Zeng Gong

Zeng Gong (曾鞏, 1019–1083), courtesy name Zigu (子固), posthumous name Wending (文定), was a prominent Chinese historian, prose writer, and poet of the Northern Song Dynasty. He is considered one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties (唐宋八大家).

Born in Nanfeng, Jiangxi province, Zeng Gong came from a family of scholars and officials. He passed the imperial examinations at a relatively late age, in 1057, after repeated attempts. Despite his talent and reputation, his official career was somewhat limited. He served in various administrative positions, including those in Qizhou (齊州), Xiangzhou (襄州), and Hongzhou (洪州).

Zeng Gong's writing is characterized by its clarity, precision, and historical insight. His prose works often dealt with political and social issues, and he was known for his advocacy of practical and effective governance. He was also a skilled biographer, and his accounts of historical figures are highly regarded.

Among his most famous works are his "Strategy for Strengthening the Army" (《上樞密韓太尉書》), a proposal on military reform, and his biographies of prominent officials and scholars. He also compiled and edited historical texts. His writings were collected posthumously into several volumes, including the Yuzhang Collection (《元豐類稿》).

Zeng Gong's influence on later generations of Chinese writers and scholars was significant. His emphasis on clarity and practicality in prose style helped to shape the development of Chinese literary criticism. He is remembered as a major figure in the intellectual and literary history of the Song Dynasty.