This paper reports the early life of Zeng Guofan, best known for his role in suppressing the Taiping Rebellion. Zeng Guofan was born in a rural part of Hunan Province, a rather backward region at the time, and he was the first jinshi in his family. He was at first a Neo-Confucianist but went on to follow the Tongcheng School, which emphasized the elegant prose of the Tang and Song dynasties. Zeng Guofan worked hard to cultivate virtue, and he devoted himself to providing an education for his younger brothers. The comfortable life that he enjoyed at Hanlin Academy and in the Household Department of the Imperial Heir allowed him to pursue his studies and to make many good friends. His closest friends, who were from the same region or passed the examinations at the same time as him, some of whom became relatives through the marriage of their children, became his most reliable partners during the days of fierce battles against the Taiping Army. Zeng Guofan was promoted exceptionally rapidly, mainly due to his mentor Muzhanga, a favored retainer of Emperor Daoguang, became the Academician of the Grand Secretariat （official rank 2） in 1847 at the age of 37 and was soon appointed the vice-minister of the Board of Rites. Zeng Guofan submitted a letter of admonition to the new emperor, Xianfeng, and barely escaped punishment for this. While mourning for his mother at home, Zeng Guofan was ordered by the emperor to help maintain security in Hunan.