotism. Meanwhile, thought of clean government can improve the rationality of modern politics. |
