COMMANDER // 1824–1890
Zeng Guoquan
Lifespan
1824 – 1890
Active service 1861–1864 — 2 battles across 1 war; first command at age 37.
Profile
Zeng Guoquan, courtesy name Yuanfu, art name Shuchun, was a Chinese official and military leader of the late Qing dynasty. He was the ninth brother of Zeng Guofan, a prominent statesman and general, and a descendant of the philosopher Zengzi. He served in the Xiang Army, a standing military force organised by his brother to counter the Taiping rebels, and was nicknamed "Ninth Marshal" (九帥). He was known for his expertise in siege warfare, particularly the use of trenches, hence he was also nicknamed "Zeng the Iron Container" (曾鐵桶). During the conquest of Tianjing (Nanjing), the capital of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, Zeng was notorious for condoning massacres of the city populace, which resulted in him being called "Zeng the Butcher" (曾屠戶).
Battles (2)
1861
Battle of AnqingTaiping Rebellion · Qing dynasty
1864
Third Battle of NankingTaiping Rebellion · Qing Dynasty