左宗棠、曾国藩都是晚清政局中显赫一时的人物,但是他们在历史上所得到的评价却截然相反:左宗棠因收复新疆有功于民族国家而名垂青史,被后人称颂为民族英雄;曾国藩则因办理天津教案而为人诟病,呼之曰“刽子手”、“卖国贼”。这似乎成为一个定论而被人们接受。然而,历史的事实又是怎样呢?曾、左的思想、活动究竟是大相径庭、水火不容,还是相互影响、大同小异呢?这仍然是值得探讨的问题。本文试图就 Zuo Zongtang and Zeng Guofan both were eminent figures in the political regime in the late Qing Dynasty. However, they were completely opposed in history: Zuo Zongtang became famous for recovering Xinjiang’s achievements in the nation-state and was praised by the posterity as a national hero; Tseng Kuo-fan because of the Tianjin lesson plans and people criticized, call it “executioner”, “traitor.” This seems to be accepted as a verdict. However, what is the historical fact? Once again, it is worth discussing whether the leftist thoughts and activities are very different from each other or are mutually influential. This article attempts