Why didn't Zeng Guofan kill the staff who predicted the demise of the Qing Dynasty within 50 years?

In the fifth year of Xianfeng (A.D. 1855), Zeng Guofan, commander-in-chief of Xiang Army, was trapped in the battle between Nanchang and Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and was at a loss. At this time, Zeng Guofan's chief of staff Zhou Tenghu brought a white-flour scholar into the camp to talk with Zeng Guofan. Before saying a few words, Zeng Guofan felt that the scholar had a personality and was difficult to tame, so he asked him to visit his troops stationed in Zhangshu Town and wanted to kill him. Zeng Guofan looked down on this boastful scholar most in his life, so he quickly packed up and went home. Coincidentally, before the scholar left, there was news that the army of Zhangshu Town was defeated. Zeng Guofan felt incredible and was in awe of the scholar, so he left him under the account and often talked about the military. Later, he received more and more attention. This scholar is Zhao Liewen, Zeng Guofan's famous aide, an able man in the late Qing Dynasty, who is proficient in military affairs, Buddhism, Yi-ology and even economics.

Zeng Guofan

By the sixth year of Tongzhi (AD 1867), the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had fallen, the world was settled, the Westernization Movement was flourishing, and there was a vibrant scene everywhere. That night, Zeng Guofan and Zhao Liewen talked again. When talking about the future of the country, Zhao Liewen predicted that the Manchu Dynasty would perish within fifty years, and there would be a scuffle between warlords. Hearing this sentence, Zeng Guofan was surprised and held his forehead for a long time. He repeatedly confirmed whether he could be like the Eastern Jin and Southern Song Dynasties. Zhao Liewen said he was afraid to die directly. Zeng Guofan still didn't want to believe that his ancestral temple still had a chance. Although he saw the national tragedy and thought that there was a big change, he was always reluctant to think too pessimistically, but Zhao Liewen's remarks really scared Zeng Guofan for a while, leaving only doubts and worries. Although it seemed at the time,

Zhao Liewen

Zeng Guofan met Empress Dowager Cixi, Prince Gong, Emperor Tongzhi and other supreme rulers of the empire when he went to work in Beijing in the seventh year of Tongzhi (A.D. 1868). Zeng Guofan's optimism about himself has finally come to a conclusion. The decline of the country has far exceeded his own estimation, and politicians now have no ability to turn the tide. Zeng Guofan was very disappointed with the future of the country, and he finally agreed with Zhao Liewen's argument.

Zhao Liewen's Quiet Diary is an important historical material for studying Zeng Guofan and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

History has accurately fulfilled Zhao Liewen's prediction. Less than fifty years ago, the Qing Dynasty fell 19 1 1. At that time, it was only forty-four years. Then came the warlord regime in China, which was divided and attacked each other. However, Zeng Guofan and Zhao Liewen had already passed away at this time. Perhaps it is another comfort that they didn't see this scene.