The self-strengthening movement at the late Ching dynasty led China to modernization. In fact, the learning of foreign affairs was begun by Tseng Kuo-fan, who in the years of Emperors Hsien Feng and Tung Chih initiated the techniques of manufacturing western ships and guns, then translated books of the West, founded ordnance school, and at last, at the suggestion of the staff of the commanding office, requested the imperial court to select little students to study in the West in the hope of fostering more talents of technology. So far as foreign affairs are concerned, Tseng Kuo-fan may be regarded as the pioneer of modernization in China. However, in the process of learning the technology of the West, whether in the acceptation of the suggestions from various fields, the introduction of all kinds of special talents, the frequent breakthrough of conceptions in learning, or the achievements in research and development, none of them could be attained by Tseng Kuo-fan’s personal aspiration alone. Among these, “human” was the key factor, including the enlightenment of motive, suggestions, recruitment of talents, initiative and execution. Therefore, in the functions of Tseng Kuo-fan’s commanding office, many technological experts in the fields of machine manufacturing, law, astronomy, arithmetic, and so on, had joined the rank of the professional talents in military, politics, finance, service and even foreign affairs and had become a brand new realm in the commanding office. This essay, with Tseng Kuo-fan’s commanding office of foreign affairs as its theme, will discuss its recruitment of talents, establishment of organizations, contents and achievements of research and development, and activation and influence of modernization in China.