Before discussing the problem, let me ask you a question: Has our generation lost its bloody nature? Only gentleness? This question is thought-provoking. The education we have received emphasizes "tolerance" and tolerance of small things and big things. Sometimes, we gain respect from others by taking a step back, and sometimes, others become more domineering because of our tolerance.
Looking at ancient times and the present, especially during the Qin and Han Dynasties, the ancients did not have the "gentle" temperament of today's people, and they were resolute and decisive in making decisions! Have we lost this habit of theirs? Let’s briefly analyze this issue together.
Picture: A still photo of an ancient woman who was resolute in trouble
Generally, people think that the ancients before the Sui and Tang Dynasties were full of bloody nature, while people after the Sui and Tang Dynasties gradually lost their bloody nature. Become gentle and even weak. This division is generally fine, but it would be better if it was more detailed. Therefore, today I will discuss from four aspects from Qin to Han, Han to Sui and Tang Dynasties, the transition of Song Dynasty and after Song Dynasty from a detailed perspective.
As we all know, Qin Shihuang Yingzheng established my country's first feudal autocratic centralized state. In fact, Qin still pursued "militarism." Everyone is familiar with this word. It was this idea that the Japanese army followed when they invaded China. It was cruel and bloody, making people gnash their teeth with hatred.
Before Qin unified the world, it implemented a military merit title system. Coupled with the violent tempers of the pre-Qin people, the combination of the system and folk customs made the soldiers of Qin even more brave, fighting bravely to kill the enemy all the way, just for the sake of more Kill a few people and exchange their heads for rewards. In this way, the six kingdoms were destroyed, and the Huns and barbarians were no match.
From the perspective of the Qin people, the Chinese people at that time were not peace-loving, but militants. This is not surprising. Civilization was just beginning at that time, and given the background, our ancestors were warlike. It's understandable.
Picture: Qin soldiers’ drill stills
However, there is one aspect that must be criticized, which is the “slaughter of aliens.” In the pre-Qin period, there was an operation to purge the aliens from the Central Plains. For example, in order not to be destroyed in the massacre, the people of the Quanrong and other tribes had no choice but to integrate into the Huaxia tribe to protect themselves. This was not directed at the Qin State, which was just a small microcosm.
At that time, the idea of ??"national revenge" became the mainstream consciousness, and the words "Those who are not of my race must have different hearts" made many people homeless and bloodshed. This can also reflect that people at that time did not have a big concept of "peace", and they did not think about having peace. They only aimed to defend the interests of their own country or nation.
"Respecting the king and rejecting the barbarians" is the best portrayal of that era. From the pre-Qin to the end of the Qin, we saw a tough atmosphere and thunderous methods. This period is also known as China's toughest attitude towards foreigners. period.
Picture: Stills of being destroyed in the massacre
Liu Bang established the Han Dynasty, but his bones were full of the blood of the Qin people, so this dynasty was also resolute and brave, but it started from the Han Dynasty From the dynasty to the Sui and Tang Dynasties, although the ancestors had blood nature, they lacked the wolf nature. Compared with the wolf nature, the blood nature was not on the same level. Therefore, it is said that since the fall of Qin, there has been no wolf nature.
So why did the Han people only inherit the blood nature but lose the wolf nature? There are three main reasons for this. The first is the demise of the "military title land granting system". If the world is unified, if this system is implemented again, it will inevitably encourage the arrogance of the military aristocrats and is not conducive to centralized rule.
Therefore, the emperors of the Han Dynasty began to trade titles. As long as they were willing to spend a lot of money, they could buy titles. In this way, originally, only knighthoods and titles could be bought and sold based on military merit. For those soldiers who tried to obtain titles through military merit, their enthusiasm was suppressed and they were unwilling to work hard. So after the Han Dynasty, sergeants lost their enthusiasm for war. Become less belligerent.
Picture: Stills of Han Dynasty soldiers
The second reason is the popularity of "Confucianism". Dong Zhongshu proposed the "divine right of kings", which gave the king a reasonable cloak and won a lot of praise. The emperor was pleased, and just like that, Confucianism became the orthodox thought, and ideas such as "Three Cardinal Guidelines and Five Constant Changes" began to constrain the people.
Confucian culture became orthodox, and the original situation of a hundred schools of thought contending was no longer the case. Mohism, Legalism and other ideas were brutally suppressed, and the original radical side of Confucius’ thought was also abandoned in favor of its "educational" side. Oppose violence and promote benevolence, infect people with benevolence, and educate people with culture. In this way, the Han people began to develop in a moderate direction.
The third reason is the "tribute system". As we all know, the tribute system can enhance the prestige of our country and manage vassal states in a benevolent way. Like those Western powers, they use the most direct and violent means to launch aggressive wars and naked conquests. In comparison, the tribute system was much milder.
We gave up the use of force and chose to use a gentle approach to establish authority in parts of Asia. This is also feasible.
However, this has caused the wolf nature of our nation to be lost bit by bit, in exchange for a tolerant mind and a gentle mentality. If you are too gentle, you will be considered weak, so in the later period, the tribute system mostly produced "white-eyed wolves".
Picture: stills of vassal states coming to pay tribute
When the Song Dynasty was established, our nation not only lost its wolf nature, but even its bloody nature showed a downward trend. If the emperor of the Song Dynasty was full of bloody nature, he would not There will be a humiliating incident where the emperor was taken prisoner. If you blindly seek peace and tolerance, what you will get in the end is not respect, but discrimination from the enemy.
Fortunately, the Ming Dynasty added a glimmer of glory to our nation and gave us a glimmer of hope. "The king dies in the country, and the emperor guards the country." It seems that the national character has returned to its former vigorous and vigorous character, but in fact it is just a flash in the pan. With the entry of Manchu and Qing forces, our illusions were shattered.
The bright swords and guns in the hands of the aliens shocked us. Our bloodiness was deeply hidden, but what emerged was servility. Surrender has been happening continuously since the Song Dynasty. This was the tragedy of that era. If it were the people of Qin, they would not sit back and wait for death and be willing to surrender. Instead, they would fight to the death and survive in death.
As we enter modern times, the nightmare has not ended. On the contrary, it has become even worse. Western powers are wielding big sticks and beating the nation's backbone at will, trying to crush it to pieces. However, the dreams of the great powers were shattered. They did not know that the backbone of our people cannot be broken. The famous aphorism "get up again after you fall" runs through the entire historical dynasty.
Picture: stills of the Song Dynasty emperor being kidnapped
More than a hundred years of humiliating history have not made us forget our past glory. If we have dreams in our hearts, we will bravely pursue them. As a result, generations of people full of blood have emerged, "study for the rise of China" and serve their country and country. We see hope, and the red backbone stands up!
Since the red spine stood up, it has never fallen down again. Although it encountered difficulties and obstacles later, it was still not defeated. Although today's Chinese nation has put away its wolf nature, it has not put away its blood. So, "Friends come with good wine, enemies come with shotguns."
We are prepared with both hands. We will treat each other with courtesy if we are friends, and we will never show mercy if we are enemies!
Today, we advocate peace and love peace, but this does not mean that we are afraid of war. War is just a means of safeguarding peace. We will never retreat, but will only move forward bravely with our flesh and blood. The times have passed Changed, the previous servility has long since disappeared!
Author of the article: Zi Haojun