The Central Plains region has been a gathering place for sages since ancient times. The system of rituals, music and rituals is implemented. However, Zhao Wuling King changed the customs of the Central Plains, abandoning the ancient ritual system, and ordered "wearing Hu clothing" and "learning riding and shooting". Why is this?
Warring States version of " Westernization Movement"
Zhao Guo took advantage of the changes in the world Yintongfu) Water constitutes a dangerous obstacle on the water potential. Build the Great Wall to resist foreign invasion. He captured Lincheng and Guo Lang, and defeated Lin Huren in the land, but the hegemony has not yet been completed. Today, the state of Zhao still faces many threats. Zhongshan Kingdom occupies the heart of Zhao Kingdom, with Yan Kingdom to the north, Donghu to the east, and Linhu, Loufan, and Qin to the west. China, South Korea borders. If there is no strong force for rescue, the country will perish sooner or later.
At that time, the Zhao army’s main combat method was still chariots, but the light cavalry was fast, flexible, and aggressive, making it more suitable for combat in the inland plains and northern grasslands. Therefore, the State of Zhao was often attacked by cavalry from nomadic tribes. Facing the intrusion of foreign enemies, King Zhao Wuling understood that if the country is to be prosperous and strong, it must be reformed. "A husband has the name of a superior world, and he must be burdened by a legacy." To build a reputation that is stronger than that of the world, one must abandon the burden of the unfamiliar.
So,He ordered the abandon of the traditional robes and wide sleeves, weed out the awkward and slow chariots, "wearing a Hu suit" and "learning to ride and shoot", taking the strengths of the Hu people and making up for the shortcomings of the Central Plains. It is really the Warring States version of the "Westernization Movement".
Change is not easy
Change is never easy.
Facing the influence of the customs in the Central Plains, the reform of King Zhao Wuling's "Hufu Qishang" will inevitably be criticized and criticized by the world.
If the emperor succeeds to the throne, his principle should follow the merits of his ancestors; if the minister commits himself to the emperor, his duty should be devoted to the strengths and achievements of the emperor. King Zhao Wuling wanted to inherit the achievements of the two monarchs , Zhao Jianzi and Zhao Xiangzi , to open up the place where the Hu and Zhai lived, but he also worried that no one would understand his ambitions and ambitions.
The joy of the ignorant is the sorrow of the wise man; the ridicule of the foolish man can be seen clearly by the wise man. " The joy of a wild husband, the wise sorrow; the fool laughs, the sage observes. " This is also the sadness and sadness of the world.
Reform is not only the persistence of the heart, but also the understanding and support of people around
Minister Fei Yi said to and the king of martial arts : "Since you have considered accepting accusations of abandoning customs, then There is no need to worry about the world’s arguments.” As the saying goes, “ doubts no success, doubts no name”, hesitating to do things will not succeed, and hesitating actions will not achieve fame. " Fools do things in secret, wise men see nothing. " Stupid people still don’t understand the truth after things are successful, but wise men can see the development of things when there are no signs of it, so sages think far away and everyone Knowledge close. Fei Yi tried his best to persuade and resolutely support the reform. King Zhao Wuling also made up his mind: "Although drives the world to laugh at me,Hu Di Zhongshan I must have it. "So, I wore Hufu.
Portrait of Minister Feiyi
Gongzi Cheng is the uncle of King Zhao Wuling. He said that Wu was not going to the court because he opposed the reform of betraying the old customs.
The spirit king sent someone to tell the son to become:
" family listens to relatives and country listens to the king. "
Family affairs obey the parents and the state affairs obey the monarch. This is the accepted code of conduct in ancient and modern times. Now I make decree and reform clothes, but if you don’t wear it, my uncle, I’m afraid everyone in the world will talk about it.
People-oriented; politically and economically, and behavioral. Mingde first talks about cheap, and administration first believes in expensive. "
The rule of governing a country is based on the benefit of the people; the common law in dealing with political affairs is to prohibit. Propaganda of morality must first start with the civilians, and the promotion of administrative orders must first allow the nobles to obey.
, It is not to cultivate desires and to have fun. "
The purpose of ordering to wear Hufu now is not to satisfy desire and pleasure. This is to build merit for accomplishing something. If the thing is successful, the merit is created, so that it can be safe.
Gongzicheng objected:
"The Chinese are taught by the sages, used by rituals and music, and viewed from afar, and the barbarians are effective.
The Central Plains region is a place where sages and sages are enlightened, a place where rituals and rituals are implemented, a place where people from afar are willing to visit, and a place where barbarians are willing to imitate. But now the king abandons these and instead Putting on the Hufu is changing the ancient civilization, betraying the ancient customs, violating everyone's will, and changing the eternal righteous way.I hope that the king will consider this matter carefully.
After hearing this, King Zhao Wuling personally went to the son's home, and once again asked:
"The saint is comfortable with the view of the country, and makes rituals according to circumstances, so he benefits his people and strengthens the country."
Clothing is used for the convenience of wearing, and the etiquette is also formulated for the convenience of doing things. The saint observes the local customs and follows the custom, formulating etiquette and law according to the actual situation. This is for the convenience of the people and the country.
"The hometown is easy to use and the use is changed, and the matter is different, the courtesy is easy."
The ritual costumes in different places will also be different. For example, the custom of Ouyue is to cut their hair, have tattoos on their bodies, draw on their arms, and open the placket on the left; while for large Wu, the custom is to dye black teeth, tattoo flowers on their foreheads, and wear fish skin hats. , Wear clothes with thick needles and large threads. If it is beneficial to the country, why the method should be consistent; if it is convenient to act, then why should the etiquette system be the same.
“I don’t know but don’t doubt, those who are different from one’s own but not wrong, and they are fair and all seek the best.”
People who don’t want to doubt things they don’t understand, and who don’t criticize things that are different from their own opinions. , In order to just learn from others' strengths to achieve perfection. Nowadays, the Yellow River and the water of Boluo are shared with Qiguo and Zhongshan, but there is no boat equipment. How can the people living on both sides of the river hold the waters of the Yellow River and Boluo? In the face of threats from Yan, Donghu, Loufan, Qin, and South Korea, how can we defend the country without the equipment for riding and shooting?
At the beginning, Zhongshan State relied on the powerful Qi State, invaded and trampled on our country's land, looted our people, diverted water and besieged the city of Hua (pronounced Tonghao). If it were not for the protection of the ancestral gods, Huancheng was almost lost. If we have the equipment for riding and shooting, we can make Shangdang's terrain more favorable, and we can repay the shame of Huancheng far away.
The words of King Wu Ling convinced his uncle and son Cheng, and he put on a Hu suit to go to court the next day. King Zhao Wuling also began to issue a decree to change his Hu clothing and learn to ride and shoot.
The results of "Hu Fu Qiqi Shooting"
With the reform of "Hu Fu Qiqi Shooting", the State of Zhao established a powerful army with cavalry as the main body. After that, the country prospered. Zhongshan Kingdom was wiped out and opened up The territory of the State of Zhao became the only powerful country that could contend with the State of Qin in the late Warring States period.
The purpose of the change is to change the yardstick of success or failure
"Hufu Qishang" can be successfully implemented and achieve the purpose of making the country strong and powerful, because it is not just a formal change, but the king of Zhao Wuling Really realized the shortcomings of the old customs in the Central Plains; its open vision and firm determination also enabled the reform to be implemented from the nobles to the common people. Also in order to get rid of the decline of the state power, the Westernization Movement of "learning from the barbarians to control the barbarians" failed to realize the country's self-improvement and prosperity, precisely because Westernization faction only advocated learning Western technology, but did not understand The shortcomings of the feudal system and ideology; In addition, the Westernization School are defenders of traditional feudal ideas. Under the attack of the aggressive forces of the foreign powers, the self-strengthening movement quickly failed.
Throughout the ages, change has been a turning point for a country or regime. The purpose of the change will determine the development direction of the change, the choice of policy, and an important yardstick for judging the success or failure of the change.
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Original | Reading notes of "Zi Zhi Tong Jian"
