How to view Song Xianggong’s benevolence and morality in the war?

How to view Song Xianggong’s benevolence and morality in war

The ancestor of the Song monarch was Wei Ziqi, the elder brother of King Zhou of Shang, whose surname was Song. In the fifth year of Zhou Gong's regency (1039 BC), King Wu of Zhou conferred the title of Duke of Song Dynasty on Wei Ziqi. He founded the Song Dynasty in Shangqiu, the capital of his ancestors, and allowed him to pay homage and enshrine his ancestors with the courtesy of the emperor as a "guest". status, becoming a relatively special vassal state.

There were thirty-four kings in the Song Dynasty, spanning seven hundred and fifty-three years. The king of the Song Dynasty inherited the business civilization of his ancestors, with prosperous trade and developed economy, and was regarded as a "state of etiquette".

It is the birthplace of the four major sects such as Confucianism, Zhu Jia, Taoism, and famous schools. Three sages including Zhuzi, Zhuangzi and Huizi were produced. Confucius's ancestors also lived in the Song State and later moved to the Lu State. Most of the kings of the Song Dynasty paid attention to etiquette, and the more famous one was Zifu, the son of Song Xiang (the 20th king of the Song Dynasty).

Song Huan Gong has his second son tomorrow, and his deceased mother is Mrs. Huan (the daughter of Wei Zhaobo and Xuan Jiang). When Qi was in power, Duke Xianggang of the Song Dynasty led the allied forces of Wei, Cao, and Zhu to attack the State of Qi, and made Duke Xiao of Qi the king. , becoming one of the Five Hegemons of Qiuchun.

In the early winter of the fourteenth year of King Zhou Xiang (638 BC), Song Xianggong did not obey the dissuasion of his elder brother Sima and his son Mu Yi, and insisted on attacking the state of Zheng and rescuing the state of Zheng. The Chu army launched the Battle of Honghuo (historically located in the southeast of Zhecheng, Hebei Province in ancient times).

Although Song Xianggong was ambitious and wanted to compete with Chu for hegemony, he paid attention to benevolence and righteousness in fighting. When the Chu army was crossing the river, he looked at him and admonished him: "The Chu army has many soldiers and horses, and our army has few soldiers. We should Take advantage of the opportunity of the Chu army to cross the river and send troops to attack them."

Song Xianggong said: "Our Song army has always been known as the army of benevolence and righteousness. How can we attack them when they are crossing the river?" The troops were lining up on the bank of the river, and when they were ready to go, Song Xianggong ordered the attack on the Chu army.

The Chu army broke into the Song army camp in one go. The Song army was defeated and suffered a heavy loss. Song Xianggong himself was injured in the leg. Back to International. Some people complained that the king did not obey the advice of his son Muyi, so he lost the battle.

Song Xianggong taught the ministers at his feet:

"The villain has no minor injuries, no two feathers. In ancient times, as an army, there was no obstruction. Although everyone is perishing, the country will be destroyed. , If you are not full, you will not be in line. "A villain with a kind heart will not repeatedly hurt an injured soldier, and will not indulge an older soldier with gray hair on his temples. Today's people will not rely on the rugged terrain to win a war. Although we are the descendants of the subjugated king, we will not attack an enemy that is not well-positioned and well-prepared.

His Majesty Prince Muyi complained: "The ultimate goal of war is to win. What are you talking about as a villain? It is not as good as actually following what the king said. Forget about being a slave and a servant, what kind of daughter should I have?" In the summer of the fifteenth year of King Zhou Xiang's reign (637 BC), Duke Xiang of the Song Dynasty became depressed and died of illness. He was buried in Xiangyi (Sui County, Hebei Province). .

Song Xianggong was laughed at by future generations, thinking that he was stupid. Confucius once said: "Etiquette must be provided to all families." The "family" here refers to the place where the descendants of wealthy merchants live - the Song Dynasty. The descendants of wealthy merchants are waiting for the morality of their ancestors to come to heaven, and the strict rules are based on the rules set by their ancestors. How could Yin Li be called stupid in his behavior?

As a leader, if Song Xianggong did not pay attention to benevolence, who could be convinced? The reason why human beings are different from animals is that they must abide by certain principles when interacting, including fighting. Otherwise, is it wisdom to attack the unprepared, bully the strong, and betrayal?

Peace is an extraordinary behavior of human beings. Modern peace also pays attention to principles, such as no prisoners, no harm to innocent civilians, no use of weapons of mass destruction, etc. Song Xianggong's approach is consistent with the ancient principles of peace. The master of justice must abide by the principles, otherwise is it any different from a murderous domestic beast?