Of course, when we look at this history again today, we will feel how stupid people were at that time. In fact, there is no need for each era to have its own historical limitations. "Looking back at the present, looking back at the past." In a few years, we will become the ancients, and others will come to see us again. I am so scared. Therefore, when we look at history, we must be full of sympathy and respect and follow the principle of historicism.
Next, let's talk about the past life, the "day", and see how it was formed. What is its essence?
The so-called "China is in heaven" is not a description of a fact, but a question of value, that is, to judge China and Yidi by thinking that he is in the center of the world and represents the best civilization. Of course, before16th century, this value judgment was the same as the historical fact, because China was indeed the most powerful country in the world at that time, and China culture was widely spread under the influence of Confucian cultural circles, such as North Korea, Japan and Vietnam. However, since the opening of the new air route, world history has begun to take shape, and western countries have gradually risen, accompanied by the collapse of the Chinese empire. At this time, pretending to be "heaven" is undoubtedly an illusory imagination and a blind intoxication.
First, tribute diplomacy in the world.
During the pre-Qin period, many thinkers began to think about the world, thus forming various world views. When people think that the whole space we live in is called "the world", the world is made up of "Kyushu". In addition, there is a view that the world is divided into "five clothes", which is typical of Zhou people. From the inside out, the so-called "five clothes" are Yunnan clothes, Hou clothes, Sui clothes, Yao clothes and wild clothes, and the distance between each clothes is 500 miles.
Whether it is the division of Kyushu or Five Blessingg, the general principle is that the world belongs to the son of heaven, and the son of heaven represents the people, which is what we often say: "Under the world, is it the land of kings?" Is the soil on the shore Wang Chen? "On the basis of the division of' the world', the ancients distinguished Huaxia and Yidi according to their geographical location and civilization, specifically: Dongyi, Xirong, Beidi and Nanman.
Of course, the division of geographical location is not the main thing. The so-called difference between foreign countries and summer is mainly the difference of civilization. Why do you say that? Because "Yi Di enters China, then China", that is to say, even if you are Yi Di, as long as you are committed to the Central Plains civilization and accept this kind of enlightenment, you can also become a member of China. For example, Chu State in the Spring and Autumn Period was always considered a barbarian, and later it was recognized by the Central Plains Dynasty because of a series of civilized reforms. Qin State, which has always been regarded as "the land of tigers and wolves" by the Central Plains Dynasty, gradually became rich and embarked on the road of legalization after Shang Yang's political reform, so that Xunzi praised it and thought it had an ancient legacy.
After the Qin and Han Dynasties, this "world outlook" was reflected in a "tribute relationship" between China and neighboring countries, such as the diplomatic relations between the Han Dynasty and countries such as Wuhuan, Fuyu and Yueshi. By the time of Cao Wei, "although the western regions were inexhaustible, their great powers such as Qiuci, Yutian, Kangju, Wusun, Shule, Yueshi, Shanshan and Cheshi all belonged to them, and they did not pay tribute to the past dynasties, such as the story of China." In the Sui and Tang Dynasties, this relationship was more vividly reflected because of its high martial arts. For example, the relationship between the Tang Dynasty and neighboring countries, because of its equal treatment, "Since ancient times, China has been the most important thing, Yi Di has been the least, and my love is one." Therefore, neighboring countries are extremely supportive of this Ta of Emperor Taizong.
In the Song Dynasty, its diplomatic relations were extremely complicated. Different from the past, the surrounding ethnic minorities have launched a large-scale sinicization movement, which may be very different from the Han nationality in customs, costumes, diets, etc., but they are almost the same as the Han nationality in political system and culture. For example, Liao, Jin and Xixia all carried out reforms. The political system imitated the Han regime, adopted the imperial examination system to select scholars and believed in Confucian culture. Say something inappropriate, "hooligans are not terrible, they are afraid of illiteracy." Therefore, when we look at the Song Dynasty again, we can't blindly criticize its foreign military weakness. If we could look at the political situation at that time rationally and objectively, we wouldn't have such sentimental and naive ideas.
In the face of such sinister diplomatic relations, the problem of "the difference between China and foreign countries" has been awakened again and strengthened unprecedentedly. Song Taizong took the "brave northern expedition", but failed. In this way, the traditional tribute trade ceased to exist, and the Song Dynasty even had to send "ancient coins" to these countries. In this way, the national self-esteem of the literati in the Song Dynasty was strengthened as never before, and they paid more attention to other issues such as Yi Xia. Although these countries cannot be defeated militarily, they are at least culturally superior. For example, Shi Jie, one of the third-grade teachers in the Song Dynasty, wrote in On China that "those who live in the middle of heaven and earth are called China, and those who live in the middle of heaven and earth are called thoughts." He hopes that "four barbarians are in four barbarians and China is in China, so there will be no chaos". Because the custom of Siyi is "getting tattoos" and "wearing sweaters to live in caves", which is absolutely different from the Central Plains.
Third, China's illusory consciousness towards collapse.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, "China consciousness" reached its peak. For example, the slogan of Ming Taizu's attack on Mongolia is "expel the Tatars and restore China". After the Ming Dynasty, in order to deal with the relations with neighboring countries, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "All nations come to pay tribute to the DPRK, celebrate the Lord, unify China and barbarians, and spread all over the world, east and west, north and south. If you believe in saints, you will get Yao Wang, protect your country and be a family in the world. " In this way, the Ming Dynasty maintained good diplomatic relations with neighboring countries, which was supported by tributary diplomacy. As long as neighboring countries recognize the Ming Dynasty, they will get many rewards. Zheng He's voyage to the West was the climax of this tribute trade in history.
Let's not talk about the Ming Dynasty, but the Qing Dynasty. Ma Gorni's trip to China is
In addition, what is even more bizarre is that the letter written by the king of England to Emperor Qianlong was greatly changed by the translator and turned into flattery. "Now, in addition to the great emperor China in power, there are smells everywhere. All customs and habits are higher than those in other places. Is the first place, all the places are praised and convinced. Therefore, I miss it more and more. " At first glance, the letter has been tampered with, but Emperor Qianlong and his ministers are still intoxicated.
This is undoubtedly an illusory imagination, a blind intoxication! This is ridiculous. It lacks self-knowledge and understanding of others, so always be vigilant!